The Dynasts : Parts First And Second

SCENE V
PART FIRST
GENTLEMAN Why, Norton. You know Norton well enough ?
MINISTER
Nay, 'twas not he. Norton of course I know. I thought him Stewart for a moment, but------
LADY
But I well scanned him—'twas Lord Abercorn ; For, said I to myself, "O quaint old beau, To sleep in black silk sheets so funnily "— That is, if the town rumour on't be true.
LORD My wig, ma'am, no! 'Twas a much younger man,
GENTLEMAN
But let me call him! Monstrous silly this, That I don't know my friends!
They^look around. The gentleman goes among the surging and babbling guests, makes inquiries, and returns with a perplexed look.
GENTLEMAN
They tell me, sure, That he's not here to-night!
MINISTER
I can well swear
It was not Norton.—'Twas some lively buck, Who chose to put himself in masquerade And enter for a whim. I'll tell our host. —Meantime the absurdity of his report Is more than manifested. How knows he The plans of Bonaparte by lightning-flight, Before another man in England knows ?
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