[Aside.

Prais. Mrs. Wellfed, tho' last, not least.

Mrs. Wellf. That's right, Mr. Praiseall.

Prais. In Love, I meant, Mrs. Wellfed.

Mr. Wellf. Prethee, add Good Tribonus, don't steal by halves, Mr. Praiseall.

Prais. Lord, you are so quick!

Mar. Well, you are come to go with us to the Rehearsal.

Prais. 'Tis a pleasing Duty, Madam, to wait on your Ladyship: But then to hear the wondrous Product of your Brain, is such a Happiness, I only want some of Marsilia's Eloquence to express it.

Aw'dw. How this Flattery transports her! Swells her Pride almost to bursting. [Aside.

Mars. I do avow, Mr. Praiseall, you are the most complaisant Man of the Age.

Aw'dw. Are you yet at Leisure, Madam, to tell me how you do?

Mars. You see my Engagements, and have chosen a very busie Time to ask such an insignificant Question.

Aw'dw. What, it wants a Courtly Phrase?

Mars. Must I meet with nothing but interruption? Mr. Praiseall!

Prais. Madam?

Mars. I think I have not seen you these two Days.

Prais. So long I've liv'd in Greenland, seen no Sun, not felt no warmth.

Mars. Heav'ns! Mr. Praiseall, why don't you write? Words like those ought to be preserv'd in Characters indelible, not lost in Air.

Aw'dw. 'Tis pity your Ladyship does not carry a Commonplace Book.

Mars. For your self 'twou'd be more useful.—— But, as I was going to tell you, Mr. Praiseall, since I saw you, I have laid a Design to alter Cateline's Conspiracy.

Prais. An Undertaking fit for so great a Hand.

Mars. Nay, I intend to make use only of the first Speech.

Aw'dw. That will be an Alteration indeed!

Mars. Your Opinion was not ask'd. Nor wou'd I meddle with that, but to let the World, that is so partial to those old Fellows, see the difference of a modern Genius.——You know that Speech, Mr. Praiseall, and the Ladies too, I presume.

Calista. I know it so well, as to have turn'd it into Latin.

Prais. That was extraordinary. But let me tell you, Madam Calista, 'tis a harder Task to mend it in English.

Mars. True, true, Mr. Praiseall; That all the Universe must own.——Patty. Give me another Glass of Sherry, that I may speak loud and clear.——Mr. Praiseall, my Service to you.

Prais. I kiss your unequall'd Hand.

Mrs. Wellfed. This drinking is the best part of the Entertainment in my Opinion. [Aside.

Mars. Now, Mr. Praiseall.

Prais. I am all Ear.

Mars. I wou'd you were——I was just beginning to speak.

Prais. Mum, I ha' done a Fault.

Aw'dw. Sure this Scene will chace her from my Soul. [Aside.

Mars. Thy Head! Thy Head! Proud City!— I'll say no more of his; I don't love to repeat other Peoples Works;—now my own.— Thy solid Stones, and thy cemented Walls, this Arm shall scatter into Atoms; then on thy Ruins will I mount! Mount my aspiring Spirit mount! Hit yon Azure Roof, and justle Gods;— [Ex. Patty. My Fan, my Fan, Patty.— [All clap.

Prais. Ah! Poor Ben! Poor Ben! You know, Madam, there was a famous Poet pick'd many a Hole in his Coat in several Prefaces.—He found fault, but never mended the Matter—Your Ladyship has lay'd his Honour in the Dust.—Poor Ben! 'Tis well thou art dead; this News had broke thy Heart.

Mars. Then in the Conspiracy, I make Fulvia a Woman of the nicest Honour; and such Scenes!

Mrs. Wellf. Madam, you forget the Rehearsal.

Mars. Oh Gods! That I could live in a Cave! Ecchoes wou'd repeat, but not interrupt me; Madam, if you are beholden to those Creatures, I am not; let 'em wait, let 'em wait, or live without me if they can.

Enter Patty.

Pat. Madam, your Chair Men are come.

Mars. Let them wait, they are paid for't.

Pat. Not yet to my Knowledge, what ever they be after the third Day; there's a long Bill I'm sure.— [Aside.

Mars. How do you think to go Mrs. Wellfed? Shall Pat. call you another Chair?

Mrs. Wellf. I have no Inclination to break poor Mens Backs; I thank you, Madam, I'll go a Foot.