[Illustration: Cover: OLD SCROOGE]
"OLD SCROOGE:"
A Christmas Carol in Five Staves.
DRAMATIZED FROM
Charles Dickens' Celebrated Christmas Story,
By CHARLES A. SCOTT.
NEWARK, N. J.:
NEW JERSEY SOLDIERS' HOME PRINT.
1877.
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1877,
BY CHARLES A. SCOTT,
in the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D. C.
All Rights Reserved.
_This edition is limited, and is printed for the
convenience of to enable the owner to make such
alterations as may seem judicious._
_CHARACTERS._
Ebenezer Scrooge, a miserly broker
Frederick Merry, a nephew to Scrooge
Bob Cratchit, clerk to Scrooge
Ghost of Jacob Marley, dead seven years
Spirit of Christmas Past
Spirit of Christmas Present
Mr. Thomas Topper
Mr. Henry Snapper
Mr. Mumford | philanthropic citizens
Mr. Barnes |
Peter Cratchit
Little Cratchit
Tiny Tim
Scrooge's former self
Mr. Stevens |
Mr. Jones |
Mr. Fatchin | Scrooge's business friends
Mr. Snuffer |
Mr. Redface |
Mr. Kemper
Mr. Fezziwig, Scrooge's former master
Mr. James Badger
Dick Wilkins, Fezziwig's apprentice
Old Joe, a pawnbroker
Mr. Shroud, an undertaker
Old Baldhead, the fiddler
The Lamp Lighter
First Man
Second Man
Ignorance
The boy with the turkey
Thomas, a servant
Mrs. Belle Kemper, Scrooge's first and last love
Mrs. Frederick Merry |
Miss Julia Kemper | her daughters
Miss Sarah Kemper |
Mrs. Cratchit, a devoted wife
Belinda Cratchit | her daughters
Martha Cratchit |
Mrs. Caroline Badger
Mrs. Mangle, a laundress
Mrs. Dilber, a char-woman
Mrs. Fezziwig, a worthy matron
Clara Fezziwig | her daughters
Emma Fezziwig |
Little Fanny Scrooge
Want
Six or eight children for tableaux.
[Illustration: hand with pointing finger] By a distribution of two or
three character to one person, the piece can be performed by fifteen
males and nine females.
_COSTUMES._
_Scrooge._ First dress: Brown Quaker-cut coat,
waistcoat and pants. Dark overcoat. Low-crowned,
broad-brimmed hat. Black silk stock and standing
collar. Bald wig with tufts of white hair on each
side. Smooth face. Second dress: Dressing gown, cotton
night-cap and slippers.
_Fred. Merry._ First dress: Walking suit, overcoat,
black silk hat. Black silk stock and standing collar.
Side whiskers. Second dress: Dress suit.
_Bob Cratchit._ Long-tailed business coat of common
material, much worn, and buttoned up to the neck.
Woolen pants and waistcoat of check pattern. Colored
scarf and standing collar. Large white comforter.
Narrow-rimmed silk hat, old style and the worse for
wear. Smooth face.
_Ghost of Marley._ Drab cut-away coat and breeches.
Low-cut single-breasted vest. Ruffled shirt. White
neckcloth. Drab leggings. Gray, long-haired wig, with
queue. Shaggy eyebrows.
_Spirit of Christmas Past._ White tunic trimmed with
flowers. Fleshings. Jeweled belt around waist. Long
white hair hanging loose down neck and back. Jeweled
star for forehead. White conical hat, very high,
carried under the arm. Smooth, pale face--no wrinkles.
Wand of holly.
_Spirit of Christmas Present._ Green robe bordered
with white fur. Fleshings. Trunks. Brown hose.
Dark-brown curls. Holly wreath for the head.
_Mumford._ Overcoat. Under suit of the period--1840.
Black silk hat. White neckcloth and standing collar.
Gray, long-haired wig. Smooth face. Spectacles.
_Barnes._ Blue cloth over and under coats. Black silk
hat. Black silk stock and standing collar. Iron-gray
short-haired wig. Mutton-chop whiskers. Walking
stick.
_Topper and Snapper._ Dress suits of the period--1840.
_Peter Cratchit._ Jacket or short coat. Very large
standing collar and neckerchief.
_Little Cratchit._ Calico shirt. Short trousers. Shoes
and stockings. Apron.
_Tiny Tim._ Same as Little Cratchit, with the addition
of a jacket.
