h muse.

It is unnecessary to say then, that we congratulate the public upon the
present essay. It is meaned only as a _jeu d'esprit_. But we consider it
as the earnest of that perseverance, which we wished to prove, and
feared to lose. The scene we have extracted, and which, with another,
that may be considered as a kind of praxis upon the rules, constitutes
the chief part of the alteration, is apparently personal. How far
personal satire is commendable in general, and how far it is just in the
present instance, are problems that we shall leave with our readers.--As
much as belongs to Jonson we have put in italics.

ACT IV

SCENE 4

_Enter_ Captain Face, _disguised as Lungs, and_ Kastril.

FACE. _Who would you speak with_?

KASTRIL. _Where is the captain?_

FACE.

_Gone, sir, about some business._

KASTRIL.

_Gone?_

FACE.

_He will return immediately. But master doctor, his lieutenant
is here._

KASTRIL.

_Say, I would speak with him._

[_Exit_ Face.

_Enter_ Subtle.

SUBTLE.

_Come near, sir.--I know you well.--You are my_ terrae
fili--_that is--my boy of land--same three thousand pounds a
year._

KASTRIL.

_How know you that, old boy?_

SUBTLE.

_I know the subject of your visit, and I'll satisfy you. Let us
see now what notion you have of the matter. It is a nice point
to broach a quarrel right_.

KASTRIL.

_You lie_.

SUBTLE.

_How now?--give me the lie?--for what, my boy?_

KASTRIL.

_Nay look you to that.--I am beforehand--that's my business_.

SUBTLE.

_Oh, this is not the art of quarrelling--'tis poor and
pitiful_!--What, sir, would you restrict the noble science of
debate to the mere lie?--Phaw, that's a paltry trick, that every
fool could hit.--A mere Vandal could throw his gantlet, and an
Iroquois knock his antagonist down.--No, sir, the art of quarrel
is vast and complicated.--Months may worthily be employed in the
attainment,--and the exercise affords range for the largest
abilities.--To quarrel after the newest and most approved
method, is the first of sciences,--the surest test of genius,
and the last perfection of civil society.

KASTRIL.

You amaze me. I thought to dash the lie in another's face was
the most resp