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Enter MARPLOT with a patch cross his face.

Mar. Dear Charles your's-Ha! Sir George Airy! the man in the world I have an ambition to be known to! [Aside.] Give me thy hand, dear boy. I Cha. A good assurance! But hark ye, how came your beautiful countenance clouded in the wrong place?

Mar. I must confess 'tis a little mal-a-propos; but no matter for that. A word with you Charles. Pr'ythee introduce me to sir George-he is a man of wit, and I'd give ten guineas to

Cha. When you have 'em you mean.

Mar. Ay, when I have 'em; pugh, pox, you cut the thread of my discourse- -I would give ten guineas I say to be rank'd in his acquaintance. "Well, 'tis a vast addition to a man's fortune, according to the rout of the world, to be seen in the company of "leading men, for then we are all thought to be poli❝ticians, or whigs, or jacks, or highflyers, or low flyers, "or levellers-and so forth; for you must know we "all herd in parties now.

"Cha. Then a fool for diversion is out of fashion I find.

Mar. "Yes, without it be a mimicking fool, and they "are darlings every where." But pry'thee introduce

me.

Cha. Well, on condition you'll give us a true account how you came by that mourning nose I will. Mar. I'll do it.

Cha. Sir George, here's a gentleman has a p desire to kiss your hand.

Sir Geo. Oh, I honour men of the sword! a sume this gentleman is lately come from Spain tugal-by his scars.

Mar. No, really, sir George, mine spru civil fury. Happening last night into the gro ter's-I had a strong inclination to go ten with a sort of a, sort of a-kind of a milkso thought. A pox of the dice! he flung out, a pockets being empty, as Charles knows they of he proved a surly North Briton, and broker for my deficiency.

Sir Geo. Ha, ha! and did not you draw?

Mar. Draw sir! why I did but lay my han my sword to make a swift retreat, and he roar Now the deel a ma sal, sir, gin ye touch yer st whip mine through yer wem.

Sir Geo. Ha, ha, ha!

Cha. Ha, ha, ha, ha! Safe was the word. walk'd off I suppose.

Mar. Yes, for I avoid fighting, purely to b viceable to my friends you know

S

Sir Geo. Your friends are much obliged to you I hope you'll rank me in that number.

Mar. Sir George, a bow from the side box, be seen in your chariot, binds me ever your's, Sir Geo. Trifles; you may command, 'em whe please.

Cha. Provided he may command you.

Mar. Me! why I live for no other purpose- -Sir George, I have the honour to be caress'd by most of the reigning toasts of the town: I'll tell 'em you are the finest gentleman

Sir Geo. No, no, pry'thee let me alone to tell the ladies-my parts-Can you convey a letter upon occasion, or deliver a message with an air of business, ha? Mar. With the assurance of a page and the gravity of a statesman.

Sir Geo. You know Miranda.

Mar. What! my sister ward? why, her guardian is mine; we are fellow sufferers. Ah, he is a covetous, cheating, sanctified, curmudgeon: that sir Francis Gripe is a damn'd old-hypocritical

Cha. Hold, hold; I suppose, friend, you forget that he is my father.

Mar. Egad and so I did Charles-I ask your pardon, Charles, but it is for your sake I hate him. Well, I say the world is mistaken in him; his outside piety makes him every man's executer, and his inside curning makes him every heir's gaoler. Egad, Charles, I'm half persuaded that thou'rt some ward too, andnever of his getting—for never were two things so unlike as you and your father; he scrapes up every thing and thou spend'st every thing; every body is indebted to him, and thou art indebted to every body.

Cha. You are very free, Mr. Marplot,

Mar. Ay, I give and take, Charles-you may be as free with me you know.

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Sir Geo. A pleasant fellow.

Cha. The dog is diverting sometimes, or there would be no enduring his impertinence. He is pres sing to be employed, and willing to execute; but some ill fate generally attends all he undertakes, and he oftener spoils an intrigue than helps it.

Mar. I have always your good word, but if I miscarry 'tis none of my fault; I follow my instructions. Cha. Yes, witness the merchant's wife. Mar. Pish, pox! that was an accident. Sir Geo. What was it, pr'ythee?

Mar. Nay, Charles, now don't expose your friend.

Cha. Why, you must know I had lent a certain merchant my hunting horses, and was to have met his wife in his absence. Sending him along with my groom to make the compliment, and to deliver a letter to the lady at the same time, what does he do but gives the husband the letter and offers her the horses!

Mar. Why, to be sure, I did offer her the horses, and I remember you was even with me, for you deny'd the letter to be your's, and swore I had a design upon her, which my bones paid for.

Cha. Come, Sir George, let's walk round if you are not engag'd, for I have sent my man upon a little earnest business, and I have ordered him to bring me the answer into the Park.

Mar. Business! and I not know it! Egad I'll watch him.

Sir Geo. I must beg your pardon, Charles, I am to meet your father.

Cha. My father!

Sir Geo. Ay, and about the oddest bargain, perhaps, you ever heard of; but I'll not impart till I know the

success.

Mar. What can his business be with Sir Francis? Now would I give all the world to know it. Why the devil should not one know every man's concerns! [Aside.

Cha. Prosperity to't whate'er it be: I have private affairs too: over a bottle we'll compare notes.

Mar. Charles knows I love a glass as well as any man; I'll make one; shall it be to-night? Add I long to know their secrets. [Aside.

Enter WHISPER.

Whisp. Sir, Sir, Mrs. Patch says Isabinda's Spanish father has quite spoil'd the plot, and she cann't meet you in the Park, but he infallibly will go out this afternoon she says: but I must step again to know the hour.

Mar. What did Whisper say now? I shall go stark mad if I'm not let into the secret.

Cha. Curst misfortune!

Mar. Curst! what's curst, Charles?

[Aside.

Cha. Come along with me, my heart feels pleasure at her name. Sir George, your's; we'll meet at the old place the usual hour.

Sir Geo Agreed. I think I see Sir Francis yonder.

[Exit.

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