"had a mind to beat us both does not he, Sir

"Harry?

"Lord Med. Sir Harry, I have really some serious "business on my hands, and should be glad if you "would dispatch what you have got to say.

"Sir H. Flut. What I have to say, my lord; why "all the world have it to say, as well as I.

"Lord Med. What is it, pr'ythee?

"Sir H. Flut. Why, that you are going to force "Miss Medway to marry an old hero in tapestry "hanging.

"Lord Med. Is that all!

"Sir H. Flut. All! and enough too in conscience, "I think; why what the deuce, my lord, it is the jest "of the town already, Lady Flutter and I have so "laughed at the thoughts of it this morning. We "call him the knight of the inflexible countenance.

"[Here Sir Harry and Lady Flutter burst out a laughing.

"Lord Med. Oh! I am mighty glad to see you so "much of one mind.

"Lady Flut. My lord, as we are intirely indebted "to your good offices for that union, I am sure it must "give you pleasure.

"Sir H. Flut. Sarcastical gipsey! but come, we "won't banter his lordship about it; he meant us "well, I believe, though he was a little out in his "politics-for faith, my lord, I think she is much the better since I have given her her own way.

"Lord Med. I am glad of it, sir.

"thing farther to offer?

Have you any

"Lady Flut. Nothing but our good advice, my lord; " as we have received so much from you, I think we "owe you some in return; and, I am sure, if you "would take time, you would not think of my uncle ❝for a son-in-law.

"Sir H. Flut. Oh fie, fie! ridiculous to the last de66 gree.

"Lady Flut. Positively, my lord, I won't give

❝ consent.

"Lord Med. I suppose your uncle's at age, ma'am. "Lady Flut. Oh la! he has been that these hundred 66 years.

"Lord Med. Why then-excuse me, I am not at 66 present in a humour to trifle.

"Lady Flut. But we are, my lord; an't we, Sir Harry? "Sir H. Flut. Oh eternally, my dear.

"Lord Med. Be so good, then, as to enjoy it with "out my participation-I am really busy.

"Lady Flut. Come, Sir Harry. He's so splenetic, "there's no bearing him. Let's go and laugh by ❝ ourselves.

"Sir H. Flut. Oh there's no pleasure like it!

"Lady Flut. My lord could tell us of others, I war"rant; well, don't look so cross; we'll dance at the "wedding, if it must be a match.

"Sir H. Flut. I dare say your uncle will have "jousts and tournaments; I'll learn to handle a tar"get, my lord, against the time.

"Lady Flut. My lord don't think us worthy of an " answer, so we will leave him to his wise reflections. [Exeunt laughing.

"Lord Med. A couple of impertinents. He alarm"ed me at first, but I find she is too cunning to tell "him all."

Enter Colonel MEDWAY.

Col. Med. I met Sir Anthony just going to my sister, my lord; I suppose matters are in a favourable train between them.

Lord Med. He is such an out-of-the-way fellow, there is no knowing what to make of him; he has been with me, and quite tired me with his romantic absurdity; but I think it will be a match. Your sister has at last condescended to accept of him for a husband.

Col. Med. I am glad of it, my lord, since it is a thing you wished.

Lord Med. I thank you, son.

Col: Med. Something has ruffled you, my lord.

Lord Med. I have an affair, George, that lies heavy on my spirits-'Tis in your power, and I think-I hope, at least-in your inclination, to extricate me from the greatest difficulty in which I was ever yet involved.

Col. Med. My lord, you know you may command me; I am ready to hazárd my life for your service, if it be any thing of that nature.

Lord Med. No, no, no; I am not so old, Medway,

as to require the assistance of your sword.- -You mistake my meaning quite.

Col. Med. You seem moved, my lord-[Lord Medway walks about] pray explain yourself.

Lord Med. Faith, son, I am almost ashamed to tell you the distress I have brought both upon myself and

you.

Col. Med. Dear, my lord, don't think of me in the

case.

Lord Med. Last night, George, I lost two thousand pounds, which I was obliged to pay this morning, and my honour is engaged for almost as much more.

Col. Med. My lord, I thought you had determined never to venture on such deep play again.

Lord Med. I had so; but something happened yesterday that vexed and disconcerted me, and I went to the old set, just to amuse myself for an hour; but I don't know how it was- -they drew me in for half the night.

Col. Med. My lord, I am exceedingly concerned; but what can I do now?

Lord Med. Why there's the point-I am very loth to revive a subject, that I know is disagreeable to you; but you see to what distress I am driven-there is but one way left.-You remember what we talk'd of yesterday; if my curst ill fortune had not pursued me last night, I thought never to have mentioned it to you again.

Col. Med. My lord, I flattered myself you never would.

Lord Med. I thought I should not have occasion. I had another thing in view; but this last blow has crushed all my hopes at once.

Col. Med. Is it not practicable, my lord, to devise some other way?

Lord Med. Oh, impossible! I am overwhelmed with debts, and worried like a stag at bay; but with regard to this last, for which my honour's pawned, I must be speedy in the means of payment.

Col. Med. Indeed, my lord, I am exceedingly shocked at what you tell me.

Lord Med. And is that all I am to expect from you? Look ye, Medway, it does not become a father to entreat a son; neither is it suitable to your age, or the character you bear in life, to be threatened, like a sniveling girl, with parental authority; mine is impotent, for I have nothing left to bestow; but as you would wish to prosper hereafter, save your father from disgrace, your mother (a good one she has been to you) from penury.

Col. Med. My lord, I call Heaven to witness [ would give up my life to preserve you both; but you require what is infinitely more precious !

Lord Med. Oh, fie! fie upon it! how like a woman this is! Your sister, a romantic girl, could do no more than soothe me with fine speeches; I expected a more substantial proof of filial love from you.

Col. Med. My lord, you wound me deeply by such a cruel charge. What have I not already done to shew my duty, or, what with me was much stronger,