1828.] The Plays of Ohcrardu da Rossi. 501 



proceeds from <f Mr. Flutt/' a Bond-street tailor, a friend and co- 

 labourer in the vineyard of commerce with " Signer Psctth/' who has 

 been fleeced on the same ground before. The Signor arrives to pay his 

 respects, while his pupil, that is to be, is still dressing ; and, after the first 

 greetings are over, the objects of both parties go on to be explained. 



Psctth. Sit down, and I'll let you into the whole affair. I'm very glad to 

 see you 'pon my word I am very much indebted to my friend Flutt for the 

 introduction. Why, then, you must know I suppose he has told you ? 

 that I am a shoemaker in London. But I have plenty of money; and the 

 reason of my travelling is this : A good many months ago, you must under- 

 stand, I fell in love, in London, with an opera-dancer Signora Sandrina 

 Ruspanti I don't know whether you know her here ? 



Ros. No we do not. 



Psctth. Ah ! well, no matter. No : I know you don't know any thing 

 about dancers here. The truth is, she is very handsome but a sad slut. 

 She put an end to all my habits of economy made me spend a great deal 

 more money than I could afford! And so I made up my mind to leave her, 

 and took this journey to get her out of my head. I am not sure that I shall 

 do it : for she is very handsome ! However we must try. And so, while I 

 am at Rome, I mean to see every thing though I don't care a farthing about 

 seeing any thing. I wish to go into all the best company in the city though 

 I don t care for any company at all. However, one must do as other people 

 do. And so I mean to go to Court and every where else all amusements 

 and all societies ; as my friends did when they came to Rome just, you 

 know, not to be worse off than one's neighbours. 



Ros. Signor, I understand you exactly ; and we shall introduce you at once. 

 But one thing is necessary you must take the title of Milord. 



Psctth. A lord, must I ? Well but I don't like to lie. And where is the 

 use of my being a lord ? If I have as much money as a lord, and spend it 

 like a lord, what matters about the name ? 



Ros. Really, without it, you cannot well get into good company. All your 

 friends have done it. Mr. Flutt, who recommended you to me he did it. 



Psctth. Did he ? What Flutt? Oh, I'll do it too then. (Rises.) I beg 

 your pardon excuse me a moment. Just let me lock my chamber-door.-** 

 (Goes to a door, and locks it.} 



Ros. Use no ceremony, pray. But why is that necessary ? 



Psctth. Because I want my English servant not to go out without my seeing 

 him. I want to catch him sober before he goes out, to tell him to remember 

 that I am a Lord. He is an excellent servant, but always drunk. 



Ros. Oh, certainly very good ! Then, the affair of the title being agreed 

 on, I will carry you at once to a lady's house, who can introduce you to the 

 highest circles. 



Psctth. Very well. But is the lady to be paid any thing that intro- 

 duces me? 



Ros. I'll explain to you. Such a lady is not paid with money. But, in the 

 houses of the nobility here, there are almost always some rarities some sta- 

 tues, or relics of antiquity. If you buy one of these, and pay liberally for it 

 that is the way in which you will compliment the lady for the trouble she 

 takes. 



Psctth. Well ! but that is just the same thing to me as if I paid directly. 



Ros. But it is the custom. Mr. Flutt did it. And, moreover, he fell in 

 love with the lady into the bargain who introduced him. 



Psctth. Ah ! I am afraid I can't do that: I think too much of my Sandrina ! 

 Ah the slut how handsome she is ! I wish she were not quite such a 

 baggage ! 



Ros. You will have to get a carriage, too ; and a valet de place ; and you 

 must have a cicerone, to shew you the curiosities and antiquities of the 

 place. I shall have the pleasure to wait on you in that last capacity 

 mvself. 



