Strahan and Preftons : ~ Printers-Surcet.

A

Spoken by MR. MURRAY.

BARD, oft led by favor's cheering light,

Across these flippery boards attempts to-night,

The palm of honor once again to win;

Check not his courage, 'tis a British fin.

Since yours the province both to think and feel, To head and heart our title makes appeal. Reafon-of Juftice the pervading foul,

Scorns to condemn by parts, but views the whole:
And though loofe weeds be scatter'd o'er the foil,
Mars not the harveft of an author's toil.

Should he, indeed, in decency's despite,
Confound the facred bounds of wrong and right,
Taint with corruption the unsullied breast,
Or the pure ear affail with wanton jeft,
In founds of anger your decifion shout,
Pronounce him guilty-but first hear him out.
Nor, unregarded be the Actor's claim,
Link'd to the Bard in fortune and in fame,
Who, from his advocates, depreft by fear,
Shall hope the merits of his fuit to hear;
Or how fhall we, who live by your applaufe,
With nerves unftrung, do juftice to your caufe?
To your last sentence (though fevere the pain),
He humbly bow'd, nor ask'd to try again.
For fure he may the partial lottery thank,
Who fhares fo many prizes to one blank.
One fickly infant loft, can ne'er deftroy
A parent's thanks for many a thriving boy.
Take then, kind friends, to your protecting care,
This child of emulation, not defpair.

His first weak moments fpare, and 'till he's tout,
His first, his laft requeft, is-hear him out.

THE

BLIND BARGAIN:

OR,

HEAR IT OUT.

ACT I

SCENE I.-A Street in a country Town;-in the
Back the Houses of Dr. Pliable and Mifs Gurnet,
Separated by a narrow Road, which leads to an
open Country.

Frank and Rachel discovered.
Frank (giving ber money).

THERE-there's five pounds for you—and now good day.

Rachel, Good day, your honour-and thank you a thousand times; but indeed it is money hardly earn'd-think of the hazard-the cruelty-theOh! we gipfies lead a fad and weary life; and but for neceffity, I'd rather die, than undertake this odious office.

Frank. Why odious?-the perfon who employs you is generous and tender-hearted.

A 3

Rachel.

Rachel. Indeed!-I'm glad to hear that he is tender-hearted,-fo meet me on the fkirts of the foreft at twilight,-and I'll do my utmost to complete my part of the bargain.

Frank. And I mine,—that fum fhall be trebled; -and remember-as no time is to be loft,—the first infant of the fame age you chance to meet with.

Rachel. I understand,-the first that answers the defcription.

Frank. Enough-be punctual and be fecret. [Exit Rachel. Doctor. (enters at the door.) Frank-is that the gipfey?

Frank. It is, Doctor; and all's right,-you'll have what you require to night.

Doctor. Ay, to night!-difpatch is every thing; -and, therefore, did you make her understand the very first she met with?

Frank. I did, Sir.

Doctor. Bravo!-I'm fav'd from ruin-therewas no other mode;-but, I fay, didn't she talk of fcruples?

Frank. She did, Sir.

Doctor. That's very odd-I've no fcruples ;but then you know, I never commit a crime that I can't find an honourable excufe for.

Frank. Indeed! Sir.

Doctor. No-if I don't pay, 'tis to keep fashionable people in countenance;-if I go to law, 'tis to fupport an induftrious and overstock'd profeffion; if I don't fight, 'tis to prevent being thought quarrelfome; and, in all cafes, I am not only ready to apologise to myself, but to any body else that chooses to call upon me.

--

Frank. Ay, but in fuch a ferious cafe as this,

Sir!

Doctor.