Gov. True. Sir, tho' a scheme of this sort may ill suit with my character and time of life, yet from a private interest I take in that gentleman's affairs, if the means are honourable

Spri. Innocent upon my credit.

Gov. Why then, sir, I have no objection, if you think me equal to the task

Spri. Most happily fitted for it.

I shou'd not have taken the liberty-but hush! He's return'd. Enter Cadwallader.

Spri. My dear friend! the luckiest circum

stance !

Cad. Hey! how? Stay, hey!
Spri. You see that gentleman?
Cad. Well, hey!

Spri. Do you know who he is?
Cad. Not I.

Spri. He is interpreter to prince Potowowsky.
Cad. Wowsky? Who the devil is he?

Spri. Why the Tartarian prince, that's come over ambassador from the Cham of the Calmucks. Cad. Indeed.

Spri. His highness has just sent me an invitation to dine with him; now every body that dines with a Tartarian lord, has a right to carry with him what the Latins call'd his Umbra; in their language it is Jablanousky.

Cad. Jablanousky! well?

Spri. Now if you will go in that capacity, I shall be glad of the honour.

Cad. Hey! why wou'd you carry me to dine with his royal highness?

Spri. With pleasure.

Cad. My dear friend, I shall take it as the greatest favour, the greatest obligation

shall never be able to return it.

Spri. Don't mention it.

I

Cad. Hey! but hold, hold, how the devil shall

I get off with the poet? You know I have ask'd him to dinner.

Spri. Oh! the occasion will be apology sufficient; besides, there will be the ladies to receive him.

Cad. My dear Mr. Cape, I beg ten thousand pardons, but here your friend is invited to dinner with prince -what the devil is his name?

Spri. Potowowski.

Cad. True; now, sir, ecod he has been so kind as to offer to carry me as his Jablanousky, wou'd you be so good to excuse

Cape. By all means; not a word, I beg.

Cad. That is exceeding kind; I'll come to you after dinner; hey! stay, but is there any ceremony to be used with his highness?

Spri. You dine upon carpets, cross-legg'd.

Cad. Hey! hold, hold, cross-legg'd, zounds! that's odd, well, well, you shall teach me.

Spri. And his highness is particularly pleased with those amongst his guests that do honour to his country soup.

Cad. Oh let me alone for that; but should not I dress?

Spri. No, there's no occasion for it.

Cad. Dear friend, forgive me; nothing should take me from you, but being a Hobblin Wiskey. Well, I'll go and study to sit cross-legg'd, 'till you call me.

Spri. Do so.

Cad. His highness Potowowsky! This is the

luckiest accident!

(Exit. Cape. Hah! hah! hah! but how will you conduct your enterprize?

Spri. We'll carry him to your friend Robin's; dress up one of the under actors in a ridiculous habit; this gentleman shall talk a little gibberish with him. I'll compose a soup of some nauseous ingredients;

let me alone to manage. But do you chuse, sir the part we have assign'd?

Gov. As it seems to be but a harmless piece of mirth, I have no objection.

Spri. Well then let's about it; come, sir.
Cape. Mr. Sprightly!

Spri. What's the matter?

Cape. Wou'd it not be right to be a little spruce, a little smart upon this occasion?

Spri. No doubt; dress, dress, man; no time is

to be lost."

Cape. Well, but Jack, I cannot say that at present I

Spri. Prythee explain. What would you say? Cape. Why then, I cannot say, that I have any other garments at home.

Spri. Oh, I understand you, is that all? Here, here, take my

Cape. Dear Sprightly, I am quite ashamed, and

sorry.

Spri. That's not so obliging, George; what, sorry to give me the greatest pleasure that--But I have no time for speeches; I must run to get rea dy my soup. Come, gentlemen.

Rob. Did you observe, sir?

Gov. Most feelingly! But it will soon be over. Rob. Courage, sir; times perhaps may change. Cape. A poor prospect, Robin! But this scheme of life at least must be changed; for what spirit, with the least spark of generosity, can support a life of eternal obligation, and disagreeable drudgery? Inclination not consulted, genius cramp'd, and talents misapply'd.

What prospect have those authors to be read, Whose daily writings earn their daily bread?

END OF THE FIRST ACT.

(Exeunt.

ACT II.

Young Cape and Mrs. Cadwallader at Cards.

Mrs. Cad.

YOU want four, and I two, and my deal: now,

knave noddy

Cape. I beg.

no, hearts be trumps.

Mrs. Cad. Will you stock 'em?

Cape. Go on, if you please, madam.

Mrs. Cad. Hearts again-One, two, three ; one, two,-hang 'em, they won't slip, three. Diathe two have you higher than the

monds queen?

Cape. No, madam.

Mrs. Cad. Then there's highest-and lowest, by gosh. Games are even; you are to deal.

Cape. Pshaw, hang cards; there are other amusements better suited to a tête-a tête, than any the four aces can afford us.

Mrs. Cad. What pastimes be they?--We ben't enough for hunt the whistle, nor blind-man's buff: but I'll call our Bell, and Robin the butler. Dicky will be here by-an-bye.

Cape. Hold a minute. I have a game to propose, where the presence of a third person, especially Mr. Cadwallader's, wou'd totally ruin the sport.

Mrs. Cad. Ay, what can that be?

Cape. Can't you guess?

Mrs. Cad. Not I; questions and commands, mayhap.

Cape. Not absolutely that--some little resemblance; for I am to request, and you are to command.

Mrs. Cad. Oh daisy! that's charming, I never play'd at that in all my born days; come, begin then.

Cape. Can you love me?

Mrs. Cad. Love you! But is it in jest or earnest ?
Cape. That is as you please to determine.

Mrs. Cad. But mayn't I ask you questions too?
Cape. Doubtless.

Mrs. Cad. Why then do
Cape. With all my soul.

you

Mrs. Cad. Upon your sayso.

Cape. Upon my sayso.

love me?

Mrs. Cad. I'm glad on't with all my heart. This is the rarest pastime !

Cape. But you have not answer'd my question.
Mrs. Cad. Hey? that's true. Why

there's no love lost.

Why I believe

Cape. So; our game will soon be over; I shall be up at a deal. I wish I mayn't be engaged to play deeper here than I intended tho'.

Mrs. Cad. Well, now 'tis your turn.

(Aside.)

Cape. True; aye; but zooks you are too hasty; the pleasure of this play, like hunting, does not consist in immediately chopping the prey.

Mrs. Cad. No! How then?

Cape. Why first I am to start you, then run you a little in view, then lose you, then unravel all the tricks and doubles you make to escape me.

You fly o'er hedge and stile,
I pursue for many a mile,
You grow tir'd at last and quat
Then I catch you, and all that.

Mrs. Cad. Dear me, there's a deal on't! I shall never be able to hold out long; I had rather be taken in view.

Cape. I believe you.

Mrs. Cad. Well, come, begin and start me, that I may come the sooner to quatting-Hush! here's sister; what the deuce brought her? Bell will be for learning this game too, but don't you. teach her for your life, Mr. Poet.