ives within chaste Hymen's bands to draw
The tuneful maids and sages of the law;
Or, what's alike--nor think he means a joke--
Melpomene to wed with old judge Coke.
Yet still, if you'll not let his faults pass free,
The Grecian rev'rence pay to sixty-three.

PERSONS OF THE DRAMA.

Men.

ANDREWS, merchant and banker.
WILSON,
GOODWIN, merchants, his neighbours.
Lord BELMOUR, an English peer.
Lord WESTON, nephew to lord BELMOUR.
JEFFERSON, first clerk and cashier to Mr. ANDREWS.
THOMAS, steward to Mr. ANDREWS.

Women.

Mrs. ANDREWS.
Lady BELMOUR.
CONSTANTIA, daughter to Mr. ANDREWS, by a former wife.
LUCIA, her kinswoman.
MARIA, waiting-woman to Mrs. ANDREWS, and wife to THOMAS.

Attendants and other servants, bailiffs, &c.

Scene, London.

THE FEMALE GAMSTER.

ACT I.

SCENE I.

Mr. ANDREWS's house.

Enter MARIA and THOMAS.

MARIA. But why these moping, melancholy looks?
Each eye observes and marks them now unseemly,
Whilst every countenance but your's speaks joy,
At the near wedding of our master's daughter.
Sure none so well deserv'd this noble prize:
And young lord Weston will be bless'd indeed.

THOMAS. It has been countermanded.

MARIA. What again?
This is the second time. What can this mean?
Then, his unusual absence, now a month,
Nor any cause assign'd.

THOMAS. Some accident.
I know a truer flame was ne'er profess'd:
A fondness which commenced in his apprenticeship,
Here in this house, then but the late lord's nephew,
Nor next in heirship to estate or title.

MARIA. And sure all must approve his well-judg'd choice!
In charms and virtues there are none surpass her.

THOMAS. Heav'n grant my fears are groundless! but, Maria,
To think on what of late I daily see,
Afflicts my soul.

MARIA. What is't your fears suggest?

THOMAS. A wasted fortune and a sinking credit,
With the near ruin of this worthy family;
The thought materially concerns us both.

MARIA. But, why again, should we distress ourselves
For that we cannot help?

THOMAS. Ungenerous thought!
Duty and love and gratitude demand it.
'Twas here we met each other; here we wedded,
And ever have receiv'd the kindest