Speed the Plough | Page 6

so grievously bruised by the breaking of his team.
Everg. That was kindly done, Henry.
Henry. I found him suffering under extreme torture, yet a ray of joy shot from his languid eye--for his medicine was administered by a father's hand--it was a mother's precious tear that dropped upon his wound--Oh, how I envied him!
Everg. Still on the same subject--I tell thee, if thou art not acknowledged by thy race, why, then become the noble founder of a new one.--Come with me to the castle, for the last time.
Henry. The last time!
Everg. Aye, boy; for, when Sir Philip arrives, you must avoid him.
Henry. Not see him! where exists the power that shall prevent me?
Everg. Henry, if you value your own peace of mind--if you value an old man's comfort, avoid the castle.
Henry. [Aside.] I must dissemble with this honest creature--Well, I am content.
Everg. That's right--that's right,--Henry--Be but thou resigned and virtuous, and He, who clothes the lily of the field, will be a parent to thee. [Exeunt.

ACT THE SECOND.
SCENE I.
A Lodge belonging to the Castle.
Dame Ashfield discovered making lace.
Enter HANDY, jun.
Handy, jun. A singular situation this my old dad has placed me in; brought me here to marry a woman of fashion and beauty, while I have been professing, and I've a notion feeling, the most ardent love for the pretty Susan Ashfield--Propriety says, take Miss Blandford--Love says, take Susan--Fashion says, take both--but would Susan consent to such an arrangement?--and if she refused, would I consent to part with her?--Oh, time enough to put that question, when the previous one is disposed of--[Seeing DAME.] How do you do? How do you do?--Making lace, I perceive--Is it a common employment, here?
Dame. Oh, no, sir? nobody can make it in these parts but myself!--Mrs. Grundy, indeed, pretends--but, poor woman! she knows no more of it than you do.
Handy, jun. Than I do! that's vastly well;--My dear madam, I passed two months at Mechlin for the express purpose.
Dame. Indeed!
Handy, jun. You don't do it right--now I can do it much better than that. Give me leave, and I'll shew you the true Mechlin method [Turns the cushion round, kneels down, and begins working.] First you see, so--then, so--
Enter SIR ABEL, and MISS BLANDFORD.
Sir Abel. I vow, Miss Blandford, fair as I ever thought you, the air of your native land has given additional lustre to your charms!--[Aside.] If my wife looked so--Ah! but where can Bob be?--You must know, miss, my son is a very clever fellow! you won't find him wasting his time in boyish frivolity!--no; you will find him-- [Sees him.
Miss B. Is that your son, sir?
Sir Abel. [Abashed.] Yes, that's Bob!
Miss B. Pray, sir, is he making lace, or is he making love?
Sir Abel. Curse me if I can tell. [Hits him with his stick.] Get up, you dog! don't you see Miss Blandford?
Handy, jun. [Starting up.] Zounds! how unlucky! Ma'am, your most obedient servant. [Endeavours to hide the work.] Curse the cushion! [Throws it off.
Dame. Oh! he has spoiled my lace!
Handy, jun. Hush! I'll make you a thousand yards another time--You see, ma'am, I was explaining to this good woman--what--what need not be explained again--Admirably handsome, by Heaven! [Aside.
Sir Abel. Is not she, Bob?
Handy, jun. [To MISS B.] In your journey from the coast, I conclude you took London in your way? Hush! [To DAME.
Miss B. Oh no, sir, I could not so soon venture into the beau monde; a stranger just arrived from Germany--
Handy, jun. The very reason--the most fashionable introduction possible! but I perceive, sir, you have here imitated other German importations, and only restored to us our native excellence.
Miss B. I assure you, sir, I am eager to seize my birthright, the pure and envied immunities of an English woman!
Handy, jun. Then I trust, madam, you will be patriot enough to agree with me, that as a nation is poor, whose only wealth is importation--that therefore the humble native artist may ever hope to obtain from his countrymen those fostering smiles, without which genius must sicken and industry decay. But it requires no valet de place to conduct you through the purlieus of fashion, for now the way of the world is, for every one to pursue their own way; and following the fashion is differing as much as possible from the rest of your acquaintance.
Miss B. But, surely sir, there is some distinguishing feature, by which the votaries of fashion are known?
Handy, jun. Yes; but that varies extremely--sometimes fashionable celebrity depends on a high waist--sometimes on a low carriage--sometimes on high play, and sometimes on low breeding--last winter it rested solely on green peas!
Miss B. Green peas!
Handy, jun. Green peas--That lady was the most enchanting, who could bring the greatest quantity of green peas to her table at Christmas! the struggle was tremendous! Mrs. Rowley Powley had