in the bush-four days are gone, and here's no Princess-high time the provisions were drest too -if I could but manage them both, there'd be picking!-Pray, Sir, take a chair-be cover'd, I beg; this room is rather damp, and-Rosee! Rosee, my dear! bring a bottle of Burgundy and a biscuit. I'll endeavour to accommodate; but I fear I can't quite contrive

Vin. Don't bother, Potts.

Ped. This may be a better catch than t'other.

Enter ROSA, with Wine, Glasses, &c.

Now for it-there, Sir, there! (pouring Wine) that's what I call a glass of wine.

Vin. I dare say you often call it so; but I am not sure till I taste (drinks)-Hem! very well for an Inn.

Ped. Very well for an Inn, hey! You shan't say that of the bill, my boy. So, Mr. John of Paris will do me the honour

Vin. I've told you so a dozen times.

Ped. Well, there is one small room that I can give up-rather smoky, to be sure, but if the smell of the larder-the kitchen, I mean-isn't unpleasant

Vin. You admit us then?

Ped. I do.

Vin. That is sufficient, Mr. Potts (aside)-So far all's right.

Ped. That affair's settled. Nothing gives me so much pleasure as accommodating my customers. Every body knows me

Vin. For one of the most time-serving rascals that ever kept an Inn.

(Violent ringing of Bells, and confusion of Voices without.)

Enter ROSA.

· Rosa. Father! father! there are so many more fresh comers on horseback and on foot! I don't know, where we shall put them.

Ped. What, more! here's a pretty business! the train of the Princess arrived before I've done with John of Paris !-I told you how 'twould be (to Vincent)-Plague on't-I told you what a cavalcade I expected-now do, pray take another glass of wine, and be off.

Vin. Don't be troublesome, fellow--I'll neither drink wine nor leave the house. (Ringing bells.) Ped. Oh, I'm in for it-is the Chamberlain with them?

Rosa. They don't belong to him.
Ped. No! who then?

Rosa. John of Paris.

[Exit Rosa.

(Pedrigo in amazement drops the glass, &c.)

Ped. John of Paris!-I never heard of this man before to-day-he must be the Walking Philosopher. This Mr. John must be amazingly rich.

Vin. He is and when pleased with his host, always leaves the most palpable proofs of his magnificence and generosity.

Ped. Indeed! well, it's not my place to affront a customer, you know.

Vin. Certainly not.

Ped. And such a customer, e'cod if I give up business, business will soon give up me. Vin. Unquestionably.

Ped. It's a done thing,-that for the Chamberlain! (snapping his fingers).—I'll run all risks-Rosa! my dear, where are you? I'll go and see about it directly: Miss Potts, I say-Miss Potts!

Vin. At last I have secured the house for Mr. John. These love-affairs are really very troublesome, yet true it is, no pleasure on earth equals the return of affection from the girl that we love.

SONG-VINCENT.

When the girl that I love, this true heart is tormenting,
Her eyes to my rival incessantly rove;

In a medley of passions her falsehood resenting,
I ne'er can depart from the girl that I love!

When the girl that I love with good humour is smiling,
Her eyes fondly beaming affection to prove,
All the cares of my bosom so sweetly beguiling,
I ne'er can depart from the girl that I love.

Enter PEDRIGO, followed by Rosa.

Rosa. But, father

Ped. Don't talk to me, Rosa-I insist upon it, he'll be gone long enough before the Princess arrives, and therefore I'll venture to put him into the best apartment.

Rosa. The best apartment! I have prepared that for the Princess of Navarre, not for a mere

Ped. A mere what? No disrespect, if you please; have not I told you a thousand times, to receive all comers with equal attention? Did you ever know me vary in my principles? Oh fie! -fie for shame, Miss Potts, I'm shock'd!

Rosa. Indeed, sir, I beg your pardon, butbut

Vin. Don't be cast down, Rosa-endeavour to acquire some of your father's principles, they will soon cure you of this diffidence.

(Rosa takes away bottle, &c.)

2

Ped. That's what I tell her over and over; but she never minds what her poor father says. Now, if I may make so bold, pray what is this Mr. John?

Vin. A man?

Ped. I suspected so-but what-what is he? Vin. A citizen.

Ped. Ay, but what does he do?

Vin. A vast deal-eats, drinks, sleeps, walks, and talks.

Ped. Bless my soul! he can't have a moment to himself. Well, I never in my life was so anxious to see a customer as this Mr.

Greg. (Enters) John of Paris!

Ped. Hey! Zooks, I'm all in a flutter.

Enter JOHN OF PARIS and Suite, RosA, &c.

SOLO AND CHORUS-JOHN and Suite.

John. Be welcome, my friends, and pass gaily the hours

That freedom and mirth are combining to charm,

While Love, join'd with Hope, strew the pathway with flowers,

And doubt, of it fears and its terrors disarm. Chor. Be welcome, &c.

John. Now, Vincent, shew me the Landlord, Vin. Certainly, Sir; but I thought every body knew Pedrigo Potts [Presents Pedrigo, who in great alarm hangs back, and supplicates Vincent.] John. This house appears convenient, and engage it.

Ped. Un-unfortunately

John. How! unfortunately?

Ped. That is, I mean-if the Princess should come now! (Aside).-Some persons of quality

have been before-hand,-and-and-do pray help me out (Aside to Vincent).:

Vin. It seems the house has been already engaged.

Ped. That's right, I only want to explain, in case of accidents (Aside to Vincent.)

Vin. But Mr. Potts willingly waves their pretensions in favour of so distinguish'd a visitor as John of Paris.

Ped. No, no, no!

John. Who were these persons?

Ped. (Eagerly.) So please you, Mr. John, the Grand Chamberlain and her Royal Highness the Princess of Navarre.

John. Indeed, and what have they given you? Ped. Fifty piastres, Mr. John.

John. There are a hundred-the house is mine. Ped. But consider, Sir-how am I to provide for

John. Well remember'd-we shall need all you can procure; there, (giving more money)-provide immediately.

Ped. Oh, he's irresistible (pocketing the purses) -its no use to talk,he won't understand.

Rosa. What's to be done, father?

Ped. I'll be hang'd if I know; don't ask meMr. John and the Chamberlain must settle itI give it up-I've done with it!

Rosa. But only imagine-if she should come, if the Chamberlain should arrive.

Ped. Yes, yes, there'll be a precious uproar presently I know there'll be a row-I see it coming but if they will both insist on paying for the same articles, I'm sure the last person to find fault will be Pedrigo Potts-so come along, Gentlemen, this way, if you please.

[Exeunt Pedrigo, with Rosa, and John of Paris's train, with Vincent.