PUFF.
O yes; all the way as they came along.—[To the actors.] I beg pardon, gentlemen, but these are particular friends of mine, whose remarks may be of great service to us.—[To SNEER and DANGLE.] Don’t mind interrupting them whenever anything strikes you. Sir Christ.
TRUE, GALLANT RALEIGH
But oh, thou champion of thy country’s fame,
There is a question which I yet must ask
A question which I never ask’d before—
What mean these mighty armaments?
This general muster? and this throng of chiefs?
SNEER.
Pray, Mr. Puff, how came Sir Christopher Hatton never to ask that question before?
PUFF.
What before the play began?-how the plague could he?
DANGLE.
That’s true, i’faith!
PUFF.
But you will hear what he thinks of the matter.
SIR CHRISTOPHER HATTON.
Alas I my noble friend, when I behold
Yon tented plains in martial symmetry
Array’d; when I count o’er yon glittering lines
Of crested warriors, where the proud steeds’ neigh,
And valour-breathing trumpet’s shrill appeal,
Responsive vibrate on my listening ear;
When virgin majesty herself I view,
Like her protecting Pallas, veil’d in steel,
With graceful confidence exhort to arms!
When, briefly, all I hear or see bears stamp
Of martial vigilance and stern defence,
I cannot but surmise—forgive, my friend,
If the conjecture’s rash—I cannot but
Surmise the state some danger apprehends!
SNEER.
A very cautious conjecture that.
PUFF.
Yes, that’s his character; not to give an opinion but on secure grounds.—Now then.
SIR WALTER RALEIGH.
O most accomplish’d Christopher!—