Front matter
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Preface
'Tis not enough the voice be sound and clear, 'Tis modulation that must charm the ear. The critic's sight, 'tis only grace can please, No action charms us, if it have not ease.
Lloyd.
This book of Dialogues was promised to the public two or three years ago. I had then prepared a considerable portion of its contents, and expected, shortly, to " put it to press." The long interval which has elapsed, has been checkered with important dnidi unexpected duties, which, together with a desire to render the work as interesting and appropriate as possible, must be my apology to those gentlemen who have honored me with letters of inquiry, respecting it. My principal inducement for undertaking the labor and responsibility of this compilation, is the almost constant application to me, '•^ for pieces for exhiJ)itions,^' from teachers, not only of this, but, indeed, of other States ; and, the fact that the publishers have, — now, — before the work " is through the press," numerous orders from different parts of the country, assures me that such a work is much needed, and, if well executed, it will be well received. My experience satisfies me, that there is no better medium of cultivating a beautiful and captivating style of elocution, or a more graceful, just, and impressive action, than the employment of dialogues. Nor is there any species of recitation, that young folks so much delight in. The ardor and enthusiasm it inspires in their youthful breasts, is absolutely astonishing. The work will be found to possess great variety and copiousness. I have aimed at the double purpose of supplying exercises for the regular lessons of the school-room, and interesting materials for occasional exhibitions. The latter object has demanded selections of considerable length. Many 1*
6 PREFACE.
of the longest pieces, however, are admissible of division, and the taste of the teacher will easily determine the fit and appropriate limits. I have drawn from the most popular writers, also, not only such selections as are admirable for a bold, beautiful, and captivating spirit, but others equally characterized by their racy wit, and comic humor. " The true orator must understand how to excite the mirt\ as well as how to command the tears of his auditors,"
It will be perceived, that, by some oversight or other, one or two of the selections have "slipped into the wrong pigeon holes."
To attempt to teach dancing by mere words, and especially written words, all would admit to be the absurdity of absurdities. Just so is it with gesture and attitude. The embellishments of this volume, it is therefore hoped, will be appreciated. Next to living examples, no doubt, pictures are the best. The illustrations, to which I here allude, have been selected for both divisions of the book, with great care. We all have our peculiar tastes, and, according to a trite and unclassical aphorism, " what's one man's meat, is another man's poison." — I will venture to assert, however, that these embellishments will be considered very beautiful, very instructive, and admirably engraved. They were executed by W. F. Peckham, for many years my pupil in the Lancasterian School, of this city, and now a distinguished wood-engraver, No. 156 Fulton street, near Broadway, New York.
The book, such as it is, is submitted to the candid judgment of an intelligent and impartial public. My desire has been to subserve the cause of education, and especially in that department, which, if wisely and sufficiently cherished, would give unimagined lustre and power to the efforts of the Lawyer, the Statesman, the Orator, and the Divine.
If the noble and aspiring boy, — he, who, reaching after a perfect elocution and a perfect action, may, after a few fast-fled summers, be destined " to rule the whirlwind, and direct the storm," in moral or political affairs, shall look back to the selections here presented for his study, as the source of his youthful inspiration, I shall be thankful. But to arrive at this proud eminence of fame and usefulness, he must labor. " Greece and Rome produced, each of ihem, but one accomplished orator." J. E. L.
New Haven, Feb. 1st, 1839.
N. B. Any suggestions for the improvement of the work, either in arrangement or matter, from those teachers who may use it, will be gratefully received. J- E. L.
Contents
SERIOUS AND SENTIMENTAL.
