THE LIBRARY
OF
THE UNIVERSITY
OF CALIFORNIA
LOS ANGELES
FREDERIC THOMAS BLANCHARD
ENDOWMENT FUND
THE
DRAMATIC WORKS
jOtiN 6'KEEFFE, ESQ.
PUBLISHED UNDER THE GRACIOUS PATRONAGE
OF
HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS
THE PRINCE OF WALES.
PREPARED FOR THE -PRESS SY T&E AUTHOR
IN FOUR VOLUMES,
VOL. IV.
LONDON:
PRINTED FOR THE AUTHOR, BY T. WOODFALLJ
AND SOLD BY ALL BOOKSELLERS IN TOWN AMI>
COUNTRY.
1798.
CONTENTS OF THE FOURTH VOLUME.
THE WORLD IN A VILLAGE.
THE HIGHLAND REEL.
THE MAGIC BANNER.
THE FARMER.
THE MAN MILLINER.
THE PRISONER AT LARGE.
LOVE IN A CAMP.
THE DOLDRUM.
THE
WORLD IN A VILLAGE.
IN
FIVE ACTS.
PERFORMED AT THE
THEATRE-ROYAL, COVENT-GARDEN,
IN 1793.
A a
PROLOGUE,
WRITTEN BY JOHN TAYLOR, ESQ.
SPOKEN BY MR. HOLMAN.
IN thefe dread times, when War's unfated rage
Crowds with difafters life's eventful ftage,
When the full trumpet and embattled ire
Drown the foft warblings of the flighted Lyre,
The Mufes' lonely ha mts no more difplay,
Among their withYmg blooms, the Poet's bayj
The partial foil, The Laurel only rears,
For martial wreaths, that vegetate in tears.
At fuch a time, fuperfluous feems the art,
To melt with fabled woes the fadden'd heart;
The forrowing Mufes need themfelves relief,
And Fancy droops in fympathetic grief.
The Tragic Maid, indeed, may footh her care,
And future fcenes from pafling ills prepare ;
But for the Laughing Nymph, alas ! can flie
At eafe prefume with her untimely glee !
Is there a place, amidft the world's alarms,
In fafety flill to heed her frolic charms ?
Yes in the fliades of Britain's happy Ifle,
Still may the Comic Mufe fecurely fmi'e ;
Still with her tuneful Sifters flicker here,
Nor favage Anarchy's vain menace fear !
Here no dire ruffians, dead to gen'rous joy,
All that endears and brightens life deftroy ;
Or, drench'd in blood, with impious rage combine,
Trampling o'er Thrones, to crufli the Hallow'd Shrine !
No Defpot here exafts a flavifli awe,
The cafual impulfe of his paflions law.
Here on a rock, fecure amid the ftorm,
Jewells Liberty, in fair monarchic form.
Around
PROLOGUE.
Around her fane, with venerable grace,
Tnree matchlefs columns, fortify the place.
Enthron'd within, pre-eminently great,
Sits awful Juflice, in majeftic {rate,
Of equal laws the animated foul,
And (latiou'd highelt, to ftirvey the whole ;
JTer Sword by Mercy check'd, as urg'd by Might,
Her Crown the fanlion of a people's right,
DRAMATIS
DRAMATIS PERSON*.
Sir Henry Check, ..................... Mr. POWELL.
Captain Mullinahack, ........ ....... Mr. JOHNSTONC,
William, ................................. . Mr. MIDDLETOS
Charles, ............... . ..... : .............. Mr. HOLMAN.
Captain Vanfluifen, .......... , ........ Mr. CUBIT T.
Willows, .................................. Mr HULL.
Hedgeworth, .................... . ........ Mr. EVATT.
Briers, ..................................... Mr. M'CREABY.
Allbut, ............................ -.. Mr. QUICK.
Matter Jack, ........................... Mr. FAWCETT.
Grigfby, ... ................... ,.... ..... Mr. LEWIS.
