SCENE IV.Half dark.—A front wood.—The report of a gun is heard; shortly after,Ripenters, with his fowling piece.Rip.[Whip-poor-Will! egad, I think they'll whip poor Rip.]109—[Takes aim at bird; it flashes in the pan.]—Another miss! Oh, curse the misses and the missusses! hang me if I can get a single shot at the sky-flyers. [Wish]110I had one of de German guns which Knickerbocker talks so much about—one dat fires round111corners: la! how I'd bring dem down! bring dem down! were I to wing as many daily as would fill a dearborn, Dame wouldn't be satisfied—not that she's avaricious—but den she must have something or somebody to snarl at, and I'm the unlucky dog at whom she always lets fly. Now, she got at me mit de broomstick so soon as I got back again; if I go home again, she will break my back. Tunner wasser! how sleepy I am—I can't go home, she will break my back—so I will sleep in de mountain to-night, and to-morrow I turn over a new leaf and drink no more liquor.112Voice.[Outside:] Rip Van Winkle.A dead pause ensues.—Suddenly a noise like the rolling of cannonballs is heard—then a discordant shout of laughter.—Ripwakes and sits up astonished.[pg 058]Rip.What [the deuce]113is that? [my wife] at mine elbow? Oh, no, nothing of the kind: I must have been dreaming; so I'll contrive to nap, since I'm far enough from her din. [Reclines and sleeps.114Voice[Outside.] Rip Van Winkle. [The laugh being repeated,Ripagain awakes.115Rip.I can't be mistaken dis time. Plague on't, I've got among the spirits of the mountains, metinks, and haven't a drop of spirits left to keep them off.Swaggrino.116[Without.] Rip Van Winkle! Rip Van Winkle.Rip.Rip Van Winkle! that's me to a certainty.Music.—[Swaggrino,the grotesque dwarf, enters],117bending beneath the weight of a large cask which he bears on his shoulder.—He pauses, examinesRip,then invites him to assist him in placing the cask on the ground, whichRipcomplies with.Rip.Hang me, if he hasn't brought my heart up into my mouth: what an outlandish being, [a sea snake,]118by dunder!Music.—[Swaggrino,]119pointing to the cask, [entreats]Rip'sassistance in bearing it up the mountains.Rip.Want me to help you up mit it? Why not say so at first, my old codger? What a queer old chap, to be sure; but I can't let him toil up the mountain with such a heavy load as dat, no, no, and so, old [broad]120chops, I'll help you.Music.—[Dwarf]121assists in placing cask onRip'sshoulder. A loud laugh is heard;Ripis alarmed, but[Dwarf]signs him to proceed and be of good courage—leads way up rocks. Another peal of laughter, andRiphastily follows him.Footnotes109.Not in K.110.“I vishes”in K. No attempt is being made to indicate small differences ofdialect.111.“der”inserted in K.112.In K., stage direction,“[Lies down.]”.113.“der debil”in K.; also“mein frau.”114.In K., the stage directions are: [Lies down to sleep.115.In K., the speech takes this form:Voice.[Without.] Rip Van Winkle!116.No name in K., only“Voice.”117.In K., read.“One of theSpectre Crewenters.”118.Not in K.119.“TheImp”in K.; also“asks.”120.“pale”in K.121.“Imp”in K.SCENE V.Dark.—The Sleepy Hollow, in the bosom of the mountains, occupying the extreme extent of the stage—stunted trees, fragments of rock in various parts.—Moon in the horizon;[pg 059]the entrance to this wild recess being by an opening from the abyss in the rear of the glen.Music.—Grotesque Dutch Figureswith [enormous]122masked heads and lofty tapering hats, discovered playing[at cards in various places—others at Dutch pins—battledores and shuttlecocks—the majority seated on a rock drinking and smoking.]123Gauderkin.Since on earth this only day,In fifty years we're given to stray,We'll keep it as a holiday!So brothers, let's be jolly and gay.Icken.But question, where's that lazy [wight,]124Who, soon as sun withdrew it's light,Was for the earth's rich beverage sent,And has such time in absence spent.Gauderkin.Perhaps [with some]125misfortune he's been doomed to meet,Cross'd, no doubt, on the road by mortal feet.Icken.And what the punishment that you decreeOn him, who on our mysteries makes free?Gauderkin.Twenty years in slumber's chain,Is the fate that we ordain:Yet, if merry wight he prove,Pleasing dreams his sleep shall move.Icken.Our brother comes, and up the rugged steep,A mortal, see, Swaggrino's presence keep.Omnes.Twenty years in slumber's chain,Is the fate that we ordain.He comes! he comes! let silence reign!—Let silence reign! let silence reign!TheSpiritsretire up and station themselves in motionless attitudes.Music.—[Swaggrino]126ascends by the opening in the rear followed byRip,with the keg.—Ripadvances on the left, and, with the assistance of his conductor, places the cask on the rock.—TheSpiritsremain immovable.[pg 060]Rip.I'm a dead man, to a certainty. Into what strange company have I tumbled! crikey, what will become of me? Dear, dear! would I were home again, even though along with [Dame]127Van Winkle.Music.—TheFiguresseverally advance, and stare at him, then resume their game.Swaggrinotaps the cask; motions the astonishedRipto assist him in distributing its contents into various flagons; an injunction with which he complies.—Swaggrinohelps his companions.Rip.After all, they seem a harmless set, and there can be no argument with them, for they appear to be all dumbies.—[Lord were my wife]128as silent. They're a deadly, lively, jolly set; but I wonder what kind of spirits dese spirits are [drinking!]129Surely, dere can be no harm in taking a drop along mit dem.—[Fills a flagon.]—Here goes!—Gentlemen, here's your [go-to-hells,]130and your [broad chopped]131family's, and may you all live long and prosper. [Drinks.]Omnes.Ha, ha, ha!Music.—A grotesque dance ensues, during whichRipcontinues to supply himself from the keg.—He at length joins in the dance, and becomes so exhausted, that he reels forward and sinks in front. The dancing ceases, theSpiritsutter three "ho, ho, ho's!"—[Some of them sink.]132END OF ACT I.Footnotes122.Not in K.123.In K., reads,“at Dutch pins—the majority seated on a rock drinking and smoking—thunder reverberates each time a bowl is delivered.”124.“Ichen”in K.; also“sprite.”125.Not in K.126.“TheImp”in K.127.“Frau”in K.128.In K.,“if mein wife vere”129.“trinking”in K.130.“goot-hells”in K.131.Not in K. Instead,“Your family's goot-hells.”132.In K., the stage directions end,“Moon very bright. Tableau.”
