Produced by Jonathan Ingram, Tapio Riikonen
and PG Distributed Proofreaders
Sir Timothy Tawdrey is by the wishes of his mother and the lady’s fatherdesigned for Celinda, who loves Bellmour, nephew to Lord Plotwell. Acoxcomb of the first water, Sir Timothy receives a sharp rebuff when heopens his suit, and accordingly he challenges Bellmour, but fails toappear at the place of meeting. Celinda’s old nurse, at night, admitsBellmour to her mistress’ chamber, where they are surprized byFriendlove, her brother, who is, however, favourable to the union, themore so as he is a friend of Bellmour, and they have but newly returnedfrom travelling together in Italy. Lord Plotwell warmly welcomes hisnephew home, and proceeds to unfold his design of giving him his nieceDiana in marriage. When he demurs, the old lord threatens to deprive himof his estate, and he is compelled eventually to acquiesce in thematrimonial schemes of his guardian. Bellmour sends word to Celinda, whoreplies in a heart-broken letter; and at the wedding feast Friendlove,who himself is deeply enamoured of Diana, appears in disguise to observethe traitor. He is followed by his sister disguised as a boy, and uponFriendlove’s drawing on Bellmour a scuffle ensues which, however, endswithout harm. In the nuptial chamber Bellmour informs Diana that hecannot love her and she quits him maddened with rage and disappointment.Sir Timothy serenades the newly-mated pair and is threatened byBellmour, whilst Celinda, who has been watching the house, attacks thefop and his fiddlers. During the brawl Diana issuing forth meetsCelinda, and taking her for a boy leads her into the house and shortlymakes advances of love. They are interrupted by Friendlove, disguised,and he receives Diana’s commands to seek out and challenge Bellmour. Atthe same time he reveals his love as though he told the tale of another,but he is met with scorn and only bidden to fight the husband who hasrepulsed her. Bellmour, meantime, in despair and rage at his miseryplunges into reckless debauchery, and in company with Sir Timothy visitsa bagnio, where they meet Betty Flauntit, the knight’s kept mistress,and other cyprians. Hither they are tracked by Charles, Bellmour’syounger brother, and Trusty, Lord Plotwell’s old steward. Sharp wordspass, the brothers fight and Charles is slighted wounded. Their Unclehears of this with much indignation, and at the same time receiving aletter from Diana begging for a divorce, he announces his intention tofurther her purpose, and to abandon wholly Charles and Phillis, hissister, in consequence of their elder brother’s conduct. Sir Timothy,induced by old Trusty, begins a warm courtship of Phillis, and arrangeswith a parasite named Sham to deceive her by a mock marriage. Sham,however, procures a real parson, and Sir Timothy is for the momentafraid he has got a wife without a dowry or portion. Lord Plotwelleventually promises to provide for her, and at Diana’s request, now sherecognizes her mistake in trying to hold a man who does not love her,Bellmour is forgiven and allowed to wed Celinda as soon as the divorcehas been pronounced, whilst Diana herself rewards Friendlove withher hand.