Smi. Where's the neceffity of that, Mr. Bayes? Bayes. Because she's surpriz'd; that's a general. rule; you must ever make a fimile, when you are furpriz'd; 'tis a new way of writing.

Cloris. As fome tall pine, which we on Ætna

find

T'have ftood the rage of many a

boist'rous wind; Feeling without, that flames within do play, Which would confume his root and fap away; He spreads his worsted arms unto the skies, Silently grieves, all pale, repines and dies : So shrouded up, your bright eye disappears, Break forth bright scorching fun, and dry my [Exit. Johnf. Mr. Bayes, methinks, this fimile wants a little application too.

tears.

As fome tall pine, &c.] In imitation of this paffage. "As fome fair tulip, by a storm opprest,

"Shrinks up, and folds its filken arms to rest:
"And bending to the blast, all pale, and dead,
"Hears from within the wind fing round its head :
"So fhrouded up your beauty disappears;
"Unveil, my love, and lay afide your fears.

"The storm, that caus'd your fright, is past and gone."

Conqueft of Granada, part

Bayes. No, faith; for it alludes to paffion, to confuming, to dying, and all that; which you know, are the natural effects of an amour. But I'm afraid, this fcene has made you fad; for I muft confefs, when I writ it, I wept myself.

Smi. No truly, Sir, my fpirits are almost exhal'd too, and I am likelier to fall asleep.

Prince Pretty-man starts up and fays---

Pret. It is refolv'd.

Bayes. That's all.

[Exit.

Smi. Mr. Bayes, may one be fo bold as to afk you one question now, and you not be angry?

Bayes. O lord, Sir, you may ask me any thing that you pleafe; I vow to gad, you do me a great deal of honour: you do not know me, if you fay that, Sir.

Smi. Then pray, Sir, what is it, that this prince here has refolv'd in his fleep?

Bayes. Why, I must confefs, that question is well enough afk'd, for one that is not acquainted with this new way of writing. But you must know, Sir, that to out-do all my fellow writers, whereas they keep their intrigo fecret, till the

very

very last scene before the dance; I now, Sir, (do you mark me)---a---.

Smi. Begin the play, and end it, without ever opening the plot at all.

Bayes. I do fo, that's the very plain truth on't; ha, ha, ha; I do, I'gad. If they cannot find it out themselves, e'en let 'em alone for Bayes, I warrant you. But here now is a scene of business: pray obferve it; for I dare fay you'll think this no unwife difcourfe, nor ill argu'd. To tell you true, 'tis a discourse I over-heard once betwixt two grand, fober, governing perfons.

Enter Gentleman Ufher and Physician.

Uh. Come, Sir, let's ftate the matter of fact, and lay our heads together.

Phyf. Right, lay our heads together. I love to be merry fometimes; but when a knotty point comes, I lay my head clofe to it, with a fnuff-box in my hand, and then I fegue it away i'faith. Bayes. I do juft fo, l'gad, always.

Ub. The grand question is, Whether they heard us whisper? Which I divide thus.

Phyf. Yes, it must be divided fo indeed.

Smi. That's very complaifant I fwear, Mr. Bayes, to be of another man's opinion, before he knows what it is.

Bayes. Nay, I bring in none here but well bred perfons, I affure you.

Uh. I divide the question into when they heard, what they heard, and whether they heard or no. Johnf. Moft admirably divided, I fwear!

Uh. As to the when; you say just now: so that is answered. Then as for what; why, what anfwers itself; for what could they hear, but what we talk'd of? fo that naturally, and of neceffity, we come to the laft queftion, viz. Whether they heard or no?

Smi. This is a very wife fcene, Mr. Bayes.

Bayes. Ay, you have it right; they are both politicians.

Uh. Pray then, to proceed in method, let me ask you that question.

Phyf. No you'll answer better, pray let me afk

it you.

Uh. Your will must be a law.

Phyf. Come then, what is't I must ask?

Smi. This politician, I perceive, Mr. Bayes, has fomewhat a fhort memory.

Bayes.

Bayes. Why, Sir, you must know, that t'other is the main politician, and this is but his pupil. Uh. You must ask me whether they heard us whisper.

Phyf. Well I do fa.

Uh. Say it then.

Smi. Hey day! here's the braveft work that ever I faw.

Johnf. This is mighty methodical!

Bayes. Ay, Sir; that's the way, 'tis the way of art; there is no other way, I'gad, in business. Phyf. Did they hear us whisper?

Uh. Why, truly, I can't tell; there's much to be faid upon the word whifper; to whisper, in Latin is fufurrare, which is as much as to say, to fpeak foftly; now, if they heard us fpeak foftly, they heard us whisper: but then comes in the quomodo, the how; how did they hear us whisper? Why, as to that, there are two ways; the one by chance or accident, the other on purpose; that is, with defign to hear us whisper.

Phyf. Nay, if they heard us that way, I'll never give 'em phyfick more.

Uh. Nor I e'er more will walk abroad before 'em.

Bayes.