 | The Miser |  |
175
SCENE III.
Re-enter EUCLIO.Eucl.
So, so—my heart's at ease,—all's safe within.
(To Staph.)
Come, hussy, get you in now,—and be sure
Take care of all within.
Staph.
Take care of what?
Will any one, think you, run away with the house?
I'm sure there's nothing else to carry off,
Except the cobwebs.—Troth, it's full of emptiness.
Eucl.
You hag of hags! Why Jove, to satisfy you,
Should make me a king Philip, or Darius.—
Hearkye, I'd have you to preserve those cobwebs.
I'm poor, I'm very poor, I do confess;
Yet I'm content: I bear what heav'n allots.—
Come get you in: bolt the door after you;—
I shall be back directly;—and be sure
Don't let a soul in.
Staph.
What if any one
176
Eucl.
I'd have you put it out,
That there may be no plea to ask for any.
If you do leave a spark of fire alive,
I'll put out ev'ry spark of life in you.
If any body wants to borrow water,
Tell them, 'tis all run out; and if, as is
The custom among neighbours, they should want
A knife, an ax, a pestle, or a mortar,
Tell them, some rogues broke in, and stole them all.
Be sure let no one in, while I'm away;—
I charge you, even if Good Luck should come,
Don't let her in.
Staph.
Good Luck quotha! I warrant you,
She's not in such a hurry: she has never
Come to our house, though she is ne'er so near.
Eucl.
Have done,—go in.
Staph.
I say no more,—I'm gone.
Eucl.
Be sure you bolt the door both top and bottom.—
I shall be back this instant.
[Exit Staphila.
| The Miser | |