Jollyboy, ................ . ..... .... ;..... Mr. MUNDEN,
Edward, > ............. * .......... > ....... Mifs SYMONDSI
i.....i ...... . ......... $ ........ Mrs. ESTEN.
Mrs. Bellevue, ......................... Mrs. POPE.
Mrs. Allbut, ...;....: ........ * .......... Mrs. MATTOCKS.
Maria, ......... ; ..... . .................... Mrs. MOUNTAIK*
Margery, .......... ; ................... .. Mrs. PLATT*
SCENE, a Village in Surrey.
THE
WORLD IN A VILLAGE,
ACT I.
SCENE I.
A Room in JOLLY BOY'S Houfe.
MARGERY difcovered adjujling the furniiurs 0nfi
fwging.
Enter JOLLYEOY.
A.H, dame ! fo that Mifs Louifa's room is dizen'd
out, all the reft of the houfe may go. at fixes and
fevens.
Marg. Hufband ! How crufty you've got with
our lodger Mifs Louifa, only becaufe fhe's a lady,
and you think ilie has a deal of money.
Joll. Why, to be fure her money did not do
much mifchief when it bought warm cloathing for
half the poor of our villag9, and. the fetting up a
little fchool and paying you for teaching the children,
as our rafcally rich folks here rcfufed to eftablifh
one; our gentry expect forfooth, 'caufe I'm a miller,
I muft cringe and fneak ; but I'll never bow to tfye
VOL. iv. B golden
io THE WORLD IN A VILLAGE.
golden calf! People to get money flick at no, vil-
lany or meannefs, and then they're as faucy Dame,
I've been round among my cuftomers to gather in
rent for my landlord Mailer Allbut. Here. ('Takes
out a bank note)
Marg. Ten pounds! I fuppofe it's having fo much
money that has made you fo faucy this morning.
Jail. Eh, I believe fo. As I came up ftreet
cou'dn't tell what was the matter with me; met
honeft Dick the cobler came out with his "good
" morrow, Matter Jolly boy." I felt a ibrt ot a
thought he might as' well have faid nothing. Tom
the farrier gave me a friendly linack o' th' ihoulder ;
1 had a mind to knock him down for his joke : then,
now, coming into my own houfe, forgot to (loop,
and bump'd my forehead againft the top o' the door-
cafe. Oh, ho ! then it is the cafh has done ail
this ! I will- 'twas gone, for while I have it I teel I
ihall be as impudent as the devil.
Marg. (looking out) Madam Louifa.
Joll. Dodlor Grigfby with her! Tho' he's now
our apothecary, and lets up allb to be a wine-
merchant, the lady wou'dn't be fo proud of his
company, did fhe know he was once a barber.
Marg. Be quiet, hufband. Doftor Grigiby is a
fine man 1
Joll. What, becaufe when you was fick \\\*
bottles came in packets, till I tailed, and found all
the while fhe doclor had been fupplying you with
cherry -brandy.
Enter LOUISA.
Louifa. Well, my kind good friend, (lookino
round} Why how very handfome you've made
my room ! how much I'm obligee 1 tj y^ T .s.
THE WORLD IN A VILLAGE. ir
Jolt. Dr. Grigiby! I.wou'dn't let him cure my
cat of a tooth-ache. The fellow has made money
out of people's folly, and now don't know how to
behave himfelf.
Marg. I wifh you'd learn how to behave your-
felf; ftrutting about with your hat on, and a lady
in the room.
Joll. I know nothing about ladies or gentle-
men. That fellow was a good barber till money
fpoiled him my hat ! (takes it off) my hat's here
and now it's there, (puts it on.) What fignifies
where a man's hat is ? Hats and heads ladies
gentlemen good as another hem ! (Exit mut-
tering}
Marg. Plague take you for a fool ! as good
natur'd a man as ever broke bread, but when he
gets thefe fancies in his noddle.
Louifa. Where there is real worth thefe little
oddities of humour rather excite pleafantry than
refentment.
