A549 A 1 A ! <= 1 r> 1 1 A== C/j 1 o 1 1 1 0^= m 1 33 1 -^ 1 52 1 A =^^== 2 1 S 1 s I 1:0 1 3> 1 33 1 -< 1 oocc S* 1 1 eg ^1 Dibdin The Cabinet THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES FREDERIC THOMAS BLANCHARD ENDOWMENT FUND THE CABINET; A COMIC OPERA, IN THREE ACTS: FIRST PERFORMED AT THE THEATRE-ROYAL, CO VENT-GARDEN, On Tuesday, February 9th, 1 802. WRITTEN BY THOMAS DIBDIN, AUTHOR OF GUILTY OR NOT GUILTY THE JEW AND DOCTORWILL FOR THE DEED ENGLISH FLEET FAMILY JJUARRSLS THIRTY THOUSAND IL BONDOC ANI SCHOOL FOR PRE JUBICE VALEN- TINE AND ORSON FIVE THOUSAND A YEAR BIRTH-DAY NAVAL FILLAR HORSE AND THS WIDOW MOUTH OF THE NILE ST* David's day, Sfc V. fijfc. LONDON: PRINTED FOR LONGMAN, HURST, REES, AND ORME ? PATERNOSTER- ROW. 1805. ' ADVERTISEMENT. THE Story of " The Cabinet," which has been erroneoufly affigned to feveral very different Source*, is taken from an Old Ballad called the " Golden Bull: 9 Itrahan and Preftort, Printers Street, TO William cordy, Esq, THIS OPERA IS INSCRIBED AS A TRIBUTE OF THE AUTHOR'S FRIENDSHIP AND RESPECT* At PERSONS OF THE DRAMA. Count Curvofo (Father to Conftantia) Mr. Emery. Lorenzo, his Son, (in love with Leonora) Mr. Incledon. Prince Orlando (in love with Conftantia) Mr. Br ah am. Whimficulo (his confidential Valet) Mr. Fawcett. Peter (a Domeftic of Count Curvofo) Mr. Munden. Marquis de Grand Chateau (a rich old Nobleman, Suitor to Conftantia) Mr. Blanchard. Manikin, his Page - Mr. Simmons, i ft Falconer - Mr. King. Mr. A Attendants riwr. ABBOT. < Mr. Harley. {Mr. Truman. i* /t> i. /- ^r> r\ 5 Mrs. H. Johnson. Conftantia (Daughter to Count Curvofo) 1 ..., . v ' I Mifs Wheatley. Florctta (her Attendant) - - Sig. Storace. Leonora (Sifter to Orlando) - Mrs. Atkins. Doralice (Step-mother to Orlando) Mrs. Powell. Bianca (an old Cottager) - Mrs. Davenport. Crudelia (in love with Orlando) Mrs. Dibdin. Curiofa (her Attendant) . - Mrs. Mattocks. Falconers, Guards, Porters, Gentlemen, and Servants. Scene Alternately on the adjoining Territories of Count Curvofo, and Prince Orlando. Time One Day. THE CABINET; A COMIC OPERA. ACT I. SCENE I. Sunrife. An extenjive Court-yard in Curvofo's Palace. A number of Falconers (male and female J difcovered, as ready for an excurfion* GLEE and CHORUS. J. O horfe, my merry companions all, To horfe, to horfe, and away ! The fun-beams on the mountains fall, The woodlark fings the Falc'ner's call, And hails the dawning day. ill Falconer, The generous fteed, fo plump and fair, Impatient, fnufFs the morning air, Cho. To horfe, to horfe, and away ! a 3 Already 6 THE CABINET! Already her game the Falcon fpies, In vain the game to 'scape her tries. Already (he feems to reach the fkies To horfe, &c, Enter peter, PITER. Stop flop now don't be in a hurry. The hawks may have a holiday, thefteeds may return to their ftables, and the pretty little birds enjoy a truce till to-morrow, FIRST FALCONER. Pray don't interrupt us ; the morning is beau- tiful, the hawks liften impatiently to the twitterings of the lark, and long to fpoil his melody. PETER, So it is with envious and foolifh rogues in the world, who would gladly peck at the merit that (bars above them ; and may all fuch be kept down to their tethers, as your birds may be j for the old Count won't go out this morning. FIRST FALCONER, No! PETSR, A COMTC OPERA. FLTER. No. So he danifels, and the fquires, and the grooms may lay by their green jackets, and prepare all their finery for the reception of the moft puiffant French Marquis, Julius- A lexander-Auguftus- Anna Maria-de-Grand-Chateau, fo named after his great caftle, and the reft of his godfathers and godmo- thers ; and now on his road hither, to wed with our dear young Miftrefs, the Lady Conftantia. So go along I have it in command from the Count himfelf. [Exeunt all but Firfi Falconer and? tier. FIRST FALCONER. This is ftrange news, Peter. I thought Con- ftantia was to marry Orlando, the young Prince of the neighbouring territory ? PETER. The fact is as I ftate it. The young countefs is a truly defirable morfel. Her father and Prince Or- lando quarrel about her like an old lion and a young tiger, while the Marquis, a fly old fox, will carry off the prize to a certainty. Ecod, one would think he was born in my country ; for, while the buyer and feller are haggling about price, he fteps in be- tween, like a middle-man, and runs away with the beft of the bargain. A 4 WRIT THE CABINET} FIRST FALCONER. You are an Englifhman, mafter Peter, and forget that, in this country, we neither know the cultoms you allude to, nor allow fuch freedom of fpeech on the conduct of our betters. PETER. The more's the pity. Engliflimen never give a greater proof of their freedom than when they're grumbling about it ; and, while they fpeak the honeft truth, none but the Father of Lies could wifh to flop their mouths. FALCONER. And is this news really true you have been telling ? (A bugle horn heard 3 andanfwered.) PETER. If you won't believe my lips, trufl: to your own eyes, and afk the Marquis himfelf ; for here, I be- lieve, he comes in perfon, to convince you of it. Enter manikin, with two of the Marquis's followers , preceded by an attendant of the cafile. manikin (To the Attendant), Pleafe to prefent thefe letters to the Count. [Exit Attendant. Shocking A COMIC OPERA. Shocking travelling! (Servants adjujl him.) Great pity they cou'dn't invent roads without fun and duft. I'm abfolutely exhaufted. A fervant of the Count's I prefume ? (To Peter, with affeded affability.) PETER. Sir, I am the Count's principal purveyor. He is very magnificent in his entertainments has cooks of all countries, and I have the honour to prefide moft particularly over the Britifh de- partment. MANIKIN. And, pray, what kind of foggy materials can that nation furnifh to be fit for the table of an Italian Sovereign ? PETER. The Britifh dominions, Sir, furnifh food of the flrfl: quality, which is dreft in the moil luxurious man- ner. An Irifh flew, a Scotch hodge-podge, a Welch rabbit, and an Englifh plumb-pudding, are deli- cacies, which, till you tafle, you can have very little idea of. , MANIKIN. Very little indeed ! PETER. ic THE CABINET * PETER. Then Sir, our beef, and the manner of roafting and baking it. The French may crack of their culinary excellence ; but, Sir, I'll maintain it, there isn't a frog in their whole country can be rendered fo truly delicious as an Englifh toad in a hole. MANIKIN, What ! O la ! I fhall never be able to fuftain the idea of entering a caftle inhabited by toad-eaters. PETER. No ! then you'll enter very few caflles or great houfes of any defcription, I promife you. MANIKIN. Ah ! that may be ; but if my mafter, the Marquis, entertained the flighted imagination of what you have been telling me PETER. Your mafter ! Why, a'n't you the Marquis ? MANIKIN. No, Sir ; but I have the honour to be his Italian ralet, and I muft own, I feel not a little furprifed at the want of refpeft with which I have been treated. PETER. A COMIC OPERA, it PETER. Want of refpeft ! Why, I took you for the Mar- quis himfelf. (Tuts on his hat.) manikin (Conceitedly), Me for the Marquis ! PETER. Yes, I did ; and if impudence gave rank, \ might have taken you for a Duke. FALCONER, Fie, Peter ! you will offend the Marquis by this language to his Gentleman. PETER. Gentleman, indeed ! And fo I have been con- defcending to unfold my fituation in this family to a fuperintendant of the Marquis's comb-cafes ! and have fufFered roaft-beef to be run down by an olive- colour'd jackanapes, whofe conceit covers him, like wicker-work on a Florence flafk. Enter an attendant. attendant ( To Manikin), The Count will receive the Marquis the moment he arrives, with all due honours, in the grand falooa of the caftle. He prays you, in the mean time, to refrefh zx THE CABINET* refrefh yourfelf ; and defires that you, Peter, will attend ftrictly to the conduct of the great officers of the pantry. [Exit. MANIKIN. And, pray, good man, let there be fomething fit for a human creature to eat ; the very thoughts of the bill of fare you have been reciting, will go nigh to give me a fit of indigeftion and I do aver, not- wnhftanding all your Irifh rabbits and Welch flews, there is nothing upon earth can beat an Italian macaroni. [Exeunt all but Peter. PETER. Now mould I like to difprove that afTertion, by beating an Italian macaroni myfelf. If the mafter is half as full of emptinefs as the fervant, poor Lady Conftantia will have a bad match of it. Well, if I was a princefs, and my father was to fay to me, Lauretta, or Lucretia, or Juliana for a Princefs, without a pretty name, were like foup without fait Celeftina, fays he, make your father happy, by in- ftantly marrying his good friend, Squintofo Morofo Di Bandini. Says, I to my father, father, fays I (being a princefs of high breeding), if it is the fame thing to you, father, I'd rather let it aloneand, moreover, than that, may the devil fetch me, if Eh ! no, the Princefs fhou'dn't fwear. But at all events, before a parent of mine fhou'd be fo cruel, fo tyrannical, fo ilknatur'd - / Enter A COMIC OPERA. 13 Enter floretta. Now, what do you come teizing me for, when I am fo full of bufinefs, I don't know which way to turn myfelf? FLORETTA. Oh! my dear father, I'm fo unhappy. The Lady Conftantia will be difappointed of her lover, and, what's worfe, I mall lofe mine into the bargain. PETER. You lofe a lover ! Why, this is the firfl time I ever heard you had found one. FLORETTA. Why, now its all over, there's no harm in con- felling that we did love one another a little ; but we lhall never meet again 5 for he'll not be admitted in the caflle, any more than his mailer ; fo, I'll return to my duty with cheerfulnefs. (Butjis into tears. J PETER. Now I'll be judged by all the fathers in the world, if this isn't vile treatment firfl flie difpofes of her affections without confulting me, and then fails a crying, to fhew how cheerfully fhe returns to her duty. Hark ye, you baggage, if ever you dare to think of any man, without my leave, I fwear by the authority of (Hefoating with paffion.) 13 FLORETTA. t 4 THE CABINET; floretta (Weeping)* Of a father ? peter (Soften d J. Yes, of a father. I am your father, a'n't I ? Lord love thee, don't cry, my child. (Takes her in his arms.) There you fee the confequence of making me angry.