Sneer. What is all this?
Puff. Ah! here has been more pruning!—but the fact is, these two young ladies are also in love with Don Whiskerandos.—Now, gentlemen, this scene goes entirely for what we call situation and stage effect, by which the greatest applause may be obtained, without the assistance of language, sentiment, or character: pray mark!
“Enter the two Nieces.
| Ist Niece. | Ellena here! |
| She is his scorn as much as I—that is | |
| Some comfort still!” |
Puff. O dear, madam, you are not to say that to her face!— Aside, ma’am, aside.—The whole scene is to be aside.
| “Ist Niece. | She is his scorn as much as I—that is |
| Some comfort still. |
[Aside.
| 2nd Niece. | I know he prizes not Pollina’s love; |
| But Tilburina lords it o’er his heart. |
[Aside.
| Ist Niece. | But see the proud destroyer of my peace. |
| Revenge is all the good I’ve left. |
[Aside.
| 2nd Niece. | He comes, the false disturber of my quiet. |
| Now vengeance do thy worst. |
[Aside.
Enter Don Ferolo Whiskerandos.
| Whisk. | O hateful liberty—if thus in vain |
| I seek my Tilburina! |
| Both Nieces. | And ever shalt! |
Sir Christopher Hatton and Sir Walter Raleigh come forward. Sir Christ and Sir Walt. Hold! we will avenge you.
| Whisk. | Hold you—or see your nieces bleed! |
[The two Nieces draw their two daggers to strike Whiskerandos: the two Uncles at the instant, with their two swords drawn, catch their two Nieces’ arms, and turn the points of their swords to Whiskerandos, who immediately draws two daggers, and holds them to the two Nieces’ bosoms.”
Puff. There’s situation for you! there’s an heroic group!—You see the ladies can’t stab Whiskerandos—he durst not strike them, for fear of their uncles—the uncles durst not kill him, because of their nieces.—I have them all at a dead lock!—for every one of them is afraid to let go first.
Sneer. Why, then they must stand there for ever!
Puff. So they would, if I hadn’t a very fine contrivance for’t.— Now mind—
“Enter Beefeater, with his halbert,
| Beef. | In the queen’s name I charge you all to drop |
| Your swords and daggers! |
[They drop their swords and daggers.”
Sneer. That is a contrivance indeed!
Puff. Ay—in the queen’s name.
| “Sir Christ. | Come, niece! |
| Sir Walt. | Come, niece! |
[Exeunt with the two Nieces.
| Whisk. | What’s he, who bids us thus renounce our guard? |
| Beef. | Thou must do more—renounce thy love! |
| Whisk. | Thou liest—base Beefeater! |
| Beef. | Ha! hell! the lie! |
| By Heaven thou’st roused the lion in my heart! | |
| Off, yeoman’s habit!—base disguise! off! off! | |
| [Discovers himself by throwing off his upper dress, and appearing in a very fine waistcoat. | |
| Am I a Beefeater now? | |
| Or beams my crest as terrible as when | |
| In Biscay’s Bay I took thy captive sloop?” |
Puff. There, egad! he comes out to be the very captain of the privateer who had taken Whiskerandos prisoner—and was himself an old lover of Tilburina’s.
| Previous chapter/page | Back | Home | Email this | Search | Discuss | Bookmark | Next page |