Well, I can hardly believe my senses! There was the statue before my very eyes; there were the thieves in the very act of stealing the antique marble before my eyes; there was everything before my eyes, and, blow me, if it didn't disappear before my eyes. It's the most mysterious affair I ever came across. I--who have been in the Criminal Investigation Department for over thirty years, and reckoned the finest man for having innocent men and women hanged and transported--done. I've been had by some illusion? What shall I do? Shall I resign my position in the force, and go back to tripe dressing? No--no! I'll have a case ere to-morrow or my name is not Handsaw. Ah, what is that I see? A little boy eating bread and dripping in the open street, before the gaze of the passers-by? Oh, this must be seen into! I should lose all respect for myself as a member of the force if I didn't lock some poor little innocent little child up for doing nothing. It's a way we've got in the force. Now, then, my bold and massive wretch of three years old, I'm down on you like two ton of bricks! [ (Exit.) (Enter TWO ROBBERS, R.)

Hand Monologue from A Vision of Venus; Or, A Midsummer-Night's Nightmare

Rehearse Hand's monologue