one when he is fatter, and the fat one when he is leaner. The arts which the suitors have recourse to are somewhat tedious, and certainly not over decent. Yet it is easy to see that the play would tell with the audience to whom it was addressed, for many of the situations are humorous in the extreme. In one of the scenes Philidor and Mirida are bound back to back by the six ladies, Philidor losing his money and his hat, and Mirida consoling herself by the entry of a fiddler.
[Enter Fiddler.] Mirida.—A fiddle, nay then I am made again; I'd have a dance if I had nothing but my smock on. Fiddler, strike up and play my jig, call'd "I care not a pin for any man."[1]
Fiddler.—Indeed I can't stay. I am going to play to some gentlemen.
Mirida.—Nay, thou shalt stay but a little.
Fiddler.—Give me half-a-crown then.
Mirida.—I have no money about me; but here, take my hankercher.In another part Mirida manages a sham funeral for Philidor, to which the six young ladies are invited, to hear the will of the deceased.
Mirida.—Poor young man, he was killed yesterday by a duel.
"Item. I give to Mrs. Mary for a reason that she knows, 500l. Item. 500l. to Mrs. Margaret for a reason she knows. Item. 500l. to Mrs. Sarah for a reason she knows. Item 500l. to Mrs. Martha
- ↑ Nell was famous for dancing jigs. The Duke of Buckingham, in his Epilogue to "The Chances," laughs at poets who mistook the praise given to Nelly's jig for the praise bestowed on their own performances.
