A Bickerstaff's Burying; OR, Work for the Upholders.
SCENE I.
WHY won't you tell me whither you are going, Aunt, this Morning? I can scarce keep Pace with you. What is it that transports you so? you do not use to be so gay.
Oh, my Girl, just now, from my Chamber-Window, I beheld a Ship, by Stress of Weather, driven on our Coast; which, since the last unhappy one that brought me here, I have never seen; pray Heav'n it be English!
So say I, then I shall see the fine Men you have so often talk'd of, Aunt.
Ay, and the Country that breeds those Men, Child, if we can handsomly get off.
With all my Heart; for I hate this Isle of Corgar, and all its barbarous Laws, since you have inform'd me of those of Great Britain.
Hush here's some of the Ship's Crew; let's step a-side and observe them.
Well, how fares the Ship, has she any Damage?
Only the Leak, which the Carpenter has stop'd, Captain.
That's well: I can't imagine what this Island produces!
Monsters, I think; for they stare as if they never had any Commerce with Mankind, or ever saw a Ship in their Lives.
I question if ever they did, and wish it had not been our Fortune to have improv'd their Knowledge.
I wish so too; I hate making strange Land: Who the Devil knows where to find a Wench now?
Heres a [...]og, that two Hours ago, drown'd his necessary Orders with his Prayers, and now is roaring as loud for a Whore
'Tis our Custom, you know; out of Danger the Sailor must be merry i'Faith; ha, ha.
Nell, at the Ship at Chattam, shall know this.
I care not a Rope's-end if she does: Why, what the Devil do you think I'll come into a strange Land, and not examine what Commodity it produces? No, no, Faith; Nick must know if the Females here be Fish or Flesh, before he puts off again.
Ha, ha; Well, well, take Care you han't your Brains beat out: Go, disperse your selves, and see what Provisions you can get. I just now met a Native of the Country; who tells me, that the Prince is coming this Way: He understands a little of the Arabian Tongue, and has promis'd to introduce me to him; that I may endeavour, by some Presents, to gain his Leave to re-fit our Ship, and supply our Wants.
Where shall we find you, Master?
Here, or hereabouts. Now for the Cabbacuca. Adsheart, what a Name's there! If the Prince be as barbarous as his Name, we had as good perish'd in the Storm: but I wonder the Fellow comes not, that is to conduct me to Court; that is, I suppose, to a King sitting under a Palm-tree: What would I give for a Friend there?
What would you give, Captain?
Ha! English! Nay, then I am not so far out of Knowledge as I imagin'd.
You are a great Way from the Rose in Covent Garden, I promise you.
The Rose in Covent Garden! Let me see thy Face, thou dear Angel, or a die.
Die! Nay, then you have chang'd your Inclination with the Clime; you never us'd to die for an old Acquaintance.
Ah! an old Acquaintance, here, Child, is welcomer than old Wine, and the Accident will give it a new Relish.
Say you so? well, whether you speak Truth or not, I protest this Sight of you pleases me better than the first; and now, Sir, I am your humble Servant.
Ha! Mrs. Take-it! Why what Wind blew you hither?
Just such another as brought you, I fancy; our Ship was bound to Madderass.
So was mine.
After three Days tempestuous Weather, having lost our Main-mast, and all our Tackle, expecting nothing but Death, when by a sudden Gust our Vessel was driven upon you dreadful Rock, which split her into a thousand Pieces, and only I by Providence was sav'd.
Thank Heav'n, I've not lost one Man; I pity your Misfortune, and yet, by your Appearance, 'tis a Fault to pity you, for it has turn'd to your Advantage Prithee what Business had you in the Indies?
To get a Husband; you know few Wom [...] go there but to make their Fortunes.
Which I suppose you have done here, Madam
An Emir, which is a Lord, you must und [...] stand, walking by the Sea-side, spied me on the Rock, [...] kindly help'd me down, fell in Love, and married [...] and I am now one of the greatest Women upon the Pla [...]
I am glad on't, with all my Soul. Who is [...] Lady? another of my old Acquaintance too?
