_Not Yorick's skull, nor Hamlet's ghost, Nor all the tragic, stage-made host; With saucer eyes, and looks aghast, Would make me run away so fast: Not all who Milton's head inspire,-- "Gorgons and Hydras and Chimæras dire!" Nor haggard Death, nor snake-torn Sin, Look half so ugly, old and thin; No--all his hell-born, monstrous crew, Are not so dire a sight as you!_ [_While TRUEMAN is saying this, LOVEYET appears to be in a violent rage, and makes several attempts to interrupt the former, who shuns LOVEYET, as if afraid._] LOVEYET. Fire and murder!--Must I bear to be held up for such a monster? Perdition!--What shall I do? What shall I say?--Oh! oh! oh!--Oh! liberty! Oh, my country! Look how he ridicules me!--Did ever any poor man suffer so much for the good of his country!--But I won't give up the glorious cause yet;--sir,--Mr. Trueman--I insist upon it, the new Constitution, sir,--I say, that the old--the new--that--that--'Zounds and fury!-- [_Running towards him, and making an attempt to strike him._ TRUEMAN. My dear Mr. Loveyet, compose yourself a little;--for heaven's sake, sir, consider;--your animal Constitution is not able to withstand the formidable opposition of my political one;--the shock is too great;--let me persuade you, sir; and as soon as nine States accede to the adoption of the new Constitution, we will investigate the merits of the old. Ha, ha, ha. [_This speech and the preceding one, are to be spoken at the same time; during which, TRUEMAN and LOVEYET run about the stage, and HUMPHRY retreats from them as they approach him._] _Enter HARRIET alarmed._ HARRIET. Oh, Papa,--my dear Papa, what's the matter! LOVEYET. And, sir, as sure as--as--eight times nine is sixty-three, your new government is not bottom, not sound; and-- TRUEMAN. And as sure as you are sixty-three, your head is not sound. LOVEYET. Here is your incomparable daughter;--I came here to acquaint you of her scandalous conduct; but now she can save me that trouble. TRUEMAN. How, sir! My daughter's scandalous conduct? LOVEYET. I was going to tell you. I caught her with a strange gallant,--a "very particular friend;" whose "love,--friendship, I would say," was so sincere, that she was kind enough to grant him a little "friendly freedom," in my presence. TRUEMAN. Heaven protect me! There certainly must be something in this. [_Aside._ LOVEYET. And that I have received a letter from my son. HUMPHRY. Aye, now he's his son again. [_Aside._ LOVEYET. And that he will be here soon, and that when he comes, I am going to marry him to Miss Maria Airy. HUMPHRY. I must go tell Mr. Lovit of that, at once. [_Aside, and exit._ LOVEYET. And--but it is no matter now:--I suppose she will tell you a fine story of a cock and a bull.