Marg. Od, I'll give it him !
Louifa. Never mind, my kind Margery but
now for a furprife I'm forry I muft leave you,
my good woman.
Marg. Leave us ! Well, if I did'n't expect my
filly hufband's behaviour wou'd bring it to this.
Louifa. Hum ! your hufband has nothing to do
in it : I'm certain I can confide in you ; you know
little of me; I'm a flranger; but I'll not trouble
you with more of my affairs than is necefiary.
You doubtlefs concluded from the trilling fums T
expended on my firft coming here into your village,
that I muft of courfe be fome very rich perfon or
other.
Marg. La, Ma'am, I didn't refpect you for that !
B 2 Louifa.
is THE WORLD IN A VILLAGE.
Louifa. I believe it. From certain family cir-
cumftances, immaterial to any but myfelf, I have
been obliged however, you know I came from
Ireland have been in France, and am unfortu-
nately not on the befl terms with my friends till a
make-up can be brought about to my wifh Not
being over ftrong in purfe, I plann'd a frugal re-
tirement j the variety of calls upon the feelings of
my heart have at length exhaufted my little finance $
therefore-; but mind, I'm not call down no, I'm
as happy
Marg. Dear, I'm fo forry
Louifa. Come, if you go to pity me I fliall be
very much affronted.
Marg. I affront you !
Louifa. Lord ! I never was more gay or cheerful
in my whole life : but I'll tell you You know,
you and your hufband are very honeft people, and
get nothing but what you hardly earn ; now, why
fhould I from my extravagance become a burden
to you ?
Marg. Extravagance ! 'twas your charity bur-
den ! your . ftay will be a bleffing to us pay us
when you can, or never (weeping) Oh ! my fweet
lady !
Louifa. Come, perhaps I mayn't leave your vil-
lage yet. Margery, I've conceiv'd a thought to
ftay among you without inconvenience to any one 5
1 think I cou'd be ufeful to your Mrs. Allbut,
here. From her character of a .paffion for literary
amufements, (lie might, perhaps, afford me a
fituation to read, or tramlate French ; tranfcribe
her poetry, for I am told fhe has wrote a number
of pretty things ; or I cou'd, upon occafion, drefs
up a cap for her eh, Margery, cou'd you recom-
mend
THE WORLD IN A VILLAGE. 15
mend me ? You know you told me me fometimes
reads her poems to y#u.
Marg. Well, I'll call on her, my lady.
Loittfa. Come, none of you lady's to me I muft
foon unlady myfelf. Upon my honour I (hall be
exceedingly angry if you are not even merry. There
now, that's a dear good woman (JJiakes bands cor-
dially, and goes to a chejl of drawers)
Re-enter JOLLYBOV.
Joll. Wife, if Squire Allbut's corn comes, tell
them it muft wait ; for I've got a buihel to grind
for old Budget the tinker firft.
Marg. Don't talk to me.
Joll. Eh ! What have you found a pot of gold
under an old wall ?
Marg. Ah, huiband ! this dear young lady our
lodger
Joll. Ay, well.
Marg. Herdrftrefs!
Jolt. Well, if (he's diftrefs'd about any one's
poverty, her hand knows the way to her pocket
a road it has fo often gone upon like occafions.
Marg. Ay, but I may as well put my hand into
my pocket.
JolL Deuce o' your riddles What's the matter
with you and (he?
Marg. I tt-11 you, at laft (he herfelf is really
diftrefs'd, and won't (lay becauie (lie can't pay us.
\Exit melancholy
Joll. Diftrefs'd ! one that was fo ready to re-
lieve every body clfe, now to want it herfelf! (Louifa
advance^ Jolltboy takes of his hat with refpett)
Madam, I'm fure I'm vaftly concerned that any paft
conduct
i 4 THE WORLD IN A VILLAGE.
conduct of mine fhou'd have given you the baft
uneafinefs. You've done us too much honour in
coming under our roof: and if any improper
freedoms of ours have given you offence, you have
only to blame your own condefcenfion. Madam,
we are but ignorant people, and if we have fail'd
in our relpecl, I humbly crave your pardon.
