the pit, if you please the soliloquy always to
the pit, that's a rule.

"Beef. Though hopeless love finds comfort in despair, It never can endure a rival's bliss!

But soft-I am observed.

Dang. That's a very short soliloquy.

[Exit." 100

Puff. Yes-but it would have been a great deal
longer if he had not been observed.

Sneer. A most sentimental Beefeater that, Mr
Puff!

Puff. Hark'ee-I would not have you be too sure

that he is a Beefeater.

Sneer. What, a hero in disguise?

Puff. No matter-I only give you a hint. But now for my principal character. Here he comes 110 Lord Burleigh in person! Pray, gentlemen, step this way-softly-I only hope the Lord High Treasurer is perfect-if he is but perfect!

"Enter Lord Burleigh, goes slowly to a chair, and sits." Sneer. Mr Puff!

Puff. Hush!-Vastly well, sir! vastly well! a most interesting gravity!

Dang. What, isn't he to speak at all?

Puff. Egad, I thought you'd ask me that !—Yes, it
is a very likely thing-that a minister in his 120
situation, with the whole affairs of the nation

on his head, should have time to talk!-But
hush! or you 'll put him out.

Sneer. Put him out! how the plague can that be, if
he's not going to say any thing!

Puff. There's the reason! why, his part is to think; and how the plague do you imagine he can think if you keep talking?

Dang. That's very true, upon my word!

"Lord Burleigh comes forward, shakes his head,
and exit."

Sneer. He is very perfect indeed!

did he mean by that?

Puff. You don't take it?

Sneer. No, I don't, upon my soul.
Puff. Why, by that shake of the

Now, pray what 130

head, he gave you to understand that even though they had more justice in their cause, and wisdom in their measures-yet, if there was not a greater spirit shown on the part of the people, the country would at last fall

a sacrifice to the hostile ambition of the 140 Spanish monarchy.

Sneer. The devil! did he mean all that by shaking his head?

Puff. Every word of it-if he shook his head as I taught him.

Dang. Ah! there certainly is a vast deal to be done

on the stage by dumb show and expression of
face; and a judicious author knows how much
he may trust to it.

Sneer. Oh, here are some of our old acquaintance.

150

"Enter Sir Christopher Hatton and Sir Walter Raleigh.

Sir Christ. My niece and your niece too!

By Heaven! there's witchcraft in 't. He could not else

Have gained their hearts.But see where they approach:

Some horrid purpose lowering on their brows! Sir Walt. Let us withdraw and mark them.

Sneer. What is all this?

[They withdraw."

Puff. Ah! here has been more pruning!—but the

fact is, these two young ladies are also in love
with Don Whiskerandos.-Now, gentlemen,

this scene goes entirely for what we call situa- 160
tion and stage effect, by which the greatest
applause may be obtained, without the assistance
of language, sentiment, or character: pray mark!
"Enter the two Nieces.

1st Niece. Ellena here!

She is his scorn as much as I—that is
Some comfort still! "

Puff. O dear, madam, you are not to say that to her
face!-aside, ma'am, aside.-The whole scene

is to be aside.

"Ist Niece. She is his scorn as much as I-that is 170

Some comfort still.

[Aside.

2nd Niece. I know he prizes not Pollina's love;

But Tilburina lords it o'er his heart.

[Aside.

1st Niece. But see the proud destroyer of my peace. Revenge is all the good I've left.

[Aside.

2nd Niece. He comes, the false disturber of my quiet. Now, vengeance do thy worst.

Enter Don Ferolo Whiskerandos.

Whisk. O hateful liberty-if thus in vain.

[Aside.

180

Sir Christopher Hatton and Sir Walter Raleigh come

forward.

Sir Christ. and Sir Walt. Hold! we will avenge

you.

Whisk. Hold you-or see your nieces bleed!

[The two Nieces draw their two daggers
to strike Whiskerandos: the two Uncles
at the instant, with their two swords
drawn, catch their two Nieces' arms,
and turn the points of their swords to
Whiskerandos, who immediately draws two
daggers, and holds them to the two Nieces'
bosoms."

Puff. There's situation for you! there's an heroic
group!
!-You see the ladies can't stab Whisker-
andos-he durst not strike them, for fear of
their uncles—the uncles durst not kill him, be-
cause of their nieces—I have them all at a dead
lock!--for every one of them is afraid to let go
first.

Sneer. Why, then they must stand there for 190 ever!

Puff. So, they would, if I hadn't a very fine con

trivance for 't.-Now mind