this issue of some less serious hours to your tuition, , I appeal from the severity of censure to the mercy of your judgments; and shall rate it at a higher value than when it was mine own, if you only allow it the favour of adoption. Thus, as your happiness in the fruition of each other's love

proceeds to a constancy; so the truth of mine shall appear less unshaken, as you shall please to continue in your good opinions

John FORD.

PROLOGUE.

LANGUAGE and matter, with a fit of mirth,
That sharply savours more of air than earth,
Like midwives, bring a play to timely birth.

But where's now such a one, in which these three,
Are handsomely contriv'd? or, if they be,
Are understood by all who hear to see?

Wit, wit's the word in fashion, that alone
Cries up the poet, which, though neatly shown,
Is rather censured, oftentimes, than known.

He who will venture on a jest, that can
Rail on another's pain, or idly scan
Affairs of state, oh! he's the only man!
A goodly approbation, which must bring
Fame with contempt, by such a deadly sting!
The Muses chatter, who were wont to sing.

а

Your favours in what we present to-day ;
Our fearless author boldly bids me say,
He tenders you no satire, but a play;

In which, if so he have not hit all right,
For wit, words, mirth, and matter as he might,
He wishes yet he had, for your delight,

MASTER BIRD."

DRAMATIS PERSONÆ.

AURIA, a noble Genoese.
ADURNI, a young lord.
AURELIO, friend to Auria.
Malfato, a discontented lover.
TRELCATIO,
MARTINO,

citizens of Genoa. PIERO,

dependents on ADURNI.
FUTELLI,
Guzman, a braggadoccio Spaniard.
Fulgoso, an upstart gallant.
BENATZI, husband to LEVIDOLCHE.

} }

SPINELLA, wife to Auria.
CASTANNA, her sister.
AMORETTA, a fantastic maid..
LEVIDOLCHE, a wanton.

THE SCENE-Genoa.

THE LADY'S TRIAL.

ACT I. SCENE I.

A Room in the House of AURIA.

Enter Piero and FUTELLI, at opposite doors.

Piero. AccoMPLISHED man of fashion!

Fut. The times' wonder ! Gallant of gallants, Genoa's Piero! Piero. Italy's darling, Europe's joy, and so

forth! The newest news ? unvamp'd ??

Fut. I am no foot-post,
No pedlar of Avisos, no monopolist
Of forged Corantos, monger of gazettes.
Piero. Monger of courtezans, [my] fine

Futelli;
In certain kind a merchant of the staple
For wares of use and trade; a taker-up,
Rather indeed a knocker-down; the word

a

? The newest news ? unvamp'd ?) i.e. fresh, genuine, not patched up.

:

Will carry either sense :--but in pure earnest,
How trowls the common noise ?

Fut. Auria, who lately,
Wedded and bedded to the fair Spinella,
Tired with the enjoyments of delights, is hasting
To cuff the Turkish pirates, in the service
Of the great duke of Florence.-

Piero. Does not carry His pretty thing along.

Fut. Leaves her to buffet Land-pirates here at home.

Piero. That's thou and I;
Futelli, sirrah, and Piero.-Blockhead!
To run from such an armful of pleasures,
For gaining-what?-a bloody nose of honour.
Most sottish and abominable !

Fut. Wicked,
Shameful and cowardly, I will maintain.

Piero. Is all my signor's hospitality,
Huge banquetings, deep revels, costly trappings,
Shrunk to a cabin, and a single welcome
To beverage and biscuit ?

Fut. Hold thy peace, man; It makes for us :-he comes, let's part demurely.

[They take different sides.
Enter ADURNI and AURIA.
Adur. We wish thee, honour'd Auria, life and

safety;
Return crown'd with a victory, whose wreath
Of triumph may advance thy country's glory,
Worthy your name and ancestors!