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 iVr'L.O
 
 THE 
 
 ROBBERS. 
 
 TRAGEDY. 
 
 tZAttSLATED rXOM TB GEKMAH 
 
 O F 
 
 FREDERICK SCHILLESk 
 
 LONDON: 
 
 Printed for G. G. J. & J. ROBINSONS, 
 Paternoster-Row, 
 
 A^^^. 
 
 MDCCXCH, 
 
 n J^
 
 FT 
 
 -^-^-7 3 
 
 ADVERTISEMENT, 
 
 X H E Author of this Tragedy, Mr 
 Schiller, was educated in the Ecole Mi/i- 
 taire^ founded by the Duke of Wirtem^ 
 
 .r} berg. At the age of twenty-three, he 
 wrote this piece, which procured him the 
 higheft reputation over all Germany ; but 
 the rigour of that inftitution, to whofe 
 difcipUne he was then fubjedled, being 
 adverfe to fuch purfuits, he was prohibit- 
 ed the ufe of his pen, under pain of im- 
 prifonment. Indignant at this unworthy 
 
 ^^ reftraint, he left his native country, and 
 now refides at Manheim, where he has the 
 title of Aulic Counfellor of the Palatinate 
 of Bavaria. Befides this Tragedy, he 13 
 the Author of two others, The Con/piracy 
 of Fiefco^ and Cabal and Love. He was 
 V - hkcvviio
 
 vi ADVERTISEMENT, 
 
 likewife employed lately in the compofi- 
 tion of a Tragedy on the ftory of Don 
 Carlos ; but whether it is yet fir^ifhed or 
 not, is uncertain. The three Plays above 
 mentioned are publiflied in one volume, 
 printed at Manheim, by C. F. Schwan and 
 G, C. Goetz, 1786. 
 
 PRE- 

 
 P R E 1 ' A C i. 
 
 it* 
 
 U F this mofl extraordinary produdlion, 
 Tbe Tragedy of the Robbers^ it is proba- 
 ble that different opinions may be formed 
 by the Critics, according to thofe various 
 flandards by which they are in ufe to exa* 
 mine and to rate the merit of dramatical 
 compofitions. To thofe who have formed 
 their tafte on Ariflotelian rules, derived 
 from the meagre drama of the Greeks, 
 or on the equally regular, though more 
 varied, compofitions of the French flage, 
 accommodated to the fame rules, this 
 Tragedy, as tranfgrefling againft the two 
 chief unities of Time and Place, will be 
 judged a very faulty compofition. But 
 even to fuch Critics, if they are endowed 
 
 with
 
 viii PREFACE. 
 
 with anv real perception of the iublime 
 and beautiful, this compofition will be 
 acknowledged, in fpite of its irregularity 
 as a whole, to abound with paflages of 
 the mofl fliperior excellence, and to ex- 
 hibit fituations the moft powerfully inte- 
 refling that can be figured by the imagi- 
 nation. *> 
 
 On the other hand, to thofe who are 
 diipofed to confider a flridl adherence to 
 the unities, as a fadlitious criterion of 
 4ramatic merit, as originating from no 
 bails in nature or in good fenfe, and as 
 impoling a limitation on the fphere of the 
 drama, by excluding from it the mofl in- 
 terefling adlions or events, which are in- 
 capable of being confined within thofe 
 rules, this performance will be found to 
 poffefs a degree of merit that will intitle it 
 to rank in the very firfl clafs of drama- 
 tical compofitions. This Tragedy touches 
 equally thofe great mafter-fprings of Ter- 
 ror and of Pity. It exhibits a conflid of 
 
 tlie
 
 PREFACE. ix 
 
 the pafllons, fo ftrong, fo varied, and fb 
 affedling, that the mind is never allowed 
 to repofe itfelf, but is hurried on through 
 alternate emotions of compafTion and ab- 
 horrence, of anxiety and terror, of admi- 
 ration and regret, to the cataftrophe. The 
 language too is bold and energetic, high- 
 ly impaflioned, and perfedlly adapted to 
 the expreflion of that fublimity of fen- 
 timent which it is intended to convey* 
 
 A diflinguifhing feature of this piece, 
 is a certain wildnefs of fancy, which dis- 
 plays itfelf not only in the delineation of 
 the perfons of the dramaj but in the 
 painting, of thofe fcenes in which the ac- 
 tion is laid. This ftriking circumflance of 
 merit in the Tragedy of the Robbers was 
 obferved and felt by a critic of genuine 
 tafte, who, in an excellent account of the 
 German Theatre, in which he has par- 
 ticularly analyzed this Tragedy, thus 
 expreffes himfelf: " The intrinfic foi'ce 
 " of this dramatic charadlcr, (the hero 
 
 b " of
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 of the piece) is heightened by the lin- 
 gular circumflance in which it is pla- 
 ced. Captain of a band of inexorable 
 and fanguinary banditti, whofe furious 
 valour he wields to the mod defperate 
 purpofes ; living with thofe afTociates a- 
 midft woods and deferts, terrible and 
 favage as the wolves they have dilpla- 
 ced ; this prefents to the fancy a kind 
 of preternatural perfonage, wrapped in 
 all the gloomy grandeur of vifionaiy 
 beings *." 
 
 But the circumftance which of all o- 
 thers tends mofl powerfully to increafe the 
 intereft of this Tragedy, while it impreC 
 fes on the delineation of its fcenes a flrong 
 flamp of originality, is the principle of 
 Fatalifm, which pervades the v/hole piece, 
 and influences the conduct of the chief a^ 
 
 * Accor.nt of the German Theatre, by Henry Mac- 
 kenzie, Efq^ Tranfaftions of the Royal Society of E- 
 Uiiibiirgh, vol. 2. 
 
 gents
 
 PREFACE. xi 
 
 gents in the drama. The fentiment of mo- 
 ral agency is fo rooted in the mind of 
 man, that no fceptical fophiflry, even of 
 the moft acute genius, is capable of eradica- 
 ting it : And it is a fingular phenomenon,^ 
 that theoppofing principle of fatalifm, while 
 it urges on to the perpetration of the moft 
 flagitious a(5ls, has in reality no effecl in 
 weakening tl;e moral feeling, or in dimi- 
 nifhing that remorfe which is attendant on 
 the commifTion of crimes. For this reafon, 
 the companionate intereft which the mind 
 feels in the emotions or fufferings of the 
 guilty perfon, is not diminifhcd by the 
 obfervation, that he acfls under an ini- 
 preflion of inevitable deftiny. On the 
 contrary, there is fomethiug in our nature 
 which leads us the more to compaflionatc 
 the inftrument of thofe crimes, that we 
 fee him confider himfelf as bound to guilt 
 by fetters, which he has the conftant 
 wiih, but not the ftrength to break. The 
 hero of this piece, endowed by nature 
 with the moft generous feelings, anima- 
 b 2 ted
 
 sil PREFACE. 
 
 ted by the higheft fenfe of honour, and 
 fufceptible of the warmeft afFeclions of 
 the heart, is driven by perfidy, and the 
 fuppofed inhumanity of thofe moft dear to 
 him in Hfe, into a (late of confirmed mifan- 
 thropy and defpair. In this fituation, he is 
 hurried on to the perpetration of a feries of 
 crimes, which find, from their very magni- 
 tude and atrocity, a recommendation to 
 his diftempered mind. Beheving him- 
 felf an inflrument of vengeance in the 
 hand of the Almighty for the punifhment 
 of the crimes of others, he feels a fpecies 
 of favage fatisfadlion in thus accomplifh- 
 ing the dreadful deftiny that is prefcribed 
 for him. Senfible, at the fame time, of his 
 own criminality in his early lapfe from 
 the paths of virtue, he confiders himfelf 
 as juftly doomed to the performance of 
 that part in life which is to confign his 
 memory to infamy, and his fljul to perdi- 
 tion. It will be allowed, that the imagi- 
 nation could not have conceived a fpeda- 
 cle more deeply interefling, more power- 
 
 fully
 
 PREFACE. xUi 
 
 fully aiFet^ing to the mind of man, than 
 that of a human being thus chara6lei'ifed, 
 and acfling under fuch impreflions. 
 
 This Tragedy has been performed on 
 feveral of the theatres of Germany with 
 a fuccefs correfpondent to its merit. So 
 powerful, indeed, were its efFedls, and, as 
 fome thought, fo dangerous, that in feve- 
 ral States its reprefentation was prohibited 
 by the legiilature. An anecdote which is 
 current in Germany, if admitted to be a 
 fa(5l, fhows that thefe ideas of a rigour ap- 
 parently impolitic were not ill founded. 
 " After the reprefentation of this Tragedy 
 " at Fribourg, a large party of the youth 
 " of the city, among whom were the fons 
 *' of fome of the chief nobility, captiva- 
 " ted by the grandeiu' of the character of 
 " its hero, Moor^ agreed to form a band 
 <' like his in the forefts of Bohemia, elecl-r 
 " ed a young nobleman for their chief, 
 ** and had pitched on a beautiful young 
 " lady for his AmcHa, whom tliey were 
 
 to
 
 xiv PREFACE. 
 
 " to carry ofF from her parents houfe, 
 " to accompany their flight. To the ac- 
 " complifliment of this delign, they had 
 " bound themfelves by the moft tremen- 
 " dous oaths ; but the confpiracy was dif- 
 " covered by an accident, and its execu- 
 " tion prevented *." 
 
 If the Tranflator of The Robbers were 
 not convinced that this anecdote, of which 
 perhaps there has been fome flight foun- 
 dation in truth, has been very greatly ex- 
 aggerated, and indeed altogether mifrepre- 
 fented, he would acknowledge himfelf to 
 fl:and in need of a ftrong apology for in- 
 troducing this piece to the knowledge of 
 his countrymen : For who could juflify 
 himfelf to his own mind for diffeminating 
 and even recommending that compofltion, 
 which has fliown itfelf, by its effeds, to 
 be of the moft dangerous tendency ? But 
 
 * Account of the German Theatre. Tranfaftlons of 
 Royal Society of Edinburgh. 
 
 the
 
 PREFACE. XV 
 
 the Tranflator, encouraged by the tefti*. 
 mony of his own feelings, makes a bold 
 appeal to the feelings of others, and has 
 no fcruple to afTert, that this piece, fo far 
 from being hoftile in its nature to the 
 caufe of virtue, is one of the mod truly 
 moral compofitions that ever flowed from 
 the pen of genius : Nor is there a human 
 being, whofe heart is in the flighteft de- 
 gree fufceptible of virtuous emotions, that 
 will not feel them roufed into a flame, and 
 every latent principle of morality called 
 forth, and ftrengthened by an exercife of 
 the pafllons, as falutary as ever was fur- 
 nifhed by imaginary fcenes. For, what 
 example fo moral in its nature, as that of 
 a noble and ingenuous mind yielding at 
 firft to the blandifliments of pleafure, em- 
 barking heedlefsly in a courfe of criminal 
 extravagance, which leagues him with a 
 fociety of the mofl worthlefs and profli- 
 gate of his fpecies perpetually at war 
 with his own better feelings, which give 
 him the keeneft pangs of remorfe the 
 
 bonds
 
 xvi PREFACE. 
 
 bonds of this afTociation becoming at 
 length indillbluble, till, wading on gra- 
 dually through fcenes of increaUng atroci- 
 ty, he feels, in the fhipwreck of all his 
 happinefs in this world, a dreadful antici- 
 pation of that inevitable doom of mifery 
 which he knqws is to attend him in the 
 next ? What is there, it mufi be afked, 
 in an example of this kind, which is un- 
 "^*favourable to the caufe of morality ? Is it 
 the grandeur of the chara(5ler of Moor? 
 But this very grandeur is the eircumflance 
 which makes the example more forcibly 
 perfuaiive to virtue. The grandeur of his 
 character confifls in thofe excellent endow- 
 ments Gf nature which guilt has poifoned 
 and perverted to the bane of fociety, to a 
 determined hoftility againft his own fpe- 
 cies, and to the mofl poignant mifery of 
 their once amiable polTeflbr. Is this a 
 grandeur of chara^fler which incites to i- 
 mitation, or which can corrupt by its ex- 
 ample ? Far otherwifc. With equal jus- 
 tice might we arraign the poem of Milton 
 
 of
 
 PREFACE. xvii 
 
 of immoral tendency, for having repre- 
 fented the arch-fiend with the charadlers 
 of a fallen angel. We admire, but it is 
 with awe and horror. We gaze on the 
 precipice with an aflonifhment mixed with 
 dehght, but we draw back while we gaze 
 
 on it. The other principal charadiers 
 
 in this Play have the moil diredl tendency 
 to produce moral inflrudlion. The weak- 
 nefs of an indulgent parent, whofe over- 
 weaning affe(5lion for one of his fons ex- 
 cites the fraternal hatred of the other, is 
 produ(5live of the moft miferable confe- 
 quences. The unqualified depravity of 
 the younger fon, his fiend-like malevo- 
 lence, and atrocious guilt, are attended 
 with a puniiliment as horrible as it is me- 
 rited. 
 
 The exhibition of the Tragedy of the 
 Robbers at Fribourg had in all probabili- 
 ty produced among the youth of the pub- 
 lic fchool fome holiday- frolic, vv'hich in 
 its confequcnccs was ferious enough to at- 
 
 c tracl
 
 xvlii PREFACE. 
 
 trad the attention of the police of the city. 
 Some boyifli depredations might have 
 been committed, and perhaps a youthful 
 intrigue have been difcovered, in which 
 the principal party had availed himfelf of 
 the aid of his companions. Thefe cir- 
 cumflances, magnified by report, will fuf- 
 ficiently account for the anecdote above 
 mentioned. 
 
 A French tranflation of this Tragedy 
 appears in the Theatre AUemand, publifhed 
 in twelve volumes 8vo, by MelT. Friedel and 
 De Bonneville. The Englifh Tranflator's 
 opinion of that verlion is, that it is per- 
 haps as good ^s the language of the tranf- 
 lation will admit of : But as the French 
 language in point of energy is far inferior 
 to our own tongue, and very far beneath 
 the force of the German, he owns he 
 not v/ithout hopes that his tranflation may 
 be found to convey a more jufl idea of the 
 ftriking merits of the original. 
 
 THE
 
 THE PERSONS. 
 
 I His 
 
 Sons. 
 
 MAXIMILIAN, COUNT DE MOOR. 
 CHARLES DE MOOR, 
 FRANCIS DE MOOR, 
 
 AMELIA, his Niece. 
 
 SPIEGELBERG, 
 
 SWITZER, 
 
 GRIMM, 
 
 SCHUFTERLE, 
 
 ROLLER, 
 
 RAZMAN, 
 
 KOZINSKI, 
 
 HERMAN, the Natural Son of a Nobleman. 
 
 A COMMISSARY. 
 
 DANIEL, an old Servant of the Count de Moor's. 
 
 SERVANTS, ROBBERS, &C. 
 
 Young Libertines, who become Rob- 
 bers. 
 
 The Scene is laid in Germany, at the time of the 
 enaftment of a perpetual peace, in the beginning of the 
 fixteenth century. 
 
 #.
 
 THE 
 
 ROBBERS. 
 
 ACT L ; 
 
 SCENE, FRANCONId. 
 
 A Hall in Count de Maoris Caftk' 
 
 The Old Count de Moor, and his Son Francis. 
 
 Francis, 
 
 BUT you are not well. Sir: You lool^^ 
 pale. ' V 
 
 Old Moor, 
 Quite well, my fon. What have you to fay 
 to me ? 
 
 Francis, 
 The Pofl is come in. A letter from our cor- 
 fcfpondent at Lcipzick 
 
 A CJ^oor,
 
 3 THEt ROBBERS.. 
 
 0. Moor, 
 {Earmfily^ Any news of my fon Charles? 
 
 Francis, 
 
 Hm, hm. Why, ves but \ am afraid If 
 you were ailing at all or in the leaft indifpo- 
 fed I beg pardon I will tell you at a more con- 
 venient time. {Hnlf apart.) Such tidmgs are 
 not for a frail old man. 
 
 0. Moor. 
 God Almighty ! What am I to hear ! 
 
 * Francis. 
 
 Let me flep afide one moment, while I drop a 
 tear of compaffion for my poor loft brother. But 
 on this fubjecl, as he is your fon, 1 fliould bt fi- 
 lent. As he is my brother, 1 ought tor ever to 
 , conceal his (hame Yet it is my firlt duty to o- 
 bey you in this inl'cance, a melancholy duty. 
 Pity me, Sir ! I need your pity ! 
 
 0. Moor. 
 
 O Charles, Charles ! if you knew how you 
 tear your father's heart at thi> moment ! Flow 
 the fmalleft good inieiiigence of you would add 
 
 years
 
 THE ROBBERS. j 
 
 years to his life. Alas! evciy frefli account I 
 hear brings mc a ftep nearer to the grave ! 
 
 Fra-icis, 
 
 Is it fo, old man? Live then for me ! Heaven 
 forbid that I fliould e*er abridge your days * ! 
 
 0, Moor. 
 
 Stay ! There is but one ftep more ; one little 
 flep. Let him acconip!i(h his will, {Jittin'g dowru') 
 The fins of the fathers n.ult be punifhed, to the 
 third and fourth generation. Be it even fo ! 
 
 Francis* 
 
 (7'akwg the letter out of ]iis pocket.) ^^ 
 know our correfpondent's vi^riting. There I 
 would give a finger of my right hand, to be able 
 to fay he is a liar ; a black infernal liar. Call up 
 all your fortitude. Sir. Pardon me if 1 don't 
 let you read this letter 3 it were too much to 
 know all at once. 
 
 0. Moor. _f 
 
 AH, did you fay ? My fon, you wiili to fparc 
 this gray head J but 
 
 Franciu 
 
 Germ. Wir ivurden ncch keute die haari an/r'au/^i^' 
 tiher everm Jarge. We will hot tear our hair tn''.^jgrj 
 coffin to-day.
 
 4 THE ROBBERS. 
 
 Francis, 
 
 (Reads.') Leipzick, the ft of May. Your 
 ** brother feems now to have filled up the mea- 
 *' fure of his fhame unlefs indeed his genius 
 " pafles my comprehenfion. After contracting 
 " debts to the amount of 40,000 ducats," (a 
 pretty fum this Sir), " and feducing the daugh- 
 *' ter of a rich banker, whofe lover, a brave 
 *' young gentleman, he mortally wounded in a 
 *' duel, he thought proper !aft night, at midnight, 
 ** to decamp, with feven others of his profligate 
 " aflbciates, and thus evade the purfuit of juf- 
 *^fee " Father, for God's lake, ^Fatacr, How 
 is it with you ? 
 
 0. Moor. 
 It is enough. Stop there, my fon ! 
 
 Francis, 
 
 Yes, 1 will fpare you I will indeed.-'* They 
 *' have fent off warrants the injured parties cry 
 ** aloud for juftice there is a price fet upon his 
 " head. 1 he name of Moor^* No thefe lips 
 fhall not be guilty of a father's murder. (Tears 
 the letter in pieces.') Believe it not, Sir 5 believe 
 not a fyllable of it. 
 