- Go, and be a good girl. Go and comfort your lady I forgive you, becaufe I fee you're forry for your fault. FLORETTA* Yes, father, indeed I am very forry for he was the fweeteft young man-^-no, I didn't mean that I meant to fay Oh, dear, dear, how very unhappy I am ! BALLAD r lor etta. My loTe, the gayeft of the throng, The firft of fwains in cot or city ; With me would laugh the whole day long* But, now he's gone- Oh ! what a pity \ U. With him in mirth the hours went by, He woo'd in words fo foft and pretty ; ,But, now he's gone, and left poor I Alone to weep* Oh ! what a pity ! [Exit. PETER. A COMIC OPERA, i$ PETER. Ah ! this comes of trying to ad out of character* I cou'dn't reprefent a Princefs three minutes, with- out bringing the devil into converfation ; nor abufe the hard heartednefs of other parents, without fhew- ing my own : well may it be faid, " Shut the door againft Nature, and fhe'll find her way in at the window." SONG PETER. Says the fable fo pat, Once a man had a cat Of beauty, and manners uncommon : With wonderful tafte (he could fwallow a rat, -) Warn her face with a grace, ogle, pur, and all that, v 'Till her mafter, who didn't know what to be at, J Pray'd Venus to make her a woman. Thus, a ftrange metamorphofis love brought about, Her ears they funk in, and her nofe it came out, While her whiflcers and tail Found their offices fail, And her eyes, bright and green as goofeberries, Turn'd black as two floes, Claws, to fingers and toes, And her lips to a couple of cherries* II. Pufs married her mailer, but fhort his delight, . Repentance in wedlock is common : She flept all the day, kept awake all the night, *% He thought (he could fwear, and he knew (he could fight, > And woe to a moufe, if it came in her fight, j Which proves a cat can't be a woman. Hubby's prayers now a fecord exchange brotfght about, Her nofe it fell in, and her ears they grew out, While 16 THE CABINET; While her whifkers and tail, No longer did fail, Her lips no more pouted like cherries* She had claws to her toes, And her eyes, black as floes, Turn'd to two pretty little goofeberries. [Exit* SCENE II. A grand faloon in the cqftle. Enter count curvoso and Attendants. CTJRV0S0. There, there, don't follow me, but go and fee all ready for the Marquis's reception. Go, and fend my fon Lorenzo to me. [Exeunt Attendants, ] I'm not only to be plagued with my daughter's non- fenfical love for Orlando, but my fon, forfooth, muft hanker after his fifter ; however, this day will rid me of half my troubles, at any rate ; and, when Conftantia is wedded to the Marquis, it will be an eafy matter to manage a fon ; but daughters and wives are fo perverfe, and fo artful, that nothing lefs than fuch a head as mine could ever prove a match for them. Enter lorenzo. Well, Sir, are you, and all your followers, ready to receive the Marquis, as your future brother-in- law, and my fon ? LORENZO. A COMIC OPERA. if LORENZO. I am ever ready to bow to your commands, my Lord ; though there was a time, when my duty and my wiflies were more congenial. CURVOSO. Ay : for inftance, when I commanded you to pay your addreffes to Leonora-^ LORENZO. 1 flew with rapture to obey you. CURVOSO. And, now, when, for weighty reafons I order you to relinquifh her LORENZO. You turn from its fource the delicious fpring which rilled my cup with happinefs. AIR LORENKO. How bleft was I, when late you fmil'd On her whom I adore ! Delufive hopes the hoars beguil'd ; But hope is now no more. Thus, on a laft remaining ftay The fhipwreck'd wretch relies, The furges dafh his bark away, He ftruggles, finks and dies. So I, when late a parent fmil'd On her whom I adore, With hope's vain dream my hours beguil'd; But hope is now no more. [Exit; CURVOSO. Ay, there's always a vaft number of pretty things to be faid by undutiful children in behalf of dif- b obedi- iS THE CABINET; obedience; but it's not my bufinefs to liften to them. Here comes another to aflail me ; but it will be of no avail. If they are unacquainted with their duty, I know mine, and am refolved to follow its dictates. Enter constantiA. Though a modern Italian, I pofiefs the fpirit of the ancients. Brutus never liftened to his children when propriety forbad him. His country was his family, and / act for my family as I would for my country. CONSTANTIA. You confefs then, my Lord, that we are to be facrificed. curvoso. No ; the fons of Brutus were decapitated. And, though your future hufband will receive a good wife from me, I don't infift on your being an abfo- lute good woman. He (hall have you with your bead on at any rate. CONSTANTIA. Is the heart to be quite out of the queftion ? Ah, Sir ! have you not approved the addrcfles of Or- lando? have you not permitted me to approve them ? CURVOSO. Yes ; and what then ? CONSTANTIA. Have you not fuffered me to receive his prefents ? CURVOSO. Yes 5 and now I fuffer you to fend them back again. CONSTAN- A COMIC OPERA. 19 CONSTANTIA. And, after this, what can he think of me ? A wo- man, who knows what honour prefcribes, conceals the approaches of affection, even from herfelf, till confent of parents, a thorough trial of her own heart, and her fuitor's virtues, confecrate the words, " I love" but thefe words once uttered, and uttered with fuch fanclion, it were difhonour to recal them. CURVOSO. Never mind that I recal them. The Marquis is richer and more powerful than Orlando j befides, he treats me with greater refpeft. He has fent me a letter a yard long, inclofed in a golden cafe, with all my titles at full length, with an additional one at the end of 'em ; and when I wonder how I came by it, I find a grant of the eftate to which it belongs. And, if one Gentleman will come a wooing in this fort of way, why, other Gentlemen mus'n't be angry becaufe we chufe to liften to him. CONSTANTIA. Poor Orlando 1 CURVOSO. That's juft what I fay" Poor Orlando." CONSTANTIA. Sir, a virtuous man is never poor. Orlando is ftill noble, flill royal in my eftimation ; for he bears in his heart the moil fplendid gifts of nature, honour, and integrity. CURVOSO. That I believe ; but by the aggreflion of a pow- erful enemy, he has loft half his territories. This B 2 be 20 THE CABINET ; he has informed me of, and given his honour not to accept you, but from my hands, nor to receive you till I fend you to him, and I know he'll keep his word. (Mujic without.) But, hark ! the Marquis approaches. Who waits there ? Let us receive him with the honour he merits. (March ofjlutes and other light injlruments.) The marquis enters y moft elegantly dreft, preceded and followed by twelve Gentlemen in fplendid li- veries, Manikin leading the way* Whimsiculo inters, difguifed among the Marquis' fuite* CURVOSO. My Lord, this honour marquis (With affected gallantry, and vainly Jlrug- gling to conceal his age and infirmities J. Is conferr'd on me, in being allowed to kifs your hands, and thofe of your beautiful daughter. You'll excufe me, my dear Lord but to be introduced to her will be the moft rapid ftep I have hitherto taken towards the abode of perfect felicity. f CONstantia // introduced by her father, in dumb Jhew.J CURVOSO. There, daughter, did Orlando ever addrefs you in this manner ? CONSTANTIA. Never. MARQUIS. What elegant flattery ! I fhou'dn't have fo long delayed offering incenfe to your charms j but a paf- 6 fion A COMIC OPERA, 21 fion like mine required more than common pre- paration to exprefs it. Manikin, where are my ideas of rational affection, and connubial happinefs. manikin, Your Lordfhip's ideas are in the pocket of your private fecretary. (Takes a long paper from one of the Gentlemen and pves it to the Marquis.^ MARQUIS. This attempt to celebrate Eh ! why, by the honour of my anceflry, this is the lift of my eftates. Blockhead ! CONST ANTIA, Ridiculous I CURYOSO. I don't think fo $ the Marquis isn't the firft who includes his rent-roll among his ideas of rational happinefs. If you'll give me leave, my Lord, I'll hi ft take a look at it. marquis (Having taken another paper , prefents it J. This, Madam, this is what I intreat you to con- fider as the production of truth, dictated by affec- tion. curvoso ("reading the rent-roll J. And this is a production equal to the richeft: vei* of defcriptive poetry. Jt's full of real good things. Caftles, rivers, fi(h-ponds and corn-fields form the fubject, and every line concludes with fteiling value. TRjO curvoso, maik^uis, Wcokstantia. l*AR Nor Venus, nor Dian, nor all the three Graces Had ever fuch fingers, fuch arms, or fuch faces ; Had ever fuch beauties as beam thro' your eyes, curvoso. Such catties, domains, forefts, parks, and fine places, const. Orlando and love are my only replies. maro^. Europa, Alcmena, fofam'd for the kifles By Jupiter fnatch'd, nor the reft of his mifles, Not Ovid could write curvoso. Such a rent-roll as this is, const. Oh, hear me, dear father ! how hard is my fate ! MARQi Of Dido, or Daphne, your Poets may prate, But they never cou'd boaft curvoso; Such a charming eftate. Const. How cruel ! Ah, hear ! marq^ Nor Calypib Eurydice, const. Nay, then, I'm refolv'd curvoso. Not to do what you're bid, I fee. Const. 'Tis a daughter, marQ;, A lover, both. That fues at your feet. m a r o^ and 7 Soft pity, foft pity is all I intreat. const. J curvoso. Obedience, obedience is all I intreat. J together. CURVOSO. Marquis, you (hall be married to-morrow; the perufal of this has added to my anxiety for the match, and heightened my former ideas of your Lordfhip's merit. MARQUIS. Thofe pofTelTions, Count, are only valuable, as objects to lay at the feet of Conftantia j for what are houfes A COMIC OPERA. aj houfes when compared to happinefs, caftles to con- tent, or lawns to love ? Love turn? the fyftem of vaflalage topfy-turvy ; the Lord of large domains becomes a fervant ; and life and death are in the power of beauty to fentence, or beftow on him. CONSTANTIA. My Lord, I am very far from being able to reply to this high-flown {train of compliment, in the flyle of your wifli. My father promifed to unite me to one whom duty will teach me, at prefent, to avoid ; but I owe it to truth and honour to declare I never will give my hand to another. [Exit. MARQUIS. If the young Lady perfifts in this refolution, I fhall begin to think ihe has fome kind of objection to our negotiation. CURVOSO. True, my dear Marquis, if (he was to perfift, it might turn out as you fay ; but fhe'll change her mind women are a fort of a we all know what women are they are like boats if you want 'em to go one way, you muft pull another. MANIKIN. My Lord, I afk pardon ; but here is a varlet, who has intruded himfelf under the difguife of my Lord Marquis's livery, and has been endeavouring to convey a letter to the Lady Conftantia. Don't let him come near me ; for he told me, if I faid a tingle word he would knock me down. B 4 CUR.VOSO, H THE CABINET; CURVOSO. Oho ! this is Signior Whimficulo, confidential fervant to your Lordfhip's rival, Orlando, on whofe account my daughter is thus perverfe. Sirrah ! Sir, how dare you mew yourfelf within thefe walls ? WHIMSICULOr Upon my word, my Lord, it was very uninten- tional. I didn't mean to Jhew myfelf I only wiihed to execute my cqmmiffion. gurvoso. You did, eh ? And, pray, Sir, what is your con;? million ? WHIMSICUJ.O. A fecret one, my Lord : failing in the objec"l of it ought not to lower me in your Lordfhip's eftima- tion. My wifhes were as ardent as if I had fucceeded. curvoso. Here's a pretty fcoundrel ! Give up the letter you haye dared to undertake the delivery of and after you have been baftinadoed, and toiled in a blanket, I may, perhaps, permit your departure. WH1MSICULO. However inviting fetch terms of capitulation may appear to you, my Lord, honour forbids me to ac- cept them. Any property of mine you are welcome to, as tne Marquis is to his own livery again ; but this letrer, tiii in the hands of the Lady Conftantia, be- longs to my mailer, and with all poflible fubmiffion, I hope you'll give me leave to fight in defence of the truft repoied in me as long as I have breath in my