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131 of Plays on 2d, 3d and 4th Pages of Cover.

H'S STANDARD DRAMA.

No. OCXXVIII.

OLIVER TWIST.

A SERIO-COMIC BURLETTA, In Jfour %dB,

BY G-EORGK ALMA-R, COMKDIAN".

Ai performed at

THE WINTER GARDEN.

Oorreotly printed from the Prompter's Oopy, with Remarks, the Oast of Oharaoters,

Oostume, Scenio Arrargemcnt, Sides of Entrance and Exit, and

Relative Positions of the Dramatis Personae.

NEW Y O R K : .^

SAMUEL FRENCH, P U^B L I S H E R ,

122 Nassau Street. (Up Stairs.)

■Mtgniiilli

FRENCH'S STANDARD I

Price 15 Cents each.— Bound Volumes $

TOL. I.

1 Ion

2 Fazio

3 The Lady of Lyons

4 Richelieu

5 The Wife

6 The Honeymoon

7 The School for Scandal

8 Money

VOL. II.

9 The Stranger

10 Grandfather Whitehead

11 Richard III

12 Love's Sacrifice

13 The Gamester

14 A Cure for the Heartache

15 The Hunchback

16 Don Caesar de Bazan

VOL. III.

17 The Poor Gentleman

18 Hamlet

19 Charles II

20 Venice Preserved

21 Pizarro

22 The Love Chase

23 Othello

24 Lend me Five Shillings

VOL. IV.

25 Virginius

26 King of the Commons

27 London Assurance

28 The Rent Day

29 Two Gentlemen of Verona

30 The Jealous Wife

31 The Rivals

32 Perfection

VOL. V. [Debts S3 A New Way to Pay Old

34 Look Before You Leap

35 King John

36 Nervous Man

37 Damon and Pythias

38 Clandestine Marriage

39 William Tell

40 Day after the Wedding

VOL. VI.

41 Speed the Plough 4i Romeo and Juliet

43 Feudal Times

44 Charles the Twelfth

45 The Bridal

46 The Follies of a Night

47 Iron Chest IFairLady

48 Faint Heart Never Won

VOL. VII.

49 Road to Ruin

50 Macbeth

51 Temper

52 Evadne

53 Bertram 64 The Duenna

55 Much Ado About Nothing

56 The Critio

VOL. VIII.

57 The Apostate

58 Twelfth Night

59 Brutus

60 Simpson & Co

61 Merchant of Venice

62 Old Heads& Young Hearts

63 Mountaineers [riage

64 Three Weeks after Mar-

VOL. IX.

65 Lore

66 Aa You Like It

67 The Elder Brother

68 Werner 69GiBippus

70 Town and Country

71 King Lear

72 Blue Devils

VOL. X.

73 Henry VIII

74 Married and Single

75 Henry IV

76 Paul Pry

77 Guy Mannering

78 Sweethearts and Wives

79 Serious Family

80 She Stoops to Conquer

VOL. XI.

81 Julius Caesar

82 Vicar of Wakefield

83 liOap Year

84 The Catspaw

85 The Passing Cloud

86 Drunkard

87 Rob Roy

88 George BaruAvell

VOL. XII.

89 Ingomar 93 Sketches in India

91 Two Friends

92 Jane Shore

93 Corsican Brothers

94 Mind your own Business

95 Writing on the Wall

96 Heir at Law

VOL. XIII.

97 Soldier's Daughter

98 Douglas

99 Marco Spada

100 Nature's Nobleman

101 Sardanapalus

102 Civilization

103 The Robbers L04 Katharine and Fetruchio

VOL. XIV.

105 Game of Love

106 Midsummer Night's

107 Ernestine [Dream 103 Rfig Picker of Paris

109 Flying Dutchman

110 Hypocrite

111 Therese

112 La Tourde Nesle VOL. XV.

113 Ireland As It Is

114 Sea of Ice J 15 Seven Clerks

116 Game of Life

117 Forty Thieves

118 Bxyan Boroihme

119 Romance and Reality

120 Ugolino VOL. XVL

121 The Tempest

122 The Pilot

123 Carpenter of Rouen

124 King's Rival

125 Little Treasure

126 Dombey and Son

127 Parents and Guardians

128 Jewess VOL. XVII

129 C amine

130 Married Life

131 Wenlock of Wenlock

132 Rose of Ettrickvale

133 David Copperfield

134 Aline, or thd Rose of

135 Pauline [Killarney

136 Jane Eyre VOL. XVIII.

137 Night and Morning l38^thiop

139 Three Guardsmen

140 Tom Cringle

141 Henriette, the Forsaken

142 Eustache Baudin

143 Ernest Maltravers

144 Bold Dragoons VOL. XIX.

145 Dred, or the Dismal [ Swamp

146 Last Days of Pompeii

147 Esmeralda

148 Peter Wilkins

149 Ben the Boatswain

150 Jonathan Bradford

151 Retribution

152 Mineral! VOL. XX.

153 French Spy

154 ^\'ept of Wish-ton Wish

155 Evil Genius

156 Ben Bolt

157 Sailor of France

158 Red Mask

159 Life of an Actress

160 Wedding Day

VOL. XXI.

161 All's Fair in Love

162 Hofer

163 Self

164 Cinderella

165 Phantom

166 Franklin [Moscow

167 The Gunmaker of

168 The Love of a Prince VOL. XXII.

169 Son of the Night iTORory O'More

171 Golden Eagle

172 Rieazi

173 Broken Sword l74Rip Van Winkle

175 Isabelle

176 Heart of Mid Lothian VOL. XXIII.

177 Actress of Padua

178 Floating Beacon

179 Bride of Lamermoor

180 Cataract of the Ganges

181 Robber of the Rhine

182 School of Reform

183 Wandering Boys

184 Mazeppa VOL. XXIV.

185 Young New York

186 The Victims

187 Romance after Marriage

188 Brigand 189Poorof New York

190 Ambrose Gwinett

191 Raymond and Agnes

192 Gambler's Pate VOL. XXV.

193 Father and Son

194 Massaniello

195 Sixteen String Jack

196 Youthful Queen

197 Skeleton Witness

198 Innkeeper of Abbeville

199 Miller and his Men

200 Aladdin VOL. XXVI.

201 Adrienne the Actress

202 Undine

203 Jessie Brown

204 Asmodeus

205 Mormons

206 Blanche of Brandywine

207 Viola

208 Deseret Deserted VOL. XvVII.

Americans in Paris

210 Victorine

211 Wizard of the Wave

212 Castle Spectre

213 Horse-shoe Robinson

214 Armand, Mrs Mowatt

215 Fashion, Mrs Mowatt

216 Glance at New York VOL. XXVIII.

217 Inconstant

218 Uncle Tom's Cabin

219 Guide to the Stage

220 Veteran

221 Miller of New Jersey

222 Dark Hour before Dawn

223 Midsum'r Night's Dream [Laura Keene's Edition

!24 Art and Artifice VOL. XXIX

225 Poor Young Man

226 Ossawattomte Brown

227 Pope of Rome "28 Oliver Twist

229 Pauvrette

230 Man in the Iron Mask !3l Knight of Arva

;232 Moll Pitcher

VOL. XXX. 233 Black Eyed Susan ..'34 Satan in Paris 35 Rosina Meadows [ess 236 West End, or Irish Heir- J37 Six Degrees of Crime

238 The Laiy and the Devil

239 Avenger,or Moorof bici-

240 Masks and Faces [ly

(Catalogue continued on third page of cover.)

"rnsr""""""""""

■244 Wild Oats

245 Michael Erie

246 Idiot Witness

247 Anilow Copse

248 People's Lawyer VOL. XXXII.

249 The Boy Martyrs

250 Lucretia Borgia

251 Surgeon of Paris

252 Patrician's Daughter

253 Shoemaker of Toulouse

254 Momentous Question

255 Love and Loyalty

256 Robber's Wife VOL. XXXIII.

257 Dumb Girl of Genoa

258 Wreck Ashore

259 Clarl

260 Rural Felicity

261 Wallace ^62 JIadelaine

263 The Fireman

264 Grist to the Mill VOL. XXXIV.

265 Two Loves and a Life

266 Annie Blake

267 Steward

268 Cap'ain Kyd

269 Nick of the Woods

270 Marble Heart

271 Second Love

272 Dream at Sea VOL. XXXV.

273 Breach of Promise

274 Review

275 Lady of the Lake

276 Still Water Runs Deep

277 The Scholar

278 Helping Hands

279 Faust and Marguerite

280 Last Man VOL. XXXVI.

281 Belle's Stratagem

282 Old and Young

283 Raffaella 184 Ruth Oakley

285 British Slave

286 A Life's Ransom

287 Giraida

288 Time Tries All VOL. XXXVII.

289 Ella Rosenburg

290 Warlock of the Glen

291 Zeliua

292 Beatrice

293 Neighbor Jackwood

294 Wonder

295 Robert Emmet

296 Green Bushes

VOL. xxxvni.

297 Flowenj of the Forest

298 A Bachelor of Arts

299 The Midnight Banquet

300 Husband of an Hour

301 Love' s Labor Lost

302 Naiad Queen

303 Caprice

304 Cradl« of LIb«rtj VOL. XXXIX.

305 The Lost Ship

306 Country Squire

307 Fraud and its V leans

308 Putnam ;09 King and Desertei

310 La Fiammina

311 A Hard SUuggle

312 Gwinnette Vaughs VOL. XL.

315 The Love Knot (idge

314 Lavater, or Not Bad

315 The Noble Heart 3l6Coriolanu3

317 The Winter's Tal(

318 Eveleei Wilson 3l9Ivanhoe 320 JouaU II in EngU

FRENCH'S STANDARD DRAIVIA.

No. CCXXVIIL

OLIVEE TWIST.

A SEEIO-COMIO BUELETTA,

As performed at

THE WINTER GARDEN.

Correotly printed from the Prompter's Copy, with Remarks, the Cast of Character*,

Costume, Scemc Arrangement, Sides of Entrance and Exit, and

Belative Positions of the Dramatis Peisonae.

NEW YORK: SAMUEL FRENCH, PUBLISHEB,

122 Nassau Street. (Up Stairs.)

J:

DEAMATIS PERSONS AND COSTUME.

OLIVER TWIST —1st dress, gray workhouse dress, cap. 2d dress, liolit trowsers, bluejacket. 3d dress, blue suit, chaiified to light trowsers, cap , . Mks. G. Stopdart.

MR. BUMBLE.— 1st dress, Beadle's dress. 2d dresp, Blue coat, white waistcoat, black breeches Mr. W. Davidge.

NOAH CLAYPOLE. — 1st dress, charicy-boy's dress, badge, cap, &c. 2d dress, smock frock, countiy man's hat Mr. Evans.

MR. BROWNLOW. — 1st dress, green coat, light waistcoat, drab breeches and stockings, morning gown, low-crowned, turned-up black hat Mr. J. H. Stood art.

MR. GRIMWIG, — Great coat, drab coat, nankeeu breeches and gait- ers, silk waistcoat, drab hat Mr. Tree.

FAGIN. — Old gray coat, black breeches, brown .<itockiiigs. black waistcoat, black great-coat Mr. J. W. Wallack. Jr.

THE ARTI^UL DODGER —Long-tailed black coat, cord trowsers. stripe waistcoat, Biucher boots Mr. S. D. Johnsox.

CHARLEY BATES. — Brown jacket, ragged trowsers and waistcoat cap .Mr. Edw in.

FANG. — Blue coat, black trowsers, and waistcoat. Mr. Marlowr.

CLERK.— Suit of black Mr. Crail.

POLICE OFFICER.— Metropolitan police dre^s Mr. Clark.

MR. VELLUM (bookseller.)— Pain suit... Mr. Gourley.

MONKS.— Plain suit, blue cloak Mr. G. Stodd art.

SIKES. — Velveteen jacket, leather breeches, silk waialcoat, low boots, white hat, great coat ^. ..Mr. Studlet.

TOBY CRACKIT.— Blue frock coat, leather breeches, top hoots, buflf waistcoat, flash hat Mr. Styles.

BARNEY. — A ragged suit and blanket Mr. Burke.

NANCY.— A showy colored dress, white cotton apron, colored shawl, old bonnet, red ribbon colored boots. 2d dress, brown cottvn gown, straw bonnet, colored handkerchief on neck

Miss C. Cushman.

MRS. CORNEY. — Green damask gown, muslin handkerchief, apron and cap, pink ribbon. 2d dress, chintz gown, thick ajirorv handkerchief, shawl, and bonnet Mrs. J. Dunn.

ROSE MAYLIE.— White muslin high dress, shawl or cloak, and bonnet Miss Gimber,

MRS. BEDWIN. — Quaker- colored silk, white muslin apron, hand- kerchief and cap, white shawl, black bonnet Miss Flynn.

MRS. MANN. — Blue merino dress, handkerchief, muslin apron, and cap Mis e Western.

STARVING WOMAN.— Colored rags.

••^^^^ ? r :^ --^

JAN 5-%i3

\

OLIVER TWIST.

ACT I.

SCENE I. — The house of Mrs. Cornet, an interior, fireplace on one side, R. H., with a glass over the mantel-piece, according to the etching of the history, and Mrs. Cornet discovered sitting beside ihefire ; a small round table in front of it, on which the tea equip- age is placed,

Mrs. G. [shuddering.] What a bleak, dark, and piercinjEj niorht! Now then to solace myself with a cup of tea. [Pourshot water from ket- tle on the hob into the teapot.] Well, Vm sure we have all on us a great deal to be grateful for— a great deal, if we did but know it. [In the pour- ing the tea, the water overflows and scalds her fingers] Drat the pot ! a little stupid thing, that only holds a couple of cups ! What use is it of to any body 7 except, except to a poor desolate c#ature like me, oh dear! This small teapot and the single cup awakes in my mind the recollections of my poor dead and gone Mr. Corney. Ah I I shall never get another like him. [Sips her tea, when a soft tap is heard at the door without.] There ! disturbed again ! Who would be matron to the workhouse of Mudfog 1 [Knock somewhat louder.] Oh ! come in with you ! some of the old women dying, I suppose ; drat *em ! they always die when I'm at meals — don't stand there letting tho cold air in, don't ! What's amiss now, eh 1 [ Voice without.

Bum. Nothing, ma'am, nothing.

Mrs. C. Dear me. [in a tone pianissimo.] Is that Mr. Bumble 1

Bum. At your service, ma'am.

Enter Mr. Bumble, /7*om the door p. s., he shakes the snow which has accumulated on his coat from it, bearing his cocked hat in one hand and his bundle in the other, with hesitation.

Shall I shut the door, ma'am 1

Mrs. C. Why, Mr. Bumble ! to be open with you— Bum. Exactly so, ma'am — I'll shut it.

[Closes the door and slowly comes forward.

4 OLIVER TWIST.

Mrs. C. Hard weather, Mr. Bumble I

Bum, Hardy indeed ! anti-porochial weather, ma'am. We have given away, Mrs. Corney, a maUer of twenty quartern loaves and a cheese and a half this blessed afternoon j and yet them paupers are not contented.

Mrs. C. Of course not. When would they be, Mr. Bumble '?