1. The Land of the Blest— Father, Child, . . . Mrs. Abdy, 13
2. The Dead Mother— Father, Child, Anonymous, 14
Scene Second, 86
25. From the Count of Narbonne — Count, Austin, The-
odore, Jephson, 88
26. From the Vespers of Palermo — Montalba, Procida,
Raimond, First Sicilian, Second Sicilian, Gui-
do, Sicilians, Mrs. Hemans, 94
27. From Pizarro — Alonzo, Sentinel, Rolla, . . Sheridan, 101
28. From the Lady of the Lake — King James, Roderic
Dhu, Scoti, 105
29. From Pizarro — Pizarro, Valverde, Las Casas, Al-
magro, Davillo, Gomez, Orozembo, . . . Sheridan^ 111
30. From the Benevolent Jew — Sir Stephen Bertram,
Frederick Bertram, Charles Ratcliflfe, Saunders, Sheva, Jabal, Cumberland, 116
Scene Fourth, 131
31. From the Farmer's Story — Lockwood, Mary, Derby,
Rut, Bristles, Ryland, Bernard, 132
32. From the Foundling of the Forest— Count De Val-
mont. Baron Longueville, Florian, Bertrand, L'Clair, Gaspard, Sanguine, Lenoir, Geraldine, Rosabelle, Monica, Eugenia, Domestics, Peasants, Diiriond, 144
Scene Twelfth, 205
35. From Ion — Adrastus, Medon, Ion, Ctesiphon, Cas-
sander, Argive Youths, Cyrthes, Agenor, Talfourd, 21 1
36. From William Tell— Gesler, Sarnem, Rodolph,
Lutold, Sentinel, Tell, Verner, Erni, Melctal, Furst, Michael, Theodore, Pierre, Albert, Savoyards, Emma, Soldiers, People, .... Knowles, 217
Scene Tenth, 250 10 CONTENTS
COMIC AND AMUSING.
1. From Speed the Plough — Farmer Ashfield, Dame
Ashfield, 254
2. Little Red Riding Hood — Mary, Grandmother, Anonymous^ 256
3. From William Tell— Waldman, Michael, . Knowles, 258
4. From Henry Sixth — George Bevis, John Hol-
land, Cade, Dick, Smith, Others, ... Shakspeare, 260
5. From Black Eyed Susan — Admiral, William,
Witnesses, . . .... . . ... . Anonymous, 2G2
6. The Will — Swipes, Currie, Frank, Squire Drawl, Anonymous, 265
7. From the Bashful Man— Sir Thomas Friendly,
Blushington, Frank, Gyp, Evans, Nicholas,
Lady Friendly, Dinah, ....... 268
8. From Paul Pry— Tankard, Billy, Oldbutton,
9. From the Sword— Lord Onsburg, Augustus, Henrietta, Frank Raynton, William Raynton, Edward Dudley, Charles Dudley, Crape, Berquin, 279 Scene Second, 283
10. From the Doctor in spite of himself—Gregory,
Sir Jasper, Squire Robert, Harry, James,
Dorcas, Fielding, 288
Scene Third, 295
11. From the Clandestine Marriage— Mr. Sterling,
12. From the Honey Moon— Hostess, Gluack, Balt-
hazar. Tobin, 303
13. From the Weathercock— Old Fickle, Tristram
Fickle, Briefwit, Sneer, Barber, .... Allingliam, 306 Scene Second, 310
14. From Education— Damper, Templeton, Mrs.
Templeton, Servant, Morton, 315
15. From the School for Scandal— Sir Peter Teazle,
Lady Teazle, Sheridan, 317
16. From Self-interest- Lovepoor, Surgeon, Stran-
ger, Hostess, Betty, Fielding, 320
17. Lady Grace, Lady Townley, . . . Cibber and Vanburgh, 323
18. From the School for Rakes— Lord Eustace,
Frampton, Centlivere, 327
CONTENTS.
19. From the Beaux Stratagem — Boniface, Aimwell, Farquhar, 330
20. From the Heir at Law — Lord Duberley, Doctor
Pang] OSS, . . . Colman, 332
2L From Nolens Volens— Sir Christopher, -Cluiz, . Hall, 331
22. Dramatic Dialogue — Digit, Trill, Sesquipedalia,
23. From as you Like It — Duke Frederick, Le Beau,
Charles, Oliver, Orlando, Adam, Dennis, ToHchstone, Rosalind, Celia, Lords, Attendants, Shakspeare, 347
Scene Eleventh, . 509 ILLUSTRATIONS
HENRY IV., PART I.