 0. Moor,
 
 THE ROBBERS, | 
 
 0. Moor. 
 (ff^eeps bitterly.) My name ! My honour- 
 able name ! 
 
 Francis, 
 
 Oh that he never had borne the name of Moor! 
 ^that my heart had not beat thus warmly for 
 him ! Impious afFedion, that will not be fuppref- 
 fcd, that muft one day rife in judgement againft 
 mc at the throne of God 1 
 
 0. Moor, 
 O all my profpefts ! My golden dreams I 
 
 Francis, 
 
 I knew it well 'Twas what I always predict- 
 ed. That fpirit of fire, faid you, which fparkled 
 forth even in his boyilh years, which fliowed it- 
 fclf in an exquifite fenfibility to every thing that 
 was great or beautiful that generous opennefs 
 of charadler the foul which fpoke forth in his 
 eyes that tendernefs of feeling, that manly cou- 
 rage, that youthful thirft of honour, that inflex- 
 ible rcfolution, and all thofe fhining qualities that 
 2idom my darling fon, will make him one day the 
 delight gf his friends, the fupport of his country, 
 
 the
 
 ^ THE ROBBERS. 
 
 the hero, the great man ! And now. Sir, what 
 has all come to ? That fpirit of fire has indeed 
 dlfplayed itfelf ! broke out with a vengeance- 
 and produced glorious fruits indeed !-: Obfervc 
 that admired opennefs of character, now con- 
 firmed audacity : That tendernefs of feeling, a- 
 wake only to the allurements ot the wanton ; fen- 
 fible only to the charms of a Phryne ! Where 
 now is that bright genius ? Is the oil which fup- 
 plied that refplendent lamp quite extinguifhed ? 
 Have fix fhort years confumed it to the dregs r 
 And where is now your hero ? a fpedtre, a body 
 without life, that walks the earth, whom the mob 
 iliall point at as they pafs along, and, fcoffipg, fay, 
 <' 'Twas love, forfooth, that made him fo,*' See 
 now that fpirit of enterprife, which has planned 
 and executed fuch fchemes, that the exploits of a 
 Cartouche vanifli before them. But when thefe 
 fplendid blolfoms come to their full maturity,- 
 for how can one expefl: perfection at fo early an 
 age, perhaps, Father, you may have the fatis- 
 fadion of feeing him at the head of one of thofe 
 troops that chufe the hallowed recefs of the foreft 
 for their abode, and humanely eafe the weary tra- 
 veller of a part of his burden ! Perhaps, before 
 you go to the grave, you may have it in your 
 power to make a pilgrimage to the monument 
 
 which
 
 ^" tHE ROBBERS. j: 
 
 ^hich win be raifed for him between heaven ani 
 earth! Perhaps, Father -O my poor father 1 
 find out for yourfelf another name, or the very 
 boys in the llreets will point their fingers at youj 
 the boys who have feen your fon*s effigy in the 
 market-place of Leipziclv. 
 
 0. Moor, 
 
 And you too, my Francis muH: you likewife ? 
 O my children ! how you pierce my heart 1 
 
 Francis. 
 
 You fee that I too have a fpirit ; ^but my fpirit 
 IS a fcorpion*s fpirit ! Yes, that poor ordinary crea- 
 ture, that Francis, that (lock, that wooden puppet, 
 fo frigid, fo infenfible ; and all thofe pretty epithets 
 with which you were pleafed to mark the contraft 
 "'twixt the brothers, when he fat on your knee 
 and pinched your cheek. He, poor creature, 
 'twas of me you fpoke, he will die within his 
 own bounds, moulder away, and be forgotten,- 
 while his brother's fame, the renown of that grcat^ 
 that univerial genius, Ihall fly from one extremity 
 of the earth to the other I ^Yes, with uplifted 
 hands, 1 thank thee. Heaven ! that the pdir 
 Francis, the cold, the flupid flock has no re- 
 femblance of his brother. 
 
 0. Moor.
 
 THE ROBBERS. 
 
 0. Moor, 
 
 fardori me, my child. Reproach not thy mi- 
 ferable father, whofe fondefl: hopes are blafted for 
 ever. That God, who has ordained thefe tears 
 to flow for the crimes of thy brother, has merci- 
 fully appointed that thou ihouldft wipe them a- 
 way. 
 
 Francis. 
 
 Yes, my Father, thy Francis will wipe thofc 
 tears away ; thy Francis will facrifice his own 
 life to prolong the days of his father; thy life 
 fhall be the rule of all my adions the fpring of 
 every thought : nor fliall there be in nature a tie 
 fo ftrong, a bond fo facred, as not to yield to 
 that firft of duties, the prefervation, the comfort, 
 of that precious Ufe ! Do you not believe me, 
 Sir? 
 
 ' 0. Moor, 
 
 * Thou haft many and great duties to fulfil, my 
 fon. May Heaven blefs you for what you have 
 done, and what you fhall yet do for me. 
 
 - Francis. 
 
 Say then at once|^ that you were happy if you 
 could not call that wretch your fon. 
 
 0, Moor,
 
 THE. ROfeBBERS. 9 
 
 iMoor. 
 
 Peace, O peace I when he fi ft came into life, 
 when my arms fuftained for the firft time his in- 
 '' fant limbs,- did I not then appeal to heaven, did ij 
 not call God himfelf to witnefs of my happinefs. 
 
 Francis, 
 
 You faid fothen. -How have you found it now? 
 Is there even among your own fervants, fo low, fp 
 abjed a being, that you would not exchange con- 
 ditions with him j- enviable in this refpeft his lot, 
 that he is not the father ol fuch a fon. Yes,-** 
 while he lives, what have you to look for but bit- 
 
 ^ ternefs of foul but ftill increafmg torments ? 
 
 j^. till nature herfclf (hall fink under the weight of her 
 {affliction. 
 
 0. Moor. 
 
 Oh what a load of years has affliction already 
 anticipated on thefe gray hairs ! J 
 
 Francis, 
 Well then fuppofe you throw him ofF at once j 
 
 renounce for ever this 
 
 0. Moor. 
 
 {Starting with emotio?2,) What didft thoii 
 B fay?
 
 lo THE ROBBERS. 
 
 fay ? renounce him 1 Wouldft thou 1 (hould 
 curfe my fon ? 
 
 Francis, 
 
 Not fo, my Father, curfe thy fon ! God for- 
 bid. But whom doft thou call thy fon ? Is it 
 the monfter to whom thou gaveft life, and who in 
 return docs his utmoft to abridge thy life ? 
 
 0. Moor, 
 
 Unnatural child! ah mc! but flill, ftill my 
 child! 
 
 Francis, 
 
 Yes, an amiable, a precious child, whofc con- 
 tinual ftudy is to get rid of an old father. O 
 that you fhould be thus flow to difcover his cha^ 
 rafter : Will nothing t emove the fcales from your 
 eyes? ^No ^your indulgence muft rivet him in 
 all his vices ; your fupport encourage, and evfen 
 warrant them. ^I'hus you may avert the curfe 
 from his head that eternal curfe, which muft now 
 fall upon your own. 
 
 0. Moor. 
 
 'Tis julf:, moft juft : Mine, mine alone is all 
 
 the guilt. 
 
 Francis,
 
 THE ROBBERS. n 
 
 Francis, 
 
 How many thoufands, who have drank deep 
 of the cup of pleafure, have been reclaimed by 
 fufFering? Is not the bodily pain which is the 
 confequencc of vice a certain maik of the inter- 
 pofition of Heaven ? And muft the tendernefs of 
 man irapioufly drive to avert that falutary confe- 
 quencc ? Think on that, Sir. If he is expofed 
 for fomc time to the preflure of misfortune, is it not 
 probable he will amend? But if, in the great fchool 
 of afflidion, he ftill remains incorrigible, then- 
 woe be to that mifguided parent, who counter- 
 ads the decrees of eternal Wifdom ! What &y 
 you, Father ? 
 
 0. Moor, 
 
 I will write to him, that I throw him off for 
 ever ! 
 
 Francis, 
 
 *Twere right, and wifely done. 
 
 0. Moor. 
 That he never feq my face again. 
 
 Francis. 
 That will have a good effc6b. 
 
 B 4 0. Moor..
 
 12 THE ROBBERS. 
 
 0. Moor. 
 (^IVi I h emotion). Till he become another man." 
 
 Francis. 
 
 Right Sir, quite right. But fuppofe him now 
 to come like a hypocrite, and woo you to com- 
 paffion, and fawn and flatter till he obtains his 
 pardon ; and the next moment he laughs at the 
 fond weaknefs of his father, in the arras of his 
 harlots.^^- No, no, Sir. Let him alone, till con- 
 fcience awakens him ; then he will of his own 
 accord return to his duty, then may we expert a 
 fmcere amendment. 
 
 0. Moor, 
 
 I mufl: write to him immediately. (//<? is going 
 out.) 
 
 Francis. 
 
 Stop, Sir ; one word more I am afraid your 
 anger may make you fay fomething too harfh. 
 Jt would be cruel to drive him at once to defpair. 
 And ^befides, don't you think that he might 
 be apt to interpret a letter from your own hand, 
 as perhaps a fort of pardon"* Would it not be 
 better. Sir, if I fliould write to him? 
 
 0. Moor,
 
 THE ROBBERS. 13 
 
 0. Moor. 
 
 Do fo, my fon. Oh, it would have broke my 
 heart to have written to him ! Write to him, that 
 
 Francis, 
 {Haftily) Is that agreed then ? 
 
 0. Moor, 
 
 Write to him, that a thoufand tears of blood, 
 a thoufand fleeplefs nights But don't, my fon, 
 don't drive him to defpair. 
 
 Francis, 
 
 Come, Sir, Won't "you go to bed, this afFeQs 
 you too much, 
 
 0. Moor, 
 
 Write to him, that his father's heart But do 
 not drive him to defpair! (^He goes off in great 
 agitation.) 
 
 Francis, 
 
 {^Looking at him with an air of mockery.) Ay, 
 be comforted, my good dotard. Never more fhall 
 you prefs your darling to your bofom ; no, there 
 is a gulph between diflant as heaven from hell. 
 
 He
 
 14 THE ROBBERS. 
 
 He was torn for ever from your arms, before you 
 knew it was poffible you ever could have wifhed 
 it. ^Thefe papers muft not be feen ; ^that might 
 be dangerous if the hand-writing were knoyvn, 
 {He gathers up all the f craps of paper.) 1 
 P.iould be a pitiful bungler indeed, if I knew not 
 yet how to tear a fon from the heart of his father, 
 were they link'd together with chains of iron. 
 Courage my boy ! the favourite's removed ; 
 that*s a giant's ftep. But there is another heart, 
 from which I mull tear that image ; ay, were that 
 heart to break for it. {He -walks -with a Ji riding 
 Ji'jp acrojs ilw Jhige.') I have a heavy debt of 
 hatred againft Nature,- and by my foul! I'll make 
 it good. Why was that hideous burden of de- 
 formity laid upon me alone ; of all my race, on 
 me alone? (Stajnps zvith his foot I) Hell and 
 damnation ! on me alone ; as if flie had formed 
 me only of the fcum. the very refufe of her flufl'l 
 ,She damn'd me from my birth! And here I fwear 
 eternal enmity againft her I'll blaft her fairefl: 
 works. What are to me the ties of kindred! I'll 
 burft thofe trammels of aifedion, bonds of the 
 .foul. I never knew ihtir force : >She denied 
 me the fwcet play of the heart, and all its perfua- 
 ; five eloquence. What ir.uft its place fupply ? Im- 
 
 pfrious
 
 THE ROBBERS. 15 
 
 pcrious force ; ^henceforth be that the only fer- 
 Vant of my wiftics, and all (hall yield before mc. 
 
 {Enter Amelia. She comes Jloicly fortvard 
 from the back part of the Ji age.) 
 
 Francis, 
 She comes! Aha ! the medicine works ; I know 
 it by her flep. ^I love her not ; but I cannot 
 bear that another fhould be happy in thofe charms. 
 In my arms, fliall they be choked and wither- 
 ed in the bud ; nor ever man (hall reap their 
 bloom. Ha, what are you doing there ? {Arne' 
 lia luithout objerving him^ tears a nojegay in 
 pieces, and treads it under foot.) 
 
 (Francis, ^approaching tcith a malicious 
 air.) What have thefe poor violets done to offend 
 you ? 
 
 Amelia. 
 {Starting, and meaf tiring him with a long 
 look.) Is it you ! you here ! whom of all man- 
 kind I molt defired to fee. 
 
 Francis, 
 Mc? Is it pofliWe! me of all mankind! 
 
 Amelia, 
 
 You, Sir, even you. I have hungered I have 
 
 thirftcil
 
 i6 THE ROBBERS. 
 
 thirfted for the fight of you. Stay, I conjure you* 
 Here, poifoner, let me enjoy my hi^hcft pleafurcj 
 let me curfe thee to thy face. 
 
 Francis, 
 
 Why am I thus treated ? You wrong Vne, 
 ^ child J go to the father, who 
 
 Amelia, 
 
 The father, Ha ! that father, who gives his fon 
 the bread of defpair to eat while he pampers 
 himfelf with the richell delicacies ; who gliits 
 his palled appetite with coftly wines, and refts his 
 palfied limbs in down, while his fon, his no- 
 ble foh, the paragon ot all that's worthy, all that's ^ 
 amiable, that's great, wants the bare necefiaries 
 of life. Shame to you, monfters of inhumanity, 
 unfeeling, brutal m; nflers ! His only fon! 
 
 Francis, > 
 I thought he had two fons. 
 
 Amelia, 
 
 Ay ! he deferves many fons fuch as you. Yes, 
 when ftretch'd on the bed of de >th, he fhall extend 
 his feeble hands, and feck to grafp for the lafl: 
 time his injured noble Charles, let him feel thy 
 
 icy
 
 THE ROBBERS. 17 
 
 icy hand, thou fiend, and Ihudder at the touch I 
 (^h how Iweec, ^how delicious the curfe of a 
 dying father ! 
 
 Francis. 
 
 Ypu rave, my child! I pity you ! 
 
 Amelia, 
 
 ,v Doft thou fo? Doft thou pity thy brother? 
 No, favage ! thou hatelt him ! Thou hatefl me too, 
 I hope. 
 
 Francis, 
 
 I love thee, Amelia, as my own foul I Igvc 
 thee. 
 
 j^mdia. 
 
 Well ! If you love me, can you refufe me one 
 fmaii requeft ? 
 
 Francis. 
 
 Nothing can* I refufe thee, ^were it my life 
 itfelf. . 
 
 Amelia; 
 
 Well then ! ^I afk what you. will grant, with all 
 your foul. {Proudly.) I afk you to hate mc! I 
 fhould die for (hame, if, while I thought on Charles, 
 I could for a moment believe that thou didft not 
 hate me. ^Promife me that thou wilt, and go, 
 villain as thou art, leave mc, - V;;v* 
 
 t Francis
 
 i8 THE ROBBERS. 
 
 Frnncls. 
 
 Charmmg enthufiafl: 1 How that empaflioned 
 foul enchants me 1 ( Puts his hand on 4melia*s 
 heart.') Sweet flutterer ! Palace of delight, where 
 Charles reign'd fole monarch. Temple (acrecj to 
 his divinity 1 He was ever prefent to thofe beau- 
 teous eyes prefent even in thy dreams. In him 
 all animated being feemcd co:iccntrated.- Creation 
 itlelf fpoiie but ot Charles alone to that cnrapiured 
 foul ! 
 
 y^mtlia, 
 
 ( ^'f'ith grent emotion.') Yes ! I own it was 
 fo ! Yts, in fpite of you, barbaria.ts, to the 
 world i will avow it. 1 love him i adore hixn 1 
 
 Francis, 
 
 How ungenerous, how cruel I to make fo ill a 
 return to fo much fondncfs nay, id fQrget 
 
 Amelia. 
 Forget I \\'hat meai/ii: thou, wretch? 
 
 Francis* 
 
 Wore he not once a ring of yours ;~ a ring 
 yon put yourfelf upvon his fiiiger ? A diamond ring, 
 a pledge: oi your fond love? It is a hard trial, I 
 own, for the heat of youthful blood and hardly 
 
 ^ refiltible
 
 THE ROBBERS. 19 
 
 refiflible. Thofe wantons have fuch arts, fuch 
 fefcin^ting charms there is fome apology for a 
 young man and then, how could he help it ? he 
 had nothing elfe to give her furely fhe paid him 
 amply for it by her carefles. 
 
 My ring to a wanton ? how fayft thou ? 
 
 Francis, 
 
 Fv, fy ! 'twas infamous indeed- But ftill, if 
 that had been all was it not eafv to have re- 
 deemed it, however coftly a good Jew might have 
 lent the money. But perhaps (he did not like the 
 fafbion of it it may be he changed it himfelf for 
 a handfomer ! 
 
 y^melia. 
 
 (^fVai-mly.) But my ring ! my ring ! 
 
 Francis. 
 
 Ay, think of that. Had I had fuch a jewel 
 and from Amelia too ; deaih itfelf (hould not have 
 raviih'd it from this hand. What think you, Ame- 
 lia ? *Tis not the value of the diamond, 'tis not 
 the coftlinefs of the work *tis love that gives it 
 value. Dear child I fhe weeps Oh 1 c^rf'd be 
 
 C 2 - he
 
 7.0 THE ROBBERg. 
 
 he that caus'd thofe precious tears to flow. Ah ! 
 and if you knew all^ could you but fee him now 
 -*-fee him with thofe features I 
 
 With what features, monfter 1 
 
 Francis* 
 
 ilufl], hufli, my gentle foul ! afk mc no fur- 
 ther. (Speaking as if apart ^ but loud enough 
 to be heard by her.) 'Twere fomething if that 
 abominable vice had tut a veil to conceal its de- 
 formity from the fight of the world but how hi 
 deous its afpect, marked by the yellow Uvid eye-** 
 the hollow death-like features, the bones that 
 pierce the fhrivell'd Ikin the broken faultering 
 voice the frail and tottering carcafe, while the 
 poifon preys into the very marrow of the bones 
 Horrible and loathfome pidure Faugh! how the 
 thought fickens ! Do you remember, Amelia, 
 that miferable objed who died lately in the hofpi- 
 tal whofe contagious breath tainted the air 
 whom modefly forbade to look at. Recal, if thou 
 canft, that loathfome image. Such, O horrible 
 to think ! is now thy once lov'd Charles ! His lip$ 
 diltil poifon his kilTes peftilence and death 
 
 u^nelia*
 
 ti^E ROBBERS. aL- 
 
 Atmlia, 
 Bctcftcd, {hamelefs flandercr ! 
 
 Francis, 
 
 Does this image of thy lover infpire thee with 
 horror ? Then paint him, Amelia, in your own 
 imagination the lovely, the divine, the angelic 
 Charles ! Go ! enjoy the ^mbrofia of his lips, 
 - inhale his balmy breath 1 (^Amelia hides her 
 face -with her hands.) Oh extacy ! "What rap- 
 ture in thofe embraces ! But is it not mod un- 
 juil nay cruel, to condemn a man becaufe he is 
 fo unfortunate as to be the' vidim of difeafe ? May 
 not a great foul inhabit a foul carcafe ? {fVith 
 malignant irony,) May not the beauties of 
 the mind dwell in a tainted body or the foft 
 voice of love iflue from the lips of corruption ? 
 True indeed, if the poifon of debauchery (hould 
 taint the foul as weil as the body ; if impurity and 
 virtue were inconfiftent, as a withered rofe lofes 
 its perfume, then 
 
 Amelia* 
 
 {PFith rapture.) Ha ! once more I know my 
 Charles ! my own Charles ! Liar ! 'tis falfe as 
 hell! You know, monHer! it is impoflible ! 
 {Francis remains for a zvhilc abfotpt in thought, 
 
 and
 
 Vi$ THE* ROBBERS. 
 
 and then turns away ftiddenly^ as if going ont.^ 
 Whither art thou going ? Does Ihame overpower 
 thee ? 
 