Louifa. Then Margery has told him. This is
an attempt at irony Become the fubjecl: of ridi-
cule ! I thought I could endure poverty, but 1
was wrong (ajide) Sir, it's not immediately in
my power to dilcharge what I owe you, but I hope
it will be foon ; for I can allure you it wou'd give
me infinite pleafure.
Joll. Wou'd it? then tho' I go to jail for my
ewn rent (afide) True, I forgot Ma'am, this
was left for you juft nowj 'twas inclos'd in a
paper thought at firfh 'twas for myfelf, fo broke it
open I beg pardon tho' there was nothing written
in it. (gives the note]
Louifa. Ten pounds ! Who left it ?
Joll. I did afk, but can't find who.
Louifa. Then my circumitances are known ! Is
there fuch benevolence ? However, how to appro-
priate this doesn't want a confideration. Pray
let me know what I'm indebted to you.
Joll. Oh, Madim.
.JLorifz. I requefl
Joll. Well, Madam, now have I given her
what I had to pay my own rent ; 'twill grind my
heart to apologife to Landlord Allbut but I've fet
her heart at eafe, and that's good amends.
Grig, (without) No: I want my chay ; fo put
that hamper of wine, and the medecincs in the
little cart.
Joll.
THE WORLD IN A VILLAGE. i;
Jdl. Madam, now you mould look above this
Mafter Grigfby you don't know him a fellow
taken from lifting with numb'd fingers, wig-weav-
ing, into a doctor's fervice, to bruih his coat and
frizzle his pate, picking up hard words from the
apothecary's boys, marrying the houfekceper, -
throwing her purloinings into a brandy vault and
drug-mop (me poifon'd herfelf in one of them)
und now, by jargon, fmiles, lies, and cringes, has
glided into the good graces of every family in the
village Oh, he's not drefled in his phyficalpomp'.
When he wants to ihew his conlequence, pops
himfelf into one of the famous fine velvet and gold
iuits left him by his old mafter the phyfician.
Marg. (wi$flufy Indeed, Doctor
Grig, (without) But I will vifit my patient.
JolL Now, for Dr. Grigfby's chattering! 'Till
he's gone, we may put our tongues in our pockets.
I wiih I cou'd fhut my ears in my tobacco-box.
M<irg. (without) I tell you, Doctor, Mifs
Louifa is not in the humour for jaunting.
Enter G R i c s B r and MARGERY wr angling, and Boy.
Grig. Teach me humours, defluxions, catarrhs,
and cataplafms !
Boy. But, Sir, hadn't you bed come back to
(hop ?
Grig. Shop ! Get home, you dog, and mix up
that fluff.
Boy, Sir, I forgot what I was to put in it.
Grig. A table Ipoonful of any four bottles behind
the counter.
Boy. There's Humphrey the wheelwright flops
for you to bleed him.
Grig,
1 6 THE WORLD IN A VILLAGE.'
Grjg. Wheelwright, firrah j My compliments,
and I'll wait on his Lordlhip. [Exit Boy] Hem !
Duke Humphrey ! But the ladies muft always
have the preference, (bows to Louifa}
Louifa. Sir (curt/eying) Teazing man ! I wifli
he'd go away (apart to Margery}
Marg. Doctor, the lady wiihes you'd
Louifa. Hufh!
Grig. My dear Madam, never deceive your
doctor but that is impoflible.
