Sir LUCIUS Well, now, that's mighty provoking! But I hope, Mr. Faulkland, as there are three of us come on purpose for the game, you won't be so cantanckerous as to spoil the party by sitting out. ABSOLUTE O pray, Faulkland, fight to oblige Sir Lucius. FAULKLAND Nay, if Mr. Acres is so bent on the matter---- ACRES No, no, Mr. Faulkland;--I'll bear my disappointment like a Christian.--Look'ee, Sir Lucius, there's no occasion at all for me to fight; and if it is the same to you, I'd as lieve let it alone. Sir LUCIUS Observe me, Mr. Acres--I must not be trifled with. You have certainly challenged somebody--and you came here to fight him. Now, if that gentleman is willing to represent him--I can't see, for my soul, why it isn't just the same thing. ACRES Why no--Sir Lucius--I tell you, 'tis one Beverley I've challenged--a fellow, you see, that dare not show his face!--if he were here, I'd make him give up his pretensions directly! ABSOLUTE Hold, Bob--let me set you right--there is no such man as Beverley in the case.--The person who assumed that name is before you; and as his pretensions are the same in both characters, he is ready to support them in whatever way you please. Sir LUCIUS Well, this is lucky.--Now you have an opportunity---- ACRES What, quarrel with my dear friend Jack Absolute?--not if he were fifty Beverleys! Zounds! Sir Lucius, you would not have me so unnatural. Sir LUCIUS Upon my conscience, Mr. Acres, your valour has oozed away with a vengeance! ACRES Not in the least! Odds backs and abettors! I'll be your second with all my heart--and if you should get a quietus, you may command me entirely. I'll get you snug lying in the Abbey here; or pickle you, and send you over to Blunderbuss-hall, or anything of the kind, with the greatest pleasure. Sir LUCIUS Pho! pho! you are little better than a coward. ACRES Mind, gentlemen, he calls me a coward; coward was the word, by my valour! Sir LUCIUS Well, sir? ACRES Look'ee, Sir Lucius, 'tisn't that I mind the word coward--coward may be said in joke--But if you had called me a poltroon, odds daggers and balls---- Sir LUCIUS Well, sir? ACRES I should have thought you a very ill-bred man. Sir LUCIUS Pho! you are beneath my notice. ABSOLUTE Nay, Sir Lucius, you can't have a better second than my friend Acres--He is a most determined dog--called in the country, Fighting Bob.--He generally kills a man a week--don't you Bob? ACRES Ay--at home! Sir LUCIUS Well, then, captain, 'tis we must begin--so come out, my little counsellor--[Draws his sword]--and ask the gentleman, whether he will resign the lady, without forcing you to proceed against him? ABSOLUTE Come on then, sir--[Draws]; since you won't let it be an amicable suit, here's my reply. [Enter Sir ANTHONY ABSOLUTE, DAVID, Mrs. MALAPROP, LYDIA, and JULIA.] DAVID Knock 'em all down, sweet Sir Anthony; knock down my master in particular; and bind his hands over to their good behaviour!