Act I

SCENE I.—A Room in Boniface’s Inn

Enter Boniface running.

Bon. Chamberlain! maid! Cherry! daughter Cherry! all asleep! all dead?

Enter Cherry running.

Cher. Here, here! why d’ye bawl so, father? d’ye think we have no ears?

Bon. You deserve to have none, you young minx! The company of the Warrington coach has stood in the hall this hour, and nobody to show them to their chambers.

Cher. And let ’em wait farther; there’s neither red-coat in the coach, nor footman behind it.

Bon. But they threaten to go to another inn to-night.

Cher. That they dare not, for fear the coachman should overturn them to-morrow.—Coming! coming!—Here’s the London coach arrived.

Enter several people with trunks, bandboxes, and other luggage, and cross the stage.

Bon. Welcome, ladies!

Cher. Very welcome, gentlemen!—Chamberlain, show the Lion and the Rose.

[Exit with the company.

Enter Aimwell in a riding-habit, and Archer as footman, carrying a portmantle.

Bon. This way, this way, gentlemen!

Aim. [to Archer]. Set down the things; go to the stable, and see my horses well rubbed.

Arch. I shall, sir.

[Exit.

Aim. You’re my landlord, I suppose?

Bon. Yes, sir, I’m old Will Boniface, pretty well known upon this road, as the saying is.

Aim. O Mr. Boniface, your servant!

Bon. O sir!—What will your honour please to drink, as the saying is?

Aim. I have heard your town of Lichfield much famed for ale; I think I’ll taste that.

Bon. Sir, I have now in my cellar ten tun of the best ale in Staffordshire; ’tis smooth as oil, sweet as milk, clear as amber, and strong as brandy; and will be just fourteen year old the fifth day of next March, old style.

Aim. You’re very exact, I find, in the age of your ale.

Bon. As punctual, sir, as I am in the age of my children. I’ll show you such ale!—Here, tapster [enter Tapster], broach number 1706, as the saying is.—Sir, you shall taste my Anno Domini.—I have lived