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Representative Plays by American Dramatists: 1856-1911: Rip van

Автор Charles Burke

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Дата написания1970-01-01

Язык книгиen

Возрастное ограничение0+

Жанры

зарубежная драматургия зарубежная классика зарубежная старинная литература

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[Catching him by the collar.] Home, sir, home! you lazy scamp. [Beating him.

Rip.

But, mine lublicka frow—

Dame.

Home! [Beating him.

Rip.

[Nine! nine!—]44

Dame.

Home! [Beats him.

Rip.

[Mine goot im himmel.] 45 [Music.—Dame beats him off.

SCENE II

A Plain Chamber.

Enter Derric Van Slaus.46

Derric.

Should the present application fail, I am a ruined man; all my speculations will be frustrated, and my duplicity exposed; yes, the dissipation of my son must inevitably prove his ruin as well as mine. To supply his wants, the public money has been employed; and, if unable to replace it, heaven knows what may be the consequence. But my son is now placed with an able advocate in New York, and should he pursue the right path, there may be still hopes of his reformation.

Herman.

[Without.] My father, you say, is this way?

Derric.

What voice is that; my son? What can have recalled him thus suddenly? Some new misadventure.—Oh, my forboding thoughts!

Enter Herman

Derric.

Herman, what brings you back? Are all my cautions thus lightly regarded, that they can take no hold upon your conduct?

Herman.

You have good cause for warmth, sir, but learn the reason of my disobedience, ere you condemn. Business of importance has urged me hither—such as concerns us both most intimately.

Derric.

Some fresh extravagance, no doubt, to drain my little left, and set a host of creditors loose upon me.

Herman.

Not so, sir, but the reverse. List! you know our neighbour, Rip Van Winkle?

Derric.

Know him? Aye, his idleness is proverbial; you have good cause to recollect him too, since 'twas by his courage your life was preserved, when attacked by the famished wolf.

Herman.

He has a daughter scarcely seven years old; now, the attorney whom I serve has been employed to draw up the will and settle the affairs of this girl's aunt, who, for some slight offered by Van Winkle, has long since discarded the family. At her death, the whole of her immense wealth, in cash and land, is the inheritance of the girl, who is, at this moment, the richest presumptive heiress in the land.

Derric.

What connection can Van Winkle's fortune have with ours?

Herman.

Listen! Were it possible to procure his signature to a contract that his daughter, when of age, should be married to me, on this security money might be raised by us to any amount. Now, my good father, am I comprehensible?

Derric.

Truly, this seems no visionary dream, like those in which, with fatal pertinacity, you have so oft indulged; and, on recollection, the rent of his tenement is in arrears; 'twill offer favourable opportunity for my calling and sounding him; the contract must be your care.

Herman.

'Tis already prepared and lacks only his signature.—[Presenting it.] Lawyers, who would do justice to their clients, must not pause at conscience; 'tis entirely out of the question when their own interest is concerned.

Derric.

Herman, I like not this black-leg manner of proceeding: yet it augurs thou wilt be no pettifogger. I'll to Van Winkle straight and, though not legalized to act, yet in this case I can do work which honest lawyers would scorn. [Exit.

Herman.

[Solus.] True; the honest lawyer lives by his reputation, and therefore pauses to undertake a cause he knows unjust: but how easily are some duped. Can my father for a moment suppose that the rank weeds of youth are so easily uprooted? No! what is to be done, good father of mine, but to serve myself? young men of the present generation cannot live without the means of entering into life's varieties and this supply will henceforth enable me to do so, to the fullest extent of my ambitious wishes. [Exit.

SCENE III

Rip's Cottage.—Door.—Window in flat.—A closet in flat, with dishes, shelves, &c.—Clothes-basket, with clothes.—Table, chairs, arm-chair, with cloak over it.—Broom on stage.

Knickerbocker enters cautiously

Knickerbocker.

Zooks! I'm venturing into a tiger's den in quest of a lamb. All's clear, however; and, could I but pop on little Alice, how we would bill and coo. She comes! lie still, my fluttering heart.

Enter Alice.47

Alice.

[Without observing Knickerbocker.] There, there, go to sleep. Ah! Knickerbocker, how I love you, [spite of all the strange ways that you pursue.] 48

Knickerbocker.

[Aside.] Sensible, susceptible soul! [But merit ever meets its recompense.] 49

Alice.

No wonder I am fascinated; [his figure is so elegant, and then his education! I never see him, but I am ready to jump into his loving arms. [Turning, she is caught in the embrace of Knickerbocker.] 50

Knickerbocker.

This is too much for human nature to support; [this declaration is a banquet that gods might prize.51] Beauteous angel! hear me, whilst I proclaim—

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