 Francis, 
 
 (Covering his face.) Let me begone ^let my 
 tears have their free courfe. Cruel, tyrannc fa- 
 ther ! that could abandon to mifery the befl, 
 [ the worthieft of thy children ! Let me hence this 
 moment, to throv^r myfclf at his feet and on my 
 knees intreat him to heap upon mv head that hea- 
 vy malediftion To throw me off difmherit me 
 for ever To facrifice my blood, my life, my 
 all for him ! 
 
 Amelia, 
 
 ' {Throzcs hcrfelf upon his neck.') Brother of 
 my own Charles moft kind, mod tender ! 
 
 Francis, 
 
 O Amelia I how I love, bow I admire that 
 matchlefs conftancy of affedion 1 Wilt thou par- 
 don me that mod fevere, that cruel trial ot thy 
 love ? How haft thou juftified all I hoped, all I 
 could have wiflied to have found in thee I Ihofe 
 tears, thofe fighs that ardent indignation ! Ah.! 
 .fuch are the certain proofs how much our fouls 
 have ever fympathifed ! 
 
 u4melia.
 
 THE ROBBERS. 23 
 
 Amelia, - . t 
 
 (Shakes her head.) No 1 by the chafle light 
 of heaven ! Not an atom of him, not a fpark of 
 his foul, not a particle of his fenfibility 1 
 
 Francis, 
 
 'Twas on a calm, ftill evening, the lafl: before 
 his departure for Leipzick, when taking me. along 
 with him to that grove which has fo often wit- 
 nefle i the rapturous expreflions of your paffion, 
 your vows of mutual love ; there, after a long fi- 
 Icnce, he took my hand in his; and while the 
 tears almi fl choked his utterance^ I leave my A- 
 melia, faid he 1 know not how to account for 
 it but I have a fad prefentiment that it is for 
 ever ! Do not abandon her, my dear brother. Be 
 hrr friend, her Charles ! Should it happen, that 
 Charles fhould never return ; ^that he were gone 
 for ever. ( he throws himjelfat ^jmclia'sfcet^ and 
 kifj'ts her hand with ardour ;) And he is gone 
 for ever, no m ^re will he return j arid I ^avc 
 pledged my facred promife.- 
 
 y^rmlia, 
 
 C^prtjiiring back.) 'JVaitbr ! Are you now de- 
 leted 1 'iwas in that vci) grove tliat t^fe' ex- 
 change^
 
 24 THE ROBBERS. 
 
 changed our folemn plighted oaths, that no other 
 love, even after death What an impious wretch 
 art thou^ how execrable ! Quit my fight ! 
 
 Frdncu. 
 
 You know me not, Amelia. Still, ftill you 
 know me not. 
 
 u^melia. 
 
 O I know you well, moft completely well at 
 this inftant.- And you my Charles's confidant ! 
 Yes fure to you he would have opened all his 
 foul ; on your bofom he would have Ihed thofe 
 tears for me ! figh'd forth my name in your blafl- 
 cd ear. As foon would he have written it on the 
 pillory ! Quit my fight ! 
 
 Francis. 
 You infult mc grofsly. Madam. 
 
 Quit my fight !-^Thou haft robb'd me of a 
 precious hour. May it be counted on thy worths 
 lefs life ! 
 
 Francis, 
 You hate me then? 
 
 Amelia,
 
 THE ROBBERS. 15 
 
 Amelia- 
 
 I fcorn you, wretch. Begone 
 
 Francis, 
 
 What ! {Stamping with fury on the ;rroimd.) 
 Thou flialt quake for this. ^To be facrificed to 
 an outcaft ! {Goes off in a frenzy of pajjion!) 
 
 Amelia, 
 
 Go, mean and infamous wretch ! Now 
 am once more with Charles ! Outcaft, did he 
 fay? the world is then unhinged: Outcafts are 
 kings, and kings are outcafts 1 I would not change 
 the rags which that pooroutcaft wears for the im- 
 perial purple ! What muft be that look with which 
 he begs his bread ! An eye of majefty itfelf, a 
 look that dazzles into nought the fplendour of the 
 proud, the pageant triumphs of the rich and 
 great. {She tears the jewels from her neck.) 
 To the duft with you, ye ufelefs ornaments : Go 
 load the unfeeling head of vanity. Ye riph, ye 
 fjroud, be that wealth ye glory in your curfe ! 
 be your pleafures your poifon ! Charles, Chart^s, 
 now I ani worthy thee ! 
 
 ... {Exit. 
 
 D SCENE,
 
 i6 THE ROBBERS. 
 
 SCENE, J?i Inn on the frontiers of Saxony. 
 Charles cle Moor. 
 
 {^Ahne zvalking about tvith impatience,') What 
 is become of thofe fellows ? Sure they have been 
 upon fome fcamper. Here, houfe ! get me fome 
 more wine ! ' 1 is very late, and the poll not 
 yet arrived. (^Putiijig his hand on his heart.) 
 How it beats here ! Halloah ! More wine ! wine, 
 I fay ! I need a double portion of courage to day 
 for joy, or for defpair. (^fVine is brouirhty Moor 
 drinks, andjitikcs the table violently zvith the 
 glaJsS) What a damn'd inequality in the lot of 
 mankind ! While the gold lies ufelefs in the moul- 
 dy coffer of the mifer, the leaden hand of po- 
 verty checks the daring flight of youth, and chills 
 the fire of enterprife : Wretches, whofe income 
 is beyond coQ^putation, have worn my threfliold 
 in dunning payment of a lew miferable debts \ 
 yet fo kindly have I entreated them ; grafp'd them 
 by the hand ; give me but a fmgle day I All in 
 vain. Vs'hat are prayers, oaths, tears to them; 
 they touch not the fcaly armour of an impenetra- 
 ble heart ! 
 
 Elder Spiegelberg Z17V/2 Letters* 
 Spiegelberg. 
 A plague confume it ! Ooe ftroke after ano- 
 ther I
 
 THE ROBBERS. 27, 
 
 ihcr ! Damnation ! What thinkefl: thou, Moor i 
 It drives one to madnefs ! 
 
 Moor. 
 What is the matter no w ? 
 
 Spiegelbcrg. 
 The matter I read read it youri'elf. Our 
 trade's at an end ; peace proclaimed in Germa- 
 ny * the devil confume thofe priefls ! 
 
 Moor, 
 Peace in Germany ! 
 
 Spiegclherg, 
 'Tis enough to make a man hang himfelf: 
 Club-law is gone for ever: All fighting prohi- 
 bited, on pain of death : Death and fury 1 
 Moor, go hang yourfelfl Pens mud fcribble, 
 where fwords hack'd before ! 
 
 Moor, 
 (Throws atvay his fivord.') Then let cowards 
 D 2 rule, 
 
 * The aftion of this play is fuppofed to have paffcd in 
 the reign of the Emperor Maximih'anj (grandfather of 
 Charles V.) who in 1506 procured that great enaclment 
 of the Imperial Diet, which cilablifhed a perpetual peace 
 between all the different States that compofe the Germa- 
 nic bod). Before his time, they were conftantly at war 
 with each other, a ftate of fociety favourable to every' fpe- 
 cies of drprcdallon and outrage.
 
 iS THE ROBBERS. 
 
 rule, and men throw by their arms. Peace In 
 Germany ! Germany, this news has blafted thee 
 for ever ! Goofe-quills for fwords : No, I wont 
 think of it ! Shall 1 tie down my tongue ; chain 
 my will to their curft laws ? Peace in Germany ! 
 Curfe on that peace, that would confine to earth 
 the flight of an eagle. Did peace ever make a 
 great man ? *Tis war that makes the hero ! ^O, 
 if the fpirit of Herman were yet alive in his afhes i 
 Place me but at the head of a troop of men Uke 
 myfelf, and out of Germany, beyond her hmits. 
 No, no, no ! It will not do. 'Tis all over 
 with her, her hour is com.e 1 Not an atom of 
 fpirit, not a free pulfe in the pofterity of Barba- 
 rojfa ! Here, I bid adieu to all noble enter- 
 prife, and f^ek once more my native peaceful 
 fields! 
 
 Splcgelberg, 
 
 What the devi! 1 you'll play the prodigal fon 
 upon us : A fellow like you, who has made more 
 gaflies With his fword than an attorney's clerk has 
 written linCv^; in a leap year! Fie, fie! fliame upon 
 it ! "Misfortune fliall never make a coward of a 
 man ! 
 
 Moor. 
 
 Maurice I I will alk pardon of my father, and 
 think it no fhame 1 Call it wcakncf^5 if you pleafe 
 
 it
 
 THE ROBBERS. 29 
 
 *-4t is the weaknefs of a man ; and he who feels 
 it not, muft be either above humanity or below 
 it. I fleer the middle tourfe. 
 
 Spiegelberg. 
 
 Go then ! I know thee no longer for Moor ! 
 Have you forgot how many ihoufand times, with 
 the glafs in your hand, you fcoff'd at the old 
 hunks ? ^' Let him fcrape and hoard as he will 
 " ril drink the more for it/' Have you forgot 
 that, Moor ? That was fpoke like a man like a 
 gentleman but now 
 
 Moor, 
 
 Curfe on you for that remembrance ! May I 
 be curs'd for ever having uttered it ! *Twas the 
 fpecch of intoxication my heart abhorr'd what 
 my tongue expreflfed. 
 
 Spiegelberg. 
 
 (Shaking his head.') No, no that's impoifi- 
 ble impoflible, brother. Confefs that it is necef- 
 fity that makes thee talk thus. Ccxme man, never 
 fear I let things be ever fo bad. The more peril 
 the more courage, the more they crufh us, the 
 higher we'll rife. ^If the fates throyv bars in our 
 way, 'tis to make heroes of us. Come along 1 
 
 Moor,
 
 so THE ROBBERS. 
 
 Moor. 
 
 (Peevipfy.) ^Tis my opinion, there's little oc- 
 cafion now for courage when there's nothing to 
 be done with it. 
 
 Spicgelberg. 
 
 So ! You would then g^ve up the game bury 
 your talents in the earth ? Do you think our 
 paultry exploits at Leipzick were the limits of 
 human genius ? Let us launch into the great 
 world Paris and London for i^e ! There, if you 
 give one the title of hone ft man, he knocks you 
 down for it. There a man has fome pleafure in 
 the trade 'tis on a grand fcale What do you 
 flare at ? Such charming counterfeiting of hands, 
 loading of dice, picking of locks, gutting ot flrong 
 boxes ! Ay, Spiegelberg mud be your mafter ! 
 Let the poor dog be hanged who chufes to flarve 
 rather than crook his fingers ! 
 
 Moor. 
 {Ironically.) What, have you got that length ? 
 
 Spiegelberg. 
 
 I think you miftruft me. -Stay till I get warm'd 
 in the bufmefs, and you fee wonders. ^Your 
 fhallow braihs will turn in your head when you 
 hear the projefls I Ihall form. {Striking tJie ta- 
 ble.)
 
 THE ROBBERS. 31 
 
 ble.) ylut Citfar, aut nihil. You fhall be jea- 
 lous of. me. 
 
 Moor. 
 (^Looking at himjiedfajiiy.') Maurice ! 
 
 Spiegclberg. 
 
 {^Pf^armly.') Yes, jealous of me madly jealous 
 you, and all of you. ^I will invent fuch plans as 
 , ihall confound every one of you. How the light 
 breaks in 1 What great ideas dawn upon my mind 
 What giant-projecls formed in this creative 
 brain ? Curs'd lethargy of the foul ! {Striking his 
 head.) that chain'd my better judgement, cramp' d 
 all my ftrength of mind ruin*d all my profpeds 
 I am now awake I feel what I am, what I muft yet 
 be. Go leave me ^you fliall all be indebted ta 
 my bounty for your fupport ! 
 
 is'! 
 
 Moor, 
 
 You are a fool ! The wine has got into your 
 head 1 'Tis that makes you blufler fo. 
 
 Spiegclberg. 
 
 (^Still more animated.') Spiegelberg, they will 
 fay, Art thou a magician, Spiegelberg ? What a 
 pity, Spiegelberg, fays the King, thou wert not 
 a general, thou would'It have made the Turks 
 
 creep 
 
 c 
 
 Gt
 
 32 THE ROBBERS. 
 
 creep into their holes like rats. Now I think I 
 hear the Doctors fay, what a lofs it is this man 
 had not been bred to phyfic ; he would have 
 found out the Elixir vitx. Ah, had he turned 
 his thoughts to finance, fay your Sully s, what a fi- 
 gure would he have made ; he would have chan- 
 ged the very ftones into gold. The name of 
 Spiegelberg fhall fly from pole to pole ! And you, 
 ye cowards, ye reptiles, ye fliall crawl in the dirt, 
 while Spiegelberg fliall foar to the temple of glo- 
 ry, with an eagle's flight ! 
 
 Moor, 
 
 A good journey to you ! foar away from the 
 top of the gallows to the pinnacle of glory ! In 
 the Ihade of my paternal woods, in the arms of 
 my Amelia, I court far nobler pleafures. 'Tis 
 now eight days fince I have written to , my father 
 to entreat bis pardon. I have not concealed 
 from him the fmalleft circumftance of my mifcon- 
 du6:; and fmcere repentance will ever find forgive- 
 nefs. Maurice, let us part part never to meet 
 again the poll is arrived at this very hour my 
 father's pardon is within thefe vi^alls. 
 
 ^7Jter Switzcr, Grimm, Roller, and Schufterle. 
 
 Roller*
 
 THE ROBBERS. 33^ 
 
 Roller* 
 l)o you know, that there is a fearch for us ? 
 
 Grimm. 
 
 That every moment we may exped to be appre- 
 hended ? 
 
 Moor. 
 
 I am not furprifed at it, nor do I care how 
 matters go. Have none of you feen Razman ? 
 Did he fpeak of no letters that he had for me ? 
 
 Roller, 
 
 I fuppofe he has fome, for he has been looking 
 for you a long time. 
 
 Moor. 
 Where is he? Where, where? (^Is going out.) 
 
 Roller, 
 
 Stay? we defired him to be at this place. You 
 tremble, Sir? 
 
 Moor. 
 
 I do not tremble. What fliould I tremble for ? 
 Friends, this letter, rejoice with me, I am the 
 happieft of men ! Tremble ! why ihould I trem- 
 ble ? (Switzer fits down in Spicgelberg^ s phic^, 
 
 and drinks his iviue,) 
 
 E Ent(^r
 
 34 THE ROBBERS. 
 
 Efiter Razman. 
 
 Moor. 
 
 (Running up to him.) The letter ! where is 
 the letter ? 
 
 Razman. 
 
 (Giving him the letter, tvhich h6 opens with 
 eagernejs.) "What now? Why, youfeem petrified! 
 
 Moor, 
 My brother's hand ! 
 
 Roller. 
 What the devil is Spiegclberg about there ? 
 
 Grimm. 
 
 The fellow's out of his fenfes ; he's playing 
 tricks like a monkey; -he has got St Vitus's dance. 
 
 Schufterlc, 
 
 His wits are a- wool -gathering: ^He's making 
 verfes, 1 fuppofe. 
 
 Roller* 
 
 Spiegelberg 1 hev, Spiegelberg ! The bcaft 
 
 does not hear me. > - 
 
 Critnm.
 
 'i'HE ROBBERS. 35- 
 
 Grimm. 
 (Shaking him hy the jhoulder.^ Hallo! fellow, 
 arc you in a dream ? 
 
 Spiegelberg* 
 
 (fVho all this time had been making gejiures 
 
 on his feat, like a man who is conceiving Jome 
 
 great projeil, Jiarts up ivith a wild afpeCi, and 
 
 feizes Switzer by the throat.} >^ 
 
 Your purfe, or your life ! 
 
 (Switzer, zuith great coolnefsy drives him a^ 
 gainji the wall. -^// laugh. Moor lets fall the 
 letter^ and is going out in difiraCliont'The reji 
 keep f Hence for a while ^ and look at each other. ^ 
 
 Roller. 
 
 (Stopping him.) Moor, Where are you going? 
 ^What's the matter, Moor ? 
 
 Crimm. 
 
 What can be the matter I He's as pale as a 
 
 corpfe. 
 
 Moor. 
 
 Loft ! loft for ever ! (RuJJ:es out.) 
 
 Grimm. 
 
 He muft have got ftrange news. Let's fee what 
 it can be ! 
 
 E a Holler^
 
 36 THE ROBBERS. 
 
 Roller, 
 
 {^Tahes up the letter and reads.) " Unfortu- 
 " nate brother," A pleafant beginning! " I am 
 " forry to inform you, that you have nothing 
 *' more to hope for. Your father fays, you may 
 " go wherever your evil genius {hall direl you : 
 " He gives you up to perdition. He bids me tell 
 " you, that though you v^^ere to come in tears, 
 " and ding to his knees, you need not hope for 
 " pardon ; that you may expecH: a dungeon of 
 ' the caflle for your apartment, and bread and 
 *' water for your fufteiiance, till your briftly hairs 
 " lliall outgrow the feathers of an eagle, and your 
 " nails the claws of a vulture. Thefe are his vc- 
 ry words. He orders me to flop here, to bid 
 " you an eternal adieu.; I pitv you from mv 
 " foul." " Francis deMoor." 
 
 Sxvitzer. 
 
 There's a pretty, fweet, little brother for you ! 
 And this vermin is called Francis ? 
 
 Spiegelherg. 
 
 (Sneaking forwards.)- Bread and water, was 
 that the word ? A fine life indeed ! No, I fhaU 
 
 find
 
 THE ROBBERS. 37 
 
 find a better for you than that. ^Didn't I always 
 tell you, that I muft think for you ? 
 
 Szuitzer, 
 
 What does that blockhead fay ? This afs pre- 
 tetids to think for us all. 
 
 Spiegdberg, 
 
 Poor creatures ! poor, lame, helplefs aniopals ! 
 No hearts have you to attempt any thing that's 
 great ! 
 
 Roller. 
 
 Well, fo we are you are quite right. But 
 what do you propofe for our relief? ^What's your 
 plan for raifmg us from this pitiful ftate ? Come, 
 give it us ! 
 
 Spiegelberg. 
 
 (^Laughijig with Jelf-conceit.) Poor' things I 
 to raife you from this pitiful ftate Ha, ha, ha I 
 Pitiful indeed ! I thought you had a thimble-full 
 of brains at leaft. You have made a fine caval- 
 cade, and now you may ftable your horfes ! Spie- 
 gelberg were an afs indeed, if he did not know 
 bis own courfe ! I would make heroes of you. 
 barons, princes, demigods ! 
 
 Razmayi,
 
 38 THE ROBBERS. 
 
 Razman, 
 Why, that's pretty well to begin with. ^Thisis 
 fome break neck enterpri^, I dare engage ^fome- 
 
 i 
 
 thing that will cod a head or two at leaft. 
 