body. CURVOSO. A COMIC OPERA, aj CURVOSO, And tjils is your real determination ? WHIMSICULO. With all poffible fubmiffion it is, even though little Jieroules here mould except againft it. CURVOSO. The mod polite ruffian I ever met. Seize him, and marquis. Hold, Count-^-this affair belongs to me; firft, becaufe my livery has been aflumed, and, fecondly, becaufe he belongs to my rival. To fhew how little I fear fuch under-hand pretenfions, I. beg he may Jbe permitted to deliver the letter to your daughter* CURVOSO. Why, it certainly will lefifen the pleafure of reading It, when me knows nobody cares whether fhe reads it, or no. But, then, how {hall we punifh this cai- tiff's infolence ? WHIMSICULO. I fhall be fufficiently punifhed by an office fo much beneath my talents. My ambition is to over- come difficulties : but, to deliver a letter openly is the bufinefs only of a poll, a porter, or a running footman. marquis. We will not degrade ourfelves with converfation fo much beneath us. Manikin, tell that faucy com- panion, had his matter been here, he would have met reprehenfion from me, his equal : but, as his paltry x6 THE CABINET; paltry reprefentative, do you difmifs him ; the tail of a lion can only be ufed to brum away a gnat. [Exeunt all but Whimficulo and Manikin. manikin (To Whimficulo, with great politenefs J. Signior, you have heard my Lord's commands. You may depart, after delivering your letter, or not, juft as you pleafe. Pray, go, Sir I mould be forry to floop to any indignity, but WHIMSICULO. But what, my valiant tail of a lion ? MANIKIN. You muft permit me to fhew you the door. WHIMSICULO. Certainly ; and you muft alfo permit me to fay MANIKIN. What, Sir ? WHIMSICULO. That if ever I catch you on the other fide of it, I'll let you know that brufhing gnats off a lion may fometimes prove a dangerous employment. [ Exeunt. SCENE III. Another part of the cajlle. Enter floretta. FLORETTA. If my eyes don't deceive me, that dear rogue Whimficulo is now in the caftle, but then, if he is, what bufinefs can he have in the fervice of the Marquis ? If he has joined againft my poor Lady, and deferted his generous mafter, why there's an end I've done with him j for he can never be true in A COMIC OPERA. 7 in love, who is mean enough to be guilty of ingra- titude. Enter manikin, MANIKIN. Ah, ah ! pray, young Lady, is it not you I have had the honour to fee in attendance on the happy woman who is deftined for the Marquis ? Floretta (Crofsly), No. manikin. No ! why, furely you belong to the Lady Con ftantia ? FLORETTA, I know that ; but Ihe's neither a happy woma% nor is fhe deftined for the Marquis. manikin. She will have him, I believe. FLORETTA, Aye ; but me don't like him, I believe, manikin. And why not ? FLORETTA. For the fame reafon that I don't like you, per- haps. manikin. And, what may that reafon be, child ? FLORETTA. Child, indeed ! Why, becaufe fhe likes fome- body elfe j and one that's more of a man, child. C Mimicking.) manikin. a* THE CABINET ; MANIKIN, I know who yon mean one Orlando and yoa have chofen his fervant a fellow that I had the honour to turn out of the palace and I hope, mod fincerely, he'll never come in again. (AJide,) (whimsigulo enters unobferved in a riding drefs 7 with a whip*} FLORETTA. You ! you turn my Whimficulo out ? MANIKIN. I did, by my reputation, before twenty witneffes. Jle was inclined to refill, but I made him know his man, and with the greateft coolnefs and politenefs, fays I " Signior, what's your name, I" (whimsiculo j/W-r him.) I hope I have the honour of feeing you in perfect health. (Trembling.) WHIMSICULO. What bufinefs has the tail of a lion fo far off from the auguft body it is its place to be dangling after ? manikin C Endeavouring tojlip by). Sir, I the Marquis I wilh you a good morning, Madam. FLORETTA. Good morning, child. whimsiculo {imitating manikin's former planner"). Don't be alafm'd, Sir I fhould be forry to (loop to any indignity, but MANIKIN. Bu but wha what Sir ? WHIMSICULO, A COMIC OPERA, 2? whimsiculo (taking him by the nofe). You mud permit me to {hew you the door. Pray go, Sir, or you may find that this little ftrip of the hide of a bull, (Cracking his whip, J may be applied with efFeft, even to the tail of a lion. [Exit Manikin.] My dear, Floretta, in my zeal to ferve my mafter, I have been too cunning for myfelf. However, by a ftrange whim of the old folks, I am allowed to fend this letter to your Lady ; and I hope it will af- ford her fome confolation ; though I fhould think a letter from me to you, inftead of a vifitj would prove a very poor fubftitute. FLORETTA. Don't be vain mould my Lady marry the old Marquis WHIMSICtJLO. She'll not be the woman I take her for and this will then be no place for you. My mafter, however difappointed himfelf, will be happy to reward your fervices, by giving you FLORETTA. What ? WHIMSICULO. My hand. FLORETTA. You would fainperfuade me that he's very generous. WHIMSICULO. So he is s he gave your miflrefs a beautiful bird, which, though but artificially made, fings like a real nightingale. Then it& eyes are diamonds, and it* notes FLORETTA, 3* THE CABINET; FLORETTA. Nonfenfe ! I like it, bccaufe its made of rich materials, and came in a moft elegant and expenilve cabinet. WHIMSICULO. True ; in that cafe its notes might be accepted by any one. FLORETTA. But I tell you it's always mute, unlefs you touch a fecret fpring, to fet its wings and tongue going. WHIMSICULO. What a bleffing if every married man had fuch a fpring on the tongue of his wife ! Though it's odds if it did not fometimes reft for want of ufe. FLORETTA. Pretty encouragement for me ! WHIMSICULO. In fpite of which you mall be mine. Your fa- ther fhall be tranfplanted along with you, like a fine old oak, as he is ; and you and I will be a pair of honey-fuckles, to twine round, and adorn his vene- rable trunk. FLORETTA. If my father's old trunk, as you call it, is never to be embellifhed till I look for happinefs in defert- ing thofe who have been good to me, it will wither unadorned, I promife you. WHIMSICULO. Your father's a good fellow, and fo are you- So fear not but all will end as it mould do. t DUET WHIMSICULO and floretta, IV him. Never think of meeting forrow, Grief, perhaps, may mifs his way ; Or, A COMIC OPERA. Jt Or, if doom'd to fret to-morrow, Let's not lofe our laugh to-day. both. Never think, Sec. floretta. Yet, when thofe- we love are crying, Surely that muft fpoil your mirth ; To their tears, our tears replying, Friendship, then, gives forrow birth. both. Never think, &c. whim. Sand will fink, while pleafure's mounted, Time your joys may undermine ; Give me, if time muft be counted, Minute glafies, fill'd with wine. both. Never think, &c. WHIMSICULO. One kifs, my dear Floretta, and then IVe a ferious word to fay to you. FLORETTA. There. (He kiffes her.) Now, what is this fe- rious word. WHIMSICULO. Now may you obferve how much profejjton is apt to outrun -performance. You have done nothing but talk of the great love you bear your miftrefs ; and here have you beea finging and laughing, while fhe is waiting in the utmoft anxiety for the poor neglected letter, that quietly repofes in her dear friend's pocket. FLORETTA. Why you good-for-nothing fellow, if my Lady wahYt waiting, as you are pleafed to remind me, I'd let you know that that I won't (lay another minute in fuch company. {Exit, 8 WHIMSICULO. .< THE CABINET*; WHfMSICULOi That's a good creature enough j but rather a Httfe Inclined to Re-enter floret? a; You needn't try to fee me again before you go* without you've fomething very particular to fay. [Exit* WHIMSICULO. Very well, loretta. I wifh the Lady had the letter though. Re-enter floretta* FLORETTA. If my Lady mould wiih to write an anfwer, you'd better flop till its ready. WHIMSICULO. Which, if I may judge by your haile, will be a plaguy long while firft* FLORETTA. Well j there now I am gone in earneft. [#/7. WHIMSICULO. So, here comes another lover I've a letter for him too. It mould have been delivered fooner, but Floretta and I feem to agree in opinion that, how- ever other folks may be waiting and expecting, there's nothing out of nature in ferving our own turn firft. Enter lorenzo. LORENZO. I have been looking all over the caftle for you. Is it poflible you bring no token from my Leonora ? whim. A COMIC OPERA. 33 WHIMS1CULO. Quite impoflible, my Lord ; and you (hou'd have had this fooner, but Floretta, that coaxing huffey, is fo plaguy anxious on her Lady's account, that fhe kept me chattering and fooling (Feeling for the letter.) LORENZO. What cou'd you find to talk about, when you had bufinefs of fuch confequence entrufted to you ? WHIMSICULO. Afk that letter, my Lord j (Gives it ;) and if it don't explain why people neglecl every thing elfe to talk upon one fubjecl, the Lady Leonora knows lefs of penwomanfhip than I imagine. LORENZO. Here's for thy pains. (Gives money.) And now, (KiJJing the letter,) for all the happinefs that ab- fence can beftow on me. whimsiculo (Looking at the money). If Cupid was to regulate the mail, what a won- derful increafe of revenue it wou'd bring in. [Exit, LORENZO. The pangs of pad abfence will give double zefl to the pleafures of our meeting: for what can heighten the enjoyments of love like the forrows that precede them. SONG LORENZO. Fortune may frown, but the true lover's breaft Has a cordial for forrow, however diitreii, Beloved and beloving, ftill pleafure he meets, And the bitters of love only heighten the fweets. c Rivals 34 THE CABINET j II. Rivals may threaten, misfortunes arife, The heart of afFedtion misfortune defies j True pleafure was ne'er by defpoodency gain'd, For beauty's moil priz'd, when by danger obtained. [Exit. SCENE IV. Conftantia's apartment , containing a rich cabinet Superb china jars, sfV. The door of the cabinet Jhut. ^Conftantia dij covered, looking on a piclure.) CONSTANTIA. Heigho ! this portrait thefe 'prefents this beau- tiful bird (Opening the doors of the cabinet, which contains a feat, and above it a beautiful artificial bird,) were all the gifts of Orlando's profperity. Enter floretta. FLORETTA. My dear Lady, I bring you comfort. In the firft place, here is a letter from Orlando. CONSTANTIA. Comfort indeed ! What elfe, my dear Floretta ? FLORETTA. Your father is refolved you (hall be married di- re&ly. CONSTANTIA. Do you call that comfort ? FLORETTA. Yes, I do ; becaufe fudden refolutions are feldom lading. Your father and the Marquis are coming. CONSTANTIA. What mail I do, Floretta? FLORETTA* A COMIC OPERA. 