No, I promise you; there's a Face never [...] Covent Garden. She's my Husband's Niece, the best [...] mour'd Woman in the World; and for her Beauty, [...] that speak for it self,
so, I see [...] your Eyes you like her.
Grant, Great Prophet, that he may! for I li [...] him, I'm sure.
Like her! I'Gad, if your Island's peopled wi [...] such Angels, tis certainly the Land of Promise, and eve [...] Ship will put in here for Provision.
She's the only handsome one in it, I prom [...] you; her Mother was English, and cast hither by such [...] nother Accident as my self.
And do you think this Face will do in Cov [...] Garden, Captain?
In Covent Garden, Madam! Where would it [...] do? Ha! your Skin's as smooth as the Sea in a Cal [...] and your Eyes outshine the Sun after a Storm; your Voi [...] as sweet as Syrens Songs; and 'tis greater Pleasure to b [...] hold you, than Land after a dangerous Voyage. I'll se [...] here, I'm resolv'd.
Ah, the right London Strain.
And I'de rather go with him.
Where the Devil is my Ship's Crew? I'll ha [...] the Bottom of my Ship beaten out immediately, tha [...] may never put to Sea again.
I'm afraid, young Gentleman, you'll change yo [...] Note if you knew the Custom of this Country.
Indeed, my quondam Spark, you'd be glad [...] get off in a Cock-Boat if you do, by that time you ha [...] been married half so long as I have been—I'm sure [...] would.
Ay? why so? you shine in Jewels.
I once thought Riches the greatest, but now find them the least Part of Happiness.
Oh, you want to see dear England again, and dazle the Eyes of your old Acquaintance.
That's not the Cause.
Your Husband is old, I suppose?
True.
What is that to my Repentance? This Lady is young.
Then he is as ugly as a Baboon.
Yet wide; this Lady's as handsome as a Cherubin.
He's as jealous as a Spaniard, as barbarous as a Turk, and as ill-natur'd as an old Woman; and I hate him as heartily as one Beauty does another; yet fear him as much as you Merchant-Men do a French Privateer.
Why there's nothing super-natural in all this; Women hate their Husbands all the World over.
I'm sure! should never hate you, if I had you once.
And are not you even with us, Captain?
I won't answer for the whole Sex; but I'll engage for my self, if thou'lt but try me, Child.
First here the Conditions annext to Matrimony; then, if you'll venture—
Venture! What the Devil dost think I that have fac'd so many Dangers, should be afraid of fresh Water?
Have a care what you say, Captain; for six to four but you'll wish your self unmarried again; as heartily as I do.
Oh Madam! undone! undone! my Lord's just dying.
Ah!
Undone! Pish, Pox, 'tis the best News thou ever brought'st in thy Life, Wench.
Ruin'd! past Redemption! Oh that ever I was born!
Ha! what's the Meaning of this?
Oh unhappy Woman!
Unhappy! adsheart, I should have guess'd her the happiest Woman in the World, now.
Fly, call Physicians strait, here, bribe 'em [...] Jewels,
give 'em a King's Randso [...] if they can but save his Life, load 'em with Wealth [...] they sink beneath the Weight. Oh! my latest Hou [...] come!
What the Devil can be the Matter? why all [...] Noise? Here's none but Friends; I don't apprehend [...] any body can over-hear you; this is something like [...] Irish Cry; I suppose it is the Custom of the Count [...]
Oh no! Neither Heaven nor Earth will h [...] me now! I'm lost, for ever lost! Oh, oh, oh!
Humph! now I have found it; all the Esta [...] goes with him, I warrant.
Estate! sink the Estate! my Life goes wi [...] him!
Oh cruel, oh inhuman Law!
What a-pox, she wont die for the Man she hat [...] will she? Did you not wish to be unmarried just now and are you sorry that your Husband's a-dying? [...] Woman's distracted sure!
Oh, I must be burried with him alive! [...] dreadful Thought.
Ha! how 's that! Buried alive! I'm Thunde [...] struck! Stay, I conjure you, Madam,
[...] explain to me this Riddle.
