half provoked myself with his vanity and magnificence. When we would help a friend out of the mire, we must often go a little way into it ourselves.
Mrs. B. I believe you are right. Ah! Truebridge! if you had been more amongst us lately, we should not now, perhaps, have been so unhappy. He would have listened more to you than to any other friend.
True. Have good comfort: I don't despair. (Exeunt.
SCENE III. Night. An open space before the Blue Posts: the scene dark except where the light gleams from the open door of the house. A noise of drinking and merriment heard within. Enter some of Baltimore's voters, &c. from the house, carrying a table, a bowl of punch and glasses, which they set down in the porch, and place themselves round on the benches at the door.
Sailor. Now, messmates, let us set down our bowl here. We have been long enough stow'd in that there close smoky hold, while the fresh air has been playing on the decks. Let us sit down and be merry! I am return'd home in a good jolly time, old neighbours; let us enjoy it.
First Vote. Ay, I remember at our last election, when 'Squire Burton was chosen, we drank a hearty bowl in this very porch, and neighbour Bullock, the tanner, sat as it were in that very corner. Rest his soul! he loved his country, and his king, and his cause, and his candidate, as well as any heart in Old England.