 Spiegelberg. 
 
 Not your head, I anfwer for it. ^There's no- 
 thing wanting but courage ! As for the genius, 
 the contrivance, 1 take that all upon myfelf. Cou- 
 rage, I fay ! Switzer, courage ! Roller, Grimm, 
 Razman, Schuftcrle Courage is the word ! 
 
 Switzer. 
 
 Courage ! if that were all, I have enough to 
 go bare-foot through hell I 
 
 Razman, 
 
 Courage ! I could fight the devil in his own 
 jfl?ape, for a thief's body under the gallows ! 
 
 Spiegelberg. 
 
 That's what I like ! Well, if you have cou- 
 rage, let any one of you ftep forward, and fay, 
 I have fomething yet to lofe I am not quite 
 i*^ thread-bare." {Jfter a lovgpat^fe.) What, 
 
 not a word among you ? 
 
 Roller^ .
 
 THE ROBBERS. 3^ 
 
 Roller, 
 What's the ufe of all this palaver ? If we have 
 fcnfe to comprehend it, and courage to execute 
 
 it, fpcak it out \ 
 
 
 
 Spiegelberg. 
 Well then, hearkee ! {He places him/elf in 
 the middle ofthcm^ and zuith a folemti tone of 
 adjuration.') If there is a drop of German blood 
 of the blood of heroes, in your veins come ! 
 let us betake ourfelves to the forefts of Bohemia- 
 form a troop of robbers, and What do you 
 
 ftare at ? Is your little flafh of courage out al- 
 ready ? 
 
 Roller. 
 
 You are not the firft rogue indeed who has fet 
 the gallows at defiance -and yet what choice is 
 left us ? 
 
 Spiegelberg. 
 
 What choice ? ^Why, you have no choice.? 
 Would you chufe to take up your abode in the 
 dungeon for debtors, and fpin hemp till you arc 
 bailed by the lall trumpet or would you gain 
 your miferable morfel of bread with the fpade and 
 mattock ? Would you beg an alms with a doleful 
 tale under a window? or would you enlift.l^f 
 recruits ? that's to fay, if your hang-dog vifages 
 * did
 
 40 THE ROBBERS. 
 
 did not betray you and fubmit to the torments 
 of purgatory, at the pleafure of an overbearing 
 fcoundrelly corporal to run the gantlope, and 
 dance to the mufic of the drum ; or be chained 
 like a galley-flave to a train of artillery ? There's 
 what you have to chufe upon a charming cata- 
 logue of delightful occupations ! 
 
 Roller. 
 
 You are the prince of orators, Spiegelberg, 
 when you want to make an honeft man a fcoun- 
 drel But fay, gentlemen, what's become of 
 Moor ? 
 
 Spiegelberg, 
 
 Honeft man, fay you ? Will you be the lefs an 
 honeft man, if you follow my advice, than you 
 are at prefent ? What do you call honeft*? To 
 cafe the mifer of a part of his load, and give 
 him found fleep and golden dreams for it j to 
 bring the ftagnating metal into circulation, to 
 regulate the unequal balance of fortunes in ftiort, 
 to bring back the golden age to rid Providence 
 of a burden, and fave Him the trouble of fending 
 war, peftilence, famine, and phyfic, among us ;^- 
 to have the proud thought when you fit down to 
 your meal. This is the fruit of my own ingenui- 
 tythis was gained by the courage of a lion or 
 
 this
 
 THE ROBBERS. 41 
 
 CHis the reward of my watchful nights ^to draw 
 the refpect of all ranks and. conditions. 
 
 Roller. 
 
 And laftly, to enjoy the beatitude of tranflation 
 into heaven, bodily, and alive ; to fet ftorm, and 
 tempeft, and Time himfelf at defiance, to foj^r a- 
 way under the fun, moon, and flars, with the 
 fwect birds in concert around you ; and while 
 kings and potentates are the food of worms, to 
 have the honour of frequent vifits from the royal 
 bird of Jove. Maurice, Maurice, have a care of 
 yourfelf J beware of the beaft that has three legs. 
 
 Spiegelbcrg. 
 
 And you are afraid of that, you pitiful a- 
 nimal? ' Many a noble fellow, fit to have re- 
 formed the world, has rotted between heaven and 
 earth. And does not the renown of fuch men live 
 for centuries ? ay for a millennium ; while the 
 vulgar herd of kings and princes would be over- 
 looked in the catalogue, but that thcj hiflorian 
 finds it neceflary to complete his genealogical tree, 
 and fwell the number of his pages, for which his 
 bookfeller pays him by the flieet. Ay ! and when 
 the traveller fees him dangling in the wind, there, 
 * iays he, muttering to himfelf, tliat man had no 
 
 F ' water
 
 4' THE ROBBERS. 
 
 water in his brains, 1*11 warrant him, and curjfeg 
 the hardfhip of the times. 
 
 Razman, 
 
 Great and mafterly, by Heaven ! Spiegelbcrg, 
 thou haft a charm, like Orpheus, to lull the yel- 
 ling Cerberus, confcience. Take me to your- 
 felf ; ^I am yours for ever. 
 
 Grimm, 
 And let them call it infamy. What then? 
 At the worft, 'tis but carrying a fmall dofe of pow- 
 der in our pocket, which will fend us quietly over 
 Styx, to take a nap in that country where no 
 cocks will crow to waken us Courage, Mau- 
 rice ! that's Grimm's cqiifeffion of faith. {Gives 
 him his hand.) 
 
 ^chufteYle, 
 
 Zounds 1 What a hurly-burly's in this head 
 of mine. It's a fair audion : Mountebanks, Lot- 
 teries, Alchymifts, Pickpockets, you have all 
 your chance ; and he that offers moll, fhall have 
 me. Give me your hand, coufm. 
 
 Switzer. 
 
 {Comes f ovular d Jhicly ^ mid gives his hand to 
 
 Spiegelherg.)
 
 THE ROBBERS. 45 
 
 SpiegelbergJ) Maurice, thou art a great man ; 
 or rather the blind fow has fiuel't out the mad. 
 
 Roller, ^ 
 
 {^/4fter a long filence^ with his eyes fixed on 
 Szuitzer.) What, And you too, friend give 
 mc your hand. Roller and Switzer for evec j 
 ay, to the pit of hell I 
 
 Spiegelberg* 
 
 (Cuts a caper,) Up to the ftars, my boys ! 
 A free courfe to your Csefars and your Catilines 
 Courage ! Off with your glaffes. ^Here's a health 
 to the god Mercury ! 
 
 All (drinking,) Here he goes ! 
 
 Spiegelberg. 
 
 Now, for bufmefs ! A twelvemonth hence we 
 fliaU \?Q able to buy earldoms. 
 
 Switzer, 
 
 (Muttering.) Yes, if we are not broke on 
 the wheel. (They are going ojf.) 
 
 Jioller, . 
 
 Softly, my boys, foftly, where are you going? 
 F 2 , The
 
 44. THE ROBBERS. 
 
 The bcaft muft have a head to its body .^ Rome 
 and Sparta could never have flood without a chief 
 to-command them. 
 
 Spiegelberg* 
 
 (In a tone of complacence.) Yes, very 
 right. Roller fpeaks to the purpofe ; ^we mud 
 have a chief, a man of talents, great reach, a 
 politic head. Ha, ha ! (Standing with his arms 
 acrojs.') When I think what you were a few mi- 
 nutes ago, and what a fmgle lucky thought has 
 made of you now, Yes, truly you muft have a 
 chief; and you'll own, that he that flruck out 
 a thought of that kind had a head-piece, wife, 
 crafty, politic. 
 
 Roller^ 
 
 If there was any hope, any chance that, 
 but I defpair of his confent. 
 
 Spiegelberg. 
 
 (Cajolir/g.) Why defpair, my friend ; diffi- 
 cult as it may be to guide the fhip when fhe*s 
 buffeted by the winds and waves, and however 
 cumberfome may be the weight of a diadem, 
 fpeak it out boldly, my boy. ^Perhaps he may 
 be prevailed upont
 
 THE ROBBERS. 45 
 
 Roller, 
 It will be all children's play if he's not our 
 leader. Without Moor, we are a body without 
 a foul. 
 
 ^.i' Spiegelberg. 
 
 (Turning a fide feevijljly.) Blockhead ! 
 
 72/^;* Moor, ivitlitvlld geftiires^ flalks bach 
 xoards and fortuards, /peaking to him/elf. 
 
 Moor, 
 
 Men ! Men ! falfe I treacherous crocodiles ! 
 Your eyes are water ! your hearts are iron ! kiffes 
 on your lips ! and poniards in your bofom ! The 
 lion and the panther feed their whelps the raven 
 ftrips the carrion to bring to her young ; and he- 
 he ! ^Whatever malice can devife I have learnt to 
 bear ^I could fmile when my enemy drinks of my 
 heart's blood. But when a father's love becomes 
 a fiMry*s hate O then, let fire rage here where 
 once was humanity 1 the tender-hearted lamb 
 become a tyger and every fibre of this^ tortured 
 frame be rack'd to ruin and defpair ! 
 
 Roller, 
 
 Harkee, Moor ^what's your opinion ^Is n't the 
 
 life
 
 4$ THE ROBBERS. 
 
 life of a robber better than ftarving in a dungeon 
 on bread and water ? 
 
 Moor. 
 "Why did not this foul inhabit the tyger's bofom, 
 that fatiates his maw on human flefh ! Was that 
 a father's kinknefs ! Love for love ! Would I 
 were a bear of the North, and could arm my ra- 
 venous kind againft thofe murderers ! To repent, 
 and not to be forgiven ! Oh ! I could poifon the 
 ocean, that they might drink death in every 
 fource I I trufted to his compaffion relied on it 
 wholly and found no pity ! 
 
 Roller. 
 Hear me. Moor, hear what I fay ! 
 
 Moor, 
 
 It is incredible all a dream. So earnefl a rc- 
 queft, a pifture of mifery fo ftrong contrition fo 
 fincere ! -the rfioll favage bead would have melted 
 to compaffion ftones would have wept ; and yet 
 If I ihould publifh it to the world, it would not 
 be believed 'twould be thought a libel on the 
 human fpccies ; and yet Oh 1 that I could blow 
 the trumpet of rebellion through all nature, and 
 fummon heaven, earth, and feas, to war againft 
 this favage race ! 
 
 Grimm*
 
 THE robbers; 4f 
 
 Grimm, 
 Do you hear. Moor ! This frenzy makes him 
 deaf! 
 
 Moor. 
 Begone ! fly. Is not your name Man ? 
 Was not you born of woman ? Out of my' 
 fight, with that human face ! I loved him with 
 fuch unutterable afFedion. No fon ever lo* 
 ved a father fo ! I would have facrificed a thou- 
 fand lives for him. (^Stamping zuithfury.) Ha! 
 where is he that will put a fword in my hand, to 
 extinguifh with one mortal blow this viperous 
 race ! that will teach me where to ftrike, that I 
 might deftroy the germ of exiftence ! Oh ! he 
 were my friend, my angel, my god ! I would 
 fall down and worfhip him ! 
 
 Roller. 
 
 We will be fuch friends ^let us but fpeak to 
 you. f 
 
 Grimm. 
 Come with us to the forefts of Bohemia we'll 
 form a troop of robbers and then (Moor J^ ares 
 
 at him.) 
 
 Switzer. 
 Thou fhalt be our Captain ! Thou mu/i be our 
 Captain ! 
 
 Spiegelberg*
 
 48 THE ROBBERS. 
 
 Spiegelberg. 
 , (^Sits down in rage.) Slaves and poltroons ! 
 
 Moor. 
 Who put that thought in your head? tell me, 
 firrah ! (Seizwg Roller with a rough grafp.) 
 That man's heart of thine never conceived the 
 project ! Who put it in your head ? Yes, 
 by the thoufand arms of death ! that we will 
 that we Jhall do ! 'Tis a thought worthy of a. divi- 
 nity ! Robbers and aflaffins -as my foul lives, I 
 will be your Captain ! 
 
 AIL 
 
 (JVith a loud fl)oiit.') Long live the Captain ! 
 
 Spiegelberg, 
 (^Jjide.') Till I give him his mittimus 1 
 
 Moor, 
 
 So now ! The fcales drop from my eyes I What 
 a fool I w^as to think of returniiig to my cage ! My 
 foul thirds for action, my fpirit pants for liberty ! 
 Robbers and aflaffins ! with thofe words 1 fet all 
 laws at defiance 1 Man had no humanity wh^n I 
 appealed to humanity ! Pity and compaflion ! 
 here let me throw you off for ever 1 I have no 
 
 father
 
 THE ROBBERS. 49 
 
 father no aftetion more ! Come, Death and 
 Murder be mv mafters ! and teach me to forcret 
 that this heart e*cr knew what fondnefs was ! 
 Come to my foul, ye fiends ! Now for fome hor- 
 rible exploit. 'Ti^ refolved, I am your Captain, 
 and glory to him who moft (hall murder and 
 deflroy he ihall have a king's reward. Here, 
 fland around in a circle, and fwcar to be true to 
 me till death ! 
 
 ML 
 {Giving him their hands.') Till death ! (^Spie- 
 gelbc/g zualks- ajide dijjatisjied,) 
 
 Moor. 
 
 And now, by this man*s right hand, (Stretch- 
 ing out his hand.) I fvvear to be your faithful 
 commander till death ! Now, by my foul, V\\ 
 make a corpfe of him who firft fliews fear among 
 you ! And when I break this oath, be fuch my 
 fate from you ! Are you agreed ? 
 
 (Throwing their hats in the air.) We're all 
 agreed (Spiegelberg grins a rnaUciousfmilc.) 
 
 Moor. 
 
 Then let us go ! Fear neither danger nor death 
 G our
 
 50 THE ROBBERS. 
 
 -our deftiny has long been fixed, unalterable 
 and each (liaH meet his end as fate decrees on 
 the down bed, or in the bloody field the gib- 
 bet, or the wheel one of thefe deaths we die 
 for certain ! {^Exeunt, 
 
 Spiegelberg* 
 
 The catalogue's defedive ! you have forgot 
 treafon ! 
 
 END OF ACT FIRST. 
 
 ACT
 
 THE ROBBERS. 51 
 
 ACT II. 
 
 SCENE, Moor's Cajlle. 
 Francis de Moor alone in his apartment. 
 
 I*VE loft all patience with thefe dodlors. An 
 old man's life is an eternity. Muft my noble 
 plans creep the fnaiPs pace. of a dotard^s lingering 
 hours of life ? If one could point a new track for 
 death to enter the fort ! That to tear the foul 
 fioitht kill the body ! Ay, that were fomething ! 
 an original invention ! He that fliould make that 
 difcovery were a fecond Columbus in the empire 
 of death ! Think on that. Moor. 'Twere an -art 
 worthy to have thee for its inventor ! How then 
 fhall we begin the work ? What horrible emotion 
 would have the force to break at once the thread 
 of Hfe ? Rage f No ! that hungry wolf furfeits 
 himfelf, and regorges his meal ! Grief f That's 
 a worm that lingers in the flefh, and mines his v/ay 
 too flowly 1 Fear f No ! Kcpc blunts his dart, 
 and will not let him (Irike his prey [ Wh.at I are 
 thefe our only executioners ? Is the arlc^ai. of 
 G 2 ceath
 
 /y THE ROBBERS, 
 
 death fo foon exhau fled ? Hutn! hum! {Mii^ 
 fin^^ What no.v ? No more ? Ha ! I have it ! 
 Terror is the- word 1 "What is proof againfl: Ter- 
 ror ? Reafon, -religion, hope all muft give way 
 before this giant fiend ! And then (hould he 
 even bear the Ihock there's more behind. in- 
 giillh of mind, come aid the imperfect work 1 
 Rfpentcmce, gnavjing viper of the foul monfler 
 that ruminatcfl thy baneful food 1 And thou 
 Reinorfc I that liveft on thy mother's flefh, and 
 wafi'il thine own inheritance I And you, even 
 you, ye powers of Grace and Mercy ! give your 
 aid 1 Ye bUfsful vears o'erpaft, difplay your 
 char;ns to memory's fond retrofpeft, and poifon 
 with your ivveecs the prefent hour 1 Ye fcenes of 
 future blifs, combine to wound fhewhim the joys 
 of paradife before him, and hold the dazzling 
 nVirror out to hope, but cheat his feeble grafp I 
 Thus let me play my battery of death (troke af- 
 ter (Iroke incellant till nature's mound is broken 
 and the v.'hole troop of furies feize the foul, 
 and end their work by horror and defpair ! Tri- 
 umphant thought! So now the plan's my own! 
 Now for the work ! 
 
 Ejjtcr Herman. 
 
 Ha I Dciis ex machind ! Herman ! 
 
 Hermm:,
 
 THE ROBBERS. 53 
 
 He? man, 
 Herman, at your fervice, good Sir 1 
 
 Francis* 
 
 (Gives him his hand.^ I am much obliged to 
 you, Herman. I am not ungrateful. 
 
 Herman. 
 I have proofs of that. Sir. 
 
 Francis, 
 You fhall have more anon anon, good Her- 
 man ! I have fomething to fay to you, Herman. 
 
 Herman. 
 I hear you with a thoufand ears ! 
 
 Francis. 
 
 I know you well you're refolute and brave^ 
 you have a foidier's heart ! My father, Herman 
 by heavens, he wrong*d you much ! 
 
 Herj7ta;u 
 By hell, I won't forget it ! 
 
 Francis, 
 That's fpoken like a man ! Revenge be(;omc9: 
 
 1-
 
 $4 THE ROBBERS. 
 
 a man ! I like you, Herman ! Here, take this 
 purfe ! It fhould be heavier, were I the mafter^ 
 here. 
 
 Herman. 
 Good Sir, I thank you heartily. 'Tis my moft 
 earnefl wifli you were fo. 
 
 Francis, 
 Say you fo, good Herman ? Do you really,- 
 do you in your heart wi(h me to be the mailer ? 
 But ray father, he has the marrow of a lion 
 in his bones ; and 1 am but a younger fon. < 
 
 Herman, 
 
 I wilh you were the elder, and he in the lafl 
 ftage of a confumption. 
 
 Francis, 
 
 Ha! were that the cafe, the eldefl: fon would 
 not forget you, my friend. Then would he raife 
 you from the dull: ; from that low condition 
 which fo ill becomes your merits, nay, your 
 birth: he would draw }0U forth into light: 
 Then (hould you roll in gold, a fplendid equi- 
 page ; then would, but I have wandered from 
 what I in cant to fay. Have you quite forgot the 
 
 fair Edelreich, Herman ? 
 
 Herman,
 
 THE ROBBERS. 55 
 
 Herman* 
 
 - Thunder of Heaven ! Why have you called up 
 
 that idea ? 
 
 Francis. 
 
 You lofl her. *Twas my brother that was 
 the conjurer there. 
 
 Herman. 
 He fhall pay dearly for it. 
 
 Francis, 
 
 She difmifled you, I believe, ^and he thrufl you 
 
 down Itairs. 
 
 Herman, 
 I Ihall thrufl: him down to hell for that. 
 
 Francis. 
 
 He ufed to fay, 'twas whifpered, that your fa- 
 ther never could look at you, without fmiting his 
 breaft, and crying " God-a-mercy on my fins !" 
 