35 FLORETTA. " As you pleafe, Ma'am it*s the privilege of ladles 5 but I, who am only a maid, mould run away, CONSTANTlA. How ! to Orlando ? FLORETTA. O, no, not if you chufe to marry the Marquis. CONSTANTlA. Never. On this feat, fan&ioned by a father's prefence, I received Orlando's vows, and here, by all thefe tokens of his love, I fwear FLORETTA. Don't fwear, but liften. Bread, water, and a nun- nery are pleafures to what your father threatens. He has fent for the chaplain* and will have the ce- remony performed to-night. CONSTANTlA. I cannot elope. What, if I conceal myfelf till my father relents. FLORETTA* He never does relent. He's coming here. If you will hide, let me fhut you up in this cabinet the blinds are only filk you may hear all that pafles, and make up your mind as circumftance directs. marquis (Without), Come, my dear Count, I'm all impatience. FLORETTA. Hark ! Do, do, pray, let me advife you to act with fpirit. C 2 CONSTANTlA* 16 THE CABINET; CONSTANTIA. Should your advice prove wrong FLORETTA. It would be the more extraordinary, that a young woman in love fhouMn't take it. count (Without). Where is this perverfe, this headftrong CONSTANTIA. They come. . Mind Floretta, it isn't my wifh that you fhou'd make any plan for my efcape but if you think, and if (Going into the cabinet.) FLORETTA. No ifs, but hide a moment, and leave the reft: to me. CONSTANTIA. . Befides, I have fworn never to part from this cabinet. FLORETTA. And one would think you had fworn never to go into it. Pray, Madam, (hut the door. The key's on my fide and as I wou'dn't have my plot fpoil'd for the world, you mufl remain a prifoner at my difcretion. And, now, if I don't (hew more lovefor my Lady than ever Whimficulo did for his mafter, fet me down for the greatefl blockhead of the two. Enter curvoso and the marquis. CURVOSO. Now, Floretta, where's my daughter ? FLORETTA. She's fhe's locked up, Sir. CURVOSO. A COMIC OPERA. 37 CURVOSO. ' Locked up, hufiey ! how do you mean > FLORETTA. In meditation, Sir, not a little puzzled to guefs the end of this bufinefs. CURVOSO. She wont be puzzled long. Call her hither call her, I fay, FLORETTA. I muftn't, my Lord confidering what is intended it would be cruel. MARQUIS. How fo, damfel ? FLORETTA. I heard his Lordfhip, the Count, fay, that as h'e had been fo often reproached about the prefents he had fuffered his daughter to receive from Orlando, he intended to get rid of the obligation, by fending them all back. CURVOSO. So 1 do. Whatever his circumftances were, he cannot now afford to make prefents, and ought to be much obliged to me for what I mail return him. MARQUIS. No doubt he will, my Lord 5 and I wou'dn't retain a fingle article. FLORETTA. If you don't fend all, you will do nothing. If you wait for my.Lady, you do wrong. This fight fhou'd be fpared her (he is at prefent in the dark about it, and I think fhe ought to be kept fo. c 3 MARQUIS. 3 THE CABINET; MARQUIS. You're right you're a fenfible girl, and {hall wear this in token of my good opinion. (Giving a ring.) curvoso. Who waits there ? Enter a Servant. Call all the fervants of the palace, and fend that faucy fellow, Whimficulo, here immediately. [Exit Servant. MARQUIS. The ornaments of this apartment are elegant. curvoso. Too much fo. That cabinet, and many of the gewgaws you behold, were the gifts of Orlando. Ir* that cafe is a curious mechanical finging bird. Flo- retta, have you the key ? FLORETTA- The key, my Lord ! If I had, nobody can make the bird in that cage fmg but my L,adv. SONG FLORETTA. The bird, in yonder cage confined, Sings but to lovers, young and true ; Then pray approach if you can find (To Marquit*) The picture fuk Ah ! no, not you. Good nature only wakes the lay, A parent kind the feat may do ; Then pray approach if you can fay, (To Curvofo,) The picture fuits Ah ! no, not you. Enter Whimsiculo an4 Porters, curvoso (To Whimficulo^. Now, Sir, you may return, and, that I may not be called ungenerous, you fhall not go empty handed. A COMIC OPERA. 39 handed. Porters, take hence that cabinet, with the pretty bird it contains, and whatever elfe was fent iiere by the Prince Orlando. Take them to his own frontiers, and there leave them. WHIMSICULO. Now, this will vex my matter more than all. (Afide.) But, Sir, the Prince will doubt his right to receive back his own gifts, unlefs the Lady Con- ftantia be alfo willing to fend them. curvoso. Pll anfwer for her Go tell him, whatever is here I give him freely with all my heart and foul. MARQUIS. And I, too, upon my honour. WHIMSICULO. My Lord, my Lord, on my knee I intreat, don't fend back the bird Lady Conftantia vowed never to part with it. She took the whole calendar to witnefs that where flie went it fhou'd go with her And if you perfift, (he'll break her vow, and Or- lando will break my bones for bringing the news of it, FLORETTA. That's a trifle don't liften to him, my Lord. WHIMSICULO. He'll go diffracted. Who could advife this re- finement upon cruelty ? FLORETTA. I did ; and very clever advice it was. WHIMSICULO. Witch ! forcerefs ! how I could beat thee, now ! C 4 MARQUIS. 40 THE CABINET; MARQUIS. We are all, however, very much obliged to her. CURVOSO. And thus I reward her. Take this purfe, follow your fellow and his matter's trumpery, and never let me fee thee more. * FLORETTA. My Lord ! why this is beyond what I expected. CURVOSO. Not a word, hypocrite. I know thou wou'd'fl: deceive me if thou cou'd'ft. FLORETTA. If ever I wifh'd to deceive your Lordfhip more than I do at this moment, never truft woman again. CURVOSO. I won't truft thee, depend on't. I get rid of thefe prefents to put Orlando out of thy lady's^head ; and I part with thee, that thou may'ft never attempt to bring him back again. FINALE. flor. tff whim. Hear us, my Lord ! cuRvoso. I'll hear no more. Begone ! for ever quit my fight ! floretta. Liften ! c u r vosp. I wont your reign is o'er, To all your tricks now bid good night. whimsiculo. Only a moment* curv. cif maro^, March away ! whim, iff flor. Pr'ythee now (lop ! guards. We dare not ftay. ALL . Since < We > mud go, let's part like friends. Farewell ! good bye rl've gain'd my ends Then, A COMIC OPERA. ft Then, fince what happens mujl, let's trip it away, And fhout as we march, huzza ! huzza ! (They march off triumphantly with the cabinet.) [Exeunt Marquis, Count and Manikin, on the oppojite Jide. END OF THE FIRST ACT. ACT II. SCENE I. A garden furrounding Orlando's Ealace. Enter two attendants. FrRST attendant. Well, Baptifta, is Signior Whimficulo come back ? SECOND ATTENDANT. No ; and till he does, I dread to meet the Prince, he goes pining and moping about, and then flies into fuch paffions, that, mercy on us ! fooner than fall in love, I FIRST ATTENDANT. Hold your tongue, and (land afide ; for here he comes. orlando enters t attended. ORLANDO. Has no one feen the meffenger I fent to the Count Curvofo ? SECOND ATTENDANT. He is not yet return'd my Lord. ORLANDO. ** THE CABINET; ORLANDO. Send out to meet him, and let me have inftant notice of his arrival. [Exeunt Attendants.] A truce with my enemy has left me time to devote to the thoughts of my dear Conftantia. Why hasn't my herald the wings of love, to bring his impatient maf- ter the tidings of her welfare ? AIR ORLANDO. When abfent from her whom my foul holds mod dear, What medley of paffions invade ! In this bofom what anguiih, what hope, and what fear, I endure for my beautiful maid, In vain I feek pleafure to lighten my grief, Or quit the gay throng for the fhade ; Nor pleafure nor folitude yield me relief When away from my beautiful maid. Enter doralice. DORALICE. There he is, ever melancholy and difcontented. Son-in-law ! fon-in-law ! were I a young man of your quality, how differently would I pafs my time ! If you are as reclufe in the camp as you are at home, I don't wonder at the profperity of our enemies. ORLANDO. They are about to liften to reafon. My brave people have at laft been fuccefsful. They followed me to the field with enthufjafm. They were fure to conquer, for they loved their mailer. Their vi&oTy was honourable, for they fought for peace, doralice. Now, if I was a young man, I mould hate peace. Oh ! you don't take after your father nothing ever i , mads A COMIC OPERA. 43 made your poor father fad his firft: wife, your mo- ther, was, indeed, the reverfe fhe was always figh- ing and dying, without any earthly reafon to be given for it. ORLANDO. The parent you mention gave me life at the ex- pence of her own. Her memory is facred, and, not even the tongue of a flep-mother muft profane it. doralice. There it is now ftep- mother again ! I, who have been in the place of a real parent to you, 1 always procured you wholefome correction when a boy, and now you are a man have wearied myfelf to provide a matrimonial eftablifhment for your fole advantage. ORLANDO. If you allude to the lady invited to your court, on my account, I can only thank you, and decline her offers. DORALICE. And, can you perfift in afking for Conftantia when fhe has firfl been promifed, and then fo info- lently refufed you? ORLANDO. The caufe of that refufal is no more my pof- feffions reftored, and again in fafety, will remove the objections of Curvofo. Enter leonora, LEONORA. My dear brother, your mefTenger is in fight. He is followed by a kind of cavalcade, and, perhaps, brings 44 THE CABINET; brings intelligence that may prove agreeable. See, he enters the court-yard at this moment. DORALICE. With more of the Count's impertinence, I war- rant him. ORLANDO. He comes j nor fhall his honeft hade go unre- warded. Enter whimsiculo. WH1MSICULO. Oh, my Lord ! I've almoft ridden my fleed to death, and myfelf out of all moderate refpiration, to tell you ORLANDO. What? Speak! WHIMSICULO. That it's all over with us. Your prefents to the Princefs are all fent back her father is more averfe to you than ever, and an obftinate old Marquis is in complete poffeiTion of the citadel. ORLANDO. And Conflantia? WHIMSCULO. Nobody knows what's become of her Floretta fays that fhe's locked up : but that's not the worft of it. ORLANDO. What more ? Quick ! WHIMSICULO. Why, that Princefs of all perfidy, that villainous chambermaid I have juft mentioned, has advifed the Count A COMIC OPERA. 45 Count to this very ftep, and loft my heart and her place as a reward for her treachery. ORLANf)0. Peace, coxcomb! DORALICE. It's juft as I prophefied. I'm impatient to go, and fee to what lengths your extravagance has led you, and what the Count's hauteur has induced him to return upon your hands. [Exit, ORLANDO. Let none prefume to touch the prefents till they are fafely lodged in my apartments. (Going,) whimsiculo. But, my Lord, confider that though I took all poffible pains to ORLANDO. Away, ill-omen' d bird I'll to the Count myfelf If he perfifts, this rival, this Marquis (hall repent his ram by daring to flep between Orlando and his love. [Exit* WHIMSICULO. I knew the ftorm rauft light upon fomebody ; and I confider myfelf not a little indebted to the Marquis, for being fo likely to bear the brunt of it. (Going.) leonora CStopping him), Whimficulo. whimsiculo. Hey! LEONORA. Did you bring an anfwer for me ? WHIMSICULO. 'Slud ! I beg a million of pardons, but Pd like to have 4* THE CABINET; have forgot. No, my Lady, I brought no anfwer for you. LEONORA. What, not a line ? WHrMSICULO* Not a line. My Lord Lorenzo read your letter* and faid, that as to writing an anfwer, there was no occafion for it, becaufe LEONORA. Becaufe what ? WHIMSICULO. I don't know, truly ; but, perhaps, it might be, becaufe he was coming himfelf ; for fo he has done, and is now waiting permiflion to pay his refpe&s to you. LEONORA. Indeed ! my dear Whimficulo, how mall I ever be able to repay you for fuch delightful intelligence. (Gives money. J WHIMSICULO. Here's a change of weather! Egad, I r believe a meflenger in love's bufinefs partakes of the nature of the camelion, not becaufe he lives upon air, for here are fubftantial proofs to the contrary, (Shaking the purfe,) but, becaufe he changes colour, according to the different lights you view him in. Thus, my mafter calls me an owl now my Lady changes my feathers to a brighter tint, and makes a goldfinch of me. LEONORA. Halle to bring Lorenzo, and be what thou wilt. WHIMSICULO. A COMIC OPERA. 