It is, Sir, the barbarous Custom of our Country first ordain'd from frequent Poisoning here, that which soever of the married Pair died first, the Survivor is buried with alive, drest, and adorn'd, for a second Nuptial
E'gad it has turn'd my Stomach against the first
Unheard of Barbarity! Is none exempt the Pai [...] of the Country?
None; all let down a deep hollow Mountain with some Loaves of Bread, and some Bottles of Water, on which they may feed for some time, and then expire within the loathsome Dungeon. My Mother in her Bloom was with my Father buried: I was but thrice twelve Moons old; yet I remember even then it rais'd a Horror in me, and as I grew up, fixt a Resolution in me, never to wed in this curst Place.
Faith you had Reason, Madam, and I admire [...] any body does.
Custom has made it easy to the true Cosgarian [...]ce, but I have a British Soul.
You must be rescued from this Imposition; your [...]nt too must be sav'd.
But how? If he dies, the Officers of Justice seize [...]; nay, 'tis Death for all the Houshold if Information [...] not given strait. Upon the Wedding-day, two Coffins [...] always brought into the Bride-Chamber, as Part of [...] Ceremony.
E'gad I should have small Appetite to finish the [...]remony at the Sight of 'em.
This is the deplorable State of Matrimony in our [...]untry.
If it were the Custom all over the World, we [...]ung Fellows should live deliciously; Women would be [...] plenty as Blackberries; we might put forth our Hands [...] take them without Jointures, Settlements, Pin-mony, [...]rson, and so forth.
Hark! I hear a Noise! Oh my poor Aunt! I [...]st in, and see the Event.
First promise me that if I contrive a Way to bear [...]u hence, you'll consent to go with me?
With all my Heart, there's my Hand upon it; [...] have no time for Courtship; I'll meet you here again [...] an Hour.
Now if I can but handsomly carry off these Wo [...]n, their Jewels will turn to better Account than an [...]st-India Voyage.
Well, what cheer, my Lads; I have seen the Prince, [...] obtain'd his Leave for every thing I ask'd.
Cheer! why Faith, Captain, we sail directly [...]ore the Wind; and I want but your Consent to make [...] richest Port in the Universe.
What do you mean?
What! why I can have a fine Lady here, with [...] many Jewels about her as will ballast a Ship if you'll [...] give me my Discharge; nay, I won't be ungrateful [Page 8] for it neither, you shall have all my Pay: What say y [...] Master, will you lend me your Hand to heave me [...] good Fortune?
Will you be false-hearted then, Nick? [...] will hang herself in her Garters when she hears it.
Let her, let her, what care I, odsfish! do y [...] think I'd leave a first Rate for a Friggate, forsake a [...] Lady for Nell? That's quitting a Bowl of Punch [...] Draught of Sea-water.
I wonder what she saw in that ugly Phiz of thi [...] that's always as dirty as the Hammock you swing in; [...] as seldom wash'd as your Shirt, which is not on [...] Quarter.
Ha, ha, Oh she fell in Love with his Nos [...] his Legs.
Why, what Fault can you find with my No [...] Bob. Ha! 'tis sound, and perhaps that's more than your [...]
Nay, nay, don't find Fault with his Nose, [...] like the Bowsplit, and his Legs would serve for a Ma [...] mast; I warrant the Jade understands Sailing, and so w [...] ly provides against Stress of Weather, ha, ha,
I faith, she's a tite Vessel, and I'll Man he [...] titely I warrant ye my Lads.
Ha, ha; hark ye Sirrah; there's such Conditi [...] entail'd upon this Woman, you are fond of, that [...] make you as Wife-sick, as the Sea did in your first Voya [...]
Aye, it's no matter for that, Captain; [...] must not think to serve me as you do a Whale, fling [...] an empty Cask till the Substance gets by. Look ye, Ma [...] to fetch up half her Wealth, I'd dive to the Bottom of [...] Sea, and venture being swallow'd by a Shark, Nick wo [...] I'faith. Master.
Well said Nick, E'gad, I warrant you think [...] be an Ambral now.
Why, why not, if I have Money enough [...] buy it? and I will be an Ambral too, for all you, [...] my Master here, shall be my Rear-Ambral.
