John Bull | Page 5

well, by hearsay, sir. He has lived there upwards of
thirty years. A very thriving man now, and well to do in the world;--as
others might be, too, if they would but follow my advice. [To DENNIS.
Pereg. I rejoice to hear it. Give me the beer, Landlord; I'll drink his
health in humble malt, then hasten to visit him.
Dennis. [Aside.] By St. Patrick, then, you'll make wry faces on the road.
[Gives him the mug.
[As PEREGRINE is about to drink, a Shriek is heard at a small
Distance.
Pereg. Ha! the voice of a female in distress? Then 'tis a man's business
to fly to her protection. [Dashes the Mug on the Ground. Exit.
Mrs. Brul. Wheugh! what a whirligigg! Why, Dennis, the man's mad!
Dennis. I think that thing.
Mrs. Brul. He has thrown down all the beer, before he tasted a drop.
Dennis. That's it: if he had chuck'd it away afterwards, I shou'dn't have
wonder'd.
Mrs. Brul. Here he comes again;--and, I declare, with a young woman
leaning on his shoulder.
Dennis. A young woman! let me have a bit of a peep. [Looking out.]
Och, the crater! Och, the--
Mrs. Brul. Heyday! I should'n't have thought of your peeping after a
young woman, indeed!
Dennis. Be asy, Mrs. Brulgruddery! it's a way we have in

Ireland.--There's a face!
Mrs. Brul. Well, and hav'n't I a face, pray?
Dennis. That you have, my lambkin! You have had one these fifty
years, I'll bound for you.
Mrs. Brul. Fifty years! you are the greatest brute that ever dug potatoes.
Re-enter PEREGRINE, supporting MARY.
Pereg. This way. Cheer your spirits; the ruffian with whom I saw you
struggling, has fled across the Heath; but his speed prevented my
saving your property. Was your money, too, in the parcel with your
clothes?
Mary. All I possessed in the world, sir;--and he has so frighten'd
me!--Indeed. I thank you, sir; indeed I do!
Pereg. Come, come, compose yourself. Whither are you going, pretty
one?
Mary. I must not tell, sir.
Pereg. Then whither do you come from?
Mary. No body must know, sir.
Pereg. Umph! Then your proceedings, child, are a secret?
Mary. Yes, sir.
Pereg. Yet you appear to need a friend to direct them. A heath is a rare
place to find one: in the absence of a better, confide in me.
Mary. You forget that you are a stranger, sir.
Pereg. I always do--when the defenceless want my assistance.

Mary. But, perhaps you might betray me, sir.
Pereg. Never--by the honour of a man!
Mary. Pray don't swear by that, sir! for, then, you'll betray me, I'm
certain.
Pereg. Have you ever suffered from treachery, then, poor innocence?
Mary. Yes, sir.
Pereg. And may not one of your own sex have been treacherous to
you?
Mary. No, sir; I'm very sure he was a man.
Dennis. Oh, the blackguard!
Mrs. Brul. Hold your tongue, do!
Pereg. Listen to me, child. I would proffer you friendship, for your own
sake--for the sake of benevolence. When ages, indeed, are nearly equal,
nature is prone to breathe so warmly on the blossoms of a friendship
between the sexes, that the fruit is desire; but time, fair one, is
scattering snow on my temples, while Hebe waves her freshest ringlets
over yours. Rely, then, on one who has numbered years sufficient to
correct his passions; who has encountered difficulties enough to teach
him sympathy; and who would stretch forth his hand to a wandering
female, and shelter her like a father.
Mary. Oh, sir! I do want protection sadly indeed! I am very miserable!
[Weeping.
Pereg. Come, do not droop. The cause of your distress, perhaps, is
trifling; but, light gales of adversity will make women weep. A
woman's tear falls like the dew that zephyrs shake from roses.--Nay,
confide in me.
Mary. I will, sir; but---- [Looking round.

Pereg. Leave us a little, honest friends.
Dennis. A hem!--Come, Mrs. Brulgruddery! let you and I pair off, my
lambkin!
Mrs. Brul. [Going.] Ah! she's no better than she should be, I'll warrant
her.
Dennis. By the powers, she's well enough though, for all that. [Exeunt
DENNIS and MRS. BRUL. into the House.
Pereg. Now, sweet one, your name?
Mary. Mary, sir.
Pereg. What else?
Mary. Don't ask me that, sir: my poor father might be sorry it was
mentioned, now.
Pereg. Have you quitted your father, then?
Mary. I left his house at day-break, this morning, sir.
Pereg. What is he?
Mary. A tradesman in the neighbouring town, sir.
Pereg. Is he aware of your departure?
Mary. No, sir,
Pereg. And your mother--?
Mary. I was very little, when she died, sir.
Pereg. Has your father, since her death, treated you with cruelty?
Mary. He? Oh, bless him! no! he is the