to disappoint us-hah! no faith-I think I see them coming.

Acres. Hey!-what! coming!

Sir. L. Ay, who are those yonder, getting over the stile?

Acres. There are two of them indeed!—well, let them come-hey, Sir Lucius!-we-we-we-wewon't run!

Sir. L. Run!

Acres. No, I say we won't run, by my valour!
Sir. L. What the devil's the matter with you?

Acres. Nothing, nothing, my dear friend-my dear Sir Lucius-but-I-I-I don't feel quite so bold somehow as I did.

Sir. L. O fie! consider your honour.

Acres. Ay, true-my honour-do, Sir Lucius, edge in a word or two, every now and then, about my ho

nour.

Sir. L. Well, here they're coming.

[Looking. Acres. Sir Lucius, if I wasn't with you, I should almost think I was afraid—if my valour should leave me! valour will come and go.

Sir. L. Then pray keep it fast while you have it. Acres. Sir Lucius-I doubt it is going-yes, my valour is certainly going! it is sneaking off!-I feel it oozing out, as it were, at the palms of my hands!

Sir. L. Your honour-your honour-Here they are! Acres. Oh, that I was safe at Clod Hall! or could be shot before I was aware!

Enter FAULKLAND and CAPTAIN ABSOLUTE.

Sir. L. Gentlemen, your most obedient-hah!what, Captain Absolute! So, I suppose, sir, you are. come here, just like myself-to do a kind office, first for your friend, then to proceed to business on your own account?

Acres. What Jack!—my dear Jack!—my dear friend!

Capt. A. Hark ye, Bob, Beverley's at hand.

Sir. L. Well, Mr. Acres-I don't blame your sa

luting the gentleman civilly. So, Mr. Beverley, [To FAULKLAND] if you choose your weapons, the Captain and I will measure the ground.

Faulk. My weapons, sir!

Acres. Odds life! Sir Lucius, I'm not going to fight Mr. Faulkland; these are my particular friends! Sir. L. What, Sir, did you not come here to fight Mr. Acres?

Faulk. Not I, upon my word, sir!

Sir. L. Well, now, that's mighty provoking! But I hope, Mr. Faulkland, as there are three of us come ou purpose for the game-you won't be so cantanckerous as to spoil the party, by sitting out.

Capt.A.Oh pray,Faulkland,fight to oblige SirLucius. Faulk. Nay, if Mr. Acres is so bent on the matter. Acres. No, no, Mr. Faulkland; I'll bear my disappointment like a Christian. Look ye, Sir Lucius, there's no occasion at all for me to fight; and if it is the same to you, I'd as lief let it alone.

Str. L. Observe me, Mr. Acres-I must not be trifled with. You have certainly challenged (somebody, and you came here to fight him. Now, if that gentleman is willing to represent him, I can't see, for my soul, why it isn't just the same thing.

Acres. Why, no, Sir Lucius, I tell you, 'tis one Beverley I've challenged a fellow, you see, that dare not shew his face! If he were here, I'd make him give up his pretensions directly!

Capt. A. Hold, Bob-let me set you right—there is no such man as Beverley in the case. The person who assumed that name is before you; and as his pretensions are the same in both characters, he is ready to support them in whatever way you please.

Sir L. Well, this is lucky. Now you have an opportunity

Acres. What, quarrel with my dear friend Jack Absolute !—not if he were fifty Beverleys! Z-ds! Sir Lucius, you would not have me so unnatural!

Sir L. Upon my conscience, Mr. Acres, your valour has oozed away with a vengeance!

Acres. Not in the least! odds backs and abettors! I'll be your second with all my heart-and if you should get a quietus, you may command me entirely. I'll get you snug lying in the abbey here; or pickle you, and send you over to Blunderbuss Hall, or any thing of the kind, with the greatest pleasure.

Sir L. Pho! pho! you are little better than a

coward.

Acres. Mind, gentlemen, he calls me a coward; coward was the word, by my valour!

Sir L. Well, sir?

Acres. Look ye, Sir Lucius, 'tisn't that I mind the word coward-Coward may be said in a joke-But if you had called me a poltroon, odds daggers and balls

Sir L. Well, sir?

Acres. I should have thought you a very ill-bred

man.

Sir L. Pho! you are beneath my notice.

