Part 17 (2/2)

_Dang_. That's very true, upon my word!

”LORD BURLEIGH _comes forward, shakes his head, and exit_.”

_Sneer_. He is very perfect indeed! Now, pray what did he mean by that?

_Puff_. You don't take it?

_Sneer_. No, I don't, upon my soul.

_Puff_. Why, by that shake of the head, he gave you to understand that even though they had more justice in their cause, and wisdom in their measures--yet, if there was not a greater spirit shown on the part of the people, the country would at last fall a sacrifice to the hostile ambition of the Spanish monarchy.

_Sneer_. The devil! did he mean all that by shaking his head?

_Puff_. Every word of it--if he shook his head as I taught him.

_Dang_. Ah! there certainly is a vast deal to be done on the stage by dumb show and expressions of face; and a judicious author knows how much he may trust to it.

_Sneer_. Oh, here are some of our old acquaintance.

”_Enter_ SIR CHRISTOPHER HATTON _and_ SIR WALTER RALEIGH.

_Sir Christ_. My niece and your niece too! By Heaven!

there's witchcraft in't.--He could not else Have gain'd their hearts.--But see where they approach Some horrid purpose lowering on their brows!

_Sir Walt_. Let us withdraw and mark them. [_They withdraw_.]”

_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 a.s.sistance of language, sentiment, or character: pray mark!

”_Enter the two_ NIECES.

_1st 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.

”_1st 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_.]

_1st 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! h.e.l.l! 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.

_Dang._ Admirably managed, indeed!

_Puff._ Now, stand out of their way.

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