 | George De Barnwell |  |
Scene Second.
—Parlour at Thoroughgood's. (1st grooves) A handsome Apartment; in Old English style.Enter six Sempstesses, sewing and singing, L., 1 E.
Air, “So Early in the Morning.”
Sew early in the morning,
Sew early in the morning,
Sew early in the morning,
Before the break of day.
Enter Thoroughgood, L. 1 E.
Thoro.
Work on my busy bees and hive the honey,
Remember, you've the work and hI've the money,
Oh, well may England glory in her shops,
Although the H perchance, at times, I drops;
Or, from not being over-crammed with nous,
Put it where it is quite super-flu-ous;
Still, have I not a shop that's worth a plum—
I beg its pardon, an empori-um?
Am I not known to be extremely well off;
Have been for twenty years about to sell off;
Have been about retiring from the trade;
Have “most alarming sacrifices” made;
At seeming swindles boldly made a dash;
Have bought up bankrupt stock with ready cash,
9
Like Briareus, “lord of a hundred hands.”
Exit Sempstresses, singing, R., the same air.
Bless you, my children, can't repress a tear.
Enter Maria, L. 1 E., with a skipping rope.
Maria
(L.)
Good morning, dear papa.
Thoro.
Good day, my dear. (aside)
He—hem! now for it. (aloud)
Daughter, I'll engage,
You've often thought about your marriage.
Has none made no impression on your heart?
My sweet, my very sweet one, why thus tart?
I for your hand have had no end of proffers.
Maria.
(L.)
It is but for my coffers they make offers.
Thoro.
(R.)
The Baron Billiards—if you'd higher get,
That foreign swell, the Duke de Lansquenet—
I thought such splendid titles, dear, would stun you—
Lord Lollipop is very sweet upon you.
Maria.
He's but a boy!
Thoro.
He's one of the he'-lite!
Maria.
He's but eighteen!
Thoro.
Of course, so he's d'sweet (dixhuite).
Maria.
Papa, papa, forgive me if you please,
But I can't marry any one of these.
Thoro.
If any villain hath entrapped your heart, he
Must be a very eligible party:
For you may starve, this matter I am terse on,
If you should wed a pauper or pore-per-son!
Maria.
(aside)
Alas! De Barnwell's nothing but his name.
Enter Trueman, R. 1 E. (a cringing fellow), and stands eyeing Maria.
Thoro.
(C.)
What is your infinitesimal game?
Maria.
(aside, L.)
Trueman, that dreadful persecuting pest!
True.
(R.)
I've merely come to make a small request.
Thoro.
Trueman, your manner I don't understand.
True.
(crossing to Maria)
I've come to ask you for your daughter's hand. (Maria laughs)
I was prepared for ridicule and jibing.
Thoro.
(R.)
My faithful Trueman, have you been imbibing?
10
(passionately)
Yes, at a draught which burns my heart much more
Than prime old fruity port at twenty-four;
Which doth my bosom scorch like living coal—
A sherry cobbler working at my soul.
Maria.
(L.)
A small request, indeed, my hand you call.
True.
(taking it)
I do indeed, sweet maid, extremely small.
Maria.
(pleased)
Trueman polite.
True.
(passionately)
That think ye none can be—
None save De Barnwell? (Maria starts—chord in orchestra)
Thoro.
(crosses to centre)
What! you don't—has she?
No, no! and yet as closer I descry her,
How shrinks Maria now as I more eye her! (clutches her hand severely)
Say, do you love him? is this statement true?
Speak, girl!
Maria.
(L.)
I does.
True.
(R.)
Ha, ha! She does!
Thoro.
(C.)
She do!
Was it for this with love that ne'er diminished
I sent you to a school to be well finished?
The terms were just a hundred pounds a year—
Some of the ologies come very dear—
With extras that suggested thoughts of ruin.
Twelve towels and a silver fork and spoo-in.
What shall I do? oh! tell me, worthy Trueman?
True.
Bestow on me the hand of the young wooman.
Thoro.
Never! you must have dined, presumptuous T.;
My daughter weds not with the likes of thee.
True.
This my return for all the things I've done.
Who helped you up the golden heights you've won?
Who but the wretch on whom you are so hard
Taught you the tricks of trade, and on the card
On which was nineteen shillings boldly placed,
A faint elevenpence three farthings traced
With light lead pencil in the corner? Who
Declared the summer before last's silks were new?
Who vowed through thick and thin when you were brought
Up for intimidation to the court
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In a near court, swore to an alley by.
Thoro.
My observations hurts his feelings, pain 'em,
And as his tears are pure, he don't restrain 'em;
Trueman, she's yours, as partners I'll take you,
And you, Maria, 'll be his partner too. (joins their hands)
Maria.
Never! Maria's firmness you'll discover.
Partner! to think of partn' her from her lover,
I'll die a spinster rather, you shall see!
Thoro.
(C.)
If so, you'll be of great ex pince ter me.
Trio—“Whole hog or none.”
Thoro.
You well know when once I say a thing, I always have it done,
I've a knack of going on, you are aware, when I've begun;
To a vagabondish creditor, I'm a remorseless dun,
With a disobedient child I'll go the whole hog or none!
Maria.
Oh la, pa! think of matrimony
With a horrid wretch like Trueman,
Wouldn't be a bit of fun!
Oh! if to him! I'm bound, I'll go the whole hog or none.
(all repeat in chorus, and dance off to symphony, L. 2 E.)
| George De Barnwell | |