Squire. True; and paying them would be only encouraging them.

Merryman. I wish Moses had brought a couple of bottles of brandy in his

of sample: I hope it is good.

pocket by way

proof of it from But now, let's

Squire. We shall soon see a the colour of your proboscis. join the company, and allay our impatience by rattling the bones till Moses returns.-" Success to usury!"

[Exeunt.

CHAPTER XIII.

CONTAINS OTHER SCENES FROM THE SAME COMEDY.

SCENE.---A Room in Snarldown House. The Squire and his Companions discovered with Dice-Boxes, &c.

Squire. WHAT a confounded run of ill-luck! Brush. (takes the dice-box.) Come, seven's the main-who'll set me? What say you, Squire, to a brace of hundreds?

Squire. No-I'll try one more.
Brush. Done!-Who else?
1 Player. Another hundred.
Brush. Done!

2 Player. Another.

Brush. I take it.

Several Players. Another-another-another.

Brush, Done-done-done-(He throws.) In! (pockets the cash and bills.) Squire, that makes another hundred.-You'll go on? Squire. No-no more. Brush. Who sets ? 1 Player. Fifty.

2 Player. One hundred.

3 Player. Fifty.

Brush. I take you all. (Throws.) Out!· There, Squire, you would have won if you had had any heart. What signifies putting luck into your mouth, if you won't chop it? Come, take the box, and I'll set you a hundred.

Squire. Done. I'll try once more. Seven's the main. Who sets ?

1 Player. One hundred.
2 Player. Another.
3 Player. Another.

4 Player. Another.

Squire. All done! (Throws.) Out, by all that's unfortunate! I'll play no more this night. Brush. Poh! luck will turn-good Fortune is at the bottom of the box; she's only some time before she comes out to smile on you.

Squire. (rising and throwing down the box.)

I'll court the jade no more.-(Aside.) Four thousand gone already. If Moses does not come soon, all the money will be melted before he brings it.

[He traverses the room, whilst the rest of the company continue playing with all the extravagant tokens of exultation or despair, as they either win or lose.

Enter Merryman, reeling.

Squire. What, you've found your way into the cellar, as usual, Dickey!

Merryman. Aye, and there is more sense in that, than in playing with a parcel of bones, like children.

Squire. I wish I had been there too.-
Merryman. Moses is come back.

Squire. We'll slip away; they are so busy

that they'll not perceive us going.

[Exeunt. 1 Player. Do any of you go to see Sam Sinew, and Bill Bottom, fight next week ? 2 Player. What are the stakes?

1 Player. Three hundred guineas a side.

S Player. How are bets?

1 Player. Pretty level. to back either of them?

Have you a mind

3 Player. Bill Bottom for a hundred!

1 Player. I've made my bets on the same side.

3 Player. Which does the Squire back? 1 Player. Sam Sinew.

3 Player. Then I'll take the other side. 2 Player. And so will I.

4 Player. Do you suspect, then, that the battle will be sold?

3 Player. No matter for my reasons.

Brush. A plague o' your pugilistic matches! I would rather see two butchers' dogs fight. Only a depraved taste could take delight in such brutal exhibitions. Our very amusements should carry some intellectual food with them. Come, who'll set me?

Re-enter Squire and Merryman.

-I hold the box, Squire; what say you to another hundred?

Squire. Positively, no more this night.