If such good fortune to my lot should fall,
I 'd kneel and lay my patent in my Bible.—
He must make money by the hundredweight.
Second Citizen.Long live King Oliver!
First Woman. No more dull sermons!
We shall see balls again.
Second Citizen. And races, too.
Third Woman.And actors flouting the high sheriff's men.
Second Woman.And those Egyptians who once came in troops
To Mulberry Gardens to dance sarabands.
Peace, women!
[Expressions of surprise among the people.
First Citizen. What! a soldier 't is, methinks.
Second Citizen.What right has he to scold our wives, I pray?
The Soldier [to the Citizens.
Peace, women!
The Citizens. Women, we?
The Soldier. Ay, worse than they!
They are poor creatures; ah! but what of you,
Of you who are superior to them
In nought save in your foolish merriment
And senseless laughter?
Overton [bringing his hand down on his shoulder.]
Good! my worthy man,
Doubtless you have been most unjustly used;
Like us, after long years of faithful service,
Have been discharged, deprived of your employ?
The Soldier.Much worse than that: he would reign over me!
