Inkle. Rascal! Talk again of going out, and I'll flea you alive. Trudge. That's just what I expect for coming in. All that enter here appear to have had their skin stript over their ears; and ours will be kept for curiosities. We shall stand here, stuff'd for a couple of white wonders. Inkle. [Goes up.] This curtain seems to lead to another apartment: I'll draw it. Trudge. No, no, no, don't, don't. We may be called to account for disturbing the company: you may get a curtain-lecture, perhaps, sir. Inkle. Peace, booby, and stand on your guard. Trudge. Oh! what will become of us! Some grim, seven-feet fellow ready to scalp us. Inkle. [Draws the curtain aside.] By heaven! a woman! [As the curtain draws, YARICO and WowSKI are disco vered, asleep.] Trudge. (L.) A woman! [Aside.]-[Loud.] But let him come on; I'm ready-dam'me, I dont fear facing the devil himself-Faith it is a woman-fast asleep too. Inkle. (R.) And beautiful as an angel! Trudge. And, egad! there seems to be a nice, little plump bit in the corner; only she's an angel of rather a darker sort. Inkle. Hush! keep back-she wakes. [Yarico comes forward-Inkle, R. and Trudge, L. retire to opposite sides of the scene.] Yar. SONG. When the chace of day is done, Then, once more, I see our train, Once more, our prey Guashes his angry teeth, and foams in vain. Again, in sullen haste, he flies, Ta'en in the toil, again he lies, Again he roars and, in mv slumbers, dies. Inkle. A little up, R.] Our language! Trudge. [A little up, L.] Zounds! she has thrown me into a cold sweat. Yar. Hark! 1 heard a noise! Wowski, awake! whence can it proceed? [She wakes Wowski, and they both come forward— Yarico towards Inkle; Wowski towards Trudge.] Yar. Ah! what form is this ?-are you a man? Inkle. [Advances, R.] True flesh and blood, my charming heathen, I promise you. Yar. What harmony in his voice! What a shape! How fair his skin too![Gazing. Trudge. This must be a lady of quality, by her staring. Yar. Say, stranger, whence come you? Inkle. From a far distant island; driven on this coast by distress, and deserted by my companions. Yar. And do you know the danger that surrounds you here? Our woods are filled with beasts of prey-my countrymen too- -(yet, I think they cou'dn't find the heart) -might kill you. It would be a pity if you fell in their way-I think I should weep if you came to any harm. Trudge. O ho! It's time, I see, to begin making interest with the chambermaid. [Takes Wowski apart, R. S. E. Inkle. How wild and beautiful! sure, there's magic in her shape, and she has rivetted me to the place. But where shall I look for safety! let me fly, and avoid my death. [Crosses, L. Yar. (R.) Oh! no-But-[As if puzzled.] well then, die stranger, but don't depart.-But I will try to preserve you; and, if you are killed, Yarico must die too! Yet, 'tis I alone can save you: your death is certain, without my assistance; and, indeed, indeed, you shall not want it. Inkle. My kind Yarico! what means, then, must be us'd for my safety? Yar. My cave must conceal you: none enter it, since my father was slain in battle. I will bring you food, by day, then lead you to our unfrequented groves, by moonlight, to listen to the nightingale. If you should sleep, I'll watch you; and wake you when there's danger. Inkle. Generous maid! Then, to you I will owe my life; and, whilst it lasts, nothing shall part us. Yar. And shan't it, shan't it, indeed ? Inkle. No, my Yarico! for, when an opportunity offers to return to my country, you shall be my companion. Yar. What! cross the seas! Inkle. Yes. Help me to discover a vessel, and you shall enjoy wonders. You shall be decked in silks, my brave maid, and have a house drawn with horses to carry you. Yar. Nay, do not laugh at me-but is it so ? Inkle. It is, indeed! Yar. Oh, wonder! I wish my countrywomen could see me -But won't your warriors kill us? Inkle. No, our only danger, on land, is here. Yar. Then let us retire further into the cave. your safety is