3506 
 
 ^9A19 
 
 1764
 
 THE LIBRARY 
 
 OF 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY 
 
 OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 LOS ANGELES
 
 PLAY S. 
 
 [ Price 12 ;. iiv Boards, ]
 
 3l jLj XJl Y O 
 
 O F 
 
 THREE ACTSj 
 
 WRITTEN FOR A 
 
 PRIVATE THEATRE, 
 
 B y 
 
 IV I L L I A M H A Y L E Y, Efq. 
 
 LONDON; 
 
 PRINTED FOR T. CADELL, IN THE STRAND. 
 
 M. DCC. LXXXIV.

 
 T O 
 
 HER GRACE THE DUTCHESS OF 
 DEVONSHIRE. 
 
 Non perc/j io ere da bifognar 7niei carm 
 /I chi fe ne fa copia da fe JieJ]a ■', 
 Ma fol per fatisfare a qucjlo mio 
 ■Che ho d' onoraria e di lodar dijio. 
 
 Ariosto, Canto xxxvij, 
 
 HE Great and Fair, in every age and clime, 
 Receive free homage from the Sons of Rhyme : 
 Bend, ye ambitious Bards, at Grandeur's flirine! 
 Be Power your patron ! Wit and Beauty m.ine !--^ 
 To thee, whom elegance has taught to pleafe 
 By ierious dignity, or fportive eafe ; 
 Whom Virtue hails, at Pleafure's feftive rites, 
 
 Chafte Arbiter of Art's refin'd delights 
 
 To
 
 vi DEDICATION. 
 
 To thee, fair Devon ! I breathe this votive ftrain.j 
 Nor dread th' averted ear of proud Dlfdain: 
 For O, If mufic has not bleft my lyre, 
 A lovelier fpirit of th' setherial choir, 
 Joy- breathing GratitudCj that hallow'd guefl, 
 Who fires with heavenly zeal the human breaftj, 
 Bids my weak voice her fvvelling note prolong. 
 And conlecrate to thee her tributary fong. 
 
 When firft my anxious Mufc's fav'rite child, 
 Her young Serena, artlefs, fimple, wild, 
 Prefum'd from pri\'acy's fafc fcenes to fly. 
 And met in giddy hafte the public eye.; 
 Thy generous praifc her trembling youth (uftain'd. 
 The fmile fhe dar'd not alk, from thee fne gaind; 
 And found .a guardian in the gracious Devon, 
 Kind as the regent of her fancied heaven. — 
 The flattcr'd Mufe, whofe offspring thou haft bleft. 
 In the fond pride tliat rules a parent's brcaft, 
 
 7 Prefents
 
 DEDICATION. vii 
 
 Frjefents thus boldly to thy kind embrace 
 
 This little group of her fucceeding race. 
 
 Bleft ! if by pathos true to Nature's law, 
 
 From thy fbft bofom they may haply draw 
 
 Thofe tender %hs, that eloquently fhew 
 
 The virtues of the heart from u-hencc they flow 1: 
 
 Bleft I if by foibles humoroufly hit 
 
 In the light fcenes that aim at comic wit,- 
 
 They turn thy penfive charms to mirthful grace^. 
 
 And wake the Ipnghtly fv/eetnefs .of thy face ! 
 
 While thus the. proud Enthuliaft would aiJ3irc, 
 To change thy beauties with her changing lyre 5 
 Much as fhe wants the talentand the right. 
 To iliew thy various charms in varied light, 
 O might the Mufe, intruding on thy bower, 
 From her fair Patron catch the magic pov/er 
 Frequent' to meet the public eye, and ft-ill 
 That fickle eye with fond amazement, fill I 
 
 Let
 
 vlil DEDICATION. 
 
 Let her, if this vain wilK is loft in air, 
 Breathe from her grateful heart a happier prayer ! 
 Howe'cr her different fables may give birth 
 To fancied woe, aiid vlfionary mirth i 
 May all thy griefs belong to Fiction's reign, 
 And wound thee only with a plcafing pain I 
 May thy light Ipirit, on the fea of life. 
 Elude the rocks of care, the gufts of ftrife, 
 And fafely, as the never-finking buoy, 
 Float on th' unebbing flood af real joy i 
 
 Eartham, 
 January 29, 1784.. 
 
 W. HAYLEY. 
 
 PREFACE.
 
 P R E F A G 
 
 AS the following Plays were intended only for i). 
 private theatre, I have been tempted by that 
 -circumftance to introduce a kind of novelty into our 
 language, by writing three comedies in rhyme, though 
 the Comic Mufe of our country has been long accul- 
 tomed to cxprefs herfelf in profe, and her cuftom has 
 the fanction of fettled precept, and fuccefsful example. 
 The Antiquarian, indeed, may remind nie that Gam- 
 mer Gur ton's Needle, one of the earliefl: of our old 
 plays, with other comic produdions of that rude pe- 
 riod, was written in rhyme ; and pollibly fome fafcidi- 
 ous enemies of that Gothic jingle, as they aiTect to call 
 it, may confidcr tlie prefent Publication as nothing 
 more than a relapfc into the mofl: barbarous mode of 
 ^dramatic compoiition. 
 
 b For
 
 X ^ PREFACE. 
 
 For the boldnefs of an attempt, which lias no mo- 
 dern precedent to plead in its behalf, fome apology 
 may be due to the Public. 
 
 In the firft place, I beg it may not be fuppofed, that 
 by writing a comedy in rhyme, I mean to convey an 
 indired cenfure on the contrary pradice. No one can 
 prize more highly than I do the many excellent come- 
 dies in profe, with which our language is enriched. I 
 am very far from entertaining a wifh to overturn the 
 ceremonial which the Comic Mufe of England has efta- 
 blifhed ; but I hope to find our country as much a 
 friend to toleration in the forms of literature, as in 
 thofe of religion. The cuftom ol other enlightened 
 nations, both ancient and modern, may be pleaded on 
 this occafion in behalt of verfe. Ariftophanes, in his 
 play of the Clouds, fecms to pride himfelf on his poetry. 
 Ariofto having written two comedies in profe, convert- 
 ed them both into metre at a maturer period of his 
 life ; and Moliere, the unrivalled mafter of the French 
 comic theatre, who has written admirably both in profe 
 and rhyme, is, I think, moft admirable, and moft tculy 
 comic, when 'he adheres to the latter. 
 
 To the author who attempts a comedy in Englifli 
 rhyme, our language lecms to offer an advantage, which 
 
 the 
 
 f
 
 PREFACE. xt 
 
 the French poet did not enjoy. The Comic Mufe of 
 France has chiefly confined herfelf to that ftrudure of 
 verfe, which belongs equally to her Tragic Sifter. In 
 the poetry of our nation, this particular raeafure is ap- 
 propriated to fportive fubjefts, and though hitherto not 
 ufed in Comedy, it pofTefTes to an Englifli ear a very co- 
 mic vivr:,city. That it is highly calculated for poems 
 of wit and humour, we have a flriking proof in that 
 moft exquiflte production the Bath Guide. How far it 
 may fucceed through the varied fcenes of an Englifli 
 play, experiment only can determine. As fome rea- 
 ders, on the firft fight of a comedy in rhyme, may haf- 
 tily fuppofe that the fafliion and the materials of the 
 work are borrowed from the Theatre of France^ I 
 think it proper to declare, in juflice to the writers of 
 that country, that they are by no means anfwerable for 
 any defeats which may be found in thefe dramatic per- 
 formances. I am not confcious of having borrowed a 
 iingle charadler or fituation from any comic writer what- 
 ever, either foreign or domeftic. The firft of the 
 
 three comedies, contained in the prefent Publication, 
 was founded on a real anecdote related to me by an 
 iatimate friend, who, corvcealing the names of the par- 
 ties, mentioned their ludicrous adventure as a new and 
 
 b 55 tempting
 
 xfi PREFACE. 
 
 tempting fubjed: for the Comic Mufc. The plan oF 
 
 the fccond arofe in the mind of its author, trom his re- 
 marking the various effects of Connoiffcurfliip in differ- 
 ent charafters. An attachment to the fine arts, which 
 is allowed to refine and ftrengthen the virtues of a 
 manly and a generous fpirit, has perhaps a peculiar ten- 
 dency not only to fhew, but to increafe the narrownefs 
 of a vain and feeble mind ; and if fuch a tendency exifts, 
 it is the province of a comic writer to counteract and 
 
 corredl it. The aim ot the third comedy in this col- 
 
 le£lIon is to laugh at two diflind: fpecies of affedation-, 
 very prevalent in our age and country; the affectation 
 of refined fentiment, and the affedlation of pompous 
 and pedantic exprefiion. I proteff however againft 
 perfonal application : and, to guard againft it, let me 
 declare, that this ridicule is levelled, not at the great 
 and refpedtable Veteran in the field of literature, whofe 
 phrafes may fometimes be borrowed by a charadler in 
 the play ; but at the namelefs and fervik herd of his 
 awkward imitators. — Vigor and originality of thought 
 give a fandlion to the pomp and peculiarity of his lan- 
 guage. If fingularities of ft)de arc united with genius 
 and moral excellence, they are properly regarded with 
 a partial refped ; but when thefe iingularities are pre- 
 
 5 pofteroufly
 
 PRE F A C E. xiii 
 
 pol^eroufly copied, and feem to prevail as a faHiion, 
 they become, I apprehend, very fair fiibjeds of fportive 
 &tire. 
 
 When I reflet: what long and eflablifhed prejudice a 
 rhyming play muft encounter — when I remember that 
 even Dryden himfelf, the moft able advocate, and the 
 greateft mafler of rhyme in our language, has exprefsly 
 condemned the ufe of it in comedy — I am alarmed at 
 the hardinefs of my attempt ; but when I recoUedl that 
 time, the moft infallible teft. of literary opinion, has 
 fully fliewn the miftake of that immoptal Poet, in re- 
 commending th-e ufe of rhyme in Er^glifh Tragedy, 1 
 am inclined to hope that he might be equally miftaken 
 in. fuppofing it utterly unfuited to our Comic Mufe. It 
 may be urged indeed, with great truth, that a comedy 
 in rhyme cannot be fo clofe a copy of Nature as a co- 
 medy in profe, the latter adhering to the very language of 
 common life. But from a fifter-art we may borrow, at 
 kaft a plaufible argument in favour of Poetry, on the 
 prefent oceaiion.: The great mafter, who has defcanted 
 fp happily on the principles of Painting, obferves with 
 great propriety, in one of his difcourfes, that " we are 
 *' not always pleafed with the moft abfolute poflible re- 
 '* femblance of an imitation to its original objed: cafes 
 
 " may
 
 xW PRE F A C E. 
 
 *' may exift, in which fuch a reffiiiblaiicc may be even 
 " difagrceable. I (Kail only obferve, that the effed of 
 ** figures in wax-work, though certainly a more exa6b 
 *' reprefentation than c?.n be given by painting or fculp- 
 " ture, is a fufficient proof that the pleafure we receive 
 *' from imitation is not increafed merely in proportion 
 *' as it approaches to minute and detailed reality : we 
 *' are pleafed, on the contrary, by feeing ends anfwered 
 " by feeming inadequate means*." — On thefc prin- 
 ciples, which perhaps are equally jult in the two kindred 
 arts, a comedy in Rhyme may be ftill more entertaining 
 than a comedy, of equal merit in other points, which 
 confines itfelf to profe ; and a critic who exclaims againft 
 the unnatural eftedl of a rhyming dialogue, may as juftly 
 cenfure a portrait on canvafs, becaufe it is not fo exa6t 
 a copy of life, as an image of coloured wax. In both 
 cafes the artift, whether painter or poet, may be juftly 
 called a true and a pleafing copier of Nature, if he pre- 
 ferves as high a degree of refemblance, as his mode of 
 imitation will admit, and embellifhes his work with 
 the attractive and almoft indifpenfable graces of eafe, 
 fpirit, and freedom. 
 
 * Sir Jofhua Reynolds' Difcourfe of December 1781. 
 
 It
 
 PREFACE. XV 
 
 It is faid by Voltaire of theatrical compofition In ge- 
 neral, " Tous les genres font bons hors le genre ennu- 
 " yeux." If the prefent comedies fall not within the 
 clafs which that lively Writer has fo juflly profcribed, 
 the Author-may be allowed to hope, that his liberal and 
 enlightened readers will look with indulgence on a 
 publication, which arofe from his wlfh to introduce a 
 ftriking, and he trufts not a blamable, variety into the 
 amufements of Efiglifh literature. 
 
 CONTENTS.
 
 ) A 
 
 ♦▼ 
 u 
 
 'd 
 
 CONTENT S,,, . 
 
 Pace 
 The Happy Prescription, a Comedy, -^rxirjA'^M i 
 
 Marcella, ^ Tragedy, - - -•'^-^'^- ^^2^ S- •" ^3 
 
 .1 /ffoii tilu I. . tnod£oilri:f'( 
 
 Tjje Two Connoisseurs, ;« C7i?i'/?^^, - '- 175 
 
 Lord RussEL, a Tragedy, - - , -}„^- .,ji^i,.r^265 
 The Mausoleum, a Comedy j - «• -^ 35^ 
 
 ERRATA. 
 
 ■Page 35 line 7, for a/i/a/ read appall. 
 
 — line 8, for ^^«/ read befall. 
 
 41 line z, iov matches read matters. 
 
 4; line I ;, for //^^ read //>;/)■. 
 
 57 line 2, {ex much xcdA Juch. 
 
 64 line 14, for approue read appro'veu 
 
 72 line 17, for aw read /'»». 
 159 line 6, ioT bk/t tt^d blejl. 
 )(ii line 10, {01 doa't play read ne'er plays. 
 220 line 14, for Tropbonius'' read Tropbonius's. 
 283 line I, for /,{i^ read /^<r/. 
 324, make a full ftop after the word thoughts in the firft linf, and 
 
 only a comma after the word comfort in the fL.cond. 
 396 line 4, for this read A/'x. 
 
 THE i^
 
 THE 
 
 HAPPY PRESCRIPTION; 
 
 OR, THE 
 
 LADY RELIEVED FROM HER LOVERS 
 
 A COMEDY, IN RHYME. 
 
 B
 
 Perfons of the Drama. 
 
 SIR NICHOLAS ODDFISH, 
 
 SAPPHIC, 
 
 DECISIVE, 
 
 M O R L E Y, 
 
 COLONEL FELIX, 
 
 JONATHAN, Servant to MoRLEY 5 
 
 S E L I N A, Niece to Sir Nicholas, 
 
 MRS. FELIX, her Coufin, and Wife to the Colonel^ 
 
 JENNY, Servant to Selina. 
 
 Servants of Sir Nicholas, ^c. 
 
 SCENE the Country Manjion of the Oddfish Familj^
 
 THE 
 
 HAPPY PRESCRIPTION. 
 
 ACT I. 
 
 SCENE I. 
 
 Enter Sir Nicholas 171 debate with Mrs. Felix a7id Selina, 
 
 Mrs. Felix. 
 
 WHAT a ftrange declaration! — it gives me the fpleen; 
 But 'tis what good Sir Nicholas never can mean. 
 
 S I R Nl CH O L A S. 
 
 Not mean it, fair Lady ! — by Jupiter, yes ! 
 
 And ftiy projedt you'll fee will be crown'd with fuccefs;' 
 
 I am joyous myfelf, and 'tis ever my plan 
 
 To give thofe I love all the joy that I can. 
 
 B 2 Mr s-
 
 4 THE PIAPPV PP.ESCRIPTIOiNT: 
 
 M R S. F E LI X. 
 
 We own it — but joy is like diet, dear Coufin, 
 
 One palate may'nt rclifh what plcafes a dozen ; 
 
 Nor will I allow that my appetite 's vicious, 
 
 If perchance I don't like, what you think mod delicious. 
 
 Sir Nicholas. 
 Rare dainty diftinftions ! — but can I believe 
 That a woman e'er lived fince the wedding of Eve, 
 Whofe heart (tho' mofl coyly her head might be carried) 
 Did not fervently willi to be fpeedily married ? 
 Not to wound your nice ears with the name of dcfires 
 Which youth renders lovely, and nature infpircs. 
 Your fex, from its weaknefs, demands a defender, 
 Whom pride and affedion make watchful and tender ^ 
 And if my fair Coz is no hypocrite grown. 
 The truth of my maxims you'll honeftly own ; 
 While the wars from your arms the brave Colonel detain. 
 Is the want of a hufband the fource of no pain ? 
 
 Mrs. Felix. 
 There, indeed, you have touch'd me a little too near, 
 My Soldier, you know, to my foul is mofl; dear, 
 I own — and my franknefs yo\i never will blame, 
 I'd purchafe his prefence with ought but his fame. 
 
 Sir
 
 A COMEDY, IN RHYME, 5 
 
 Sir Nicholas. 
 Well faid, thou dear, honeft, and warm-hearted wife j 
 For thy truth may good angels flill watch o'er his life, 
 And while others the rough iield of {laughter are treading, 
 Send him home full of glory, to dance at our wedding ! 
 For a wedding we'll have to enliven us all, 
 And Hymen's bright altar fliall warm the old hall. 
 For my Niece ere I die 'tis my wiili to provide, 
 And ere two months are pad I will fee her a bride. 
 I'm refolv'd — and you know that my neighbours all fay, 
 Sir Nicholas Oddfifli will have his own way. 
 
 M R s. F E L I X. 
 Selina, dear Sir, wants no other protedlion, 
 While her life glides in peace by your gentle diredion. 
 She thinks, and, I own, I approve her remark, 
 In conjugal cares 'tis too foon to embark : 
 Her bofom untouch'd by Love's dangerous dart, 
 Fate has not yet fhewn her the man of her heart. 
 
 Sir Nicholas. 
 The man of her heart ! — thefe nonfenfical fancies 
 You light-headed females pick out of romances. 
 That I am no tyrant you know very well. 
 So Coufin don't teach my good Niece to rebel ! 
 
 I am
 
 6 THE HAPPY PRESCRIPTION: 
 
 I am no greedy guardian, who thinks it his duty 
 
 On the altar of Plutns to facrifice beauty ; 
 
 Whofe venal barbarity, juftly abhorr'd, 
 
 Ties a lovely young girl to an old crippled lord. 
 
 And bafely, to gain cither rank, or eftate, 
 
 Makes her fwear flie will love, what flie cannot but hate. 
 
 From fuch a protecftor Heaven guard my dear Niece I 
 
 I wifh her to wed that her joys may increafe ; 
 
 And the deuce muft be in the flrange girl who difcovcrs 
 
 No man to her mind in fuch plenty of lovers. 
 
 To no very great length will my cruelty run, 
 
 Jf from twenty admirers I bid her chufe one. 
 
 Mrs. Felix. 
 But why, dear Sir Nicholas, why in fuch hafte ? 
 
 Sir Nicholas. 
 *Tis thus that my projed:s are ever difgrac'd 
 With the falfc names of hurry and precipitation, 
 Becaufe I abhor filly procraftination ; 
 That thief of delight, who deludes all our fenfes, 
 Who cheats us for ever with idle pretences, 
 By whom, like the dog in the fable, betray'd. 
 We let go the fubftance to fnap at the fhade. 
 
 To
 
 A COMEDY, IN RHYME. 7 
 
 To feize prefent Time is the true Art of Life ; 
 'Tis Time who now cries, make Selina a Wife f 
 The feafon is come, I've fo long wifli'd to fee 
 From the moment I dandled her firfb on my knee : 
 She, you know, to my care was bequeathed by my Brother, 
 And having this Child, I ne'er willi'd for another : 
 Thro' life I have kept myfelf lingle for her ; 
 Her intereft, her joy, to my own I prefer. 
 
 Selina. 
 Your kindnefs, dear Sir, I can never repay. 
 
 Sir Nicholas. 
 In truth, my dear damfel, you eafily may j 
 I demand no return fo enormoufly great ; 
 I afk but a Boy to pofTefs my eftate, 
 
 Selina. 
 Lord, Uncle, how come fuch odd thoughts in your head ? 
 
 M R S. F E L I X. 
 
 From his heart, I affure you — 'tis pleafantly faid ; 
 
 A fair ftipulation — both parties agreed,. 
 
 The compad, I truft, in due time will fucceed ; 
 
 But patience, dear Knight, you will have your defire. 
 
 Nor wait very long for a young little 'Squire. 
 
 5 Sir
 
 8 THE HAPPY PRESCRIPTION: 
 
 Sir Nicholas. 
 The cold ftream of Patience ne'er creeps in my veins, 
 But the w'lQi my heart forms my quick fpirit attains. 
 I'm none of your chill atmofphcrical wretches, 
 Whofe affections are fubjedt to ftarts and to catches ; 
 Whofe wifh, like a weather-cock, veering about. 
 Now turns towards hope, and now changes to doubt : 
 No, mine, like the needle without variation, 
 Only looks to one point, and that point 's Confummation. 
 I want to behold this young Urchin arifc. 
 Before I have loft or my legs or my eyes, 
 That I may enjoy all his little vagaries. 
 As the changeable feafon of infancy varies. 
 I long to be moulding his heart and his fpirit. 
 To fhew him the fields he is born to inherit ; 
 Lead him round our rich woods, while my limbs are yet 
 
 limber, 
 And tell the young rogue, how I've nurs'd up his timber; 
 That when the worn thread of my life is untwifted, 
 He long may remember that I have exifted : 
 And when my old frame in our monument refl:s. 
 As he walks by my grave with a few worthy guefls, 
 
 He
 
 A COMEDY, IN Pv H Y M E. 9 
 
 He thus to fome warm-hearted friend may addrefs him, 
 Here lies my odd, honeft, old Uncle — God blefs him ! 
 
 Mrs. Felix. 
 Thank Heaven, dear Coufin, your hale conftitution 
 Shews not the leaft fign of a near difTolution. 
 
 S E L I N A. 
 
 To make your life happy, whate'er the condition, 
 Has been, my dear Uncle, my higheft ambition ; 
 To fulfil every vvifh that your fancy can frame, 
 Still is, as it ought to be, ever my aim : 
 But if by your voice I am doom'd to the altar, 
 With terror and pain my weak accents muft falter, 
 Unlefs my kind ftars a new lover fhould fend me, 
 Unlike all the fvvains who now deign to attend me. 
 
 Sir Nicholas. 
 Nice wench ! do you want the whole world to adore 
 
 you ? 
 Would you have all the men of the earth rang'd before you? 
 For thanks to your charms, and to fortune's kind bounty. 
 You may rank in your train all the youth of our county, 
 And chufe whom you will j if the man has but worth, 
 And is nearly your equal in wealth and in birth, 
 
 C I give
 
 10 THE HAPPY PRESCRIPTION: 
 
 I mvQ my confent — you are free from reftricftion ; 
 
 But I will not be plagu'd with perverfe contradidlion. 
 
 I will fee you wed without any delay : 
 
 Your two fitteft lovers are coming to-day ; 
 
 Young Sapphic, whofe vcrfes delight all the fair, 
 
 And Dicky Dccifivc, Sir Jacob's next heir : 
 
 Both voung and both wealthy, both comely and clever. 
 
 To gain you, no doubt, each will warmly endeavour; 
 
 For they come for a month, by my own invitation, 
 
 On purpofe to found my dear girl's inclination : 
 
 I have faid to them both, and no man can fpeak fairer, 
 
 Let him, who can pleafe her moft, win her and wear her, 
 
 S E L I N A, ajide to Mrs. Felix. 
 Good angels defend me ! 
 
 Mrs. Felix. 
 
 I fee nothino; fri2:htrul : 
 Our month with fuch guefts muft be very delightful : 
 V/hcn Sapphic's foft verfes incline us to dofc, 
 Dick wijl keep us awake with fatirical profe. 
 
 SirNicholas. 
 Don't crofs me, I fay ! nor mifiead my good Niece ! 
 By Jove, if fhe thwarts me with any caprice, 
 
 Like
 
 A COMEDY, IN RHYME. ii 
 
 Like a certain old juftice I'll ring up my maids, 
 And marry the firft of the frank-hearted jades ; 
 For perverfe contradid:ion I never will bear, 
 But pro'/ide for my felt a more dutiful heir. 
 
 Mrs. Felix. 
 Dear Coiifin, in fpite of his vvorfhip's deciiion, 
 You cannot be certain of fuch a provision : 
 Attempts of that nature are fubjedl to fail. 
 
 Sir N I c ho las. 
 My defigns you fhall fee. Madam, always prevail : 
 For if this nice Gipfy, by your machination, 
 Declines every offer, to give me vexation, 
 Like my late jolly neighbour, Sir Timothy Trickum, 
 Who vindidively married the frail Molly Quickum, 
 ril make fure of the matter, and chufe me a wife, 
 With an heir ready plac'd on the threfhold of life : 
 For, as I have faid, tho' a foe to reftridlion, 
 I never will fuffer perverfe contradidion. 
 You now know my mind, which no mafk ever covers, 
 So farewell, and prepare to receive your two lovers. 
 
 [ExiL 
 
 -^ C 2 Mrs.
 
 12 THE HAPPY PRESCRIPTION: 
 
 Mrs. Felix. 
 Go thy way, thou ftrange mixture of fenfe and of blinJ- 
 
 nefs ! 
 A model at once of oppreflion and kindncfs. 
 Tliy will, thou odd compound of goodnefs and whim,, 
 Is a flrcam, againfl: which it is trcafon to fwim ; 
 Yet we muft crofs the current — 
 
 S E L I N A. 
 
 Dear Coulin fay how f 
 Dire£l oppofition he will not allow : 
 What can you devife as a plan of prevnention ? 
 How divert his keen fpirit from this new intention ?' 
 I had much rather die than be ever united 
 To one of the lovers, that he has invited : 
 My heart has a thorough averfion to both : 
 Yet to make him unhappy I'm equally loth; 
 When I think what I owe to his tender prote6lion^ 
 The worft of all ills is to lofe his aftedion. 
 
 Mrs. Felix. 
 Dear Girl, your warm gratitude gives you new charms :: 
 'Tis an amiable fear, which your bofom alarms, 
 And I from your Uncle's quick humour would fcreen you,. 
 Not loofen the bands of affcdion between you. 
 
 He
 
 A COMEDY, IN RHYME. 13 
 
 He merits your love, and you know he has mine ; 
 Yet we fomehow muft baffle his hafty defign, 
 Nor fufFer his whim thus to make you a Wife, 
 To repent the rafh bufmefs the reft of his life. 
 Take courage ! kind Chance may afllft us — 
 
 S E L I N A. 
 
 I doubt it. 
 Yet Heaven knows how we fhall manage without it ; 
 For when his heart 's fet on a favourite fcheme, 
 His ardor and hafte, as you know, are extreme, 
 Like a med'cine ill-tim'd oppofition is vain, 
 And inflames the diforder 'twas meant to reftrain. 
 
 Mrs. Felix. 
 In his fevers indeed there is no intermiilion : 
 And thanks, gentle Coz ! to your foft difpofition ! 
 So fweet and compliant your temper has been. 
 You have taught him to think contradidion a fin ; 
 And here all around him confirm that belief. 
 His vafTals all bow to the nod of their chief. 
 Here fhut from the world in this rural dominion, 
 No mortal oppofes his will or opinion ; 
 And thus he is fpoil'd — Politicians all fay, 
 Human nature 's not fafhion'd for abfolute fway. 
 
 S E L I N A>
 
 14 THE HAPPY PRESCRIPTION: 
 
 S E T. I N A. 
 
 'Tis true, tho' the world, as you fay, think him odd, 
 In this fphere he is held a diminutive god : 
 And when I behold how his fortune is fpent, ■ 
 In fupprefling vexation, and fpreading content ; 
 When I hear all the poor his kind bounty exprcffing, 
 And thoroughly know how he merits their blefling, 
 My feelings with theirs in his eulogy join. 
 And confcfs, that his nature is truly divine. 
 
 M R S. F E LI X. 
 
 Thou excellent Girl ! if fuch fondncfs and zeal 
 For a warm-hearted, whimfical Uncle you feel, 
 With what fine fenfations your bofom will glow, 
 What tender attachment your temper will (hew. 
 When your fortunate lord Love and Hymen invert 
 With higher dominion o'er that gentle breaft I 
 But tell me, dear Coufin — be honeft — declare. 
 Has no young fecret fwain formed an intereft there ? 
 I fufpedl — but don't let my fufpicion affright you, 
 Tho' the good Knight's rare virtues amufe and delight you, 
 From this gloomy old ball you would wifh to get free, 
 Had not Cupid preferv'd you from feeling en?jui', 
 
 Come
 
 , A COMEDY, IN RHYME. 15 
 
 Come tell me the name of the favourite youth : 
 I am fure I guefs right. 
 
 S E L 1 N A. 
 
 No, in fad fober truth 
 I never have feen in the courfe of my life, 
 A mortal to whom I fhould chufe to be wife. 
 
 Mrs. Felix. 
 Ye ftars, what a pity ! — I wifh I could learn 
 That my Colonel from India would fhortly return, 
 Both for your fake and mine ; for our prefent diftrefs 
 He would fpeedily turn into joyous fuccefs ; 
 As his regiment muft fome young hero afford. 
 Who might throw at your feet both himfelf and his fword. 
 What fay you, my dear, to a foldier ? — 
 
 Enter Jenny. 
 Jenny. 
 
 Oh! Madam, 
 Here 's young Mr. Sapphic — I vow, if I had them, 
 I'd give fifty pounds had you feen how politely 
 He beg'd me to tie a fweet nofegay up tightly, 
 Which is jolted to pieces — well, he 's a fweet beau ; 
 And now with his pencil he 's writing below, 
 
 5 I be-
 
 i6 THE HAPPY PRESCRIPTION: 
 
 I believe 'tis a pofy, he writes it fo neatly, 
 
 And I'm lure 'tis fine verfe, Ma'am, it founded Co fweetly. 
 
 Mrs. Felix. 
 Oh charming ! his vows will be very fublime, 
 And I truft we fliall hear his propoials in rhyme. 
 
 S E L I N A. 
 
 How can you, dear Coufin, fo cruelly jeft in 
 A bufmefs you know I am really diftreft in ? 
 I fliall certainly forfeit my Uncle's protedlion, 
 For I never can wed where I feel no affedion. 
 Do help me. 
 
 Mrs. Felix. 
 Good Girl, this perplexity fmother, 
 And think your two lovers will banifli each other : 
 There 's much to be hop'd from our prefent affairs. 
 
 Jenny. 
 O, Ma'am, Mr. Sapphic is coming up flairs. 
 
 (Afide as Jhe goes out.) 
 I am mightily pleas'd with this marrying plan, 
 And I hope in my fpirit that he '11 be the man. [^Exlt. 
 
 E?iter
 
 A COMEDY, IN RHYME. 17 
 
 Enter Sapphic. 
 Sapphic. 
 Fair Ladies, the moments have feem'd to be hours, 
 While I ftopt in your hall to adjuft a few flowers : 
 For the feafon, I'm told, they 're uncommonly fine ; 
 But I flill wifli the tribute more worthy the flirine. 
 
 \Bowing and prefenti7ig them to Selina. 
 
 S E L I N A. 
 
 Mr. Sapphic is always extremely polite : 
 Thefe rofes, indeed, are a wonderful fight : 
 You are far better florifts than we are. 
 
 Mrs. Felix, 
 
 My dear, 
 Mr. Sapphic has magic to make them appear. 
 And Flora is brib'd by the fongs he compofes 
 To produce for her poet extempore rofes; 
 Into this early bloom all her plants are bewitch'd :' 
 But you do not obferve how the gift is inrich'd. 
 Here 's a border of verfe, if my eyes don't deceive me. 
 
 S E L I N A, afide to Mrs. Felix. 
 Dear Coufin you '11 read it — I pray you relieve me ; 
 I fliall blufii like a fool at each civil expreflion. 
 
 .D Mrs.
 
 C( 
 
 i8 THE HAPPY PRESCRIPTION: 
 
 Mrs. Felix, afule to Selina, taking the paper » 
 Now with emphafis juft and with proper difcretion. 
 
 (Mrs. Felix reads.) 
 Ye happy flowers give and receive perfume 
 ■' As on Selina's fragrant breaft ye bloom : 
 " From earthj tho' not arrang'd in order uice, 
 *' Yc arc tranfplantcd into Paradife ; 
 . *' If on that fpot ye langulfli into death, 
 ** ''Twill be from envy of her fwecter breath." 
 
 'Tis a delicate compliment, tender and pretty, 
 What original fpirit ! how graceful and witty ! 
 
 Sapphic. 
 Dear Ma'am, you 're too good to find any thing in it, 
 'Tis a mere hafty trifle — the work of a minute : 
 On the anvil I had not a moment to hammer, 
 And I fear, in my hafte I have finn'd agaiafl: grammar, 
 
 Mr s. F E L I X. 
 All flight imperfedions I never regard 
 When I meet with fuch vigor of thought in a bard,. 
 With a fancy fo brilliant — 
 
 Sapphic. 
 
 O ! Ma'am, you 're too kind ; 
 But candor's the teft of an amiable mind. 
 
 I wiili
 
 A COMEDY, IN RHYME. 19 
 
 I vvidi that your tafte all our Critics might guide, 
 To foftcn that rigor with which they decide. 
 
 M R s. F E L I X. 
 
 From Critics, dear Sir, you have little to fear. 
 
 If Mr. Deci{ive himfelf had been here, 
 
 He muft have been charm'd with this fweet jV« d'efpritj^ 
 
 "Which, as he is coming to-day, he fliall fee. 
 
 I am eager to hear how his wit will applaud it : 
 
 To conceal it would be of due praife to defraud it, 
 
 Sapphic 
 In Mercy's name, Ladies, I beg your protedlion, 
 Preferve my poor rhymes from Decifive's infpedion ; 
 Condder how hafty — 
 
 Mrs. Felix. 
 
 Say rather how fprightly — ^ 
 Sapphic. 
 Composed in a moment— 
 
 Mrs. Felix, 
 
 Produc'd fo politely I 
 Sapphic. 
 He'll cut them to atoms ! 
 
 D 2 Mrs.
 
 20 THE HAPPY PRESCRIPTION: 
 
 Mrs. Felix. 
 
 Dear Sir, he 's your friend, 
 And I thought he had feen all the poems you pen'd : 
 I was told that to him your long works you rehearfe— 
 Does Mr. Decifive himfelf write in vcrfc ? 
 
 Sapphic. 
 I wifh from my foul that he did now and then ; 
 But he ufes the pen-knife much more than the pen, 
 And too freely has {lafli'd all who write in the nation, 
 To give them an opening for retaliation. 
 My old friend Dccifive has honour and wit ; 
 To the latter, indeed, he makes moft things fubmit ; 
 And thinks it fair fport, as a friend or a foe. 
 To knock down a Bard by a flaming bon mot. 
 To your fex indeed his chief failings I trace ; 
 For the fair-ones fo flatter'd his figure and face. 
 That too early he ceas'd the chafte Mufes to follow, 
 And being Adonis, would not be Apollo. 
 
 Mr s. Felix. 
 Yet he has much fancy* 
 
 Sapphic 
 
 O, Madam, no doubt. 
 And genius that ftudy would foon have brought out. 
 
 Had
 
 A COMEDY, IN RHYME. 21 
 
 Had his thoughts been lefs turn'd to his legs and his looks, 
 Ere this he 'd have written fome excellent books : 
 'Tis pity fuch parts fhould thro' indolence fall ; 
 But he never compofes, and reads not at all. 
 
 S E L I N A. 
 
 Not read, Mr, Sapphic ! you furely miflake ; 
 
 Your friend cannot be an illiterate rake : 
 
 Our neighbours^ who lately from London came down, 
 
 Declare, that his word forms the tafte of the town I 
 
 Sapphic 
 Dear Madam, the bufinefs is eafily done ; 
 He judges all authors, but never reads one» 
 
 Mrs. Felix. 
 I 'm fure he muft own this ifnpromptu is fweet. 
 And I vow he fhall read it — 
 
 Sapphic. 
 
 Dear Ma'am, I intreat, 
 I conjure you to fpare me ; this earneft petitioa 
 I know you will grant me — 
 
 M R s. F E L I X. 
 
 On this one condition, 
 That for fix lines fupprefs'd you indulge me with twenty :; 
 
 Come^,
 
 22 THE HAPPY PRESCRIPTION: 
 Come, fhcw us yoiir pocket-book — there you have plenty 
 Of tender poetical fquibs for the Fair. 
 
 Sapphic, taking out his pocket-book. 
 
 Dear Ma'am here is nothing. 
 Mrs. Felix. 
 
 A volume, I fwcar, 
 O, charming ! well, now you 're an excellent man ; 
 *Tis ftuff'd like a pincufhion— ^ 
 
 S \ P P H I c. 
 
 Yes, Ma'am — with bran. 
 Mrs. Felix. 
 Fie, fie, you 're too modcft, and murder my meaning ; 
 What a harveft is here ! yet I afk but a gleaning : 
 It would not be fair to feize all the collection, 
 Tho' all is mofl certainly worthy infpediion. 
 Indulge us, dear Sir : come, I'll take no refufal. 
 
 Sapphic. 
 Indeed, Ma'am, here 's nothing that 's fit for perufal, 
 
 M R s. F E L I X. 
 
 There are fifty fine things, and one can't chufe amifs» 
 
 Sapphic, taki?ig out a paper. 
 Here 's one new little fong— 
 
 5 Mrs.
 
 A COMEDY, IN R H Y M E» 23 
 
 Mrs. Felix, 
 
 Well then, let me have this, 
 Sapphic, after giving a ^aper. 
 They all are fo jumbled, I fear I am wrong; 
 I meant to have fhewn you a new little fong, 
 Which was written laft week on the ball at our races, 
 Where I heard the Mifs Trotters compar'd to the Graces j 
 I could not help faying, 'twas very profane, 
 It was taking the name of the Graces in vain. 
 
 Mrs. Felix reads, 
 
 ** On feeing Selina and yermy near each other in 
 ** the garden,^"* 
 
 Sapphic. ^ 
 
 O mercy, dear Madam, you muft not read thofe ! 
 A ftanza unfinifh'd. — 
 
 Mrs. Felix. 
 
 How i^ttiX^ it flows 1 
 Selina, pray hear it. 
 
 Selina, afide /<? M r s. Felix. 
 Dear Coufln enough ! 
 How can you delight in his horrible fluff! 
 
 Mrs.
 
 24 THE HAPPY PRESCRIPTION: 
 
 Mrs. Felix reads, 
 " Tho' each in the fame garden blows, 
 
 " The poet muft be crazy, 
 " Who, when invited by the rofe, 
 
 " Can ftoop to pick the daify." 
 
 S E L I N A, afule to Mrs. Felix. 
 If you love rae, dear Coufin, aflift me, I pray, 
 To end all this nonfenfe, and get him away.— 
 Pray, Sir, when you came, was my Uncle below ? 
 
 Sapphic 
 He 's abroad, Ma'am, your fervant inform'd me — 
 
 S ELI N A. 
 
 ONol 
 
 You have heard he is building a temple to Pan, 
 
 And we hope that your tafte may embellifh the plan : 
 
 At the end of the walk, in his favourite grove, 
 
 Where there formerly flood an old ruin'd alcove, 
 
 You '11 find him ; and as 'tis an art you are fkill'd in. 
 
 Twill pleafe him to know what you think of the building. 
 
 Mrs. Felix. 
 Aye do, Mr Sapphic, infpecl what is done, 
 For the workmen all blunder'd when firft they begun : 
 Your opinion I 'm fure will oblige tiie good Knight. 
 
 10 Se LIN A.
 
 A COMEDY, IN RHYME. 25 
 
 S E L I N A. 
 
 An infcription, he once faid, he wifli'd you to write. 
 
 Sapphic. 
 Dear Madam ! — the hint is delightful, I vow ; 
 To the God of Arcadia I haften to bow : 
 I fhall find the good Knight in the midft of the dome j 
 I am heartily glad that he is not from home. 
 We fhall furely contrive fomething clever between us, 
 And the Mufe will compofe by the order of Venus. 
 
 [^Bows tenderly to Selina, and Exit. 
 
 iS E L 1 N A. 
 
 How could you fo praife that impertinent creature ? 
 And praife him without difcompofing a feature! — 
 I could not have thought, before this converfation, 
 That your franknefs could turn into fuch adulation. 
 
 Mrs. F e l I Xi 
 The World, my dear Child, is to you quite unknown ; 
 When you fee it you '11 find fuch difcourfe is the ton ; 
 Fine folks in high life learn to praife with great glee 
 Such perfons and things as they ficken to fee. 
 To me your beft thanks for my fpeeches are due — 
 By thus flattering the Poet, I furely ferve you 5 
 
 E He
 
 26 THE HAPPY PRESCRIPTION: 
 
 He will now play the Sky-lark inrtcad of the Dove, 
 And flun me with Tongs, while you 're liiv'd from his lovCi. 
 
 E?iter Jenny. 
 Jenny. 
 Dear Ma'am, now I hope Mr. Sapphic 's quite bleft,. 
 For he flies thro' the walks like a bird to his neft. — 
 He 's a fweet pretty gentleman. 
 
 Mrs. Felix, aftde /(?Selina. 
 
 This, if I fhew it,.. 
 Win foon banifli Jenny's regard for the poet : — 
 Jenny, fee what your friend Mr. Sapphic has written,. 
 
 Jenny. 
 Dear Ma'am, with his verfes I always am fmitten.. 
 
 (Having 7'ead the Jlanza.) 
 A Daify indeed I to be fure I am neat, 
 But tho' I 'm a fervant I hope I am fweet. 
 When he makes my young Miftrefs a Rofe or a Lilly,, 
 He might turn me at leaft to a DafFy-down-dilly. 
 But a Daify, forfooth ! with no fragrance at all ! — 
 I '11 crofs him for this — 
 
 S E L I NA. 
 
 What 's that noife in the hall ? 
 
 Jenny.
 
 A COMEDY, IN RHYMK 27 
 
 Jenny. 
 
 As fure as I live 'tis your other gay Spark, 
 For I favv a new chaife driving into the park. — • 
 I'll fee, Ma'am. 
 
 (AJtde going out) 
 I '11 lliew this fine Poet a trick — 
 A Daify ! that no one but children will pick. [Exit. 
 
 M R s. F R L I X. 
 
 This fimile Jenny I fee cannot fwallow, 
 And her anger may ruin this fon of Apollo ; 
 For in courtfhip this maxim is often difplay'd, 
 He has half loft the Miftrefs who lofes the Maid.. 
 
 Enter Decifive. 
 Decisive. 
 Alone, my dear Ladies ! — they told me below, 
 Our friend Sapphic was here, your poetical Beau ; 
 I was almoft afraid that my fudden intrufion 
 Might check the rich ftream of fome lyric effufion. 
 
 (To Selina ; 
 I 'm happy to fee you fo lovely to-day ; 
 But I hope I 've not frighted your Poet away. 
 
 E 2 S E L I N A.
 
 28 THE HAPPY PRESCRIPTION: 
 
 S E L I N A. 
 
 no — Mr. Sapphic had bid us adieu — 
 
 Mrs. Felix. 
 And not without faying fome fine things of you : 
 He declares, that with thofe brilliant parts you pofTefs, 
 'TIs a fin you ne'er fend any work to the prefs. 
 
 Decisive. 
 Good Sapphic ! — In truth 'tis his comfort to think 
 The whole duty of man lies in fpilling of ink ; 
 And at Paradife gate his large volumes of metre 
 Will I hope be allow'd a fair pafs by Saint Peter. 
 
 Mrs. Felix. 
 Then the Saint muft be free from your critical fpirit, 
 For I know you have little efteem for their merit ; 
 You're a rigorous judge, and to poets terrific. 
 
 Decisive. 
 
 1 wifh my friend's mufe was not quite fo prolific : 
 
 But in rhymes when a child I have heard he would fqueak, 
 And fo proved a poet before he could fpeak ; 
 Oa his death-bed, I doubt not, he'll ftill think of vcrfe, 
 And groan out a rhyme to his dodlor or nurfe. 
 
 Mrs.
 
 A COMEDY, IN RHYME. %9 
 
 Mrs. Felix. 
 I fancy your favourite reading is profe ; 
 Here 's a new fet of travels, pray have you read thofe ? 
 
 Decisive, taking the booh 
 This author is lucky to meet with a buyer : 
 A traveller 's but a foft word for a liar. 
 Stf ch works may pleafe thofe who have ne'er been abroad. 
 But men, who have travell'd, perceive all the fraud, 
 
 Mr s. F e l I X. 
 Is the work fo deceitful ! it feems you have read it? 
 
 Decisive. 
 Not a fyllable, Madam — 
 
 Mrs. Felix. 
 
 Pray who then has faid it r 
 Decisive. 
 Not a foul that I know — but fuch books are a trade. 
 And I perfedtly know how thofe volumes are made. 
 
 Mrs. Felix. 
 'Tis a work, I am told, that has great reputation 
 Both for wit and for truth — 
 
 Decisive, 
 
 We 're a credulous nation^ — 
 i Mrs,
 
 5# THE HAPPY PRESCRIPTION: 
 
 M R S. F E L I X. 
 
 I 
 
 Pray what kind of books are your favourite fludy ? 
 
 Decisive. 
 I find modern works only make the brain muddy. 
 As my friends grew by reading more awkward than wife.^ 
 And ruin'd their pevfons and clouded their eyes .; * 
 
 I have wifely refolv'd not to read any more. 
 Since each living author is turn'd to a bore, 
 
 Mrs. Felix. 
 How can you fo wafte all your bright mental powers? 
 'Tis pity you men have not fuch works as ours — 
 What d'ye fay to my knotting? 
 
 (Takes out her work.) 
 Decisive. 
 
 Your box wants a hinge. 
 And I'll give you a much better pattern for fringe; 
 I brought it from France. 
 
 Mrs. Felix. 
 
 Now I fee, my good friend, 
 There is no kind of work which your fkili cannot mend: 
 In all arts you pofTcfs a diftinguifliing head, 
 From building a temple to knotting a thread. 
 
 Decisive.
 
 A COMEDY, IN RHYJ^IE. 31 
 
 D.E C I S I V E, 
 
 A-propos of a temple — pray has the good Knight 
 Rais'd his altar to Pan ? — he had iix'd on the fite. 
 Is. the ftrudure begun ? — I have not feen his plan — 
 
 Mrs. Felix. 
 Then haften, and pay your devotions to Pan. 
 Sir Nicholas nov/- in his veftibule ftands, 
 To guide all his workmen and quicken their hands • , 
 And Sapphic is gone to attend the good Knight, 
 And try what infcription his genius can v/rite. 
 
 Decisive. 
 Poor Pan ! by the Graces thou'rt left in the lurch 5 
 Thy temple will.look.like a. trim parilli church, 
 With Sapphic's infcriptions, like fcraps of the Bible 
 Put up, as the Church- wardens fay, in a libel. 
 
 Mrs. Felix. 
 Indeed we much fear fo-^-pray hafte to infpedl it,. 
 And exert all your.exquifite tafle.to corredrit.. 
 
 Decisive. 
 Ma'am I'll do what I can, for it puts me in wrath 
 To fee a fine temple difgrac'd by a Goth, [Exit. 
 
 E4 Mils,
 
 -2 THE i^IAPPY PRESCRIPTION: 
 
 Mrs. Felix; 
 Well, my dear, your two Lov^ers, like true nien of fafliion, 
 Do not pcfter you much with the heat of their paffion : 
 You'll be quite at your eafe — thanks to Pan and the Mufe! 
 
 £;;/^r Jenny, hajlily, 
 Jenny. 
 News! news! my dear Ladies, moll excellent news! 
 
 S E L I N A. 
 
 The girl is quite wild ! 
 
 Mrs. Felix. 
 
 What tranfports you fo, Jenny ? 
 Jenny. 
 I've news for you, Madam, that's well worth a guinea : 
 I have news from the Colonel — 
 
 Mrs. Fel I X. 
 
 A letter! Where is it? 
 Jenny. 
 No, Ma'am, here's a ftrangcr arriv'd on a vifit. 
 And he comes from the place where the Colonel is fighting. 
 
 Mrs. Felix. 
 And with letters for me ? 
 
 J E N N Y. 
 
 Madam, that I'm not right in ; 
 7 For
 
 A COMEDY, IN RHYME. 33 
 
 For I run from his man when I got half my ftory ; 
 But the Colonel, he fays, is all riches and glory. 
 
 M R s. F E L I X. 
 Dear girl that's enough ; through my life I fhall feel 
 Due regard for thy warm and affedionate zeal. 
 But where is this Stranger ? 
 
 Jenny. 
 
 Juft walk'd to my Matter. 
 His poor man has met with a cruel difafter ; 
 He was wounded in battle. 
 
 S E L I N A. 
 
 Pray treat him with care.— 
 In your joy, my dear Couiin, I heartily fliare. 
 
 Mrs. Felix, 
 This Stranger 's a jewel for you from the Eaft ; 
 He 's a Captain, I hope, my dear Jenny, at leaft. 
 
 J E N N Y^ 
 
 Ah, Madam 1 my fancy fuppos'd him fo too ; 
 
 But we 're both in the wrong, and for Mifs he won't do, 
 
 For I learnt from his man he is only a Dodlor. 
 
 Mrs. Felix. 
 Poor Jane, how the difference of title h^s fhock'd her I 
 
 F For
 
 34- THE HAPPY PRESCRIPTION: 
 
 For my part I can't hnd by my reafon or feeling, 
 That the art of deftroying excels that of healing : 
 We may equally love the profeflbrs of both. 
 
 Jenny. 
 That Mifs tho' fliould marry a Do6tor I 'm loth. 
 
 Mrs. Felix. 
 Come, my dear, let us meet 'cm — I can't reft above- 
 How flowly fly letters from hands that we love ! 
 
 End of ACT I. 
 
 A 
 
 T 
 
 IL 
 
 SCENE I. 
 
 Enter Jenny and Jonathan, . 
 
 Jenny. 
 
 COME, dear Mr. Jonathan, tell me the vi'hole :- 
 An account of a battle I love to my foulj 
 There is nothing on earth I fo truly delight in, 
 As to hear a brave Soldier difcourfe about fighting. — 
 
 So
 
 A COMEDY, IN RHYME. 35 
 
 So the Colonel was wounded you fay near the wall : 
 Whereabouts was the fliot ? Did he inftantly fall ? 
 
 Jonathan. 
 No; recoiling a little he rufli'd on again, 
 And fought like a lion, made fiercer by pain ; 
 Tho' a curfed keen arrow an Indian let fly, 
 Pierc'd the bone of his cheek juft below the right eye. 
 'Twas a horrible wound ! but it could not appal him. 
 
 Jenny. 
 O mercy ! that fuch a hard fate fhould befal him. 
 Alas ! I'm afraid that his fine manly face 
 Muft have loft by the fear all its fpirit and grace. 
 Does he look very hideous ? 
 
 Jonathan. 
 
 No ; thanks to my Mafter, 
 You can hardly perceiv^e that he e'er wore a plaifter. 
 There never was known a more wonderful cure ; 
 But kind Heaven afiifts my good Mafter I 'm fure ; 
 Without it the ikill of no mortal could fave 
 The many brave lads he has kept from the grave. 
 You would weep with delight to behold him furrounded 
 With a hundred fine fellows once horribly wounded ; 
 
 F 2 Who
 
 36 THE HAPPY PRESCRIPTION: 
 
 Who with thanks for their lives are ftill eager to greet him, 
 And hail him with bleffings whenever they meet him. 
 
 Jenny. 
 God reward him, fay I, for the good he has done ; 
 And of thofe he has fav'd I 'm glad you are one. 
 
 Jonathan. 
 Aye, twice he preferv'd me wl>en all thought me dead. 
 And once brought me off at the rifque of his head. 
 It was not his bufinefs to mix in the ftrife, 
 And fome thought him mad when he ventur'd his life 
 To bring off a poor mangled private like me ; 
 But I 'vc flill a heart left in this trunk that you fee, 
 Which loves the brave fpirit who fnatch'd me from death. 
 And will ferve him, I hope, till my very laft breath. 
 
 Jenny. 
 Your fcenes of hard fervice I hope are all over ; 
 It is now fairly time you fhould both live in clover. 
 Your Mafler, I truft, has brought home as much treafure 
 As will make him a parliament-man at his pleafure ; 
 And to recompence you for the wound in your arm. 
 Perhaps he will buy you a fnug little farm. 
 
 J O N A T H A N>
 
 A COMEDY, IN RHYME. 37 
 
 Jonathan. 
 When a Gentleman comes from the Eaft, my good girl, 
 You all think he is loaded with diamonds and pearl ; 
 You fancy his treafure too great to be told, 
 And fuppofe he poireffes a mountain of gold. 
 A few daring blades, by a bold kind of ftealth. 
 Have indeed from the Indies brought home fo much wealthy 
 That with all their keen fenfes they ne'er could employ it. 
 And have dy'd from the want of a heart to enjoy it r 
 But fome hundred brave lads, whom gay youth led to enter 
 That promifing region of hope and adventure, 
 Have toil'd many years in thofe rich- burning climes. 
 With fmall fhare of their wealth, and with none of their 
 
 crimes. 
 Now my Mafter and I both belong to this tribe ; 
 Not a fingk Nabob have we kill'd for a bribe j 
 And to tell you a truth, which I hope you '11 not doubt. 
 We're as poor and as honefl: as when we fet out. 
 
 Jenny. 
 What ! your Mafler ftill poor in fo thriving a trade I 
 And with patients fo rich has he never been paid 
 For the wounds he has heal'd ? 
 
 J O N A THAN. 
 
 >..w^'l> «
 
 38 THE HAPPY PRESCRIPTION: 
 
 J O N A T H A N-. 
 
 Yes, my dear, for his fees 
 I know he has touch'd many thoufand rupees ; 
 But the fight of diftrefs he could never endure ; 
 What he took from the rich he beftow'd on the poor. 
 
 Jen n y. 
 Well, Fleaven will pay him, no doubt, in due feafon* 
 But what brings him home ? — I would fain know the reafon 
 Why he leaves that rich land in the bloom of his life : 
 I fuppofe from the want of a cherry-cheek'd wife ? 
 They fay thofe black wenches are fad nafty creatures. 
 And tho' they 've fine fhapes they have horrible features. 
 Does he want a white fvveet-heart ? or has he a Black ? 
 
 Jonathan. 
 'Tis indeed a white woman that brings us both back : 
 But alas ! 'tis an old one — my Mafter, it feems, 
 Has a fond fimple mother that 's troubled with dreams, 
 And he, like a tender and foft-hearted youth, 
 Refigns his fine profped, and comes home forfooth 
 Becaufe the old dame has exprefs'd her dcfires 
 To fee him in England before fiie expires : 
 And egad fince he 's come fhe will live long enough, 
 For file feems to be made of good durable ftufF. 
 
 Jenny.
 
 A COMEDY, IN RHYME. 39. 
 
 Jenny. 
 Well, now I iliall love him a hundred times more 
 Than I did for the ftories you told me before. 
 God blefs the kind foul 1 who behaves to his mother 
 As if he well knew he could ne'er have another ;. 
 And were he my fon I could not live without him ; 
 Icould flay here all day while you're talking about him.-— 
 But 'tis time to be gone ; we muft both difappear, 
 For the Colonel's fweet Wife and your Mafter are- here> 
 
 Jonathan.- 
 Stop, I muft peep at her; — fhe's as bright as the day ! 
 
 Jenny-. 
 
 And her heart- is as good as her fpirit is gay^ — ■ I 
 
 Come I'll fhew you our walks — we may get out this way. J 
 
 \_Exeu7tL 
 Enter Mrs. Felix ^W Morley. . 
 Mr s. F EL I X. 
 Dear excellent Friend, iince I owe to your worth ^ 
 The fafety of what I moft value on earth, 
 With thofe it loves bcft my heart yields you a place, , 
 And Iclafp your kind hand with a fifter's embrace. 
 To judge of the man whom fuch fervice endears 
 I want not the tardy acquaintance of years. 
 
 But
 
 40 TPIE HAPPY PRESCRIPTION: 
 
 But in ftrong tho' quick ties, that no chances can fever, 
 
 In an inftant he feizes my friendQiip for ever : 
 
 And had I much lefs obligation to you, 
 
 My regard and eftcem I fhould ftill think your due, 
 
 From the pi6turc my Felix has drawn of your mind. 
 
 M o R L E Y. 
 
 His warm foul to his friends is moft partially kind : 
 
 But fuch as I am I moft truly am yours ; 
 
 Your croodnefs my grateful attachment enfures, 
 
 And my heart Avith proud tranfport your friendfliip embraces, 
 
 Tho' I ne'er gaz'd before on your perfonal graces, 
 
 I've beguil'd fome long weeks of hard wearifome duty 
 
 With frequent difcourfe on your virtues and beauty ; 
 
 And I own for the Colonel it rais'd my efteem. 
 
 To mark with what pleafure he dwelt on the theme. 
 
 M R S. F E L I X. 
 
 You're an excellent creature to footh a fond Wife, 
 Who regards her Lord's love hardly lefs than his life ; 
 But fince you 've replied with good humour fo fteady 
 To the ten thoufand queftions I 've afk'd you already^ 
 I'll fpare you to-day, and if 'tis in my power 
 Mention Felix's name only once in an hour* 
 
 I That
 
 A C O M E D Y, IN RHYME. 41 
 
 That my thoughts to the Indies no longer may roam, 
 
 Let me talk to you now about matches at home ; 
 
 Your counfel may make our perplexity lefs, 
 
 And finifli our odd tragi-comic diftrefs. 
 
 Firft tell me, and fpeak without any difguife, 
 
 (Tho' I fancy I read all your thoughts in your eyes) 
 
 What d' ye think of my Coufin ? 
 
 M O R L E Y. 
 
 Her graces indeed 
 The glowing defcription of Felix exceed ; 
 Tho' in praifing her, oft he with pleafure has fmil'd 
 Like a father defcribing his favourite <f hild. 
 For my part, I think fhe is lavillily bleft 
 With thofe beauties by which the pure mind is expreft, 
 That her heart is with truth and with tendernefs warm, 
 That fweet fenfibility fhines in her form ; 
 A form, on which no man his eye ever turn'd 
 Without feeling his breaft in her welfare concern'd. 
 'Tis the lot of fuch graces, wherever they dwell. 
 None can fee their foft miftrefs and not wifh her well. 
 
 Mrs. Felix. 
 Very gallandy faid, and the praife is her due— - 
 But how came her Lovers fo well known to you ? 
 
