[SHALLOW and SLENDER put on their Masks.

A number of Muskers enter; among the rest, PISTOL, NYM, Mrs QUICKLY, and DOLL. FALSTAFF re-enters, leading in URSULA, followed by BRIDGet.

Fal. Gentles, you're welcome. You see I come unmasked among you. It were superfluous for him to hide his face who could not be concealed for his belly. Could I mask that, indeed, I might pass in disguise But come, begin the dance: I hope there will be yet concealment enough in this revelry to defeat the rogueries contrived in darkness, and bring them to light. Pis. Nym, who are those in purple vestments clad?

Nym. The two in green?

Pis. In robes of Tyrian dye.

Nym. By their garb they should be the parties; let us accost them. The priest is ready without. We will be speedy; and, when sped, return unmasked to tantalize the knight.

[They go up to QUICKLY and DOLL, and take them out.

A Dance. PISTOL and NYM re-enter, unmasked. Fal. Pistol, how now? wherefore hast doff'd thy mask?-Art thou the master of this feast? or am I thine?

Pis. That is as fortune bids, and time shall

shew;

Some mount aloft, while others truckle low.
Sir Knight, no more your ancient and base tyke,
Pistol was born to wield the potent pike.

Fal. Pistol, thou art always in the clouds. Art thou drunk? or hast thou got a commission? Pis. Gold honour buys, and Ursula hath store. Fal. How, rascal! dost thou mean to rob my wife?

Nym. Thy wife! marry that were a good jest. -I see the humour runs well.

Pis. Not thine, but mine, proud Basflisco Knight!

Without, just married, waits thy quondam flame. Fal. To thee?

Pis. To me.

Ful. Nym, what say'st thou ?

Nym. Marry, Sir John, that's the short of it: and I myself was just now married to Mrs Bridget, her woman.

Fal. [Turning to URSULA.] Say, my fair queen of Sheba, is this true? unmask: nay, gentles, all unmask, that we may see what faces are put on. Urs. You, Sir John, can answer for me. Brid. And you for me, madam. Marry a corporal indeed! the fellows are drunk. PISTOL and NYM look at each other with confusion and astonishment; during which time Mrs QUICKLY and DOLL TEARSHEET enter unmasked, and, passing by PISTOL and NYM, (who start back with fresh astonishment) go up to Justice SHALLOW and Master SLENDER.] Fal. How now, you bare-faced strumpets! what do you mean? This is no brothel: play no gambols here.

Quick. Marry come up, Sir John; you will not hinder my going to my husband. Mr Shallow will protect me; my dear Mr Shallow.

Doll. No, nor me neither, were he twenty Sir John Falstaffs. Sweet Mr Slender!

Shal. Goody Quickly, loose your hold, I pray you; I know you, Mrs Quickly.

Slen. Ay, and I know you too, Mrs Dorothy. Doll. O ho! do you so? What, Sir John hath blown us, hath he? But no matter; he cannot

unmarry us.

Quick. No, truly, that he cann't.

Fal. Nor would I: for, since whores and rogues have consorted, I have never seen four better match'd.

Quick. I to wise Justice Shallow.
Doll. And I to foolish Mr Slender.

Shal. Not so, hostess; keep your distance, I pray you.

Slen. No, no-keep off, Doll, keep off. Quick. Plain Doll! do you hear that, Mrs Slender?

Doll. And hostess, truly! do you take that, Mrs Shallow?

Fal. Away-ye termagant jades; or I will demolish your frippery.-There are your cuckolds. Pistol, Nym, why stand ye there like mutes? Are you fascinated at the success of your mummery? Or are you ruminating on the comforts of cuckoldom, by anticipation? Take hence your

crooked ribs.

Doll. A very scurvy trick, indeed; but I had so many husbands before, that one more or less breaks no squares with Doll. Come, Mrs Quickly, be of good cheer: Pistol is better than nobody: he will protect thee by out-swaggering the swaggerers.

Pis. Contented I, since so the fates decree, Soldier no more, a victualler I'll be; The martial sword exchange for carving knife, And cut out viands for the means of life. No more in anger fight, but joyous dine, And 'stead of drawing blood, draw sparkling wine;

Nay, should Sir John himself my service lack, At the Boar's Head he'll find a glass of sack.