 Herman. 
 (^Furioufly.) Lightning blaft him! Stop there! 
 
 Francis. 
 
 He advifed you to fell your patent of nobility 
 to mend your ftockings. 
 
 Herman,
 
 $6 THE ROBBERS. 
 
 Herman. 
 Hell confume him ! I'll tear his eyes out witlj 
 thefe nails. 
 
 Francis. 
 
 What! you are exafperated at him. Poor 
 Herman ! What fignifies your malice ? What harm 
 can you do to him ? What can a rat do to a lion ? 
 Your rage but makes his triumph the fweeter : 
 -You have nothing for it but to grind your 
 teeth in filence, to fpend your fury in gnaw- 
 ing at a dry cruft. 
 
 Herman, 
 
 (^Stamping tvith J lis feet.) I'll crufli himj i 
 trample him beneath my feet ! 
 
 Francis. 
 
 . (^Clapping him an the fhoidder.) Fy, Herman I 
 You are a gentleman. This affront muft not be 
 put up with. You would not renounce the lady f 
 No, not for the world. Fire and fury ! I would 
 move heaven and earth if I were in your place ! 
 
 Herman. 
 I will net reft till I have him under my feet. 
 
 Francis*
 
 THE ROBBERS. sj 
 
 Francis, 
 
 ^ot quite fo outrageous, Herman. Come near, 
 'thou (halt have Amelia. 
 
 Herman, 
 ril have her ! in fpite of hell, TU have her ! 
 
 Francis. 
 
 You fhall have her, I tell you, and from my 
 hand. Come hear ! You don*t know perhaps 
 that Charles is as good as difmherited. 
 
 Herman, 
 
 {Coming near.) Impoflible ! I never heard 
 a fy liable of that, 
 
 Francis, 
 
 Be quiet, and hear me ! Another time I'll tell 
 you more of this. It*s now eleven months fmce 
 he has been in a manner baniflied. But the old 
 man begins to repent a little of the precipitate 
 flep he has taken ; though (fmiling) I flatter 
 myfelf it was not all his own doing neither ; and 
 the girl too, -Amelia I mean, purfues him in- 
 cefTantly with her tears and reproaches. He'll be 
 fending in queft of him by and by all over the 
 
 H world J
 
 $8 TtiE ROBBERS. 
 
 world ; and if he is found, good night to yoii^ 
 Herman! You may then make your obcifancc, 
 and humbly open the coach-door when he goes 
 to church with her. 
 
 Herman. 
 I'll ftrangle him at the altar ! 
 
 Francis. 
 His father will foon give up his eftatcs to him, 
 and live in retirement at his folitary caftle. Then 
 that proud hot-headed blufterer will have the reins 
 in his own hand, and laugh his enemies to fcorn ; 
 and I, Herman, I who would make a man of 
 you, and load you with riches, I myfelf mufl: 
 make my humble obeifance at his door. 
 
 Hertnan. 
 
 (PF'armly,) No, as fure as my name is Her- 
 man, that (hall never be ! If there is a fpark of 
 invention in this head, that fhall never be. 
 
 Francis. 
 
 Will you prevent it ? You too, my dear Herman, 
 mufl fink beneath his fcourge. He'll fpit in your 
 face when he meets you in the ftreets ; and woe 
 be to you, if you but Ihrug a Ihoulder, or crook 
 
 your
 
 THE ROBBERS. 5^ 
 
 your mouth at htm! Ay there's the amount 
 of all your fine profpeds, your hopes of love, 
 your mighty plans. 
 
 Herman. 
 {Eagerly.) Tell me then what I mufl do. 
 
 Francis, 
 
 Hear then, Herman ! You fee how I enter in- 
 to your feelings like a true friend. Go, change 
 your cloaths difgui^ yourfeif, fo as not to be 
 known get yourfeif announced to the old man as 
 one that is juft returned from Hungary give out, 
 that you was with my brother at the lad battle, 
 and that you was prefent when he breathed his 
 lafl: upon the field ! 
 
 Herman* 
 Will they believe me ? 
 
 Francis. 
 
 Pho ! let me alone for that, Take this packet 
 Here you'll find a commiffion, and, all the ne- 
 cefTary documents, that would convince fufpicion 
 itfelf of the truth of your (lory. Only be quick 
 in getting out, and take care you are not feen. 
 Slip out by the back door into the court, and 
 H 2 thence
 
 6o THE ROBBERS. 
 
 thence over the garden-wall. -As for the winding 
 up of the plot, leave that to me 1 
 
 Herman. 
 
 And then it will be, " Long live our new maf- 
 " ter, our noble Lord, Francis de Moor P* 
 
 Francis, 
 
 {Patting him on the cheek.) Ha ! what a cun- 
 ning rogue you are you fee it at the firft glance ! 
 For look'ye how fure and how quick the projed 
 works Amelia's hopes are gone at once The 
 old man lays his fon's death at his own door he 
 falls fick A tottering houfe does not need an 
 earthquake to bring it down He'll never out- 
 live your intelligence Then then I am his on- 
 ly fon Amelia has loft every funport, and is the 
 plaything of my will Then you may eafily guefs 
 
 what follows you in fhort all goes to a wifh. >. 
 
 But you muft not flinch from your word I 
 
 Herman. 
 
 Flinch ! did you fay ? The ball might as foon 
 fly back to the cannon ! you may depend on 
 me. FareweL 
 
 Francis*
 
 THE ROBBERS. 6i 
 
 Francis, 
 
 (^Rimnitig after him.') Remember, 'tis all for 
 yourfelf you are working. (^Follcnvs him with 
 his eyes to the end of the ftage and then 
 breaks out into an infernal hiugh.) Keen, ear- 
 neft, to a wifh ! How impetuoufly the blockhead 
 throws off his honefty, to fnatch at an objed, that 
 the fmalleft fpark of common fenfe muft convince 
 him he can never attain. (Peevipfy.) No that's 
 unpardonable ! This fellow is an arrant knave 
 and yet he trufts to one's promife. It cofts him no- 
 thing to deceive an honeft man and yet when 
 deceived himfclf he ne\xr will forgive it. Is this 
 the boarted lord of the creation ! Pardon me. 
 Dame Nature ! if I owe you a grudge for that 
 form you have given me. Complete your work, 
 by ftripping me of every veftige of humanity. - 
 Man ! thou haft forfeited all my regard nor in 
 my confcience do 1 think there is the fmalleft 
 trime in doing all I can to injure thee ! 
 
 (Exit, 
 
 SCENE.
 
 2 THE ROBBERS. 
 
 SCENE, Count de Moor's Bed-chamber. 
 
 The Count afleep, Amelia. 
 
 Amelia, 
 
 Softly, oh foftly, he is afleep. (^She flops 
 and looks at him.) How good! how venerable ! 
 Such is the countenance with which they paint 
 the bleflfed faints [-Angry with thee 1 Oh no 
 with that gray head ! Oh never, never ! (She 
 fcatters a bunch of rofes upon the bed.) Sweet 
 be thy flumber, as the rofes fweet perfume. May 
 the image of Charles vifit you in your dreams ! 
 May you wake in a bed of rofes ! I too will go 
 fleep amidft perfumes ; mine is the Rofemary. 
 {She goes a few fleps,) 
 
 0. Moor. 
 
 {In hisfleep.) My Charles I my Charles ! my 
 Charles ! 
 
 Amelia. 
 
 Hark 1 His guardian angel has heard my 
 
 prayer ! (Coming near him.) 'Tis fweet to breathe 
 
 the air in which his name was uttered. I'll flay 
 
 here. 
 
 0. Moon
 
 THE ROBBERS. 63 
 
 0. Moor. 
 (Still in his Jleep.) Are you there ? Arc you 
 truly there ? Ah ! do not look fo pitifully upon 
 me ! I am miferable enough already ! (He Jilrs 
 rejilefsly.) 
 
 Amelia. 
 (JVdkens him hajiily.) .Uncle ! my dear un- 
 cle I 'Twas but a dream ! 
 
 0. Moor. 
 
 {Half atuake.) Was he not there ? Had I not 
 his hand in mine ? ^Is not this the fmell of rofes ? 
 O hateful Francis, will you not let me dream of 
 him ? 
 
 Amelia. 
 
 {Drawing back.) Mark'ft thou that, Amelia ! 
 
 0, Moor. 
 {fVakens.) Where am I ? Are you here, 
 my niece ? 
 
 Amelia, 
 You had a delightful fleep, uncle. 
 
 0. Moor, 
 
 I was dreaming of my Charles. Why did 
 
 they break my dreams ? I might have had my 
 
 pardon from his mouth. 
 
 Amelia^ 
 
 1^
 
 64 THE ROBBERS, 
 
 Amelia, 
 
 (PaJ/iotjately. ) His pardon ! Angels have no 
 refentment. He forgives you, uncle. {PreJJlng 
 his Iiand.^ Father of my Charles, I forgive you 
 too. 
 
 0. Moor. 
 
 No, no, my child, that wan cheek, that dead- 
 ly pale bears witnefs, in fpite of thee ! Poor girl! 
 I have blafted all the promife of thy fpring, 
 thy joys of youth. Don't forgive me, but 
 oh, do not curfe me ! 
 
 Amelia, 
 
 Can there be a curfe of love * ? Here it is 
 then, my father. {KijJ'ts his hand with tcnder- 
 nejs.) 
 
 0. Moor, 
 
 (Ri/wg from the bed~^ What's here, my 
 child ? Rofes ? Did you itrew thefe rofes here ? 
 On me ? On me, who killed your Charles ? 
 
 Amelia, 
 
 I ftrew'd them on his father ! {Falling on his 
 neck.) No more on him can I drew them ! 
 
 * Germ. Dis Hebe hat mir einen fuch gelernf. Love 
 has learnt but one curfe. 
 
 0, Moor'.
 
 THE ROBBERS* . 65 
 
 0. Moor, 
 With what delight would'ft thou have done 
 fo ! And yet, my child, unknowingly *tis done 5 
 for fee, know you that pidure ? (^Drazving a- 
 H fide the curtain of the bed.) 
 
 jimelia. 
 {Rujhing towards thepiaiirc,) 'Tis Charles ! 
 
 0. Moor. 
 Such was he in his fixteenth year. But now 
 how changed! I Ihudder to think upon it. That, 
 fweetnefs, now fell mifanthropy that finile, de- 
 
 fpair ! Is't not fo, Amelia ? It was upon his 
 
 birth-day in the bower of jcflamine, that you 
 drew that pidure of him. 
 
 .Amelia, 
 
 O, never will I forget that day! ^Paft and gone 
 fbr ever ! He fat juft before me a ray of the fet- 
 ting fun (hone full upon his face and his dark 
 locks floated careleisly on his neck ! O, in that, 
 hour 'twas all the woman here the artiit was 
 forgot the pencil fell from my hand and my 
 trembling lips fed, in imagination, on every line 
 and track of that dear countenance ! My heart 
 was full of the original. The weak, inanimate 
 
 I touches
 
 66 THE ROBBERS. 
 
 touches fell feebly on the canvas languid as 
 thofe faint traces which the memory bears of mu- 
 fic that is pad * 1 
 
 0. Moor, 
 
 Say on ! continue thus 1 thefe images bring 
 back pa ft time. O my child, I was fo happy in 
 your loves ! 
 
 (Keeping her eyes Jiill on the pidurc.') No, 
 no it is not he 1 no, no, by heaven ! 'Tis not 
 my Charles 1 Here I {Striking her heart and 
 her forehead,) Here he is quite himfeif fo like 
 but there fo different. The pencil can give no 
 idea of that foul that fpoke in his countenance ! 
 Away with it 'tis a poor image an ordinary 
 man ! Oh ! I was a mere novice in the art ! 
 
 Ejiter Daniel. 
 
 Daniel, 
 There is a man without who wifhes to fee you. 
 Sir. He fays he brings tidings of importance. 
 
 0. Moor, 
 To mcjk Amelia, there is but one fubjed of 
 
 * Gef.m. Gejltid.i adaojo. Soft mufic of ycfterday. -, 
 
 fuch
 
 THE ROBBERS. 67 
 
 fuch tidings you know it. Perhaps 'tis fome 
 poor wietch who comes to me for charity for 
 relief he Ihall not go hence in forrow. 
 
 {Exit Daniel. 
 u^melia, 
 A beggar ! and he is let in at once ! 
 
 0. Moor, 
 Amelia ! Oh fpare me, my child ! 
 
 Efiter Francis, Herman in difguifi, and Da- 
 niel. 
 
 Francis, 
 Here is the man, Sir. He fays he has terrible 
 news for you. Can you bear to hear it, Sir ? 
 
 0. Moor, 
 
 I know but one thing terrible to hear. Speak 
 it out, friend. Give him fome wine there. 
 
 Herman. 
 
 {In a feigned voice.) Will your honour take 
 no offence at a poor man becaufe he brings you 
 bad news ? 'tis againfl his will. I am a ft ranger 
 in this country but I know you well : you are 
 the father of Charles de Moor. .."^I^^^ ; 
 
 I 2 0, Moor,
 
 68 THE ROBBERS, 
 
 0. Moor. 
 How know you that ? 
 
 Herman, 
 I know your fon 
 
 ^inetta. 
 
 Is he alive ? is he alive ? Do you know him? 
 Where is he? where, where ? (/$ running out.) 
 
 Q. Moor^ 
 Do you know my fon ? 
 
 Herman, 
 
 He ftudied at the univerfity of Leipzick. Whi- 
 ther he went from thence I know not. He wan- 
 dered all over Germany bare headed and bare 
 footed, as he told me himfelf, and begg*d his 
 bread from door to door ! About five months 
 afterwards that terrible war broke out between 
 the Poles and Turks and being quite defperate, 
 he followed the viclorious army of King Matthias 
 to the town of Pefl. Give me leave, faid he to 
 the King, to die on the bed of heroes ! I have 
 
 no father now ! 
 
 0. Moor. 
 
 do not look at me, Amelia \ 
 
 Herman*
 
 THE ROBBERS. 69 
 
 Herman, 
 He got a pair of colours ^he followed Matthias 
 in his vidories ; he and I flept in the fame tent 
 often did he fpeak of his old father of the 
 days of his former happinefs and of his blafted 
 hopes till his eyes ran over at the thought ! 
 
 0. Moor. 
 
 {Hiding his bead.) Enough, enough, no 
 more ! 
 
 Herman. 
 
 Eight days afterwards, we had a hot engage- 
 ment. Your fon behaved like a gailant foldier. 
 He did prodigies that day, as the whole army 
 wuneffed ; he faw five regiments fucceffively re- 
 lieved, and he kept his ground. A whole fhower 
 of fire was poured in on every quarter Your 
 fon kept his ground ; a ball fhattered his right 
 hand; he leized the colours with the left, and 
 ftill he kept his ground. 
 
 Amelia. 
 
 (In tranfport.) He kept his ground, father! 
 he kept his ground 1 
 
 Herman. 
 
 On the evening of the day of battle, I found 
 
 him
 
 70 THE ROBBERS. 
 
 him lying on the field, on that fame fpot. With 
 his left hand he was (topping the blood that 
 flowed from a large wound. He had buried 
 his right hand in the earth. Fellow foldier, 
 faid he, I am told that the General has fallen 
 an hour ago. He is. fallen, faid I, and you 
 Well then ! faid he, every brave foldier ought 
 to follow his General. He toojc his hand from the 
 wound ; and in a few moments he breathed 
 his lafl like a hero. 
 
 Francis. 
 
 (^Fretending rage.) Curs'd be that tongue ! 
 May it be dumb for ever. Wretch ! Are you 
 come here, to be our father's executioner ,? to 
 murder him ? My father ! Amelia ! My dear fa-" 
 ther 1 
 
 Herman, 
 
 It was the lafl rcqucft of my dying friend.- 
 Take this Rvord, faid he, in a faultering voice, 
 cra-ry it to my old father. It is marked with the 
 blooa of his fon. Tel! him, his maledidion was 
 my doom : 'twas that which made me rufli on 
 battle, and on death. 1 die in defpair. The lafl 
 word he uttered was, ^?nclia. 
 
 jf^melia.
 
 THE ROBBERS. 71 
 
 Amelia. 
 (As ifjiarting from a deep reverie,) The 
 laft word was Amelia ! 
 
 0. Moor. 
 {PFith a dreadful fhriek, and tearw^ his 
 hair.) My malediaion was his death ! He 
 died in defpair ! 
 
 Herman* 
 Here is the fword; and here a pidure that 
 he took from his bofom at the fame time. Me- 
 thinks it is this lady's pidure. This, laid he, my 
 
 brother Francis will What more he would 
 
 have laid, 1 know not. 
 
 Francis. 
 
 QFith ajionifhment.) To me, that pidure? 
 To me \ Amelia to me ? 
 
 Amelia, 
 {Coming up to Herman withfary.) Impoflor ! 
 Villain, bafe, hired, perfidious villain! {Seizes 
 him rudely.) 
 
 Herman, 
 Madam, I know nothing of it. Look at it 
 yourfelf :See whether it is your pidure : Per- 
 haps you gave it him yourfelf. 
 
 Francis,
 
 y% THE ROBBERS. 
 
 Francis. 
 . By heavens I Amelia, 'tis your plclure ! 
 Voujs, as I live ! 
 
 u!4melia. 
 (Civing it back.) 'Tis mine! 'tis mine! 
 O heaven and earth 1 
 
 0. Moor, 
 
 {IVith en agonizing cry.) Oh, Oh ! My ma- 
 ledidion was his death 1 He died in defpair ! 
 
 Francis, 
 
 He thought of me in the lafl: moment of 
 exiftence : Of me ! Bleffed fpirit, when the 
 hand of death was on him ! 
 
 0* Moor* 
 
 *Twas I that gave him my curfe ! he died by 
 my hand ! he died in defpair ! 
 
 Herman. 
 
 (fVith real emotion^ and much agitated.) I 
 cannot ftand it ! Ihis fight of mifery unmans me ! 
 
 My Lord, farewel. {^Afide to Frauds.) Have 
 
 you a heart? How could you do this? 
 
 (^xit hajiily, 
 
 A Amdia* j
 
 THE ROBBERS. f^ 
 
 Amelia. 
 (Running after him.) Stay, (lay ! what was 
 his lafl word ? 
 
 Herman* 
 
 (Coming hack.) With his lad breath, he figh'd 
 Amelia ! (txit. 
 
 Amelia. 
 
 Amelia ! with his lafl figh ! No, thoa art ii6 
 xmpoftor it is true alas, too true ! He is dead ! 
 my Charles is dead ! 
 
 Francis* 
 
 What do I fee ? What is that upon the fword? 
 written in blood iAmelia 1 
 
 Amelia* 
 With his blood ? 
 
 Francis. 
 