_Scrooge's former self._ First dress: Cutaway coat.
Knee breeches. Second dress: Cape coat. Hessians.
_Ignorance and Want._ Clad in rags. Fleshings.
_Old Joe._ Gabardine or long-skirted coat. Shaggy wig
and beard. Old smoking cap.
_Mrs. Cratchit._ Plain black or brown dress. Cap and
apron.
_Mrs. Merry, Kemper and Misses Kemper._ Handsome house
dresses of the period.
_Misses Fezziwig._ Low-necked dresses with short
sleeves.
_Mrs. Badger._ Plain walking dress. Bonnet and shawl.
_SCENERY, FURNITURE and PROPERTIES._
ACT I.
SCENE I.--Scrooge & Marley's Counting House, 1st G.
backed by an interior 2d G. Set fire-place--painted
grate fire L. Window in flat L. C. Double doors in
flat, thrown open, R. C. Scrooge's desk and chair near
window--ruler, pens, ink and paper on desk. Bob
Cratchit's Desk in inner room in sight of audience.
Lighted candles on both desks. Scuttle of coal near
fire place. Clothes hooks on flat for Scrooge's hat
and great coat. Coal shovel for Bob to enter with.
Subscription list for Mumford to enter with.
[Illustration: Hand]Clear stage of desk, chair and
scuttle.
SCENE II.--Scrooge's apartments 3d or 4th G. Door L.
C. and window R. C. in flat, backed by a street scene.
Small grate fire and mantel L. 2. Old-fashioned clock
and two plaster casts on mantel. Door R. 2. Table L.
C. Lighted candle, spoon, basin and writing materials
on table. Saucepan of gruel on hob. Two easy chairs
near fire place. Lights down. Fender at fire. Ringing
bells of place. Scrooge's hat and coat hung on the
wall. Chain made of cash boxes, keys, padlocks,
ledgers, deeds, purses, etc., for ghost to enter with.
Toothpick for Scrooge to show. Trap ready for ghost to
disappear.
ACT II.
SCENE I.--Scrooge's bed room 1st G. Chimney C., with
painted coal fire. Door L. C., window R. C. Trap near
hearth for Spirit of Christmas Past to enter. Small
four-post bedstead with curtains L. Bureau or
washstand R.
SCENE II.--An old school room 3d G. Door L. C., and
window R. C. in flat. Chair at window. A stuffed
parrot on stand near R. 3. Two or three school desks,
a platform and desk for the master; books for young
Scrooge.
SCENE III.--A wareroom, full depth of stage. An
elevated platform, centre of flat, for the fiddler.
Old-fashioned arm chair at L. 2, for Mrs Fezziwig.
SCENE IV.--Plain room, 2d G. No properties.
SCENE V.--Drawing room, 5th G., trimmed with
evergreens. A Christmas tree, trimmed and lighted, R.
U. E. Ornaments on mantel. Fireplace L. Suite of
parlor furniture. Centre table C. Toys for
children--doll and doll's dress for Belle. Trap ready
for spirit to disappear.
ACT III.
SCENE I.--A room in Scrooge's house, 1st G. Flat
painted to show game, poultry, meats, etc. Torch,
shaped like a cornucopia for Spirit of Christmas
Present.
SCENE II.--Bob Cratchit's home--Plain room 4th G. Door
R. and L. C., backed by kitchen flat. Dresser and
crockery C. of flat. Fireplace L. U. E. Saucepan of
potatoes on fire; six wooden or cane-seat chairs; a
high chair for Tiny Tim. Large table C.; white
table-cloth; large bowl on side table R.; three
tumblers and a custard cup without a handle. Nuts,
apples and oranges on dresser. Small crutch for Tiny
Tim to enter with. Goose on dish for Peter to enter
with.
SCENE III.--A street mansion with lighted windows
showing shadow of a group inside, 1st G. Snow. Torch
and ladder for lamp lighter.
SCENE IV.--Drawing room 4th G. Arch 3d G. Handsome
suite of furniture. Large table R. Sideboard with wine
and glasses at flat C. Piano L. 2d E. Coffee-urn and
cups on small table R. 3d E. Piano-stool, music stand.
Sheet music on piano. Salver for waiter.
ACT IV.
SCENE I.--Scrooge's bed room 2d G. as in scene 1, act
2.
SCENE II.--Street 1st G. Snuff-box for Snuffer to
enter with.