Bum. When, indeed, ma'am! The great principle of out-door re- lief is to give the paupers exactly what they don't want, and then Ihey get tired of coming.

Mrs. C. Dear me ! Well, that is a good one, too.

Bum. So you see, ma'am, that if a sick family wants candles, give •em gruel; and if they wan't gruel, give 'em cbeese. [Taking two bottles from his pocket and placing them on table.'] This is the port wine, ma'am, that the Board ordered for the Infirmary — real, fresh, gen- uine port wine, only out of the cask this afternoon ; clear as a bell, and not no sediment. Good hevening ma'am. [Takes up hat to go.

Mrs. 0. You'll have a very cold walk, Mr. Bumble.

Bum. It blows, ma'am, [turning up collar] enough to cut one's ears off.

Mrs. C. Mr. Bumble — sir !

Bum. Mrs. Corney — ma'am !

Mrs C. Perhaps you'll just sit down and take a cup of tea, Mr. Bumble.

[Mr. Bumble instantaneously turns back his collar, places his hat and stick upon a chair, and draws another chair up to the table ; as he slowly seats himself he looks at the lady ; she fixes her eyes upon the little teapot ; Bumble smiles and coughs slightly, Mrs. Cornet rise.^ to get another cup and saucer from the closet^ as she sits down, h»r eyes again encounter those of the Beadle.

Mrs. (7, How, how you look at me, Mr. Bumble 1

Bum. Can't help it, ma'am.

3Irs. C. Sweet, Mr. Bumble 1 [Sweetening tea.

Bum. Very sweety Mrs. Corney.

[She hands over the tea, Mr. Bumble spreads a handkercJiief over his knees, to prevent the crumbs sullying them ; begins to eat and drink, occasionally heaving deep sighs*

I perceive you keep a cat ma'am.

Mrs. C. I do — I am so fond of them.

Bum. A nice animal, and so very domestic.

Mrs. C. Very ; and so fond of their home.

Bum. Mrs. Corney, ma'am. [Waving his teaspoon, and slowly marking the time with it as he speaks.] I mean to say this : that any cat or kitten that could live with you, ma'am, and not be fond of its home, must be a ass.

Mrs. d Oh ! Mr. Bumble !

L

OLIVER TWIST. 5

Sum, It^s no use dissjuising facts. [Flourishing hi spoon.'] I would drown it myself with pleasure.

Mrs. 0. You are a cruel man — aj^ and a very ard-arted man, Mr. Bumble.

Bum. Ard-arted, ma'am T

[During this conversation^ BirksLE has gradually lessened the dis' iance between himself and Mrs. Corney — the final hitch he gives to his chair brings it contiguous to thai of the lady.

Ard-arted ! Are you ard-arted yourself, Mrs. Gomey 1

Mrs. G. What a veiy curious question for a single mat! ! What can you want so know for, Mr. Bumble 1

[Bumble empties his cup, finishes a piece of toast, whisks the crumbs off his knees, wipes his lips, and deliberately kisses the matron.

Mr. Bumble. [In a whisper.] Mr. Bumble, I shall scream.

[Bumble makes no reply, but in a slow and dignified manner , puts his arm round the rriatron's waist, whtfk a hasty knock at the door is heard ; Bumble darts up with much agility to the wine bottles and begins dusting them with great violence ; then pais the cat ; Mrs. Corney rises as rapidly.

Mrs. C. Who, who'ke there?

[Susan putting her head through the half-opened door,

Sus. If you please, old Sally is going fast, ma'am.

3irs. 0. Well ! what's that to mel / can't keep her alive, can I 1

Sus. No no, mistress ! nobody can. But she's troubled in her mind ; and she says she's got something to tell you, which you must hear, and — and she'll never die quiet till you come, mistress.

[Exit D. p.

Mrs. C. Don't go away till I come back again, Mr. Bumble; I shan't be more than a minute or two at the most, Mr. Bumble.

J3um. And while you are gone every minute will seem to me t month, Mrs. Corney.

3frs. C. Heigho ! Mr. Bumble.

Bum. Heigho ! Mrs. Corney. [Exit Mrs. Cornet, d. p.

Bum. The business of the board must not be neglected. Here's my porochial book. Let me see — porochial apprentices — Abraham — Benjamin. Yes, here they are alphabetically deranged ! Nathan- iel— Obadiah — Oliver — Oliver Twist. Ah ! that's the last orphan the parish, thanks to Mr. Sovverberry, the undertaker, has thrown off its shoulders. He's 'prenticed at last, that's some comfort. But of all the artful and designing orphans that eVer I did see, he's one of Yho most barefacedest ! Weil ! he'll come to be hung, thct's sure! Mem- orandum. Ah! I thought I had made one. This Oliver was the child of a poor pale-faced, ladyfied-looking gn-ff who came one nighb to the workhouse, where she died. I wonder who she was.

6 OLIVER TWIST.

E'.iier Mrs. Corney, d. p

Mrs. C. Well, she is dead.

Bkm. [Starting.] Who is deadV

Mrs. C. Old Sally ; but I'll tell you all about it, Mr. Bumble.

Bum. Do, Mrs. Corney — pray do !

3Irs. C. Fifteen years ago this very winter, there comes a knock, and a low moan at that very door. I opened it with fear and trem- bling— for it was a past 12 o'clock, and it snowed and blowed, as I never seed it afore ; there was a poor young creetur with a child in her arms, looking up with such a pitiful face, and a begging for shelter in the workhouse, so of course we taken her in ; she didn't trouble us long, though, for she seemed to fade away from the mo- ment she entered the workhouse. And the night she died, Old Sally was a nursing her, she asked to see her little boy to bless him before she took her long journey ; I brought the little creetur from his crib. She put her thin, wasted hand, on his little golden head, and the little fellow seemed to smile in her face ; ''Oh my God," said she, "protect thy lonely and desolate child, abandoned to the mercies of mankind," and so she died. [Seeing Bumble snivelling.] The dear, good man, why, he's quite overcome with grief at the story.

Bum. As who would not be.

Mrs. G. The boy was called Oliver Twist.

Bum. Holiver Twist, the one weH^e just 'prenticed to the under- taker? ^

Mrs. C. The same.

Bum. But what's this to do with Old Sally, that's just deadl

Mrs. C' Why, as I told you. Old Sally nursed her that night, and when she was dead, robbed the body of this locket and ring. See how curious they are, and here, cut on the inside, is the name of the poor lady, I suppose, A. G. N. E. S.

Bum. Hasnes ! and that's hall.

Mrs. C. What a pity they didn't put the rest of the name there.

Bum. Mrs. Corney^ you are not only a genus, but a wenus. Oh, -when shall we become one flesh. Mrs. Corney, oh, picture to your- self, myself standing at the Haltar before the priest. The charity boys a singing, oh ! Mrs. Corney. [Bxeunt d. f.

SCENE II. — Kitchen at Mr. Sowerberry's.

Oliver discovered,

on. This is a strange place, and I feel so chill and desolate here ; poor little Dick. I shall never see him again. I have no friends to care for, and none to care for me now. When I crept into my nar- row bed last night, my heart was so heavy that I wished it had been my cuffin, and that I could be laid in a calm and lasting sleep in the

^

OLIVHR TWIST. /

churchyard, with the tall orrass waving gently above my head. And tlie sound of the old deep bell to sooth me in my slumber. [Knock D. F.] Who's there 1

Noah. [Outside] Open the door, can't ye.

OH. [Opens door j I will, sir.

Enter Noah d. f.

l^oah. You're a nice one, do you want to freeze mel

on No sir, please.

Noah. You're the new boy, ain't you 1

Oh. Yes sir.

Noah. And a very new boy you look. You're the one they got from the verkus, eh ?

Oli. Yes sir.

Noah. You're too small for the business.

oil. But I'll grow, I hope, won't I, Fir 1

Noah. I'm glad he's a little un, cause I can vollup him ven I vants to keep my hand in. How old are you, verkus 7

Oli. Fourteen ; I beg pardon, sir, but do you want a coffin 1

Noah. I tell you what, you^ll want a coffin if you cuts your jokes on your superiors ; don't you know who I am 1

OIL No, sir.

Noah. Well, then, I'm Mister Noah Claypole, head boy here, and youi superior, does you hear, verkus 1

Enter Chablotte, with supper.

Char. Here, vou bovs, bold vour noise; what's the matter with yor. 1

N ah. Matter enough. The new boy's been insulting me.

Oli. Indeed, I didtv't mean —

Char. There, there, that will do. Come to supper.

[They go to table and sit'

Oli. I'm not hungry.

Noah. Well, then, I am, [Eats voraciously.] And so you ain't hun- gry '?

Oli. No. Noah, I am not hungry.

Noah. Something has wexed you, ain't it, verkus 1

Oli My heart is too fi\ll to talk, Noah.

Noah. Yes, and so is my mouth. Here's a 'ead o' 'air for a cnt to kitten in. My wig, how it curls, verkus. [Teazing Oliver.

Oli. Yours don't, Noah.

Noah. No, mine's just like myself, rightup and dovvn, and straight- forward. You ought to know that I'm your superior, because I told you so, verkus. "Fair change is no robbery," so you shall eat my fat, and I'll eat your lean, verk'us,

Oli. You may take it all, and welcome!

Noah. I will, verk'us.

Char. Lor, Noah ! wha i a rum cretur you are. Why don't you let the bo}' alone 7

8 OLITER TWIST.

Noah. Let him alone ! why every body lets him alone for the mat- ter of that. His father and mother will never interfere with him, nor his relations, neither.

Char. Oh you queer soul, an't you funny 1

Noah. He is such a sneak ; an't he, Charlotte 1

OH. What is a sneak, Noah Claypole 1

Noah. By goms, if this isn't blessed ignorance. Do you mean for to come, for to go, for to say you don't know what's a sneak 1

on. No ! Is it anything like you, Noah 7

Noah. Oh, carry me out and bury me, if this an't pretty imper- ence — I say, verk'us, how's yer mother 1

OH. She^s dead ! Don't you say anything about her to me,

Noah. What did she die of, verk'us ?

Oil. Of a broken heart; if the nurse told me true. I think, I al- most know, what it must be to die of that. [Oliver seems affected.

Noah. Tol de rol, lol lol, right fol lairy. What's set you a snivel- ling now 1

on. Not you.

Noah. Oh, not me, eigh 1

on. There — that's enough ! don't say anything to me about her, you'd better not.

Noah. Well, better not ! Don't be imperdent. Your mother, too ! she was a nice un ! Oh, Lor ! yer know it cant be helped now, and of course yer ceuldn't help it then, and I'm very sorry for it; and Piu sure we all are, and pity yer very much. But yer must know, yer mother was a regular, right down bad un.

Oil. What did you say 7

Noah. A regular, right down bad un ; and its a great deal better, verk'us, that she died when she did, or she'd ha' been transported or hung.

[Oljyer furiousli/ springs up, overturns the table and chairs, seizes Noah by the throat, shakes hir/i in the violence of his rage, then collects his whole force into one heavy blow, and fells him to the ground. Noah falls.

SCENE 111.— Road near Barnei. Enter Dodger, l. h.

Dod. My heyes and precious limbs, how tired my beautiful legs are, and nothing for my trouble, neither; ha! ha! what a go that was last night : I opened a gentleman's window for the purpose of examining his spoons, and when I got inside I was so frightened I couldn't get out again, and this morning, by way of cooling my ardor, they put me under the pump, refreshed me with its cool and pleasant water. Won't Charley Bates and Old Fagin shout and bust thoir buttons off when I tells 'em,

OLIVER TWIST. 9

Enter Oliver, r. h.

OH. I have escaped them ; I listened to their taunts withcut an ansry word, I bore the lash without a cry ; but when they spoko wild thoughts about niy mother — Well! well ! I musn't think. Oh, coldj stiff, and hungry, I could lay down and die.

[Leans against a tree — Dodger advances.

Dod. Hollo ! my covey. What's the row ?

Oli. The row 1 I don't hear ai^y ; do you, sir 1

Dod. I mean vot are you at, vot are you arter 1

on. I am very hungry and tired

Dod. I'm low water mark myself; but so far as it goes, I'll fork out ; so up with your pins, and I'll see what's for breakfast. [Takes bi'ead, meat and bottle from his pocket.] First, there's a fourpenny bran; next, there's sixpenny worth of ham ; and here, a toothful of porti- veh [Produces them — Oliver fialls to.] There, eat, drink, and make your life happy.

Oli. You are a strange boy, but no doubt a good one.

Dod. Good as goold, and as brazy about the frontispiece as a bed- warmer. You might trust me with your pus, and no mistake, [aside,] when there's nothing in it. To come to the pint, name's Davkins, John Dawkins ; by some I'm called the Dodger, and by some I'm called the Artful Dodger. Where I lives you shall live too, if you like ; and how I lives is jiist the best way I can. Going to London 1

Oli. Yes.

Dod. Got any lodgings 1

Oli. No.

Dod. Money 1

Oli. No. [ The Dodger whistles.

Dod. I suppose you want some place to sleep to-night, don't youl

Oli. I do, indeed.

Dod. There, don't fret your eyelids ; come along ; I knoW a 'spec- table gentleman as lives in London, wot'U give you lodgings for no- think, and never ask for change : and don't he know me — oh, not in not in the least— by no means — certainly not.

Oli. But if he doesn't know you, you are a stranger.

Dod. Oil, yes, over the bender; so tip your rags a gallop, and flare up at both ends, my covey.

[Foceunt Oliver and Dodger, r. h.

SCENE IV. — Fa gin's den, a mister able garret. — r. h., a fire, over which Fag IN is discovered cooking ; near by, a clotheshorse, on which handkerchiefs are hdnging. — l. ii., a table, round which are seated several hoys, smoking and drinking. — Loud lavghing. — The Jew steys hi^ employment, and assumes a listening attitude.

Fag. iTush-^aH o'^ye— tere is somebody on the stairs— quiet my teres — quiet. [^He goes to the door, and calls tnraugh the keyhole.]

10 OLIVER TWIST.

Who'3 tliere '? [A whistle is heai'd'] The word"? [Voice without--' "Plummy and Slam."] You may come in. [Fagin half opens the door.^ But there's two of ye — who's t'other one 7

Enter the Dodger and Oliver, from d. f.

Where did he come from 7 [Pointing to Oliver.

Dod. From Greenland. Fa^in, tip us your listener.

[Fagin inclines his ear to Dodger, who listens.

Fag. You don't say so 1

Dod. I do, though. This is my friend Oliver Twist, and this is my friend, Fagin.

Fug. We are glad to see you, Oliver, all of us ; ain't we my teres 1

Omnes. Yes, yes, all of us.

[Some bonnet him, and perform sundry tricJcs. which the Jew puts an

end to by producing a whip and cracking it loudly. They continue

to tease Oliver.

Dod. Leave him alone, will ye 1 You won't — then up, Charley, and clear the crib.

[Charley Bates and the Dodger drive them off — A pause.

Fag. What are you looking at, Oliver 7

Oli: At all those handkerchiefs.

Fag. There are a good many of 'em, ain't there 1 We've just look'd 'em out ready for the wash. Ha ! ha ! ugh — ugh !

