An old man's visage and a young maid's heart (Opens the door, and enter Sir William Stanton.) SIR WILLIAM (gaily attired). Good morrow, Master Grimes! I'm punctual To the hour. GRIMES. Good morrow, good Sir William! Thou art come To whisper love in a fair lady's ear. The man is much indebted to his tailor. (Sarcastically.) SIR WILLIAM. Why, Master Grimes, a lady doth command respect; That ever, in my outward garb, I strive Their gentler fancies and bright eyes to please, GRIMES. Thou sayest well; I, also, promise much! Will't please you follow me? SCENE II.-Sea-shore. (Exeunt R. H. C.) Enter LESTER and PERCY, L. LESTER. I am no beggar! He shall let me rooms! PERCY. A golden plan!-a bait; he's sure to bite! Yet, I much fear thy love is but a dream! LESTER. Percy, I have not been deceived! PERCY. Had any fair young creature ever dwelt LESTER. The mystery shall be solved this night, or I will die in the discovery! Ah! Where shall I get some flowers?-they shall speak You part for Town to-night? PERCY. I do; but shall return within a week:- SCENE III.-A Room in Grimes's House. Enter SIR WILLIAM and GRIMES. GRIMES. WHAT has thy mistress done to cloud thine eyes? She looked into mine eyes to read my soul, That over all my brow a moisture lay! And then, declaring I had not her love, Nor ever could have, besought me straight to leave Her! GRIMES. What, beaten thus !-Oh! if she is worth winning, SIR WILLIAM. I will remember! Farewell, Master Grimes; GRIMES (passionate exultation). A fox! a fox! a very fox!-a man-trap too! Yet cannot catch a woman! (Exit D. L.) She will not, cannot love him. 'Tis not strange! The dormant seed of love has burst its shell, And through the new-ploughed heart has made its way, Warmed by a sun as yet unknown to her! (Enter MARGARET L. U. E.) MARGARET. A cavalier would speak a word with you. Bid him enter. GRIMES. One of King Charles's breed :—we always know them LESTER BURTON (with a bouquet of moss-roses Master Grimes, or I mistake. GRIMES. What is your pleasure; art in want of gold? I want not gold : LESTER BURTON. I would be hidden from the busy world! I am a gentleman; and do affirm I would not willingly intrude upon Your privacy, nor would hurt the gentler Well. GRIMES. LESTER. My soul is sinking now beneath his gaze:- Dost mock me, Sir? GRIMES. LESTER. If this will not suffice, some fifteen more! GRIMES. Know ye not where you stand? LESTER. In the house of Grimes, the usurer! (Aside.) (Haughtily.) |