SCENE III.--Pawn shop 3d G. Doors R. and L. C. in
flat--Table C., four common chairs; a smoky oil
lamp--lighted, and a piece of white chalk on table.
Bundle of bed curtains--same as on Scrooge's
bedstead--blankets and shirts for Mrs. Mangle to enter
with. Bundle of under-clothing, towels, sheets,
sugar-tongs, tea-spoons and old boots for Mrs. Dilber
to enter with. A package containing a seal,
pencil-case, pair of sleeve-buttons and scarf pin, for
Shroud to enter with. Purse of coins for Old Joe.
SCENE IV.--Street--exterior of Scrooge and Marley's
1st G. Window L. C. No properties.
SCENE V.--Bob Cratchit's home--same as scene 2, act,
3. Table C., candles and work-basket on table. Book
for Peter on table; calico or muslin for Mrs. Cratchit
and Belinda to sew.
ACT V.
SCENE I.--Scrooge's apartment, as in scene 2d act 1st.
No additional properties.
SCENE II.--Street--exterior of Scrooge's house 1st G.
Brass knocker on the door. Turkey for boy to enter
with.
SCENE III.--Drawing room same as scene 4, act 3.
Handkerchief for Fred to blindfold.
OLD SCROOGE.
STAVE ONE.
SCENE I.--_Christmas Eve. Counting house of Scrooge &
Marley. Set fireplace with small grate fire_ L.
_Centre door in flat, thrown open, showing a small
inner chamber and desk, at which Bob Cratchit is
discovered seated, endeavoring to warm his hands over
the candle. Small desk,_ L. C., _at which Scrooge is
discovered busy at figures_.
_Enter Bob Cratchit, from inner room, with coal
shovel, going toward fireplace._
_Scrooge._ And six makes twenty-eight pounds, four shill----What do you
want in here?
_Bob._ My fire is nearly out, sir, and I thought I would take one or two
lumps of coal, and--
_Scro._ You think more of your personal comforts than you do of your
business and my interest.
_Bob._ The room, sir, is very cold, and I--
_Scro._ Work sir, work! and I'll warrant that you'll keep warm. If you
persist, in this wanton waste of coals, you and I will have to part.
(_Bob retires to his desk, puts on his white comforter, and again tries
to warm his hands. Scrooge resuming_). Four shillings and ninepence--
_Enter Fred'k Merry_, C. D., _saluting Bob as he passes him_.
_Fred._ A Merry Christmas, uncle. God save you.
_Scro._ Bah; humbug.
_Fred._ Christmas a humbug, uncle! You don't mean that, I'm sure?
_Scro._ I do. Merry Christmas! What right have you to be merry? What
reason have you to be merry? You're poor enough.
_Fred._ Come then. What right have you to be dismal? What reason have
you to be morose? You're rich enough.
_Scro._ Bah; humbug.
_Fred._ Don't be cross, uncle.
_Scro._ What else can I be when I live in such a world of fools as this?
Merry Christmas! Out upon Merry Christmas! What's Christmas-time to you
but a time for paying bills without money; a time for finding yourself a
year older, but not an hour richer; a time for balancing your books and
having every item in 'em through a round dozen of months presented dead
against you? If I could work my will, every idiot who goes about with
"Merry Christmas" on his lips should be boiled with his own pudding, and
buried with a stake of holly through his heart. He should.
_Fred._ Uncle!
_Scro._ (_sternly_). Nephew, keep Christmas in your own way, and let me
keep it in mine.
_Fred._ Keep it! But you don't keep it.
_Scro._ Let me leave it alone, then. Much good may it do you. Much good
it has ever done you.
_Fred._ There are many things from which I might have derived good, by
which I have not profited, I dare say, Christmas among the rest. But I
am sure I have always thought of Christmas-time, when it came
round--apart from the veneration due to its sacred name and origin, if
anything belonging to it can be apart from that--as a good time; a kind,
forgiving, charitable, pleasant time; the only time I know of, in the
long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one consent to
open their shut-up hearts freely, and to think of people below them as
if they really were fellow-passengers to the grave, and not another race
of creatures bound on other journeys. And, therefore, uncle, though it
has never put a scrap of gold or silver in my pocket, I believe that it
_has_ done me good, and _will_ do me good; and I say, God bless it.
