Our Author try'd his best, and Wisemen tell, 'Tis half well doing to endeavour well: What tho' his poor Allay runs not so fine; Yet, let it pass as does our present Coin; For wanting fairer Ore, and riches mould He stamps in Brass, what others print in Gold: Smile on him but this time, the next perhaps, If he guess right he may deserve your Claps._ Dramatis Personae. |Bonvile, _The Bridegroom_. |_Mr._ Boman. | |Friendly, _His Friend, in Love with_ Clara. |_Mr._ Thurmond. | |Justice Merryman, _Father to_ Arabella. |_Mr._ Bright. | |Summerfield, _A Gentleman, but Younger Brother, | | | necessitated to take the High-Way_. |_Mr._ Scudemore.| |_Mr._ Ventre, _A Merchant._ |_Mr._ Arnold. | |_Mr._ Spruce, _A City Beau._ |_Mr._ Bayly. | |Compasse, _A Master of a Vessel._ |_Mr._ Freeman. | |A Councellor. |_Mr._ Davis. | |Pettifog, } |_Mr._ Trefusis. | | } _Two Attorneys._ | | |Dodge, } |_Mr._ Eldred. | | | | |_Sailers, Neighbours, Drawers, Servants, Boys, | | | Singers and Dancers._ | | | | | |Arabella, _The Bride_. |_Mrs._ Boman. | |Clara, _Friendly's Mistriss, but secretly in Love | | | with_ Bonvile. |_Mrs._ Boutell. | |_Mrs._ Ventre, _The Merchant's Wife_. |_Mrs._ Lacy. | |Peg, _Compasses Wife_. |_Mrs._ Perin. | |Nurse. |_Mrs._ Lawson. | |Lucy, Clara's _Maid_. |_Miss_ Prince. | | | | |_Women Neighbours._ | | SCENE _London_. THE CITY BRIDE: OR, THE Merry Cuckold. ACT I. SCENE the I. _The Curtain draws up, and discovers several sitting at a Banquet. An Entertainment of Instrumental Musick, Compos'd by Signior_ Finger: _Then a Song, set by Mr._ John Eccles, _and Sung by Young_ La Roche. SONG. _Many I've lik'd, and some Enjoy'd, But if I said I Lov'd, I ly'd. Inconstant as the wandring Bee, From once touch'd Sweets I us'd to flee; Nor all the Power of Female Skill, Cou'd curb the freedom of my Will:_ Clarinda _only found the Art, To Conquer and so keep my Heart._ [_After this a Dance, and then the Scene shuts._ Enter_ Friendly _and_ Clara.