_Y. Mir._ Why, then, you must know, that we marched up a body of the finest, bravest, well dressed fellows in the universe; our commanders at the head of us, all lace and feather, like so many beaux at a ball--I don't believe there was a man of them but could dance a charmer, Morbleau. _Old Mir._ Dance! very well, pretty fellows, 'faith! _Y. Mir._ We capered up to their very trenches, and there saw, peeping over, a parcel of scare-crow, olive-coloured, gunpowder fellows, as ugly as the devil. _Dur._ E'gad, I shall never forget the looks of them, while I have breath to fetch. _Y. Mir._ They were so civil, indeed, as to welcome us with their cannon! but for the rest, we found them such unmannerly, rude, unsociable dogs, that we grew tired of their company, and so we e'en danced back again. _Old Mir._ And did ye all come back? _Y. Mir._ No, two or three thousand of us staid behind. _Old Mir._ Why, Bob, why? _Y. Mir._ Pshaw! because they could not come that night. _Dur._ No, sir, because they could not come that night. _Y. Mir._ But, come, sir, we were talking of something else; pray, how does your lovely charge, the fair Oriana? _Old Mir._ Ripe, sir, just ripe; you'll find it better engaging with her than with the Germans, let me tell you. And what would you say, my young Mars, if I had a Venus for thee too? Come, Bob, your apartment is ready, and pray let your friend be my guest too; you shall command the house between ye, and I'll be as merry as the best of you. [_Exeunt._ ACT THE SECOND. SCENE I. OLD MIRABEL'S _House_. ORIANA _and_ BISARRE. _Bis._ And you love this young rake, d'ye? _Oriana._ Yes. _Bis._ In spite of all his ill usage? _Oriana._ I can't help it. _Bis._ What's the matter wi' ye? _Oriana._ Pshaw! _Bis._ Um!--before that any young, lying, swearing, flattering, rakehelly fellow, should play such tricks with me--O, the devil take all your Cassandras and Cleopatras for me.--I warrant now, you'll play the fool when he comes, and say you love him! eh? _Oriana._ Most certainly; I can't dissemble, Bisarre; besides, 'tis past that, we're contracted. _Bis._ Contracted! alack-a-day, poor thing!--What, you have changed rings, or broken an old broadpiece between you! I would make a fool of any fellow in France. Well, I must confess, I do love a little coquetting, with all my heart! my business should be to break gold with my lover one hour, and crack my promise the next; he should find me one day with a prayer book in my hand, and with a play book another.--He should have my consent to buy the wedding ring, and the next moment would I ask him his name. _Oriana._ O, my dear! were there no greater tie upon my heart, than there is upon my conscience, I would soon throw the contract out of doors; but the mischief on't is, I am so fond of being tied, that I'm forced to be just, and the strength of my passion keeps down the inclination of my sex. _Bis._ But here's the old gentleman! _Enter_ OLD MIRABEL.