Oli. You've a bad cough, sir.

Fag. Very, my tere, very. Will you take anything after your walk, Oliver"'?

Oli. I feel weary and should like to sleep, sir.

Fag. Here's a nightcap for you. [Fills a glass of water with giji.] Drink, Oliver, drink.

Oli. What's all this 1 Taking the glass from Fagin.

Fag. Up — up ! twill do you good, my tere.

[Oliver slowly drains it, then falls into a deep slumber.- — Fagin lifii him gently upon the sacks, then, on tiptoe, lakes light from the table, and passes over the closed eyes of Oliver.

He's sound for a time, and I can now, when all are at rest, steal a look at my treasures.

\Ykgys raises a trap from the floor ^ takes up a small box, which he places carefully on the table — he takes from it a magnificent gold watch, sparkling with diamonds.

Aha ! — clever dogs — clever dogs — and staunch to the last — never told the old parson where they were — never peached upon old Fagin — no, no ; and if they had il wouldn't ha' loosened the knot. Fine fellows ! fine fellows ! [Fagin examines other trinkets.'\ There's an inscription upon this, but my eyes cannot make it out from age — old age. Five of 'em were strung up together on the tree ! Wliere shall I go when I die 1 no matter.

OLIVER TWIST. 11

[Ilis glance svddenly encounters that of Oliver, who has appeared restless in his sleep. — Faoin closer the box with a loud crash, and, laying his hand on a bread knife which was on the table, starts furiously up.

Wliat's that 1 Why do you watch mel Why are you awake 1 Speak out. boy, quick — for your life!

OH. I wasn't able to sleep any longer. I'm very sorry if I've dis- turbed you.

Fag. You were not awake a little while ago 1

Oil. No, no, indeed, sir.

Fag. Are you sure ?

OH. I was not, indeed, sir.

Fag. Tush I tush ! my tere, of course I only tried to frighten you. L>id you see any of these pretty things, Oliver 1

OH. Yes, sir.

Fag. Ah ! they're mine — all my little property — ^eb up, set up, there's a basin just over tliere — and you can wash, my tere.

[^5 Oliver exits r. n. Fagin rapidly replaces the jewelry.

Enter Charley Bates and Dodger — Oliver returns at the same

time.

Fag. Well, I hope you've been at work yesterday, my teres.

Dod. Hard as nails.

Fag. Good boys ! good boys I And what have you got, Charley 1

Char. A couple of note-holders.

[Gives pocket-books to Fagin.

Fag. Very neat and nicely made ; Charley's a nice workman, ain't he, Oliver 7

Oli. I never saw him at work, sir.

Fag. But you shall, ma tere — all in good time — you shall ; and what ha' you got, Dodgerl

Dod. Wipes. [Gives handkerchiefs to Fagin.

Fag. That not so good, my tere ; but they're Indory I t^ee.

Oli. What are you going to do with all those handkerchiefs?

Dod. Sew 'em together to make summer trowsers.

OH. Lor ! really.

Char. Oh ! button me up ! Ha ! ha ! how green he is.

Fag. Now, boys, ahall vve have a gamel

Boys. To be sure.

Fag. Only to amuse Oliver; shall we, Oliverl

OH. Yes, if you please, sir.

Fag. [putting on coat and hat^ Now then, boys ; I'm a banker, a nice banker, going to the city, with plenty of money, too ; but I must take care of the thieves — eh, Oliver!

Oli. Yes, sir.

Fag, Here we go — here we go. [Walks up and down. Bates steals pocket-book, and Dodger handkerchief.] I'm robbed ! stop

12 OLIVER TWIST.

tlnef! stop thief ! [Ba^tes and Dodgeh hold up the- s ol en proper ii/^ All laugh.] Clever dogs; clever dogs— ain't tliey, Oliver] Oil. Ha ! ha ! very, sir.

Fag. Woidd you like to try, Oliver? Oh. Yes, if you please, sir.

Fag. There we ^o again, [Oliver tidies and gets caught] Ah! I've got you. You must take it slow, slow and artistically. [Olivee /;7V.9 again and succeeds.] A sood boy, a good boy. Oliver you'll be a oreat man/, you'll live in English history; you'll stand recorded in [a.^ide] the Newgate Calendar.

IJod. Now then, we must pad the hoof, Charley. Say good luck 10 us, Faoin.

Fag. Good fortune, ma teres. [To Dodger.] Take Oliver on the prowl, and try him. Yon are down on what I mean.

Dod, Do\vn as a hammer.

Fag. Good bye, Oliver; you are to go vvith those nice young gen- tlemen.

Oh. Thankee, sir.

Fag. And mind you do exactly what the nice young gentlemen tell you.

OH. I will, sir.

Bod. You hear what Fagin says, you're to do exactly what we tvro nice young gentlemen tells you.

Oh. I know I am.

Bod. Well then, mizzle.

OIL I don't know how to mizzle.

Dod. Cut your stick.

Oil. I havn't got a knife.

Char. My eyes ! how jolly green he is. ^Exeunt d. p.

SCENE V. — A street in Clerlcenwell. — A hookseUer^s shop and stand. Enter Mr. Brown loav.

J/r. B. 'Tis a book on ornamental gardening which I've seen somewhere here. Plague on my memory, I can't recollect the title!

''J'is dated another book-stall ! I'll give it my attention, and here

I may be more successful.

'[Goes to stall, and while he is anxiously , employed in examining its contents, enter rapidly the Dodger, Charley Bates, a?ici Oliver, L. H. — The Dodger suddenly stops, puts his finger to his lips, then draws his companions hack again with the greatest caution and circumspection,

Oli. What's the matter.

Dod. Hush ! Do you see that old cove at the book-stalll

Oli. The old gentleman over the wayl — yes, I see him

m

OLIVER TWIST. 13

Cliar. He's a prime plant.

Dod, Yes, he'll do, Charley.

Oli. Do ! do ! What will he do fori

[They get steaUhily towards the old gentleman. — The Dodger plunges his hand into the old gentleman^ s pocket, draws from it a hand- kerchief, which he hands over to Bates, when they both run away.

Oh, dreadful ! Into what hands have I fallenl I see it now — the handkerchiefs — the jewels — the Jew.

[-45 he turns to move away, Mr. Brownlow, missing his handker- chief, turns suddenly round, and exclaims, seeing Oliver run, Stop thief!

iJnter a 'Biis^&B^ahd a Butcher:

Bak. What's the matter]

Mr. B. I have been robber, sir, that's the matter. There! there he goes! Stopthi<?f!

[Exit Mr. Brownlow, l. h., followed by others, vehemently calling Stop thief! Stop thie.f ! — Loud cries of Stop thief! without. — Dodger, Bates, and Oliver, at the top of their speed, run acros^^ a policeman, then a mass of tradesmen, boys, market-women, 3fc. A fat per son falls; others fall over him, delaying the pursuit. — The stage eventually is cleared. — Wlien, exhausted and almost out of breath, Mr. Brown low enters l. h. — Ue faintly calls Stop thief I fanning himself with his handkerchief.

Mr. B. A young rascal! [Crowd utter a hurrah without.'] Ah! I Ree they have got him.

[They drag Oliver in, r. h., Heeding at the mouth,

Bak. Stand aside — give him a little air.

But. He don't deserve it. Where's the gentleraanl Oh; here he is ! Make room there for the gentleman. Is this the boy, sirl

Mr. B. Yes, that's the boy. That is — I — I am afraid it is i

But. Afraid it is ! Come, that's a good iin.

Mr. B. Poor fellow ! he has hurt himself.

A Tall Fellow in the crowd exclaims : I did that, sir ; and pre- ciously I cut my knuckles agin his mouth. I guv him the blow, sir. Preluips you'd like to guv me something for it, sirl

Mr. B. [aside.] Yes, that I should — -just such another I

But. Ohj here cums a policeman.

Mj\ B, Who generally is the last person who do fs . come on such occasions. [Maiteringly.

Enter Policeman, r. h.

Pol Come— get up! [Roughly seiJsing Oliver.

Oli. It wiasn't me, indeed. It was two other boys — they are here Bomowheie.

l^ OLIVER TWIST.

Pol No, no, thty ain't.

jUr. B. Don't hurt him, oflScer. D — mn it, sir, I say, don't hurt the boy, or. by the Lord ! I'll thrash the dust out of your bluejacket.

Bui. What! ossault a hofficer^ Twig his wig and his tail! Oh, Avhat a nice old gentleman !

[Tlie mob laugh vociferously at Mr. Brownlow (w7io, in a fit of in- diynation, lays lustily about him with his cane), plaguing him m evety form and manner ; then^ with loud hurrahs, drag off Oli- ,

VER, B. H. ■

Well, but you'll follow and make the charge ? *

Mr. B, Don't hurt the boy, I say. \Exxi Mr..Bkownlow. r. h.

SCENE W,— Interior of a metropolitan police-office — Mr. l^kSGonihe bench, reading a newspaper — noise and scuffle made by policemen and others as they drag in Oliver, r. h. — the Officer of the couH calls " Silence ! " — before the bar is thronged with individuals.

Off. Where is the gentleman who makes the charge 1

Pol. He's coming, sir. Make way, there, for the gentleman.

[M'r. Brownlow enters the office ^ l. h.. and comes forward — he hows respectfully to the Magistrate's desk, then places his card upon it.

'Mr, B. That is my name and address. [He then withdraivs a pace or two, and, making a slight inclination of the head, waits to be questioned.

Fang, (looking from over Oie paper, atid appearing angry at be- ing disturbed, speaks abrvptly.) Who are you '\

Mr. B. If you'll be kind enough to look at it, my name is on that card ; and —

Fang. Omcer ! [tossing awag the card, contemptuously.] Who, fel- low ?

Mr. B. Fellow ! fellow ! My name is Brownlow. Permit me to inquire the name of the magistrate who offers a gratuitons and un- provoked assault to a respectable man under the protection of the bench 7

Fang. Officer ! what is this fellow charged with?

Off. He^s not charged at all, your worship. He appears against the boy. ^

Fang. Appears a^iainst the boy, does he 1— swear him! ^ Mr. B Before I am sworn. I must beg to say one word, and that IS that I never, without actual experience, could have believed—

±ang. Hold your tongue, sir !

Mr. B. I will not, sir !

Jhf n2f;.^''v ^?''' ^"""""f ^^^' ^"'^^"^' ^^ ^'" ^''^^^ y^« turned out of the office. You're an msolent, impertinent fellow ! How dare vou bully a magistrate ? Know, sir, that you address a gentleman ^ ^

^^

OLIVER TWIST.

15

Mr. B. 'Tis well you tell me so, sir, fo.r without that information I should never have discovered it.

Fang. Umph ! What is your charge against this boyl What have YOU got to say 1

Mr. B. I was standing at a hook stall —

Fang. Umph ! You flatter yourself that you can read, sir %

Mr. B. Yes ! I flatter myself I can, sir.

Fang. Silence, sir ! Where's the policeman 1 — at least he is res- pectable, and I'll listen to him ! Are there any witnesses, policeman 1

Pol. None, your worship.

Fang. Now, then, Mr. Low-grown — and low enough no doubt you are — do you mean to give evidence, or do you not 1 If you do not, I'll punish you for disrespect to the bench — I will, by —

[TJie Clerk here lets fall a hook, and the Officer coughs loudly — Fang checks himself.

Mr. B. The fall of that book was fortunate for you, as it has saved you the penalty of an oath.

Fang. Fine me 1 — a magistrate !

Mr. B. Yes, you ! D'ye think that laws are made like cobwebs, to catch alone the little flies, and let the greater ones break through 1 — No ! and if that word upon the tip of your tongue just now, had found its way from out your mouth, you should have been fined upon your own bench, nor would I have left the office till you had paid it. But I really think the boy is ill.

Fang. Come, none of your tricks here, you young vagabond — they won't do.

Off. But what's to be done with the boy, your worship 1

Fang. He stand committed for three months, and of course, hard laboi — clear the office.

The Bookseller enters breathless.

Boo. [With haste.] Stop! stop! don't take him away — for heaven's sake stop a moment ! ^

Fang. What is this 1 Who is this 1 Clear the office — turn this man out.

Buo. I will speak, and I will not be turned out. I keep the book- stall— I saw it all through the window. The robbery was committed by two other boys, and this one here is entirely innocent.

Fang. Umph ! why didn^t you come here before 1

Boo. Because I could get nobody to mind the shop till five minutes ago.

Fang. And this old suspicious character was reading — was he 1

Mr. B. Suspicious character ! Sir I —

Fang. Silence ! He was reading, I say.

Boo. He wqs — the very book he has got in his hand.

Fang. Oh ! that book, eh ! Is it paid for 1

Boo. No, it is not.

Mr. B, Dear me ! I forgot all about it.

16 OLIVER TWIST.

Fang. I dare say you did — I thought how it would turn out. ]My good man, do you mean to prosecute the old vagabond ^

Mr. B. Prosecute me !

Fang. He declines ! a most fortunate circumstance in your favor, Now are you not a nice person to prefer a charge against a poor friendless boy — a boy, too, who from the first, my heart and eye told nie was laboring under evident indisposition. I consider, sir, that3^ou have obtained posssession of that ^book under very suspicious and disreputable circumstances, and you may think yourself fortunate that the owner of the property declines to prosecute. Let this be a lesson to you, my man, I speak to yon as a friend, and out of com- passion ; give up this wayof life^ or the law, and perhaps the gallows will overtake you yet — for, possibly, a more greyheaded and hardened offender, never appeared before me.

Mr. B. Sir — sir — I'll — I shall choke — sir — sir — But the boy — Take care of him, officer, or he'll fall down.

Fang. Stand away, officer, and let him fall if he likes.

\^Officer does so — the hoy falls,

Mr. B. D — n me, if I didn't say so !

Fang. Fine that fellow for illegal swearing.

[Officers clear the office and turn him out — clamor ^ in which they en^ deavor to appease Mr. Rrownlow, but in vain — others assisting Oliver. A tableau on which the drop falls,

END of act I.

ACT II.

SCENE I. — A parlor in the house of Mr. Brownlow— ^/Xr^joZac^, l h. on one side, Oliver seated in an easy chair beside it, a table close to him — portrait of a lady in a conspicuous situation — Mrs. BEDWiif stands leaning over Oliver's chair — Mr. Brownloav in his dress- ing-goiun anxiously gazing at the countehance of Oliver.

Mr. B. And so, Mrs. Bed win, the doctor thinks that With common care he is so far recovered as to go out to-day '? Mrs. B. He says so, sir. OH. How long have I been ill, ma'am 1 Mrs. B. A whole month, my dear. Mr, B. Have you given him any nourishment, Bedwin— any slops,

■'^I^W

OLIVER TWIST. 17

Mrs, B. Slops, indeed ! he has just had a basin of beautiful broth.

Mr. B. Ugh ! a c(»up]e of glasses of port wine would have done him a great deal more good, wouldn't they Tom White, eh %

OH. My name is Oliver, sir.

Mr. B. Oliver what 1 Oliver White ?

Oli. Oliver Twist.

