University of Virginia Library

SCENE VII.

A street. First Rabble. Second Rabble, &c.
First Rab.
It is appointed that, an hour from this,
We gather and move toward Calmstorm.
Each loudest shouter, each cracked throat,
Whoever sings in the nose or groans a deeper bass,
Or shrieks most hideously: But not a blow!

Third Rab.
Oh, not a blow! That's the old fashion,
But the new one cuts deeper than the knife—
Is that right?

First Rab.
The doctrine that we live by.
You might as well consider too he bears a sword,
And would not be perhaps o'er-kind to his assailer!
But some of you that know the business,
Rush back and forth through distant streets,
And raise the terrible cry of fire,
And let the bells ring in the markets
Dreadfully. This will perplex and confound
Him at the dark hour as if the end of time
Was near, and the Great Burning lit.

Third Rab.
Hurrah, hurrah for that! That draws no blood.

[Exeunt, shouting.