152
CHARLES THE SECOND
warrant you've been teaching it all over town.
Edw. Indeed, I teach it to no one but yourself—for no one else can do it such justice.
Mary (smiling). Nay, now you are flattering—have you brought it with you?
Edw. Here it is—if you please, we will sing it at once.
Mary. Yes—but—but—don't look so steadily at me while I sing—it puts me out; and then—and then—I don't know what I'm singing.
Edw. What!—have you fear of me, then?
Mary. Oh! yes; I fear that I may not please you.
Edw. (apart). Amiable innocence! for the world would I not betray thee.
Duetto.
Love one day essayed to gain
Entrance into Beauty's bower,
Many a toil, and many a chain,
Guarded round the precious flower.
But Love laid aside his bow.
Veiled his wing, hid his dart,
Entered more than Beauty's bower,
Entered also Beauty's heart.
Hence was the sweet lesson learnt.
Fond hearts never should despair,
Kept with truth, and led by hope.
What is there Love may not dare?
(Enter Copp, a little gay, singing.)
- "In the time of the Rump," &c.
Aha! master crotchet and quaver, so you've come at last, have you? What the deuce did you stay away for, and let my little girl get out of tune?
Edw. Oh! I have explained all, sir, and
made my peace.
Copp. Ah, she's a forgiving little baggage, and amazing fond of music—why, she's always on the lookout for you an hour before the time.
Mary. Never mind, uncle. Are your strange companions here still?
Copp. Here still? ay, and likely to stay here—ha! ha! ha!—no getting rid of them—they're a couple of devils, of right down merry devils, ha! ha! ha!—They've flustered me a little, i' faith.
Edw. You seem to have a great deal of company in the house, sir; I'll take my leave.
Copp. You shall take no such thing—you shall take tea with us, my little semi-breve, and we'll have a lesson of music too. Oddsfish! you shall give me a lesson—I am confoundedly out of practice, and can't turn my old song for the life of me. (Begins.) "In the time of the Rump"—
Mary. Never mind the song now, uncle, we must have tea first, and Mr. Georgini will help me make it.
Copp. Ay, faith, and we'll add a bowl of punch and a flask of old Madeira to make a set out—my two messmates in the other room are to be of the party.
Mary. What, those wild sailors who have been keeping the house in an uproar?
Copp. To be sure—they're good lads, though they have a little of the devil in them.—They asked to clink the cup with me, and you know I can't well refuse, by trade, to clink the cup with any one. In troth, they had put me in such rare good humour—ha! ha! ha!—that I could not refuse them for the life of me.
Mary. But they are such a couple of harebrains—
Copp. Oh! don't be afraid—they are rough, but good-natured—sailor-like: besides, am not I always within hail? One of them, I see, is heaving in sight already. Come with me, my girl, and help to prepare the punch and get the tea—you, my king of crotchets, will stay and receive our guests—make yourself at home.—(Sings as he goes.) "In the time of the Rump"—
(Exeunt Copp and Mary.)
Edw. Here's a transformation! from a court page behold me master of ceremonies at a Wapping tavern! (starts). Good heaven! whom have we here? The Earl of Rochester in that rude garb!
(Enter Rochester.)
Roch. The shouts of those jolly fellows began to turn my brain—his majesty is in fine humour to get into a scrape; and if he does, to make his difficulties more perplexing, I have secured his purse, so that he cannot bribe his way out of them—Hey! Edward?
Edw. (confused). My lord Rochester—
Roch. Silence, you rogue! I am no lord here, no Rochester. I am a seaman—my name Tom Taffrel. The king, my messmate, is Jack Mizen.
Edw. The king with you!—(aside). I see it all—he's after Mary—ah! I am lost.
Roch. Don't be alarmed, friend Georgini;