SCENE IV.Half dark.—A front wood.—The report of a gun is heard; shortly after,Ripenters, with his fowling piece.Rip.[Whip-poor-Will! egad, I think they'll whip poor Rip.]109—[Takes aim at bird; it flashes in the pan.]—Another miss! Oh, curse the misses and the missusses! hang me if I can get a single shot at the sky-flyers. [Wish]110I had one of de German guns which Knickerbocker talks so much about—one dat fires round111corners: la! how I'd bring dem down! bring dem down! were I to wing as many daily as would fill a dearborn, Dame wouldn't be satisfied—not that she's avaricious—but den she must have something or somebody to snarl at, and I'm the unlucky dog at whom she always lets fly. Now, she got at me mit de broomstick so soon as I got back again; if I go home again, she will break my back. Tunner wasser! how sleepy I am—I can't go home, she will break my back—so I will sleep in de mountain to-night, and to-morrow I turn over a new leaf and drink no more liquor.112Voice.[Outside:] Rip Van Winkle.A dead pause ensues.—Suddenly a noise like the rolling of cannonballs is heard—then a discordant shout of laughter.—Ripwakes and sits up astonished.[pg 058]Rip.What [the deuce]113is that? [my wife] at mine elbow? Oh, no, nothing of the kind: I must have been dreaming; so I'll contrive to nap, since I'm far enough from her din. [Reclines and sleeps.114Voice[Outside.] Rip Van Winkle. [The laugh being repeated,Ripagain awakes.115Rip.I can't be mistaken dis time. Plague on't, I've got among the spirits of the mountains, metinks, and haven't a drop of spirits left to keep them off.Swaggrino.116[Without.] Rip Van Winkle! Rip Van Winkle.Rip.Rip Van Winkle! that's me to a certainty.Music.—[Swaggrino,the grotesque dwarf, enters],117bending beneath the weight of a large cask which he bears on his shoulder.—He pauses, examinesRip,then invites him to assist him in placing the cask on the ground, whichRipcomplies with.Rip.Hang me, if he hasn't brought my heart up into my mouth: what an outlandish being, [a sea snake,]118by dunder!Music.—[Swaggrino,]119pointing to the cask, [entreats]Rip'sassistance in bearing it up the mountains.Rip.Want me to help you up mit it? Why not say so at first, my old codger? What a queer old chap, to be sure; but I can't let him toil up the mountain with such a heavy load as dat, no, no, and so, old [broad]120chops, I'll help you.Music.—[Dwarf]121assists in placing cask onRip'sshoulder. A loud laugh is heard;Ripis alarmed, but[Dwarf]signs him to proceed and be of good courage—leads way up rocks. Another peal of laughter, andRiphastily follows him.Footnotes109.Not in K.110.“I vishes”in K. No attempt is being made to indicate small differences ofdialect.111.“der”inserted in K.112.In K., stage direction,“[Lies down.]”.113.“der debil”in K.; also“mein frau.”114.In K., the stage directions are: [Lies down to sleep.115.In K., the speech takes this form:Voice.[Without.] Rip Van Winkle!116.No name in K., only“Voice.”117.In K., read.“One of theSpectre Crewenters.”118.Not in K.119.“TheImp”in K.; also“asks.”120.“pale”in K.121.“Imp”in K.SCENE V.Dark.—The Sleepy Hollow, in the bosom of the mountains, occupying the extreme extent of the stage—stunted trees, fragments of rock in various parts.—Moon in the horizon;[pg 059]the entrance to this wild recess being by an opening from the abyss in the rear of the glen.Music.—Grotesque Dutch Figureswith [enormous]122masked heads and lofty tapering hats, discovered playing[at cards in various places—others at Dutch pins—battledores and shuttlecocks—the majority seated on a rock drinking and smoking.]123Gauderkin.Since on earth this only day,In fifty years we're given to stray,We'll keep it as a holiday!So brothers, let's be jolly and gay.Icken.But question, where's that lazy [wight,]124Who, soon as sun withdrew it's light,Was for the earth's rich beverage sent,And has such time in absence spent.Gauderkin.Perhaps [with some]125misfortune he's been doomed to meet,Cross'd, no doubt, on the road by mortal feet.Icken.And what the punishment that you decreeOn him, who on our mysteries makes free?Gauderkin.Twenty years in slumber's chain,Is the fate that we ordain:Yet, if merry wight he prove,Pleasing dreams his sleep shall move.Icken.Our brother comes, and up the rugged steep,A mortal, see, Swaggrino's presence keep.Omnes.Twenty years in slumber's chain,Is the fate that we ordain.He comes! he comes! let silence reign!—Let silence reign! let silence reign!TheSpiritsretire up and station themselves in motionless attitudes.Music.—[Swaggrino]126ascends by the opening in the rear followed byRip,with the keg.—Ripadvances on the left, and, with the assistance of his conductor, places the cask on the rock.—TheSpiritsremain immovable.[pg 060]Rip.I'm a dead man, to a certainty. Into what strange company have I tumbled! crikey, what will become of me? Dear, dear! would I were home again, even though along with [Dame]127Van Winkle.Music.—TheFiguresseverally advance, and stare at him, then resume their game.Swaggrinotaps the cask; motions the astonishedRipto assist him in distributing its contents into various flagons; an injunction with which he complies.—Swaggrinohelps his companions.Rip.After all, they seem a harmless set, and there can be no argument with them, for they appear to be all dumbies.—[Lord were my wife]128as silent. They're a deadly, lively, jolly set; but I wonder what kind of spirits dese spirits are [drinking!]129Surely, dere can be no harm in taking a drop along mit dem.—[Fills a flagon.]—Here goes!—Gentlemen, here's your [go-to-hells,]130and your [broad chopped]131family's, and may you all live long and prosper. [Drinks.]Omnes.Ha, ha, ha!Music.—A grotesque dance ensues, during whichRipcontinues to supply himself from the keg.—He at length joins in the dance, and becomes so exhausted, that he reels forward and sinks in front. The dancing ceases, theSpiritsutter three "ho, ho, ho's!"—[Some of them sink.]132END OF ACT I.Footnotes122.Not in K.123.In K., reads,“at Dutch pins—the majority seated on a rock drinking and smoking—thunder reverberates each time a bowl is delivered.”124.“Ichen”in K.; also“sprite.”125.Not in K.126.“TheImp”in K.127.“Frau”in K.128.In K.,“if mein wife vere”129.“trinking”in K.130.“goot-hells”in K.131.Not in K. Instead,“Your family's goot-hells.”132.In K., the stage directions end,“Moon very bright. Tableau.”
