MELLISH. Injurious copper, in thy teeth I hurl the lie. I am no trainer, I. My father, a respected missionary, Apprenticed me at fourteen years of age T' the poetry writing. To these woods I came With Nature to commune. My revery Was by a sound of blows rudely dispelled. Mindful of what my sainted parent taught, I rushed to play the peacemaker, when lo! These minions of the law laid hands on me. BASHVILLE. A lovely woman, with distracted cries, In most resplendent fashionable frock, Approaches like a wounded antelope. _Enter_ ADELAIDE GISBORNE ADELAIDE. Where is my Cashel? Hath he been arrested? POLICEMAN. I would I had thy Cashel by the collar: He hath escaped me. ADELAIDE. Praises be for ever! LYDIA. Why dost thou call the missing man _thy_ Cashel? ADELAIDE. He is mine only son. ALL. Thy son! ADELAIDE. My son. LYDIA. I thought his mother hardly would have known him, So crushed his countenance. ADELAIDE. A ribald peer, Lord Worthington by name, this morning came With honeyed words beseeching me to mount His four-in-hand, and to the country hie To see some English sport. Being by nature Frank as a child, I fell into the snare, But took so long to dress that the design Failed of its full effect; for not until The final round we reached the horrid scene. Be silent all; for now I do approach My tragedy's catastrophe. Know, then, That Heaven did bless me with an only son, A boy devoted to his doting mother---- POLICEMAN. Hark! did you hear an oath from yonder room? ADELAIDE. Respect a broken-hearted mother's grief, And do not interrupt me in my scene. Ten years ago my darling disappeared (Ten dreary twelvemonths of continuous tears, Tears that have left me prematurely aged; For I am younger far than I appear). Judge of my anguish when to-day I saw Stripped to the waist, and fighting like a demon With one who, whatsoe'er his humble virtues, Was clearly not a gentleman, my son! ALL. O strange event! O passing tearful tale! ADELAIDE. I thank you from the bottom of my heart For the reception you have given my woe; And now I ask, where is my wretched son? He must at once come home with me, and quit A course of life that cannot be allowed. _Enter_ CASHEL CASHEL. Policeman: I do yield me to the law. LYDIA. Oh, no. ADELAIDE. My son! CASHEL. My mother! Do not kiss me. My visage is too sore. POLICEMAN. The lady hid him. This is a regular plant. You cannot be Up to that sex. [_To_ CASHEL] You come along with me. LYDIA. Fear not, my Cashel: I will bail thee out.