[They tie MRS. CowSLIP's hands, place her in a chair in front of table, FREDERICK holding her, while CORA takes her seat on table.]

Mrs. Cowslip-Oh, you good-for-nothing children! Cora [sternly]-Silence, prisoner! don't disturb the court! Who is she, Fred?

Frederick-Joan of Arc!

Cora-Now, then, Joan, what have you got to say for yourself? Oh, Fred, wouldn't it be fun to burn her up? Mrs. Cowslip-Burn me up? I—I—!

up.

[Sputters as if in a great rage.] Cora-İ'll tell you what we can do. We can wall her

She can be the girl in Marmion who went about in man's clothes.

Mrs. Cowslip [in a perfect fury]-I-I-ain't you ashamed of yourself? I put on man's clothes! Oh, you bad, good-for-nothing

Cora-Easy, easy, auntie! That aint the way to address this august court. Shall we wall her up, Fred? In the barn, you know!

Mrs. Cowslip-How dare you? Untie me!

Enter MR. MAYWOOD.

Oh, brother, I am so glad to see you!

Mr. Maywood [untying her]—Why, what does all this

mean?

Mrs. Cowslip shaking CORA]--Oh, you good-for-nothing girl

Frederick [pulling her away]-Woman, how dare you shake my lady love?

Mr. Maywood-What do you mean sir, calling your aunt a woman?

Frederick-What does she mean, shaking Cora? Cora,

my love!

Cora-Frederick, my life!

Mr. Maywood [pulling FREDERICK to right of stage, and getting in front of him]—Will you be quiet, sir? Mrs. Cowslip [pulling CORA to left of stage, and getting in front of her]-Hold your tongue, miss!

Frederick [looking over MR. MAYWOOD's shoulder]Juliet!

Cora [looking over MRS. COWSLIP's shoulder]-Romeo! Sweet Montague, be true!"

Mr. Maywood [pushing FREDERICK toward door]Go up stairs this instant, sir!

Frederick-Farewell, my love!

Cora [trying to pass MRS. COWSLIP, who prevents her] Wil't thou be gone! It is not yet near day!

It was the nightingale and not the lark,

That pierced the fearful hollow of thine ear!" Mrs. Cowslip-I verily believe you are raving mad! will you be still?

Frederick-Juliet, my life!

Mr. Maywood [pushing FREDERICK out of room]-Go up stairs, you idiot!

[Exeunt MR. MAYWOOD and FREDERICK.] Cora [sinking into a chair]—“ Art thou gone so, my love, my lord, my friend!"

Mrs. Cowslip-Oh, Cora Meville, for mercy's sake stop

this trash!

Cora-" Romeo is banished! To speak that word
Is father, mother, Tybalt, Romeo, Juliet,

All slain, all dead! Romeo is banished!" Enter FREDERICK, MR. MAYWOOD trying to hold him back by the coat-tails.

Frederick-Juliet, my life! Look up! I come!
Cora [rushing into his arms]-My life!

Mr. Maywood [taking hold of CORA]-Will you two never have done?

Frederick-" Father, tempt not a desperate man!

Fly hence, and leave us!"

Mrs. Cowslip-They want a strait-jacket, both of them! Mr. Maywood-Frederick! Cora! Oh, what shall I do? [Going to MRS. COWSLIP.] Polly, call Cora away! Frederick, come here!

Frederick-"Peace, tyrant! I heed you not!"
Mrs. Cowslip-Cora, come to me!

Cora-Excuse me, aunt! I had rather stay where I

am!

[MR. MAYWOOD pulls FREDERICK one way, MRS. COWSLIP pulls CORA the other way.]

Frederick [putting his arm firmly round CORA]—Part us? Never! Now, then, we'll see who'll beat. "When Greek encounters Greek,

Then comes the tug of war!"

Cora-"I'll part with life, but never part from thee!" Hold tight, Fred!

Mrs. Cowslip [sitting down panting at left of stage]-It's no use!

Mr. Maywood [sitting down at right of stage]-Was there ever before such a pair of stage-struck idiots? Frederick [waving a handkerchief]-"Oh, such a day! So fought, so followed, and so fairly won, Came not, till now, to dignify the times, Since Cæsar's triumph!"

Cora-" Crown ye the brave!"

Frederick

"See here our prostrate foes!

Strike now an attitude, and down the curtain goes!"

[Curtain falls]

Position of parties at fall of curtain:

MRS. COWSLIP, CORA, FREDERICK, MR. MAYWOOD.

THE RIVALS.

ACT III, SCENE I.

The North Parade.

Enter CAPTAIN ABSOLUTE, L.

Capt. A.-'Tis just as Fag told me, indeed!-Whimst cal enough, 'faith! My father wants to force me to marry the very girl I am plotting to run away with! He must not know of my connection with her yet awhile. He has too summary a method of proceeding in these matters; however, I'll read my recantation instantly. My conversion is something sudden, indeed; but I can assure him, it is very sincere.-So, so, here he comeshe looks plaguy gruff! [Steps aside, L.]

Enter SIR ANTHONY, R.

Sir A.-No-I'll die sooner than forgive him! Die, did I say? I'll live these fifty years to plague him. At our last meeting his impudence had almost put me out of temper-an obstinate, passionate, self-willed boy! Who can he take after? This is my return for getting him before all his brothers and sisters! for putting him, at twelve years old, into a marching regiment, and allowing him fifty pounds a year, besides his pay, ever since! But I have done with him-he's anybody's son for me I never will see him more-never-nevernever-never.

Capt. A.-Now for a penitential face!

[Comes forward on the L.] Sir A.-Fellow, get out of my way! [Crosses, R.] Capt. A.-Sir, you see a penitent before you?

Sir A. [turning his back]-I see an impudent scoun drel behind me.

Capt. A.-A sincere penitent. I am come, sir, to acknowledge my error, and to submit entirely to your will. Sir A.-What's that?

Capt. A.-I have been revolving, and reflecting, and considering on your past goodness, and kindness, and condescension to me.

Sir A.-Well, sir?

Capt. A.-I have been likewise weighing and balanc ing what you were pleased to mention concerning duty, and obedience, and authority.

Sir A. [turning round]-Why, now you talk sense, absolute sense; I never heard anything more sensible in my life. Confound you, you shall be Jack again!

Capt. A.-I am happy in the appellation.

Sir A.-Why then, Jack, my dear Jack, I will now inform you who the lady really is. Nothing but your passion and violence, you silly fellow, prevented me telling you at first. Prepare, Jack, for wonder and rapture— prepare! What think you of Miss Lydia Languish?

Capt. A.--Languish! What, the Languishes of Worcestershire?

Sir A.-Worcestershire! No! Did you never meet Mrs. Malaprop, and her niece, Miss Languish, who came into our country just before you were last ordered to your regiment.

Capt. A.-Malaprop! Languish! I don't remember ever to have heard the name before. Yet, stay: I think I do recollect something. Languish-Languish! She squints, don't she? A little red-haired girl?

Sir A.-Squints! A red-haired girl! Zounds, no! Capt. A.-Then I must have forgot: it can't be the same person.