 G M o R L E y.
 
 42 THE HAPPY PRESCRIPTION: 
 
 M O R L E Y. 
 
 Her Lovers ! — dear Madam, I hope you 're in jeft— 
 Or if by their vows your fweet Friend is addreft, 
 Heaven grant, for the peace of her delicate mind, 
 That her hand may be never to either refign'd I 
 
 Mrs. Felix. 
 From my foul I aflure you I join in your prayer j 
 
 But whence does it fpring? 
 
 M o R L E Y. 
 
 I will freely declare, 
 The* they're both men of fortune, fair birth, and good- 
 name, 
 With figures that fet fome young nymphs in a flame 5, 
 Tho' at each, many ladies are ready to catch 
 At what the world calls, a mod excellent match j 
 Yet, if I have read your fair Coufin aright, 
 A bofom fo tender, a fpirit fo bright, 
 Muft be wretched with fuch a companion for life,. 
 As each of thefe Lovers would prove to his Wife.. 
 
 Mrs. Felix. 
 You are right; but their characters where could you knaw? 
 
 MORL E Y. 
 
 I knew them at college a few years ago, 
 
 Before.
 
 A COMEDY, IN RHYME. 43 
 
 Before, by a whimfical odd fort of fate, 
 
 And fome family lofles, too long to relate, 
 
 In Europe my views of profperity ceas'd, 
 
 And chance fent me forth to my friends in the Eafl. 
 
 M R S. F E L I X. 
 
 Pray what fort of youths were thefe two modifh men ? 
 
 M O R L E Y. 
 
 You now find them both what they feem'd to me then ; 
 
 Two charadters form'd like moft young men of fafhion, 
 
 Whofe cold felfifli pride is their fovereign paflion : 
 
 In each, tho' they 're men of an oppofite turn, 
 
 The fame heart-freezing vanity ftill you difcern. 
 
 To indulge that dear vanity, each ftill difplays 
 
 All the force of his mind, tho' in different ways. 
 
 Thence, in fpinning weak verfe Sapphic's toil never ends, 
 
 And Decifive ne'er flops in deriding his friends ; 
 
 Each equally fancies no nymph can refift 
 
 His lips, which he thinks all the Graces have kifl. 
 
 Mrs. Felix. 
 Perfed knowledge of both your juft pidure has fhown ! — 
 The warmth of thefe Lovers diverts me I own. 
 
 G 2 Of
 
 44 THE HAPPY PRESCRIPTION: 
 
 Of conqueft each feems to himfclf very clear, 
 And feels from his rivals no diffident fear. 
 'Tis eafy to fee from their fatisfied air, 
 Each loves his own perfon much more than the Fair. 
 But my poor gentle Coz wiflies both at a diftance ; 
 And I want to contrive, by your Iriendly afliftance, 
 To relieve her, and quietly fend them from hence 
 Without the Knight's knowledge. 
 
 M O R L E Y. 
 
 As neither wants fenk. 
 Can't the Lady pronounce their difmiflion at once. 
 Which none can miftake but an impudent dunce ? 
 
 Mrs. Felix. 
 This mcafure feems eafy indeed at firft view ; 
 But alas ! 'tis a meafure we dare not purfue. 
 Our warm-hearted, whimfical, pofitive Knight, 
 Allows not to woman this natural right ; 
 And hence my young Friend, in a pitiful cafe, 
 Knows not how to reject what fbe ne'er can embrace; 
 For nothing her Uncle's refeiitment would fmbther,^-*^'^- 
 Should {he banifh one fuitor, and not take the other. 
 
 2 M o R L E y.
 
 A COMEDY, IN RHYME. 45 
 
 M O R L E Y. 
 
 Then indeed I am griev'd for the Lady's diftrefs ; 
 But how can I aid her ? 
 
 Mrs. Felix. 
 
 'Tis hard, I confefs. 
 To a fudden retreat this bold Pair to oblige. 
 And make two fuch Heroes abandon a fiege ; 
 Yet I wifli we could do it — and when they recedcy. 
 The departure of both muft appear their own deed» 
 
 M o R L E Y, after a paufe. 
 Well — my friendfhip for you has fuggefted a fcheme. 
 
 M R S. F E L I X. 
 
 'Tis a fervice our hearts will for ever efteem. 
 But what is your projed: ? 
 
 M o R L E y. 
 
 Don't queftion me what. 
 Left you think me a fool for too fimple a plot : 
 'Tis fimple, and yet I would venture my life 
 It v/ill drive from thefe Beaus all the thoughts of a Wife j 
 And if my fcheme profpers, with joy I'll confefs 
 What a whimfical trifle produc'd our fuccefs, 
 
 Mrs..
 
 46 THE HAPPY PRESCRIPTION: 
 
 Mrs. Felix. 
 W^ll, keep your own fecret, if filence is beft ; 
 Tho' a woman, for once I '11 in ignorance reft. — 
 Here comes our friend Sapphic — he fcems in a flurry. 
 
 M O R L E Y. 
 
 His flep fhews indeed a poetical hurry, 
 And we fliall be call'd in as Goflips, fair neighbour, 
 For by the Bard's buftle his Mufe is in labour, 
 
 E?tier Sapphic. 
 Sapphic. 
 Dear Ma'am ! may I afk you for paper and ink. 
 Left a frefli jeu (Tefprit in oblivion fhould (ink ? 
 For when my free fancy has brought forth my verfe, 
 My treacherous memory proves a bad nurfe. 
 
 Mrs. Felix. 
 O pray ! for your Mufe let us rear her young chit, 
 For the bantling no doubt muft have fpirit and wit ; 
 As a cradle to hold it, I beg you 'II take that, 
 
 (giving him a paper.) 
 And your Friend here will aid you in drefling the Brat ; 
 At a rite fo important I merit no place, 
 And I beg to withdraw while you 're wafhing its face. 
 
 \Exit. 
 Sapphic.
 
 A COMEDY, IN RHYME. 47 
 
 Sapphic. 
 That 's a charming gay Creature — luxuriant and young — 
 But I've loft half a ftanza — the deuce take her tongue; — 
 Let me fee — let me fee if I can 't recoiled: it. — 
 'Tis done ; — and now, Morley, pray hear or infpedl it, 
 
 M o R L E y. 
 The Poet himfelf his own verfe (hould recite. 
 
 Sapphic 
 You 're a fenlible fellow — your maxim is right- 
 
 (Reads.) 
 
 " Thy old Arcadia, Pan, refign, 
 
 " For this more rich retreat : 
 ** A fairer nymph here decks thy flirine ;- 
 
 " Be this thy fav'rite feat." 
 
 Well,my Friend, won't this bring the old God out of Greece? 
 
 Mo R L E V, 
 
 Aye, and make good Sir Nicholas give you his Niece. 
 
 Sapphic 
 Yes, I fancy this ftanza will make the Girl mine.. 
 
 M O R L E Y. 
 
 What Poet can wifti for a prize more divine ? 
 
 :s I give
 
 48 THE HAPPY PRESCRIPTION: 
 
 I give you much joy on your conqueft, my Friend ; 
 Yet the eyes of regret on your nuptials I bend. 
 And grieve in reflecting, that conjugal joy 
 Your poetical harveft of Fame muft deftroy. 
 
 Sapphic. 
 What the deuce do you mean ? 
 
 M O R L E Y. 
 
 To thofe great w^orks adieu 
 Which the world novv expeds with impatience from you. 
 The Poet when blefl: can no more be fublime, 
 And a chill matrimonial muft ftrike thro' his rhyme. 
 
 Sapphic 
 You 're miftaken, dear Do6lor — connubial delight 
 Will give a new zeft to each poem I write j 
 And you'll fee fuch produdlions! — 
 
 M O R L E Y. 
 
 'Tis true, now and then 
 Polemics by marriage have quickcn'd their pen. 
 A Dutch Critic I know, by the aid of his Wife, 
 Made a book and a child every year of his life. 
 But total feclufion from Venus and Bacchus, 
 Is, you know, to the Bard recommended by Flaccus. 
 
 A grand
 
 A COMEDY, IN RHYME. 49 
 
 A grand epic poem I hear you are writing ^ 
 
 'Tis a work that your country will take great clelifrlit in: 
 
 But confider, my Friend, when you 're deep in heroics, 
 
 As Poets have not all the patience of Stoics, 
 
 How you '11 grieve to be check'd in the flow of your verfe, 
 
 By a young fqualling child and an old fcolding nurfe ; 
 
 E'en the qualms of your Lady may drive from your brain 
 
 Fine thoughts that you ne'er can recover again ; 
 
 Refledl how you'll feel, with fuch hopes of fucceedino-, 
 
 If your Mufe fhould mifcarry becaufc your Wife's breedino-. 
 
 'Sapphic. 
 Fgad, in that cafe I fliould think my fate hard. 
 
 M O R L E Y . 
 
 I myfelf have beheld an unfortunate Bard, 
 Who his nails for a rhyme unfuccefsfully bit, 
 When family cares had extinguifli'd his wit. 
 With many who fing in the Mufe's full choir, 
 It would do them no mifchief to muffle their lyre ; 
 But for you, v/hom the Nine, with a tender prefage, 
 Are prepar'd to proclaim the firft Bard of our age; 
 For you, who of Tafte are the favourite theme — 
 
 Sapphic. 
 Yes, I think I fland high in the public efteem. — 
 
 H M O R L E Y.
 
 50 THE HAPPY PRESCRIPTION: 
 
 M O R L E y. 
 
 For yoii, I Hiould grieve if domeftic delight 
 
 On your fi\ir rifing laurels fhould fall as a blight. 
 
 'Tis the pride of great minds whom the Mufes inflame, 
 
 To facrifice joy on the altar of Fame : 
 
 Your paflion's renown — of this Girl are you fonder ? — 
 
 On this delicate point I muft leave you to ponder ; 
 
 Conflder it, while I attend the old Knight. ^Exit. 
 
 Sapphic a/o77e (after a paufe.) 
 By Jove, I believe my friend Morley is right. 
 Thou, Fame, art my Miftrefs; to win thee I flng. 
 This Girl, tho' fhe's handfome, is but a dull thinrr. 
 'Tis clear, vvhenfoe'er I a poem rehearfe, 
 That fhe has no relifli for elegant verfc. — 
 Her fortune indeed would be rather convenient, 
 But the glorious to me is before the expedient. 
 Egad I 'd quit Venus herfelf, if I knew 
 That the fyftem of Morley was certainly true* 
 I don't think the Girl to Deciflve inclin'd ; 
 But here comes her Maid, who may tell me her mind» 
 
 Enter jenny. 
 My good little Jenny, you 're trufty and true, 
 And your Miftrefs, I know, tells her fecrets to you. 
 
 What
 
 A COMEDY, IN RHYME. 51 
 
 What you know, to a friend you may fafely impart, 
 And give me a perfe6l account of her heart : 
 Pray how do I ftand in your Lady's regard ? 
 
 Jenny. 
 • Now '3 my time to be even with this faucy Bard, (afide.) 
 To be fure, Sir, the tafte of my Lady is odd y 
 But poetry moves her no more than a clod. 
 
 Sapphic. 
 What ! no relifh for rhyme ! — Does flie never repeat 
 The foft little fonnets I've laid at her feet ? 
 
 Jenny. 
 Ah, Sir ! would my Miftrefs were once of my mind, 
 (For I read all the verfes of yours that I find) 
 But my Lady 's fo cruel fhe thwarts my defire, 
 And to hide them from me throws them into the fire. 
 
 Sapphic 
 She's a fool — flie's a fool (afide.) — I fliould have a fine life, 
 With fuch a profaic dull jade of a wife. 
 
 Jenny. 
 But, my good Sir, I hope you will not be dejected, 
 I could tell you by whom all your wit is refpe<5ted. 
 
 H 2 There's
 
 52 THE HAPPY PRESCRIPTION: 
 
 There's aheartiiponwliichyouhavemadcfuchimpreflion — 
 But I miift not betray her by my indifcretion. 
 
 Sapphic. 
 Whom d'ye mean, my good Jenny ? come, tell me, my dear. 
 
 Jenny. 
 You would niakc a bad ufe of the fccret I fear. — 
 Now I hope I fhall lead the Bard into a fcrapc, (ajicle.) 
 For he bites like a Gudgeon, and cannot cfcape. 
 
 Sapphic 
 Come, fliy who 's in love with me — if fhe is fair, 
 I '11 not leave the dear creature, I vow, to dcfpair. 
 
 Jenny. 
 
 lud ! I proteft flie is coming this way ; 
 But I did not intend her regard to betray. 
 
 1 muft fly — but I beg that you '11 not be too free. \_Exii\ 
 
 S A p P H I c. 
 Madam Felix ! — I thought flie was partial to me. 
 
 Riiter Mrs. Felix. 
 Mrs. Felix. 
 May I enter without incommoding the Mufc ? 
 
 Sapphic 
 By a qucflion like this your own charms you abufe. 
 
 Thofc
 
 A COMEDY, IN RHYME. S3 
 Thofe eyes, my dear Madam, were form'd, I profefs, 
 To infpirit a Poet, and not to deprefs ; 
 From your prefence he furely muft catch infph-ation. 
 
 Mrs. Felix.. 
 A very poetical fine falutation ! 
 But I ferioufiy beg, if you're bufy with rhyme. 
 That you will not allow me to take up your time. 
 As I'm not Selina, you're free from reftridiion,. 
 And may tell me plain truths, unembelUni'd with ficliorr. 
 
 Sapphic. 
 Then I fwea'r, my dear Creature, I fwear by this hand, 
 That I feel as I touch it my genius expand; 
 That your lips— O by Jove ! he 's a madman or booby, 
 Who roves to the Indies for diamond or ruby ^ 
 And each vein in my heart his ftrange folly condemns, 
 Who leaves thefe more bright and more exquifite gems. 
 Sweet Fair \ let me keep, while their richnefs I praife. 
 The cold damp of negledl from o'erclouding their rays.. 
 
 (Whik Mr. Sapphic hjj'es Mrs. Felix lioith great 
 vehemence^ Jenny e?iters unpeixeived.) 
 
 Jenny. 
 
 O ho ! — have I caught you ; impertinent Poet \ 
 
 This is more than I hop'd for— my Mafter fhall know it. 
 
 \Kxit,. 
 
 Good
 
 54 THE HAPPY PRESCRIPTION: 
 
 M R S. F E L I X. 
 
 Good God ! Mr. Sapphic, what frantic illufion 
 
 Has produced this ridiculous fcene of confufion ? 
 
 All Poets are Quixotes in love, I am told ; 
 
 And the truth of the adage in you I behold. 
 
 As the Knight once miftook an old mill for a giant, 
 
 Your fcnfc as diforder'd, your fancy as pliant. 
 
 Takes me for my Coulin — your love's ebullition 
 
 I only can pardon on this fuppofition. 
 
 I fain would fuppofc that no infult was meant. 
 
 Nor believe vou could think, what I ought to rcfcnt. 
 
 Sapphic 
 O ! talk not of anger with lips that infpire 
 The ftrongefl fenfation of rapturous fire. 
 That with love's fweet convulfions {hake every nerve : 
 O! think not that I your refentment deferve ; 
 Becaufe my warm heart, thus engrofs'd by your charms, 
 Is ambitious of filling thefe dear empty arms. 
 No, let me while bafking beneath your bright eye, 
 The place of a thanklefs deferter fupply ; 
 And in this melting breaft kindle ecftacy's flame, 
 Which Nature defign'd for fo glowing a frame. 
 
 M R s.
 
 A COMEDY, IN RHYME. 55 
 
 M R S. F E L I X. X 
 
 Away, Sir 1 and fince in your fondling infanity 
 
 You rejedl the excufe which I form'd for your vanity. 
 
 My threats muft inform you — 
 
 Sapphic. 
 
 O ! frown not, fweet Creature; 
 Let not wrath fpoil the charm of thy every feature. 
 
 M R s. F E L I X. 
 
 Regain you your fenfe — from my wrath you are free, 
 Which fhould not be rais'd by a being like thee ; 
 Begone then ! — my pardon in vain you'll implore, 
 If you dare on this fubjedl to breathe a word more. 
 
 Sapphic. 
 Words, indeed, my warm fair one, by Nature's confefiion, 
 For the love that I feel, are no proper expreflion j 
 The foul's fond intent in foft murmurs fhould fwell, 
 And kiffes explain what no language can tell. 
 Ye Gods,, how luxuriant I 
 
 Mrs. Felix. 
 
 Away ! quit my arm ! 
 Or my cries in an inftant the houfe fhall alarm.. 
 
 Sapphic. 
 Provoking fweet Creature ! — indulge my fond paffion ; 
 Come, come., don 't I know you 're a woman of fafliion ? 
 
 2 Your.
 
 56 THE HAPPY PRESCRIPTION: 
 
 Your coyncfs, I 've heard, yovi can fometimcs give over ; 
 And I 'm fure you 're too wife to be true to a rover, 
 Bcfidcs, I liave learnt, that with partial regard 
 You have caft a kind eye on your ill-treated Bard. 
 
 Mrs. Felix. 
 Away ! thou vain coxcomb ! nor, bafe as thou art, 
 Infult the bright Lord ol To loyal a heart ; 
 Begone ! — I abhor thee — my perfon relcafe 1 — 
 
 Sir Nicholas, enteriiig. 
 Is it thus, my young Sir, you pay court to my Niece ! 
 
 S A 1' 1' H I c. 
 
 Confufion ! What devil has fcnt the old Knight ? 
 
 Sir Nicholas. 
 How dare you, pert Stripling, almoft in my figlit 
 To infult a chafte Female that's under my roof? — ■ 
 But fince of your bafenefs you give me fuch proof, 
 You fhall feci it repaid by a proper corredion. 
 
 Sa r p H I c (afidc.) 
 Deuce take this perverfe and unlucky detection : 
 I wifli I had wifely, as Morley had taught me, 
 Renounc'd that jade Venus before he thus caught mc. 
 What excufe can I make him ? — (To Sir Nicholas) My 
 
 dear worthy Sir, 
 Tho' I now feem moft juftly your wrath to incur, 
 
 Yet
 
 A COMEDY, IN RHYME. S7 
 
 Yet as you grow cool, your opinion will vary, 
 You will not refcnt much an idle vagary, 
 A mere romping frolic — • 
 
 S I R N I C HO LAS. 
 
 A frolic, d'ye fay ! 
 Then a frolic of mine fhall your frolic repay. 
 Call our Servants to punifh this frolicfome Spark, 
 They fhall drag him acrofs the new pond in the park. 
 
 Sapphic (afide.) 
 'Tis what he can't mean — yet his countenance fuch is, 
 I wifh from my foul I was out of his clutches. — 
 
 (To Sir Nicholas.) 
 Dear Sir, I aflure you, I'm griev'd beyond meafure 
 That I thus have awaken'd your furious difpleafure ; 
 When calmer — 
 
 Sir Nicholas. 
 Young Man, I am not in a fury, 
 A fentence more juft never came from a jury ; 
 Such frolics as yours have Old England difgrac'd : 
 In High Life let them flourifh as Fafhion and Tafte. 
 To thofe wanton young fellows I am not fevere, 
 Who attack the loofe Wife of a vain gamblino; Peer. 
 
 I My
 
 58 THE HAPPY PRESCRIPTION." 
 
 My Lady whofe Lord waftes at Hazard the night, 
 May plead to more generous pleafures fome right ;. 
 I care not how each keeps their conjugal oath, 
 Since honour and peace muft be ftrangers to both.. 
 But when a brave Soldier, pure Glory's true fon,. 
 Ennobled with laurels laborioufly won ; 
 When rifking in far diftant climates his life, 
 To his Country he leaves a fair innocent Wife ; 
 Accurft be the man, who, to Friendfhip unjuft, 
 Fails to guard as his foul this mofi: delicate trufl ; 
 Or to punifh thofe Fops who infult her chaftc beauty,. 
 And invite her to fvverve from her honour and duty.. 
 Of the doom that I think to fuch Libertines due, 
 I will cr'ivc to the world an example in you. 
 Our old Englifli difcipline. Ducking, by name. 
 Shall atone for your outrage, by quenching your ilame^ 
 Here ! William and John — 
 
 Mrs. Felix. 
 
 For my fake, I intreat 
 That you will not, dear Sir, this rough vengeance compleat . 
 
 Sir Nicholas. 
 By Jupiter, Coufin, to make him lefs fond. 
 He fhall croak out his love to the frogs of our pond. — 
 
 Here,
 
 A COMEDY, IN RHYME. 59 
 
 Here, William ! tell Jack after Stephen to fkip, 
 And tell the old Huntfman to come with iiis whip, 
 Then wait all together around the hall door. 
 
 S A P P rf I C. 
 
 O mercy, dear Sir ! I your mercy implore. 
 You will not deflroy me ? 
 
 SirNicholas, 
 
 No, only correct, 
 And teach you a brave Soldier's Wife to refped. 
 
 Mrs. Felix. 
 Yet think, my dear Coufin, yet think, for my fake. 
 What a noife this ridiculous matter will make. 
 You know that my Felix's nature is fuch. 
 He don't wifli his Wife to be talk'd of too much j 
 His honour and quiet let us make our care, 
 And bury in filence this fooliih affair : 
 Perhaps, in my manners too eafy and gay, 
 My levity led the young Poet aftray. 
 
 Sir Nicholas. 
 No, no ! my good Creature, you muft not arraign 
 Your innocent felf in a bufinefs fo plain : 
 
 I 2 Befides,
 
 6o THE HAPPY PRESCRIPTION: 
 
 BcTides, his offence hj this plea cannot fink, 
 For they are the worft of all puppies that think 
 Each woman 's a wanton who is not precife. 
 And that cheerfulnefs mufl be the herald of vice^ 
 
 Mrs. Felix. 
 Howe'er this may be — as he 's now all repentance^ 
 I earncftly beg a repeal of your fcntcnce. 
 
 S y\ r P II I c. 
 
 Dear Ma'am I adore you for this intcrccffion ; 
 
 And I trufl: the good Knight will lorgivc my tranfgreflion. 
 
 Sir Nicholas. 
 Well, Sir, as beyond your defert you're befriended 
 By that virtue which you have fo grofsly offended, 
 You are free to depart ; but remember, young Swain, 
 That you ne'er touch the Wife of a Soldier again. 
 
 Sapphic 
 If I do, may I die by the wind of a ball ! 
 Heaven blefs you, good Folks, and this fociable hall! 
 Since my amorous folly your friendfhip thus lofcs. 
 My amours fhall henceforth be conhn'd to the Mufes. 
 
 [Exii: 
 M R s.
 
 A COMEDY, IN RHYME. 6i 
 
 M RS. F E L I X. 
 
 I thank you, dear Sir, and rejoice in my heart 
 That in fafety you 've fuffer'd this Youth to dipart. 
 
 SirNicholas. 
 By Jupiter, Coz, I had cool'd your warm Poet, 
 Had J not been afraid all our neighbours might know it, 
 And make you the fubje£t of fuch converfation 
 As I think your nice Colonel would hear with vexation* 
 Then, iince for your fake I have let the Bard go, 
 Come and aid me to fettle all matters below : 
 That my anxious cares in her comfort may ceafe, 
 i'^m refolv'd young Deciiive fhall marry my Niece. 
 
 End of ?^Cr If.. 
 
 A G T
 
 62 THE HAPPY PR E SCRIPTI O NT 
 
 ACT III. 
 
 SCENE I. 
 
 Enter Mrs. Felix and Selina, 
 
 Mrs. Felix. 
 \ T Tell, my dear, what d' ye think, of our medical 
 
 " ^ Friend 
 
 Whom the letters of Fcli.v fo highly commend ? 
 If my gratitude does not my judgment miflead,. 
 He 's the man in the world who with you might fucceed : 
 Tho' gentle, yjuX. manly, tho' bafhful, polite* 
 Are you not half in love ? — 
 
 S E L 1 N A. 
 
 Yes, indeed, at firft fight I — 
 His fervicc to you on my heart is engrav'd, 
 And I love him, I own, for the life he has fav'd. 
 To win me perhaps he might not find it hard. 
 So eftcem'd as he is by the friends I regard ; 
 But I fancy fuch thoughts will not enter his brain : 
 And for my part, inftead of attrading a Swain, 
 
 I I only
 
 A COMEDY, IN RHYME. 6s 
 
 I only fhall think, as they heartily vex me, 
 
 Of efcaping from thofe who already perplex me. 
 
 Mrs. Felix. 
 O make yourfelf eafy, I pray, on that head ; 
 In the deepeft difgrace the poor Poet is fled. 
 And I truft that the Critic will foon fhare his fate. 
 Come with me — ^.I 've a moft curious tale to relate. 
 Let us hafte — I perceive that Deciflve is near, 
 In whofe prefent difcourfe I would not interfere. 
 
 \_Exeunt, 
 Enter Deciiive and Morley. 
 Decisive. 
 So while in the grove I was cooly projefting 
 New plans for the temple the Knight is eredling, 
 Our Poet, addided to amorous fin. 
 Grew a little too fond of the Ladies within : 
 But difcovery happen'd his paflion to damp; 
 And this is the caufe of his hafte to decamp.. 
 
 Morley. 
 The old Knightj I believe, fuch refentment exprcfs'd 
 As quicken'd the fpeed of his fugitive gueft j 
 
 QrL
 
 6}. THE HAPPY PRESCRIPTION: 
 
 On Terror's fvvift wing he is certainly flown, 
 And as he has retreated, the field is your own. 
 
 D E c I S I V K. 
 
 As a rival I had not much fear of poor Sapphic ; 
 Bad rhyme 's current coin in moft amorous traffic, 
 But would not pafs here. 
 
 M o R L E Y. 
 
 I think not in your view, 
 As it finds fuch a critical touchftone in you. 
 The Poet's difmiilion your triumph enfures. 
 And the prize, my good Friend, is now certainly yours ; 
 A priz€, that we juflly may call very great, 
 A lovely fweet Girl with a noble eflate. 
 
 Decisive. 
 The GirFs very well, but knows nothing of life ; 
 It will coft me fome pains to new model my Wife ; 
 But I think fhe will gladly receive my corrediion, 
 And my wealthy old Kinfman approve the connexion. 
 
 (Coughs.) 
 
 M o R L E V. 
 
 You 've a cou^h, my good Friend, 
 
 Db CI S 1 V E.
 
 A COMEDY, IN R H Y M £. 65 
 
 Decisive. 
 
 Yes, a trifling one : Hem 1 
 Have you got any Indian prcTcription for phlegm ? 
 
 M O R L E Y. 
 
 Believe me, that cough is no trifling affair ; 
 
 It calls, I aflure you, for caution and care. 
 
 With regret I point out fo unpleafant a truth, 
 
 But your conftitution I 've known from your youth ; 
 
 Your hed:ic appearance I fee with concern, 
 
 As I know, with your frame if health takes fuch a turn^ 
 
 The^Jeaft indifcretion your life may deftroy. 
 
 The flightefl excefs in diverfion and joy ; 
 
 Even thofe tender cares, which on life's pureft plaa 
 
 Muft belong to the ftate of a Family Man, 
 
 May lead to difeafe from which art cannot fave. 
 
 And rapidly hurry you into the grave. 
 
 *Twere better this courtfliip of yours fliould mifcarry, 
 
 For you '11 certainly die in flx months if you marry. 
 
 Decisive. 
 Are you ferious, dear Do<5lor ? 
 
 Mo R L E Y. 
 
 By fuch a fad end 
 I lately have loft a poor good-humour'd friend. 
 
 K You
 
 C6 THE HAPPY PRESCRIPTION: 
 
 You remember Jack Dangle at College, no doubt ; 
 He was jufl; of your age, and a little more flout ; 
 Pie, with other young fagcs, left Weilminftcr Hall 
 To teach EneliHi law to the flaves of Bena;al. 
 But Jack, in his new chamber-pradice at leafi:. 
 Too eagerly follow'd the rules of the Eaft. 
 A bad cough enfu'd, much like yours in its found — 
 
 (Decidve coughs.) 
 Good God ! I could fwcar 'twas poor Jack under ground, 
 'Tis his tone fo exaftly, fcpukhral and hollow ! 
 The fyilcm lie flighted I hope you will follow. 
 With pains in his brealT: he was fliarply tormented ; 
 Put as he at iirfl to my guidance confcnted, 
 Some time my ftrid: regimen kept him alive, 
 Poor Dangle once more was beginning to thrive; 
 And had he fome months in my plan perfever'd, 
 On the earth at this moment he might have appcar'd; 
 But chance threw a pretty white girl in his way, 
 And eager for marriage, fond Jack would not flay : 
 In vain I conjur'd him to wait half a year, 
 And fhew'd him the danger he ran very clear. 
 
 7 He i
 
 A COMEDY, IN RHYME. 67 
 
 He thought the remains of his cough but a trifle, 
 And being unable his pafllon to ftifle, 
 He took his fair wife ; — but, alas I the vile cough 
 Encreas'd every day till it carried him off! 
 
 Decisive. 
 I don't recolledl any pain in my bread, 
 But I feel a ftrange tightnefs juft now in my cheft. 
 
 M O R I, E Y. 
 
 How 's your ftomach ? 
 
 Decisive. 
 
 I 've nothing to fear on that fcore,. 
 M o R L E y. 
 Do you eat as you did ? 
 
 Decisive. 
 
 Yes, I think rather more. 
 
 M O R L E Y. 
 
 That ravenous hunger's the thing that I dread. 
 How d'ye fleep ? 
 
 Decisive. 
 All the time that I pafs in my bed. 
 
 K2 Morley.
 
 68 THE HAPPY PRESCRIPTION: 
 
 M O R L E Y, 
 
 Indeed 1 — I don't like fo lethargic a (lumber. 
 
 Decisive. 
 Why ! my Friend ! of good fymptoms thefe rank in the 
 number. 
 
 M o R L E y. 
 Alas ! you may call them all good if you pleaCe^ 
 By that title you only confirm your difeafe, 
 In which, tho' the patient declines very faft, 
 He for ever will flatter himfelf to the laft. 
 Believe mc, your fymptoms are rather alarming, 
 Yet your prefent diforder there is not much harm in. 
 If you can but abftain, with a fpirit refign'd, 
 From all that may harrafs your body or mind. 
 To a different climate I wiih. you 'd repair, 
 And for one Winter breathe a lefs changeable air. 
 Spend a Chriftnias at Naples, and when you return. 
 You may marry without any anxious concern. 
 But you 're now at that critical period of life 
 When, in fuch frames as yours, nature feels an odd 
 ftrifc,. 
 
 And
 
 A COMEDY, IN RHYME. 69 
 
 And, if quiet does not all her fundions befriend, 
 
 The fhort earthly fcene on a fudden will end. 
 
 On a. point fo important you '11 pardon my freedom. 
 
 Decisive. 
 Your cautions oblige me, I feel that I need 'em, 
 For in truth I am growing as thin as a rabbit. 
 And there "s fomething confumptive I know in my habit. 
 My Father died foon after taking a Wife, 
 And cough'd out his foul when I jump'd into lifa: 
 I fuppofe I am going- 
 
 M O R L E Y.- 
 
 Take courage, my Friend ; 
 On your own prudent condud: your life will depend. 
 If you take but due care for two years, I'lr engage 
 You will ftand a fair chance for a healthy oldage.- 
 Nor would I advife you this Girl to refufe, 
 A diftant attachment your mind will amufe ; 
 'And, no doubt, for a man of your fortune and figure 
 She will wait till your health has recover'd its vigour.. 
 
 Decisive. 
 I can part with the Girl without feeling a: chafm 
 In. my heart; that will fhakc with no amorous fpafm;. 
 
 For.
 
 70 THE HAPPY PRESCRIPTION: 
 
 For, "to tell you the truth, my old rich Uncle Cob 
 Is more eager than I for this marrying job. 
 By this Tchemc the old Blade is fupremcly delighted, 
 Becaufc two large manors may thus be united : 
 But when of his park I 've extended the bound, 
 It will do me fniall good if I fink under ground ; 
 And I 'm not fuch a fool in thefe projects of pelf, 
 To humour my friends and endanger myfelf. 
 
 M O R L E Y. 
 
 Indeed I 'd not wed for an old Uncle's whim ; 
 
 But here comes our Knight, I fhall leave you with him, 
 
 As I think you've fome delicate points to adjuft. \_Exif, 
 
 Decisive, alojie. 
 I 'm in no hafte to fleep with my Anceftors' duft. 
 'Tis wifer my weak conftitution to fave, 
 Than to marry, and fo travel poft to the grave. 
 
 Enter Sir Nicholas, 
 Sir Nicholas. 
 Come, give me your hand, and rejoice, my young Neighbour, 
 You 're the man that 's to order the pipe and the tabor ; 
 And by Jove we '11 all dance on fo joyous a day ; 
 Your wedding, dear Dick, fliall be fpecdy and gay j 
 
 For
 
 A C O M E D Y, IN RHYME. 7.1 
 
 For your Rival is gone with our ferious difpleafure, 
 
 And I give to your wiflies my young lovely Treafure. — 
 
 A treafure {he is, tho' the Girl is my Niece ; 
 
 Heaven grant ye long years of afFedion and peace ! 
 
 And a fine chopping Boy ere the end of the firft — 
 
 Remember that I am to fee the rogue nurs'd. 
 
 Go, you happy young dog, go and feal with a kifs. 
 
 And teach -the old hall to re-echoe your blifs. 
 
 As I know on this match what Sir Jacob intends,. 
 
 And we can fo well truft each other as friends, 
 
 Short contrads will anfwer as well as the beft. 
 
 Our lawyers at leifure may finifh the reil. 
 
 I know all fufpence in fuch cafes is hard, 
 
 And you fliall not, I fwear, from your blifs be debar'd. 
 
 While o'er acres of parchment they're crawling like fnaik.. 
 
 Decisive. 
 Dear Sir, upon weighing in Reafon's jufl fcales 
 Your very great favours and my weak pretenfion, 
 I find I 'm unworthy of fuch condefcenfion, 
 And muft, with regret, the high honour refign, 
 Which I once vainly thought might with juftice be mine. 
 
 S IB-
 
 72 THE HAPPY PRESCRIPTION: 
 
 Sir Nicholas. 
 Hey-day ! what does all this formality mean? 
 Why, Dick! has the Devil pofiefs'd you with fplcen ? 
 Or has Love made your mind thus with diffidence fore ? 
 Falfe modefly ne'er was your foible before. 
 You think you're unworthy! — the thought is fo new, 
 That I hardly can tell what to fay or to do. 
 If you love the good Girl full as much as you faid, 
 I think you have very juft claims to her bed ; 
 But if your mind 's chang'd, and you feel your love lighter, 
 'Tis better to fay 'fo, than marry and flight her : 
 And if this be the cafe. Sir, you have your reieafe j 
 For akho' I am eager to marry my Niece, 
 Tho' I 'm partial to you, yet I beg you to note, 
 That I don 't want to cram her down any man's throat. 
 
 Decisive. 
 I 'm truly convinc'd of the Lady's perfection. 
 And 'twould pleafe me, dear Sir, to preferve the con- 
 
 nediion, 
 Tho' now, by particular reafons, am led 
 To rcvifit the Continent once ere I wed. 
 
 In
 
 A COMEDY, IN RHYME. '^i 
 
 In the time of my abfence I can't be exadl ; 
 
 But in what form you pleafe I will freely contrail, 
 
 In the courfe of two years to receive as my Wife — 
 
 Sir Nicholas. 
 Do you mean to infult me, you Puppy ? Od's-life ! 
 Ere I 'd tie my dear Girl to fo filly a Fop 
 For life, I 'd condemn her to trundle a mop. 
 And let me advife you, young man, for the future, 
 To know your own mind ere you go as a fuitor. 
 
 Decisive. 
 I perceive. Sir, my prefence grows irkfome to you, 
 And you'll therefore allow me to bid you adieu. 
 
 Sir Nicholas. 
 Your departure, indeed, I don't wifh to reftrain, 
 And have little concern when I fee you again. 
 
 \Exit Decifive. 
 Sir Nicholas alone. 
 What can make this pert Puppy recede from his fuit ? 
 My fair Coufin and he have fcarce had a difpute ; 
 She would hardly affront him on purpofe to vex me !— - 
 Here fhe comes to explain all the points that perplex me. 
 
 L Enter
 
 74 THE HAPPY PRESCRIPTION: 
 
 Enter Mrs. Felix. 
 Well, Coufin, my fcheme for a wedding's fufpendcd, 
 The Beaux are both gone, and their courtfhip is ended ; 
 With an air fo myftcrioiis Decifivc withdraws, 
 I a little fufpcft you're concern'd as the caufe : 
 Confefs, have you had any words with this Youth ? 
 
 Mrs. Felix. 
 Not I, my dear Sir, on my honour and truth. 
 But I'm ready to own that the news you impart. 
 With furprize and with pleafure enlivens my heart. 
 I think your fwcet Niece has a lucky efcape : 
 I would almoft as foon fee her marry an ape 
 As her union with one of thefe Coxcombs behold ; 
 The Bard is too warm, and the Critic too cold. 
 
 Sir Nicholas. 
 I find that they are not fuch Lads as I thought 'em ; 
 The World all the worft of its fafhions has taught 'em : 
 And the World is indeed at a very fine pafs, 
 When fuch Puppies infult fo attradive a Lafs. 
 Young Fellows of fortune now think it hard duty 
 To pay a chafte homage to Virtue and Beauty. 
 
 lO But
 
 A COMEDY, IN RHYME. 75 
 
 But I '11 leave thefs pert Fops to their own vile caprice. 
 And foon find a much fitter match for my Niece. 
 Other orders of men for a hufband I '11 fearch, 
 And I think I can fettle my Girl in the Church. 
 
 Mrs. Felix. 
 Lord, Coufin ! I thought you detefted the Cloth ! 
 
 SirNicholas. 
 Our ReAor, I own, often kindles my wrath ; 
 But all Parfons are not like my neighbour, old Squabble, 
 Who has learnt from his geefe both to hifs and to gobble. 
 We have in our neighbourhood three young Divines, 
 And each, I believe, to Selina inclines. 
 Our Bifliop's fmart Nephew deferves a fweet Wench, 
 He himfelf in due time may be rais'd to the Bench ; 
 With him I fhould like very well to unite her ; 
 And if he hereafter fhould rife to the Mitre, 
 Then perhaps we together may bring to perfection 
 A much-wanted plan for the Church's corredlion. 
 
 Mrs. Felix. 
 A very fine fcheme which you '11 manage, no doubt I 
 
 Sir Nicholas. 
 More wonderful things I have known brought about ; 
 
 L 2 And
 
 76 THE HAPPY PRESCRIPTION: 
 
 And tho' my firft plan, as you fee, has mifcarried, 
 I 'm refolv'd that my Niece fhall be fpeedily married. 
 I '11 unite the good Girl to a Prieft, if I 'm able ; 
 For the young Olive Branch never fails at his table. 
 There is one I prefer — but t;o Jeave the Girl free, 
 I allow her to make a fair choice of the Three : 
 I fhall therefore invite the whole group to the hall. 
 And I '11 now go and make her write cards to them all. 
 
 Mrs. Felix ci/o^ie. 
 What a wonderful creature is this worthy Knight ! 
 To make others happy is all his delight ! 
 Yet, milled by fome wild philanthropic illufion, 
 He's for ever involv'd in odd fcenes of confuHon. 
 'Tis well that our Critic has made his lafl bow, 
 I rejoice he 's remov'd, and I long to know how. 
 
 Efiter Morley. 
 
 M O R L E Y. 
 
 Thank my ftars, my dear Ma'am, I 've difpatch'd your 
 
 commiilion ; 
 Your fweet Friend is, I hope, in a tranquil condition : 
 From her two irkfome Lovers fhe now is reliev'd, 
 
 Mrs. 
 
 I
 
 A COMEDY, IN RHYME. 77 
 
 Mrs. Fe l I X. 
 And I'm dying to know how all this was atchiev'd. 
 Come tell me, good Creature, how could you effed: it ? 
 
 M o R L E y. 
 By a projedl fo fimple you 'd never fufpedl it : 
 I have banifh'd both Swains, by declaring a Wife 
 Would rob one of glory, and t' other of life. 
 I perfuaded the Bard his poetical fame 
 Could never exift with a conjugal flame : 
 Hence he grew with your charms fo licentioufly free, 
 But forgive me this ill which I could not forefee. 
 Deciflve, more wifely, abandons the Fair 
 To make his own lungs his particular care. 
 
 Mrs. Felix. 
 What ! on fuch points as thefe have they taken your word ? 
 
 M O R L E Y. 
 
 Dear Madam ! mankind credit things moft abfurd. 
 When they come from the mouth of a medical man 5 
 Hence Mountebanks never want fkill to trepan. 
 The extent of our empire indeed there 's no feeing, 
 When we ad on the fears of a true felfifh being. 
 
 M R s»
 
 78 THE HAPPY PRESCRIPTION: 
 
 Mrs. Felix. 
 How Timple foever the means you 've employed, 
 You have remedy'd ills by which we were annoy'd. 
 Havinor thusclear'd the fcene from each troublefome Lover, 
 Can you not for the Nymph a fit Hufband difcover ? 
 You fee how fhe's prefh by her Uncle to wed, 
 Who ne'er quits a fcheme he once takes in his head. — 
 Suppofe her kind fancy fliould lean towards you, 
 Is your heart quite as free as I 'm fure 'twould be true } 
 Is it not pre-engag'd ? 
 
 M O R L E Y. 
 
 As in mirth's fportive fally 
 It plcafes you thus a poor pilgrim to rally. 
 Your good nature I know will forgive me if I 
 To your pleafantry make a too ferious reply, 
 'Tis my maxim to fpeak, whatfoe'cr be the theme, 
 With a heart undifguis'd to the friends I efteem : 
 Had I all India's wealth, 'twould be my inclination 
 To offer it all to your lovely Relation. 
 But fuppofing it poffiblc you could be willing 
 To unite her with one who is fcarce worth a iliilling; 
 
 Believe
 
 A C O M E D Y, I N R H Y M E. 79 
 
 Believe me, dear Madam, my pride is too great 
 To wifli her to (loop to my humble eftate. 
 
 Mrs. Felix. 
 Such pride, tho' it refts upon no ftrong foundation, 
 Is noble, I own, and deferves admiration. 
 I call it ill-founded, becaufe, in my mind. 
 If there's fortune enough for a couple when join'd. 
 If talents and worth are by each duly fhar'd, 
 If in all other points they are equally pair'd, 
 And mutual regard mutual merit enhances, 
 It iignifies not which fupply'd their finances, 
 
 M O R L E Y. 
 
 Your pardon — how often when fortune's unequal,, 
 Gay weddings produce a mofl: turbulent fequel ? 
 But could I once hope your fweet Coufin to gain, 
 How many things are there fuch hopes to reftrain ? 
 Suppofe your dear Colonel, my moft noble Friend, 
 Whom fuccefs to your arms may more fpeedily fend ! 
 Suppofe, having clos'd the bright work he has plan'd, 
 His return from the Eaft he fhould haften by land ; 
 Suppofe him arriv'd, with what face could I meet 
 The man whom my heart fhould exultingly greet, 
 
 If
 
 8o THE HAPPY PRESCRIPTION: 
 If he found me attempting, in fpite of my ftation, 
 To wed, the' a beggar, your wealthy Relation ? 
 
 Mrs. Felix. 
 From thefe words, my dear Friend, which I almoft adore, 
 And a few {lighter hints that cfcap'd you before, 
 I have caught a quick hope, which is fraught with delight, 
 That I foon fliall be bleft with my Felix's fight : 
 I begin to fufpedl he's in England already ; 
 I perceive that you can't keep your countenance fteady. 
 With his ufual attention his love has remedied 
 How my poor foolifh nerves by furprife are affedled j 
 And left they ftiould fail me beyond all revival, 
 Has fent you to prepare for his wifli'd-for arrival. 
 Am I right in my guefs ? Is he not very near ? 
 Could I truft my own heart, I fliould think Felix here. 
 
 Colonel Feli x, Entering. 
 Sweet Foreboder, behold him reftor'd to your arms. 
 
 M Rs. Felix. 
 O my Felix ! this tranfport o'erpays all alarms. 
 Thus to fee thee reftor'd, and ennobled with fame ! 
 In what words fhall affcdion thy welcome proclaim ? 
 
 Colonel.
 
 A COMEDY, IN RHYME. 8i 
 
 Colonel. 
 My Love ! my beft Treafure ! than glory more dear ! 
 The blifs of this meeting, which fhines in thy tear. 
 That we owe to this Friend let us never forget. 
 
 M O R L E Y. 
 
 My fhare in your tranfport o'erpays all the debt, — 
 But, Colonel, your fondnefs has travell'd full fpeed, 
 And has not allow'd me the time you agreed. 
 
 Colonel. 
 I meant not, indeed, to have join'd you to-day, 
 But I found Love forbade my intended delay. 
 
 M o R L e y. 
 Well, my duty is done, now you happily meet ; 
 Heaven blefs you together — 
 
 Mrs. Felix. 
 
 Stay, ftay, I entreat ; 
 You mufi: not go yet ; and before you depart 
 I will open to Felix the fcheme of my heart. 
 
 S e l I N A fbehi?id the fcene.) 
 Indeed, Sir, I never can write fuch a card. 
 
 Sir Nicholas (behind the fcene.) 
 Then you '11 forfeit at once my paternal regard ! 
 
 M Colonel.
 
 82 THE HAPPY PRESCRIPTION: 
 
 Colon el. 
 
 Hey-day ! in the houfc I much fear fomcthlng's wron^, 
 As Sir Nicholas talks in a language fo ftrong. 
 
 Mrs. Felix. 
 Docs he know you are here ? 
 
 Colonel. 
 
 No, my Dear, I think not, 
 
 Unlefs he the tidings from Jenny has got ; 
 She alone faw me conic, and without much ado 
 Mofl: kindly direded me where to find you. 
 
 Mrs. Felix. 
 They are coming this way — let's withdraw all together. 
 And contrive how to turn this loud ftorm to fair weather. 
 
 [^Exeunt, 
 Kfiur Sir Nicholas ^;/(/ Selina. 
 Sir Nicholas. 
 I infift OR your writing fuch cards to them all t 
 
 S E L I N A. 
 
 Dear Uncle, I beg you '11 this order recall. 
 
 You know your commands I much wifh to obey ; 
 
 But refled on this matter what people will fay : 
 
 You 're fo eager to marry your Niece, they will fwear^ 
 
 That you hawk her about juft like goods at a fair. 
 
 SirNicholas. 
 Well, my Dear, let *em fay fo, and I'll fay fo too,. 
 
 For your fimile proves what a Guardian fhould do, 
 
 5 He
 
 A COMEDY, IN RHYME. Sj 
 
 He who wants to difpofc of a tender young maid, 
 May take a good hint from the gingerbread trade : 
 If he has any fenfe, 'twill be ever his plan 
 To part with foft paftry as foon as he can ; 
 For egad an old maid is like old harden'd pafte, 
 You may cry it about, but nobody will tafte. 
 Come, do as I bid you, and take up your pen. 
 
 S E L I N A. 
 
 Lord, Sir ! it will feem very odd to thefe men ; 
 
 You will make me appear in a horrible light ; 
 
 I vow my hand fhakes fo, I never can write. 
 
 Excufe me, dear Sir, from this bufinefs, pray do, 
 
 And let me live fingle for ever with you. 
 
 Sir Nicholas. 
 All bulinefs where woman 's concern'd, I believe, 
 Muft partake of the curfe from our Grandmother Eve. 
 Ail her Daughters the fteps of their Parent have foUow'dl 
 Contradidion, the core of the apple fhe fwallow'd, 
 In their veins ftill fermenting new ills can produce. 
 And all their blood feems Coloquintida juice. — 
 You froward crofs Baggage ! your word fhould I take. 
 And bid you live fingle five years for my fake, 
 
 M 2 Of
 
 84 THE HAPPY PRESCRIPTION: 
 
 Of the barbarous Uncle you'd quickly complain, 
 
 Who from Nature's juft right a young Girl vvou'd reftrainl 
 
 S E L I N A. 
 
 Indeed, Sir, I fliould not. 
 
 SirNicholas. 
 
 I tell you you wou'd. 
 From perverfcnefs alone you oppofe your own good. 
 'Tis onlv to thwart me, becaufe I defirc 
 To fee you well fettled before I expire. 
 That you now with your foft hypocritical carriage, 
 AfTcdt to have no inclination to marriage. 
 But you '11 never contrive, tho' your tongue may be nimble. 
 To convince me your heart is as cold as your thimble.. 
 I know of what fluff iroward damfels are made. 
 The Guardian muft force you who cannot perfuade. 
 
 That you '11 like a good hufband, I never can doubt; 
 And married you fhall be before the month 's out, 
 Or at leaft your kind Uncle no more you fliall teaze, 
 But may e'en go to Rome and turn Nun if you pleafe^ 
 
 S E L 1 N A (aftde.) 
 I have loft all the love he has fliewn me for years ;. 
 It I ftrive to reply I fliall burft into teajs. 
 
 Si r
 
 A COMEDY, IN RHYME. 8^ 
 
 S 1 R N I C H O L A S. 
 
 Come, anfwer me, Mifs ! will you fcribble or not ? 
 Ejiter the Colonel, Mrs. Felix, a?td Morley. 
 Colonel. 
 My worthy old Friend, what can make you fo hot ? 
 
 Sir Nicholas. 
 Ha, Colonel ! — you find me a little concern'd — 
 But I'm heartily glad you are fafely return'd. 
 Your arrival indeed is a welcome furprize, 
 Tho' before you your fame a bright harbinger flies ; 
 We have heard your fuccefs, and we all triumph in it^ 
 
 Colonel. 
 I truft I am come in a fortunate minute - 
 To make all your prefent embarraffment ceafe. 
 For I bring a young Huiband, my Friend, for your Niece* 
 
 Sir Nicholas. 
 Egad that 's well faid ; and I 'm fure it 's well meant ; 
 And if he 's like you he ftiall have my confent. 
 
 Colonel. 
 He has many more virtues, and juft as much wealth. 
 And from India brings home both his m.orals and health. 
 Here, my Friend, is the Man. — As I owe him my life, 
 I wifh to prefent him fo lovely a Wife ; 
 
 2 Half
 
 86 THE HAPPY PRESCRIPTION: 
 
 Half my fortune is his — here I freely declare it, 
 
 And have only to hope that Selina may fnare it. 
 
 I Ve regarded her long as a child of my own ; 
 
 Nor can my afFedion more truly be fliown. 
 
 Than by wifliing to place the dear Girl in the arms 
 
 Of the friend whofc rare virtues are worthy her charms. 
 
 M o R L E Y. 
 
 Dear generous Felix, I 'm quite overcome, 
 Thy Bounty is fuch, it ftrikes Gratitude dumb ! 
 
 Colonel. 
 This was ever, my Friend, my mofl: fettled intention, 
 Though my very juft purpofe I chofe not to mention, 
 From the hope I fhould find, what I gladly embrace, 
 A moment from which it may borrow fome grace, 
 When my gift its plain value may rife far above, 
 By the aid it affords to the wifhes of Love ; 
 And I own, as a prophet I 'm proud of my art. 
 Now I fee the effedls of her charms on your heart. 
 
 Mo R L E Y. 
 
 O Felix ! can I thus deprive thy free fpirit 
 Of wealth, the reward of heroical merit ? 
 Can I the victorious Commander defpoil 
 Of what he has purchas'd with danger and toil ? 
 
 Should
 
 A COMEDY, IN RHYME. S; 
 
 Should love and delight on thy prefent attend, 
 I could never be happy in robbing a Friend. 
 No, I ftill muft decline — 
 
 Sir Nicholas. 
 
 My dear Boy, fay no more , 
 You 're the match that I never could meet with before* 
 I have long fought in vain for an heir to my mind. 
 But all my foul wifli'd, in your fpirit I find. 
 You fliall 72oi rob your Friend of a fingle * Gold Moor, 
 He can raife heirs enough to inherit his ftore : 
 To fueh men as himfelf let him hafte to give birth. 
 And with twenty young Felix's garnifh the earth. 
 How trifling foever your fortune may be, 
 From the Colonel's efteem, and the virtues I fee, 
 I think you as noble a match for my Niece, 
 As I could, had you brought home a new golden fleece j 
 I have money enough, if you're rich in a£fedion.-r- 
 As I always have talk'd of an equal connection. 
 My neighbours, perhaps, may fuppofe my fight dim. 
 Or mock my wife choice as a generous whim : 
 
 * An Indian Coin^ 
 
 Let
 
 88 THE HAPPY PRESCRIPTION: 
 
 Let them fludy with zeal, which I hope may lucceed, 
 Of their horfcs and dogs to improve the befl breed ; 
 A fludy more noble cngrofies my mind, 
 To preferve the firft points in the breed of mankind: 
 On the heart and the foul, as the fir.fl: points, I dwell, 
 In thefe, my dear Children, you match mighty well ; 
 And I think human nature in debt to my care. 
 For uniting two mortals who happily pair. 
 
 Colonel. 
 Your hand, -.my dear Knight, it is glorioufly faid ! 
 
 S 1 R N I c H o L A s . 
 
 By Juno we '11 put the young Couple to bed ! 
 We'll have no dull delays. — 
 
 M R s. F E L I X. 
 
 Now what fay you, my Dear, 
 Are thefe orders for marriage too quick and fcvere ? 
 
 M O R L E Y. 
 
 My amazement and gratitude both are extreme, 
 But my voice feems oppreft in a heavenly dream ; 
 Though your kindnefs is greater than language can paint, 
 I beg this fair hand may be free from conftraint. 
 
 S I R
 
 A COMEDY, IN RHYME. 89 
 
 Sir Nicholas. 
 From conftraint I — Gad, if now fhe affeds to demur, 
 I can tell her my wrath fhe will fo far incur, 
 She fhall go to a convent for life, or at leall 
 Be fent as a venture herfelf to the Eaft. 
 
 S fi L I N A. 
 
 My Uncle I long have obey'd, and at prefent 
 I cannot complain his commands are unplcafant : 
 Nay more ; could he place all mankind in my view, 
 And bid me chufe from them, my choice would be you. 
 
 M O R L E Y. 
 
 To this dear declaration my life mufl reply, 
 All words are too weak — 
 
 Sir Nicholas. 
 
 The whole earth I defy, 
 To fhew me a fcene more delightful than this ; 
 Dear honeft frank Girl, come and give me a kifs ; 
 Thou 'rt the creature of Nature much more than of Art, 
 And I own thee again as the Child of my heart. 
 
 Jonathan, entering and fpeak'mg to the Colonel. 
 There are two chefls for you, Sir, jufl come to the hall. 
 
 N Colonel,
 
 90 THE HAPPY PRESCRIPTION: 
 
 Colonel. 
 A few Indian things for the Ladies — that's all. 
 Pray, Jonathan, pay thofe who brought them with this^ 
 
 fghtng jnoncy.) 
 M o R L E Y. 
 
 My brave lad mufl fliare in our general blifs. 
 Here, Jonathan, if you 're to marriage inclin'd, 
 And can luckily meet with a girl to your mind, 
 You may marry and fettle, as loon as you pleafe ^ 
 The Colonel has taken good care of your eafe. 
 
 Jonathan. 
 God blcfs him, whate'cr he is pleas'd to beflow f 
 1 think I have found a kind fwcetheart below. 
 
 Mrs. Felix. 
 He has made choice of Jenny ; — and I will provide 
 A fortune, my Friend, for your good-humour'd Bride, 
 
 Sir Nicholas, 
 Egad, they fhall have my new farm on the hill, 
 And raife young recruits there as faft as they wilL 
 
 Jonathan. 
 Heaven profper you all ! I will pray for you ever, 
 And to ferve my King ftill, as I can, I'll endeavour. 
 
 \Exit, 
 ^ Sir
 
 A COMEDY, IN RHYME, 91 
 
 Sir Nicholas. 
 Well fald, honeft Soldier ; — we '11 have no delay, 
 Go and tell the old Parfon to keep in the way. 
 
 Colonel. 
 Come with me, fair CouHn, examine my chefls 5 
 I long to prefent you a few bridal vefts.' 
 
 Mrs. F e l I X, /(9 Morley. 
 As wc view with delight the events of to-day, 
 A fair leffon, my Friend, in your fate we furvey ; 
 While, from love to an aged fond parent, with fpeed 
 From vv'calch's open road you mofi: kindly recede. 
 Heaven fends you that fortune you nobly have flighted, 
 And your warm filial piety here is requited ; 
 This bright moral truth by your lot is exprefb, 
 " They v/ho feek others' blifs, are by Providence bleft." 
 
 Sir N I c h o l a s, /"f? Morley. 
 Here, my worthy young Friend, take and cheriflithis Fair, 
 And, truft me, you'll find her deferving your care ; 
 For although of her fex flie may have a fmall fpice, 
 She '11 pleafe you ten times where {lie vexes you twice ; 
 And happy the man, in this fkirmifliing life, 
 Who is able to fay half as much of his Wife. 
 
 N 2 MAPvCELLA;
 
 A R C E L L A; 
 
 A T 
 
 G E D Y, 
 
 OF THREE ACTS.
 
 I
 
 \ 
 
 E F A C E. 
 
 ^¥^HE following Tragedy may perhaps attradl the 
 JL notice of the curious reader, more by a literary 
 anecdote relating to its fubject, than by any intrinfic 
 merit as a dramatic compolition. 
 
 The ftory was recommended to Young by the Author 
 of Clariflli, — The poet adopted it, and wrote a fingle 
 a6l ; but this fhared the fate of his other unfinifhed ma- 
 nufcripts, and, according to the direction of his will, was 
 committed to the flames. 
 
 Thefe particulars, with a concife fketch of the ftory 
 as related by Richardson, were communicated to Mr. 
 Thornton by the poet's very liberal and amiable Son, 
 the neighbour and the much-efteemed relation of my 
 dear departed friend, who wifhed me to build a tragedy 
 upon this foundation. 
 
 Some particular circumstances prevented me at that 
 time from executing the defire of a perfon, who, from 
 the integrity of his judgment, and the uncommon warmth 
 
 of
 
 [ 96 ] 
 
 of his friendfhip, had an undifputed title to influence my 
 ftudics. — Other works had engaged me, and this dramatic 
 ftory lay for fomc years negle£led : but in looking over 
 the letters of my flill-valucd, though lofl correfpondent, 
 it ftruck me with new force. As the diftrefs, with which 
 it abounds, is of a private nature, it appeared to me An- 
 gularly calculated for my purpofc of forming a drama 
 for a domeftic theatre. I have therelore, with fomc con- 
 fidcrable alterations in the principal incident, raifcd from 
 it a tragedy of three adls ; with what fuccefs, it is now 
 the privilege of my readers to pronounce. 
 
