Americans -- England -- Drama; Aristocracy (Social class) -- England -- Drama; Comedy plays
Mary No, no, I give myself freely to you--as freely as you, this
morning, gave my grandfather's property to me.
Asa Say it again, last of hope and blessed promise. [Clasps her in his
arms.] Mary, there's something tells me that you'll not repent it. I'm
rough, Mary, awful rough, but you needn't fear that I'll ever be rough
to you. I've camped out in the woods, Mary, often and often, and seen
the bears at play with their cubs in the moonlight, the glistening
teeth, that would tear the hunter, was harmless to them; the big strong
claws that would peel a man's head, as a knife would a pumpkin, was as
soft for them as velvet cushions, and that's what I'll be with you, my
own little wife; and if ever harm does come to you, it must come over
the dead body of Asa Trenchard.
Mary I know it Asa; and if I do not prove a true and loving wife to you;
may my mother's bright spirit never look down to bless her child.
Asa Wal, if I don't get out in the air, I'll bust. [Exit hastily R. 1 E.
pulling Mary after him.]
Enter Binny, L. 1 E. Drunk.
Binny [Calling.] Mr. H'Asa, Mr. H'Asa! Oh he's gone; well, I suppose
he'll come back to keep his happointment. Mr. Coyle's quite impatient.
It isn't hoften that han hamerican has the run of the wine cellars of
Trenchard Manor, and in such company, too. There's me and Mr. Coyle,
which is a good judge of old port wine, and he knows it when he drinks;
and his clerk, Mr. Murcott, which I don't hexactly like sitting
down with clerks. But Mr. H'Asa wished it and Mr. Coyle hadn't any
objections, so in course I put my feelings in my pocket, besides,
Murcott is a man of hedication, though unfortunately taken to drink.
Well, what of that, it's been many a man's misfortune, though I say it,
what shouldn't say it, being a butler. But now to join my distinguished
party. [Exit, R. 1 E.]
Scene 3.--Wine cellar in 3.
Coyle, Murcott and Binny discovered. Table L., with two cups and
bottles. Coyle L. of table, seated. Binny back of table. Murcott sitting
on barrel, R. Door in flat with staircase discovered, dark. Stage half
dark. Candles on table, lighted.
Coyle A capital glass of wine, Mr. Binny, and a capital place to drink
it.
Asa [Without.] Bring a light here, can't you. I've broken my natural
allowance of shins already.
Enters D. in F., down stairs.
Asa [To Murcott.] Is he tight yet?
Mur Histered, but not quite gone yet.
Coyle Oh, Mr. Trenchard, glad to see you, to welcome you to the vaults
of your ancestors.
Asa Oh! these are the vaults of my ancestors, are they? Wal, you seem to
be punishing their spirits pretty well.
Binny Wines, Mr. Asa? The spirits are in the houter cellar.
Coyle Oh, Mr. Asa, there is no place like a wine cellar for a hearty
bout. Here you might bawl yourself hoarse beneath these ribs of stone,
and nobody hear you. [He shouts and sings very loud.]
Asa Oh, wouldn't they hear you? [Aside.] That's worth knowing.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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