Enter Mr. Aw'dwell and Mr. Praiseall.
Mr. Aw'dw. So, Mr. Praiseall, you are come, I suppose, to pay your Tribute of Encomiums to the Fair Lady and her Works.
Mr. Prais. The Lady sometimes does me the Honour to Communicate; my poor Abilities are at her Service, tho' I own my self weak.
Aw'dw. Then you are not fit for the Ladies Service, to my Knowledge.
Prais. Why, Sir? I was long an Oxonion, 'till a good Estate and the Practice of the Law, tempted me from my studies.
Aw'dw. Sir, I'll tell you my Opinion of the University Students: They are commonly as dull as they are dirty, and their Conversation is as wretched as their Feeding; yet every Man thinks his Parts unquestionable, if he has been at Oxford.——Now all the Observation I have made of Oxford, is, it's a good Place to improve Beggars, and to spoil Gentlemen, to make young Master vain, and think no Body has Wit but himself.
Prais. While the Lady has more complaisant Sentiments, yours shan't disturb me, Sir, I assure you.
Aw'dw. What is't bewitches me to Marsilia! I know her a Coquet; I know her vain and ungrateful; yet, wise as Almanzor, knowing all this, I still love on! [Aside.
Prais. I wish Marsilia wou'd come! That fellow looks as if he had a Mind to quarrel. I hate the sight of a bent Brow in a Morning; I am always unlucky the whole Day after.
Aw'dw. Oh, one thing more of your Darling Oxford. You know, if you get Learning, it robs Man of his noblest Part, Courage. This your mighty Bard, by Experience owns, the Learned are Cowards by Profession. Do you feel any of your Martial Heat returns?