THE BELLE'S STRATAGEM, A Comedy, As Acted At The Theatre-Royal in Covent-Garden. By MRS. COWLEY. London: Printed for T. Cadell, in the Strand. 1782. TO THE QUEEN. MADAM, In the following Comedy, my purpose was, to draw a FEMALE CHARACTER, which with the most lively Sensibility, fine Understanding, and elegant Accomplishments, should unite that beautiful Reserve and Delicacy which, whilst they veil those charms, render them still more interesting. In delineating such a Character, my heart naturally dedicated it to YOUR MAJESTY; and nothing remained, but permission to lay it at Your feet. Your Majesty's graciously allowing me this high Honour, is the point to which my hopes aspired, and a reward, of which without censure I may be proud. MADAM, With the warmest wishes for the continuance of your Majesty's felicity, I am YOUR MAJESTY's Most devoted and most dutiful Servant, _H. Cowley_. DRAMATIS PERSONÆ. MEN. DORICOURT, Mr. _Lewis_. HARDY, Mr. _Quick_. SIR GEORGE TOUCHWOOD, Mr. _Wroughton_. FLUTTER, Mr. _Lee Lewes_. SAVILLE, Mr. _Aickin_. VILLERS, Mr. _Whitfield_. COURTALL, Mr. _Robson_. SILVERTONGUE, Mr. _W. Bates_. CROWQUILL, Mr. _Jones_. FIRST GENTLEMAN, Mr. _Thompson_. SECOND GENTLEMAN, Mr. _L'Estrange_. MOUNTEBANK, Mr. _Booth_. FRENCH SERVANT, Mr. _Wewitzer_. PORTER, Mr. _Fearon_. DICK, Mr. _Stevens_. WOMEN. LETITIA HARDY, Miss _Younge_. MRS. RACKET, Mrs. _Mattocks_. LADY FRANCES TOUCHWOOD, Mrs. _Hartley_. MISS OGLE, Mrs. _Morton_. KITTY WILLIS, Miss _Stewart_. LADY, Mrs. _Poussin_. MASQUERADERS, TRADESMEN, SERVANTS, &c. THE BELLE'S STRATAGEM. ACT I. SCENE I.--_Lincoln's-Inn._ _Enter_ Saville, _followed by a Servant, at the top of the stage, looking round, as if at a loss_. _Saville._ Lincoln's-Inn!--Well, but where to find him, now I am in Lincoln's-Inn?--Where did he say his Master was? _Serv._ He only said in Lincoln's-Inn, Sir. _Sav._ That's pretty! And your wisdom never enquired at whose chambers? _Serv._ Sir, you spoke to the servant yourself. _Sav._ If I was too impatient to ask questions, you ought to have taken directions, blockhead! _Enter_ Courtall _singing_. Ha, Courtall!--Bid him keep the horses in motion, and then enquire at all the chambers round. [_Exit servant._ What the devil brings you to this part of the town?--Have any of the Long Robes, handsome wives, sisters or chambermaids? _Court._ Perhaps they have;--but I came on a different errand; and, had thy good fortune brought thee here half an hour sooner, I'd have given thee such a treat, ha! ha! ha! _Sav._ I'm sorry I miss'd it: what was it?