The Works of Charles and Mary Lamb Volume IV Part 35

JOHN WOODVIL

A TRAGEDY

(1798-1802. _Text of_ 1818)

CHARACTERS

SIR WALTER WOODVIL.

JOHN. } SIMON. } _his sons._

LOVEL. } GRAY. } _Pretended friends of John._

SANDFORD. _Sir Walter's old steward._ MARGARET. _Orphan ward of Sir Walter._ FOUR GENTLEMEN. _John's riotous companions._ SERVANTS.

SCENE--_for the most part at Sir Walter's mansion in_ DEVONs.h.i.+RE; _at other times in the forest of_ SHERWOOD.

TIME--_soon after the_ RESTORATION.

ACT THE FIRST

SCENE.--_A Servants' Apartment in Woodvil Hall._

Servants drinking--_Time, the morning._

A Song by DANIEL

_"When the King enjoys his own again."_

PETER A delicate song. Where did'st learn it, fellow?

DANIEL Even there, where thou learnest thy oaths and thy politics--at our master's table.--Where else should a serving-man pick up his poor accomplishments?

MARTIN Well spoken, Daniel. O rare Daniel!--his oaths and his politics!

excellent!

FRANCIS And where did'st pick up thy knavery, Daniel?

PETER That came to him by inheritance. His family have supplied the s.h.i.+re of Devon, time out of mind, with good thieves and bad serving-men. All of his race have come into the world without their conscience.

MARTIN Good thieves, and bad serving-men! Better and better. I marvel what Daniel hath got to say in reply.

DANIEL I marvel more when thou wilt say any thing to the purpose, thou shallow serving-man, whose swiftest conceit carries thee no higher than to apprehend with difficulty the stale jests of us thy compeers. When was't ever known to club thy own particular jest among us?

MARTIN Most unkind Daniel, to speak such biting things of me!

FRANCIS See--if he hath not brought tears into the poor fellow's eyes with the saltness of his rebuke.

DANIEL No offence, brother Martin--I meant none. 'Tis true, Heaven gives gifts, and with-holds them. It has been pleased to bestow upon me a nimble invention to the manufacture of a jest; and upon thee, Martin, an indifferent bad capacity to understand my meaning.

MARTIN Is that all? I am content. Here's my hand.

FRANCIS Well, I like a little innocent mirth myself, but never could endure bawdry.

DANIEL _Quot homines tot sententiae._

MARTIN And what is that?

DANIEL 'Tis Greek, and argues difference of opinion.

MARTIN I hope there is none between us.

DANIEL Here's to thee, brother Martin. (_Drinks._)

MARTIN And to thee, Daniel. (_Drinks._)

FRANCIS And to thee, Peter. (_Drinks._)