Hyp. Examine well your heart, and if the fierce resentment of its wrongs has not extinguished quite the usual soft compassion there, revive at least one spark in pity of my woman's weakness.

Don P. Whither wouldst thou carry me?

Hyp. The extravagant attempt I have this day run through to meet you thus, justly may subject me to your contempt and scorn, unless the same forgiving goodness that used to overlook the failings of Hypolita, prove still my friend, and soften all with the excuse of [All seem amazed] O Philip-Hypolita is-yours for ever.

prove

[They advance slowly, and at last rush into one

another's Arms.

Don P. It is, it is, Hypolita! And yet 'tis she! I know her by the busy pulses at my heart, which only love like mine can feel, and she alone can give.

[Embraces her eagerly.

Don M. Have I then been pleased, and plagued, and frighted out of my wits, by a woman all this while? Odsbud, she is a notable contriver! Stand clear, ho! For if I have not a fair brush at her lips; nay, if she does not give me the hearty smack too, odds-winds and thunder, she is not the good-humour'd girl I take her for.

sir.

Hyp. Come, sir, I won't balk your good humour. [He kisses her] And now I have a favour to beg of you; you remember your promise: only your blessing here, [Octavio and Rosara kneel. Don M. Ah! I can deny thee nothing; and so, children, heaven bless ye together-And now my cares are over again.

Oct. We'll study to deserve your love, sir.

Don P. My friend successful too! Then my joys are double-But how this generous attempt was started first, how it has been pursued, and carried with this kind surprise at last, gives me wonder equal to my joy.

Hyp. Here's one that at more leisure shall inform you all she was ever a friend to your love, has had a

F

hearty share in the fatigue, and now I am bound in honour to give her part of the garland too.

Don P. How! she!

Flora. Trusty Flora, sir, at your service! I have had many a battle with my lady upon your account; but I always told her we should do her business at last.

Don M. Another metamorphosis! Brave girls, faith! Odzooks, we shall have 'em make campaigns shortly. Don P. In Seville I'll provide for thee.

Hyp. Nay, here's another accomplice too, confederate I can't say; for honest Trappanti did not know but that I was as great a rogue as himself.

Trap. It's a folly to lie; I did not indeed, madam.— But the world cannot say I have been a rogue to your ladyship and if you had not parted with your moneyHyp. Thou hadst not parted with thy honesty.

Trap. Right, madam; but how should a poor naked fellow resist when he had so many pistoles held against [Shows Money.

him?

Don M. Ay, ay, well said, lad.

Vil. Ea? A tempting bait indeed! let him offer to marry me again if he dares.

[Aside. Don P. Well, Trappanti, thou hast been serviceable, however, and I'll think of thee.

Oct. Nay, I am his debtor too.

Trap. Ah! there's a very easy way, gentlemen, to reward me; and since you partly owe your happiness to my roguery, I should be very proud to owe mine only to your generosity.

Oct. As how, pray?

Trap. Why, sir, I find by my constitution, that it is as natural to be in love as an hungry, and that I han't a jot less stomach than the best of my betters; and though I have often thought a wife bat dining every day upon the same dish; yet methinks it's better than no dinner at all. Upon which considerations, gentlemen and ladies, I desire you'll use your interest with Madona here To admit me into her good graces.

Don M. A pleasant rogue, faith! Odzooks, the jade shall have him. Come, hussy, he's an ingenious person.

Vil. Sir, I don't understand his stuff; when he speaks plain I know what to say to him.

Trap. Why then, in plain terms, let me a lease for life.- -Marry me.

Vil. Ay, now you say something-I was afraid, by what you said in the garden, you had only a mind to be a wicked tenant at will.

Trap. No, no, child, I have no mind to be turn'd out at a quarter's warning.

Vil. Well, there's my hand-And now meet me as soon as you will with a canonical lawyer, and I'll give you possession of the rest of the premises.

Don M. Odzooks, and well thought of, I'll send for one presently. Here, you, sirrah, run to father Benedick again, tell him his work don't hold here, his last marriage is dropp'd to pieces; but now we have got better tackle, he must come and stitch two or three fresh couple together as fast as he can.

Don P. Now, my Hypolita!

Let our example teach mankind to love;

From thine the fair their favours may improve:

O! never let a virtuous mind despair,

For constant hearts are love's peculiar care. [Exeunt.

EPILOGUE.

'MONGST all the rules the ancients had in vogue,
We find no mention of an epilogue;

Which plainly shows they're innovations, brought
Since rules, design, and nature, were forgot.
The custom, therefore, our next play shall break;
But now a joyful motive bids us speak:

For while our arms return with conquest home;
While children prattle Vigo and the boom,
Is't fit the mouth of all mankind, the stage, be dumb? S

While the proud Spaniards read old annals o'er,
And on the leaves in lazy safety pore,

Essex and Raleigh thunder on their shore.
Again their donships start, and mend their speed,
With the same fear of their forefathers dead;
While Amadis de Gaul laments in vain,

And wishes his young Quixote out of Spain.
While foreign forts are but beheld and seiz'd,
While English hearts tumultuously are pleas'd,
Shall we, whose sole subsistence purely flows
From minds in joy, or undisturb'd repose;
Shall we behold each face with pleasure glow,
Unthankful to the arms that made 'em so?
Shall we not say-

Old English honour now revives again,
Mem'rably fatal to the pride of Spain;
But hold-

}

While Anne repeats the vengeance of Eliza's reign :
For to the glorious conduct sure that drew
A senate's grateful vote, our adoration's due.
From that alone all other thanks are poor;
The old triumphing Romans ask'd no more,
And Rome indeed gave all within its power.
But your superior stars, that know too well
You English heroes should old Rome's excel;
To crown your arms beyond the bribes of spoil,
Rais'd English beauty to reward your toil:
Though seiz'd of all the rifled world had lost,
So fair a circle Rome could never boast. [To the Boxes.
Proceed, auspicious chiefs! inflame the war,
Pursue your conquest, and possess the fair;
That ages may record of them and you,
They only could inspire what you alone could do.

C. Whittingham, Printer, Chiswick.

SIEGE OF DAMASCUS.

A Tragedy.

BY JOHN HUGHES, ESQ.

CORRECTLY GIVEN, FROM COPIES USED IN THE THEATRES,

BY

THOMAS DIBDIN,

OF THE THEATRE ROYAL, DRURY LANE.
Author of several Dramatic Pieces, &c.

Printed at the Chiswick Press,
BY C. WHITTINGHAM;

FOR WHITTINGHAM AND ARLISS, PATERNOSTER
ROW, LONDON.