University of Virginia Library

SCENE V.

Publication office of the Mirror, as before. Philomusus, Fabulator, Caustic, Claudius, &c.
Phi.
Good Fabulator, sir, the cheerful speed
Of your supply deserves my thanks indeed.

Fab.
I am rewarded, sir, in having power
To serve my friend.

Phi.
May Fame and Fortune shower
Their favors on you. Is it ascertained,
How many patrons have, in all, been gained
For this same “Comet?”

Fab.
Sir, they can but boast
Of six or seven thousand, at the most.

Phi.
Why, our battalia treble that account;
Besides, the Mirror's name is like a mount
Of eastern granite, which the rebels lack.

Caus.
The most of them lack jackets to their back,
Oh, Muse of Grub street! such a tattered host;
So poor; so famished; each a fleshless ghost;
'T is well for them that we've no buzzards here.

Phi.
Now, by St. Paul, we'll send them bread and beer.
Dinners and coats—apparel, food, and drink,
Plenty of paper, and good writing ink;
And beat them then. How long, do ye think, my lords,
Before these fools repent this war of words?

Caus.
To-morrow scatters these ill-favored cattle,
So soon, I hear they mean to give us battle.

Phi.
The sooner, still, the better; we are ready.
No dangers daunt the heart that's always steady.
Enter Finance.
Will Stanley aid us with his writings, sir.

Fin.
He does refuse, my lord; he will not stir.

Phi.
Dearly shall he repent, he did refuse 'em!
A thousand hearts are swelling in my bosom,
Fame's trumpet calls me to the task—away!
My soul's in arms, and eager for the fray!

[Exeunt with a flourish.