LORD TOUCH. Sir Paul, if you please we'll retire to the ladies, and
drink a dish of tea to settle our heads.

SIR PAUL. With all my heart. Mr. Brisk, you'll come to us, or call
me when you joke; I'll be ready to laugh incontinently.


SCENE V.


MELLEFONT, CARELESS, LORD FROTH, BRISK.

MEL. But does your lordship never see comedies?

LORD FROTH. Oh yes, sometimes; but I never laugh.

MEL. No?

LORD FROTH. Oh no; never laugh indeed, sir.

CARE. No! why, what d'ye go there for?

LORD FROTH. To distinguish myself from the commonalty and mortify
the poets; the fellows grow so conceited, when any of their foolish
wit prevails upon the side-boxes. I swear,--he, he, he, I have
often constrained my inclinations to laugh,--he, he, he, to avoid
giving them encouragement.

MEL. You are cruel to yourself, my lord, as well as malicious to