Eph. I will; for the damfel is paffing fair, and hath found grace in mine eyes. Mary, as thou art yet a ftranger in this land, and have just taken poffeffion of this eftate, the laws of fociety command thee to be on terms of amity with thy wealthy neighbours.

Lady Am. Yea; but while I entertain the rich, the hearts of the poor fhall also rejoice; I myself will now go forth into the adjacent hamlet, and invite all to hearty cheer.

Eph. Yea, I will diftribute among good books thou didst defire me.

the poor, the

Lady Am. And meat and drink too, friend Ephraim. In the fulness of plenty they fhall join in thanksgiving for thofe gifts which I overabundantly poffefs. [Exeunt.

SCENE II.

A Road.

Enter HARRY THUNDER, and Muz,

Muz. I fay Dick Bufkin! harky, my lad! (to Harry.)

Harry. What keeps Rover? Muz. I'm fure I don't know. As As you defired, I paid for our breakfast. But the devil's in that fellow, every Inn we ftop at he will always hang behind, chattering to the bar-maid, or chambermaid.

Harry. Or any, or no maid. But he's a worthy lad. And I love him better, I think, than my own brother, had I one.

Muz.

Muz. Oh! but, Dick, mind, my boy

Harry. Stop, Muz. Tho' 'twas my orders when I fet out on this fcamper with the players, (the better to conceal my quality, for you, before people, to treat me as your companion; yet, at the fame time, you fhou'd have had difcretion enough to remember, when we're alone, that I am ftill your mafter, and fon to Sir George Thunder.

Muz. Sir, I ask your pardon; but by making yourself my equal, I've got fo ufed to familiarity, that I find it hard to fhake it off.

Harry. Well, Sir, pray mind, that familiarity is all over now. My frolic's out, I now throw off the player, and fhall directly return. My father muft by this time have heard of my departure from the academy at Portsmouth; and, tho' I was deluded away by my rage for a little acting, yet 'twas wrong of me to give the gay old fellow any cause for uneafinefs.

Muz. And, Sir, fhall you and I never act another scene together? Shall Inever again play Colonel Standard for my own benefit? Never again have the pleasure of caning your honour in the character of Tom Errand.

Harry. In future act the part of a smart hat and coat brusher, or I fhall have the honor of kicking you in the character of an idle puppy. You were a good fervant; but I find, by letting you crack your jokes and fit in my company, you're grown quite a lounging rascal.

Mux. Yes, Sir, I was a modeft, well behaved lad; but evil communication corrupts good

manners.

Harry. Bgone, Sir, 'till I call for you.

[Exit Muz. Well, if my father but forgives me. This three months excurfion has fhewn me fome life, and a

devilish

devilish deal of fun. For one circumstance, I fhall ever remember it with delight. It's bringing me acquainted with Jack Rover. How long he ftays! Jack! In this forlorn ftroller I have discovered qualities that honor human nature, and accomplishments that might grace a Prince. I don't know a pleasanter fellow, except when he gets to his abominable habit of quotation. I hope he wont find the purse I've hid in his coat pocket, before we part. I dread the moment, but it's

come.

Rover. (Without) "The brifk li-li-lightning I."

Harry. Ay, here's the rattle. Hurried on by the impetuous flow of his own volatile spirits, his life is a rapid ftream of extravagant whim, and while the ferious voice of humanity prompts his heart to the best actions, his features fhine in laugh and levity. Studying Bayes, eh, Jack?

Enter ROVER.

Rover. "I am the bold Thunder."

Harry. (afide) I am if he knew but all. Keep one standing in the road.

Rover. Beg your pardon, my dear Dick! but all the fault of-Plague on't, that a man can't fleep and breakfast at an inn, then return up to his bedchamber for his gloves that he'd forgot; but there he muft find chambermaids thumping feathers and knocking pillows about, and keep one when one has affairs and bufinefs! 'Pon my foul, thefe girls conduct to us is intolerable. The very thought brings the blood into my face, and whenever they attempt to ferve, provoke me fo, damme but I will, I will-An't I right, Dick? Harry. "No; all in the wrong."

Rover.

Rover. No matter; that's the universal play "all round the wrekin :" but you're fo conceited, because by this company you're going to join at Winchester, you are engaged for high tragedy. Harry. And you for Rangers, Plumes, and Foppingtons.

Rover. Our first play is Lear. I was devilish imperfect in Edgar t'other night at Lymington. I must look it over (takes out a book), "Away, the foul fiend follows me!" Hollo! ftop a moment, we shall have the whole country after us. (Going.

Harry. What now?

Rover. That rofy face chambermaid put me in fuch a paffion, that by heaven, I walked out of the houfe, and forgot to pay our bill. (Going.

Harry. Never mind, Rover, it's paid.

Rover. Paid! why, neither you nor Muz had money enough. No, really!

Harry. Ha, ha, ha! I tell you, it is.

Rover. You paid? Oh, very well. Every honeft fellow fhou'd be a stock purfe. Come then, let's push on now. Ten miles to Winchester, we

shall be there by eleven..

Harry. Our trunks are booked at the inn for the Winchefter coach.

Rover. "Ay, to foreign climates my old trunk I bear." But I prefer walking, to the Car of Thefpis.

Harry. Which is the way?

Rover. Here.

Harry. Then I go there. (Pointing oppofite.)
Rover. Eh!

Harry. My dear boy, on this fpot, and at this moment, we must part.

Rover. Part!

Harry.

Harry. Rover, you wish me well.

Rover. Well, and fuppofe fo. Part, eh! What mystery and grand? What are you at? Do you forget, you, Muz, and I are engaged to Truncheon, the manager, and that the bills are already up with our names to-night to play at Winchefter?

Harry. Jack, you and I have often met on a ftage in affumed characters; if it's your wifh we fhou'd ever meet again in our real ones, of fincere friends, without afking whither I go, or my motives for leaving you, when I walk up this road, do you turn down that.

Rover. Joke!

Harry. I'm ferious. Good b'ye!

Rover. If you repent your engagement with Truncheon, I'll break off too, and go with you wherever you will-(Takes him under the arm)

Harry Attempt to follow me, and even our acquaintance ends.

Rover. Eh!

Harry. Don't think of my reasons, only that it must be.

Rover. Have I done any thing to-Dick Bufkin leave me! (Turns and puts his kandkerchief to his eyes.)

Harry. I am as much concern'd as you-Good b'ye!

Rover. I can't even bid him good bye-I won't neither-If any caufe cou'd have given.-Farewel. Harry. Bless my poor fellow! Adieu. (Silently weeps.)

[Exeunt feverally.

END OF THE FIRST ACT.