 I will not attempt to influence their deciflon by any 
 arguments in its behalf; but let me be allowed to clofe 
 this fhort preface with a little poetical acknowledgment 
 to the two literary illuftrious friends, who firft marked 
 the ftory for the tragic Mufe, and from whom it has ac- 
 cidentally defcended to me. 
 
 SONNET. 
 
 BLEST Authors ! with whofe fame the world has rung, 
 Immortal minds, of philanthropic mold ! 
 Pathetic Richardson ! fublimer Young I 
 To you let me infcribe the leaves, that hold 
 
 A theme,
 
 [ 97 ] 
 
 A theme, ye once confulted to unfold ! 
 Fairer its fortune, had not death's defpite 
 Torn from the lilenc'd bard this tale half-told ! 
 O could I blend thofe beams, whofe fep'rate light 
 Forms each a glory round your rival brows. 
 Sublimity and Pathos ! effluence bright 
 Of higheft genius ! — but in vain fuch vows : 
 Yet in the reach of emulation's flight 
 One eminence ye fliare : — be that my end ! 
 Teach me to rank with you, as Virtue's friend t 
 
 Perfons
 
 Perrons of the Drama. 
 
 GOVERNOR OF BARCELONA^ 
 
 M E N D O Z A, 
 
 L U P E R C I O, 
 
 HERNANDEZ, 
 
 LOPEZ. 
 
 MARCELLA. 
 
 * Servants, &'c. 
 
 SCENE iie Governor s Cafi/e in BarcelonAo
 
 M A R C E L L A. 
 
 I. 
 
 SCENE I. The Governor s Cajik„ 
 
 Lupercio and Marcella. 
 
 Marcella. 
 
 LET ardent friendfliip be the bond between usj 
 But O fubdue this inaufpicious love, 
 And chace it from thy bread ! 
 
 Lupercio. 
 
 Impoflible ! 
 Think, cruel monitor, thro' what long years 
 My heart has cherifh'd an encreafing pafTion, 
 Till it is grown a portion of my being. 
 Which I can ne'er relinquiili but with life I 
 
 O 2 Marcella,
 
 100 MARCELLA: 
 
 Marcella. 
 I know, that from our days of infancy 
 Thy vows have had the fandlion of my father j 
 And from the period when he firft became 
 The governor of this fair city, he 
 Has lean'd towards thee with an anxious hope 
 To call thee by the tender name of fon : 
 Nor can the world reprove his generous wifbes, 
 For Barcelona's walls contain no youth 
 Of nobler blood, or higher cftimation. 
 
 L u P E R c I o. 
 Lovely encomiaft ! furc the fongs of feraphs, 
 And all the wondrous harmonics of Heaven, 
 Can never ftrike more fweetly on the foul, 
 Than the frank praife of thofe angelic lips. 
 
 Marcella. 
 I fhould defpife my own uncandid heart. 
 If it rcfus'd that tribute of applaufe 
 "Which felfiHi pride, and jealous envy pay 
 To thy acknowledg'd merit. — Yes ! Lupercio, 
 I own, thy rank, and thy accomplifh'^ youth, 
 Might juftly challenge a return of fondnefs 
 
 From 
 
 I
 
 A TRAGEDY. loi 
 
 From the moft haughty of our flatter'd fex ; 
 Yet truft me, and I fpeak the words of friendfhip, 
 'Twere wifer in thee, even could my tongue 
 Pronounce the free compliance thou entreated, 
 To turn thy partial eyes from cold Marcella, 
 And for thy wife folicit me no more. 
 
 L u P E R c r o. 
 Mock not my fenfes with fuch admonition 
 As reafon muft revolt from ! Wouldft thou fay 
 To the poor wretch, who after many a ftep 
 O'er Afric's burning fands, half dead with drought, 
 Holds in his parch'd and eager hand at laft 
 The liquid bleiling, that he long has pin'd for ; 
 Then wouldft thou fay, that wifdom bids him dafli 
 The falutary treafure from his tongue. 
 And perifh by the thirft that waftes his being ? 
 Such, and more cruel is thy counfel now, 
 That would induce me to renounce thy charms, 
 E'en in thefe moments, when thy father's friendfhip 
 Had fiU'd my foul with panting expedation 
 To hear thy heavenly voice declare me happy. 
 
 Marcella.
 
 102 MARCELLA: 
 
 Marcella. 
 I know my father's hopes ; and by his worth 
 I fwear, my heart oft willies for the power 
 Moft fondly to fulhl them. 
 
 LUPERCIO. 
 
 Ha 1 what bar, 
 What fecrct bar, from quick-ey'd Love conceal'd, 
 Has envious fortune rais'd to thwart our union ? 
 You fay, that you regard me as your friend ; 
 Then honour me with friendlliip's deareft claim, 
 Unbounded confidence ! — unfold your heart !— 
 If, to cut off" the promifc of my blifs, 
 If there is aught of unknown fondnefs there, 
 Which fears a father's eye, confide in me i 
 And though againft myfelf— 
 
 Marcella. 
 
 Ingenuous youth i 
 Your mind is noble, but you little know 
 Marctlla's heart, above all low difguife. 
 Proud of its truth, nor patient of controul. 
 
 L u P E R c I o. 
 Pardon the fond furmife of fearful love I 
 
 If
 
 A TRAGEDY. 103 
 
 If thy foft breaft is free from prediledion, 
 What other bar ? — and yet there may be other > 
 Nature perhaps has curs'd me with defeats 
 OiFenfive to thy jQght ; feme natural blemifli 
 Of mind, or feature, which thy delicate fenfe 
 Tries to endure, but cannot. 
 
 Marcella. 
 
 No ! by Heaven I 
 Except the noble ftranger, whom we faw 
 At mafs this morning, and whofe fignal graces 
 Drew from us both obfervance of his perfon, 
 My eyes ne'er gaz'd upon a comelier youth : 
 And rcafon tells me, that I ought to love thee : 
 But my heart fhrinks perverfely from her voice. 
 Oft have I try'd to bend my wayward fpirit 
 To crown thy conftant vows, and blefs my father ; 
 Yet ever as my foul purfues that thought, 
 A fecret tremor in my bofom bids me 
 Recoil from thy embraces, whifpering therCj 
 That I was only born to be thy bane, 
 
 L u P E R c I o. 
 Thou 1 thou my bane ! — Thou art my life's fupport ; 
 
 10 As
 
 104 M A R C E L L A: 
 
 As dear, and as efllntial to my being, 
 As the blcfl: radiance ol: the fun to nature, 
 Thefe are the airy fears of virgin foftnefs, 
 Mofl: apt to harbour in the lovelieft minds. 
 Banifh the vifionary dread, and give 
 Thy lighten'd heart to all the joys that court thee f 
 Thy father's prayers, the vows of all our triends 
 Will filed propitious luftre on our union : 
 Hymen can never light his genial flame 
 With happier aufpices ; but were they dark 
 And hideous as the fick. man's feverifh dreams s 
 Wert thou, inftcad of noble Garcia's heirefs, 
 The child of want, and penury thy dower, 
 I flill fhould pant as fondly for thy hand ; 
 Still in thy wondrous charms and lovely virtues 
 Think all the blefTmgs of the earth compriz'd. 
 
 Ma rcella. 
 I know thee generous to a fond extreme : 
 It has fubdu'd my waywardnefs of temper, 
 And, fpite of the reluctance that I feel 
 To fpeak the important words, I will be thine. 
 
 L u P E u c I o. 
 
 i
 
 105 
 
 A TRAGEDY. 
 
 LuPERcro. 
 Bleft be that found ! it is an angel's voice, 
 Freeing the fpirit of a tortur'd martyr,. 
 And opening to his view the heaven he figh'd for. 
 
 Marcella. 
 And yet I fear — 
 
 L u P E R c I o. 
 Wound not enraptur'd love 
 With vain diftruft ! but name the blifsful day. 
 When my fond heart — 
 
 Marcella. 
 
 I faid, I vvili be thine : 
 Do not, with cruel importunity, 
 Now prefs me farther I As I frankly told thee, 
 My foul, I know not why, is out of tu»e ; 
 Give me a little time to regulate 
 The ftrange emotion of my mind, and try 
 To meet thee, as I wi{h, without thefe terrors. 
 
 L u P E R c I o. 
 Thou dear diredlrefs of my . fate ! thy will 
 Shall ever fway the condu6l of my life, 
 Howe'er it thwart me. — Yet, I pray thee, name 
 
 P Some
 
 io6 M A R C E L L Ar 
 
 Some period, on which hope may dwell, to footh 
 The reftlefs interval ! or kindly give me 
 Some pledge of thy dear promife ! 
 
 M A R c E L L A. 
 
 Take this ring^ 
 Of curious workmanfhip, near Tunis found, 
 And given my father by a noble Moor ; 
 The wife of Afdrubal, you know the figure. 
 Plunging araidft the flames, in which fhe perifli'd !' 
 Wear this a month, then claim me as your bride [ 
 But if you value me, preferve the jewel ^ 
 For if you lofe this fymbol of my faith, 
 Your negligence may lead me to retradl 
 A promife, fo reludantly pronounced. 
 
 L U P E R C I O. 
 
 Reft here, thou radiant harbinger of blifs f 
 Truft me, my love> and by thyfelf I fwear,. 
 That fooner fhall my foul and body part^ 
 Than this dear gem be wrefted from the finger 
 Where now it fhines. — O let me kifs the hand 
 "Which has enrich'd me with a pledge fo precious ;, 
 And let my lips thus ratify our compad I 
 
 (JFhile he is kijjtng her hand^ 
 
 Enter
 
 A TRAGEDY. 107 
 
 Enter the Governor, Hernandez, and a female Attendant. 
 
 Governor. 
 Why, this is well : I like this pleadng fliew 
 Of mutual tcndernefs — She has relented, 
 And will be your's, Lupercio ? 
 
 L u P E R c I o. 
 
 Yes, my father, 
 I now may call you by that valued title ; 
 My blifsful doom has pafs'd thofe lovely lip«, 
 And Hie is now irrevocably mine. 
 
 Governor, 
 May every blefling my paternal prayers 
 Can afk of Heaven, defcend upon ye both ! 
 Thy free confent delights me ; and thou art 
 My age's comfort. 
 
 Marcella. 
 When I ceafe to be fo. 
 May life forfake me ! — 'twill have loft all value. 
 
 Governor. 
 My tender child, I thank thee : but thou lead'ft me 
 Wide of my prefent aim. — With thee, Lupercio, 
 
 P 2 I mufl
 
 io8 M A R C E L L A: 
 
 I mud: on bufmefs of the ftate awhile 
 Hold private converfc : I'll relcafc thee foou 
 To the foft objccH: of thy tcnd'rcr thoughts. 
 Meantime, my daughter, as the hour of vefpers 
 Now fummons you, pray for us, and implore 
 Your Guardian Saint to make your nuptials happy.. 
 Your fcrvants wait you — Go ! — -on your return 
 You'll find us in the caflle, and at leifure 
 To dedicate the hours to love and joy. — 
 Now mark, me, thou brave youth. 
 
 (Retires to the farther part of the Ji age with Lupercio.] 
 
 Marcella. 
 Hernandez, you may reft at home — you know 
 'Tis not your duty to attend on me,. 
 As I have oft inform'd you. — It is ftrange 
 My father fufFers his old foolifli fteward 
 To pefter me with fuch officious fervice, 
 
 Hernandez. 
 Dear lady, do not frown — I have no joy 
 But to gaze on you, wherefoe'er you go, 
 And follow like your fliadow. — Would my fhape 
 
 Were
 
 A T R A G E D Y. ^ 109 
 
 Were half fo graceful !' — then I think your eyes 
 Could never view, me v/ith an angry glance. 
 
 Marcella. 
 Hence, faucy vafTal ! — Howfoe'er my father 
 Ufe thy prepofterous paflion for his mirth, 
 It fhall not thus infult me. — Hence ! I bid thee 
 For ever fliun my prefence. 
 
 ^Drops her glove, 
 H'ernandez (frefenting the glove.) 
 
 But kind chance 
 I« more my friend, and makes me ftill your fervant. 
 
 Marc e l l a. 
 Away ! fantaftic infolence ! be gone ! 
 I will not feed thy vanity, by wearing 
 Aught which thy touch has fullied. Ifabel,. 
 Take it, and draw its fellow from my arm !- 
 Bring other gloves, and follow me to vefpers.. 
 
 \Exeunt Marcella Y7«<a^ her Attendant, 
 He rn a n d e z; 
 Infulting fair ! I yet may find a moment 
 To triumph o'er thy fcorn, 
 
 rht
 
 no M A R C E L L A: 
 
 The Governor and Lupercio advance from the end of 
 
 the flage, 
 G o V ■. R N o R. 
 
 How now, Hernandez f 
 What ! has your mirtrcfs chid you from her prefence ? 
 I am Indeed to blame, to treat fo long 
 Your fooleries with levity and laughter. 
 Henceforth, in this my young and noble friend 
 You muft refped a hufband's dignity, 
 And dare to wound my daughter's ear nd more 
 With founds of amorous dotage. 
 
 Lupercio. 
 
 Good Hernandez, 
 You know the infirmity of Spanifli huibands ; 
 And you're fo ftudied in your lady's temper, 
 I may regard you as a dangerous rival. 
 
 Hernandez. 
 I fland corrected. — {^Aftde.) Curfe his happy ftars I 
 And curfe his proud and thinly-veil'd contempt 1 
 Howe'er deformity may make my figure 
 The butt iA his derifion, I've a fpirit, 
 
 3 In
 
 A TRAGEDY. iii 
 
 In which this fair-limb'd youth may feel a rival 
 More dangerous than his vanity believes. \_Exit, 
 
 Governor. 
 That faithful fervant is depriv'd of fenfe 
 By the abfurdeft paflion that e'er triumph'a 
 O'er manly reafon : he was juftly noted 
 For the beft qualities that grace his ftation, 
 Intelligence and duty, till my daughter 
 Advanc'd to womanhood ; but from that period,. 
 E'en in proportion as her beauties ripen'd, 
 His faculties have feem'd upon the wane. 
 I have too lightly fported with his frenzy,, 
 Which call'd for harlher difcipline. 
 
 L u p. E R c I o. 
 
 O ! no,, 
 I ffeer he is entitled to coriipafTion ; 
 Marcella has thofe fafcinating charms,. 
 Which may intoxicate the fobereft mind,, 
 Till all its fenfes reel. — I cannot wonder: 
 Age and deformity forget their nature 
 By living in her fight, and only feel; 
 That fhe has beauty which inflames to madnefs. 
 
 G o V E R rj o R.
 
 112 MARCELLA: 
 
 Governor. 
 She may indeed (with pride the father fpeaks it) 
 Be niimber'd with the lovelieft: of her fex. . 
 With joy, brave youth, but with an anxious joy, 
 I give her to thy guard. 
 
 L u P E R c I o. 
 
 Doubt not my love ! 
 
 Governor. 
 Trufl: mc, I do not : but anxiety 
 Is the high tax, which fond afftdion pays 
 For all its pleafures ; and parental hearts, 
 As thou may'ft prove hereafter, pay it double. 
 Befides, my daughter, lovely as fhe is, 
 Has qualities that claim the niceft care. 
 
 L u P E R c I o. 
 She has a generous pride, vi'hich to her foul 
 Gives awful beauty, and proclaims it free 
 From all that poor and petty artifice, 
 Which manly arrogance prefumes to think 
 Inherent in her fex. 
 
 G O V E R N O R, 
 
 You know, Lupercio, 
 
 She
 
 A TRAGEDY. 115 
 
 She is the only child that ever nature 
 Enrich'd me with ; my tendernefs, difdaining 
 The rigid cuftoms of her fex and country, 
 Has rear'd her with a freedom little known 
 To Spanifh fair-ones ; for I wifh'd to make her, 
 Not the cag'd vaflal of parental power, 
 But truth and nature's chafte and free difciple. 
 Her early temper join'd with my affedlion 
 To fix me in this condudl ; for, believe me. 
 Her mind is like the element of fire ; 
 Treat it with gentle caution, it will fhine 
 The radiant minifter of joy and comfort ; 
 5ut clofe confinement, or a blind negled, 
 May roufe its perilous energies to fpread 
 Unthought-of fcenes of mifery and terror. 
 
 L u P E R c I o. 
 Truft me, I never will prophane her virtue 
 With abjed jealoufy and harfh conftraint. 
 
 Governor. 
 On this nice topic, in our hours of leifure, 
 We'll fpeak more largely, when your juft afi^sdion 
 Will give kind audience to a father's counfel. 
 
 Q^ Now 
 
 r'
 
 114 MARCELLA: 
 
 Now other cares demand us. — You forget 
 The bufincfs I've entruftcd to your guidance, 
 Which calls for quick difpatch. 
 
 L u P E R c I o. 
 
 Forgive me, Sir ! 
 May love, that mifer, who locks up our thoughts, 
 Nor lets them circulate, as duty orders, 
 Plead with me for your pardon ! — I am gone. [£:«•/>» 
 
 Governor. 
 My blefling be thy guard ! — Long have 1 wifh'd. 
 To give my daughter to this virtuous youth ; 
 But 'tis the doom of age, in deeds of moment, 
 To feel the £t of warm dcfire fucceeded 
 By terror's aguifh tremblings. I begin 
 To fear I've prefs'd too far her generous mind> 
 To what her heart recoils from ; for fhe weds 
 To indulge a father's wifhes, not her own. 
 'Tis true, the teadercft motives have impell'd me 
 To urge this union, eager to entruft 
 Her peace and honour to a kind protestor : 
 But anxious love, tho' probity may guide it. 
 Oft, with a fond precipitancy, foils 
 
 3 rts
 
 A TRAGEDY. 115 
 
 Its own dear purpofe, and with dizzy raftinefs 
 Leaps in the dreaded gulph it ftrives to fhun. — 
 My child return'd fo foon ! and with a ftranger ! 
 What may this mean ? 
 
 Enter Marcella and Mendoza. 
 
 Me N D O Z A. 
 
 It moves, I fee, thy wonder, 
 Thou honour'd veteran, that thus uncheck'd 
 By ceremony's jufl obfervances, 
 A youth unknown intrudes upon thy prefencc. 
 And dares to make this lovely maid his herald. 
 
 Governor. 
 Whoe'er thou art, young Signor, I muft own 
 Thy graceful femblance prompts me to believe 
 Thou haft no common claim to courtefy. 
 
 Mendoza. 
 'Tis poflible thou art not unacquainted 
 With young Mendoza's name. 
 
 Governor. 
 
 Who knows it not ? 
 Spain has no martial fon, whofe generous veins 
 Hold richer blood ; and fame reports Mendoza 
 
 Q^ 2 A youth,
 
 1,6 MARCELLA: 
 
 A youtli, wliofc opening virtues have reflciled 
 
 New honour on his noble anceftry. 
 
 Our country, with a fond, impatient pride, 
 
 Expeds liim from his travels ; but 'tis fiiid 
 
 That, grac'd with a difcerning monarch's fricndlKip,, 
 
 He purpofes to pafs another year 
 
 At the Imperial court. 
 
 M E N D o z A. 
 
 Such as he is, 
 Mendoza ftands before thee, and thou feeft him 
 An anxious, humble' fuitor to thy bounty. 
 
 Governor. 
 To me, my Lord ! 
 
 Mendoza. 
 To thee, thou happy father t 
 To thee, thou bleft poffeflbr of a treafure, 
 That turns all other wealth to poverty ! 
 Oft had I heard thy lovely daughter prais'd 
 As beauty's ftandard, and no more allowing 
 A competition with inferior fair-ones, 
 Than the rich diamond's blaze admits compare 
 With the dark amethyft, or clouded opal. 
 
 It
 
 A TRAGEDY. 117 
 
 It was my wiili, in pafling thro' your city, 
 Unknown to gaze upon this beauteous wonder. 
 As on a prodigy of nature's work, 
 Supreme in lovelinefs ; which to have feen, 
 Gives to the eye that faw it a proud fparkle • 
 Of exultation, whenfoe'er 'tis nam'd. 
 
 Governor. 
 This lavifh praife, my Lord, at once o'erwhelms me 
 With joy and pain ; and both in the extreme. 
 Pray do not fpoil, by thus o'er-rating them> 
 The fimple charms of an unpolifli'd girl ! 
 
 M E N D o z A. 
 Your pardon ! — 'tis not in the power of language 
 To ftate their excellence. — At mafs this morning 
 My eager eyes firft feafted on their fight : 
 I thought I ne'er had feen till that blefl: moment ; 
 For on my ravifli'd fenfe her beauty burft, 
 Dazzling and dear, as new-imparted light 
 To one, whofe vifual organs from his childhood 
 Had pin'd in moping darknefs — from that hour 
 My heart cries loudly, that the earth contains 
 No prize worth my contention, but her love. — 
 
 9 Report
 
 1 1 8 M A R C E L L A : 
 
 Report inf'orm'd mc, that her foft affedions 
 Are yet unlix'd ; tho' an accomplifli'd youth, 
 Fondly prefuming on a father's frienjfliip, 
 Hopes hourly tor the promife of her hand. 
 Fii'd by thefe tidings, as again I faw her 
 Approach the hallowM precinds of the temple, 
 I threw me at her feet, conjur'd her pity 
 To guide me to your prefcnce, and implor'd 
 The Guardian Saint, whofe votary I fued to, 
 That when we next that facred pavement trod, 
 Heaven might exalt me to the blifsful honour 
 To lead her to the altar. 
 
 M A R C E L L A. 
 
 Oft in vain 
 I pray'd the gallant ftranger to forbear 
 His unavailing fuit, nor vex my father 
 With fruitlefs importunity. 
 
 M E N D O Z A. 
 
 To both 
 I bend for pardon, that my violent love 
 Dar'd to o'er-rule the mortifying counfel 
 Of maidenly referve, and raodefl fear. 
 
 i[
 
 A TRAGEDY. 119 
 
 If yet thy heart, that throne of happinefs, 
 Be vacant, I implore thy father's leave 
 To join the conteft for a prize, whofe value 
 Might tempt the monarchs of the world in arms 
 To hazard each, his empire. 
 
 Governor. 
 
 Noble youth ! 
 Thy generous warmth fo wins on my efteem, 
 I will entruft thy own ingenuous heart 
 To judge the caufe, where e'en thy love's a party. 
 The hour's not paft, in which, with her affent, 
 I gave my daughter to a valiant friend, 
 Who long has lov'd her ; tho' I frankly own 
 His birth and fortune make him not thy equal. 
 Such is my fiory : now affume my place, 
 And anfwer for me ! Say ! fhall I, a foldier. 
 An old plain, foldier, honefty my pride ! 
 Shall I revoke my promife, at the lurs 
 Of interefl; and ambition ? 
 
 Me N D o z A. 
 
 Thou haft found 
 The way to vanquifh all Mendoza's ardour :. 
 
 Thy
 
 I20 M A R C E L L A; 
 
 Thy words benumb my ^oul ; but thou" flialt fee 
 
 My wounded heart has virtue to decide 
 
 Aaainfh itfelf. Mendoza's voice fliall never 
 
 Prompt to the lips of honourable age 
 
 The abje£t founds of infamy. — Shalt thou 
 
 Revoke thy promife ! no ! thou brave old man, 
 
 Not tho' my life fhould end by its completion ! 
 
 Let the vain fons of Italy and France 
 
 Attempt, by mental alchemy, to turn 
 
 The lead of falfliood into vvifdom's gold, 
 
 And fmk, their own poor bubbles, in the trial 1 
 
 It is the glory of a true Caftilian 
 
 To fcorn fuch arts, and hold his word once civen 
 
 As facred as the fiat of a God. 
 
 Governor. 
 There fpoke the fpirit of Calliilian honour. 
 Brave youth ! I yet will love thee as my fon, 
 Tho* fate forbid fuch union. — Let us hence, 
 It may amufc thy generous mind to fhew thee 
 The precinds of our caftle. 
 
 M E N D O Z A. 
 
 Well thou warncft 
 
 Thy
 
 A TRAGEDY. 121 
 
 Thy giddy guefl: to fly a dangerous banquet, 
 
 Where his warm foul drinks poifon. — Matchlefs fair-one! 
 
 I muft perforce from thy enchanting prefence 
 
 Tear my relu6lant heart, while yet I can ; 
 
 Before the firm refolve of honour melts 
 
 In that full blaze of frenzy-kindling beauty. 
 
 I go : — Still, ere I quit thefe walls for ever, 
 
 I fliall implore one parting interviev/ ; 
 
 But for a few fliort moments, but to utter 
 
 My ardent vows, that Heaven may make thee happy ; 
 
 And to entreat, that as the years roll on, 
 
 And bring thee, as I hope they will, new bleflings, 
 
 Thou'lt deign, at leaft on this revolving day, 
 
 To think not harfhly of my haplefs paflion, 
 
 And give one figh of pity to Mendoza. 
 
 \_Exit^ with the Governor. 
 Marcella. 
 He's gone, ere my full heart allow'd me power 
 To frame one grateful accent to the man. 
 For whom alone my unconftrained lips 
 Could utter vov/-^ of 2:enuine tcndernefs. 
 Enchanting youth ! — Dofl: thou implore my pity ? 
 
 R Thcu
 
 122 M A R C E L L A: 
 
 Thou canft not need companion : love and joy 
 
 Will, as thy guardian fpirits, hover round thee. 
 
 I am the wretch, whofe lacerated mind 
 
 Cries out for nity, which I do not merit. 
 
 Fool that I was ! by a reludlant promife 
 
 To violate the heart's prerogative ! 
 
 This injur'd fovereign now awakes to vengeance, 
 
 And I deferve thefc tortures. — O Lupercio ! 
 
 Thou wert before an obje<fl, from whofe touch 
 
 My confcious frame recoil'd. — What art thou now ? 
 
 Thy very name is difcord in my ear, 
 
 That agitates my wounded brain to frenzy. 
 
 And fhall I wed thee ? take thee to my bofom ? 
 
 An afpic fooner ! from whofe dearer clafp 
 
 My mifcries might hope for welcome death ! 
 
 Yet how efcape thee, and maintain at once 
 
 My father's honour and my own unfhaken ? 
 
 O for fome kind afliftant ! whofe invention 
 
 May o'er my darken'd thoughts diffufe one glimpfe 
 
 Of cheering light ! — Here comes a minifter 
 
 Who wants not will to ferve me. 
 
 Enter
 
 A TRAGEDY. 123 
 
 EjJter Hernandez. 
 Hernandez. 
 
 Hafte, dear lady; 
 Your father afks a moment's parley with you 
 In private, and before he walks abroad 
 To fhow our ramparts to a noble ftranger. 
 
 Marcella. 
 Canft thou, Hernandez, banifli from thy memory 
 All my paft anger, and exert thy powers 
 To gain my favor by one fignal fervice ? 
 
 Hernandez. 
 Afk me If I exift ; for while I live, 
 I hold my life devoted to your pleafure. 
 
 Marcella. 
 I'll put thee to the trial, for the tafk 
 Allows not e'en a moment of delay. 
 Know then, I foolifhly have given Lupercio 
 My ring, the pledge of an unguarded promife, 
 Which my wrong'd heart forbids me to fulfil. 
 I warn'd him, if he chanc'd to lofe the jewel. 
 Our compadl fiiould be void. — If thou'lt devife 
 
 R 2 Some
 
 124 M A R C E L L A; 
 
 Some lucky artifice to lure it from him, 
 Thou (halt have thrice the value of the gem. 
 
 Hernandez. 
 Wouldft thou elude tliy nuptials with Lupercio ? 
 The blefl intelligence revives my foul I 
 
 Marcella. 
 He is the hated bar, on whofe removal 
 My heart might enter paradife, and follow 
 The dear fu2;o;efl;ions of unfetter'd love. 
 
 Hernandez. 
 Enough ! thou fhalt be miftrefs of thyfelf. 
 
 Marcella^ 
 
 Make me but that My father calls but thaty 
 
 And I'll reward thee, till thyfelf fbalt own 
 My gratitude a prodigal in bounty. 
 
 Lofe not a moment fet me free to-night. 
 
 And thro* my every hour of future life 
 
 I'll blefs tliee for the fervice. [^Exit^ 
 
 Hernandez. 
 
 Then to-night 
 Shall rid thee of Lupercio. — Thou flialt feely 
 Sarcailic boy ! I am a dangerous rivaL 
 
 1 know 
 
 !
 
 A TRAGEDY. 
 
 I know in what lone quarter of the ramparts 
 Nightly thou walk'ft in amorous contemplation, 
 Murmuring fantaftic crotchets to the moon : 
 There if I mifs thee, ftill the blended fires 
 Of love and of rev^enge fhall aid my fearch, 
 And guide my thirfty poniard to thy heart. 
 
 125 
 
 End of ACT I. 
 
 IL 
 
 S C E N E. I. 
 
 Marcella (alone,) 
 
 TH E night is paft, but the all-cheering morm 
 Fails to difpel the darknefs of my foul : 
 My^ reftlefs heart yet beats with blended throbs 
 Of anguifh and delight, at the idea 
 That thefe fond eyes may, with my father's leave,. 
 Gaze once again upon the dear Mendoza, 
 
 O miojht
 
 X26 MARCELLA: 
 
 O might they in our parting clofc for ever ! — 
 'Tis ftransce I vet hear nothins; of Hernandez. 
 But what can he ? — I was indeed an idiot 
 To think his paltry aid could terminate 
 My mifcries ; I might as well believe 
 That the poor current of a fcanty brook 
 Might quench the conflagration of the globe. 
 O would thofe final flames, that will confume 
 This gloomy world, this ftage of wretchednefs, 
 Were kindling now ! for my deliver'd foul, 
 Efcaping from worfe horrors, could rejoice 
 In that dread fcene of fiery defolation, 
 And think it blifs to perifli with Mendoza. 
 
 M E N D o z A (entering.) 
 *' And think it blifs to perifli with Mendoza I" 
 Extatic founds ! may I believe my fenfe ! 
 Have I fuch tender intcreft in that bofom ? 
 
 M A K C E L L A. 
 
 'Tis not well done, my lord, thus at the dawn 
 To fteal upon my privacy, and rob 
 A -wounded fpirit of its fole fupport, 
 The fecrecy of woes beyond a cure, 
 
 Mendoza.
 
 A TRAGEDY. 127 
 
 M E N D O Z A. 
 
 Pardon the impatient fpeed of anxious pafTion ! 
 I have nor reft, nor joy, but in thy prefence, 
 And haften'd to thee, in the fad belief, 
 (A burthen which my heart would now throw off) 
 That this dear interview muft prove the laft, 
 
 Marcella, 
 The laft indeed it muft be ! 
 
 M E N D o z A. 
 
 If thy voice 
 Can fpeak with fuch fweet kindnefs of Mendoza, 
 Thou wilt revoke that fentence ; and what power 
 Shall burft the hallow'd ties of mutual love, 
 And tear our wedded fpirits from each other ? 
 
 Marcella. 
 The ruler of thy life, imperious Honour I 
 Honour, who has already by thy voice 
 Pronounc'd the firm immutable decree. 
 That this ill-fated hand muft not be thine. 
 
 Mendoza. 
 Urge not againft me the confus'd decifton 
 Of ignorance and blind miftaken pride ! 
 
 3 Whea
 
 128 vM viA 'R OC ;.E L L A : 
 
 When I conhrm\i thy father in his piirpofe, 
 I knew not, that to keep his fatal word 
 lie mufl: become a tyrant to thy licart, 
 And vioLitc the dear.pft rights of nature. 
 I knew not that Mendoza's ardent love 
 Had in thy bofom rais'd the blcft emotion 
 Of tender fympathy. 
 
 M A R c E L L A . 
 
 O that my heart 
 Had not unwarily betray 'd its wcaknefs ! 
 Then might a juft ingenuous pride have taught me 
 To bear the painful fecret to my grave. 
 
 M E N D o z A. 
 
 Unkindly faid ! — If fuch could be thy wiili, 
 Thou haft not lov'd Mendoza. 
 
 M A R C E L L A. 
 
 Think fo ever ! ; 
 
 I have not lov'd him ; duty, Hnth, forbid it : 
 I am afFianc'd to a generous youth, 
 Who claims the full dominion of my heart ; 
 Nor fliall Mendoza's image lurk within it, 
 To prove the aftaflin of my peace and honour. 
 
 Mendoza.
 
 A TRAGEDY. 129 
 
 M E N D O Z A. 
 
 lovely haughtlnefs of mind I this conflid, 
 This agitation of thy artlefs bofonx, 
 Proves the enchanting truth, I am feelov'd : 
 
 1 read it in thofe fweetly-fpeaking eyes, 
 Where the faint fpark of anger is extinguifh'd 
 In melting tendernefs. While thus I clafp thee, 
 Kind fympathy gives to thy every nerve 
 Delicious foftnefs ; and thy fwelling heart 
 Vibrates in unifon with mine, to form 
 
 Th' extatic harmony of mutual love. — 
 
 Thou weep'il ! — O Heaven ! I feel thefe precious drops 
 
 Fall on my wounded breaft, like liquid fire. 
 
 O, I had rather draw upon my head 
 
 The worft of human ills, thy hate and fcorn I 
 
 Rather than touch thee with an ill-ftarr'd pafHoii, 
 
 If it muft prove a fource of forrow to thee, 
 
 And quench the radiance of thine eyes in tears. 
 
 Ma r c e l l a. 
 I can believe thee, for thy noble foul 
 Is honour's fandluary. — Then, as my friend, 
 Let me implore the firmnefs of thy fpirit 
 
 S To
 
 130 M, A R C E L L A: 
 
 To aid the treacherous failing pf n>y own ! 
 
 I am indeed unpradis'd in the arts 
 
 My fex is fani'd for ; I have not the {kill 
 
 To hide th' emotion^of a feeling heart : 
 
 And I will lay it open to thy view. 
 
 I will avow, that if my wayward fortune 
 
 Had not forbid the union of our hands, 
 
 I would have met the ardour of thy vows 
 
 With all the franknefs of fimplicity, 
 
 Proud of its pleafing lot. I would have pray'd 
 
 For undecaying charms to keep thy love,, 
 
 Bleiling the God who form'd ys for each other. 
 
 But fince the bar 
 
 M E N D O Z A. 
 
 There is, there fhall be none : 
 We'll urge thy heart's unalienable right 
 To be the fole difpofer of thy beauty. 
 
 Marcella. 
 O fpeak not thus ! — my own unbalanced mind, 
 Whirl'd in the eddies of tempeftuous thought. 
 Already has been hurried much too far 
 From the fafe courfe integrity prefcribes. 
 
 But
 
 A TRAGEDY, 134 
 
 But the remembrance of thy bright example 
 Shall be my glorious guide, and flill preferve me. 
 How nobly haft thou faid, thou wouldft not urge 
 My honour'd father to revoke his promife, 
 Not if thy life fhould end by its completion ! 
 Shalt thou, a ftranger ! thus againft thyfelf 
 Stand forth the firm afferter of his honour, 
 And fhall his child betray it ? 
 
 M E N D o z A. 
 
 Do not wound 
 Thy own pure fpirit by this groundlefs fcruple ! 
 
 Marcella. 
 It is convidion, founded on the laws, 
 Th' unqueftionable laws of faith and virtue. 
 I muft for ever fly thee, or difgrace 
 My father and myfelf. And fhall I heap 
 Grief, difappointment, mifery, and fliame 
 Upon my father's head ? And what a father ! 
 Rough as he is in the rude fcene of arms, 
 The fterneft foldier of his time, to me '■» 
 
 The awful thunder of his voice has foften'd 
 E'en to the tender fweetnefs of a lute. 
 
 S 2 With
 
 132 M A R C E L L A: 
 
 With me he has for ever thrown afide 
 All the afpcrities of harfli command, 
 And difciplin'd my wayward infancy 
 With all the mildncfs of a mother's love. 
 
 M E N D O Z A. 
 
 O might I aid thee in thy dcarefl: office, 
 
 To pay him back thofe long and large arrears 
 
 Of tendernefs and care ! — Yes ! we will make it 
 
 The incefTant ftudy of our days to lighten 
 
 Whatever load encroaching age lays on him ; 
 
 And by the fweet folicitude extend 
 
 The limit of his bleft and honour'd life. 
 
 Marcella. 
 Could it be fuch, our lot indeed were happy ; 
 But 'tis impoffible. Should I, forgetting 
 The fandlity of promifes, fhould I 
 Attempt to burft the fetters that involve me^ 
 And ftruggle to be your's, it could not be t. 
 Ki«d as he is, my father's firmer fpirit 
 In points of honour is inflexible ! 
 Could I myfelf defcend— and wounded pride 
 Revolts at the idea — could I ftoop 
 
 To
 
 A TRAGEDY. 133; 
 
 To beg, that he would countenance my falfhood,, 
 
 I know his anfwer. — " Would'ft thou," he would crjr^ 
 
 " Make me an object of the world's contempt ? 
 
 Shall I be cenfur'd as a fordid wretch. 
 
 Who, having given my daughter to a friend, 
 
 Cheated his hopes, and fold her venal beauty 
 
 To the rich fplendor of Mendoza's fortune ?'* 
 
 M E I* D o z A. 
 
 Perifti the envious fpirits, who could harbour 
 So bafe a thought of him who gave thee being I 
 But fhould he be reproach'd, (as pureft virtue,. 
 And the beneficence of Heaven itfelf,, 
 'Scapes not fuch prophanation) it were better,; 
 Than to behold thy peace of mind deflroy'd,. 
 And thy foft heart corroded by the ihackles,, 
 The galling {hackles of a joylefs marriage. — 
 Think what it is to prefs the nuptial couch,, 
 When, for the rofes Love fhould fcatter there,. 
 The fiead Antipathy ha& form'd its pillow 
 Of {harpeft thorns, that lacerate the brain.!: 
 
 Mar c e l l a., 
 T know it muft be agony far worfc 
 
 Tham
 
 134 M A R C E L L A: 
 
 Than death's fevereft pang : the thought aheady 
 Has thrown my troubled mind from off its balance, 
 And plung'd me in diftradion. — Thou art cruel, 
 To fet my woes thus forcibly before me, 
 And aggravate the anguiOi ot my fate. 
 
 M E N D o z A. 
 
 Think rather, that with fond anxiety 
 
 I warn you of the precipice you tread, 
 
 And pant to fave you trembling on its brink. 
 
 M A R C E L L A. 
 
 I pray you leave me, for your dangerous aid 
 Can but encreafe the horrors of my fall. 
 O leave me, I conjure you 1 
 
 M E N D o z A. 
 
 Once affure me, 
 You will endeavour to draw back your hand 
 From this abhorr'd alliance, I will reft 
 On the faint hope which may arife from thence. 
 
 Marcella. 
 Whatever I can do, and not deflroy 
 My father's peace and honour, fhall be done : 
 For O, 'tis certain, rather than be dragg'd 
 
 7 The
 
 A TRAGEDY. 135 
 
 The vi<5lim of Lupercio's nuptial triumph, 
 
 My heart would chufe to languifh life away 
 
 In the lone walls of fome fequefter'd cell, 
 
 Where not one pleafing found could footh my fufFering, 
 
 Save when I clos'd fome melancholy prayer 
 
 With the dear echo of Mendoza's name. 
 
 M E N D o z A. 
 
 Enchanting foftnefs ! thou fhalt yet be mine, 
 
 And thefe heart-rending fighs fhall turn to rapture. 
 
 Marcella. 
 I hear my father's ftep ; depart, I pray thee ! 
 
 M E N D O Z A. 
 
 By Heaven, my feet feem rooted to this fpot, 
 And have not power to bear me from thy prefence I 
 
 Banter the Governor. 
 Governor. 
 Ah, my young friend ! youth wants a monitor 
 To bid it mark the rapid flight of time. 
 Is this your momentary interview ? 
 Come ! force me not to play the tefly father. 
 And chide you from my roof I 
 
 M E N D o z A.
 
 136 MARCELLA: 
 
 M E N D O Z A. 
 
 O pardon mc, 
 I will but feal one vow of tender friendfliip 
 On this fair hand, and inftantly attend you.— 
 Farewell ! — Thou art the lovelieft work of Heaven, 
 And may its purefl: fpirits be thy guard 1 
 
 [Exity with the Governor. 
 Marcella. 
 Torn from me ! banifli'd from my view for ever ! 
 O, (hall thefe wretched eyes behold no more 
 The darling of their fight ! and as each morn 
 Of hated life returns, fliall they be forc'd 
 To gaze upon the objeft that they loath ? 
 Sure all the fubtleft of the infernal fiends 
 Are leagu'd to curfe me with their keeneft tortures. 
 Ah, fenfelefs wretch I my folly is the fiend 
 From whom this mifery fprings : 'twas I, 'twas I» 
 Slave that I was I who faften'd on myfelf 
 This iron bondage that corrodes my foul. 
 
 Hernandez (entering.) 
 Lament its weight no more ! thy chain is broken. 
 Receive the fymbol of thy liberty ! [^Delivering the ring. 
 
 3 Marcella.
 
 A TRAGEDY. 137 
 
 M A R C E I- L A, 
 
 It is my ring I my gladden'd eyes acknowledge 
 Its bright aflurance of recovered freedom I— 
 Fly, flop Mendoza ! — Stay ! yet tell me firft 
 How thou haft profper'd, thou excelling fervant I— 
 Thou jfhalt have great rewards, great as my joy ! — 
 How did the fond Lupercio yield my pledge ? 
 Hafte ! tell me all — I muft prepare myfelf 
 To meet him foon, complaining of his lofs. 
 
 Hernandez. 
 Be fatisfied ! — He can no more complain. 
 
 Marcella. 
 What doft thou mean by that myfterious accent ? 
 
 Hernandez. 
 His hated voice fliall ne'er be heard again. 
 
 Marcella. 
 Thou haft not murder'd him !— By Heaven thou haft ; 
 I read it in thy dark and troubled vifage, 
 
 Hernandez. 
 I have indeed been bloody for thy fake, 
 
 Marcella. 
 Is he then butcher'd by thy favage hand ?— 
 
 T Unhappy
 
 138 M A R C E L L A: 
 
 Unhappy youth ! thy pale and gory fpc6tre 
 Will glare for ever in my fight, and banifli 
 All hopes of quiet from my foul for eVer. — 
 Wretch ! thou haft funk me in the deepeft gulph 
 Of horror and perdition. 
 
 Hernandez. 
 
 Come, be chear'd ! 
 I have dcliver'd thee from him, whofe being 
 Was torture to thy heart. — Lupercio's dead ; 
 And by my caution it muft be fuppos'd 
 The nightly robbers, who infeft our city. 
 Have thu^g^reveng'd his vigilance againft them. 
 
 M A R C E L L A. 
 
 Is this the recompenee of all thy merit. 
 
 Brave, gen'rous, frank Lupercio ? — Tho' my heart 
 
 Recoil'd pervcrfcly from thy love, it feels. 
 
 With cold convulfive pangs of vain regret, 
 
 It feels thy worth, thy ill-requited virtues, 
 
 And all the horrors of thy barb'rous fate, 
 
 Hernandez. 
 Refled: thou only from what hated fcencs 
 Of hopelefs pain my daring hand has fav'd thee! 
 
 ? ThInI
 
 A TRAGEDY. 139 
 
 Think what thou ow'ft to me, who for thy fake 
 Have put in hazard my immortal foul ! 
 
 M AR C E L L A. 
 
 Ill-fated wretch ! thou alfo haft my pity. 
 'Twas my bafe condudt, blinded as I was, 
 That plung'd thee in this guilt. — But hafte I be gone ! 
 Fly ! while thou canft, where juftice may not find thee. 
 Fly to fome diftant climate ; and endeavour, 
 By penitence, to make thy peace with Heaven ! 
 Go where thou wilt, my bounty fliall attend thee, 
 And aid thee with fuch lavifli funis of gold, 
 As may enable thee, by thofe good deeds - 
 Which charity delights in, beft to cancel 
 Or counterpoife the evil of thy crime. 
 
 Hernandez. 
 What ! canft thou vainly think, that in thy fcrvice 
 I've dy'd my unftain'd hand in guiltlefs blood 
 For gold ! the needy robber's paltry prey ? 
 
 M A R C E L L A. 
 
 What was thy aim ?— thy frantic eyes affright me I 
 
 Hernandez. 
 Here is the nobler recompence I claim, 
 
 T 2 Thy
 
 140 M A R C E L L A: ; 
 
 Thy beauty ! rich in medicinal balm 
 To heal th' cnvcnom'd anguifh of remorfe. 
 Come to my breaft I and with thy melting charms 
 Drown all the keeneft pangs, that guilt can waken, 
 In extacy more poignant ! 
 
 Marcella. 
 
 Slave 1 unhand me !— 
 Away I remember, rafli, prefumptuous villain I 
 The diftance of thy flation I , 
 
 Hernandez. 
 
 Idle pride F 
 Silence its frivolous and falfe fuggeftion ! 
 The hours juft part: have plac'd us on a level. 
 Thou haft no title now, but Murderefs. 
 We are confederates in guilt and blood : 
 Blood is the cement of our equal union. 
 
 Marcella. 
 Thou dar'ft not fay it. 
 
 Hernanuez. 
 
 Dive into thy bofom ! 
 Afk thy own heart ! — Didft thou not wifli his death ? 
 Aye ! had thy flaming eyes, like bafiliiks^ 
 
 Been
 
 A TRAGEDY. 141 
 
 Been arm'd with fudden power to ftrike him dead, 
 Their ftroke had far outftripp'd my tardy dagger. 
 Thou couldft not think thy lover would refign 
 The gem, thou bad'ft me pilfer, but with life. 
 
 Marcella. 
 No ! witnefs Heaven ! I thought not of his death.— 
 Yet thou haft rent a veil of fatal paflion, 
 That hid my own foul from me ; and I fee 
 The ftains of mifery and guilt are on it. 
 I am indeed the fource, the wretched fource 
 Of all this fcene of horror : 'tis to me, 
 To me, thou ill-ftarr'd minifter of mifchief. 
 Thou ow'ft the burden of this bloody deed, 
 Which cries to angry Heaven for retribution.— 
 Now, I conjure thee, raife again thy arm ! p 
 
 Plunge thy yet-reeking poniard in my heart, 
 And by this juftice expiate our crimes I 
 
 Hernandez. 
 Away with vain remorfe ! — Come! let me fteep 
 Thy troubled fenfes in thofe foft delights. 
 That fweetly fteal from the enchanted foul 
 All memory of pain ! 
 
 Marcella,
 
 142 M A R C E L L A: 
 
 M A R C R L L A. 
 
 Dcliorht from thee ! 
 Hernandez. 
 I find, contemptuous fair-one ! I am not 
 Thy fav'ritc ! No ! thy nice faftidious eye 
 Delights in daintier forms. My jealous paflion 
 Has caught thy bofom's fecret. — Yet be grateful, 
 Be wife ! and I will make thee foon the bride 
 Of thy belov'd. Mendoza. 
 
 Marcella. 
 
 Canft thou mean it ? 
 Hernandez. 
 Yes I with this fine-form'd heir of wealth and grandeur, 
 Soon fhalt thou fliine in all that blaze of fortune 
 Which fuits thy towering fpirit, if thy beauties 
 Will pay their debt of gratitude to me, 
 And with thofe fweet delights, that ftcalth makes fweeter, 
 Reward the fecret author of thy greatnefs. 
 
 Marcella. 
 What ! be the wife of Honour's nobleft fon, 
 And live the fervile ftrumpet of my valTal ! — 
 Prefumptuous villainy ! — Unhand me, ruffian ! 
 
 Hernandez.
 
 A TRAGEDY. 143 
 
 Hernandez, 
 Nay ! ftruggle not ! — I have thee in my toils, 
 And my keen love {hall feaft upon its victim, 
 O'ertaken with fuch hazard. — Come ! be gentler ! 
 
 Marcella. 
 Never ! O never 1 
 
 Hernandez. > 
 Mujfl I owe to force 
 The joy thy pitying gratitude fhould give ? 
 The joy for which my ardent foul has thirfted, 
 E'en to its own perdition ? 
 
 Marcella. 
 
 Hence ! away ! — 
 Relcafe my hand, or my diftradled cries 
 Shall bring my injur'd father to my aid. 
 
 Hernande z. 
 And dar'ft thou threaten me, ungrateful girl ? 
 But it fhall not avail thee. — Hear, and tremble 
 At the fuperior threat thou mak'ft me utter ! — 
 Thou fee'ft, by all the bloody bufinefs paft, 
 I hold my life as nothing ; if thou ftill 
 Dcny'ft me, what I have fo dearly purchas'd, 
 
 I will.
 
 144- MARCELLA: 
 
 I will, before our magiftratcs I will 
 
 Avow the niurder, charge upon thy head 
 
 The black defign, and add, I have receiv'd 
 
 Thy virgin treafure as my fettled hire ; 
 
 But that remorfe has drawn the fecret from me. — 
 
 Now learn to threaten, girl .'—Now take thy choice ! 
 
 Shame ! public iliame, with tortures and with death, 
 
 Or the fafe fweets of privacy and joy ! 
 
 Marcella. 
 Amazement I thy ferocity in guilt 
 Overwhelms my faculties. — Yet hear me, Heaven ! 
 To thee, altho' offended by my faKhood, 
 To thee I kneel : O punifli my offences 
 By any pangs thy juftice may ordain, 
 But fave ! O fave me from this daring wretch ! 
 
 Hernandez. 
 Thy prayer's too late, flnce thou haft render'd me 
 The wretch I am : thy paffions made me guilty, 
 And thou ftialt yield me that reward of guilt 
 For which I burn in every vein to madnefs I — 
 Come, my reludant fair-one 1 
 
 Marcella.
 
 A TRAGEDY. 145 
 
 M A R C E L L A. 
 
 No ! by Heaven ! 
 Fulfil thy horrid, thy inhuman threats ! 
 Add perjury to murder ! and devote me 
 To infamy and death! — I will embrace them. 
 Rather than yield to thy abhorr'd fuggeftion, 
 And in that fellovvfhip debafe my foul. 
 
 Hernandez. 
 Is there fuch firmnefs in the heart of woman ? 
 
 Then artifice aflift me ! [Afide.) Matchlefs virtue 1 
 
 E'en in this frenzy of my tortur'd fpirit 
 I feel thy awful power ! — Thy purity 
 Irradiates the dark chaos of my mind, 
 And all the warring fires of lawlefs paflion 
 Turn at thy voice to penitential tears ! — 
 I kneel to thee for pardon. 
 
 Marcella. 
 
 Bend to Heaven ! 
 'Tis Heaven who ftrikes thee, to reclaim thy foul, 
 With juft compundion. 
 
 Hernandez. 
 
 Thou benignant angel ! 
 
 ' U On
 
 1+6 M A R C E L L A; 
 
 On thee depends my fatcty or perdition ; 
 Treat me with foothing pity and forgivenefs, 
 And I may yet atone for all my crimes, 
 The fatal offspring of diftradied pallion ! 
 
 Marcella. 
 Thou haft my pity. . 
 
 Hernandez. 
 I will afk no more ; 
 I will not wound thy dignity, by wifliing 
 "What madnefs only led my heart to figh for. 
 No ! fair Perfedlion ! live thou many years 
 In the chafte blifs of honourable love ! 
 While I, the vidim of a frantic fondnefs. 
 In fomc wild defert hide my loath'd exiftence, 
 Mourn my paft guilt, and hope the pitying vows 
 Of innocence like thine, may draw from Heaven 
 A full, tho' late forgivenefs of my crimes. 
 
 Marcella. 
 "Unhappy fcrvant ! in my prayers for mercy 
 Thou ne'er fhalt be forgotten. 
 
 Hernandez. 
 
 'Tis my purpoli 
 
 To
 
 A TRAGEDY. 147 
 
 To fly from hence before to-morrow's dawn : 
 But wherefore ? I nor wifli, nor merit life. — 
 Hafte to thy injur'd father ! let him know 
 The wretch he harbours ! an4 for all my guilt 
 Let public juftice make her full atonement ! 
 
 Marcella, 
 Poor frantic criminal ! yet hope in Heaven ! 
 I, who have blindly led thee into crimes, 
 Will not accelerate thy punilhment. 
 Seek fome religious cell, and meditate 
 On the infinitude of heavenly mercy 1 
 
 Hernandez. 
 I fee, I feel it in thy foothing pity ! 
 
 Marcella. 
 Here meet me once again, fome two hours hence ; 
 I will fupply thee with fuch gold or jewels 
 As may give comfort to thy Icngthen'd days. 
 
 Hernandez. 
 Thou art too good, too tender to a villain, 
 Who has deferv'd thy hatred and thy fcorn.— - 
 Still let me ftrive to fhew I have a heart 
 That knows to value what it cannot merit. 
 
 U 2 I will
 
 148 M A R C E L L A: 
 
 I will not meet thcc. We'll converfe no more, 
 Left when my flight is known, fome dark fufpicion 
 Fall on tliy innoccnec. — At evening's clofe 
 Leave thou the gift, thy charity intends. 
 In the lone tower, that flanks the garden walL 
 At midnight I will take thy bounty thence. 
 And, praying for thy peace, depart for ever» 
 
 M A R C E L L A. 
 
 I thank thy generous caution ; nor will fail 
 
 To bring thee liberal aid : for flill, I truft, 
 
 'Tis Heaven's intent, for all thy earlier virtues, 
 
 By years of calm fequefter'd penitence 
 
 To purify thy foul, and feal thy pardon. 
 
 Cherifh that thought ! and Mercy be thy guard ! [£a7>.. 
 
 Hernandez falo72e.) 
 'Tis well — Proud Beauty ! I am now thy maftcr : 
 Thy haughty fpirit, that no threats could tame, 
 Sinks unfufpedling in the fmooth deception 
 That artifice has fpread. — In that lone tower,- 
 Where the coy clamours of a feign'd averflon 
 Will only prove a prelude to my joy, 
 
 9 rii
 
 A TRAGEDY. 149 
 
 ril lurk to feize thy charms. — Now haften, Night ! 
 Thy kind companions, Solitude and Darknefs, 
 Shall o'er this frovvard fair-one aid my triumph, 
 And fate infulted love with fweet revens:e. 
 
 End of KQT IL 
 
 A 
 
 T 
 
 IIL 
 
 SCENE I. 
 
 Hernandez (alone.) 
 
 "UTICTORIOUS paffion! thou at length haft gain'd 
 
 ^ The prize, that long has kindled in my foul 
 Such wild tumultuous hopes and madding wiflies ! 
 Thy fecret joys are fafe. — Spite of the frenzy, 
 Rais'd by her wounded pride and vain refiftance, 
 This coy one, ftiiling her vindictive rage, 
 Moft wifely hides the myfteries of the night j 
 
 And '
 
 150 MARCELLA: 
 
 And from her filencc in this hafty marriage, 
 My triumph is complete : ilie now will grow 
 The willing vaffal of my private pleafurc. 
 
 But hark ! I hear the doating bridegroom's voice : 
 He moves this way. — I would not he fliould caft 
 His keen eyes on me, till my harrafs'd fpirit 
 Regain its wonted firmnefs. — I'll avoid him. \^Exif. 
 
 E7iter the Governor a?id Mendoza. 
 Governor. 
 Indeed, my fon, I've yielded much too far 
 To the fond zeal of your intemperate love. 
 How will the world upbraid mc, for allowing 
 Your hurried nuptials, in this ill-ftarr'd hour 
 Of doubtful horrors, your unhappy bride 
 Or drown'd in tears, or almoft craz'd with terror ! 
 And the brave youth, her late affianc'd lord, 
 My poor ill-fated friend, welt'ring in blood, 
 From the bafc wounds of undctedlcd murder ! 
 
 Mendoza. 
 My honour'd father, thou haft only done 
 What tendernefs and duty both cnjoin'd. 
 
 Her 
 
 "3 
 
 I;
 
 A TRAGEDY. 151 
 
 Her generous vvifli to be my wedded love, 
 Her virtuous dread that honour might forbid it, 
 And the dire fate of that lamented youth. 
 Whom fhe both loath'd and pitied, all combin'd, 
 Had cruelly depriv'd her troubled fenfes 
 Of reafon's fovereign guidance ; ftill on me 
 The lovely maniac rav'd ; implor'd my aid 
 To fave her from Lupercio's nuptial claim, 
 And chafe the gory phantom from her fight, 
 
 Which frenzy rais'd before it : what remain'd. 
 
 But for Mendoza, urg'd by love and pity. 
 To take the dear diftreft one to his bofom. 
 Bear her from hence, and in more tranquil fcenes 
 Heal her diftemper'd mind, and fondly cherifh 
 The gentle fufferer into peace and joy ? 
 
 Governor. 
 Heaven blefs the generous fervor of thy fondnefs, 
 Thou noble-minded youth!— I had not power 
 To thwart thy wifh, tho' my paternal heart, 
 Trembling in its completion, ftill endures 
 Painful viciiTitudes of hope and fear. 
 
 c Mendoza.
 
 152 M A R C E L L A: 
 
 M E N D O Z A. 
 
 Doubt not, my fiither, lenient time and love, 
 That mutual love which confecrates our union, 
 Will from the harrafs'd fpirit of thy daughter 
 Remove this load of complicated anguifli, 
 And make us foon the happieft^pair that ever 
 Reached the pure fummit of connubial blifs. 
 
 Gove r n o r. 
 1 know l"he loves thee to a fond excefs ; 
 Her foul was forni'd for love : and thou art blcft, 
 Mod richly bleft, with all that can enchant 
 'J'he eye or heart of woman : — on this ground 
 1 build my ftrongeft hope. Yet O, my fon, 
 Weak as ihe is, her fenfes fcarce reflor'd, 
 How can I yield this darling from my fight, 
 E'en to a guard fo tender ? 
 
 M E N D o z A. 
 
 Speak your pleafure 1 
 If 'tis your wifli, we will remain your gucfts. 
 But change of place will footh the harrafs'd mind 
 Of our fv.'cet fufferer. She fhould quit this fcene, 
 
 While,
 
 A TRAGEDY. 153 
 
 While, in avenging the brave murder'd youth, 
 You nobly pay your great and awful debt 
 To private friendfliip and to public juftice. 
 