Oh your very humble Servant, Mr. Admira [...] but suppose your Wife should die, Nick?
Better and better still; her Gold and preci [...] Stones, won't die too; and E'gad, I'll drink to her go [...] [Page 9] Voyage in a Bowl of Punch, clap my Riches aboard, and hoist Sail for merry England.
Ha, ha, Do you know that the Law of this Island buries the living Husband with the dead Wife.
Ha! the Devil it does!
'Tis even so.
Ambral, I wish you much Joy.
A live!
What, Is the Wind chop'd full in your Teeth, Nick? Ha, ha, ha!
Ay Faith, and blows so hard, that it shall blow my Head off e'er I make the Port of Matrimony in this Island. Buried with her? quotha! E'gad, I always thought the Wedding-sheet the Winding-sheet of Pleasure, after a Month; but to have no Hopes beyond her; Zounds! I had rather sit in the Bilboes all Days of my Life. I'll aboard this Minute. Boson, you grumbl'd at my good Fortune just now, take her your self if you will.
The Devil take me if I do.
I told you I should take off the Edge of your Appetite: Go, go, try and get the Ship off: I▪ll be aboard immediately. Have you got any Provisions?
That we have good store.
Well, well, be gone then.
Ay, with all my Heart; if I get once aboard, I'll stick as close to the Ship as Pitch to a Rope; and sink with her rather than come ashoar again. Buried with a Wife! The Devil!
Let me consider; what Stratagem shall I use to carry off the Women?
There's a sad House within; but hang me if I don't fancy my Uncle counterfeits; for in my Mind his Pulse beats as regular as mine.
Ha! Say you so? Then I have it. Convey me into the House, where I'll tell you the Plot, to free you from these Apprehensions.
If you effect it you are a Deity. Come along with me; in this Confusion I can preserve you undiscovered.
Along then.
SCENE II.
Oh Distraction! Look up my Lord, my Lo [...] my Husband! Oh you will break my Heart, and I sh [...] go before you! Oh, oh, oh!
The Stars forbid! Oh, oh!
Ah! Help ye Slaves—Gently bear him up▪ Rub his Temples—Apply the Hartshorn to his Nose▪ Oh speak and tell me how you do, my Dear!—O [...] oh, oh!
Very bad—Oh, oh!
Are you very bad, my Love? What will b [...] come of me?
Very bad indeed, Wife—Oh, I shall not li [...] this Day, I doubt.
Ah! What do I hear—Oh ye cruel Po [...] ers—Why was I cast upon this Shoar? Curse on th [...] glittering Bawbl [...]s, whose bewitching Lustre cheats [...] of true Happiness.
A Thirst [...] Riches drew me from that Land where Widow-hood [...] happy—to die within a loathsome Dungeon, unpiti [...] and forlorn.
What does she say now?—Prithee my Dea [...] don't afflict yourself so much—You'll be sick, [...] Love—
But you'll die, my Love—Sick, quoth [...] Good Heaven! Can I be well when you are dying?
Oh you think of the Custom of our Countr [...] Wife; you fear to be buried with me, that's all—
All does he call it—
Now if it had pleas'd Great Mahomet, that thou shouldst have gone first, I should have accompanied thee with Pleasure—
That's more than I shall do you, I'm sure.
So shall I you, my Dear, as to any Business I have with Life, when thour't gone; but the Pain to see thee die, to part with thee for ever, is the Shock that Nature feels—and 'tis unkindly urg'd to think I fear the Custom of the Island—for what Joy could I have when thou art gone?
I doubt she lies—But this is the only Way I could ever find to keep her in Subjection, for as soon as I am well, whip! she's scamper'd, and I have no more Comfort of a Wife than I should have in her Grave: If all English Wives are such Gadders, Heaven help their Husbands, I say—
How dost thou do, Jewel?
