om "The Provoked Husband," gives a good specimen of
social hypocrisy.

_Servant._ Madam, here's my Lady Fanciful to wait upon your
ladyship.

_Lady Brute._ Shield me, kind heaven! what an inundation of
impertinence is here coming upon us!

At the end of this unwelcome visit, we have the following hit at the
ceremonious politeness then fashionable.

_Lady B._ What going already, madam.

_Lady Fan._ I must beg you excuse me this once, for really I have
eighteen visits to return this afternoon. So you see I am
importuned by the women as well as by the men.

_Bel._ (_aside_). And she's quits with 'em both.

_Lady F._ Nay, you shan't go one step out of the room.

_Lady B._ Indeed, I'll wait upon you down.

_Lady F._ No sweet, Lady Brute, you know I swoon at ceremony.

_Lady B._ Pray give me leave.

_Lady F._ You know I wont.

_Lady B._ Indeed I must.

_Lady F._ Indeed you shan't.

_Lady B._ Indeed I will.

_Lady F._ Indeed you shan't.

_Lady B._ Indeed I will.

_Lady F._ Indeed you shan't, indeed, indeed, indeed you shan't.
(_Exit running._)

The aversions and disputes of husbands and wives furnish the subject of
some of his humour. Sir John Brute says:--

"Sure if women had been ready created, the devil instead of being
kicked down in hell had been married."

_Lady Brute._ Are you afraid of being in love, Sir?

_Heartfree._ I should if there were any danger of it.

_Lady B._ Pray, why so?

_Heart._ Because I always had an aversion to being used like a dog.

_Belinda._ Why truly, men in love are seldom used much better.

_Lady B._ But were you never in love, Sir?

_Heart._ No, I thank heaven, madam.

_Bel._ Pray, where got you your learning then?

_Heart._ From other people's expense.

_Bel._ That's being a spunger, Sir, which is scarce honest. If
you'd buy some experience with your own money, as 'twould be
fairlier got, so 'twould stick longer by you.

* * * * *

_Berinthia._ Ah, Amanda, it's a delicious thing to be a young
widow!

_Aman._ You'll hardly make me think so.

_Ber._ Phu! because you are in love with your husband; but that is
not every woman's case.

_Aman._ I hope 'twas yours at least.

_Ber._ Mine, say ye? Now I have a grea