time, at all events, to put my affairs in train. Inkle. Is he so hasty? Trudge. Yes; it's a short respite before exe- Med. Hasty! he's all pepper-and wonders cution; and if your honour was to go and you are not with him, before it's possible to comfort poor madam Yaricoget at him. Hasty indeed! Why, he vows Inkle. Damnation! Scoundrel, how dare you shall Fave his daughter this very night. you offer your advice?-1 dread to think of Inkle. What a situation! her!

Med. Why, it's hardly fair just after a voTrudge. I've done, sir, I've done-But Iyage. But come, bustle, bustle, he'll think know I should blubber over Wows all night, you neglect him. He's rare and touchy, I if I thought of parting with her in the morning. can tell you; and if he once takes it in his Inkle. Insolence! begone, sir! head that you show the least slight to his Trudge. Lord, sir, I onlydaughter, it would knock up all your schemes in a minute.

Inkle. Confusion! if he should hear of Ya

rico!

[Aside.

Inkle. Get down stairs, sir, directly. Trudge. [Going out] Ah! you may well put your hand to your head; and a bad head it must be, to forget that Madam Yarico pre- Med. But at present you are all and all vented her countrymen from peeling off the with him; he has been telling me his intenupper part of it. [Aside] [Exit. tions these six weeks: you'll be a fine warm Inkle. 'Sdeath, what am I about? How husband, I promise you. have I slumbered? Is it 1?1-who, in Inkle. This cursed connexion ! [Aside. London, laughed at the younkers of the town Med. It is not for me, though, to tell you -and when I saw their chariots, with some how to play your cards; you are a prudent fine, tempting girl, perked in the corner, come young man, and can make calculations in a shopping to the city, would cry-Ah!-there wood.

sits ruin-there flies the Greenhorn's money! Inkle. Fool! fool! fool!

Aside.

then wondered with myself how men could Med. Why, what the devil is the matter trifle time on women; or, indeed, think of with you? any women without fortunes. And now, for- Inkle. It must be done effectually, or all sooth, it rests with me to turn romantic puppy, is lost; mere parting would not concea' it. and give up all for love.-Give up!-Oh, monstrous folly:-thirty thousand pounds!

Trudge. [Peeping in at the door| Trudge. May I come in, sir?

Inkle. What does the booby want?

[Aside. Med. Ah! now he's got to his damned square root again, I suppose, and old Nick would not move him-why, nephew!

Inkle. The planter that I spoke with canTrudge. Sir, your uncle wants to see you. not be arrived-but time is precious-the first Inkle. Mr. Medium! show him up directly. I meet-common prudence now demands it [Exit Trudge. I'm fixed; I'll part with her. [Aside] [Exit He must not know of this. To-morrow!-1 Med. Damn me, but he's mad! the woods wish this marriage were more distant, that I have turned the poor boy's brains: he's scalped, might break it to her by degrees: she'd take aud gone crazy! hoho! Inkle! nephew! gad, my purpose better, were it less suddenly de-I'll spoil your arithmetic, I warrant me. livered.

Enter MEDIUM.

Med. Ah, here he is! Give me your hand, nephew! welcome, welcome to Barbadoes, with all my heart!

[Exit

SCENE III.The Quay. Enter SIR CHRISTOPHER CURRY. Sir Chr. Ods my life! I can scarce contain my happiness. I have left them safe in Inkle. I am glad to meet you here, uncle! church in the middle of the ceremony. I Med. That you are, that you are, I'm sure. ought to have given Narcissa away, they told Lord! lord! when we parted last, how Ime; but I capered about so much for joy, wished we were in a room together, if it was that old Spintext advised me to go and cool but the black hole! I have not been able to my heels on the quay. till it was all over. sleep o'nights, for thinking of you. I've laid Od, I'm so happy; and they shall see, now, awake, and fancied I saw you sleeping your what an old fellow can do at a wedding. last, with your head in the lion's mouth, for a night-cap; and I've never seen a bear brought over, to dance about the street, but I thought you might be bobbing up and down in its belly,

Inkle. I am very much obliged to you. Med. Ay, ay, I am happy enough to find you safe and sound, I promise you. But you have a fine prospect before you now, young man. I am come to take you with me to Sir Christopher, who is impatient to see you. Inkle. To-morrow, I hear, he expects ine.

Enter INKLE.

