by when he took the measure of me.

Sergeant, here, take this fixpence halfpenny, and buy me a pair of phite gloves.

Serg. Sir, I have been all about the town, and can't get a pair under two fhillings. Capt. Two tirteens!

Serg. Two tirteens, Sir.

Capt. Two tirteens for a pair of gloves! monomundioul, but my hands fhall go bare-foot all the days of their lives before I'll give two tirteens for a pair of gloves-Come, come along; I'll go without 'em, my miftrefs will excufe it. [Exeunt.

SCENE, Tradewell's Houfe.

Enter Tradewell and Lucy.

Trad. Well, daughter, I have been examining into the circumftances of Cheatwell, and find he is not worth fixpence; and as for your French lover, he is some runaway dancing-mafter or hair-cutter from Paris: fo that really, amongst them all, I cannot find any one comes up to your Irish lover, either for birth, fortune, or character.

Lucy. Sir, you're the best judge in disposing of me ; and indeed I have no real tender for any one of themas to the Irish Captain, I have not feen him yet.

Trad. You'll fee him prefently; I fent to his lodgings, and expect him every moment- Oh, here comes

Monfieur.

Enter Monfieur Ragou.

Trad. Well, Monfieur, I have been trying my daughter's affections in regard to you; and as fhe is willing to be guided by me in this affair, I would willingly know by what vifible means you intend to maintain her like a gentlewoman.

Monf. Me have de grand acquaintance with the beaumonde; and, fi vous plaira, if you fal please, Sir, to do me de honour of making me your fon-in-law, me vill tranfact your negociations vid all poffible care et belle air. Enter Captain and Betty.

-this

Trad. You are welcome, Sir, to my houfeis my daughter-this, child, is Captain O'Blunder, whom I hope you will receive as he deferves.

Capt, Fairest of creatures, will you gratify me with

a tafte of your fweet delicate lips? [Kiffes her.] By my fhoul, a neat creature, and a good bagooragh girl; fhe's as fair as an image in Leiflip, Egypt I meanPhat's here! the little fellow that I kilt just now! 'pon my shoul, I have a praty ready for him now.

Monf. Ob le diable !-he spy me now-me better go off vile I am vell.

Capt. [goes up to Monfieur] I tought, Monfieur Ragou, that you were ded: Do I fmell of the praty now, you foup-maigre fon of a French boogre?

Trad. The Captain has a mind to be merry with the Frenchman.

Capt. By my fhoul, my jewel, I have got a praty for you now; here, eat it-eat this.

Monf. Oh! pardonnez moi, pardon, Sir; I cannot, by gar.

Capt. Och ho! come out then, my little fweetlips! [Draws.] Eat that praty this minute, or I'll run my fword up thro' your leg, and thro' your arms, and fpit you up, and roaft you like a goofe, you tawny-faced fon of a whore; fure 'tis better nor your garlic or ingyons in France. [Monf. eats it.

Enter a Servant to Tradewell.
Serv. Oh, Sir-there are certain accounts come, that
-But thefe letters will better inform you- [Exit.
Trad. [reads.] O Captain, I'm ruin'd-undone

broke

Capt. Broke! what have you broke?

Trad. Oh, Sir, my fortune's broke-I'm not a penny above a beggar.

Monf. Oh, den me be off de amour- -Me have no dealings with beggars; me have too many of de beggar in my own contre; so me better flip avay in good time. Votre ferviteur-fervant, Sir.

out.

[Exit. Capt. March, march, you son of a whore: Ara, get

Trad. Now, Captain, you fee I have not conceal'd my misfortune from you; fo you are at liberty to choose a happier wife, for my poor child is miferable.

Capt. I thought your ribs was broke. I am no furgeon; but if 'tis only a little money that broke you, give me this lady's lily-white hand, and I'll take her Bark-naked, without a penny of money in her pocket,

but

but the cloaths upon her back-and as far as a good eftate in land and stock will go, I'll share it with her and with yourfelf. Ara, never mind the tieves, my jewel-I'll break their necks before they fhall break your little finger. Come, honey, I'll give you a fong I made upon this dear creature.

