Volume I Part 46 (2/2)

_Blunt._ Why G.o.d a Mercy.

Enter the _Giant_ and _Dwarf_, with them _s.h.i.+ft_ as an Operator, and _Harlequin_ attending.

_Feth._ Oh-- they come-- Prithee, _Ned_, advance-- [Puts him forward.

_s.h.i.+ft._ Most beautiful Ladies.

_Feth._ Why, what a flattering Son of a Wh.o.r.e's this?

_s.h.i.+ft._ These are the ill.u.s.trious Persons your Uncle designs your humble Servants, and who have so extraordinary a Pa.s.sion for your Seignioras.h.i.+ps.

_Feth._ Oh yes, a most d.a.m.nable one: Wou'd I were cleanlily off the Lay, and had my Money again.

_Blunt._ Think of a Million, Rogue, and do not hang an a.r.s.e thus.

_Giant._ What, does the Cavalier think I'll devour him? [To _s.h.i.+ft_.

_Feth._ Something inclin'd to such a Fear.

_Blunt._ Go and salute her, or, Adsheartlikins, I'll leave you to her Mercy.

_Feth._ Oh, dear _Ned_, have pity on me-- but as for saluting her, you speak of more than may be done, dear Heart, without a Scaling Ladder.

[Exit _s.h.i.+ft_.

_Dwarf._ Sure, Seignior _Harlequin,_ these Gentlemen are dumb.

_Blunt._ No, my little diminutive Mistress, my small Epitomy of Woman-kind, we can prattle when our Hands are in, but we are raw and bashful, young Beginners; for this is the first time we ever were in love: we are something aukard, or so, but we shall come on in time, and mend upon Incouragement.

_Feth._ Pox on him, what a delicate Speech has he made now-- 'Gad, I'd give a thousand Pounds a Year for _Ned's_ concise Wit, but not a Groat for his Judgment in Womankind.

Enter s.h.i.+ft with a Ladder, sets it against the Giant, and bows to _Fetherfool_.

_s.h.i.+ft._ Here, Seignior, Don, approach, mount, and salute the Lady.

_Feth._ Mount! why,'twould turn my Brains to look down from her Shoulders-- But hang't, 'Gad, I will be brave and venture.

[Runs up the Ladder, salutes her, and runs down again.

And Egad this was an Adventure and a bold one-- but since I am come off with a whole Skin, I am flesht for the next onset-- Madam-- has your Greatness any mind to marry?

[Goes to her, speaks, and runs back; Blunt claps him on the Back.

_Giant._ What if I have?

_Feth._ Why then, Madam, without inchanted Sword or Buckler, I'm your Man.

_Giant._ My Man? my Mouse. I'll marry none whose Person and Courage shall not bear some Proportion to mine.

_Feth._ Your Mightiness I fear will die a Maid then.

<script>