and would not, as we say, be paid with a song.  In order to extricate my old friend, I immediately sent for the three directors of the Play-house, and desired they would in their turn, do a good office for a man, who in Shakespear’s phrase, often filled their mouths; I mean with pleasantry and popular conceits.  They very generously listened to my proposal, and agreed to act the Plotting Sisters (a very taking play of my old friends composing) on the 15th of next month, for the benefit of the author.

’My kindness to the agreeable Mr. D’Urfey, will be imperfect, if, after having engaged the players in his favour, I do not get the town to come into it.  I must therefore heartily recommend to all the young ladies my disciples, the case of my old friend, who has often made their grand-mothers merry; and whose Sonnets have perhaps lulled asleep many a present toast, when she lay in her cradle.  The gentleman I am speaking of, has laid obligations on so many of his countrymen, that I hope they will think this but a just return to the good service of a veteran Poet.

’I myself, remember king Charles the IId. leaning on Tom D’Urfey’s shoulder more than once, and humming over a song with him.  It is certain, that monarch was not a little supported, by joy to great Caesar; which gave the Whigs such a blow, as they were not able to recover that whole reign.  My friend afterwards attacked Popery, with the same success, having exposed Beliarmine, and Portocarero, more than once, in short satirical compositions, which have been in every body’s mouth.  He made use of Italian Tunes and Sonato’s, for promoting the Protestant interest; and turned a considerable part of the Pope’s music against himself.  In short, he has obliged the court with political Sonnets; the country with Dialogues, and Pastorals; the city with Descriptions of a lord Mayor’s Feast; not to mention his little Ode upon Stool-Ball; with many others of the like nature.

’Should the very individuals he has celebrated, make their appearance together, they would be sufficient to fill the play-house.  Pretty Peg of Windsor, Gilian of Croydon; with Dolly and Molly; and Tommy and Johny; with many others to be met with in the musical Miscellanies, would make a great benefit.

’As my friend, after the manner of the old Lyrics, accompanies his works with his own voice; he has been the delight of the most polite companies and conversions, from the beginning of king Charles the IId’s reign, to our own times:  Many an honest gentleman has got a reputation in his country, by pretending to have been in company with Tom D’Urfey.

’I might here mention several other merits in my friend, as his enriching our language with a multitude of rhimes, and bringing words together, that without his good offices, would never have been acquainted with one another, so long as it had been a tongue; but I must not omit that my old friend angled for a trout, the best of any man in England.