Son. They have settled it so sir, here.
Puff. Oh! oh!
| ‘Lady | How loudly nature whispers to my heart |
| Had he no other name? |
| Son | I’ve seen a bill |
| Of his sign’d Tomkins, creditor. |
| Just. | This does indeed confirm each circumstance |
| The gipsy told!—Prepare! |
| Son | I do. |
| Just. | No orphan, nor without a friend art thou— |
| I am thy father; here’s thy mother; there | |
| Thy uncle—this thy first cousin, and those | |
| Are all your near relations! |
| Lady | O ecstasy of bliss! |
| Son | O most unlook’d for happiness! |
| Just. | O wonderful event! |
[They faint alternately in each other’s arms
Puff. There, you see relationship, like murder, will out.
| “Just. | Now let’s revive—else were this joy too much! |
| But come—and we’ll unfold the rest within; | |
| And thou, my boy, must needs want rest and food. | |
| Hence may each orphan hope, as chance directs, | |
| To find a father—where he least expects! |
[Exeunt.”
Puff. What do you think of that?
Dang. One of the finest discovery-scenes I ever saw!—Why, this under-plot would have made a tragedy itself.
Sneer. Ay! or a comedy either.
Puff. And keeps quite clear you see of the other.
“Enter Scenemen, taking away the seats.”
Puff. The scene remains, does it?
Sceneman. Yes, sir.
Puff. You are to leave one chair, you know.—But it is always awkward in a tragedy, to have your fellows coming in in your play-house liveries to remove things.—I wish that could be managed better.—So now for my mysterious yeoman.
“Enter Beefeater.
| Beef. | Perdition catch my soul, but I do love thee.” |
Sneer. Haven’t I heard that line before?
Puff. No, I fancy not.—Where, pray?
Dang. Yes, I think there is something like it in Othello.
Puff. Gad! now you put me in mind on’t, I believe there is—but that’s of no consequence; all that can be said is, that two people happened to hit upon the same thought—and Shakspeare made use of it first, that’s all.
Sneer. Very true.
Puff. Now, sir, your soliloquy—but speak more to the pit, if you please—the soliloquy always to the pit, that’s a rule.
| “Beef. | Though hopeless love finds comfort in despair, |
| It never can endure a rival’s bliss! | |
| But soft—I am observed. |
[Exit.”
Dang. That’s a very short soliloquy.
| Previous chapter/page | Back | Home | Email this | Search | Discuss | Bookmark | Next page |