Sir, I an't abed, as the saying is.

_Sir Chas_. Is Mr. Sullen's family abed, think 'ee?

_Bon_. All but the squire himself, sir, as the saying is;
he's in the house.

_Sir Chas_. What company has he? {10}

_Bon_. Why, sir, there 's the constable, Mr. Gage the
exciseman, the hunch-backed barber, and two or
three other gentlemen.

_Sir Chas_. I find my sister's letters gave me the true
picture of her spouse. [_Aside_.

_Enter Squire Sullen, drunk_.

_Bon_. Sir, here's the squire.

_Squire Sul_. The puppies left me asleep--Sir!

_Sir Chas_. Well, sir.

_Squire Sul_. Sir, I am an unfortunate man--I have three
thousand pounds a year, and I can't get a man to
drink a cup of ale with me. {21}

_Sir Chas_. That's very hard.

_Squire Sul_. Ay, sir; and unless you have pity upon me,
and smoke one pipe with me, I must e'en go home
to my wife, and I had rather go to the devil by half.

_Sir Chas_. But I presume, sir, you won't see your wife
to-night; she 'll be gone to bed. You don't use to
lie with your wife in that pickle?

_Squire Sul_. What I not lie with my wife! why, sir, do
you take me for an atheist or a rake? {30}

_Sir Chas_. If you hate her, sir, I think you had better lie
from her.

_Squire Sul_. I think so too, friend. But I'm a Justice of
peace, and must do nothing against the law.

_Sir Chas_. Law! as I take it, Mr. Justice, nobody
observes law for law's sake, only for the good of those
for whom it was made.

_Squire Sul_. But, if the law orders me to send you to jail
you must lie there, my friend.

_Sir Chas_. Not unless I commit a crime to deserve it

_Squire Sul_. A crime? 'oons, an't I martied? {40}

_Sir Chas_. Nay, sir, if you call a marriage a crime, you
must disown it for a law.

_Squire Sul_. Eh! I must be acquainted with you, sir.--
But, sir, I should be very glad to know the truth of
this matter.

_Sir Chas_. Truth, sir, is a profound sea, and few there
be that dare wade deep enough to find out the
bottom on't. Besides, sir, I 'm afraid the line of
your understanding mayn't be long enough. {50}

_Squire Sul_. Look'ee, sir, I have nothing to say to your
sea of truth, but, if a good parcel of land can entitle
a man to a little truth, I have as much as any He in
the country.

_Bon_. I never heard your worship, as the saying is, talk
so much before.

_Squire Sul_. Becau