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Show 54 The-R E H E A R S A L. Smith. Yes, Sir : but I think I fhould hardlv f,» tho', for all that. } car Bayes. By m y troth, Sir, but you would tho', when you fee it : for I make them both come out in Armour Cap-a-pie, with their Swords drawn, and huno- with a Scarlet Ribbon at their Wrift ; which, you know, reft fents fighting enough. ^ Johnf. Ay, ay; fo much, that if I w e r e in your place, I would make 'em go out again, without ever fpeaking one werd. Bayes. N o , there you are out; for I make each of \m hold a Lute in his hand. Smith. H o w , Sir, inftead of a Buckler ? Bayes. O Lord, O Lord ! inftead of a Buckler ? Prav Sir, do you ask no more Queftions. I make 'em Sirs' play the Battle in Recitative. And here's the Co'nccit' Juft at the very fame inftant that one fmgs, the other, Sir recovers you his Sword, and puts himfelf into a warlike Pofture ; fo that you have at once your Ear entertained with Mufick and good Language, and vour Eye fatisfy'd with the Garb and Accoutrements of War. Smith. I confefs, Sir, you flupify me. Bayes. You fhall fee. Johnf. But, M r . Bayes, might not w e have a little fight-ing ? for I love thofe 1'lays where they cut and flafh one another ^pon the Stage for a whole Hour together. Bayer. W h y , then to tell you true, I have contriv'd it both ways : but you fhall have m y Recitativo firft. Johnf. Ay, now you are right: there is nothing then can be objected againft it. Bayes. True : and fo I'gad I'll make it too a Tragedy in a trice. Enter at feveral Doors the General, and Lieutenant General, armd Cap-a-pie, with each of them a Lute in his h<,nd, and a Sword drawn, and hung with a jcarht Ribbon at his Wrifi. Lieut. Gen. Villain, thou lyeft ! Gen. Arm, arm, Gonfalt/o, arm ; what ho ! The Lye no Flefti can brook, I trow. Lieut. Gen. Advance from Aclon with the Mufqueteers. Gen. Draw down the Chelfea Cuiraftiers. Lieut. The R E H E A R S A L . 55 Lieut. Gen. T h e Band you boaft of Chelfea Cuiraftiers* Shall, in m y Putney Pikes, now meet their Peers. Gen. Cbifwickians, aged and renown'd in Fio-ht, Join with the Hammerfmith Brigade. Lieut. Gen. You'll find m y Mortlake Boys will do them right, Unlefs by Fulham Numbers over-laid. Gen. Let the Left-Wing of TwiclCnam Foot advance, And line that Faftern Hedge. Lieut. Gen. The Florfe I rais'd in Petty-France Shall try their Chance, And fcour the Meadows, over-grown with Scdg«. Gen. Stand; give the word. Lieut. Gen. Bright Sword. Gen. That may be thine, But 'tis not mine. Lieut. Gen. Give fire, give fire, at once give fire, And let thofe recreant Troops perceive mine Ire. Gen. Purfue, purfue ; they fly That firft did give the Lye. [Exeunt. Bayes. This now is not improper, I think ; becaufe the Speclators know all thefe Towns, and m a y eafily conceive them to be within the Dominions of the two Kings of Brentford. Johnf. Moft exceeding well defign'd ! Bayes. H o w do you think I have contrived to give a flop to this Battle ? & Smith. H o w ? Bayes. By an Eclipfe ; which, let m e tell you, is a kind of Fancy that was yet never fo much as thought of, but by myfelf, and one Perfon more, that fhall be namelefs. Enter Lieutenant General. Lieut. Gen. W h a t midnight Darknefsdoes invade the Day, And fnatch the Vi&or from his conquer'd Prey ? Is the Sun weary of this bloody Fight, And winks upon us with the Eye of Light ? 'Tis an Eclipfe f This was unkind, O Moon, T o clap between m e and the Sun fo foon. Fooliih Eclipfe ! thou this in vain haft done • M y brighter Honour had eclips'd the Sun : But now behold Eclipfes two in one. [Exit. |