TRIP. I’ll go home and write a comedy (moves).

WOFF. On second thoughts, perhaps you had better leave the tragedies with me.

TRIP. My dear madam!—and you will read them?

WOFF. Ahem! I will make poor Rich read them.

TRIP. But he has rejected them.

WOFF. That is the first step—reading comes after, when it comes at all.

TRIP. (aside). I must fly home and tell my wife.

WOFF. (aside). In the mean time I can put five guineas into his pocket. Mr. Triplet, do you write congratulatory verses—odes—and that sort of thing?

TRIP. Anything, madam, from an acrostic to an epic.

WOFF. Good, then I have a commission for you; I dine to-day at Mr. Vane’s, in Bloomsbury Square. We shall want some verses. Will you oblige us with a copy?