Thumb. Trust me, my Noodle, I am wondrous sick; [Footnote 1: This method of surprizing an audience, by raising their expectation to the highest pitch, and then baulking it, hath been practised with great success by most of our tragical authors] Nood. I swear by lovely Huncamunca's charms. Thumb. Then know—[1] my grandmamma hath often said, Tom Thumb, beware of marriage. [Footnote: Almeyda, in Sebastian, is in the same distress: Sometimes methinks I hear the groan of ghosts, Nood. Sir, I blush Thumb. Oh! Noodle, thou hast fired my eager soul; Spite of my grandmother she shall be mine; I'll hug, caress, I'll eat her up with love: Whole days, and nights, and years shall be too short For our enjoyment; every sun shall rise [1] Blushing to see us in our bed together. [Footnote: "As very well he may, if he hath any modesty in him," says Mr D—s. The author of Busiris is extremely zealous to prevent the sun's blushing at any indecent object; and therefore on all such occasions he addresses himself to the sun, and desires him to keep out of the way. Rise never more, O sun! let night prevail, Sun, hide thy face, and put the world in mourning.—Ibid. Mr Banks makes the sun perform the office of Hymen, and therefore not likely to be disgusted at such a sight: The sun sets forth like a gay brideman with you. Nood. Oh, sir! this purpose of your soul pursue. Bail. Oh! sir! I have an action against you. Nood. At whose suit is it? Bail. At your taylor's, sir. Your taylor put this warrant in my hands, And I arrest you, sir, at his commands. Thumb. Ha! dogs! Arrest my friend before my face! Think you Tom Thumb will suffer this disgrace? But let vain cowards threaten by their word, Tom Thumb shall shew his anger by his sword. [Kills Bailiff and Follower. Bail. Oh, I am slain! Fol. I am murdered also, And to the shades, the dismal shades below, My bailiff's faithful follower I go. Nood. [1]Go then to hell, like rascals as you are, And give our service to the bailiffs there. [Footnote 1: Nourmahal sends the same message to heaven; For I would have you, when you upwards move, We find another to hell, in the Persian Princess: Villain, get thee down Thumb. Thus perish all the bailiffs in the land, Till debtors at noon-day shall walk the streets, And no one fear a bailiff or his writ. |