Mr. B. Twist ! queer name- — very queer name. \Munng.'\ I can't tell how or why, but the features of that boy seem as familliar to me as — [Ai5 eije is directed to the picture'] Gracious God ! what's this — Bed win, look — look there. [Pointing to it and then to Oliver.] There is its living copy — the eyes — the head — the mouth — so like that. \loud knocking heard without.] Go — go to the door, Bed win.

[Exit Mrs. Bedwin, r. — he looks at he hoy most earnestly.

Oli. Why do you look so closely at me^ — do you not love me still 1

Mr. B. I do — I do — but I want you to pay great attention to what I say.

Oli. Oh! don't tell me that you are going to send me away, sir! pray don't turn me out of doors to wander in the streets again. Let me stay here and be a servant — don't send me back to the wretched place I came from — have mercy upon a poor boy, sir ; oh, sir ! I never will deceive you, never.

Mr. B. I do think you never will ; still, I have been deceived be- fore in the objects whom I have endeavored to benefit — but I feel dis- posed to trust you, nevertheless, and am more strongly interested in your behalf than I can well account for, even to myself. The persons on whom I have bestowed ray dearest love lie deep in their graves ! but though the happiness and delights of my life lie buried there, yet I have not made a coffin of ray heart, and on my best affections, sealed it ui) for ever. Deep affliction has only made them stronger ; it ouiiht. I think, for it should refine our nature. [Oliver sits quite still J deeply attentive to the old gentleman.] Well, well — I only say this because you have a young heart, and knowing that I have suf- fered orreat pain and sorrow, you will be more careful, perhaps, not to wound nie again. You say you are an orphan without a friend in the world, and all the inquiries I have been able to make, confirm the tale. Let nie hear your story further ; where you came from, and who brought you up. and how you got into the company in which I found you — speak the truth, and if I find you have committed no crime, you will never be friendless while I live.

Enter Mrs. Bedwin, r. h.

Mrs. B. It's Mr. Grirawig, sir.

Mr. B. Is he coraing up 1

Mrs. B. Yes, sir ! lie asked if there were any muffins in the house, and when I told him yes — he said he had come to tea.

Mr. B. I shall be glad to see liim — say so. [Exit Mrs. Bedwin.] An old friend of mine — rough and eccentric — but a good soul at bot- tom, as well I know.

18 OLIVER TWIST.

on. Shall I go down stairs, sir 1

Mr. B. No ! I would rather 3'ou stopped here.

[^Exit Mr. B. R. H. Oliver goes to sleep — visions appear at hack dis- closing pietnres of his mother's reception at the workhouse, and her death. Scene closes quietly.

SCENE II. — A street in Clerkenwell. — A heer-shop, with door in front, forming a prominent feature of it.

Filter Mr. Sikes and Fagin, /rom l., IstE.

Fag. He has not peached yet. But if Oliver should tell his new friends, why it it is all U P with us, ray tere.

Sik. You mean it is U P with you, Fagin.

Fag. Both — all of us, my tere — all of us.

Sik. And you've found out where the kid isl

Fag. He went to the office, and on examination was acquitted — and we've traced him since to an old gentleman's, living at Peiiton- ville.

Sik. And what's all that to me?

Fag. We have a mutual interest, Bill — a mutual interest.

Sik. Umph! I should think the interest lay more on your side than on mine. Oh, grin away ; you'll never have the laugh at me, though — unless it should be behind a nightcap. I've got the upper hand over you, Fagin, and I'll keep it. If I go, you go ; so take care on nie.

Fag. You forget who I am, my tere — you forget who I am.

Sik. You're an in — sa — ti — a — ble old fence ; I wonder they don't munier you. If I'd ha' been one o' your ^prentices, I'd a done it lonjz ago — and — no, I couldn't have sold you arterwards thougli, for you're fit for nothing but to keep as a curiosity of ugliness, in a glass bottle, and I suppose they don't blow them large enough.

Fag. Hush ! hush ! Mr. Sikes.

Sik. None of your mistering. You always mean mischief when you come to that. My name is Bill Sikes, and I ."-Imn'L disgrace it, when the time comes.

Fag. No doubt ! But the boy ! I've put Nancy upon tlie scent, and she and you must lure him to the other ken. I've dressed hSr up like a respectable servant-maid.

Sik. A dolly-mop, eh, Fagin's and here she comes, with a bonnet, apron, basket, and street door key complete.

Enter Miss Nancy, l., arrayed according to the description of Mr.

Sikes.

So, Nancy, you are on the scent, are youl

Nan. Yes, Bill, I am ; and tired enough of it 1 am too. The young brat has been ill and confined to the crib ; and —

Fag. I say, Nancy, my tere, I want you to go somewhere for me.

Man. Wheresl

OLIVER TWIST. 19

Fag. To Mr. Brovviilow's house, at Pentonville, and inquire for Oliver Twist.

Nan. I won't go.

Fag. But, Nancy! blesh my heart, what a pretty creature you are !

Nan, I know I am. But there — I wont, and it's no use trying it on !

Bile. What do you mean by that!

Nan. What I say. ^

Sik. Why, you're just the person for it. Nobody about there knows any thing of you.

Nan. And as I don't want 'em to, neither, it's rather more no than yes, with me.

Sik. She'll go.

Nan. No she won't ! [Loudly.]

Sik. Yes she will !

Nan. Well ! and if I do — to oblige you, Mr. Sikes — what shall I say?

Stk. Why, if a woman don't know what to say, I'm blowed if I know what to tell em.

Nan. I've got it — I'll say thatl^n his sister, and that lam looking for my little brother, that has been stoled away. [With much 2>a' ihos.] Oh, my brother ! my dear, sweet, innocent little brother ! oh, dear !

Fag. There ; very good — very good, indeed. Ah ! you're a clever girl.

Sik. She's a honor to her sex ; and I wish they was all like lier.

Nan. Dye my silk stockings, if it ain't the boy himself a-coming ! Sikes, get into the beer-shop — Fagin, get away altogether.

[Pushing Fagin.

Fag. I will, my tere.

[Sikes goes into heer-shop. — Fagin exits l.

Enter Oliver, with hookSy r.

Oli. What a change is this ! How happy and contented I ought to be. Oh, what would I give if little Dick could see me now.

Enter a Butcher's Boy, r.

Which is the nearest way to the Green, at Clerkenwell?

Nan. Is it possible — at last I've found him ! [Throws her arms round the neck 0/ Oliver.] My brother ! my dear brother I Oh ! oh ! oh !

Oli. Don't ! Let go of me 1 Who is iti what are you stoi)ping me fori

Attracted by the ejaculations 0/ Nancy, enter several people r. and l.

Nan. Oh. my gracious! I've found him! Oh, Oliver ! Oh, you naugiity boy to make me suffer such distress on your account. Come home, dear, come. Thank gracious heavens I've found him. Oh ! oh ! oh ! [FaUs into the arms of a carpenter.

20 OLIVER TWIST.

Worn. Don't you think you had better run for a doctor, butcher 1

But. No, I don't.

Nan. Oil, no, no, no — never mind, I'm better now. [Grasping Oli- ver hy the hand.} Come home, directly, you cruel boy — come —

Wora. What's the matter, ma'am ?

Nan, Oh, ma'am, he ran away near a month a^o, from his parents, who are hard-working people, and joined a s4>r of bad characters, and almost broke his mother's heart.

Worn. Go home, yoii young wretch, you little brute, you !

Oh. I'm not ! I don't know her — I haven't got any sister, or fath- er, or mother.

Nan. Oh, only hear him, ho\v he braves it out!

OH. Why, it's' Nancy.

Nan. There, you sees he know^s me. Make him come home, good people, or he'll kill his poor mother and father, and break my heart !

Enter Sikes.

Sik. What the devil's this ? What! young Oliver! come home to your poor mother, you young dog. [Seizing him.

Worn. Oh, you shameful child !

OH. I don't belong to them. Oh, let me go ! help — help!

Sik. Helpf yes, I'll help you. What books are these ? [Taking them from him.] Give 'em here !

[Strikes the loy with them on the head.

Worn. That's ri^ht. That's the only to bring him to his senses.

Sik. And lie. shall have it, too.

Nan. Good heavens! don't hurt him much, good gentlemen, but take him to his mother. I — I am string to hysterics — I am —

Worn. Oh, look at his poor sister !

Sik. Come along, young rebel.

[Sikes drags off Oliver, l. — The mob follow, with Miss Nancy loudly screaming, and apparently in strong hysterics.

SCENE III.— The den of Fagin. Fagin discovered sitting in a melancholy mood.

Fag. I think Nancy can-not fail ; but cost what it may, that boy must, be brought back. [Scvffle heard on the stairs.] Eh ! they are comins

Sik. [ Without] Is the old un here 1

Dod, [Without.] Yes; and precious down in the mouth he is — won't he be glad to see you !

[Enter Sikes, dragging in Oliver, followed hy Nancy, and preceded hy the DodgeR and Charley Bates ; the Dodger holding candle in a cleft stick-.

I'

OLIVER TWIST. 21

C%ar. Oh, my wig! — oh, cry, Fagin, look at him! I can't hear it— ha ! ha ! — it is such a jolly game. Hold me, somebody, while I laugh it out.

Fag. Delighted to see you looking so well, my dear. The Artful shall give you another suit, my dear, for fear you should spoil that Sunday one. Why didn't you write, my dear, to say you were, com- ing ? we'd have got something warm for your supper.

{The Dodger during this is rifling his pockets with assiduity.

Dod. S'elp me ! if there ain't a fi-pun flimsy !

. [Holding up note,— Fagi^ seizes the note,

Sik. Hollo'! what's that? That's mine, Fagin.

Fag. No, no, my tere, you shall have the books.

Sik. If that ain't mine, I'll take the boy back again! Come, hand it over.

Fag. This is hardly fair — is it, Nancy 1

;S'iA:.^Fair, or not fair, hand it over. Do you think Nancy and me has got nothing else to do with our precious time, but to spend it in scouting arter and kidnapping every young boy as gets giabbed through you 1 Give it here, you avaricious old skeleton ! Give it here 1 [He snatches it^ There, you may keep the books, if you are fond of reading ; and if not, you can sell 'em.

on. No, no, they belonged to the old gentleman who took me into the house, and had me nursed when I was dying of the fever. Oh, pray send him back the books and the money ! Keep me here all my life long, but send them back, or he'll think I stole them.

Fag. You are right — they will think you stole them. It couldn't ha' been better.

Sik In course it couldn't. It's all right enough. They're soft- hearted people, so they'll ask no questions after him, fear they should be obliged to prosecute, and so get him lagged. He's safe enough.

OH. Ah, then ! I won't stop if you kill me ! [Oliver rushes down stairs, followed by the Dodger and Bates.

Fag. If he get away, I am ruined ! Yes, Sikes, and so are you.

[Exit Fagin, d. in -p.

Sik. The dog's outside the door, he'll —

[Going to the door — Nancy stands hefore it.

Nan. You shan't set on the dog — he'll tear the boy to pieces.

Sik. Stand off from me— [as she clings to him.] — or I'll split your skull against the wall !

Nan. I don't care for that, Bill ! the child shan't be hurt by the dog, unless you first kill me.

Enter Fagin and Boys, with Oljver.

Sik. Shan't he'? I'll soon do that if you don't keep off.

Fag. What's the matter here'^

Sik. The girl's gone mad.

Nan. No she hasn't.

Sik. Then keep quiet.

Nan. No I won't. [1^ koiv produces a kna$icd club stick.

22 OLIVER TWIST.

Fag. So you wanted to get awaj, did youl — wanted to call for the police, ehl

\Ile is about to strike Oliver a violent blow, when NancYj witk a sud- den rush, makes herself mistress of the sticky and stands in a pro- iecting attitude over Oliver.

Nan. Now strike the boy if you dare — any of you !

Fag. But, Nancy, my tere —

Nan. Don't dear me! I won't stand by and see it done! You have got the boy, and what more would you have? Let him be then, or I shall put that mark on some on you that will bring me to the gallows before my time !

Sik. What do you meanl Burn my body! do you know who you are and wliat you arel

Nan. Oh, yesj I know all about it — well — well.

[Shaking her head with assumed indifference.

Sik. You're a nice un — to take up the Jiumane and genteel side ! — a pretty subject for the child to make a friend !

Nan. God help me! I am ! I am ! and I wish I had been struck dead in the streets before I had lent a hand in bringing him to where he is. Ah me ! he's a thief from this night forth — and isn't that enough without more cruelty!

Fag. Civil words.

Nun. Civil words, Fagin ! Do you deserve them from mel "Who taught me to pilfer and to steal, when I was a child not half so old as thisl — You! I have been -in the trade and in your service twelve years since, and y(»u know it well — you know you do !

Fag. And if you have, it is your living.

Nan. Ah ! it is — it is my living ! and the cold, wet, dirty streets, are my home ! and you're the wretch who drove me to 'em long ago, and that'll keep nie there till I die.

Fag. I shall do you a mischief — a mischief worse than that — if you say much.

Nan. Devil !

[She rushes at Fagix. — Sikes snatches the stick from her., then seizes her waist. — Nancy utters a piercing scream, then, with a look of concentrated hate and horror at Fagin, she faints in the arms of

Sikes.

SCENE IV. — The house of Mrs. Manx. — An interior.

Enter Bumble and M&^. Mann, r.

Bum. Yes, Mrs. Mann, I am going to London — to London, ma'am — 1 and two paupers. A legal action is coming on about a settlement, and the board has appointed me to depcee the matter before the Quarter Sessions at Clerkenwell ; and I very much question if the

OLIVER TWIST. 23

Clerkenwell Sessions will not find themselves in the wrong box beTore they have done with me.

Mrs. M. Oh, you musn't be to hard upon them.

Bum, They brot it upon themselves, and if the Clerkenwell Ses- sions fiiul that they come off rather worse than they expected, the Clerkenwell Sessions have only themselves to thank.

Mrs. M. Are you j^oing by coach, Mr. Bumble!

Bum. I am — inside, Mrs. Mann, with my face to the horses, for if I lide with my back to 'em, Mrs. Mann, such is the delicacy of my constitution, that in general it makes me vomix.

Mrs. M. You're going by coach ; but I thought it was usual to send the paupers in carts.

Bum. That's when they're ill, and then we put the sick paupers into open carts, to prevent their catching cold. ' The opposition coach contracts for these two, and takes them cheap. They are both in a very low state, and we find It would come two pound cheaper to move 'em than to bury 'em ; that is if we can throw 'em upon another parish, which I think we shall be able to do, if they don't die upon the road to spite us. But how are the orphans under your porochial care, Mrs. Mann't

3Irs. M. All well, Mr. Bumble, I thank yon, but little Dick.

Bum. What ! isn't he dead yef?

Mrs. M. Not yet. Ah ! poor little boy, he does go on so, and talks i?o much about that runaway ^prentice, Oliver Twist.

Bum. Talking of that, here's the London paper ; I borrowed it just to show you this nacknack from it. [Reads.'\ " Five guineas reward. Whereas a young boy, named Oliver Twist, absconded or was enticed on Thursday evening last from his home at Pentonville ; the above reward will be paid to any person who will give such information as to lead to his discovery, or tend to throw any light upon his previous history, in which the advertiser is for many reasons warmly inter- ested." Now, Mrs. Mann, I should think no person more fitter than myself could be found to give such information ; so good bye, Mrs. Mann.