 Governor. 
 I have no doubts on that atrocious deed. — 
 My poor loft friend's incautious ardent fpirit 
 Had fatally provok'd fome defperate villains 
 Who lurk within our city : the bafe wretches 
 Have thus reveng'd a menace, which Lupercio 
 Pronounc'd againft their chief; — but by my orders 
 We foon fhall fee the bloody flaves fecur'd. 
 A care ftill heavier prefTes on my heart. 
 My poor perturbed child ! — My anxious love 
 Wavers in painful doubt, nor can refolve 
 To fpeed her hence, or to detain her here. 
 
 M E N D o z A. 
 
 Submit it to her choice ! — Soon as the prieft 
 Ended our hafty and afFedling marriage. 
 You know fhe begg'd permifTion to retire, 
 To gain by folitude reviving ftrength, 
 And ftill thofe throbs of lovely agitation. 
 Which in the folemn rite fubdu'd her foftnefs, 
 
 X Go
 
 154 M A R C E L L A-. 
 
 Go to her chamber, your paternal care 
 May beft explore her wifhes : let them be 
 Our guides in every ftep ! — For me, I hold 
 My fortune and my life but miniftcrs 
 Bound to fulfil our deareft mutual hope, 
 And make the blifs of your angelic daughter 
 As perfed as her beauty. 
 
 Governor. 
 Noble youth ! 
 A father's tears muft thank thee. — I will follow 
 Thy generous counfcl, and return to blefs thee, [£Ar/>.. 
 
 M E N D o z A . 
 How mighty is thy power, Parental Love !' 
 The hardy iinews ot this gallant veteran, 
 Proof 'gainft the weight of war's fevercft toils. 
 Yield to thy preiTure. — That undaunted firmnefsj, 
 Which peril could not iliake, is turn'd by thee 
 To wavering fear and fond irrefolution, 
 
 E?iter Lopez. 
 Lopez. 
 My honoured lord, forgive me, if my zeal 
 Urge me to trouble you with painful truths ! 
 
 M E N D o Z Aj.
 
 A TRAGEDY. 155 
 
 Me N D O Z A. 
 
 what wouldft thou, Lopez ? — Hence with idle preface, 
 And fpeak thy meaning boldly ! 
 
 Lopez. 
 
 'Tis my duty 
 That forces from my lips, at fuch a feafon, 
 What I muft grieve to fpeak, and you to hear. 
 
 Me N D o z A. 
 Well, thou haft credit for thy good intention. 
 Spare thy apologies, and tell tjiy tale I 
 
 Lopez. 
 'Tis thus, my lord — but promife me your pardon — 
 
 M E N D O Z A. 
 
 I'll pardon any thing but thy fufpence. 
 
 Lopez. 
 Know then, the fteward of this houfe, Hernandez, 
 Has been obferv'd to throw his daring arms 
 With fuch licentious freedom round your bride, 
 As honour cannot brook. 
 
 M E N D o z A. 
 
 Good fimple fellow 1 
 Is this thy wondrous tale ? thy painful truth ? 
 
 X 2 What!
 
 156 M A R C E L L A: 
 
 What ! art thou yet to learn, that antient fervants 
 
 Are amply privilcg'd on days like this ? 
 
 The man who bore the infant in his arms 
 
 May kifs the ripen'd bride without a crime, 
 
 And the quick eye of jealoufy itfelf 
 
 Shall wink at his prefumption. — Get thee gone ! 
 
 Lopez. 
 He boafls he will attend you to Madrid; 
 Says he is fix'd for life my lady's ufher. 
 Defying e'en her hu{band to difplace him. 
 
 M E N D o z A. 
 I will not quarrel with, his honeft pride,. 
 Inebriate with joy ; — yet as the world 
 Is prone to cenfure, 'twill perhaps be prudent 
 To ftrike this boafting vaiTal from our train : 
 But that hereafter. — Hence ! my father comes — 
 Yet, Lopez, ftay — one word with thee alone. 
 
 [^Exii with Lopez; 
 E?ner the Governor a?id Marcella. 
 
 M A R c E L L A. 
 
 Think not, thou kindcfl parent that e'er drew 
 From the fond eyes of a protedcd child 
 
 7 The
 
 A TRAGEDY. 157 
 
 The tears of filial gratitude, think not 
 
 Thy daughter thanklefs for thy guardian care 
 
 From her impatient hafte to quit thy manfion ! 
 
 Governor. 
 No ! my fweet child ! I know thy heart too well 
 To doubt its tendernefs. Truft me, thy father, 
 Much as he joys to have thee in his fight. 
 Feels in thefe moments all the forceful reafons 
 That urge thy quick departure. 
 
 Marcella. 
 
 Then farewell 
 
 To this paternal roof ! Ye walls, that echoed. 
 
 With the gay mufic of my infant fongs. 
 
 Farewell ! If aught of evil hover o'er ye,. 
 
 May it depart with me 1 depart for ever ! 
 
 Safety and honour, pure celeftial guards, 
 
 Watch o'er this dome ! and blefs its dear pofieflbr I — 
 
 Hear this my parting prayer, indulgent Heaven ! 
 
 Whate'er thy pleafure may ordain for me, 
 
 Here or hereafter, grant, O grant me this, 
 
 To die before my father can have caufe 
 
 To wifh he were not author of my being ! 
 
 Governor.
 
 158 MARCELLA: 
 
 Governor. 
 Live but till then, and thou muft be immortal ! — 
 Rife, my kind daughter ! — Thou wilt ever prove 
 My age's darling ; dearer to thy father 
 Than life or glory. Heaven, I truft, for thee 
 Has years in ftore of ftill encreafing joy. 
 
 Marcella. 
 Alas ! my father, dofl thou not perceive 
 The poor Lupercio whifpering from his fhroud 
 How fliort and how precarious mortal being ! 
 If foon thou chance to hear thy child is dead, 
 And his fhade tells me thou wilt hear it foon, 
 T pray thee let not an intemperate grief 
 Bend to the earth thy venerable age. 
 Yet O forget me not 1 with tender forrow 
 Give thy pure prayers to my departed foul ! 
 
 Governor. 
 Rife, rife, my child !— Let not thefe gloomy fancies 
 G'ercloud thy chearful fpirit I raife thine eyes 
 To all the radiant paths of varied plcafure 
 That open now before thee !— See thy lord. 
 The bright conductor of thy future fteps, 
 
 2 Gomes,
 
 A TRAGEDY. 159 
 
 Comes, like the fun new-rlfcn, to difpcrfe 
 Thefe noxious vapours from thy darken'd mind,. 
 And give thy charms new luftre ! 
 
 Enter Mendoza. 
 Governor. 
 
 Dear Mendoza,, 
 We v^^ill from hence to-day : I will myfelf 
 Play the young foldier, and efcort your bride- 
 Acrofs this province. 
 
 Mendoza. 
 Blefs the travellers, 
 ¥/hofe road is fliorten'd by fo dear a guide ! 
 
 Governor. 
 Raife thou that drooping lily, while I go 
 And iiTue orders for our quick departure. \_Exit. 
 
 Mendoza. 
 Come to my arms, thou fweet feraphic being I 
 Come, and prefide o'er all my future life. 
 As a benignant angel, by whofe guidance 
 I wifK to regulate my every thought ! — 
 ' Blefs that kind tear ! it is the fweet reply 
 Of tendernefs too delicate for language."- 
 
 Yet
 
 j6o M a R C E L L A: 
 
 Yet fpeak, Marcella — my delighted ear 
 Doats on the mufic of thy foothing voice. 
 
 Marcella. 
 O had I but the power to make thee happy i 
 Were it but poHible, thy life fliould prove 
 Unclouded, as thy virtues and thy love ! 
 
 M E N D o z A. 
 
 In thee I've every blefling man can wifh. 
 
 My confcious pride, exulting in thy love, 
 
 Boldly defies the wantonnefs of fancy 
 
 To figure joys above th' unchequcr'd blifs 
 
 Which my full heart has found in thy perfedion. 
 
 Be thou as happy as thou mak'fl: Mendoza, 
 
 And we fhall live the envy of the world. — 
 
 Why gufli thcfe tears ? Why heaves thy lab'ring bofom ? 
 
 Why roves thy troubled eye around the chamber, 
 
 Seeming to parley with the fcnfelefs walls ? — 
 
 My tender fair-one ! I perceive thy thoughts : 
 
 This is the fond adieu which thy foft fpirit 
 
 ExprciTes to this dear paternal manfion. 
 
 Be chear'd ! thou foon fhalt vifit it again, 
 
 When its glad gates fhall leap at thy approacii, 
 
 And
 
 Aa T R A G E D Y. x6i 
 
 And ev'ry echoing ftone repeat thy welcome. , 
 
 Still penfive ! — Come, fweet partner of my life ! 
 Prepare we for our travels. — Have your v^^omen 
 Receiv'd their orders ^ Pray, ere we depart, 
 Inform Hernandez we will not deprive 
 His generous mafter of fo tried a fervant 1 
 Tell him he muft not quit his poft. 
 
 Marcella. 
 a I dare not. 
 
 ,?ni. M E N D o z A. : -; ) 
 
 How ! dare not, didft thou fay ? What ! dare not utter 
 A juft diredlion to an antient vaffal ? 
 
 Marcella. 
 He is the mafter of a fatal fecret, 
 I dare not drive him to reveal. 
 
 Hv'C M E N D o z A. 
 
 A fecret I 
 Haft thou a fecret thou canft wifti to hide 
 From the fond eye of all-forgiving love ? 
 
 Marcella. > 
 
 I have : — for thee, thou darling of my foul, 
 And for my father's peace, I ftrongly wifh'd 
 
 Y To
 
 i62 M A R C E L L A: 
 
 To bear it with me to an early grave, 
 
 And hide its painful horrors in the fhade 
 
 Of haften'd death : — but, like the inbred fire, 
 
 That burns its pafllige thro' the groaning earth, 
 
 Struggling, it burfts from my convulsive bofom, 
 
 And all the blazing ruin rufhes on thee. ' 
 
 E N D O Z A. 
 
 Amazement ! — Thou haft petrified my heart : 
 Yet fpeak ! whatever wretchednefs awaits me, 
 I wifh to hear it from no lips but thine. 
 
 M A R c E L L A. 
 
 Thou generous obje6l of my fatal love ! — 
 
 Wretch as I am, how fhall I bear the pangs, 
 
 The keener pangs, I'm deftin'd to inflid 
 
 On the pure heart I wifli'd to make moft happy ? 
 
 lU-ftarr'd Mendoza ! dear, deluded youth ! 
 
 Thou fondly think'ft thou'ft taken to thy bofom 
 
 A fpotlefs form of purity and truth ; 
 
 But oh ! 'tis ftain'd by complicated crimes. 
 
 Too horrible for utterance. 
 
 Mendoza. 
 
 ■"■^ Can it be> 
 
 Who
 
 A TRAGEDY. 163 
 
 Who but thyfelf fhould call thee bafe, and live ? 
 Thou canft not be fo : yet, I pray thee, fpeak 
 The dreadful purport lab'ring on thy lips ! 
 
 Marcella. 
 By Heaven I cannot ! anguifh, fhame, remorfe 
 Stifle my words. — Here let me fall before thee ! 
 In pity both to me and to thyfelf 
 Kill the vile wretch thus groveling at thy feet, 
 Before her guilty tale fhall freeze thy blood. 
 
 M E N D O Z A. 
 
 Rife, thou dear fuff'rer ; I conjure thee fpeak — 
 
 No words, how horrible foe'er their import, 
 
 Can torture more than this foul-harrowing fllence. 
 
 Marcella. 
 Lupercio 
 
 M E N D o z A. 
 What !— Thou knew'ft not of his murder ! 
 
 Marcella. 
 Hernandez— 
 
 M E N D o z A. • • 
 
 tta ! was he the black aflkfUn ? 
 
 Y 2 Marcella,
 
 164. M A R C E L L A: 
 
 Marcella. '■ 
 
 I did not place the poniard in his hand ; 
 I did not afk for blood : but my bafe falfhood, 
 Falfhood the offspring of my love to thee, 
 Led to that bloody deed. 
 
 Me N D o z A. 
 
 My bride a murd'refs I 
 
 Marcella. 
 Look not upon me thus ! I cannot bear 
 The fierce abhorrence of thofe angry eyes. 
 Plunge thy fword liere, and give me gentler death I 
 
 M E N D o z a. 
 Thou canft not be fo guilty. Thou haft injur'd 
 Thy own foft heart.— Unfold the fatal ftory. 
 
 Marcella. 
 Thou'rt yet to hear accumulated horrors, 
 To make me ftill more loathfome to thy fight : 
 But I can never fpeak them.— Kill me ! kill me I 
 In mercy end my miferies, before 
 The lightning of my father's indignation 
 
 Strikes his detefted daughter into duft. 
 
 M E N D o z A,
 
 A TRAGEDY. 165 
 
 Me N DO Z A. 
 
 Would I could fave him from the pangs I feel ! 
 But 'tis impoffiblej if thou art guilty. 
 
 M A R C E L L A. 
 
 It is, it is— then fave me from his wrath ! 
 Save my departing fpirit from his curfe, 
 And death may then atone for my offences. 
 I only wifli to die by that dear hand ; 
 For oh ! Mendoza, had not my fond heart 
 Doated upon thee with unbounded love, 
 We ne'er had known this miferable hour. 
 
 Mendoza. 
 'Tis true, thou lovely criminal ! — O Heaven ! 
 Why was (he fram'd with fuch pernicious beauty ? — 
 I dare not truft myfelf to gaze upon thee 
 In this wild tumult of my madd'ning foul. — 
 Reft in this chamber, and reftrain thy tears,. 
 While I regain fome little ufe of reafon. 
 To hear more calmly all thy wretched tale. 
 
 [He leads Marcella weeping to the adjoining chamber , 
 and clofes the door upon her, 
 
 Mendoza,
 
 i66 M A R C E L L A: 
 
 M E N D O Z A. 
 
 What's to be done ? my dizzy foul, thus falling 
 From joy's bright fummit to thefe depths of horror, 
 Lofes the faculty of thought. — Here, Lopez ! 
 Go ! bring Hernandez inftantly before me ! 
 
 Efiter the Governor. 
 My father I are you come ? I wifh'd your prefence. 
 Yet I would freely part with life, to fave you 
 From the dread fcene we muft fuftain together. 
 
 Governor. 
 What means Mendoza ? — whence thy alter'd vifage ? — 
 What new affliction ? — where's my haplefs child ? 
 
 Mendoza. 
 Thou brave, thou good, affeftionate old man, 
 It wounds my foul to tell thee, that thy roof 
 Harbours the murderer thy juftice feeks. 
 Behold, he comes to anfwer for his crime ! 
 
 [Lopez and other Servants bring in Hernandez. 
 Governor, 
 Hernandez ! — Art thou certain of his guilt ? 
 Or whence is thy furmife ? 
 
 M B N D O Z A.
 
 A TRAGEDY. 167 
 
 M E N D O Z A. 
 
 Hear and decide ! — 
 Thou faithlefs fervant, who haft ftain'd a life 
 Of long integrity by one black deed, 
 I charge thee with the blood of that brave youth 
 Thy mafter call'd his friend. — Say ! art thou able 
 To plead thy innocence ? — Thou need'ft not fpeak ; 
 Thy guilty features anfwer thy accufer. 
 
 Hernandez (ajide.) 
 The trait'refs has betray'd me : then, revenge. 
 Thou art the only fweet that I can tafte, 
 And I will banquet on thee. 
 
 Governor. 
 
 If thou art 
 So bafe a monfter of ingratitude, 
 Prepare thyfelf for tortures. 
 
 Hernandez. 
 
 Spare thy threats. 
 Thou know'ft not yet the partner of my guilt :— 
 Thou wouldft not chufe to fee thy daughter's beauty 
 Expos'd a mangled vidim in thofe ftreets, 
 
 10 Where
 
 i68 M A R C E L L A: 
 
 Where never eye furvey'd her paffing form 
 But with delight or envy 1 
 
 Governor. 
 
 Sland'rous ruffian ! 
 Dar'ft thou prophane the virtue of my child ? — 
 But her pure foul could no more league with thine, 
 Than Heaven's moft favor'd angel could defcend 
 To aid the hellifh plots of that arch fiend 
 Who prompted thee to perpetrate this murder. 
 
 M E N D o z A (afde to Hernandez.) 
 Peace, villain ! and if e'er thou hop'ft for mercy, 
 Refped the feelings of a wounded father ! 
 
 Hernandez. 
 Talk not to me of mercy — I defpife it. — 
 Death is, I know, my portion ; but its pangs 
 Are turn'd to tranfport by my rich revenge. 
 Too long the jefts of mockery were laviih'd 
 On my mifhapen form and ardent love. 
 One gibing youth has paid me with his life, 
 For infolent derifion ; and o'er thee, 
 
 Thou haughty hufband, thou fair golden image, 
 
 Whom
 
 A TRAGEDY. 169^ 
 
 Whom beauty worfliips unconftrain'd, o'er thee 
 
 My triumph rifes to a prouder height 
 
 Of bold revenge- — I have enjoy'd thy bride. 
 
 M E N D O Z A. 
 
 Thou blood-ftain'd lyar, hence ! — Away with him 
 To ftridt confinement in your deepeft dungeon ! 
 
 Hernandez. 
 Bite thy proud frantic lip, in favage hope 
 To fee my crooked body on the wheel 
 Crufh'dj and expos'd a public fpedlacle ! 
 My vengeance is confummate ; but for thine, 
 'Tis the vain menace of prefumptuous pride, 
 Which courage laughs at: — I efcape it thus. 
 
 \^Stal?s himfelf. 
 
 M E N D o z A. 
 
 Thou hafl: indeed eluded the flow hand 
 Of human juftice, but thou canft not foil 
 The furer vengeance of high-judging Heaven. 
 
 Governor. 
 Go ! bring thy wife ! fhe muft appear this inftant. 
 The form of injur'd innocence muft draw > 
 
 Z From
 
 lyo MARCELLA: 
 
 From the pale lips of this expiring villain 
 Th' avowal of his falfliood. 
 
 Hernandez. 
 
 My dim eyes 
 Are clofino:, and in this deceitful world 
 Shall look no more upon her iatal beauty : 
 But in the next — O mercy ! [Dies. 
 
 Governor. 
 Where is my daughter ? 
 
 Marcella (entei'ing.) 
 
 Here's the haplefs being, 
 Who once was proud of that endearing name : 
 Tho' fallen, lefs guilty than the world might judge me. 
 From the bafe infult of this bleeding wretch, 
 Whofe crimes are clos'd by death ; yet O ! my father,, 
 Too vile to claim thy kindnefs, or to live. 
 
 Governor. 
 Wrong not thyfelf ! thou art all innocence. 
 
 Marcella. 
 Thou dear, deluded parent — 'twas my wifli 
 To die, and not deprive thee of a thought, 
 
 In
 
 A TRAGEDY. 171 
 
 In which thy virtuous fpirit would have found 
 Sweet confolation for thy loft delight. — 
 I wifli'd a little longer to fupport 
 This wretched being, that I might not flain, 
 By my accelerated fate, this manfion, 
 The dear afylum of thy honour'd age ! 
 But my gall'd fpirit, never form'd to bear 
 The heavy load of unacknowledg'd guilt, 
 Sunk in its painful efforts to fuftain it. 
 Hence the quick end of that abhorr'd affaflin ! 
 And hence thy child, atoning now by death 
 For her conceal'd offences, thus implores thee 
 To pardon, and to blefs her parting fpirit ! 
 
 Governor. 
 O thou dear fufierer ! whatever thy failings, 
 Attempt not aught againft thy precious life ! 
 
 M E N D O Z A. 
 
 Live, I conjure thee, and the tears of love 
 Shall wafh th' ideal blemifh from thy heart. 
 
 Marcella. 
 My generous hufband ! let me fpeak that name. 
 Still precious to me, tho' fo raflily purchas'd ! 
 
 Z 2 Think
 
 172 M A R C E L L A: 
 
 Think not tliy injur'd bride defign'd to give 
 To thy chafte bed a vile didionourM partner, 
 The' forcibly diflionour'd ! 
 
 Governor. 
 
 Ha, my ckild ! 
 Hall: thou endur'd from that atrocious ruffian — 
 
 M A R C E L L A. 
 
 O good my father, a.(k not my faint voice, 
 
 Which foon will fink in everlafting filence, 
 
 T' unfold a tale, whofe utterance would call 
 
 Shame's burning blu£h to the pale check of death.— 
 
 A friendly poifon has already numb'd 
 
 My vital faculties, but I have left 
 
 A written legacy of fatal fondnefs. 
 
 In which, unlefs my blotting tears have marr'd it. 
 
 You'll read what I have done, and what endur'd. — 
 
 Nay, weep not ! both of you may love me dead, 
 
 Living you could not. 
 
 M E N D o z A. 
 
 Could affedion refcuc 
 Thy beauty from the grave, thou fhould'ft not die» 
 
 M A R C E L L A.
 
 A TRAGEDY. 173 
 
 M A R C E L L A. 
 
 I know, ye generous fpirits, death will cancel 
 
 In your kind mem'ries all my fatal errors : 
 
 And hence its pangs are welcome. — One bafe purpofe 
 
 Produc'd thefe fcenes of unexpedc 1 horror ; 
 
 But Heaven has wili'd that crime fliould quicken crime. 
 
 To ihew the danger of one devious ftep 
 
 From the clear paths of probity and truth, — 
 
 My dear Mendoza ! thou wilt not deny me 
 
 The title of thy wife to grace my tomb, 
 
 And I fhall fleep in peace. — Confolc my father. 
 
 And let him find in thee a worthier child ! 
 
 I had a heart to reverence his virtues, 
 
 But not the ftrength to imitate. — O Heaven I [Dies. 
 
 Mendoza* 
 'Tis gone ! 'tis fled I the proud, the lovely foul. 
 That could not brook the fliadow of diflionour ! 
 Thy monument fhall he the nuptial bed 
 On which Mendoza will recline, and breathe 
 His faithful fondnefs to thy lift'ning fpirit. 
 Nor will I flight the dear and hallowed truft:, 
 Bequeath'd by filial piety, to fliield 
 
 • With
 
 174 M A R C E L L A, &c. 
 
 With conftant care thy father's honour'd age.— 
 
 Unhappy father ! round the livid breaft 
 
 Of his loft child in fpeechlefs agony 
 
 His arms are riveted !— Aid me to raife, 
 
 And bear him gently from this fcene of death !
 
 THE 
 
 TWO CONNOISSEURS; 
 
 A COMEDY, 
 
 OF THREE ACTS, 
 
 IN RHYME.
 
 Perfons of the Drama. 
 
 LORD SEEWELL, 
 
 MR. B E R I L, 
 
 MR. BIJOU, 
 
 M R. C Y C L E, 
 
 TOM CARELESS, 
 
 HARRY, Servant to Mr. Beril, 
 
 MR. VARNISH. 
 
 LADY HARRIOT,] 
 
 S-Dauchters of Lord Seewell, 
 LADYFRANCESj ^ 
 
 MRS. BIJOU, 
 
 JOAN.
 
 THE 
 
 TWO CONNOISSEURS. 
 
 ACT I. 
 
 SCENE I. Chambers in the Temple* 
 
 Tom Carelefs a?td Mr. Cycle. 
 
 Careless. 
 I 'W THATE'ER the fuccefs of your journey may be, 
 ^ ' My dear rural Tage, you are welcome to me : 
 Your benevolent projedls I hope you'll complete, 
 By this trip from your fnug fcientific retreat. 
 In return for amufement you've given rae there, 
 By your fine apparatus, and ledures on air, 
 
 A a I'll
 
 178 TFIE TWO CONNOISSEURS: 
 
 I'll fhcw you the town ; and the town is a fcience^ 
 
 Mr. Cycle. 
 On my tutor, dear Tom, I've a pcricdl reliance, 
 For I know in that ftudy what vigils you've kept.. 
 
 Careless. 
 'Tis the only one, truly, where I'm an adept ; 
 For as to the law, that's the fciencc of thorns. 
 And tho' its black robe my lean figure adorns. 
 Perhaps twice a year, for my father's good pleafure,. 
 I've renounc'd, I confefs, both its toil and its treafure.. 
 From my fapient Lord Coke this advantage I gain j. 
 He led me to find out a flaw in my brain. 
 That title ! on vi'hich, as wife parents have done, 
 My father laid claim to the feals for his fon.. 
 
 M R. C Y c L E. 
 Such language, dear Tom, is in truth but a brogue. 
 That betrays the young heir as an indolent rogue. 
 'Tis the cant of ye all — ye want talents to drudge. 
 
 Careless. 
 Well ! think me, my friend, wife enough for a judge, 
 I ftill muft rejoice I have nothing to do, 
 As my heart now inclines me to wait upon you, 
 
 I wifli
 
 A COMEDY, IN RHYME. 179 
 
 I widi I could raife you the cafli you require, 
 But you know I depend on a clofe-handed fire. 
 Who promifes largely, and often has faid 
 He will make me a Croefus whenever I wed ; 
 But to drive me, I think, to the conjugal ftate, 
 Keeps the purfe of the batchelor woefully ftrait ; 
 And guineas at prefent are fcarce, to my forrow. 
 How much are you now come to London to borrow ? 
 Two thoufand, d'ye fay ? 
 
 Mr. Cycle. 
 
 Yes I two thoufand at lead, 
 And perhaps rather more, as my plan is increas'd. 
 I wifl"! for no profit, but public eftecm ; 
 And much good to the world muft arife from my fcheme. 
 
 Careless. 
 Well ! I wifh you may profper, but, as I'm a finner, 
 I as foon fhould expedl a roafl Phenix for dinner. 
 As in times like the prefent fuch loans from a friend, 
 When Opulence has not a ftiver to lend. 
 You philofophers look with contempt upon cafh ; 
 But the fools of this town are fo fond of the trafh, 
 That as you're a chemift, both fkillful and bold. 
 You had befl: try to make a few odd lumps of gold ; 
 
 A a 2 And
 
 i8o THE TWO CONNOISSEURS: 
 
 And this newly-found art you may try with lefs coft^ 
 Since to borrow with cafe feems an art that is loft. 
 
 Mr. Cycle. 
 Dear Carelefs, you're welcome to rally my hopes ; 
 So attack them with all your rhetorical tropes ! 
 The man is ill-wrapt in philofophy's cloak, 
 Whofe bofom is ruffled, dear Tom, by a joke. 
 I know money's fcarce ; yet I will not defpond : 
 I've two friends who'll fiipply what I want, on my bond,. 
 
 Careless. 
 
 C What ! f\£0 fuch good friends ! fo rich, open, and free ! 
 
 ( Dear Cycle, I pray introduce them to me ;, 
 
 For not one of that caft my long lift can produce : 
 
 Why ! man, fuch a friend is the golden-egg'd goofe ; 
 
 You may hunt for the bird e'en as long as you're able. 
 
 But at laft you will find it is only a fable. 
 
 I wanted but one hundred pound, t'other day, 
 
 And alk'd fifty friends, that chance threw in my way,, 
 
 But they all ftiook their heads, with a negative nod. 
 
 So I dunn'd my old father, in fpite of the rod. 
 
 But pray do I know the good creatures you mean ? 
 
 Mr. C Y c L E. 
 
 Aye ! both. — They're two friends, whom for years I've 
 
 not feen j 
 
 But
 
 A COMEDY, IN RHYME. i8i 
 
 But in juvenile days I held each as my brother, 
 And I truft that we all are ftill dear to each other. 
 You're acquainted with Beril — 
 
 Careless. 
 
 Well ! there, I confefs,. 
 Your wifhes have fome little chance of fuccefs. 
 If there's one in the world, who, regardlefs of pelf, 
 Would relieve a friend's wants, tho' he ftraiten'd himfelf,. 
 You have now nam'd the man. Yet perhaps he can't lend: 
 I know he has fuffer'd by aiding a friend ; 
 And I fancy he has but a flender eftate. 
 'Tis true, he don't play, tho' carefl by the great ; 
 
 Yet in ftatues and books he's expenfive, 'tis faid^ 
 
 I have feen him bid high for a porphyry head. 
 
 M R. C Y c L E. 
 
 'Tis hard, fortune ftill fhould torment him with crofTes ; 
 
 I footh'd him to bear the fevereft of lofles : 
 
 I was with him, when blafted in youth's blooming charms 
 
 His lovely Sophia was torn from his arms. 
 
 You knew not, I think, that unfortunate fair, 
 
 The victim of cruelty, love, and defpair. 
 
 She
 
 i82 THE TWO CONNOISSEURS: 
 
 She was bound to our friend by a mutual aflcclion, 
 But her rich fordid parents oppos'd the conr^edion. 
 The canker of forrovv inccflantly prcy.'d 
 On the perifliing bloom of the delicate maid : 
 Her duty, her fuff' rings, made nature relent, 
 And wrung from her father a tardy confent j 
 But death render'd vain the late fandion he gave, 
 And his child's bridal bed was the pitilefs grave. 
 Many years have now foften'd the lover's wild grief: 
 Perhaps fome new beauty now yields him relief. 
 He's ftill fmgle, I think ? 
 
 Careless. 
 
 Yes ! in learning and art 
 He has fought the chief balm for the wounds of his heart ; 
 Hence a pleafmg mild elegance runs thro' his life; 
 And had I a fifter I'd wifh her his wife. — 
 But now for your fecond friend ! — What is his name? 
 For acquaintance with him too I'll certainly claim. 
 You fay that I know him : come ! tell me who is it ! 
 
 Mr. Cycle. 
 Yes ! indeed, it is one whom you frequently vifit. 
 
 And
 
 A COMEDY, IN RHYME. 183 
 
 And here you muft own, that my hopes are well founded. 
 Since in kindnefs and wealth he has ever abounded ; 
 
 And a legacy lately 
 
 Careless, 
 
 You don't mean Bijou, 
 That colledor of knick-knacks ? 
 
 Mr. Cycle. 
 
 Indeed, Tom, I do. 
 IVe a title to afk any favor from him ; 
 He has fom^e little vanity, fome little whim. 
 Yet ftill he's a friendly, benevolent man.. 
 
 Careless. 
 You may rap at his door — but get in if you can ! 
 Your friend, when you faw him, was jocund and free, 
 His heart full of bounty, his fpirit of glee ; 
 His vanities too had fo mirthful a call:, 
 That Friendship herfelf even wifh'd them to laft. 
 But Marriage, that changer of mind and of feature, 
 Has made poor Bijou quite a different creature; 
 
 Mr. Cycle. 
 I am told that his wife, with a pocket well laden. 
 Was a little, fat, ancient, and well-behav'd maiden ; 
 
 Who,
 
 iS4 THE TWO CONNOISSEURS: 
 
 V/hoj having a fimilar tafle for virtu, 
 Put her cabinet under the care of Bijou. 
 
 Careless. 
 Yes, indeed ! in an odd fit of amorous hunger, 
 He married an old curiolity-monger, 
 Who is ready to faint, if a vilitor knocks 
 While file's brufliing the dui-l: from her raree-fhew box. 
 Her maid t'other day threw her into a fwoon. 
 By cracking the eye of a great fhuff'd baboon; 
 For inftead of young children, whofe troublcfomc noifc 
 Might diflurb their fcdate, v'lrtuofKal joys, 
 She fills their fine lioufe with new monflers or mummies. 
 
 Mr. Cycle. 
 Of your ftory, dear Tom, I perceive what the fum is. 
 You don't like the lady : — fhe may not plcafc you, 
 And yet be an excellent wife for Bijou. 
 I am told Hie has really much merit and tafle. 
 In her morals they fiy fhc's remarkably chafte ; 
 So with Icdures, perhaps, (ne has wounded your car, 
 And you rakes of the Temple may think her fevere. 
 
 Careless. 
 No, faith ! with the lady I ftand very well, 
 I bought her cftecm with an old empty fhell. 
 
 3 I own
 
 A COMEDY, IN ll H Y M E. 185 
 
 I own fhe has piety, morals, and fenfe : 
 To chaftity no one will doubt her pretence. 
 But tho' with thefe virtues I freely inveft her, 
 My heart, I confefs, is inclin'd to deteft her. 
 She has ruin'd her hulband — at leaft fo I think ; 
 To a dwarf fhe has made his benevolence (hrink, 
 And puff'd up his vanity into a giant. 
 To all her ftrange vvhims he's fo fervilely pliant, 
 He'd obey her caprice, whatfoe'er it might hint, 
 And deny himfelf bread to buy her an odd flint. 
 
 Mr. Cycle. 
 Why, Tom, that's a proof of his fond tender heart. 
 
 Careless. 
 To me it proves nought but her ladyfhip's art : 
 And fo you yourfelf would explain the whole riddle, 
 If you heard her once flatter his pencil or fiddle, 
 As a more wretched brufh never blotted poor paper, 
 And ne'er fqueak'd a Cremona beneath a worfe fcraper. 
 Tho' pamper'd with flattery thus by his wife, 
 Our friend has quite lofl all his humor and life ; 
 And whenever I look on his cold chearlefs face. 
 As he flands by the fid€ of his wife's foflil-cafe, 
 
 B b I think
 
 iB6 THE TWO C O N N O I S S E.U R S r 
 
 I think her a pciTc(^ Mcdufli, I own, 
 
 Who has turn'd her poor hufband himfelf into ft'one, 
 
 Mr. Cycle. 
 You loungers, dear Tom, in your idle difputes. 
 Love to ridicule all life's amufing purfuits : 
 But they all have their ufe ; and the lady who joys 
 In collecting an odd fct of whimfical toys,. 
 Is herfelf a rare gem, that my judgment regards, 
 More than all the fair votaries of fcandal and cards. 
 I know I fhall like her, in fpite of your ftri6lure. 
 And I'm going to fee how you've fail'd in her pidure.. 
 My old friend's good-will I fliall put to the trial, 
 And folicit his aid without fear of denial. 
 
 Careless. 
 Come along ! — I will fee if your welcome is hearty j 
 Indeed I may ferve you by joining the party^ 
 And I'm eager to know (for my portrait is true) 
 What you think of the change fhe has wrought in Bijou. 
 To a knowledge of nature I ne'er will pretend. 
 If, wheii you have feen, in the houfe of, our friend„ 
 All the natural rarities rang'd in a glafs, 
 You don't rank his heart in the petrified clafs. [Exeunt, 
 
 ■1 II SCENE
 
 A COMEDY, IN RHYME. 187 
 
 SCENE changes to a Drawing Room at Mrs. BijouV, 
 with a Door open into an interior Cabinet of Curiojities — 
 Several Jluff' d Creatures and other Rarities difcovered in 
 the apartment, 
 
 Joan, nsoith a Br up, 
 Lackaday ! would I once were well out of this houfe, 
 Where I tremble to move, full as much as a moufe i 
 And Nanny's afraid to come into this room ; 
 Indeed the poor creature can fcarce hold a broom. 
 For my miftrefs, fhe fays, has done nothing but bait her. 
 Since fhe brufh'd off the tail of the new alligator. 
 I've a great mind to lay up my brufh on the fhelf, 
 And leave madam to duft all her monfters herfelf. 
 Would my mafter would make her, for thefe flocks and 
 
 ftones, 
 A young little plaything of good ilefh and bones ! 
 But, alas ! thefe old ladies who can't raife a baby, 
 Are as full of nonfeniical maggots as may be. 
 And our houfe is fo cramm'd with this whimfical jumble, 
 That if you touch one thing, another will tumble. 
 
 B b 2 Madam
 
 i88 THE TWO CONNOISSEURS: 
 
 Madam (iiys, I mifplace whatfoever I clean, 
 
 But ril venture to wipe off the duft from this fcreen. 
 
 [Throws it down. 
 A plague take the things ! they do nothing but fall. 
 Lud ! my fingers have run thro' the cover and all. 
 
 [T'aking up the Screen^ and uncovering it. 
 'Tis my mafler's new drawing — how madam will thunder— 
 This fine naked beauty I've torn quite afunder : 
 And the rent muft befeen — I can thruft my whole thumb in. 
 And I've no time to mend it — my miftrefs is coming. — 
 
 Mrs. Bijou (entering in a dark brown Bed-gown^ 
 with a BruJJj of Peacock's Feathers.) 
 
 Some new mifchief's done here. — Lord ! Joan, what's the 
 
 matter ? 
 I am fure you broke fomething — I heard fuch a clatter. 
 
 Joan. 
 Indeed, Ma'am, I've had a moll cruel difafter. 
 
 The fcreen 
 
 Mrs. Bijou. 
 What ! the beautiful work of your mafter ! 
 
 Joan.
 
 A COMEDY, IN RHYME. 189 
 
 Joan. 
 My finger flipt thro, as I wip'd it in hafte. 
 But I'm fure I can mend it again with fome pafte. 
 
 Mrs. Bijou. 
 You awkward, pert hufley ! pray let it alone I 
 Can pafte mend a flaw in a goddefs's zone ? 
 Ye ftars ! give me patience ! — Get out of this door. 
 And pray let me never fet eyes on you more ! 
 I knew I ftiould fuffer as foon as you came,, 
 For taking a thing with fo gothic a name. 
 
 J O A N. 
 
 I'll go — for I live but the life of a cur : 
 
 Yet pray ! on my name do not throw any flur ! 
 
 I am fure 'tis good Englifh, altho' it is Joan, 
 
 And that's more than you're able to fay of your own. 
 
 Mr. Bijou (entering.) 
 What's the matter, my dear ? — What new plague from 
 
 your maids ? 
 You for ever are vext by thefe peftilent jades : 
 If bred in this town, you objedl to their morals ;. 
 If ruftics, they break aJl your glaffes or corals. 
 
 Let
 
 190 THE TWO CONNOISSEURS: 
 
 Let 'em come whence they will, they bring trouble and 
 
 ftrife, 
 And your quarrels have made me half fick of my life. 
 
 Mrs. Bijou. 
 Don't fay fo ! — You know, my dear Mr. Bijou, 
 I take no young maids, out of fondnefs to you ; 
 And thefe middle-ag'd creatures are all fo unhandy, 
 They make me as fretful as old Mr. Shandy. 
 But, my dear, if you fee me fomctimes in a flame, 
 I think you won't fay that my temper's to blame : 
 'Twas my love for the works of your delicate hand, 
 Which produc'd an emotion I could not command. 
 If I rated old Joan in a great agitation, 
 I am fure you will own I had much provocation. 
 When you fee this fad caufe of the buftle between us : 
 She has utterly ruin'd your very beft Venus, 
 This new lovely drawing ! the joy of all eyes ! 
 I vow I could cry. — 
 
 Mr. Bijou. 
 
 What fweet foftnefs ! — fhe cries I — 
 Thefe feelings, Indeed, prove the true connoifTeur : 
 This ill treatment of Art her fine fenfe can't endure. 
 
 Henceforth,
 
 A COMEDY, IN RHYME. igi 
 
 Henceforth, of my works let them fay what they will, 
 No painter can boaft fuch a teft of his fkill. — 
 Come, chear up, my dear Cognofcente ! come ! come ! 
 I can mend it again with a bruIK-full of gum., 
 
 M R s. B I JO u. 
 D'ye think you can mend it ?_and won't it look brown,, 
 If you don't hide the fkin with the fkirt of a gown ? 
 'Twould be pity to cloak up a body fo fine, 
 Efpecially fince you have drawn it from mine. 
 And you know I caught cold, when I ftript to the waift,. 
 To fit for the figure, in true attic tafte : 
 But I did it from fondnefs, that you might not roam, 
 And wickedly hunt after models from home. 
 To be fure I love art — but all artifts, they fay, 
 By their ftudies of nature are tempted to ftray ; 
 And I own that your genius gives me great alarms. 
 
 Mr. Bijou. 
 -My dear, tender creature ! pray truft your own charms I 
 
 Mrs. Bijou. 
 Affedionate terrors will rife in my head. 
 I was jealous, I own, t'other day of the d^ad. 
 
 9 Mr.
 
 192 THE TWO CONNOISSEURS: 
 
 Mr. Bijou. 
 What fond renfibility ! exquifite feeling ! 
 
 Mrs. Bijou. 
 I hope I was wrong, but ftrange fancies will ileal in, 
 When fondnefs has open'd the heart to fufpicion. 
 You're fo dear to the females of every condition : 
 But, I hope. Lady Fancybird was not fo vicious ; 
 There was nothing, indeed, in her air meretricious ; 
 Yet a jealous pang feiz'd me, I own, when I found 
 That by will fhe bequcath'd to you three thoufand pound. 
 'Tis true, that a legacy's very commodious ; 
 Yet the money appears to me utterly odious. 
 When I think it was poffibly meant as the price 
 Of endearments, to which fhe had art to entice, 
 And not in return for the pidlures you drew, 
 Of her parrot, her bull-finch, and old cockatoo. 
 
 Mr. Bijou, 
 Lord ! my dear, if fuch phantoms your quiet confume, 
 You will make the old lady jump out of her tomb. 
 'Tis true, that I flatter'd her favourite pailion, 
 As I love to be well with old ladies of fajQiion : 
 
 5 But
 
 A COMEDY, IN RHYME. 193 
 
 But pray don't fuppofe, I was e'er fo abfurd 
 
 As to ftroke her pale cheek for the pole of her bird. 
 
 M R s. B I J o u. 
 Ah ! you humorous man, you've fuch infinite wit. 
 You can turn to a jeft whatfoe'er you think fit ! — 
 But my heart on this point can be never at eafe, 
 Unlefs you'll allow me to fpend, as I pleafe. 
 Half the money, of which you're fo oddly pofleft ; 
 And then I fliall think it an honeft bequeft. 
 Befides, there's an au(5lion at Lady Toy-Truckle's, 
 And I long for a rap at the Duchefs's knuckles, 
 Who out-bid me, you know, t'other day, for a fhell. 
 'Tis all for your credit. 
 
 Mr. Bijou. 
 
 Well ! well ! my dear, well ! 
 I never refufc you the cafii I can fpare. 
 
 Mrs. B I J o u. 
 You are fure I fhall turn it to fomething moft rare : 
 For indeed I'm no pitiful hoarder of pelf; 
 And I've now fet my heart on fome true antient delf- 
 
 Mr. Bijou, 
 'Tis time you were dreft. 
 
 G c Mrs.
 
 194 THE TWO CONNOISSEURS: 
 
 Mrs. Bijou. 
 
 As I live, there's a rap ; 
 I'm not lit to be fcen, in this bed-gown and cap. 
 Run ! and charge ihem, my d.-ar, not to let in a foul ! — 
 With my cabinet duft I'm as black as a coal. 
 
 Mr. Bijou (look'wg out.) 
 I'm too late. 
 
 M R s. B I J o u. 
 For my orders they don't care a pin ; 
 And to vex me, old Joan has let fomebody in. 
 I'll efcape — I can't bear to be feen in this trim. 
 
 Mr. Bijou. 
 'Tis only Tom Carelefs — you need not mind him. 
 
 Enter Carelefs and Mr. Cycle. 
 
 Careless., 
 Here, good folks ! I have brought you a very rare bird ; 
 'Tis five years fince his notes in this town have been heard. 
 
 Mr. Bijou. 
 Mr. Cycle ! my worthy, old friend ! how d'ye do ? — 
 Give me leave to prefent to you Mrs. Bijou ! 
 
 Mr s.
 
 A COMEDY, IN RHYME. 195 
 
 M R s. B I J o u. 
 I'm afliam'd to be found in this garb. 
 
 Mr. Bijou. 
 
 O ! my dear. 
 From a man of true fcience you've nothing to fear; 
 He'll freely allow, for he's candid and juft, 
 Philofophical ladies muft dabble in duft. — 
 Mr. Cycle, my wife is a curious coUedor : 
 In natural knowledge I hope you'll dired: her ; 
 You are mafter of all, from the earth to the flarSj 
 And may aid her in ranging her foflils and fpars. 
 
 M R. C Y C L E. 
 
 She fball freely command all the little I know. 
 
 Mrs. Bijou. 
 You're extremely obliging, dear Sir, to fay fo ! 
 But I cannot attend you in this dufty veft. 
 I'll foon flip it oif. 
 
 Careless. 
 You flia'n't ftir, I proteft. 
 To talk of your drefs, my dear Ma'am, is a joke. 
 To a fage, who exifts but in chemical fmoke, 
 
 C c 2 Your
 
 196 THE TWO CONNOISSEURS: 
 
 Your robe Is indeed like the robe of Saint Bruno, 
 Yet ftill by your air we might take you for Juno, 
 While the tail of your peacock, that type of command,. 
 With fuch dignity waves in your awful white hand. 
 
 Mrs. Bijou. 
 You're a young faucy creature !: 
 
 Mr. Cycle. 
 
 Thefe idle rogues. Madam,. 
 More like fons. of th^e Serpent, than children of Adam, 
 Are apt to efleem it a dull occupation, 
 To fludy the wonders of this fair creation :- 
 And hence they all rally, with humor ill-pJac'd, 
 Thofe whp feek for amufement in fcience and taftq?. 
 
 Mr- B I JO X3.. 
 Well faid ! Mr, Cycle—rm glad that Virtu 
 Has found both a friend and a champion in you. 
 Come and peep at my wife's^ philofophical treafure !■ 
 X hope you'll furvey it again, at your leifure. — 
 My dear, d'ye allow me to fhew your mufeum ? — 
 li' tn. exjuS:. in. alii matters of tuuw and msunu .
 
 A COMEDY, IN RHYME. 197 
 
 Mrs. Bijou. 
 Mr. Cycle, I'm fure, is a privileg'd man. 
 
 Mr. Bijou. 
 It is open. — Come, Sir! 
 
 [jExif with Mr. Cycle, into the ifiterio?' Apartment, 
 Mrs. Bijou. 
 
 Tell me, Tom, if you can, 
 Is not this Mr. Cycle a man of great worth. 
 Who wrote a moft excellent book on the Earth. 
 
 Careless.. 
 'Tis the author himfelf ;. and I know not what college 
 Can fhew his fuperior in virtue and knowledge. 
 He's a man of few words, with a heart and a mind 
 Ever bufied in fchemes for the good of mankind ; 
 And he now vifits London, in hopes to procure 
 Some fupport in a plan for relieving the poor. 
 
 M R s. B I J o u.. 
 The poor! — of their name I'm alarm'd at the mention;; 
 Mr. Cycle, indeed, may have no ill intention. 
 But I fear he'll involve my good.hufband in trouble — 
 Thefe projeds, of charity end in a bubble,. 
 
 TKe:
 
 iqS the two CONNOISSEURS: 
 
 The poor are ungrateful, difordcrly wretches, 
 
 Who can fliift for themfch'cs by their tricks and their 
 
 fetches ; 
 They dci'crvc not a learned philofopher's thought. 
 
 Careless. 
 Your pardon ! — He'll think, if he thinks as he ought, 
 That Philofophy, drawing from Heaven her birth, 
 Is the fcicnce of fott'ning the evils on earth. 
 By your fears you have done our friend infinite wrong, 
 For tho' his heart's tender, his judgment is flrong: 
 To the projcds of Folly he never can ftoop — 
 Philanthropy's friend is not Phantafy's dupe. 
 
 Mrs. Bijou. 
 Why, Carelefs ! you talk in a language quite new : 
 Who could dream of a charity-fermon from you ? 
 
 Careless. 
 Oh ! a cobler can preach, when his fpirit's inflam'd. 
 Mine is apt to blaze forth, if I hear a friend blam'd ; 
 And indeed I can't ftiflc my heart's ebullitions, 
 When fuch good folks as you harbour vile fuppofitions. 
 But I'm fure you'll forgive all the warmth I have fhewn. 
 When the worth of our friend is to you better known. 
 
 If
 
 A COMEDY, IN RHYME. 199 
 
 If you're angry, I know that your anger will ceafe, 
 When you hear on what terms I can purchafe my peace. 
 A fliell I can bring you — my intereft fuch is — 
 Very like what you lately gave up to the Duchefs. 
 Perhaps I may give it you — 
 
 Mr s. B I J o u. 
 
 You're a good foul- 
 As large as her Grace's, and perfectly whole ? 
 
 Careless. 
 Yes, I think 'tis as large, and in colour as high. 
 
 Mrs. Bijou. 
 Are you fure of its fhape ? 
 
 Careless. 
 
 Do you queftion my eye ? 
 I'll convince you I'm right ; let us inflantly look 
 At the fine colour'd plates in your great Danifh book. 
 
 Mrs. Bijou. 
 Come — you give me more joy than I'm able to fpeak — 
 I can't bear that her Grace iliould pofTefs an Uiiique. 
 
 iT'hey retire into the interior Apartftteiit^ from whence' 
 
 Mr. Bijou and. Mr. Cycle return. 
 3 .Mr.
 
 120O THE TWO CONNOISSEURS: 
 
 Mr. Bijou. 
 This fcheme, my good friend, does you honor indeed. 
 In a bufinefs fo noble I hope you'll proceed ; 
 And may you accompliOi your utmoft dcfires, 
 In raifing the fum which your projed: requires ! — 
 Pray look at this new little drawing of mine ! 
 Don't you think it an elegant pretty defign ? 
 
 M R. C V c L E. 
 
 Very lively indeed ! — But, my friend, you forget 
 What I've faid on the point of incurring this debt. 
 Do not fly from the fubjedl: ! — I hate all evaflon : 
 I mufl fay for your aid I have ferious occafion. 
 You know what I've aik'd, and in afking I deem, 
 That I give you a proof of my cordial eftcem. 
 In a poor-houfe myfelf I would rather work hard, 
 Than apply thus to one whom I did not regard. 
 
 Mr. Bijou. 
 Mn Cycle, I know you're a man without guile, 
 And you think in a noble and fingular flyle^ 
 But if alking for cafli is of love a fure teft. 
 With affedionate friends all the wealthy are blefl:. 
 
 2 Mr.
 
 A COMEDY, IN RHYME. 201 
 
 M R. C Y C L E. 
 
 r have done, as I fee that you wiOi to evade 
 
 A requeft, that I thought I with juftice had made ; 
 
 As you know, when of fortune you felt a reverfe, 
 
 You had once the command of my profperous purfe ; 
 
 And fince you of opulence now are polTeft, 
 
 More enrich'd too of late by a friendly bequeft, 
 
 I fuppos'd, Vv'ithout trouble — 
 
 Mr. B I j o u.. 
 
 Dear Cycle, 'tis true :•. 
 You fhall have it ; but mum ! towards Mrs. Bijou I 
 
 Mr. Cycle. 
 O ! I now underftand all the caufe of demur j. 
 And if that is the cafe, I have done, my dear Sir. 
 At the Imzard of difcord the fum you flia'n't lend j. 
 In family ftrife I'll not plunge my old friend. 
 
 Mr. B I jo u. 
 Do not think me a flave ! — there's no danger of ftrife : 
 But you'll find, if you e'er try the conjugal life, 
 It is beft not to waken the frowns of a wife. 
 Befides, there is furely no reafon why you 
 Should talk on fuch bufinefs to Mrs. Bijou. 
 
 D d Mr.
 
 202 THE TWO CONNOISSEURS: 
 
 Mr. Cycle. 
 There is certainly none — you fhall do as you pleafe. 
 
 Mr. Bijou. 
 One thoufand, my friend, t can fpare you with eafe ; 
 'Tis the fum I fliall go to receive very foon ; 
 If you'll call here again, you fhall have it by noon. 
 And to tell you the truth, I would have you make haftc, 
 Left my wife fhould demand it for matters of tafte. 
 When an au6lion is near, flie is apt to be rafli, 
 In laying her hand upon all my loofe cafK ; 
 And as fhe is thought fo judicious a buyer, 
 Her elegant wifhes I feldom deny her. 
 Yet 'tis time to grow prudent : — but hufli ! here they 
 
 come. 
 Remember my charge — dear pliilofopher, mum I 
 
 EfJter Mrs, Bijou a?id Carelefs. 
 
 M R s. B I JO u. 
 
 O my dear ! I'm in raptures : my young friend has cur'd 
 All the bitter vexation I've lately endur'd. 
 Now in fhells by the Duchefs I am not furpaft ; 
 Tom will bring me the fellow to what £he bought laft. 
 
 9 Mr.
 
 A COMEDY, IN RHYME. 203 
 
 M R. B I J o u. 
 He's exceedingly kind! — But, my dear, it grows late ; 
 Remember the gueft, whom you muft not make wait. 
 Old Baron Van-Bettle 's appointed to-day 
 Your curious coUedion of flies to furvey ; 
 As fome bufinefs abroad will oblige me to leave himv 
 I entreat you, my dear, to be dreft to receive him.^ 
 Thefe friends will excufe you. 
 
 Mrs. Bijou. 
 
 I'll bid them farewell. 
 Mr. Cycle, your fervant ! — Remember the fhell ! [jE;f/V. 
 
 Mr. Bijou. 
 
 my friend ! you've a thoufand new drawings to fee.— 
 
 1 can tell you, our artifts grow jealous of me. 
 
 Joan (entering hajiily.) 
 Sir, a coach is juft ftopt, and a man with a liar on— 
 
 Mr. Bijou. 
 Od*s life f I mufl leave you, to wait on the Baron. 
 
 Mr. C Y c L E, 
 I beg we mayn't keep you. 
 
 D d 2 Mr.
 
 204 THE TWO CONNOISSEURS: 
 
 Mr. Bijou. 
 
 My good friends, adieu ? 
 Dear Cycle I pray meet me again here at two ! 
 I am forry I'm forc'd thus to part with you now, 
 But for fuch an engagement I'm fure you'll allow ; 
 For the flies are all rang'd in the parlour below. 
 And a gueft like the Baron one can't leave, you know. 
 As the key's in the cafe, he perhaps might unlock it, 
 And whip the befl: butterfly into his pocket. 
 'Tis a law with the curious to watch a collcdor, 
 And you never muft trufl: him without an infpedor. 
 
 [Exit, 
 Careless. 
 Now, my fi-iend, what d'ye fay to the portrait I drew? 
 Were my colours too dark for good Madam Bijou ? 
 But how have you far'd in your money-petition ? 
 If you get it, I'll call you a mighty magician. 
 I can tell you, that Madam fufpedied a plot. 
 
 Mr. Cycle. 
 I've his proraife — but fliall I accept it, or not ? 
 
 Careless.
 
 A COMEDY, IN RHYME. 205 
 
 Careless. 
 If you can, by all means ! — 'twill be fav'd from her 
 
 clutches, 
 Who would throw it away in out-bidding a Duchefs : 
 And at auctions indeed fhe'd her hufband undo, 
 Were fhe not in her houfe quite a clofe-handed Jew. 
 But on faving a penny fhe frequently ponders. 
 And her avarice fcrapes what her vanity fquanders. — 
 O ! if I were her mafter, her whimfies I'd cure, 
 And make a good wife of this vile connoiffeur. — 
 
 Now for Beril he's one of a different caft. 
 
 Mr. Cycle. 
 Come along ! — fince I faw him fome long years have paft, 
 And I'm eager to clafp his affectionate hand. 
 
 Careless. 
 Stop a moment ! and anfwer me this one demand ! 
 Don't you fee a fad change in our poor friend below ? 
 Where's the lively companion, the humorous beau ? 
 All his pleafantry's gone — 
 
 Mr. Cycle. 
 
 I confefs, by his carriage, 
 He feems to be render'd more ferious by marriage. 
 
 7 Careless,
 
 2o6 THE TWO CONNOISSEURS: 
 
 Careless. 
 By my life, I am griev'd, in thus feeing him grow 
 The poor trumpeting flave to his wife's raree-fhew. — 
 Well I ye Gods ! if, whenever my nuptial ftar. twinkles, 
 I fhould wed an old hunter of odd periwinkles, 
 To engage her nice eye with unchanging attradion. 
 May I turn in her arms to a cold petrifaction I 
 
 End of ACT I, 
 
 ACT
 
 A COMEDY, IN RHYME 207 
 
 II. 
 
 SCENE I. An elegant Apartment^ ornamented with 
 a few Bujls aftd Books ^ a large Statue covered up^ and a 
 Door open into a more extenjtve Library.. 
 
 Mr. Beril and Harry. 
 
 Mr. Beril. 
 T^RAY, Harry, remove from the ftatue its cafe ; 
 -■- And be careful in clearing the duft from its bafe. 
 
 Harry, 
 Direaly, Sir? 
 
 Mr. Beril. 
 Yes ! you muft inftantly do it, 
 For my worthy Lord Seewell is coming to view it. — • 
 Now, my fweet Lady Frances ! I foon fliall behold 
 All thy quick fenfibility wake and unfold : 
 Thou wilt pay to this fculpture the tribute moft dear ; 
 Thou wilt praife' the fine work by an eloquent tear, 
 Unlefs by gay Harriot thy foftnefs is check'd. 
 How I long in thy features to mark the effcd: 
 
 Produc'd
 
 2o8 THE TWO CONNOISSEURS: 
 
 Produc'd by the wonders of cxquifite art, 
 On a delicate mind and a fcnfible heart ! 
 But why on thy graces do I raflily dwell ? 
 Why ftudy thofe charms, that I know but too well ? 
 In my ftation 'tis madnefs to think ot thy hand ; 
 Yet thou, of all women in this lovely land, 
 Thou only could'ft fill, in my defolate breaft. 
 The place that my tender Sophia poffeft. 
 
 Harry (adva?tcing.) 
 There, Sir, 'tis as neat as a new-twifted cord j 
 But I hope you won't fell this fine thing to my Lord. 
 He's a dcfperate bidder for ftone-work, I'm told ; 
 Yet I hope you will keep it in fpite of his gold. 
 
 Mr. B e r 1 l. 
 Do you hoj->e fo ? — pray why ? — I fhoufd rather have 
 
 thought 
 You'd rejoice if his lordfliip the ftatue had bought ; 
 It would fave you fome trouble. 
 
 Harry. 
 
 For that I don't care. 
 Why I wifli you to keep it, I'll freely declare : — 
 
 I've
 
 A COMEDY, IN RHYME. 209 
 
 I've obferv'd, fince the day that poor Mifs Sophy died, 
 And th,at's five years, I think, next Bartholomew-tide, 
 There is only this ftatue, that's now in our fight. 
 In which you have feem'd to take any delight ; 
 And if this marble woman your heart fo engages. 
 Before you fhould fell her I'd give up my wages. 
 
 M R. B E R I L. 
 
