A Trip to Scarborough; and, The Critic

by Richard Brinsley Sheridan

DANGLE.
What, isn’t he to speak at all?

PUFF.
Egad, I thought you’d ask me that!—Yes, it is a very likely thing—that a minister in his situation, with the whole affairs of the nation on his head, should have time to talk!—But hush! or you’ll put him out.

SNEER.
Put him out; how the plague can that be, if he’s not going to say anything?

PUFF.
There’s the reason! why, his part is to think; and how the plague do you imagine he can think if you keep talking?

DANGLE.
That’s very true, upon my word! LORD BURLEIGH comes forward, shakes his head, and exit.

SNEER.
He is very perfect indeed! Now, pray what did he mean by that?

PUFF.
You don’t take it?

SNEER.
No, I don’t, upon my soul.

PUFF.
Why, by that shake of the head, he gave you to understand that even though they had more justice in their cause, and wisdom in their measures—yet, if there was not a greater spirit shown on the part of the people, the country would at last fall a sacrifice to the hostile ambition of the Spanish monarchy.

SNEER.
The devil! did he mean all that by shaking his head?