Page:The Rehearsal - Villiers (1672).djvu/21

 Smi. Begin the Play, and end it, without ever opening the Plot at all?

Bayes. I do so, that's the very plain troth on't: ha, ha, ha; I do, I gad. If they cannot find it out themselves, e'en let 'em alone for Bayes, I warrant you. But here, now, is a Scene of business: pray observe it; for I dare say you'l think it no unwise discourse this, nor ill argu'd. To tell you true, 'tis a Debate I over-heard once betwixt two grand, sober, governing persons.

Ome, Sir; let's state the matter of fact, and lay our heads together.

Phys. Right: lay our heads together. I love to be merry sometimes; but when a knotty point comes, I lay my head close to it, with a pipe of Tobacco in my mouth, and then I whew it away, i'faith.

Bayes. I do just so, I gad, always.

Ush. The grand question is, whether they heard us whisper? which I divide thus: into when they heard, what they heard, and whether they heard or no.

Johns. Most admirably divided, I swear.

Ush. As to the when; you say just now: so that is answer'd. Then, for what; why, what answers it self: for what could they hear, but what we talk'd of? So that, naturally, and of necessity, we come to the last question, Videlicet, whether they heard or no?

Smi. This is a very wise Scene, Mr. Bayes.

Bayes. Yes; you have it right: they are both Polititians. I writ this Scene for a pattern, to shew the world how men should talk of business.

Johns. You have done it exceeding well, indeed.

Bayes. Yes, I think this will do.

Phys. Well, if they heard us whisper, they'l turn us out, and no bodie else will take us.