Omn. Go on Marforio.
Mar. Gentlemen. The wise Spartans, as an Encouragement to Ingenuity, always reward the thieving Genius, who came off unsuspected, and punish’d the Blockhead who had not Sufficient Art to Conceal his Theft, In Parnussus the Law is the same relating to Frauds in Play; Tho’ it is notorious that this Gentleman has Play’d the best of the Game a thousand times, yet it does not Appear that he has ever been detected in a fraud.
Count. Never, but once, I assure you: and then I instantly Challeng’d the Man, who charg’d me with it, ran him three times through the Body, disarm’d him, made him beg his Life, and ask my Pardon in Public and ever since no Man has dared to Whisper a Suspicion of me.
Mar. O it’s plain the Gentleman’s Character is untainted, and has a Right to Rank as a Man of Honour and a Genius— and, instead of Censure, is intitled to the Order of the Chevaliers de Aventuries— with which, Sir, you shall be Strait invested.
Here! Order Sr. Iohn Ketch to attend with the Insignia of Gaming, and let him invest the Noble Count.
Enter Sr. Iohn Ketch, with a Rope and a Dice Box fasten’d to it as a George, and dice in the Box, and a Knave of Diamonds in his Hand.
Sr. Iohn. Please to kneel Sir [To Count bubble who kneels] I, Sr. Iohn Ketch, Knight, and Officer of Parnassus, by Virtue of a Power from Appollo, In Consideration of your Subtle and undetectable deceit in the Noble Science of Defence, vulgarly call’d Sharping, do invest You With these Insignia— Which are a Ribbon of the Genuin Tyburn garotte, with a Box Pendant, two loaded Dice, and a Knave of Diamonds for a Star; bearing henceforth, the Arms of Gaming, which are, a Pack of Cards in a Green Field; two reoin’d Lords for Supporters, a Cat and nine Tails for a Crest and, I have touch’d them for a motto; So rise up Count Hunt. bubble, Marquiss of Slip Card, Barron de Pharo-Bank, and Knight of the Noble Order of Sharpors.
Omn. Bravo, bravo (all Clap)
Count. Seignior Marforio, The Honours you have Conferr’d Me, will bind me Your Friend everlastingly. If you call upon me any Evening at the Bedford,[D] I shall be glad to See you. To night I am engaged to deal at my Lady High-life’s;[D]— His Grace and Miss will be there, and we expect to touch roundly. Yours, Yours Exit
Omn. Ha, ha, ha.