University of Virginia Library

BROTHERS

Scene—A lawyer's dreadful den.
Enter stall-fed citizen.
Lawyer.
—Mornin'. How-de-do?

Citizen.
Sir, same to you.
Called as counsel to retain you
In a case that I'll explain you.
Sad, so sad! Heart almost broke.
Hang it! where's my kerchief? Smoke?
Brother, sir, and I, of late,
Came into a large estate.
Brother's—h'm, ha,—rather queer
Sometimes [tapping forehead]
here.
What he needs—you know—a “writ”—
Something, eh? that will permit
Me to manage, sir, in fine,
His estate, as well as mine.
Of course he'll storm; 'twill break, I fear,
His loving heart—excuse this tear.

Lawyer.
—Have you nothing more?
All of this you said before—
When last night I took your case.

Citizen.
—Why, sir, your face
Ne'er before has met my view!

Lawyer.
—Eh? The devil! True:
My mistake—it was your brother.
But you're very like each other.