Have you never yet seen it?
Ink.That pleasure's to come.
Tra. Make haste then.
Ink.Why so?
Tra.I have heard people say
That it threatened to give up the ghost t'other day.[1]130
Ink. Well, that is a sign of some spirit.
Tra.No doubt.
Shall you be at the Countess of Fiddlecome's rout?
Ink. I've a card, and shall go: but at present, as soon
As friend Scamp shall be pleased to step down from the moon,
(Where he seems to be soaring in search of his wits),
And an interval grants from his lecturing fits,
I'm engaged to the Lady Bluebottle's collation,
To partake of a luncheon and learn'd conversation:
'Tis a sort of reunion for Scamp, on the days
Of his lecture, to treat him with cold tongue and praise.
And I own, for my own part, that 'tis not unpleasant.141
Will you go? There's Miss Lilac will also be present.
Tra. That "metal's attractive."
Ink.No doubt—to the pocket.
Tra. You should rather encourage my passion than shock it.
But let us proceed; for I think by the hum
Ink. Very true; let us go, then, before they can come,
Or else we'll be kept here an hour at their levee,
On the rack of cross questions, by all the blue bevy.
Hark! Zounds, they'll be on us; I know by the drone
Of old Botherby's spouting ex-cathedrâ tone.[2]150
Aye! there he is at it. Poor Scamp! better join
Your friends, or he'll pay you back in your own coin.
Tra. All fair; 'tis but lecture for lecture.
Ink.That's clear.
But for God's sake let's go, or the Bore will be here.
Come, come: nay, I'm off.
Page:The Works of Lord Byron (ed. Coleridge, Prothero) - Volume 4.djvu/621
ECL. I.]
THE BLUES.
579
[Exit Inkel.
