_Pos._ The evidence is plain. You have cohabitation with the mother, doctor, _currat lex_. And you must keep the child. _Foss._ Your decree is unjust, Sir, and I'll seek my remedy at law. As I never was espoused, I never had carnal knowledge of any woman; and my wife, Mrs. Susanna Townley, is a pure virgin at this hour for me. _Pos._ Susanna Townley! Susannah Townley! Look how runs the warrant you drew up this morning. [_Clerk gives him a paper._ Madam, a word in private with you. [_whispers her_] Doctor, my Lord Chief Justice has some business with this lady. _Foss._ My Lord Chief Justice business with my wife! _Pos._ To be plain with you, doctor Fossile, you have for these three hours entertain'd another man's wife. Her husband, lieutenant Bengal, is just returned from the Indies, and this morning took out a warrant from me for an elopement; it will be more for your credit to part with her privately, than to suffer her publickly to be carried off by a tipstaff. _Foss._ Surprizing have been the events of this day; but this, the strangest of all, settles my future repose. Let her go--I have not dishonoured the bed of lieutenant Bengal--Hark ye friend! Do you follow her with that badge of her infamy. _Pos._ By your favour, doctor, I never reverse my judgment. The child is yours: for it cannot belong to a man who has been three years absent in the East-Indies. Leave the child. _Sail._ I find you are out of humour, master. So I'll call to-morrow for his clearings. [_Sailor lays down the child, and exit with Possum, Clerk, and Townley._] _Clink._ Uncle, by this day's adventure, every one has got something. Lieutenant Bengal has got his wife again; you a fine child; and I a plot for a comedy; and I'll this moment set about it. [_Exit Clinket._ _Foss._ What must be, must be. [_takes up the child._] Fossile, thou didst want posterity: Here behold thou hast it. A wife thou didst not want; thou hast none. But thou art caressing a child that is not thy own. What then? a thousand, and a thousand husbands are doing the same thing this very instant; and the knowledge of truth is desirable, and makes thy case the better, What signifies whether a man beget his child or not? How rediculous is the act itself, said the great emperor Antoninus! I now look upon myself as a Roman citizen; it is better that the father should adopt the child, than that the wife should adopt the father. [_Exit Fossile._ EPILOGUE. Spoke by Mrs. OLDFIELD.