Wild Oats; or, The Strolling GentlemenO'Keeffe, John
General
Wild Oats; or, The Strolling Gentlemen
O'Keeffe, John
Comedy plays; English drama
_Rover._ I am, now I can put some pounds in your pockets; you shall
be employed--we're getting up "_As you like it._" Let's see, in the
cast have I a part for you?--I'll take Touchstone from Lamp, you shall
have it, my boy; I'd resign Orlando to you with any other Rosalind;
but the lady of the mansion plays it herself, you rogue.
_Harry._ The very lady my father intended for me. [_Aside._] Do you
love her, Jack?
_Rover._ To distraction; but I'll not have her.
_Harry._ No! Why?
_Rover._ She thinks me a gentleman, and I'll not convince her I am a
rascal. I'll go on with our play, as the produce is appropriated to
a good purpose, and then lay down my 'squireship, bid adieu to my
heavenly Rosalind, and exit for ever from her house, poor Jack Rover.
_Harry._ The generous fellow I ever thought him! and he sha'n't lose
by it. If I could make him believe--[_Aside._] Well, this is the most
whimsical affair! You've anticipated, superseded me, ha! ha! ha! You'll
scarce believe that I'm come here too (purposely though) to pass
myself for this young Henry.
_Rover._ No!
_Harry._ I am.
_Sir Geo._ [_Without._] Harry, where are you?
_Rover._ Eh! who's that?
_Harry._ Ah! ah! ah! I'll try it; my father will be cursedly vexed;
but no other way. [_Aside._
_Rover._ Somebody called Harry--Zounds! "if the real Simon Pure"
should be arrived, I'm in a fine way!
_Harry._ Be quiet--that's my confederate.
_Rover._ Eh!
_Harry._ He's to personate the father, Sir George. He started the
scheme, having heard that a union was intended, and Sir George not
immediately expected--our plan is, if I can, before his arrival,
flourish myself into the lady's good graces, and whip her up, as
she's an heiress.
_Rover._ But who is this comrade?
_Harry._ One of our company, a devilish good actor in the old man.
_Rover._ So you're turned fortune-hunter! Oh, oh! then 'twas on this
plan that you parted with me on the road, standing like a finger post,
"you walk up that way, and I must walk down this." [_Mimicks._] Why,
Dick, I did'nt know you were half so capital a rogue.
_Harry._ I did'nt know my forte lay that way, till persuaded by this
experienced stager.
_Rover._ He must be an impudent old scoundrel; who is he? Do I not
know him?
_Harry._ Why, no--I hope not. [_Aside._
_Rover._ I'll step down stairs, and have the honour of--I'll kick him.
_Harry._ Stop! No, I wou'dn't have him hurt neither.
_Rover._ What's his name?
_Harry._ His name is--is--Abrawang.
_Rover._ Abrawang! Abrawang! I never heard of him; but, Dick, why would
you let him persuade you to such a scandalous affair?
_Harry._ Why faith, I would have been off it; but when once he takes a
project into his head, the devil himself can't drive him out of it.
_Rover._ Yes; but the constable may drive him into Winchester gaol.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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