Capt. Abs. Oh, it was very unkind of her to be well in your absence to be sure!

Acres. Good apartments, Jack.

Faulk. Well, sir, but you were saying, that miss Melville has been so exceedingly well-what then, she has been merry and gay, I suppose?—always in spirits, hey? Acres. Merry, odds crickets! she has been the bell and spirit of the company, wherever she has been-so lively and entertaining! so full of wit and humour!

Faulk. By my soul! there is an innate levity in woman, that nothing can What! happy, and I away!

overcome.

Capt. Abs. Just now, you were only apprehensive for your mistress's spirits.

Faulk. Why, Jack, have I been the joy and spirit of the company?

Capt. Abs. No, indeed, you have not.

Faulk. Have I been lively and entertaining?
Capt. Abs. O, upon my word, I acquit you.
Faulk. Have I been full of wit and humour?

Capt. Abs. No, 'faith, to do you justice, you have been confoundedly stupid, indeed.

Acres. What's the matter with the gentleman ?

Capt. Abs. He is only expressing his great satisfaction, at hearing that Julia has been so well and happy-that's all-bey, Faulkland?

Faulk. Yes, yes, she has a happy disposition!

-

Acres. That she has, indeed-then she is so accomplished so sweet a voice- so expert at her harpsichord-such a mistress of flat and sharp, squallante, rumblante, and quiverante!—there was this time monthodds minnums and crotchets! how she did cherup at Mrs. Piano's concert!

Faulk. Fool! fool that I am! to fix all my happiness on such a trifler! 'Sdeath! to make herself the pipe and

Q

balladmonger of a circle! to sooth her light heart with catches and glees!-What can you say to this, sir?

Capt. Abs. Why, that I should be glad to hear my mistress had been so merry, sir.

Faulk. Nay, nay, nay-I'm not sorry, that she has been happy-no, no, I am glad of that-I would not have had her sad or sick-but she has been dancing too, I doubt not?

Acres. What does the gentleman say about dancing? Capt. Abs. He says the lady we speak of dances as well as she sings.

Acres. Ay, truly, does she-there was at our last race ball

Faulk. Hell and the devil! There! there-I told you so! I told you so! oh! she thrives in my absence—! dancing! but her whole feelings have been in opposition: with mine; -I have been anxious, silent, pensive, sedentary my days have been hours of care, my nights of watchfulness. She has been all health! spirit! laugh! song! dance!-oh! monstrous, monstrous levity!

Capt. Abs. For Heaven's sake! Faulkland, don't expose yourself so.-Suppose she has danced, what then?does not the ceremony of society often oblige

Faulk. Well, well, I'll contain myself-perhaps, as you say for form sake. What, Mr. Acres, you were praising miss Melville's manner of dancing a minuet — hey?

Acres. O, I dare insure her for that—but what I was going to speak of was her country dancing:-odds swimmings! she has such an air with her!

Faulk. Now disappointment on her-defend this, Absolute, why don't you defend this?-country dances! jiggs and reels; am I to blame now? a minuet I could have forgiven I should not have minded that—I say, I should not have regarded a minuet-but country dances!

Oh! had she made one in a cotillion- I believe I could have forgiven even that—but to be monkey led for a night!to run the gauntlet, through a string of amorous, palming puppies! - to show paces, like a managed filly! Oh, Jack, there never can be but one man in the world, whom a truly modest and delicate woman ought to pair with in a country dance; and even then the rest of the couples should be her great uncles and aunts!

Capt. Abs. Ay, to be sure! grandfathers and grand

mothers!

Faulk. If there be but one vicious mind in the set, it will spread like a contagion — the atmosphere becomes electrical to love, and each amorous spark darts through every link of the chain!-I must leave you—I own I am somewhat flurried-and that confounded looby has perceived it. THE RIVALS.

KATHARINE SUMMONED BEFORE THE HIGH COMMISSION COURT.

Scene, a Hall in Black Friars.

The Court sitting for the Trial of Queen Katharine - The King, Wolsey, Campeius, Norfolk, Suffolk, Chamberlain, Lovel, Cromwell, Bishops, Judges, Gentlemen and Ladies, Clerk of the Court, Officers and Guards, discovered.

Wol. Whilst our commission from Rome is read, Let silence be commanded.

King. What's the need?

It hath already publickly been read,

And on all sides the authority allow'd;

You may then spare that time.

Wol. Be't so:-proceed.

Crom. Say, Henry, king of England, come into the court,

1

Clerk. Henry, king of England, &c.
King. Here.

Crom. Say, Katharine, queen of England, come into the

court.

Clerk. Katharine, queen of England, &c.

Enter the Queen, preceded by Guildford, with a Cushion, which he places; then the Queen kneels.

Queen. Sir, I desire you do me right and justice,
And to bestow your pity on me: for

I am a most poor woman, and a stranger,
Born out of your dominions; having here
No judge indifferent, nor no more assurance

Of equal friendship and proceeding-[She rises] Alas, sir,
In what have I offended you? what cause
Hath my behaviour given to your displeasure,

That thus you should proceed to put me off,

And take your good grace from me? Heaven witness,

I have been to you a true and humble wife,

At all times to your will conformable.

Sir, call to mind,

That I have been your wife in this obedience,
Upward of twenty years, and have been bless'd
With many children by you: if, in the course
And process of this time, you can report,
And prove it too, against mine honour aught,
My bond to wedlock, or my love and duty
Against your sacred person, in God's name,
Turn me away; and let the foul'st contempt
Shut door upon me, and so give me up
To the sharpest kind of justice. Please you, sir,
The king, your father, was reputed for
A prince most prudent, of an excellent
And unmatch'd wit and judgment: Ferdinand,
My father, king of Spain, was reckon❜d one
The wisest prince, that there had reign'd by many

A year before it is not to be question'd,

That they had gather'd a wise council to them
Of every realm, that did debate this business,

Who deem'd our marriage lawful wherefore I humbly Beseech you, sir, to spare me, till I may

Be by my friends in Spain advis'd; whose counsel

I will implore: if not, i' the name of Heaven,
Your pleasure be fulfill'd!

Wol. You have here, lady,

And of your choice, these reverend fathers; men
Of singular integrity and learning,

Yea, the elect of the land, who are assembled
To plead your cause it shall be therefore bootless,
That longer you defer the court! as well

For your own quiet, as to rectify

What is unsettled in the king.

Hath spoken well, and justly: therefore, madam,
It's fit this royal session do proceed;

And that, without delay, their arguments

Be now produc'd, and heard.

Queen. Lord Cardinal,

To you I speak.

Wol. Your pleasure, madam?

Queen. Sir,

I am about to weep; but, thinking that

[Campeius rises.

[Wolsey advances.

We are a queen (or long have dream'd so), certain,

The daughter of a king, my drops of tears

I'll turn to sparks of fire.

Wol. Be patient yet.

Queen. I will, when you are humble! nay, before, Or Heav'n will punish me. I do believe,

Induc'd by potent circumstances, that

You are mine enemy; and make my challenge.
You shall not be my judge; for it is you