About the time of the Restoration 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 shilling. 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 fenceless 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.- -aWhere 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 felf, 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 Satyrift I am. And fo farewel to this Stage for ever, I gad.

I Play. What shall we do now?

[Exit.

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

I 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.

136

EPILOGUE.

He Play is at an end, but where's the Plot?
That circumftance our Poet Bayes forgot,
And we can boaft, though 'tis a plotting Age,

No place is freer from it than the Stage.
The Ancients Plotted, though, and ftrove to please
With fence that might be understood with ease;
They every Scene with so much wit did store
That who brought any in, went out with more:
But this new way of wit does so surprise,
Men lofe their wits in wond'ring where it lyes.
If it be true, that Monftrous births prefage
The following mischiefs that afflicts the Age,
And fad difafters to the State proclaim;
Plays, without head or tail, may do the fame.
Wherefore, for ours, and for the Kingdoms peace,
May this prodigious way of writing cease.
Let's have, at least, once in our lives, a time
When we may hear some Reason, not all Rhyme :
We have these ten years felt its Influence;
Pray let this prove a year of Profe and Sence.

FINIS