SCENE III.

_A cave, decorated with skins of wild beasts, feathers, &c. In the middle of the scene, a rude kind of curtain, by way of door to an inner apartment._

_Enter INKLE and TRUDGE, as from the mouth of the cavern._

_Inkle._ So far, at least, we have proceeded with safety. Ha! no bad specimen of savage elegance. These ornaments would be worth something in England.--We have little to fear here, I hope: this cave rather bears the pleasing face of a profitable adventure.

_Trudge._ Very likely, sir! But for a pleasing face, it has the cursed'st ugly month I ever saw in my life. Now do, sir, make off as fast as you can. If we once get clear of the natives' houses, we have little to fear from the lions and leopards: for by the appearance of their parlours, they seem to have killed all the wild beast in the country. Now pray, do, my good master, take my advice, and run away.

_Inkle._ Rascal! Talk again of going out, and I'll flea you alive.

_Trudge._ That's just what I expect for coming in.--All that enter here appear to have had their skins stript over their ears; and ours will be kept for curiosities--We shall stand here, stuffed, for a couple of white wonders.

_Inkle._ This curtain seems to lead to another apartment: I'll draw it.

_Trudge._ No, no, no, don't; don't. We may be called to account for disturbing the company: you may get a curtain-lecture, perhaps, sir.

_Inkle._ Peace, booby, and stand on your guard.

_Trudge._ Oh! what will become of us! Some grim, seven foot fellow ready to scalp us.

_Inkle._ By heaven! a woman.

[_As the curtain draws, YARICO and WOWSKI discovered asleep._

_Trudge._ A woman! [_Aside._]--[_Loud._] But let him come on; I'm ready--dam'me, I don't fear facing the devil himself--Faith it is a woman--fast asleep too.

_Inkle._ And beautiful as an angel!

_Trudge._ And egad! there seems to be a nice, little plump bit in the corner; only she's an angel of rather a darker sort.

_Inkle._ Hush! keep back--she wakes. [_YARICO comes forward--INKLE and TRUDGE retire to opposite sides of the scene._]

SONG.--YARICO.

_When the chace of day is done,_ _And the shaggy lion's skin,_ _Which for us, our warriors win,_ _Decks our cells at set of sun;_ _Worn with toil, with slap opprest,_ _I press my mossy bed, and sink to rest._

_Then, once more, I see our train,_ _With all our chase renew'd again:_ _Once more 'tis day,_ _Once more our prey_ _Gnashes his angry teeth, and foams in vain._ _Again, in sullen haste, he flies,_ _Ta'en in the toil, again he lies,_ _Again he roars--and, in my slumbers, dies._

_INKLE and TRUDGE come forward._

_Inkle._ Our language!

_Trudge._ Zounds, she has thrown me into a cold sweat.

_Yar._ Hark! I heard a noise! Wowski, awake! whence can it proceed? [_She awakes WOWSKI, and they both come forward--YARICO towards INKLE_; _WOWSKI towards TRUDGE._]

_Yar._ Ah! what form is this?----are you a man?

_Inkle._ True flesh and blood, my charming heathen, I promise you.

_Yar._ What harmony in his voice! What a shape! How fair his skin too----[_Gazing._]

_Trudge._ This must be a lady of quality, by her staring.

_Yar._ Say, stranger, whence come you?

_Inkle._ From a far distant island; driven on this coast by distress, and deserted by my companions.

_Yar._ And do you know the danger that surrounds you here? Our woods are filled with beasts of prey--my countrymen too----(yet, I think they cou'd'nt find the heart)--might kill you.----It would be a pity if you fell in their way----I think I should weep if you came to any harm.

_Trudge._ O ho! It's time, I see, to begin making interest with the chamber maid. [_Takes WOWSKI apart._]

_Inkle._ How wild and beautiful! sure there is magic in her shape, and she has rivetted me to the place. But where shall I look for safety? let me fly and avoid my death.

_Yar._ Oh! no--don't depart.----But I will try to preserve you; and if you are killed, Yarico must die too! Yet, 'tis I alone can save you; your death is certain, without my assistance; and, indeed, indeed you shall not want it.

_Inkle._ My kind Yarico! what means, then, must be used for my safety?

_Yar._ My cave must conceal you: none enter it, since my father was slain in battle. I will bring you food by day, then lead you to our unfrequented groves by moonlight, to listen to the nightingale. If you should sleep, I'll watch you, and awake you when there's danger.

_Inkle._ Generous maid! Then, to you will I owe my life; and whilst it lasts, nothing shall part us.

_Yar._ And shan't it, shan't it indeed?

_Inkle._ No, my Yarico! For when an opportunity offers to return to my country, you shall be my companion.

_Yar._ What! cross the seas!

_Inkle._ Yes, Help me to discover a vessel, and you shall enjoy wonders. You shall be decked in silks, my brave maid, and have a house drawn with horses to carry you.

_Yar._ Nay, do not laugh at me--but is it so?

_Inkle._ It is indeed!

_Yar._ Oh wonder! I wish my countrywomen could see me----But won't your warriors kill us?

_Inkle._ No, our only danger on land is here.

_Yar._ Then let us retire further into the cave. Come--your safety is in my keeping.

_Inkle._ I follow you--Yet, can you run some risk in following me?

DUETT.

[O say, Bonny Lass.]