(_Cratchit applauds, but observing Scrooge, endeavors to be intent on
something else._)
_Scro._ (_to Bob_). Let me hear another sound from _you_, and you'll
keep your Christmas by losing your situation! (_To Fred_). You're quite
a powerful speaker, sir, I wonder you don't go into Parliament.
_Fred._ Don't be angry, uncle. Come, dine with us to-morrow?
_Scro._ I'd see you in blazes first.
_Fred._ But why? Why?
_Scro._ Why did you get married?
_Fred._ Because I fell in love.
_Scro._ Because you fell in love! The only one thing in the world more
ridiculous than a merry Christmas. Good afternoon.
_Fred._ Nay, uncle, but you never came to see me before that happened.
Why give it as a reason for not coming now?
_Scro._ Good afternoon.
_Fred._ I want nothing from you; I ask nothing of you; why cannot we be
friends?
_Scro._ Good afternoon!
_Fred._ I am sorry, with all my heart, to find you so resolute. We have
never had any quarrel, to which I have been a party. But I have made the
trial in homage to Christmas, and I'll keep my Christmas humor to the
last. So a Merry Christmas, uncle.
_Scro._ Good afternoon!
(_As Fred goes out he exchanges greetings with Bob._)
_Fred._ A merry Christmas.
_Bob._ The same to you, and many of them.
_Scro._ There's another fellow, my clerk, with fifteen shillings a week,
and a wife and family, talking about a Merry Christmas. I'll retire to
the lunatic asylum.
_Enter Mr. Mumford and Mr. Barnes with subscription
book and paper, ushered in by Bob._
_Mr. Mumford._ Scrooge & Marley's. I believe (_referring to paper_).
Have I the pleasure of addressing Mr. Scrooge, or Mr. Marley?
_Scro._ Mr. Marley his been dead these seven years. He died seven years
ago this very night.
_Mr. M._ We have no doubt his liberality is well represented by his
surviving partner. (_Presents list. Scrooge frowns, shakes his head,
and returns it._) At this festive season of the year, Mr. Scrooge, it is
more than usually desirable that we should make some slight provision
for the poor and destitute, who suffer greatly at the present time. Many
thousands are in want of common necessaries; hundreds of thousands are
in want of common comforts, sir.
_Scro._ Are there no prisons?
_Mr. M._ Plenty of prisons.
_Scro._ And the union work-houses--are they still in operation?
_Mr. M._ They are. I wish I could say they were not.
_Scro._ The tread-mill and the poor law are in full vigor, then?
_Mr. M._ Both very busy, sir.
_Scro._. Oh! I was afraid from what you said at first that something had
occurred to stop them in their useful course. I'm very glad to hear it.
_Mr. M._ Under the impression that they scarcely furnish Christian cheer
of mind or body to the multitude, a few of us are endeavoring to raise a
fund to buy the poor some meat and drink, and means of warmth. We chose
this time because it is a time, of all others, when want is keenly felt,
and abundance rejoices. What shall I put you down for?
_Scro._ Nothing.
_Mr. M._ You wish to be anonymous?
_Scro._ I wish to be left alone. Since you ask me what I wish,
gentlemen, that is my answer. I don't make merry myself at Christmas,
and I can't afford to make idle people merry. I help to support the
establishments I have mentioned; they cost enough, and those who are
badly off must go there.
_Mr. B._ Many can't go there; and many would rather die.
_Scro._ If they had rather die, they had better do it, and decrease the
surplus population. Besides, excuse me, I don't know that.
_Mr. B._ But you might know it.
_Scro._ It's not my business. It's enough for a man to understand his
own business, and not interfere with other people's. Mine occupies me
constantly. Good afternoon, gentlemen.
_Mr. M._ It is useless, we may as well withdraw. [_Exeunt. As they go
out Bob is seen to hand them money._]
(_Voice at door_ R. _singing_.)
God bless you, merry gentlemen.
May nothing you dismay--
_Scro._ (_Seizes ruler and makes a dash at the door._) Begone! I'll have
none of your carols here. (_Makes sign to Bob, who extinguishes his
candle and puts on his hat and enters._) You'll want all day to morrow,
I suppose?
_Bob._ If quite convenient, sir.
_Scro._ It's not convenient, and its not fair. If I was to stop
half-a-crown for it you'd think yourself ill-used, I'll be bound? (_Bob
smiles faintly._) And yet you don't think _me_ ill-used when I pay a
day's wages for no work.
