mind to call him back and correct the prefs--holloa, Charles!

Mifs Union. (To Ap-Hazard.) Now's the critical minute---fhew him the buft---defcribe it's value--it's beauties---put him in a good humour, or it's all over with you---Come, Sir Bamber,---never think of an ungrateful nephew---look at the buft---look at the image of immortal Chaucer!

Ap-Hazard (with the bust in his hand). Ay: here's old Geoffery !---here's the father of English Poets !---look, fir---does'nt this remind you of Palamon and Arcite ?---the Flow'r of Curtefye ?--the Affembly of Fools?

Sir Bamber. The Knyghts Tale, and the Canterbury Tales, and the money I fhall make by my new edition ?---Oh! that for Charles !---(Snapping his fingers)---you're my heir! the poffeffion of it will make me the envy of the Literati! the wonder of the Cognocenti !---the delight of the Dillettanti! the I'm in an ecftacy!---let me---let

me touch it.

Mifs Union. Don't, for Heaven's fake---confider it's antiquity!--the leaft touch will crumble it to atoms--the day's our own! (afide to ApHazard.

Ap-Hazard. (The buft ftill in his hand). I defy Fortune now----(afide to Mifs.)----What poetry flowed from this mouth!---What genius flash'd from thefe eyes !---What fancy revel'd in this brain! ---Ay ay this is none of your modern paper fkull'd authors---old Geoffery's head is found--found as----(bere he lets his hand fall on the head, and part of it breaks to pieces)---damnation !-- what's to Pay?

Mifs Union. Pay !---the value of his eftate, for

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you've

Sir Bamber. Ay: what do you want, fir-hav'nt I told you that your marriage has undone you?--that you are a dead letter, fir---this is my heir

now.

Sir Charles. I hope not, fir, when you confider that in my ruin an innocent lady is involved, I think you will renew your protection, and be as you have ever been---a friend---a father to me.

Mifs Union. What right had you to marry that lady, when you knew he was betroth'd to my nephew, fir?

Sir Charles. No reflections on her, Madam--cenfure me as you please, but Lady Danvers has behaved fo generously, that if I've not a fortune to reward her virtue, I'll prove I have the spirit to defend it !---Well, fir--what is your determination?

Ap-Hazard (to Sir Charles). Ask old Geoffery Chaucer. (Pointing to the Bust).---Ask him if the godfon won't cut out the nephew?

Sir Charles. 'Tis too plain: I fee I am deferted, and Lady Danvers and myself must part !--Mrs. Seymour no doubt will receive her daughter home again, and from this hour I'll trouble your no more. Farewell, fir! an unhappy marriage has been my ruin---may yours be more fortunate !

Sir Bamber. What do you fay, Charles ?----ftay--Sir Charles. I forgot---if Colonel Orville fhould arreft me for the large debt I owe him, may I ask your affiftance in confinement?--I never had any thing but what refulted from your bounty, and it will not be robbing a new heir to fupport an old friend in a prifon !---Now to Mrs. Seymour, and if fhe will but foften the afflictions of her daughter, I'll bear my own with patience !--- [Exit. Sir Bamber. What, is he gone !---I've a great

mind to call him back and correct the prefs-holloa, Charles !

Mifs Union. (To Ap-Hazard.) Now's the critical minute---fhew him the buft--defcribe it's value--it's beauties---put him in a good humour, or it's all over with you---Come, Sir Bamber,---never think of an ungrateful nephew---look at the buft---look at the image of immortal Chaucer!

Ap-Hazard (with the bust in his hand). Ay: here's old Geoffery !---here's the father of English Poets !---look, fir---does'nt this remind you of Palamon and Arcite ?---the Flow'r of Curtefye ?--the Affembly of Fools?

Sir Bamber. The Knyghts Tale, and the Canterbury Tales, and the money I fhall make by my new edition ?---Oh! that for Charles !---(napping bis fingers)---you're my heir! the poffeffion of it will make me the envy of the Literati! the wonder of the Cognocenti !---the delight of the Dillettanti! the I'm in an ecftacy!---let me---let

me touch it.

Mifs Union. Don't, for Heaven's fake---confider it's antiquity!--the leaft touch will crumble it to atoms-the day's our own! (afide to ApHazard.

Ap-Hazard. (The buft ftill in his band). I defy Fortune now----(afide to Mifs.)----What poetry flowed from this mouth!---What genius flash'd from these eyes !---What fancy revel'd in this brain! ---Ay ay this is none of your modern paper fkull'd authors---old Geoffery's head is found--found as-(here he lets his hand fall on the head, and part of it breaks to pieces)---damnation !-- what's to Pay?

Mifs Union. Pay !---the value of his estate, for

you've lost it.Don't fay a word, the more you talk, the worse you'll make it.

Sir Bamber. Finis!

Mifs Union. Go to Mrs. Seymour, and leave me to compofe him---what do you gape at ?---run down ftairs as faft as you can.

Ap-Hazard. Run down ftairs !---I'm in fuch high luck, that I fhoud'nt be furprizd if I trip'd at the top step, and without touching a single ftair, fhot head-long into the street!--its an unlucky houfe, and the fooner I'm out of it the better ---pacify him---try to make peace for me, and don't fear my fuccefs with the widow; for if getting a wife, be getting into a fcrape, I fhall be married before the day's out-Oh Fortune! Fortune wilt thou never fmile on me?

[Exit.

Sir Bamber. Was there ever fuch a hopeful heiron his first introduction, he fqueezes my gouty hand--calls me a curiofity--breaks old Geoffrey's head, and then asks what's to pay?

Mifs Union. Nay; its all accident; and you fhould rather pity than condemn his bad luckgive him another trial-befides, though the bust is broke, there's ftill the manufcript

Sir Bamber. True: there's ftill Trickarindaftill that ancient poem written by Dan. Chaucer, of which you are now mistress, but which I fhall poffefs the day you become Lady Bamber Blackletter.

Enter Mrs. SEYMOUR.

Mrs. Seymour. A bookfeller is waiting in the hall, fir

Sir Bamber. Oh: I'll come to him.-At your interceffion, Mifs Union, I'll try a fecond edition of this godfon, but if he don't improve in his style, Charles will get into my books I promife you-Mrs. Seymour, good morning.

[Exit. Mrs. Seymour. My good friend, I've juft met Sir Charles Danvers-he tells me he is compell'd to part with my daughter, and begs me to take her to my houfe again-I cannot encounter it-indeed I cannot-the fight of her was once fo dear to me, that

Mifs Union. Can I affift?---you know I am de voted to your service.

Mrs. Seymour. I'm fure you are and as I cannot at present receive her under my roof, will you give her an afylum under yours?---it will prevent her being a wanderer, and prove, though he has forgotten her mother, I can ftill remember her.

Mifs Union. Moft willingly. I'll go to the Hotel, and take her to my houfe this inftantcome, don't fret about it, my dear friend---recollect you always faid, if the married against your confent, you'd marry too---think of Mr. ApHazard---nay: I'm fure he's a favourite.

Mrs. Seymour. He is indeed---I respect him fo much for his generous conduct towards me, and alfo for his artlefs, uncontaminated mind; that if I do marry again, Mifs Union, he is the man of all others I shall felect for my husband.

Mifs Union. And you'd be right---he is the prettieft piece of pure innocence! Oh! if you had feen how the fimple fwain defcrib'd your charms to me !---how he kifs'd the picture you gave him!---how he fwore if you didn't have him, he'd take away his own life on the fpot where

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