 Am I in a dream ? or is it really fo ? Look 
 at thefe characters they are traced in blood : 
 * Francis, do not abandon my Jindia /" .^ee 
 again fee here, on the other fide, " ^mr^Ua, 
 *' all-powerful death has f-eed yon fom yo'ir 
 <' vows /'* Do you mark that ? With his dy.nw 
 hand he traced it he wrote it with his h irt's 
 
 K blood
 
 74 THE ROBBERS. 
 
 blood yes, on the awful brink of eternity he 
 wrote it ! 
 
 y^melia. 
 Almighty God ! it is his hand. Oh ! he never 
 loved me ! {Exit, 
 
 Francis, 
 (^Stamping with his feet.) Damnation ! he 
 has a heart of adamant ! thus bufFetted, and yet 
 unbroken all my art is loft upon him 1 
 
 0. Moor. 
 
 O mifery ! My child, my daughter, do not a- 
 bandon me I (7b Francis.) Wretch ! give mc 
 back my fon 1 
 
 Francis, 
 
 Who was it that gave him his makdidion ?- 
 who was it that made him rufli on battle and on 
 death ? who drove him to defpair ? Oh ! he 
 was a charming youth ! a curfe upon his mur- 
 derers ! 
 
 0. Moor. 
 
 (^Beating his breaji and forehead.) A curfe ! 
 a curfe ! curfe on the father who murdered his 
 own fon ! 1 am that curfed father ! lie loved me, 
 even in death ! To expiate my vengeance, he 
 rufli'd on battle and on death ! Monfter that I 
 am ! Oh monfter ! 
 
 Francis,
 
 THE ROBBERS. ys 
 
 Francis, 
 {fVith malignant irony.) He's dead what 
 fignifies this idle lamentation. 'Tis eafier to mur- 
 der a man than to bring him alive ! 
 
 0, Moor, 
 Wretch! it was you who made me throw him off, 
 who forced that malcdiftion from my heart ! 
 'Twasyou ! ^you ! O give me back my fon ! 
 
 Francis, 
 Roufe not my fury. I abandon you in death ! 
 
 0. Moor. 
 Monfter ! inhuman monfter ! give me back my 
 fon ! (He rifes furioujly, and eudeavours to 
 feize Francis by the throaty -who runs out.) 
 Ten thoufand curfes on thy head ! lightning of 
 heaven confume thee I Thou haft ri^bb'd me of 
 my only fon 1 {Ht Jinks aoivn.) Oh ! oh 1 to 
 be in defpair ^and not to die 1 They abandon 
 me in death. Is my good angel fled ? Yes ! e- 
 very angel muft dcfert the murderer the hoa- 
 ry murderer 1 Oh 1 oh 1 will none for pity 
 hold this head will none releafe this fpirit no 
 fon! no daughter! no friend ! Is there to be 
 found not one kind Oh ! defpair and not 
 
 to die 1 {lie faints.) 
 
 K 2 yfmelia.
 
 7^ THE ROBBERS. 
 
 (Coming /lowly in, fees him, and Jhrieks.') 
 Dead ! quite dead ! (Rupes out in defpairS) 
 
 SCENE, The For efts of Bohemia. 
 
 Razman enters from one fide of the fi age, and 
 Spiegelberg, with a band of robbers, from the 
 other- 
 
 Razman^ 
 
 Welcome, brother ! welcome, my brave fel 
 low, to the forefls of Bohemia {They embrace.y 
 Where have you ranged, in lightning and in tem^ 
 pefl: ? Whence come you now I 
 
 Spiegelberg, 
 
 Hot from the fair of Leipzick at prefent. There 
 was rare fport ! a{k Schufterle. }lc bid me con- 
 gratulate you on your fafe return. He has joined 
 our Captain's great troop on the road. {Sitting 
 doivn on the ground.) And how has it fared with 
 you fince we left you ? How goes the trade ? I 
 could ttll you of fuch feats, my boy, that you 
 y^'ould forego your dinner to hear them. 
 
 Razman,
 
 THj: ROBBERS. 7^ 
 
 Razman, 
 
 I have no doubt on't. We heard of you ill all 
 the newfpapers But where the devil have you 
 picked up all this canaille ? Blood and thunder I 
 you've brought us a little army you recruit lili^e 
 a hero ! 
 
 Spiegelberg. 
 
 Han't I ? ay, and a fet of clever dogs too ! < 
 Hang up your hat in the fun, and I'll l^y y^ five 
 pounds *tis gone in a twinkling, and t\\Q devil 
 Jiimlelf fhan*t tell where. . 
 
 Razman, 
 
 {Laughing,^ The Captain will make you wel- 
 come with thefc brave boys. He has got fome 
 fine fallows too, . f!? 
 
 Spiegelberg, 
 
 Pfliaw 1 your Captain ! Put his men and mine 
 in comparifon ! Bha ! 
 
 Razmmi. 
 
 Well, well, yours may have good fingers but 
 I tell you our Captain's reputation has got him 
 fomc brave fellows ! Men of honour ! 
 
 } 
 
 Spiegelberg,
 
 yS THE ROBBERSi 
 
 Spiegtlberg, 
 So much the worfe. 
 
 Enter Grimm, running in, 
 
 Razman* 
 What now ? Who's there ? Are there any tra- 
 vellers in the forefl ? 
 
 Grimm. 
 
 Quick ! Quick ! 'Where are the refl: ? Zounds ! 
 do you (land chattering there ? -Don't you know 
 poor Roller ? 
 
 Razman, 
 
 What now ? What of him ? 
 
 Crimm, * 
 
 He's hangM, that's all, he and four more. 
 
 Razman. 
 
 Roller? What ? When ? Where did you hear 
 it? 
 
 Grimm. 
 We heard nothing of him for three weeks. 
 He was all that time in jail, and we knew nothing 
 of it : He was three times put to the rack, to 
 make him difcover his captain : The brave fel- 
 low never fqueak'd. Yeflerday he got his len- 
 
 tence.
 
 -JTHE ROBBERS'. 79 
 
 tcncc, and this morning he went off exprefs 
 to the devil, 
 
 Razman, 
 Damnation ! Has the Captain heard of it ? 
 
 Grimm* 
 
 He heard of it only yeflerday : He is foaming 
 with rage : You know he always thought highly 
 of Roller ; and now that he Underwent the rack 
 We got ropes and a ladder to try to get him 
 out, but it was all in vain. Moor himfelf put 
 on the drefs of a Capuchin, and got in to him. 
 He endeavoured to perfuade him to change clothes 
 with him, but Roller pofitively refufed- And 
 now the Captain has fworn an oath, that made all 
 our hairs ftand on end ! He vows he will light 
 him fuch a funeral pile as never king had ; he 
 will burn them alive. The town itfelf, I fear, will 
 go for it : He has long owed them a fpitefor their 
 intolerable bigotry: And you know, when he 
 fays, " rU do it," 'tis as good as if we had done 
 it already. 
 
 Razman, 
 Ah ! good God ! poor Roller ! 
 
 Spiegeiberg*
 
 So THE ROBBERS. 
 
 Spiegelberg. 
 " Memento mori" What care I ? {Sings.) 
 
 The gallows, my boy, whene'er I pafs by, 
 
 I cock ray left eye, and I blink with the tother ; 
 When I fee the poor rogue on't, fays 1, my dear brother, 
 
 You may hang there for me. Who's the fool, you or I i 
 "J^nde rol, tol de rol. 
 
 Razman, 
 {Ha filly rijing.) Hark! a (hot! {A grent 
 noife is heard of firing and huzzaing.) 
 
 Spiegelberg, 
 
 Another ! 
 
 Razman* 
 And another ! 'Tis the Captain^ {^ noife of 
 finging behind the fcenes.) 
 
 The vvittols of Nuremberg, thefe are the men ! 
 
 They ne'er hang a thief till they catch him! Da capa 
 
 Roller's voice is heard, and Sivitzer's, Hal-* 
 loa ! Halloa. 
 
 Razman, 
 Roller, by heavens ! 'tis Roller ! 
 
 Switzer and Roller, 
 
 {Still behind the fcene.) Razman, Grimm," 
 
 Spiegelberg, Razman ! 
 
 Razman,
 
 THE ROBBERS. 8i 
 
 Razman, 
 Roller ! Thunder and lightning ! Fire and fury ! 
 (^hey run to meet them.) 
 
 Enter Moor, as difmoiititing from his horfe. 
 Roller, Switzer, Schufterle, and the whole band, 
 all befpattered as from the road, ' 
 Moor. 
 
 Liberty ! Liberty ! my boys ! Roller is free. 
 Take my horfe, and dalh a bottle of wine over 
 
 him ! {He fits dozun on the ground.) 'Twas 
 
 hot work ! 
 
 Razman. 
 
 (To Roller.) By the forge of Pluto ! you 
 "have had a refurrcclion from the wheel ! 
 
 Spiegelberg, 
 ' Arc you his ghofl ? or are you flefh and blood ? 
 
 Roller. 
 
 f Suite breathlefs,) Flefli and blood, my boy ! 
 Where do you think 1 'come from ? 
 
 Grimm. 
 
 Who the devil knows? Afk the witch on 
 whofe broomftick you rode. Had n*t you recei* 
 ved fentence .* 
 
 L Roller,
 
 82 THE ROBBERS. 
 
 Roller. 
 
 Ay truly ^ and fomething more. I was at the 
 foot of the gallows, man ! Stay till I get my breath. 
 Switzer will tell you Give' me a glafs of bran- 
 dy '.Are you there, Maurice ? Come back too? 
 I thought to have met you fo me where elfe. Give 
 me a glafs of brandy ! I have not one bone (lick- 
 ing to another,-^that damn'd rack I The Captain ! 
 Where's my Captain ? 
 
 Razman. 
 
 > Have pa'ience, man, have patience. Come, 
 tell us, tell us, How did you efcape? How 
 came you oS] 1 am in a maze ! ^From the foot 
 of the gallows, did you fay ? 
 
 Roller. : 
 
 (Drinks off a bwnper of brandy.) Ha ! that 
 hiiacks ; 't has the right bite ; ftrait from the 
 p-allows, boy. You flare at me ! What, you 
 don*t believe it ? I was but three fleps off from 
 Abraham's bofom No more. You would not 
 have given a pinch of fnuff for my life. 'Twas 
 my Captain ; I thank my Captain for my breath, 
 my liberty, my life ! 
 
 Switzer,
 
 v^THE ROBBERS. 83 
 
 % Switzer. 
 
 Hah ! 'twas a trick worth the telling. It was 
 but vefterday we got notice by our fpies^that Hol- 
 ler lay fnug in pickle * ; and that unlcfs the (ky 
 fell, or fome fuch accident, before morning, 
 that's to day, he would be gone the way of all 
 flefh. Come, faid the Captain ! Shall our friend 
 go fwing, and we do nothing tor him Save him 
 or not, I promife you, I'll light him fuch a 
 pile, as few have feen the like ! He gave his or- 
 ders to the band. We fent a tru;ty fellow, who 
 contrived to give Roller notice, by flipping a Icrap 
 of paper into his foup. 
 
 Roller, ^ 
 
 I had no hopes of the thing fucceeding. 
 
 Sivitzer, 
 
 We watched for the moment when every thing 
 was quiet, the ftreets deferted, every mortal 
 gone to fee the fight,-^horfe, foot, coaches, all 
 pell-mell. We heard even the noife at the gal- 
 lows, and the pfalm fmging. Now, faid the (lap- 
 tain, now's the time 1 Set fire 1 Our fellow^ 
 
 Germ. Lie^e tuchtig im faltz. 
 
 \ ^ darted
 
 $4 ' THE ROBBERS. 
 
 darted like a fhot^ through the whole town, fel 
 fire to it at once in -three and thirty different pla- 
 ces ; they threw butliTng matches on the pow- 
 der magazine, into the churches and the ftore- 
 houfes. 'Sdeath I It was fcarcely a quarter of an 
 hour, when a briik gale from the north-eaft, that 
 certainly owed them a fpite, like us, gave us all 
 the help we wilhed, and in a moment the whole 
 was in a whirlwind of fire. We ran up and down 
 the flreets like furies, crying. Fire ! Fire ! in e- 
 very quarter ! Then there was fuch a horrible 
 noife and confufion. The great bells were fet a- 
 ringing. ^The powder magazine blew up. 'Twas 
 as if heaven, earth, and hell had all gone together. 
 
 Roller. 
 
 Then my attendants began to look behind 
 them. 'Tv.-as like Sodom and Gomorrah ; the 
 whole town in a blaze : Sulphur, fmoke, and 
 fire : All the , range of hilk re-echoed with the 
 explofions : The terror^as^nive; fal : Now was 
 the time : They had takerl-off my irons j fo very 
 near was it ; touch and go ; off I went liko an 
 arrow; out of fight in a moment while they 
 flood petrified, like Lot's wife. Luckily I had but 
 a few paces to run to the river I tore ofi my 
 clothes, junip'd ill, and fwam under water, till I 
 
 thoaght :
 
 THE RO*feBERS. Bj 
 
 thought they had loft fight of me. Our brave 
 Captain was on t'other fide, with horfes ready,* 
 and clothes for me. And here, my boys, here 
 I am ! Moor, Moor, my brave fellow, I wifli 
 only you were in the fame fcrape, that I might 
 help you out of it. 
 
 Razman, 
 Spoke like a brute ; a beaft that ought to be 
 hang*d ! Egad it was a mafterly ftrok? ! 
 
 Roller. 
 
 Ay fo it was. ^Help at a pinch ! A friend in 
 need is a friend indeed, fay 1 ; but you can*t 
 ju. ge of it. No, unlefs you had the rope a- 
 bout your neck, and were walking all alive to 
 your grave. Then thofe hellilh preparations,-^ 
 and every foot you went, a ftep nearer that 
 curs*d machine, which met you fo in full view, 
 clear, damnably illuminated by the rifmg fun^; 
 then the executioner and his men fneaking behind 
 you, and that infernal pfalm-fmging. Zounds, 
 my ears are ringing, with it yet ; and then the 
 croaking ot a whole legion of carrion-crows that 
 had been feafting on the precious corrupuon of 
 my predeceifor, that hung there hah -rotted away : 
 -r-But above all, the hellifli joy that thofe rafcals 
 
 cxprcffed 
 
 ^ The executions in Germany are performed at day-break.
 
 86 THE ROBBERS, 
 
 exprefled when they faw me coming. Oh, I fhall 
 never forget it. No, for all the treafures of Croe- 
 fus, I would hot undergo that again. Dying ! 
 Zounds, 'tis no more than cutting a caper : *Tis 
 what goes before that's the devil. 
 
 Spiegelherg. 
 
 And the powder-magazine was blown in the 
 air ? that accounts for the ftink of brimftone wc 
 fmelt far and near, as if the devil's wardrobe 
 had been on fire. 
 
 Sivitzer, 
 
 Damnation! If they made a holiday for the 
 hanging of our poor comrade, why fliould n't we 
 make a holiday for the burning of their town,--- 
 when he was to efcape by it. Schufterle, can 
 you tell how many were killed ? 
 
 Schufterle* 
 
 Eighty-three, they fay j the fleeple crufli'd fix- 
 ty of them to death. 
 
 Moor. 
 
 {In a very feriozis U)m.) Roller, you were 
 dearly bought. ^ 
 
 Schufterle,
 
 THE ROBBERS. 8; 
 
 Schufterle. 
 
 l*ah ! pah ! what fignifies all that ? Indeed, 
 if they had been men but they were babies in 
 leading-ftrings, mere bantlings or old Mother 
 Shiptons, their nurfes and perhaps a few poor 
 atomies that had not ftrength to crawl to their 
 doors. All that had any foul or fpirit in thein 
 were at the fliow. -' Twas the mere fcum, the 
 jdregs, that ftaid at home. 
 
 ' Moor. 
 
 Poor wretches ! the old, the decrepid, and the 
 infants ! 
 
 Schufterle. 
 
 Ay, devil burn 'em ! a few fick wretches too 
 women in labour, perhaps, or jufl: at the down- 
 lying. Ha ! ha ! in pafling one of thofe little bar- 
 racks, I heard fome fqualling I peep*d in, and 
 what do you think it was ? a child, a /tout little 
 rogue, that lay on the floor beneath a table, and 
 the fire juft catching it ! Poor little fellow, faid 
 I, you are ftarving for cold there and fo I 
 chuck*d him into the fire ! 
 
 Moor, 
 
 Did you fo, Schufterle ? May that fire confume 
 
 you.
 
 88 THE ROBBERS. 
 
 you, body andToul, to all eternity ! Out of my 
 *fight, you nioiiftcr ! - never be feen in my troop 
 again ! {The btnd begin to inunnur.') What ! 
 you murmur, do ye ? Who dares to murm^ur, 
 M'hen I ; ommand ? Out of my fight, I fay, Sir ! 
 - There ere nth.;rs among you who are ripe for 
 my indic^nation. -Spiegelberg, I know you It 
 won't be long e*er I call over the roll, and I'll 
 mal^e fuch a muller as fhall make you all tremble. 
 {They go out much agitated. 
 
 Moor, 
 
 (y^lojic, tucilkiiig backzvards and forzoards in 
 great agitation ) Hear it not, O God of ven- 
 geance ! Am I to blame for this ? Art thou to 
 blame, O Father of Heaven ! when the inftru- 
 ments of thy wrath, the peftilence, flood, and fa- 
 mine, overwhelm at once the righteous and the 
 guilty ? Who can command the flames to flay 
 their courfe, to defliroy only the noxious vermin, 
 and fpare the fertile field ? Poor fool ! O fliarae 1 
 had thou then prefumptuoufly dared to wield Jove's 
 thunder, and with thy aimlefs arm to let the Titan 
 'fcape, wliile the poor pigmy fuffers. Go, flave ! 
 'tis not for thee to wield the fword of the Moft 
 High ! Behold thv firft eflay ! Here then I re- 
 nounce the rafli defign hence ! let me feek fome 
 
 cavern
 
 TH ROBBERS. 89 
 
 cavern of the earth to hide me to hide my fhame 
 from the eye of day ! (/r going out. 
 
 Enter Roller, 
 
 Roller. 
 
 Take care of yourfelf, Captain the fpirits are 
 walking there are feveral troops of Bohemian 
 horfemen patroling all around us that hellifli 
 Bluefhanks muft have betrayed us. 
 
 Enter Grimm. 
 
 Grimm. 
 Captain, Captain, we are difcovered, tracked 1 
 there's a circle drawn in the foreft, and fome 
 thoufands furrounding us ! 
 
 Enter Spiegelberg, 
 
 Spiegelberg. 
 Lord ! O Lord ! O Lord ! we are all taken 
 every man of us hang'd, drawn, and quartered ! 
 Ten thoufand Huffars, Dragoons, and Jaghers, 
 have got to the heights above us, and blocked up 
 all the pafles . 
 
 (Moor exit, 
 
 M Enter
 
 9Q THE ROBBERS. 
 
 Enter Switzer, Razman, Schufterle, and other 
 robbers, from every fide of thejiage. 
 
 Switzer, 
 
 Ha ! have we unkennel'd them at lafl ? Give 
 you joy, Roller 1 It's long fmce I have wifli'd to 
 have a fair tilting-bout with the regulars. -Where 
 is the Captain ? Is all the band affembled ? Have 
 we ammunition enough ? 
 
 Razman, 
 
 Plenty of that but we're only eighty in all' 
 not one to twenty ! 
 
 Suntzer, 
 
 So much the better thefe poor dogs are fhot 
 at for fixpence we fight for life and liberty 
 we'll pour down on them like the deluge give 
 them a volley like thunder ! Where the devil is 
 our Captain ? 
 
 Spiegelberg. 
 
 He dcferts us at this extremity. Is there no 
 way left for an efcape then ? 
 
