T. O'K. (solus). Let me see; I can never be a doctor either, without some sort of a wig. Oh, here is one-and here is my spectacles, faith. On my conscience, I'm the thing! (Puts on the wig awkwardly, and the spectacles; then sits in the doctor's chair. Dr. Wisepate knocks.) Walk in, honey. (Helps himself to chocolate and bread and butter.) (Re-enter Dr. Wisepate, bowing.) Dr. W. Please your honor-(Aside.)—What assurance the fellow has! T. O'K. Speak out, young man, and don't be bashful. (Eating, &c.) Dr. W. Please your honor, my lady sends her respectful compliments hopes your honor is well. T. O'K. Pretty well, pretty well, I thank you. Dr. W. And has desired me to deliver your honor this letter. T. O'K. That letter, well, why don't you bring it to me? Pray, am I to rise from the table? Dr. W. So, he's acting my character with a vengeance. But I'll humor him. (Aside.) There, your honor. (Gives the letter, bowing.) T.O'K. (Opens the letter and reads.) "Sir-Since my dear Flora has given you so much uneasiness-Och, by my shoul, that's no lie-I beg leave to inform you that a gentleman shall call either to-day or to-morrow for her. If it should rain, I request the poor thing may have a― what's this?-C o a-coat!-coat, no-coach. Yours." E Hem! well-no answer's required, young man. Dr. W. His impudence has struck me almost dumb. (Aside.) No answer, your honor? T. O'K. No, my good fellow-but come here-let me look at you. Oh, you seem very wet. Why it's you, I understand, who brought this troublesome cur a few days ago: you have been often backwards and forwards, but I could never see you till now. Hollo, Robert! where's my lazy good-for-nothing servant? Robert! (Rings a bell.) Dr. W. Eh! what the deuce does he mean? (Aside.) (Enter Robert, who stares at them both.) Rob. Eh!-Did-did you call, sir? (To Dr. Wisepate.) T. O'K. Yes, sirrah! Take that poor fellow down to the kitchen; he's come upon a foolish errand this cold wet day; so, do you see, give him something to eat and drink-as much as he likes and bid my steward give him a guinea for his trouble. Rob. Eh! T. O'K. Tunder and ouns, fellow ! must I put my words into my mouth, and take them out again, for you? Thady (to the Doctor), my jewel, just give that blockhead of mine a rap on his sconce with your little bit of a switch, and I'll do as much for you another time. Dr. W. So, instead of my instructing the fellow, he has absolutely instructed me. (Aside.) Well, sir, you have convinced me what Dr. Wisepate should be, and now suppose we are ourselves again. T. O'K. (rises). With all my heart, sir. Here's your honor's wig and spectacles, and now give me my comfortable hat and switch. Dr. W. And, Robert, obey the orders that my representative gave you. Rob. What! carry him down to the kitchen! T. O'K. No, young man, I shan't trouble you to carry me down; I'll carry myself down, and you shall see what a beautiful hand master O'Keen is at a knife and fork. (Exit with Robert.) Dr. W. (solus). Well, this fellow has some humor; indeed, he has fairly turned the tables upon me. I wish I could get him to give a dose of my prescribing to her ladyship's cats and dogs, for the foolish woman has absolutely bequeathed in her will an annual sum for the care of each, after her death. Oh, dear! dear! how much more to her credit would it be to consider the present exigencies of her country, and add to the number of voluntary contributions! OULTON. 19. SCENE FROM CATILINE. The Senate-Lictors-The Consul—Cicero speaking. Cic. Our long dispute must close. Take one proof more Of this rebellion.-Lucius Catiline Has been commanded to attend the senate. He dares not come. I now demand your votes !— Is he condemned to exile ? CATILINE comes in hastily, and flings himself on the bench; all the senators go over to the other side. Cic. (turning to Catiline). Here I repeat the charge, to gods and men, Of treasons manifold;—that, but this day, Under his roof, with mystic rites, and oaths, Cat. (rising calmly). Conscript fathers! I do not rise to waste the night in words; trade; But here I stand for right-let him show proofs- Let my actions speak! Cic. (interrupting him). Deeds shall convince you! Has the traitor done? sword, Cat. But this I will avow, that I have scorned, The Roman from his birthright; and for what! (Looking round him.) To fling your offices to every slave ; Vipers that creep where man disdains to climb; And having wound their loathsome track to the top Of this huge moldering monument of Rome, Hang hissing at the nobler man below. Cic. This is his answer! Must I bring more proofs ? (A cry is heard without―" More prisoners!" An officer enters with letters for Cicero; who, after glancing at them, sends them round the Senate. Catiline is strongly perturbed.) Cic. Fathers of Rome! If man can be convinced By proof, as clear as daylight, here it is! Look on these letters! Here's a deep-laid plot To wreck the provinces: a solemn league, The time Is desperate, all the slaves are up ;-Rome shakes! We stand even here!-The name of Catiline Is foremost in the league. He was their king. Come, consecrated lictors, from your Fling down your sceptres:-take the rod and axe, Cic. (interrupting him). Give up the record of his banish[To an officer. ment. (The officer gives it to the Consul.) Cat. (indignantly). Banished from Rome! What's banished, but set free From daily contact of the things I loathe ? "Tried and convicted traitor!" Who says this? Banished-I thank you for it. It breaks my chain! But now my sword's my own. Smile on, my lords! But here I stand and scoff you; here I fling (The Consul reads:)—"Lucius Sergius Catiline: by the decree of the Senate, you are declared an enemy and alien to the State, and banished from the territory of the Commonwealth." The Consul. Lictors, drive the traitor from the temple! trial! Here I devote your Senate! I've had wrongs Or make the infant's sinews strong as steel. This day's the birth of sorrows!-this hour's work This Will breed proscriptions :-look to your hearths, my lords! The Senators rise in tumult and cry out, Go, enemy and parricide, from Rome! Cic. Expel him, lictors! Clear the Senate-house! [They surround him. Cat. (struggling through them). I go, but not to leap the gulf alone. I go-but when I come, 'twill be the burst Of ocean in the earthquake-rolling back In swift and mountainous ruin. Fare you well! Shall quench its flame. Back, slaves! (To the lictors)-I will return! [He rushes out; the scene closes. GEORGE CROLY 20. VAN DEN BOSCH AND VAN ARTEVELDE. Artevelde. This is a mighty matter, Van den Bosch, And much to be revolved ere it be answered. Van den Bosch. The people shall elect thee with one voice. I will insure the White-Hoods, and the rest Will eagerly accept thy nomination, So to be rid of some that they like less. |