_Bob._ It's only once a year, sir.
_Scro._ A poor excuse for picking a man's pocket every twenty-fifth of
December. (_Buttoning up his great coat to the chin._) But I suppose you
must have the whole day. Be here all the earlier next morning. (_Exit_
C.)
_Bob._ I will, sir. You old skinflint. If I had my way, I'd give you
Christmas. I'd give it to you this way (_Dumb show of pummelling
Scrooge._) Now for a slide on Cornhill, at the end of a lane of boys,
twenty times, in honor of Christmas Eve, and then for Camden Town as
hard as I can pelt. (_Exit_ C., _with sliding motions, closing doors
after him_.)
SCENE II.--_Scrooge's apartments._ _Grate fire_, L.
_2, Window_, R. C. _Door_, L. C. _in flat_. _Table_,
L. _4. Spoon and basin on table. Saucepan on hob. Two
easy chairs near fire. Lights down._
[_Scrooge in dressing gown and night-cap, discovered, with candle,
searching the room._]
_Scro._ Pooh! pooh! Marley's dead seven years to night. Impossible.
Nobody under the table, nobody under the couch, nobody in the closet,
nobody nowhere (_Yawns_). Bah, humbug! (_Locks door_ R. _and seats
himself in easy chair; dips gruel from saucepan into basin, and takes
two or three spoonsful. Yawns and composes himself for rest._)
[_One or two stanzas of a Christmas carol may be sung outside, at the
close of which a general ringing of bells ensues, succeeded by a
clanking noise of chain._]
_Enter Jacob Marley's ghost._ R., _with chain made of
cash-boxes, keys, padlocks, ledgers, deeds, purposes,
etc. Hair twisted upright on each side to represent
horns. White bandage around jaws._
_Scro._ It's humbug still! I won't believe it. [_Pause, during which
Ghost approaches the opposite side of the mantel._] How now. What do you
want with me?
_Ghost._ Much.
_Scro._ Who are you?
_Gho._ Ask me who I _was_.
_Scro._ Who _were_ you then? You're particular, for a shade.
_Gho._ In life I was your partner, Jacob Marley.
_Scro._ Can you--can you sit down?
_Gho._ I can.
_Scro._ Do it, then.
_Gho._ You don't believe in me?
_Scro._ I don't.
_Gho._ What evidence do you require of my reality beyond that of your
senses?
_Scro._ I don't know.
_Gho._ Why do you doubt your senses?
_Scro._ Because a little thing affects them. A slight disorder of the
stomach makes them cheats. You may be an undigested bit of beef, a blot
of mustard, a crumb of cheese, a fragment of an under-done potato.
There's more of gravy than of grave about you, whatever you are. You see
this tooth-pick?
_Gho._ I do.
_Scro._ You are not looking at it.
_Gho._ But I see it, notwithstanding.
_Scro._ Well! I have but to swallow this, and be for the rest of my days
persecuted by a legion of gobblins, all of my own creation. Humbug, I
tell you; humbug. (_Ghost rattles chain, takes bandage off jaws, and
drops lower jaw as far as possible._)
_Scro._ (_Betrays signs of fright._) Mercy! dreadful apparition, why do
you trouble me?
_Gho._ Man of the worldly mind, do you believe in me, or not?
_Scro._ I do. I must. But why do spirits walk the earth, and why do they
come to me?
_Gho._ It is required of every man that the spirit within him should
walk abroad among his fellow men and travel far and wide, and if that
spirit goes not forth in life, it is condemned to do so after death. It
is doomed to wander through the world--oh, woe is me--and witness what
it can not share, but might have shared on earth, turned to happiness.
[_Shakes chain and wrings his hands._]
_Scro._ You are fettered; tell me why?
_Gho._ I wear the chain I forged in life; I made it link by link and
yard by yard. I girded it on of my own free will, and of my own free
will I wore it. Is its pattern strange to _you_? Or would you know the
weight and length of the strong coil you bear yourself. It was full as
heavy and as long as this seven Christmas-eves ago. You have labored on
it since. It is a pondrous chain!
_Scro._ Jacob, old Jacob Marley, tell me more. Speak comfort to me,
Jacob.
_Gho._ I have none to give. It comes from other regions, Ebenezer
Scrooge, and is conveyed by other ministers to other lands of men. Nor
can I tell you what I would. A very little more is all that is permitted
to me. I can not rest, I can not stay, I can not linger anywhere. My
spirit never walked beyond our counting house, mark me!--in life my
spirit never roved beyond the narrow limits of our money changing hole;
and weary journeys lie before me.
