in the meantime there is a person
about her ladyship, that from several hints and
surmises, was accessory at a certain time to the
disappointments that naturally attend things, that
to her knowledge are of more importance--' {191}

_Mrs. Sul_., _Dor_. Ha! ha! ha! where are you going, sir?

_Arch_. Why, I han't half done!--The whole howd'ye was
about half an hour long; so I happened to misplace
two syllables, and was turned off, and rendered incapable.

_Dor_. [_Aside to Mrs. Sullen_.] The pleasantest fellow,
sister, I ever saw!--[_To Archer_.] But, friend, if your
master be married, I presume you still serve a lady?

_Arch_. No, madam, I take care never to come into a
married family; the commands of the master and
mistress are always so contrary, that 'tis impossible
to please both. {203}

_Dor_. There's a main point gained: my lord is not
married, I find. [_Aside_.

_Mrs. Sul_. But I wonder, friend, that in so many good
services, you had not a better provision made for
you.

_Arch_. I don't know how, madam. I had a lieutenancy
offered me three or four times; but that is not bread,
madam--I live much better as I do. {211}

_Scrub_. Madam, he sings rarely! I was thought to do
pretty well here in the country till he came; but
alack a day, I 'm nothing to my brother Martin!

_Dor_. Does he?--Pray, sir, will you oblige us with a
song?

_Arch_. Are you for passion or humour?

_Scrub_. Oh le! he has the purest ballad about a trifle--

_Mrs. Sul_. A trifle! pray, sir, let's have it.

_Arch_. I 'm ashamed to offer you a trifle, madam; but
since you command me-- {221}

[_Sings to the tune of Sir Simon the King_]

A trifling song you shall hear,
Begun with a trifle and ended:
All trifling people draw near,
And I shall be nobly attended.

Were it not for trifles, a few,
That lately have come into play;
The men would want something to do,
And the women want something to say.

What makes men trifle in dressing? {235}
Because the ladies (they know)
Admire, by often possessing,
That eminent trifle, a beau.

When the lover his moments has trifled,
The trifle of trifles to gain:
No sooner the virgin is rifled,
But a trifle shall part 'em again.

What mortal man would be able
At White's half an hour to sit?