_Ran._ I have had just now a visit from my mistress, who is as jealous of me as a wife of her husband when she lies in:--my cousin Lydia,--you have heard me speak of her. _Vin._ But she is more troublesome than a wife that lies in, because she follows you to your haunts. Why do you allow her that privilege before her time? _Ran._ Faith, I may allow her any privilege, and be too hard for her yet. How do you think I have cheated her to-night?--Women are poor credulous creatures, easily deceived. _Vin._ We are poor credulous creatures, when we think 'em so. _Ran._ Intending a ramble to St. James's Park to-night, upon some probable hopes of some fresh game I have in chase, I appointed her to stay at home; with a promise to come to her within this hour, that she might not spoil the scent and prevent my sport. _Vin._ She'll be even with you when you are married, I warrant you. In the meantime here's her health, Dapperwit. _Ran._ Now had he rather be at the window, writing her anagram in the glass with his diamond, or biting his nails in the corner for a fine thought to come and divert us with at the table. _Dap._ No, a pox! I have no wit to-night. I am as barren and hide-bound as one of your damned scribbling poets, who are sots in company for all their wit; as a miser is poor for all his money. How do you like the thought? _Vin._ Drink, drink! _Dap._ Well, I can drink this, because I shall be reprieved presently. _Vin._ Who will be so civil to us? _Dap._ Sir Simon Addleplot:--I have bespoke him a supper here, for he treats to-night a new rich mistress. _Ran._ That spark, who has his fruitless designs upon the bed-ridden rich widow, down to the suckling heiress in her pissing-clout. He was once the sport, but now the public grievance, of all the fortunes in town; for he watches them like a younger brother that is afraid to be mumped of his snip,[29] and they cannot steal a marriage, nor stay their stomachs, but he must know it. _Dap._ He has now pitched his nets for Gripe's daughter, the rich scrivener, and serves him as a clerk to get admission to her; which the watchful fop her father denies to all others. _Ran._ I thought you had been nibbling at her once, under pretence of love to her aunt. _Dap._ I confess I have the same design yet, and Addleplot is but my agent, whilst he thinks me his. He brings me letters constantly from her, and carries mine back. _Vin._ Still betraying your best friends! _Dap._ I cannot in honour but betray him. Let me perish! the poor young wench is taken with my person, and would scratch through four walls to come to me. _Vin._ 'Tis a sign she is kept up close indeed. _Dap._ Betray him! I'll not be traitor to love for any man. _Enter_ Sir SIMON ADDLEPLOT _with the_ Waiter. _Sir Sim._ Know 'em! you are a saucy Jack-straw to question me, faith and troth; I know everybody, and everybody knows me. _All._ Sir Simon! Sir Simon! Sir Simon! _Ran._ And you are a welcome man to everybody.