Page:A Series of Plays on the Passions Volume 3.pdf/275

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Walt. There is no time to be lost; your orders, Count: do you comprehend us?

Vald. My orders!

Dart. Your orders quickly.

Vald. I am thinkingI was thinking

Page. (aside.) How to save yourself, I believe.

Bar. Well, noble Count, what are your thoughts.

Vald. I—I—I am considering

Walt. Thought and consideration become a good Commander, with some spice of activity into the bargain.

Dart. There is no time to deliberate; issue your orders immediately. Under such an able commander we may stand a siege of some days.

Vald. A siege!—Aye, the very thing—and so suddenly!

Page. You tremble, my Lord; shall I bring you drops?

Countess. Thou liest, Boy; get thee gone! (Aside to Vald.) Are you beside yourself? Tell them what to do; they wait for your orders.

Vald. I order them all to the walls. Haste, haste, (pushing off the Ladies who stand next him.) and man them as well as you can.

Bar. Woman them, you mean, Valdemere; these are Ladies you push.

Countess. Nay; you crowd upon him too much—you confuse him: he is as brave as his sword, if you would leave off confounding him so.