Louifa. For me to think of attempting a decep-
tion! Upon my word, Doctor, you have the
happieft mode of compliment
Grig. Yes, Ma'am, the compliment I put in
that mixture was two grains, or, as we of the fa-
culty write in our Latin profcriptions, dux gra-
niorum, fix fcruples, or cater-fcrupolibus $ and,
Madam, I'll venture to affirm, that the whole mate-
rial inedicar does not furnifh a cure of more effica-
cious efficacy, that is, when we talk of a cafe, razor-
cafe hem ! I mean the foul-cafe ; the body being
the cafe of the foul, as a bottle is of a bottle of
old port ; the wine being the fpirit ; and fo we
doctors wax the cork to prevent evaporarion or
fomentation; juft as if a gentleman, to (have his
chin, would lather his occiput ; that is, what we of
the faculty call the whole healing art fcammony,
wild poppy, the fubhmate of ftyptic water, anthel-
mintic wine, hiera picra, and the nervous fyftem.
Louifa. Sir, you've certainly a prodigious deal
of /kill; but -nature prevents me from opportuni-
ties of putting it in practice.
Grig. True, Mifs, I have an immenfe deal of
practice So much fo, that upon my foul and
honor I require now a doctor for myfelf, the fatigue
is intolerable. Louifa*
THE WORLD IN A VILLAGE. '7
'Louifa. Sir, pray cxcufe me, now I'm a little
indiipoied, and company is not over agreeable.
Grrg. If indifpofed, Madam, what's better com-
pany than your doctor ? For in your cafe, as we of
the faculty fay, no aliment fo mucilaginous as
Iheep's head broth : fome prefer buttermilk, and
it is indeed as a lacteal lachrymoligon ; for, Madam,
when the difeafe proceeds from vifcid pituitous fub-
ftanee obftruding the veffels of the lungs, we of
the faculty call it a fpurious peripneumony -, there-
fore ripe fruits roafted, bak'd, or boil'd, fuch as
green-goofe, young parfeneps, extract of faturn
then we throw in the bark, and that is, my dear
Madam, the the nervous fyftem.
Marg. But, Doctor, Mifs Louifa wants a little
reft.
Grig. Ha, ha, ha! that's very well then I know
nothing of what a lady wants. I fee (lie likes me
by her wifhes to turn me out. (afide) But,
Madam, to promote an emulfive dormitory, or, as
Celfus fays, a bit of fleep or reft, nothing equal to
a fimple gofs lettice.
Louifa. I thank you, Doctor ; but I don't need
foporirics.
Grig. Soap ! Dem this barber ! how all my
patients will be flapping fuds in my teethbut (he
muft be fome great heirefs here incog, from her
having difperfed ib much money through the vil-
lage, (afde)
Louifa. Sir, I wifh you a good morning.
Grig. Reft ! the nurfe of difeafe ! You fee, as a
doctor, I fpeak againft my own intereft. Nothing
but exercife and open air can brace and ftrengthen
the animal functions when the caninus rabies, or
dog-madnefs, which we of the faculty call vertigo
VOL. iv. c of
i* THE WORLD IN A VILLAGE.
of the foot, comes the the and that is, Ma-
dam, the nervous fyftem. Do me the honor of
taking an airing in my chaife j you may truft to
my whip-hand tteady as if touching a vein I'll
drive you
Jolt. No : but I'll drive you out of my houfc,
Do'nt you fee that you've already bother 'd
the lady with your nonienfe ?
Grig. I've what ? Oh, this is pretty ! What's
that you faid I did to her ?
Joll. Poh ! Go along.
Grig. Go along ! Very well that ! Do you
know, man, when you talk to a phyfician Ma-
dam, my chaife is at the door permit me the
honor of whipping you round the circuitous
circle in the grand tour of Efher, Wefton Green,
Molefey, Hampton Court, Bufhy Park, Teddington
Common, and Ditton Marfh the fight of fo fine
a drefs'd lady as you fitting by my fide no other
barber hem ! wine-merchant phyfician
Louifa. Doctor your politenefs comes particu-
larly acceptable, for I mould like a little excur-
iion, and I aflure you my purfe now cannot afford
theexpence of pofl-chaifes Well, Margery, you'll
fpeak to Mrs. Allbut for me Come, Doctor, now
for your whip-hand.
Grig. Afford ! Expence ! Any thing broke ?
