Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1886-05-29
A DRAMA OF THE TIMES.
Scene-A Back Room, Upper Story,
not in FrOstburE.

Enter Lear Pocahontas and Cor1elia Clea,feldl
Lear-Now are we perched upon a roost to
which our aspirations had no eye nor ear,
but, being perched we will inquire most wide
ly into what our kingdom holdeth. Give
tongue, Cordelia, and tell your liege what
haply thou dost think of this brave outfit
Cordclia-Alas, my lord! 'Twere in the
gift of God to man to make grave errors, the
which, his fellow-men beholding, bite and
carp thereat as though they had themselves
been perfect. Beware, my lord of this foul
disposition, and betake thyself to such grave
care in thy concerns that thou mayst not be
caught upon the hip of some sad blunder and
be overturned ere thou hast fairly earned
perpendicular.
Led1-Now, by my veto power, thou croak-
est sweet Cordelia. Am not hedged about
by that divinity of power which makes my
high estate infallible? What more? That
which we called the public veal hath changed
its nomenclature, and is now regarded only
as the good men do toward getting SO cents a
ton. To be great is but the end and substance
of ambition, and in this day men only do at
tain to greatness in the minds of those whom
they make great. So had | thought of being
wise and learned by elevatiug thee and thy
fair sisters, Regan and my best loved Goneril.
Doth not that racket touch thee?
Cordelia-Nay, good, my lord !; look to thy
self. 'Tis true mine inmost bowels yearn for
stations and high places, but | know we'll
from deep experience the broad ingratitude
that bulbs in hearts outswelled by pride of
rank. Give gravest heed unto thyself, my
lord, nor let aspiring sparks absorb thy
brightness, lest in the fight to higher place,
they leave thee dull and cold.
Lear-Thou art mournful, Spinster. But
see! Here comes my Gone-il and Regan.
I'll draw from them the inspiration for my
good intent which thou wouldSt fain with
hold.
Enter GonerU Georges Greek and Regan En-
Garden.
Well met ye saucy wenches! The king
doth give thee welcome,
Regan.-Good morrow, sire The country
needs more rain.
Lear.-Nay; at least not the while Cordelia
hath cause to shed tears over truck stores.
Cordelia.-My brief intention
GonerH.-Shet up! take it, sire, that my
sweet sister Regain meant reign for which she
hath been designed both by nature and art.
Lear.-Was't SO, my Regan ?
Regan.-Marry, even so. What care we for
q few drops of most unstable water which
may fall or yet withhold their falling, since
they benefit alone the taxpayer and crops and
all that kind of rot When clouds break into
offices, then we will pray for showers.
GoaerH.-She speaketh with Solomonic
| tongue, my liege.
Ledr.-She does. And now unto the deep
er purpose of this convention tend. Within
| which will be bestowed on those who love me
most, and that | may make this intent more
| sensitive, shear myself of much, and place
my trust on those to whom | shall bequeath
the blessings of my reign over Federation
three. Art mashed on me, Goneril?
| Gone,N.-My own, as do the flowers turn
their faces to the dew, so / my complexion
toward thine eyes. Thou art my stimulant
my nourishment, my daytime and gaslight
My sweet lord, l love thee!
Cordelia aside. .)-That fetches me
Lcar.-Then | do constitute thee our scribe
and do contide in thee all that which maketl
the office frisky. What saith my Regan
Rcgan.-To me thou art more than SO cent:
a ton, even a short ton and scales at Locus
Point. Thou art bright as some Pan-Electrit
invention, which payeth subsequently round
er than square blocks of stock IN the Frost
burg water works. Do love thee?
Cordelia (aside.)-O squash That bust
the undersigned!
Lear.-Ay, dost thou, Regan ?-and for thi
manifest affection we do make thee prim'
boss of the exchequer, to which we add al
else that maketh enjoyable the manipulation
of ten cents per ton for luscious charity sake
And now, Cordelis, what sayest thou?