Fal. But wilt thou put no lime in it, Pistol? Pis. No, by Falernian Bacchus, for my knight. Fal. Then will I be thy guest. Nay, by'r lady, thou shalt for once be mine too. I will not break off the thread of our quondam familiarity with so little grace as majesty hath done. I do invite you all, therefore, to supper with me. And if you

THE muse of Shakespeare's compliments!-A card T'excuse this evening's enterprising bard! Great his presumption, to confess the truth: But, as he pleads the passion of his youth, Together with the magic of her charms, Attracting him resistless to her arms;

| We've heathen gods of pasteboard, made to fly On hempen cords across the painted sky; Those canvas clouds, that dangle there above, Inveloping the throne itself of Jove!

His tale fictitious too, though told so glib; For, take it on my word, 'twas all a fib.

fer'd,

Yet, as no actual violence was offer'd,
She's willing, if the audience should agree,
For this one time, to set the offender free.
We women soon forgive, if not forget,
The crimes our beauties make the men commit,
Especially when once we're past our prime,
And Shakespeare's muse, like me, 's the worse for
time.

For, though she charm with fancy ever young,
Though heavenly music dwell upon her tongue,
Lost many an artless smile and dimple sleek,
Which sat alluring on her virgin cheek;
Beauties, that faded on the gazer's eye,
And no cold cream of comfort can supply.
As for what Merc'ry in the Prologue told ye;
Pray, let not that from clemency with-hold ye,
That Hermes was of old a lying blade,
And practised in imposture, as his trade;
The patron he, or classic lore deceives,
Of cheats, forestallers, higglers, hucksters, thieves.
Besides to tell you a stage-trick of ours-
But you'll not spread the secret out of doors,-
The man was no more Mercury, than I am
Queen Hecuba, the wife of Trojan Priam.
A messenger from Phœbus! He a god!
I can assure you all, 'twas Mr Dodd;
His dropping from the clouds, was all a sham;
And his pretended errand but a flam.

VOL. IV.

So great his natural tendency to sinking,
That to the shades if he had once descended,
To bring him back, not Atlas had pretended,
Dramatic sprites (at least they tell me so,)
Dwell not with saints above, nor devils below:
But, form'd th' imagination to engage,
During their short-lived passage o'er the stage,
As mere ideal characters exist,

And stand as cyphers mark'd on Nature's list;
To genius giv'n a delegated power,

To form these transient beings of an hour;
Which, from this mimic world whene'er they go,
Are free to range in fancy's Pimlico;
A limbo large and broad; which in the schools
Is call'd by some the Paradise of Fools.
Fera nature there, their preservation
Is purchased by no game association:
The poaching plagiary alone denied
A privilege, granted to each bard beside ;
Who, though a cottager, to try his skill,
May shoot, or course, or hunt them down at will;
In his own paddock may the strays receive,
And scorn to ask a lordly owner's leave.

Not that but here, the author of the play,
By me begs leave submissively to say,
None more
than he reveres great Shakespeare's

At vice and folly, each a lawful game,
Our author flies, but with no partial aim.
He read the manners, open as they lie
In Nature's volume to the general eye.
Books too he read, nor blush'd to use their store-
He does but what his betters did before.
Shakespeare has done it, and the Grecian stage
Caught truth of character from Homer's page.

If in his scenes an honest skill is shewn,
And borrowing little, much appears his own;
If what a master's happy pencil drew
He brings more forward in dramatic view;
To your decision he submits his cause,
Secure of candour, anxious for applause.

But if, all rude, his artless scenes deface
The simple beauties which he meant to grace,
If, an invader upon others' land,
He spoil and plunder with a robber's hand,
Do justice on him!-As on fools before,
And give to blockheads past one blockhead more.

SCENE I-A Room in OAKLY's House. Noise

heard within.

I am convinced of your perfidy, and very sure

that

Oak. 'Sdeath and fire! your passion hurries

Mrs. Oak. Nay, nay, &c. [Squabbling within. Enter Mrs OAKLY, with a Letter, OAKLY following.

Mrs Oak. Say what you will, Mr Oakly, you shall never persuade me but this is some filthy intrigue of yours.

Oak. I can assure you, my love!Mrs Oak. Your love!-Don't I know yourTell me, I say, this instant, every circumstance relating to this letter.

