Sim. (interpofing) And you walk home, my forward mifs. (mimicks.)

cr

Rov. "I've heard of your painting too: you gig, you lifp, you amble, and nickname God's "creatures."

Sim. Why, who told you fhe call'd me an afs? Rov. "Oh that the town clerk was here, to << write thee down an afs! but though not written "down in black and white, remember, thou art an afs."

16

Jane. Yes, fir; I'll remember it.

Sim. Go! (to Jane-puts her out.)

Rov. "Ay, to a nunnery go." I'm curfedly out of fpirits; but hang forrow, I may as well divert myself." "Tis meat and drink for me to fee a clown." "Shepherd, was't ever at court?".

Sim. Not I.

Rov. "Then thou art damn'd."

Sim. Eh!

Rov. Ay!" like an ill-roafted egg-all on one fide."-Little Hofpitality. (looking out.)

Enter Farmer GAMMON.

Gam. Eh, where's the fhowman that wants to hire my barn? So, madam Jane, I place her out to farvice, and inftead of attending her miftrefs, fhe gets galloping all about the village,-How's this, fon?

Rov. "Your fon? Young Clodpate, take him to your wheat-ftack, and there teach him

manners.

Gam. Ah, thou'rt the fellow that would bolt out of the dirty roads into people's houfes. Ho, ho, ho! Sim's fchooling is mightily thrown away, if he hasn't more manners than thou,

Sim. Why, feyther, it is! Gadzooks, he be one of the play! Acted Tom Fool, in King Larry, at Lymington, to'ther night-I thought I know'd the face, thof he had a straw cap, and a blanket about'n-Ho, ho! how comical that was, when you faid

Rov. "Pillicock fat upon Pillicock hill, pil"i-loo, loo!"

Sim. That's it! That's it! He's at it! (claps) laugh, feyther, laugh.

Gam. Hold your tongue, boy! I believe he's no better than he fhould be. The moment I faw him, fays I to myself, you are a rogue.

Rov. There you fpoke truth for once in your life.

Gam. I'm glad to hear you confefs it. But her ladyfhip fhall have the vagrants whipt out of the country.

Rov. Vagrant! "Thou wretch! despite o'er❤whelm thee!" " Only fquint, and by heaven, "I'll beat thy blown body 'till it rebounds like a "tennis ball."

Sim. Beat my feyther! No, no. Thou must first beat me. (puts himself in a pofture of defence.) ·Rov. (with feeling.) "Tho' love cool, friend"thip fall off, brothers divide, fubjects rebel, "Oh! never let the facred bond be crackt 'twixt "fon and father!"-I never knew a father's protection, never had a father to protect. (puts bis bandkerchief to his eyes.)

Sim. He's not acting now!

· Enter LANDLORD, with a Book, Pen, and Ink.

Gam. Landlord, is this Mr. Lamp here?

Land:

Land. I've juft opened a bottle for him and the other gentleman in the parlour.

Rov." Go, father, with thy fon; give him a "livery more guarded than his fellows."

Sim. Livery! Why, I be no farvant man, tho' fifter Jane is. Gi's thy hand. (To Rover) I don't know how 'tis; but I think I could lofe my life for thee; but musn't let feyther be beat tho'No, no! (Going, turns and looks at Rover.) Ecod, I never fhall forget Pillicock upon a hill!

[Exeunt Farmer Gammon, and Sim. Rov, "Thou art an honest reptile;" I'll make my entrée on the London boards in Bayes; yes, I fhall have no comparison against me. "Egad, "it's very hard, that a gentleman, and an author can't come to teach them, but he must "break his nofe, and-and-all that-but---fo "the players are gone to dinner."

Land. No fuch people frequent the fun, I affure you.

Rov. "Sun, moon, and stars!---Now mind the eclipfe, Mr. Johnson.

Land. I heard nothing of it, Sir.

Rov." There's the fun between the earth and "the moon---there's the moon between the earth " and the fun, tol, lol, lol! dance the hay! luna means to fhew her tail,"

Enter WAITER.

Wait. Two gentlemen in the parlour wou'd Speak with you, Sir.

Rov. "I attend them, were they twenty times our mother."

Land. Sir, you go in the ftage; as we book the paffengers, what name ?

Rov. "I am the bold Thunder."

Land. (writing) Mr. I hunder.

Enter JOHN DORY.

[Exit Rover.

John. I want two places in the ftage coach, be cause I and another gentleman are going a voyage. Land. Juft two vacant, what name?

Jobn. Avaft! I go aloft. But let's fee who'll be my master's mefs mates in the cabin: (reads) Captain Muccolah, Counsellor Fazacherly, Mifs Gofling, Mr. Thunder." What's this? fpeak man! is there one of that name going?

Land. Booked him this minute.

John. If our voyage should be at an end before we begin it?---if this Mr. Thunder should be my 'mafter's fon !---what rate is this veffel?

Land. Rate!--

John. What fort of a gentleman is he?

Land. Oh! a rum fort of a gentleman; I fuf, pect he's one of the players.

John. True; Sam said it was fome player's people coaxed him away from Portsmouth fchool. It must be the 'fquire---fhew me where he's moored, my old purfer. [Exit. finging, and Landlord following.]

SCENE III.

A Room in the Inn.

LAMP and TRAP (difcovered drinking).

Trap. This fame farmer Gammon seems a furly

spark.

Lamp

Lamp. No matter. His barn will hold a good 30l. and if I can but engage this young fellow, this Rover, he'll cram it every night he plays. He's certainly a devilifh good actor. Now, Trap, you must enquire out a carpenter, and be brifk about the building. I think we fhall have fmart bufinefs, as we stand fo well for pretty women too. Oh, here is Mr. Rover!

Trap. Snap him at any terms.

Enter ROVER.

Rov. Gentlemen, your most obedient---The waiter told me

Lamp. Sir, to our better acquaintance. (fills.) Rov. I don't recollect having the honour of knowing you.

Lamp. Mr. Rover, tho' I am a ftranger to you, your merit is none to me. Rov. Sir! (bows.)

Lamp. My name is Lamp; I am manager of the company of comedians that's come down here, and Mr. Trap is my treasurer; engages performers, fticks bills, finds properties, keeps box-book, prompts plays, and takes the towns.

Trap. The moft reputable company, and charming money getting circuit. (apart to Rover). Rov. I Hav'nt a doubt, Sir.

Lamp. Only fuffer me to put up your name to play with us fix nights, and twelve guineas are

yours.

Ro. Sir, I thank you, and must confefs your offer is liberal; but my friends have flattered me into a fort of opinion that encourages me to take a touch at the capital.

YOL. II.

Lamp.