JOHN HOWARD PAYNE, WASHINGTON IRVING
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face—(aloud)—You come to speak to his majesty?
Mary. Yes, Sir, we come—(apart)—Dear uncle, those features—how my heart beats!—Did you ever see such a resemblance, uncle?
Copp (looking at Edward). Oddsfish! he is like, indeed!—But it can't be him!
Mary. I like Mr. Georgini's face better—it is more animated.
Copp. Don't talk to me of that Georgini. Didst not tell me, he took a ring of that land-pirate?—and, then, to disappear so suddenly.—Fire and fury! if I catch him—
Edw. No swearing in the king's palace.
Copp. Well, well, true; no swearing. But, thunder and lightning! what keeps the king so long?
Edw. I think I hear him. Step into that apartment—a lady will introduce you.
Copp. Ah! the same that I saw at the window;—very well. But, I say. Mister, don't keep me waiting. Just hint to the king, that I've no time to lose. Tell him, there's a launch at Wapping to-day—busy times at the Grand Admiral.
Mary. Let us retire, uncle. I dare say
we shall be sent for in good time.
Copp. Very well, very well. But, do think of the Grand Admiral—all aback for want of me. If the king loses his watch again, the devil take me—Oh! I forgot—I must n't swear in the king's palace. (Exeunt Copp and Mary.)
Edw. This will be a whimsical court presentation, truly! His majesty's perplexities are not yet over.
(Enter Charles in his riding dress.)
Chas. Has Rochester appeared?
Edw. Not yet, Sire.
Chas. (apart). What could be his motive for the cruel trick he played me?
Edw. Your majesty asked for Lord Rochester; here he comes with Lady Clara.
Chas. Pish! Lady Clara is one too many here. I shall not be able to explain myself before her. No matter—he shall not escape me.
(Enter Rochester and Lady Clara.)
Roch. May I venture to ask, if your majesty has passed a comfortable night?
Chas. Indifferent, my lord—(low, to him)—Traitor!
Lady C. (smiling). I understood his lordship had assisted your majesty in your labours.
Roch. Not throughout, my lady. An accident obliged me to leave his majesty in rather a moment of perplexity.
Chas. (angrily). Yes, his lordship left the whole weight of—business—upon my shoulders.
Roch. I doubt not your majesty got through with your usual address.
Chas. (apart). Perfidious varlet! (Aloud.) My lord, you will please to present yourself in my study at two o'clock. I have something particular to say to you.
Roch. Deign to dispense with my attendance, sire. I quit London in a few moments for my estate, as I mentioned yesterday. I am a great offender.—It is time to exile myself from court, and turn hermit.
Chas. (harshly). I approve the project; but will take the liberty of choosing your hermitage myself.
Roch. (low to Lady Clara). The king is furious against me.
Lady C. Courage, my lord—all will end well.
Copp (shouting outside). What the devil is the meaning of this? Am I to be kept here all day?
Chas. What uproar is that?
Lady C. Oh! two persons, whom I met this morning, seeking to speak with his majesty, on some personal concern. As I know him to be so accessible to the people, I undertook to present them.
Chas. Just now it is impossible.
Lady C. I am very sorry, especially on the young girl's account.
Chas. A young girl, did you say?
Lady C. Beautiful as an angel!
Chas. Oh! since you take such interest in her, Lady Clara—(to Edward,)—Show them in.
(Enter Copp and Mary.)
Edw. (preceding them). Come in—his majesty consents to hear you.
Copp. I'm taken all aback—my courage begins to fail me.
Mary. What have you to fear, my dear uncle?
(Keeps her eyes modestly cast down.)
Copp. Fear! it isn't fear, look ye. But, somehow, I never fell in with a king before in all my cruisings.
Chas. (Apart.) Copp and his niece!
here's a pretty rencontre.
(Summoning up dignity.)
