followed and backed me, we'd have tickled their castastrophes; but when they got me alone, three upon me were odds, so, safe's the word-who's house is this I've dash'd into?-Eh! the friendly cottage of my old gentleman! Are you at home? [Calls.] Gadso! I had a hard struggle for it; yes, murder was their intent, so it was well for me that I was born without brains, I'm quite weak, faint! [Leans against the wall.] Amelia. [Advancing.] Sir, an't you well? [With concern.]

Rover. Madam, I ask pardon-hem, yes, ma'am, very well, I thank you-now exceeding well-got into a fray there, in a kind of a hobble with some worthy gentlemen; only simple, honest farmers, I fancy mistook me for a sheaf of barley, for they down with me, and then thresh'd so heartily, gad, their flails flew merrily about my ears, but I up, and when I could no longer fight like a mastiff, why, I-run like a greyhound-But, dear ma'am, pray excuse me. Egad, this is very rude, 'faith.

Amelia. You seem disturbed, [With emotion.] will you take any refreshment?

Rover. Madam, you're very good. -Only a little of your currant wine, if you please; if I don't forget, it stands-just-[Points-AMELIA brings some from a beaufet.] Madam, I've the honour of drinking your health. [Drinks.]

Amelia. I hope you're not hurt, sir?

Rover. "A little better, but very weak still”—I had a sample of this before, and I liked it so much, that, madam-" Won't you take another?"

Amelia. Sir!

Rover. Madam, if you'd been fighting, as I have, you'd—well, well, [Fills and drinks.] now I'm as well as any man— "In Illyria," got a few hard knocks though.

Amelia. You'd better repose a little, you seem'd much disordered coming in.

H

Rover. [Places a chair, and both sit.] Why, ma'am, you must know thus it was

Enter SHERIFF'S OFFICER.

Off. Come, ma'am, Mr. Gammon says this chair is wanted to make up the holf dozen above. [Lays hold of AMELIA's chair, she rises terrified.]

Rover. What, what's all this?

Off. Why the furniture's seized on execution, and a man must do his duty.

Rover. Then, scoundrel, know, that a man's first duty is civility and tenderness to a woman.

Amelia. Heavens! where's my brother? This gentleman will bring himself into trouble.

Off. Master, d'ye see, I'm representative for his honour the High Sheriff.

Rover. Every High Sheriff should be a gentleman, and when he's represented by a rascal, he's dishonour'd.-Dem it, I might as well live about Covent Garden, and every night get beating the watch; for here, among groves and meadows, I'm always squabbling with constables. [Whips up a stick from a corner of the room, and holds it behind him.]

Off. Come, come, I must

Rover." As you say, sir, last Wednesday, so it was"-Sir, you most obedient, humble servant[Bows respectfully.] Pray, sir, may I take the liberty. to know, have you ever been astonished? [With great ceremony.]

Off. What?

Rover. Because, sir, I intend to astonish you; my dear fellow, give me your hand. [Takes his hand, and beats him-] Now, sir, you are astonished?

Off. Yes; but see if I don't suit you with an action.

Rover. "Right, suit the action to the word, the word to the action;""See if the gentlewoman be not affrighted"-" Michael, I'll make thee an example."

Off. Yes, fine example, when goods are seized here by the law, and

46

Rover. "Thou worm and maggot of the law!" Hop me over every kennel, or you shall hop without my custom."

Off. I don't value your custom.

Rover. You are astonished, now I'll amaze you. Off. No, sir, I won't be amazed-but only see if I don't

Rover. Hop!

Exit OFFICER, muttering and bullying, yet

frightened.

Stop, ma'am, these sort of gentry are monstrous bad company for a lady-So I'll just see him to the door, and then I'll see him outside the door.-Ma'am, I'm your most obedient, humble servant. [Bows respect-` fully, and exit hastily.

Amelia. I feel a strange curiosity to know who this young gentleman is. I find my heart interested, I can't account for--he must have known the house, by the freedom-but then his gaiety, (without familiar rudeness) native elegance of manners, and good breeding, seem to make him at home any where.-My brother, I think, must know

Enter BANKS, hastily, and agitated.

Banks. Amelia, did you see the young gentleman that was here? Some ruffian fellows, and a posse of the country people have bound and dragged him from the door, on the allegation of three men, who mean to swear he has robbed them; and they have taken him to Lady Amaranth's.

Amelia. How! He did enter here in confusion, as if pursued ; but I'll stake my life on his innocence. I'll speak to Lady Amaranth, and in spite of calumny, he shall have justice-he would not let me be insulted,

pecause he saw me an unprotected woman, without a husband or a son, and shall he want an advocate? [Exeunt.

Brother, come.

SCENE IV,

LADY AMARANTH'S.

Enter JANE, with a light.

Jane. I believe there's not a soul in the house but myself; my lady has sent all the folks round the country to search after the young 'squire, she'll certainly break her heart if any thing happens to him; I don't wonder, for surely he's a dear, sweet gentleman: the pity of it is, his going spoils all our fine play, and I had just got my part quite by heart; however, I must do the room up for Mr. Banks's sister, that my lady has invited here. [Adjusts her toilet.

Enter EPHRAIM SMOOTH.

Eph. The man John Dory has carried the man George hither in his arms, and has locked him up. Coming into the house, they did look to me like a blue lobster with a shrimp in his claws-Oh, here is the damsel I love, and alone.

Jane. They say when folks look in the glass, at night, they see the black gentleman.

[As she is looking in the glass, EPHRAIM goes and peeps over her shoulders; she screams.

Eph. Thou art employed in vanity.

Jane. Well, who wants you ?

Eph. It is natural for woman to love man.

Jane. Yes; but not such ugly men as you are. Why would you come in to frighten me, when you know there's nobody here but ourselves?

Eph. I am glad of that. I am the elm and thou the honey suckle; let thy arms entwine me.

Jane. Oh, what a rogue' is here! but yonder comes

my lady, and I'll show him off to her in his true colours.

Eph. Clasp me around.

[Aside.

Jane. Well, I will, if you'll take off your hat, and make me a fine low bow.

Eph. I cannot bend my knee, nor take off my

beaver.

Jane. Then you're very impudent-go along.

Eph. But to win thy favour

[Takes off his hat, and bous.

Jane. Now kneel down to me.
Eph. I cannot, but one lovely smile may

down.

smile me

[She smiles, he kneels. Jane. Well, now, read me a speech out of that fine play-book.

Eph. I read a play! a-bo-mi-na-ti-on!--But, Jane, wilt thou kiss me?

Jane. I kiss a man! a-bo-mi-na-ti-on! [Mimicking.] but you may take my hand

Eph. Oh! 'tis a comfort to the lip of the faithful! [Kisses her hand.

Enter LADY AMARANTH.

Lady Am. How! [Taps him gently on the shoulder, he looks up confounded.] Ah, thou sly and deceitful hypocrite!

Eph. Verily, Mary, I was buffetted by Satan, in the shape of a damsel.

Lady Am. Begone!

Eph. My spirit is sad, though my feet move so nimble. [Exit, very slowly. Lady Am. But, Oh, Heavens! no tidings of my dearest Henry! Jane, let them renew their search. Jane. Here's madam Amelia; you see I've got her room ready; but I'll go make brother Sim look for the young 'squire.

[Exit.