FIRST NIECE.
But see the proud destroyer of my peace. Revenge is all the good I’ve left. [Aside.]
SECOND NIECE.
He comes, the false disturber of my quiet. Now vengeance do thy worst. [Aside.]
Enter DON FEROLO WHISKERANDOS.
DON FEROLO WHISKERANDOS.
O hateful liberty—if thus in vain I seek my Tilburina!
BOTH NIECES.
And ever shalt! SIR CHRISTOPHER HATTON and SIR WALTER RALEIGH come forward.
SIR CHRISTOPHER HATTON and SIR WALTER RALEIGH.
Hold! we will avenge you.
DON FEROLO WHISKERANDOS.
Hold you—or see your nieces bleed! [The two NIECES draw their two daggers to strike WHISKERANDOS: the two UNCLES at the instant, with their two swords drawn, catch their two NIECES’ arms, and turn the points of their swords to WHISKERANDOS, who immediately draws two daggers, and holds them to the two NIECES’ bosoms.]
PUFF.
There’s situation for you! there’s an heroic group!—You see the ladies can’t stab Whiskerandos—he durst not strike them, for fear of their uncles—the uncles durst not kill him, because of their nieces.—I have them all at a dead lock!—for every one of them is afraid to let go first.
SNEER.
Why, then they must stand there for ever!
PUFF.
So they would, if I hadn’t a very fine contrivance for’t.—Now mind—Enter BEEFEATER, with his halbert.