University of Virginia Library

SCENE VII.

STORMAMDRA, CAPTAIN BILKUM.
BILKUM.
Why comes not my Stormandra? Twice and once
I've told the striking Clock's increasing Sound,
And yet unkind Stormandra stays away.

STORMANDRA.
Captain, are you a Man?

BILKUM.
I think I am;
The Time has been when you have thought so too,
Try me again in the soft Fields of Love.

STORMANDRA.
'Tis War not Love must try your Manhood now,
By Gin, I swear, ne'er to receive thee more,
'Till curs'd Lovegirlo's Blood has dy'd thy Sword.

BILKUM.
Lovegirlo! Whence this Fury bent on him?

STORMANDRA.
Ha! dost thou question, Coward?—Ask again,
And I will never call thee Captain more.
Instant obey my Purpose, or by Hemp
Rods, all the Horrors Bridewel ever knew,
I will arrest thee for the Note of Hand,
Which thou hast given me for twice one Pound;
But if thou dost, I call my sacred Honour
To witness, thy Reward shall be my Love.

BILKUM.
Lovegirlo is no more. Yet wrong me not,
It is your Promise, not your Threat, prevails.
So when some Parent of Indulgence mild,
Wou'd to the nauseous Potion bring the Child;
In vain to win or frighten to its good,
He cries, my Dear, or lifts the useless Rod;
But if by chance, the Sugar Plumb he shows,
The simp'ring Child no more Reluctance knows;
It stretches out its Finger and its Thumb,
It swallow first, the Potion, then the Sugar Plumb.