An open View near the Camp.
Enter O DAUB;
O Daub.
Well, to be sure this same Camp is a pretty place with their drums, and their fifes and their gigs and their marches, and their Ladies in their regimentals; upon my conscience I believe they’d form a troop of side-saddle cavalry if there was any hopes of an invasion. But now I am alone by myself, tis time I should be after taking my plan; and here I see are some of my directions for it.
(pulls out a pocket book and pencil.)
I cant think what it is makes my hand shake so, unless it is Mr. Blaud’s wine that is got into my head: so, so! Let me study my orders a little, for I am not used to this business, O. P. and P. S. Who the devil is to understand that? O! here is the explanation: P. S. the prompter’s side, and O. P. opposite the prompter. So I’m to mark down the view as it is to be taken on one side, and the other. Very well: P. S. and O. P. Let me see Somewhere hereabout is certainly the best point to take it from.
(retires.
Enter SERJEANT and the TWO COUNTRYMEN.
1st. Countryman.
There you rogues, there he is!
2nd. C.
Aye aye, that’s him sure enough, I have seen him skulking about these two days, if he ben’t a spy I’ll suffer hanging.
Ser.
He certainly must be a spy by his drawing figures.
2nd. C.
Do seize on him or the whole camp may be blown up before we are aware!
O Daub.
Prompter’s side.
Ser.
Hush! we shall convict him out of his own mouth.
O Daub.
O yes, the star and garter must certainly be P. S.
Ser.
P. S. What the devil does he say?
2nd C.
Treason you may be sure, by your not understanding him.
O. Daub.
And then O. P. will have the advantage.
Ser.
O. P. That’s the old Pretender. A damn’d Jacobite spy, my life on’t.
1st. C.
And P. S. is Prince Charles, I suppose.
Ser.
No, you fool; P. S. is the Pretender’s Son.
2nd. C.
Aye, aye, like enough
O. Daub.
Memorandum — the officers tents are in the rear of the line.
2nd. C.
Mark that.
O Daub.
N B. the Generals tents are all houses.
1st. C.
Remember that.
O Daub.
Then the park of Artillery; I shall never make any thing of that. Oh! the devil burn the park of artillery!
Ser.
There’s a villain! He’ll burn the park of artillery will he?
O Daub.
Well faith this camp is easier taken than I thought it was.
Ser.
Is it so, you rogue? but you shall find the difference on’t. O, what a providential discovery!
O Daub.
To besure the people will like it much, and in the course of the winter it may surprise his majesty.
Ser.
O, the villain! seize him directly — Fellow, you are a dead man if you stir! — We seize you Sir as a spy.
O Daub.
A spy — phoo, phoo; get about your business.
Ser.
Bind him, and blinfold him if he resists.
2nd. C.
Aye, blindfold him for certain, and search him too; I dare say his pockets are crouded with powder, matches, and tinder-boxes at every corner.
O Daub.
Tunder and owns! what do you mean?
1st. C.
Hold him fast
O. Daub.
Why here’s some ladies coming, who know me. Here’s Lady Sarah Sash, and Lady Plume, who were at the Fete-Champetre, and will give me a good character.
Ser.
Why, villain, your papers have proved you a spy, and sent by the old Pretender.
O Daub.
O Lord! O Lord! I never saw the old gentleman in all my life.
Ser.
Why, you dog, did’n’t you say the camp was easier taken than you thought it was.
2nd. C.
Aye, deny that.
Ser.
And that you would burn the artillery and surprise his majesty — so come, you had better confess before you are hanged.
O Daub.
Hanged for a spy? O, to besure myself is got into a pretty scrape.
Ser.
Bring him away; but blindfold him, the dog shall see no more.
O Daub.
I’ll tell you what, Mr. soldier, or Mr. Sarjeant, or what the devil’s your name, upon my conscience and soul I’m nothing at all but an Irish painter employed by Monsieur Lanternburg,
Ser.
There, he has confessed himself a foreigner, and employed by Marshal Leatherbag.
2nd. C.
Oh, he’ll be convicted by his tongue. You may swear he is a foreigner by his lingo.
1st. C.
Bring him away. I long to see him hanging.
O Daub.
Tunder and wounds! If I am hanged what will become of the theatre and the managers; and the devil fly away with you all together for a parcel of red black-guards!
(They hurry him off.)