[To them] SHARPER.
VAIN.Faith, that's a sure way: but here's one can sell you freedom better cheap.
SHARP.Vainlove, I have been a kind of a godfather to you yonder.
I have promised and vowed some things in your name which I think you are bound to perform.
VAIN.No signing to a blank, friend.
SHARP.No, I'll deal fairly with you.'Tis a full and free discharge to Sir Joseph Wittal and Captain Bluffe; for all injuries whatsoever, done unto you by them, until the present date hereof.
How say you?
VAIN.Agreed.
SHARP.Then, let me beg these ladies to wear their masks, a moment.Come in, gentlemen and ladies.
HEART.What the devil's all this to me?
VAIN.Patience.
SCENE the Last [To them] SIR JOSEPH, BLUFFE, SYLVIA, LUCY, SETTER.
BLUFF.All injuries whatsoever, Mr.Sharper.
SIR JO.Ay, ay, whatsoever, Captain, stick to that; whatsoever.
SHARP.'Tis done, these gentlemen are witnesses to the general release.
VAIN.Ay, ay, to this instant moment.I have passed an act of oblivion.
BLUFF.'Tis very generous, sir, since I needs must own -SIR JO.No, no, Captain, you need not own, heh, heh, heh.'Tis Imust own -
BLUFF.--That you are over-reached too, ha, ha, ha, only a little art military used--only undermined, or so, as shall appear by the fair Araminta, my wife's permission.Oh, the devil, cheated at last! [Lucy unmasks.]
SIR JO.Only a little art-military trick, captain, only countermined, or so.Mr.Vainlove, I suppose you know whom I have got--now, but all's forgiven.
VAIN.I know whom you have not got; pray ladies convince him.
[ARAM.and BELIN.unmask.]
SIR JO.Ah! oh Lord, my heart aches.Ah! Setter, a rogue of all sides.
SHARP.Sir Joseph, you had better have pre-engaged this gentleman's pardon: for though Vainlove be so generous to forgive the loss of his mistress, I know not how Heartwell may take the loss of his wife.[SYLVIA unmasks.]
HEART.My wife! By this light 'tis she, the very cockatrice.OSharper! Let me embrace thee.But art thou sure she is really married to him?
SET.Really and lawfully married, I am witness.
SHARP.Bellmour will unriddle to you.[HEARTWELL goes to BELLMOUR.]
SIR JO.Pray, madam, who are you? For I find you and I are like to be better acquainted.
SYLV.The worst of me is, that I am your wife -SHARP.Come, Sir Joseph, your fortune is not so bad as you fear.
A fine lady, and a lady of very good quality.
SIR JO.Thanks to my knighthood, she's a lady -VAIN.That deserves a fool with a better title.Pray use her as my relation, or you shall hear on't.
BLUFF.What, are you a woman of quality too, spouse?
SET.And my relation; pray let her be respected accordingly.
Well, honest Lucy, fare thee well.I think, you and I have been play-fellows off and on, any time this seven years.
LUCY.Hold your prating.I'm thinking what vocation I shall follow while my spouse is planting laurels in the wars.
BLUFF.No more wars, spouse, no more wars.While I plant laurels for my head abroad, I may find the branches sprout at home.