Mr.^. M. Good bye, Mr. Bumble; and I hope your merits will meet their due reward.

Bum. And if so, them five guineas will find themselves as safe as the bank in my porochial pocket.

[Exeunt severally ^ Bdmble, l., and Mrs, Mann, r.

SCENE Y.— Repetition of Scene the First.— Mr. Brownlow and Mr. Grim WIG, with decanters hefore them, over their icine.

Mr. B. Heigho !

Gri. Ah, you may well sigh ; you'll have more to sigh for, Mr. B., depend on't, before this affair is over. If you don't, sir, I'll eat my head. You've advertised for the young ruffian, you say*?

24 OLIVEE TWIST.

Jl/r. 5, As yet without success.

Gri. Umph ! so much the better — you wouldn't likjB to see him hanged, would you?

Mr. B. Good heavens, no !

Gri. Then avoid passing debtor's door when you go near the Old Bailey.

Enter yLvi^, Bedww hastily ^ r.

Mrs. B. I knew we should hear of him, poor dear — I knew we should — I was certain of it — I said so all along.

Mr. B. Thank God ! thank God !

Mrs. B. Excuse my crying — but — oh — dear — oh dear — I am so " 1!

Mr. B. Mrs. Bed win — Mrs.— r^fPw^s A is kerchief to his ffvcsl— poohl I'm a d—d old fool!

Gri. AVhy, what's the matter, my good friend ?— you seem a little hoarse.

Mr. B. Yes; I'm afraid, Mrs. Bedwin, you didn't sufficiently air the cravat I put on this morning.

Mrs. B. Yes, Mr. Brownlow, that I did; but there's a person below who says he can tell us something about Oliver.

Mr. B. Tell him to come up directly.

Mrs. B. You may come up.

Enter Mr. Bumble, r. — he hows to the two gentlemen in a most re- spectful manner — Bumble wears a great-coat.

Gri. I see it by his waddle — a parish beadle — or I'll eat my head.

Mr. B. Sit down, sir.

Bum. I will, sir. [^Sitting.

Mr. B. Will you take a glass of wine '^

Bum. I will, sir, [drinking.] Your healths, gentlemen, both.

Mr. B. Now, sir. You come in consequence of having seen an advertisement/?

Gri. ^nd you arg a beadle — are you not? \Quickly.

Bum. Yes — a porochial beadle.

Gri. Of course ! I said he w^as. His coat has a porochial cut all over. If he hadn't been a beadle, I'd have eat my own head, and his afterwards !

Bum. [aside] Would you ? Then, to my thinking, there would be more brains in your belly than in all the upper part of your body!

Mr. B. My friend, do you know where this poor boy is now 1

Bum. No more than nobody.

Mr.B. Well, what do you know of him ? Speak out, if youVe any thing to say.

Gri. You don't happen to know any good of him, do youl

Bum. \aside\ I wonder which I shall get most by — by blowiBg him up, or praising him ?

Gri. Of course you donH know any good of him ?

r

OLIVER TWIST. 25

Bum. [AsideJ] OIi', that's my cue ! — Of course I don't. Mr. B. Speak, then, sir — you can speak I

Bum. Sir, you wound my feelings. Yes, sir, I can speak, and sing too. 'Tis plain, sir, that you was never at Mudfoor church during service — [with increased vehemence and insulted dignity] — or you would never have asked the question, sir. I'd have you to know I sing the psalms louder than six people put together, and, if the char- ity-boy didu't blow the bellows very strong, I should drown the or- gan !

Gri. There, there — ihai will do.

Bum. I tell you, sir, that it won't do. I'd have you to know that my voice is 'ticklary fine ! Lor, sir — the voice of the beadle is the wox populi of the parish, the engine of the overseer, and the terror of the pauporial population, No voice, sir — no voice ! — allow me to exalt it, and I'll make those decanters upon the table shake as if they had got the ague, and rattle the tiles upon the top of the house in such a manner, that the chimney-pots will be astonished ! [Singing\ Good people, listen !

Mr. B. Get down sir ! — get down ! [For Bumble, m his excitement^ has mounted the chair.]

Gri. Yes, get down— or I'll eat my bead if I don't make you. Bum. Beg your pardon — but I forgot. [Sitting down.

Mr. B. Oliver Twist — what know you of Oliver Twist 1 Bum. The sums substance is, that he was a foundling — born of lewd, vicious parents. From his birth he was treacherous, ungrate- ful, and malicious. In a word, he nearly killed an unoffending boy, called Noah Claypole, and finished by running away in the night- time from his master's house, who was almost a father to him. Mr. B. Indeed ! indeed !

Gri. I said so all alor>g^ ir

Mr. B. And who are you 1

Bum, I am the Beadle of the parish in which he was born, sir. Mr. B. There, then, is the five guineas. If your conscience would have permitted you to have given him a more favorable account, I should have made them ten, sir,

Bum. Weugh ! I've put both foots in it. But, sir — Mr. B. Have you more to say of Oliver Twist 1 Bum, No — but —

Mr. B. There is the door. You will excuse me, but your society at this moment is any thing but pleasant. Bum. But, sir — Mr. B. Begone, sir !

Bum. What a fiery old dragon ! I wish I had him for a few minutes under the spout of our porochial pump — egad. I'd cool hia courage. lUxit B.

Mr. B. Heigho ! so Oliver is an impostor. Mrs. B. It can't be !

Mr. B. What do you mean by it can't \)p % — I tell you he is. Mrs, B» I won't believe it.

26 OLIVER TWIST.

Gri. You old women never belieye anybody but quacl? doctors.

Mrs. B. You are an old bachelor ; and people who never had no children ou£[ht not to give no opinion.

3Ir. B. Silence 1 Never let nie hear that boy's name again, on any pretea^ie. I am in earnest. Remember ! Good night, my friend.

Gri. Good night- [Exit Mr. Grimwig, r.

Mr.B, My bed candle.

3Irs. B. 'Tis here, sir. [ Giving it him,

Mr. B. Go\ •

Mrs. B. [Crying. \ Oh, lackaday ! Oh, lackaday I [Exit r.

[Mr. Brownlow, after ajpause^ sighs heavily j and exits to his cham- ber j L.

SCENE VI.— F AGINGS den.

Enter Sikes, smokins:, with Fagin and Nancy— Nancy draws a chatr. sitting motionless and listlessly upon it.

Fag. About the crib at Chertsea, Bill 1 — such plate, my tere — such plate !

8ik. It is not to be done at all. At least, it can*t be a put-up job, as we expected. . .- , .

Fag. Then it hasn't been properly gone about. Don't tell me \

Sik. But I will tell you^ Who are you that are not to be told 7 I say that Tobey Crackit has been hanging about the place for a fort- -liight, and he can't get one of the servants into a line.

Fag. Do you mean to say that neither ofHhe men in the house can be got over 1

.^ik. I 4o.

Fag. JNor the women 1

Sik. Not a bit of it.

Fag. Not by flash Toby Crackit 1 — Think what women are !

Sik. No ; not even by flash Toby Crackit ! *^

Fag. Tere, tere — 'tis a sad thing to lose so much >yhen we had set our hearts upon it. ;>

Sik. And so it's, worse luck, Fagin ! [Suddenly.] Is it worth fifty shiners if it's safely done from the outside instead of ib^ in ?

Fag. Yes, yes, my tere.

Sik. Then let it come off a^ soon as you like. Tobey and I were over the garden- wall the night afore last, sounding the panels of the doors and shutters. There is one part we can crack safely.

Fag. And which is that 1 .

Sik. Never mind which part it is — you can't do without me, I know. But it's best to be on the safe side when one deals with you.

Fag. As you likes, my tere — as you likes.

7\ '^

OLIVER TWIST. 27

Sik. One Ihinfj we shall need, and you can help us to it — we want a boy. Now, if I had got that young boy o' Ned's, the chimney- sweeper— he kept him small on purpose, and let him Out by the job. But the father gjets laaged, and the Juvenile Pelinquent S'iety takes awa}' the boy from a trade where he was arning money, teaches him to read and write, and ruins him ! And so they go on. Ah, them charity s'ieties does a deal o' harm! and if they got money enough (which 'tis a providence they ha' not) we wouldn't have a ^spectable boy-thief in all London.

Fag, No more we should. But, I say Bill, don't you talk too fast.

^ ' [Pointing to Nak or,

Sik. Pooh ! she won't blab — will you, Nance 1

Nan. I should think not. You aixj going to recommend young Oliver — I know you are !

Fag. Why my tere, I—I— **

Nan. There, don't stammer, tell Sikes at once. Remember, Fagin, you and I can't call each other strangers. We — we know each other !

Fag. It was about Oliver I was going to speak, sure enough. He's the boy for you, Sikes. «^

Sik. He's just the size —

Fag, And will do everything you want — that is, if you'll frighten him I

Sik. Frighten him ! Mark my words, if there's anything queer about him when once we get into thework, you won't see hhn alivo again — so think of it.

Fag. I've thought of it all. I've had my eyes upon him close. Once let him feel that he is one of us — once let him think that he has been a thief — and he is ours !

>S'iA:. Whaf?

Fag. Or the poor little boy must be put out of the way, Mr. Sikes.

Nan. You're a great rogue, Fagin 1 But I've told you that so of- ten, you cannot have forgotton it.

Fag. But when is it to be done?

Sik. I planned with Toby to-morrow night, if he heard nothing from me to the contrary. The day is breaking. I've hired a cart and horse near by on spec, and shall be off the stones in an hour or -two But the boy — where is he 1 I must have him now or never !

Fag:* There— sound asleep ! So sound that you might put bim into the cart without his waking.

Sik: Oho ! oho ! Softly I [JSxit Sikes io fetch Oliver l.

Fag. Ha! ha! G6bd.\ good! Excellent !— he sleeps so soundly.

Nan. [Calmly. '\ Do you ever do so, Fagin *?

Fag. No I Sometimes I dream, my tere— sometimes I dream.

Nan. Of whaf?

Fag. One night of one thing, and another night of another.

Nan. One night of your gold, and another of the devil, to whom you sold your soul to gain it.

28 OLIVER TWIST.

Enter Sikes hearing the sleeping Oliver.

Stop, Bill, before he goes let me see him.

[Bikes stops for a moment. — She gazes in the face of Oliver then bu7-sts into tears.

Fag. Eh, why do you cry, my terel

JVan, I had a brother about his age that look'd like him in his coflSn.

Sik. Come — come.

[JExit Sikes, d. f. — Fagin detaining her for a moment.

Nan. What do you slop me fori

Fag. You won't betray me 1

[Fagin holds the candle close to her face.

Nan. No. [Boldly.'] "What do you stare in my face fori ^

Fag. I'm a judge of faces.

Nan. Then I tell you again, I won't.

Fag. I see by your face you won't — good night.

Nan. Good night. [Exit Na^ct.

Fag. Umph ! she's smooth and fair again. The worst of these women is, that a very little thing serves to call up some long-forgot- ten feeling, and the best of them is, that it lasts only for a moment. Aha ! aha ! this is a strange world 1 how long will it be before I leave it! I — I'll try to pray to-night. [Exit Fagin, r.

SCENE VII. — A solitary hoiife, by moonlight, ruinous and decayed. — Window on each side of dilapitated entrance, viz.: a low portico. — The door of the portico practicable.

Enter J from the doorway ^ Toby Crackit smoking a long clay pipe

Toby. Barney! [Calling.

Bar. [ Without.] I'm coming, Master Tob}'.

Toby. Well.' [After taking along whiff at pipe.] 'Tis a surprising thing to me, any how, that people can be honest. For a fortnight have I been down in this here place and havn't come the caper in a shipshape fashun yet. [Shrill whistle without] Who goes there'?

Sik. [ Without.] What's o'clock^ that's the question.

Toby. Time for to get up early! that's the ^^answer — all right — 'tis Sikes and the boy. Barney, get all ripe and ready.

Enter Sikes, follouring Oliver, r.

Sik. Get on — or do you want me to tread upon your heels every minute.

Toby. Your hand, Bill, I'm glad to do the civil to you.

Sik. How do you get on'?

Toby. All correct, like a house a-fire at both ends and in tho middle.

[-

OLIVER TWIST. 29

Sik, The crack is safe, then.

Toby. Safe as sawdust, and I'm glad to see you. I was almost ftfraid you'd given it up, in which case I should have made a personal wentur.

Sik. Here, Barney, the max.

Enter Barney /rom the house with waiter, jug of hot water and spiriist

yawning.

Toby. Infixing , and helping Sikes.] Ah! this will giv(& me a heart now. [D7'inks»

OH. Lor! hadn't you a heai-t before, sir?

Toby. No — not much of a one. Bill, give the boy a drain of gin,

Sik. [ Gives the boy a drop of gin.'\ Down with it, innocence.

OH. Indeed! I—

Toby. Tell him to drink it, Bill.

Sik. He had better. [Pointing to the handle of his pistol in pocket. — Olfver drinks it

Toby. There's a gentleman. Now, oh, stop, where's the timber? [Barney offer's two bludgeons, then exits into house.] Take your choice. Bill — I think this is rather the thickest.

Sik. This is the sapling. [Taking one of the bludgeons. 1 Which way shall we go.

Toby^ Slap through the town of Chertsey — there'll be nobody in the way to-night to see us. [To Oliver.] I s'pose if it came to the worst, you wouldn't split — for if I thought that, Fd —

OH. No, no ! I'll never split, if you don't knock me to pieces.

Sik. Be as bold as brass, boy.

Toby. And the moment the devil tempts you to trust to your heels [taking hold of Oliver's hand] think of this cudgel on one side of you. [Stretching cudgel out.

Sik. And this on the other. [Imitating the action of Toby.

Toby, Come, Bill, come ; he'll be a rare fellow yet, depend on't, and so to business — to business.

[Exeunt Sikes and Toby Crackit conducting off Oliver, l.

SCENE VIII. — A building for the purpose of brewing at the back of a house of genteel appearance, l. h. — In flat a wall practicable forming the boundary of a garden. — A small open window suffi- ciently large to allow the passage of a boy through it, apparent with- out the hrewhouse. — The morning perfectly dark. — Sikes with his lantern appears above the wall, r. 2 e.

Sik. 'Tis all correct. [Jumps down.] Hand the boy over.

[Toby Crackit here shows himself above, and holding Oliver vnder Jhe arms, lets him fall into those of Sikes, who catches him.

^

SCI OLITER TWIST.

Now, Toby, jump, it isn't no distance. [ToBt jiimps down,

Oli. I see it now ; robbery, housebreaking, and perhaps murder I Oh ! pray have mercy on me, and do not make me steal.

[To TOBT.

To5y. Th0 boy '11 split. I'll — [Cocking his pistol

Sik. Hush! if you do you.may count yourself as dead.

[To Oliver.