in my keeping. inkle. I follow you-Yet, can you run following me? DUETT. "O say, Bonny Lass.” Come some risk in Inkle. O say, simple maid, have you form'd any notion Of all the rude dangers in crossing the ocean? When winds whistle shrilly, ah! won't they remind you, To sigh, with regret, for the grot left behind you? Yar. Ah! no, I could follow, and sail the world over, Nor think of my grot, when I look at my lover! The winds which blow round us, your arms for my pillow, Will lull us to sleep, whilst we're rocked by each billow. Both. O say then, my true love, we never will sunder, Nor shrink from the tempest, nor dread the big thunder: While constant, we'll laugh at all changes of weather, And journey, all over the world, both together. Re-enter TRUDGE and WoWSKI, R. S. E. Trudge. Why, you speak English as well as I, my little Wowski. Wow. Iss. Trudge. Iss! And you learnt it from a strange man, that tumbled from a big boat, many moons ago, you say? Wow. Iss-teach me-Teach good many. Trudge. Then, what the devil made 'em so surprised at seeing us! was he like me? [Wowski shakes her head.] Not so smart a body, may-hap. Was his face, now, round and comely, and-ch! [Stroking his chin.] Was it like wine? Wow. (R.) Like dead leaf-brown and shrivel. Trudge. (L.) Oh, oh, an old shipwrecked sailor, I warrant. With white and grey hair, eh, my pretty beautyspot? Wow. Iss; all white. When night come, he put it in pocket. Trudge. Oh! wore a wig. something more than English, I believe. Wow. Iss. Trudge. The devil he did! But the old boy taught you What was it? Wow. Teach me put dry grass, red hot, in hollow white stick. Trudge. Aye, what was that for? Wow. Put it in my mouth-go poff, poff? Trudge. Zounds! did he teach you to smoke? Wow. Iss. Trudge. And what became of him at last? What did your countrymen do for the poor fellow ? Wow. Eat him one day-Our chief kill him. Trudge. Mercy on us! what damn'd stomachs, to swallow a tough old tar! Ah, poor Trudge! your killing comes next. Wow. No, no-not you-no~ [Running to him anxiously. Trudge. No? Why what shall I do, if I get in their paws? Wow. I fight for you! Trudge. Will you? Ecod, she's a brave, good-natured wench! She'll be worth a hundred of your English wives -Whenever they fight on their husband's account, it's with him instead of for him, I fancy. But how the plague am I to live here? Wow. I feed you—bring you kid. And when all the sky is blue, When cold comes, or when 'tis hot, White man, don't leave me! Trudge. Zounds! leopard's skin for winter wear, and feathers for a summer's suit! Ha, ha! I shall look like a walking hammer-cloth, at Christmas, and an upright shuttlecock, in the dog-days. And for all this, if my master and I find our way to England, you shall be part of our travelling equipage; and, when I get there, I'll give you a couple of snug rooms, on a first floor, and visit you every evening as soon as I come from the counting-house. Do you like it? Wow. Iss. I'm head clerk of Trudge. Damme, what a flashy fellow I shall seem in the city! I'll get a white boy to bring up the tea-kettle. Then I'll teach you to write and to dress hair. Wow. You a great man in your country? Trudge. Oh, yes, a very great man. the counting-house, and first valet-de-chambre of the dressing-room. I pounce parchments, powder hair, black shoes, ink paper, shave beards, and mend pens. But hold; I had forgot one material point—you arʼnt married, I hope? Wow. No; you be my chum-chum ! Trudge. So I will. It's best, however, to be sure of her being single; for Indian husbands are not quite so complaisant as English ones, and the vulgar dogs might think of looking a little after their spouses. Well, but you have had a lover or two in your time; eh, Wowski ! Wow. Oh, iss-great many-I tell you. Wow. DUETT. Wampum, Swampun, Yanko, Lanko, Nanko, Black men-plenty-twenty-fight for me, Trudge. Who? Wow. Trudge. Wow. You. Yes, my pretty little Wowski! Then I'll leave all and follow thee. A. |