Pas. Thus, instead of Virtue, Honour and Noble Sentiments being Sown in the Minds of Youth they are tainted with Fraud and Treachery; and those, who should be the Support and Ornament of their Country, are the Confederates of Men, who would be a disgrace to the worst of Countries, in its worst of Times. Omn. Bravo, bravo, Pasquin, go on, go on [#they Applaud him#] Smart. Does he not speak very well Hydra! I think he would make a good Figure at the Robin Hood Society. Count. Sr, You grow licentious and Attack the whole Body of Nobility. and what you have uttered is a Libell. Pas. Sr. it is You that Libel by your Application my Charge is not against any particular Person, Degree, Rank, or Set of Men, but against known Profess'd Sharpers; Who, under the Mask of Honour, Amusement and Friendship, dayly Commit Crimes that deserve the Hangman's lash rather than the Satyrist's. Mar. Gentlemen, this Invective is most unjust, and as I am Council on the Side of Count Hunt-bubble and Company, I hope you will indulge me a moment, while I explain what the Law of Parnassus is in these Cases. Omn. Hear him, hear him, go on, go on. Mar. In the Records of that State, the Act of Gaming is not deem'd a Crime, but a Science. For the famous Barron de Frippon, in his Institutes, Fol: 1st Chap: 3. P. 17, justly calls it the Noble Science of Defence. which is as necessary to be Study'd by the Nobility of ev'ry Nation, as the Small Sword, or the Art of War. Count. You are right Marforio-- for Gaming is an Absolute State of War; In which ev'ry Man must kill or be kill'd; Consequently all Advantages are Justified by the Law of Self Defence. Omn. Go on Marforio. Mar. Gentlemen. The wise Spartans, as an Encouragement to Ingenuity, always reward the thieving Genius, who came off unsuspected, and punish'd the Blockhead who had not Sufficient Art to Conceal his Theft, In Parnussus the Law is the same relating to Frauds in Play; Tho' it is notorious that this Gentleman has Play'd the best of the Game a thousand times, yet it does not Appear that he has ever been detected in a fraud. Count. Never, but once, I assure you: and then I instantly Challeng'd the Man, who charg'd me with it, ran him three times through the Body, disarm'd him, made him beg his Life, and ask my Pardon in Public and ever since no Man has dared to Whisper a Suspicion of me. Mar. O it's plain the Gentleman's Character is untainted, and has a Right to Rank as a Man of Honour and a Genius-- and, instead of Censure, is intitled to the Order of the Chevaliers de Aventuries-- with which, Sir, you shall be Strait invested. Here! Order Sr. Iohn Ketch to attend with the Insignia of Gaming, and let him invest the Noble Count. Enter Sr. Iohn Ketch, with a Rope and a Dice Box fasten'd to it as a George, and dice in the Box, and a Knave of Diamonds in his Hand.