on purpose for the game-you won't be so cantanckerous as to spoil the party, by sitting out.

Capt. Abs. Oh pray, Faulkland, fight, to oblige Sir

Lucius.

Faulk. Nay, if Mr. Acres is so bent on the matter. Acres. No, no, Mr. Faulkland--I'll bear my disappointment like a christian-Lookye, Sir Lucius, there's no occasion at all for me to fight; and if it is the same to you, I'd as lieve let it alone.

Sir L. Observe me, Mr. Acres-I must not be trifled with. You have certainly challenged somebody, and you came here to fight him. Now, if that gentleman is willing to represent him-I can't see, for my soul, why it isn't just the same thing.

Acres. Why, no, Sir Lucius, I tell you, 'tis one Beverley I've challenged a fellow, you see, that dare not show his face? If he were here, I'd make him give up his pretensions directly!

Capt. Abs. Hold, Bob-let me set you right—there is no such man as Beverley in the case. The person, who assumed that name, is before you; and as his pretensions are the same in both characters, he is ready to support them in whatever way you please.

Sir L. Well, this is lucky. Now you have an opportunity

Acres. What, quarrel with my dear friend, Jack Absolute!-not if he were fifty Beverleys! Z-ds! Sir Lucius, you would not have me be so unnatural!

Sir L. Upon my conscience, Mr. Acres, your valour has oozed away with a vengeance!

Acres. Not in the least! odds backs and abettors; I'll be your second with all my heart-and if you should get a quietus, you may command me entirely. I'll get you a snug lying in the Abbey here; or pickle you, and send you over to Blunderbuss-hall, or any thing of the kind, with the greatest pleasure.

Sir L. Pho! pho! you are little better than a Coward.

Acres. Mind, gentlemen, he calls me a coward ; coward was the word, by my valour !

Sir L. Well, sir?

Acres. Lookye, Sir Lucius, 'tisn't that I mind the word coward-Coward may be said in joke-But if you had called me a poltroon, odds daggers and balls

Sir L. Well, sir?

Acres. I should have thought you a very ill-bred

man.

Sir L. Pho! you are beneath my notice.

Capt. Abs. Nay, Sir Lucius, you can't have a better second than my friend, Acres. He is a most determined dog-called in the country, fighting Bob.—He generally kills a man a week; don't you Bob?

Acres. Ay-at home !—

Sir L. Well, then, Captain, 'tis we must begin-so come out, my little counsellor, [Draws his Sword.]— and ask the gentleman, whether he will resign the lady, without forcing you to proceed against him?

Capt. Abs. Come then, sir [Draws.] since you won't let it be an amicable suit, here's my reply.

Enter SIR ANTHONY, DAVID, and the WOMEN. David. Knock 'em all down, sweet Sir Anthony; knock down my master in particular-and bind his hands over to their good behaviour!

Sir Anth. Put up, Jack, put up, or I shall be in a phrenzy-how came you in a duel, sir?

Capt. Abs. 'Faith, sir, that gentleman can tell you better than I; 'twas he called on me, and you know, sir, I serve his Majesty.

Sir Anth. Here's a pretty fellow! I catch him going to cut a man's throat, and he tells me, he serves his Majesty !-Z-ds! sirrah, then how durst you draw the King's sword against one of his subjects?

Capt. Abs. Sir, I tell you, that gentleman called me out, without explaining his reasons.

Sir Anth. Gad, sir! how came you to call my son out, without explaining your reasons?

Sir L. Your son, sir, insulted me in a manner which my honour could not brook.

Sir Anth. Z-ds, Jack! how durst you insult the gentleman in a manner which his honour could not brook?

Mrs. M. Come, come, let's have no honour before ladies-Captain Absolute, come here-How could you intimidate us so ?-Here's Lydia has been terrified to death for you.

Capt. Abs. For fear I should be killed, or escape,

ma'am?

Mrs. M. Nay, no delusions to the past-Lydia is convinced; speak, child

Sir L. With your leave, ma'am, I must put in a word here I believe I could interpret the young lady's silence-Now mark

Lydia. What is it you mean, sir?

