The Covent Garden Theatre Part 8

Sir Roger is Right Mr. Pasquin; you have made your Ladies talk too much.

and their Raillery was a little to plain.

Pas.

I did that Sir on purpose to preserve a consistency of Character; for I thought it impossible, when Ladies were in a view of Slander, to make them Speak too plain, or too much.

#Count Hunt-Bubble behind ye Scenes#

Count.

Where is the Scoundrell? d.a.m.n me, I'll break the Rascal's Head.

Officer.

Knock him down-- knock him down-- take away his Sword-- take away his Sword.

Pas.

Some Quarrell I apprehend.

Count.

You Scoundrells, I am a Gentleman, and I'll run the first Man through that Offers to lay hold on me.

Dia.

O Lud I am afraid there will be somebody kill'd.

Pas.

I beg Pardon-- We must Stop for a moment, something extraordinary has happen'd-- I'll go See what it is-- Possibly Some Quarrel behind the Scenes [#Ex: Pas.#]

Count.

How dare You-- You Rascal-- A Lady's Character-- knock him down-- I'll teach him to bring Gentlemen's Character upon the Stage.

Pas.

Pray Sir hear me,-- I have not done it.

Count.

Knock him down; beat him to Mummy.

Enter Pasquin disorder'd and b.l.o.o.d.y.

Pas.

Gentlemen, I hope you'll protect me-- You See how I am us'd.

Omn.

What's the matter, what's the matter?

Pas.

Why a Madman, being Spirited on by three or four Gamesters, drew his Sword upon me, and says I ought to be run through the Body, for bringing Gentlemen and Ladies' Characters upon the Stage.

Hyd: Do you know the Gentleman?

Pas.

Very well Sir; he is one Mr Strictland of Somersets.h.i.+re

Hyd.

Why the Man's mad-- Was it he wounded You?

Pas.

No Sir, it was a Gentleman that is with Him, whom they call the Count, a great Gamester

Hyd.

You shou'd have him Secur'd.

Pas.

He is in Custody Sir.

Sr. Rog.

Zounds let us have him brought before the Town.

Pas.

Indeed, if I thought the Audience wou'd not be displeas'd at it, I wou'd bring him on, and expose him; for he is a common Gamester, tho' he pretends to be a Man of Fas.h.i.+on.

Hyd.

I dare say the Audience will be glad, and will like the Fun of It.

Pas.

What do you Say Gentlemen? shall I bring him on? If you say the Word, I'll have him examin'd upon the Stage, before you all.

Sr. Rog.

Zounds, we are the Town, and we will have him on, whether you will or no.

Omn.

Ay, ay, on, on, on, on, on.

Pas.

Gentlemen-- I thank you; Did not I tell you Mr. Hydra, that they wou'd Act their Parts with Universal Applause. Why Sir, the French Pit, Boxes, and Galleries, are nothing to the English for vivacity & Spirit, they cou'd not have Perform'd their Parts with half this Fun and good Humour.

This now, Gentlemen is after the manner of Aristophanes, and the Italian Pasquinades. (Exit Pasquin)

Enter Pasquin immediately with Count Hunt-Bubble in Mourning.

Pas.

Sir you shall come before the Audience.

Count.

Why, you Rascal, do you think I am afraid. Gentlemen and Ladies Your Servant [#bowing to the Audience#] I is a Fellow to be Countenanced in bringing Gentlemen's Characters upon the Stage.

Pas.

I am sure Sir, I shall be Iustifiable in bringing you upon the Stage.

And so I have ye Approbation of the Town, I don't value what You or any Sharpor can do to me.

Count.

Who Says I am a Sharpor.