Oli. What would you have donel

Sik. Be quiet till I've took down the shutter. [Wiih a C7'ow-har, and with very little risistance to it, he refnot'es the$Huiter.] Now lis- ten, you younoj limb. [Throwing light of lantern full on the face of Oliver.] I'm going to put 3^ou in there. [Pointing to hall.] Take this light and go softly up the step.? afore yc»u, till you come to the street door, and then linfasten it and iet uS in.

Toby. There's a bolt at the top, you won^t be able to reach, stand "upon one of the hall chairs, there are three on 'em with —

Sik. But are you sure the room-door's open 1

[To TohY who has tlimhed iip with hath hetnds.

Toly. Wein The game of that is that they always leave it open with a catch, so that the dog, who has got a bed in here, may walk up and down the passage when he feels wakeful. But he's not there now, Barney 'ticed him away so neat.

Sik. Kip — [Toby plants himself firmly with his head agfainst the wall, beneath the window, and his hands itpon hih'' knees, to mcJce a step of his back ; SiKES mounts tipon him, puts Oliver gently throvgh the window, with his feet first, and without hating hold of his collar plants him safely on the floor inside. \ Take this lantern, you see the st^ps afore you ; take notice, you are within shot of this. [Pointing pistol through embrasure.'] And if you falter, Til shoot you dead. Lor ! 'tis done in a minute.

Toby. D'ye see the boy 1 [Listening at the street door,

Sik. All's right, he goes straight to the door.

[Toby listens at street door,

Toby. What's that *? I hear something.

Sik. Come back, come back. {Music. — A pistol-shot is heard within ^ Oliver utters a cry.] It's all up ; there's another to scare ye.

[Oliver staggers and falls.

Enter from house Mr. Brownlow. Mrs. Bedwin with servants and

lights,

Mr, B. I hope I have not killed him ! Mrs.B. Why, 'tis Oliver]

Mr. B. Raise him, I say; Mrs. Bedwin, damn it, do something. [Toby and Sikes make their escape over wallj and curtain falls on

tableau.]

END OP ACT II.

OLIVER TWIST. 31

ACT III.

SCENE I.— The Workhouse Parlor,

BuMBLB discovered seated at table, in plain clothing ^ and gazing ruefuUg on his beadle's coat.

Bum. I have touched the sumraum boniim of all porochiafl great- ness—I am master of the workhouse — I have marri-ed a woman whom I like — no — damn it — whom I don't like — and— oh, blessed reHcs of departed grandeur ! 'Tis true I wear a pair of breeches on my nether limbs, but not the breeches— I wear too, a wide skirted coat, but not the coat. There are some promotions in life which ac- quire peculiar value from the coats and waistcoats connected with them A field-marshal has his uniform, a bishop, his silk apron, a beadle, his cocked hat — strip the bishop of his apron, or the beadle of his cocked hat, and what are they 1 — men, mere men ! for dignity is often a question more of coat and waistcoat than many people im- aghie. I must put away these in case they should make me weep, for I am no longer what f was, -and the blessed days of singlehood andbeadleistti are faded away forever. [Singing as he puts away the clothes.] "The light of other days are faded." I have been married about eight weeks, and it seems to me a hundred years, or to speak more properly, a centurion, and I sold myself for six teaspoons, a pair of susar-iongs, and a milk-pot; w'th a small quantity of second hand furniture — I went very reasonable — dirt cheap!

""• ;. .; -^n^er Mrs. Bumble, o. P.

Jijtrs. B. Cheap ! chea^ ! — You would have been dear at any price.

Bum. Mrs. Bumble ! ,

Mrs. B. Well 1

Bum. Have the goodness to look at me ! If she stands such an eye as this — an eye tl]at I never ^new to fail with porochial paupers, she will stand anything and my power is gone forever I Woman !

[Eyeing her sternly.

Mrs. B. Well, booby 1

Bum. I am seized with an artepluck agitation, or to speak more properl3% a fit of apoplexy.

Mrs. B. Come, g«t up, get up — and don't sit snoring there, all dav, Mr. Bumble !

Bum. I am going to sit here as long as I think proper— I shall snore, gape, sneeze, laugh, or cry, as the humor suits me — such being my prerogative, as a lord of the creation !

82 OLIVER TWIST.

Mrs. R, You a lord of the creation ! I'll have no such whimscy- "whamios, and you shan't create with me, depend upon it. Bum. But I will, and a precious riot, Mrs. Bumble.

[Raising his cane, Mrs. B. What ! strike a woman ! Oh ! you monster !

\ Music. — She attacks him, pulls off his wig, and heats him.

Enter Monks, l. h., hastily^ in a walking cloak,

3Ion. How is this 1 Is it possible that I behold a wife chastising her husband 1

Bum. Chastising ! Oh, how shall I eradicate myself from this ig- nominious situation. Uraph ! I dare say it appeared to you that my wife was beating me well.

Man. Yes ; very well !

'Bum. Yes ; I feel as if you thought so;

Mon. I have little doubt you do.

Bum. Ha ! ha ! ha ! Circumstances sometimes are are as decep- tious as an occulous delusion. Umph ! As Mrs. Bumble is getting what in Latin we call ting-bong-poing or to speak more properlv, fat—

Mrs. B. Fat ! you villian !

Bum. Not too fat, my love ; only a little crummy — and the poro- clrial duties requiring her to lead a sequestrated and sedentary life — for her health's sake, I was indulging her with a little exercise this morning.

3Ion. Oh ! is that all 1

Bum. Oh, yes; that's all, and quite a plenty. Wheugh ! what a tongue ! I'm afraid Mrs. B. has broken the pulmonary bone of my right arm into decimal fractions.

Mon. Last night we drank together.

Bum. We did ! Six glasses of gin-and- water warm, with sugar. [Aside.] This is the man I told you of, who wanted to pump me about the secret — Mis. Bumble, Mr. Monks. Mrs. Monks — no, I mean — Mrs. Bumble, Mr. Monks, Mrs. Bumble !

Mon. Oh ! this is your good lady 1

Bum. Yes I and a good strong lady she is. I am afraid she has broken the corrupted artery of my spinal backbone in a variety of places.

Mon. [To Bumble.] You know I can explain my business.

Bum, This gentleman wants to distort a secret from us lovee.

Mrs. B. Perhaps the gentleman thinks that woman cannot keep a secret 1 ,

Mon. I know they will always keep one, till it is found out.

Bum. One ! and what is that 1

Mon. The loss of their own good name. Do you understand me 7

Mrs. B. Understand you 1 — no, not I !

Mon. Of course you don't — how should you ? Carry your memory

OLIVER TWIST. 33

back to that spot in the workhouse, where misery gives birth to pul- ing children, for the parish to rear upon its stinted charity.

Bum, You mean the lying-in-room.

Mon. A boy was born there '^

Bum. Ah ! a great many boys was born there, in a most illegiti- mous and unporochial manner.

Mon. I come to inquire of one — Oliver Twist !

Bum, Of Oliver Twisf? One of the most obstinatest and most de- ceitfulest —

Mon. His mother died in the workhouse at his birth ; and there was a hag, I think, who nursed herl

Bum. A hag^ to be sure there was ; you nursed her, didn't you, lovee'?

Mrs. B. I, Mr. Bumble ! no, not I ; it was Old Sally!

Mon. And Where's old Sallyl

Bum. Old Sally, I suspect, is dead.

Mon. Suspect! and for what reasonl

Bum. Oh, for no particular reason •, only that I saw her buried,

Mrs. B. Isawhecdie.

Mon. She told you something about the boys mother!

Mrs. B. She did.

Mon. This bag contains the sum of twenty pounds ; if you'll tell me the particulars of that old woman's death, I'll give it you.

Mrs. B. Will you, indeed'? Well then, you must know that Old Sally spoke of a' young creature who had brcusiht a child into the world before, not merely in the same room, but in the same bed in which she then lay dying. This girl, old Salh confessed to have robbed of a small parcel I took from her clutched hand when dead, and which I myself, in general, carry about with me. Yes, here it is;

[Monks snatches it.

Mon. It contains whatl

Mrs. B. A small locket, with the name of Agnes engi-aved inside, and a wedding ring.

Mon. It is — it is the thing r want. [Going.

Bum. Yes, but whereas the twenty pounds we want*

Mon. [Throwing it down.'] There it is! [Exit l. h.

Mrs. B. What are you going to do With that money, [Bvslble picks it up,] Mr. Bumblel

Bum. I am going to put it in my porochial pocket !

Mrs. B. [Snatches it.] Give it me ! for I'm not only mastef and mistress, but also cashier to the workhouse. [Exit r. h.

Bum. Cash here ) I think it i^ cash there ! She will call herself next the Lord Chanticleer of Exchequer, for preciously she crows over me. " The light of other days is faded."

[JSxit L. H., singing mouYnfully.

S4 OLIVER TWIST.

SCENE II. — A street hy moonlight.

Enter Monks l. h

Mon. I have thro\ni the tokens of the locket and the ring into a mill-stream near at hand ; and if the sea ever gives up its dead, as books say it will, it will keep its gold and silver to itself, and that trash among it. But here are papens I fear almost to carry about my person, in case they should be found.

Enter Fagin, l. h., and listens.

And, rambler as I am, I have no house or place to hide them in I Fag. [Coming forward."] Give them to me, my tere.

[Nancy, who has heen following Fagin, enters l. h., and^'^on seeing who is with him, conceals himself,

Mon. Give them to you j and why, Faginl

Fag. For security.

Mon. For securityl

Fag. Yes, my tere ; for their own security and mine. They will be much safer at my house. I will secrete them in a hole of a dark chimney where we never keep afire!

3Ion. True ! that will be for their security. But what do you mean when you speak of yours?

Fag. When the job is completed, and I have done what you would have me do with Oliver, you promised me £500. Put the papers, then, into my hand, that I may be sure, my tere, that you will keep your promise.

Mon. Be it so ! [Giving them.] I have been lingering in this cold street these two hours. Where the devil, Fagin, have you beeni

Fag. About your business, my tere — about your business !

Mon. You promised me by this time to have made him a pick- pocket, got him convicted and sent out of the country.

Fag. But, my tere, he was so obstinate, and wouldn't take kindly to the profession, or he'd been a thief, long, long ago !

Mon, Pshaw ! you have made thieves of other boys in half the time»

Fag. True, my tere, but they were half thieves already. Now, the honesty and obstinacy of this boy is disgraceful. But about the other proofs we talked of last night — the locket and the ring?

Mon. Those proofs of the boy's identity lie at the bottom of the river, and the old hag that received them from his mother, Agnes, is rotting in her coffin. Oh, Fagin ! if I could gratify my hatred by taking that boy's life without the loss of my own, I could give you reasons strong for doing it; but I'll be upon the watch to meet him at

OLIVER TWIST. 35

every turn of life, tn short, not even you yourself ever laid such snares as I'll contrive for my young brother Oliver !

Nan, His brother ! [Ihcit l. h.

Mon. We have been watched — I caught the shadow of a woman's form on yonder wall. Quick ! By this way I will go ! [Exit R. h^

Fag, And I by the other ! [Exit l. h.

SCENE III. — The garret of Sikes — Sikes discovered lying on bed wrapped tn a white great- coat, a soiled nightcap, and a black beard of a week's growth — Seated by him is Ji^ Am cy^ patching an old waist- coat.

Nan. [Kissing his lips] He is better and stronger now, thank hea- ven ! I have seen the good kind lady, Miss Maylie, and have warned her of the danger threatening Oliver, but without implicating him — [pointing to Sikes] — or others. Let me think ! How was my pro- mise worded 1 — that should they wish to find me, come what might, ' I would, every Sunday night, be on London- bridge from the hour of ,^leven till midnight !

Sik. [Starting from his steep.] Who's there 7 Bar ! bar the door ! Oh ! it*s only you — what's o'clock, Nancyl

iVan. Near upon ten. Hov\f do you feel to-night?

Sik. As weak as water ! Here, lend us a hand, and let us get off this thundering bed any how — do you hear 7

Nan. Don't be cross, now — it's not in your nature !

Sik. Arn't it, though'?

Nan. You wouldn't — no, Fm sure you wouldn't be hard upon me to-night.

Sik. No ! — and why not 1

Nan. [Placing her hand on his shoulder and looking in his face.] Such a number of nights as I've been patient with you, nursing and caring for you as if you had been a child — and this, the first that I have seen you like yourself — Come, come, you wouldn't have served me as you did just now if you'd have thought of thai, would you 1 Say you wouldn't?

Sik. Well, then, I wouldn't. [She bursts into tears.] Well ! — why, what are you whining about now, Nancy 1

Nan. Don't — don't seem to mind me ! It will soon be over !

Sik. What'll soon be over? Get up and bustle about, and don't bo coming over me with your woman's nonsense. [Knocking.] Who's there 1 [Three low taps.] Three low taps ! Then 'tis one of us. Come in, whoever you be.!

JEnter FAGiVf followed by the Dodger and BxTES-^the Dodger with basket of provisions ^ j>. in f.

Fag. Oh, Bill, my tere ! — how do you do 1 Sik. Not much the better for seeing you 1

36 OLIVER TWIST.

Fag. Aha! but you'll b« the better for what we've brought. Spread the drapery, Nance !

[Handingf iahle-doih, Nancy spreads it — he takes out ftcmfi basket knives; forks y ^c,

Sik. XJmph ! Ha" you got any thing there' to eat t

I)od. Look here, Bill ! Sitch a rabbit-pie ! Sitch delicate cre- turs, with sitch tender limbs that the very bones melt in your mouth, and there's no occasion to pick 'em ; half a pound o' seven-and-six- penny gunpowder-tea, so precious strong, that if you mix it with boiling water it'll go nigh to blow the lid o' the teapot off ; a pound an' a half o' mist sugar, that the niggers didn't work at at all aforo they got it to sitch a pitch o' goodness — oh, no 1 Two half-quartern brans — pound o' best fresh — piece of double Gloucester — and, to wind up all, some of the richest port you ever lushed ! [Filling a glass and handing it to Sikes, who swallows the contents.] That's the stuff for trowsers, ar'nt it, Bill ? — so strong that it would make a man drunk only to pass by the cask it was kept in !

Sik. Give us another !— I arn't hardly got at th^ right taste I

Dod. Enquivore ! as I used to say in the gallery when I used to go and see Jim Crow, just to encourage the legitimate drammy !

Fag. Aha! you'll do. Bill, now — you'll do!

Sik. Do 1 — I might have been done for twenty times over afore you'd ha' done anything to help me 1 What do you mean by leaving a man in this state three weeks or more, you false-hearted wagabond'?

Fag. Only hear him, boys — only hear him ! And us to come and brins: him such beautiful things !

Sik. And w.hat made you keep away for, you withered old fence ?

Fag. I couldn't help it, BU1-~I 'couldn't, on my honor !

Sik. Upon your what 1 — Here, somebody cut us off a bit o' pi^, to take the taste o' that out o' my mouth, or it will choke me!

Fag. Don't be out of temper— I have never forgot you, Bill.

Sik. No! I'll pound it you havn't. You've been scheming and plotting away every hour that I've laid shivering and burning here. If it hadn't been for the girl I might have died. Well, well, I must have some blunt from you to-night.

Fag. I hav'n't a coin about me.

Sik. Then you've got lots at home.