Inkle. Now for dispatch! hark'ee, old gentleman! [To the Governor. Sir Chr. Well, young gentleman? Inkle. If I mistake not, I know your bu siness here.

Sir Chr. 'Egad I believe half the island knows it, by this time.

Inkle. Then to the point-I have a female, whom I wish to part with.

Sir Chr. Very likely; it's a common case Med. To-morrow! directly-this-moment now adays, with many a man. -in half a second.-I left him standing on Inkle. If you could satisfy me you would tip-toe, as he calls it, to embrace you; and use her mildly, and treat her with more he's standing on tip-toe now in the great kindness than is usual-for I can tell you parlour, and there he'll stand till you come she's of no common stamp-perhaps we might

to him.

agree.

Sir Chr. Oho! a slave! faith now I think planation-let's proceed to business-bring me on't, my daughter may want an attendant or the woman.

two extraordinary; and as you say she's a Inkle. No; there you must excuse me. I delicate girl, above the common run, and rather would avoid seeing her more; and none of your thick lipped, fat nosed, squabby, wish it to be settled without my seeming indumpling dowdies. I don't much care if- terference. My presence might distress herInkle. And for her treatmentYou conceive me?

Sir Chr. Look ye, young man; I love to be plain: I shall treat her a good deal better

Sir Chr. Zounds! what an unfeeling rascal! the poor girl's in love with him, I suppose. than you would, I fancy; for, though wit- No, no, fair and open. My dealing's with ness this custom every day, I can't help think-you, and you only; I see her now, or I deing the only excuse for buying our fellow clare off.

creatures, is to rescue 'em from the hands of Inkle. Well then, you must be satisfied: those who are unfeeling enough to bring them yonder's my servant-ha-a thought has struck me. Come here, sir.

to market.

Inkle. Fair words, old gentleman; an Englishman won't put up an alfront.

Enter TRUDge.

Trudge. I shall, sir.

I'll write my purpose, and send it her by him. Sir Chr. An Englishman! more shame for It is lucky that I taught her to decypher chayou! men, who so fully feel the blessings of racters: my labour now is paid. [Takes out liberty, are doubly cruel in depriving the his pocket-book and writes]-This is somehelpless of their freedom. what less abrupt; 'twill soften matters. [To İnkle. Let me assure you, sir, 'tis not my himself]-Give this to Yarico; then bring Occupation; but for a private reason-an in- her hither with you. stant pressing necessity[Going Sir Chr. Well, well, I have a pressing ne- Inkle. Stay; come back. This soft fool, if cessity too; I can't stand to talk now; I ex-uninstructed, may add to her distress: his pect company here presently; but if you'll drivelling sympathy may feed her grief, inask for me to-morrow, at the castle- stead of soothing it. When she has read this paper, seem to make light of it; tell her it is a thing of course, done purely for her good. I here inform her that I must part with her. D'ye understand your lesson?

Inkle. The castle!

Sir Chr. Aye, sir, the castle; the Governor's castle; known all over Barbadoes.

Inkle. 'Sdeath, this man must be on the Governor's establishment: his steward, per- Trudge. Pa-part with ma-dam Ya-ric-o! haps, and sent after me, while Sir Christo- Inkle. Why does the blockhead stammer! pher is impatiently waiting for me. I've gone 1 have my reasons. No muttering-and let too far; my secret may be known-As 'tis me tell you, sir, if your rare bargain were I'll win this fellow to my interest. [To him] gone too, 'twould be the better she may One word more, sir: my business must be babble our story of the forest, and spoil my done immediately; and as you seem acquaint- fortune. ed at the castle, if you should see me there --and there I mean to sleep to-nightSir Chr. The devil you do! Inkle. Your finger on your lips; and never breathe a syllable of this transaction.

Sir Chr. No! why not?

Inkle. Because, for reasons, which perhaps you'll know to-morrow, I might be injured with the Governor, whose most particular friend I am.

Trudge. I'm sorry for it, sir: I have lived with you a long while; I've half a year's wages too due the 25th ultimo, due for dressing your hair and scribbling your parchments: but, take my scribbling, take my frizzing, take my wages; and I and Wows will take ourselves off together. She saved my life, and rot me if any thing but death shall part us.

Inkle. Impertinent! Go, and deliver your

message.

Sir Chr. So here's a particular friend of Trudge. I'm gone, sir. Lord! lord! I ne mine, coming to sleep at my house, that Iver carried a leter with such ill will in all never saw in my life. I'll sound this fellow. my born days. [Aside] I fancy, young gentleman, as you are such a bosom friend of the Governor's, you can hardly do any thing to alter your situation with him.