 Thou'rt a generous lad, with an excellent heart ! — 
 
 Honeft Harry I the ftatue and I fliall not part. 
 
 But I hear a coach flop : — hafte, and let my Lord in ! 
 
 l^Exii Harry. 
 
 Mr. B e r I l (alojie.) 
 Harry's warmth is afFeding. — 'Tis pleafant to win 
 A regard unconftrain'd from the low ranks of life, 
 Which are falfely fuppos'd full of bafenefs and ftrife. 
 How miftaken is he, who inceflantly raves. 
 That domeftics are nothing but idiots or knaves I 
 When nature oft fhines, with a luftre moft fervent, 
 1\\ the zeal of an honeft, aftedionate fervant. 
 
 E e Enter
 
 2IO THE TWO CONNOISSEURS 
 
 Entc7- Lord Seewell, with Lady Frances a7icl Lady- 
 Harriot. 
 
 Lord Seewell. 
 Dear Bcril, my girls would attend mc, to fee 
 Either you or your ftatue. — Howe'cr timt may be, 
 1 know you'll allow them a fight of your treafure. 
 
 Mr. B e r I l. 
 My Lord, I confefs, I had hopes of this pleafure ; 
 And my ftatue henceforth I more highly fliall rate, 
 Since to that I'm in debt for an honor fo great. 
 
 Lady Harriot. 
 That's right, Mr. Beril : — I pray make it known, 
 That we come for the fake of the marble alone ; 
 For tho' we have both a fair name, as I think. 
 Yet our poor reputations will inftantly fink. 
 If 'tis faid by your neighbour, old Lady Snap-Fan, 
 That inftead of a ftatue, we vifit a man. 
 
 Mr. Beril. 
 If on fpirit and worth there is any reliance. 
 Lady Harriot may fet every hag at defiance j 
 
 And
 
 A COMEDY, IN RHYME. 211 
 
 And force even Scandal in filence to fit — 
 If not jufb to her innocence, aw'd by her wit. 
 
 Lady Harriot. 
 My dear Sir, do not talk in Co pleafing a tone, 
 If you do, I flia'n't relifh the filence of fi;one. 
 And the ftatue '11 feeni dull. — So pray ! tell us where is it. 
 Pray prefent us to her that we're now come to viiit. 
 
 M R. B E R i L. 
 
 Here's the lady you honour. \_Shewi71g- the Statue, 
 
 Lord See well. 
 
 Indeed, this is fine : 
 What perfed exprefllon ! what ftrength of defign ! 
 
 M R. B E R I L. 
 
 Pray ! my dear Lady Frances, advance to the place, 
 
 Which will give you, I think, the beft view of the face, 
 
 'Tis the tender Alceftis, juft yielding her breath. 
 
 On the arm of her hufband reclining in death j 
 
 And tho' pain o'er her form fo much languor has thrown, 
 
 You may ftill difcern beauties refembling your own. 
 
 Lord S e e w e l l. 
 Whence came it, dear Beril ? — "'tis furely antique ; 
 The work, my good friend, is undoubtedly Greek. 
 
 E e 2 I fwear
 
 212 THE TWO CONNOISSEURS: 
 
 I fwcar the Laocoon is not fo fine : 
 
 Had I choice of the two, this, I'm clear, would be mine. 
 The fubjcd more pleafing !— expre/Tion ftill higher ! — 
 This long-Hidden treafure where could you acquire ? 
 
 Mr. B e r I l. 
 1 owe it to chance, to acknowledge the truth, 
 And a princely and brave Neapolitan youth, 
 Whom I luckily fav'd, in a villainous ftrifc, 
 From the dagger of jealoufy, aim'd at his life* 
 The work was dug up on his father's eftate. 
 And, knowing my pafTion for marble is great. 
 He nobly has fcnt me the gift in your view, 
 In return for what accident led me to do. 
 
 Lord Seewell. 
 'Tis the firft piece of fculpture perhaps on the earth. 
 And I hardly know how to appreciate its worth ; 
 But if ever you wifh to difpofe of the treafure, 
 I'll accept it at three thoufand guineas with pleafure» 
 
 Mr. B e r I l. 
 My Lord, you now fpeak with that liberal fpirit 
 Which you ever difplay when you eftimate merit. 
 
 Tho'
 
 A COMEDY, IN RHYiME. 21^ 
 Tlio' I own works of art, of fuch high eftimation. 
 Seem but ill to agree with my fortune and fl:ation. 
 Yet thefe figures at prefent I widi to retain, 
 Tho' the wifli may appear oftentatious and vain. 
 But, my Lord, if they e'er change their maftcr anew. 
 They fhall find a more worthy pofTeiTor in you. 
 
 Lady Harriot, 
 Well ! ye dear connoifleurs' ! you. amaze me, I own. 
 By the value you fet on this forrowful (lone. 
 I indeed can believe 'tis a £ne piece of art ; 
 But to buy it for furniture ! — as to my part, 
 I'd as foon o'er my houfe throw a fepulchre's gloom, 
 And purchafe from Weftmiafter- Abbey a tomb. 
 
 Lord Seewell. 
 You're a wild idle gipfy^ and paft all correding 5 
 You have not the leaft relifli for what is affedtiiig:. 
 
 ^ijvjLADY Harriot. 
 That's your fault, dear Papa '; — but my fifter, you fee, 
 Makes ample amends for this failing in me ; 
 She gazes, like you, with fuch ferious delight, 
 That {he's half turn'd to marble herfelf by the fight : 
 
 9 I vow
 
 -H THE TWO CONNOISSEURS: 
 
 I vow it has made her unable to fpcak, 
 
 And has drawn a cold tear down her petrified cheek. 
 
 Lady Frances. 
 Pray ! my dear, don't expofe me 1 
 
 Mr. B e r I l. 
 
 O feek not to hide 
 What nature defign'd your chief beauty and pride ! — 
 With different charms £he enriches the earth ; 
 To your fifter {he gave the fweet dimples of mirth ; 
 And, that each in her province no; rival may find, 
 All the foft penfive graces to you fiie afiign'd. 
 
 Lady- Harriot.- itj'o oooi 
 Believe me,iyou {liine,Mr. Beril, moft bright!y,--rn Lr a 
 In the delicate fcience of praifmg^xjlitely ; 
 In which many beaux are fo fayagely ftupicf, 
 They a^fcdlping-knifc\take for th^ weapon of Cupid ; 
 And to tickle one nymph, 'bafely ([a(h every other. — 
 Wejlr !.; dear Frances, how aFaTy<pu?-b .ff-- , - 
 
 ■ LrADV Fr?^ N'C £!■&• .^ .v-i.>V' 
 
 *• ' "> ,l,;Ipd€i^ I^a,'n't_fmoth^, 
 What! feel in furveying this wondey of-arit;! 
 it has fomething which takes fuch faft hold of the heart. 
 
 2 In
 
 'A' ^COMEDY, IN RHYME. 215 
 
 In the faint dying wife fuch a fond rcfignation ! 
 In the poor widow'd hufband fuch wild agitation \ 
 Such forrovv ! fuch anguifh ! fuch love to Alceftis ! 
 
 Lady Harriot. 
 That is true ; but I know the whole ftory a jeft is ; 
 And AdmetuSjI think, fuch a fhuffling poltroon, 
 That he moves me no more than the man in the moon. 
 A pitiful fellow ! to live, in his cafe. 
 And let his poor wife pafs the Styx in his place ! 
 Modern huibands, indeed, I believe would' be merry. 
 If their wives in their ftead would crofs over that ferry. 
 
 Mr. B E R I L. 
 But perhaps, Ma'am, you think that no hufband could find 
 A young modern wife of Alceftis's mind ? 
 
 Lady Harriot. 
 No ! indeed, my good Sir 1 — Here's my dear fifter Fan, 
 She'd be willing to die, to preferve her good man ; 
 But I own for myfelf, I fhould doubt and demur, 
 If I thought my fpoufc wifb'd his own trip to defer : 
 Tho' myfelf to his fortunes I'd freely devote, 
 If we both might embark at one time in the boat, 
 
 I confefs
 
 ^i6 THE TWO CONNOISSEURS: 
 I confefs I fliould fcarce be fo wondroufly kind, 
 As to ftt fail myfelf, but to leave him behind. 
 
 Harry (enterwg.) 
 Two gentlemen, Sir, wifli to fee you below j 
 Mr. Carelefs is one. 
 
 Lord Seewell (to Mr. Beril.) 
 Harriot's favourite beau I 
 Lady Harriot. 
 Lord, Papa J Mr. Beril will think me in love. 
 
 Mr. B e r I l |^/'<9 Harry.) 
 Let the gentlemen know we exped: them above, 
 
 ^Exil Harry. 
 Lord Seewell. 
 Tom and Harriot have long had flirtations together, 
 But their courtfliip has changeable fits, like the weather: 
 The improvident girl, thinking lovers are plenty, 
 Declares fhc won't wed till fhe's paft one-and-twenty ; 
 Nor e'en then take her beau, (in her charms fuch her 
 
 truft is) 
 Unlefs he bids fair to become a chief juftice ; 
 And Tom is the heir of too large an eflate. 
 To load his gay fpirit with law's heavy weight. 
 
 BMt
 
 A COMEDY, IN RHYME. 217 
 
 But here comes our young lawyer, to urge his own plea I 
 
 Enter Carelefs and Mr. Cycle. 
 
 Mr. B e r I l. 
 My dear Tom ! how d'ye do ? — My good ftars ! can it be ? 
 Is it you, my dear Cycle, my long-abfent friend ? 
 
 Mr. Cycle, 
 And ftill heartily yours. 
 
 Mr. B e r I l. 
 
 But why would you not fend, 
 And of your afFedion afford me a proof. 
 By befpeaking your quarters here under my roof. 
 However, I'm happy, that chance is fo kind, 
 As to give me th» occafion I've long wifli'd to find, 
 To prefent you to one, who, of all men on earth. 
 Is moft able to judge of your genius and worth. — 
 My dear Lord, to your notice now let me commend 
 The man to whofe name you're already a friend I 
 Behold Mr. Cycle ! 
 I LordSeewell. 
 
 Dear Sir, let me fay. 
 That I often have wifh'd for this fortunate day, 
 
 F f Which
 
 2i8 THE T7.'0 CONNOISSEURS:.- 
 
 Which makes me acquaint'^d with one v/hom I deem. 
 So juftly entitled to public efteem ; 
 Whofe v/ritings and life fnev/ in faircft alliance, 
 Philanthropical virtue and p-enuine fcicnce. 
 
 Mr. C y c l e. 
 My good Lord, thefe are honours far more than my duCj,- 
 Yet I own with delight I receive them from you ; 
 As you're led to o'er-rate my poor merits, 1 feel, 
 By this dear partial friend's kind aiFedionatc zeal. 
 
 Lord S e ewe l l. 
 He indeed is your friend — I regard his applaufe ; 
 But to wifli your acquaintance I've ftill higher caufe. 
 Be affur'd I fhall think myfelf truly your debtor, 
 If you'll give me the pleafure of knowing you better. 
 Either Beril or Carelefs v/ill guide you to me; 
 I have fome things perhaps it may pleafe you to fee % 
 Yet- no gem, I believe, that's fo worthy your fight,. 
 As a ftatue which Beril has juft brought to light, 
 Allov/ me to fliew it you — 
 
 Mr. Beril (to Lady Frances.) 
 Tour tender breaft, , 
 My dear Lady Frances, I fear, is oppreft
 
 A COMEDY, IN RHYME. 219 
 
 By this fculptur'd diftrefs, the mere creature of art, 
 Yet too painful a fcene for fo feeling a heart. 
 
 Lady Frances. 
 No, indeed ! — at firft fight, tho' it made my veins thrill, 
 And I felt thro' my bofom a cold icy chill, 
 That imprefTion once over, I view it again 
 With a foothing delight, unembitter'd by pain. 
 
 Lady Harriot (to Carelefs.) 
 And pray. Sir, from 'which court of juftice come you ? 
 
 Careless. 
 From the worfhipful court of wife Madam Bijou ; 
 Where, blind as old Themis, fhe utters decrees 
 On the price of ftuff 'd parrots and petrified trees. 
 
 Lady Harriot. 
 O you mifchievous creature ! you certainly mean, 
 By the found of her name to av/aken my fpleen : 
 You know that the thought of her fickens me quite, 
 And that I at her houfe muft do penance to-night. 
 
 Careless. 
 Then I vow I'll be there, if it's only to fee 
 JIov/ Mortification and you may agree : 
 
 F f 2 Even
 
 220 THE TWO CONNOISSEURS: 
 
 Even that gloomy fpright muft appear with fome grace, 
 If it lurks in the lines of fo lively a face. 
 
 Lady Harriot. 
 All my gaiety dies when her prefence I come in ; 
 No cramp-fifli could give me a fliock fo benumbing — 
 She's my utter averfion — 
 
 Lord Seewell. 
 
 Pray tell me, my dear. 
 Of whom do you fpcak in a ftyle fo fcvere ? 
 
 Lady Harriot. 
 Of your friend, dear Papa, your good Mrs, Bijou. 
 
 Lord Seewell. 
 That's ungrateful, dear Harriot— fhe's civil to you ; 
 And you fhould not indulge a fatyrical vein. 
 
 Lady Harriot. 
 You forget, my dear Sir, how you often complain 
 That her low little pride, and nonfcnfical whim, 
 Have reduc'd your old friend to a pitiful trim ; 
 And I think fhe has made him fo gloomy a flave, 
 She has pent her good man in Trophonius' cave. 
 Such to him was the temple of Hymen ; for after 
 He enter'd its veftibule,— farewell to laughter. 
 
 lo Lord
 
 A COMEDY, IN RHYME. 221 
 
 Lord Seewell. 
 Why, Harriot ! you really are quite acrimonious : 
 But if you call wedlock the cave of Trophonius, 
 Have a care, if that cavern you chance to ftep near ! 
 You love laughing too vi^ell to refign it, my dear. 
 
 Lady Harriot. 
 And therefore, tho' vvoo'd like the nymph of Tobofo, 
 I never will marry an old virtuofo. 
 
 Who thifiks himfelf bleft with tafte, fcience, and worth, 
 Becaufe he picks up all the odd things- on earth. — 
 When a paflion for art, or for nature, is join'd 
 With a warm friendly heart, and a liberal mind, 
 I refpedl the pure tafte which that union produces. 
 Free from vanity's fordid fantaftic abufes. 
 Tho' I do not poffefs it, I fee and commend 
 Such tafte, dear Papa, both in you and your friend ; 
 But I view with an utter contempt, I confefs, 
 Thofe who awkwardly ape what you really poflefs : 
 And for Mrs. Bijou, flie has juft as much foul 
 As a monkey, who carries queer things to its hole : 
 She with wonderful gufto, half Gothic, half Dutch, 
 Like an old fquirrel, hides all fhe can in her hutch. 
 
 Careless.
 
 222 THE TWO CONNOISSEURS.: 
 
 Careless. 
 An excellent portrait 1 and true, I proted, 
 For Tve juft had a peep at the old fquirrci's neft. 
 
 Lady H a r r i c t. 
 Pray, flnce we together her cloret infpcdte'^, 
 What vvhimfical rarities has {lie colicded ? 
 
 Careless. 
 O, before I could count half the baubles flic buys, 
 I could tell you the name of each ftar in the fhjes : 
 Her fphere is too wide for my genius to fcan it ; 
 "^.ut I know what {he reckons her Georgian planet, 
 jler newly- found flar — which to-night, if you're free, 
 Thro' a glafs flie perhaps may allow you to fee. 
 
 Lady Harriot. 
 What wonder is this ? — is it flefli, iiQi, or fowl } 
 A Lilliput dog ? or a Brobdignag owl ? 
 Or is it a remnant from Jofeph's odd coat ? 
 
 Careless. 
 It is fomething once held by a perfon of note 
 In our ifland ; and now I defy you to gucfs. 
 
 L A D Y H A R R I O T. 
 
 Is it EfTex's ring ? or the ruff of Queen Befs ? 
 
 .1 Or
 
 A COMEDY, IN RHYME. 223 
 
 Gr Alfred's cake-toafter ? or Rizzio's fiddle ? 
 Pray tell me ! — I hate to be teaz'd by a riddle. 
 
 Careless. 
 In Hiort, 'tis a night-cap, not worth half a groat, 
 Which (he for a guinea has luckily bought ; 
 Becaufe this old fragment of worfted, fhe vows, 
 Once ferv'd as a crown for poor Chatterton's brows : 
 Tho' I think we fhould find, if we knew the whole truth, 
 That the qap was ne'er feen by that wonderful youth. 
 
 Lady Harriot. 
 Now, Chatterton 1 boaft, that thy ill-fated verfe 
 Can teach antiquarians to open their purfe ! 
 Yet hadft thou, in mifery, fu'd for that guinea, 
 Its miftrefs had call'd thee a vain rhyming ninny ; 
 And prov'd, to thy grief, by the ftyle of her giving, 
 Virtuofo's have little efteem for the living. 
 
 Lord Seewell, 
 Come, Harriot ! I mujl flop the tide of your wit, 
 Tho' you're now on a topic you don't love to quit. 
 
 (to Mr. BeriL) 
 We muft take our leave — Many thanks for our plea- 
 fure. — 
 
 Mr. Cycle, remember ! — your firfl day of leifure !— 
 
 You
 
 224 THE TWO CONNOISSEURS: 
 
 You fha'n't ftir, my dear Beril, you fha'n't leave your 
 
 friend ; 
 Here is Carelefs, you know, on the girls to attend. 
 Let us fee you together, and fliortly ! — Adieu ! 
 
 Lady Harriot (to Carelefs, afide.) 
 Below let me whifper a itw words to you I 
 Mr. Beril and Mr. Cycle. 
 Mr. Beril. 
 Well, my worthy old friend, I rejoice you are here, 
 And that now you are known to that excellent peer ; 
 Who, free from all pride, affedation, and vanity, 
 Unites ufeful virtue to pleafing urbanity ; 
 Plain, fimple, flncere, yet of judgment refin'd, 
 And fond of the arts, as they're friends to mankind ; 
 Ennobled much lefs by his birth than his fpirit, 
 The model of Honor, and patron of Merit ! , 
 But how have you done for this age ? and what plan, 
 For the profit of fcience, or fcrvice of man. 
 Brings you now from your fav'rite fequcfter'd retreat ? 
 Whate'er the occafion, I'm glad that we meet ; 
 Tho' I meant to be with you ere next fummer's fun. 
 
 Mr. C Y c L E. 
 I know, my dear Beril, that you are not one 
 
 Whofe
 
 A COMEDY, IN RHYME. 225 
 
 Whofe welcome will fuddenly fink into forrow, 
 When I tell you, I now vifit London to borrow. 
 
 Mr. B e r I l. 
 If I'm able to levy the fum you require, 
 The world can fcarce give me a pleafure much higher, 
 Than that of afTifting a friend, to whofe mind 
 I have infinite debts of a far deeper kind. 
 I can never forget what I owe to your care, 
 In the frenzy of defolate love and defpair ; 
 When my reafon had yielded to paflion's wild ftrife, 
 Your friendfhip alone reconcil'd me to life. 
 But tell me, dear Cycle, what fum will fuffice ? 
 
 Mr. Cycle. 
 You muft know, I have lately been led to devife 
 A fcheme for the poor — 
 
 Mr. B e ri l. 
 
 My dear friend, at your leifurc 
 rU hear your benevolent projedis with pleafure ; 
 But farther difcourfe you muft let me prevent. 
 On the fource of your wants, till I know their extent ; 
 For indeed I can't reft, till I'm happily fure 
 That whatever you wifh I have means to procure. 
 
 G g Mr.
 
 226 THE TWO CONNOISSEURS: 
 
 Mr. Cycle. 
 Not to keep you in doubt, then, my dear ardent fricnd^^ 
 Two thoufand, I flmcyj will anfvver my end : 
 The one I am promis'd to-day from Bijou ; 
 
 For the other, I own, I've depended on you. 
 
 I 
 Mr. B E R I L. 
 
 And why not allow me to furnifh the whole ? — 
 
 Poor Bijou has a wife with no liberal foul ; 
 
 If any demur in that quarter you fee,. 
 
 I entreat you to take all you wifh for of me. 
 
 But of this more anon — here is Carelefs return'd„- 
 
 Mr. Beril, Mr. Cycle, a7id Carelefs. 
 
 C A R E L E s s» 
 Well ! my worthy philofopher, a'n't you concern'd 
 To find our friend ftill unfupply'd with a wife, 
 Thus form'd as he is for the conjugal life ? 
 As you're fond of new fchcnies for the good of the nation,, 
 I'll recommend one to your confideration ; 
 To revive wedded love, that old, obfoletc paflion, 
 And bring honeft Hymen again into fafhion ! 
 
 Mr.
 
 A COMEDY, IN RHYME. 227 
 
 Mr. Cycle. 
 In truth, my dear Tom, I am quite of your mind, 
 There is no better fcheme for the good of mankind ; 
 And nothing, I know, that could give it more weight, 
 Than the grace which our friend would beftow on that 
 ft ate. 
 
 Mr. B e r I l. 
 You are merry, good friends ! — I fubfcribe to your joke — 
 My gravity 's fit for the conjugal yoke ! 
 
 Careless. 
 I am ferious, indeed, and have often declar'd, 
 That had I a fifter, for wedlock prepar'd. 
 Of all men in the world, if you'd deign to embrace her, 
 In your arms it would make me moft happy to place her. 
 But you're courted too much to be eafily won ; 
 He, whom many are fond of, can fix upon none. 
 
 Mr. B e r I l. ' 
 Indeed, my dear Tom, you are wrong on this theme. — 
 In return for a proof of your cordial efteem, 
 I'll tell you the reafon, with franknefs and truth, 
 Why no nymph has fupply'd the loft love of my youth : 
 
 G g 2 There
 
 228 THE TWO CONNOISSEURS: 
 
 There is one, whofc mild virtue and elegant grace, 
 The dear girl I deplore in my heart might replace ; 
 But my fortune's too humble for her rank of life, 
 Tho' fhe may be yoiw fijler-^ fhe can't be my "wife. 
 
 Careless. 
 Would you wed Lady Frances ? 
 
 Mr. Cycle. 
 
 The lady I've feen ? — 
 She is like poor Sophia in features and mien. 
 
 Mr. B e r 1 l. 
 You are right, my dear friend ; — it was that very thought 
 Led my heart to attach itfelf more than it ought : 
 But my reafon coniiders her rank and her ftation. 
 And forbids me to form any rafli expedlation. 
 Nor would I attempt to engage her affedion, 
 Without the leaft hope of our happy connexion. 
 
 Careless; 
 More honor than forelight you fhew by this flrain.- 
 Be bold ! — there is nothing you may not attain. — 
 More of this when we meet ! — I muft now fay adieu.- 
 
 Mr. Cycle. 
 So muft I — for you know my appointment at two. 
 
 5 Mr.
 
 A COMEDY, IN RHYME. 229 
 
 Mr. B e r I l. 
 But I hope, my good friends, you -^ ill both dine with me. 
 
 Mr. Cycle. 
 For myfelf, I'll return to you foon after three. 
 
 Careless. 
 I am griev'd to refufe fuch a frank invitation : 
 But to tell you the truth — I've a kind aflignation, 
 
 Mr. B e r 1 l. 
 Love and pleafure attend you ! 
 
 Careless. 
 
 Dear Beril, adieu I 
 Let us all meet to-night at the houfe of Bijou ! 
 
 [_Exeunf, 
 *The Drawing Roojtt of Mrs. Bijou. 
 
 Mrs. Bijou (/peaking as JJje enters.) 
 Look over the ftair-cafe ! and tell me who knocks I 
 
 Joan (entering.) 
 Mr, Varnifh is come, with a thing in a box. • 
 
 Mrs. Bijou. 
 A thing in a box ! — You're a horrible Goth : 
 But as you're to leave me, I'll ftifle my wrath. 
 
 'Tift
 
 230 THE TWO CONNOISSEURS: 
 
 'Tis a pidiire, you o.if ! — bid him bring it to me. 
 
 \_ExU Joan. 
 Some cabinet jewel I now hope to fee. 
 This intelligent Varnidi my patronage courts, 
 And I get the firfl: peep at whate'er he imports. 
 Mrs. Bijou and Mr. Varnifli. 
 Mrs. Bijou. 
 Well, Varnifh ! 
 
 Mr. Varnish. 
 Dear Madam, with mofl; humble duty, 
 I have brought you a gem of unparagon'd beauty. 
 
 Mrs. Bijou. 
 Good Varnifli ! what is it ? 
 
 Mr. Varnish. 
 
 An exquifite Titian^ 
 You never faw one in fuch brilliant condition. 
 
 Mrs. Bijou. 
 And what is the fubjed ? 
 
 Mr. Varnish '(ope7t}ng the Cafe.) 
 
 Now, Ma'am, I'll difplay it. — 
 
 Here's a feaft for the eye that knows how to furvey it ! 
 
 Here's
 
 A COMEDY, IN RHYME. 231 
 
 Here's a Tofeph ! — I ne'er faw his like in my life. 
 And pray, Ma'ain, obferve what a Potiphar's wife ! 
 How chafte the defign ! yet the colours how warm I 
 What tints in each face ! and what life in each form ! 
 Pray ! Madam, remark how he ftruggles to fly ! 
 We hear him exclaiming, " No, Miftrefs ! not I.l' 
 
 Mrs. B I j o u. 
 
 It feems very fine, and has ftriking expreflion. — 
 Was it ever in any great perfon's poflefllon ? 
 
 Mr. Varnish. 
 Not a foul here has feen it, except a poor Peer, 
 For whom it was bought :— but, alas ! 'twas too dear. 
 
 His fteward, my friend but I muffc not be rafh. 
 
 And betray a good Earl, with more gufto than cafh. 
 
 Our Lords are all poor, and fo ruin'd my trade is, 
 
 I fhould ftarve, were it not for you well-judging ladies. 
 
 There's my old Lady Ogle-nud, had fhe a peep, 
 
 Would certainly buy it before flie would fleep : 
 
 But having receiv'd many favours from you, 
 
 I; made it a point you fliould have the firft view. 
 
 7 M r s.
 
 232 THE TWO CONNOISSEURS: 
 
 Mr s. B I J o u. 
 I thank you, good Varnifli. — But what is the price ? 
 
 Mr. Varnish. 
 She'd give me a thoufand, I know, in a trice, 
 And buy fome companions beGdes, if I had 'em ; 
 But I'll leave it with you for eight hundred, dear Madam. 
 
 Mrs. Bijou. 
 Eight hundred ! — Sure, Varnifli, that fum is too much. 
 
 Mr. Varnish, 
 Dear Madam, obferve what a delicate touch ! 
 See how finely 'tis pencil'd ! and what prefervation ! 
 There is not, I know, fuch a gem in the nation ; 
 And Italy has not a brighter, I'm fure. 
 The figures fo glowing ! the ftory fo pure ! — 
 Good ladies would never have wandering fpoufes, 
 If they'd only hang fubjeds like this in their houfes. 
 
 Mrs. Bijou. 
 I proteft, your remark is ingenious and new : 
 You have gufto in Morals as well as Virtu. 
 Mr. Varnish (afule.) 
 I have hopes that my hint v/ill aflifl: our tranfacfllon, 
 For the old dame is jealous, they fay, to diftradlion. 
 
 Mrs.
 
 A COMEDY, IN RHYME. 233 
 
 Mrs. Bijou. 
 
 Well ! I own, Mr. Varnifli, your picture Is fine. 
 
 If my hufband is rich, it fliall qjuickly be mine. 
 Here he comes to decide it. 
 
 Enter Mr. Bijou. 
 
 M rs. Bijou. 
 
 My dear, here's a fight ! 
 You are luckily come to complete my delight. 
 Mr. Varnifii has been fo exceedingly kind, 
 As he knows on a Titian I've long fet my mind, 
 To bring me the fineft I ever fijrvey'd : 
 And as we have often befriended his trade, 
 He offers to leave it a bargain with us. 
 
 M R. B I J o u. 
 Its merit or price it is vain to difcufs ; 
 Tho' the pidiure pofleffes fo tempting an air, 
 At prefent, my dear, I've no money to fpare. 
 
 Mrs. Bijou. 
 Mr. Varnifii, pray fl:ep in the parlour below I 
 Our final refolve you fhall prefently know. 
 
 H h Mr.
 
 234 THE TWO CONNOISSEURS: 
 
 Mr. Varnish. 
 Dear Madam, for hours I'll wait on your pleafure ; 
 And I beg you will note all its beauties at leifure. 
 
 (Aficle^ as he goes out.) 
 Now fuccefs to the fex ! — Be this ftruggle more glorious t 
 May the Jofeph be kind ! and the Lady victorious 1 
 
 Mrs. Bijou. 
 My dearcft, you'll not let the pidlure depart, 
 When you fee it has taken fuch hold on my heart ! — 
 I really can't reft, till a Titian we've got, 
 That we may have fomething Lord Seewell has not. 
 And as we exped: him, you know, here to-night, 
 I would fhew him this piece with triumphant delight. 
 
 Mr. B I J ou. 
 I love to indulge all your wifhes, my dear ; 
 But I'm quite out of cafli. 
 
 Mrs. Bijou. 
 
 Nay ! Bijou I I am clear 
 You have now all I want in your pocket. — Come ! cornel 
 I know you went out to receive a large fum j 
 
 And
 
 A COMEDY, IN R li Y xM E. 2:^5 
 And ftill have it about you. — I vow I will IodI:. — 
 Here it is ! — here are notes in this little red book. 
 
 [Takes out kis Pocket -Booh. 
 
 Mr. Bijou. 
 Indeed, I muft beg you that book to releafe ! 
 
 Mrs. Bijou. 
 Here are ten, I declare, of an hundred apiece ! — 
 I'll take juft enough, and reflore you the reft. 
 
 Mr. Bijou. 
 I can't fuffer this freedom, my dear, I proteft ; 
 For the notes are not mine, they belong to a friend. 
 
 Mrs, Bijou. 
 To a friend ! — Ol I guefs. Sir, to whom you would lend. 
 Your lly-looking gueft, Mr. Cycle 's the man ; 
 I know he was here on a borrowing plan. 
 Throw your thoufand away on a charity bubble ! 
 And leave your poor wife to vexation and trouble ! 
 
 Mr. Bijou. 
 Nay ! my dear, be not vex'd ! — you have mifunderftood : 
 The fum will be fafe, and the intereft good, 
 
 H h 2 Mrs.
 
 236 THE TWO CONMOISSEURSr 
 
 M R s. B I j o u».. 
 And wliat is the pitiful profit you'll raife,, 
 Coinpar'd to the tranfport with which we fhould gaz^. 
 On the picture my fondnefs would have you: pofiefsy 
 For rcafons the purcfl: that wife can profe.fs ? 
 Unkind as you arc I^ — I have rcafons above 
 
 Even profit and pleafiire the reafons of lo\'e.. 
 
 'Tis my aim, by this modcft production of art, 
 
 To fi-Tencthen vour virtue and- chaften your heart,. 
 
 If you daily furvcy an example Co bright,. 
 
 This model of continence ever in fight. 
 
 No naughty young women vvill tempt you to wander. 
 
 But your truth and your love will grow firmer and fondeio 
 
 M R, B L J o u. 
 What a tender idea !— how virtuoufiy kind !• 
 What affedlion and tafte ! by each other refin'd.!: 
 
 Mrs. Bij.ou.. 
 But if for. a poor and a. foolifh projector,. 
 You can thwart a fond wife, can afflidl and negledl her — 
 Go ! go ! I fliall weep,, while abroad you may roam,, 
 That your charity has no beginning at home, 
 
 3 M.'R.
 
 A COMEDY, IN RHYME.. 237 
 
 Mr. Bijou. 
 It beginSj and iliall end there — I'm melted, my dear ! — 
 You. may keep all the notes !— Let me kifs off that tear !. 
 
 Mr s. Bijou. 
 Now again you're ray own, dear, delightful Bijou ! 
 And. the Titian is mine, and my love will be true ! 
 
 \_Exk m great haj}€». 
 
 Mr. Bijou (alone.) 
 Such virtuous endearments what heart could refift ? 
 Yet I fear by poor Cycle this fum Vi^ill be mifs'd. 
 And what fliall I fay for the failure ?— In footh, 
 I think 'twill be faireft to tell him the truth : 
 And, fage as he is, he perhaps too has felt 
 That gold, at the breath of a woman, will melt. — 
 As I live, here he is ! and I look rather fmall. 
 With a pocket fo empty, to anfwer his call.. 
 
 Enter Mr. CjcXq,. 
 
 Mr. B I j o Ui 
 Mr. Cycle, you're come, and I'm. really confus'd";; 
 But I. know the mifchance will by you be excus'd.. 
 
 In.
 
 238 THE TV/O CONNOISSEURS: 
 
 In notes I had got you the thoufand complete, 
 
 They were all in this pocket 
 
 Mr. Cycle. 
 
 The thieves of the ftreet 
 Have not pick'd it, I hope, in the buftle of ftrife ? 
 
 M R. B I J o u. 
 It was pick'd, I conicis, by the hand of my wife ; 
 But for reafons fo pure, in fo tender a mode 
 
 Mr. C y c l e. 
 I am happy the fum is fo juflly beflow'd. 
 
 Mr. Bijou. 
 I know you'll forgive, when I come to explain. 
 
 Mr. Cycle. 
 Dear Bijou ! let me fave you at once from that pain ; 
 And affurc you, with trutii, that I now really come 
 As ready to quit, as to take up the fum ; 
 Since Beril's fo kind, that, without my defire, 
 Fie has offer'd me all that my wants can require. 
 
 Mr. Bijou. 
 I protcft, I am glad you have found fuch a friend ; 
 But if you hereafter fhould vvifh me to lend, 
 
 I I beg
 
 A COMEDY, IN RHYME. 239 
 
 I beg you will call without fcruple 011 me. — 
 Your worthy friend Beril to-night we fhall fee j 
 And Seewell, in gufto the firft of our Earls, 
 Will be here with his daughters, two delicate girls \ 
 To prove, my good friend, your forgivenefs is hearty, 
 Let me hope you will kindly make one of the party 1 
 
 Mr. C Y c L E. 
 Moft chearfuUy ! 
 
 Mr. Bijou. 
 Well ! — I am griev'd, I muft fay. 
 That I cannot detain you to dinner to-day ; 
 But to tell you the truth, when for thefe gala nights 
 My wife is preparing to fhew her fine fights. 
 She fpends fo much time in adjufting her fhelvcs, 
 That we take a cold fnap in the kitchen ourfelves* 
 So I'm fure you'll excufe it» 
 
 Mr. Cycle. 
 
 Your reafon is ftrong j 
 And I'm forry, my friend, I've intruded fo long. 
 
 Mr,
 
 240 THE TWO CONNOISSEURS: 
 
 Mu. Bijou. 
 We have time enough yet — do not hurry away ! 
 
 M R. C V c L E. 
 
 It really grows late, 
 
 Mr. Bijou. 
 
 I won't prefs you to flay, 
 As at night o'er our concert you'll come to preilde.- 
 I am heartily glad all your wants are fupply'd. 
 
 M R. C y c L E. 
 Indeed, I believe you, my honcft Bijou I 
 So, till night, fare you well ! 
 
 Mr. Bijou, 
 
 My dear Cycle, adieu f 
 
 £^^ «/ A C T II. 
 
 ACT 
 
 I
 
 h COMEDY, IN RHYME. 24.1 
 
 ACT III. 
 
 S C E N E I. 
 
 Lord Seewell and Lady Harriot. 
 
 Lady Harriot. 
 TPNEAR Papa, don't betray me f — her delicate mind 
 •*-^ Would be wounded, I know, and would think me 
 
 unkind : 
 So far from allowing, what now I impart. 
 She herfelf little knows the true ftate of her heart. 
 
 Lord Seewell. 
 Believe me, my dear, I with pleafure furvey 
 The fifterly fondnefs you warmly difplay. 
 But you, who for others fo fenfiibly feel. 
 May here be the dupe of afFe£lionate zeal ; 
 And I hope you're miftaken. 
 
 Lady Harriot. 
 
 My dear Sir, obferve 1 
 You may trace her attachment in every nerve : 
 
 I i If
 
 242 THE TWO CONNOISSEURS: 
 
 If I name Mr. Beril in fome idle tale, 
 
 Poor Fanny will blufh, and as often turn pale. 
 
 In his abfence ftill more and more penfive flie grows, 
 
 Yet thinks not from whence her uneafinefs flows. 
 
 And when he returns, tho' her pleafure is meek, 
 
 Yet the glow of content may be feen on her cheek y 
 
 And her heart, as if fully confol'd by his fight, 
 
 Appears to repofe in a tranquil delight. 
 
 Dear Papa, you'll perceive, if you'll open your eyes. 
 
 That from none but herfelf fhe her love can difguife. 
 
 One other exception perhaps we may find, 
 
 As I think Mr. Beril is equally blind. 
 
 And robb'd, like herfelf, of the talent of feeing. 
 
 By that diffident love, which denies it own being. 
 
 Lord Seewell. 
 I hope this attacliment, which neither has fhewn, 
 Exifts, my good girl, in your fancy alone. 
 
 Lady Harriot. 
 Why fo, my dear Sir ? — Should it prove, as you fear,. 
 I hope, dear Papa, that you won't be fevere. 
 Confider the delicate frame of my fifter ! 
 But I know you've a heart that can never refift her, 
 
 9 
 
 If
 
 A COMEDY, IN RHYME. 243 
 
 If you once clearly fee fhe has fixt her afreclion, 
 Tho' fhe own not her wifhes for fuch a connexion ; 
 As you know that her nature's fo modeft and meek, 
 She would die from concealment before fhe would fpeak. 
 I have ftrength to encounter the croffes of life, 
 And to make my part good, as a daughter or wife : 
 But our gentle fweet Frances is ill-form'd to bear 
 The undeferv'd load of vexation and care ; 
 And therefore fhould wed, unregardful of pelf, 
 A hufband as tender and mild as herfelf. 
 
 Lord See well. 
 Your reafoning, I think, is not perfedly jufl:. 
 In the kindnefs of Beril perhaps I might truft ; 
 But the motive you urge for this union, my dear. 
 Is what, I confefs, would awaken my fear. 
 As you fay, your mild lifter fhould never be harrafs'd 
 By thofe various ills with which life is embarrafs'd, 
 I fliould guard her from all the vexations that wait 
 On a liberal mind with a narrow eftate : 
 And if Beril had thoughts of becoming my foUy 
 Had I noi more objedlions, yet this muft be one. 
 
 I i 2 Lady
 
 244 THE TWO CONNOISSEURS: 
 
 Lady Harriot. 
 ril remove it, my Lord, for indeed this is all : 
 As you think they '11 be pinch'd by an income too fmai). 
 You fhall add to their fortune, and large it will be, 
 Two thirds of the portion you've deftin'd for me» 
 
 Lo RD Seewell. 
 Dear Harriot ! I'm charm'd with thy foul, I confefs ;, 
 Thou'rt a generous girl — to a noble excefs. 
 
 Lady Harriot. 
 To that name, dear Papa, I've no title, indeed. 
 As I only give up what I never can need. 
 In your houfe all my wants will, I know, be fupply'd , 
 And if I fhould leave it, as Carelefs's bride,. 
 The liberal heir of fo large an eflate 
 Will not grieve that my fortune has funk in its weight. 
 Or fhould my fwain frown at the change in my purfe, 
 He may e'en take old Themis for better for worfe ; 
 For tho', I confefs, he has won my regard, 
 Yet the knot of my love is not twifted fo hard, 
 But 'twill flip in a moment, if ever I fee 
 That he's rather more fond of my purfe than of me. 
 
 Lo R i>
 
 A COMEDY, IN- RHYME. 245 
 
 Lord Seewell, 
 'Tis a pity, the friendly illufions of youth 
 Cannot inftantly turn into fubftance and truth. 
 Your aiFedionate fancy, my dear, is delighted 
 With the dream of beholding two perfons united. 
 Whom you fondly fuppofe only form'd for each other. 
 
 Lady Harriot. 
 I fhould like Mr. Beril, I own, for my brother, 
 Becaufe I'm convinc'd, that no mortal on earth. 
 In manners, in temper, in tafte, and in worth, 
 Is form'd fo exadly to fuit fuch a wife. 
 On their lafting attachment I'd venture my liie. 
 
 Lord Seewell, 
 Your warm heart, my good girl, your young judgment 
 
 deceives. 
 And what the firft wifhes the fecond believes. 
 Dear Harriot, to i/jis fancied match there may be 
 Many bars, which your eyes are unable to fee : 
 A miftrefs conceal'd .with a youpg little fry — 
 
 Lady Harriot. 
 Should an angel declare it, the fad I'd deny ; 
 
 I i 3 For
 
 246 THE TWO CONNOISSEURS^ 
 
 For had Beril been loaded with fuch a connedlion, 
 In his eyes I had never perceiv'd his affedion. 
 But I'll prefcntly folve any doubts of this kind, 
 As I'm foon to be told the true ftate of his mind ; 
 For Carelefs has promis'd 
 
 L O R D S E E W E L L. 
 
 O fie ! n:iy dear, fie! 
 Your intemperate zeal has now rifen too high. 
 I am really concern'd at your great indifcretion. 
 
 L A D Y H A R R I O T . 
 
 Nay ! but hear me, my Lord ! — I have dropt no exprefHon, 
 No! not one fingle hint, that could truly difcover 
 Why in fuch a refearch I commiffion'd my lover 1 
 Don't think, dear Papa, I'd my fifter betray ! — — 
 
 ■Ejiter a Servant. 
 
 Servant. 
 Mr. Beril, my Lord, fent this letter. 
 
 LordSeewell. ■ ■"■ 
 
 Stay I flay ! 
 
 Does
 
 A COMEDY, IN RHYME. 247 
 
 Does any one wait for an anfwer below ? 
 
 Servant. 
 No, my Lord, the man's gone. 
 
 Lord Seewell. 
 
 Very well ! you may go ! 
 [-Eat/V Servant. 
 Lady Harriot. 
 Should this be an offer !— 'twould give me great pleafurej 
 But I fear he's too modeft to take fuch a meafure. — 
 Dear Papa ! does he venture on any advances ? 
 
 Lord Seewell. 
 There, my dear !— you'll not find any mention of Frances 5 
 And I think by the note, which to you I refign, 
 Your conjedures are not fo well founded as mine. 
 Lady Harriot (periiftng the Letter.) 
 
 " Occafion for money." " The ftatue to you !" 
 
 I'm amaz'd — and can hardly believe it is true. 
 He never would part with fo dear a polTeflion, 
 But for fome urgent reafon. 
 
 Lor d S e e w e l l. i 
 
 You fee his confeflion : 
 
 His
 
 248 THE TWO CONNOISSEURS: 
 
 His ftrong call for money is frankly declared ; 
 And I fear his fmall fortune is greatly impair'd. 
 
 Ladv Harriot. 
 Tliefc tidings, indeed, give me real concern : 
 But the fource of this flep I will fpeedily learn. 
 Carelefs foon will be here. — I will make him difcover ; 
 And till we know all, give no peace to my lover. — 
 But now, my dear Lord, by this note you may find, 
 How the heart of my fifter is really inclin'd : 
 Tni convinc'd this will prove her aiFed:ion is ftrong. 
 Here fhe comes for the trial — pray fee if I'm wrong. 
 
 Lord Seewell. 
 Well, my dear, I will try, by an innocent plot, 
 If your fifter has really this pafhon or not. 
 
 R?2ter Lady Frances. 
 
 Lo RD Seewell. 
 Dear Fanny, you're come our concern to partake. 
 For we both are much gricv'd for our friend Beril's fake. 
 
 Lady Frances. 
 Mr. Beril ! dear Sir, — Is he hurt ?— Is he kill'd ? 
 
 LordSeewell. 
 No 1— with terrors too lively your bofom is fiU'd. 
 
 I My
 
 A COMEDY, IN RHYME. 249 
 
 My dear, how you tremble ! — But I was to blame, 
 
 To raife this alarm in your delicate frame. 
 
 He is well ; but fome crofTes of fortune, I fear, 
 
 Make him fell what he juftly confider'd fo dear. 
 
 You will fee by this letter. — ( Afide^ to Lady Harriot.) Ah, 
 
 Harriot, 'tis fo ; 
 The excefs of her fear from affedlion muft flow ! 
 
 LadyFrances. 
 How painful to him muft the exigence be. 
 Which extorts from his hand the agreement I fee ! 
 How cruel ! for him to relinquifli a treafure. 
 Whence his elegant fpirit deriv'd fo much pleafure I 
 But I truft, dear Papa, that your generous mind 
 Will not now prefs the bargain he once has declin'd ; 
 And, fcorning to profit by any diftrefs, 
 Will not catch at the gem he ftill ought to pofl*efs. 
 
 Lord Seewell. 
 My dear, can I now, what I offer'd, withhold ? 
 And fhould I, the ftatue no lefs would be fold. 
 
 LadyFrances. 
 H Perhaps, if you chofe half its value to lend, 
 
 From fo galling a fale you might refcue your friend ! 
 
 K k Lord
 
 250 THE TWO CONNOISSEURS: 
 
 Lord Seewell. 
 I am pleas'd, my dear girl, with your fpirit, I own. 
 But thcfe are bad times ior a dangerous loan ; 
 And, to tell you the truth in this knotty affair^ 
 I have juft at this crifis no money to fpare. 
 But I'll frankly explain our finances to you, 
 And you fhall inftruct me in what I fhall do.— 
 As I've feen that old fathers, tho' reckon'd moft rage,^ 
 Often injure a child by the frolicks of age, 
 That yoii may not fuffer from follies like thefe, 
 I have juft now confign'd to the care of truftees 
 All I've fav'd for you both : — fo if I prove unfteady, 
 You are fafe. — When you wed, both your fortunes are 
 ready. 
 
 Lady Frances. 
 How kind, my dear Sir, is whatever you do I 
 But no child was e'er hurt by a parent like you. 
 
 La dy Harriot. 
 I muft fmile, dear Papa, at your terrors of flipping ; 
 They who take fuch precautions are feldom found tripping* 
 But if in old age your philofophy varies, 
 I proteft I'll forgive you for any vagaries.. 
 
 Lord
 
 A COMEDY, IN RHYME. 25^1 
 
 LordSeewell. 
 Very well, Madam Harriot ! remember your word 1 
 I fhall claim your indulgence, if e'er I'm abfurd. 
 But as what I have done our loofe money fecures, 
 I no longer can touch what I've firmly made yours. 
 
 Lady Frances. 
 Let the fortune of Harriot be facred, I pray. 
 For not very diftant is her wedding-day. 
 But as / am convinc'd I fhall not wed at all, 
 Let my portion. Papa, anfwer every call : 
 I muft beg you to look on it ftill as your own ; 
 And if it may ferve for fo timely a loan, 
 It can't give me more joy, whatfoevcr my ftatlon, 
 Than by faving your friend from fuch mortification. 
 
 Lord Seewell. 
 My dear girls ! you are both the delight of my life : 
 May each warm-hearted daughter be bleft as a wife !— - 
 What I faid was but meant your kind fpirit to try, 
 For the wants of our friend I can amply fupply. 
 Of efteem it will pleafe me to give him a proof. 
 And preferve the fine ftatue flill under his roof, 
 
 K k 2 • - Enter
 
 252 THE TWO CONNOISSEURS: 
 
 Enter a Servant. 
 
 Servant. 
 Mr. Carelefs, my Lord ! 
 
 Lady Harriot. 
 
 Now the whole I {hall know. 
 
 \Going, 
 
 Lord Seewell. 
 
 Stay 
 
 
 Servant. 
 He wifhes to fee Lady Harriot below. 
 
 Lord Seewell. 
 Being equally anxious this point to difcover, 
 We will all, my dear Harriot, attend on your lover. 
 
 \Exeu7it,. 
 
 SCENE, the Apartments of Mrs. Bijou. 
 Mr. Bijou. 
 Where the deuce is my wife ? — All her rarities plac'd ! 
 Her apartments adjufted with exquifite tafte I 
 Some difafter has happen'd, or (he would be here, 
 Where fhe ought to be waiting to welcome the Peer j 
 
 And
 
 A COMEDY, IN RHYME. 253 
 
 And I fancy I heard her in anger below. 
 
 Rnter Mrs, Bijou, in great Agitation, 
 Mr. B I J o u. 
 What's the matter, my love ? 
 
 Mrs. Bijou. 
 
 O,. my dear, fuch a blow ! 
 I really had fwoon'd, if vexation and wrath 
 Had not quicken'd my fpirits, to fcold at the Goth, 
 That awkward old Joan ! — an unmannerly minx I 
 Has knock'd off the nipple, my dear, from a Sphinx ; 
 And now on our chimney it cannot be plac'd. 
 With a wound fo indelicate maim'd and difgrac'd. 
 But I've happily got thefe two Griffins of gold. 
 In the room of the Sphinxes, our candles to hold. 
 
 Mr. Bijou. 
 My dear, the exchange is moft lucky and right. 
 For a Sphinx is an awkward difpenfer of light ; 
 But whether your Griffin 's of gold or of copper^ 
 A flame from his mouth is exceedingly proper* 
 
 Mrs. Bijou. 
 By your leflbns, my love, I improve in Virtu : 
 All the gufto I have, I have gather'd from you. — 
 
 10 I have
 
 254- THE TWO CONNOISSEURS: 
 
 I have fixt the Great Mummy, my dear, to the wall, 
 
 Left the pert Lady Harriot fhould give him a fall : 
 
 She 'd be glad to throw down my old king, out of fpite ; 
 
 And I would not be vext in our triumph to-night. 
 
 I know our new picture will ftir up her gall. 
 
 And this Titian will make us the envy of all. 
 
 My dear, don't you think it looks well by this light? ^ 
 
 Mr. Bijou. f 
 
 The colours, indeed, are uncommonly bright. 
 
 Mrs. Bijou. 
 What a beautiful youth is this Jofeph ! — I fwear, 
 I am more and more charm'd with his delicate air ; 
 I delight in him more fince I've found, dear Bijou, 
 That in one of his features he's very like you. 1 
 
 M R. B I J o u. ' 
 
 Where can you, my dear, any likenefs fuppofe ? 
 
 M R s. B I J ou. 
 I proteft he has got the true turn of your nofe ; 
 Not the aquiline curve, but a little Socratic : 
 And his eye flafhes fire, that is chaftly ecftatic — :| 
 
 There's a rap at our door ! and I hope my Lord 's come, ^ 
 If vexation and envy do not ftrike him dumb, 
 
 I think 
 
 I 
 
 I
 
 A COMEDY, IN RHYME. 255 
 
 I think he '11 harangue, like a critic of Greece, 
 On the exquilite charms of this beautiful piece ! 
 I long to behold how he 's touch'd by the ficrht : 
 But I know that his envy will fink his delight. 
 The moment he fees it, he '11 think his luck cruel, 
 In miffing fo precious a cabinet jewel. 
 
 Enter Mr. Beril and Mr. Cycle. 
 Mr. Bijou. 
 Dear Cycle, I take this exceedingly kind ; 
 And I hope you've not left your Cremona behind. 
 In your prefence to-night I moft truly rejoice. 
 And fhall call for the aid of your hand and your voice, 
 (As my wife gives a fnug little concert below) 
 When you've feen what her upper apartments can fhew. 
 
 Mr. Cycle. 
 You may freely command me, my friend, as you pleafe, 
 
 Mrs. Bijou. 
 You're a judge, Mr. Beril, of treafures like thefe ; 
 And I'm eager to fhew you a Titian, that 's new 
 Since we laft had the joy of a vifit from you. 
 
 Mr. Beril. 
 The ftory is told. Ma'am, with ftriking expreffion. 
 
 Mrs. Bijou. 
 
 Don't you envy my hufband this brilliant poffeffion ? 
 
 3 I thought
 
 256 THE TWO CONNOISSEURS: 
 
 I thought you'd burft forth into rapturous praifc ; 
 But with no keen delight on this pi6lure you gaze ! 
 
 M R. B £ R I L. 
 
 To confefsj Ma'am, the truth, I'm a whimflcal being. 
 And a fubjc6l like this I've no pleafure in feeing. 
 On your lovely fex 'tis a fatire moil bitter. 
 That ill-nature may laugh at, and levity titter : 
 But I'm griev'd, when an artift has lavifh'd his care 
 On a ftory that feems a difgrace to the Fair. 
 
 Mrs. Bijou. 
 Our fex's chief luftre, I own, it obfcures : 
 But think what a lefTon it offers to yours ! 
 
 Enter Lady Harriot, Lady Frances, Lord Seewell, 
 and Mr. Carelefs. 
 M R. B I J o u. 
 My dear Lord, I this inftant was wifhing for you. 
 Your voice is decifive in points of Virtu ; 
 And you're come in the moment to end an odd ftrife, 
 In a matter of tafte about Potiphar's wife. — 
 Should her ftory be painted ? — We want your decifion j 
 And here is the pidure that caus'd our divifion. 
 
 Lord Seewell. 
 Ha ! my poor old acquaintance !— But how, dear Bijou, 
 How the deuce could this pidlure find favor with you ? 
 
 I hope
 
 A COMEDY, IN RHYME. 257 
 
 I hope that rogue Varnldi has play'd you no trick. ^ — 
 
 You have paid no great price 
 
 Mrs. Bijou. 
 
 I am cut to the quick ! 
 Sure, my Lord, you ne'er look'd on this pidlure before ? 
 
 Lord See well. 
 Dear Madam ! 'tis one that I turn'd out of door j 
 And, as I may aid you to 'fcape from a fraud, 
 I'll proceed to inform you, I bought it abroad, 
 To relieve the diftrefs of an indigent youth. 
 Who copied old Mafters u-ith fpirit and truth ; 
 And when it came home, as I valu'd it not. 
 My ftcward, by chance, this gay furniture got. 
 To a new houfe of his it has lately been carried ; 
 A.nd as your friend VarniOi his daughter has married, 
 I fuppofe the fly rogue by this pidure has try'd, 
 To encreafc the fmall fortune he gain'd with his bride. 
 Search the garment of Jofeph ! you'll find on its hem, 
 And within a dark fold, the tv/o letters T. M. 
 
 Mrs. Bijou. 
 Aye ! there is the mark !— we are cheated, we're plunder'd. 
 That infamous villain, to afk me eight hundred ! — 
 
 L i But
 
 258 THE TWO CONNOISSEURS: 
 
 But the law £hall reftore it. 
 
 Mr. Bijou. 
 
 See ! Mrs. Bijou, 
 See the fruits of my hafty indulgence to you ! 
 
 Lord Seewell. 
 Chear up, my old friend ! — 'Tis my vvifh, that this night 
 May be witncfs to nothing but peace and delight. 
 I'll engage to make Varnifh your money reflore ; 
 And perhaps this adventure may fave you much more. 
 All we old connoiffeurs, if the truth we would own, 
 Have, at times, been outwitted with canvafs or ftone : 
 But here's one, whofe example our tribe now invites 
 To corredl our miftakes, and improve our delights. 
 Here's Beril, tho' bleft with a treafure mod rare. 
 That with few works of art will admit of compare, 
 Gives up the proud joys, that on fuch wealth attend. 
 For the nobler delight of aflifting a friend I 
 
 Mr. Beril. 
 My Lord ! you amaze me ; how could you divine ? — 
 O, Carelefs ! your zeal has betray'd my defign. 
 
 Lord Seewell. 
 You have fixt on the traitor, yet are not aware, 
 That you're almoft involv'd in a dangerous fiiare : 
 
 2 But
 
 A COMEDY, IN RHYME. 259 
 
 But I'll fhew you this traitor's accomplice, my friend, 
 And tell you what mifchief thefe plotters intend. 
 You muft know, Tom and Harriot in concert purfue 
 Their dark machinations 'gainft Frances and you : 
 They have fworn you've a tender efteem for each other, 
 Which you both have in modefty labour'd to fmother. 
 If their charge can be prov'd, I your freedom reftrain, 
 And fentence you both to the conjugal chain. 
 
 Mr. B e r I l. 
 O, my Lord ! that I love Lady Frances, is true ; 
 Yet I could not avow it to her, or to you : 
 But to force my confeflion, fuch means you employ, 
 I almoft may call them the torture of joy. 
 I'm o'erwhelm'd with furprize, with delight, and with 
 
 dread, 
 Left I falfely have heard the kind things you have faid. 
 Speak ! my dear Lady Frances, my anguifli relieve ! 
 Does this tumult of hope my wild fancy deceive ? 
 
 Lady Frances. 
 I fo long have my father's indulgence confeft, 
 That againft his decrees I fhall never proteft. 
 
 L 1 2 Mr.
 
 26o THE TWO CONNOISSEURS r 
 
 Mr. Be R I L. 
 O, how iliall I thank thee, dear pride of my life ! 
 
 Lord S e e w e l l. 
 By chcrifhing flill in the mind of your wife, 
 Such generous feelings as you have difplay'd. — 
 From my hand, my dear Beril, receive the kind maid ! 
 Your ftatue is not more indebted to art, 
 Than (he is to nature for molding her heart. 
 They both iTiall be yours ; both the ftatue and bride ! 
 And the wants of your friend fhall no Icfs be fupply'd. — 
 Beino- free from one modifli and wealth-wafting vice, 
 From thofe pcfts of our order, the turf and the dice, 
 I enjoy, my dear children, the fortunate power. 
 Of fecuring your blifs by an affluent dower. 
 Your quiet Ihall ne'er by your income be hurt, 
 Which fnall equal your wifli, tho' below your defert.. 
 
 Mr. Beril. 
 Of your kindnefs, my Lord, I fo feel the excefs, 
 That my voice cannot fpeak what my heart would 
 
 exprefs. 
 
 M R..'
 
 A COMEDY, IN RHYME. 26* 
 
 Mr. Bijou. 
 I am charm'dj my dear Lord, by your choice of a fan. 
 
 Lord See well. 
 I know, my old friend, you'll approve what I've done. 
 You and I, dear Bijou, wanting proper corredion, 
 Have on vanity lavifli'd the dues of affedion. 
 We have both fquandcr'd caOi on too many a whim ; 
 But in tafte let us take a new lefTon from him I 
 And rate our improvements in real Virtu, 
 By the generous ads he may teach us to do ! 
 To remember this truth is the connoifleur's duty ;. 
 " A benevolent deed is the elTence of beauty. "^ 
 
 Mr. Bijou. 
 I confefs, I too oft have been vanity's fool ; 
 But fhall hope to grow wife, my good Lord, in your 
 
 fchooL 
 And, as mirth fhould be coupled with wifdom, Til go 
 And fee it the fiddles are ready below. ^ [ExU.. 
 
