[The Works of Charles Lamb in Four Volumes, Volume 4 by Charles Lamb]@TWC D-Link book
The Works of Charles Lamb in Four Volumes, Volume 4

PROLOGUE, SPOKEN BY MR
48/217

Oh, I guess how it is--somebody has got at your secret; you haven't blabbed it yourself, have you?
ha! ha! ha! I could find in my heart--Jack, what would you give me if I should relieve you?
_Mr.H._ No power of man can relieve me (_sighs_); but it must lie at the root, gnawing at the root--here it will lie.
_Belvil._ No power of man?
not a common man, I grant you: for instance, a subject--it's out of the power of any subject.
_Mr.H._ Gnawing at the root--there it will lie.
_Belvil._ Such a thing has been known as a name to be changed; but not by a subject--( _shows a Gazette_).
_Mr.H._ Gnawing at the root--( _suddenly snatches the paper out of_ BELVIL'S _hand_)--ha! pish! nonsense! give it me--what! (_reads_) promotions, bankrupts--a great many bankrupts this week--there it will lie.

(_Lays it down, takes it up again, and reads._) "The King has been graciously pleased"-- gnawing at the root--"graciously pleased to grant unto John Hogsflesh,"-- the devil--"Hogsflesh, Esq., of Sty Hall, in the county of Hants, his royal license and authority"-- O Lord! O Lord!--"that he and his issue"-- me and my issue--"may take and use the surname and arms of Bacon"-- Bacon, the surname and arms of Bacon--"in pursuance of an injunction contained in the last will and testament of Nicholas Bacon, Esq., his late uncle, as well as out of grateful respect to his memory:"-- grateful respect! poor old soul-----here's more--"and that such arms may be first duly exemplified "-- they shall, I will take care of that--"according to the laws of arms, and recorded in the Herald's Office." _Belvil._ Come, Madam, give me leave to put my own interpretation upon your silence, and to plead for my friend, that now that only obstacle which seemed to stand in the way of your union is removed, you will suffer me to complete the happiness which my news seems to have brought him, by introducing him with a new claim to your favor, by the name of Mr.Bacon.

(_Takes their hands and joins them, which_ MELESINDA _seems to give consent to with a smile._) _Mr.H._ Generous Melesinda! my dear friend--"he and his issue," me and my issue!--O Lord!-- _Belvil._ I wish you joy, Jack, with all my heart.
_Mr.H._ Bacon, Bacon, Bacon--how odd it sounds! I could never be tired of hearing it.

There was Lord Chancellor Bacon.

Methinks I have some of the Verulam blood in me already .-- Methinks I could look through Nature--there was Friar Bacon, a conjurer,--I feel as if I could conjure too---- _Enter a Servant._ _Servant._ Two young ladies and an old lady are at the door, inquiring if you see company, Madam.
_Mr.H._ "Surname and arms"-- _Melesinda._ Show them up .-- My dear Mr.Bacon, moderate your joy.
_Enter three Ladies, being part of those who were at the Assembly._ _1st Lady._ My dear Melesinda, how do you do?
_2nd Lady._ How do you do?
We have been so concerned for you---- _Old Lady._ We have been so concerned--( _seeing him_)--Mr.
Hogsflesh---- _Mr.H._ There's no such person--nor there never was--nor 'tis not fit there should be--"surname and arms"-- _Belvil._ It is true what my friend would express; we have been all in a mistake, ladies.


<<Back  Index  Next>>

D-Link book Top

TWC mobile books