47 WHIMSICULO. I had better continue a bird ; for then I fhall have wings, as well as inclination, to fly to ferve you. [Exit. LEONORA. Fly as thou wilt, it cannot be too fad upon this errand, I promife thee. SONG. LEONORA. Turn minutes to feconds, that Time may go by On pinions more rapid and light ; Let his age change to youth, that he fader may fly, 'Till he brings my dear lover in fight ! Yet, ah ! when he comes, let each moment be flow, Ere alone I am left to complain, Let minutes like hours deliberate flow, And age ileal on Time once again. [Exit* SCENE II. A gallery in the fame Palace* Enter floretta. FLORETTA. Well, here we are arrived. I had much ado to perfuade my Lady to this journey of two or three miles. But, now fhe has the key, and I am to keep within call Oh ! here comes the prince. He is unacquainted as yet, I fee, with Conftantia's vifit, and I'll teize.him a little. Enter orlando. Ah, my Lord, have you been to fee the reje&ed proofs of love, that your miftrefs's generofity has returned ? ORLANDO. Can it be true, Floretta } all fent back ? FtORETTA. 4* THE CABINET; FLORETTA. It's true indeed, my Lord. The old Count was determin'd to leave nothing behind you could fet any value upon. ORLANDO. Diffraction ! FLORETTA. Don't talk about diffraction ; but fly to the pre- fents fhe once accepted, as if it was herfelf who waited to receive you. DUET. orlando. Ah ! could I hnpe my fair to fee ! floretta. Hafte, then, and hope to find her; orlando. No hope Alas ! (he's flown from me, floretta. Indeed ! then never mind her. The bird that fings from yonder cage Orlando. To me fings notes of forrow, And adds new tranfports to my rage, floretta. You'll change your note to-morrow. [Exit Orlando. FLORETTA. There he goes, to look mournfully over his re- jected prefents, and to frown on a cabinet, which contains all that is dear to him in the world. My faucy fweetheart too is, as yet, deceived, and paffed me, jufl now, with fuch a fcornful elevation of his lip and nofe, that, ecod ! 1 ran away for fear of a fcolding. Here he comes, I believe no, as I live, it's my father. Enter peter (Agitated). PETER. You're right, wench, it is your father, unlefs your mother had as little regard for me as you feem to have. 13 FLORETTA. A COMIC OPERA. 4$ FLORETTA. Why, father, when I took leuve of you in the caftle, and laid, yon fhou'd foon know my reafons for quitting it, who expecled to meer you here ? I'm fo happy- we're all going to be happy, and nothing is wanting, but your company, to make our fe- licity complete. PETER; I'm forry for it ; for I'm determin'd never to fettle again in caflles or in palaces. I've been a failor, and I've been a landfman ; I've meafur'd the ocean, and travell'd the more. Talk of longitude and latitude ! give me the man who can difcover gratitude, for I have been looking for it all my life, without ever having been able to meet it. FLORETTA. I hope, father, / have not been ungrateful. PETER. You are out of the queftion. Look ye, girl, when the old Count was travelling in England, I faved his life at the hazard of my own. He fell into a mill-ftream, and though I broke my arm in the attempt, I fifhed him fafe out of the water, as if I had been a Newfoundland dog. FLORETTA. Why the whole caftle knows it, father. I'm fnre I hav'n't forgot how often the Count himfelf has told us of it. pfter. If you hav'n't forgot, he has. The fen-ices of old Peter are no longer thought of; and the Count d has 3 2 faid 52 THE CABINET ,~ faid I might hear 1 of you. Apd, as you proimfed* to fend me good reafons for coming here you have now an opportunity to tell 'em yourfelf. FLORETTA. Indeed, father, I can explain all. My lady is here in the palace with Orlando. I attend on her, and what will furprize you mod is, that the Count himfelf fent her here. PETER. I'm too cunning an old fifh to be caught fo. The ftrides I took to get out of the Count's ten acres of territory, were too long, and too rapid for any fuch thing to have happen'd in my abfence ; nay, do you blufh ? Surely it cannot be true ? If you ha"je been guilty, Floretta, confider the crime confider the wickednefs of deceiving thofe in whofe fervice we are employed, paid, and protected. FLORETTA. I do confider it, father; and for that very reafon I'll flick cloi'e to the interefts of my lady to the laft hour of my being. PETER- So, fo! the interefts of your lady! I fear'd as much and if it proves as I fufpect what a bad girl! Enter whimsiculo. WHriviSlCULO. A bad girl indeed ! That I'll befworn (he is \ and the worft of bid girls, for PlTer (Turning upon Whimficulo). How do you know ihe is ? How dare you call my Gaughter a. oad girl ? WHIMSICULO. (\ COMIC OPERA. $3 WHIMSICULO. Why, I'll tell your daughter's father fo to his face. I fay fhe has betrayed her miftrefs, turn'd traitrefs to my matter, and been bribed by the old Count, to efpoufe the caufe of the Marquis. PETER. And, I fay for I read guilt in her eyes fhe has cheated the Count, and been aiding and abetting in Conftantia's elopement. FLORETTA. And what the deuce fhall poor J fay ? However, father, as you are the only judge, whofe authority I acknowledge, I will, to you, plead guilty. But pray hear the circumftances. WHIMSICULO. Ay, come, now for it. FLORETTA. My lady was in the cabinet, which contains her curious bird. Her father didn't know it, and in- iifted on fending it back to Orlando I dared not contradict him, becaufe he was in fuch a fury fhe dared not come out, for fear of making him worfe fo we were both fent packing together. The Prince, by this time, knows fhe is in the palace, and, I dare fay, does not repent that my mailer fent away his daughter in the wrong box. WHIMSICULO. Tol, rol, de riddle lol ! Floretta, my dear F!oretta, I beg ten thoufand pardons. Peter, you and 1 will have an Englifh hornpipe. The Marquis will go d 3 mad 54 THE CABINET; mad with vexation my mafter with joy and you fhall be immortalized (To FlorettaJ for being one of the cleverefl cabinet minifters that ever appeared in petticoats. PETER. Floretta, when you can make a proper defence, you'll find me at the cottage of old Bianca, the wi- dow of poor Dragnetti, the filherman. FLORETTA. Nay ; but pray take me with you, Sir. peter. Stay with your lady. Since you have gone fo far, it would be double blame to forfake her. For me, I'll neither return to the Count, nor remain with you. I'll feek my fubfiftence in the bottom of the lake, and, unlefs I meet with another half-drown'd Italian, there's no fear of living merrily. [Exeunt Floretta and Peter. WH1MSICUL0. Floretta is a good girl, after all, and I'll follow ' my mailer's example, and marry. -Marry ! Egad, there's fomething fo awful in the thoughts of that merry folemnity, that I hardly know how to make up my mind to it. SONG WHIMSICULO. A batchelor leads an eafy life, Few folks that are wed live better : A man may live well with a very good wife, But the puzzle it, how to get her. For there's pretty good wives, and there's pretty bad wives. And wives neither one thing nor t'other, And as for the wives who fccld all their lives, I'd fooner wed Adam's grandmother. Then A COMIC OPERA. 55 Then ladies and gents, if to marriage inclin'd, May deceit or ill humour ne'er trap ye, May thofe who are Tingle get wives to their mind, And thofe who are married live happy. II. Some chufe their ladies for eafe or for grace, Or a pretty turn'd foot as they're walking ; Some chufe 'em for figure, and fome for face, But very few chufe 'em for talking. Now, as for the wife I could follow through life, 'Tis fhe who can fpeak fincerely, Who, not over nice, can give good advice, And love a good hufband dearly. So ladies and gents, when to wedlock inclin'd, May deceit or ill humour ne'er trap ye; May thofe who are fingle find wives to their mind, And thofe who are married live happy. [Exit. SCENE III. The prince* s chamber, The cabinet on one fide. Orlando dij covered) throws apiclure on the table ) and comes forward, ORLANDO, Yes ! all return'd. Even my picture, which (he fwore to keep, fent back, without a word, without a line to foften undeferved feverity. (Conftantia opens the cabinet ', unobferv'd by Or- lando, and changes the piclure for another Or- lando continues fpeaking. ) If fhe has joined againft me, why fliou'd I feek her father's caftle, to be the fcorn, perhaps of a detefted rival ? Or, if fhe loves him ; love him ! 'tis impof- fible ! Conftantia can never forget her vows to the original of (Going to take the piclure) he perceives the change.) Hah ! why, this is witchcraft ! Even now, D 4 it S 6 * THE CABINET f it was my own portrait I placed here and this this is the beloved image of Conftantia ! Speak, mimic wonder ! for thou muft be the agent of fome power, friendly to my love. Tell me what means {The birdfmgs. The cabinet opens, and Conftantia comes forward.) Conftantia ! my dear Conftantia ! to what miracle am I indebted for this excefs of hap- pinefs ? CONSTANTJA. Floretta can beft explain : yet, pleafed as I am, I fear my acquiefcence in a plan, which I did not, at firft, comprehend, may expofe me to the moft cruel cenfure. ORLANDO. Let me fly to your father his abode is near, re- main 'till my return, and, truft me, I'll bring a pa- rent's fanction to our union. CONSTANTIA. And why do you fuppofe that he will prove lefs inexorable now than formerly. ORLANDO. Becaufe I have recovered the wealth and domi- nions he fo dearly prizes. Befides, your return s otherwife than the bride of him to whom he fent you CONSTANTIA. Hold, Orlando ! I tremble at the thought. Yes., in one inconfiderate moment, what have I rifked ! ORLANDO. To one knows that you are here. CONSTANTLY A COMIC OPERA. 57 CONSTANTIA. I have enemies, rivals, Orlando. Women's eyes, pointed with jealoufy, will pierce through adamant. My (lay here, though but an hour, will expofe my fame to the worft conftrucTion. ORLANDO. Floretta, alone, {hall have the key of the apart- ment while locks and bars CONSTANTIA. Will but awake fufpicion. And, when you are gone, I (hall fuffer a thoufand fears. I know your ftepmother diflikes me. I have heard of the violent temper of the Lady Crudelia, who afpires to your hand. In fhort, I I wiil accompany you. ORLANDO. Retire to this apartment no one fhall approach, you, but Floretta, whofe fignal (hall be the linging of this bird. I will impart to her the three fecret fprings, which, when touched, at once awake its melody. When / return, three taps upon this door Jhaii announce your lover. CONSTANTIA. Some one approaches on you I muft now rely. The danger I have rafhly fought teaches me to diftruft: myfelf. Go, and fhou'd you fucceed, do not place lefs value on a woman, whofe only deviation from the forms of propriety, was caufed by her affedlion for Orlando. (Goes into the apartment.) ORLANDO. When I ad not with honour, may love forfake me ? 