I think I am a little better; I believe I could eat a Leg of that Chicken within—
Fly ye Slaves, and fetch it instantly, Oh, all ye Powers, that protect our Lives, I thank ye; I feel the Springs of Joy recruit; thy Words run thro' my Soul with such exulting Pleasure, that 'tis all one Rapture—Oh let me hold thee ever in my Arms—Oh! that single Word, Better—has more Harmony in it than the Musick of the Spheres—Thus let me kiss it from thy Lips, 'tis the richest Cordial Nature could produce to raise my sinking Hopes.
Where are you, Slaves, why do you stay so long.
Ah, this Wise of mine does but counterfeit this Love to me, I fear—If our Law did not bury the Living with the Dead, here would be no Joy for my Recovery.
Come, my Dear, shall I cut it for thee?
No, I'll not trouble thee.
'Tis very good: Won't you eat a Bit of it, Deary?
No, thou shalt eat it all—He feeds heartily▪ Ah, if I had him in Old England, I should wish it we [...] his last—Oh the vast Difference between a Widow's Weed and a Winding-Sheet, between the civil Ceremonie [...] of shedding Tears at the Grave, and the barbarous Costom of making one's Bed there.
How pleas'd she is? Ah, wou'd she be in this good Humour always—
Much good may do you, my Dear.
I thank you my Love—Ah you little Rogue how warm your Busses are—
Od, they infuse new Life into me; and methinks I fe [...] Health pop into my Heart, like a Pot-gun—Anothe [...] Kiss, my Dearest—
So, so, thou ha [...] done it, thou hast done it, thou dear Rogue—Go what do you stare at? begone and leave your Lady an [...] I alone—
Say you so—alone! alas, are you fit to [...] left alone—leave a dying Man alone—Let the [...] stir if they dare—I shall take better Care of yo [...] than that comes to, my Dear.
Pish, Pish, I tell thee I am out of Danger.
I wish thou wert—
Indeed I am, and thou shalt find it so; therefo [...] prithee let them go—
Alass, I fear you are light-headed, my Dear. Aye, your Pulse is upon the Gallop; you are in a raging Fever—Oh, woe is me! Oh, oh, oh! Away, some of ye, and fetch a Doctor.
Sha, sha; I tell thee thou art mistaken; I am in no Fever but what proceeds from thy pretty pouting Lips and thou art the best Physician, let me kiss them again; ye, ye, ye, ye, dear soft Charmer, ye, ye.
Are you sure you are well?
Very sure on't, my Dear—Come, let us take a Nap together.
You know I can't sleep in the Day-time: Besides you ought to return your Prophet Thanks for your Recovery—
Oh, that I'll do to morrow.
To morrow! a Man of your Years ought to be asham'd of deferring Things of that Kind till to morrow.
Why Child, upon Occasion one may—
Occasion! What Occasions have People of your Age for Life, but to pray—
Have Women in your Country no other Business for their Husbands, my Dear?
No—
Humpth! That was the Reason you left it, I doubt—
Ah would I had never left it—
But come, come, you jest but with me. Lucy, fetch your Lady's Night-gown—I love to see her in her Night-gown—Ah those roguish Eyes! Another Kiss and then—
You love to see me in my Night-gown, I think I shan't consult your Fancy much—Prithee no more Sloping; your Breath's ready to strike one down, and your Beard's as rough as a Hedge-hog. Lucy, fetch me my Vail, I have a Visit to make.
Yes, Madam.
So, she's no Changeling I find; never Man had such a Wife, certainly—I must always be sick, or she'll always be out of Humour,
Sure you'll not leave me, Wife.
Indeed but I shall, Husband.
Here's the Vail, Madam.
Well, go then, I won't hinder you —Shadock, give me my Cloak; I'll go see the Grand Emir, and pass away the Time a little till your Lady's Return.
Well, now I like your Humour. You shou'd always let your Wife go, when and where she pleases.
That I resolve for the future—Ha! what ails me—Bless me, I'm very sick o'th' Sudden; oh, oh! pray lead me to my Bed, or I shall die this Moment—
Ha! what's that, die say you?
Oh wretched me! here, here, here, here, take a little of this, my Lord. Judgment is pronounc'd against my Life, and I must die at last,
—Away, and call the Physicians: Haste, fly, Oh, oh, oh!
