Part 8 (2/2)

_J. F_. No? Well, we must put aside abstractions and get to the concrete. What's this, citizen? (_showing a spade_.)

_C. N_. That is an instrument for effodiation.

_J. F_. Otherwise called a spade. Well, to use your old jargon, citizen, the sentence of this court is that you do take this instrument of effodiation, commonly called a spade, and that you do effodiate your livelihood therewith; in other words, that you do dig potatoes and other roots and worts during the pleasure of this court. And, to drop jargon, since you are so badly educated our friend Robert Pinch--Mary's husband--will show you how to do it. Is that agreed to, neighbours?

_All_. Agreed, agreed.

_W. J_. (_rather surlily_). I don't think he will get on well. Now he knows we are not going to serve him out, he is beginning to look sour on us for being happy. You see, he will be trying some of his old lawyers'

tricks again.

_J. F_. Well, Bill, it won't much matter. He can't hurt us; so we will hope the best for him.

_M. P_. Should we hurt his feelings by being a little merry in his presence now?

_J. F_. Well, I think we may risk it. Let those of you who are not too lazy to dance, as I am, do so to the tune that sprang up at the dawn of freedom in the days of our great-grandfathers.

[_They dance round_ CITIZEN NUPKINS, _singing the following words to the tune of the_ ”_Carmagnole_”:

_What's this that the days and the days have done_?

_Man's lords.h.i.+p over man hath gone_.

_How fares it, then, with high and low_?

_Equal on earth, they thrive and grow_.

_Bright is the sun for everyone_; _Dance we, dance we the Carmagnole_.

_How deal ye, then, with pleasure and pain_?

_Alike we share and bear the twain_.

_And what's the craft whereby ye live_?

_Earth and man's work to all men give_.

_How crown ye excellence of worth_?

_With leave to serve all men on earth_.

_What gain that lords.h.i.+p's past and done_?

_World's wealth for all and every one_.

[FREEMAN _and_ NUPKINS _come to the front_.

_J. F_. Well, Nupkins, you see you have got the better of us d.a.m.ned Socialists after all. For in times past you used to bully us and send us to prison and hang us, and we had to put up with it; and now you and yours are no longer masters, there _are_ no masters, and there is n.o.body to bully you. How do you like it, old fellow? (_clapping him on the shoulder_.)

_C. N_. (_bursting into tears_). A world without lawyers!--oh, dear! oh, dear! To think that I should have to dig potatoes and see everybody happy!

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