Matilda, and then with Cecilia. Successive éclaircissements take place, and an arrangement is finally made, by which the two Ladies are to live jointly with Casimere.

Young Pottingen, wearied with a few weeks search, during which he has not been able to find either of the objects of it, resolves to stop at Weimar, and wait events there. It so happens that he takes up his lodging in the same house with Puddincrantz and Beefinstern, two English Noblemen, whom the tyranny of King John has obliged to fly from their country; and who, after wandering about the Continent for some time, have fixed their residence at Weimar.

The news of the signature of Magna Charta arriving, determines Puddincrantz and Beefinstern to return to England. Young Pottingen opens his case to them, and intreats them to stay to assist him in the object of his search.-This they refuse; but coming to the Inn where they are to set off for Hamburgh, they meet Casimere, from whom they had both received many civilities in Poland.

Casimere, by this time, tired of his " DOUBLE ARRANGE"MENT," and having learnt from the Waiter that Rogero is confined in the vaults of the neighbouring Abbey for love, resolves to attempt his rescue, and to make over Matilda to him as the price of his deliverance. He communicates his scheme to Puddingfield and Beefington, who agree to assist him; as also does Young Pottingen. The Waiter of the Inn proving to be a Knight Templar in disguise, is appointed leader of the expedition. A band of Troubadours, who happen to be returning from the Crusades, and a Company of Austrian and Prussian Grenadiers returning from the Seven Years War, are engaged as troops.

The attack on the abbey is made with success. The Count of Weimar and Gaspar, who are feasting with the Prior, are

seized and beheaded in the Refectory. The Prior is thrown into the dungeon, from which Rogero is rescued. Matilda and Cecilia rush in. The former recognises Rogero, and agrees to live with him. The Children are produced on all sides-and Young Pottingen is commissioned to write to his father, the Doctor, to detail the joyful events which have taken place, and to invite him to Weimar to partake of the general felicity.

THE ROVERS;

OR,

THE DOUBLE ARRANGEMENT.

ACT 11.

Scene-a Room in an ordinary Lodging-house, at WEIMAR.-PUDDINGFIELD and BEEFINGTON discovered, sitting at a small deal Table, and playing at All-Fours. Young POTTINGEN, at another Table in the corner of the Room, with a Pipe in his Mouth, and a Saxon Mug of a singular shape beside him, which he repeatedly applies to his lips, turning back his head, and casting his eyes towards the Firmament at the last trial he holds the Mug for some moments in a directly inverted position; then replaces it on the Table, with an air of dejection, and gradually sinks into a profound slumber.-The Pipe falls from his hand, and is broken.— Beef. I beg.

Pudd. [deals three Cards to Beefington] Are you satisfied?

Beef. Enough. What have you?

Pudd. High-Low-and the Game.

Beef. Damnation! 'tis my deal. [deals—turns up a knave] One for his heels!

Pudd. Is king highest?

[triumphantly.

Beef. No. [sternly] The game is mine. The knave gives it me.

Pudd. Are knaves so prosperous?

Beef. Ay marry are they in this world. They have in their hands. Your kings are but noddies*

the
to them.

game

Pudd. Ha! Ha! Ha!-Still the same proud spirit, Beefington, which procured thee thine exile from England.

Beef. England! my native land!—when shall I revisit thee?

[during this time Puddingfield deals and begins to arrange his hand.

Beef [continues] Phoo-Hang All-Fours; what are they to a mind ill at ease ?—Can they cure the heartache?-Can they sooth banishment?-Can they lighten

*This is an excellent joke in German; the point and spirit of which is but ill-Rendered in a translation. A NODDY, the Reader will observe, has two significations-the one a knave at All-Fours: the other a fool or booby. See the translation by Mr. Render of Count Benyowsky, or the Conspiracy of Kamtschatka, a German Tragi Comi-Comi-Tragedy; where the play opens with a Scene of a Game at Chess (from which the whole of this Scene is copied) and a joke of the same point, and merriment, about Pawns, i. e. Boors being a match for Kings.

ignominy?-Can All-Fours do this?-O! my Puddingfield, thy limber and lightsome spirit bounds up against affliction-with the elasticity of a well bent bow; but mine-O! mine

[falls into an agony, and sinks back in his Chair. Young Pottingen, awakened by the noise, rises and advances with a grave demeanour towards Beefington and Puddingfield. The former begins

to recover.

Y. Pot. What is the matter, Comrades ?*-you seem agitated. Have you lost or won?

Beef. Lost.-I have lost my country.

Y. Pot. And I my sister.-I came hither in search of her.

Beef. O, England!

Y. Pot. O, Matilda!

Beef. Exiled by the tyranny of an Usurper, I seek the means of revenge, and of restoration to my country.

Y. Pot. Oppress'd by the tyranny of an Abbot, persecuted by the jealousy of a Count, the betrothed busband of my sister languishes in a loathsome captivity -Her lover is fled no one knows whither-and I, her brother, am torn from my paternal roof and from my studies in chirurgery; to seek him and her, I know

*This word in the original is strictly fellow-lodgers--"Co-occupants of the same room, in a house let out at a small rent by the week."-There is no single word in English which expresses so complicated a relation, except perhaps the cant term of chum, formerly in use at our Universities.

not where to rescue Rogero, I know not how. Comrades, your counsel—my search fruitless-my money gone-my baggage stolen! What am I to do ?—In yonder Abbey-in these dark, dank vaults, there, my friends-there lies Rogero-there Matilda's heart—

SCENE II.

Enter Waiter.

Waiter. Sir, here is a person who desires to speak with you.

Beef. [Goes to the door, and returns with a Letter, which he opens—on perusing it his countenance becomes illuminated, and expands prodigiously] Hah, my friend, what joy! [turning to Puddingfield. Pudd. What? tell me-let your Puddingfield par

take it.

Beef. See here—

Pudd. What ?—

[produces a printed Paper.

[with impatience.

Beef. [in a significant tone] A newspaper!

Pudd. Hah, what sayst thou !-A newspaper!

Beef. Yes, Puddingfield, and see here [shews it par

tially] from England.

Pudd. [with extreme earnestness] Its name!

Beef. The Daily Advertiser

Pudd. Oh ecstasy!

Beef. [with a dignified severity] Puddingfield, calm yourself-repress those transports-remember that

you are a man.

Pudd. [after a pause with suppressed emotion] Well,