Buck. Could I not have a peep Mrs. Sub. Withdraw to this corner. Enter Lucinda, with Singing and Dancing-Masters. Luc. The news, the news, monsieur Gamut; I die, if I have not the first intelligence! What's doing at Versailles? When goes the court to Marli? Does Rameau write the next opera? What say the critics of Voltaire's Duc de Foix ? Answer me all in a breath! Buck. A brave-spirited girl! She'll take a fivebarr'd gate in a fortnight! Gamut. The conversation of the court your ladyship has engross'd, ever since you last honour'd it with your appearance. Luc. Oh! you flatterer! have I! Well and what fresh victims? But 'tis impossible; the sunshine of a northern beauty is too feeble to thaw the icy heart of a French courtier. Gam. What injustice to your own charms and our discernment! Luc. Indeed! nay, I care not; if I have fire enough to warm one British bosom, rule! rule! ye Paris belles! I envy not your conquests. Mrs. Sub. Meaning you. Buck. Indeed! Mrs. Sub. Certain ! Buck. Hush! Luc. But come, a truce to gallantry, Gamut, and to the business of the day: Oh! I am quite enchanted with this new instrument; 'tis so languishing and so portable, and so soft and so silly: But come, for your last lesson. Gam. D'ye like the words? Luc. Oh! charming! They are so melting, and easy, and elegant.. Now for a coup d'essai. Gam. Take care of your expression; let your eyes and address accompany the sound and sen timent. Luc. But, dear Gamut, if I am out, don't interrupt me; correct me afterwards. Gam. Allons, commencés. SONG. I. PAR un matin Lisette se leva, Ta, la, la. II. Elle cherchoit des nids de ça de la, Tout doucement elle s'en approcha, Son petit cœur aussitot s'enflama, Elle gemit, et ne sçait ce quelle a. IX. Il prit l'Amour, les ailes lui coupa, X. Dans la voliere aussitot l'enferma, Chantez Fripon autant qu'il vous plaira. XI. Heureusement la belle s'en tira, Mais on n'a pas toujours ce secret la. XII. Jeune beauté que l'Amour guetera, Craignez le tour qu'à Lissette il joua. Gam. Bravo! Bravo! Ta, la, la. Ta, la, la. Ta, la, la. Ta, la, la. Buck. Bravo! Bravissimo! My lady, what was the song about? [Aside to my lady. Mrs. Sub. Love: 'Tis her own composing. Buck. What, does she make verses then? Mrs. Sub. Finely. I take you to be the subject of these. Buck. Ah! D'ye think so? Gad! I thought by her ogling 'twas the music-man himself. Luc. Well, Mr. Gamut; tolerably well, for so young a scholar. Gam. Inimitably, madam! Your ladyship's progress will undoubtedly fix my fortune. Enter Servant. Luc. Your servant, sir. Ser. Madam, your dancing-master, monsieur Kitteau. Luc. Admit him. Enter Kitteau. Monsieur Kitteau, I can't possibly take lesson this morning, I am so busy; but if you please, I'll just hobble over a minuet by way of exercise. Enter a Servant. Ser. Monsieur le marquis de Luc. Admit him this instant. [After the Dance. Mrs. Sub. A lover of Lucinda, a Frenchman of fashion, and vast fortune. Buck. Never heed; I'll soon do his business, I'll warrant you. Enter Marquis. Luc. My dear marquis! Marq. Ma chere adorable! 'Tis an age since I saw you. Luc. Oh! An eternity! But 'tis your own fault, though. Marq. My misfortune, ma princesse! But now I'll redeem my error, and root for ever here. Buck. I shall make a shift to transplant you, believe. I Luc. You can't conceive how your absence has distress'd me. Demand of these gentlemen the melancholy mood of my mind. Marq. But now that I am arriv'd, we'll dance and sing, and drive care to the-Ha! monsieur Kitteau! have you practis'd this morning? Luc. I had just given my hand to Kitteau before you came. Marq. I was in hopes that honour would have been reserved for me. May I flatter myself that your ladyship will do me the honour of venturing upon the fatigue of another minuet this morning with me? [Takes her hand. Enter Buck briskly. Buck. Not that you know of, monsieur. Marq. Hey! Diable! Quelle béte! Buck. Harkee, monsieur Ragout, if you repeat that word béte, I shall make you swallow it again, as I did last night one of your countrymen. Marq. Quel sauvage! will. Buck. And another word; as I know you can speak very good English, if you When you don't, I shall take it for granted you're abusing me, and treat you accordingly. Marq. Cavalier enough! But you are protected here. Mademoiselle, who is this officious gentleman? How comes he interested? Some relation, I suppose. Buck. No; I'm a lover. Marq. Oh! oh! a rival! Eh morbleu! a dangerous one too. Ha! ha! Well, monsieur, what, and I suppose you presume to give laws to this lady; and are determin'd, out of your very great and singular affection, to knock down every mortal she likes, A-la mode d'Angleterre; hey! monsieur Roast-Beef! Buck. No; but I intend that lady for my wife; consider her as such, and don't chuse to have her soil'd by the impertinent addresses of every French fop, A-la-mode de Paris, monsieur Fricassy! Marq. Fricassy! Buck. We. Luc. A truce; a truce, I beseech you, gentlemen: It seems I am the golden prize for which you plead; produce your pretensions; you are the representatives of your respective countries: begin, marquis, for the honour of France; let me hear what advantages I am to derive from a conjugal union with you. Marq. Abstracted from those which I think are pretty visible; a perpetual residence in this Paradise of pleasures; to be the object of universal adoration; to say what you please, go where you will, do what you like, form fashions, hate your husband, and let him see it; indulge your gallant, and let t'other know it; run in debt, and oblige the |