kingdom come long ago.

RIP.

De old woman dead too? den her clapper is stopped at last. [_Pause._] So
de old woman is dead; well, she led me a hard life--she was de wife of my
bosom, she was mine frow for all dat. [_Whimpering._] I'm dead too, unt
dat is a fact. Tell me my frient--

SETH.

I can't stop any longer--the polls are almost closing, and I must spread
the game for the boys. Hurrah, for rum drinking and cheap licence for
the retailers! that's my ticket. [_Re-enter_ VILLAGERS,
_shouting._](151) Here, boys, see what you can make of this old
critter.--I give him up for the awfulest specimen of human nature in the
States. [_Exit into
house._

2D VILLAGER.

Are you a Federal or a Democrat?

RIP.

Fiddle who? damn who's cat?

2D VILLAGER.

What's your politics?

RIP.

Oh, I am on de safe side dere; I am a faithful subject of King George!

2D VILLAGER.

He's a Tory! Kill him! Duck him!

VILLAGERS.

[To the horse pond! Duck him.](152)

_Music.--They seize_ RIP _and are about hurrying him off when_ GUSTAFFE
_rushes in and throws them off._(153)

GUSTAFFE.

Stand back, [cowards.](154)

OMNES.

Cowards!

GUSTAFFE.

Yes, cowards! who but cowards would rush in numbers one grey-haired man?

RIP.

Yah, yah, dat's a fact!

GUSTAFFE.

Sheer off! you won't? then damme, here's at ye. [_Drives them off._]
Tell me, old man, what cause had you given them to attack you?

RIP.

I don't know; do you?

GUSTAFFE.

You appear bewildered: can I assist you?

RIP.

Just tell me where I live, dat's all I want to know.

GUSTAFFE.

And don't you know?

RIP.

I'm d----d fun I does.

GUSTAFFE.

What is your name?

RIP.

Why, I was Rip Van Winkle.

GUSTAFFE.

Rip Van Winkle? impossible!

RIP.

Well, I won't swear to it myself.

GUSTAFFE.

Stay,--you have a daughter?

RIP.

To be sure I has: a pretty little girl about so old--Lorrenna; and I have
a son too, a lublicka boy, but my daughter is a girl.

GUSTAFFE.

Do you remember entering into a contract, binding your daughter to marry
Herman Van Slaus?

RIP.

Oh! I remember, de burgomaster came to my house last night mit a paper,
and I wrote my name down on it, but I was drunk.

GUSTAFFE.

Last night! His brain wanders: yet it must be he; come, come with me,
old man.

RIP.

Where