LADY AMARANTH _Mrs. Pope._ AMELIA _Miss Chapman._ JANE _Mrs. Wells._ _SCENE,--Part of Hampshire._ WILD OATS. ACT THE FIRST. SCENE I. _A Parlour in_ LADY AMARANTH'S _House_. _Enter_ JOHN DORY. _John._ Fine cruizing this! without flip or biscuit! don't know who's the Governor of this here fort; but if he can victual us a few--how hollow my bread room sounds! [_Striking his sides._] I'm as empty as a stoved keg, and as tired as an old Dutchman--my obstinate master, Sir George, to tow my old hulk--aboard the house, ha, hoy! _Sir Geo._ [_Without._] John! John Dory! _John._ [_Sits._] I'm at anchor. _Enter_ SIR GEORGE THUNDER. _Sir Geo._ I don't know who's house we've got into here, John; but I think, when he knows me, we may hope for some refreshment--Eh! [_Looking at_ JOHN.] was not I your captain? _John._ Yes; and I was your boatswain. And what of all that? _Sir Geo._ Then how dare you sit in my presence, you bluff head? _John._ Why, for the matter of that, I don't mind; but had I been your captain, and you my boatswain, the man, that stood by me at sea, should be welcome to sit before me at land. _Sir Geo._ That's true, my dear John; offer to stand up, and, damme, if I don't knock you down--zounds! I am as dry as a powder match--to sail at the rate of ten knots an hour, over fallow and stubble, from my own house, but half a league on this side of Gosport, and not catch these deserters! _John._ In this here chase you wanted the ballast of wisdom. _Sir Geo._ How, sirrah! hasn't my dear old friend, Dick Broadside, got the command of the ship I so often fought myself--to man it for him with expedition, didn't I (out of my own pocket) offer two guineas over the king's bounty to every seaman that would enter on board her? Hav'n't these three scoundrels fingered the shot, then ran, and didn't I do right to run after them? Damn the money! I no more mind that than a piece of clinker; but 'twas the pride of my heart to see my beloved ship (the Eagle) well mann'd, when my old friend is the commander. _John._ But since you've laid yourself up in ordinary, retired to live in quiet, on your estate, and had done with all sea affairs-- _Sir Geo._ John, John, a man should forget his own convenience for his country's good.--Though Broadside's letter said these fellows were lurking about this part of Hampshire, yet still it's all hide and seek. _John._ Your ill luck. _Sir Geo._ Mine, you swab? _John._ Ay, you've money and gold; but grace and good fortune have shook hands with you these nineteen years, for that rogue's trick you play'd poor Miss Amelia, by deceiving her with a sham marriage, when you passed yourself for Captain Seymour, and then putting off to sea, leaving her to break her poor heart, and since marrying another lady. _Sir Geo._ Wasn't I forc'd to it by my father? _John._--Ay; because she had a great fortin, her death too was a judgment upon you.