_Mrs. Fen._ Why, I was aware of the objection, and have had a model taken of her legs, which you shall see, gentlemen. There they are; as fine a straight leg and as proper a calf--you shall seldom see a woman's leg so well made.--I don't question, gentlemen, but you have seen great choice, gentlemen, in your posts; are well acquainted with the symmetry of parts, and correspondence of limbs. _Sev._ Well, madam, you speak of your goods so advantageously, and set them off so reasonably, that if the lady pleases to show her face, we shall give twenty shillings a week, certain. _Mrs. Fen._ She is your servant, and shall constantly attend rehearsals. [DAUGHTER _unmasks._ _Sev._ On my word, a very surprising face.--Pray, madam, may I beg the favour to see those pretty lips move? _Daughter._ Yes, sir. _Sev._ Pray, madam, raise your voice a note higher. _Mrs. Fen._ Gentlemen, I beg she may be kept wholly for tragedy, for she takes prodigiously after me. She can act only an haughty part; I was prodigiously haughty in my youth. She will never act naturally anything but what's cruel and unnatural, as the men call it. _Sev._ But, madam, can't she repeat any verses, any parts of a play? It's strange she should have an inclination to the stage, and yet nothing by heart. _Mrs. Fen._ Oh, I have inured her to get as many things as possible to arm her against the wiles of men; as those concerning Sir Charles Sedley--Say on, good Betty. _Daughter._ "Sedley has that prevailing gentle art, That can with a resistless charm impart The loosest wishes to the chastest heart."[140] _Sev._ "The loosest wishes!"--I fancy somebody or other has seen her legs otherwise than by a model--she speaks so sensibly! [_Aside._ _Daughter._ "Raise such a conflict, kindle such a fire Between declining virtue and desire, Till the poor vanquish'd maid dissolves away, In dreams all night, in sighs and tears all day." _Sev._ Well, madam, pluck up a spirit; and let us hear you grace it, and do it with an air. Speak it politely, with a side face; you are to imagine an audience though there is none; and pray speak it with courage-- "Sedley has that prevailing," &c. _Hum._ Madam, you may be sure of all the encouragement and care your beauty and merit deserve. [_Exeunt_ MRS. FENNELL _and_ DAUGHTER. Well, now, let us look into some scenes that are under examination, whether proper to be exhibited or not. Let the scene of Mr. Buskin come on. [_Trumpets sound, and drums beat a march._] _Enter_ BUSKIN. _Busk._ "In vain has conquest waited on my sword, In vain th' obedient waves have wafted o'er The bark in which I sailed; as if the gods Had ordered nature to preserve her course With gentle clime and season, to convey In safety me, their instrument of fate." _Hum._ Ho! brave, ho! brave. What's to come after that?