Modesty? -But come, no more of that—our happiness is now as unalloyed as general. Julia. Then let us study to preserve it so; and while Hope pictures to us a flattering scene of future bliss, let us deny its pencil those colours which are too bright to be lasting. When hearts deserving happiness would unite their fortunes, Virtue would crown them with an unfading garland of modest hurtless flowers; but ill-judging Passion will force the gaudier rose into the wreath, whose thorn offends them, when its leaves are dropt! ACT I. SCENE I. Enter TROUNCE, FLINT, and four SOLDIERS 1st Sol. I SAY you are wrong; we should all speak together, each for himself, and all at once, that we may be heard the better. 2d Sol. Right, Jack, we'll argue in platoons. 3d Sol. Ay, ay, let him have our grievances in a volley, and if we be to have a spokesman, there's the corporal is the lieutenant's countryman, and knows his humour. Cor. Let me alone for that. I served three years, within a bit, under his honour, in the Royal Inniskillions, and I never will see a sweeter tempered gentleman, nor one more free with his purse. I put a great shamrock in his hat this morning, and I'll be bound for him he'll wear it, was it as big as Steven's Green. 4th Sol. I say again then you talk like youngsters, like militia striplings: there's a discipline, look'ee, in all things, whereof the serjeant must be our guide; he's a gentleman of words; he understands your foreign lingo, your figures, and such like auxiliaries in scoring. Confess now for a reckoning, whether in chalk or writing, ben't he your only man? Cor. Why, the serjeant is a scholar to be sure, and has the gift of reading. Serj. Good soldiers, and fellow-gentlemen, if you make me your spokesman you will show the more judgment; and let me alone for the argument. I'll be as loud as a drum, and point blank from the purpose. All. Agreed, agreed. |