Hotspur. Why, that's certain ; 'tis dangerous to take a cold, to sleep, to drink ; but I tell you, my lord fool, out of this nettle, danger, we pluck this flower, safety.
HENRY VIII.
Lord Chamberlain. The king's majesty Commends his good opinion to you, and Does purpose honor to you no less flowing Than Marchioness of Pembroke.
SERIOUS AND SENTIMENTAL.
RICHARD III.
Hastings. Come, lead me to the block — bear him my bead ; They smile at me, who shortly shall be dead.
HENRY V.
Henry. O.God of battles! steel my soldiers' hearts. Possess them not with fear, take from them now The sense of reckoning, if the opposed numbers Pluck their hearts from them.
ILLUSTRATIONS.
PERICLES, PRINCE OF TYRE.
Marina* Ah me ! poor maid, Born in a tempest, when my mother died, This world to me, is like a lasting storm, Whirring me from my friends.
HENRY IV., PART II.
Prince Henry, My heart bleeds inwardly, that my father is so sick; and keeping such vile company as thou art, hath in reason taken from me all ostentation of sorrow.
i
SERIOUS AND SENTIMENTAL.
TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA.
Proteus. Wilt thou be gone 1 Sweet Valentine, adieu ! Think on thy Proteus, when thou, haply, see'st Some rare note- worthy object in thy travel.
RICHARD III.
Son of Clarence. "Why do you look on us and shake your head, And call us orphans, wretches, cast-aways, If that our noble father be alive 1
Il
ILLUSTRATIONS.
KICIIARD II.
Duchess of York, What's the matter 1 Duke of York. Peace, foolish Woman.
PERICLES, PRINCE OF TYRE.
Pericles. Rise, prithee, rise.
Sit down, sit down, thou art no flatterer : I thank thee for it; and high heaven forbid That kinsrs should let their ears hear their faults hid !
SERIOUS AND SENTIMENTAL.
TROILUS AND CRESOIDA.
Troilus. Patience herself, what goddess e'er she be, Doth lesser blanch at sufferance, than I do.
HENRY VI., PART III.
Hunter. This way, my lord ; for this way lies the game.
King Edward. Nay, this way, man j, see where the huntsmen stand.
ILLUSTRATIONS.
FORTUNE S FROLIC.
Robin Roughhead, Zooks ! I believe she's going into a high strike. Dolly! Dolly!
MIDSUMMER-NIGHT S DREAM.
Bottom. Tell them, that I, Pyramus, am not Pyramus, but Bottom, the weaver.
COMIC AND AMUSING.
SECRETS WORTH KNOWING.
Nicholas. How sensibly he talks! why, 'tis five thousand per cent, profit. I'll be bled directly.
HENRY V.
J^r^len. If I owe you any thing, I will pay you in cudgels : you shall be a woodmonger, and buy nothing of me but cudgels.
ILLUSTRATIONS.
THE SLEEPING DRAUGHT.
Popolins. Ugh ! ugh ! I've swallowed the wrong stuff!
MODERN ANTIQUES.
CockUtop. This is a Neptune's trident, and this piece of furniture from Herculaneum, the model of the Escurial.
COItfIC AND AMUSING.
A NEW WAY TO PAY OLD DEBTS.
Sir Giles. Cook it any way. Prithee, leave me. Greedy, Without order for the dumpling 1
THE APPRENTICE.
Dick. Give me another horse ! bind up my wounds !
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ILLUSTRATIONS.
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THE SHEPHERD OF DERWENT VALE.
Rooney. Here, take the cruslikin down to the public house beyont, and get it filled wid " the medicine as before," as the doctors say.
MISS IN HER TEENS.
Tag. Go on, sir.
Flash. Come on, Fribble. Come on, rascal.
Tag. Go on, sir.
COMIC AND AMUSING.
HE WOULD BE A SOLDIER.
Caleb. I thought I'd come to something, at last.
AS YOU LIKE IT.
Touchstone. To-morrow is the joyful day, Aubrev to will we be married. J> -auurey, lomorrow
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