 Lord See well. 
 To-night, my dear Madam, you mufl not look grave 3, 
 Tho' Varnifh has prov'd fuch an impudent knave, 
 
 I I promife
 
 262 THE TWO CONNOISSEURS^ 
 
 I promife to make him your money refund. 
 
 Mrs. Bijou. 
 With furprize and vexation I ahuoft was flunn'd ; 
 But depending, my Lord, on your friendly afliftance, 
 I am ready to drive all chagrin to a diftance, 
 And to fhare in the joy of our dear happy guefts. 
 
 Mr. B e r r l. 
 What I owe to you, Carelefs, this fair one dttefts : 
 And our fifter, I hope, if I dare ufe the name, 
 From your friendfhip will judge of your love's ardent 
 
 flame, 
 And, fhort'ning your rigorous term of probation. 
 Now fill your kind heart with complete exultation. 
 
 LadyHarriot. 
 The warm blaze of our joy, I afTure you, dear brother, 
 With the cold damp of prudery I will not fmother. 
 Your friend has for you play'd fo feeling a part, 
 I confefs, I am charm'd Vv^ith his fpirit and heart. 
 As in law and long courtfliip he likes not to drudge, 
 I will make him at once my comptroller and judge. i 
 
 Careless.
 
 A COMEDY, IN RHYME. 263 
 
 Careless. 
 I with tranfport and pride the dear office embrace ! 
 
 Lord Seewell. 
 And long may you fill it with fpirit and grace ! — 
 My voice, my dear Carelefs, confirms her eledlion ; 
 And I give her with joy to your tender direction. 
 For fealing, dear Tom, you may fix your own day, 
 Without dreading from law any irkfome delay. 
 As your father and I have, with friendly advances, 
 Already adjufted your nuptial finances. 
 
 Mr. Bijou (entering ) 
 Our muficians below are all ready, my Lord : 
 Of pleafure you teach us to touch the true chord. 
 I've feleded a few little pieces to-night, 
 That are fuited, I hope, to the prefent delight. — 
 May we all think this day the beft day of our life ! 
 It will prove fo, I'm fure, both to me and my wife. 
 If a bargain Ihould tempt us, we will not be rafh, 
 But remember the Titian, and pocket our cafii. 
 To Friendfhip and Want all we can we will give, 
 And buy no more baubles as long as we live. 

 
 LORD RUSSEL; 
 
 A TRAGEDY, 
 
 OF THREE ACTS, 
 
 M m
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 1H A V E endeavoured to delineate, in the following 
 Drama, an exad: portrait of the noble Perfonage, 
 whofe name it bears ; as I believe, that a more eneao-ino- 
 model of public and private virtue can hardly b= felecled 
 from the annals of any nation : although the extreme mild- 
 nefs of his temper, the fimplicity of his manners, and, 
 above all, his unaffeded piety, are fuch qualities, as are 
 very rarely admitted in the formation of a Tragic Hero. 
 
 To render my performance interefting to my country, 
 I have adhered as clofely to our hiftory, as the nature of 
 dramatic compofition allowed me to do ; and in points 
 where I have varied from hiftorical truth, fuch variations 
 are, I truft, fupported by dramatic probability. 
 
 In the fpirited and judicious introdudion to the lately- 
 publiflied letters of Lady Ruflel, the teftimony of dif- 
 ferent Hiftorians is colledcd concerning the fentiments 
 of Charles the Second and his brother, on the impending 
 fate of Lord Ruflel. 
 
 M m 2 " 111
 
 [ 268 ] 
 
 *' In tlie Duke of Monmouth's Journal, it is faid,. 
 " that the King told him, he inclined to have favcd the 
 ** Lord RulTcl, but was forced to confent to his death, 
 " otherwife he muft have broke with his brother the 
 " Duke of York." Kennet. 
 
 The fentence juft quoted, is, I hope, a fufficicnt foun- 
 dation for the condudt which I have afTigned to Charles ; 
 whofe charadler indeed was fuch, that fidtion can hardly 
 impute to him any inftance of irrefolution, duplicity, and 
 falfehood, which the tenor of his life will not bring with- 
 in the limits of theatrical credibility. 
 
 The candid reader will readily allow the liberty I have 
 taken, in laying the fcene in the Tower, after Ruffel's 
 condemnation j as it affords many advantages to the con- 
 dud of the play. 
 
 In compliance with that refpedl, which dramatic au- 
 thors have lately paid to the Clerical charafter, I have 
 not introduced either Tillotfon or Burnet among the per-r 
 fons of the drama, though the latter was fo conftant an 
 ^ittendant on the captivity of my Hero; an omiflion 
 which I have in fome degree fupplied, by the introduc- 
 tion of Mr. Spencer ; a character drawn from the printed 
 
 7 trial
 
 [ 269 ] 
 
 trial of Lord RufTel, where the name of that gentleman 
 appears in the lift of thofe, who gave an honourable evi- 
 dence in behalf of the noble prifoner. 
 
 I have many obligations to the journal written by 
 Burnet, at the requeft of Lady Ruffel, which contains all 
 the minute circumftances that occurred, during the im- 
 prifonment, and at the execution of her Lord. This 
 very interefting and pathetic narrative is printed in the 
 General Didionary, under the article Ruffel. I have not 
 only taken from it many of the fentiments, which I have 
 afligned to him in this Tragedy, but I have fometimes 
 adopted the very words, that were really uttered by Lord 
 Ruffel ; and this I have done, not only from an affedlion- 
 ate admiration of his character, but from a defpair of 
 furpaffnig the elegant fimplicity, and the force of his ex- 
 preflion. 
 
 The offer relating to his efcape, fo generoufly made, 
 and fo nobly refufed, is a fa6t univerfally known, and 
 muft render the names of Cavendifh and Ruffel an honour 
 to our country, as long as magnanimity and friendfhip 
 retain their juft value in the eftimation of mankind. 
 
 Perfons
 
 Perfons of the Drama. 
 
 KING CHARLES THE SECOND, 
 
 JAMES DUKE OF YORK, 
 
 EARL OF BEDFORD, 
 
 LORD RUSSEL, 
 
 LORD CAVENDISH, 
 
 MR. SPENCER, 
 
 LIEUTENANT OF THE TOWER. 
 
 LADY RUSSEL, 
 
 LADY MARGARET RUSSEL. 
 
 Officers, &'c. 
 
 SCENE, during the jirfl AB, in Bedford House, 
 and afterwards in the Tower.
 
 LORD RUSSEL. 
 
 I. 
 
 SCENE L 
 
 Bedford a72d Lady Margaret RufleL 
 
 Lady Margaret. 
 
 REST here, my gentle Father ! nor again 
 Expofe your wearied age and wafted fpirits. 
 To fcenes of fuch dread influence to fhake 
 Each fibre of a heart that feels like yours! — 
 I pray you reft with me ! 
 
 Bedford. 
 
 My tender child I 
 Thanks to thy filial aid 1 my ftrength returns, 
 
 * 
 
 And my reviving foul has gather'd force 
 
 lo
 
 272 LORD RU-SSEL: 
 
 To bear the killing fight. — 'Tis true, when firft 
 
 I faw my mild and unoffending fon, 
 
 Pride of my age I and England's dear refource 
 
 In thcfe difaftrous days ! when I beheld 
 
 My blamelefs Ruffel at that bar arraign'd. 
 
 Where only guilt and infamy fliould fland ; 
 
 When I beheld eaeh fervile judge fupport 
 
 A lawlels jury bafely fram'd againft him. 
 
 Indignant anguifh robb'd my wounded heart 
 
 Of vital energy : quick from the court 
 
 My hafty .friends hurried my fenfelefs frame, 
 
 To this our quiet home : but fince, my daughter, 
 
 Thy kind endearing cares have now reflor'd me, 
 
 I will refume my ftation by thy brother, 
 
 In thefe diftrefstul moments : — to his fide 
 
 Affedion calls me, and paternal duty. 
 
 Lady Margaret. 
 Forgive me, that I dare to thwart your wifh, 
 But from my generous brother I've receiv'd 
 A kind injunction to detain your age 
 From that afflidting fcene. He has engag'd 
 To tell us, by repeated meffengers, 
 
 Each
 
 A TRAGEDY. 273 
 
 Each petty circumftance that pafTes there. 
 Already from the number of his friends 
 He has felefted one to bring us tidings : 
 His faithful Spencer comes. 
 
 Enter Spencer. 
 
 Bedford. 
 
 What from my Son ? — 
 The fentence is not pafs'd ! 
 
 Spencer. 
 
 No, my dear lord. 
 England is yet unfullied with the (lain 
 That muft difgrace her, if the fword of Juftice 
 Turns to the murderous dagger of Revenge, 
 To ftab your virtuous fon. — By his requeft 
 I come to foothe your anxious fufFerings, 
 And to relate the procefs of a fcene, 
 Where he conjures you to appear no more. 
 
 Bedford. 
 What perjur'd flaves have they fuborn'd againft him ? 
 How far has truth been wrong'd, and law been tortur'd, 
 To frame thofe fnares of legal death, in which 
 
 N n They
 
 274 L O R D R U S S E L : 
 
 They labor to involve incautious virtue? 
 Have they not dealt mofl: hardly with my (on ? 
 
 Spencer. 
 He has experienc'd fubtle cruelty 
 From venal ruffians in the robes of juftice ; 
 But the bafe wrong his patient worth endures, 
 Is the dark foil which gives the diamond luftre. 
 When he requefted aid for his defence. 
 His keen infidious foes, who ftrongly fear'd 
 Some upright advocate might fave their vidim, 
 Enjoin'd him to employ a fervant's hand. 
 There rofe indeed a fervant at his fide, 
 Moft eager for the tafk ; but O ! what words 
 Can fpeak the fond furprize, and thrilling anguifK, 
 Which fhook the bofom of each fad fpedator, 
 Who in that fervant faw his lovely wife ? 
 The crowd, with eyes bedimm'd by ftarting tears 
 Of tendereft admiration, gaz'd upon her, 
 And murmur'd kindeft prayers, as they beheld 
 Connubial love, in that angelic form. 
 Thus firmly yielding unexpeded fuccour 
 To virtue ftruggling in oppreflion's toils, 
 
 Bedford.
 
 A TRAGEDY. 275 
 
 Bedford. 
 Moft excellent of women ! worthy offspring 
 Of my departed friend, the good Southampton ! 
 If Tyranny prevails againfl: thy hufband, 
 How fhall the wretched Bedford's feeble age 
 Support thy widow'd heart? I can 'no more 
 Than in ftridl fellowfhip of bittereft forrow 
 Echo thy groans, and mourn our mutual lofs. 
 
 Lady Margaret. 
 Do not, dear father, do not yield fo foon 
 To conafortlefs defpair I — we yet may hope 
 The radiant probity of Ruffel's life 
 Will diflipate each dark and dangerous cloud 
 That perjur'd Calumny can raife around him. 
 Remember all the candor of his mind ! 
 Think how his temperate virtues have been prais'd 
 By Envy's felf 1 how to the gaze of youth 
 His condudl has been held up as a book, 
 In which all Englifh eyes may read their duty, 
 And learn the faireft path to fpotlefs honour, 
 
 Spencer. 
 If abjed: lawyew, and a venal jury, 
 
 N n 2 Should
 
 276 L O R D R U S S E L:^ 
 
 Should violate the fandlity of jiifticc 
 By RuiTd's condemnation, ftill his merits 
 Are grav'd fo deeply on the Nation's bread, 
 He ftands fo firm the idol of her love, 
 Oppreflion's felf will fear to execute 
 The fentence of the proftituted lav/ 
 Againft a life fo priz'd. 
 
 Bedford. 
 
 Alas ! my friend, 
 When did a tyrant, like vindictive York, 
 (For 'tis the Duke who thirds for RufTel's blood) 
 When did a fpirit of that fallen temper, 
 Impell'd by rancorous hate, by bigot rage. 
 And abjedl terror, when did fuch a fpirit 
 Refped: the virtue. Nature made its foe. 
 And treacherous Fortune gave it power to crufh ? 
 But tell me of the fcene from whence you come ! 
 Say ! what has been alledg'd againft my fon ? 
 I have been told the fierce and fubtle Jefferies, 
 The Duke's bafe agent in this bldody budnefs, 
 Relies upon the evidence of Howard, 
 As the fure inftrument of RufTel's death : 
 
 Unprincipled
 
 A TRAGEDY. 277 
 
 Unprincipled he is, and prone to utter 
 What intereft and fear may bid him fwear. 
 What has he laid ? or is he yet unfiimmon'd ? 
 
 Spencer. 
 Before I left your fon, the faithlefs Howard 
 Began his artful tale ; but foon he falter'd, 
 With feign'd afBidion of a dread event, 
 Which fuddenly was rumour'd through the court, 
 And ftruck the throng'd affembly with fuch wonder, 
 Malice ftood mute, and Perfecution paus'd. 
 Frefli from the Tower the tidings came, that EiTex, 
 From terrors of that bar, where Ruffel flood, 
 Had with raih violence rufli'd out of life. 
 And ftain'd his defperate hands in his own blood. 
 
 Bedford. 
 It cannot be ! the firm, the gallant Effex 
 Could never end his being fo ignobly ; 
 And in the moment, when his generous foul 
 Felt only for his friend ; his Ruirel's life 
 Yet wavering in the balance. 
 
 Sp E N C E K. 
 
 Such, my lord,. 
 
 Such.
 
 278 L O R D R U S S E L: 
 
 Such is the comment of all honcft hearts 
 
 On this dark ftory. — Heaven reveal the murder, 
 
 And puni{h it, though in th' afTaflin's veins 
 
 The tainted ilream of royal blood may flow ! — 
 
 Soon as the rumour reach'd your fon, he bade me 
 
 Attempt to penetrate this dark tranfadlion, 
 
 And bring you the refult of all I heard ; 
 
 Adding, that in the inftant of his doom, 
 
 He would difpatch to you the noble Cavendifh 
 
 With tidings of his fcntence. 
 
 Bedford, 
 
 Ah ! my friend, 
 The fatal word, that ends his blefTed life. 
 Has rung already in my tortur'd ear ; 
 For I have feen the venal band fuborn'd 
 To purchafe, by the facrifice of truth. 
 The blood of her mild champion. There's his guilt, 
 'Tis that his pure and patriotic zeal, 
 Guiding the voice of an enlighten'd fenate, 
 Has labor'd to preferve the throne of England 
 From that blood-thirfty bigot, at whofe feet 
 
 Her laws now lie, in hafty profhitution, 
 
 2 Slaves
 
 A T R A G E D Y. 279 
 
 Slaves to a tyrant yet uncrown'd ; converted 
 From facred guards of flander'd innocence, 
 Into bafe engines of vindictive murder. 
 
 Lady Margaret. 
 Alas ! my father, thou haft judg'd too well : 
 Thy dreadful prefage is too foon confirm'd : 
 Behold the zealous Cavendifh ! he comes 
 With no quick ftep of joyous exultation; 
 But in his agitated gefture fhev/s 
 A fettled forrow, ^nd a fierce defpair 
 
 Eftter Cavendish. 
 
 I come, my lord, the wretched meffenger 
 
 Of that accurft event,, which my weak judgment, 
 
 Not reaching the extent of human bafenefs, 
 
 Had haftily pronounc'd beyond the line 
 
 Of poflible injuftice. All the crimes. 
 
 That coward Tyranny can wifh committed, 
 
 Shall now have credit. — RufTel is condemn'd* 
 
 Lady Margaret.. 
 O mockery of juftice! — Righteous Heaven! 
 Yet interpofe to fave him 1 
 
 Bedford,
 
 28o LORDRUSSEL: 
 
 Bedford. 
 
 My kind friend, 
 Thou but relatefl: what a father's eye 
 Forefavv too clearly, when I vievv'd the jury. 
 So juftly challeng'd by my innocent fon, 
 Marfhall'd without the warrantry of law 
 To enfnare his life. 
 
 Cavendish. 
 Eternal infamy 
 Fall on the bafe affaffins ! chiefly fall 
 On thofe fuperior miniflers of evil. 
 The treacherous guardians of our trampled laws, 
 Who in the robes of Heaven's high delegates 
 Perform the work of hell ! from proftrate Juftice 
 Wreft her pure fword, to ftain it with the blood 
 Of her moft faithful votary ! 
 
 Lady Margaret. 
 Yet try, 
 Try, my dear father, ere it prove too late. 
 By urgent interceflions to preferve him ! 
 Your friends are many, and, howc'er inflam'd 
 By the vile arts of fanguinary York, 
 
 I 
 
 The
 
 A TRAGEDY. sSt 
 
 The king has ftill a tendcrnefs of heart, 
 That may incline to fpare my gentle brother. 
 
 Bedford. 
 Alas ! my daughter, cherifli not too much 
 A hope, vvhofe cruel failure will impart 
 New poignancy to thy too keen afflidion ! 
 All the mild virtues, which to thy pure kn[\: 
 Plead for thy brother^s fafety, in the ear 
 Of envious Hate and terrified Oppreflion 
 Cry loudly for his death. 
 
 Cavendish. 
 
 He {hall not die. 
 What! though the blood-hound Jefferles has faften'd 
 His fangs upon him ! though the barbarous judges 
 Would make the temple of infulted Law 
 The flaugliter-'iioufe of Tyranny ! — there yet 
 Are means to turn the fliarpen'd axe afide, 
 And fhield the life of their devoted vidim* 
 
 ioa Y 
 
 l3 E D F O R D. 
 
 TVhat would thy dauntlefs zeal ? 
 
 C A V E N D I S H. 
 
 Your gentle fon 
 Oo Has
 
 282 L O R D R U S S E L: 
 
 Has fuch juft credit with this injur'd nation, 
 
 For public virtue, and deiigns exempt 
 
 From every fclhfh bias of the foul, 
 
 Thoufands would throw into extremeft: hazard 
 
 Their fortunes, and their being, to preferve 
 
 The dying martyr of defcncelefs freedom. 
 
 I hold it eafy, in the very hour 
 
 Oppreilion means to triumph in his blood. 
 
 With fome feleded horfemen to o'erpower 
 
 The flaves who guard him, ere they reach the fcafFoldj, 
 
 And bear him fwiftly to a fafe retreat. 
 
 Applauding millions will aflifl his refcue, 
 
 And blefs the efforts of his brave deliverers !: 
 
 Bedford. 
 No! Cavendiili! by friendfhip's holy ties, 
 That prompt thy generous purpofe, I conjure thee 
 To think of it no farther. 
 
 Cavendish. 
 
 What ! my Lord,, 
 Shall wc look tamely on, and by connivance 
 Be made a party in this legal murder ? 
 
 Bedford, 
 
 i
 
 A T R A G E D Y. 283 
 
 Bedford. 
 
 Dear ardent friend ! thefe are difaftrous times, 
 And this is one of them, when all the fundions 
 True courage is allow'd to excrcife, 
 Are refignation and a brave endurance. 
 My word is given to thy kind thoughtful friend, 
 To check all defperate fallies of afflidion, 
 All, that the fond intemperance of love 
 Could hazard for his fafety. 
 
 Cavendish. 
 
 Generous Ruflel ! 
 By Heaven 'tis happier far to fhare thy death, 
 Than live, to fee our wretched country robb'd * 
 
 Of all her hopes in thy unequalFd virtue. 
 
 Bedford. 
 To me much happier ! — to a father's heart 
 It would be confolation and delight 
 To perifh with his child ; but there are duties 
 More painful to fuftain than the fhort ftruggle 
 That ends our mortal beino; : — and to us 
 
 Thefe duties now belong — let us remember 
 The truft that he bequeaths ! — his wife ! his children f 
 
 O o 2 'Tis
 
 284 LORD RUSSE Lr. 
 
 "lis ours to live for them. Remember too 
 His noble anfwer to the princely Monmouth* 
 OfFcrIng to fliare his prilon and his fate ! 
 Did lie not lay, it would embitter death 
 To have his friends die with him ? 
 
 G A V ;■ N D I S I}f 
 
 O my' Lord F 
 Your forrow is of pure and heavenly temper ; 
 Mine the fierce anguidi of indignant frenzy i 
 Pray pardon it ! 
 
 Be d f o r d. 
 Pardon thee j ;. gallant. fpirit f 
 Thou brightexample, of exalted fricndfliip ! 
 Thou haft my love, my fon4eft^^dmiration ; 
 In my juft heart thou rankeftwitk my children. 
 And art the pillar, now. -my Ruftel falls, 
 'lliat my weak age muft- cling to for-fupport.. ; • 
 
 Cavendish. 
 In duty, my dear Lord, thoughnot in merit,- 
 You may account me your's : and pitying Heaven 
 May yet, in mercy to a nation's prayers, 
 Spre to your virtuous age your worthier fon : 
 
 I cannot
 
 A TRAGEDY. 285 
 
 I cannot bend my fplrit to admit 
 
 His fate inevitable : gracious Powers ! 
 
 Who watch o'er fuffering virtue, who infpire 
 
 The profperous deeds of chance-defying fricndniii>, 
 
 AfTifl my lab'ring and diftracled brain, 
 
 Whofe faculties are on the rack to find 
 
 Expedients to preferve our country's pride, 
 
 The friend and champion of her faith and freedom. 
 
 From the bafe ftroke of tyrannous revenge ! 
 
 Bedford. 
 Vain are thofe anxious thoughts : the vigilant eye 
 Of keen Oppreilion will fecure her victim. 
 The nervelefs arm of childhood could as foon .: ]£ 
 
 Wrefl from the tiger's gripe his bleeding prey, ' ; 
 
 As we by violence deliver Rufl'el 
 From the vindidlive York. 
 
 Cavendish (after a paufe), 
 
 I thank thee, Heaven \ 
 I The bright idea is, I feel, from thee : 
 And it has chas'd the darknefs of defpair 
 From my o'erclouded mind, 
 
 Bedford.
 
 i 
 
 156 L O R D Ps. U S S E L: 
 
 Bedford. J 
 
 What means thy iu dour ? 
 Cavendish. 
 Good angels have fuggefted to my foul 
 A projed yet to fave him. 
 
 Bedford. 
 
 Name it ! name it I 
 Cavendish. ^ 
 
 Your pardon, my dear lord ! — accept alone 
 This firm aflurance, that my new defign 
 Has nought of rafh exertion to involve 
 A fingle life in danger ! or if one, 
 It muft be mine alone ; and in this crifis, 
 How gladly fhall I yield my life for his, 
 And die triumphant in the bleft exchange ! [Exii, 
 
 Lady Margaret, 
 Brave Cavendifh ! — He's gone — Ye faints of heaven j 
 If friendfhip, like your own, deferves your care, 
 Go ever with him, and from all the perils, 
 That wait the noble felf-negledling fpirit, 
 Proted him ! and affift his c;odlike aim ! 
 
 1 Preferve
 
 A T R A G E D Y. 287 
 
 Preferve this matchlefs pair of gallant friends, 
 And let them fliine the ornament of earth ! 
 
 Bedford. 
 Thou pray'ft in vain, dear child ! — this dauntlefs friend, 
 Tranfcendent as he is in truth and honour, 
 Can nought avail us : he muft prove the dupe 
 Of ardent paflions and of fanguine virtue. 
 If there's, a ray of glimmering hope, that yet 
 May faintly lead us through this night of horror, 
 It cannot rife from any bright endowments 
 In thofe we love, but rather from the vice. 
 The abjedl vice, that glares in our opprefTors. 
 Our tyrants are neceffitous, and thirft 
 For gold, as keenly as for innocent blood. 
 Kind fortune, haply for this great emergence, 
 Has made me mafter of no common wealth ; 
 And this, with lucky art diflributed 
 Among the needy minions of the king,. 
 May purchafe ftill our Ruflel's forfeit life.— ^ 
 Come ! my dear child, retire we to confult 
 On this our fole. refource ! Thou will not fcriiple 
 To meet, and to embrace a noble poverty. 
 If thy loft portion can redeem thy brother ! 
 
 Lady
 
 288 L O R 1) R U S S E L: 
 
 Lady Margaret. 
 Blcjfl: be tliy happieft thought, my tender father 1 
 All Avealth, all good is centcr'd in his fafety ; 
 And, witnefs Heaven t my heart would freely bear 
 All the loath'd hardfhips of the houfelcfs vagrant. 
 And think them bleflings, if they aught cond«c'd 
 To refcue Rufl'el from a traitor's -death. 
 
 End of h Q T J. 
 
 A 
 
 T 
 
 IL 
 
 SCENE I. 
 
 Lord and Lady Ruffel in Prilln. 
 A 'Table with Papers^ Pen^ and hih. 
 
 L A D y R U S S E L. 
 
 "\ yr U S T I iritreat in vain ?— Alas ! my Ruffel, 
 X V JL Where is thy fvveet compliancy of foul, 
 That made, till now, thy Rachel's voice a ftranger 
 To rude and irkfome importunity ? 
 
 2 
 
 9 as
 
 A T R A G E D Y. 2S9 
 
 Has lite fo little to engage thy wifhes 
 Thou wilt not afk to live ? 
 
 R u s S E L. 
 
 Canfl: thou, my love, 
 By fo unkind a queftion canft thou give 
 Such hard conftriidion to thy Ruflel's thoughts? 
 Where is there one inhabitant of earth, 
 If not thy hufband, who has every caufe 
 To cheriili his exiftence ? — Gracious Power ! 
 Whofe wifdom regulates the lot of mortals, 
 I feel, and with devouteft gratitude 
 Blefs thee for fignal bounties to thy fervant, 
 But moft for this, thy beft and dearefl gift. 
 This lovely virtuous woman ; whom to part with 
 Is now my hardeft trial : but from thee, 
 Dread Arbiter of every human fcene ! 
 (However ftrange to man's contracted fenfe) 
 This trial comes ; O ftrengthen us to bear it 
 With tender fortitude and meek obedience ! 
 
 Lady Russel. - 
 It is our duty ftill, and Heaven enjoins it, 
 To make all blamelefs efforts to preferve 
 
 P P A life
 
 290 LORD RUSSEL: 
 
 A life fo precious : if thy rigid honor, 
 In pity both to me and to thy children, 
 Will ftoop to write one line of fupplication 
 To the all-powerful York, he will obtain 
 Thy inftant pardon from the pliant king, 
 
 R u s s E L. 
 Thou knoweft not th' inexorable hate 
 Of that blood-thirfty fpirit. — It has pleas'd 
 The author of my life to let the rage 
 Of ruthlefs bigotry prevail againfl it : 
 A band of venal or mifguided men 
 Have doom'd me to the fcaffold, on the plea 
 That I have plotted to deftroy my fovereign, 
 Though Heaven and thou., who knoweft ail my foulj 
 See the bafe falfhood of the bloody charge : 
 But to the voice of Law, however tortur'd, 
 I owe a prompt obedience ; nought remains 
 But that I meet the flroke of flern Opprefliou; 
 As fuits the votary of Public Virtue. 
 I muft not fully, by a bafe fubmiflion,, 
 A name yet fpotlefs, the fole legacy 
 It is allow'd me to bequeath my children.. 
 
 7 Lady
 
 A TRAGEDY. 291 
 
 Lady Russel. 
 Dear as I hold thy life, which is in truth 
 My only anchor in this fea of troubles. 
 Believe me, Ruffel, I would rather yield, 
 Without a ftruggle yield that precious life 
 To Perfecution's ftroke, rather than lead, 
 If aught could lead, thy clear and refolute virtue 
 To one bafe adl of weaknefs and diihonour. 
 
 Russel. 
 Alas ! my love, the cloud of thy affliction 
 Has dimm'd thy quick difcernment ; but the paper. 
 Which thy fond care now urges me to write, 
 Would darken all the ftory of my life : 
 I muft not) in that ftory's clofing leaf, 
 Where Fortitude fhould fix the feal of Honor, 
 Mar the fair record with a fearful blot. 
 
 Lady Russel. 
 Dear Ruffel ! exercife thy purer judgment j 
 Thefe arc not fcruples of thy manly reafon, 
 But niceties of proud fantaftic honor. 
 Of honor jealous to a vain excefs. 
 How can the meafure, that my love folicits, ■ 
 
 P p 2 Involve
 
 202 L O R D R U S S E L: 
 
 Involve thcc in difgrace ? Without abafement, 
 Can injur'd Innocence not fay to Power, 
 Give nic the life, of which Iniquity 
 Has made thy voice the arbiter ? 
 
 R u s s E L, 
 
 Thou knovveft, 
 Dear inmate of my fecret foul 1 kind prompter 
 Of my beft thoughts ! it has been long the aim 
 Of my paft life to win my country's love ; 
 Not by the popular arts of vain ambition, 
 (Which Nature never form'd me to poffefs) 
 But by incefTant vigilance to fliield 
 Our faith and freedom, bv an ardent wifh 
 To prove that patriot virtue, (the ftale jeft 
 Of fervile fpirits, as an empty name) 
 Is an exifting vigorous principle 
 In minds of Englifli temper. I have fail'd 
 In the prime object that my foul purfucd, 
 To (ave our pure reli^on and our laws 
 From Bigotry's encroachment ; and I lofe 
 My life, endanger'd by that noble conflidl : 
 But I have gained, and let me ftill preferve it! 
 
 The
 
 A T R A G E D Y. 293 
 
 The kind efteem of this enlighten'd nation : 
 
 This I muft forfeit, forfeit all the praife 
 
 And influence of no inglorious life, 
 
 If I become an abjecSl fuppliant 
 
 To that fierce zealot, from whofe iron rod 
 
 I ftrove to flicker this devoted land. 
 
 Lady Russel. 
 No, RuflTel ; the corrupted lips of Fadion 
 Are, prone to evil : but the voice of ages. 
 The fentence of the world, is firmly juft ; 
 And by that fentence thou art fure to ftand 
 High on the lift of thofe bright characters 
 Immortaliz'd with pure idolatry 
 By Truth and Freedom ; men whofe very name 
 Is fweeteft mufic to the ear of Nature. 
 If in a future age, when we are duft. 
 Thy virtues can be queftion'd, it muft be 
 By fycophants, who, flattering royalty. 
 With flanderous furmifes would degrade 
 Each juft antagonift of lawlefs power ; 
 Or by thofe yet more abjed: enemies, 
 Thofe fceptics of a cold farcaftic fpirit, 
 
 Who,
 
 294 LORDRUSSRL: 
 
 Who, judging fr6m their own contradled hearts, 
 Pofiefs no confidence in human virtue. 
 
 R u s s- E L. 
 Affedlion over-rates thy RiiJTel's merit : 
 But let this fond opinion of his fame 
 Preclude thy vain requefi, which, being granted, 
 Would but afflid: thy love. Confidcr well 
 How it would wound thy generous pride, to hear 
 Thy lord had ftain'd the life thou deem'ft fo. glorious.. 
 By an ignoble eagernefs to live. 
 
 Lady Russel. 
 Believe me, Rullel, it would wound me more 
 To think that, deaf to all my jufi: entreaties, 
 My hufband, carelefs of his orphan children, 
 With fullen dignity threw life avyay. 
 Rather than ftoop to fue for the remifiion 
 Of his unrig-hteous doom. 
 
 Russel. 
 
 Alas^! my love. 
 Should I implicitly purfue the didatcs 
 Of all thy fond folicitude, f^jch condu<5l 
 
 Would
 
 A T R A G E D Y. 29 
 
 Would but provoke the infult of our foes, 
 And could avail thee nothing. 
 
 Lady Russel, 
 
 Yes, my Ruflel, 
 Should the relentlefs York rejedl thy prayer, 
 In thofe fad years of bitternefs and anguifh, 
 When, if the will of Heaven is fix'd to part us, 
 My vvidow'd foul, with unabating forrow, 
 Mufl dwell upon thy image, and for ever 
 Repafs in thought thefe agonizing fcenes. 
 It will afford me then a faint relief,' 
 To think my arrive love, in this diftrefs. 
 Omitted nothing, that had duty's fandion. 
 To fnatch thee from the fcaffold. 
 
 Russel. 
 
 Lovely fuppliant ! 
 Thy virtuous tendernefs has melted me ; 
 And, though I could not purchafe it by guilt. 
 Thy peace is dearer to my heart than glorjr. 
 Thou fhalt not fay thy Ruffel e'er refus'd 
 One prayer of thine : — give me again the pen 
 My. weak difdain rejedled. [-^^^^ wrius. 
 
 Lady
 
 296 LORD R U S S E L : 
 
 L A D V R U S S E L. 
 
 Blefs thy kindnefs ! 
 Blefs thy prevailing love ! for I perceive 
 How hardly it has ftruggled, to obtain 
 This triumph over brave indignant pride, 
 Abhorrino; e'en the fhadow of difgrace. — 
 O thou all-powerful Spirit ! who canft make 
 The meanefl: implements of mortal ufe 
 Thy minifters of falety or deftrudlion ; 
 Grant that this love-direded pen may prove 
 An inftrumcnt of gracious prefervation ! 
 Guide thou my RufTel's hand ! — into this paper 
 Pour words of heavenly potency to change 
 The bloody wifh of blinded Superftition, 
 And melt vindidlive Rancour into mercy ! 
 
 Rjitcr Spencer. 
 
 Lady Russel. 
 Kind Spencer ! opportunely art thou come 
 To chear my Ruflel's folitary hour. 
 While my keen hopes to win by fupplication, 
 
 3 
 
 From
 
 A T R A G E D y. 297 
 
 Frcmi potent York, the pardon of my Lord, 
 
 Force me to leave him. 
 
 Spencer. 
 
 Ill befall the heart 
 I'hat melts not at the voice of fuch a fuppliant 1 
 
 R U S S E L. 
 
 Good Spencer ! thanks to that unwearied zeal 
 
 Which makes thee frequent in thy welcome vifits ^ 
 
 To a poor captive. — There, my anxious Love ' 
 
 Take what thy truth and tendernefs have forc'd 
 
 From Ruilel's Irail and yielding refolution : 
 
 His pliancy, I know, will meet with blame ; 
 
 But thofe who have a heart to feel thy merits, 
 
 Will blufh at their quick cenfure, and recall it. 
 
 Lady Russel. 
 Now let me, RulTcl ! from thy prifon fly, 
 Like the exploring dove, whofe eager wing] 
 Flew from the ark, to vilit it ao-ain 
 With bleft affurance of fubilding florms. [Eav/. 
 
 Russel. 
 My worthy kinfman, when my voice is filenc'd, 
 As foon it will be, witnefs to the world 
 
 Q^q The
 
 29S LORDRUSSEL: 
 
 The tender virtues and connubial love 
 Of that angelic woman ! — And, I pray, 
 As gcntlencfs and honor have endcar'd thee 
 To all our houfe, do thou, my faithful Spencer, 
 Attend, with pitying carCj my wife and father 
 On the dread day that ends our mortal union ; 
 Watch them with all the vigilance of friendlliip,, 
 J^nd foothe the recent anguidi of their grief. 
 
 Spencer. 
 Heaven yet, my Lord, may fave us from that fcene 
 Of private woe and national diftrefs^ 
 
 R U S S E L. 
 
 Believe me, though I ftoop to aik for life, 
 I afk not, thinking to obtain my fuit ; 
 But from the tender wilK to mitigate 
 The future fufferings of a fiithful mourner. 
 By this compliance with her fondeft prayer. 
 
 Spencer. 
 The touching eloquence of her affliction, 
 Join'd to the memory of her father's merit, 
 That honour'd fcrvant of the Crown^ Southampton, 
 
 May 
 
 .^
 
 A TRACED Y. 299 
 
 May wreft your pardon from the favage heart 
 Of fullca York. 
 
 R U S S E L. 
 
 Impofliblc, my friend i 
 My life's the prey that his infaeiate rage 
 Has keenly chas'd — lie holds it m his toils, 
 And every profpect of efeape is clos'd. 
 
 Spencer. 
 Yet thinkj my Lord, that other means of fakty 
 
 R U S S E L. 
 
 No, Spencer : 1 have thought, I trufl not vainly, 
 Of the chief object that my mind mul-l dwell on, 
 How to fuftain the trying part to which 
 The will of Pieaven appoints me ; how to meet 
 The fudden flroke of ignominious death, 
 As mav become the man whofe life has v/on 
 From this brave land obfcrvance and regard. — 
 O Spencer ! when the wearied eye furveys 
 Tlie gloomy face of Earth, the Law's abufc, 
 And Freedom imking under favage Power, 
 The wreck of Public Virtue, the bafe arts 
 And treachery of her apoftatc fons, 
 
 Q^(] 2 Witk
 
 300 L O R D R U S S E L: 
 
 With all the countlcfs ills that in her train 
 A blind and barbarous Supcrflition brings ; 
 When thefe are prefent to the guiltlcfs mind. 
 It fecms a fair and blcjfled fate to fly 
 From this dark den of mifery and vice, 
 To the bright prefence of divine Perfcdlion ! 
 
 Spencer. 
 Yet of how pure a nature are thofe blcflings 
 This earth would furnifli to your refcued virtue J 
 
 R u s S E L. 
 
 gentle kinfman ! In my fofter hours 
 
 My heart flill clings to thofe attradlivc objcds 
 Of tendereft attachment; for this heart 
 Was fram'd by nature for the fweet enjoyment 
 Of foci al duties and domeflic blifs. 
 
 1 will avow to thee, (for thy mild fpirit 
 C.in fympathize in every true diftrels) 
 
 I'hat when I think to what excefs of anguifli 
 
 1 leave the worthiefl and moft tender wife, 
 
 That with endearing innocence and love 
 
 E'er blefl: a Lufband, the forbidden tear 
 
 Starts from my eye perforce, my frame is chlird, 
 
 And
 
 A T R A G E D Y. 301 
 
 And il:iudders at the fliarp divorce of flee]. 
 So foon to fall upon our chafte affcdion. 
 
 Spencer. 
 Yet may ye live a hlefling to each other ; 
 And give a bright example to mankind, 
 That happinefs abides with virtuous love I — 
 Life ftands within your choice : — the Kin!7, who knows 
 With what a fond refpe6l and confidence 
 The generous people lean to the opinion 
 Of men fo rooted in their hearts as you are^ 
 Courts your acceptance of immediate pardon ; 
 If you will but acknowledge, in. his prcfence. 
 That you believe no fubjeft has a right, 
 However tempted, to refift the Throne. 
 
 R U S S E L. 
 
 Have any of my friends fuppos'd, that Rudel 
 Could buy e^dftence at a price like this? 
 
 Spencer. 
 The worthy churchmen, who in this vile prifon 
 Have been ^ our kind afliduous attendants, 
 Build on tl'iis ground llrong hopes ; — they have obtain'd" 
 The fandion of your venerable father 
 
 To
 
 302 L O R D R U S S 1< L: 
 
 To argue v/ith you this important qucftion ; 
 Believing they may lead your candid mind 
 To terms, which, in their cool confiderate judgment, 
 Have ihc clear warrantry of truth and reafon, 
 
 R U S S E L. 
 
 Good men \ they are an honor to the church 
 
 Tor lignal harmony of faith and pradice ; 
 
 But haply, cramp'd by piety's nice fcrupks, 
 
 Their minds have not expanded to embrace 
 
 The mio;htv caufc of Freedom. — O my friend I 
 
 1 want the fpirit-ftirring faculty 
 
 Of eloquence, to range in bright array 
 
 The potent claims of Nature, and cnlifb 
 
 In her pure fervlcc all the noble paffions 
 
 That oive difiindion to the liic of man : 
 
 But gracious Heav&n endow'd me with a heart 
 
 To ac5l the upright virtuous citizen ; 
 
 And meet the axe, much rather than betray 
 
 The charter'd rights of this my native land. 
 
 S r R N c F. R. 
 
 Are you, my Lord, fo fettled in your thoughts 
 
 5 <^n
 
 A TRAGEDY. 303 
 
 On this nice qucflion, that no arguments 
 May fKake the airy fabric of opinic .1 ? 
 
 R u s s E L. 
 Good Spencer, thou haft known me many yearsy 
 And for a man of phiin and fmiple reafon j 
 Which clearly tells me that the King's pofition, 
 Once granted, finks the free-born fons of England 
 To the tame vaflals of a TurkKli defpot. 
 My mind can frame no image of a ftate 
 That laws have limited, without a right 
 To guard thofe limitations ; and my confciencCy 
 That higher fovereign, who challenges 
 My iirft obedience in all points of moment, 
 Will not permit me, by a different language, 
 To purchafe life from the deluded King. 
 
 Spencer. 
 With painful admiration I have heard 
 The fteady di<ftates of your patriot virtue. 
 That will,, with mingled agony and joy. 
 Confirm the prefage of your noble father^ 
 Howe'er he liftens, with attentive fondnefs. 
 To alL that friendly zeal fuggeffcs to fave you, 
 
 He
 
 204 L O R D R U S S E L : 
 
 lie knows, and glories in your firm adherence 
 To the dear rights of England ; nor can wifli, 
 Though with the fanclion of fuch friends, to fee you 
 Exc^anfreit for the lure of forfeit life. 
 
 R U S S E L. 
 
 Althougli I truft he fully knows that mind, 
 
 Which his fond cares have ftrengthen'd and enrich'd 
 
 With its befl: powers of manly refolution ; 
 
 Yet, as ill-G;rounded and diftrejTinQ: doubts 
 
 Are natural infirmities of age, 
 
 At times, perchance, my venerable father 
 
 May fear left the approach of violent death 
 
 Should with difgraceful pliancy infc6t 
 
 The fpirit of his fon — I therefore pray thee 
 
 Return ; afiure him, that our pious friends 
 
 Muft lofe their well-meant labor in debate : 
 
 My mind's unchangeable ; and gracious Heaven, 
 
 As my dark fate draws nearer, gives my foul 
 
 New ftrength to triumph o'er its fiiadowy terrors ! 
 
 Afiure the tender Bedford, I fliall meet 
 
 The hour of execution as his love 
 
 Muft wifh, with that fedate and chearful brow 
 
 Whi<^i
 
 A T R A G E D Y. 305 
 
 Which fuits the guiltlefs fon of fuch a father. 
 
 Spencer. 
 My Lord, I will religioufly obey you. 
 And on the inftant ; as I now perceive 
 Your chief heart- chofen friend is come to fhare 
 The private converfe of your precious hours. [^Exif, 
 
 Ejiter Cavendish. 
 
 R u s s E L. 
 Welcome, dear Cavendifh ! my eager heart 
 Has panted for thy prefence, keenly wifhing 
 To reft the burthen of its cares on thee. 
 Yet, ere I ceafe to live, O let me take 
 One long farewel of him, whofe friend fhip gave 
 Luftre and value to that life which fate 
 Severely calls me to refign 1 
 
 Cavendish. 
 
 Which Love 
 And Friendship's voice command thee to preferve. — 
 I come to fave thee, Ruflel ! nor muft lofe 
 One moment ia the heaven-fuggefled plan. 
 
 R u s s E L. 
 Dear fanguine friend, the fond illulive warmth 
 
 R E Of
 
 3o6 LORD Pv U S S E L^ 
 
 Of thy kind heart invefts thy eager fancy 
 With vifionary power. 
 
 Cavendish. 
 
 The fiends of hell 
 Shall not defeat the projed my good angel 
 Infpires for thy protection ! — Swear thou, firft, 
 By our inviolate friendfhip, and by ties 
 Yet ftronger on thy heart, thy wife and children, 
 Swear thou wilt grant me one requeft. 
 
 R u s s E L. 
 
 Dear Cavendifli, 
 Thou wouldft engage me in fome hafly buHnefs, 
 Pregnant with danger to thy generous felf ; \ 
 Elfe had thy frank affedlion ne'er devis'd 
 A bond fo needlefs, to the mind which holds 
 Requefls from thee as facred as the laws 
 Of faith and honor : — but explain thy purpofe. 
 
 Cavendish. 
 Here, in this happy hour of privacy. 
 Let us exchange pur habits; fo may'ft thou, 
 Muffling thy face as in the veil of forrow, 
 Pafs unfufpcdcd, and elude the guard. 
 
 Two
 
 A T R A G E D Y. 307 
 
 Two of our trufty friends are plac'd to meet thee, 
 And all the means of thy cfcape concerted. 
 Hafte, I conjure thee ! while I here remain 
 Wrapt in thy mourning garb ; but with a fpirit 
 Ready to burft into triumphant joy, 
 And mock the baffled malice of thy foes^ 
 
 R u s s E L. 
 Brave Cavendifh ! 'tis hard to quit a world 
 That furnifhes fuch friends ; yet eafier this, 
 Than by a hafty flight from death to hazard. 
 A life I hold ftill dearer than my own. 
 No, I can ne'er expofe thy generous virtue 
 To that bafe fate thou urgeft me to fliun. 
 
 Cavendish. 
 They dare not flrike at me ; their venal juries 
 Have paft no treacherous verdict on my head. 
 
 R u s s E L. 
 The eminence of thy exalted virtus 
 Would make thee their fure vidlim 5 and perchanc£ 
 The latent ruffians (fuch I think there are) 
 Who rcbb'd the injur'd world of gallant Eflex, 
 
 R r 2. Would
 
 3o8 LORD RUSSEL: 
 
 Would double, in the mind of their bafc mailer, 
 Their murd'rous merits by difpatching thee. 
 
 Cavendish. 
 There is no peril; but admit the worfl:, 
 I want not ftrength to grapple with fuch villains, 
 And wear a dagger here to punifh them. 
 
 R u s s E L. 
 Friend of my inmofl foul ! thy generous offer 
 Yet clofer draws thofe honorable bands 
 That in our mortal pilgrimage have bound us 
 Firm to each other, and, defying death. 
 Will prove to us, I truft, in brighter fcenes, 
 A laftincT unextino-uifliable fource 
 Of pure ambition and angelic joy. 
 But the kind purpofe of thy noble zeal 
 Thy Ruflel muft rejed:. Granting thy plan 
 Free from all perils to thy precious life, 
 (And it abounds with many moft alarming) ; 
 Flight, howfoe'er effedled, would produce 
 Difbonour to thy friend, as wanting truft 
 In fpotlefs innocence or manly courage. 
 
 Cavendish.
 
 A T R A G E D Y, 309 
 
 C a"v E N D I S H. 
 
 The tongue of Slander dares not to impeach 
 Thy fortitude ! 
 
 R u s s E L. 
 Yet more : for I will lay 
 My fecret foul before thee. — Thou haft fcen 
 How far thy friendfhip and my Rachel's love 
 Have power to make life lovely in my fight ; 
 
 And my kind father, whofe declining age 
 
 But I muft paufe, and check this natural burft 
 Of tender gratitude. — Thou fully knowcft 
 All the ftrong ties that chain my heart to earth ; 
 Yet I perceive thefe adamantine links, 
 Touch'd, without doubt, by heavenly influence, 
 Seem to give way ; and my afpiring foul 
 Begins to covet that ignoble fate, 
 Which fhews fo horrible in vulgar eyes ! 
 
 Cavendish. 
 And canft thou wifli to leave us ? 
 
 R U S S E L. 
 
 O my friend I 
 Among the ftrongeft paflions of my heart, 
 
 R r 3 Perhaps
 
 310 L O R- D R U S S E L'. 
 
 Perhaps more forcible than love and friendfliip-^ 
 From childhood I have cherifh'd an attachment 
 To my brave country : — though a tranfient cloud 
 Now hovers o'er her, my prophetic eyes 
 Perceive that flie is deftin'd to emerge 
 To happinefs- and glory. Thou {halt live,. 
 Dear noble friend ! to view, and to aflifl 
 This blefl: event. — The death I am to fuffer 
 Will more contribute, than my life could doy. 
 To England's welfare ; — in the future fabric, 
 Deftin'd to fave and to perpetuate 
 The fapp'd foundations of her faith and freedom,. 
 My blood may prove a cement ; this idea 
 SuftainSjinfpirits, and delights my foul. 
 
 Cavendish. 
 Heroic Ruflcl ! bright and genuine martyr 
 Of Liberty and Truth 1 if thou muft perifli, 
 I yet fhall wear, engraven on my heart, 
 The radiant image of thy fignal virtues, 
 As a pure charm, of potency to guard 
 The lowlieft mind from every fervile thought. — 
 Hark ! fure I heard the Iiated voice of York I 
 
 Dares
 
 A T R A G E D Y. 311 
 
 Dares he infult imprlfon'd innocence, 
 
 By venturing to approach it ? May we not 
 
 Move farther ofF from that deteftcd found? 
 
 It fhakes my tortur'd brain, and almoft tempts me 
 
 To rufh at once, and from the coward bread 
 
 Of that apoftate tear th' envenom'd heart 
 
 That guides the murd'rous axe againfl my Ruflel. 
 
 R U S S E L. 
 
 Patience, dear ardent fpirit ! — Come this way ; 
 
 The adjoining chamber is allotted me 
 
 For privacy and prayer. Come, to receive 
 
 The benedidlion of thy dying friend. ^Ex£U7U, 
 
 Rnter York, with the Lieutenant of the Tower. 
 
 York. 
 I know fome proud abettors of his guilt 
 Are plotting his efcape ; but mark. Lieutenant, 
 If the convidled traitor in your charge 
 Appear not on his fummons to the fcafiold. 
 Your life fliall anfwer it. 
 
 Lieutenant. 
 
 I truft your Highnefs
 
 312 L O R D R U S S E L: 
 
 Will never fee occafion to condemn me 
 
 For any breach or negligence of duty. 
 
 Enter Lady Ruflel. 
 LadyRussel. 
 
 May an unhappy mourner dare to hope 
 
 That gracious mercy guides the princely York 
 
 To Ruffcl's prifon ? At your feet I fall 
 
 In my dear Lord's behalf, who in this paper 
 
 Implores your intcrceflion with the King 
 
 To fave an innocent and injur'd fubjedl. 
 
 York. 
 Rife, Madam f — Tell your Lord, that I forgive him 
 His bold feditious practices to bar 
 My jufl: fuccefiion to the Englifh throne j 
 But my allegiance and fraternal duty 
 Forbid me to appear the advocate 
 Of one whofe life is forfeit to the law 
 For plotting to deflroy my royal brother^ 
 In pity to your fufferings, I advife you 
 To wafte no fruitlefs labor in oppofing 
 That fxroke of juftice which we all lament^ 
 But which the fafety of the realm requires. [^Exit. 
 
 L A D X
 
 A T R A G E D Y. 313 
 
 LadyRussel. 
 Thou ruthlefs hypocrite ! thy fullen cruelty- 
 Converts the fwelling tear of fupplication 
 To fiery fcorn ; and my prophetic fpirit 
 Forefees an hour in which thy abjedl foul, - ] 
 
 With more than womanifli terror, fliall implore 
 That fuccour thy hard heart denies to me. 
 
 Lieutenant. 
 
 Lady ! thy unmerited afflidions 
 
 Have feiz'd a ftranger's bofom, and impel me 
 To make fome effort to aflifl: thy prayers. 
 The Duke is mercilefs, and thirfts for blood ; 
 But pity harbours in our Sovereign's heart ; 
 
 1 know this very morning he has utter'd 
 Words of kind import to your injur'd Lord ; 
 If, in fome happy minute, you could throw 
 Your forrows at his feet, they muft prevail. 
 He ftill is in the precindls of the Tower ; 
 
 Wait here fome moments, and kind Heaven may teach me 
 To draw him this way yet, ere he rejoins 
 Mis peflilent counfellor, the cruel Duke. [^avV. 
 
 Sf Ladt
 
 314 LORD RUSSEL: 
 
 Lady Russel. 
 The bleflings of my grateful heart go with thee ! 
 Good angels fecond the unlook'd-for pity 
 Of this brave foldicr ! Grant me power to fpeak 
 My Ruficl's wrongs to the mifguided King ! 
 And thou, bled fpirit of my virtuous father, 
 Whofe matchlefs fervices fo well deferve 
 The kind remembrance of a royal mafter, 
 Infpire thy fuppliant child with words to melt 
 The harden'd heart of Grandeur! — He approaches I — • 
 O cruel fate ! at fight of my diftrefs 
 He turns, as eager to avoid a wretch 
 He dares not fuccour ! — Stay, my gentle Sovereign ; 
 Yet flay, yet hear the miferable mourner 
 Who claims thy mercy. — Heaven! he hears my prayer; 
 He ftops — he doubts — and his reverted eye 
 Looks kindly back. Behold, my gracious Liege 1 
 Behold the daughter of thy lov'd Southampton 
 Proftrate before thee, and yet wanting voice 
 To utter all the juft and ardent prayer 
 Her heart addrefles to thy clemency i 
 
 Enter
 
 A T R A G E D Y. 315 
 
 Enter the King. 
 King. 
 Rife, lovely mourner ! — be afTur'd I pity 
 Your virtuous fufferings ; and Uncerely mourn 
 Thofe hard neceflities of ftate, whofe force 
 O'er-rules the milder willies of my mind 
 To fpare the precious life for which you kneel- 
 
 Lady Russel. 
 If the bright cherub Mercy has infpir'd 
 Your royal bofom with a wifh to fave him, 
 O let no fubtle fiend, with bafe fuggeftion, 
 Subdue that heavenly impulfe !— ne'er was monarch 
 More loudly call'd, by Equity and Truth, 
 To the exertion of his nobleft power, 
 The privilege to fpare. — So may my foul 
 Find grace before the judgment-feat of Heaven, 
 As it is fure my RufTel never harbour'd 
 A fingle thought of blood, or aught of evil, 
 Againft the life and welfare of his King : 
 Nay more, my Liege ; I know his gentle virtue 
 Has often join'd in painful fellowfhip 
 With bold bad men, whom his pure heart abhorr'd, 
 
 Sf 2 To
 
 3i6 L O R D R U S S E L: 
 
 To lead your child, the young and princely Monmouth, 
 From the dark paths of their pernicious counfel. 
 
 King. 
 Your Lord is happy in an advocate 
 Of moft perfuafive powers : I wifh, but dare not, 
 To flop the courfe of the offended law 
 Againfl the man for whom your tender virtues , • ] 
 
 Plead with fuch fervency: — my kingdom's peace 
 Demands the dread completion of his fentence ; 
 His refcu'd life would lead triumphant Fadion 
 To pradlices more daring, and diftradl 
 The agitated realm with civil broils. 
 
 Lady R u s s e l, 
 Alas ! you little know the gentle fpirit 
 Of my wrong'd Lord. But if his life is held 
 So hazardous to England's peace, my Liege^ 
 O let him pafs the remnant of his days 
 Far from this troubled iile : — his wife and children 
 "Will guide th' obedient exile wh^re you order ; 
 And, if a defert yields him life and fafety. 
 Think paradife is there I 
 
 Kin g.
 
 A TRAGEDY. 317 
 
 K.I NG. ' ' 
 
 You touch my foul, 
 Fair iuppliant ! Let them blame my pliant weaknefs ; 
 I am not marble, and mufi: fhew you mercy. — 
 Where is my Lord of Bedford — with his fon ? 
 
 Lady Russel. 
 No, my kind Sovereign; — (hail I fly to feek him ? 
 
 King. 
 Bid him, with inftant fpeed, prepare a vefTel, 
 That may convey Lord Ruflel to the coaft 
 Of France or Holland, as our will diredls. — 
 Lady, you little know what cruel bars 
 Obftrudl the willing ftep of royal mercy : 
 Kings are forc'd often to do good by ftcalth, 
 And fuch is now my curfe. — But let your father 
 Make preparations for a fecret flight. 
 And wait our pleafure with the prifoner here. 
 Ere night he fliall receive our terms of pardon. 
 And with them an exprefs, though private order 
 For the enlargement of your captive Lord. 
 
 LadyRussel. 
 May the great Fountain of beneficence, 
 
 The
 
 i8 L O R D R U S'S E L: 
 
 z\ 
 
 The King of kings, reward my gracious mailer 
 
 For this kind promifc to his grateful fervant ! — 
 
 O my good Liege ! let but your own mild fpirit 
 
 Be your prime counfellor, to fhut your ear 
 
 Againfl the fubtleties of cruel zealots ^ 
 
 Tranquillity fhall blefs your fafe dominion, 
 
 And loyalty and love fupport your throne. — 
 
 But let me fly to my delivcr'd Ruflel 
 
 With thcfe moft happy tidings of your bounty ; 
 
 And in reiterated prayers to Heaven, 
 
 For every good on my indulgent Sovereign, 
 
 Pour forth the fullnefs of my fwelling heart I [£a7/. 
 
 King. 
 Hov/ touching is her love ! I envy Ruffcl 
 Th' angelic tendernefs of that chafte woman. 
 
 Efttcr York. 
 York. 
 What ! has the whining wife of guilty RufTel 
 Pefter'd -your ear, my brother, v/ith vain tales. 
 To vouch the truth of that convidled traitor ? 
 Whofe death muft now be fpeedy, to fecure 
 Your kingdom's quiet, and your perfon's fafety. 
 
 King,
 
 A TRAGEDY. 
 
 King. 
 Brothef, your Romifli friends incline too much 
 To fanguinary counfels — I abhor them ! 
 What, if in pity to a virtuous woman, 
 In kind remembrance of her father's merits, 
 Friend of our exil'd youth, and befl fupport 
 Of our recover'd throne ; what if I grant 
 Some little mercy to her urgent prayer. 
 And change her hufband's death to baniihment ? 
 
 York. 
 By Heaven it muft not be ! — what ! when the Law, 
 That faithful guardian of your facred life, 
 Has paft its fentence on your proftrate foe, 
 For bafe confpiracy and bloody treafon, 
 Falfe to yourfelf, {hall you, "in weak, compafiion 
 To an infinuating woman's tears, 
 Thus refcue and empower Rebellion's idol 
 To form a fecond more fuccefsful plot ? 
 
 King. 
 Your hafty fear outruns true policy ; 
 And this excefs of rigor, which your priefts 
 Have taught you, bodes, I think, but little good 
 
 3'9 
 
 Both
 
 C320 L O R'Dr: R U S S E L: I 
 
 Both to your power and mine. — You, when you chufe, * 
 May vifit Rome ; I, brother, am too old 
 To enter once again on foreign travels. 
 