No, no, 'twill off again; 'tis only a Fit—thy Kindness is my best Cordial. I'll try to rest a little.
Withdraw all of you, and separate into Silence, I'll watch by thee. Heaven send my Love a comfortable Nap—What Distractions tear my Breast—Now Hope, then Despair, with alternate Sway, exercise their Power, and no kind Glimpse of Safety offers me Relief.
Oh Aunt, the Captain is without, and has a Secret to deliver us from this Pla [...]e if you'll but help the Design.
Bring him in: If your Uncle wakes I'll tell him it is a Doctor.
Here he is
Do you this, and I'll be ready to finish it.
I'll ven [...]ure. Oh Fortune, be this once propitious, and I'll submit my future Life, without the least Complaint. Ah! my Head turns round! Oh I faint, I die!
Ah Help! Help! Where are you? My Aunt's dead. Help! Help!
I'm thunder-struck—Oh, oh, oh, ho!
Ha! Dead! Nay then, where are the Coffins?
Oh woe is me! Speak to me, my Dear; speak to me; speak to me.
As I suspected: See how nimble he is at the Apprehension of being buried with her. What shall I do? she's breathless quite—
Oh, oh, oh!
Undone, undone, for ever—
Ay, it is you have been the Cause, oh wretched Man! Prophet, thou art just.
Wretched indeed. I consess I did but counterseit—Oh Alla,
pardon my Deceit, and give me back her Life, and let her cuckold me with every thing she meets; let her be the veriest Wife that ever England bred, I never will be jealous more! oh, oh!
Is there any Hopes, Niece?
No, none. Oh distracting Thought! This comes of your frighting her so.
Oh forgive me, Niece, for I truly repent: Alas! I did it only to keep her in Subjection. Oh fetch the Cordial which I, like a false Wretch, had no Occasion for! Oh! I do believe she lov'd me now! Oh Niece, try, try, to pour some down her Throat; for I tremble so, I cannot guide it to her Lips.
Alas! her Teeth are set: She's gone! for ever gone!
Then I'm gone too!
Oh, oh, oh!
Oh killing Sight!
Thou glorious Sun assist us now and we are happy.
Ay do, do pray for thy Uncle, Child: Oh, oh, oh!
I have Occasion for my Prayers my self, at this Time, I thank ye, for I'm afraid we are in the greater Danger at present.
Oh, oh, oh, that ever I married! Where shall I hide my self? Oh, oh, oh!
Stop him, stop him.
Call the Officers of Justice strait; I must be cruel here. So, he's gone, Captain, come forth.
I'm almost choak'd with holding my Breath so long; what's to be done now? Pray Heaven we prosper!
I warrant you, Madam, come, come, be quick, you must aboard this Minute. Have you any thing you would take with you?
I have pack'd up all your Jewels, and every thing of Value, here, Madam: Mercy on me, how I tremble!
And I'm ready to sink with Fear: If we are taken we are undone, and you lose your Lives.
Nothing like a good Courage: Come let's not stand disputing, and lose the lucky Minute.
From these curst Laws, oh let me scape with Life.
And make me any Creature but a Wife.
Your Wealth at any time decides the Strife.
SCENE III.
Nay, don't think to leave me, Sir, did you n [...] promise to stay here?
But will you promise not to die before [...] then? Answer me that: Adsbud, who do you think [...] chouse? ha!
What are you afraid to die with her you love!
Love! Zounds! does any body love a Woma [...] well enough to die with her?
Yes certainly with their Wives.
That's a Mistake, d'ye see; for of all the W [...] men in the World we care the least for our Wives, in [...] Country.
That's strange. Why I should rejoice to [...] with you, pretty Englishman.
Aye, one Way, perhaps, pretty Devil! But [...] be plain with you, I desire to die no Way with you all; and so I shear off.
Stay. Cannot Gold and Jewels tempt you
No.
What are you Englishmen made on?
Flesh and Blood, Child; If I can find one [...] Iron and Steel, I'll recommend him to you.
Iron and Steel! What kind of Men are they?