SCENE IV.Half dark.—A front wood.—The report of a gun is heard; shortly after,Ripenters, with his fowling piece.Rip.[Whip-poor-Will! egad, I think they'll whip poor Rip.]109—[Takes aim at bird; it flashes in the pan.]—Another miss! Oh, curse the misses and the missusses! hang me if I can get a single shot at the sky-flyers. [Wish]110I had one of de German guns which Knickerbocker talks so much about—one dat fires round111corners: la! how I'd bring dem down! bring dem down! were I to wing as many daily as would fill a dearborn, Dame wouldn't be satisfied—not that she's avaricious—but den she must have something or somebody to snarl at, and I'm the unlucky dog at whom she always lets fly. Now, she got at me mit de broomstick so soon as I got back again; if I go home again, she will break my back. Tunner wasser! how sleepy I am—I can't go home, she will break my back—so I will sleep in de mountain to-night, and to-morrow I turn over a new leaf and drink no more liquor.112Voice.[Outside:] Rip Van Winkle.A dead pause ensues.—Suddenly a noise like the rolling of cannonballs is heard—then a discordant shout of laughter.—Ripwakes and sits up astonished.[pg 058]Rip.What [the deuce]113is that? [my wife] at mine elbow? Oh, no, nothing of the kind: I must have been dreaming; so I'll contrive to nap, since I'm far enough from her din. [Reclines and sleeps.114Voice[Outside.] Rip Van Winkle. [The laugh being repeated,Ripagain awakes.115Rip.I can't be mistaken dis time. Plague on't, I've got among the spirits of the mountains, metinks, and haven't a drop of spirits left to keep them off.Swaggrino.116[Without.] Rip Van Winkle! Rip Van Winkle.Rip.Rip Van Winkle! that's me to a certainty.Music.—[Swaggrino,the grotesque dwarf, enters],117bending beneath the weight of a large cask which he bears on his shoulder.—He pauses, examinesRip,then invites him to assist him in placing the cask on the ground, whichRipcomplies with.Rip.Hang me, if he hasn't brought my heart up into my mouth: what an outlandish being, [a sea snake,]118by dunder!Music.—[Swaggrino,]119pointing to the cask, [entreats]Rip'sassistance in bearing it up the mountains.Rip.Want me to help you up mit it? Why not say so at first, my old codger? What a queer old chap, to be sure; but I can't let him toil up the mountain with such a heavy load as dat, no, no, and so, old [broad]120chops, I'll help you.Music.—[Dwarf]121assists in placing cask onRip'sshoulder. A loud laugh is heard;Ripis alarmed, but[Dwarf]signs him to proceed and be of good courage—leads way up rocks. Another peal of laughter, andRiphastily follows him.Footnotes109.Not in K.110.“I vishes”in K. No attempt is being made to indicate small differences ofdialect.111.“der”inserted in K.112.In K., stage direction,“[Lies down.]”.113.“der debil”in K.; also“mein frau.”114.In K., the stage directions are: [Lies down to sleep.115.In K., the speech takes this form:Voice.[Without.] Rip Van Winkle!116.No name in K., only“Voice.”117.In K., read.“One of theSpectre Crewenters.”118.Not in K.119.“TheImp”in K.; also“asks.”120.“pale”in K.121.“Imp”in K.SCENE V.Dark.—The Sleepy Hollow, in the bosom of the mountains, occupying the extreme extent of the stage—stunted trees, fragments of rock in various parts.—Moon in the horizon;[pg 059]the entrance to this wild recess being by an opening from the abyss in the rear of the glen.Music.—Grotesque Dutch Figureswith [enormous]122masked heads and lofty tapering hats, discovered playing[at cards in various places—others at Dutch pins—battledores and shuttlecocks—the majority seated on a rock drinking and smoking.]123Gauderkin.Since on earth this only day,In fifty years we're given to stray,We'll keep it as a holiday!So brothers, let's be jolly and gay.Icken.But question, where's that lazy [wight,]124Who, soon as sun withdrew it's light,Was for the earth's rich beverage sent,And has such time in absence spent.Gauderkin.Perhaps [with some]125misfortune he's been doomed to meet,Cross'd, no doubt, on the road by mortal feet.Icken.And what the punishment that you decreeOn him, who on our mysteries makes free?Gauderkin.Twenty years in slumber's chain,Is the fate that we ordain:Yet, if merry wight he prove,Pleasing dreams his sleep shall move.Icken.Our brother comes, and up the rugged steep,A mortal, see, Swaggrino's presence keep.Omnes.Twenty years in slumber's chain,Is the fate that we ordain.He comes! he comes! let silence reign!—Let silence reign! let silence reign!TheSpiritsretire up and station themselves in motionless attitudes.Music.—[Swaggrino]126ascends by the opening in the rear followed byRip,with the keg.—Ripadvances on the left, and, with the assistance of his conductor, places the cask on the rock.—TheSpiritsremain immovable.[pg 060]Rip.I'm a dead man, to a certainty. Into what strange company have I tumbled! crikey, what will become of me? Dear, dear! would I were home again, even though along with [Dame]127Van Winkle.Music.—TheFiguresseverally advance, and stare at him, then resume their game.Swaggrinotaps the cask; motions the astonishedRipto assist him in distributing its contents into various flagons; an injunction with which he complies.—Swaggrinohelps his companions.Rip.After all, they seem a harmless set, and there can be no argument with them, for they appear to be all dumbies.—[Lord were my wife]128as silent. They're a deadly, lively, jolly set; but I wonder what kind of spirits dese spirits are [drinking!]129Surely, dere can be no harm in taking a drop along mit dem.—[Fills a flagon.]—Here goes!—Gentlemen, here's your [go-to-hells,]130and your [broad chopped]131family's, and may you all live long and prosper. [Drinks.]Omnes.Ha, ha, ha!Music.—A grotesque dance ensues, during whichRipcontinues to supply himself from the keg.—He at length joins in the dance, and becomes so exhausted, that he reels forward and sinks in front. The dancing ceases, theSpiritsutter three "ho, ho, ho's!"—[Some of them sink.]132END OF ACT I.Footnotes122.Not in K.123.In K., reads,“at Dutch pins—the majority seated on a rock drinking and smoking—thunder reverberates each time a bowl is delivered.”124.“Ichen”in K.; also“sprite.”125.Not in K.126.“TheImp”in K.127.“Frau”in K.128.In K.,“if mein wife vere”129.“trinking”in K.130.“goot-hells”in K.131.Not in K. Instead,“Your family's goot-hells.”132.In K., the stage directions end,“Moon very bright. Tableau.”