 York. 
 Nor may we fufFer you to fall at home, 
 Through carelefs indolence, by Treafon's dagger. 
 Think not I fpeak from ancient enmity 
 To this infidious Ruffel : for myfelf. 
 He has my pardon for his crimes to me ; 
 But the regard I owe your hallow'd pcrfon. 
 Leads m? to prefs for his immediate death : 
 Before the houfe that bears his father's name, 
 The houfe that hid his bloody machinations, 
 I wifii to fee the murd'rous rebel die. — 
 But let us hafte from hence. I will affemble 
 The members of your council moft inilriided 
 In this bafe tfeafon — they will clearly prove 
 You have but this alternative to chufe. 
 
 To execute or periQi One muft fall, 
 
 The traitcrous convict, or the injur'd King. 
 
 £W ^/ A C T II. 
 
 tiiii.n: ; ACT
 
 A TRAGEDY. 3^1 
 
 ACT III. 
 
 SCENE I. 
 
 Lord RufTel writiitg^ and attended by Spencer. 
 
 Spencer. 
 
 OU I T, my dear Lord, your mournful preparation 
 For that unworthy fate, which your bleft confort, 
 Here fully prov'd our good and guardian angel, 
 Has happily averted. 
 
 R u s s E L. 
 When a life 
 Hangs, my good Spencer, on a prince's word, 
 Whofe refolution is the pliant flave 
 Of artifice and importunity, 
 Reafon difdains to take into account 
 A poor pofleflion held on fuch a tenure. 
 I can believe the King inclines to fave me ; 
 But know how foon his unrefifting fpirit 
 Yields to the voice of that vindidive zeal, 
 
 T t Which
 
 322 L O R D R U S S E L: ^- 
 
 Which with inceflant and incrcafing fury 
 Now clamours for my blood : — I therefore hold it 
 The part of prudence to leave nought un(5one, 
 Which, on a fudden fummons to the block, 
 I yet might wifh, but want the time to do, 
 
 Spencer. 
 Ufelefs (though noble) may this caution prove ! 
 
 R u S S.E L. 
 
 Be that as Heaven thinks beft. — Since bufy Rumour, 
 
 In his blind hafte to catch a fleeting image, 
 
 Is apt to form a faithlefs portraiture 
 
 Of public characters, I here, my friend, 
 
 Have, as a legacy, bequeath'd the world 
 
 A true though Ample picture of myfelf. 
 
 When I am gone, my honeft countrymen, 
 
 Reading this paper, may with confidence 
 Say, Such was Ruflel — this account of him 
 Being as clear from falfliood and difguife 
 As that which, in his hour of heavenly audit, 
 Muft prove the ground of his eternal doomi 
 Here is my lateft taik : perufe this letter. 
 Which on my death the King is to receive \ 
 
 Spencer.
 
 A TRAGEDY. 323 
 
 Spencer. 
 It breathes that gentle magnanimity 
 For which your life is noted. 
 
 R u s s E L. 
 
 At the time, 
 The folemn time, when the calm foul prepares 
 For quick departure to that world of peace, 
 Where enmity and anger cannot dwell, 
 'Tis furely right to clofe our earthly feuds, 
 And part from all men in pure charity. 
 Though I have never finn'd againft my fovereign, 
 By any deed or thought that meant him ill, 
 In many vain and inconflderate hours 
 I yet have fported with his name and frailties 
 So idly, that I hold it decent now 
 To crave his pardon for fuch levities ; 
 And, in the gentleft language I can ufe. 
 To intimate, that, dying thus unjuftly, • • 
 
 I pardon all promoters of my death, 
 The higheft as the lowed. 
 
 Spencer. 
 
 Ceafe, my Lord, 
 T t 2 To
 
 Yh lord R U S S E L:' 
 
 To dwell on dying thoughts with eyes that fpeak 
 Of life and comfort — your deliverer 
 Comes, to reftorc you to domeftic blifs. 
 
 Enter Lady Rufiel. 
 
 Lady Russel. 
 All, my dear refcued Love ! all is prepar'd 
 To aid your bleft removal from this land 
 Of danger and dilTention. — To your fight 
 Exile fiiall feem a kind familiar friend, 
 Conducing you to fafety and delight ; 
 You fhall not feci you have a foreign home. 
 For all your houfe, who live but in your prefence. 
 Arc fix'd to travel with us: — the kind Bedford 
 Will to the rough fea truft his feeble age 
 For your focicty. O had you {^tn 
 How our dear little ones receiv'd the tidings 
 Of this heart-healing voyage! how they pant 
 To throw their eager fondling arms around you-, 
 And welcome you again to life and joy-?--- ^-' - 
 
 Enter
 
 A T R A G E D Y. 325 
 
 Enter Bedford. 
 Bedford. 
 Pride of my foul I my dear, recover'd fon ! 
 Again I view thee, with parental tranfport, 
 Snatch'd from the broken fnares of fhameful death 
 By this blefl; hand ! — In vain thy fuppliant father 
 Had offer'd to exchange his envied treafures 
 For that fuperior wealth, which in his heart 
 Outweighs all opulence : — fullen Revenge, 
 Subduing Avarice, with fcorn rejected 
 Thy proffer'd ranfom. Blank defpair had feiz'd mej 
 But in the hour when human efforts fail'd, 
 This pitying feraph, in a woman's form, 
 Brings heavenly aid, and turns a tyrant's heart 
 To blefs the trembling world v/ith Ruflel's life 1 
 
 R U S S E L. 
 
 Dear objedls of my love ! I pray you check. 
 
 This eagernefs of joy ; for O I feel 
 
 That it mufl: prove to you the treacherous herald 
 
 Of heavier grief ! — your kind exulting hope 
 
 Is a brief day of fummer out of feafon. 
 
 That, promising to end flern winter's tyranny, 
 
 10 Does
 
 326 L O R D K U S S E L: ' ' 
 
 Does but fupply to his fufpcnded breath J 
 
 The power to pierce more deeply : — pray be caution'd, ^B 
 And with juft forefight arm yourfelves againft 
 The certain rigour of th' inclement time. 
 
 Bedford. 
 Has not the King relented, and engag'd M 
 
 His royal word to fave and fet thee free ? 
 
 R U S S E L. 
 
 Alas, my father ! had his word poffefs'd 
 
 That ftcdfafl; fandlity which fhould belong 
 
 To the pure breath of princes, this fair ifle, 
 
 Who trufted in his faith, had never known 
 
 Her prefent depth of national difgrace : 
 
 Have we not feen our fovereign's promifes 
 
 Proverbially invalid ? — Here comes one 
 
 Whofc mcflage will, I doubt not, end the queftion. 
 
 Enter an Officer, iioho beckons RufTel, and /peaks to him 
 
 ajide. 
 
 Bedford. 
 O ray dear daughter I the high flood of hope 
 Sinks in my heart, and leaves a hideous void. 
 ' Lady
 
 A TRAGEDY. 327 
 
 Lady R u s s e l. 
 Speak, fpeak, my Ruflel ! is it life or death ? 
 
 R u s S E L. 
 
 Patience, fweet fufferer !— Pray inform the fheriff, 
 Although this fhort and peremptory fummons 
 Savours of cruel hafte, he fhall not wait. 
 
 [^Exii Officer. 
 
 R U S S E L. 
 
 Ye, whofe keen forrow has more power to fhake 
 
 The heart of Ruflel than th' imDendino; axe. 
 
 By our pure love let me conjure ye now 
 
 To reconcile your grief-diftemper'd thoughts 
 
 To Heaven's dread pleafure ; who, for fome high purpofe. 
 
 Permits the oppreflive doom of innocence I 
 
 The King has figniiied he cannot fave me, 
 
 And I muft die to-day. 
 
 Lady Russel. 
 
 Perfidious cruelty I 
 But I will fly, and by my loud complaint, 
 Waking dead Honor in his wither'd mind. 
 Force from the treacherous King his promis'd mercy.. 
 
 Bedford,
 
 328 L O R D R U S S E L: 
 
 Bedford. 
 I yet will make one hopelefs effort more 
 To ftop the v^engeance of infatiate York. [^Exi't* 
 
 R u s s E L, 
 Go, ye kind beings ! for the bufy love 
 That finds employment, though in fruitlefs labor, 
 Lightens the preffure of the grief it bears. — 
 Thou feeft, good Spencer, that my tender wife 
 Is now fupported by her zeal to fave me ; 
 But on my death, the quicknefs of her fpirit 
 Will work like latent fire within her heart, 
 A flow confumcr of her wafting frame. 
 It is her fate that wounds me — for my own 
 Is but the fhorteft and moft eafy paflage 
 From earthly trouble to celeftial joy. 
 It is the fancy of the vulgar mind 
 That fooliflily arrays the dreaded form 
 Of fudden death in vifionary horrors : 
 Believe me, Spencer, in the month juft pafl, 
 The tranfient ficknefs of my lovely boy 
 Prefs'd harder on my heart, and more difturb'd 
 
 The
 
 A T R A G E D Y. 329 
 
 The native calmnefs of my even fpirit, 
 Than my near profpe6t of the ready fcaffold. 
 
 Spencer. 
 Yet, my dear Lord, I view with aweful wonder 
 The firm ferenity of foul you fhew 
 On this hard teft of human fortitude ! 
 
 R u s s E L. 
 Reflect, my friend, that my imprifonment 
 Has made the fearful image of my fate 
 Familiar to my thought. It is furprize 
 That gives to Death his moft appalling power ; 
 To the clear eye of-guiltlefs Contemplation 
 That gloomy fpedlre grows a gorgeous herald, 
 Whofe trumpet founds the triumph of the foul, 
 And fpeaks its entrance on the ftage of glory. 
 How grand ! how pregnant with delight and wonder, 
 Muft be the change of fcene from earth to heaven I — 
 What if a mortal, who had pafs'd his days 
 In the dim cavern of a noxious mine, 
 Worn with hard toil, where health-annoying vapours 
 Vext and confounded his imperfed fenfe ; 
 If fuch a mortal fuddenly were laid 
 
 Uu On
 
 330 LORD R U S S E L: 
 
 On the bright fummit of a lofty hill, 
 To tafte the balmy fweetnefs of the morn, 
 And, for the firft time, fee the rifing fun 
 Array this fair and fmiling earth in all 
 
 The radiant lovelinefs of form and colour ! 
 
 O Spencer ! if I felt for felf alone, 
 
 This period, deem'd the faddeft of my life, 
 
 Could only fill my mind with heavenly joy ; 
 
 But for my mourning friends, and moft for her 
 
 Whofe faithful love has many years to weep. 
 
 My falt'ring heart — now give it ftrength, good Heaven ! 
 
 For even now its hardeft trial comes— 
 
 My Rachel, in the anguifh of defpair, 
 
 Returns to take a long and laft farewell. 
 
 *t> 
 
 Enter Lady Ruffel. 
 
 Lady Russel» 
 Dear Ruffel, I renounce illufive hope ! 
 And now muft teach my weaknefs to fuftain 
 The heavieft load of mifery that ever 
 Fell on the bleeding heart of helplefs woman f— 
 The King denies thee, what the bafeft feloa 
 
 Afks
 
 A T R A G E D y. 331 
 
 Afks not in vain, the refpite of a day. 
 
 Could'ft thou believe it ? he and favage York 
 
 Are now, like blood-hounds, come to hunt thee hence, 
 
 And drive thee to thy death ! they but allow me 
 
 A few {hort minutes, in a laft embrace 
 
 To clafp, to blefs, and part with thee for ever ! 
 
 R U S S E L. 
 
 Then may v/e part as we have liv'd, my Rachel, 
 In the pure dignity of perfedl love, 
 Unftain'd by weaknefs ! 
 
 Lady Russel. 
 
 Do not dread my tears j 
 They cannot fall to melt thy manly firmnefs. 
 For Heaven has fteel'd me for this aweful hour. 
 
 R U 5 S E L. 
 
 Thou dear angelic fpirit ! 'tis from thee 
 That I have learnt the trueft fortitude ; 
 A courage built upon a heavenly bafis. — 
 O gracious Being ! who has guided us 
 Through fourteen years of pure domeftic blifs, 
 The beft and rareft of thy gifts to man. 
 Accept, as tribute for thy blefllngs paft, 
 
 U u 2 Our
 
 332 L O R D R U S S E L: 
 
 Our meek fubmiflion in this trying hour 
 Of thy more dreadful plcafure ! — at thy call 
 I yield my guiltlefs life, nor would decline 
 To die for having ftruggled to preferve 
 Thy pureft worfhip in my native land. 
 O that my blood might quench that fatal torch 
 Of barbarous Superftition, which begins 
 To fhed once more its fanguinary glare 
 Over this frighted ifle ! Might RuiTel prove 
 The laft to periih by opprefTive power, 
 And the bafe fentence of perverted law!— 
 Fall not my blood on the mifguided men 
 Whofe fury fheds it !— As I truely pardon 
 My ruthlefs enemies, fo, Heaven ! may'ft thou 
 Take to the charge of thy heart-healing mercy 
 This my chief care, this deareft, laft concern. 
 Of my departing foul, this fpotlefs woman! 
 
 Lady Russel, 
 Let not thy fears for me, my generous Ruflelt 
 Too fondly agitate thy feeling mind; 
 The gracious Power who bleft us in each other,, 
 Will not, I know, abandon utterly 
 
 An
 
 A T R A G E D Y. 333 
 
 An unoffending, weak, afHided woman, 
 
 Dear to Co pure a fpirit, fandificd 
 
 By the kind prayers of an expiring martyr! 
 
 R U S S E L. 
 
 My Love ! I will not to thy care commend 
 Thy little orphans ; for an angel's fight 
 Cannot in tender vigilance furpafs 
 The anxious mother, who furvives to fhield 
 The infant pledges of our chafte afiedlion ! 
 No, let me prefs a charge upon thy memory, 
 Where I mofl: fear thy failure, thy dear felf ; 
 Regard thy precious health, as the poffeflion 
 That I enjoin thee to preferve and cherifli. 
 
 Lady Russel. 
 
 Thou guide and guardian of thy Rachel's life! 
 
 Though the dark grave muft hide thee from my eyes, 
 
 Thy gentlenefs, thy love, thy truth, thy virtues. 
 
 Will ftill, like faithful and protecting fpirits, 
 
 Be ever prefent to my thought, and give 
 
 My grief-dejedted mind new power to rear 
 
 The little idols of my widow'd heart. 
 
 Uu3 RussEL.
 
 334 LORD R U S S E Lf 
 
 R U S S E L. 
 
 They will have all, that youth requires, in thee;-, 
 
 The gentle friend, the fond, yet firm director, 
 
 Whofe fteady kindnefs, and rever'd perfection. 
 
 Makes difcipline delight: their minds from thine- 
 
 May copy all the virtues j chiefly two, 
 
 Of prime diftinclion. Truth and Fortitude,. 
 
 The pillars of all human excellence ! — 
 
 I blcfs thee now for many years of fondnefs ;; 
 
 But mofl for that fublimity of love, 
 
 Which has difdain'd to make my fate more bitter 
 
 By abjeA vain complaints and weak'ning tears. 
 
 Lady Russel, 
 Refrain, I pray you, from this tender praife ;; 
 It will o'erthrow the firmnefs you commend. 
 And *waken all the woman in my bofom. 
 
 Russel. 
 Dear Rachel I as my boy approaches manhood. 
 Teach him to look upon his father's death 
 Rather as noble than unfortunate ! 
 Tell him, that, dying by no juft decree, 
 I deem'd it ftill a happinefs that Heaven 
 
 Made
 
 A T R A G E D y. 335 
 
 Made me a native of this generous ifle, 
 
 Which, though now darkened by a tranjfient cloud, 
 
 Is doom'd, I truft, to be the radiant throne 
 
 Of fettled Liberty and ftedfaft Faith ; 
 
 Early infufe into his youthful fpirit. 
 
 As the fure ground-work of all manly virtue, 
 
 A fenfe of civil and religious freedom ; 
 
 Give to his pliant mind true Englifli temper, 
 
 Teach him to fear no Being but his God, 
 
 And to love nothing earthly more than England, 
 
 E7iter an Attendant. 
 
 Attendant. 
 My Lord, the officers 1 
 
 R u s s E L. 
 They fhall not wait. 
 Lady Russel. 
 Inhuman hafle ! — Do thou, great God ! proportion 
 The patience of thy fervants in diftrefs 
 To the infernal malice of their foes ! 
 Since thy unqueftionable will permits 
 Such innocence to perilli on the fcaffold, 
 
 1 Send
 
 ^^6 L O R D R U S S E L: 
 
 Send the mofl foothing of thy heavenly fpirits 
 To wait unfeen upon the dying martyr ! 
 Take from this hideous form of Violent Death 
 His horrible attendants, Pain and Anguifli \ 
 
 R U S S E L. 
 
 O my kind Love ! that quick undreaded flroke, 
 So foon to fever this frail mortal frame, 
 Is but a feather's printlcfs touch, compar'd 
 To this my deepeft wound, which now I feel 
 In tearing thus my faithful heart from thine ! 
 Each moment that we linger but increafes 
 Our mutual pangs ; then take in this embrace 
 My lateft benedidion ! 
 
 Lady Russel. 
 O, farewell ! 
 Russel. 
 Yet a lafl kifs !— and for our little ones, 
 Bear thou to each this legacy of love ! 
 Now we muft part !— Farewell ! 
 
 Lady Russel, 
 
 Farewell for ever ! 
 
 [£;f/V Lady RufTcl. 
 Russel.
 
 A: T R A G E D Y. 337 
 
 R U S S E L. 
 
 Spencer ! the bitternefs of death is paft, 
 
 And thou haft nothing more to fear for Ruflel ! 
 
 Then quit him, thou kind friend, and be thy care 
 
 Devoted to the precious charge he leaves : 
 
 I pray attend that dear unhappy mourner; 
 
 Place her within my gentle fifter's arms, 
 
 And footh their mutual forrovv ! Tell my father, 
 
 I fliould have wifh'd to clafp his hand once more, 
 But that I fear'd to fliock his feeble age. 
 
 S P E N C ER. 
 
 Grief, my dear Lord, denies me utterance 
 Of all that I would fay ! — Farewell ! my tears 
 And prompt obedience will, I truft, to you, 
 Though mute interpreters, explain my heart. 
 
 R u s s E L. 
 Yet ftop !— Thy Ruflel has now done with time, 
 That heavy load to foolifli Indolence, 
 But adive Probity's prolific treafure I 
 Take then this fmall memorial of efteem, 
 This little index of the paffing hours ; 
 For thou haft wifdom to improve their value, 
 
 Xx And
 
 338 LORD RUSSE L: 
 
 And I am entering on eternity. 
 
 \ Giving his watch to Spencer. 
 Stay not for thanks ! follow thy weeping charge ; 
 Haftcn to her fupport ; and Heaven reward thee ! 
 
 [^Exit Spencer, 
 R u s s E L (kneeling.) 
 Thou only perfedl and unfailing Source 
 Of all ferenity, all ftrength, all power, 
 In thy frail fuppliant man ! thou gracious God ! 
 I blefs thy mercy, which in bittereft anguifli 
 Has fortified my foTil, and now difpels 
 All fearful hurry from my even thoughts ! 
 O comfort; thou thofe kind and tender beings. 
 To whom my death mull: prove a lafting wound 1 
 Grant me to pais my little refidue 
 Of clofing life with chearful conftancy, 
 And take my willing fpirit to thy bofom ! 
 
 Enter Cavendifli. 
 
 Cavendish. 
 Allow me, thou blcft martyr ! once again 
 To prefs thy hand, to bathe it with my tears, 
 
 5 And,
 
 A TRAGEDY. 339 
 
 And, in this agony of greedy forrovvj 
 
 Catch from thy lips the laft command of friendfliip! 
 
 R U S S E L. 
 
 My faithful Cavendlfh ! I have but one, 
 One wifh to utter that relates to earth ; 
 And to thy truth I truft for its completion : 
 Dying, I charge thee, by the love thou bearefl 
 To Ruffel's honor and our country's welfare, 
 Quell, in the hearts of all who may lament mc, 
 The frantic paflion to revenge my death! 
 Wilt thou be mindful of this laft injunction ? 
 
 Cavendish. 
 If I negledl one didate of thy virtue. 
 May Heaven, to punifh me, take from my foul 
 The dear remembrance of our amity ! 
 
 R u s s E L. 
 'Tis well : — thy promife ends my only fear. 
 Farewell, my gallant, generous bofom- friend ! 
 Farewell ! — flill think me living in my children, 
 Still in their little frames embrace thy Ruffel ! 
 
 [Ruflel departs, but after a JJjort faufe 7'eturns, 
 X X 2 R U S S E L.
 
 34^ LORD R U S S E L : ' 
 
 R U S S E L. 
 
 One thing there is that yet I wifh to fay. 
 
 Cavendish. 
 O rpcak ! for every accent of thy voice 
 Pierces my breaft, and all thy words fhall live 
 Graven as laws an my retentive heart ! 
 
 R u s S E L. 
 Friend of my youth, I have for many years 
 Held a prime place within thy noble bofom, 
 And ftudied all its rich and rare perfedions, 
 The radiant virtues in fair order marfhall'd 
 Beneath the guidance of prefiding honor ; 
 I've feen thee full of high and glorious thoughts 
 Towards this world ; but pardon if I fay, 
 That thy brave mind, to me, has feem'd to fail 
 In homage to the fovereignty of Heaven. 
 
 Cavendish, 
 Thou godlike monitor ! in fuch a moment 
 To feci for my offences ! 
 
 Ru S S EL, 
 
 Do not wonder 
 
 At
 
 A TRAGEDY. 341 
 
 At the calm temper of thy dying friend ; 
 
 Ufe thy own fpotlefs and exalted fpirit 
 
 To commune more with Heaven, and thou wilt find 
 
 The blefl'ed habit of conGdering 
 
 That we are acting in our Maker's eye, 
 
 Arms the unfhrinking foul for every fcenc. 
 
 Weigh well the powers of fimplc piety, 
 
 Make it the key-Hone in thy arch of virtue. 
 
 And it will keep that graceful fabric firm, 
 
 Though all the ftorms of fortune burft upon it. 
 
 Yet farther would I prefs this counfel to thee, 
 
 But time forbids me. — Once again, farewell ! 
 
 Long be thy life, and crown'd with every blefiinfr, 
 
 Till in its peaceful clofe we meet in heaven. [Exi(, 
 
 Cavendish. 
 Smiling he's gone to triumph o'er Oppreffion 
 By brave endurance ! while my voice, fufpended 
 By anguifti, love, and wonder, wanted power 
 To breathe one laft adieu ! — While yet he lives, 
 I cannot bear to be divided from him : 
 No, I will follow — I will fondly gaze 
 On the dear model of confummate virtue 
 
 E'en
 
 3+3 LORD R U S S E L: 
 
 E'en to his latcft moment ; I will fee 
 His heavenly patience meet the murd'rous axe ; 
 I will behold his death, though in the Ught 
 My tortur'd eyeftrings burft with agony. {Exit. 
 
 E,fiter York with an Officer. 
 York. 
 At length I have prevail'd 1 — the traitor dies, 
 Spite of the weaknefs in my wavering brother. 
 This is indeed an hour of exultation ! 
 To all the friends of our true ancient faith 
 This public fall of her arch enemy 
 Is a fure omen that flie foon will rife 
 In all her gorgeous pomp of elder time, 
 And from the turbulence of herefy 
 Clear this rccover'd ifle. 
 
 Officer. 
 
 Her faireft hope 
 Lives in the fpirit of your Highnefs' zeal. 
 
 York. 
 Yet this infldious Ruflel is fo dear 
 To the deluded vulgar, I ftill dread 
 A ftruggle for his refcue !— — Say, my friend, 
 
 Haft
 
 A: T R A G E D Y. 343 
 
 Haft thou arrang'd our private partizans 
 
 At proper intervals to guard the fcaffold. 
 
 And keep the gaping multitude in awe, 
 
 Thofe refty knaves, who, in this fadlious land, 
 
 Are ever ready to engage in riot. 
 
 And hazard life for every bold impoftor, 
 
 Or fubtle demasog-ue who raves on freedom ? 
 
 Officer. 
 Fear not, my Lord ! the voice of loud Sedition 
 Will hardly dare to breathe a lingle murmur 
 Upon her idol's fall, 
 
 York. 
 And haft thou fettled 
 A clear fucccffion of immediate fignals, 
 Which may, as Ruflel drops, tranfport to me 
 A quick afllirance that his head is off? 
 
 Officer. 
 Your Highnefs, in the minute of its fall, 
 Will be appriz'd 'tis fallen by the found 
 Of fifes now ftation'd in this armoury. 
 
 York. 
 "Tis well ; my trufty friend, I thank thy care i 
 
 I cannot
 
 34-4- L O R D R U S S E L: 
 
 I cannot reft till I am fatisfied 
 
 'I'he iieretic has loft all power to hurt us. 
 
 Bedford (efjtering in extj-eme hajlc.) 
 Yet pardon, yet preferve him, princely York. ! 
 I know thy word is able to fufpend J 
 
 The lifted axe. 
 
 York. 
 A^l^ay, thou weak old man ! 
 Bedford. 
 Spurn not my prayer ! its objc6l is thy peace 
 
 Not lefs than mine : by all thy trembling hopes 
 
 Of future greatnefs and fecure dominion, 
 Hafte thou to fnatch him from impending fate ! 
 If, in thefe moments of extreme defpair, 
 Thy pity faves my fon, thou wilt appear 
 As the bright delegate of heavenly mercy ! 
 
 \T'he ffcs fou7id» 
 York. 
 Away ! the found thou heareft is a ftgnal 
 That the juft rigor of the law has fallen 
 Upon his finifh'd life, 
 
 Bedford. 
 
 i
 
 A T R A G E D Y. 345 
 
 Bedford. 
 O my loft child !— 
 But he is happy in the fellowfliip 
 Of faints, who to his higher purity 
 Pay blefled homage — his deliver'd fpirit 
 Gives a new impulfe to my lifelefs heart : 
 His fufferings all are ended ; but this hour, 
 Which fees them clofe, for thee, relentlefs York I 
 Beholds a train of dark calamities, 
 The fpreading offspring of thy cruelty, 
 Rife into being ! 
 
 York. 
 Go, retire, old man. 
 And heal thy fliatter'd mind : I have not leifurc 
 To hear the ravings of diftraded age. 
 
 [Exii York, wii/} the Officer. 
 Bedford. 
 'Tis not the frenzy of a weak old man 
 That now proclaims thy fate, inhuman bigot, 
 Rufhing through guiltlefs blood to thy deftrudlion ! 
 It is the fpirit of my angel fon! • 
 He for a moment leaves the heavenly choir, 
 
 Y y (Whofe
 
 346 LORD R U S S E L : 
 
 (Whofc ready harps fliall iiQier him to glory) 
 To drown a father's angiiifh in this vifion 
 Of foul-pofic fling prefcience ! — yes, 'tis he 
 WJio now prefents to my aftonifli'd eye 
 Thefe crowding images ! — I fee thee now, 
 Infatiate York ! inveftcd with that crown 
 For which thy barbarous ambition panted j 
 I fee it fall from thy unkingly head, 
 Shaking with fear's vile palfy ! — in thy terror 
 I fee thee fue,. imperious, abjedl fpirit ! 
 To the infulted Bedford, but in vain. 
 Thy power, that higheft trufl of Heaven, abus'd, 
 PafTes from thee ! The cruel blood-flain'd tyrant 
 Wanders a wretched exile I This wrong'd ifland 
 Emerges from the darknefs of Oppreflion ! — 
 Hail, fcenes of triumph to all Englifh hearts ! 
 Hail, thou bright feftival of fettled Freedom I 
 I fee and blefs thy firm eftablifhment. 
 And hark ! the juftice of a patriot king. 
 Uniting with a grateful nation's voice, 
 Turns the bafe fentence of my murder'd Ruffel 
 
 To
 
 A TRAGEDY. 347 
 
 To a fair record of foul-foothing honor, 
 And hails me glorious in my matchlefs fon ! 
 
 Enter Cavendifh. 
 
 Cavendish. 
 'Tis paft, my Lord ! I have beheld him feal 
 A life of virtue with a death of glory I 
 
 Bedford. 
 And thou canft tell me, dying, he appear'd, 
 E'en as he liv'd, a model to mankind ! 
 
 Cavendish. 
 Never did martyr w^ith more lovely grace 
 Part from a world unworthy to poffefs him I 
 To the furrounding crowd he mildly fpoke 
 A few fhort words of pardon to his foes, 
 With fervent benedidion to his country ; 
 Commending to the hearts of all who heard him, 
 A love of peace and purified religion ; 
 Then with a chearful readinefs invited 
 The ftroke of death ! I faw the unhappy man, 
 Who with a tremblino; arm lifted the axe 
 O'er his unfhaken vidlim, in his tremor 
 
 Y y 2 Meafuring
 
 343 LORD RUSSEL: 
 
 Meafuring the neck to ftrike his even blow ; 
 I faw him raze the fkin ! and in that moment 
 The cheek of Ruffel held its native hue 
 Unblanc'd with fear ! — it was a fight to turn 
 The grief of friendfliip to idolatry ! 
 And your paternal forrow into pride ! 
 
 Bedford. 
 Dear Cavendifli ! I will not wound his fpirit, 
 His gallant fpirit, by unmanly mourning: 
 No, I have pride, fuch pride as Heaven approves ; 
 Nor would I now exchange my murder'd Ruffel 
 For any living fon in Chriftendom ! 
 
 Cavendish. 
 Blefs this fond firmnefs of the Englifli father I 
 It penetrates and chears my aching heart. — 
 Come, my dear Lord, let us retire from hence. 
 To foothe yet fonder forrow, weeping now 
 In fcenes which he has hallow'd by his care„ 
 In his pafl: days of focial happinefs :. 
 There let us fit, and ftill with fad delight 
 Talk o'er his numerous virtues : they fhall be 
 The theme of every tongue ! and, ages hence, 
 
 3. 
 
 Still.
 
 A TRAGEDY. 
 
 Still fix the love of every Englifli fpirit ! 
 Then, if the voice of Learning would compare 
 What rich Antiquity and Modern Time 
 Have feen of public virtue, while the hand 
 Of Glory juftly in her balance throws 
 The gather'd worthies of the Pagan world, 
 England fliall boaft her own fuperior wealth. 
 And poife the rival fcale with Ruflel's name I 
 
 349 
 
 THE
 
 THE 
 
 MAUSOLEUM; 
 
 A COMEDY, 
 
 OF THREE ACTS, 
 
 IN RHYME.
 
 Perfons of the Drama. 
 
 CAREY. 
 
 JASPER. 
 
 RUMBLE. 
 
 F ACIL. 
 
 TROPE. 
 
 G E R R A R D, the Butler. 
 
 LADY SOPHIA SENTIMENT, Widow of 
 Sir Simon Sentiment, a wealthy Merchant. 
 
 FRANCES, Sifter to Jasper, and a Relation of the 
 deceafed Sir Simon. 
 
 MRS. RUMBLE. 
 
 Servants, &^c. 
 
 SCENE, //6t' 7?iagnijicent Villa of Lady Sophia,
 
 THE 
 
 MAUSOLEUM. 
 
 ACT I. 
 
 SCENE I. 
 
 Carey and Frances. 
 
 Frances. 
 TjRAY temper with patience your warm indignation, 
 -■- And treat with more mercy my tender relation : 
 Becaufe with your paflions her whims interfere, 
 To her foibles, dear Carey, you're grofsly fcvere. 
 
 Carey. 
 My patience, fweet Frances, I own is exhaufted : 
 She will wed the firft fuitor by whom (he's accofted, 
 
 Z z Though
 
 354 THE MAUSOLEUM: 
 
 Though in widowhood's dainty vagaries, her pride 
 Forbids her fair coufiii to fliine as a bride ; 
 And keeps us, my Love, from that altar away, 
 Where Hymen with juftice upbraids our delay. 
 But, in noble contempt of your unfettled dower. 
 Let us feize on the blifs that is plac'd in our power ; 
 And, if fuch artful vanities yield her relief. 
 Leave my Lady to play off frefh fountains of grief, 
 While we, my fweet girl ! pafs our happier youth 
 Li delights that are hallow'd by Nature and Truth : 
 Though my income is fmall, with your prudent diredlion, 
 Dear Fanny—" 
 
 Frances. 
 I'm pleas'd with this proof of affedlion : 
 Yet before we our union, dear Carey, complete, 
 As your love is fo ardent — let mine be difcreet. 
 No honeft return of regard fhould I feel, 
 Could I fuffer your heart, in its generous zeal, 
 To abandon a portion your bride fhould obtain. 
 And hazard by hurry what patience will gain, 
 'Tis unlucky, my couHn, Sir Simon, forgot 
 To fpecify what he defign'd asmv-lot : 
 
 10 But
 
 A COMEDY, IN RHYME. 355 
 
 But I know this omiflion, by which I am left, 
 
 At her Ladyfliip's mercy, of fortune bereft, 
 
 Was the work of Old Vellum, whofe forefight and (kill 
 
 Were employ'd for himfelf, when he made the Knight's 
 
 will. 
 Yet her Ladyfhip fays, that my coufin told her 
 The fum that he meant upon me to confer; 
 And though flie delays, from a delicate whim. 
 
 Left our marriage ftiould feem difrefpeftful to him * 
 
 C A R fe Y. 
 Good God ! my dear Fanny, how can you defend her t 
 To refinement and faith fhe's an empty pretender. 
 Have not twelve months elaps'd from Sir Simon's inter- 
 ment ? 
 Yet her forrow ftill bubbles in ludicrous ferment ; 
 Though the farce of her grief, as our friends have all faid, 
 Is addrefs'd to the living much more than the dead ; 
 And her vanity means, though fhe prizes not pelf, 
 To keep you unmarried, and marry hcrfclf. 
 
 Frances. 
 Indeed you miftake all her harmlefs intentions ; 
 She will certainly give me the fortune fhe mentions ; 
 
 Z z 2 I know
 
 356 THE MAUSOLEUM; 
 
 I know her kind heart, and its pure inclination. 
 
 Carey. 
 Say rather, we know her abfurd affedlation : 
 And as lor your portion, my dear, I as foon 
 Shall expe6l an eftate to drop out of the moon. 
 As to fee you receive from my Lady a fhilling y 
 Allowing, indeed, that her heart may be willing, 
 She foon will have nothing, I fear, to beftow,. 
 So profufe is fhe grown in her whimdcal woe. 
 On the new Maufoleum w^hat fums does fhe wafte !. 
 That fantaftical fabric of barbarous tafte ; 
 Where all decorations that art can. devife, 
 To adorn the proud tombs of the valiant and wile^ 
 Are mixM o*er the bones of a fimple old cit. 
 Who difplay'd not a fparkle of valor or wit ; 
 Who though rich, pafs'd, I thinkj with fmall comfort 
 
 through life,, 
 A mere flave to the whims of his high- blooded wife.. 
 
 Frances. 
 That prepofterous vault I have view'd with concern I 
 And have, cried and have laugh'd o'er Sir Simon's rich urn-: 
 
 But
 
 A COMEDY, IN RHYME. 357 
 
 But at length, having ftudy'd her Ladyfhip's trim, 
 
 And loving her virtue' in fpite of her v^him," 
 
 I've a fcheme, that, I think, with fuccefs will be crown'd, 
 
 On this folly itfelf her corredion to found ; 
 
 By indulging her foible, that foible to banifhj 
 
 And make all her mournful abfurdity vanifli. 
 
 Care y. 
 To your judgment, dear Fanny, I often fubmit, 
 And much could I hope from your goodnefs and wit ; 
 Yet I think- you can't make, in her youth's giddy feafon,> 
 Such a vain v/anton widow a creature of reafon; 
 
 .ijiiidiii.. France s-. 
 You judges of nature, and lords of creation, 
 Howe'er you pretend to profound fpeculation, ..! 
 
 Are exceedingly apt your wife felves to deceive 
 In the judgments you pafs on the daughters of Eve ;. 
 And moft when you reckon, in every tranfad:ion, 
 One indelicate foible their fole fpring of adion..- 
 My Lady Sophia you greatly miftake ; 
 By nature (he's neither a prude nor a rake : 
 At prefent, I own, fhe appears too demure ; 
 But though her heart's tender, her bofom is pure : 
 
 ,.^- '■ - ■•■••' . ;■ ■ To
 
 358 THE MAUSOLEUM: 
 
 To a ftrong underftanding flie makes no pretence, 
 
 But has many mild virtues, and does not want fenfe : 
 
 One foible alone has o'erclouded her mind, 
 
 The foible of feeming fupremely refin'd : 
 
 But if I fucceed, this flight fault fhe will mend, 
 
 And you'll find her a worthy agreeable friend. 
 
 Carey. 
 You may fay of her purity what you think fit, 
 But her cafe one fpecific alone will admit. 
 Believe me, whene'er a young widow's fo prim, 
 And by quaint affedation fo cramp'd in each limb, 
 A new hufband alone, by his pliant embrace, 
 Can reftore her ftarch'd form to its natural grace : 
 Is this, my fair Quack ! the new noftrum you've got ? 
 
 ■•-;•■:! : Frances. 
 
 Indeed you fhan't hear any part of my plot. 
 Till I know its fuccefs. ;n Dnr 
 
 Carey. 
 
 Ah ! my dear, I'm afraid 
 This is fome coy device my requefl to evade, 
 And to keep the wifh'd day of our wedding ftiJl diftant. 
 
 Frances. jii-Jii k.jU i.^.-io.;.. . 
 No ; in truth, by the aid of a fecret afliftant, 
 
 I've
 
 A C O M E D Yi '-1 N R H Y M E. 359 
 
 I've a plan of great moment in high agitation, 
 "Which may happily end all our various vexation : 
 Allow me three days for its perfed: digeftion, 
 And if in that time you will afk me no queflion, 
 I promife thenceforth, without murmur or ftrife, 
 To obey your commands for the reft of my life. 
 
 Carey. 
 I gladly fubfcribe to this bargain of blifs ; 
 So allow me to feal the kind bond with a kifs ! 
 Remember, three days ; I can't add a day more. 
 And fhall fancy thofe three in duration threefcore. 
 
 Frances. 
 O they'll pafs very quick : — much amus'd you will be 
 With the three rival Bards whom to-day we fhall fee ; 
 To whom my fad coufin oblig'd me to write 
 For fepulchral infcriptions ih'jjfaife of her Knight : ~ 
 
 They have fent each an epitaph hither before 'em, ' '^ ' ' ' 
 And are coming themfelves with all folemn decorum. 
 As each, without contcft, expedls here the laurel, 
 On her Ladyfhip's judgment they'll probably quarrel : 
 As you know the whole group, you muft wait on the choir. 
 To foothe the irafcible fons of the Lyre. 
 
 Carey.
 
 36o THE MAUSOLEUM:- i 
 
 Carey. 
 
 As to Facil and Trope, if they're hurt, I'll engage 
 That one glance of your eyes will extinguifli their rage : 
 You will find them two chearful and good-humour'd lads|j 
 And, whether their Pegafus gallops or pads, 
 It will pleafe me^ I own, if lier Ladyfhip's fancies 
 May tend to recruit their xleclining finances: 
 But for fplenetic Rumble, who, grandly abfurd. 
 Never fpeaks without ufing a fix-footed word, 
 I care not how much he is mortified here. 
 
 P' R A N C E S, 
 
 But the length of his words hits her Ladyfiiip's ear. 
 
 Carey. 
 His ftiff phrafes indeed may accord with her Ibrrow, 
 Yet his fplccn will infult her ere this time to-morrow ; 
 For often he'll call, with quaint arrogant vanity, 
 Every head but his own the abode of inanity : 
 Becauft a greaf author's defecfls he has caught, 
 He vainly pretends to his vigor of thought ; 
 Though,, on fimilar grounds, he as well might fuppofe, 
 TJiat, bccaufe fome dark fpots may^hq feeii on. his noie, , 
 
 zaoi -Okuiolmi oiL "^^ 
 
 A^
 
 A COMEDY, IN RHYME. 361 
 
 His face has the luftre and force of the fun. 
 
 Frances, 
 In our chorus of Bards I am glad he is one, 
 For I'm curious, I own, the ftrange elf to furvey ; 
 Though I'm rather afraid of his wife, who, they fay. 
 Reads all the rough verfes her hufband has penn'd. 
 Till flie ftuns every ear flie can tempt to attend. 
 She's to come with her Poet. 
 
 Carey. 
 
 I fancy they're here, 
 For I think I've the hum of his rhymes in my ear. 
 
 Frances. 
 No, no ; 'tis her Ladyfhip, mightily fmitten 
 With the high-founding epitaph Rumble has written. 
 
 Enter Lady Sophia (reading). 
 
 Lady Sophia. 
 '* This doleful domicile of duft contains 
 " Sir Simon Sentiment's inert remains ; 
 ■" Though Death's cold flroke infrigidate his frame, 
 " Commerce refounds his emporetic name." 
 
 3 A Ah,
 
 362 T H E M A U S O L E U M: 
 
 Ah, my friends, here is vcrfe truly grand and pathetic I 
 
 How exceedingly fine is the word cniporetic! — 
 
 Whv, Carey! you feem quite untouch'd by its beauty j 
 
 Of fricndiliip, I fear, you forget the laft duty : 
 
 You two giddy creatures, though both tender-hearted,. 
 
 TJiink more of yourfelves than of my dear departed. 
 
 Carey. 
 As your Ladylliip chufcs to prels me fo hardy 
 I confefs, though his memory ftill I regard, 
 That my thoughts fro-m Sir Simon will frequently roam j 
 And I hope, when you've deck'd his funereal dome,. 
 Your LadyO^ip's mind may, by Nature's dircdion,. 
 Aflume a more lively and chearful complexioa; 
 
 That you'll mix once again 
 
 Lady Sophia. 
 
 Never, Carey ! no, never I 
 No time from his grave my devotion fhall fever ; 
 In my eye the fond tear of remembrance fnall fvvim. 
 And each figh of my foul iliall be facred to him ! 
 
 Carey. 
 Confider, dear Madam ! that cuftom and reafoa 
 Prefcribe to our forrows a natural fcafon j 
 
 You
 
 A COMEDY, IN R H Y M S. 363 
 
 You have mourn'd like a model of conjugal truth, 
 Now attend to the claims of your beautv^ and youth ; 
 In the bloom of your graces 
 
 Lady Sophia. 
 
 Hold, hold, you wild thing! 
 In your fancy, I find, grofs ideas will fpring ; 
 'Tis the fault of you men ; — ere I chaftcnd his mind, 
 My Sir Simon himfelf to that failing inclin\l : 
 But I taught him to change the loofe laugh of futility, 
 For the fweet melting tear of refin'd fcnfibility. 
 Till through his mild frame fuch pure tendernefs ran — 
 To fuch delicate foftnefs I brou2;ht the dear man — 
 He would weep o'er the withering leaf of a role, 
 And fmile at the thorn though it wounded his nofe. — 
 Ah, my gentle Sir Simon I 
 
 Frances. 
 
 Indeed, he was fuch. 
 That your thoughts cannot dwell on his image too much. 
 
 Lady Sophia. 
 Your foothing, kind fympathy charms mc, my dear : 
 I now truft you will wait till the end of next year ; 
 
 3 A 2 Nor.
 
 364 THE MAUSOLEUM. 
 
 Nor with Hymen's fcftivity, grofs and indecent. 
 Profane our chaftc forrow, fo graceful and recent. 
 
 Carey (afuk to Frances). 
 How can you fo flatter her curft affedlation ? 
 Between you I'm really half mad with vexation. 
 
 Lady Sophia. 
 As you, my good girl ! with fuch feeling attend, 
 When o'er the dear tomb of Sir Simon I bend, 
 That your thoughts may not roam when our duty we pay 
 To that moft precious piece of inanimate clay. 
 That you may not omit o'er his aflies to figh, 
 In confidering what wedding-cloaths you rauft buy, 
 I've determin'd, my dear, as I think it your due, 
 To refign all my colour' d apparel to you ; 
 To wear it again I indeed am unable, 
 And on earth while I linger my garb fhall be fable- 
 
 \Sfeaking to a Servant behmd the fcene.'\ 
 Jenny, bring in the cheft that I bid you prepare, 
 
 Frances (afide to Carey). 
 What d'ye think of this fmgular prefent ? 
 
 Carey. 
 
 O rare I 
 Q Her
 
 A COMEDY, IN RHYME. 365 
 
 Her criiis is coming, without much delay ; 
 
 There might have been doubts had fhe fix'd upon grey: 
 
 But a vow to wear black all the reft of her life 
 
 Is a ftrong indication flie'll Toon be a wife. 
 
 [Two Servants l>rh2g in a large Cheji.'^ 
 Lady S o p h i a (^/o Frances). 
 I have told you, my dear, that, refin'd in my joy, 
 The array of affe£lion I ne'er could deftroy : 
 Thefe are garments unfoil'd, that 1 beg you to take. 
 Thus preferv'd for the conqueft they help'd me to make. 
 In the fweet days of courtfhip thefe garments I wore. 
 Vain memorials of pleafure that now is no more ! 
 Of thofe dear days of triumph you'll now fee the trophy, 
 When Sir Simon firll: call'd me angelical Sophy : — 
 The fond recoUecflion fubdues my foft breaft I 
 
 Frances. 
 Dear Madam, forbear then to open the cheft! 
 
 Lady Sophia, 
 No, no, my good girl ; I will fhew you the whole, 
 And how colours exprefs'd various fliades in my foul 5 
 In foft variegation I vied with the dove, 
 And reveal'd by my drefs the gradations of love. 
 
 Here
 
 366 THE MAUSOLEUM: 
 
 Here is, firft, a cold brown — in this gown I was nice, 
 And repcird my warm fwain with the chillnefs oF ice ; 
 But growing more foft, in this azure attire 
 I allow'd him with hope to enliven defire ; , 
 
 In this pale lilach luteftring he found me relent ; 
 And this Tofc-colour'd filk was the bluflb of confcnt. 
 
 O I ne'er fliall forircc 
 
 G E R R A R D (entertjig). 
 
 Would your Lady (hip chufe 
 To receive Mr. Rumble? 
 
 Care y. 
 
 The Bard and his Mufe ! 
 Lady Sophia. 
 No, not for the wealth that's below the chafte moon, 
 Till I meet all the Bards in the fable faloon : 
 By his fudden arrival I'm fadly confounded. 
 And {hould faint if he faw me with colours furrounded ! 
 To Mifs Jafper's apartment away with this chefl: ; — - 
 Dear Frances, and Carey, pray wait on my gueft, 
 Till my poor fhatter'd nerves are a little compos'd, 
 And the frclh-bleeding wound of my bofom is clos'd. 
 
 5 Stay,
 
 A COMEDY, IN RHYME. 367 
 
 Stay, Gerrard. — If cards fliould be call'd Tor to-night, 
 Place the new japann'd tables alone in my fight ; 
 For the pool of Quadrille fct the black-bugle difh, 
 And remember you bring us the ebony fillj. 
 
 [Exeunt Lady Sophia a^d Gerrard. 
 Frances. 
 What the deuce iliall I do with the wife of the Poet ? 
 She may ruin my fcheme, if £he happen to know it : 
 She may pry 
 
 C A R E r. 
 Never fear it ! I'll venture a wag;er 
 That the rhymes of her hufband will fully engage her: 
 You have feen a proud Bantam crow over a pen, 
 Where a fmall egg has dropt from his favorite hen. 
 He crows, and he flutters, and ftruts round the yard: 
 So engrofs'd by her joy is the wife of a Bard ; 
 And by flmilar buftle attention Oie begs, 
 And crows o'er her partner's poetical eggs. 
 But here come little Partlet and old Chanticleer. 
 Enter Mr. and Mrs. Rumble. 
 Care y. 
 Mr. Rumble^ I'm happy in feeing you here. 
 
 Mrs,
 
 368 THE MAUSOLEUM: 
 
 Mrs. Rumble, — Mifs Jafpcr ; you know. Ma'am, her 
 
 brother 
 
 And you, Ladies, will foon be well known to each other. 
 
 Mr. R u m b l e. 
 Though we meet in the houfc of refin'd lamentation, 
 In your prefence, I feel, Sir, fome exhilaration j 
 Since I in this fpot as a ftranger appear, 
 I rejoice in a friend who domefticates here. 
 My Lady is lodg'd in a fumptuous manfion, 
 And I'm pleas'd with her park's evanefcent expanfion; 
 As my wife has a tafte for the grand and ftupendous, 
 I a.m glad I complied with her wifh to attend us. 
 
 Miss Jasper. 
 You have had. Ma'am, I hope, an agreeable ride ; 
 Our profpedls are pleafant on every fide. 
 And our roads are foo good • 
 
 Mrs. R u m b l'e. 
 
 That you'll wonder to learn 
 We were flopt on our way by an odd overturn. 
 
 Miss Jasper. 
 Indeed ! you furprize me. I hope tliat no harm 
 Has enfued from the accident, favc your alarm — 
 But how could it happen ? 
 
 Mrs.
 
 A COMEDY, IN RHYME. 369 
 
 Mr s. Rumble. 
 
 Sometimes, on the road, 
 My dear Mr. Rumble compofes an ode ; 
 For he fays, in fuch motion his fancy fhincs moft ; 
 And all true lyric poets, you know, travel poft : 
 But a chaife-boy, alas ! is a fad ignoramus ; 
 And the poor honeft booby, whofe blunder o'ercame us, 
 Miftook a Pindarical ejaculation 
 For a horrible, vulgar, profane execration. 
 And, turning to ftare at my dear Mr. Rumble, 
 Drove againft a fteep hillock, which gave us a tumble. 
 
 Miss Jasper. 
 A moft cruel event ! whence, I fear, we may lofe 
 The unfortunate fruit of the terrified Mufe : 
 'Twas indeed moft unlucky I 
 
 Mrs. Rumble. 
 
 Dear Ma'am, not at all : 
 Such a genius is not to be crufti'd by a fall ; 
 The accident brighten'd his fancy, and on it 
 He gallantly gave me an amorous fonnet. 
 
 As I know you love verfe 
 
 3B Mr.
 
 370 THE MAUSOLEUM: 
 
 Mr. Rumble. 
 
 Mrs. Rumble, I vow 
 This difplay of my trifles I cannot allow ; 
 You for ever miftakc, to my endlefs vexation, 
 Gay Levity's fparkle for Wit's corufcation. 
 
 Mrs. Rumble. 
 Ah, you dear, modefi; man ! in a napkin you'd hide 
 The talent my love muft contemplate with pride ; 
 As Mifs Jafper, I'm furc, is a lady of tafte, 
 She fhall fee fomc fweet things that I pack'd up in hafte^ 
 
 A few fatires and odes 
 
 [Takes QiU an enormous focket-book Jluffed <with papers* 
 Mr. R U MB L E, 
 
 As you dread my difpleafure> 
 Put up that red volume I 
 
 Mrs. R u m b l e. 
 
 What, bury my trcafure f 
 Indeed I muft read one fublime compofition. 
 
 Mr. Rumble. 
 Mrs. Rumble ! the part of a wife is fubmiflion. — 
 Silly woman 1 to whom for my fins I am yok'd^ 
 Wi'th pulveriz'd gravel you almoft are clioak'd ; 
 
 And,
 
 A COMEDY, IN RHYME. 371 
 
 And, fatigu'd with vehicular dilaceration, 
 
 You would murder my verfes by rough recitation. 
 
 Mrs. Rumble. 
 No, indeed ; do but hear mc one ftanza rehear/e ; 
 *Tis my favorite ode. 
 
 Mr. Rumble. 
 
 As you grow fo perverfe, 
 To preferv'e my own temper from exacerbationj 
 I muft thus flop your organs of vociferation. 
 
 \_La)'s his hand on her lips, 
 
 Mrs. Rumble. 
 Well, my dear, I defer it to fome fitter time, 
 And I kifs the fweet hand that has written fuch rhyme. 
 
 Miss JaspeRj 
 Your connubial obedience, dear Ma'am, I admire ; 
 But I'm fure your fatigues fome refrefhment require—* 
 Give me leave to attend you. 
 
 Mrs. Rumble. 
 
 It gives me concern 
 To trouble you, Ma'am ; but I hope to return 
 Your obliging attention, fo kind and polite, 
 By a peep at a fatire which ne'er faw the light. 
 
 [Exit Mifs Jafper with Mrs. Rumble, 
 3B2 Carey.
 
 372 THE MAUSOLEUM: 
 
 Carey. 
 Mr. Rumble, you're bleft in an excellent wife, 
 That fuperlative prize in the lott'ry of life ; 
 The vow of the altar flie rifes above, 
 And adds admiration to duty and love. 
 
 Mr. Rumble. 
 My wife has, I think, the right feminine nerve : 
 Her fex was created to wonder and ferve ; 
 As their minds have from nature no ponderous powers. 
 They have nothing to do but to venerate ours. 
 
 Carey. 
 
 fie ! can you eftimate woman fo low ? 
 
 To our fair female authors pray think what we owe. 
 
 Mr. Rumble. 
 
 1 cannot read one, Sir, without ofcitation: 
 They don't underftand antithetic vibration; 
 Their ideas have nothing of height and profundity, 
 Their conceptions want vigor, their periods rotundity ; 
 Their truth is too ftale, or too feeble their fidlion. 
 And I cannot endure their anomalous did:ion : 
 
 But enough of thefe garrulous wafters of ink — 
 Her Ladyfhip likes my infcription, I think ; 
 
 That
 
 A COMEDY, IN RHYME. 373 
 
 That lugubrious poem no critic (hall garble, 
 
 And, I truft, you can fliew it me graven on marble. 
 
 Carey. 
 It would pleafe me to give you that pleafure, dear Sir; 
 But, in truth, on this point there's a little demur, 
 Her Ladylhip means to confult on the cafe. 
 
 Mr. Rumble. 
 What, Sir ! is my poem expos'd to difgrace ? 
 Her critical quacks does this woman engage, 
 To flafh. my found verfe with empirical rage ? 
 
 Carey. 
 Believe me, good Sir, all the homage that's due 
 To poetical genius flie offers to you ; 
 But her Ladyfhip's love for Sir Simon is fuch, 
 She thinks that he cannot be honour'd too much; 
 And, to give all his virtues their due celebration, 
 She from diverfe poetical pens of our nation 
 Has a cargo of epitaphs. 
 
 Mr. Rumble. 
 Hah ! is it>fo I 
 Are there rivals to fhoot in Apollo's ftrong bow ? 
 
 This
 
 374 THE MAUSOLEUM: 
 
 This fliould have been told me before ; — but no matter : 
 My concurrents, perhaps, may more laviflily flatter, 
 Yet in funeral fong they can't equal my tone ; 
 Where Pope has mifcarried, I triumph alone. — 
 Pray who are thefc Bards that with mc aue to cope? 
 
 Carey. 
 I think you're acquainted witji Facjl ^md Trope. 
 
 M R. R U M R L F. 
 
 What, Facil ! whofe vcrfc is the thread of tenuity, 
 That fellow diftinguifli'd by flippant fatuity, 
 Who nonfcnfe and rhyme can inceflantly minglcj 
 A poet — if poetry's only a jingle. 
 
 Carey. 
 Poor Facil wants force ; yet may frequently |)leafe 
 By a light airy mixture of mirth and of eafe ; 
 But Trope's lofty mufe has a higher pretefiflon. 
 
 Mr. Rumble. 
 Sir ! Trope is a rhymer devoid of invention, 
 Who talks in a high fl:rutting ftyle of the flars. 
 And the eagle of Jove, and the chariot of Mars j 
 And pompoufly tells, in elaborate lines, 
 That now the moon gliftens, and now the fun fliines. 
 
 Carey,
 
 A COMEDY, IN RHYME. 375 
 
 Carey. 
 How fevere, my good friend, are you Bards to each other ! 
 Yet if each would indulgently look, on a brother, 
 
 For your general honor 
 
 Mr. Rumble. 
 
 I cannot agree 
 That thefe fellows have aught homogeneous with me ; 
 To contend with fuch fcribblers I deem a difgracc, 
 And my dignity bids me abandon the place ; 
 With her Ladyfhip's judgment I mean not to quarrel, 
 But fhall leave her to crown any monkey with laurel. 
 
 Carey. 
 Mr. Rumble ! in points fo exceedingly nice. 
 I do not prefume to obtrude my advice ; 
 But allow mc to mention, before you depart, 
 What may tend to encourage your liberal art^ 
 Sir Simon, you know, had a paflion for fame, 
 And left a large fum to eternize his name 
 By fome fl:ru<5ture of note ; yet he never faid what : 
 So a grand Maufoleum is rais'd on this fpot. 
 At fo vaft an expence that my Lady, I find. 
 Has furpaft what the Knight for the building deiign'd ; 
 
 7 The
 
 376 T HE M A.U S O L E U M^. 
 
 The fuperfluous coft, be it great as it may, 
 From her own private purfe fhe defigns to defray 3 . 
 Though an annual fund by the will is adjuftcd,.r.,j ':) 
 With the guidance of which flie is alfo entrufted ', 
 But from this, as I hear, fhe has form'd an intention 
 To give the beft epitaph-writer a pcnfion. 
 
 M R. R U M B L E. 
 
 Has {he fo ! — 'tis a gracious, effulgent defign ; 
 
 I proteft, of her judgment I highly opine. 
 
 Her face has been chiefly the fubjedt of praife ; 
 
 But a fplendor of intelledl now fhe difplays. 
 
 I cannot abruptly depart from a fcene 
 
 Whofe miftrefs difcovers the mind of a queen, 
 
 Nor rudely defert, though my time is precarious, 
 
 A lady whofe graces are fo multifarious : 
 
 But pray, left fome pnppy fhould here circumvent me, 
 
 To her Ladyfliip can't you diredly prefent me ? 
 
 Though I fear, fince my fall, I am hardly fo clean as 
 
 A Bard fhould be feen by a female Maecenas. 
 
 Carey. 
 Never fear ! — in your coat there is not fo much duft 
 As to blind the bright eye that to merit is juft. 
 
 3 If
 
 A COMEDY, IN RHYME. 37^ 
 
 If you'll ftep In this room, which is call'd the Apollo, 
 
 And wait a few minutes, I'll fpccdily follow, 
 
 AnS acquaint you how foon we may hope for admiflion ; — 
 
 My Lady loves form, in her prefent condition : 
 
 To amufe yourfelf there you'll, however, be able, 
 
 For you'll find all the epitaphs rang'd on the table, 
 
 Mr. Rumble. 
 Are they fo ! — it is well ! — I indeed love to flafk 
 An inane poetafter's incongruous trafli. [£a;/V, 
 
 Carey. 
 There I'll venture to leave the old cynical Rumble, 
 The prey he has feiz'd to growl over and mumble. 
 If this Bard, whom my Lady regards as her darling. 
 Has infus'd in his brothers his talent of fnarling, 
 I think fhe will find little room to admire 
 The harmony form'd by her Lyrical Choir.— 
 But lo! the kind Mufe an example now fends, 
 That two mortals at once may be poets and friends. 
 
