WILD OATS; OR, THE STROLLING GENTLEMEN, One of the best Comedies in the English Language ACT I SCENE I. A Parlour in LADY AMARANTH'S. Enter JOHN DORY. JOHN. FINE cruizing this! without flip or bifcuit ! don't know who's the governor of this here fort; but if he can victual us a few-how hollow my bread room founds! (triking his fides) I'm as empty as a stoved keg, and as tired as an old Dutchman-my obftinate mafter, Sir George, to tow my old hulk-aboard the house, ha, hoy! VOL. LI. Sir Sir G. (without) John! John Dory! Enter SIR GEORGE THUNDER. Sir G. I don't know whofe's houfe we've got into here, John; but I think, when he knows me, we may hope, for fome refreshment-Eh! (looking at John) was not I your Captain? John. Yes, and I was your boatfwain. And what of all that? Sir G. Then how dare you fit in my prefence, you bluff head? John. Why, for the matter of that I don't mind; but had I been your captain, and you my boatswain, the man that ftood by me at fea, fhould be welcome to fit before me on land. (rifing) Sir G. That's true, my dear John; offer to ftand up, and, damme, if I dont knock you down-zounds! I am as dry as a powder match -to fail at the rate of ten knots an hour, over fallow and stubble, from my own houfe, half a league this fide of Gofport, and not catch these deferters! John. In this here chace, you wanted the ballaft of wisdom. Sir G. How, firrah! hasn't, my dear old friend, Dick Broadfide, got the command of the fhip I fo often fought myfelf-to man it for him with expedition, didn't I offer two guineas over the King's bounty to every feaman that would enter on board her? Hav'n't thefe three fcoundrels fingered the fhot, then ran, and did'nt I do right to run after them? Damn the money! I no more mind that than a piece of clinker; but but 'twas the pride of my heart to fee my be loved fhip (the Eagle) well mann'd whenmy old friend is the commander. John. But fince you've laid yourself up in ordinary, retired to live in quiet, on your own eftate, and had done with all fea affairs Sir G. John, John, a man fhould forget his own convenience for his country's good.-Tho' Broadfide's letter faid these fellows were lurking about this part of Hampshire, yet ftill its all hide and feek. John. Your ill luck. Sir G. Mine, you swab? John. Ay, you've money and gold; but grace and good fortune have fhook hands with you these nineteen years, for that rogue's trick you play'd poor Mifs Amelia, by deceiving her with a fham marriage, when you paffed yourself for Captain Seymour, and then putting off to fea, leaving her to break her poor heart, and fince marrying another lady. Sir G. Wasn't I forc'd to it by my father? John. Ay; because she had a great fortin, her death too was a judgment upon you. Sir G. Why, you impudent dog fish, upbraid me with running into falfe bay, when you were my pilot? Was'nt it you even brought me the mock clergyman that performed the fham marriage with Amelia? John. Yes, you think fo; but I took care to bring you a real clergyman, (afide) Sir G. But is this a time or place for your lectures? At home, abroad, fea, or land, you will ftill badger me! mention my Wild Oats again and you fcoundrel, fince the night my bed-curtains took fire, aboard the Eagle," you've got me quite into leading-ftrings-you fnatch |