SCENE IV.Half dark.—A front wood.—The report of a gun is heard; shortly after,Ripenters, with his fowling piece.Rip.[Whip-poor-Will! egad, I think they'll whip poor Rip.]109—[Takes aim at bird; it flashes in the pan.]—Another miss! Oh, curse the misses and the missusses! hang me if I can get a single shot at the sky-flyers. [Wish]110I had one of de German guns which Knickerbocker talks so much about—one dat fires round111corners: la! how I'd bring dem down! bring dem down! were I to wing as many daily as would fill a dearborn, Dame wouldn't be satisfied—not that she's avaricious—but den she must have something or somebody to snarl at, and I'm the unlucky dog at whom she always lets fly. Now, she got at me mit de broomstick so soon as I got back again; if I go home again, she will break my back. Tunner wasser! how sleepy I am—I can't go home, she will break my back—so I will sleep in de mountain to-night, and to-morrow I turn over a new leaf and drink no more liquor.112Voice.[Outside:] Rip Van Winkle.A dead pause ensues.—Suddenly a noise like the rolling of cannonballs is heard—then a discordant shout of laughter.—Ripwakes and sits up astonished.[pg 058]Rip.What [the deuce]113is that? [my wife] at mine elbow? Oh, no, nothing of the kind: I must have been dreaming; so I'll contrive to nap, since I'm far enough from her din. [Reclines and sleeps.114Voice[Outside.] Rip Van Winkle. [The laugh being repeated,Ripagain awakes.115Rip.I can't be mistaken dis time. Plague on't, I've got among the spirits of the mountains, metinks, and haven't a drop of spirits left to keep them off.Swaggrino.116[Without.] Rip Van Winkle! Rip Van Winkle.Rip.Rip Van Winkle! that's me to a certainty.Music.—[Swaggrino,the grotesque dwarf, enters],117bending beneath the weight of a large cask which he bears on his shoulder.—He pauses, examinesRip,then invites him to assist him in placing the cask on the ground, whichRipcomplies with.Rip.Hang me, if he hasn't brought my heart up into my mouth: what an outlandish being, [a sea snake,]118by dunder!Music.—[Swaggrino,]119pointing to the cask, [entreats]Rip'sassistance in bearing it up the mountains.Rip.Want me to help you up mit it? Why not say so at first, my old codger? What a queer old chap, to be sure; but I can't let him toil up the mountain with such a heavy load as dat, no, no, and so, old [broad]120chops, I'll help you.Music.—[Dwarf]121assists in placing cask onRip'sshoulder. A loud laugh is heard;Ripis alarmed, but[Dwarf]signs him to proceed and be of good courage—leads way up rocks. Another peal of laughter, andRiphastily follows him.Footnotes109.Not in K.110.“I vishes”in K. No attempt is being made to indicate small differences ofdialect.111.“der”inserted in K.112.In K., stage direction,“[Lies down.]”.113.“der debil”in K.; also“mein frau.”114.In K., the stage directions are: [Lies down to sleep.115.In K., the speech takes this form:Voice.[Without.] Rip Van Winkle!116.No name in K., only“Voice.”117.In K., read.“One of theSpectre Crewenters.”118.Not in K.119.“TheImp”in K.; also“asks.”120.“pale”in K.121.“Imp”in K.SCENE V.Dark.—The Sleepy Hollow, in the bosom of the mountains, occupying the extreme extent of the stage—stunted trees, fragments of rock in various parts.—Moon in the horizon;[pg 059]the entrance to this wild recess being by an opening from the abyss in the rear of the glen.Music.—Grotesque Dutch Figureswith [enormous]122masked heads and lofty tapering hats, discovered playing[at cards in various places—others at Dutch pins—battledores and shuttlecocks—the majority seated on a rock drinking and smoking.]123Gauderkin.Since on earth this only day,In fifty years we're given to stray,We'll keep it as a holiday!So brothers, let's be jolly and gay.Icken.But question, where's that lazy [wight,]124Who, soon as sun withdrew it's light,Was for the earth's rich beverage sent,And has such time in absence spent.Gauderkin.Perhaps [with some]125misfortune he's been doomed to meet,Cross'd, no doubt, on the road by mortal feet.Icken.And what the punishment that you decreeOn him, who on our mysteries makes free?Gauderkin.Twenty years in slumber's chain,Is the fate that we ordain:Yet, if merry wight he prove,Pleasing dreams his sleep shall move.Icken.Our brother comes, and up the rugged steep,A mortal, see, Swaggrino's presence keep.Omnes.Twenty years in slumber's chain,Is the fate that we ordain.He comes! he comes! let silence reign!—Let silence reign! let silence reign!TheSpiritsretire up and station themselves in motionless attitudes.Music.—[Swaggrino]126ascends by the opening in the rear followed byRip,with the keg.—Ripadvances on the left, and, with the assistance of his conductor, places the cask on the rock.—TheSpiritsremain immovable.[pg 060]Rip.I'm a dead man, to a certainty. Into what strange company have I tumbled! crikey, what will become of me? Dear, dear! would I were home again, even though along with [Dame]127Van Winkle.Music.—TheFiguresseverally advance, and stare at him, then resume their game.Swaggrinotaps the cask; motions the astonishedRipto assist him in distributing its contents into various flagons; an injunction with which he complies.—Swaggrinohelps his companions.Rip.After all, they seem a harmless set, and there can be no argument with them, for they appear to be all dumbies.—[Lord were my wife]128as silent. They're a deadly, lively, jolly set; but I wonder what kind of spirits dese spirits are [drinking!]129Surely, dere can be no harm in taking a drop along mit dem.—[Fills a flagon.]—Here goes!—Gentlemen, here's your [go-to-hells,]130and your [broad chopped]131family's, and may you all live long and prosper. [Drinks.]Omnes.Ha, ha, ha!Music.—A grotesque dance ensues, during whichRipcontinues to supply himself from the keg.—He at length joins in the dance, and becomes so exhausted, that he reels forward and sinks in front. The dancing ceases, theSpiritsutter three "ho, ho, ho's!"—[Some of them sink.]132END OF ACT I.Footnotes122.Not in K.123.In K., reads,“at Dutch pins—the majority seated on a rock drinking and smoking—thunder reverberates each time a bowl is delivered.”124.“Ichen”in K.; also“sprite.”125.Not in K.126.“TheImp”in K.127.“Frau”in K.128.In K.,“if mein wife vere”129.“trinking”in K.130.“goot-hells”in K.131.Not in K. Instead,“Your family's goot-hells.”132.In K., the stage directions end,“Moon very bright. Tableau.”
