_Smug._ With all my heart. I'll pardon you the beating me, for that very word. And pray, Sir Harry, when you see him next, tell him this news from me, that I have disinherited him--that I will leave him as poor as a disbanded quarter-master.--Oh, Sir Harry, he is as hypocritical---- _Lady L._ As yourself, Mr. Alderman. How fares my good old nurse, pray, sir?----Come, Mr. Alderman, for once let a woman advise:--Would you be thought an honest man, banish covetousness, that worst gout of age: avarice is a poor pilfering quality, of the soul, and will, as certainly cheat, as a thief would steal. Would you be thought a reformer of the times, be less severe in your censures, less rigid in your precepts, and more strict in your example. _Sir H._ Right, madam, virtue flows freer from imitation than compulsion; of which, colonel, your conversion and mine, are just examples. In vain are musty morals taught in schools, By rigid teachers, and as rigid rules, Where virtue with a frowning aspect stands, And frights the pupil from its rough commands But woman---- Charming woman can true converts make, We love the precept for the teacher's sake. Virtue in them appears so bright, so gay, We hear with transport, and with pride obey. [_Exeunt omnes._ * * * * * * Transcriber's note: The text includes a number of words with alternate spellings or spellings no longer common. These have been retained. A single instance of dy'e was changed to match the otherwise usual d'ye. The following additional changes were made to the text: Act II, Scene III, (Colonel Standard) I ha'n't vered half my message was changed to read: I ha'n't delivered half my message. Act IV, Scene II, (Lady Lurewell) This must be Sir Harry; tell him I am not be spoken with. was changed to read: This must be Sir Harry; tell him I am not to be spoken with.