Trade. Mr. Freeman, your servant! Who is that gentleman ? Free. A Dutch merchant just come to England; but hark ye, Mr. Tradelove—I have a piece of news will get you as much as the French king's death did if you are expeditious. Free. [Shewing him a Letter.] Read there, I received it just now from one that belongs to the Emperor's minister. Trade. [Reads.] Sir, as I have many obligations to you, I cannot miss any opportunity to shew my gratitude; this moment my lord has receiv'd a private express, that the Spaniards have rais'd their siege from before Cagliari; if this proves any advantage to you, it will answer both the ends and wishes of, sir, your most obliged humble servant, Henricus Dusseldorp. Postscript. In two or three hours the news will be public. [Aside to Freeman. Free. You may I never knew this person send me a false piece of news in my life. Trade. Sir, I am much obliged to you-'Egad, 'tis rare news.Who sells South Sea for next week? Stock-Job. [All together.] I sell; I, I, I, I, I sell. 1st Stock. I'll sell 50ccl. for next week, at fiveeighths. 2d Stock. -I'll sell ten thousand, at five-eighths, for the same time. Trade. Nay, nay, hold, hold, not all together, gen tlemen, I'll be no bull, I'll buy no more than I can take: will you sell ten thousand pounds at a half, for any day next week, except Saturday? 1st Stock. I'll sell it you, Mr. Tradelove. Free. [Whispers to one of the Gentlemen.] Gent. [Aside.] The Spaniards rais'd the siege of Cagliari; I don't believe one word of it. 2d Gent. Rais'd the siege; as much as you have rais'd the monument. Free. 'Tis rais'd, I assure you, sir. åd Gent. What will you lay on't? Free. What you please. 1st Gent. Why, I have a brother upon the spot, in the Emperor's service; I am certain if there were any such thing, I should have had a letter. 2d Stock. How's this? the siege of Cagliari rais'd? -I wish it may be true, 'twill make business stir, and stocks rise. 1st Stock. Tradelove's a cunning fat bear; if this news proves true, I shall repent I sold him the five thousand pounds.—Pray, sir, what assurance have you that the siege is rais'd? Free. There is come an express to the Emperor's minister. 2d Stock. I'll know that presently. 1st Gent. Let it come where it will, I'll hold you fifty pounds 'tis false. Free. 'Tis done. ad Gent. I'll lay you a brace of hundreds upon the same. F Free. I'll take you. 4th Stock. 'Egad, I'll hold twenty pieces 'tis not rais'd, sir. Free. Done with you too. Trade. I'll lay any man a brace of thousands the siege is rais'd. Free. The Dutch merchant is your man to take in. [Aside to Tradelove. Trade. Does not he know the news? Free. Not a syllable; if he did, he would bet a hundred thousand pounds as soon as one penny; he's plaguy rich, and a mighty man at wagers. Trade. Say you so~' ble. [To Tradelove. -'Egad, I'll bite him, if possi Are you from Holland, sir? Col. Ya, mynheer. Trade. Had you the news before you came away? Col. What believe you, mynheer? Trade. What do I believe? Why, I believe that the Spaniards have actually rais'd the siege of Cagliari. Col. Wat duyvel's news is dat 'Tis niet waer, mynheer 'tis no true, sir. Trade. 'Tis so true, mynheer, that I'll lay you two thousand pounds upon it.You are sure the letter be depended upon, Mr. Freeman ? may Free. Do you think I would venture my money, if I were not sure of the truth of it? [Aside to Trade. Col. Two duysend pound, mynheer, 'tis gadaendis gentleman sal hold de gelt. [Gives Free. money. Trade. With all my heart-this binds the wager. Free. You have certainly lost, mynheer, the siege is rais'd indeed. Col. Ik gelov't niet, Mynheer Freeman, ik sal ye dubbled honden, if you please. Free. I am let into the secret, therefore won't win your money. Trade. Ha, ha, ha! I have snapt the Dutchman, faith, ha, ha! this is no ill day's work.-Pray, may I crave your name, mynheer? Col. Myn naem, mynheer! myn naem is Jan van Timtamtirelereletta Heer Fainwell. Trade. Zounds, 'tis a damn'd long name, I shall never remember it-Myn Heer van, Tim, Tim, Tim, -What the devil is it? Free. Oh! never heed, I know the gentleman, and will pass my word for twice the sum. Trade. That's enough. Col. You'll hear of me sooner than you'll wish, old gentleman, I fancy. [Aside.] You'll come to Sack but's, Freeman. Free. Immediately. 1st Man. Humphry Hump here ? [Exit. [Aside to the Colonel. 2d Boy. Mr. Humphry Hump is not here; you'll find him upon the Dutch walk. Trade. Mr. Freeman, I give you many thanks for your kindness Free. I fear you'll repent when you know all. [Aside. Trade. Will you dine with me? Free. I'm engag'd at Sackbut's; adieu. [Exit. Trade. Sir, your humble servant. Now I'll see what I can do upon 'Change with my news. [Exit. SCENE II. The Tavern. Enter FREEMAN and Colonel. Free. Ha, ha, ha! The old fellow swallowed the bait as greedily as a gudgeon. Col. I have him, faith, ha, ha, ha!-His two thou sand pounds secure― -If he would keep his money, he must part with the lady, ha, hal- -What came of your two friends? they perform'd their part very well; you should have brought 'em to take a glass with us. Free. No matter, we'll drink a bottle together another time.- -I did not care to bring them hither; there's no necessity to trust them with the main secret, you know, colonel. Col. Nay, that's right, Freeman. Enter SACKBUT. Sack. Joy, joy, colonel! the luckiest accident in the world. Col. What say'st thou ? Sack. This letter does your business. Col. [Reads.] To Obadiah Prim, Hosier, near the building call'd the Monument, in London. Free. A letter to Prim! How came you by it? Sack. Looking over the letters our post-woman |