EPILOGUE BY THE AUTHOR SPOKEN BY MRS. BULKLEY LADIES, for you-I heard our poet say— 66 Through all the drama-whether damn'd or not- From every rank obedience is our due D'ye doubt ?-The world's great stage shall prove it true." Will sup abroad; but first he'll ask his wife : Nay, I have heard that statesmen-great and wise- Nor with less awe, in scenes of humbler life, Early from radiant Love's impartial light Steals one small spark to cheer this world of night: Is all the warmth his little cottage knows! The wandering tar, who not for years has press'd The widow'd partner of his day of rest, On the cold deck, far from her arms removed, And while around the cadence rude is blown, The soldier, fairly proud of wounds and toil, But ye more cautious, ye nice-judging few, Though friends to love-ye view with deep regret ST. PATRICK'S DAY ACT ONE SCENE I. LIEUTENANT O'CONNOR'S Lodgings Enter SERJEANT TROUNCE, CORPORAL FLINT, and four SOLDIERS 1 Sol. I say you are wrong; we should all speak together, each for himself, and all at once, that we may be heard the better. 2 Sol. Right, Jack, we 'll argue in platoons. 3 Sol. Ay, ay, let him have our grievances in a volley, and if we be to have a spokesman, there's the corporal is the lieutenant's countryman, and knows his humour. Flint. Let me alone for that. I served three years, within a bit, under his honour, in the Royal Inniskillions, and I never will see a sweeter-tempered gentleman, nor one more free with his purse. I put a great shammock in his hat this morning, and I'll be bound for him he 'll wear it, was it as big as Steven's Green. 4 Sol. I say again then you talk like youngsters, like militia striplings: there's a discipline, look'ee, in all things, whereof the serjeant must be our guide; he's a gentleman of words; he understands your foreign lingo, your figures, and such like auxiliaries in scoring. Confess now for a reckoning, whether in chalk or writing, ben 't he your only man? Flint. Why the serjeant is a scholar to be sure, and has the gift of reading. Trounce. Good soldiers and fellow gentlemen, if you make me your spokesman, you will show the more judgment; and let me alone for the argument. I'll be as loud as a drum, and point blank from the purpose. All. Agreed, agreed. Flint. Oh, fait ! here comes the lieutenant. Now, serjeant. |