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Who, soon as sun withdrew it's light,
Was for the earth's rich beverage sent,
And has such time in absence spent.
GAUDERKIN.
Perhaps [with some](125) misfortune he's been doomed to meet,
Cross'd, no doubt, on the road by mortal feet.
ICKEN.
And what the punishment that you decree
On him, who on our mysteries makes free?
GAUDERKIN.
Twenty years in slumber's chain,
Is the fate that we ordain:
Yet, if merry wight he prove,
Pleasing dreams his sleep shall move.
ICKEN.
Our brother comes, and up the rugged steep,
A mortal, see, Swaggrino's presence keep.
OMNES.
Twenty years in slumber's chain,
Is the fate that we ordain.
He comes! he comes! let silence reign!--
Let silence reign! let silence reign!
_The_ SPIRITS _retire up and station themselves in motionless attitudes_.
_Music_.--[SWAGGRINO](126) _ascends by the opening in the rear followed by_
RIP, _with the keg_.--RIP _advances on the left, and, with the assistance
of his conductor, places the cask on the rock.--_
_The_ SPIRITS _remain immovable._
RIP.
I'm a dead man, to a certainty. Into what strange company have I
tumbled! crikey, what will become of me? Dear, dear! would I were home
again, even though along with [Dame](127) Van Winkle.
_Music.--The_ FIGURES _severally advance, and stare at him, then resume
their game._ SWAGGRINO _taps the cask; motions the astonished_ RIP _to
assist him in distributing its contents into various flagons; an
injunction with which he complies._--SWAGGRINO _helps his companions._
RIP.
After all, they seem a harmless set, and there can be no argument with
them, for they appear to be all dumbies.--[Lord were my wife](128) as
silent. They're a deadly, lively, jolly set; but I wonder what kind of
spirits dese spirits are [drinking!](129) Surely, dere can be no harm
in taking a drop along mit dem.--[_Fills a flagon._]--Here
goes!--Gentlemen, here's your [go-to-hells,](130) and your [broad
chopped](131) family's, and may you all live long and prosper.
[_Drinks._]
OMNES.
Ha, ha, ha!
_Music.--A grotesque dance ensues, during which_ RIP _continues to supply
himself from the keg.--He at length joins in the dance, and becomes so
exhausted, that he reels forward and sinks in front. The dancing ceases,
the_ SPIRITS _utter three "ho, ho, ho's!"--[Som]]>
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