5* THE CABINET; me. (Clofes the door.) Never mall It be faid that Orlando cou'd repay affe&ion with perfidy. AIR. ORLANDO. Fair Ellen like a lilly grew, Was fortune's fav'rite flower, 'Till falsehood chang'd her lovely hue, t She wither'd in an hour. Antonio in her virgin breaft Firft rais'd a tender figh, His wifh obt lin'd, the lover bleft, Then left the maid to die. [txit. SCENE IV. The garden of the palace. Enter crudelia and curiosa. CURIOSA. Now, my dear lady, why do you take on fo ? To be fare the Prince Orlando is a fine looking man, and fo is the figure of Apollo, in the garden ; but if one is as infenfible and cold as the other, where can be the difference ? CRUDELIA. Orlando is cold only to me another engrofles all his thoughts, while I, unpitied, may perifh in the fires that confume me. CURIOSA. You perifh indeed ! You, who have refufed fo many knights, that have fought with Orlando at tilts and tournaments, and all on your account. If it was me, Ma'am, I wou'dn't be in fuch a hurry to have the belt, of them ; for the moment you accept one, you lofe all the reft, which 1 know by fad ex- perience. CRUDELIA. A COMIC OPERA. 59 CRUDELIA* You, Curiofa ! CURIOSA. I only meant, Ma'am, in the way of that is not that I ever accepted any of the fellows I hate 'em above all, I hate that Whimficulo almoft as bad as I do the huffey he pretends to love. But, lud ! I don't mind that, and I always get in his way, whenever I can, to let him fee as much. CRUDELIA. Ah ! Curiofa, what ftrange compofitions we wo- men are ! How often do we frown upon fincere affection to bend before the man who difregards us ! CURIOSA. And isn't Orlando as perverfe as the befl: woman m the world ? He pines after Conftantia, becaufe he can't get at her, and won't look at your ladyihip, when he might have you for alking for. CRUDELIA. For afking for ? CURIOSA. lud ! what have I faid now ? CRUDELIA. My condefcenfions have encouraged too great a licence to a faucy tongue. CURIOSA. 1 beg pardon, madam ; I'm fure it only vexed me, that fo fweet a tempered lady, and fofair nay, Or- lando thinks you fair j for he faid fo. And he faid, too, in my hearing, that he had never feen any lady with fo beautiful a hand and arm, CRUDELIA. to THE CABINET; CRUDELIA. Did he, my dear Curiofa ? (Looking at her hand.) I don't think this ring becomes my hand. Here, you may wear it. (Gives it.) CURIOSA. Generous lady ! It becomes mine wonderfully. CRUDELIA. And did he really fay CURIOSA. I'll fwear it, madam. He faid that, in point of complexion, and a pretty turned elbow, he never faw any but the Lady Conftantia, who could equal you. CRUDELIA. Again Conftantia ! But why fear her ? She will be wedded to the man me hates, My fecret influ- ence introduced the Marquis, to thwart Orlando's love, and aflifted his foes to defpoil him of his lands, that I might have the glory to raife him from de- fpair, and force him to acknowledge the affection of Crudelia. CURIOSA. Yes ; and there's that impudent fellow, Whim- ficulo Oh ! how I Ihould like to fee him in defpair, as your lady (hip fays ; and, as for the hufley whom he calls his fweethea'rt, if fhe were in my power, fhe fhou'd fuller the fevered punifliment, fhe fhou'd be obliged to wear old clothes, and hold her tongue for the reft f her life. CRUDELIA. I would to heaven the latter penalty were in- Aided on thyfelf. Enter A COMIC OPERA: 61 Enter doralice. My dear madam, I am preparing to quit your hof- pitable manfion, Orlando is loil to me for ever. DORALICE. Nothing is loft, Lady Crudelia, till it has been pofTefs'd, Come, I have hopes for you. Orlando's prefents are all returned, even his picture. He is in defpair ; and, when once Conftantia is married, all your expectations may revive again. CRUDELIA. All fent back ? DORALICE. All. And among them a fuperb cabinet,' a ca- binet worth a dukedom. It holds a curious bird, which even you might take a pleafure in looking aj:, and liftening to. CURIOSA. Pray, my lady, do go and fee it. I'm fure I fpeak for your good. -Not that / have the leaft curiofity, only I'm fare it will divert you ; and I wifh you would take me along with you. CRUDELIA. As you will. At all events, Conftantia is no more fuccefsful than myfelf. But, were (he wedded to Orlando, what would be fufficient to gratify my jufl revenge ! [Exit* DORALICE. What a perplexing paflion this love muft be! Love indeed ! I wifh they were fairly married, and, then there wou'd be an end of it. [Exit. CURIOSA. t THE CABINET; CURIOSA. If Whimficulo continues to be as cruel to me as his mafter is to my miftrefs, there'll be an end to it one while, I'm pofitive. (Going.) Enter floretta. FLORETTA. Can't fee a woman in the place that I like to afk a queftion of. Oh ! there feems to be a pretty mild looking body enough. Signora, may I beg the fa- vour to aik you, if you have feen the prince's gentle- man this way ? curiosa (Bridling) . I never look at gentlemen, Signora. floretta. Well ; but I mean his attendant, Whimficulo, I 'dare fay you've feen him a fmart, pretty, genteel young man. I'm told he's rather like me. CURIOSA. So, fo ! this is fome other rival. Like you! No, ugly as the fellow is, he's not fo bad as that. FLORETTA. Ugly ! Woman, do you call my Whimficulo ugly? CURIOSA. Your's indeed! Why, your alfurance exceeds that of the dowdy I've been told of. You're even worfe than the artful Floretta, who would deprive me of my lawful intended hufband. FLORETTA. Your intended hufband ! Your intentions are very arbitrary, Signora j and if Whimficulo Enter A COMIC OPERA. 3 Enter whimsiculo. WHIMSICULO. Well, Floretta, I Hey ! what's the matter ? Any thing amifs ? FLORETTA. , Amifs indeed ! There's a Mifs who feems to have fome very kind intentions towards you, Sir. CURIOSA. Floretta ! So, fo ! I'll command my rage. Where the maid is, the miftrefs cannot be far off. My lady fhall know of this, and if me takes my ad- vice, (he'll treat it with the cool contempt that I do. Oh, you "vile hufifey ! fTirFloretta.) the time may come, when you fhall tremble at the recollection of your pall: and prefent prefumption. For you, Sir, it is not in your power to awake an atom of emotion in a bofom, which fcorns to own that Oh ! Oh ! you barbarous, cruel, good-for-nothing inhu- man (Exit fobbing.) FLORETTA. I'm petrified ! Pray, my dear young gentleman, who is that lady, who is fo liberal of her benedi&ions ? WHIMSICULO. Who. -Why, fhe is. Zooks ! never mind her. She's familiar to a devil of more confequence of whom the lefs you know, the better. FLORETTA. But WHIMSICULO, But here comes my mailer, and Signior Lorenzo, and 64 THE CABINET j and the Lady Leonora ; fo, pray, preferve your ifs and buts for another opportunity. Enter orlando> lorenzo, and leonora. (curios a Jteals on and appears to lijien.) ORLANDO. Floretta, one word with you. LORENZO. My return, Leonora, will be fpeedy as Orlando's. LEONORA. And may it be equally crown'd with fuccefs ! ORLANDO. Floretta, remember my inftruclionS; Be careful of your lady, nor doubt my gratitude. - QUINTETTE. lor. ff leon. Take, my love, this parting figh, or l a n do. No fond adieu can I receive. whim. Good bye, my lafs ! florhtta. My lad, good bye ! omhes. That we are conftant, ftill believe. Leon, fcf lor. And, tho' the prefent tear may flow, And tho' with grief the bofom burn, ORL.&fLOR. Our joy it ftill fhall be to know Soft pleafures wait our quick return. all. Be parting fuftain'd by the thoughts of the greeting, The frailes and the kiiTes, The heart-thrilling blifles, Which Cupid prepares for our next merry meeting. Exit. END OF THE SECOND ACT. A COMIC OPERA. 65 ACT III. SCENE I. Orlando\r Apartment, with the Cabinet ', as before. (Cudelia, Curiosa, and Doralice difcovered.) CRUDELIA. Her attendant in the palace ! impoffible I CURIOSA. I wifh I could think fo, madam ; but it's too true. And I'm quite vexed on your account ; for I'm, fure that rogue Whimficulo paid all poffible atten- tion to her, and fhewed as much fondnefs for the wench as his good-for-nothing mafter could have done for Conflantia for the life of him. DORALICE. Perhaps me came only to return this finery in her miftrefs's name. See, this is the cabinet I told you of. CURIOSA. I overheard fomething about a fecret fpring, which the prince told Floretta was to be a fignal. It's impoffible it can be for any good, or I mould have heard more diftin&ly. CRUDELIA. A fecret fpring ! (Goes eagerly to the cabinet. J DORALICE. Pfha ! its only to make a bird fing, I dare fay. Perhaps this is it. (Touches one of the handles. J CRUDELIA. Or this. (Touches another.) E CURJOSAj 66 THE CABINET; CURIOSA. Or this. (The three having touched, the bird fogs.) f Conftantia comes out of the apartment.) CONSTANTS. Floretta ! Ah ! then I am loft. CRUDELIA. Can it be poffible ? Tell me, who art thou ? curiosa. The prettieft bird I ever faw in all my life. CONSTANTIA. I am Conftantia, one whom thou doft hate and envy. (To Crudelia.^ CRUDELIA. No ; thou art fallen beneath my envy. Once, indeed, the fair Conftantia, holding Orlando in the chains of virtue, excited pangs unutterable ; but when I find a wanton concealed in this apartment, I may defcend to pity, though I cannot envy her hu- mility. CURIOSA. I always thought it would come to this. And, ten to one but that witch Floretta may be locked up in Whimficulo's clothes' cheft. (Xrudelia whifpers Curiofa who goes out.) dor alice (To Conftantia). This is my palace, madam : had I known the honour you intended, truly, your reception mould have been fuited to your merits. CRUDELIA. Can'ft thou fay nothing to defend thyfelf. CONSTANTIA, A COMIC OPERA. 5 7 CONSTANTIA. ^gainfl: the opinions of difappointed jealoufy, words would be ufelefs here. I have no defence to offer, for, unlike you, I cannot defcend. (Going.) CRUDELIA. Stay, infolent ! Thou malt repent mod dearly, all my forrows, while I, in turn, will triumph over thine. CONSTANTIA. Miflaken woman, vice can never triumph. It may, awhile have power to torment; but every pang it dare inflict on fellow frailty is repaid by heaven's ample heavy retribution. (Four of CrudehV-f Attendants enter with Curiofa.) As you value my favour, keep that wretch fecure. (To herfervants.) doralice (Apart to Crudelia). I begin to feel fome terror, we may have gone too far. Prythee ufe gentlenefs. Keep her from Orlando if you will ; but do not hurt her good my lady, do not. CURIOSA. Shut her up, madam, in one of the cells of the caftle till fhe may be fent back to her father, or wherever elfe your ladyfhip may pleafe. CRUDELIA. Italian rivals feldom deal fo mildly with each other.- However, it mall be fo. Follow with your prifoner, who having dared contemn my power (hall feel it. E 2 CONSTANTSA. 