 | Thomas and Sally : or, The Sailor's Return |  |
SCENE II.
A Meadow.Enter the 'Squire and Dorcas.
'SQUIRE.
In vain I've ev'ry wily art essay'd,
Nor promises can tempt, nor vows persuade;
No prospect of success is left me now:
How shall I gain her?
DORCAS.
Why I'll tell you how.
This way she comes; the wench is full of pride,
Lay oaths and vows, and promises aside:
Often when regular approaches fail,
Besiegers storm a place, and so prevail.
This way she comes; the wench is full of pride,
Lay oaths and vows, and promises aside:
Often when regular approaches fail,
Besiegers storm a place, and so prevail.
17
All you who would wish to succeed with a lass,
Learn how the affair's to be done;
For if you stand fooling, and shy, like an ass,
You'll loose her, as sure as a gun.
Learn how the affair's to be done;
For if you stand fooling, and shy, like an ass,
You'll loose her, as sure as a gun.
With whining, and sighing, and vows, and all that,
As far as you please, you may run;
She'll hear you, and jeer you, and give you a pat,
But jilt you, as sure as a gun.
As far as you please, you may run;
She'll hear you, and jeer you, and give you a pat,
But jilt you, as sure as a gun.
To worship, and call her bright goddess, is fine!
But mark you the consequence, mun;
The baggage will think herself really divine,
And scorn you, as sure as a gun.
But mark you the consequence, mun;
The baggage will think herself really divine,
And scorn you, as sure as a gun.
But be with a maiden, bold, frolic, and stout,
And no opportunity shun;
She'll tell you she hates you, and swear she'll cry out,
But mum—she's as sure as a gun.
And no opportunity shun;
She'll tell you she hates you, and swear she'll cry out,
But mum—she's as sure as a gun.
18
RECITATIVE.
This way she comes a milking, hence begone:
Exit Dorcas.
Oh love assist me, you that drive me on.
The time, the place, both favour my design;
Now, if she's coy, I'll force her to be mine.
But, lest some other course she steer her flight,
'Twere best awhile to hide me from her sight.
Retires.
Enter Sally.
SALLY.
RECITATIVE.
HOW cruel those who with ungen'rous aim,
Strive to seduce, and bring poor maids to shame?
That brutish squire! but wherefore should I fear?
I ne'er can turn, false-hearted to my dear.
No, when he came his last farewel to take,
He bid me wear this token for his sake;
He shall not prove me fickle and unkind,
Or say that out of sight was out of mind.
Strive to seduce, and bring poor maids to shame?
That brutish squire! but wherefore should I fear?
I ne'er can turn, false-hearted to my dear.
No, when he came his last farewel to take,
He bid me wear this token for his sake;
He shall not prove me fickle and unkind,
Or say that out of sight was out of mind.
19
Auspicious spirits guard my love,
In time of danger near him bide;
With out-spread wings around him move,
And turn each random ball aside.
In time of danger near him bide;
With out-spread wings around him move,
And turn each random ball aside.
And you his foes, though hearts of steel,
Oh! may you then with me accord;
A sympathetick passion feel,
Behold his face, and drop the sword.
Oh! may you then with me accord;
A sympathetick passion feel,
Behold his face, and drop the sword.
Ye winds, your blust'ring fury leave,
Like airs, that o'er the garden sweep;
Breathe soft in sighs, and gently heave,
The calm, smooth bosom of the deep.
Like airs, that o'er the garden sweep;
Breathe soft in sighs, and gently heave,
The calm, smooth bosom of the deep.
Till Halcyon peace return'd, once more,
From blasts secure, and hostile harms;
My sailor views his native shore,
And harbours safe in these fond arms.
From blasts secure, and hostile harms;
My sailor views his native shore,
And harbours safe in these fond arms.
20
'SQUIRE.
AIR.
Well met, pretty maid,
Nay, don't be afraid;
I mean you no mischief, I vow;
Psha! what is't you ail?
Come, give me your pail,
And I'll carry it up to your cow.
Nay, don't be afraid;
I mean you no mischief, I vow;
Psha! what is't you ail?
Come, give me your pail,
And I'll carry it up to your cow.
SALLY.
Pray let it alone,
I've hands of my own,
Nor need yours to help me—forbear!
How can you persist?
I won't, Sir, be kist,
Nor teaz'd thus—go trifle elsewhere.
I've hands of my own,
Nor need yours to help me—forbear!
How can you persist?
I won't, Sir, be kist,
Nor teaz'd thus—go trifle elsewhere.
21
In yon lonely grove,
I saw an alcove,
All round the sweet violet springs;
And there was a thrush,
Hard by in a bush,
'Twould charm you to hear how he sings.
I saw an alcove,
All round the sweet violet springs;
And there was a thrush,
Hard by in a bush,
'Twould charm you to hear how he sings.
SALLY.
But hark! pry'thee hark!
Look yonder's a lark,
It warbles, and pleases me so;
To hear the soft tale,
O'th' sweet nightingale,
I wou'd not be tempted to go.
Look yonder's a lark,
It warbles, and pleases me so;
To hear the soft tale,
O'th' sweet nightingale,
I wou'd not be tempted to go.
'SQUIRE.
Then here we'll sit down:
Come, come, never frown!
No longer my bliss I'll retard;
Kind Venus shall spread
Her veil over head,
And the little rogue Cupid keep guard.
Come, come, never frown!
No longer my bliss I'll retard;
Kind Venus shall spread
Her veil over head,
And the little rogue Cupid keep guard.
22
THOMAS.
RECITATIVE.
What's this I see? may I believe my eyes?
A pirate just about to board my prize!
'Tis well I this way chanc'd my course to steer:
Sal! what's the matter?
SALLY.
Thomas!
'SQUIRE.
'Sdeath! who's here?
Fellow, begone, or—
THOMAS.
Learn your phrase to mend:
Do you sheer off, or else I'll make you, friend.
Let go the wench, I claim her for my share,
And now lay hands upon her—if you dare.
23
AIR.
Saucy rascal, this intrusion
You shall answer to your cost;
Bully'd, scandaliz'd, confusion!
All my schemes and wishes crost.
You shall answer to your cost;
Bully'd, scandaliz'd, confusion!
All my schemes and wishes crost.
THOMAS.
Hark you, Master, keep your distance,
'Sblood, take notice what I say;
There's the channel, no resistance,
Tack about, and bear away.
'Sblood, take notice what I say;
There's the channel, no resistance,
Tack about, and bear away.
SALLY.
Wou'd you wrest our freedom from us?
Now my heart has lost its fear;
Oh my best, my dearest Thomas,
Sure some angel brought you here.
Now my heart has lost its fear;
Oh my best, my dearest Thomas,
Sure some angel brought you here.
'SQUIRE.
Since her paltry inclination
Stoops to such a thing as you;
Thus I make a recantation,
Wretched, foolish girl, adieu!
Stoops to such a thing as you;
Thus I make a recantation,
Wretched, foolish girl, adieu!
| Thomas and Sally : or, The Sailor's Return | |