Fag. Lots ! — I hav'n't got so much as —

Sik. I don't want to know how much you've got, and I dare say you couldn't tell yourself^ as it would take a pretty long time to count it. But I must have some to-night, and that's flat, Fagiri !

Fag. I'll send the Aitful! Here, Artful ! there's the key of the drawer — you know where 1 In a corner of it you'll find seven shil- lings.

N"an. What's o'clock ?

Fag. Near upon twelve !

Nan, Near twelve ! My promise, my promise I I'll go for the money.

w

4>'

OLIVER TWIST. 87

Sik. Stay wher& you are ! And, d'yo hear, Dodger — Artful 7 don't be too artful for me !

Dod. What do you mean 1 I'm sure Fd never deceive a friend — linle^s he'd let me !

Sik. Then don't lose your way coming back with the ready, or be dodged by the traps, or —

Dod. Or have a hole in my pocket, or spend it by mistake, a' think- ino it was my own, or lend it to a friend, or have my feelings touched and jjivc it to a beggar — or — oh ! strike me backwards ! take my arm. Charley, and-Jet us- get away from this here gentleman, for of all the horridesi weaknesses of human natur, there's nothing what can ever give up to a suspositious disposition !

Sik. Oh ! you're a nice young gentleman !

Dod. Yes, we just am, and there's a pair on us ! And, for the fu- ture, Mr. Sikes, I beg you won't touch your hat to lis in the street, cos as how we cuts your company !

\Uxeunt Boy, swaggering, Nancy following.

Sik. What, Nance ! Nancy, I say I Where's the gal going, eh 1

Nan. I don't know whei'e.

Sik, Then I can tell you — nowhei'e ! So s!t down.

Nan. [Aside.] 'Tis near the time. I want a breath of air.

Sik. Then put your head out o' the winder,

iVan. That's not enough — I want it in the street !

Sik. Then you won't have it! [Snatching her bonnet.] There, now, stop quietly where you are I

Nan. It isn't such a matter as a bonnet would keep me. Do you know what you are doing 1

Sik. Know what I'm doing 1 the girl's lost her senses. Know what I'm doinjT 1 Yes. holding you down in this ere chair.

Nan. You'll drive me on to something desperate ! Tell him to let me <jo, Fagin — this minute ! this instant !

Fag. I, my tore 1 — I never interfere. [Aside.] If they quafrel the better for me !

Nan. [Aside.] My promise made to be on London Bridge. Oh ! let me go ! if only for an hour, one hour !

Fag. Good-night ! 'Tis about striking twelve. Good-night! good nisht 1 [Aside.] If they quarrel and separate, they are mine together.

Nan. Fagin ! dear Fagin ! take me with you !

Fa§f4 I cannot, my tere — I cannot. [Exit^ d. f.

Nan. [Kneeling] Oh, let me go; if vou ever loved me —

Sik. Cut my limbs off one by one, iithe girl isn't raving mad.

Nan. Let me go ! let me go ! [Clock strikes twelve.

Sik. Twelve o'clock ; there, don't you hear ! [She screams.] What are you screaming fori There, go if you will.

Nan. I don't want to go now. [Aside.] I' have broken my promise, and the time is over. [Music. — Falls insensible on the bed.

ElfD OP ACT III.

88 OLIVER TWIST.

ACT IV.

SCENE 1.— 'London Bridge,— Music, Enter Nancy, r. h., conduetihg Rose and Brownlow.

Rose, You were hot here, last Sunday night ? Nan. I couldn't come — he kept me at home by force. Bra. Who kept you at home T Nan. Bill ! the man I told the lady of. Rose. Heard you no more of the other one, called Monks 1 Nan. Yes, I heard Monks say that Oliver wa^ the child he had lono been w^itchincj for, though I couldn't tell why ; but a bargain was struck with Faorin to make Oliver a thief— ^^which this Monks was anxious for, to further some purpose of his own.

Bro. And for what<)urpose, girl 1

Nan. He.causht sight of my shadow on the wall as I listened in the hope of finding it out; but I couldn't — no, I couldn't. But I heard him say to Fagin, this — that Jew as you are, you never laid such snares as I'll contrive for my young brother, Oliver !

Rose. His brother ! Gracious helTens !

Nan. Aye; thank heaven uj)on your knees, that you had friends to care for, and keep you. in your childhood; and that y«m were never in the midst of cold, and hunger, and riot, and drunken- ness, and something worse, as I have been from my cra-dle ! — ah ! I may u^e the word ! for the alley and the ^titter were my cradle, as they will be my death-bed.

Bro. You were not suspected of holding communication with any- body on the subject whicli has hro'tffeht Us here to-night.

Nan. No t it is not easy for me to leave without his knowledge ; nor could I when I did, but that I gave him a drink of laudanum be- fore I came away.

Bro. Now listen to me !

Nan. I am ready.

Bro. I think We? can extort the' secret from the fears of this man, Monks. ' '

Nan. There are certain papers hid whero I think I can come at them, that may serve you mucU; and if I live so long, they shall be yours to-morrow.

Bro. Thank you, my good girl. But if he cannot be secured you must deliver up the Jew !

Nan. ril not do it Devil that he is, and worse than devil that he has been to me, that I wilT never do !

Bro. Where do you think it likely we may meet with this Monks 1

Nan. I have scrawled his liaunts dcnvn on this fragment of paper. He is tall and a strongly-made man, but not stout ; has a lurking walk, and as he walks, looks constantly over his shcnilder, first on one side

■%

.f .^

OIitVER TWlSt. 39

and then on the other : but I have only seen him twice, and both times he was covered up in a large cloak.

Bro, Upon his throat — so high that you can see a part below his neckerchief— has he a broad mark like a burn orscaldl

Nan, How's this'? Do you know him?

Bro. I think I do ; we shall see; many are singularly like each other, and it may not be the same. [Aside.] It must be he. Wliat cdh i do to serve youl

Xan. Nothing ! for I am past all hope !

Bro. Yon put yourself beyond its pale ; I do not say that it is in our power to ofifer you peace of heart and mind — for that must come as you seek it — but a quiet asylum at a distance, far from London ; before the dawn of mornino: you shall be placed beyond the reach of your former associates, and leave as utter an absence of all trace be- hind you as if yoii were to disappear from the earth this moment. Come, I wouldn't have you go back to exchange one word with any old companion, or breathe the air of any haunt which is pestilence and death to you. Quit them all, while yet there is time and oppor- tunit}^ !

itan. No, sir, no ; I am chained to my old life — I loathe and halo it now, but I cannot leave it ! I have gone too far to turn back. But a fear conies over me again, and I must go home.

Rose. Homef

Natl. Home, lady ! To such a home aS'l have raised for myself. Let us part; I shall be watched or seen. Go, go ; and if I have done you any service, all I aski^, that you lea v^ me and let me go my way alone.

Bro. We compromise her safety, perhaps, by staying her.

Nan. Yes, yes ! you do — you have. ^ ' '

Rose. What— what can be the end of this poor creature's life?

iVaw. Whatl Look before you lady — look at that dark water! how many time's do you read of such as I, who spring into the tide, and leave no living thing to care for or bewail them ! It may be years hence, or it may be only months ; but I shall come to that at last!

Rose. Do not speak thus, I pray.

Nan. It will never reach your ear, lady ; and God forbid such hor- rors should ! I must go back to hina — good Right ! goodnight!

Rose, Wilt you accept this purse?

Nan. No ! no ! And yet I should like something you have worn. No, not a rins; — no fcaubles ! no! your glove! your handkerchief! [ Takes handkerchief.] This, this will for a last remembrance do. God bless you both ! good night ! good )iight !

^ro. Good htjjht. ' [They separate and exit ha sUly.

Noah. [Coming forward.] Good night, indeed I Now, all this shall to the Jew ! [Exit r. h.

40 OLIVER TWIST.

SCENE II.— 7%^ garret of Sikes. Enter Nancy, d. f. — Music,

Nan. I think I have escaped unnoticed ! Sikes has not yet come home ; that's fortunate. I don't know how it is, but I have such a fear and dread upon me to-night that I can hardly stand; and I can think of nothing else but horrible thoughts of death and shrouds with blood upon them. I was reading a book before I went out to while away the time, and I'll swear that I saw coffin written in every page, in large black letters ! Ay ! and they carried one close to me in the street to-night; but I do not think it was real. I will try and sleep till he comes back, and his knock at the door will wake me up. [Lying on hed.\ I dreampt last night that Fagin would bring me to an untimely end. How tired I am ! I do not hate that man, but I feai him — oh ! how I fear him ! [Sleeps.

Enter Sikes, n. f.

^i^. The Jew has told me all — she has put laudanum in my drink — she has betrayed me. [Rouses her.] Get up !

N'ln. It is you ' I am so glad !

Sik. It is — get up ! [Extinguishes light.

Nan. You've put out the light ; but no matter, the day is begin- ning to dawn, and I'll open the window.

Sik. Let it be ! There's light enough for what I've got to do.

[Seizing her arm and dragging her to center.

Nan. Oh ! tell me what I've done — I — I won't scream or ci;y ; but speak to me and tell me what I've done.

Sik. You know ! You were watched to-night, and every word was^ heard !

Nan. Then spare my life, for the love of heaven, as I spared yours! [CHuging to him.'] You cannot have the heart to kill me! I will not lose my hold ! you cannot throw me off! Oh, stop before you spill my blood ! I have been true to you — upon my guilty soul !

Sik/ OS \ off!

Nan. The good lady and gentleman told me of a home where I could end my days in solitude and peace. Let me see them again, aud beg them on my knees to show the same mercy and goodness unto you, and let us never see each other more— let us lead better lives, and forget how we have lived, except in prayer ! It is never too late to repent — never !

Sik. You will not loose your hold. ^,

Nan. No — I will hold you till you kiss me and forgive.

Sik. Perdition !

[Music. — He drags her off^ d. f. — A scream is heard, then a faZ/.— Sikes re-enters^ pale and tremhling.

There is blood upon these hands and she is dead ! [Rushes out

%^^

OLIVER TWIST. 41

SCENE III. — Music. — Sikes enters l. h. — Expresses horror at the '" deed he has committed, and dread of discovery, — looks cautiously behind him and steals off, k. h.

SCENE IV. — A prison. Grated Door, c. Fagin discovered seated on Pallet ^ L. H.

Fag. One night more to live. A poor old man condemned to die. I didn't kill her, it was Bill. Ah, ha ! They 01 hang him, too. They'll squeeze his thick bull-dog neck. My God ! twelve men to condemn a poor old man — a poor old man ; my Lord ! a poor old man. How cold and dark it is here. [Beating his hands.] I shall go mad. Good boy Charley; well doae, Oliver, too, ha! ha I Oliver is quite a gen- tleman, now.

Enter Jailor, Mft. Brownlow, and Oliver, c.

Jail. Here he is.

Mr. B. He seems quite crazed.

Jail. That's a pleasant state of mind for a man to die in, isn't it, sir ?

Mr. B. Terrible, indeed ; when is he to be executed 7

Jail, In less than an hour ; he's been raving like that all night, and he seems to get worse as the time comes on — they haven't caught Sikes yet — have they 1

Mr. B. NO; but they are in pui:suit of him, and are sure of him before night. Speak to him.

Jail. Fagin.

Fag. Yes, my lord. »

Jail. Now, sir, tell him what you want, now he's quiet.

Mr. B. You have some papers, which were placed in your hands for better security, by a man named Monks.

Fag. It's a lie, it's a lie ! not one, not one.

Mr. B. i)o not say that upon the very verge of the grave.

Fag. The grave.

Mr. B. Monks has confessed all, and they are in pursuit of Sikes.

Fag. What! haven't they got Bill; will they let him go, and hang

Mr. B. You planned her death, and urged the villain on.

Fag. [In despair."] Oh, oh !

Mr. B. Sikes will soon be captured.

Fag. Do you think so, eh 1

Mr. D. But the papers. [Fagin beckons to Oliver, who crosses to him, Mr. B. tries to restrain

him.

on. I'm not afraid.

Fag. The papeis are in a little canvass bag, up the chimney in the top front room. I want lo talk to you, Oliver.

42 OLIVER TWIST.

OIL Yes, yes — let me say a prayer — say only one on your knees, with me.

Fag. Yes, outside. Let's pray outside. Hush — tell 'em I'm asleep, they believe you ; you can take me out so—

on. God forgive this wretched man.

Fag. That's right, quick — through the door ; if I shake or tremble don't mind me, but hurry on.

Jail. Have you nothins: else to ask him. -'

Mr. B, No. I would like to have recalled him to a sense of his real position. [Going vp.

Fag. Now, fastei- — faster, there is no one looking, 1 aster— faster. ''rushing up c, when the Jailor disengages Oliver from him, and all exeunt c. Fagin screams] Ha ! they've gone and left me alone to die. Here, Bill Sikes, Bates, Charley, where are you 1 break doiyn the walls and let me out ! oh, if I had you here chained down. -

[Bell tolls. Jailor and Turnkey with warrant enter o. Fagin, ap- palled ^ falls c, tal>leau.

SCENE v.— Toby Crackitt's Garret, Enter Toby with candle and Dodger, l. 1. e.

Toby. And when was Fagin put upon bis tilal T

Dod. Just at dinner-time.

!tohy. And so you made your lucky up the washuS chimney, and Bolter got into the empty water-butt head downwards.

Dod. Yes, but his legs was so precious long that they stuck oU\ at the top, and they took him, too.

Toby. I tell you what it is my fine feller, I wish that you had picked out some other crib, when the two old uns got too warm, and have not come here.

Dod. I thought you would have been glad to see me.

Toby. Why, look'ee young gentleman, when a man ke6*ps himself so very exclusive as I have done, and by that means has a snug house over his head with nobody prying and smellins about it, it's rather a startlins thing to have the honor of a visit from a young gentleman (however a respectable and pleasant person he may be to play cards with at conveniency) circumstanced as you are. Well, well, it can't be helped now ! And what's become of Charley Bates'?

Dod. He's lagged for life for a silver sneezer.

Toby. Poor unfortunate indiwidual. [Knocking withovt.] Who's there 1 [Looking over the hcdcany.] 'Tis he.

Dod. H«r Whol

Toby. Wliy, he ! Who could It be 1 And wretch as he is, I'll let him in, though I don't much like it. Yes' yes ! He must come in.

[TaJcing light

Dod, Don't leave us in the dark.

%%**

Vh.

OLIVER TTTIST. 43

Toby, What, are you afraid 1 Theire, then, keep the candle.

\^Mu3ic. — Toby goes to door^ and returns, followed by a man with the lower pat't of his face buried in his Handkerchief, and another tied over his head ui%der his hat. — -jETi? takes them off, and discovers his car»wqpi and cadav^rom cpifnterm^ce^-' — -He staggers to chair and sinks upon it,

Sik. To-night's paper says that Fagin's taken — is it true or a lie 1

Toby, Quite true ! [-4 pause.

Sik. Confound you ajl ! Hay^ you ii<)thiQg to say to me1 Do you mean to sell me, Crackit, or let ine stop here till the hunt is< over 1

Toby, You may stop Here if you think it safe — I ^Yon't prevent you.

