C. Where? Where? ’Tis them!
W. Bear up bravely, now, like a man.
C. I protest I am the worst dissembler, now, in cases of this nature.
W. Allons! Look like a man of resolution. Whither, whither go you?
C. But to the next house to make my will, for fear of the worst. Tell them I’ll be here again, presently.
The provident knight is, however, detained, and on Palmer and that gentleman’s second appearing, the swords are measured, “and all strip but Cully, who fumbles with his doublet.”
P. Come, sir! are you ready for this sport?
C. By-and-by, sir. I will not rend the buttons from my doublet for no man’s pleasure.
And so “Oliver’s Knight” continues to procrastinate; he can not be either pricked or pinked into action; and at length, pleading that his conscience will not let him fight in a wrong cause, he purchases a whole skin, at the price of a promissory note for a thousand pounds.
I have said that there is no comic situation for the actor who represents Sir Nicholas, but the scene from which the above passages are taken may, perhaps, be an exception to the rule. That Sheridan has profited by it, will be clear to any reader who will take the trouble to compare this scene with the fighting scene in the “Rivals.” The latter is far richer in humor, and while we care very little what becomes of Sir Nicholas, we should regret that any harm should befall poor Acres—although he prefers fighting at forty paces, would stand sidewise to be shot at, feels that he would be horribly afraid if he were alone, and confesses that valor oozes out at the palms of his hands when his adversary appears in sight, with pistols for two.