I
suppose Mrs Merit will have all our principal parts now, but I am
resolved I'll advertise against her. I'll let the town know how I am
injured.
1 _Play_. Oh! here comes our tragedy-poet.
_Enter_ FUSTIAN.
_Fust_. Gentlemen, your servant; ladies, yours. I should have
been here sooner, but I have been obliged, at their own requests, to
wait upon some half-dozen persons of the first quality with tickets:
upon my soul 1 have been chid for putting off my play so long. I hope
you are all quite perfect, for the town will positively stay for it
no longer. I think I may very well put upon the bills, _At the
particular desire of several ladles of quality_, the first night.
_Enter_ Prompter.
_Promp_. Mr Fustian, we must defer the rehearsal of your
tragedy, for the gentleman who plays the first ghost is not yet up;
and when he is, he has got such a churchyard-cough he will not be
heard to the middle of the pit.
1 _Play_. I wish you could cut the ghost out, sir, for I am
terribly afraid he'll be damned if you don't.
_Fust_. Cut him out, sir? He is one of the most considerable
persons in the play.
_Promp_. Then, sir, you must give the part to somebody else; for
the present is so lame he can hardly walk the stage.
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