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You are infinitely obliging; but I am extremely sorry my time will not at present allow me so great a pleasure.

Then I'll read you this elegy, which is shorter.

I'm really obliged to you, but

Or perhaps you would like to hear my grand ode, which is in the next room. (Runs out to fetch it.)

How that man pesters one with his damned vanity. Shall I make my escape while he is gone? No, no! that would be too rude: I'll try another way of getting off.—Worshipton! Worshipton! (Calling out with a feigned voice.)

Now, Worshipton, I'll shew you what I believe, without vanity, I may call hitting off the figurative and sublime style in poetry, pretty well.

I beg pardon: I am extremely mortified, but I cannot possibly stay to hear it now, for Sir John