Inkle. Oh! pardon me; but you'll find that here-after-besides, you, doubtless, know his character?

[Exit. Sir Chr. Well-shall I see the girl? Inkle. She'll be here presently. One thing I had forgot: when she is yours, I need not caution you, after the hints I've given, to keep her from the castle. If Sir Christopher should see her, 'twould lead, you know, to a discovery of what I wish concealed.

Sir Chr. Depend upon me-Sir Christopher will know no more of our meeting, than he

Sir Chr. Ob, as well as my own. But let's' understand one another. You must trust me, now you've gone so far. You are acquainted does at this moment. with his character, no doubt, to a hair?

thank ye,

ye;

but I'm

Inkle. Your secrecy shall not be unrewarded: Inkle. I am I see we shall understand I'll recommend you, particularly, to his good each other. You know him too, I see, as graces. well as I.-A very touchy, testy, hot, old Sir Chr. Thank fellow. pretty much in his good graces, as it is: I Sir Chr. Here's a scoundrel! I hot and don't know any body he has a greater restouchy! zounds! I can hardly contain my pect for. passion!- but I won't discover myself. I

Re-enter TRUDGE.

see the bottom of this-[To him] Well now, Inkle. Now, sir, have you performed your as we seem to have come to a tolerable ex-message?

Trudge. Yes: I gave her the letter, Inkle. And where is Yarico? Did she say she'd come? Didn't you do as you were ordered? Didn't you speak to her?

Trudge. I could'nt, sir, I could'nt: 1 intended to say what you bid me-but I felt such a pain in my throat, I couldn't speak a word, for the soul of me; so, sir, I fell a crying.

Inkle. Blockhead!

therefore 'tis necessary for my good-and which I think you value

Yar. You know I do; so much, that it would hreak my heart to leave you, Inkle. But we must part: if you are seen with me, I shall lose all.

Yar. I gave up all for you-my friendsmy country: all that was dear to me: and still grown dearer since you sheltered there. -All, all was left for you-and were it now Sir Chr. 'Sblood! but he's a very honest to do again-again I'd cross the seas, and blockhead. Tell me, my good fellow, what follow you, all the world over. Inkle. We idle time; sir, she is your's. Trudge. Nothing at all, sir. She sat down See you obey this gentleman; 'twill be the with her two hands clasped on her knees, and better for you. [Going looked so pitifully in my face, I could not Yar. O, barbarous! [Holding him] Do stand it. Oh, here she comes. I'll go and not, do not abandon me! find Wows: if I must be melancholy, she Inkle. No more.

said the wench?

shall keep me company.

[Exit. Yar. Stay but a little: I shan't live long to Sir Chr. Ods my life, as comely a wench be a burden to you: your cruelty has cut as ever I saw, me to the heart. Protect me but a little-or I'll obey this man, and undergo all hardships Enter YARICO, who looks for some time in for your good; stay but to witness 'em.-I INLLE'S face, bursts into tears, and falls

on his neck.

soon shall sink with grief; tarry till then; and hear me bless your name when I am dying; aud beg you, now and then, when I am gone, to heave a sigh for your poor Yarico.

Inkle. I dare not listen. You, sir, I hope, will take good care of her. [Going

Inkle. Ha! 'Sdeath, sir, how dare you!-
Sir Chr. 'Sdeath, sir, how dare you look an
honest man in the face?
Inkle. Sir, you shall feel-

Inkle. In tears! nay, Yarico! why this? Yar. Oh do not-do not leave me! Inkle. Why, simple girl! I'm labouring for your good. My interest, here, is nothing: I can do nothing from myself, you are igno- Sir Chr. Care of her!-that I will - I'll rant of our country's customs. I must give cherish her like my own daughter; and pour way to men more powerful, who will not balm into the heart of a poor, innocent girl, have me with you. But see, my Yarico, ever that has been wounded by the artifices of a anxions for your welfare, I've found a kind, scoundrel. good person, who will protect you. Yar. Ah! why not you protect me? Inkle. I have no means-how can I? Yar. Just as I sheltered you. Take me to youder mountain, where I see no smoke from Sir Chr. Feel!-It's more than ever you did, fall, high houses, filled with your cruel coun-I believe. Mean, sordid, wretch! dead to all trymen. None of your princes, there, will sense of honour, gratitude, or humanity-I come to take me from you. And should they never heard of such barbarity! I bave a sonstray that way, we'll find a lurking place, in-law, who has heen left in the same situajust like my own poor cave, where many ation; but, if I thought him capable of such day I sat beside you, and blessed the chance cruelty, dam'me if I would not turn him to that brought you to it-that I might save sea, with a peck loaf, in a cockle shell.your life. Come, come, cheer up, my girl! You shan't Sir Chr. His life! Zounds! my blood boils want a friend to protect you, I warrant you. at the scoundrel's ingratitude! [Taking Yarico by the Hand. Inkle. Insolence! The governor shall hear of this insult,

