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Besides, there are too many people. They are uncomfortable. The angles
of their neighbours' elbows do not dispose them to good-nature. I hope
the benches will not give way. We shall be the victims of an incensed
population. Oh, if our friend Tom-Jim-Jack were only here! but he never
comes now. Look at those heads rising one above the other. Those who are
forced to stand don't look very well pleased, though the great Galen
pronounced it to be strengthening. We will shorten the entertainment; as
only 'Chaos Vanquished' was announced in the playbill, we will not play
'Ursus Rursus.' There will be something gained in that. What an uproar!
O blind turbulence of the masses. They will do us some damage. However,
they can't go on like this. We should not be able to play. No one can
catch a word of the piece. I am going to address them. Gwynplaine, draw
the curtain a little aside.--Gentlemen." Here Ursus addressed himself
with a shrill and feeble voice,--
"
Down with that old fool!"
Then he answered in his own voice,--
"It seems that the mob insult me. Cicero is right: plebs fex urbis.
Never mind; we will admonish the mob, though I shall have a great deal
of trouble to make myself heard. I will speak, notwithstanding. Man, do
your duty. Gwynplaine, look at that scold grinding her teeth down
there."
Ursus made a pause, in which he placed a gnashing of his teeth. Homo,
provoked, added a second, and Govicum a third.
695
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