Oak. How can I tell you, when you will not so much as let me see it?

Mrs Oak. Look you, Mr Oakly, this usage is not to be borne. You take a pleasure in abusing my tenderness and soft disposition.-To be perpetually running over the whole town, nay, the whole kingdom too, in pursuit of your amours! -Did not I discover that you was great with mademoiselle, my own woman?-Did not you contract a shameful familiarity with Mrs Freeman? -Did not I detect your intrigue with Lady Wealthy?-Was not you

Qak. Oons! madam, the Grand Turk himself has not half so many mistresses-You throw me out of all patience-Do I know any body but our common friends?-Am I visited by any body, that does not visit you?-Do I ever go out, unless you go with me?-And am I not as constantly by your side, as if I was tied to your apronstrings?

Mrs Oak. Go, go, you are a false manHave not I found you out a thousand times? And have not I this moment a letter in my hand, which convinces me of your baseness?-Let me know the whole affair, or I will

Oak. Let you know? Let me know what you would have of me- -You stop my letter before it comes to my hands, and then expect that I should know the contents of it.

Mrs Oak. Heaven be praised I stopt it !-I suspected some of these doings for some time past -But the letter informs me who she is, and I'll be revenged on her sufficiently. Oh, you base man, you

Oak. I beg, my dear, that you would moderate your passion!-Shew me the letter, and I'll convince you of my innocence.

Mrs Oak. Innocence !-Abominable!-Innocence !-But I am not to be made such a fool

7

Mrs Oak. No, you are a base man; and I will not hear you.

Oak. Why then, my dear, since you will neither talk reasonably yourself, nor listen to reason from me, I shall take my leave till you are in a better humour. So, your servant! [Going.

Mrs Oak. Ay, go, you cruel man!-Go to your mistresses, and leave your poor wife to her miseries. How unfortunate a woman am I!

I could die with vexation

[Throwing herself into a chair. Oak. There it is Now dare not I stir a step further-If I offer to go, she is in one of her fits in an instant-Never sure was woman at once. of so violent and so delicate a constitution! What shall I say to sooth her? Nay, never make thyI love you. Nay, nay, you shall be convinced. self so umeasy, my dear-Come, come, you know

Mrs Oak. I know you hate me; and that your unkindness and barbarity will be the death of me. [Whining.

Oak. Do not vex yourself at this rate-I love you most passionately-Indeed I do—This must be some mistake.

Mrs Ouk. O, I am an unhappy woman!

[Weeping.

Oak. Dry up thy tears, my love, and be comforted! You will find that I am not to blame in this matter-Come, let me see this letterNay, you shall not deny me. [Taking the letter. Mrs Oak. There! take it, you know the hand,

I am sure.

Oak. To Charles Oakly, Esq. [Reading.]Hand! 'Tis a clerk-like hand, indeed! a good round text! and was certainly never penned by a fair lady.

Mrs Ouk. Ay, laugh at me, do!

Oak. Forgive me, iny love, I did not mean to laugh at thee-But what says the letter?[Reading.]" Daughter eloped-you must be privy toit-scandalous-dishonourable satisfactionrevenge"-um, um, um――“ injured father. HENRY RUSSET." Mrs Oak. [Rising.] Well, sir-you see I have Tell me this instant where she detected youis concealed. Ouk. So-so-so — This hurts me→) -I'm [To himsel shock'dMrs Ouk. What, are you confounded with your guilt? Have I caught you at last?

Oak. O that wicked Charles! to decoy a young lady from her parents in the country! The pro

nable.

fligacy of the young fellows of this age is abomi[To himself. Mrs Oak. [Half aside and musing.] Charles!Let me see!-Charles !-No! Impossible. This is all a trick.

Oak. He has certainly ruined this poor lady. [To himself. Mrs Oak. Art! art! all art! There's a sudden turn now! You have ready wit for an intrigue, I find.

Oak. Such an abandoned action! I wish I had never had the care of him. [To himself. Mrs Cak, Mighty fine, Mr Oakly! Go on, sir, go on! I see what you mean. Your assurance provokes me beyond your very falsehood itself. So you imagine, sir, that this affected concern, this flimsy pretence about Charles, is to bring you off. Matchless confidence! But I am armed against every thing—I am prepared for all your dark schemes: I am aware of all your low stratagems.