Sir L. Come, come, Delia, we must be serious now-this is no time for trifling.

Lydia. 'Tis true, sir; and your reproof bids me offer this gentleman my hand, and solicit the return of his affections.

Capt. Abs. Oh, my little angel, say you so ?-Sir Lucius, I perceive there must be some mistake here -with regard to the affront, which you affirm I have given you, I can only say, that it could not have been intentional. And as you must be convinced, that I should not fear to support a real injury-you shall now see that I am not ashamed to atone for an inadvertency-I ask your pardon.-But for this lady, while honoured with her approbation, I will support my claim against any man whatever.

Sir Anth. Well said, Jack, and I'll stand by you, my boy.

Acres. Mind, I give up all my claim—I make no pretensions to any thing in the world-and if I can't get a wife, without fighting for her, by my valour! I'll live a bachelor.

Sir L. Captain, give me your hand—an affront handsomely acknowledged becomes an obligationand as for the lady-if she chuses to deny her own hand-writing here— [Takes out Letters. Mrs. M. Oh, he will dissolve my mystery!-Sir Lucius, perhaps, there's some mistake-perhaps I can illuminate

Sir L. Pray, old gentlewoman, don't interfere where you have no business.-Miss Languish, are you my Delia, or not?

Lydia. Indeed, Sir Lucius, I am not.

[LYDIA and ABSOLUTE walk aside. Mrs. M. Sir Lucius O'Trigger-ungrateful as you are-I own the soft impeachment-pardon my blushes, I am Delia.

Sir L. You Delia-pho! pho! be easy.

Mrs. M. Why, thou barbarous Vandyke-those letters are mine-When you are more sensible of my benignity--perhaps I may be brought to encourage your addresses.

Sir L. Mrs. Malaprop, I am extremely sensible of your condescension; and whether you or Lucy have put this trick upon me, I am equally beholden to you. And, to show you I am not ungrateful, Captain Absolute, since you have taken that lady from me, I'll give you my Delia into the bargain.

Capt. Abs. I am much obliged to you, Sir Lucius ; but here's my friend, fighting Bob, unprovided for. Sir L. Hah! little valour-here, will you make your fortune?

Acres. Odds wrinkles! No.-But give me your hand, Sir Lucius, forget and forgive; but if ever I give you a chance of pickling me again, say Bob Acres is a dunce, that's all.

Sir Anth. Come, Mrs. Malaprop, don't be cast down-you are in your bloom yet.

Mrs. M. O Sir Anthony !-men are all barbarians- [All retire but JULIA and FAULKLAND. Julia. He seems dejected and unhappy-not sullen there was some foundation, however, for the tale he tid me-O woman! how true should be your judghent, when your resolution is so weak!

Faulk. Julia!-how can I sue for what I so little eserve? I dare not presume-yet Hope is the child of penitence.

.

Julia. Oh! Faulkland, you have not been more faulty in your unkind treatment of me, than I am now in wanting inclination to resent it. As my heart honestly bids me place my weakness to the account of love, I should be ungenerous not to admit the same plea for yours.

Faulk. Now I shall be blest indeed!

[SIR ANTHONY comes forward. Sir Anth. What's going on here?-So you have been quarrelling too, I warrant.- -Come, Julia, I never interfered before; but let me have a hand in the matter at last.-All the faults I have ever seen in my friend, Faulkland, seemed to proceed from what he calls the delicacy and warmth of his affection for you-There, marry him directly, Julia, you'll find he'll mend surprisingly! [The rest come forward. Sir L. Come now, I hope there is no dissatisfied person, but what is content; for as I have been disappointed myself, it will be very hard if I have not the satisfaction of seeing other people succeed bet

ter

Acres. You are right, Sir Lucius.-So, Jack, I wish you joy-Mr. Faulkland, the same.-Ladies,come now, to show you I'm neither vexed nor angry, odds tabors and pipes! I'll order the fiddles in half an hour, to the New Rooms-and I insist on your all meeting me there.