Page:Miscellaneous Plays 1.pdf/87

KEEPER.

I do not jest, I speak in sober earnest;

He is an Afric prince of royal line.

HARDIBRAND.

What say'st thou! that poor wretch who sneaketh yonder

Upon those two black shanks?(Pointing off the stage.)

KEEPER.

Yes, even he:

When but a youth, stol'n from his noble parents,
He for a slave was sold, and many hardships
By sea and land hath pass'd.

HARDIBRAND.

And now to be the base thing that he is!

Well, well, proceed.

KEEPER.

At last a surly master brought him here,

Who, thinking him unfit for further service,
As then a fest'ring wound wore hard upon him,
With but a scanty sum to bury him,
Left him with me. He, ne'ertheless, recover'd;
And tho' full proud and sullen at the first,
Tam'd by the love of wine which strongly tempts him,
He by degrees forgot his princely pride,