Sir Luke monologue (Act 3) — The Lame Lover: A Comedy in Three Acts

For Hercules Hobson--(I cou'd have sworn it had stir'd)--I sha'nt gentlemen upon this occasion, attempt to move your passions, by flowing periods, and rhetorical flowers, as Mr. Serjeant has done; no, gentlemen, if I get at your hearts, I will make my way thro' your heads, however thick they may be--in order to which, I will pursue the learned gentleman, thro' what he calls his probable proofs: and first, as to this tree's being cut down in the night; in part we will grant him that point, but, under favour, not a dark night, Mr. Serjeant; no, quite the reverse, we can prove that the moon shone bright, with uncommon lustre that night--So that if so be as how people did not see that was none--[Serjeant _sneezes_.] nay, Mrs. Circuit, if you break the thread of my--