 Szuitzer, 
 Efcape ! coward, beaft ! may hell choke you 
 
 for
 
 THE ROBBERS. 91 
 
 for that word ! You gape there with your lanthorn 
 
 jaws, and when you hear a fliot Zounds, fir- 
 
 rah ! fhow your face in the ranks, or you fliall 
 be few'd alive in a fack, and thrown to the dogs ! 
 
 Razman* 
 The Captain ! the Captain ! 
 
 Enter Moor, ivith a flow pace. 
 
 Moor, 
 
 (Apart.) I have let them be completely fur- 
 rounded they muft fight like defperadoes. 
 
 Well, my boys, we*re tied to the (lake one 
 choice fight or die ! 
 
 Szvitzer. 
 
 Ha ! I'll rip them up alive ! Lead us on, Cap- 
 tain, we'll follow you to the gates of hell ! 
 
 Moor. 
 
 Load all your mufkcts Have you powder e- 
 nough ? 
 
 Szoitzer. 
 
 (Starting up.) Powder enough ! ay, to blow 
 the earth up to the moon ! 
 
 M 2 Razman*
 
 92 THE ROBBERS. 
 
 Razman^ 
 
 Each of us has five pair of piftols loaded, and. 
 three carabines. 
 
 Moor, 
 
 Well done. Some of you mufl; get upon the 
 trees, and others conceal themfelves in the thicks 
 ets, and fire upon them in ambufli,. 
 
 Switzer, 
 Spiegelberg, that will be your pafl. 
 
 Moor. 
 'Jhe reft of us will fall like furies on their flanks.. 
 
 Stuitzer, 
 ril be one, by heavens ! 
 
 Moor, 
 
 And every man too muft found his whiftle, and 
 gallop through the wood, that our numbers may 
 appear the more terrible. We muft fet loofe all 
 our dogs, and fpirit them to fly at the ranks, and 
 throw them into confufion, that they may run 
 upon our fire. We three, Roller, Switzer, and 
 I, will fight wherever the main force is# 
 
 Enter
 
 THE ROBBERS. 93 
 
 Enter a Commiflary. 
 
 Grimm, 
 
 Ha ! here comes one of the blood-hounds of 
 juftice ! 
 
 Szvitzer, 
 
 Kill him on the fpot. Doft't let him open his 
 mouth ! 
 
 Moor. 
 
 Peace there ! I'll hear what he has to fay. 
 
 CommiJJ'ary, 
 
 With your leave, gentlemen. 1 have in my 
 
 perfon the full authority of juftice ; and there arc 
 eight hundred foldiers here at hand, who watch 
 over every hair of my head. 
 
 Sxvitzer, 
 A very perfuafive argument to ftay our ftomachs. 
 
 Moor. 
 
 Comrade, be quiet ! Speak, Sir, and be brief.- 
 What are your commands for us ? 
 
 CotnmiJJary, 
 
 I come, Sir, by authority of that auguft magif- 
 
 tr'ftte.
 
 94 THE ROBBERS. 
 
 trate who decides upon life and death ; and I-^i 
 have one word for you, and two for your band. 
 
 Moor. 
 
 Which is? {Refting upon hisfzvord.) 
 
 i 
 Commiffary. 
 
 Abominable wretch ! Are not thofe curfed 
 hands imbrued in the noble blood of a Count of 
 the empire? Hafl thou not, with facrilegious arm, 
 broke open the fanduary of the Lord, and im- 
 pioufly carried off the facred veffeis ? Hall thou 
 not fet fire to our moft upright and fanftified city, 
 atid blown up our holy powder magazine over 
 the heads of many pious Chriflians ? (Clci/ping 
 his hands .) Abomination of abominations ! The 
 horrible favour of thy fms has afcended to Heaven, 
 and will bring on the day of judgement before 
 its time, to punifli fuch a wicked damn'd in- 
 fernal monfler ! 
 
 Moor, 
 
 A mafterly oration, upon my word ! but now 
 "to the point in hand. What did the mod au- 
 guft magiftrate pleafe to inform me of by your 
 mouth ? 
 
 CofNmiffary,
 
 THE ROBBERS. 95 
 
 .^' Cotnmijfary. 
 
 What you never will be worthy to receive. 
 Look around you, you horrible incendiary, as 
 far as your eye can reach, you are furrounded' by 
 our horfemen. ^No efcape for you You may 
 as foon exped: thefe flunted oaks and pines to 
 bear peaches and cherries. 
 
 Moor. 
 
 Hear you that, Switzer ? Roller ? But go on. 
 Sir. 
 
 Commijfary, 
 
 Hear then how merciful, how long-fufFering is 
 Juftice to the wicked. If this very moment you 
 lay down your arms, and humbly entreat for mer- 
 cy and a mitigation of your punifhment, then 
 Juftice will be like an indulgent mother fhe will 
 Ihut her eyes on one half of your horrible crimes 
 and only condemn you think well of it to be 
 broken alive upon the wheel ! 
 
 Stvitzer. 
 Captain, (hall I cut his throat ? 
 
 Roller. 
 
 Hell, fire, and fury ! Captain ! Haw he bites 
 
 hia
 
 THE ROBBEUSi 
 
 his lip 1 Shall I cut down this fellow like a cab- 
 bage ? 
 
 Moor. 
 Don't touch him let none of you dare to lay 
 a finger on him. Hearkee, Sir ! {To the Com- 
 mijfary, ivith a folemn tone.) There are here 
 feventy-nine of us, and I, their Captain. ^Not a 
 man of us has been taught to trot at a fignal, or 
 dance to the mufic of artillery ; and on your fide 
 there are eight hundred difciplined troops, (launch 
 and experienced veterans. Now, hear me, Sir ! 
 hear what Moor fays, the Captain of thefe incen- 
 diaries. It is true I have aflafTmated a Count of the 
 empire. It is true I have burnt and pliftidered 
 the church of the Dominicans. It is true I have 
 fet fire to your bigotted town, and blown up your 
 powder-magazine. But I have done more than 
 all that. Look here, (holding out his right 
 hand), look at thefe four rings of value. --This 
 ruby I drew from the finger of a minifter whom I 
 cut down at the chace, at his prince's feet. He 
 had built his fortune on the miferies of his fellpw- 
 creatures, and his elevation was mark'd by the 
 tears of the fatherlefs and the widow. This 
 diamond I took from a treafurer-gcneral, who 
 made a traffic of offices of truft, and fold ho- 
 
 nours
 
 THE ROBBERS. 97 
 
 nours, the rewards of merit, to the higheft bid- 
 der. This Cornelian I wear in honour 6f a prieft 
 whom I ftrangled with my own hand, for his moft 
 pious and paflionate lamentation over the fall of 
 the Inquifition. I could expatiate at large, Sir, 
 , .on the hiftory of thefe rings, if I did not repent 
 '^llready that I have wafted words on a man un wor- 
 thy to hear me. 
 
 Commijfary. 
 Is there fo much pride in a vile felon ? 
 
 Moor, 
 
 Stop, Sir. I ihall now talk with fome pride to 
 you ! Go, tell your moft auguft magiftrate he 
 that throws the dice on life and death tell him, 
 I am none of thofe banditti who are in compact 
 with fleep, and with the midnight hour I fcale 
 no walls in the dark, and force no locks to plun- 
 der. "What I have done ftiall be engraven in that 
 book where all the adions of mankind are record- 
 cd-^in heaven's eternal regifter : But with you 
 poor Tninifters of earthly juttice, I hold no further 
 communing. Tell your mafter, that my" trade is 
 the lex talionis'y Like for like: Vengeance is my 
 trade ! {He turns his back upon him ivith con- 
 tanpt.) 
 
 N Commiffary.
 
 93 THE ROBBERS. 
 
 Commi[fary, 
 Do you refufe then to hearken to the voice of 
 mercy ? If that is the cafe, I have done with 
 you. (Turns to the band,) Hear, you fellows, 
 hear the mouth of juftice ! If you immediately 
 deliver up to me ttiis condemned malefadtor, you 
 fliall have a full pardon even the remembrance 
 of your crimes fliall be blotted out our holy mo- 
 ther Churcn will open her bofom to receive you, 
 like the ftrayed flieep of the flock you fliall be 
 purified in the waters of regeneration, the road 
 of lalvation fliall be open to you, and every one 
 of you fliall get polls and places ! Here read 
 with your own eyes here is a general pardon 
 figned and fealed (^He gives Sivitzer a paper 
 tvith an air of triinnph .) Well, how does your 
 honour like that ? Come, courage ! bind your 
 leader, hand and foot and be free men ! 
 
 Moor. 
 
 Do you hear that, gentlemen ? ^ar you that? 
 Why fl:and you thus in amaze? What flops you? 
 How can you hefitate ? You are already prifon- 
 ers, and you have an offer of your liberty You 
 are already under fentence of death, and you have 
 an offer of your lives You are promifed honours, 
 places, and emoluments and what can you gain, 
 
 even
 
 THE ROBBERS. gg 
 
 even if you conquer, but execration, infamy, and 
 perfecution You have the grace of heaven offer 'd 
 to you, and at prefent you are in a ftate of repro- 
 bation Not a hair of your heads but mud blaze 
 in everlafting flames ! How now, dill in doubt ? 
 Is it fo difl5cult to make a choice between heaven 
 and hell ? Help me to perfuade them, Mr Com- 
 iniflary. 
 
 1^ CommiJJary, 
 What can be that devil's name that fpeaks out 
 of his mouth ? he makes me all quiver. 
 
 Moor, 
 
 What ! have you no anfwer ? Do you hope to 
 gain your liberty by your fwords ? Look around 
 you look well, my friends 'tis impoffible to 
 think fo 'twere to think like children, if you did. 
 Perhaps you flatter yourfelf with an honourable 
 death, that you'll fight like men, and die like he^- 
 roes You think fo, bccaufe you have feen Moor 
 exult in a fcene of carnage and of horror O, ne- 
 ver dream it there's none of you a Moor you 
 are a fet of miferable thieves poor inftruments 
 of my great defigns defpicable as the rope In the 
 hands of the hangman ! No, no- a thief caqnot 
 die like a heroa thief may be allowed to quake 
 at the fight of death. Hark, how thofe trumpets^^ 
 N 2 echo
 
 ioo THE ROBBERS. 
 
 echo through the foreft ! See there, how their, 
 fabres gleam ! What ! flill irrefolute ? Are you 
 mad ? Do you think I thank you for my hfe ? 
 Not at all 1 difdain the facrifice you are making 1 
 (The found of warlike inftrumekts is heard.) 
 
 Commifary* 
 (^In affonijlmient .) This is beyond belief ne- 
 ver faw any thing like it I muft make off ! 
 
 Moor, 
 
 You are afraid, perhaps, that I put myfelf ta 
 death, and that, as the bargain is to deliver me 
 alive, that may break it. No, my friends, that 
 you have no feafon to fear. See, there is my 
 dagger, my piftols, and, what I have always car- 
 ried with me, my poifon ! (Throws them a- 
 way.) What ! not determined yet ? But per- 
 haps you think 1 fhall flruggle when you feize 
 me. Look here* I tie my right hand to this 
 branch of an oak ! Now I am quite defencelefe 
 a child might take me .-^Now come on ! who 
 will be the firfl to betray his Captain ? 
 
 Roller, 
 
 {fVith a frantic gejiure,) Ay, if all hell 
 
 fliouH
 
 THE ROBBERS. loi 
 
 fhould open ! Who is the fcoundrel that will be* 
 tray his Captain * ? 
 
 Switzcr, ^ 
 
 {T'ears the pardon in pieces^ and throws it 
 in the Commiffary* s face.) There ! Our par- 
 don is at the mouth of our mufkets. Tell your 
 magiflrate, that you have not found one traitor in, 
 all our company V Huzza ! Save the Captain \ 
 Huzza I Save the Captain ! 
 
 Save the Captain ! Save him I Save our noble 
 Captain 1 
 
 Moor. 
 
 (Untwijiing his hand from the tree^ and in a 
 tranfport of joy.) Now my brave lads ^Now 
 wc' are free indeed.- I have a whole hofl: in this 
 fingle arm. Death, or liberty! We (hall not leave 
 a man of them alive ! {They found the charge 
 with great noife, and exeunt fword in hand.") 
 
 * Germ. TVer hwid kein ifl rette den Haupttfian. He 
 who is not a dog, let him fave his Captain. 
 
 END OF ACT SECOND.
 
 I02 THE ROBBERS, 
 
 ACT UI. 
 
 SCENE, A Garden. 
 
 Amelia, fitting in a penfive attitude. Enter 
 Francis, both of them in deep mourning, 
 
 Francis. 
 
 What, flill here, my little obftinate enthufiaft i' 
 You ftole away from our entertainment. -My 
 guefts were in charming fpirits, but you dif- 
 turb'd all our mirth. 
 
 Amelia, 
 
 Shame on fuch mirth ! When your father's fu- 
 neral dirge is yet founding in your ears. 
 
 Francis, 
 
 What, ftill forrowing : Will thofe pretty eyes 
 never be dry? Come, let the dead fleep in their 
 graves, and be the joy of the living. I am juft 
 cooxe 
 
 Amelia,
 
 THi: ROBBERS. 103 
 
 Amelia* 
 And when do you depart ? 
 
 Francis 
 
 Fy now ! Why that haughty, that fevere coun- 
 tenance ? You diftrefs me much, Amelia. I come 
 to inform you 
 
 u4melia. 
 
 What I know already, that Francis de Moor 
 is now the lord and mafter. 
 
 Francis, 
 
 Precifely fo. It was upon that fubjed I wanted 
 to talk with you. Maximilian de Moor is gone to 
 flecp with his fathers. 1 am now the lord of thefe 
 domains, and all that they contain. Pardon rtie, 
 Amelia : I wilh to be the lord of all. You 
 know that you were properly a part of our fa- 
 mily. You know, my father regarded you as his 
 own child : You have not forgot him, Amelia: 
 You never will forget him. 
 
 Amelia. 
 
 Never, Sir! Never 1 No banquet, no mirtlt 
 and revelry, fhali banifli his idea from my mind.- 
 
 Francis*
 
 ro4 THE ROBBERS, 
 
 Francis, 
 Pious affeftion ! But what you owed to the fa- 
 ther, the fons fure now may claim ; and Charles 
 being aead. Ha ! You are furprifed ! overwhelm- 
 ed! are you not? Ay truly, fo flattering a thought, 
 a profpefl; fo brilliant, and that fo fuddenly pre- 
 fented to your mind, was too much even for wo- 
 man*s pride That Francis de Moor fhould fpurn 
 the proud ambition of the noblefl families, and 
 offer at the feet of a poor orphan, deftitute and 
 helplefs, his heart, his hand, his wealth, thefe 
 caftles and domains ! He, whom all envy, all fear, 
 declare himfelf Amelia's voluntary flave ! 
 
 Amelia. 
 
 Why does the thunder flcep ? nor cleave that 
 impious tongue ? Curs'd wretch! my Charles's 
 murderer ! and thou hopell to be the hufband of 
 Amelia ? Thou ! 
 
 Francis, 
 
 Lefs heat, my Princefs ! Not quite fo high a 
 tone ! Think not you have a lover who will bow 
 at a diilance, and figh, and coo, and woo you 
 like a Celadon. No ; Francis de Moor has not 
 learnt, like the Arcadian fwains, to breathe his 
 amorous plaints to the caves, and rocks, and 
 
 echoes.
 
 THE ROBBERS. 105 
 
 echoes. He fpeaks ; and when he is not an* 
 fwered, ^he commands. 
 
 Amelia, 
 
 Worm! reptile I Thou command ! Command 
 me? And if 1 laugh to fcorn your commands^ 
 what then ? 
 
 Francis. 
 
 A cloifter, and imprifonment. I know how to 
 tame, to break that proud fpirit. 
 
 j^meliat. 
 
 Ha ! excellent! Welcome the clolfler and im-* 
 jirifonment, that hides me from the glances of 
 that bafilifk. There I fliall be free to think of 
 Charles, to dwell on that dear image. Away, a- 
 way ! hafte to that bleft abode ! 
 
 Francis i 
 
 Is it fo then? Thanks for that inflru^ion. ^ 
 Now 1 have leaint the art to gall you. I'his 
 head, armed like another fury with her fftakes^ 
 fhall fright your Charles fron) your heart-**- l"h^ 
 horrible Francis fhall lurk behind the picture of 
 your lover, like the hound of hell. ^1 will drag 
 you by thole locks to the altar, and,i with my 
 
 O dagger.
 
 106 THE ROBBERS. 
 
 dagger, force from your quivering heart the 
 nuptial oath. 
 
 Amelia, 
 (^Strikes him.) Take this love -token firfl. 
 
 Fronds, 
 
 Hah! tenfold- and twice tenfold, fliall be my 
 vengeance My wife ! No : that honour you ne- 
 ver (hall enjoy. You fhall be my v/ench, my par- 
 amour. The honeft peafant's wife fliall point at 
 vou, ihall hoot you in the flreets Ay, grind 
 your teeth ! and fcatter fire and murder trom 
 thofe eyes. A woman's fury is my joy, my paf- 
 time ; 'tis my heart's delight to fee her thus ! 
 Thefe flruggles ihall enhance my triumph. 
 How fweet is enjoyment when thus forced, thus 
 ravifhed. Come to the altar, this inflant come. 
 {End'javQurs to force her.) 
 
 . Amelia, 
 (Throtvitig herfclf about his neck.) Pardon 
 me, Francis, (^f-f^hen going to take her in his 
 arms, Jlie draws out his fivord^ and Jieps back 
 a fezv paces.) See'ft thou now, villain, what I 
 can do ? I am a woman, but a woman, when 
 
 in
 
 THE ROBBERS. 107 
 
 in fury Dare to come near me, and this ftecl, 
 
 my uncle's hand lliall guide it to thy heart. Fly 
 me this inftant 1 C.S/u piirjuts lilm out iviih the 
 fivcnd.) Ah I Now 1 am at eafe! I can breathe 
 again. I fcit a tyger's rage, the mettled cour- 
 fer's ftrei\gth To a cloifler, did he fay ? thanks 
 for that blefled thought ! Love, forlorn and 
 hopelefs love, finds there a kind retreat ! The 
 grave of buried love ! 
 
 SCENE, The Banks of the Danube. 
 
 The Robbers ftiitioud on a height^ tchlle 
 their horfcs are griijl.g on the declivity below. 
 
 Moor, 
 
 I muft reft here, (//e throzus himfclf on the 
 ground.) My joints are fhook afunder ; my 
 tongue cleaves to my mouth, dry as a pot- 
 fherd. I would beg of fome of you to fetch me 
 a little water in the hollow of your hand from^ 
 yonder brook, but you are all weary to death. 
 {IVhile he is /peaking, bivitzer goes out un- 
 perceived,- to fetch himfoms water,) 
 
 O 3 Criiwfj,
 
 io8 THE ROBBERS. 
 
 Grimm. 
 Our wine-cantines are empty long ago. ^How 
 glorious, how majeftic, yonder fetting fun ! 
 
 Moor. 
 
 (Loft in contempliition.') 'Tis thus the her 
 falls ; 'tis thus he dies, in godlike majefty 1 
 
 Grimm, 
 The fight afiecls you, Sir ! 
 
