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SCENE

FROM

THE GRUMBLER,

A FARCE:

PLAYED AT COVENT GARDEN THEATRE, MAY 8TH, 1773.

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SCENE

FROM

THE GRUMBLER.

[The Grumbler' was produced specially for the comedian Quick's benefit. Quick, who had played the Postboy in Goldsmith's 'GoodNatured Man,' made a great stride both for himself and his author in his rendering of Tony Lumpkin in 'She Stoops to Conquer;' and as an acknowledgment of his success in this character, Goldsmith, it seems, produced and presented him with 'The Grumbler.' The farce, however, is merely an adaptation of Sir C. Sedley's' Grumbler,' a piece in three acts, produced in 1702, which was evidently taken from the French of the then popular D. A. Brueys' (1640-1723) comedy 'Le Grondeur.' It was never printed, and appears to have been acted only upon the occasion of Quick's benefit, May 8, 1773. The scene now given was first printed in Prior's edition of Goldsmith's Works, 1837, from the Licenser's copy, now in the possession of Mr. John Payne Collier. One may imagine a first-rate actor making something of the scene of the forced dance, but, apart from this, there seems nothing likely to prove very attractive in the little piece. Prior summarizes the plot thus: "Sourby, an ill-tempered, discontented man, is the torment of his family, neighbours, and servants. In the opening of the piece his son is on the point of being married to Clarissa, the consent of Sourby being chiefly obtained by the lady, who believes he has a design upon her himself, relinquishing her naturally mild character for that of a termagant. The character thus assumed agrees however so well with his own, that, in defiance of previous arrangements, he determines to marry her himself, a design favoured by her fortune being in his power. No other remedy occurs to the lovers to avoid his tyranny than further deception: the lady therefore assumes the character of an extravagant, giddy woman of fashion, who is determined to have 'habits, feasts, fiddles, hautboys, masquerades, concerts, and especially a ball for fifteen days after their nuptials.' Above all, her intended husband must learn to dance; and she will admit of no excuse on the plea of years." Then comes the following scene.-ED.]

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Enter Scamper (Sourby's servant) to Sourby, and his
intended wife's maid Jenny.

Scamper. Sir, a gentleman would speak with you. Jenny. Good! Here comes Scamper; he'll manage you, I'll warrant me. (Aside.)

Sourby. Who is it?

Scamper. He says his name is Monsieur Ri-Ri-Stay, Sir, I'll go and ask him again.

Sourby. (Pulling him by the ears.) Take that, sirrah, by the way.

Scamper. Ahi! Ahi!

[Exit.

Jenny. Sir, you have torn off his hair, so that he must now have a wig: you have pulled his ears off; but there are none of them to be had for money.

Sourby. I'll teach him-'Tis certainly Mr. Rigaut, my notary; I know who it is, let him come in. Could he find no time but this to bring me money? Plague take the blockhead!

Enter Dancing-Master and his Fiddler.

Sourby. This is not my man. compliments?

Who are you, with your

Dancing Master. (Bowing often.) I am called Rigaudon, Sir, at your service.

Sourby. (To Jenny.) Have not I seen that face somewhere before?

Jenny. There are a thousand people like one another. Sourby. Well, Mr. Rigaudon, what is your business? Dancing Master. To give you this letter from Madame Clarissa.

Sourby. Give it to me I would fain know who taught Clarissa to fold a letter thus. What contains it? Jenny. (Aside, while he unfolds the letter.) A lover, I believe, never complained of that before.

Sourby. (Reads.) "Everybody says I am to marry the most brutal of men. I would disabuse them; and for that reason you and I must begin the ball to-night." She is mad!

Dancing Master. Go on, pray, Sir.

Sourby. (Reads.) "You told me you cannot dance; but I have sent you the first man in the world." (Sourby looks at him from head to foot.)

Dancing Master. Oh Lord, Sir.

Sourby. (Reads.) "Who will teach you in less than an hour enough to serve your purpose.' I learn to dance!

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Dancing Master. Finish, if you please.

Sourby. "And if you love me, you will learn the Allemande." The Allemande! I, the Allemande ! Mr. the first man in the world, do you know you are in some danger here?

Dancing Master. Come, Sir, in a quarter of an hour, you shall dance to a miracle!

Sourby. Mr. Rigaudon, do you know I will send you out of the window if I call my servants?

Dancing Master. (Bidding his man play.) Come, brisk, this little prelude will put you in humour; you must be held by the hand; or have you some steps of your own? Sourby. Unless you put up that d-d fiddle, I'll beat it about your ears.

Dancing Master. Zounds, Sir! if you are thereabouts, you shall dance presently-I say presently.

Sourby. Shall I dance, villain?

Dancing Master. Yes. By the heavens above shall you dance. I have orders from Clarissa to make you dance. She has paid me, and dance you shall; first, let him go [He draws his sword, and puts it under his arm. Sourby. Ah! I'm dead. What a madman has this

out.

woman sent me!

Jenny. I see I must interpose. Stay you there, Sir; let me speak to him; Sir, pray do us the favour to go and tell the lady, that it's disagreeable to my master.

Dancing Master. I will have him dance.

Sourby. The rascal! the rascal!

Jenny. Consider, if you please, my master is a grave

man.

Dancing Master. I'll have him dance.

Jenny. You may stand in need of him.

Sourby. (Taking her aside.) Yes, tell him that when he will, without costing him a farthing, I'll bleed and purge him his bellyfull.

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