{apart to Margery}
Marg. Ah, we are all broke! our hearts are broke!
Grig. Eh ! All her fiafh end in fmoke ! Oh,
ho! (afide)
Louifa. Doctor, you fliall fet me down at Mr.
Allbut's.
Grig. Eh ! Mem ! Your bill did you fay ? We
never commit fuch trifles to book carry it in my
head
THE WORLD IN A VILLAGE. 19
head For beft frontignac hem ! raifm wine
(afidf) lavender water, low de lucy, and magnefiar
holbar You are indebted to me the fum of three
pounds three fhillings and three pence three far-
things.
Louifa. But, Sir, the jaunt.
Grig. It rains, Mem no head to my chaife.
Margary, hav'n't you, as we of the faculty fay
A miller fliould always have a parvifol to keep oft'
the rain, (puts on his hat, ivk(ftles> and walks about
cracking bis whip)
Joll. (flaring) Eh!
Grig. All good for the nervous fyftem! Mem,
I'm making up fome money, and if you can oblige
me by difcharging that trifle
Louifa. Then better remain in my landlord's
debt than This wretch ! - (afide) there, Sir, take
your bill out of that 'gives the bank-note to Grijby)
Grig. Yes, Mem : I'll bring you the change in
the frizzling of a toopee! but I'll advife you, Ma-
dam, to exercife. Miller, put up a fwing in your
garden between two cherry-trees fwing, Mem
nothing but exercife and open air can brace and
ftrengthen the animal functions fwing ! Reft is
the nurfe of difeafe you fee, as a doctor, I fpeak
againft my own intereft. In your cafe, Madam,
nothing fo mucilaginous as fheep's head broth
then we throw in the bark, and from ten pounds
deduct three pounds three (hillings and three pence
three farthings, and that is what we call the
nervous fyftem [Exit.
Joll. Carried off my bank-note ! Hollo, nervous
fyftem ! [Runs off.
Louifa. Come now with me to Mrs Allbut's.
Ma*g. Ah, I'm fure you'll not like her, Ma'am.
A deuced temper.
c 2 Louifa.
sa THE WORLD IN A VILLAGE.
Loulfa. I underftand that me is haughty and
overbearing that Mr. Allbut, puffed up with the
pride of riches, is the great defpot of the village ;
that all their wealth really belongs to a poor widow,
Mrs Believue, that lives in the cottage by the.
warren yonder; but if Mrs. Allbut is fo proud, I
muft only temporize into humility : Doctor Grigf-
by's behaviour has convinced me that 1 fhou'd ufe
every exertion to keep myfelf above pecuniary
obligations. A pity it is no,t fo 1 but, when defti-
tute of particular defence and protection, the world,
iliou'd be the guardian to a lone and helplefs wo-
man, [Exeunt.
SCENE II.
A Chamber in ALLBUI'S Houfc.
Enter WILLOWS and MARIA.
Willo. There, the inflruments open, (points t& t
a piano forte.)
Maria. But Mr. and Mrs. Allbut may return,
and if me finds me at it
Willo. My dear child, if you don't praftife
you'll lofe your mufic ; and that will be a pity,
Maria, confidering the proficiency you made in it.
Maria, Ah, father ! my attempt now to retain
any elegant accomplifhment is but vanity. What
might have been receiv'd with indulgence when
we were in eafy circumftances, in our prefent
humble fituation at beft will be overlooked, or,
moft likely, treated with contempt,
- Will*.
THE WORLD IN A VILLAGE. it
Wlllo. Why, indeed, my love, this reverfe of
fortune comes with a double fe.veriry, when in
fubjects us to the infuks of this purfe- proud,
mean, and illiberal Mr. and Mrs. Ailbut. Come,
my dear, there, if your Lady fhould hear you,
J don't think me can be offended. I nmft to my
bufmefs in the compting-houfe. [Exit.
Maria. I have little heart : but, as my father
thinks it an objec>, I will pradtiie. (Mtriajitt and
Enter Mafer JACK.
