VAN DUNDERMAN AND HIS SERVANT. From the Blacksmith of Antwerp, by John O'Keefe. PERSONS REPRESENTED. HERR VAN DUNDERMAN. JACOB. SCENE:-A Koom. Enter DUNDERMAN, elegantly dressed, but with a night-cap on. He has a pipe Dun. Vere is dis coach! [Looks at his watch] 'Tis now past twelve, and I should be at Van Dipenbeck's house-I tink I look very well in my wedding suit!-How long dis coach stay, and my sweet bride is vait for me.-Vat a deal of pictures I have here unfinished, but no matter, I vil not paint today. [Calls] Here,-Yacob,-my man Yacob!Ah, dis new servant!—I ave him only two days, and he put all of my affairs into confusion; he is always ready too soon, or he is not ready at all; he underdoes, or he overdoes. [Calls] Yacob!-No, he vil not do for me. [Enter JACOB] Hey, you Yacob, is dis coach not come? Jacob. Not yet, sir, and I desired him to be here exactly at one. Dun. One! and I desired you to bid him come at eleven-when I give you a message, mind always say my words exactly. Jacob. Yes, sir, I will, sir; but here, sir, my lord is come; he says this is the day you appointed to take a sitting of him. Dun. I will not draw any body's picture on my wedding-day; so he may take his ugly face somewhere else. Jacob. [Goes to the door and speaks loud] My lord, you may take your ugly face somewhere else. Dun. Vile loot! Vat you talk dat vay to my patrons? Jacob. Why, sir, was n't that speaking your words exactly. There's my Lady Frinsmere below stairs, too; she wants to sit. Dun. Let her sit in the great chair below, and when she's tired of sitting, let her waddle off. Jacob. [Calling at the entrance] My lady, sit below, in the great chair, and when you 're tired, waddle off. Dun. Vat you mean? Let my customers alone, since you can't talk good manners to dem─[A knocking without. JACOB going]-Stop, [in a lower tone] if that's Captain Lillo, do n't say I'm at home. Jacob. [Whispering] I won't, I won't, sir. [Exit. Dun. He wants to be my bridesman, and I do not like captains for my bridesman. [Busies himself about the room. Re-enter JACOB. Jacob. [In a low tone] Sir, I told him what you bid me, and he's in the next room writing a card to leave for you. Dun. What, what? I hate whispering. Jacob. [Very loud] Sir, Captain Lillo's in the next room, and I told him you wasn't at home, as you desired me. Dun. Hush! de deuce is in your tongue! How I am perplexed and vexed at this time; but let me get out of de house.-Vy did you say I vas at home to all dese peoples? Jacob. Why, lord, sir, one does n't know what to do with you! I don't know when to tell lies, nor when to tell truth. Dun. Mind, Yacob, tell lies to all de world, but truth to your master. Jacob. I shall, sir. Dun. Here fetch my wig, [takes off night-cap and puts on wig] do n't break my pipe-dere, dat vil do; Yacob, I make a tolerable smart bridegroom, eh! I tink I look very well to-day. Jacob. Indeed, sir, day or night, you look frightful always. Dun. Eh, vat is dat! vat you say such a rude ting to me for? Jacob. You bid me always speak truth to my master. Dun. Yes, but you should not be so ready vid your tongue. Jacob. I won't, sir. I hear the coach stop. Dun. De coach! Come, den, I must light a fresh pipe to take vid me; mind, have a guard over your speech; you should tink three times before you speak once. [Lights his pipe, and stands near the candle. Jacob. I shall, sir; I think once, I think twice, I think three times,-your wig's on fire. Dun. [Strikes him] Ah, you scoundrel! you rascal ! Jacob. Help, fire, murder. [Exeunt, JACOB running, DUNDERMAN pursuing. COSTUMES. VAN DUNDERMAN.-Knee-breeches with wide legs; silk stockings; ornamented long vest, with full sleeves; elegant mantle; large, ruff-like, lace collar, with long points, forming a complete circle about the neck; dress-sword; fancy slippers; periwig. JACOB.-Close-fitting breeches; red stockings; dark shoes ; tight waistcoat, buttoned to the chin; very short hair. |