PROLOGUE, SPOKEN BY MR. ELLISTON. If we have sinn'd in paring down a name, With two stout seconds, just of their own gizard, Till half the Alphabet is up in arms. And loses half her grossness by curtailing. Faux pas are told in such a modest way,— The affair of Colonel B- with Mrs. A- Or who poetic justice dares dispute, Of Deary, Spouse, and that old-fashioned race; Her Alexander turned into Great A- And nick'd and dock'd to these new modes of speech, Great Hannibal himself a Mr. H. MR. H A FARCE, IN TWO ACTS. ACT I. SCENE. A Public Room in an Inn-Landlord, Waiters, Gentlemen, &c. Enter MR. H. Mr. H. Landlord, has the man brought home my boots? Landlord. Yes, Sir. Mr. H. You have paid him? Landlord. There is the receipt, Sir, only not quite filled up, no name, only blank "Blank, Dr. to Zekiel Spanish for one pair of best hessians." Now, Sir, he wishes to know what name he shall put in, who he shall say "Dr." Mr. H. Why, Mr. H. to be sure. *. Landlord. So I told him, Sir; but Zekiel has some qualms about it. He says, he thinks that Mr. H. only would not stand good in law. Mr. H. Rot his impertinence, bid him put in Nebuchadnezzar, and not trouble me with his scruples. Landlord. I shall, Sir. Enter a Waiter. [Exit. Waiter. Sir, Squire Level's man is below, with a hare and a brace of pheasants for Mr. H. Mr. H. Give the man half-a-crown, and bid him return my best respects to his master. Presents it seems will find me out, with any name, or no name. Enter 2d Waiter.. 2d Waiter. Sir, the man that makes up the Directory is at the door. Mr. H. Give him a shilling, that is what these fellows come for. 2d Waiter. He has sent up to know by what name your Honour will please to be inserted. Mr. H. Zounds, fellow, I give him a shilling for leaving out my name, not for putting it in. This is one of the plaguy comforts of going anonymous. [Exit 2d Waiter. Enter 3d Waiter. 3d Waiter. Two letters for Mr. H. [Exit. This from Mr. H. From ladies (opens them). Melesinda, to remind me of the morning call I promised; the pretty creature positively languishes to be made Mrs. H. I believe I must indulge her (affectedly). This from her cousin, to bespeak me to some party, I suppose (opening it)-Oh, "this evening"-" Tea and cards"(surveying himself with complacency). Dear H. thou art certainly a pretty fellow. I wonder what makes thee such a favourite among the ladies I wish it may not be owing to the concealment of thy unfortunate-pshaw ! Enter 4th Waiter. 4th Waiter. Sir, one Mr. Printagain is enquir ing for you. Mr. H. Oh, I remember, the poet; he is publishing by subscription. Give him a guinea, and tell him he may put me down. 4th Waiter. What name shall I tell him, Sir? Mr. H. Zounds, he is a poet; let him fancy a [Exit 4th Waiter. name. |