Sik, Is it — the body ! is it buried 1 [Th&y shake their heads.] Why isn't it ! Whati io th^y keep such ijgly things as that above the gi-ound for 7 ' What is that knocking 7

Tob. What knocking 1 All is silent.

Sik. But the eyes ! the eyes I Wherever I go they follow and look ui)on me ! I can trace her shadow in the gloom — and how stiff and solemn it sterns to stalk along ! I could hear its garments rustling hi the leaves, ^nd every breath of wind came laden with its last low cry ! Well, what are you all staring at 1 Toby, your hand. [He turni away.] Ah, Dodger, give me yours !

Dod, No ! let me ijo into some other room.

Sik. What! Pon't you — don't you know me 1

Dod. I do ! — but don't come near me, murderer ! Witness, you twOj^I'm not afraid of him. If they come here, I will give him up. Murder ! Help ! Down with him !

[Music. — They struggle. — Sikes overcomes him and draws knifei-

Toby. Damme I don't kill the boy, or I'll kill —

[Toby snatches up stool to hurl at the head of Sikes, when a loud clamor is heard without.

Voice. [Without.] In the king's aame, open the door !

Bod. Run straight to the room where the light is, or they'll never open. [Seizing Sikes again.] Lot them in I say — break open the door !

Sik. Open the door of some place where I can lock this screeching hell babe.

Toby. There! there!

M?'. B. [ Without.] A purse of twenty guineas to the man who takes him alive I

Dod. Do you hear^ do you hear'?

Sik. Silence !

[Thrusts Dodger into inner room and locks him in, then looks sud- denly round him.

Is the down-staira door faaf?

Toby. Double locked and chained !

44 OLIVER TWIST.

Sik. And the panels — are they strong*? Toby. Lined with sheet-iron ! Stk. And the windows, tool fS^oby. Yes ; and the windows too ! fSik, Then damn you, do your worst — I'll cheat you yet !

• {Rushes off R. -B.., followed by others.

SCENE LAST. — The roofs of houses. — One very tall one l. C. — All the characters in piece discovered. — Sikes appears or% roof. — At his appearance yells and groans are heard to welcome him. — He sets his foot against a stack of chimneys, fastens one end of the rope firmly round it, and^ in the other makes a strong running noose by the aid of his hand% and teeth. — Sikes then shakes his fist at them in defiance j draws his knife and places it between his teeth,

Sik, I can let myself down to within a few feet of the ground, and then cut the rope — stop ! I will put it for a moment round my neck till I fasten it under my armpits. [He puts loop over his head'l Now Nancy 1 Ah, tho^e eyes again ! Hell ! I have fallen !

[In turning his head he staggers and is precipitated from roof the rope tightens and he is leftJianging, the mob below shouting He has hanged himjself! — Others overcome Toby. — Picture.

( UatiLogue conimued from second page oj cover, j

VOL. XLI.

321 The Pirate's Legacy

322 The Charcoal Burne - 32 i Adelgitha

32 i Senor Valiente

325 Forest Rose

326 Duke's Daughter

327 Camilla's Husband

The Guide to the Stagre, by Leman Thomas Rede. Con- taining Clear and Full Directions for obtaining Theatrical Engagements, with complete and valuable instructions for be- ginners, relative to salaries, rules, manner of going through Rehearsals, securing proper dresses, conduct at a first appear- ance, &c., &c. To which is added a list of the principal English and American Theatres. Edited and adapted to the American Stage, by Fbancis C. Wemyss. Price 15 Cents.

Hainlet, in three Acts. The Oath of Office.

Bound Volumes, containing Eight Plays.

Guttle Sc Gulpit.

-$l 00

Massev's Exhibition Reciter and Drawing* Room Entertainments, crs. ""^mg choice Recitations in prose and verse. Together with an unique collection of Petite Comedies, Dramas and Farces, adapted for the use of Schools and Families. By Charles Massey, Professor of Elocution at Burlington College, N. J., and Me- chanics' Society School, New York City. Two numbers per number, 30

The Two numbers, bound in cloth. School style 75

Dramas for the Drawing* Room, by Miss Keating 30

Plays for the Parlor, by Miss Keating 30

Acting" Charades, by Miss Pickering 30

Joe Miller's Own Jest Book 30

Life of a Showman, by David Prince Miller 30

Punch and Judy, Illustrated _ 30

Comic Dramas, for College, Camp, or Cabin, (Male Characters only,) 30

Dr?-ra.asfor Boys, (Male Characters only,) by Miss Keating 30

Hom3 Plays for Ladies, (Female Characteis only,) complete in 2 parts each 30 I

An Evening's Entertainment, an original Comedy, a Burlesque and Farce.. . 30 j

Shakspeare's Proverbs, by Mrs. Cowdin Clarke... 30

Playg-oer's Journal, 3 parts each 30

THE ETHIOPIAN DRAMA.

No. 1. Robert Make- Airs.

2. Box and Cox.

3. Mazeppa.

4. United States Mail.

5. The Coopers.

6. Old Dad's Cabin.

7. The Rival Lovers.

8. The Sham Doctor.

9. Jolly Millers.

10. Villikins and his Dinnah.

11. The auack Doctor.

12. The Mystic Spell.

13. The Black Statue. The above Dramas have been produced with the utmost care, not only to the coriectnesf

to the text, but to all the Stage Directions, Properties, and other minutiae, pertaining tc their being properly placed on the Stage. Although these Dramas are specially adapted (j for Ethiopian entertainments, they are well fitted for Private Theatricals. i)

0^" NOTICE.— OwJin^r to the continued increase in price of Press Wokk, Paper anc Binding, we shaU be obliged to charge Fifteen Cents at Retail, for the Standard and Minoi Drama.— January 1st, 1864.

Any of the above sent by Mail or Express on receipt of price.

SAMXJEIi FRENCH, Publisher,

12£ Nassau Street, (Up Stairs.

Agent for Lacy»8, Cumberland's, and Webster's English Plays.

No. 14.	Uncle Jeff.
15.	The Mischievous Nig-grer.
16.	The Black Shoemaker.
17.	The Magic Penny.
18.	The Wreck.
19.	Oh, Hush ! or, The Vir-
	ginny Cupids.
20.	The Portrait Painter.
21.	The Hop of FasJiion.
22.	Bone Squash.
23.	The Virginia Mummy.
24.	Thieves at the MiU.
25.	Comedy of Errors.

jrriut; lb Oeiioai

VOL, I.

1 The Irish Attorney

2 Boots at the Swan

3 How to pay the Rent

4 The Loan of a Lover

5 The Dead Shot

6 His Last Legs

7 The Invisible Prince

8 The Golden Farmer

YOU II.

9 Pride o! the Market

10 Used Up

11 The Irish Tutor

12 Thii Barrack Room

13 Luke the Laborer

14 Beautv and the Beast

15 St. Patrick' s Eve

16 Captain uf the Watch

VOL. III.

17 The Secret [pers

18 White Horse of the Pep- ; 19 The Jacobite

; 20 The Bottle 21 Box and Cox '22 Bamboozling 23 Widow's \ictim i'4 Robert Macaire VOL, IV.

25 Secret Service

26 Omnibus

27 Irish Lion

28 Maid of Croissy , 29 The aid Guard

■ 30 Raising the Wind

31 Slasher and Crasher

32 Naval Engagements

VOL. V.

33 GockuJes in California

34 Who Speaks First

• 35 Bombastes Furioso i 36 Macbeth Travestie ' 37 Irish Ambassador

88 Delicate Ground

39 The Weathercock [Gold

iO All that Glittera is Not VOL. VI.

41 Grimshaw, Bagshav/ and Bradshaw

i2 Ro;jgh Diam«ml

43 Bioomer Costume

44 T-wo Bonnycastles

■ 45 Born to Good Luck \\ 46 Kis^in the Dark [jurer l-47'TwQiuld Puzzle a Con

' <8 Kill or Cure

VOL. VII.

i9 Box and Cox Married and

50 St. Cupid [SetUed

I 61 Go-to-bed Tom ' 52 The Lawyers ; 53 Jack Sheppard

i4 The T oodles

35 The Mobcap

i6 Ladies Beware VOL. VIII.

57 Morning Call

38 Popping the Question

59 Deaf as a Post

50 New FootmMi

51 Pleasant Ne^hbor

32 Paddy the Piper

33 Brian O'Linn

54 Irish Assurance

VOL. IX.

55 Temptation

56 Paddy Carey >7 Two Gr-'gories >8 King Charming 59 Poca-hon-tas

0 Clookmaker's Hat

1 Married Rake

2 Love and Murder

VOL. X. j VOL. XIX.

73 Ireland and America ,145 Calumbus

74 Pretty Piece of Business

75 Irish Broom-maker

76 To Paris and Back for Five Pounds

77 That Blessed Baby

78 Our Gal

79 Swiss Cottage

80 Young Widow

VOL. XI.

81 O'Flannigan and the Fa-

82 Irish Post [ries

83 My Neighbor's Wife

84 Irish Tiger

85 P . P . , or Man and Tiger

86 To Oblige Benson

87 State Secrets

88 Irish Yankee

VOL. XII.

89 A Good Fellow

90 Cherry and Fair Star

91 Gale Breezely

92 Our Jemimy

93 Miller's Maid

94 Awkward A nival 9o Crossing the Line

96 Conjugal Lesson

VOL. XIII.

97 My Wife's Mirror

98 Life in New York

99 Middy Ashore

100 Crown Prince

101 Two Queens

102 Thumping Legacy

103 UnfiuUhed Gentleman

104 House Dog VOL. XIV.

105 The Demon Lover

106 Matrimony

107 In and Out of Place

108 I Dine with My Mother

109 Hi-a-wa-tha

110 Andy Blake

111 Love in '76 [ties

112 Romance under Difficul- VOL. XV.

113 One Coat for 2 Suits

114 A Decided Case

115 Daughter [nority

116 No ; or, the Glorious Mi-

117 Coroner's Inquisition

118 Love in Humble Life

119 Family Jars

120 Personation VOL. XVL

121 Children in the Wood

122 Winning a Husband

123 Day after the Fair ^,,

124 Make Your WiUs *^

125 Rendezvous

126 My Wife's Husband

127 Monsieur Tonson

128 Illustrious Stranger VOL. XVII

129 Mischief- Making [Mines

130 A Live AVoman in the

131 The Corsair

132 Shylock

133 Spoiled Child 1.^54 Evil Eye

135 Nothing to Nurse

136 Wanted a Widow

VOL. XVIII.

137 Lottery Ticket

138 Fortune's Frolic

139 Is he Jealous?

140 Married Bachelor

141 Husband at; Sight

142 Irishman iu London

143 Animal SlagnetisTi

144 Highways and By- "Ways

VOL. XX ;217 Crinoline

146 Harlequin Bluebeard |218 A Family Fa

147 Ladies at Home 219 Adopted Chi;

148 Phenomenon in a Smock 220 Turned Head Frock J22l A Match in tl

149 Comedy and Tragedy 222 Advice to Ho

150 Opposite Neighbors '223 Siamese Twi

151 Dutchman's Ghost

152 Persecuted Dutchman

VOL. XX. 153 Musard Ball lo4 Great Tragic Revival

155 High Low Jack & Game

156 A Gentleman from Ire-

157 Tom and Jerry [land

158 Village Lawyer

159 Captain's not A-miss

160 Amateurs and Actors VOL. XXI. ^

161 Promotion [ual

162 A Fascinating Individ-

163 Mrs. Caudle

164 Shakspeare's Dream

165 Neptune' s Defeat

166 Lady of Bedchamber

167 Take Care of Little

168 Irish Widow [ Charley VOL. XXII.

169 Yankee Peddlar

170 Hiram Hireout

171 Doubie-Bedded Room

172 The Drama Defended

173 Vermont Wool Dealer

174 Ebenezer A'enture (ter

175 Principles from Charac-

176 Lady of the Lake (Trav) VOL. XXIII.

1

Mad Dogs

178 Barney the Baron

179 Swiss Swains

180 Bachelor's Bedroom •

181 A Roland for an Oliver

182 More Blunder* than One

183 Dumb Belle

184 Limerick Boy VOL. XXIV.

185 Nature and Philosophy

186 Teddy the Tiler

187 Spectre Bridgroom 1S8 Matteo Falcone

189 Jenny Lind

190 Two Buzzards

191 Happy Man

192 Betsy Baker VOL. XXV.

193 No. 1 Round the Corner i94 Teddy Roe

195 Object of Interest

196 My Fellow Clerk

197 Bengal Tiger

198 Laughing Hyena

199 The Victor Vanquished

200 Our Wife VOL. XXVI.

201 My Husband's Mirror

202 Yankee Land.

203 Norah Creina

204 Good for Nothing

205 The First Night

206 The Eton Boy

207 Wandering Minstrel

208 Wanted, 1000 Milliners VOL. XXVII.

209 Poor Pilcoddy i„„, „.. ,■ ■n^

210 The Mummy [Glasses 281 Shocking Eve

211 Don't Forge'tyour Opera 282

212 Love in Livery

213 Anthony and Cleopatra

214 Trying It (.-n.

215 Stage Struck Yankee

216 Young Wife & Old Um- brella

224 Sent to the T VOL. X> |225 Somebody El 226 Ladies Battl 2'.<:7 Art of Acting

228 The Lady oft

229 The Rights ol

230 My Husband'

231 Two Can PI Game

232 Fighting byv' VOL. XX

233 Unprotected 1

234 Pet of the Pet

235 Forty and Fil

236 Who Stole tl

237 My Son Diana

238 Unwarrantab;

239 Mr. \nd Mrs,

240 A Quiet Fami

VOL. xx:

241 Cool as Cucui

242 Sudden Thoui

243 Jii- ibo Jum

244 A alighted Be

245 Little Toddlel

246 A Lover by Pi

247 Maid with th 48 Perplexing Pr

VOL. XXX

249 Dr. Dilworth

250 Out to Nurse

251 A Lucky Hit

252 The Dowager

253 Metamora (Bu

254 Dreams of be!

255 The Shaker L

256 Ticklish Time VOL. XXX

257 20 Minutes wi'

258 Miralda: or, 1 of Tacon

259 A Soldier's C<

260 Servants by L

261 Dying for Lov

262 Alarming Sac

263 Valet de Shan

264 Nicholas Nick AOL. XXX

265 The Last of th

266 King Rene's I

267 The Grotto N:

268 A Devilish Gc

269 A Twice Told

270 Pas de Fascin

271 Revolutionarj

272 AManAVithou VOL. XX>

273 The Olio, Par

274 The Olio, Par

275 The Olio, Par 276TheTrumpete

277 Seeing AVarre

278 Green Mounti

279 That Nose

280 Tom Noddy's VOL. XX5

Owing to price oj no redm he mad these pr

__. ' Any Play sent by Mail or Express, on receipt of 15 cents in money or stain •rders will receive prompt attention. *if* An Alphabetical List of 3000 Plays sent by Mail on receipt of a Postage Sta: SAMXJEIj FRENCH, Publisher, 122 Nassau Street, (m/> i

VCJr See List of Standard Drama and Miscellaneous AA'orks on second and third pages of cove

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