him but to be unnoticed by him-a decayed gentleman's son-glad of the title and revenues of a scrivener's clerk,-am the undoubted successor to his estates and coronet.

Gay. Have you been sent for?

Wilf. No; but I have certified to his agent, Master Walter, the Hunchback, my existence, and peculiar propinquity; and momentarily expect him here.

Gay. Lives there any one that may dispute your claim,-I mean vexatiously?

Wilf. Not a man, Master Gaylove. I am the sole remaining branch of the family tree.

Gay. Doubtless you look for much happiness from this change of fortune?

Wilf. A world! Three things have I an especial passion for. The finest hound, the finest horse, and the finest wife in the kingdom, Master Gaylove.

Gay. The finest wife!

Wilf. Yes, sir: I marry. Once the Earldom comes into my line, I shall take measures to perpetuate its remaining there. I marry, sir! I do not say that I shall love. My heart has changed mistresses too often to settle down in one servitude now, sir. But fill, I pray you, friends. This, if I mistake not, is the day whence I shall date my new fortunes; and, for that reason, hither have I invited you, that having been so long my boon companions, you shall be the first to congratulate me.

[Waiter goes out.

My heart's a prophet, sirs.-The Earl is dead.

Enter MASTER WALTER.

Well, Master Walter. How accost you me?

Wal. As your impatience shows me you would have

me.

My lord, the Earl of Rochdale!

Gay. Give you joy!

Hold. All happiness, my lord!

Simp. Long life and health unto your lordship!
Gay. Come!

We'll drink to his lordship's health!

'Tis two o'clock,

We'll e'en carouse till midnight! Health, my lord!

Hold. My lord, much joy to you!

Simp. All good to your lordship!
Wal. Give something to the dead!
Gay. Give what?

Wal. Respect!

He has made the living! First to him that's gone,
Say "Peace," and then with decency to revels.

Gay. What means the knave by revels?

Wal. Knave?

Gay. Ay, knave!

Wal. Go to!

Thou'rt flushed with wine!

Gay. Thou sayest false !

Though didst thou need a proof thou speakest true,

I'd give thee one.

And I see two!

Thou seest but one lord here,

Wal. Reflect'st thou on my shape?

Thou art a villain!

Gay. [starting up.] Ha!

Wal. A coward, too!

Draw. [Drawing his sword.]

Gay. Only mark him! how he struts about! How laughs his straight sword at his noble back. Wal. Does it? It cuffs thee for a liar then!

Gay. A blow!

[Strikes GAY. with his sword.

Wal. Another, lest you doubt the first!
Gay. His blood on his own head! I'm for

Clif. Hold, sir! This quarrel's mine!

[Coming forward and drawing.

Wal. No man shall fight for me, sir!
Clif. By your leave.

Your patience, pray! My lord, for so I learn
Behoves me to accost you-f
-for your own sake
Draw off your friend!

Wal. Not till we have a bout, sir!

Clif. My lord, your happy fortune ill you greet!
Ill greet it those who love you-greeting thus
The herald of it!

Wal. Sir, what's that to you?
Let go my sleeve!

Clif. My lord, if blood be shed

On the fair dawn of your prosperity,

Look not to see the brightness of its day.

'Twill be o'ercast throughout!

Gay. My lord, I'm struck!

Clif. You gave the first blow, and the hardest one! Look, sir; if swords you needs must measure, I'm Your mate, not he.

Wal. I'm mate for any man.

Clif. Draw off your friend, my lord, for your own

sake!

Wilf. Come, Gaylove! let's have another room.
Gay. With all my heart, since 'tis your lordship's will.
Wil. That's right! Put up! Come, friends!
[WILF. and Friends go out.

Fear!

Wal. I'll follow him! · Why do you hold me? 'Tis not courteous of you! Think'st thou I fear them? I rate them but As dust! dross! offals! Let me at them!-Nay, Call you this kind? then kindness know I not; Nor do I thank you for't! Let go, I say!

Clif. Nay, Master Walter, they're not worth your wrath.

Wal. How know you me for Master Walter? By My hunchback, eh!-my stilts of legs and arms, The fashion more of ape's than man's? Aha! So have heard them too-their savage gibes As I pass on,-"There goes my lord!" aha! God made me, sir, as well as them and you. 'Sdeath! I demand of you, unhand me, sir!

you

Clif. There, sir, you're free to follow them! Go forth,

And I'll go too: so on your wilfulness
Shall fall whate'er of evil may ensue.

Is't fit you waste your choler on a burr?

The nothings of the town; whose sport it is
To break their villain jests on worthy men,
The graver still the fitter! Fie for shame!
Regard what such would say? So would not I,
No more than heed a cur.

Wal. You're right, sir; right.

For twenty crowns! So there's my rapier up!
You've done me a good turn against my will;
Which, like a wayward child, whose pet is off,
That made him restive under wholesome check,
I now right humbly own, and thank you for.

Clif. No thanks, good Master Walter, owe you me! I'm glad to know you, sir.

Wal. I pray you, now,

How did you learn my name ? Guess'd I not right?
Was't not my comely hunch that taught it you?
Clif. I own it.

Wal. Right, I know it; you tell truth.

I like you for 't.

Clif. But when I heard it said

That Master Walter was a worthy man,

Whose word would pass on 'change soon as his bond ;

A liberal man-for schemes of public good

That sets down tens, where others units write ;
A charitable man- -the good he does,
That's told of, not the half: I never more
Could see the hunch on Master Walter's back.
Wal. You would not flatter a poor citizen?
Clif. Indeed, I flatter not!

Wal. I like your face :

A frank and honest one!

Proportioned, shaped!

Clif. Good sir!

Your frame's well knit,

Wal. Your name is Clifford

Sir Thomas Clifford. Humph!

Direct to the fair baronetcy?

You're not the heir

He

That was, was drown'd abroad. Am I not right?
Your cousin, was 't not? So, succeeded you

To rank and wealth, your birth ne'er promised you.
Clif. I see you know my history.

Wal. I do.

You're lucky who conjoin the benefits
Of penury and abundance; for I know
Your father was a man of slender means.

You do not blush, I see. That's right! Why should you?

What merit to be dropp'd on fortune's hill?

The honour is to mount it. You'd have done it;
For you were train'd to knowledge, industry,
Frugality, and honesty,-the sinews

That surest help the climber to the top,

And keep him there. I have a clerk, Sir Thomas,
Once served your father; there's the riddle for you.
Humph! I may thank you for my life to-day.
Clif. I pray you say not so.

Wal. But I will say so!

Because I think so, know so, feel so, sir!
Your fortune, I have heard, I think, is ample;
And doubtless you live up to't?

Clif. 'Twas my rule,

And is so still, to keep my outlay, sir,

A

span within my means.

Wal. A prudent rule.

The turf is a seductive pastime !

Clif. Yes.

Wal. You keep a racing stud?

Clif. No, neither.

You bet?

'Twas still my father's precept—“ Better owe

A yard of land to labour, than to chance

Be debtor for a rood!"

Wal. 'Twas a wise precept.

You've a fair house-you'll get a mistress for it?

Clif. In time!

Wal. In time!

'Tis time thy choice were made.

Is't not so yet? Or is thy lady love

The newest still thou see'st?

Clif. Nay, not so.

I'd marry, Master Walter, but old use

For since the age of thirteen, I have lived

In the world-has made me jealous of the thing
That flatter'd me with hope of profit. Bargains
Another would snap up, might be for me