SCENE IV.Half dark.—A front wood.—The report of a gun is heard; shortly after,Ripenters, with his fowling piece.Rip.[Whip-poor-Will! egad, I think they'll whip poor Rip.]109—[Takes aim at bird; it flashes in the pan.]—Another miss! Oh, curse the misses and the missusses! hang me if I can get a single shot at the sky-flyers. [Wish]110I had one of de German guns which Knickerbocker talks so much about—one dat fires round111corners: la! how I'd bring dem down! bring dem down! were I to wing as many daily as would fill a dearborn, Dame wouldn't be satisfied—not that she's avaricious—but den she must have something or somebody to snarl at, and I'm the unlucky dog at whom she always lets fly. Now, she got at me mit de broomstick so soon as I got back again; if I go home again, she will break my back. Tunner wasser! how sleepy I am—I can't go home, she will break my back—so I will sleep in de mountain to-night, and to-morrow I turn over a new leaf and drink no more liquor.112Voice.[Outside:] Rip Van Winkle.A dead pause ensues.—Suddenly a noise like the rolling of cannonballs is heard—then a discordant shout of laughter.—Ripwakes and sits up astonished.[pg 058]Rip.What [the deuce]113is that? [my wife] at mine elbow? Oh, no, nothing of the kind: I must have been dreaming; so I'll contrive to nap, since I'm far enough from her din. [Reclines and sleeps.114Voice[Outside.] Rip Van Winkle. [The laugh being repeated,Ripagain awakes.115Rip.I can't be mistaken dis time. Plague on't, I've got among the spirits of the mountains, metinks, and haven't a drop of spirits left to keep them off.Swaggrino.116[Without.] Rip Van Winkle! Rip Van Winkle.Rip.Rip Van Winkle! that's me to a certainty.Music.—[Swaggrino,the grotesque dwarf, enters],117bending beneath the weight of a large cask which he bears on his shoulder.—He pauses, examinesRip,then invites him to assist him in placing the cask on the ground, whichRipcomplies with.Rip.Hang me, if he hasn't brought my heart up into my mouth: what an outlandish being, [a sea snake,]118by dunder!Music.—[Swaggrino,]119pointing to the cask, [entreats]Rip'sassistance in bearing it up the mountains.Rip.Want me to help you up mit it? Why not say so at first, my old codger? What a queer old chap, to be sure; but I can't let him toil up the mountain with such a heavy load as dat, no, no, and so, old [broad]120chops, I'll help you.Music.—[Dwarf]121assists in placing cask onRip'sshoulder. A loud laugh is heard;Ripis alarmed, but[Dwarf]signs him to proceed and be of good courage—leads way up rocks. Another peal of laughter, andRiphastily follows him.Footnotes109.Not in K.110.“I vishes”in K. No attempt is being made to indicate small differences ofdialect.111.“der”inserted in K.112.In K., stage direction,“[Lies down.]”.113.“der debil”in K.; also“mein frau.”114.In K., the stage directions are: [Lies down to sleep.115.In K., the speech takes this form:Voice.[Without.] Rip Van Winkle!116.No name in K., only“Voice.”117.In K., read.“One of theSpectre Crewenters.”118.Not in K.119.“TheImp”in K.; also“asks.”120.“pale”in K.121.“Imp”in K.SCENE V.Dark.—The Sleepy Hollow, in the bosom of the mountains, occupying the extreme extent of the stage—stunted trees, fragments of rock in various parts.—Moon in the horizon;[pg 059]the entrance to this wild recess being by an opening from the abyss in the rear of the glen.Music.—Grotesque Dutch Figureswith [enormous]122masked heads and lofty tapering hats, discovered playing[at cards in various places—others at Dutch pins—battledores and shuttlecocks—the majority seated on a rock drinking and smoking.]123Gauderkin.Since on earth this only day,In fifty years we're given to stray,We'll keep it as a holiday!So brothers, let's be jolly and gay.Icken.But question, where's that lazy [wight,]124Who, soon as sun withdrew it's light,Was for the earth's rich beverage sent,And has such time in absence spent.Gauderkin.Perhaps [with some]125misfortune he's been doomed to meet,Cross'd, no doubt, on the road by mortal feet.Icken.And what the punishment that you decreeOn him, who on our mysteries makes free?Gauderkin.Twenty years in slumber's chain,Is the fate that we ordain:Yet, if merry wight he prove,Pleasing dreams his sleep shall move.Icken.Our brother comes, and up the rugged steep,A mortal, see, Swaggrino's presence keep.Omnes.Twenty years in slumber's chain,Is the fate that we ordain.He comes! he comes! let silence reign!—Let silence reign! let silence reign!TheSpiritsretire up and station themselves in motionless attitudes.Music.—[Swaggrino]126ascends by the opening in the rear followed byRip,with the keg.—Ripadvances on the left, and, with the assistance of his conductor, places the cask on the rock.—TheSpiritsremain immovable.[pg 060]Rip.I'm a dead man, to a certainty. Into what strange company have I tumbled! crikey, what will become of me? Dear, dear! would I were home again, even though along with [Dame]127Van Winkle.Music.—TheFiguresseverally advance, and stare at him, then resume their game.Swaggrinotaps the cask; motions the astonishedRipto assist him in distributing its contents into various flagons; an injunction with which he complies.