_Luck_. Rather my misfortune. I am sure I have a better title to poverty than you; for, notwithstanding the handsome figure I make, unless you are so good to invite me, I am afraid I shall scarce prevail on my stomach to dine to-day.

_Money_. Oh, never fear that--you will never want a dinner till you have dined at all the eating-houses round.--No one shuts their doors against you the first time; and I think you are so kind, seldom to trouble them a second.

_Luck_. No.--And if you will give me leave to walk out of your doors, the devil take me if ever I come into 'em again,

_Money_. Pay me, sir, what you owe me, and walk away whenever you please.

_Luck_. With all my heart, madam; get me a pen and ink, and I'll give you my note for it immediately.

_Money_. Your note! who will discount it? Not your bookseller; for he has as many of your notes as he has of your works; both good lasting ware, and which are never likely to go out of his shop and his scrutore.

_Har_. Nay, but, madam, 'tis barbarous to insult him in this manner.

_Money_. No doubt you'll take his part. Pray get you about your business. I suppose he intends to pay me by ruining you. Get you in this instant: and remember, if ever I see you with him again I'll turn you out of doors.

SCENE II--LUCKLESS, Mrs MONEYWOOD

_Luck_. Discharge all your ill-nature on me, madam, but spare poor Miss Harriot.

_Money_. Oh! then it is plain. I have suspected your familiarity a long while. You are a base man. Is it not enough to stay three months in my house without paying me a farthing, but you must ruin my child?

_Luck_. I love her as my soul. Had I the world I'd give it her all.

_Money_. But, as you happen to have nothing in the world, I desire you would have nothing to say to her. I suppose you would have settled all your castles in the air. Oh! I wish you had lived in one of them, instead of my house. Well, I am resolved, when you have gone away (which I heartily hope will be very soon) I'll hang over my door in great red letters, "No lodgings for poets." Sure never was such a guest as you have been. My floor is all spoiled with ink, my windows with verses, and my door has been almost beat down with duns.

_Luck_. Would your house had been beaten down, and everything but my dear Harriot crushed under it!

_Money_. Sir, sir----

_Luck_. Madam, madam! I will attack you at your own weapons; I will pay you in your own coin.

_Money_. I wish you'd pay me in any coin, sir.

_Luck_. Look ye, madam, I'll do as much as a reasonable woman can require; I'll shew you all I have; and give you all I have too, if you please to accept it. [_Turns his pockets Inside out_.

_Money_. I will not be used in this manner. No, sir, I will be paid, if there be any such thing as law.