Wherever I'm going, and all the day long,
Abroad and at home, or alone in a throng,
I find that my paffion's fo lively and strong,
That your name, when I'm filent, ftill runs in my fong.
Ballynamony, ho, ro, &c.

Since the first time I faw you, I take no repofe,
I fleep all the day to forget half my woes;
So ftrong is the flame in my bofom that glows,
By St Patrick, I fear it will burn thro' cloaths.
my
Ballynamony, ho, ro, &c.
By my fhoul, I'm afraid I shall die in my grave,
Unless you'll comply, and poor Phelim will fave;
lover doth crave,
Then the petition your
grant

Who never was free till

made him you

Ballynamony, ho, ro, &c.

your

flave.

On that happy day when I make you my bride, With a fwinging long fword, how I'll ftrut and I'll ftride!

In a coach and fix horses with my honey I'll ride,
As before I walk to the church by your fide.

you

Ballynamony, ho, ro, &c.

Enter Cheatwell.

Cheat. Gentlemen, I beg pardon for this intrufion. Capt. He! Phat's here! my friendly coufin, that bid the old conjurers flea my bottom!

Cheat. Sir, I beg your pardon in particular, and hope you'll grant me it. Nothing but neceffity was the caufe of my ungentle behaviour-This lady I had an esteem for; but fince things have turn'd out as they have, my pretenfions are without foundation: therefore, Captain, I hope you'll look upon me in the light of an unfortu nate rather than a bad man.

Capt. Fait, my dear coufin, fince love is the caufe of your mourning, I fhall forgive you with all my heart. [Shakes hands. Cheat. Sir, I fhall always efteem your friendship as

an

an honour; and hope you'll look on me as a poor unfortunate young fellow, that has not a fhilling, nor the means of getting one, upon the face of the earth.

Capt. Oh! upon my fhoul, then, coufin Cheatwell, I pity your condition with all my heart; and fince things. are fo bad with you, if you'll take a trip with me to my Irish plantation along with my dear creature here, I'll give you 500l. to stock a farm upon my own eftate at Ballymafcufhlane in the county of Monaghan, and the barony of Coogafighy.-Fait, and hers's Betty a tight little girl; and fince you cou'd not get the mistress, if you'll take up with the maid, my dear here fhall give her a couple of hundreds to fortune her off.

Betty. Captain, I'm very much oblig'd to you for getting me a husband; if Mr Cheatwell has any tenders for me, I have a thousand pound left me as a legacy,

which is at his service.

Capt. Ara what's that, my dear! a fervant-maid with a toufand pound!-by my fhoul there is many a lady in my country, that goes to plays, and balls, and mafquerades, that has not half the money; and fcorns to make her own fmock.

Cheat. I fhou'd be blind to my own intereft not to accept of fuch valuable propofals, and with gratitude take your hand, promifing for the future to lead a life which fhall be a credit both to myself and benefactor.

Capt. Well then, without compliment, I am glad I have made one poor man happy; and fince we have made a double match, hey for Ireland, where we will live like Irish kings.

Lucy. This generofity amazes me, and greatly prejudices me in the honefty and goodness of the Irish.

Capt. Oagh my dear little charmer, I've another fong just à propos.

Of all the husbands living, an Irishman's the best,
With my fal, lal, &c.

No nation on the globe like him can stand the teft,
With my fal, lal, &c.

The English they are drones, as plainly you may fee;
But we're all brisk and airy, and lively as a bee.
With my fal, lal, &c.

THE

SE

PROLOGUE.

Written and spoken by Mr FOOTE.

EVERE their task, who, in this critic age,
With fresh materials furnish out the ftage!
Not that our fathers drain'd the comic ftore;
Fresh characters fpring up as heretofore-
Nature with novelty does ftill abound;
On every fide fresh follies may be found.
But then the taste of every guest to hit,
To please at once the gall'ry, box, and pit;
Requires at least-no common thare of wit.

Thofe