Hugh the Drover, Act I: Pt. 22. Are You Ready? Go!

Showman: Are you ready? Go!

The fight begins. They spar. Hugh hits out at John.

Crowd: Ha!

They spar again.

A Few Men: Steady!

A Voice In the Crowd: Good lad, John!

Hugh hits out at John.

Another Voice: Hit low, drover!

John presses Hugh hard.

Crowd: Ha!

John's Supporters: Well hit! Well hit!

John drives Hugh back.

Knock him down! Good lad, John!

’Tis John will win the fight.

Hugh recovers, and punishes John badly.

Hugh's Supporters: Hurrah! The drover wins!

Drive him across the ropes, drover!

John's Supporters: Ah! Hurrah!

Stick to it John, you’ll beat him yet!

Showman: Time!

Crowd: Stand aside there! Stand back! Stand back!

The crowd falls back. John and Hugh are seen being sponged by their

supporters. Mary looks like fainting.

Aunt Jane: Be brave, sweetheart. There, there, my darling, see!

Mary: O heaven, watch over him and me.

Showman: Time’s up!

The crowd gathers round again and the second round begins.

A Voice From The Crowd: Steady, John

Another Voice: Into him now.

Crowd: Ah!

Hugh punishes John.

The drover’s got him now!

A Voice: Steady!

Another Voice: Now, John.

Hugh's Supporters: Hurrah for Hugh the drover!

John's Supporters: Hurrah for John the butcher!

Crowd: Ha!

John rushes furiously on Hugh.

Hugh's Supporters: Foul!

John's Supporters: No foul!

Robert: A foul it was. Young John did use his knee!

Hugh's Supporters: Ah! cowards! They’re afraid their fancy’s beat.

Go on! Into him, John!

Crowd: Shame! Shame! Stop the fight!

Hands up both! Shame!

The Showman climbs on to the shoulder of one of the crowd and shouts.

Showman: Hold on! Stop, I say! ’Twas a foul blow.

I saw it, and do give my judgement so!

The fight stops. The crowd falls apart. John and Hugh become visible again.

Crowd: There! What did I say? What did I say? Shame! Shame!

Showman: John Butcher, you fight fair, or else I’ll have you ducked in the horsepond.

Hugh's Supporters: Hurrah, let’s put him there now!

Showman: Drover, what say you? Is the wager off?

Will you stop the fight?

Hugh: Not I! I’m not afraid.

Let him fight foul or fair, I win the maid.

Showman: Good, then. Time’s up!

The crowd gathers round again. John and Hugh spar.

John's Supporters: Into him, John; into him, John!

Hugh's Supporters: Stick to it, drover, and go for his wind!

Hugh drives John round the ring. From here John’s supporters gradually begin to veer over to Hugh’s side.

John's Supporters: Into him, John, and you’ll soon have the best of it.

Hugh's Supporters: Hurrah for Hugh the drover!

Crowd: Ah!

Hugh's Supporters: The drover wins!

Crowd: Brrr! Ah!

John's Supporters: He’ll try your skill to smash or kill.

He’s ready for you, John.

Your skull he’ll break.

Your bet he’ll take,

And spend it when you’re gone, young John,

And spend it when you’re gone.

John falls with a loud cry.

Mary: Oh heavens!

Crowd: John’s down! John’s down!

The crowd parts. John is seen lying motionless on the ground, Hugh standing over him. Aunt Jane rushes forward to help, so that Mary is left alone.

Aunt Jane: ’Tis John that’s down.

Showman: One – Two – Three – Four – Five – Six – Seven – Eight –

Nine. Out! The drover’s won!