8; Hangman's song

'O my trade it is the rarest one,

Simple Shepherds all,

My trade is a sight to see;

For my customers I tie, and take them up on high,

And waft 'em to a far countree - 

[Timothy Sommers drops and breaks pipe in his agitation. 

Hee-hee !

And waft 'em to a far countree !' [Drinks.

Timothy (sings.) 'And waft 'em to a far countree !'

Shepherd's Wife. What do the man mean?

[Shepherd shakes head.

Timothy. Second verse, stranger !

Hangman (sings).

'My tools are but common ones (tapping bag),

Simple Shepherds all,

My tools are no sight to see;

A little hempen string and a post whereon to swing,

Are implements enough for me,

Hee-hee !

Are implements enough for me.'

[Pulls end of rope from bag. Timothy Sommers tries to hide agitation.

Guests (starting). Oh !

[Damsel faints - Constable catches her.

Constable. Oh - he's the hangman!

Several. He's come to hang Tim Sommers at Casterbridge gaol ["gaol" is pronounced jail] to-morrow morning !

Others. The man condemned for sheepstealing, what we were talking of ! - the poor clockmaker who used to live at Shottsford ! His family were starving, and so he went out of Shottsford by the high road, and took a sheep in open daylight .... He (pointing to the Hangman) is come from up the country to do it. Then it's he who is going to have the berth here now our own man [ex hangman who has expired] is dead !

Timothy (sings). 'Are implements enough for me !' [Clinks cups with the Hangman.

Hangman. Next verse. (Sings.)

'To-morrow is - ' (knocking without).

[Shepherd rises.

Constable. Another of 'em?

Several. What do it mean?

Shepherd. Walk in !

[Enter Joseph Sommers, begins wiping shoes. 

Joseph. Can you tell me the way to - (starts) My brother Timothy - escaped - sitting with his own hangman ! (Aside.)

Hangman (sings).

'To-morrow is my working day,

Simple shepherds all, - 

To-morrow is a working day for me;

For the farmer's sheep is slain, and the lad who did it ta'en - 

And on his soul may God ha' mer-cy !

Hee-hee !

 

Timothy (waving cup, joins in). 'And on his soul may God ha' mer-cy !'

[Joseph Sommers staggers and nearly falls in fit. Exit Joseph Simmers, slamming door.

Shepherd. What man could he be?

[Silence. Company stare at Hangman. Rain without. Timothy Sommers smokes unconcerned. Report of a gun.

Hangman (jumping up). Be jiggered ! (Rope falls on floor). The prison gun !

Timothy. What does that mean?

Shepherd's Wife. A prisoner escaped from the jail - that's what it means !