[_Giving him jug._] Well, if you've been asleep I guess he ar'n't: his enemies always found him wide awake and kicking; and that shoot, as you call him, has planted the tree of liberty so everlasting tight in Yankeeland, that all the kingdoms of the earth can't root it out.](148)
Well, here is General Washington's goot health, and his family's goot health, ant may dey all live long ant prosper. So poor Rip Van Winkle is dead, eh? [Now comes de poser;](149) if Rip is dead, [what has become of his old woman?](150)
She busted a blood-vessel swearing at a Yankee pedlar, and has gone to kingdom come long ago.
De old woman dead too? den her clapper is stopped at last. [_Pause._] So de old woman is dead; well, she led me a hard life--she was de wife of my bosom, she was mine frow for all dat. [_Whimpering._] I'm dead too, unt dat is a fact. Tell me my frient--
I can't stop any longer--the polls are almost closing, and I must spread the game for the boys. Hurrah, for rum drinking and cheap licence for the retailers! that's my ticket. [_Re-enter_ VILLAGERS, _shouting._](151) Here, boys, see what you can make of this old critter.--I give him up for the awfulest specimen of human nature in the States. [_Exit into house._
Oh, I am on de safe side dere; I am a faithful subject of King George!
_Music.--They seize_ RIP _and are about hurrying him off when_ GUSTAFFE _rushes in and throws them off._(153)
Yes, cowards! who but cowards would rush in numbers one grey-haired man?
Sheer off! you won't? then damme, here's at ye. [_Drives them off._] Tell me, old man, what cause had you given them to attack you?
Just tell me where I live, dat's all I want to know.
To be sure I has: a pretty little girl about so old--Lorrenna; and I have a son too, a lublicka boy, but my daughter is a girl.
Do you remember entering into a contract, binding your daughter to marry Herman Van Slaus?
Oh! I remember, de burgomaster came to my house last night mit a paper, and I wrote my name down on it, but I was drunk.
Last night! His brain wanders: yet it must be he; come, come with me, old man.
Yes, yes, take me to my child. Stop, my gracious!--I am so changed,--suppose she should forget me too; no, no, she can't forget her poor father. Come, come! [_Exeunt._