Inkle. _O say, simple maid, have you form'd any notion_ _Of all the rude dangers in crossing the ocean?_ _When winds whistle shrilly, ah! won't they remind you,_ _To sigh with regret, for the grot left behind you?_

Yar. _Ah! no, I could follow, and sail the world over,_ _Nor think of my grot, when I look at my lover;_ _The winds, which blow round us, your arms for my pillow,_ _Will lull us to sleep, whilst we're rocked by each billow._

Both. _O say then my true love, we never will sunder,_ _Nor shrink from the tempest, nor dread the big thunder:_ _Whilst constant, we'll laugh at all changes of weather,_ _And journey all over the world both together._

[Exeunt; as retiring further into the cave.

_Manent TRUDGE and WOWSKI._

_Trudge._ Why, you speak English as well as I, my little Wowski.

_Wows._ Iss.

_Trudge._ Iss! and you learnt it from a strange man, that tumbled from a big boat, many moons ago, you say?

_Wows._ Iss--Teach me--teach good many.

_Trudge._ Then, what the devil made them so surprized at seeing us! was he like me? [_Wowski shakes her head._] Not so smart a body, mayhap. Was his face, now, round and comely, and--eh! [_Stroking his chin._] Was it like mine?

_Wows._ Like dead leaf--brown and shrivel.

_Trudge._ Oh, oh, an old shipwrecked sailor, I warrant. With white and grey hair, eh, my pretty beauty spot?

_Wows._ Iss; all white. When night come, he put it in pocket.

_Trudge._ Oh! wore a wig. But the old boy taught you something more than English, I believe.

_Wows._ Iss.

_Trudge._ The devil he did! What was it?

_Wows._ Teach me put dry grass, red hot, in hollow white stick.

_Trudge._ Aye, what was that for?

_Wows._ Put in my mouth--go poff, poff!

_Trudge._ Zounds! did he teach you to smoke?

_Wows._ Iss.

_Trudge._ And what became of him at last? What did your countrymen do for the poor fellow?

_Wows._ Eat him one day--Our chief kill him.

_Trudge._ Mercy on us! what damned stomachs, to swallow a tough old tar! Ah, poor Trudge! your killing comes next.

_Wows._ No, no--not you--no--[_Running to him anxiously._]

_Trudge._ No? why what shall I do, if I get in their paws?

_Wows._ I fight for you!

_Trudge._ Will you? Ecod she's a brave good-natured wench! she'll be worth a hundred of your English wives.--Whenever they fight on their husband's account, it's _with_ him instead of _for_ him, I fancy. But how the plague am I to live here?

_Wows._ I feed you--bring you kid.

SONG.--WOWSKI.

[One day, I heard Mary say.]

_White man, never go away----_ _Tell me why need you?_ _Stay, with your Wowski, stay:_ _Wowski will feed you._ _Cold moons are now coming in;_ _Ah, don't go grieve me!_ _I'll wrap you in leopard's skin:_ _White man, don't leave me._

_And when all the sky is blue,_ _Sun makes warm weather,_ _I'll catch you a cockatoo,_ _Dress you in feather._ _When cold comes, or when 'tis hot,_ _Ah, don't go grieve me!_ _Poor Wowski will be forgot--_ _White man, don't leave me!_

_Trudge._ Zounds! leopard's skin for winter wear, and feathers for a summer's suit! Ha, ha! I shall look like a walking hammer-cloth, at Christmas, and an upright shuttlecock, in the dog days. And for all this, if my master and I find our way to England, you shall be part of our travelling equipage; and, when I get there, I'll give you a couple of snug rooms, on a first floor, and visit you every evening, as soon as I come from the counting-house. Do you like it?

_Wows._ Iss.

_Trudge._ Damme, what a flashy fellow I shall seem in the city! I'll get her a _white_ boy to bring up the tea-kettle. Then I'll teach you to write and dress hair.

_Wows._ You great man in your country?

_Trudge._ Oh yes, a very great man. I'm head clerk of the counting-house, and first valet-de-chambre of the dressing-room. I pounce parchments, powder hair, black shoes, ink paper, shave beards, and mend pens. But hold! I had forgot one material point--you ar'n't married, I hope?

_Wows._ No: you be my chum-chum!

_Trudge._ So I will. It's best, however, to be sure of her being single; for Indian husbands are not quite so complaisant as English ones, and the vulgar dogs might think of looking a little after their spouses. But you have had a lover or two in your time; eh, Wowski?

_Wows._ Oh, iss--great many--I tell you.

DUETT.

Wows. _Wampum, Swampum, Yanko, Lanko, Nanko, Pownatowski,_ _Black men--plenty--twenty--fight for me,_ _White man, woo you true?_

Trudge. _Who?_

Wows. _You._

Trudge. _Yes, pretty little Wowski!_

Wows. _Then I leave all, and follow thee._

Trudge. _Oh then turn about, my little tawny tight one!_ _Don't you like me?_

Wows. _Iss, you're like the snow!_ _If you slight one----_

Trudge. _Never, not for any white one;_ _You are beautiful as any sloe._

Wows. _Wars, jars, scars, can't expose ye,_ _In our grot----_

Trudge. _So snug and cosey!_

Wows. _Flowers, neatly_ _Pick'd, shall sweetly_ _Make your bed._

Trudge. _Coying, toying,_ _With a rosy_ _Posey,_ _When I'm dosey,_ _Bear-skin nightcaps too shall warm my head._

Both. _Bearskin nightcaps, &c. &c._

ACT THE SECOND.