02 THE CABINET; CONSTANTIA. I feel only for you. CRUDELIA. Feareft thou not death. dor alice (Alarmed, and apart to Crudeliaj. No, no ; not death ? CRUDELIA. Fear'fl thou not. lofs of fame ? Will not bufy ma- lice proclaim it to the world, that Prince Orlando had a willing miftrefs, and that the proud Con- ftantia died difhonoured. CURIOSA. Yes ; there will be ftrange talking to a certainty. CONSTANTIA. That were, indeed, affliction. Take thy revenge, if it do feek my life, that I deferve, for I deceived my father. But, oh ! in gentle pity, fpare my name ! Let not the world inferibe my tomb with guilt, nor think a mother's precepts were in vain. CRUDELIA. No more words. Mark my directions. Away ! dohalice. Nay, my dear lady, let me intercede tonfider the anger of Orlando. CRUDELIA. PofieiTion of her fate makes him my flave. Away ! [Exeunt all but Curiofa. CURIOSA. It's a pity To charming a lady mould be without an attendant. I'll go an.d look for Floretta, and make A COMIC OPERA, C 9 make her accompany her miftrefs out of pure good nature. [.v/V. SCENE II. Curvofo\r Palace. Enter Curvoso, Orlando and Lorenzo. CURVOSO. I'll hear no more excufe^. She has quitted her father, and your promife, on the word of a faithful knight, is broken. (To Orlando.) ORLANDO. My word is (till facred, my faith as a knight in- violate. CURVOSO. Did you not promife never to receive her, but from my hands ? ORLANDO. Did you not fend back the prefents you had fuf- fered her to accept. Enter the marquis. MARQUIS. Yes, he did. It was my counfel, and here I am to abide by the confequence. ORLANDO. You, Sir ! But age is your protection. CURVOSO. Yes, I did fend them back. All I fent you may keep, I never defire to fee any part of it again. MARQUIS. Nor I either. LORENZO. In that cabinet you fent my fifler, the Marquis agreed to fend her, and when a man has the com- % mands 7 THE CABINET; mands of her father and the confent of his rival to efpoufe a miftrefs who is willing to be his, what can be wanting in the eye of propriety ? curvoso. Propriety indeed ! to tear her from the arms of a man of wealth and power to make her a princefs without a portion ! ORLANDO. I have, by conqueft, regained my lands To you I give them. Leave me Conftantia, and the reft is yours. CURVOSO. U m (Remains in thought,) Regained your lands ? marquis. This is rather extraordinary. My Lord Curvofo, I do not exactly fee that I am very well treated here. CURVOSO. Don't be in a paffion : it's an unbecoming thing. Don't you obferve with what deliberation and pro* priety Orlando fpeaks ? He talks, even of his vic- tories, with coolnefs and moderation, and gives me whole domains with as much eafe as liberality. MARQUIS. So, fo ! And do you mean to give your daughter to him ? CURVOSO. Hey ! No there's no occafion for that". ORLANDO. My Lord I CURVOSO, A COMIC OPERA. 71 CURVOSO. Becaufe he has her already and I don't think it wou'd be at all right to take her away again. ORLANDO. Words can't exprefs my gratitude. marquis. Nor my difdain ! What interefted apathy ! Good bye, old Moloch ! And, when next you would fa- crifice your children to the God of Wealth, don't fend for me to officiate at the altar. orlando (To the Marquis), With you, my Lord, I have no further quarrel ; and can only fay MARQUIS. Say nothing there's my hand. No man of honour can really love a lady without wifhing a fuc- cefsful rival at the devil. And that you may all fhare in the compliment is the parting wifh of your very obedient humble fervant. [Exit* CURVOSO. Ods my life ! I'm glad he's gone. My two brave boys, give me both your hands. LORENZO. And may I hope, Sir, for your permiffion to marry Leonora ? CURVOSO. Prime ! Afk your brother the prince. His will fhall be a law. LORENZO. With your leave, Sir ; I know Orlando is im- patient to impart thefe grateful tidings to Conftantia. E 4 ORLANDO. 7 2 THE CABINET; ORLANDO. And Lorenzo no lefs fo to inform Leonora of his happinefs. CURVOSO. And I am as impatient as the beft of you. Sad- dle all my horfes and don't let the wedding pre- parations be at a fland (till. And tell Peter. Why where the devil is Peter all this time ? LORENZO. I believe, my Lord I beg pardon I faw Peter at noon, and he mentioned having unwittingly in- curred your difpleafure. CURVOSO. Difpleafure ! I had forgot. Ah ! Egad, 1 be- lieve I might be in the wrong. But I forgive him, a dog, Lorenzo, a word with you. We'll return to your friend in an inftant. I'll juft go, and If they don't make hafte with the horfes, I mall go out of my fenfes. [Exeunt Curvofo and Lorenzo. ORLANDO. How tardy will feem the fwiftefl pace that guides me to Conflantia ! SONG. ORLANDO. No more by fcrrow chac'd, ray heart Shall yield to fell defpair ; Now joy repe's th' envenom'd dart, And conquers every care. So, in our wocds the hunted boar, On native ftrength relies; The forefts echo with his roar, In turn the hunter flies. [Exit. SCENE A COMIC OPERA. 73 SCENE III. Infide o/Bianca'j Cottage. Peter and Btanca enter. PETER. Well, well, all is as it fhou'd be. 'And I have not fought the fhelter of thy cottage for nothing. BIANCA. Whufh ! foftly, good Peter, foftly ! Conftantia i now taking fome repofe in the inner apartment and I warrant you Hie needs it forely. Her life is faved to be fure ; but* alack ! her fine clothes are all fpoiled, dry 'em how I wou'd. PETER. Pll not difturb her Pll take a net, and down to the lake again I may, perhaps, catch fomething for our fupper. Your hofpitality muft not be repaid with idlenefs. BIANCA. Alack ! there is little here worth paying for, and what there is, is all owing to thy bounty, good Peter. To be fure, tho' we've little or no meat in the houfe, we've plenty of fifh, and are, heaven be thanked, as well provided for a faft-day as any Catholics in, Chriftendom. But go thy ways, throw thy net where thou wilt, and thou fhalt catch no more fuch beautiful fifh as thou haft brought home this even- ing. Heaven blefs us ! how I was furprifed ! PETER. For my part, widow, I have lived too long to be furprifed at any thing. I once faved her father's life, and have now done as much by her, which I take 74 THE CABINET; take to be a judgment upon the old Count for his ingratitude. BIANCA. A judgment ! a bleffing, Signior. A bleffing to you, to be the means of it. And, above all, a blefling to a poor old woman, like me, to be, for once in my life, able to give a fellow-creature af- fi fiance. PETER. I fay it is a judgment on the Count. BIANCA. Ay, ay j it is, as one may fay, perfectly ominous. There is more hangs upon it than we are aware of, Signor. PETER. I know not what may hang en it ; but it denotes that the Count's family are none of them born to be drown'd. Enter Cohstanti a from an imier room. CONSTANTIA. Ah, my dear hoftefs,why have you left me? Tou, too, good, generous man, to whom I am indebted for exiftence, how can the poverty of thanks repay you ? Yet thanks are all I have my own folly has put it from my power to be liberal, even to my life's preferver. PETER. Your thanks, my lady, belong to the providence that fent me to you. As for me, I cannot meet with any more ingratitude ; for, whenever I may be lucky enough to ad right, I mail only look for reward from my own confeience. CONSTANTIA. A COMIC OPERA. 75 CONSTANTS. And can you fear that EI AN C A. My dear young lady, Peter is but a myfterious kind of a man, and fpeaks his mind openly ; but he knows, as well as I, that if our food was gold, and our drink were diamonds, all fhou'd be yours. So, fvveet young lady, compofe yourfelf. CONSTANTIA. Alas ! you know not half my troubles. I have written to a friend who governs a neighbouring convent, I pray you conceal me till her friendfhip grants me the means of feclufion from this world and peace with heaven. BIANCA. Truly, it mull: be a great misfortune to feek peace with heaven at your age. But whatever you wifli fhall be done, and Peter fhall carry the letter. PETER. And do you be cheerful, lady. As for your be- ing concealed, depend on me no one mail fee you againft your inclination. CONSTANTIA. This feems the only houfe upon the ifland. I have enemies you know not of. In making my efcape from the hands of jealoufy I fell from the window of my prifon the lake received me you bore me to this hofpitable ifland. Soon wou'd it be furrounded if my foes were apprized of my place of refuge. PETER. Never fear. You have heard the country and profeffion your father took me from. And be af- furcd 7^ THE CABINET; fured that no one underftands the defence of an ifland better than a Britifh failor, more efpecially when he protects the beauty that's contain'd in it. BIANCA. Well faid, Peter ! Old as you are, you will be paying us compliments. But we can't liften to 'em now you muft haften with the letter, that you may be fooner back, to keep a good look out. CONSTANTIA. True, kind Bianca. And, fear not, good Peter, but Curvofo, by this time, repents him of the offence he has given you. Nor doubt but that whatever you may think unkind in him mail be amply amended by the gratitude of Conftantia. [Exit with Bianca. PETER. Well, time will fhew and, perhaps, it will prove To ; for time does wonders. Now, who would have thought that Peter Pullhaul fhou'd quit his birth in an Englifti firft-rate to be major domo to a lord in Italy that he fhou'd leave him to turn fiflierman in an ifland with a fingle houfe on it and that the firft time he happen'd to drag for a few loofefjh he fliou'd catch a countefs. SONG-PETER. At Kew, one morn, was Peter born, At Limehoufe educated ; I learnt to pull with Simon Scull, And a tightifh lad was rated. For coat and badge I'd often try, And when " firft oars !" 'twas who but I, While the pretty girls would archly cry, * Oh, did you not hear of a jolly young waterman, *' Who Blackfriar's bridge ufed for to ply ? H A COMIC OPERA. 77 ** He feather'd his oars with fuch (kill and dexterity, " Winning each heart, and delighting each eye." But, grown a man, I fcon began, To quit each boyifii notion: With old Benbow I kvore to go, And brave the foaming ccean. With him I fail'd tvvel/e years, or nigh. And faw the gallant hero die, Yet Tcap'd each (hot myfelf, for why, '* There's a fweet little cherub that fits up aloft, " To keep watch for the life of poor Jack." To Italy, a great grande, Brought me thro' fortune'6 fteerage ; By chance of war A Briufh. tar May gain Italian peerage. Now hither fent by friends unkind, And in this ifland clofe confin'd, 1 figh for that I've left behind, " For, oh ! it's a nice little ifland ! " A right little, tight little ifland I" May its commerce increafe, While the bleflings of peace Make glad every heart in the ifland. [Exit. SCENE IV. Orlando'* apartment, with the cabinet* Enter Curvoso, Orlando, and Lorenzo. curvoso. Well, but where is the fenfible young flut ? Why- is fhe concealed ? One wou'd have thought, that when fhe found herfelf fafe with the man of her choice, fhe'd have hopp'd out of her cage like a tame pigeon. ORLANDO. Silence ! The voice of love alone mufl call Con- j ftantia 7$ THE CABINET; ftantia from concealment. (Knocks at door.) My love ! Conftantia ! (Apaufe no anfwer.) curvoso. Try again. Women never comply at the firft time of afking. You'd better call again. LORENZO. Surely my filter has not deceived you too. ORLANDO. Who dares fufpecl: Conflantia of deceit ? (Openi the door.) Not here ! Amazement ! Enter an Attendant. attendant (To Orlando). The Lady Crudelia, my Lord, has left the palace, and requeded this (Giving a letter) might be in- ftantly delivered to you. And the Lady Doralice begs you will difpenfe with her prefence at the enter- tainment which is, by your commands, preparing. (Orlando reads to himfelf)* CL'RVOSO. Oh ! then there's mifchief indeed ! And my poor daughter. lorenzo (To Orlando). Pray, Sir, relieve our anxiety. ORLANDO. Joy ! joy ! Crudelia repents her jealoufy, and confefies having forced away Conftantia ; and, by means of the abbefs of the neighbouring convent, generoufly informs me where to find her. Let all my houfehold repair to the ifland on the lake. Haften A COMIC OPERA. 