Yar. Come, come, let's go. I always feared these cities. Let's fly and seek the woods; and there we'll wander hand in hand together. Sir Chr. The governor! liar! cheat! rogue! No cares shall vex us then-We'll let the day impostor! breaking all ties you ought to keep, glide by in idleness; and you shall sit in the and pretending to those you have no right shade, and watch the sun beam playing on to. The governor never had such a fellow in the brook, while I sing the song that pleases the whole catalogue of his acquaintance-the you. No cares, love, but for food-and we'll governor disowns you the governor disclaims live cheerily, I warrant-In the fresh, early you-the governor abhors you; and to your morning, you shall hunt down our game, utter confusion, here stands the governor to and I will pick you berries. and then, at tell you so. Here stands old Curry, who nenight, I'll trim our bed of leaves, and lie me ver talked to a rogue without telling him what down in peace-Oh! we shall be so happy! he thought of him.

Inkle. Hear me, Yarico. My countrymen Inkle. Sir Christopher!-Lost and undone! and yours differ as much in minds as in Med. [Without] Holo! Young Multiplicacomplexions. We were not born to live in tion! Zounds! I have been peeping in every woods and caves-to seek subsistence by pur-cranny of the house, Why, young Rule of suing beasts. We Christians, girl, hunt mo- Three! [Enters from the Inn] Oh, here ney; a thing unknown to you. But, here, you are at last-Ah, Sir Christopher! What 'tis money which brings us ease, plenty, com- are you there! too impatient to wait at home. 'mand, power, every thing; and of course hap-But here's one that will make you easy, I piness. You are the bar to my attaining this; fancy. [Tapping Inkle on the Shoulder

1 Sir Chr. How came you to know him? Med. Ha! ha! Well, that's curious enough too. So you have been talking here, without finding out each other.

Sir Chr. No, no; I have found him out with a vengeance.

Med. Not you. Why this is the dear boy. It's my nephew, that is; your son in law, that is to be. It's Inkle!

Sir Chr. It's a lie and you're a purblind old booby-and this dear boy is a damned scoundrel.

Med. Hey-dey, what's the meaning of this? One was mad before, and he has bit the other, I suppose.

Sir Chr. But here comes the dear boythe true boy-the jolly boy, piping hot from church, with my daughter."

Enter CAMPLEY, NARCISSA, and Patty.
Med. Campley!

Sir Chr. Who? Campley;-it's no such thing.

Enter TRUDGE and WoWSKI. Trudge. Come along, Wows! take a long last leave of your poor mistress: throw your pretty ebony arms about her neck.

Wows. No, no;-she not go; you not leave poor Wowski.

Camp. That's my name, indeed, Sir Chri-a stopher.

Sir Chr. The devil it is! And how came you, sir, to impose upon me, and assume the name of Inkle? A name which every man of honesty ought to be ashamed of.

[Throwing her arms about Yarico. Sir Chr. Poor girl! a companion, I take it! Trudge. A thing of my own, sir. I couldn't help following my master's example in the woods-Like master, like man, sir,

Sir Chr. But you would not sell her, and he hang'd to you, you dog, would you? Trudge. Hang me, like a dog, if I would,

sir.

Inkle. Then let me speak: hear me defend conduct

Sir Chr. Defend! Zounds! plead guilty at once-it's the only hope left of obtaining mercy.

Inkle. Suppose, old gentleman, you had a son?

