more; but I defie all your Histories, and your Romances too, I gad, to fhew me one fuch Conqueror, as this Drawcanfir.

JOHNS. I fwear, I think you may.

SMI. But, Mr. Bayes, how shall all these dead men go off? for I fee none alive to help 'em.

BAYES. Go off! why, as they came on; upon their legs: how should they go off? Why, do you think the people do not know they are not dead? He is mighty ignorant, poor man; your friend here is very filly, Mr. Johnfon, I gad, he is. Come, Sir, I'l fhow you go off. Rife, Sirs, and go about your business. There's go off for you. Hark you, Mr. Ivory. Gentlemen, I'l be with you presently.

JOHNS. Will you fo? then we'l be gone.

[Exit.

SMI. I, pr'ythee let's go, that we may preferve our hearing. One Battel more would take mine quite away. [Exeunt.

Enter BAYES and Players.

BAYES. Where are the Gentlemen?

1 Play. They are gone, Sir.

BAYES. Gone! 'Sdeath, this laft Act is beft of all.

I'l go fetch 'em again.

[Exit. 3 Play. Stay, here's a foul piece of papyr of his. Let's fee what 'tis.

[Reads. The Argument of the Fifth Act. Cloris, at length, being fenfible of Prince Prettyman's paffion, confents to marry him; but, juft as they are going to Church, Prince Pretty-man meeting, by chance, with old Foan the Chandlers widow, and remembring it was the that brought him acquainted with Cloris: out of a high point of honour, break off his match with Cloris, and marries old Foan. Upon which, Cloris, in defpair, drowns her felf: and Prince Pretty-man, difcontentedly, walks by the River fide.

I Play. Pox on't, this will never do: 'tis just like the rest. Come, let's be gone. [Exeunt.

About the time of the Reftoration and for fome years after the fashionable hour of dining was twelve o'clock, and the play began at three. Bp. Percy.

At the end of Sir W. D'AVENANT'S "The Cruelty of the Spaniards in Peru. Expreft by Inftrumentall and Vocall Mufick, and by Art of Perspective in Scenes, &c. Represented daily at the Cockpit in Drury Lane, At Three afternoone punctually" London 1658: is the following notice :

'Notwithstanding the great expence neceffary to Scenes, and other ornaments in this Entertainment, there is a good provifion made of places for a fhilling. And it shall begin certainly at 3 after noon.'

The Rehearsal is therefore fupposed to take place in the morning.

Enter BAYES

BAYES. A plague on 'em both for me; they have made me sweat, to run after 'em. A couple of senceless rascals, that had rather go to dinner, than see this Play out, with a pox to 'em. What comfort has a man to write for fuch dull rogues? Come Mr.Where are you, Sir? come away quick, quick.

Enter Players again.

Play. Sir, they are gone to dinner.

BAYES. Yes, I know the Gentlemen are gone; but I ask for the Players.

Play. Why, an't please your worship, Sir, the Players are gone to dinner too.

BAYES. HOW! are the Players gone to Dinner? 'Tis impoffible: the Players gone to dinner! I gad, if they are, I'l make 'em know what it is to injure a person that does 'em the honour to write for 'em, and all that. A company of proud, conceited, humorous, cross-grain'd perfons, and all that. I gad, I'l make 'em the most contemptible, defpicable, inconfiderable perfons, and all that, in the whole world, for this trick. I gad, I'l be reveng'd on 'em; I'l fell this Play to the other House.

Play. Nay, good, Sir, don't take away the Book; you'l disappoint the Town, that comes to fee it acted here, this afternoon.

BAYES. That's all one. I must reserve this comfort to my self, my Book and I will go together, we will not part, indeed, Sir. The Town! why, what care I for the Town? I gad, the Town has us'd me as fcurvily, as the Players have done : but I'l be reveng'd on them too: I will both Lampoon and print 'em too, I gad. Since they will not admit of my Plays, they shall know what a Satyrist I am. And fo farewel to this Stage for ever, I gad. [Exit.

Play. What shall we do now?

2 Play. Come then, let's fet up Bills for another Play: We fhall lofe nothing by this, I warrant you.

1 Play. I am of your opinion. But, before we go, let's fee Haynes, and Shirley practise the last Dance; for that may serve for another Play.

2 Play. I'l call 'em : I think they are in the Tyring

room.

The Dance done.

1 Play. Come, come; let's go away to dinner.

[Exeunt omnes.