_Scro._ You must have been very slow about it, Jacob.
_Gho._ Slow?
_Scro._ Seven years dead. And traveling all the time.
_Gho._ The old time. No rest, no peace. Incessant tortures of remorse.
_Scro._ You travel fast?
_Gho._ On the wings of the wind.
_Scro._ You might have got over a great quantity of ground in seven
years, Jacob.
_Gho._ (_Clinking his chain._) Oh! captive, bound and double-ironed, not
to know that ages of incessant labor by immortal creatures; for this
earth must pass into eternity before the good of which it is susceptible
is all developed. Not to know that any Christian spirit working kindly
in its little sphere, whatever it may be, will find its mortal life too
short for its vast means of usefulness. Not to know that no space of
regret can make amends for one life's opportunity misused. Yet, such was
I. Oh, such was I!
_Scro._ But you were always a good man of business Jacob.
_Gho._ Business! [_wringing his hands and shaking chain._] Mankind was
my business. The common welfare was my business. Charity, mercy,
forbearance and benevolence were all my business. The dealings of my
trade were but a drop of water in the comprehensive ocean of my
business. [_Holds up chain at arm's length, and drops it._] At this time
of the rolling year I suffer most. Why did I walk through crowds of
fellow beings with my eyes turned down, and never raise them, to that
blessed Star which led the wise men to a poor abode? Were there no poor
houses to which its light would have conducted _me_? Hear me! my time is
nearly gone.
_Scro._ I will; but don't be hard upon me. Don't be flowery, Jacob,
pray.
_Gho._ How it is that I appear before you in a shape that you can see, I
may not tell. I have sat invisible beside you many and many a day. That
is no light part of my penance. I am here to-night to warn you that you
have yet a chance and hope of escaping my fate. A chance and hope of my
procuring, Ebenezer.
_Scro._ You were always a good friend to me. Thank 'er.
_Gho._ You will be haunted by three spirits.
_Scro._ Is that the chance and hope you mentioned, Jacob?
_Gho._ It is.
_Scro._ I--I think I'd rather not.
_Gho._ Without their visits you can not hope to shun the path I tread.
Expect the first to-morrow, when the bell tolls one.
_Scro._ Couldn't I take'em all at once, and have it over, Jacob?
_Gho._ Expect the second on the next night at the same hour. The third
on the night following, when the last stroke of twelve has ceased to
vibrate. Look to see me no more; and look that, for your own sake, you
remember what has passed between us. [_Ghost replaces bandage around
jaws, rises, winds chain about his arm, walks backward to window,
beckoning Scrooge, who rises and follows. As soon as Ghost walks through
window, which opens for him, he motions for Scrooge to stop, and
disappears through trap. Window closes as before._]
CURTAIN.
STAVE TWO.
SCENE I.--_Scrooge's bed room. A small, four-post
bedstead with curtains at_ L. E., _bureau_ R. E. _Bell
tolls twelve. Scrooge pulls curtains aside and sits on
side of bed. Touches spring of his repeater, which
also strikes twelve._
_Scro._ Way, it isn't possible that I can have slept through a whole
day, and far into another night. It isn't possible that anything has
happened to the sun, and this is twelve o'clock at noon.
(_The Spirit of Christmas Past rises from the hearth as Scrooge finishes
his Speech._)
_Scro._ Are you the Spirit, sir, whose coming was foretold to me?
_Spirit._ I am.
_Scro._ Who, and what are you?
_Spir._ I am the ghost of Christmas Past.
_Scro._ Long past?
_Spir._ No; your past.
_Scro._ I beg you will be covered.
_Spir._ What! would you so soon put out, with worldly hands, the light I
give? Is it not enough that you are one of those whose passions made
this cap, and force me through whole trains of years to wear it low upon
my brow?
_Scro._ I have no intention of offending you. May I make bold to enquire
what business has brought you here?
_Spir._ Your welfare.
_Scro._ I am much obliged, but I think a night of unbroken rest would be
more conducive to that end.
_Spir._ Your reclamation, then. Take heed! observe the shadows of the
past, and profit by the recollection of them.
_Scro._ What would you have me do?
_Spir._ Remain where you are, while memory recalls the past.