_1st Play._ Phoo! the author will be here presently, and he'll tell us all. You must know, this is the new way of writing, and these hard things please forty times better than the old plain way. For, look you, sir, the grand design upon the stage is to keep the auditors in suspense; for to guess presently at the plot, and the sense, tires them before the end of the first act: now here, every line surprises you, and brings in new matter. And then, for scenes, clothes, and dances, we put quite down all that ever went before us; and those are the things, you know, that are essential to a play. _2nd Play._ Well, I am not of thy mind; but, so it gets us money, 'tis no great matter. _Enter_ BAYES, JOHNSON, _and_ SMITH. _Bayes._ Come, come in, gentlemen. You're very welcome, Mr.--a--. Ha' you your part ready? _1st Play._ Yes, sir. _Bayes._ But do you understand the true humour of it? _1st Play._ Ay, sir, pretty well. _Bayes._ And Amaryllis, how does she do? does not her armour become her? _3rd Play._ Oh, admirably! _Bayes._ I'll tell you now a pretty conceit. What do you think I'll make 'em call her anon, in this play? _Smith._ What, I pray? _Bayes._ Why, I make 'em call her Armaryllis, because of her armour: ha, ha, ha! _Johns._ That will be very well indeed. _Bayes._ Ay, 'tis a pretty little rogue; but--a--come, let's sit down. Look you, sirs, the chief hinge of this play, upon which the whole plot moves and turns, and that causes the variety of all the several accidents, which, you know, are the things in nature that make up the grand refinement of a play, is, that I suppose two kings of the same place; as for example, at Brentford, for I love to write familiarly. Now the people having the same relations to 'em both, the same affections, the same duty, the same obedience, and all that, are divided among themselves in point of devoir and interest, how to behave themselves equally between 'em: these kings differing sometimes in particular; though, in the main, they agree. (I know not whether I make myself well understood.) _Johns._ I did not observe you, sir: pray say that again. _Bayes._ Why, look you, sir (nay, I beseech you be a little curious in taking notice of this, or else you'll never understand my notion of the thing), the people being embarrass'd by their equal ties to both, and the sovereigns concern'd in a reciprocal regard, as well to their own interest, as the good of the people, make a certain kind of a--you understand me--upon which, there do arise several disputes, turmoils, heart-burnings, and all that--in fine, you'll apprehend it better when you see it. [_Exit, to call the Players._ _Smith._ I find the author will be very much obliged to the players, if they can make any sense out of this. _Enter_ BAYES.