 | The Wife's Secret |  |
Scene First.
—Grounds of Sir Walter's House.Enter 1st and 2nd Servants, armed with guns, R.
2nd Servant.
It's useless asking Master Sneed his meaning.
Our business is obedience.
1st Serv.
Verily.
But evening's closing in,—the wind grows cold!
The outward man feels ill at ease—the nights
Are dark and moonless.
2nd Serv.
What for that cares Jabez?
Our orders are to watch the whole night through
That none may enter, nor yet quit the house.
1st Serv.
Belike Sir Walter, as a man of war,
Delighteth in precaution; or dost think
He has intelligence of some foul plot
Of the malignants?
2nd Serv.
Like enough, since Jabez
Swore us to secrecy, and bade us let
Our watch be known to none—only if any
Shall make attempt to enter or go out
We are to seize him, and in privacy
Give Master Sneed advice.
1st Serv.
Ay, thou shalt seize him,
And I'll give notice in the house.
2nd Serv.
Why, man, thou'rt not afeard?
1st Serv.
Verily no, good William;
I am provided well with carnal weapons;—
My gun is doubly loaded—peradventure
'Twould do more service, though, upon occasion,
If I should add another charge? There's room.
2nd Serv.
Thou hadst better give thyself a charge of this. (shewing a bottle)
1st Serv.
What is it?
2nd Serv.
Brandy. (presenting flask)
1st Serv.
(drinking)
Thou'rt a goodly youth!
I will keep watch beside thee.
2nd Serv.
Nay, my post
Of the Bower Chamber—thine the house's front.
1st Serv.
'Tis ill-devised. Alone, we shall grow heavy
And, peradventure, sleep—I'll stay with thee:
So can we hold some profitable converse,
Strengthening from time to time our natural man,
And keeping guard with better vigilance;
Else were we undeserving trust!
2nd Serv.
This way then.
I own I've no dislike for company,
And here's enough for both!
Holding up flask—Exeunt, L.
Enter Captain Baroque, R.
Captain B.
Vat a diable! De vind is change, and all
is ready for the pauvre gentilhomme; but vere is de
petit garçon to tell him so? I say him, “Ven you see
de vind, you soon see me—so look out.”
Enter Page, L.
Page.
Very true, Captain. So, having seen the wind,
as you would say—me voici!
Captain B.
Dat is de good littel boy.
Page.
(indignantly)
Little boy, forsooth!
Captain B.
Vell, vell, big man den—as you vas be
some day, if you grows a good deal first—aha! Come,
all is ready! Vill I go to de lady?
Page.
You go to my lady, you sea-horse! I'd have
you know, sir, none but gentlemen of condition approach
her! The very sight of you would make her faint. Why
you look like a Polar bear, and smell like a stock-fish—
Pah!
Captain B.
Very well, littel boy!
(half aside)
I vas
put dat insult in de bill! And now dépêche toi, make
haste, for I vas not like to be found here. Dey peutetre
take me for a spy, and hang me—vich désagréable—I
vas put dat peril in de biil, too!
Page.
Why, upon my honour I think if old Jabez
Sneed were to catch you, nothing would give him greater
pleasure.
Captain B.
Jabez Sneed! And who vas Jabez Sneed?
Oh, only our old steward; who, I doubt not,
would think the blood of a Frenchman a sacrifice of a
sweet savour!
Captain B.
Aha! I vas remember him—Jabez Sneed—
I vas put Jabez Sneed down in de bill, too. Oh, for
certain, Jabez Sneed—I must charge for all my dangers.
Page.
Mercy on us! I shall ruin poor Lord Arden if
I stay with this purse-sucker any longer. There, good
fellow, keep thyself out of sight in yonder shrubbery,
and I will go arrange all with my lady. I need not bid
you lie close. Remember Jabez Sneed. Ha, ha!
Exit, R.
Captain B.
Ay, ay! I vas remember Jabez Sneed—no
fear—I vas charge two louis more for Jabez Sneed. He
vould like if he vas hang me. Aha! lucky I vas take de
precaution to bring viz me some littel marchandize—
mouchoirs—bijouterie—parfumerie—just in case dey vas
catch me; den I vas pass for vat dey call pedlar; and my
English so remarkable parfait, nobody vas never suspect
me for nosing as a native.
Exit, L. 2 E.
| The Wife's Secret | |