be reeking,
With venom and spleen and gall--ha! ha!

ADAM. My name from Adam Goodheart you'll find
I've changed to Gideon Crawle--ha! ha!
For bad Bart's steward
Whose heart is much too hard
Is always Gideon Crawle--ha! ha!

BOTH. How dreadful when an innocent heart
Becomes, perforce, a bad young Bart.,
And still more hard on old Adam,
His former faithful valley-de-sham!

ROB. This is a painful state of things, old Adam!

ADAM. Painful, indeed! Ah, my poor master, when I swore
that, come what would, I would serve you in all things for ever,
I little thought to what a pass it would bring me! The
confidential adviser to the greatest villain unhung! Now, sir,
to business. What crime do you propose to commit to-day?
ROB. How should I know? As my confidential adviser, it's
your duty to suggest something.
ADAM. Sir, I loathe the life you are leading, but a good
old man's oath is paramount, and I obey. Richard Dauntless is
here with pretty Rose Maybud, to ask your consent to their
marriage. Poison their beer.
ROB. No--not that--I know I'm a bad Bart., but I'm not as
bad a Bart. as all that.
ADAM. Well, there you are, you see! It's no use my making
suggestions if you don't adopt them.
ROB. (melodramatically). How would it be, do you think,
were I to lure him here with cunning wile--bind him with good
stout rope to yonder post--and then, by making hideous faces at
him, curdle the heart-blood in his arteries, and freeze the very
marrow in his bones? How say you, Adam, is not the scheme well
planned?
ADAM. It would be simply rude--nothing more. But
soft--they come!

(Adam and Robin retire up as Richard and Rose enter, preceded by
Chorus of Bridesmaids.)

DUET--RICHARD and ROSE.

RICH. Happily coupled are we,
You see--
I am a jolly Jack Tar,
My star,
And you are the fairest,
The richest and rarest
Of innocent lasses you are,
By far--
Of innocent lasses you are!
Fanned by a favouring gale,
You'll sail
Over li