Banks. Are you Sir George Thunder?
Enter Landlord, followed by Ephraim.
Land. Please you, madam, they've got a footpad in custody.
Eph. I am come to sit in judgment, for there is a bad man in thy house, Mary. Bring him before me.
Sir Geo. Before you, old squintabus? And perhaps you don't know I'm a magistrate?
Eph. I'll examine him.
Sir Geo. You be damn'd—I'll examine him myself, [Shoves Ephraim.] Tow him in here. I'll give him a passport to Winchester bilboes.
Amelia. [Kneels to Sir George.] Oh, sir, as you hope for mercy, extend it to this youth; but even should he be guilty, which, from our knowledge of his benevolent and noble nature, I think next to an impossibility, let the services he has rendered to us—he protected, relieved your forsaken wife, and her unhappy brother, in the hour of want and sorrow.
Sir Geo. What, Amelia, plead for a robber! Consider, my love, justice is above bias or partiality. If my son violated the laws of his country, I'd deliver him up a public victim to disgrace and punishment.
Lady Am. Oh, my impartial uncle! Had thy country any laws to punish him, who instead of paltry gold, would rob the artless virgin of her dearest treasure, in the rigid judge I should now behold the trembling criminal.