er_. That they dare not, for fear the coachman should
overturn them to-morrow.--Coming! coming!--
Here's the London coach arrived.

_Enter several people with trunks, bandboxes, and other
luggage, and cross the stage_.

_Bon_. Welcome, ladies!

_Cher_. Very welcome, gentlemen!--Chamberlain, show
the _Lion and the Rose_. [_Exit with the company_.

_Enter Aimwell in a riding-habit, and Archer
as footman, carrying a portmantle_.

_Bon_. This way, this way, gentlemen!

_Aim_. [_To Archer_.] Set down the things; go to the
stable, and see my horses well rubbed. {20}

_Arch_. I shall, sir. [_Exit_.

_Aim_. You're my landlord, I suppose?

_Bon_. Yes, sir, I 'm old Will Boniface, pretty well known
upon this road, as the saying is.

_Aim_. O Mr. Boniface, your servant!

_Bon_. O sir!--What will your honour please to drink, as
the saying is?

_Aim_. I have heard your town of Lichfield much famed
for ale; I think I 'll taste that. {29}

_Bon_. Sir, I have now in my cellar ten tun of the best ale
in Staffordshire; 'tis smooth as oil, sweet as milk,
clear as amber, and strong as brandy; and will be
just fourteen year old the fifth day of next March,
old style.

_Aim_. You're very exact, I find, in the age of your ale.

_Bon_. As punctual, sir, as I am in the age of my children.
I'll show you such ale!--Here, tapster [_Enter
Tapster_] broach number 1706, as the saying is.--Sir,
you shall taste my _Anno Domini_.--I have lived
in Lichfield, man and boy, above eight-and-fifty
years, and, I believe, have not consumed eight-and-fifty
ounces of meat. {42}

_Aim_. At a meal, you mean, if one may guess your sense
by your bulk.

_Bon_. Not in my life, sir: I have fed purely upon ale; I
have eat my ale, drank my ale, and I always sleep
upon ale.

_Enter Tapster with a bottle and glass, and exit_.

Now, sir, you shall see!--[_Fitting out a glass_.]
Your worship's health.--[_Drinks_.] Ha! delicious,
delicious! fancy it burgundy, only fancy it, and 'tis
worth ten shillings a quart. {51}

_Aim_. [Drinks,] 'Tis confounded strong!

_Bon_. Strong! it must be so, or how should we be strong
that drink it?

_Aim_. And have you lived so long upon this ale, landlord?

_Bon_. Eight-and-fifty years, upon my credit, sir--but it
killed my wife, poor woman, as the saying is.

_Aim_. How came that to pass?

_Bon_. I don't know ho