The Works of Henry Fielding Part 16

[Footnote: "As very well he may, if he hath any modesty in him," says Mr D--s. The author of Busiris is extremely zealous to prevent the sun's blus.h.i.+ng at any indecent object; and therefore on all such occasions he addresses himself to the sun, and desires him to keep out of the way.

Rise never more, O sun! let night prevail, Eternal darkness close the world's wide scene.--_Busiris_.

Sun, hide thy face, and put the world in mourning.--_Ibid_.

Mr Banks makes the sun perform the office of Hymen, and therefore not likely to be disgusted at such a sight:

The sun sets forth like a gay brideman with you.

--_Mary Queen of Scots_.

_Nood_. Oh, sir! this purpose of your soul pursue.

_Bail_. Oh! sir! I have an action against you.

_Nood_. At whose suit is it?

_Bail_. At your taylor's, sir.

Your taylor put this warrant in my hands, And I arrest you, sir, at his commands.

_Thumb_. Ha! dogs! Arrest my friend before my face!

Think you Tom Thumb will suffer this disgrace?

But let vain cowards threaten by their word, Tom Thumb shall shew his anger by his sword.

[_Kills_ Bailiff _and_ Follower.

_Bail_. Oh, I am slain!

_Fol_. I am murdered also, And to the shades, the dismal shades below, My bailiff's faithful follower I go.

_Nood_. [1]Go then to h.e.l.l, like rascals as you are, And give our service to the bailiffs there.

[Footnote 1: Nourmahal sends the same message to heaven;

For I would have you, when you upwards move, Speak kindly of us to our friends above.--_Aurengzebe_

We find another to h.e.l.l, in the Persian Princess:

Villain, get thee down To h.e.l.l, and tell them that the fray's begun.

_Thumb_. Thus perish all the bailiffs in the land, Till debtors at noon-day shall walk the streets, And no one fear a bailiff or his writ.

SCENE III.----_The Princess _Huncamunca's_ Apartment_.

Huncamunca, Cleora, Mustacha.

_Hunc_. [1]Give me some music--see that it be sad.

[Footnote 1: Anthony gave the same command in the same words.]

CLEORA _sings_.

Cupid, ease a love-sick maid, Bring thy quiver to her aid; With equal ardour wound the swain, Beauty should never sigh in vain.

Let him feel the pleasing smart, Drive the arrow through his heart: When one you wound, you then destroy; When both you kill, you kill with joy.

_Hunc_. [1]O Tom Thumb! Tom Thumb! wherefore art thou Tom Thumb?

Why hadst thou not been born of royal race?

Why had not mighty Bantam been thy father?

Or else the king of Brentford, Old or New?

[Footnote 1: Oh! Marius, Marius, wherefore art thou Marius?

--_Olway's Marius_.

_Must_. I am surprised that your highness can give yourself a moment's uneasiness about that little insignificant fellow,[1] Tom Thumb the Great--one properer for a plaything than a husband. Were he my husband his horns should be as long as his body. If you had fallen in love with a grenadier, I should not have wondered at it. If you had fallen in love with something; but to fall in love with nothing!

[Footnote 1: Nothing is more common than these seeming contradictions; such as,

Haughty weakness.--_Victim_ Great small world.--_Noah's Flood_ ]

_Hunc_. Cease, my Mustacha, on thy duty cease.

The zephyr, when in flowery vales it plays, Is not so soft, so sweet as Thummy's breath.

The dove is not so gentle to its mate.

_Must_. The dove is every bit as proper for a husband. --Alas!

Madam, there's not a beau about the court looks so little like a man. He is a perfect b.u.t.terfly, a thing without substance, and almost without shadow too.

_Hunc_. This rudeness is unseasonable: desist; Or I shall think this railing comes from love.

Tom Thumb's a creature of that charming form, That no one can abuse, unless they love him.

_Must_. Madam, the king.

SCENE IV.-KING, HUNCAMUNCA.

_King_. Let all but Huncamunca leave the room.

[Exeunt CLEORA and MUSTACHA.

Daughter, I have observed of late some grief.

Unusual in your countenance: your eyes!

[1]That, like two open windows, used to shew The lovely beauty of the rooms within, Have now two blinds before them. What is the cause?

Say, have you not enough of meat and drink?