a proselyte, and here I swear-here in this low, submissive, suppliant-Wheugh! (Whistling with pain.)-This it is to be out of practice! My knees are so unaccustomed to the office, that I believe I'd better get up while I'm able-(Rises.) So, Come, I'll give you a toast, my little Cherub (Goes to the table, and takes up a jug of ale.)Here's Cupid! victorious Cupid!

Cicely. Lord! You're so gallant, Sir Solomon ! Sir Sol. Gallant! I have more requisites for a lover than any man since the days of Mark Antony. I can write sonnets, throw glances, talk nonsense, tell lies, sing, dance-No, hang it! I can't dance-if I could, I shouldn't be compelled to drink "Confusion to all dancing-masters!" (Drinking.)

Cicely. Well, but your Honor! I hope my poor father will be restored to his situation-I am so unhappy

Sir Sol. I see you are, and I know the cause Take comfort- I'll give you love for love! — But how shall we meet? How carry on our amour in a snug, private, pastoral way? - How shall I steal to you unnoticed and unseen? - And now I think on't-Zounds! I hope nobody's observing us-if I should be found out!-if I should be detected in an intrigue!

Cicely. An intrigue, Sir?

Sir Sol. Hark'ye: to make all safe, we'll go to London. There we may make assignations without being talked of or interrupted.

Cicely. (With anger.) Indeed!

Sir Sol, Yes. There half the town are playing at the same game-But here in the country, if one gets a sly kiss, the whole village is sure to hear the smack of it.So Marybone is the marka new house and smart liveries! a cur

ricle and a pair of greys; a piano-forte and a lap-dop-and you shall go by another name. Cicely. What! shall I change my name?Oh, Sir! (Curtsies very low.)

Sir Sol. To be sure: you shall no longer be called Cicely Copsley.

Cicely. Shall I be your wife!-Oh dear!

Sir Sol. My wife?

(With great joy.)

Cicely. Shall I be Lady Cynic?

Sir Sol. You Lady Cynic!- You my

Ha ha ha!-Why, my dear girl, you misconceive I wish to intrigue myself; I don't want to be the cause of intriguing in othersMarry you!-Lord help you-I wouldn't take such a liberty. (Knocking at the door.) Hah What-Who's here?

Cicely. Heaven knows-Perhaps my father, perhaps Mr. Howard-perhaps

Sir Sol. A dancing-master-Oh you sorccress, you've lured me here to expose me!

Howard. (Without.) Holloa! Copsley! Cicely! Sir Sol. Howard's voice! Mercy on me! If you don't get me off, I'll have your father hangedI'll Here I'll go into this room.

Cicely. Stop, that's my chamber - Here, Sir, go into that place, (Pointing to the recess.) and I'll draw the curtain before you. - Quick, quick!

Sir Sol. This is my first amour these twenty years: and if ever I come near a petticoat again, may Cupid fly away with me!(He enters recess, and sits on a truss of straw.)-So-draw the curtain.

Cicely. I can't-You see it's broken down, and Dear! dear!- How shall I fasten it?

Sir Sol. Here-here!-My cane has a sword in

it-(Draws the sword out of the cane, and gives it to Cicely.) If there's a cranny in the wainscot, run this through the curtain: if not, run it through my body. (Cicely gets upon a chair, and runs the sword through the curtain, which supports it.) —Oh woman! woman!-- Destructive, damnable, deceitful woman!-(Sir Solomon is concealed, and Cicely opens the door.)

Enter MANDEVILLE and HOWARD.

Howard. (Holding the door open, and looking out.) Look out-look out, I tell you-'Tis Realize and the governess; and by their coming this way, I fear you are discovered-Hush!-observe. Mand. I do; and see! the young naval officer is advancing towards the cottage!

Howard. So he is!-We must avoid him. Albina. (Without.)-"The stormy main, the wind and rain."—(Singing.)

Howard. Ah, you chirruping scoundrel!--I tell you what-We had better step into this apartment, and let Cicely get rid of him-Mind, nobody is here, Cicely.-That a naval officer!Pooh!--Don't you see through his disguise? Mand. Disguise?

Howard. He's a bailiff!- Can't you discriminate between the navy and the law-between a sea-officer and a sheriff's officer?-I know by the rascal's impudent swagger that he's a bailiff!Here he comes!- Mum!-- Retire.

[Exeunt at the opposite door.

Enter ALBINA in the Uniform.

Albina. (Spying and walking round the room.)-—"The stormy main, the wind and rain!" (Singing.)

I don't see Mr. Howard" My ardent passion prove!"-He's concealed somewhere, I suppose. "Lash'd to the helm"-(Goes up to the curtain.) He's here!" Should seas o'erwhelm".

Cicely. (Stopping her.) What do you want, Sir? Albina." To think of thee, my love!" (Trying to undraw the curtain.)

Cicely. (Pulling her away.) There's nobody there, Sir.

Albina. Then they're here!" And think of thee, my love!" (Goes towards the door.) Perhaps, after all, he is really gone to Bristol; and his lungs are so much out of order. (Trying to open the door, and finding it locked.) Lock'd! Where's the key?-Oh, oh! (Stoops down.) I see him through the key-hole !-Oh! you barbarian! (Cicely tries to pull her away.) If you touch me, you little vulgar thing, I'll cut you into atoms! - I see you, Mr. Howard. (Hollaing through the key-hole.) Cicely. Sir, I beseech you

Albina. (Trying to pull the door open.) Oh! if I could but get at him! Come out, Sir; or I'll pull the door- (Shaking it violently.)

Enter HOWARD.

Howard. Well, Sir: What do you want, Sir? What have you to say?

ter.

Albina. Say, Sir! I'm glad your lungs are bet

Howard. (Standing before the door.) My lungs! Hark'ye, Sir; if you want Mr. Mandeville

Albina. I want you, and only you, Sir!- My name is Herbert- I am first cousin to Albina; and if you don't instantly fall on your knees, and ask pardon for the insults you have put upon her, I'll make you a companion for that wild gooseI'll run you through the body, and pin you against

-

the wall-'Slife! now I look at you, I wonder what she could see in your ugly face to be so fond of you!

Howard. I'm glad it's not a bailiff, however. (Aside.) Sir, if you are that lady's cousin, I must inform you she isn't worth my pity, or your resentment. She is neither faithful to her lover, nor affectionate to her father In short, Sir, I thought her a child of nature, and I found her a Becky.. Albina. A Becky!

. Howard. Yes: a Becky, Sir! - And till she reforms her conduct, not all the fighting-men in Europe shall make me alter mine. This is my determination, and so you may tell her, good Captain Bobadil.

Albina. Bobadil!

'. Howard. Yes: Bobadil may tell BeckyAlbina. Draw, Sir. (Pulls out his sword.) Cicely. Hold! I intreat you-What is the

cause

Albina. You. - Come, Sir.

Cicely. Me!

(Flourishing her sword.)

Albina. His love for you is the cause. Sir Solomon told me of his falsehood, and now

Cicely. Sir Solomon told you?-Oh! base, slanderous man!-Love never brought Mr. Howard to our cottage. No: he came from a far better motive-to bring money to my father-to relieve the distresses of his family: and, with gratitude I speak it, he has already saved us from ruin. Albina. Indeed!

Cicely. Yes: but for him we should have perished; and, as a proof I wasn't the object of` his affections, often and often have I heard him say, that Miss Albina was the girl of his heart, and that he never would or could love any other.