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JOHN WOODVIL.

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 shire 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.

[blocks in formation]

'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.)

PETER.

Thank you, Francis. And here's to thee.

MARTIN.

(drinks.)

I shall be fuddled anon.

DANIEL.

And drunkenness I hold to be a very des

picable vice.

ALL.

O! a shocking vice. (they drink round.)

PETER.

In as much as it taketh away the under

standing.

DANIEL.

And makes the eyes red.

PETER.

And the tongue to stammer.

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