As Rivals of each other jealous prove, And both strive which shall gain the Lady’s Love, So we for your Affections daily vie: Not an Intriguer in the Gallery (Who squeezes hand of _Phillis_ mask’d, that stood Ogling for Sale, in Velvet Scarf and Hood) Can with more Passion his dear Nymph pursue, Than we to make Diversion fit for you. Grant we may please, and we’ve our utmost Aim, ‘Tis to your Favour only we lay claim. In what can we oblige? Cou’d we present you With Mistress young, and safe, it wou’d content you; Then Husbands, weary’d out with Spouse alone, And hen-peck’d Keepers that drudge on with one, I fancy hither wou’d in Crouds resort, As thick as Men for Offices to Court: Who’d stay behind? the Beau above Threescore, Wou’d hobble on, and gape for one bit more; Men of all Stations, from the Nobles, down To grave Sir _Roger_ in his Cap and Gown, Wou’d hither come. But we some time must take, E’er we a Project of such moment make; Since that’s laid by, for your Diversion then, We do invite the Brothers of the Pen; The Courtier, Lawyer, Soldier, Player too, Wit n’er had more Encouragement than now; Though free, or Aliens to our Stage, we take ‘em, Not kick ‘em out, but native Subjects make ‘em. The Ladies too are always welcome here, Let ‘em in Writing or in Box appear. To that fair Sex we are oblig’d to day, Oh! then be kind to a poor Orphan-Play, Whose Parent while she liv’d oblig’d you all; You prais’d her living, and you mourn’d her Fall. Who cou’d, like her, our softer Passions move, The Life of Humour, and the Soul of Love? Wit’s eldest Sister; thro-out every Line, You might perceive some Female Graces shine. For poor _Astrea’s_ Infant we implore, Let it then live, though she is now no more. DRAMATIS PERSONÆ. MEN. Prince _Frederick_, Mr. _Verbruggen_. Sir _Rowland Marteen_, Mr. _Johnson_. _George Marteen_, Mr. _Powell_. Mr. _Welborn_, Mr. _Horden_. Sir _Merlin Marteen_, Mr. _Pinkethman_. Sir _Morgan Blunder_, Mr. _Bullock_. Mr. _Twang_, Mr. _Smeaton_. _Britton_, Mr. _Kent_. _Philip_. WOMEN. _Mirtilla_, Mrs. _Knight_. _Olivia_, Mrs. _Verbruggen_. _Teresia_, Mrs. _Temple_. Lady _Blunder_, Mrs. _Powell_. Mrs. _Manage_, Mrs. _Willis_. Lady _Youthley_, Mrs. _Harris_. _Diana_. Constable and Watch, Pages, Footmen, Masqueraders, Servants, Rakehells, &c. ACT I. SCENE I. A Chamber. Enter _George Marteen_, in a rich Riding Habit, with his Valet _Britton_. _Geo._ Were you with Mrs. _Manage_, _Britton_?