tentions:-such a choleric spark will fight, I dare say. If I fall, or even survive this affair, I leave the field of love and the fair prize to the young gentleman I've personated, for I'm determined to see Lady Amaranth no more-oh, here comes Abra wang.

Enter Sir GEORGE.

Sir Geo. Now to relieve these foolish sea-gullsthey must be hovering about this coast-Ha! puppy unknown!

Rover. You're the very man I was seeking.You are not ignorant, Mr. AbrawangSir Geo. Mr. What?

Rover. You will not resign your title, ha, ha, ha! Oh, very well, I'll indulge you; Sir George Thunder, you honoured me with a blow.

Sir Geo. Did it hurt you?

Rover. S'death! but let me proceed like a gentleman; as it's my pride to reject even favours, no man shall offer me an injury.

Sir Geo. Eh!

Rover. In rank we're equal.

Sir Geo. Are we, faith? (smiling) The English of all this is, we're to fight..

Rover. Sir, you've marked on me an indelible stain, only to be washed out by blood.

Sir Geo. Why, I've only one objection to fighting you.

Rover. What's that, Sir?

Sir Geo. That you're too brave a lad to be killed.

Rover. Brave! No, Sir; at present I wear the stigma of a coward.

Sir Geo. Zounds! I like a bit of fighting-haven't had a morsel a long time-don't know when I've smelt gunpowder-but to bring down a woodcock.

Rover. Take your ground.

Sir Geo. Yes, Sir; but are we to thrust with bulrushes, like two frogs, or, like squirrels, to pelt each other with nut-shells? For I see no other weapons here.

Rover. Oh yes, Sir; here are weapons.

Sir Geo. Well, this is bold work, for a Privateer to give battle to a King's ship.

Rover. Try your charge, Sir, and take your ground.

Sir Geo. I would not wish to sink, burn, or destroy, what I think was built for good service; but, damme, if I don't wing you to teach you better manners-so take care of your copper

nose.

Enter the three Ruffians, not perceiving ROVER.

3d Ruffian. Ay, here's the honest fellow has brought us some cash. (Looking at Sir George.)

2d Ruffian. We're betray'd; it's the very gentleman that's in pursuit of us, and this promise was only a decoy to throw us into his power.-The pistol! (Apart and pointing to it. Sir George ramming the charge.)

2d Ruffian. (Seizes and wrenches the piece from Sir George.)

Sir Geo. Ah, boys!

2d Ruffian. You'd have our lives, now we'll have yours. (Presents the piece at Sir George; Rover advances quick, and knocks it out of his hand.) [They run off.

Rover. Rascals! (Pursues them.) Sir Geo. (Takes up the other piece.) My brave lad! I'll―(going.)

Enter JOHN DORY.

John. No, you shan't (holding him).
Sir Geo. The rogues will-

John. Never mind the rogues-(noise of fighting without, a piece let off.)

Sir Geo. S'blood! Must I see my preserver perish? (struggling).

John. Well, I know I'm your preserver, and I will perish, but I'll bring you out of harm's way. (still holding him.)

Sir Geo. Tho' he'd fight me himself

John. Sure we all know you'd fight the devil.
Sir Geo. He saved my life.

John. I'll safe your life (whips him up in his arms). So hey! haul up, my noble little crab walk!

[Exit.

SCENE III. A Room in BANKS's Cottage. Enter FARMER GAMMON, BANKS, and SIM(Sim writing, and crying.)

F. Gam. Boy, go on with the inventory. Sim. How unlucky! Feyther, to lay hold of me when I wanted to practise my part. (aside).

Banks. This proceeding is very severe, to lay an execution on my wretched trifling goods when I thought-

F. Gam. Ay, you know you've gone up to the big house with your complaint-her Ladyship's steward, to be sure, has made me give back your cottage, and farm; but your goods I seize for my

rent.

Banks. Only leave me a very few necessaries

E 4

by the goodness of my neighbours, I may soon redeem what the law has put into your hands.

F. Gam. The affair is now in my lawyer's hands, and plaintiff and defendant chattering about it, is all smoke.

Sim. Feyther, don't be so cruel to Mr. Banks. F. Gam. I'il mark what I may want to keep for myself. Stay here, and see that not a pin's worth be removed without my knowledge. (to Sim.)

Exit.

Sim. I'll be dom'd if I'll be your watch-dog to bite the poor, that I won't: Mr. Banks, as feyther intends to put up your goods at auction, if you cou'd but get a friend to buy the choice of them for you again. Sister Jane has got steward to advance her a quarter's wages, and when I've gone to sell corn for feyther, besides presents, I've made a market penny now and then. Here-it's not much; but every little helps. (Takes out a small leather purse, and offers it to Banks.)

Banks. I thank you, my good natured boy; but keep your money.

Sim. Last summer, you saved me from being drown'd in Black-pool; if you'll not take this, ecod, in there I'll directly fling it, and let old Nick save it from being drown'd, an' he can (going).

Banks. My kind lad, then I'll not hurt your feeling by opposing your liberality. (takes it)

Sim. He, he, he! you've now given my heart such a pleasure as I never felt, nor I'm sure feyther before me.

Banks. But, Sim, whatever may be his opinion of worldly prudence, still remember he's your parent.

Sim. I will" One elbow chair, one claw table." [Exit (writing), and Banks.

Enter AMELIA.

Amelia. The confusion into which Lady Amaranth's family is thrown by the sudden departurę, and apprehended danger of her young cousin, must have prevented her ladyship from giving that attention to our affairs that I'm sure was her inclination. If I can but prevail on my brother too, to accept her protection-I can't enjoy the delights of her ladyship's hospitable mansion, and leave him here still subject to the insults of his churlish neighbour-Heavens! who's this? (retires.)

Enter ROVER hastily, his hair and dress much

difordered.

Rover. What a race! (panting) I've at last got from the blood-hounds! Ah, if old Abrawang had but followed and backed me, we'd have tickled their catastrophes; but when they got me alone, three upon me were odds, so, safe's the word who's house is this I've dash'd into?-Eh! the friendly cottage of my old gentleman, are you at home? (calls) Gadso! I had a hard struggle for it; yes, murder was their intent, so it was well for me that I was born without brains; I'm quite weak, faint! (leans against the wall).

Ame. (advancing). Sir, an't you well? (with concern.)

Rover. Madam, I ask pardon,-hem, yes Ma'am, very well, I thank you-now exceeding well. got into a fray there, in a kind of a hobble with some worthy gentlemen; only simple, honest farmers. I fancy misfook me for a sheaf of barley, for they down with me, and then thresh'd so heartily, gad, their flails flew merrily about my ears; but I up, and when I cou'd no longer fight