eir deserts, so let us dedicate a moment to the
substitute for Shakespeare. From six fairy dramas, composed by the Witty
Wizard, I shall select "Graciosa and Percinet." A very short sample
will, I opine, convince you that his popularity is as deserved as it
assuredly is extensive. Hasten we, then, to the glorious tournament of
the Cockneys.

"_Enter_ (C.) _the_ KING, _Heralds, Nobles, and Ladies of the
Court, the Six Knights, viz._:--SIR REGENT CIRCUS, _Knight of the
Bull and Mouth;_ SIR LAD LANE, _Knight of the Swan with Two Necks;_
SIR SNOW HILL, _Knight of the Saracen's Head;_ SIR LUDGATE HILL,
_Knight of the Belle Sauvage;_ SIR FLEET STREET, _Knight of the
Bolt-in-Tun; and_ SIR CHARING CROSS, _Knight of the Golden Cross._

CHORUS

('_To the Gay Tournament._')

To the gay tournament
The Queen of Beauty goes;
He shall gain a prize from her
Who most his courage shows--
Singing, singing, 'Though others fair may be,
Nobody, nobody, can be compare to thee!'

_Grog._--Soon will the conqueror,
With trophy and with wreath,
Kneel on his bended knee
My throne low beneath--
Singing, singing, 'Though others fair may be,
Nobody, nobody can be compared with me.'

_King, Lord Nimroddy, and Graciosa,_ (_aside,_)

Bold must the champion be
Who can that boast maintain;
He, for audacity,
The prize must surely gain.
Swinging, hanging on the highest tree,
For such a lie, such a lie, he deserves to be.

_Cho._--To the gay tournament, &c. [_Exeunt._ (R.)

SCENE IV. TILT-YARD OF THE PALACE. _The Lists set out for a Tournament.
Throne for the_ QUEEN OF BEAUTY; _another for the_ KING; _a Chair of
State for the_ PRINCESS. _Pavilions of the Knights-Challengers, &c._

GROGNON, KING, GRACIOSA, _Knights, Courtiers, Guards, Heralds, &c.,
discovered_.

_Herald._--O yes! O yes! O yes! take notice, pray,
Here are six noble knights, in arms to-day;
Who swear, that never yet was lady seen
So lovely as our new-elected Queen!
Against all comers they will prove 'tis so.
Oh yes! oh yes! oh yes!

_Enter_ PERCINET ( L.) _in Green Armour._

_Per._--I say, oh no!

_Grog._--Who's this Jack in the green?

_Gra._ [_aside_] Sure, _I_ know who!

_King._--Do you know what you say?

_Per._--And mean it, too!

_King._--How! come to court,