A Wife and Princess see me next, beset With subtle toils, in an Italian net; While knavish Courtiers, stung with rage or fear, Distill'd lip-poison in a husband's ear. I ponder'd on the boiling Southern vein; Racks, cords, stilettos, rush'd upon my brain! By poor, good, weak Antonio, too disowned-- I dream'd each night, I should be Desdemona'd: And, being in Mantua, thought upon the shop, Whence fair Verona's youth his breath did stop: And what if Leonardo, in foul scorn, Some lean Apothecary should suborn To take my hated life? A "tortoise" hung Before my eyes, and in my ears scaled "alligators" rung. But _my_ Othello, to his vows more zealous-- Twenty Iagos could not make _him_ jealous! New raised to reputation, and to life-- } At your commands behold me, without strife, } Well-pleased, and ready to repeat--"The Wife." } * * * * * JOHN WOODVIL A TRAGEDY (1798-1802. _Text of_ 1818) * * * * * CHARACTERS SIR WALTER WOODVIL. JOHN. } SIMON. } _his sons._ LOVEL. } GRAY. } _Pretended friends of John._ SANDFORD. _Sir Walter's old steward._ MARGARET. _Orphan ward of Sir Walter._ FOUR GENTLEMEN. _John's riotous companions._ SERVANTS. SCENE--_for the most part at Sir Walter's mansion in_ DEVONSHIRE; _at other times in the forest of_ SHERWOOD. TIME--_soon after the_ RESTORATION. * * * * * ACT THE FIRST SCENE.--_A Servants' Apartment in Woodvil Hall._ Servants drinking--_Time, the morning._ * * * * * A Song by DANIEL _"When the King enjoys his own again."_ PETER A delicate song. Where did'st learn it, fellow? DANIEL Even there, where thou learnest thy oaths and thy politics--at our master's table.--Where else should a serving-man pick up his poor accomplishments? MARTIN Well spoken, Daniel. O rare Daniel!--his oaths and his politics! excellent! FRANCIS And where did'st pick up thy knavery, Daniel? PETER That came to him by inheritance. His family have supplied the shire of Devon, time out of mind, with good thieves and bad serving-men. All of his race have come into the world without their conscience. MARTIN Good thieves, and bad serving-men! Better and better. I marvel what Daniel hath got to say in reply. DANIEL I marvel more when thou wilt say any thing to the purpose, thou shallow serving-man, whose swiftest conceit carries thee no higher than to apprehend with difficulty the stale jests of us thy compeers. When was't ever known to club thy own particular jest among us? MARTIN Most unkind Daniel, to speak such biting things of me!