Outside of SIR TUNRELLY CLUMSY’S House.
Enter TOM FASHION and LORY.
Fash. So here’s our inheritance, Lory, if we can but get into possession. But methinks the seat of our family looks like
Noah’s ark, as if the chief part on’t were designed for the fowls of the air, and the beasts of the field.
Lory. Pray, sir, don’t let your head run upon the orders of building here: get but the heiress, let the devil take the house.
Fash. Get but the house, let the devil take the heiress! I say. — But come, we have no time to squander; knock at the door. —
[LORY knocks two or three times at the gate.] What the devil! have they got no ears in this house? — Knock harder.
Lory. Egad, sir, this will prove some enchanted castle; we shall have the giant come out by-and-by, with his club, and beat our brains out. [Knocks again.]
Fash. Hush, they come.
Ser. [Within.] Who is there?
Lory. Open the door and see: is that your country breeding?
Ser. Ay, but two words to that bargain. — Tummus, is the blunderbuss primed?
Fash. Ouns! give ’em good words, Lory, — or we shall be shot here a fortune catching.
Lory. Egad, sir, I think you’re in the right on’t. — Ho!
Mr. What-d’ye-call-’um, will you please to let us in? or are we to be left to grow like willows by your moat side?
SERVANT appears at the window with a blunderbuss.
Ser. Well naw, what’s ya’re business?
Fash. Nothing, sir, but to wait upon Sir Tunbelly, with your leave.
Ser. To weat upon Sir Tunbelly! why, you’ll find that’s just as Sir Tunbelly pleases.
Fash. But will you do me the favour, sir, to know whether
Sir Tunbelly pleases or not?
Ser. Why, look you, d’ye see, with good words much may be done. Ralph, go thy ways, and ask Sir Tunbelly if he pleases to be waited upon — and dost hear, call to nurse, that she may lock up Miss Hoyden before the gates open.
Fash. D’ye hear, that, Lory?
Enter SIR TUNBELLY CLUMSY, with SERVANTS, armed with guns, clubs, pitchforks, &c.
Lory. Oh! [Runs behind his master.] O Lord! O Lord!
Lord! we are both dead men!
Fash. Fool! thy fear will, ruin us. [Aside to
LORY.]
Lory. My fear, sir? ‘sdeath, Sir, I fear nothing. —
[Aside.] Would I were well up to the chin in a horse-pond!
Sir Tun. Who is it here hath any business with me?
Fash. Sir, ’tis I, if your name be Sir Tunbelly Clumsy.
Sir Tun. Sir, my name is Sir Tunbelly Clumsy, whether you have any business with me or not. — So you see I am not ashamed of my name, nor my face either.
Fash. Sir, you have no cause that I know of.
Sir Tun. Sir, if you have no cause either, I desire to know who you are; for, till I know your name, I shan’t ask you to come into my house: and when I do know your name,’tis six to four I don’t ask you then.
Fash. Sir, I hope you’ll find this letter an authentic passport. [Gives him a letter.]
Sir Tun. Cod’s my life, from Mrs. Coupler! — I ask your lordship’s pardon ten thousand times. — [To a SERVANT.]
Here, run in a-doors quickly; get a Scotch coal fire in the parlour, set all the Turkey work chairs in their places, get the brass candlesticks out, and be sure stick the socket full of laurel — run! — [Turns to TOM FASHION.] — My lord, I ask your lordship’s pardon. — [To SERVANT.] And, do you hear, run away to nurse; bid her let Miss Hoyden loose again. — [Exit
SERVANT.] I hope your honour will excuse the disorder of my family. We are not used to receive men of your lordship’s great quality every day. Pray, where are your coaches and servants, my lord?
Fash. Sir, that I might give you and your daughter a proof how impatient I am to be nearer akin to you, I left my equipage to follow me, and came away post with only one servant.
Sir Tun. Your lordship does me too much honour — it was exposing your person to too much fatigue and danger, I protest it was: but my daughter shall endeavour to make you what amends she can: and, though I say it that should not say it, Hoyden has charms.
Fash. Sir, I am not a stranger to them, though I am to her; common fame has done her justice.
Sir Tun. My lord, I am common fame’s very grateful, humble servant. My lord, my girl’s young — Hoyden is young, my lord: but this I must say for her, what she wants in art she has in breeding; and what’s wanting in her age, is made good in her constitution. — So pray, my lord, walk in; pray, my lord, walk in.
Fash. Sir, I wait upon you. [Exeunt.]