DRAMATIS PERSONE. FRED. FLAT. COL. AP-WARBLE. JERRY DOODLER. SANDMAN. DONKEYMAN. COL. FRANÇOIS. SAM. MOLL SHARP. MOLL TRAPES. FAVORI. THE NEW BEGGAR'S OPERA. ACT. I. SCENE-A Chamber-MOLL SHARP writing at a table. Enter JEREMIAH DOODLER-(peeping.) DOODLER. Eu! what! coast clear? MOLL. Yes, my soul-flat's off for the Mews. I had no little trouble to get rid of him; he is so emetically fond of one. DOODLER. Well, my life, did you tip it to him? MOLL. Yes: after much feigned reluctance, I told him that I could not fight shy of my duns any longer. DOODLER. Did he run into the snare? MOLL. Blind as a mole, or else he was prepared for the scene; for he immediately replied that I had more influence than many queens, and need not want money if I were clever. DOODLER. To work then-make hay while the sun shines: Bishops, deans, prebends, rectors, colonels, commissaries, majors, captains, lieutenants, and ensigns, like blades of grassI'll scour the hundreds, and pick up those who want preferment-not for merit but for money;you shall have a list of such as I think mean to be real customers, and do you introduce it to your gudgeon. MOLL. I'll pin it up to the bed's head, and he will be sure to see it. DOODLER. Let me buss thee for that idea, though it ought rather to make me jealous. MOLL. Jealous of what, and of whom! ridiculous! −(knocking) Some one knocks-quick-run down into the kitchen, and vanish through the area gate. [Exit Doodler. Enter Servant. SERVANT. Dr. Slim, ma'am. MOLL. Shew him up. (Exit servant.) When I am in good health, I am never so well pleased as with a visit from one of these old women; for they not only amuse you with, but also propagate any scandalous reports which one wishes to have circulated. Enter Doctor. DOCTOR. Madam, your most devoted MOLL. Your's, Doctor-pray take a seat. DOCTOR. (Draws a chair close to her.) Well, Madam, how are we to-day? MOLL.. Thank ye, never in better health and spirits in all my life. DOCTOR. You look like HYGEIA herself-health, youth, and beauty. |