Camp. I never did, sir.-Since I sailed from Sir Chr, 'Sblood! then I'd make him an England with your daughter, my affection has honest fellow and teach him that the feeling, daily encreased: and when I came to explain heart never knows greater pride than when myself to you, by a number of concurring it's employed in giving succour to the unforcircumstances, which I am now partly ac-tunate. I'd teach him to be his father's own quainted with, you mistook me for that gen-son to a hair.

tleman. Yet had I even then been aware of Inkle. Even so my father tutored me: from your mistake, I must confess, the regard for infancy, bending my tender mind, like a young my own happiness would have tempted me sapling, to his will-Interest was the grand to let you remain undeceived. prop round which he twined my pliant green Sir Chr. And did you, Narcissa, join in affections: taught me in child-hood to repeat Nar. How could I, my dear sir, disobey old sayings- all tending to his own fixed you? principles, and the first sentence that I ever lisped, was charity begins at home.

Patty. Lord, your honour, what young lady could refuse a captain?

Sir Chr. I shall never like a proverb again, Camp. I am a soldier, sir Christopher. Love as long as I live. and War is the soldier's motto; though my, Inkle. As I grew up, he'd prove-and by income is triding to your intended son-in-example-were I in want, I might even starve, law's, still the chance of war has enabled me for what the world cared for their neighto support the object of my love above indi-bours; why then should I care for the world! gence. Her fortune, sir Christopher, I do not men now lived for themselves. These were consider myself by any means entitled to. his doctrines: then, sir, what would you say, Sir Chr. 'Sblood! but you must though. should I, in spite of habit, precept, education, Give me your hand, my young Mars, and fly into my father's face, and spurn his counbless you both together,Thank you, thank cils?

you for cheating an old fellow into giving Sir Chr. Say! why, that you were a damnhis daughter to a lad of spirit, when he was ed honest, undutiful fellow. O curse such going to throw her away upon one, in whose principles! principles, which destroy all conBreast the mean passion of avarice smothers fidence between man and man- Principles, the smallest spark of affection, or humanity.

Inkle. Confusion!

Nar. I have this moment heard a story of a transaction in the forest, which, I own, would have rendered compliance with your former commands very disagreeable.

Patty. Yes, sir, I told my mistress he had brought over a botty-pot gentlewoman.

which none but a rogue could instil, and none but a rogue could imbibe.-PrinciplesInkle. Which I renounce.

Sir Chr. Eh!

Inkle. Renounce entirely. Ill-founded precept too long has steeled my breast-but still 'tis vulnerable-this trial was too much-Nature; against habit combating within me, has Sir Chr. Yes, but he would have left her penetrated to my heart; a heart, I own, long for you; [To Narcissa] and you for his in- callous to the feelings of sensibility: but now terest; and sold you, perhaps, as he has this it bleeds and bleeds for my poor Yarico. poor girl, to me, as a requital for preserving Oh, let me clasp her to it, while 'tis glowing, his life. and mingle tears of love and penitence. [Embracing her.

Nar. How!

JOHN GAY.

THIS gentleman, descended from an ancient family iu Devonshire, was born at Exeter, and received his edamon at the free-school of Barnstaple, in that county, under the care of Mr. William Rayner. He was bred a menta the Strand; but having a small fortune independent of business, and considering the attendance on a shop as a degra dation of those talents which he found himself possessed of, he quitted that occupation, and applied himself to views, and to the indulgence of his inclination for the Muses, Mr. Gay was born in the year 1688. In 1713 we fhim secretary, or rather domestic steward, to the Dutchess of Monmouth; in which station he continued till the bginning of the year 1714, at which time he accompanied the Earl of Clarendon to Hanover, whither that noblems i dispatched by Queen Anne, In the latter end of the same year, in consequence of the Queen's death, he returned England, where he lived in the highest estimation and intimacy of friendship with many persons of the first dista both in rank and abilities. He was even particularly taken notice of by Queen Caroline, then Princess of Wales whom he had the honour of reading in manuscript his tragedy of The Captives; and in 1726 dedicated his Fables, permission, to the Duke of Cumberland. From this countenance shown to him, and numberless promises made he preferment, it was reasonable to suppose. that he would have been genteelly provided for in some office suitable bis inclination and abilities. Instead of which, in 1727, he was offered the place of gentleman-usher to one eit youngest princesses; an office which, as he looked on it as rather an indignity to a man whose talents might ar been so much better employed, he thought proper to refuse; and some pretty warm remonstrances were made on 1 occasion by his sincere friends and jealous patrons the Duke and Dutchess of Queensberry, which terminated in the two noble presonages withdrawing from court in disgust. Mr. Gay's dependence on the promises of the great, and th disappointments he met with, he has figuratively described in his fable of The Hare with many Friends. Horme