Page:A Series of Plays on the Passions Volume 1.pdf/121

Rh

Ros. (pointing to Geof.) Behold the worthy vet'ran.

And greet it with a brother-soldier's love.

Bas. (taking his hand again.) No valiant soldier, I must have it so.

Geof. My humble state agrees not with such honour.

Bas. Confound thy state! it is no part of thee: Let mean souls, highly rank'd, look down on thee; As the poor dwarf, perch'd on a pedestal, O'erlooks the giant. 'Tis not worth a thought. Art thou not Geoftry of the tenth brigade, Whose warlike feats child, maid, and matron know? And oft, cross-elbow'd, o'er his nightly bowl, The jolly toper to his comrade tells. Whose glorious feats of war, by cottage door, The ancient soldier tracing in the sand The many movements of the varied field, In warlike terms to list'ning swains relate; Whose bosoms glowing at the wond'rous tale, First learn to scorn the hind's inglorious life. Shame seize me if I would not rather be The man thou art, than court-created chief, Known only by the dates of his promotion.