The great Square. At the right corner, in front, GRIPE's house, with a low door on its side to the Square, and over the door a window ; some paces backward toward the centre of the Stage, rises a large quadrangular pyramid; at the left corner of the Square, in front, stands HUNKS's house, viewed in profile; in its side facing the audience, are two windows, the lower defended by iron bars, from top to bottom. Other Buildings, as mosques, minarets, dwelling houses, &c. compleat the sides of the Square, to the distant flat scene, which affords a night prospect of the Sea and Harbour, shut out by a stately iron palisade. Near it, on the right hand, a single house projects—having one spa

cious and very large window on the second floor. To the left, in front, near HUNKS's house is a draw well, surrounded by a low wall, whereon are fixed two strong posts, with a cross bar at top, to support a large pulley. Two opposite Streets open into the Square. At their entrance are set up large globe lamps, casting a strong light over the whole Scene.

LIVELY, appearing at HUNKS's upper window, hems and coughs repeatedly, as signals to HARRIET.

Lively. Hem! hem !-She does not hear me, sure, I'll sing then.

-some one comingI protest, Mr. Lively-your uncle Hunkstire, retire, and let him pass.

-re

LIVELY retires, shutting his window. They keep theirs half shut, watching HUNKS's motions. HUNKS enters slowly from the left side, stops now and then, peeping round. Hunks. A murrain seize the inventor of these tell-tale lamps!—the very bane of all clandestine enterprise !-Why, here, 'tis as light as day now-I'fecks, we might as well have no night at all-Then those damn'd Janizaries-everlastingly patrolling-and prying-Vexation upon vexation!-However, 'tis luckily rather latish -and, this—a solitary quarter.—Who knows? -I may chance to execute my scheme still[Sees GRIPE at a distance.]-Paah! what interloper now? [Steps aside to observe. Jenny. [At the window seeing GRIPE.-Soh! -here comes t'other squeeze-fist-Gripe himself-away, Miss, away.

Enter GRIPE pleased, draws forth a large bunch of keys.

Gripe. Such a gull-ha! ha! ha!-Bled so freely!-but, no tick-no, no, the rooks would not tick-Pise on it! he has had a devilish tumble ;-Well, well---speed the plough-his loss, my gain-Twenty per cent premium, and two per cent by the hour-no bad Tontine.

AIR.

Let the novice depend on his luck,
On his science the gambler projest;

Lively. [Aside, opening his window softly.] Pest seize him! will he never be gone!

[Shuts it.

Hunks. [Again surveying the Pyramid.] No child's play, to make a breach here must get help, I'fecks?[Ponders.] Gripe-yes, the very stick -but he-He'll be for going snacks-well, better give half than lose all-Ay, ay—and here he comes just in the nick.

[GRIPE comes forth, locks his door, and pockets the keys.] Safe bindGripe, [To, himself, while locking the door.] -safe find- -Forage abroad, but guard at home-Pise on't-how I loiter

[Hobbling away, HUNKS calls after. Hunks. Gripe!- -Gossip GripeGripe. [Looking back with a nod.] Good night-Can't stay

Hunks. A moment-Lord, man!-what's your hurry?

Gripe. [Coming back.] Hurry!-whySquander, the young factor-fallen in at hazard yonder, with some knowing ones—is fleeced

Hunks. [Earnestly.] And at what interest? Gripe. Pise on it- -a mere nothing-Two per

cent.

Hunks. [In surprise.] Are you turn'd fool?
-Two per cent?

Gripe. Ay-by the hour. Hunks. Oh! cry you mercyBut Gossip! -[with a mysterious air.] I- -Observe that Pyramid- Yesterday, in a vault-beneath that Pyramid- was interred the late Mufti

Gripe. [With indifference.] Well-peace be with him.

Hunks. Y-e-s-and his rhino with us! for you must know-that, here in Smyrna-when a Mufti dies-they bury all his riches with him --they do, i'fecks.

Gripe. Indeed?-in that case-'twou'd scarce vex a man to die.

Hunks. It does mitigate to be sure. Gripe. [After a pause.] All his riches buried with him? [Eying the Pyramid, then eagerly to HUNKS.] Pise on it, Gossip!-here were a venture now! Eh?

banns there They'd instantly call us to account for their fortunes.

Hunks, They would-and be ever gaping, gaping at ours-But-we waste time-Come, come along with me, to get the implements for our enterprize.

Gripe. Can't you as well step for them yourself?-one business must not obstruct anotherI'll but carry my spark this cash-just hard by— and be back presently. [Exeunt severally.

-I

Har.

Hunks. [Seeming to hesitate.] And yethave my scruples- -A'n't it a sin, think you? -so rich a prize!

Gripe. We're to go halves!

Hunks. A sacrilege? eh!

Gripe. Not if we go halves.

RECITATIVE.

Gripe.

Hunks.

