Rip. Yes, I am—I am Rip Van Winkle! [All start.—Dame, with a loud scream, falls into Knickerbocker's arms.] Dere! for de first time in my life, I have doubled up my old woman!

Knickerbocker carries off Dame

Lowena. Oh, it is my father—my dear, dear father! [Runs into his arms.

Rip. Yes, and you are mein taughter, my darling dat I always was love so! Oh, bless your heart, how you have grown since last night as you was a little girl.

Alice. [Embracing him.] Oh, my poor dear brother.

Rip. Yes, I tink I am your broder 'cos you is my sister.

Knickerbocker returns

Alice. And here is my husband.

Rip. He is a much deal uglier, dan he used to vas before.

Knickerbocker. [Embracing him.] My blessed brother-in-law.

Vedder. Ah! and now you have come back, I suppose you want your wife!

Rip. No, I'll be tam if I do! You've got her, and you keep her—I von't never have her no more.

Vedder. I sha'n't have her—I have done with her, and glad to be rid of her. [Exit.

Rip. Ha, ha! Then my poor frau is a vidder, with two husbands, an' she ain't got none at all.

Herman. It is Rip Van Winkle, and alive!

Rip. Yes, and to the best of my belief, I have not never been dead at all.

Herman. And I am left to poverty and despair. [Exit.

Rip. And serve you right too—I'm stewed fun dat is fact. [Looking round.] But I had a leetle boy, last night—vhere is my young baby boy, my leetle Rip?

Alice. I saw him just now—oh, here he is.

Enter, young Rip Van Winkle, a very tall young man

Rip. Is dat my leetle baby boy? How he is grown since last night. Come here, you young Rip. I am your fader. Vell, he is much like me—he is a beautiful leetle boy.

Knickerbocker. But tell us, Rip, where have you hid yourself for the last twenty years?

Rip. Ech woll! ech woll! Vhen I take mine glass, I vill tell mine strange story, and drink the health of mine friends—and, ladies and gentlemen, I will drink to your good hells and your future families, and may you all—and may Rip Van Winkle too—live long and brosber.