Chapter 8
_An extensive view of a cultivated country--A ploughed field in the centre, in which are seen six different ploughs and horses--At one side a handsome tent--A number of country people assembled._
_Enter_ ASHFIELD _and_ DAME.
_Ash._ Make way, make way for the gentry! and, do ye hear, behave pratty as I do--Dang thee, stond back, or I'll knack thee down, I wool.
_Enter_ SIR ABEL, _and_ MISS BLANDFORD, _with Servants._
_Sir Abel._ It is very kind of you to honour our rustic festivities with your presence.
_Miss B._ Pray, Sir Abel, where is your son?
_Sir Abel._ What! Bob? Oh, you'll see him presently--[_Nodding significantly._]--Here are the prize medals; and if you will condescend to present them, I'm sure they'll be worn with additional pleasure.--I say, you'll see Bob presently.--Well, Farmer, is it all over?
_Ash._ Ees, zur; the acres be plough'd and the ground judg'd; and the young lads be coming down to receive their reward--Heartily welcome, miss, to your native land; hope you be as pleased to zee we as we be to zee you, and the like o'that.--Mortal beautizome to be sure--I declare, miss, it do make I quite warm zomehow to look at ye. [_A shout without._] They be coming--Now, Henry!
_Sir Abel._ Now you'll see Bob!--now my dear boy, Bob!--here he comes. [_Huzza._
_Enter_ HENRY _and two young Husbandmen._
_Ash._ 'Tis he, he has don't--Dang you all, why dan't ye shout? Huzza!
_Sir Abel._ Why, zounds, where's Bob?--I don't see Bob--Bless me, what has become of Bob and my plough? [_Retires and takes out his glass._
_Ash._ Well, Henry, there be the prize, and there be the fine lady that will gi' it thee.
_Henry._ Tell me who is that lovely creature?
_Ash._ The dater of Sir Philip Blandford.
_Henry._ What exquisite sweetness! Ah! should the father but resemble her, I shall have but little to fear from his severity.
_Ash._ Miss, thic be the young man that ha got'n the goulden prize.
_Miss B._ This! I always thought ploughmen were coarse, vulgar creatures, but he seems handsome and diffident.
_Ash._ Ees, quite pratty behaved--it were I that teach'd un.
_Miss B._ What's your name?
_Henry._ Henry.
_Miss B._ And your family?
[HENRY_, in agony of grief, turns away, strikes his forehead, and leans on the shoulder of_ ASHFIELD.]
_Dame._ [_Apart to_ MISS B.] Madam, I beg pardon, but nobody knows about his parentage; and when it is mentioned, poor boy! he takes on sadly--He has lived at our house ever since we had the farm, and we have had an allowance for him--small enough to be sure--but, good lad! he was always welcome to share what we had.
_Miss B._ I am shock'd at my imprudence--[_To_ HENRY.] Pray pardon me; I would not insult an enemy, much less one I am inclined to admire--[_Giving her hand, then withdraws it._]--to esteem--you shall go to the Castle--my father shall protect you.
_Henry._ Generous creature! to merit his esteem is the fondest wish of my heart--to be your slave, the proudest aim of my ambition.
_Miss B._ Receive your merited reward. [_He kneels--she places the medal round his neck--the same to the others._]
_Sir Abel._ [_Advances._] I can't see Bob: pray, sir, do you happen to know what is become of my Bob?
_Henry._ Sir?
_Sir Abel._ Did not you see a remarkable clever plough, and a young man----
_Henry._ At the beginning of the contest I observed a gentleman; his horses, I believe, were unruly; but my attention was too much occupied to allow me to notice more. [_Laughing without._
_Handy, jun._ [_Without._] How dare you laugh?
_Sir Abel._ That's Bob's voice! [_Laughing again._
_Enter_ HANDY, jun. _in a smock frock, cocked hat, and a piece of a plough in his hand._
_Handy, jun._ Dare to laugh again, and I'll knock you down with this!--Ugh! how infernally hot! [_Walks about._
_Sir Abel._ Why, Bob, where have you been?
_Handy, jun._ I don't know where I've been.
_Sir Abel._ And what have you got in your hand?
_Handy, jun._ What! All I could keep of your nonsensical ricketty plough. [_Walks about_, SIR ABEL _following._
_Sir Abel._ Come, none of that, sir.--Don't abuse my plough, to cover your ignorance, sir? where is it, sir? and where are my famous Leicestershire horses, sir?
_Handy, jun._ Where? ha, ha, ha! I'll tell you as nearly as I can, ha, ha! What's the name of the next county?
_Ash._ It be called Wiltshire, zur.
_Handy, jun._ Then, dad, upon the nicest calculation I am able to make, they are at this moment engaged in the very patriotic act of ploughing Salisbury plain, ha ha! I saw them fairly over that hill, full gallop, with the curricle plough at their heels.
_Ash._ Ha, ha! a good one, ha ha!
_Handy, jun._ But never mind, father, you must again set your invention to work, and I my toilet:--rather a deranged figure to appear before a lady in. [_Fiddles._] Hey day! What! are you going to dance?
_Ash._ Ees, zur; I suppose you can sheake a leg a bit?
_Handy, jun._ I fancy I can dance every possible step, from the _pas ruse_ to the war-dance of the Catawbaws.
_Ash._ Likely.--I do hope, miss, you'll join your honest neighbours; they'll be deadly hurt an' you won't gig it a bit wi' un.
_Miss B._ With all my heart.
_Sir Abel._ Bob's an excellent dancer.
_Miss B._ I dare say he is, sir? but on this occasion, I think I ought to dance with the young man, who gained the prize--I think it would be most pleasant--most proper, I mean; and I am glad you agree with me.--So, sir, if you'll accept my hand-- [HENRY _takes it._
_Sir Abel._ Very pleasantly settled, upon my soul!--Bob, won't you dance?
_Handy, jun._ I dance!--no, I'll look at them--I'll quietly look on.
_Sir Abel._ Egad now, as my wife's away, I'll try to find a pretty girl, and make one among them.
_Ash._ That's hearty!--Come, Dame, hang the rheumatics!--Now, lads and lasses, behave pratty, and strike up. [_A dance._
[HANDY, jun. _looks on a little, and then begins to move his legs--then dashes into the midst of the dance, and endeavours to imitate every one opposite to him; then being exhausted, he leaves the dance, seizes the fiddle, and plays 'till the curtain drops._]
ACT THE THIRD.