, if I had tried him, I
might have found a friend in my need, this morning.

_Dennis._ Who is he?

_Job._ A monstrous good young man; and as modest and affable, as if
he had been bred up a 'prentice, instead of a gentleman.

_Dennis._ And what's his name?

_Job._ Oh, every body knows him, in this neighbourhood; he lives
hard by--Mr. Francis Rochdale, the young 'squire, at the
Manor-house.

_Dennis._ Mr. Francis Rochdale!

_Job._ Yes!--he's as condescending! and took quite a friendship for
me, and mine. He told me, t'other day, he'd recommend me in trade to
all the great families twenty miles round;--and said he'd do, I
don't know what all, for my Mary.

_Dennis._ He did!--Well, 'faith, you may'nt know what; but, by my
soul, he has kept his word!

_Job._ Kept his word!--What do you mean?

_Dennis._ Harkye--If Scandal is blowing about your little fireside
accident, 'twas Mr. Francis Rochdale recommended him to your shop,
to buy his brass trumpet.

_Job._ Eh! What? no!--yes--I see it at once!--young Rochdale's a
rascal!--Mary! [_Bawling._

_Dennis._ Hush--you'll wake her, you know.

_Job._ I intend it. I'll--a glossy, oily, smooth rascal!--warming me
in his favour, like an unwholesome February sun! shining upon my
poor cottage, and drawing forth my child,--my tender blossom,--to
suffer blight, and mildew!--Mary! I'll go directly to the
Manor-house--his father's in the commission.--I may'nt find justice,
but I shall find a justice of peace.

_Dennis._ Fie, now! and can't you listen to reason?

_Job._ Reason!----tell me a reason why a father shouldn't be almost
mad, when his patron has ruin'd his child.--Damn his
protection!--tell me a reason why a man of birth's seducing my
daughter doesn't almost double the rascality? yes, double it: for my
fine gentleman, at the very time he is laying his plans to make her
infamous, would think himself disgraced in making her the honest
reparation she might find from one of her equals.

_Dennis._ Arrah, be asy, now, Mr. Thornberry.

_Job._ And, this spark, forsooth, is now canvassing the
county!--but, if I don't give him his own at the hustings!--How dare
a man set himself up for a guardian of his neighbour's rights, who
has robbed his neighbour of his dearest comforts? How dare a
seducer come into freeholders' houses, and have the impudence to
say, send me up to London as your representative? Mary! [_Calling._

_Dennis._