ift Play. I hope, Sir, in the catastrophe you have not run into the abfurdity of your last piece? Poet. I know that I have been unjustly accused of having given up my moral for a joke, like a fine gentleman in converfation; but whatever be the event now, I will not fo much as feem to give up my moral. ift Play. Really, Sir, an author fhould comply with the customs and taste of the town.-I am indeed afraid too that your fatire here and there is too free. A man fhould be cautious how he mentions any vice whatsoever before good company, left fomebody prefent fhould apply it to himself. Poet. The ftage, Sir, hath the privilege of the pulpit, to attack vice however dignified or distinguished; and preachers and poets fhould not be too well bred upon thefe occafions: nobody can overdo it when he attacks the vice and not the perfon. ift Play. But how can you hinder malicious appli-. cations? Poet. Let those answer for them who make them. I aim at no particular perfons; my strokes are at vice in general; but if any men particularly vicious are hurt, I make no apology, but leave them to the cure of their flatterers. If an author write in character, the lower people reflect on the follies and vices of the rich and great, and an Indian judges and talks of Europeans, by those he hath feen and converfed with, &c. And I will venture to own, that I wish every man of power or riches were really and apparently virtuous; which would foon amend and reform the common people, who act by imitation. f Play. But a little indulgence and partiality to the vices of your own country, without doubt, would be looked upon as more difcreet. Though your fatire, Sir, is on vices in general, it must and will give offence; every vicious man thinks you particular, for confcience will make self-application. And why will you make yourself fo many enemies? Ifay no more upon this head. As to us, I hope you are fatisfied we have done all we could for you; for you will now have the advantage of all our best fingers. Enter Enter 2d Player. 2d Play. It is impoffible to perform the opera tonight, all the fine fingers within are out of humour with their parts. The tenor fays, he was never offered fuch an indignity, and in a rage flung his clean lambfkin gloves into the fire; he fwears that in his whole life he never did fing, would fing, or could fing, but in true kid. If Play. Mufic might tame and civilize wild beafts ; but it is evident it never yet could tame and civilize muficians. Enter 3d Player. 3d Play, Sir, Signora Crotchetta fays, fhe finds her character fo low that the had rather die than fing it. if Pla. Tell her, by her contract I can make her fing it. Enter Signora Crotchetta. Crotch, Barbarous tramontane! Where are all the lovers of vertu? Will they not all rife in arms in my defence? Make me fing it! good gods! fhould I tamely fubmit to fuch ufage, I fhould debafe myfelf through. all Europe. ift Play. In the opera, nine or ten years ago, I remember, Madam, your appearance in a character little better than a fish. Crotch. A fish! monstrous! Let me inform you, Sir, that a mermaid or fyren is not many removes from a feagoddefs; or I had never fubmitted to be that fish which you are pleafed to call me, by way of reproach. I have a cold, Sir, I am fick. I do not fee why I may not be allowed the privilege of fickness now and then as well as others. If a finger may not be indulged in her hu mours, I am fure the will foon become of no confequence to the town. And fo, Sir, I have cold; I am hoarfe. I hope now you are fatisfied. [Exit Crotchetta, in a fury.. Enter 4th Player. 4th Play. Sir, the bafe voice in fifts upon pearl-coloured ftockings and red-heeled fhoes. ift Play. There is no governing caprice. But how fhall we make our excufes to the house ? 4th Play. 4th Play. Since the town was last year fo good as to encourage an opera without fingers; the favour I was then fhewn obliges me to offer myself once more, rather than the audience fhould be difmiffed. All the other comedians, upon this emergency, are willing to do their beft, and hope for your favour and indulgence. ift Play. Ladies and gentlemen, as we wish to do every thing for your diverfion, and that fingers only will come when they will come, we beg you to excufe this unforeseen accident, and to except the propofal of the comedians, who rely wholly on your courtesy and protection. [Exeunt. The OVERTURE. DRA DRAMATIS PERSONE. MEN. Mr. Ducat, a Weft-Indian planter. Morana (alias Macheath) captain of the pirates. Vanderbluff, Capítern, Hacker, Pirates. Culverin, Pohetohee, an Indian king. Cawwawkee, his fon. Servants, Indians, Pirates, Guards, &e. PO L L Υ. T HOUGH you were born and bred and live in the" Indies, as you are a fubject of Britain you should live up to our customs. Prodigality there, is a fashion that is among all ranks of people. Why, our very younger brothers push themselves into the polite world by fquandering more than they are worth. You are wealthy, very wealthy, Mr. Ducat; and I grant you, the more you have, the taste of getting more fhould grow ftronger upon you. 'Tis juft fo with us. But then the richest of our lords and gentlemen, who live elegantly, always run out. 'Tis genteel to be in debt. Your luxury fhould diftinguish you from the vulgar. You cannot be too expenfive in your pleasures. AIR I. The disappointed widow. The manners of the great affect: If confcience had their genius checkt, How got they treasure ? The more in debt, run in debt the more, Careless who is undone : Morals and honefty leave to the poor, As they do at London. Duc. I never thought to have heard thrift laid to my charge. There is not a man, though I fay it, in the whole |