M R. H—, A FARCE-IN TWO ACTS, AS IT WAS PERFORMED AT DRURY LANE THEATRE, DECEMBER, 1806. Mr. H―, thou wert DAMNED. Bright shone the morning on the play sills that announced thy appearance, and the streets were filled with the buzz of persons asking one another if they would go to see Mr. H, and answering that they would certainly; but before night the gayety, not of the author, but of his friends and the town, was eclipsed, for thou wert DAMNED! Hadst thou been anonymous, thou haply mightst have lived. But thou didst come to an untimely end for thy tricks, and for want of a better name to pass them off."-Theatrical Examiner. PROLOGUE. SPOKEN BY MR. ELLISTON I we have sinn'd in paring down a name, With two stout seconds, just of their own gizzar Nor with less lustre have Initials shone, Where vice reduced in size shrinks to a failing, You must forgive them-for what is there, say, Of deary, spouse, and that oldfashioned race, How would ambition sigh, and hang the head, As each loved syllable should melt away Her Alexander turned into Great A. A single C. her Cesar to express Her Scipio shrunk into a Roman S. And nick'd and dock'd to these new modes of freeca Great Hannibal himself a Mr. H. MR. H--. A FARCE-IN TWO ACTS. ACT I. SCENE.--A Public Room in an Inn. Landlord, Waiters, Gentlemen, &c. Enter Mr. H. Mr. H. Landlord, has the man brought home my boots ? Landlord. Yes, sir. Mr. H. You have paid him? Landlord. There is the receipt, sir, only not quite filled up; no name; only blank-“ Blank, Dr. to Zekiel Spanish for one pair of best hessians." Now, sir, he wishes to know what name he shall put in; who he shall say "Dr.” Mr. H. Why, Mr. H., to be sure. Landlord. So I told him, sir; but Zekiel has some qualms about it. He says, he thinks that Mr. H. only would not stand good in law. Mr. H. Rot his impertinence, bid him put in Nebuchadnezzar, and not trouble me with his scruples. Landlord. I shall, sir. [Exit. Enter a Waiter. Waiter. Sir, Squire Level's man is below, with a hare and a brace of pheasants for Mr. H. Mr. H. Give the man half a crown, and bid him return my best respects to his master. Presents, it seems, will find me out, with any name or no name. Enter 2d Waiter. 2d Waiter. Sir, the man that makes up the directory is at the door. |