RAVENSBANE [To Minister Dodge.] My opinion is simple: In such matters of church government, I am inclined toward the leniency of that excellent master, the Rev. John Wise, rather than the righteous obduracy of the Rev. Cotton Mather.
MINISTER DODGE Why, there, sir, I agree with you. [Aside to his wife.] How extremely well informed!
MISTRESS DODGE And so young, too!
JUSTICE MERTON [With hesitant embarrassment, which he seeks to conceal.] Your Excellency and friends, I have great pleasure in announcing his lordship’s condescension in consenting to regale our present company—with a song.
SEVERAL VOICES [In various degrees of amazement and curiosity.] A song!
MISTRESS MERTON Gilead! What is this?
JUSTICE MERTON The selection is a German ballad—a particular favourite at the court of Prussia, where his lordship last rendered it. His tutor has made a translation which is entitled: “The Prognostication of the Crows,” and I am requested to remind you that in the ancient heathen mythology of Germany, the crow or raven, was the fateful bird of the God Woden.
CAPTAIN BUGBY How prodigiously novel!
MINISTER DODGE [Frowning.] Unparalleled!
SIR CHARLES A ballad! Come now, that sounds like old England again. Let’s have it. Will his lordship sing without music?