} A foe to wine, 'tis true, 'tis true;

A foe to wine, 'tis true, 'tis true. Let's take.

-Let's seize on all he left. 'Tis lawful spoil,

Gripe. Not sinful theft.

Hunks. 'Tis lawful spoil, not sinful theft. [They shake hands and are going off, when LIVELY appears at his window.

Lively. Rot them, will they sleep here ?-Ah! he saw me. [Shuts it. Gripe. [Turning hastily] Ha! somebody at that window methought!

Hunks. My hopeful nephew, 'tis like a scapegrace! but, i'fecks, I shall soon rid my hands of him-I'll shut him up in a mad-house!

Gripe. An excellent scheme !-Ay, ay, clean straw and a dark cell,-The whipster flirts with

ment I feel.

My Harriet.

-My Lively.

Lively. My Harriet.

My Lively.

Har.
Lively. In vain they our hearts would dissever.
I love, and will love you for ever;

Har, In vain they our hearts would dissever. Lively. For Harriet I live, and for Harriet would die.

Har. Ah! Lively I swear, and this heart cannot lie,

Lively. Har.

I will ne'er be but yours.

What! Never? Nor ever will I be but yours.

-What! Never?

AIR.

Haste, let us fly from this land of oppression, Where beauty is led like a pig in a string; A heart that's divided, to share in succession, My mind (too exalted) I never can bring.

A bird in hand's an old expression,

That two in the bush is not one in possession; We'll bring the proud infidels to a confession,

That women have souls as well as the men.

Quick, then, away to an island of pleasure, Where each happy female may do as they please, Where liberty's reckon'd the choicest of treasure; Then fly, and the kind opportunity seize.

The bird in hand's an old expression, That two in the bush is not one in possession; We'll bring the proud infidels to a confession, That women have souls as well as the men.

Lively. Why are not we gone then? What stops us?

Jenny. Stops!-What stops many an hopeful project? lack of cash-[Looking archly at him.] Are you flush, Sir? [He shakes his head sorrowfully. -So I thought and therefore hold it bad policy to leave all Miss's fortune, all her Mama's effects, in Gripe's clutchesCheer up, however-a lucky crisis may come, and trust me for not letting it slip.

Lively. Infernal muck-worms'Sdeath! I grow wild with resentment; but you, my love, -you seem quite unconcern'd.

Har. Pardon me, dear Lively!-I feel the utmost contempt of their depravity, mixed with a kind of pity for my uncle's foible.-But [Taking his hand, and looking fondly at him.] the

truth is-that

AIR.

At thy presence, vengeful passion,
Envy, hate, and indignation,

From this tranquil bosom fly.
Wealth, by gold, let miscreants measure,
Be but Lively's heart my treasure,
Gripe will be less rich thun I.

Jenny. In, in, get ye in-here's Gripe a-coming.

Har My uncle! O lud! I shall die in fright. [Runs into the house with Jenny, who locks

the door.

Lively. [Leaping in at his window, and replucing the bar.] Plague welcome him.

Enter GRIPE, walking leisurely, with a parch

ment bond in his hand.

-I ha' totted it up-200 pistoles, at two per cent by the hour, will amount, in six months, (with interest upon interest) to about 20,000!. sterling. Good! good!-Pise on it! I'll have an execution in petto-then, souse-his maga zines-his town house-his villa—all mine, all mine.-Come, come,-upon the whole, no dear purchase.

AIR.

If the proverb has truly asserted,
That "a fool and his cash soon are parted,"
Like truth in the contrary it lies;
That, who has it, and keeps it, is wise,
Fools are spouts,whence the rich torrent rushes,
We, the cisterns, to save all that gushes ;
And prevent it from running to waste.
While the ninnies

Are melting their guineas,
Some lurking regret still within is,
But we, without a sigh,
Pick up, what they let fly;
Their envy we, and they our jest.

[Pulls out his bunch of keys, and unlocks his door leaving the key in the lock; then calls JENNY.

Gripe. Jenny! Jenny! I say.
Jenny. [Above at the window.] Sir.
Gripe. Fetch hither my supper, hussy.
Jenny. Your every day, supper, sir?

Gripe. Yes, and the bottle of Cyprus wine. [Exit JENNY. He takes a turn in the square, lowards HUNKS's house.] I have made too good a day's work on't, to grudge myself wine at night.

Lively. [Softly opening the window.] What is he muttering there.

window.] A lucky day has this been, both to Gripe. [To himself, coming just under the Hunks and meand to-morrow, he'll pin up the basket, by getting that nephew of his confined. Lively. [Aside.] How, how?-the fusty kidnapper! -confined?—I shall give him the slip, though. [Withdraws, shutting the window.

GRIPE, retreating towards his own door, is met by Jenny, carrying a morsel of bread, a phial bottle half full of wine, and o diminutive glass, on a pewter plate.

Jenny. Here, sir