Oak. See there now! Was ever any thing so provoking? To persevere in your ridiculousFor Heaven's sake, my dear, don't distract me. When you see my mind thus agitated and uneasy, that a young fellow, whom his dying father, my own brother, committed to my care, should be guilty of such enormous wickedness; I say, when you are witness of my distress on this occasion, how can you be weak enough and cruel enough to

Mrs Oak. Prodigiously well, sir! You do it very well. Nay, keep it up, carry it on, there's nothing like going through with it. O you artful creature! But, sir, I am not to be so easily satisfied. I do not believe a syllable of all this Give me the letter-[Snatching the letter.]-You shall sorely repent this vile business, for I am resolved that I will know the bottom of it. [Exit. Oak. This is beyond all patience. Provoking woman! Her absurd suspicions interpret every thing the wrong way. She delights to make me wretched, because she sees I am attached to her, and converts my tenderness and affection into the instruments of my own torture. But this ungracious boy! In how many troubles will he involve his own and his lady's family-I never imagined that he was of such abandoned principles. O, here he comes!

Enter Major OAKLY and CHARLES.
Char. Good-morrow, sir!

Maj. Good-morrow, brother, good-morrow! What! you have been at the old work, I find. I heard you-ding! dong! i'faith!-She has rung a noble peal in your ears. But how now? Why sure you've had a remarkable warm bout on't.You seem more ruffled than usual.

Oak. I am, indeed, brother! Thanks to that young gentleman there. Have a care, Charles! you may be called to a severe account for this. The honour of a family, sir, is no such light mat

ter.

Char. Sir!

Maj. Hey-day! What, has a curtain-lecture produced a lecture of morality? What is all this?

Oak. To a profligate mind, perhaps, these things may appear agreeable in the beginning; but don't you tremble at the consequences?

Char. I see, sir, that you are displeased with me, but I am quite at a loss to guess at the occasion.

Oak. Tell me, sir!-where is Miss Harriot Russet?

Char. Miss Harriot Russet!-Sir-Explain. Oak. Have not you decoyed her from her father?

Char. I!-Decoyed her-Decoyed my Harriot!-I would sooner die than do her the least injury. What can this mean?

Maj. I believe the young dog has been at her, after all.

Oak. I was in hopes, Charles, you had better principles. But there's a letter just come from her father

Char. A letter!-What letter? Dear sir, give it me. Some intelligence of my Harriot, major!— The letter, sir, the letter this moment, for Hea. ven's sake!

Oak. If this warmth, Charles, tends to prove your innocence

Char. Dear sir, excuse me- -I'll prove any thing-Let me but see this letter, and I'llOak. Let you see it?—I could hardly get a sight of it myself. Mrs Oakly has it. Char. Has she got it? Major, I'll be with you again directly. [Exit hastily.

Maj. Hey-day! The devil's in the boy! What a fiery set of people! By my troth, I think the whole family is made of nothing but combustibles.

Oak. I like this emotion. It looks well. It may serve too to convince my wife of the folly of her suspicions. Would to Heaven I could quiet them for ever!

Maj. Why, pray now, my dear naughty brother, what heinous offence have you committed this morning? What new cause of suspicion? You have been asking one of the maids to mend your ruffle, I suppose, or have been hanging your head out of window, when a pretty young wo man has past by, or—

Ouk. How can you trifle with my distresses, major? Did not I tell you it was about a letter?

Maj. A letter!-hum-A suspicious circumstance, to be sure! What, and the seal a truelover's knot now, hey! or an heart transfixt with darts; or possibly the wax bore the industrious impression of a thimble; or perhaps the folds were lovingly connected by a wafer pricked with a pin, and the direction written in a vile scrawl, and not a word spelt as it should be; ha, ha, ha!

Oak. Pooh! brother-Whatever it was, the letter, you find, was for Charles, not for me— this outrageous jealousy is the devil.

Maj. Mere matrimonial blessings and domestic comfort, brother! jealousy is a certain sign of love.

Ouk. Love! it is this very love that hath made us both so miserable. Her love for me has confined me to my house, like a state prisoner, without the liberty of seeing my friends, or the use