Marie. Why have you put on that uniform?

Jac. Unicorn! Oh! do you mean to say I look like a unicorn?-mayhap I may-I never saw one-I put these things on for fun and fancy, as Jean kissed Pansie.

Marie. But you were not drawn?

Jac. No, I draw'd myself—I look tol-lolish, don't I.
Marie. I never saw you look so well before.

Jac. How do I look behind, [turns] t'other way-I think I shall like this line of business better than ploughing and feeding pigs.

Marie. I don't understand why you are thus equipt.

Jac. You'll soon know why-this morning when I began a' making a little love to you, you went away in your tantrums, crying-and you said I had a bad heart-well, arter you went away, I was walking about, nibbling my bit o' bread and garlick, and fell a thinking-and I found out that it was all owing to me that you were crying, 'cause I said I was glad Charles was going away for a soger-because if he went it would break your pretty little heart; and then such a lucky thought came into my head.

Marie. What-what was it?

Jac. Wait a bit and you'll see-you shall find I've not a bad heart, I'm not such a black sheep as you think me, and if I make people sad I know how to make them merry again. Marie. I forgive you, Jacques, all is repaired.

Jac. Not yet, but it soon will be. [Drum without. Marie. Ah! they are on the march-yes-they are departing.

Jac. They can't go without me-they must come by this way-you'll know all about it now-don't you give yourself any uneasishness-but where's Charles?

Marie. Gone to take leave of his mother.

[Anxiously looking after him, she retires. Jac. Gone to take leave of his mother-I arn't got a mother-never had one as I know of-1 was found in a hamper o' clean straw, in Colly, our old cow's mangerI'm a doubtful bit o' goods-I've got them as loves me just the same tho' for I'm as good as a father or mother to them-my poor beastes, how they'll fret after me when I'm gone.

SCENE I.]

And old blind nap, will be quite forlorn-
And bobinet

Will neigh and fret,

And bald-fac'd Janus won't eat his corn-
Heigho! heigho! in life what crosses,
That ever I should leave my hosses.

19

[Exit into Stable.

Enter FRANCEUR, CORPORAL, followed by Drummer,

FIFER, and RECRUITS

VILLAGERS

MAD. GER

MAINE.

Fran. My brave young fellows, I trust you are all prepared with bold hearts to serve your king and country— Corporal, call over the names.

"Simon Conelou !"
Cor. [reads.]
1st. Vil. [bass voice.] Here!
Cor. "Louis Bobon!

2nd. Vil. [shrill voice.] Here !

Cor." Joseph Ledrum!"

3rd. Vil. Here!

[As they are called they fall in.

Cor. "Charles Dumont !"

Marie. Where can he be?

Enter JACQUES.

Jac. Good bye, dapple-good bye, nap-good bye, poor beastes.

Cor. "Charles Dumont!"

Jac. Eh-oh! I forgot-that's me-here! here!
Cor. You are not Charles Dumont.

Fran. It is all right, Corporal-this is Charles's substitute.

Jac. Yes, I'm his sustitute.

Marie & Mad. G. How?

Jac. Yes, I'm going to take his place you need'nt be astonished, I'm going.

Enter CHARLES.

Cha. Excuse me, Sergeant, I have been with my mother -she was much grieved at parting with me, and

Jac. Well then, why don't you run back and comfort the old soul.

Cha. [to Sergeant.] Who is that? eh! why no--Jacques! and what are you going with us?

Jac. Not with you, but I'm going with them!

Points to Recruits:

Cha. What, in the place of the Mayor's son?

Jac. No, in the place of your mother's son.

Cha. Can it be my friend! but no-I will not suffer that—a ball from the enemy may lay you low-no my friend, your life shall not be risked for me-it cannot be.

Jac. My mind's made up to it-I wish to prove to Marie, that I arn't so bad as she thinks me-you have a mother, who loves you, and can't do without you-you have another little body there, who loves you, and can't do without you-I have nobody that loves me but my beastes [opens stable]-good bye grey Grizzle-good bye Missusa pir o' greys-good bye Charles-good bye Marie-did'nt I say I'd make your sad heart a glad heart

Mad. G. This noble act, Jacques, will obtain for you the admiration of the whole village.

Marie. [Giving him havresack.] Jacques, this I had prepared for Charles-[Jacques puts it on awkardły.]—I give you with it this pledge of friendship, always carry it with you, it will bring us to your remembrance-my good, kind Jacques.

Jac. Well, I ar'nt cried since I was a babby, but I feels a bit 'clined that way-bless your little heart-I'm glad I'm going for a soger-by goles I am.

Fran. You're a good lad-a brave lad, and I promise you will soon get promoted.

Jac. I hope you'll be as good as your word, and if you don't make me a Corporal, soon, you won't catch me for a soger again-recollect, I'm Corporal Jacques, as is to be.

FINALE.

Before our Conscript leaves his hom
And quits his native land to roam-

Suffer me to plead his cause,

Damp not his honest ardour, pray;
But kindly cheer him on his way,
With your favor and applause.

CHORUS repeated.

[March off.

CURTAIN FALLS.

J. H. Starie, Printer, 59

3

He draws his bayonet, and stabs him several times-the money

is his. Act I-Scene 3.