79 Haften my fwifteft gondola, and let its oars equal the wings of love. CURVOSO. Wings of love! Wings of nonfenfe! I'll' fee about the boats myfelf. I'll fee after the watermen. And adod ! iT they don't handle their fkulls, I'll knock their pates about. [Exit. LORENZO. And now, Orlando, what can equal our profpects of felicity ? ORLANDO. Nothing, good Lorenzo ; for fecond only to the polfeflion of her we love, is the pleafure to behold the happinefs which beams through the eyes of a friend. DUET LORENZO and ORLANDO. With a friend and a wife, Firit bleffings in life, What on earth can our envied condition amend ? Shou'd fweet offspring be curs, Grant this, oh, ye pow'rs ! Be the girls like my wife, and the boys like my friend. [Exeunt. SCENE V.-~ A halVin the -palace. Enter Floretta. FLORETTA. There now I've loft Whimficulo again and if I wasn't well allured that madam Curiofa and her pretty miftrefs were fafe out of the palace, I mould begin to be as jealous as they were. Enter whimsiculo. Why, where have you been ? The boats are nearly ready to fet off, and I, that ought to be the jirft t fliall be the lateft, to hail the felicity of my lady. 6 WHIMSICULO. So THE CABINET; WHIMSICULO. Tell her you waited for me, and flie'll not wonder at your being detained. They're only making our boat as fine as the reft. I have fecured the bed wa- termen, and we (hall be time enough to land with the foremoft of them. FLORETTA. How charming and happy the dear couple will be ! WHIMSICULO. And fo (hall you and I and then there'll be a couple of happy couples, befides Lorenzo and madam Leonora. DUET. whim. O, what a monftrous gay day ! Smooth is the path that was rough, flor. My lord he will marry my lady, And then he'll be happy enough. whim. Lorenzo will wed Leonora, |i.os. Dear, how they'll all bill and coo ! whim. I fhall get married to Flora, flor. And Flora don't care if you do. both. Then, hey for the bleffing and kifling ! And hey for the merry blind boy I Sorrow alone fhall be miffing, While all of us caper for joy. flor. Enmity now is all over, Jealoufy's gone for a nun, whim. Now we fhall all live in clover, With junketting, frolic and fun. I have got money in plenty, flor. Money's no matter to me ; whim. Then fhew me a couple in twenty flor. Half fo happy as we ! both. Then bey for the bleffing and killing, &c. [Exeunt, SCENE A COMIC OPERA. 8| SCENE the laft. The outftde of Bianca's cottage on the ijland, with a view of the lake reflecting the moon which isjuflfeen rifingfrom behind the trees. Enter bianca from the cottage, BIANCA. Well-a-day, what a time is Peter ! My lady is quite uncafy at it. If the moon was not rifing I (hould fear he had put the head of his boat the wrong way. (Peter appears in a boat and lands . ) Here he comes, by Saint Veronica ! Make hafte, Peter ! Pull away, Peter ! By the mafs, he humours an oar in a pretty ftyle ; but not like my dear deceafed Dominick. No, no j for feathering an oar, throw* ing out a net, or hauling it in again, there was no man in the ifland could match him. peter (who, during her fpeech, has landed). That I believe j for he was the only one that lived on it. But where's the lady. They kept me fo long at the convent that I began to fear fome trick, I have, however, at length, brought an anfwer. BIANCA. Carry it in fte's all impatience. (Peter goa into the houfe,) What goes yonder ? (Boats, with lights, appear in the diflance.) As I live 'tis fom* pretty water-fhew ! and earning this way too. Re-enter Peter, from the cottage* PETER. Why, I fee no lady. BIANCA. No lady ! 9 fSTSRi Si THE CABINET; PETER. There's nobody but an old.woman in the chimney- corner, and fhe's either deaf or ftupid. I left the letter on the table. bianca. Well-a-day ! but I had forgot. Well, come in, and I warrant I'll find her. We have little force to fight, againfl: thofe who may come for her, and you (hall find we have made a pretty device to miflead them. (Mufic heard.) peter (Looking out). Yon galleys are approaching the ifland. BIANCA. O dear 1 it they fhouH be foes, you'll (land by ut 9 Peter ? PETER. That I will. They're bravely dreft. BIANCA. But there's a whole fleet of them. PETER. Never mind, Lady Conftantia is queen of the iftand, thou art prime minifter, and I'm firft lord of die admiralty. And I never knew an Engliftiman in that fituation who feared the approach of an enemy'* fleet. So let's go hold a council of war directly. [Exeunt into cottage. (Mufic from the water heard louder. Large galliet dreji in rich flags, with lanterns at the Jlern- gal/eries, pafs acrofs Orlando, Lorenzo, and the reft of the characters and attendants, with lights, A COMIC OPERA. *, tights, land and arrange tbtmfelves round the Jiage. t Muficjlops.) ORLANDO. Come, let us enter this ennobled cottage.- Th honour'd roof that gives Conftantia fhelter become* a palace, and enclofes the richeft gem on earth. Open, I fay. peter {Opens the door J. (Standing in the door way.) Then you might fay it civilly at leaft. CVRVOSO. Oh, Peter, your matter's come. PETER. I have no matter, I'm the matter here. This is my cottage. My cottage is my cattle, and while its mine I'm king on't. LORENZO. Nay, but we come to make thy fortune. Lead us to Conftantia and thou art rich for life. PETER. So I am now. I've health, a trade, and a clear confcience. ORLANEK). But Conftantia- PETER. Is not here There's nobody but myfelf, and two other old women, in the cottage, except fome dried fifh and a cat, and thofe you are welcome to. LORENZO. You know us for Conftantia's friends, then why deny her ? F 2 HTM. *4 THE CABINET $ PETER. Beeaufe fhe bid me. Zounds ! I'm fo unufed t$ telling lies, I fhall never get into practice. curvoso. Come, come, I'll hear no more of this infolence. I fear'd I had done him wrong ; but he's a greater rogue than I thought him. Enter the cottage. [Exeunt Lorenzo and Orlando, with Antendants into (ottage. Seize him knock him down ! peter (To Attendants). Don't when a man {lands up for the rights of hofpitality whoever knocks him down mud be a, rafcal. I'll not be taken quietly. (Two Attendants advance tofeize him.) floretta (Rujhes between). Oh ! do not hurt my father. CURVOSO. Take her away. (They approach her.) fWhimficulo interpofes, and fnatches one of their /words.) WHIMSICULO. Touch my Floretta, or her father either, and I'll make crow's meat of you. Courage, old heart of pak ! In point of honour the weak fide is always the ftrongeft , and for an old man, and a young wo- man r I can fight like a devil. PETER. You're a brave fellow and mail marry the girl you know how to protect, l J CURVOSO. A COMIC OPERA. S$ CURY050. What will nobody LEONORA. Pray wait my brother conies. Mnt'er (from the cottage) Orlando and Lorenzo, with Bianca and Constantia guarded. Con- ftantia difguifed like a poor decrepid old woman. ORLANDO. That villain fpeaks too true fhe's not here.* Confefs where {he is hid, or torture ( To Peter.) PETER,- Would only give me a lock-jaw ; and then you'd not get a word from me. ('Bianca whifpers to Conftantia.) curvoso. The two hags whifper. Inftantly confefs, or (To Bianca.) BIANCA. O mercy ! mercy ! I will *confefs that I know no more of the matter than old Beatrice here ; who perhaps may find her, becaufe fhe's a fort of a pro- phetefs. curvoso. A what ? BIANCA* Indeed, (he has fome Ikill ; and whatever me fays mujl be true 3 becaufe fhe's dumb. whiMsiculo (Apart to Floretta), Pity (he hadn't been younger ! She'd have made 2. charming wife. curvoso. 16 THE CABINET; CURVOSO. Dumb ! then how can (he tell ? bianca. By figns, my lord. She knows what's paft, and bade me tell you that the difgrace you once got into by making love to the bailey's wife in the caftle gar- den mould teach you to be lefs fevere upon others. CURVOSO. The bufley's a witch. orlando (To Bianca). Then afk her where's Conftantia. bianca. I have alked her, Signior and me fays, if you had any true love about you, you wou'd have found her of your own accord, when me was firft hid in i the cabinet. And that you ought to be at no lofs now, when fhe is near enough to hear every word you fay. CURVOSO. I tell you what if the dumb lady don't inftantly {peak her meaning, and produce my daughter, me mall be burnt for a witch. Lay hold of her. (They gs tofeize her, foe thro%vs off her difguife.) all (but Peter and Bianca). Conflantia ! constantia. Yes, Conflantia, who affumed this difguife to de- ceive enemies, not friends like thefe who kneels to you for pardon (To Curvofo.) who trufts to you for her future happinefs- (To Orlando.) who A COMIC OPERA. 87 is indebted to that worthy cottager for protection (T Bianca.) and to honeft Peter for life itfelf. ORLANDO. Tranfporting moment ! Youi bleffing leaves us nothing here to wilh for. (They kneel to Curvofo, as do alfo Leonora and Lorenzo.) CURVOSO. Take it, my children all. {They rife.) And now, Peter, I'm afham'd. I can't look at you. You have twice laid me under obligations which nothing can cancel. You area father you are an Englifh- man, and if I was one, why I'd fay, like an Englifli- man " dam 'me, mafter, give me your hand.''' FHTER. And then, if I was you, I fhou'd fay, " dam'me, Peter, here it is." (They Jhake hands. J We're all friends, my lord. -A Briton fhou'd as foon think of running from his foe in time of war, as refufe to accept the hand which is offered him in figii of pease i . FINALE. r l a n d o . To forgave and forget. Is humanity's debt, Which, when faults are acknowledg'd, we ever ihou'dpay, const. That the poet may live. Don't forget to forgive, And fend all your petitioners happy away. Leon. Our Cabinet clofing. From fidtion repofing, Nor princes, Italians, or nobles you view : lor. But, true Britons we, Who hope never to fee Any matters before m, but Britons like you. chorus To forgive. Sec, BIANCA, 3S THE CABINET? *IANCA. My hut, tho' 'twere lefs, In the hour of diftrefs, To the child of misfortune with pleafure I'd lend, Petei _ And ne'er may this ifle Hold the mortal fo vile Who virtue in want wou'd refufe to befriend. cmo. To forgive, Sec. Floretta. Then, if all is a joke. Any girl 'twou'd provoke To be courting all night, yet no hufband obtain; Whimiiculo. Na*y, pr'ythee, don't grieve* For, if friends give us leave, Eslieve me, 1*11 court you again ar.d ^gain. crro. Then forgive and forger, 'Tis humanity's debt, Which, whea faults are acknovvledg'd, :hou*d pay* That the poet may live, Don't forget to forgive, And (end all your petitioners happy away. fHE END. f urahan aid Prefton, Piintm-StHet. THE LIBRARY UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES KJCiulord ; PAMPHLET BINDER Syracuse, N. Y. Stockton, Calif. UC SOUTHERN REGIONAL LIBRARY FACILITY AA 000 075 438 2