—Swaggrinohelps his companions.Rip.After all, they seem a harmless set, and there can be no argument with them, for they appear to be all dumbies.—[Lord were my wife]128as silent. They're a deadly, lively, jolly set; but I wonder what kind of spirits dese spirits are [drinking!]129Surely, dere can be no harm in taking a drop along mit dem.—[Fills a flagon.]—Here goes!—Gentlemen, here's your [go-to-hells,]130and your [broad chopped]131family's, and may you all live long and prosper. [Drinks.]Omnes.Ha, ha, ha!Music.—A grotesque dance ensues, during whichRipcontinues to supply himself from the keg.—He at length joins in the dance, and becomes so exhausted, that he reels forward and sinks in front. The dancing ceases, theSpiritsutter three "ho, ho, ho's!"—[Some of them sink.]132END OF ACT I.Footnotes122.Not in K.123.In K., reads,“at Dutch pins—the majority seated on a rock drinking and smoking—thunder reverberates each time a bowl is delivered.”124.“Ichen”in K.; also“sprite.”125.Not in K.126.“TheImp”in K.127.“Frau”in K.128.In K.,“if mein wife vere”129.“trinking”in K.130.“goot-hells”in K.131.Not in K. Instead,“Your family's goot-hells.”132.In K., the stage directions end,“Moon very bright. Tableau.”
SCENE IV.Half dark.—A front wood.—The report of a gun is heard; shortly after,Ripenters, with his fowling piece.Rip.[Whip-poor-Will! egad, I think they'll whip poor Rip.]109—[Takes aim at bird; it flashes in the pan.]—Another miss! Oh, curse the misses and the missusses! hang me if I can get a single shot at the sky-flyers. [Wish]110I had one of de German guns which Knickerbocker talks so much about—one dat fires round111corners: la! how I'd bring dem down! bring dem down! were I to wing as many daily as would fill a dearborn, Dame wouldn't be satisfied—not that she's avaricious—but den she must have something or somebody to snarl at, and I'm the unlucky dog at whom she always lets fly. Now, she got at me mit de broomstick so soon as I got back again; if I go home again, she will break my back. Tunner wasser! how sleepy I am—I can't go home, she will break my back—so I will sleep in de mountain to-night, and to-morrow I turn over a new leaf and drink no more liquor.112Voice.[Outside:] Rip Van Winkle.A dead pause ensues.—Suddenly a noise like the rolling of cannonballs is heard—then a discordant shout of laughter.—Ripwakes and sits up astonished.[pg 058]Rip.What [the deuce]113is that? [my wife] at mine elbow? Oh, no, nothing of the kind: I must have been dreaming; so I'll contrive to nap, since I'm far enough from her din. [Reclines and sleeps.114Voice[Outside.] Rip Van Winkle. [The laugh being repeated,Ripagain awakes.115Rip.I can't be mistaken dis time. Plague on't, I've got among the spirits of the mountains, metinks, and haven't a drop of spirits left to keep them off.Swaggrino.116[Without.] Rip Van Winkle! Rip Van Winkle.Rip.Rip Van Winkle! that's me to a certainty.Music.—[Swaggrino,the grotesque dwarf, enters],117bending beneath the weight of a large cask which he bears on his shoulder.—He pauses, examinesRip,then invites him to assist him in placing the cask on the ground, whichRipcomplies with.Rip.Hang me, if he hasn't brought my heart up into my mouth: what an outlandish being, [a sea snake,]118by dunder!Music.—[Swaggrino,]119pointing to the cask, [entreats]Rip'sassistance in bearing it up the mountains.Rip.Want me to help you up mit it? Why not say so at first, my old codger? What a queer old chap, to be sure; but I can't let him toil up the mountain with such a heavy load as dat, no, no, and so, old [broad]120chops, I'll help you.Music.—[Dwarf]121assists in placing cask onRip'sshoulder. A loud laugh is heard;Ripis alarmed, but[Dwarf]signs him to proceed and be of good courage—leads way up rocks. Another peal of laughter, andRiphastily follows him.Footnotes109.Not in K.110.“I vishes”in K. No attempt is being made to indicate small differences ofdialect.111.“der”inserted in K.112.In K., stage direction,“[Lies down.]”.113.“der debil”in K.; also“mein frau.”114.In K., the stage directions are: [Lies down to sleep.115.In K., the speech takes this form:Voice.[Without.] Rip Van Winkle!116.No name in K., only“Voice.”117.In K., read.“One of theSpectre Crewenters.”118.Not in K.119.“TheImp”in K.; also“asks.”120.“pale”in K.121.“Imp”in K.
Half dark.—A front wood.—The report of a gun is heard; shortly after,Ripenters, with his fowling piece.
Rip.[Whip-poor-Will! egad, I think they'll whip poor Rip.]109—[Takes aim at bird; it flashes in the pan.]—Another miss! Oh, curse the misses and the missusses! hang me if I can get a single shot at the sky-flyers. [Wish]110I had one of de German guns which Knickerbocker talks so much about—one dat fires round111corners: la! how I'd bring dem down! bring dem down! were I to wing as many daily as would fill a dearborn, Dame wouldn't be satisfied—not that she's avaricious—but den she must have something or somebody to snarl at, and I'm the unlucky dog at whom she always lets fly. Now, she got at me mit de broomstick so soon as I got back again; if I go home again, she will break my back. Tunner wasser! how sleepy I am—I can't go home, she will break my back—so I will sleep in de mountain to-night, and to-morrow I turn over a new leaf and drink no more liquor.112
Rip.
