The Toy Shop (1735) The King and the Miller of Mansfield (1737) Part 6

_d.i.c.k._ Ah, _Peggy_! you were too hasty in believing, and much I fear, the Vengeance aim'd at me, had other Charms to recommend it to you: Such Bravery as that [_Pointing to her Cloaths_] I had not to bestow; but if a tender, honest Heart could please, you had it all; and if I wish'd for more, 'twas for your sake.

_Peg._ O _Richard_! when you consider the wicked Stratagem he contriv'd to make me think you base and deceitful, I hope you will, at least, pity my Folly, and, in some Measure, excuse my Falshood; that you will forgive me, I dare not hope.

_d.i.c.k._ To be forc'd to fly from my Friends and Country, for a Crime that I was innocent of, is an Injury that I cannot easily forgive to be sure: But if you are less guilty of it than I thought, I shall be very glad; and if your Design be really as you say, to clear me, and to expose the Baseness of him that betray'd and ruin'd you, I will join with you with all my Heart. But how do you propose to do this?

_Peg._ The King is now in this Forest a hunting, and our young Lord is every Day with him: Now, I think, if we could take some Opportunity of throwing ourselves at his Majesty's Feet, and complaining of the Injustice of one of his Courtiers, it might, perhaps, have some Effect upon him.

_d.i.c.k._ If we were suffer'd to make him sensible of it, perhaps it might; but the Complaints of such little Folks as we seldom reach the Ears of Majesty.

_Peg._ We can but try.

_d.i.c.k._ Well, If you will go with me to my Father's, and stay there till such an Opportunity happens, I shall believe you in earnest, and will join with you in your Design.

_Peg._ I will do any thing to convince you of my Sincerity, and to make Satisfaction for the Injuries which have been done you.

_d.i.c.k._ Will you go now?

_Peg._ I will be with you in less than an Hour. [_Exeunt._

_Scene changes to the Mill._

MARGERY _and_ KATE _Knitting_.

_Kate._ O dear, I would not see a Spirit for all the World; but I love dearly to hear Stories of them. Well, and what then?

_Mar._ And so, at last, in a dismal, hollow Tone it cry'd----

[_A Knocking at the Door frights them both; they scream out, and throw down their Knitting._

_Mar._ and } Lord bless us! What's that?

_Kate._ }

_Kate._ O dear, Mother, it's some Judgment upon us I'm afraid. They say, talk of the Devil and he'll appear.

_Mar._ _Kate_, go and see who's at the Door.

_Kate._ I durst not go, Mother; do you go.

_Mar._ Come, let's both go.

_Kate._ Now don't speak as if you was afraid.

_Mar._ No, I won't, if I can help it. Who's there?

_d.i.c.k without._ What, won't you let me in?

_Kate._ O Gemini! it's like our _d.i.c.k_, I think: He's certainly dead, and it's his Spirit.

_Mar._ Heaven forbid! I think in my Heart it's he himself. Open the Door, _Kate_.

_Kate._ Nay, do you.

_Mar._ Come, we'll both open it.

[_They open the Door._

_Enter_ d.i.c.k.

_d.i.c.k._ Dear Mother, how do ye do? I thought you would not have let me in.

_Mar._ Dear Child, I'm over-joy'd to see thee; but I was so frighted, I did not know what to do.

_Kate._ Dear Brother, I am glad to see you; how have you done this long while?

_d.i.c.k._ Very well, _Kate_. But where's my Father?

_Mar._ He heard a Gun go off just now, and he's gone to see who 'tis.

_d.i.c.k._ What, they love Venison at _Mansfield_ as well as ever, I suppose?

_Kate._ Ay, and they will have it too.

_Miller without._ Hoa! _Madge! Kate!_ bring a Light here.

_Mar._ Yonder he is.

_Kate._ Has he catch'd the Rogue, I wonder?

_Enter the_ KING _and the_ MILLER.

_Mar._ Who have you got?

_Mil._ I have brought thee a Stranger, _Madge_; thou must give him a Supper, and a Lodging if thou can'st.

_Mar._ You have got a better Stranger of your own, I can tell you: _d.i.c.k_'s come.

_Mil._ _d.i.c.k!_ Where is he? Why _d.i.c.k!_ How is't my Lad?

_d.i.c.k._ Very well, I thank you, Father.

_King._ A little more and you had push'd me down.

_Mil._ Faith, Sir, you must excuse me; I was over-joy'd to see my Boy.

He has been at _London_, and I have not seen him these four Yerrs.

_King._ Well, I shall once in my Life have the Happiness of being treated as a common Man; and of seeing human Nature without Disguise.

[_Aside._]