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THE STRIPLING: A TRAGEDY.


YOUNG ARDEN.

And he had better stay there, I trow, if he has not a mind for as sound a beating as ever fell to the share of a sorry jackanapes.

HUMPHRY.

Sorry jackanapes, Sir! There is not a braver boy in the kingdom. He would think no more of chucking such a sneaking fellow as you into the kennel than I should of twisting round this junk of tobacco.

YOUNG ARDEN.

Yes, to be sure, it becomes you to speak well of him, for the honour of the house you are in; but you know well enough that he is but a paltry fellow, who runs about the house and calls out "O dear!" if his finger be but scratched, that every body may pity him.

HUMPHRY.

He is ready enough to pity any body; but scratch his own finger to the bone, ay, cut off his leg, an you please, and the devil himself will not make him call out "O dear!"

YOUNG ARDEN (casting away his hat, skipping across the room, and throwing his arms round Humphry's neck).

My dear Humphry! my kind old Humphry! thou lovest me as much as ever, I see; and I