[Whip-poor-Will! egad, I think they'll whip poor Rip.]109—[Takes aim at bird; it flashes in the pan.]—Another miss! Oh, curse the misses and the missusses! hang me if I can get a single shot at the sky-flyers. [Wish]110I had one of de German guns which Knickerbocker talks so much about—one dat fires round111corners: la! how I'd bring dem down! bring dem down! were I to wing as many daily as would fill a dearborn, Dame wouldn't be satisfied—not that she's avaricious—but den she must have something or somebody to snarl at, and I'm the unlucky dog at whom she always lets fly. Now, she got at me mit de broomstick so soon as I got back again; if I go home again, she will break my back. Tunner wasser! how sleepy I am—I can't go home, she will break my back—so I will sleep in de mountain to-night, and to-morrow I turn over a new leaf and drink no more liquor.112
Voice.[Outside:] Rip Van Winkle.
Voice.
[Outside:] Rip Van Winkle.
A dead pause ensues.—Suddenly a noise like the rolling of cannonballs is heard—then a discordant shout of laughter.—Ripwakes and sits up astonished.
Rip.What [the deuce]113is that? [my wife] at mine elbow? Oh, no, nothing of the kind: I must have been dreaming; so I'll contrive to nap, since I'm far enough from her din. [Reclines and sleeps.114
Rip.
What [the deuce]113is that? [my wife] at mine elbow? Oh, no, nothing of the kind: I must have been dreaming; so I'll contrive to nap, since I'm far enough from her din. [Reclines and sleeps.114
Voice[Outside.] Rip Van Winkle. [The laugh being repeated,Ripagain awakes.115
Voice
[Outside.] Rip Van Winkle. [The laugh being repeated,Ripagain awakes.115
Rip.I can't be mistaken dis time. Plague on't, I've got among the spirits of the mountains, metinks, and haven't a drop of spirits left to keep them off.
Rip.
I can't be mistaken dis time. Plague on't, I've got among the spirits of the mountains, metinks, and haven't a drop of spirits left to keep them off.
Swaggrino.116[Without.] Rip Van Winkle! Rip Van Winkle.
Swaggrino.
116[Without.] Rip Van Winkle! Rip Van Winkle.
Rip.Rip Van Winkle! that's me to a certainty.
Rip.
Rip Van Winkle! that's me to a certainty.
Music.—[Swaggrino,the grotesque dwarf, enters],117bending beneath the weight of a large cask which he bears on his shoulder.—He pauses, examinesRip,then invites him to assist him in placing the cask on the ground, whichRipcomplies with.
Rip.Hang me, if he hasn't brought my heart up into my mouth: what an outlandish being, [a sea snake,]118by dunder!
Rip.
Hang me, if he hasn't brought my heart up into my mouth: what an outlandish being, [a sea snake,]118by dunder!
Music.—[Swaggrino,]119pointing to the cask, [entreats]Rip'sassistance in bearing it up the mountains.
Rip.Want me to help you up mit it? Why not say so at first, my old codger? What a queer old chap, to be sure; but I can't let him toil up the mountain with such a heavy load as dat, no, no, and so, old [broad]120chops, I'll help you.
Rip.
Want me to help you up mit it? Why not say so at first, my old codger? What a queer old chap, to be sure; but I can't let him toil up the mountain with such a heavy load as dat, no, no, and so, old [broad]120chops, I'll help you.
Music.—[Dwarf]121assists in placing cask onRip'sshoulder. A loud laugh is heard;Ripis alarmed, but[Dwarf]signs him to proceed and be of good courage—leads way up rocks. Another peal of laughter, andRiphastily follows him.
Footnotes
Voice.[Without.] Rip Van Winkle!
SCENE V.Dark.—The Sleepy Hollow, in the bosom of the mountains, occupying the extreme extent of the stage—stunted trees, fragments of rock in various parts.—Moon in the horizon;[pg 059]the entrance to this wild recess being by an opening from the abyss in the rear of the glen.Music.—Grotesque Dutch Figureswith [enormous]122masked heads and lofty tapering hats, discovered playing[at cards in various places—others at Dutch pins—battledores and shuttlecocks—the majority seated on a rock drinking and smoking.]123Gauderkin.Since on earth this only day,In fifty years we're given to stray,We'll keep it as a holiday!So brothers, let's be jolly and gay.Icken.But question, where's that lazy [wight,]124Who, soon as sun withdrew it's light,Was for the earth's rich beverage sent,And has such time in absence spent.Gauderkin.Perhaps [with some]125misfortune he's been doomed to meet,Cross'd, no doubt, on the road by mortal feet.Icken.And what the punishment that you decreeOn him, who on our mysteries makes free?Gauderkin.Twenty years in slumber's chain,Is the fate that we ordain:Yet, if merry wight he prove,Pleasing dreams his sleep shall move.Icken.Our brother comes, and up the rugged steep,A mortal, see, Swaggrino's presence keep.Omnes.Twenty years in slumber's chain,Is the fate that we ordain.He comes! he comes! let silence reign!—Let silence reign! let silence reign!TheSpiritsretire up and station themselves in motionless attitudes.Music.—[Swaggrino]126ascends by the opening in the rear followed byRip,with the keg.—Ripadvances on the left, and, with the assistance of his conductor, places the cask on the rock.—TheSpiritsremain immovable.[pg 060]Rip.I'm a dead man, to a certainty. Into what strange company have I tumbled! crikey, what will become of me? Dear, dear! would I were home again, even though along with [Dame]127Van Winkle.Music.—TheFiguresseverally advance, and stare at him, then resume their game.Swaggrinotaps the cask; motions the astonishedRipto assist him in distributing its contents into various flagons; an injunction with which he complies.—Swaggrinohelps his companions.Rip.After all, they seem a harmless set, and there can be no argument with them, for they appear to be all dumbies.—[Lord were my wife]128as silent. They're a deadly, lively, jolly set; but I wonder what kind of spirits dese spirits are [drinking!]129Surely, dere can be no harm in taking a drop along mit dem.—[Fills a flagon.]—Here goes!—Gentlemen, here's your [go-to-hells,]130and your [broad chopped]131family's, and may you all live long and prosper. [Drinks.]Omnes.Ha, ha, ha!Music.—A grotesque dance ensues, during whichRipcontinues to supply himself from the keg.—He at length joins in the dance, and becomes so exhausted, that he reels forward and sinks in front. The dancing ceases, theSpiritsutter three "ho, ho, ho's!"—[Some of them sink.]132END OF ACT I.Footnotes122.Not in K.123.In K., reads,“at Dutch pins—the majority seated on a rock drinking and smoking—thunder reverberates each time a bowl is delivered.”124.“Ichen”in K.; also“sprite.”125.Not in K.126.“TheImp”in K.127.“Frau”in K.128.In K.,“if mein wife vere”129.“trinking”in K.130.“goot-hells”in K.131.Not in K. Instead,“Your family's goot-hells.”132.In K., the stage directions end,“Moon very bright. Tableau.”