 Enter Facil af^ci Trope. 
 
 Carey. 
 My dear lads of Parnaflus ! you're welcome together ; 
 I am glad you afibciate, like birds of a feather, 
 
 3 C That
 
 378 THE MAUSOLEUM: 
 
 That fools may not cry, ** Every Bard hates a brother^ 
 
 " And Poets, like Pike, arc the prey of each other." 
 
 How fare ye, my friends? have you profper'd of late? 
 
 I hope each has rais'd his Parnaffian eftate I 
 
 In our laft converfation I heard ye lament 
 
 That your farms on the mountain produc'd a low rent, 
 
 F A c I L. 
 In truth 'tis a niggardly foil, at the beft, 
 As I and my brother can truly atteft j 
 But with hopes of a new golden asra, my friend. 
 On your patronefs here we are come to attend : 
 To encourage the arts fhe has fpirit and fenfe, 
 And we're told, my dear Carey, her wealth is immenfe. 
 
 Trope, 
 In fortune and foul ihe's a queen, 'tis agr-eed, 
 And of genius as fond as Chriftina the Swede ; 
 For the Public's dull tafte flie, we truft, will confole us, 
 And make our poor Helicon rich as Padolus. 
 
 F A c I L. 
 
 Perhaps, my dear Carey, we owe to your care 
 The favor of this truly liberal Fair : 
 
 You
 
 A COMEDY, I iM RHYME. 379 
 
 You are, doubtlefs, appriz'd that my Lady requires — 
 
 Carey. 
 I know file has paid due refpcd; to your lyres ; 
 Yet, indeed, on that title no thanks can I claim ; 
 You're indebted alone to your common friend, Fame: 
 Her Ladyfliip knows with what fpirit you write, 
 And has begg'd your two Mufes to honor her Knight ; 
 And, I truft, to your mutual advantage and joy, 
 She'll reward the rare talents fhe wifli'd to employ. 
 But be not too fanguine ; — I know how you Bards 
 Build the fabric of Hope like a .caitle or cards : 
 Entre 7ious^ our good Lady is odd in her tafte, 
 Tho' her mind is, no doubt, with munificence grac'd ; 
 Perhaps to one Bard fhe'U be laviflily kind, 
 And appear to the other as utterly blind. 
 Then let each be prepar'd. 
 
 F A c I L. 
 
 So we are, my good friend, 
 And by mutual fupport fhall each other defend : 
 To tell you a fecret, we both wrote in haftc. 
 And ftrangers alike to her Ladyfbip's tafte ; 
 
 3 C 2 But
 
 38o THE MAUSOLEUM: 
 
 But agreed, as our purfes are equally low, 
 To divide what on either flie deigns to beftow. 
 
 Carey. 
 The compa6l is friendly ; I wifli from my heart 
 That all who purfue the poetical art 
 Would learn, from you two, their mean rage to fupprefs^ 
 And not rave at the fight of a rival's fuccefs.. 
 
 F A c I L. 
 
 There, indeed, they may copy from Trope and from mc: 
 
 From envy, thank Heaven ! we arc happily free ; 
 
 We rally each other as much as we pleafe ; — 
 
 I laugh at his figures — he laughs at my eafe ; 
 
 Yet with rancour we ne'er try each other to hit. 
 
 But value Benevolence far above Wit. 
 
 The art we ftill doat on has ruin'd us both ; 
 
 Yet to quit the deceiver we're equally loth : 
 
 From Commerce and Law we were led to retire 
 
 By the fplendid illufions that wait on the Lyre ; 
 
 And though each has abtain'd a fair portion of praife, 
 
 We have no golden fruit in our chaplct of bays ; 
 
 Still we look without fpleen on our gains and our lofTes, 
 
 Each endear'd to the other by fimilar crofTes. 
 
 Carey.
 
 A COMEDY, IN RHYME. 381 
 
 Carey. 
 In truth, my dear Bards, you're good-humour is rare j 
 You're philofophers both, and a fingular pair : 
 With what excellent temper I've heard you rehearfe 
 A malicious burlefque of your innocent verfe I 
 
 F A CI L, 
 
 O, with me 'tis a rule not to quarrel with thofe 
 Who attack what I fcribble in rhyme or in profe ; 
 To fkirmifli with you, how unjuft fhould I be, 
 If, perchance, of my verfes you don't think with me; 
 When, to tell you the truth, I'm fo various an elf, 
 I have twenty opinions about them myfelf 1 
 
 Car e y. 
 What an honeft confeffion ! 
 
 F a c I L. 
 
 'Tis perfedlly true ; 
 Yet my works, I mufl own, I too rarely review ; 
 And too quick in their birth are the brats of my brains 
 My Mufe is no parent inur'd to long pain, 
 Who dandles a rickety chit while it lives, 
 And loves it the more for the trouble it gives ; 
 
 10 She
 
 332 THE MAUSOLEUM: 
 
 She with lively difpatch, like a provident mother, 
 Soon as one child is born thinks of rcarino- another. — 
 But enough of a jade that is merely ideal ; 
 Let us talk of a female, kind, lovely, and real ; 
 An infpirer of lomething much Tweeter than verfe, 
 And, I hope, with a few thoufand pounds in her purfe ; 
 I allude, my good friend, to Mifs Jafper, your flame ; 
 But, perhaps, (he no longer is known by that name, 
 And has wifely exchang'd it for Carey. 
 
 Carey, 
 
 Not fo ; 
 The day of our wedding you'll certainly know, 
 As I hope that your Mufe will the altar attend 
 With a rapturous ode on the blifs of your friend. 
 
 F A c I L. 
 
 I accept the gay ofBce with infinite glee j — 
 
 But at prefent, I hope, the fair Nymph we ihall fee : 
 
 Trope and I were the intimate friends of her brother ; 
 
 What a genius was he I — I ne'er knew fuch another : 
 
 At fchool we firfl faw him his talent difplay ; 
 
 I remember he modeli'd our figures in clay. 
 
 c The
 
 A COMEDY, IN RHYME. 383 
 
 The trade of a fculptor vvc thought not his fate, 
 But fuppos'd he'd have half of Sir Simon's eftate! 
 
 Carey. 
 So he would, had not Vellum's more provident care, 
 When he made the Knight's will, nam'd himfelf as his heir. 
 My Lady, indeed, has the -rents for her life, 
 But to Vellum yields half if again (he's a wife; 
 And if without ifTue her Ladyfhip dies. 
 All this ample eftate is old Latitat's prize. 
 
 F A c I L. 
 And what fays poor Jafper, that fpirited lad ? 
 Faith, I think fuch a will might have driven him mad ? 
 Though engag'd by his art, he, I'm fure, muft be nettled • 
 But in Rulun, they fay, he is happily fettled. 
 
 Care y. 
 When a generous mind has embrac'd a fine art. 
 With Fortune's vain gifts it can readily part ; 
 From the world's dirty cares it detaches itfelf, 
 To contend for a prize far fuperior to pelf; 
 And looks with contempt (I am fure that you feel it) 
 Upon hcart-hard'ning gold, and the villains who fteal it. 
 
 Such
 
 384. THE MAUSOLEUM: 
 
 Such a mind, from hls'childhood, your friend has poflcfl: j 
 And in RufTia, I hear, he is bufy and blefl: ; 
 For a patronefs there, of imperial fpirit, 
 The munificent Catherine, honors his merit. 
 
 F A C I L. 
 
 I proteft, in the different realms of the earth, 
 
 There is no friend, like woman, to genius and worth 1 
 
 Trope. 
 I vvifh you and I may a Catherine find 
 In the widow whofe Knight in our verfe is enflirin'd ! 
 
 F A C I L. 
 
 You perhaps, my dear Carey, can tell us fome news : 
 Has her Ladyfhip told you her thoughts of our Mufe ? 
 
 Carey. 
 One thing, my good friends, I can tell you at prefent, 
 But I fear you'll not think it exceedingly pleafant ; 
 Yet it's certainly fit you fhould inftantly know it, 
 And, indeed, emulation infpirits a poet : 
 Nay, look not fo grave ! — 'tis a rival — that's all, 
 A candidate come at her Ladyfhip's call. 
 
 F A c I L. 
 A rival ! who is it ? 
 
 Trop e.
 
 A . C O M E D Y, IN RHYME. 385 
 
 Trope. 
 A rival ! pray who ? 
 Care v. 
 One, I'll venture to fay, fully known to you two, 
 A Bard whofe prctcnfions are not very humble. 
 
 F A C i L. 
 
 You furely don't mean the pedantical Rumble ? 
 
 Carey. 
 Even fo I that long-winded loud Stentor of fong ; 
 And the ladies all think that his language is ftrong, 
 
 Trope. 
 'Tis as flrong and as knotty as Hercules' club, 
 And as rough as the roll of the old Cynic's tub. 
 
 Carey. 
 Hufli] hufli ! — in this chamber the Bear is inclos'd, 
 Crovvling over the epitaphs you have compos'd. 
 
 F a c I L. 
 
 Is he fo 1 — introduce us I long to partake 
 
 In the courteous remarks that his candor will make. 
 
 Carey. 
 O, if fuch is your wi£h, to our gueft I'll prefent you ; 
 But I fancy his comments will quickly content you. 
 
 3D F A CI L.
 
 '86 
 
 THE MAUSOLEUM 
 
 F A C I L. 
 
 f 
 
 As for me, I defy him to give me vexation ; 
 And Trope will delight in fome retaliation. 
 
 End of ACT I. 
 
 IL 
 
 SCENE I. 
 
 Mifs Jafper ^jfW Gerrardw 
 
 Miss Jasper. 
 
 PRAY watch for my brother, and bring him to me,. 
 And let no one, good Gerrard, my vifitor fee : 
 On your faithful prudence I folely rely ;. 
 We're undone if our guefts fhould his perfon efpy : 
 From all but ourfelves we muft keep him unknown ; 
 And, if feen, he muft pafs for a friend of your own. 
 
 I depend on your prudence, 
 
 Gerrard,
 
 A C O M E P y, I N • R 9 Y ME. ^^7 
 
 G E R R A R D. 
 
 Dear Mifs, never fear; 
 To -do him any good I would watch for a year : 
 Heaven knows, I have pray'd for him early and late, 
 Since the old lawyer robb'd him of this fine eftate ; 
 And would give all I'm worth could I get him his due. 
 
 MissJasper. 
 Honeft Gerrard ! I know we've a good friend in you : 
 But look out for my brother — he'll want your afTiftancc. 
 
 Gerrard. 
 I think I fhall know him at half a mile's diftance. 
 
 Miss Jasper. 
 He'll be here ere you flir — prithee run to the gat<». 
 
 Gerrard. 
 Dear Mifs, you forget ; I am paft fixty-eight; jt to -i^ i 
 But I'll make all the hafte that I can, tor your fake, 
 And I'll pray tor you both at each ftep that I take. \_Exit, 
 
 Miss Jasper. ,1^ 
 
 That's a worthy old creature, though rather too ilow^-/^ 
 He is trufly, and will not betray us, I know : 
 But though he's fecure, I ftill fliudder to. think j 
 
 How my hopes in a moment to nothing may fink. 
 
 3 D 2 As
 
 388 THE MAUSOLEUM: 
 
 As the crifis comes on, in a hazardous fcheme, 
 
 With what infinite terrors the fancy will teem ! — ■ 
 
 In my hopes of the match I was fanguine and hearty ; 
 
 But I now have my fears in regard ta each party. 
 
 Should my Gentleman -turn out too fqueamifli and cojy 
 
 How vain the kind art I have dcign'd to employ ! 
 
 Should my Lady fhew family-pride, at this feafon,, 
 
 I've depended in vain upon Nature and Reafon, 
 
 I have flu died her well, and I clearly defery 
 
 She's deftin'd again to the conjugal tie : 
 
 In fpitc of the whims falle refinement has taught her^ 
 
 She is honeft dame Nature's, benevolent daughter : 
 
 Though- a truly good creature, in virtue fo ftrong 
 
 She would not for the world do a thing fhe thinks wrong,. 
 
 Yet of fuck yielding wax her foft bofom is form'd, 
 
 It will' melt in a moment, improperly wariiv'd ^v 
 
 •Provided her fancy, affededly nice, 
 
 Can delude her kind heart with fome dainty device, 
 
 Some delicate plea for becoming a- wife 
 
 To the youth, who conjures her to blcls him for life. 
 
 On this I have founded my whimfical plan, 
 
 In hopes of producing this fortunate man : 
 
 My 

 
 A COMEDY, IN RHYME. 389 
 My brother, I know, has a pafTion for her ; 
 And (he foon to all men would his perfon prefer. • 
 But in my rapid projedl. he will not be fteady, 
 Unlefs I perfuade him ilie loves him already ; 
 For men rar-ely know, though of knowledge they're vain. 
 By a well-manag'd minute how much they may gain. 
 And £hould he detedl the kind art I employ, 
 Farewell to my hopes of their conjugal joy ! — 
 I yefiierday thought that my plan could not failj 
 
 Now I think 'twill be marvellous fhould it prevail .. 
 
 But away, cruel fears ! hence, ye painful alarms ! 
 i- behold my dear brother reftor'd to my arms 1 
 
 Enter Jafper,. 
 
 Jasper. 
 Heaven blefs thee, dear girl! — you have got me once 
 
 more, 
 In fpite of my vow not to vifit this iliore ; 
 And I joyfully fly, with affedion's quick pace, 
 To enfold thy kind heart in a brother's embrace : 
 With that in my grafp, I true opulence feel. 
 And my wealth in this cafket no lawyer can fteal. 
 
 Mi s s
 
 390 THE iM A U S O L E U M. 
 
 Miss Jasper. 
 If teve and cfteem may be reckon'd as treafure, 
 You indeed, mv dear brother, are rich above mearurc I 
 O how have I long'd all your feelings to learn ! 
 How ardently pray'd for your fpeedy return ! 
 How often accus'd your indignant delay ! 
 What a million of things had I ready to fay ! 
 What queftions to afk ! — and yet now you are come. 
 The confuiion of joy has almofl: made me dumb ! 
 
 Jasper. 
 My tender, good girl ! — I perceive you retain ■ 
 All your lively fenfations of pleafure and pain. — 
 But thefe tears will relieve you — don't check them, my dear; 
 ""Tis a tribute my heart is inclin'd to revere ; 
 All flattering language I prize them above, 
 And hold them the trueft exprefllon of love : 
 And indeed, when I think what diftrefs and regret 
 Have harrafs'd your fenflble mind fincc we met ; 
 When I think how, from fordid felf-intereft free, 
 You forget your own wrongs in attention to me ; 
 I feel tears of gratitude ready to ftart, 
 And confefs my dear fifter the pride of my heart ! 
 
 3 Miss
 
 A COMEDY, IN RHYME. 391 
 
 Miss Jasper. 
 Yet, for life, you could talk of deferting this fifter 1 
 
 Jasper. 
 But you fee, when fhe pleaded I could not rcfift her. — 
 When I firft was inform'd of old Vellum's vile fraud, 
 In my rage I determin'd on living abroad : 
 For Ruffia, you know, I departed from Rome ; 
 However, my dear, you may fafcly prefume 
 Such an abfence from you I could never endure, 
 Had you not brought me back by a different lure ; 
 And my friends of the Law with your wifhes confpir'd. 
 To make me return with the hafte you deiir'd, 
 As they give me fome hopes of foon changing our fate, 
 
 And regaining from. Vellum the pilfer'd eftate. 
 
 But how fares my dear widow ? whofe partial affedion 
 Seems kindled by fome friendly angel's diredion, 
 To redrefs half our wrongs, and defeat the old thief, , 
 Who impos'd on Sir Simon's too fimple belief. 
 A rafcal 1 to feign a regard for my fame, , 
 And fteal my eftate, not to injure my name. 
 I thought not my coufin fo eafy a fool ; 
 How the deuce could old Vellum fo make him his tool I 
 
 For
 
 392 THE MAUSOLEUM: 
 
 For the Knight, on this plea, fign'd his will when in 
 
 health. 
 Not to fpoil a great artifl by giving me wealth. — 
 
 But where's my kind widow ? — I long to cxprefs 
 
 Miss Jasper. 
 You mufl: pardon a little demurenefs in drefs. 
 Nor expedl her, though you to all men ilie prefers. 
 To fly into your arms. 
 
 [asp e r. 
 
 No ; let me fly to her's. 
 Miss Jasper. 
 Not fo fafl:, my dear brother j you furely forget 
 By what vigilant enemie^s we are befet ! 
 Should Vellum, whofe fpies are now under this roof. 
 And againft whofe vile art no afl'edlion is prool", 
 Should he get the Icafl: hint of my Lady's attachmient, 
 He would rage like the wolf in that new-painted hatch- 
 ment ; 
 Your mutual regard he would fet at defiance. 
 And move earth and hell to prevent your alliance. 
 
 Jasper. 
 Would he fo ? — By my faith, as the widow's fo kind, 
 I -care not what mifchiefs may lurk in his mind ; 
 
 7 Not
 
 A COMEDY, IN RHYME. 393 
 
 Not a legion of imps, by a lawyer inftructed, 
 
 Shall mar the fweet bulinefs her heart has conduced. — 
 
 But has flie quite hid her connubial defign ? 
 
 Has the rogue no furmife fhe will fliortly be mine ? 
 
 Miss Jasper. 
 No, not any. 
 
 J A s P E P . 
 Well manag d, my dear fairy eif ! 
 Miss [asper. 
 To fay truth, 'tis a fecret not known to herfelf. 
 
 Jasper. 
 To herfelf ! — am I dup'd then ? 
 
 Miss Jasper. 
 
 Dear brother, be cool. 
 Jasper. 
 Have you fent for me home, but to make me a fool ? 
 
 Miss Jasper. 
 No indeed ! but to make you moft happy for life, 
 And give you a lovely and excellent wife ; 
 In fo ferious a point could you think that I jefted ? — ■ 
 Have you purchas'd the licence my letter requefted ? 
 
 3E Jasper.
 
 394 
 
 THE MAUSOLEUM: 
 
 Jasper. 
 Here it is — and our folly will finely expofc, 
 If the fair one eicapcs whom this chain fliould inclofe. 
 
 Miss Jasper. 
 Implicitly truft to my care as your guide, 
 And ere midnight, perhaps, you may clafp a kind bride. 
 
 Jasper. 
 You teaze me, dear girl ! with much whimfical pain ; 
 But I beg that you'll clearly thefe riddles explain. 
 I fear you have form'd fome nonfenfical plot : 
 Has the Widow declar'd flie will have me, or not ? 
 
 Miss Jasper. 
 Dear brother ! indulge me with patient attention, 
 And our true fituation I'll honeftly mention : 
 But, however my projed may ftrike you at firft, 
 Into rage and defpair do not haftily burft ; 
 To be bold in fuch points is, in truth, to be wife. 
 And a widow's a fort to be won by furprize. 
 
 Jasper. 
 So fhe has not engag'd, then, to give me her hand ? 
 
 Miss Jasper. 
 Have patience ! — her flatc you fhall foon underfland. 
 
 That
 
 A COMEDY, IN RHYME. 395 
 
 That {he loves you, I know ; and with innocent art 
 
 I have cherifh'd the pafllon ftill hid in her heart : 
 
 For {he fancies, good creature ! that, fafe from love's 
 
 flafhes. 
 She's devoted for life to Sir Simon's cold afhes.— - 
 You know, fhe affeds to be highly refin'd : 
 And a projed: I've built on this caft of her mind, 
 Which, if you'll obey me, I'll venture my life, 
 Like a ftroke of true magic, will make her your wife, 
 And before any foul can fufpedt our intention. 
 
 Jasper. 
 Well, my girl ! and pray what is your magic invention ? 
 
 Miss Jasper. 
 You mufl know, fhe believes that you only return 
 To oblige her, by gracing Sir Simon's rich urn : 
 She thinks the Czarina, on this one condition. 
 That you travel incog, gives you her kind permiflion ; 
 And her Ladyfhip's mind I have fiU'd with thefe notions, 
 As they form an excufe for concealing your motions : 
 So flie hopes from your hand, with the higheft delight, 
 To behold a fine ftatue of her noble Knight, 
 
 3 E 2 Now,
 
 39^ THE M A U S O L E U M : > 
 
 Now, Sir Simon and you have been thought much alike j 
 
 And, to make the refemblance more forcibly ftrikc, 
 
 I mean to array you, her heart to entrap, 
 
 In this blue fattin night-gown and red velvet cap ; 
 
 The drefs which, to humour his elegant Fair, 
 
 The courteous old Cit was contented to wear. 
 
 Jasper. 
 And is this your fine plan! you impertinent jade ? 
 Drefs me up as the Punch of a dull mafqueradc 1 
 
 Miss Jasper. 
 Have patience! — my fcheme muft furprize you, no doubt, 
 Yet I think you'll applaud, if you hear it throughout ; 
 And if you have fpirit I know 'twill fucceed. 
 
 Jasper. 
 To play the dead man — a fine projed, indeed 1 
 
 M I s s J A s P E R. 
 Nay, but hear me I — your adions I will not controul. 
 
 Jasper, 
 Well, you've made me an idiot ; fo tell mc the whole. 
 
 Miss Jasper. 
 No ! I've taught you to make yourfelf all you defire, 
 If you will but reftrain tliis intemperate fire. — 
 
 Come,
 
 A COMEDY, IN RHYME. 397 
 
 Come, attend to my plot : — You fond creatures (liall meet 
 
 In the new^Maufoleum, that penfive retreat; 
 
 On a pedeftal there you your perfon mud place, ^ 
 
 To fhew how a ftatue the building may grace : 
 
 To behold you fo fixt I'll my Lady prepare : 
 
 She'll be ftruck in furveying your figure and air ; 
 
 She with tender furprize will your features review, 
 
 And fancy flie fees her Sir Simon in you : 
 
 Then fpring from your pedeftal, feize her Avcet charms, 
 
 And fwear, as you fold her foft heart in your arms, 
 
 You are like her Sir Simon in foul as in form, 
 
 That your heart towards her is as tenderly warm ; 
 
 You may add— in a vifion he bade you dire(5t her 
 
 To take you for life as her legal protector, 
 
 And, to make her chafte l,9y,e to his memory known, 
 
 Chufe his living refemblance before one of ftone. 
 
 There's a promifing fcheme for a widow's relief! 
 
 Jasper. .,,., 
 Set woman to woman, as thief to catch thief! — 
 I confefs in your plot there is fpirit and foul ; 
 On her governing foible you've grounded the whole ; 
 
 And'
 
 39« THE MAUSOLEUM: 
 
 And rapid fuccefs might attend on your plan, 
 But lor puppet-fhew courtfliip I am not the man : 
 I poflefs not the face that your ftratagem needs, 
 For fo bold an attack on a widow in weeds ; 
 And I feel fome relud:ance, in truth, at my heart, 
 To fuch an appearance of fraudulent art. 
 
 Miss [ a s p e r. 
 Away, my dear brother, with fcruples like thcfe ! 
 Of the amorous heart doubt's a common difeafe, 
 But one that my counfels may fpeedily cure : 
 You both love each other — your meaning is pure — 
 The gentle Sophia you'll tenderly treat, 
 Her form is enchanting, her temper is fweet ; 
 And if your odd courtfliip appears like a jeft. 
 In your marriage, I'm fure, you'll be equally bleft : 
 Without it, indeed, our fair friend is undone. 
 For old Vellum intends that the coxcomb his fon, 
 
 When he comes from his travels But fomcbody's near; 
 
 A fudden furprize in this quarter I fear. 
 
 Let us hafte to my room— I muft fchool you above : 
 
 And you'll adt as I wifli if you've one fpark of love. 
 
 If
 
 A COMEDY, IN RHYME. 399 
 
 If I find you have not— I fhall lioneftly fay, 
 
 You muft give up the part that I meant you to play. 
 
 ^ExeuTJi hajlily. 
 
 Enter Lac]y Sophia 'with Papers in her hand, attended by 
 
 Carey. 
 Lady Sophia. 
 Unfold the great doors of the fable faloon. 
 
 \T'he Scene opens, and difcovers a large Apart- 
 ment, with a black velvet Pavilion.'] 
 At the thoughts of this bufinefs I'm ready to fwoon ! 
 But you, my good Carey, will leflen my pain, 
 And aid my weak nerves the fad fcene to fuftain ; 
 As my Gentleman-uflier you'll kindly attend, 
 And bring the three Bards to an audience, my friend : 
 I fhall fit to receive them beneath my pavilion. 
 To repay their fweet verfe I could wifh for a million ; 
 But I think that each Bard will be pleas'd with his lot : 
 
 So bring them Stay, Carey, one thing I've forgot ; 
 
 But now 'tis too late for my purpofe, I fear ; 
 I meant to have order'd the horns to be here, 
 
 7 With.
 
 +00 T H E M A U S^ O L E U M: 
 
 With a little ibft miific thefc rites to begin, 
 
 And to found a dead march as the Poiet^ walk inkjiii uo l 
 
 Care y. 
 Dear Madam, their verfes will want no i"uch aid ; 
 
 Let me hafte to prefent them. Fantaftical jade ! 
 
 \_Afidey as he goes out. 
 L A D Y' Sophia, 
 (/eating herfelf under the Pavilion^ a?id looking over 
 the Papers in her handj. 
 From thefe epitaphs, thus, I may happily borrow 
 The parts that moft flatter my delicate forrow ; 
 And while in one piece I harmonioufly blend 
 Four lines from each poem thefe authors have penn'd, 
 I am pleas'd that on them no vexation can fall, 
 
 That I fhall not hurt one, and muft gratify all. 
 
 But the Geniufes come. 
 
 ii.'ii. 
 
 Enter Carey, introducing Rumble, Facil, a7id Trope, 'voho 
 advance ivith profound Bows towards the Pavilion. 
 
 Lady Sophia. 
 
 Ye kind friends to my grief! 
 Who employ your fine parts in afflidion's relief j 
 
 My
 
 A COMEDY, IN Pv H Y M E. 401 
 
 My mournful diftrefs by your talents ye calm, 
 And my dear loft Sir Simon your verfcs embalm. 
 As I ought, let me firfl Mr. Rumble addrefs : 
 What I owe to you, Sir, I can never exprefs, 
 Yet the force of your pen let my gratitude mention. 
 
 Rumble (ajidej. 
 I perceive fhe has fenfe — and I'm fure of the penfion ! 
 
 Lady Sophia. 
 In my choice I have done equal juftice, I hope, 
 To you, Mr. Facil — and you, Mr. Trope : 
 From your various produftions twelve verfes I chufe, 
 And I blend the rich fvveets of each different Mufe ; 
 Thus a wreath is completed to deck the dear fhrine, 
 And to honor Sir Simon three Poets combine. 
 Here you'll fee how I've manag'd this nice combination. 
 
 \DiJlributing a Paper to each. 
 Rumble. 
 I proteft I can't fuffer this conglomeration 
 Of marble and brick ! this anomalous jumble ! 
 Carey (in a whifpe?' to Rumble). 
 Remember the penfion, my good Mr. Rumble ! 
 
 3 F Rumble.
 
 402 THE MAUSOLEUM: 
 
 Rumble. 
 Sir! my admurmurations fliall loudly be heard I 
 I've a right to exclaim that my Lady's abfurd : 
 In her cap fhe as well might conquafTite together 
 The down of green geefe and an oftrich's feather. 
 
 F A CI L. 
 
 I think, Mr. Rumble, my Lady difplays- 
 The moft dexterous art in uniting our lays : 
 Your elder Mufe firft, like the waggon of Night, 
 Moves folemn and grand; — like the chariot of Light,, 
 Airy Trope then advances, with different pace ; — 
 And, like Twilight, between you I find my right place,. 
 
 Rumble. 
 Remember, young man I while his fplendor you brag on-,, 
 That rich Ponderofity rides in a waggon. — 
 But I will not defcend to a vile conteftation ; 
 Our minds were not fafhion'd for reciprocation.. 
 My Lady I pai^on, on this one condition, 
 That flie quickly proceeds to a decompofition r 
 She may chufe of our epitaphs which fhe thinks fit ;; 
 But a mixture fo monftrous I will not admit. 
 
 She
 
 A COMEDY, IN RHYME. 403 
 
 She as well with her fciffars might haftily fnip 
 From different portraits the eye, nofe, and lip, 
 And think that her needle accomplifli'd great matters, 
 By comparing a face of the difcrepant tatters. 
 
 Lady Sophia. 
 
 mercy ! — dear Sir, pray this bufinefs adjuft, 
 And do not difturb my Sir Simon's calm duft ! 
 If a fquabble concerning his tomb you excite, 
 
 1 am fure his dear fpirit will haunt us to-night : 
 I feel in this terroc new anguilli arife, 
 
 And a frefli flood of forrow fvvells into my eyes ! 
 
 Carey fa/ic/e to Rumble). 
 Mr. Rumble! I fear, if you do not fubmit. 
 My Lady will have an hyfterical fit. 
 
 Rumble. 
 Sir ! in points that my credit and honor involve, 
 A few drops of falt-water won't melt my refolve. 
 
 F A CI L (afide to Carey.) 
 I proteft, though fantaftic I own fhe appears, 
 I can not bear the fight of fuch beauty in tears j 
 And as I perceive flie is really diftreft, 
 I'll at once put an end to the ftrife in her bread. 
 
 3 F 2 \r.
 
 404 THE MAUSOLEUM: 
 
 [To Lady Sophia.] 
 Dear Madam ! that you on this point may not grieve, 
 And your delicate mind from all doubt to relieve, 
 Let me and my friend our pretenfions refign, 
 And leave one linglc Bard to embellifli the flirine ; 
 We beg that alone Mr. Rumble may bear 
 The honor he thinks that we ought not to fhare. 
 
 Carey. 
 No, no, my good friend ; you're too modefl, indeed ! 
 I've a plan for ye all, that I truft will fucceed. 
 
 Lady Sophia. 
 What is it, good Carey ? I wifh to purfue 
 Some happy expedient fuggefted by you. 
 
 Carey. 
 At Mecca, dear Ma'am, feven poems, we're told, 
 O'er the Prophet's rich tomb were fufpended in gold ; 
 Now, let three worthy Bards each an elegy write. 
 And fufpend all their works o'er the tomb of your Knight. 
 
 Lady Sophia. 
 O charming I — your thought is enchantingly fine ! — 
 Mr. Rumble! I hope you applaud his defign ? 
 
 Rumble.
 
 A COMEDY, IN RHYME. 405 
 
 Rumble. 
 From this proportion I will not revolt, 
 Though my young rivals' pride it may ferve to exalt ; 
 Of the honor you do them I will not be jealous ; 
 But I'll teach the vain youths to revere an Entellus. 
 
 Lady Sophia. 
 Well, I hope what has pad will be kindly forgot, 
 And that now you'll all deign to compofe on the fpot.— 
 I commend, my good Carey, the Bards to your care. 
 Entertain them, I beg, with the choiceft of fare : 
 And, as it grows late, you muft leave me, my friend, 
 In afflidtion's chafte rites my lone evening to fpend. — 
 Farewell, worthy Sirs; — you now leave me to forrow, 
 But I hope to attend you at dinner to-morrow. 
 
 Carey. 
 Come, my friends ! now permit me to be your diredor. — 
 Mr. Rumble, 'Rack Punch is your genuine nedar ; 
 As the night's coming on, Til prepare a rich bowl. 
 That fhall give to you Poets frefh vigour of foul ; 
 For the Mufe with new force, like the flying-filh, fprings. 
 When fhe ftoops for the purpofe of wetting her wings. 
 
 [Exit Carey, wuL Rumble, Facil, a?2cl Trope. 
 
 Lady
 
 4o6 THE MAUSOLEUM: 
 
 Lady Sophia alone. 
 I am glad we have footh'd Mr. Rumble's chagrin! 
 
 Enter Mifs Jafper- 
 
 Lady Sophia. 
 O, my dear, with the Poets I've had fuch a fccnel 
 They have fhaken my nerves to that cruel degree, 
 J Hiall quiver all night like a poor afpen-tree. 
 
 Miss Jasper. 
 My tidings new life in your heart will infufe ; 
 The young Sculptor's arriv'dj 
 
 Lady Sophia. 
 
 That, indeed, is fweet news! 
 Then in effigy foon I fliall clafp ray dear Knight I 
 Is the block too provided, and perfed.ly white ? 
 Of the true Parian marble, I truft, he will mold 
 The /latue my bofom fo pants to behold. 
 
 MissJasper. 
 I afTure you, the bufinefs engages his heart, 
 And you'll fee a fine work from his exquifite art. 
 To my brother already the vault I have fhewn ; 
 And of attitudes there he is thinking alone. 
 
 As
 
 A COMEDY, IN RHYME. 407 
 
 As I mean to conceal his arrival at home, 
 
 We went hy the pafs under ground to the dome. 
 
 Lady Sophia, 
 We will join him-, dear Fanny, and go the fame way^ 
 I long at the tomb my devotions to pay ; 
 To hear how your brother's fine fancy and fkill 
 With new decorations the ll:ru6ture may fill, 
 And to fee in what pofture the ftatue may ftand-. 
 
 Miss Jasper. 
 Let us go — he'll be happy to kifs your fair hand. 
 
 [TLe Sce7i& changes to the hijide of a grand Maufoleiwi ; on 
 one fide, a large oblong Tomb of white tnarble, o?t the other, 
 fome fieps afcei^ding from a fubterraneous pajfage. Jafper 
 appears in the Gown and Cap of Sir Simon.] 
 
 Jasper. 
 What a part has my fifter induc'd me to play !. 
 I wifii from the fcene I could well flip away. 
 I fliall never fucceed — furely love was ne'er made, 
 Since the days of old Jove, in fuch odd mafq^uerade ! 
 
 9 I fcarce
 
 4o8 THE MAUSOLEUM. 
 
 I fcarcc know myfeir, in this whimfical plight, 
 
 But I fancy I look very like the old Knight : 
 
 Yet if you, my fweet Widow, incline to my plan, 
 
 This image will beat the original man. — 
 
 Gad ! I hope fhe won't fancy I'm really his ghoft ! — • 
 
 But I hear them below — I muft leap to my poft. 
 
 [Jafper places himfelf in a Jlriking attitude on the top 
 of the marble Tomb^ 'while Lady Sophia ^WMifs Jaf- 
 per afcend the Jlefs from the fubterranean p(ij)cige.'\ 
 Ladv Sophia (ftarti7tg). 
 O mercy I — what phantom amazes my fight ! 
 Has the grave to my love given back the dear Knight? — 
 'Tis himfelf I perceive — 'tis no fanciful dream ! 
 
 O, I faint \Falh on the arm o/'Mifs Jafper. 
 
 Qafper flies to Lady Sophia in great agitation^ and 
 fpeaks at the fame time to Mifs Jafper. J 
 See the end of your pitiful fcheme ! — 
 As I live, her fond fears have fufpended her breath \ 
 And I've frighten'd the delicate creature to death ! 
 
 Miss Jasper. 
 Never fear, fimple Charles ! you will not lofc your wife : — 
 You underftand marble much better than life ! 
 
 5 Y c aL
 
 A COMEDY, IN RHYME. 409 
 
 L A D V Sophia (reviving). 
 
 Where am I ! O, pray Sir, are you Mr. Jafper ? 
 
 Miss Jasper (vchifpering her brother). 
 In your arms, you poor fimpleton ! haften to clafp her ! — ■ 
 If you ftand To conrounded, how can you fuccced ? 
 I ihall prefently think you a ftatue indeed ! 
 Jasper (to Lady Sophia). 
 How fare you, dear Lady ? — 'tis true that you fee 
 Your devoted affedionate Jafper in me ; 
 Of your beauty my heart has long felt the effect, 
 In chafte admiration and tender refpedl : 
 No licentious defign with my pafiion could mingle; 
 But the very firfl: moment I heard you were lingle, 
 All my foreign purfuits I refolv'd to difclaim .; 
 For your fmiles are to me more attractive than fame. 
 Though the wintry ocean was roaring between us, 
 My love, with fond hope in the favor of Venus, 
 Bade me crofs the rough deep, and, difdaining controul, 
 Fly with fpeed to the diftant delight of my foul ! 
 
 Lady Sophia. 
 How like my Sir Simon in perfon and air I 
 The mild turn of his lip, and his eye to a hair ! 
 
 3G Jasper.
 
 4IO THE M A U S O L E U iM: 
 
 Jasper. 
 
 think not the likencfs lies only in feature ! 
 
 I've his foul, heart, and paflions, my fvvect, lovely crea- 
 ture ! 
 In me, then, O fancy you fee him rcflor'd ! 
 And with fondnefs connubial be lov'd and ador'd ! 
 Inftead of a fenfelefs, cold image of ftone. 
 Make his living refemblance for ever your own 1 
 A foft flatue of wax in your hand I will prove. 
 You fhall mold me to all the chafte fancies of love. 
 
 Lady Sophia. 
 
 1 proteft your idea is fwcetly rcfin'd, 
 
 To delight the pure warmth of a delicate mind ! 
 1 could wifh fuch a likencfs to keep in my view, 
 And for ever contemplate Sir Simon in you : 
 But, though the mere ofi'spring of tender fenfation. 
 Such a wifh would be reckon'd a grofs inclination ; 
 And I'm fure I fhould die at that horrid fuggeftion ! 
 
 Jasper (embracing her). 
 Dear angel I no tongue fhall thy purity queflion. 
 
 Lady Sophia. 
 O Charles ! to my bofom you give fuch a flutter, 
 All my reafons againfl you I want breath to utter- 
 
 Jasper.
 
 A COMEDY, IN RHYME. 4i« 
 
 Jasper. 
 By the eloquent glance of that dear melthig eye, 
 With my delicate purpofe I know you'll comply. 
 
 Miss Jasper. 
 Hufh ! hufh ! I have heard fome one ftep near the door ; 
 Pray be ftill, till the coaft I can clearly explore. 
 
 Lady Sophia. 
 O my ftars ! fhould my people difcover at home. 
 
 That by night I converfe with a man in this dome 
 
 Miss Jasper. 
 Haile ! away ! under ground you muft quickly retreat. 
 
 Jasper (taking up Lady Sophia in his- artns). 
 Come, efcape in my arms ! 
 
 Lady Sophia. 
 
 Don't you feel my heart beat ? 
 Jasper. 
 So does mine, lovely creature ! my foul is on fire. 
 
 Lady Sophia. 
 But I never can yield to your fenfual defirc. 
 
 \Exit Jafper, bearing off Lady Sophia 
 down the fubterra72ea7i JlaircafeP]^ 
 
 3^2 Carey,
 
 412 THE MAUSOLEUM: 
 
 Carey, 
 (/peaking '•joithout the great door of the Mauf oleum.) 
 Mifs Jafpcr ! Mifs Jafper ! pray, arc you within ? 
 
 Miss Jasper- (ope?ii?}g the door). 
 Is it you. Sir, who make fo uncivil a din ?— 
 Pray what is the caufe of this fudden intrufion ? 
 Have your Poets produc'd a new fcene of confufion ? 
 
 Carey. 
 Gerrard fays you have lock'd up the key of the *Rack,. 
 So to give the Bards punch be fo kind to come back. 
 Come, my dear. — 
 
 Miss Jasper. 
 
 The deuce take your poetical potion \ 
 You have fpoil'd my poor Lady's no6lurnal devotion. — 
 How forgetful old Gerrard is fuddcnly grown ! 
 He has, furely, the key in fomc draw'r ot his own. 
 But you jeft. — Get you gone ! — I mufi; haften to her» 
 
 Carey. 
 But without a few kiffes indeed I (lian't ftir. • 
 
 M I S S y A S P E R. 
 
 Pifli! — nonfenfc! — make hade then — Tve wo time to fpare. 
 
 Carey. 
 Can't you give mcfome minutes, my dear bufy Fair ? 
 
 9 Ml
 
 A COMEDY, IN RHYME. 413 
 
 Miss Jasper. 
 No, in truth, not a moment; my hurry is great — 
 Meet me here in the morning precifely at eight, 
 And perhaps I may make you fome pleaiing amends. 
 Good-night ! 
 
 Carey. 
 Let us part, though, like lovers and friends ; 
 I deferve this fweet kifs for my patience. 
 
 Miss Jasper. 
 
 Good-night ! 
 To-morrow, I hope, will bring wonders to light ! 
 
 \_Exeu7tt differeitt ivays, 
 
 ■ End of ACT ir. 
 
 ACT
 
 414- THE MAUSOLEUM: 
 
 ACT III. 
 
 SCENE I. The Maufokum. 
 Enter Trope with Facil, laughing. 
 
 F A c I L. 
 
 IN my life I ne'er knew an adventure fo drole ! 
 1 ROPE. 
 
 But what is it, dear Facil, pray tell me the whole ? 
 
 Facil. 
 So I will, when a little calm breath I can draw, 
 In ceafnig to laugh at the figure I faw. 
 
 Trope. 
 What figure ? 
 
 Facil. 
 Why, Rumble : I now fee him fland 
 With his garments half-button'd, a fcroU in his hand j 
 And the poor frighted girl !— — 
 
 Trope. 
 
 What the deuce do you mean ? 
 In an odd wanton frolic has Rumble been feen — 
 
 3 To
 
 A COMEDY, IN RHYME. 415 
 
 To an Abigail's room did the old Bard repair ? 
 
 F A C I L. 
 
 No, no, I'll relate to you all the aiTair. — 
 
 You muft know that our punch had fo heated my brain. 
 
 That to fleep half the night I endeavour'd in vain ; 
 
 But was juft in a flumber, between three and four, 
 
 When a half-array'd figure threw open my door : 
 
 'Twas a poor trembling damfel, who haftily faid, 
 
 " Rife ! rife 1 or you'll furely be burnt in your bed !'* 
 
 And I heard Rumble's voice thrice repeat the word 
 
 "Fire!" 
 But as that dreadful word was foon follow'd by " Lyrc;," 
 I perceiv'd the good girl, I now held by the arm, 
 Had miftaken his verfe for a cry of alarm. 
 
 Trope. 
 Very good ! — he has often thefc ftarts in the night. 
 But how did you calm the poor girl in her fright ? 
 
 F A C I L. 
 
 The wild little wench, like a poor frighted hare, 
 Knew not which way to run, and did nothing but ftare ; 
 When, holding the door of my chamber a-jar. 
 We perceiv'd, by. the aid of the bright morning-ftar,. 
 
 The
 
 4i6 THE MAUSOLEUM: 
 
 The old Bard, who of liquor had taken his fill, 
 
 Sally forth from his quarters in odd didiabillc ; 
 
 With punch and with poetry heated, he fwaggers, 
 
 And reels down the ftairs, like a horfc in the ftaggcrs, 
 
 Repeating with emphafis, fcvcral times, 
 
 The unfortunate word in his dangerous rhymes; 
 
 And the airl, who now faw her miftake very clear, 
 
 Laucrh'd, in fpite of her iliame, at the fource of her fear. 
 
 Trope. 
 And you, I fuppofe, when her terror was fled, 
 Tau<i-ht her bloom to revive by the warmth of your bed ? 
 
 F A C I L. 
 
 No, indeed ; had her panic been only affedled, 
 I perhaps had been foolifli, as you have fufpedted ; 
 But her fear and her modefty both were fo true 
 That they won my regard, and flie fafely withdrew. 
 
 Trope. 
 But where's our friend Rumble ? 
 
 F A c I L. 
 
 O, nobody knows. 
 Trope. 
 To fome fhady retreat he is gone to compofe. 
 
 F A c I L.
 
 A COMEDY, IN RHYME. 417 
 
 F A C I L. 
 
 On the houfe-top, perhaps, like a bird he may fit ; 
 
 He confiders keen air as a friend to his wit. 
 
 It would not furprize me this phoenix to fee 
 
 Oddly perch'd on a bough of an old lofty tree ; 
 
 For he thinks he writes beft when he's neareft to heaven: 
 
 But he'll foon want his breakfaft — 'tis much after feven. 
 
 Trope. 
 Hark ! what is that noife, like the woodman's loud ftroke? 
 
 F A c I L. 
 
 As I live, it is Rumble in yon fhatter'd oak ! 
 Don't you fee where he's fitting aftride on the branch ? 
 He has crack'd that large limb by the weight of his 
 paunch. 
 
 Trope. 
 I believe he's afleep ! — fhall we give him a call, 
 Left he chance in his flumber to get a bad fall ? 
 
 Fa c I l. 
 Never fear : — here is one to take care of his life, 
 Here's the nurfe of our Brobdignag baby, his wife, 
 
 3 H Enter
 
 4i8 THE MAUSOLEUM: 
 
 Enter Mrs. Rumble, hajlily, 
 M R s. R U M B L E. 
 
 Pray, Gentlemen, where is my dear Mr. Rumble ? — 
 I have news for you Poets, to make you all grumble ! — 
 But where is my hufband ? — I feek him in hafte. 
 
 F A c I L. 
 
 Dear Ma'am ! we're furpriz'd that, with fmgular tafte, 
 From the foft arms of Beauty he ftrangely has fled, 
 To embrace the rouG;h limbs of an oak in their ftead ! — > 
 On that bough you may fee him. 
 
 Mrs. Rumble. 
 
 Ah I barbarous man! 
 He will venture his life, let me fay what I can. 
 I am fure fome mifchance will his genius o'erwhelm, 
 T'other day he fell down from the top of an elm. — 
 Mr. Rumble! take care! — Mr. Rumble, my dear! 
 
 F A c I L. 
 
 In this cafe, my dear Madam, you've nothing to fear. 
 
 Behold ! 'tis an incident only for mirth, 
 
 For the bough gently falling configns him to earth. 
 
 Mrs. Rumble. 
 I rejoice he is landed ! 
 
 '" E?iter
 
 A COMEDY, IN RHYME. 419 
 
 Enter V<wmb\cy Jiretchhig h'mif elf a7id yawning. 
 Mrs, Rumble. 
 
 My dear Mr. Rumble ! 
 It is well you have met with fo eafy a tumble : 
 I wifli that your fancy was not fo romantic ; 
 All the people will think you are perfedly frantic. 
 
 Rumble. 
 Peace, woman ! — I care not for idle derifion, 
 I have had a fuperb elegiacal viHon : 
 Homer fays, with great truth, " Onar ek dios efti." 
 
 Mrs. Rumble. 
 On firft waking, my dear, you are apt to be tefty ; 
 But I'm glad if the Mufe has been kind to your flumbersj 
 And I hope we fhall hear your mellifluous numbers. 
 
 Rumble. 
 In my dream I've compos'd, and with clear continuity, 
 Such emollient verfe for the grief of viduity, 
 'Twould have footh'd the fad reliclof old king Maufolus! 
 
 M R S. R U M B L E. 
 
 In our paflions the Nine may have charms to control us ; 
 But your Mufe, I'm afraid, might as well have mifcarried, 
 For the lady you praife as a widow is married ! 
 
 3 H 2 Rumble.
 
 420 THE MAUSOLEUM: 
 
 Rumble. 
 Peace, woman ! you're crazy ! 
 
 F A c I L. 
 
 How ! married, dear Madam ! 
 Mrs. Rumble. 
 Ay, married ! as fure as we're children of Adam. 
 You know. Sir, rich folks, with a licence, have power 
 To marry without the canonical hour ; 
 And, leaving her guefts o'er their punch to caroufe, 
 My Lady at midnight receiv'd a new fpoufe. 
 
 Rumble. 
 Mrs. Rumble, I fear 'tis our punch that has bred 
 Thefe nuptial phantafma's in your giddy head : 
 Your ftory has nothing of concatenation. 
 
 Mrs. Rumble. 
 Mr. Rumble, you aways will doubt my narration I 
 But I deal not in fidion, although a Bard's wife; 
 On the truth of this fecret I'd venture my life : 
 From one of the houfe-maids I happen'd to worm it. 
 And here comes a gentleman who will confirm it. 
 
 Enter
 
 A COMEDY, IN RHYME. 421 
 
 Enter Carey, 
 Mrs. Rumble. 
 Your voice, Mr. Carey, will prove I am right ; 
 Pray was not her Ladyship married laft night ? 
 
 Carey. 
 Dear Madam! your queftion can hardly be ferious. 
 
 Mrs. Rumble. 
 I am fure flie was wed, though the wedding's myfterious. 
 
 Carey. 
 Do you really believe it? — dear Madam, to whom? 
 It muft be to one of thefe Bards, or a groom: 
 For, excepting ourfelves and the men of her train, 
 Not a male did this manfion laft nig^ht entertain : 
 But whence your conjecture? on what is it grounded? 
 
 Rumble. 
 Silly woman ! I tell you your brain is confounded ; 
 But I think we may guefs, from your dream of this fadt, 
 How in widowhood you will be tempted to adl ; 
 I fuppofe, when I've finidi'd my fcene of mortality, 
 However you forrow in fhew and verbatity, 
 You foon will renounce all your dignified gravity j 
 And, entic'd by feme bellman's poetical fuavity. 
 
 Go
 
 422 THE MAUSOLEUM: 
 
 Go to church with a fcUow who deigns to rehcaiTc 
 A quatrain on your charms in his annual verfe. 
 
 Mrs. Rumble, 
 O you barbarous man ! by fo cruel a jeft 
 Would you wound the chaftc love of fo tender a breaft ? 
 You know me too well to believe what you fay. — 
 /Thank my ftars ! here's an evidence coming this way ; 
 And you'll fee truth and juftice are both on my fide. 
 
 Enter Mifs Jafper. 
 
 Mrs. Rumble (hafiily). 
 Mifs Jafper ! pray is not my Lady a Bride ? 
 
 M"! ss Jasper. 
 You are right, my dear Madam. 
 
 Carey. 
 
 It cannot be real ! 
 Miss Jasper. 
 From you Bards I requeft a fublime hymeneal* 
 
 Trope. 
 So fuddenly married ! 
 
 F ACI L.
 
 A COMEDY, IN RHYME. 423 
 
 F A C I L. 
 
 You certainly joke. 
 Miss [asper. 
 A word of more truth in my life I ne'er fpoke. 
 
 Carey. 
 What d'ye mean, my dear Fanny ? pray do not deceive us» 
 
 Mrs. Rumble. 
 What infidels, Madam 1 they will not believe us. 
 
 F A c I L. 
 
 Pray, to what happy man may fo fair a prize fall ? 
 
 Miss Jasper. 
 The Bridegroom I'll foon introduce to you all ; 
 And you Poets, I truft, will a new firing employ. 
 With fingular pleafure to echo his joy. 
 
 Rumble. 
 So my fine elegiacs are now out of feafon ; — 
 I was mad, to think woman a creature of reafon, 
 And on widowhood's flippery virtues to raife 
 The luminous fabric of rythmical praife ! 
 But I'll hafte to be gone from this fcene of fatuity: 
 Come along, Mrs. Rumble ; I've done with viduity. — 
 - My
 
 424 THE MAUSOLEUM: 
 
 My Lady may welcome more juvenile comers, 
 I have no time to vvafte upon conjugal mummers. 
 
 Miss Jasper. 
 Mr. Rumble ! pray ftay, in our joy to partake. 
 
 Mrs. Rumble. 
 Stay, my dear Mr. Rumble! you'll flay for my fake. 
 Though the grand and the gloomy is all your delight, 
 I confefs that feftivity pleafes my iight ; 
 Pray indulge me for once! — it would half break my heart 
 Without feeing the Bridegroom were we to depart. 
 
 Rumble. 
 Curiofity ruin'd your grandmother Eve ; 
 And to gratify yours you fhall not have my leave : 
 From a farcical fcene it is time we fliould go, 
 And who plays the Jack Pudding I want not to know. 
 
 Mrs. Rumble. 
 My Lady may ftill wifh your verfe to perufe ! 
 
 Rumble. 
 For Politics henceforth I give up the Mufe ; 
 Though political paths may have fome tortuofity, 
 To enter on them I have lefs fcrupulofity, 
 
 Thai?
 
 A COMEDY, IN RHYME. 4.25 
 
 Than to feed your vain fex with poetical flummery, 
 And at laft be the dupe of their amorous mummery. 
 But ril have my revenge, and, before my fpleen cools, 
 I will prove all the fex-flattering poets are fools. — 
 Come away, Mrs. Rumble ! — your duty's fubmiflion. 
 
 \_ExU, bem'ing off Mrs. Rumble. 
 M 1 5 s J A s P E R. 
 Poor woman 1 I pity her difnial condition, 
 And am griev'd that fo roughly he makes her return :— - 
 But here's one to confole us for every concern. 
 
 E7iter Jafper. 
 
 Miss Jasper. 
 To you, my good friends, I the Bridegroom prefent, 
 And you all will rejoice in this happy event. 
 
 Care y. 
 Dear Jafper ! o'erwhelm'd by this joyous furprizc, 
 I am almoft afraid to believe my own eyes ! 
 Are you really return'd ? and, in truth, are you married ? 
 Has this excellent plan been fo fuddenly carried ? 
 Or, with potent illufion and artful pretences, 
 Has this fair little forcerefs cheated our fenfes ? 
 
 3I Jasper.
 
 426 THE MAUSOLEUM. 
 
 Jasper. 
 You may truft in her magic, as honeft and true ; 
 She has render'd me happy, and fo fhe will you : 
 To you, my dear Carey, I give her for life; 
 So enchanting a fifter muft prove a fweet wife; 
 And, with pleafure I add, you'll receive your fair Bride 
 With the fortune fhe merits completely fupplied. 
 
 Carey. 
 Her heart in itfelf is an opulent dower I 
 
 ] A s ? E R fto Facil and Trope.) 
 My Vi^orthy old friends ! in this fortunate hour 
 It increafes my joy to meet you on this fpot. 
 
 Facil. 
 I rejoice in your blifs ! 
 
 Trope. 
 
 I am charm'd with your lot ' 
 Jasper. 
 And with double delight the good fortune I view, 
 Which may prove I retain a warm friendlhip for you : 
 I've a fcheme for ye both, my dear Facil and Trope, 
 That will meet with your hearty concurrence, I hope. 
 I You
 
 A COMEDY, IN RHYME. 427 
 
 You muft yield to my vvifli — I will not be denied 
 From any vain fcruples of generous pride. 
 
 F A c I L. 
 
 "With hearts fo enliven'd by feeing you blcft, 
 We fliall hardly refufe whatfoe'er you rcqueft. 
 
 Jasper, 
 Though a few dainty whims, of a fingular kind, 
 Have o'erclouded the worth of her excellent mind. 
 The foul of my Lady Sophia is fraught 
 With the true mental treafures of generous thought. 
 She perceives, and difclaims for the reft of her days, 
 The foibles to which falfe refinement betrays : 
 She now thinks this proud fabric of ill-applied art 
 The ridiculous whim of too feeling a heart. 
 Sir Simon had many calm virtues, whofe claim 
 From ungrateful Oblivion fhall refcue his name : 
 But all the diftindions of rank are confus'd, 
 Fame herfelf is infulted, and Art is abus'd, 
 When the plume and the laurel infultingly wave 
 O'er the honeft plain Merchant's prepofterous grave : 
 Convinc'd of this truth, 'tis my Lady's defign 
 To alter this dome on a new plan of mine. 
 
 3 I 2 Here
 
 428 THE MAUSOLEUM: 
 
 Here with Freedom and Eafe you, my friends, may refide ; 
 Good apartments for each I fhall quickly provide: 
 For this dome, where the Founder Aall rife in a nich, 
 Is to prove an afylum for artifls not rich, 
 
 Carey. 
 1 am charm'd with your projed, dear Jafper ! 
 
 Jasper. 
 
 Yet hear : — 
 By the will there's a fund of four hundred a year 
 Of real hard ca(h, from incumbrances free, 
 Vv^hich my Lady herfelf is to guide as truftee, 
 To fupport any fl:ru<5lure flie chufes to plan, 
 To perpetuate the name of her worthy good man ; 
 This between you, dear Bards, {he is pleas'd to adjuftr 
 And when opuJent Honefty finks in the duft. 
 May his heirs ever ufe what he leaves upon earth. 
 In fecuring calm comfort to Genius and Worth ! 
 
 F A e I L. 
 We always have faid, and your adlions evince,, 
 You, Jafper, were born with the. foul of a prince;-, 
 But our gra.titude how {hall we utter to you ? 
 
 Jasper.. 
 By returning your thanks v/here they chiefly are due.. 
 
 My
 
 A COMEDY, IN RHYME. 429 
 
 My Lady's pure bounty, that fcorns to be ftinted, 
 
 Surpaft in your favour whatever I hinted. — 
 
 To prove that I wed not from motives of pelf, 
 
 I have fettled her wealth on her gcaerous felf ; 
 
 She is rich, and intends to make ufe of her treaflire 
 
 In the purchafe of noble and permanent pleafure : 
 
 At the higheft of intereft our gold we employ. 
 
 When it brings a return of benevolent joy. — 
 
 Thank my ftars ! all my wiflies are crown'd with fucccfs j 
 
 Kind Fortune, I juft now have lea:rn'd by exprefs, 
 
 Outruns, in our favor, the flow ftep of Law : 
 
 Old Vellum, alarm'd by our hints of a flaw 
 
 In the bafe legal work that Fraud led him to frame. 
 
 The reveriion he ftolc has propos'd to difclaim, 
 
 Upon terms which I now, for tranquillity's fake, 
 
 At my Lady's requeft, fliall be willing to take. — 
 
 But come, my good friends, let us hafte to tlie hall, 
 
 Where the Bride will be happy to welcome you all. 
 
 Carey, 
 Well, my friend ! I confcfs, in the courfe of my life, 
 I have oft been provok'd with your nev/ lovely wife ; 
 
 ^ But
 
 430 THE MAUSOLEUM. 
 
 But for this her laft a£l her late whims I forgive, 
 And fhall blefs the kind creature as long as I live. — 
 You will teach, as you mold her to life's fweeteft duty, 
 All her virtues to fhine as complete as her beauty : 
 And may each childlefs widow, in youth's lively (late, 
 Who has yielded an honefl old hufband to fate. 
 In a partner like you find the fureft relief, 
 And to fcnfiblc joy turn fantaftical grief! 
 
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