Wild Oats; or, The Strolling GentlemenO'Keeffe, John
General
Wild Oats; or, The Strolling Gentlemen
O'Keeffe, John
Comedy plays; English drama
_Lady Am._ My pity can do thee no good, yet I pity thee; but as
resignation to what must be, may restore peace, if my means can
procure thee comfort, they are at thy pleasure. Come, let thy griefs
subside, instead of thy cottage, accept, thou and thy brother, every
convenience that my mansion can afford.
_Amelia._ Madam, I can only thank you with----[_Weeps._
_Lady Am._ My thanks are here--Come, thou shalt be cheerful. I will
introduce thee to my sprightly cousin Harry, and his father, my
humourous uncle; we have delights going forward that may amuse thee.
_Amelia._ Kind lady!
_Lady Am._ Come, smile--though a quaker, thou seest I am merry--the
sweetest joy of wealth and power is to cheer another's drooping heart,
and wipe from the pallid cheek the tear of sorrow. [_Exeunt._
ACT THE FIFTH.
SCENE I.
_A Road._
_Enter three_ RUFFIANS, _dressed as Sailors_.
_1st Ruff._ Well, now, what's to be done?
_2d Ruff._ Why, we've been long upon our shifts, and after all our
tricks, twists, and turns, as London was then too hot for us, our
tramp to Portsmouth was a hit.
_3d Ruff._ Ay; but since the cash we touched, upon pretending to be
able bodied seamen, is now come to the last shilling, as we have
deserted, means of a fresh supply to take us back to London, must be
thought on.
_2d Ruff._ Ay, how to recruit the pocket without hazarding the neck.
_1st Ruff._ By an advertisement posted on the stocks yonder, there are
collectors upon this road; thirty guineas are offered by the quaker
lady, owner of the estate round here; I wish we could snap any straggler
to bring before her. A quaker will only require a yea for an oath--we
might sack these thirty guineas.
_2d Ruff._ Yes; but we must take care, if we fall into the hands of
this gentleman that's in pursuit of us----'Sdeath, isn't that his man,
the old boatswain?
_1st Ruff._ Don't run, I think we three are a match for him.
_2d Ruff._ Instantly put on your characters of sailors; we may get
something out of him: a pitiful story makes such an impression on the
soft heart of a true tar, that he'll open his hard hand, and drop you
his last guinea--If we can but make him believe we were pressed, we
have him; only mind me.
_Enter_ JOHN DORY.
_John._ To rattle my lantern, Sir George's temper now always blows a
hurricane.
_2d Ruff._ What cheer? [_To_ JOHN.
_John._ Ha hoy!
_3d Ruff._ Bob, up with your speaking trumpet.
_2d Ruff._ Do you see, brother, this is the thing--
_Enter_ SIR GEORGE, _at the back, unperceived_.
_Sir Geo._ If these should be my deserters. [_Aside._
_1st Ruff._ We three hands, just come home after a long voyage, were
pressed in the river, and without letting us see our friends, brought
round to Portsmouth, and there we entered freely, cause why? We had no
choice, then we run. We hear some gentleman is in chace of us, so as
the shot are all out, we'll surrender.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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