Penny Dreadfuls, 1923 · page 68 of 116
The Taking of Helen by John Masefield — page 68: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a page of running prose dialogue from the Victorian penny dreadful *The Taking of Helen*. An officer questions a young man named Nireus about his work digging and attempts to recruit him into military service, arguing he should seek fortune and adventure rather than remain bound by family obligations. Nireus resists, citing his duty to support his relatives as an only son, while the officer insists the King requires capable lads like him. The exchange reflects period concerns about duty, social advancement, and patriotic service.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
56 THE TAKING OF HELEN ‘All but a minute or two, sir.”’ ‘You've seen nothing of these people we’re looking for?”’ “Nothing, sir.’ ‘Was he here when you were here, Hdutdnane et! “Yes, sir. We questioned him.” ‘He was digging ?”’ “Yes, sir.” “Boy,” the officer said to Nireus, ‘‘you seem a likely lad. Why do you stay digging here, instead of seeking your fortune, a lad like you? Don’t you want a horse to ride and a sword by your side?”’ ‘“T’ve my relatives to consider, sir.”’ “Ym sure they would not stand in the way of your advancement. You ought not to be digging here, you ought to be in a smart troop like this, and see some- thing of the world before the bend is in your shoulders.”’ “Ym their only support, sir.” “Very proper that you should think of that, of course, but you ought to think a little of yourself.” ‘“T cannot, with them, sir.”’ “T must think for you, then. I will speak to your relatives.”’ -“T am sure, sir, I am much obliged, but they will never let me go.” ‘They'll have to let you go. The King wants lads like you.” ‘“T am an only son, sir.” CORNICLOOKS.EO