Loveyet. You are crazier than either, you old blockhead, or you would not make such a crazy speech: I say my constitution is a thousand per cent. better than yours. Ugh, ugh, ugh.
Trueman. A pretty figure for a good constitution! What a striking instance of health, youth, and beauty! How emblematically grotesque! The very image of deformity and infirmity! A perfect mirror for Milton's description of Sin and Death.
Not Yorick's skull, nor Hamlet's ghost,
Nor all the tragic, stage-made host;
With saucer eyes, and looks aghast,
Would make me run away so fast:
Not all who Milton's head inspire,—
"Gorgons and Hydras and Chimæras dire!"
Nor haggard Death, nor snake-torn Sin,
Look half so ugly, old and thin;
No—all his hell-born, monstrous crew,
Are not so dire a sight as you!
[While Trueman is saying this, Loveyet appears to be in a violent rage, and makes several attempts to interrupt the former, who shuns Loveyet, as if afraid.]
Loveyet. Fire and murder!—Must I bear to be held up for such a monster? Perdition!—What shall I do? What shall I say?—Oh! oh! oh!—Oh! liberty! Oh, my country! Look how he ridicules me!—Did ever any poor man suffer so much for the good of his country!—But I won't give up the glorious cause yet;—sir,—Mr. Trueman—I insist upon it, the new Constitution, sir,—I say, that the old—the new—that—that—'Zounds and fury!—
[Running towards him, and making an attempt to strike him.
Trueman. My dear Mr. Loveyet, compose yourself a little;—for heaven's sake, sir, consider;—your animal Constitution is not able to withstand the formidable opposition of my political one;—the shock is too great;—let me persuade you, sir; and as soon as nine States accede to the adoption of the new Constitution, we will investigate the merits of the old. Ha, ha, ha.
[This speech and the preceding one, are to be spoken at the same time; during which, Trueman and Loveyet run about the stage, and Humphry retreats from them as they approach him.]
Enter Harriet alarmed.
Harriet. Oh, Papa,—my dear Papa, what's the matter!