Capt. A. Nay, Sir Lucius, you can't have a better second than my friend Acres. He is a most determined dog-called in the country, fighting Bob. He generally kills a man a week-don't you, Bob?

Sir L. Well, then, captain, 'tis we must beginso come out, my little counsellor [Draws his sword] and ask the gentleman, whether he will resign the lady without forcing you to proceed against him?

Capt. A. Come on then, sir, [Draws] since you won't let it be an amicable suit, here's my reply.

Enter SIR ANTHONY, DAVID, and the LADIES. Dav. Knock 'em all down, sweet Sir Anthony; knock down my master in particular-and bind his hands over to their good behaviour.

Sir Anth. Put up, Jack, put up, or I shall be in a frenzy-how came you in a duel, sir?

Capt. A. Faith, sir, that gentleman can tell you better than I; 'twas he called on me, and you know, sir, I serve his majesty.

Sir Anth. Here's a pretty fellow! I catch him go

ing to cut a man's throat, and he tells me he serves his majesty! Z-ds! sirrah, then how durst you draw the king's sword against one of his subjects?

Capt. A. Sir, I tell you, that gentleman called me out, without explaining his reasons.

Sir Anth. 'Gad sir! how came you to call my son out, without explaining your reasons?

Sir L. Your son, sir, insulted me in a manner which my honour could not brook.

Sir Anth.Z-ds, Jack! how durst you insult the gentleman in a manner which his honour could not brook? Mrs. M. Come, come, let's have no honour before ladies-Captain Absolute, come here- How could you intimidate us so? Here's Lydia has been terrified to death for you.

Capt. A. For fear I should be killed, or escape,

ma'am?

Mrs. M. Nay, no delusions to the past-Lydia is convinced speak, child.

Sir L. With your leave, ma'am, I must put in a word here. I believe I could interpret the young lady's silence. Now mark

Lyd. What is it you mean, sir?

Sir L. Come, come, Dalia, we must be serious now; this is no time for trifling.

Lyd. 'Tis true, sir; and your reproof bids me offer this gentleman my hand, and solicit the return of his affections.

Capt. A. Oh, my little angel, say you so? Sir Lucius, I perceive there must be some mistake here. With regard to the affront which you affirm I have given you, I could only say that it could not have been intentional. And as you must be convinced, that I should not fear to support a real injury, you shall now see that 1 am not ashamed to atone for an inadvertency-1 ask your pardon. But for this lady, while honoured with her approbation, I will support my claim against any man whatever.

Sir Anth. Well said, Jack, and I'll stand by you, my boy.

Acres. Mind, I give up all my claim—I make no pretensions to any thing in the world; and if I can't get a wife without fighting for her, by my valour! I'll live a bachelor.

Sir L. Captain, give me your hand-an affront handsomely acknowledged becomes an obligation; and as for the lady, if she chooses to deny her own hand-writing, here[Takes out Letters. Mrs. M. Oh, he will dissolve my mystery! Sir Lucius, perhaps there is some mistake. Perhaps I can illuminate

Sir L. Pray, old gentlewoman, don't interfere where you have no business. Miss Languish, are you my Dalia, or not?

Lyd. Indeed, Sir Lucius, I am not!

[LYDIA and ABSOLUTE walk aside. Mrs. M. Sir Lucius O'Trigger-ungrateful as you are-I own the soft impeachment-pardon my cameleon blushes, I am Delia.

Sir L. You Dalia!-pho! pho! be easy.

Mrs. M.Why, thou barbarous Vandyke-those letters are mine. When you are more sensible of my benignity, perhaps I may be brought to encourage your addresses.

Sir L. Mrs. Malaprop, I am extremely sensible of your condescension: and whether you or Lucy have put this trick upon me, I am equally beholden to you. And to shew you I am not ungrateful, Captain Absolute, since you have taken that lady from me, I'll give you my Dalia into the bargain.

Capt. A. I am much obliged to you. Sir Lucius; but here's my friend, fighting Bob, unprovided for. Sir L. Hah! little valour-here, will you make your fortune?

Acres. Odds wrinkles! No.-But give me your hand, Sir Lucius, forget and forgive: but if ever I give you a chance of pickling me again, say Bob Acres is a dunce, that's all.

Sir Anth. Come, Mrs Malaprop, don't be cast down -you are in your bloom yet.