Oh Things that are so well acquainted wi [...] the Earth, that they'll lie twenty Years in it and take [...] Hurt: Now for my Part, I have as much Antipathy [...] fresh Mould as fresh Water; and had rather eat Sea-Bisk [...] than a green Sod; and the Wind will as soon blow Nort [...] and by South, as I be prevail'd upon to turn in with yo [...]
Faint-hearted Wretch! Take me with you, then, to your World.
Look ye, I'll have nothing to do with you at all; and there's your Answer; and if you offer to stop me, I shall make use of my Cat of Nine Tails, in troth I shall. Zounds! I never had such an Aversion for a Woman in my Life.
Sure this is some Sea-Monster, it cannot be a Man, and Proof against Gold and Jewels.
Ha! the Woman here that Nick should have had; a faint-hearted Dog! Now have I a Mind to knock her Brains out, and carry off her Jewels.
What's here—another of the puny Knaves?
Ha! the Boson's Whistle! nay then I must be speedy; and yet I can't find in my Heart to kill her.
Adsheart, I shall be left ashoar; I must away.
You look disorder'd, Sir; are you in Love?
With your rare glist'ning Stones I am; and if your damn'd Fashion did not heave the living Husband [...] board with the dead Wife, I did not care if I said I was in love with you.
Then take me where we may live for ever; for indeed I don't like this Custom amongst us, but must obey it. Come bear me hence, and I will load thee with wealth enough to buy thy Country.
Ha! I have no time to think; come along then; [...] venture to swing in a Hammock with you for once.
SCENE IV.
What, a Native of Cosgar, and tremble at its Laws when even our Kings are subject to 'em. For sham [...] Emir, bear yourself like a Man—Come, open th [...] Coffin, and put in the Loaves and Water.
Ah, I shall have but small Stomach to eat.
Confound our Laws; I'm inform'd that no part of th [...] World is curst with such, but only us, the rest live [...] long as they can: To be buried alive—Oh curs'd Custom! Oh, oh, oh! In perfect Health too! Oh, oh, oh
In Health! nay my Lord, that you are not; every body expected your Death this Morning; the Fright [...] which, I suppose, has caus'd your Lady's: I'm sure every body thought you very ill.
Aye, and may be every body thought me willing to die too, but every body was mistaken.
My Lord, we have no time for Talking; it is no [...] in our Powers to prevent your Fate. Here lift him in [...] the Coffin. Where are your Cords to let the Coffins dow [...] the Mountain?
I will not go down the Mountain: Unconscionable Rogues!
I hope your Wive [...] will die to morrow—Hold, hold, let me see my Wi [...] first; she died suddenly, and may come to Life again.
Pish! Pish! This is Trifling, in with him, I say
I tell you my Wife was an English Wife, and troubled with Vapours, as all that Country Wives are [Page 19] she us'd to die and come to Life again ten times in an Hour, therefore I will see her.
Shall he see her, Brother?
No, no.
Ye Dogs, I will.
By Alla, Sun, Moon and Stars, here's no body! Hussa, here's no body, she's alive.
Alive! bring her out then.
Nay do you bring her out, if you will, for you shall never bring me in.
My Lord, I shall make you bring her out; you have buried her in your Garden, I suppose; but that shan't serve: Produce her living, or I'll instantly proceed to the Ceremony of Burial with you: Where is she?
Sir, I told you before she was an English Wife, and I believe few Husbands know where to find them.
This shan't serve: Where's Mrs Isabinda, your Niece?
With her Aunt, for ought I know.
Oh my Lord, the Ship that was cast here, yesterday, is gone off, and with it your Lady, Niece and Maid, with all your Jewels.
With all my Soul; and there's something for thy News; a boon Voyage, and a merry Gale to them, say [...] it is the most comfortable Loss that ever Man had.
Why what a Misfortune's this! here's our Fees lost.
And if ever you catch me marrying again, I'll give you leave to use your Cords. Dogs! get out of my House, go; troop, Vermin, no going down the Mountain now—Here kick the Coffins after them, with their Loaves and Water; and there shall never be more occasion for 'em in this House, I promise you—Come, where are my Servants? Here, let me have Musick and Dancing, to cheer my Spirits.