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him. (Pulls out a purfe of uncommon length.) Ay; they'll not eafily get to the bottom of it fo "what's to pay ?" damme "what's to pay,' my watch word while I ftay in London.

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Orv. What! you think money an excufe for every abfurdity?

Ap-Hazard. To be fure-if I knock a man down-" what's to pay?"--if I kifs a married woman---" what's to pay ?"---if I marry myself---. "what's to pay?"---if I come into parliament--"what's to pay?" Money will mend crack't heads---broken hearts, and wounded reputations-therefore I fay again, "what's to pay," is my motto in the hour of danger.

Orv. Well, but take notice; mine and your friend Mifs Union's fchemes depend on your fuccefs. Sir Charles and Lady Danvers are our enemies; and if you marry Mrs. Seymour, and are adopted by Sir Bamber, they meet the ruin they merit; if you fail, they triumph: recollect Fortune's a flippery jade.

Ap-Hazard. Oh, curfe her; I know her; fhe has led me fuch a life of it--but now I defy her---she can't dash the cup from my lip now--no, no---Mrs. Seymour has given me her picture, and the buft fecures old Blackletter. I tell you what---life's a lottery---I've hitherto had ten blanks to a prize---and now I'll go buy the thirty thoufand.

Orv. No; go and have your first interview with your godfather-heh! who's landing from that boat?as I live, Tom Seymour.

Tom Seymour (without.) Row back, I tell you, Orv. If he fhould find out his mother is about to be married to this fellow-however he don't meddle in family affairs. (afide.)

Tom

Tom Seymour (without.) Pull hard my lads. Ap-Hazard (looking out.) What smart fea captain's this? I'm a bit of a failor myself, and as I fhould like to hear about the dock-yards, and the late fea engagements, I'll talk to him-by his appearance he must be a very great naval character.

Orv. (afide.) Great naval character! ha! ha! poor Tom Seymour !-he never faw the fea in his life-never was below Gravefend he is a freshwater failor.

Enter TOM SEYMOUR, dress'd in white trowfers,

&c.

Tom (Speaking as he enters.) Pull hard I tell you-fave as much of the wreck as you can; and, d'ye hear, look out fharp for the log-book

Zounds! what a tempeft! and what a profeffion! We failors are always expofed to peril, while these land lubbers here-what Orville! never off shore.

Ap. Hazard. Stormy weather, noble captain!

Orv. (to Tom, who ftares at Ap-Hazard.) He's a friend of mine, from Wales: but what's the matter? You feem agitated.

Tom. Well I may-I've been fhipwreck'd.
Orv. Shipwreck'd!-where?

Ap-Hazard. Ay, where, fir?-where? Oh, how I like to hear about a fhipwreck. When did it happen? Where was it, captain ?-in the Channel?

Tom. No; in Chelsea Reach.

Ap-Hazard. Chelsea Reach! Why what new ocean's that? But tell me, did the fhip founder, or did fhe drive against a large ridge of barbarous rocks?

Tom

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Tom. Neither the drove against a little arch of Battersea Bridge-off Millbank we loft our mainmaft-at Vauxhall we fprung a leak-and at Ranelagh we threw overboard.

Ap-Hazard. All your live stock, stores and provifions?

Tom. All our umbrellas, fpencers, and operaglaffes.

Ap-Hazard. Umbrellas and opera-glaffes !Why what fantastic jackanapes is this? Fortune's at her tricks again, I fee; but let what will be the confequence, I'll afk him one more question. Sir-captain, if the fhip was loft, how came you not to fink with it?

Tom. I did fink with it.

Ap-Hazard. What you were drown'd, were

you?

Tom. No, not exactly; because when she came to the bottom, I ftood on the deck, and was knee high in the river. Drown'd! blefs your fat headhow can a man be drown'd in feven inch water? Oh, you'll never be of fervice to your country. Ap-Hazard. No; but you fhall; for I'll fetch a prefs-gang- -I'll-(going.)

Orv. (Stopping him.) Softly: will you force your ill-luck-purpofely get into a fcrape? Confider, the cards are in your own hands.

Ap-Hazard. They are.

Orv. Would you throw them away, then? Ap-Hazard. No, thank ye-thank ye-What's to pay, fir? (to Tom.)

Ory. (to Tom.) You'll excufe my friend, Mr. Seymour-he's a ftrange creature. Come, never mind the lofs of your ship; you have more than one, you know.

Tom. To be fure I have. There's the Sprightly Kitty! (pointing to the veffel at anchor.) Cleo

patra's

patra's galley was but a coal-barge to it-fhe's my favourite, because my fifter furnish'd the cabin for me and, now I think on't, Orville, what's all this hurricane in my family? I'm told Juliana has put to fea with Sir Charles Danversmefs! I must keep a good look out-that is, when the failing match is over.

Orv. You'll find your fifter has behav'd very ill, fir.

Tom. Shall I? I don't think it more likely I fhall find others have behav'd ill to her; and, if that's the cafe, she shan't want a friend, I promise you-while I can fwim, my fifter fhan't fink !. What fay you, Mr.

Ap-Hazard. Say! that fince I came to London, it's the only fenfible fpeech I've heard. Sir, I beg pardon for hinting at a prefs-gang-you are a great naval character, and I'll fail with you-at the risk of my life, I'll fail with you.

Tom. So you fhall-not to-day, though-I'm going to dine at La Fleece'em's club.

Ap-Hazard. Then I'll go and dine at La Fleece'em's along with you.

Tom. Why, your friend's a ftrange creature indeed, Orville; however, I like his familiarityfo you fhall go and dine with me; and what's more, I'll make you one of the fquadron, and you shall wear the uniform.

Ap-Hazard. So I will: I'll wear the uniform. Tom. And you fhall be in my fett-the aquatic fett-all as great naval characters as myfelf-and you shall hear of nothing but rowing, failing, fishing and you fhall play a rubber.

Ap-Hazard. Stop there-I'm tied up.

Tom. Tied up! what you lose now and then? Ap-Hazard, Lofe now and then! If you'll be

lieve me, I never turn'd up an honour in all my life: however, Fortune fmiles at prefent, and there's nothing like pushing it; fo come, Orville -come, my noble captain-(afide to Orville.) I feel my ground, and you and Mifs Union may count the game your own-I'll beggar the club, marry the widow, bamboozle old Blackletter, and then we'll all take fuch a fea voyage in the Sprightly Kitty

Tom. No, no; no falt-water for me-let me encounter the billows of the Thames, not be tofs'd on the tumultuous ocean-give me a failing match, not a fea fight-a trip to Richmond, not a voyage to China-and inftead of being fhipwreck'd on rocks and quickfands, Batterfea Bridge and seven inch water for Tom Seymour. Come, my boys, come to the club, and I'll fhew you how to hold honours, and fail against wind and tide! [Exeunt,

END OF THE FIRST ACT.

ACT

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