Aura. I tell you, Sir; you must, before I dare give credit to you, serve me faithfully at least two whole months together, and then if we like one ano ther as well as we do now-Why, we'll settle our fortunes and our inclinations

Mode. And jog on in the road of our fathers.
Aura. Amen.

Mode. So be it.

Flora. I am sorry to hear your misfortune; in our absence, it seems, the house was robbed. [To Sir John.

Sir John. Codso! Ay, ay, a villanous story, cousin. The Duke of Gasconade lay here last night; ay, his grace did me the honour---But he was most barbarously treated. I am in hopes of catching 'em: if I do

Enter LURCHER to Sir JOHN.

Lurch. Sir, if you please, one word.

Sir John. Well, what have you to say? I am very busy. What would you have, friend?

Lurch. Had not you a man of quality lodg'd in your house last night?

Sir John. Yes, I had, Sir; and what then? what then?

Lurch. You have a nephew.

Sir John. Ha! what!

Larch. That man of quality was your nephew. Sir John. And you are he! Ay, 'tis so, 'tis so; why ? I am struck dumb, ay, really, quite speechlessWhy, could a man who looked so like quality, d'ye see-Well, well, 'tis an impudent age, a very impudent age, and verily thou art the most impudent fel

low in it-Codso, I'll have thee hanged in thy blue garter and Bristol stones for a theatrical peer as thou

art.

Lurch. Please to hear me one word, Sir.

Sir John. Ay, ay,---I am your grace's most obedient humble servant, and return you my most hearty thanks for the particular favours you have bestowed on the most unworthy of your creatures: hark ye, poltroon, did you never hear of Scandalum Magnatum, and so forth? But what can you say for yourself now, halı ?

Lurch. Sir, I say, that uncommon generosity with which you treated me, under that feigned character I Dore, struck so warmly upon my mind, I could not Dear the compunction I felt even from my success; and thus I throw myself upon your mercy, am ready to restore all I have wrong'd you of, and only beg your forgiveness.

aas

Sir John. This is frankly done, very generously lone, indeed- -In troth, the rogue touches me, he as almost brought tears into my eyes; I profess he What shall I do? [Aside. Lurch. Necessity drove hard---My creditors threatened me hourly with a gaol---Nature prompted me to struggle with every difficulty; if you can have a favourable thought of me

Sir John. I profess the young knave has conquered ---I profess he has-[Turning to Lurcher.] Well, Dick, "well, if I should venture to restore you to

my family, what security shall I have you won't "return to these evil ways again, Dick?

K.

"Lurch. I must repeat it, it was the most pressing "necessity only that reduced me to these extremes; "if you can forgive me, Sir, I will endeavour here. "after to deserve it.

“Sir John.” I do, I do forgive thee, Dick---I profess my heart is so full it runs over at my eyes. Lurch. Your extreme goodness covers me with confusion.

Sir John. Well, will your grace dismiss the ragamuffins of your train, pay the rascals, and send 'em home to their wives? "Like Falstaff's followers, Come, "they are safe by being in good company.

come, all is made up; let us have one trip for it "now, I beseech you: what, a wedding without a "fiddle, man, is like a troop without a trumpet. "Codso, we will foot it till a good capermonger "shall be able to copy the figure of the dance from [A dance." 66 our impressions on the pavement.

Heart. Let these accidents, George, hereafter, when you shall please to think, make you remember, that there is no real lasting good but in virtue, and that the greatest happiness below consists, however libertines and half-wits may affect to ridicule it, in honourable love.

When heaven conspicuous merit would regard,
A virtuous woman is the great reward:
This lovely blessing sweetens life alone,

Sooths all our ills, and keeps hard fortune down ;

Gives us an antepast of joys above,

Beauty and virtue, harmony and love.

EPILOGUE.

Spoken by AURA, in Boy's Clothes.

CRITICS, the poet's champion here I stand ;
Lo! in his name, the combat I demand:
'Tis my opinion that the cause is good,
And I'll defend it with my heart's best blood;
I'll push you, my bold boys, the round parade,
Cart over arm, or terse, or flanconnade.

-Codso! these breeches have so fir'd my brain,
I shan't be easy till I've kill'd my man :
What! not one beau step forth to give me battle;
Where are those pretty things that used to tattle
Such tender nonsense?- -But they're all so civil
They hate a naked weapon; 'tis the devil.

-Now let me die, my dear, Sir Coxcomb cries, You want no other weapons, but your eyes.

I hate these fawning triflers, and declare Against all smock-fac'd critics open war.

Know, gentlemen, the poet's my ally,
And I'll defend him to the last, or die;
My sword is out, I'll never basely sue,
Nor sheath it while the enemy's in view;
No bribes, no tricks, no wheedling of my face,
Include us both i'th' treaty, if you please;

But, faith, I'll never make a separate peace.

No, ye French heroes, I'll not take your word,
You'll beat a man when you have got his sword;
Ay, that's your play-I know ye, Sirs, of old,
You bully like the devil-
-with your gold;

What must we do, then?

-Settle plenipo's,

And bravely, sword in hand, treat with our foes. To you we fly, ye charitable fair,

To put an end to this dramatic war;

Your smiles will cause all hostile acts to cease,

And make a lasting, honourable peace.