HILLARIO.

Oh Ladies!—

JULIA, and CAMILLA.

Oh Hillario!—

HILLARIO.

Nay, how cruel that is now to put a Man out just in the Beginning of his Story.

CAMILLA.

'Twas a little unkind, I must confess; but what was it you was so eager to tell us?

HILLARIO.

Pshaw! you interrupted me, and put it quite out of my Head.

CAMILLA.

Shall I help you out?—I prophesy it was News.

JULIA.

Some Lady perhaps run away with her Footman,

HILLARIO.

No.

CAMILLA.

Has Philantus left off gaming?

JULIA.

Is Lord Proteus married?

CAMILLA.

Or has Count Horatio paid his Debts?

HILLARIO.

Neither; but to save you the Trouble of guessing any longer, I come to tell you, you have lost much Sport.

JULIA.

Sport, you say?

HILLARIO.

Ay, Madam.

CAMILLA.

Of what Colour?

HILLARIO.

Colour, Madam!—How shall I answer you?—

CAMILLA.

As Wit and Fortune will.

JULIA.

Or as the Destinies decree.

CAMILLA.

Or e'en just as you please.

HILLARIO. (after looking first on one, and then t'other for some Time.

You amaze me, Ladies.—All, that I can say is, that there was a Tilt held to Day before the Duke, and you have lost the Sight of it.

JULIA.

Tell us the Manner of it then.

HILLARIO.

I'll tell you the Beginning, and if your Ladyships please you may see the End, for the best is all to come.

CAMILLA.

Begin then; we are attentive.

HILLARIO.

There comes an old Man with his three Sons.—

JULIA.

An excellent Beginning for a Winter's Tale.

HILLARIO.

Three tall, proper, handsome, gentile, well-made young Fellows, as you shall see in a Summer's Day.

CAMILLA.

At Court on a Birth-Night, or in the Front Box at an Opera.

HILLARIO.

The Eldest marches boldly into the Lists to fight with Dumain the famous French Fencer.—Dumain advances tow'rds him;—after a slight Pass or two—gives him a Thrust in Quart,—as thus;—whips him an Inch into the Sword Arm, and sends him bleeding to the Surgeons.

CAMILLA.

Poor Gentleman!

HILLARIO.

The Second he serv'd much after the same Manner;— only that was in Tierce, I think;—let me see;—Aye, aye, 'twas thus,—But the third—

JULIA.

Aye Hillario, the Third!—what of him?

HILLARIO.

Why after a Traverse or two, the young Gentleman's Sword flew from the Hilt; upon which Dumain generously threw away his and clos'd with him,—and happening to be a little too strong for him, pitch'd him fairly over the Tilt-Rail, and broke three of his Ribs;— Yonder he lies,—and looks so sheepish, methinks;— and the poor old Man mourns over him so dolefully,— I protest 'twould do one's Heart good to hear him.

JULIA.

I pity him with all my Heart. But pry'thee, Hillario, what is the Sport, we have lost?

HILLARIO.

Why—this, that I have been telling you of.

CAMILLA.

Well, see now how one may live and learn; I protest this is the first Time I ever heard that breaking Ribs was Sport for Ladies.

JULIA.

Or I either, I promise you. But come Cousin, shall we go and see the Remainder of Hillario's Sport?

HILLARIO.

It will be worth your while, I assure you;—but you must make haste, for it is much about the Time of the Onset.

JULIA.

Hark, is not that the Summons?

HILLARIO.

It is; come Ladies, for Heaven's Sake—I wou'd not lose the Sight on't for the World.

CAMILLA.

Lead on then without Ceremony.