Dark.—The Sleepy Hollow, in the bosom of the mountains, occupying the extreme extent of the stage—stunted trees, fragments of rock in various parts.—Moon in the horizon;[pg 059]the entrance to this wild recess being by an opening from the abyss in the rear of the glen.
Music.—Grotesque Dutch Figureswith [enormous]122masked heads and lofty tapering hats, discovered playing[at cards in various places—others at Dutch pins—battledores and shuttlecocks—the majority seated on a rock drinking and smoking.]123
Gauderkin.Since on earth this only day,In fifty years we're given to stray,We'll keep it as a holiday!So brothers, let's be jolly and gay.
Gauderkin.
Since on earth this only day,In fifty years we're given to stray,We'll keep it as a holiday!So brothers, let's be jolly and gay.
Since on earth this only day,
In fifty years we're given to stray,
We'll keep it as a holiday!
So brothers, let's be jolly and gay.
Icken.But question, where's that lazy [wight,]124Who, soon as sun withdrew it's light,Was for the earth's rich beverage sent,And has such time in absence spent.
Icken.
But question, where's that lazy [wight,]124Who, soon as sun withdrew it's light,Was for the earth's rich beverage sent,And has such time in absence spent.
But question, where's that lazy [wight,]124
Who, soon as sun withdrew it's light,
Was for the earth's rich beverage sent,
And has such time in absence spent.
Gauderkin.Perhaps [with some]125misfortune he's been doomed to meet,Cross'd, no doubt, on the road by mortal feet.
Gauderkin.
Perhaps [with some]125misfortune he's been doomed to meet,Cross'd, no doubt, on the road by mortal feet.
Perhaps [with some]125misfortune he's been doomed to meet,
Cross'd, no doubt, on the road by mortal feet.
Icken.And what the punishment that you decreeOn him, who on our mysteries makes free?
Icken.
And what the punishment that you decreeOn him, who on our mysteries makes free?
And what the punishment that you decree
On him, who on our mysteries makes free?
Gauderkin.Twenty years in slumber's chain,Is the fate that we ordain:Yet, if merry wight he prove,Pleasing dreams his sleep shall move.
Gauderkin.
Twenty years in slumber's chain,Is the fate that we ordain:Yet, if merry wight he prove,Pleasing dreams his sleep shall move.
Twenty years in slumber's chain,
Is the fate that we ordain:
Yet, if merry wight he prove,
Pleasing dreams his sleep shall move.
Icken.Our brother comes, and up the rugged steep,A mortal, see, Swaggrino's presence keep.
Icken.
Our brother comes, and up the rugged steep,A mortal, see, Swaggrino's presence keep.
Our brother comes, and up the rugged steep,
A mortal, see, Swaggrino's presence keep.
Omnes.Twenty years in slumber's chain,Is the fate that we ordain.He comes! he comes! let silence reign!—Let silence reign! let silence reign!
Omnes.
Twenty years in slumber's chain,Is the fate that we ordain.He comes! he comes! let silence reign!—Let silence reign! let silence reign!
Twenty years in slumber's chain,
Is the fate that we ordain.
He comes! he comes! let silence reign!—
Let silence reign! let silence reign!
TheSpiritsretire up and station themselves in motionless attitudes.
Music.—[Swaggrino]126ascends by the opening in the rear followed byRip,with the keg.—Ripadvances on the left, and, with the assistance of his conductor, places the cask on the rock.—
TheSpiritsremain immovable.
Rip.I'm a dead man, to a certainty. Into what strange company have I tumbled! crikey, what will become of me? Dear, dear! would I were home again, even though along with [Dame]127Van Winkle.
Rip.
I'm a dead man, to a certainty. Into what strange company have I tumbled! crikey, what will become of me? Dear, dear! would I were home again, even though along with [Dame]127Van Winkle.
Music.—TheFiguresseverally advance, and stare at him, then resume their game.Swaggrinotaps the cask; motions the astonishedRipto assist him in distributing its contents into various flagons; an injunction with which he complies.—Swaggrinohelps his companions.
Rip.After all, they seem a harmless set, and there can be no argument with them, for they appear to be all dumbies.—[Lord were my wife]128as silent. They're a deadly, lively, jolly set; but I wonder what kind of spirits dese spirits are [drinking!]129Surely, dere can be no harm in taking a drop along mit dem.—[Fills a flagon.]—Here goes!—Gentlemen, here's your [go-to-hells,]130and your [broad chopped]131family's, and may you all live long and prosper. [Drinks.]
Rip.
After all, they seem a harmless set, and there can be no argument with them, for they appear to be all dumbies.—[Lord were my wife]128as silent. They're a deadly, lively, jolly set; but I wonder what kind of spirits dese spirits are [drinking!]129Surely, dere can be no harm in taking a drop along mit dem.—[Fills a flagon.]—Here goes!—Gentlemen, here's your [go-to-hells,]130and your [broad chopped]131family's, and may you all live long and prosper. [Drinks.]
Omnes.Ha, ha, ha!
Omnes.
Ha, ha, ha!
Music.—A grotesque dance ensues, during whichRipcontinues to supply himself from the keg.—He at length joins in the dance, and becomes so exhausted, that he reels forward and sinks in front. The dancing ceases, theSpiritsutter three "ho, ho, ho's!"—[Some of them sink.]132
END OF ACT I.
Footnotes