Mafi.?. Molly.
Maria. Oh, Mafter Jack !
Mafl. J. Play on, I love it, fal, la!, lal. (fmgs
tut of tune]
Maria. If your mama Ihou'd come in and hear
me ?
Mafl. J. Never mind : flie'll think it's I. (Maria
plays) Molly, do you know, I wifh mamma
wou'dn't be writing her poetries me troubles the
houfe with them fo. Come, do play to oblige me.
{Maria plays') Molly ! ha ! ha ! ha ! Don't you
think mamma very filly, to go and fst Papa too
at making poefies, and now he begins to trouble
the houfe too.
Maria. And all his idea of poetry is making
a jingle of rhyme, no matter for meafure, time,
place, or reafon, but if you will hear me play,
liflen (plays)
Enter Mrs. ALLBUT, reading.
Mrs. A. My fervant maid at my inftrument!
Majl. J. What a pretty hornpipe !
oz THE WORLD IN A VILLAGE.
Maria. You've an excellent ear !
Maft. J. Yes ; I've a fine ear for hearing.
Mrs. A. And feeling ! (pulls him , Maria rifes)
Maft. J. Now mamma, what's that for ?
Mrs. A. Oh ! enchanting powers of poetry,
" Sigh to the filent dreams that foftly feek the leas,
4 Mar the meek murmuring melodies that mark the marine
breeze."
You vile jade !
Miijl. J. Molly play on - -mamma, Poll plays
better nor you,-^-fhe tickles it fo lightly with her
little finger j but you thump ir down with your fifts
as if you were breaking bifcuits then fhe fits fo
quiet fit Molly and here, mamma, you go wag-
ging your head about like an artichoke, (Jits down
and mimtcks extravagantly]
Mrs. A. (curtjeys to Maria] Oh, do pray, Mifs ;
oblige us with a fonata (ironically)
Majt. J. Molly made thisfong heifelf ; I know
ihe did.
Mrs. A. Writes poetry ! Here's a faucy minx !
(afide] What my Ariofto ! Heavens ! if fhe hasn't
been pulling my books out of my ftudy Perhaps
xve've a Sappho in the houfe and don't know it !
I dare fay you have the affurance to be full of
tender fentiment and fenfibility.
Maria. No, Ma'am ; you can't think I've any
Feeling.
Mrs. A. Upon my honor fhe fancies herfelf a
young lady !
Maft. y. Well, mamma, all the village calls her
Mifs Maria.
Mrs. A. Mifs ! Ha ! ha, ha ! Oh ! I (hall
faint the Maria ! Hadn't you better at once call
yourfeif Laura Maria? there's my fen that will
have
THE WORLD IN A VILLA 25
have a tolerable fortune, he's call'd by every body
plain Jack.
Maft. J. By'r leave, mamma, even Dr. Grigfby
calls me Mafter Jack.
Maria. Ma'am, it's a matter of indifference to
me, what I am called.
Mrs. A. Very true ! " That we call a rofe, by
any other name wou'd fmell as fweet."
Maft. J. Now, mamma, will you ha' done ?
you've made papa too as bad as yourfelf, and
there's no fpeaking a word before him but he comes
out with a rhyme to't.
Allb. (without] I'm jufl in time to't. [Enters*
Mrs. A. Mr. Alibut, is this a time for your
folly.
Alb. Til leave it to Polly.
Mrs. A. Oh, very well, Sir ; but I aflure you
you fha'n't go to London again in hafle without
me A pack of your wits and geniufies cou'dn't
take you to one of their clubs
Allb. The Namby-pamby club.
Mrs. A. And only one night but you bring
home fuch a parcel of fluff, and wherret every
body with your rhymes and your rubbiih !
Allb. Yes ! but when my head is {luck up in
poet's corner, there will be rubbifh !
Mrs. A. Mr. Alibut, you're a brewer; mind
your malt and your hops.
Allb. Oh ! you unreafonable woman ! when it