II.

Whatever her for content there is scope:

age,

If young she gives rapture, if old she gives hope: And her soft roguish glances, for current shall pass, Tho' I know one at least of her sparklers is glass.

III.

Tho' the lily ne'er bloom'd on her cheek, and the rose,
Finds its only delight on the tip of her nose;
Yet I'd wed the dear creature, and pocket her pelf,
But a leg made of cork is the devil itself.

[Exit.

Just. F. (solus) Climbing pear trees! leg made of cork!—mad, certainly mad; mad as a march hare, or a poet in love.

Enter CONSTANT from the Closet.

[Exit.

Cons. Here's a discovery! she never even hinted at this accident in any of her letters to me; but no matter, her treachery is evident, and it is my duty to forget her.

AIR 9th.

'Tis fixt; I disdain

Of my fate to complain,

Tho' the trial I prove is severe;

"Tis better to know,

The full measure of

woe,

Than to live on the rack of despair :

Come, pride bring me back my soft hours of rest, Whilst I blush for the pangs I endure;

Oblivion, erase her false form from my breast,

And scorn and contempt be my cure.

Scene, the Village.

[Exit.

Enter CARELESS with his gun, he sings the following

AIR 10th.

When smoke upwreaths from humble cots,

And milkmaids fill their pails,

And nature's dewy robe of green,
The breath of morn exhales:
When o'er the mist emerging hill,
The rosy sunbeams play,
And twinkle in the lucid drops,

Which gem the hawthorn spray :

Th' impatient pointers we unbind,
Eager and panting from their den,
O'er stubble-field, and heath and fen,
They sweep the dew and snuff the wind,
See Nero draw upon the game,
With fearful step and slow,
And Sancho, jealous of his fame,
His speed at once command.
To ho! To ho! To ho!

Now fixt as death, they stand:

On whirring wings

The covey springs,

The leaden volley flies,

And one decreed,

By fate to breed,

Flutters in air, and dies.

Enter GRACE.

Gra. Oh, sir, is it you? I've been looking for you all over the village.

Carel. Indeed is there any thing I can do for you? Gra. Yes sir, there is a business, which if I could take so great a liberty with a stranger,

Carel. Nay then, speak boldly; for the greatest liberty you can take with me, is to make me a stranger.

Gra. The favour I wish you to confer on me, is to protect from oppression the good old man your host. Carel. Who is his oppressor ?

Gra. By protecting me, he has incurred the displeasure of the rich and powerful; tho' an industrious man, he is somewhat behind in his rent; and his unfeeling landlord has threatened to put the law in force against him. Here is a picture, 'tis the faithful resemblance of a decased mother; the diamonds are of some value; take it, and if by disposing of it in

Carel. By heavens, it must not be! dispose of it did you say? I'll be its faithful guardian till the danger is over. Go back to the old gentleman, and tell him that by entertaining a couple of strangers, he has done a good turn for himself. Rather than he shall come to harm, I'll pay the money.

Gra. Oh, sir, this generosity

Carel. Nay, no thanks.

Gra. Indeed I know not how to thank you; and yet

AIR 11th.

Nay gentle stranger do not blame

My gratitude sincere,

Accept for thanks what words would shame,

The language of a tear;

The pow'r I want, yet have the will,
Such kindness to repay,

For tho' my tongue may falter still,
My heart will something say.

[Exit.

Carel. (solus) On my soul, she's a charming girl, and there must be something in her history. (Enter CONSTANT.) Well, what success?

Cons. Nay, I should ask you that — but I've a story to tell thee, which would burst thy sides with laughter, tho' thou wert a disciple of the crying philosopher.

Carel. And I've a story to tell you, which as it respects the unfortunate, whom all should respect, shall have the preference.

Cons. Well?

Care. I have been talking here to our pretty barmaid.

Cons. Very closely it appeared

Carel. And have learnt from her, that our host is in danger of having his goods seized to pay his rent. This she told me with difficulty, for her tears flowed faster than her words, and taking from her pocket this picture. (Gives the picture to CONSTANT, who appears agitated.)

Cons. Well!