 Moor. 
 When I was yet a boy, a mere child, it 
 was my favourite thought, my wifli to live like 
 him! {Pointing to the fun.^ Like him to die. 
 (^SuppreJ/Ing his anguijJ?.) Twas an idle thought, 
 9 boy's conceit ! ; 
 
 Grimm, 
 
 It was fo. * 
 
 Moor. 
 
 (^Fulling his hat over his eyes.) There was a 
 
 time. rLeave me, my friends alone 
 
 Grimm. 
 Moor ! Moor ! 'Sdeath ! How his countenance 
 
 Razman, 
 
 chancres !
 
 , THE ROBBERS. 109 
 
 Razman. 
 Zounds ! what is the matter with him ?-^Is he 
 
 Moor. 
 There was a time, when I could not go to fleep, 
 if I had forgot my prayers ! 
 
 Crifmn, 
 
 Have you loft your fenfes? What! yet a rdiool- 
 boy 1 * rwere fit indeed fuch thoughts fliould vex 
 
 you ! 
 
 Moor, 
 (^Refting his head on Grimm's bojom.) Bro- 
 ther ! Brother ! 
 
 Crimrn. 
 Come, come be not a child, I beg it of you 
 
 Moor, 
 A child ! Oh that I were a child once more ! 
 
 Grimm, 
 
 Fy, fy ! Clear up that cloudy brow! Look 
 yonder, what a landfkip ! what a lovely evening ! 
 
 Moor. 
 
 Ay, my friend ! that fcene fo noWe ! this 
 world fo beautiful ! 
 
 ]^rimrn.
 
 ijo THE ROBBERS. 
 
 Grimm, 
 Why, that's talking like a man. 
 
 Moor, 
 This earth fo grand ! 
 
 Grimm, 
 Well faid '.That's what I like I 
 
 Moor. 
 
 And I fo hideous in this world of beauty and 
 I a njonfter on this niagniftcent earth the prodi- 
 gal fon ! 
 
 Grimm, 
 
 {Jffedionately .) Moor ! Moor ! 
 
 Moor, 
 
 My innocence ! O my innocence ! ^See how all 
 nature expands at the fwect breath of fpring. O 
 God ! that this paradife this heaven, fhould be 
 a hell to me ! When all is happinefs all in the 
 fweet fpirit of peace the world one family and 
 its Father there above! who is not my Father ! 
 I alone the outcaft the prodigal fon ! Of all the 
 children of his mercy, I alone rejeded. (Start- 
 itig back vjith horror.') The companion of mur- 
 derers
 
 THE ROBBERS. nt 
 
 derers of viperous fiends ^bound down, enchain- 
 ed to guilt and horror ! 
 
 Razman. 
 
 'Tis inconceivable ! I never faw him thus mov*d 
 before. 
 
 Moor. 
 
 (^IVith great emotion.') Oh ! that I could re- 
 turn once more into the womb that bare me ! that 
 I hung an infant on th breaft ! that 1 were born 
 a beggar the meanefl: hind a peafant of the 
 field 1 1 would toil till the fweat of blood dropt 
 from my brow, to purchafe the luxury of one 
 found fleep, the rapture of a fingle tear ! 
 
 Crimin, 
 
 {To the reji.) Peace, O peace I the pa- 
 roxifm will foon be over. 
 
 Moor* 
 
 There was a time when I could weep with cafe. 
 i O days of blifs ! Manfion of my fathers ! O 
 vales fo green, fo beautiful ! fcenes of my infant 
 years, enjoy 'd by fond enthufiafm ! will you no 
 more return ? no more exhale your fweets to cool 
 this burning bofom ! Oh never, never fliall they 
 
 return
 
 112 THE ROBBFRa 
 
 return no more rcfrcfh this bofom with the breath 
 of peace. They are gone ! gone for ever ! 
 
 Enter Switzer, zuith zcater in his hat. 
 
 Szi'itzef. 
 Captain, here drink ! water frefli and cool as 
 ice. . . 
 
 Crimm. 
 What is the matter, Switzer I you are bleed- 
 ing- 
 
 SzvHzer. 
 
 Matter ? a mere joke a trifling accident, that 
 might have cod me only my neck and a couple of 
 legs. I was going trotting along a fleep bank of 
 the riv^ on the brow of yonder declivity ' Tis 
 all fand, you know Plump, in a moment, down 
 goes the bank under my feet, and I made a cle- 
 ver tumble often good Rhenilh yards at the Icaft 
 there 1 lay for a while like a log and when I 
 came to my feofes, 1 found myfelf fafe on the gra- 
 vel, and. fine frefh v/ater jufl: at my hand, Poh ! 
 not a bad caper, faid I, fmce I've got my Captairj 
 a drink by it ! 
 
 Moor, 
 
 (Gives back the hat to Svjitzer^ a72d wipes 
 
 his
 
 THE ROBBERS. 113 
 
 his face,) Why, you're all fo befmeared, one 
 can't fee the cuts you got from the Bohemian dra- 
 goons. Your water was very good, Switzer. 
 Thefe cuts become you, man ! 
 
 Sivitzcr. 
 
 Poh ! There's room enough for twenty more 
 of *em. 
 
 Moor. 
 
 Ay, my boys it was a hot day's work and 
 only dne friend loft. Poor Roller ! he had a glo- 
 rious death ! If he had died in any caufe but 
 ours, he'd had a marble monyment ! Let this fuf- 
 fice this tear from a man's cheek ! (i/f zvipes 
 his eyes,) Do you remember how many of our 
 enemies were left dead on the field ? 
 
 Sivitzer. 
 
 Sixty Huflfars ninety three dragoons, and about 
 forty liglit horfe in all, two hundred ! 
 
 Moor. 
 
 Two hundred for one man ! Every one of you 
 has his claims upon this head. (^He takes off his 
 hat,) Here I lift this poniard fo may my foul 
 find life or death eternal, as I keep faith with 
 you ! 
 
 P Switzer'
 
 114 THE ROBBERS. 
 
 Switzer, 
 Don't fwear ! you don't know, if good fbrtunc 
 fliould once more Imile upon you, but repent- 
 ance 
 
 Moor, 
 No ! by the ghofl: of Roller I I never will for- 
 fake you ! 
 
 Enter Kozinlki* 
 
 Kozinjki. 
 They told me I {hould find him fomewhere 
 hereabout. Ha! halloa I What faces are thefe? 
 s Should they be if thefe were the men yes, 
 they are I'll fpeak to them. 
 
 Crhnm. 
 Have a care ! Who goes there ? 
 
 Koz'mjki. 
 Gentlemen, excufe me I don't know if I am 
 right or not. 
 
 Moor, 
 Suppofe right. Whom do you take us for ? 
 
 Kozinjki. 
 For men I 
 
 Sivitzer,
 
 THE ROBBERS. 115 
 
 Switzer, 
 Have we fhown ourfelves to be fo, Captain ? 
 
 Kozinski, 
 
 I feek for men who can look death in the face 
 :who can play with danger as with a tamed fnake 
 who prize liberty above life and fame whofe 
 names fpeak comfort *to the opprefs'd, who can 
 appal the bold, and make the tyrant fh udder ! 
 
 Switzer. 
 
 (To the Captain.) I like this fellow. Hear 
 me, good friend ! you have found the men you 
 want. 
 
 Kozinski* 
 
 I think fo, and hope I (hall be anon their fel- 
 low. You can point me out the man I look for,' 
 'tis your Captain, the great Count de Moor. 
 
 Switzer. 
 
 {Gives him his hand cordially.) We are bro- 
 thers, my boy ! 
 
 Moor, 
 
 Would you know this Captain ? 
 
 P 2 Kozinski^
 
 ii6 THE ROBBERS. 
 
 
 
 Kozinski, 
 Thou art he I in thofe features^that air, 
 Who could look at you, and not difcover it ? 
 {Looking earnejily at him for a long time.) It 
 has been long my vvifh to fee that man, whofe 
 countenance fpoke terrors, whole eye could not 
 be borne ; 'twas he who far on the ruins of Car- 
 thage. Now my wifh is fatisfied ! 
 
 'r^ Switzer. 
 
 A fine mettled fellow 1 
 
 Moor. 
 And who fent you to me ? 
 
 Kozi72ski. 
 
 O Captain ! Fate, the cruellell fate ! I have 
 been fhipwreck'd on the ilormy ocean of the 
 world. I have feen my fondeft hopes evaporate 
 in air, and nought remain but the bitter recol- 
 iedion of difappointment 5 a recojiedion that 
 would drive me to madnefs, if I fought not to 
 drown it, in feeding this reftlefs, this impetuous 
 fpirlt with new objects of purfuit. 
 
 Moor. 
 
 ^ere is another of heaven's outcafts. Go on. 
 ^ Kozinski.
 
 THE ROBBERS. 117 
 
 Kozinski. 
 I have been a foldier, and In that ftat'on un- 
 fortunate : I embark'd for the Indies ; my 
 veffel went to pieces in a ftorm ; all my projefts 
 failed : At laflr, I heard of the fame of your great 
 exploits, aflaffinations, as they term them ; " 
 and I have made a journey of forty miles in the 
 firm refolution of offering you my fer vices, if you 
 deign to accept of them. I irffreat you, noble 
 Captain, refufe not my requeft. 
 
 Szuitzer. 
 
 (^Leaping luith joy.) Huzza boys! Roller a- 
 gain, a thoufand times over ! A noble fellow 
 for our troop ! 
 
 Moor. 
 
 What is your name ? 
 
 Kozinski. 
 
 Koziniki. 
 
 Moor. 
 
 What ! Kozinfki ? Let me tell you, you are a 
 light-headed young fellow, and that you are rea- 
 dy to take the.moft decifive ftep of life with 
 no more confideration than a thoughtlefs girl. 
 Here there's no game at bowls, no tennis-play, as 
 
 you may perhaps imagine. 
 
 Kozinski.
 
 ii8 THE ROBBERS. 
 
 Kozinski. 
 
 I underfland you, Sir But you miftake me. 
 *Tis true I am but four-and-twenty but I have 
 fecn the clafliing of fvvords, *and heard the balls 
 whiftle before now. 
 
 Moor. 
 
 Have you fo, young mafter ? And have you 
 learned the ufe of arms for no other purpofe than 
 to kill a poor traveller for a few dollars, or knock 
 down women behind their backs ? Go, go, you 
 have run away from your nurfe, child, who has 
 threaten'd to whip you. 
 
 Sivitzer. 
 
 What the devil, Captain ! What do you mean? 
 Would you difmifs this Hercules, this glorious 
 fellow, whofe very look would fcare Julius Cse- 
 far into a coal-hole ? 
 
 Moor. 
 
 And fo when your wrong-headed fchemes mif- 
 gave, you thought you would go feek for an af- 
 faflin. You would become an afialTm yourfelf. 
 *Sdeath, young man. Do you know what that 
 word means? You may perhaps fleep found, af- 
 ter
 
 THE ROBBERS. 119 
 
 ler beheading a few poppies but to carry a mur- 
 der on your foul 
 
 Kozinski. 
 
 ril anfwer for all the murders that you fhall, 
 give me in charge. 
 
 Moor. 
 
 What! arc you fo clever, then would you 
 take one in by a cajoling fpeech ? How know 
 you whether I may n't have my bad dreams 
 whether I fha*nt flinch when I come to my death- 
 bed? How many things have you done, for 
 which you thought you had to anfwer on account? 
 
 Kozinski, 
 
 Why, truly not much, except this lafl: journey 
 to you, my Noble Count. 
 
 Moor. 
 
 Has your tutor been amufing you with the hif- 
 tory of Robin Hood ? Such fenfelefs fcoundrels 
 fliould be fent to the galleys. And thus you have 
 heated your childifh imagination with the conceit 
 of being a great man. Do you third for fame I 
 for honour ? Would you buy immortality by 
 
 murders ?
 
 I20 THE ROBBERS. 
 
 murders ? Mark, me well, young man ! no lau- 
 rel fprings for the afTaffin no triumph waits the 
 victories of the robber but curfes, dangers, 
 death, difgrace ! Seed thou yon gibbet on the 
 fide of the hill ? 
 
 Spiegelbeig. 
 
 (^IValk'mg about in a huff.) What an afs I 
 blockhead ; abominable, flupid afs ! Is that the 
 way ? I would have fet about it in another man- 
 ner. 
 
 Kozinski. 
 
 What fliall he fear, who does not fear death ? 
 
 Moor. 
 
 Bravo ! well faid ! you have been a clever youth 
 at fchool you have got your Seneca by heart 
 moft perfectly. But, my good friend, with thofc 
 fine fentences you will not lull to fleep the fufFer- 
 ings of nature they will avail you nought againff 
 the fharp tooth of anguifli. Think well, young 
 man, {Jic takes him by the Jiand,) think on the 
 flep you are going to take 1 advife you as a pa- 
 rent found firfl the depth of the* precipice, be- 
 fore you dare to leap it. If in this world you can 
 yet catch at a fmgle glimpfe of joy there may.. 
 
 be
 
 THE ROBBERS. 121 
 
 be moments when you would awake and then 
 it might be too late. Here thou withdraw'fl thy- 
 
 felf at once from the circle of humanity. Man 
 thou muft be, or devil. Once more then, my 
 fon, let me intreat if one fpark of hope lurks in 
 your bofom, fly this dreadful affociation. You may 
 deceive yourfelf, impofe on your own mind and 
 take perhaps for fire, for fpirit, what in the end 
 is defpair. Take my counfel retreat fly, 
 while it is yet time. 
 
 Kozinski, 
 
 No ! never will I fly. If you refufe my en- 
 treaty, hear at lead the ftory of my misfortunes. 
 Yourfelf will then put a dagger into my hand 
 you will. But fit down here a moment, and 
 liftea to me with attention. 
 
 Moor, 
 ril hear you. 
 
 Kozinski, 
 
 Know, then, I am a gentleman of Bohemia. 
 By the fudden death of my father, I became maf- 
 ter of a confiderablc cftate. In the neighbour- 
 hood a paradife to me, there dwelt an angel a 
 ydung lady, beautiful beyond expreflion -^and 
 
 Q chaito
 
 122 THE ROBBERS. 
 
 cbafle as the light of heaven. But why fpeak 
 thus to you, who cannot comprehend me You 
 never laved ! you never were beloved ! 
 
 Sioitzer. 
 Softly, foftly ! How our Captain reddens i 
 
 MOOT^ 
 
 Have done ! I'll hear you another time to- 
 morrow another time when 1 hav-c feen blood ! 
 
 Kozinski. 
 
 Blood, blood? Only hear me, Sir! youir 
 foul fliall be fatiated with blood. ; She was of 
 plebeian birth, a German but fuch her air and 
 look as to difpel thofe mean prejudices. With 
 fwect refcrve, and the mofl amiable modefty, fhe 
 had accepted a ring from my hand, as a pledge 
 of the fiiicerity of my vows, and the next day I 
 was to have led my Amelia to the altar ! (Moor 
 rifes up.) While in this (late of rapturous blifs, 
 and in the midft of the preparations for our nup- 
 tials, I was called to court by an exprefs order. . 
 I went They produced letters to me of the mod 
 treafonable nature, which it was alledged I had 
 written. I blufhed at the bafenefs of the attempt. 
 My fvvord was inftantly taken from me, and I 
 
 was
 
 THE ROBBERS. 123 
 
 ^)7as hurried to a dungeon, where for fome time 
 my fenfcs entirely forfook me. 
 
 Siuitzer, 
 And notwithftanding Well, go on. I fee 
 what muft follow * . 
 
 Kozmski. 
 
 Here I remained a tedious month, and knew 
 not the extent of my misfortune. I fufFered tlie 
 mod extreme anxiety for my Amelia, to whom 
 I knew that my imprifonmcnt would give the 
 deepeft afflidion. At length I had a vifit from 
 the firft minifter, who was pleafed to congratulate 
 me on the full proof of my innocence, and, with 
 many flattering compliments, he read me the war- 
 rant for my releafe, and gave me back my fvvord. 
 I flew in triunjph to my country-feat, to clafp my 
 lov*d Amelia in my arms She was gone (lie had 
 been carried off in the middle of the night, and 
 none could tell where no creature had feen, or 
 could give any account of her. This was a thun- 
 derftroke I flew to town made enquiry at 
 
 court. Every body's eyes were fixed upon mcHHt 
 
 i 
 
 Germ. Ich rieche dm Iraten Jchon. I fmell the roaft 
 ^already. 
 
 q_2 ' '""' but
 
 124 THE ROBBERS. 
 
 but none could give me the lead intelligence. -At 
 laft, through a grated window of the palace, I dif- 
 covered my Amelia flie contrived to throw me 
 a letter 
 
 Switzer, 
 Did n*t I fay fo ? 
 
 Kozmski. 
 
 Death and fire ! Thus ftood the cafe 'Twas 
 given her in choice, either to fee her lover die, 
 or to become the Prince's miftrefs. She decided 
 the contefl between love and honour, {fmiling), 
 by faving me ! 
 
 S^vitzer. 
 Well what did you do then ? 
 
 Kozinski. 
 
 I remained fix'd to the fpot, as if I had been 
 ftruck with lightning. Blood was my firfl: 
 thought ! blood my laft ! I foam-d at the mouth, 
 like a tyger feizing a three-edged fword, I ran 
 furioufly to the palace of the minifter he had 
 been the infamous pander. They had perceived 
 me while in the ftreet j for, when I got in, I found 
 
 all
 
 THE ROBBERS. 125 
 
 all the apartments locked^ In anfwer to my eager 
 enquiries, I was told he was gone to wait on the 
 Prince. ^Thither I flew direftly he was not to be 
 found. I returned once more to his houfe, forc'd 
 open the door of his apartment, and there found 
 the bafe wretch ^but at the very moment five or 
 fix of his domeftics befet me at once, and took 
 my fword from me. 
 
 Switzer. , 
 
 {Stamps with his feet,) And was nothing 
 done to the wretch ? no vengeance ? 
 
 Kozinski 
 
 I was immediately thrown in irons brought to 
 trial condemn'd and mark me now by a fm- 
 gular exertion of lenity ^banifh'd as a malefador 
 from the Prince's dominions for ever my whole 
 fortune confifcated to the minifter. Amelia, poor 
 Amelia, remains as a lamb within the tyger*s 
 grafp, and 1 muft bend fubmiffive to the yoke 
 of defpotifm. 
 
 Switzer, 
 {Ri/es, and whets his fword*) Captain ! this 
 
 is
 
 126 THE ROBBERS. 
 
 is fomething to work upon this mull fet us a* 
 going* 
 
 Moar, 
 
 {JVho had been tualking about in great agi- 
 tation,/iops all at once.') \ mufl: fee her come 
 along rife there. Kozinfki, thou remain'ft with 
 us. (^ick prepare to fet out this moment ! 
 
 The Robbers, 
 "Where ? What now ? 
 
 Moor, 
 
 Where! Who is it that afks where? (To 
 Szvitzer.) Traitor, 1 know you want to fteep 
 me back. But, by the hope of heaven ! if 
 
 Stvitzer, 
 
 Traitor! I a traitor? Lead on to hell, and Til 
 follow you ! 
 
 Moor. 
 {Falls on his neck.) Yes, brother ! I know you 
 
 Germ. Das iji fwajfer aus unjere viuhk. This Is wa- 
 ter to our mills. 
 
 wiU.
 
 THE ROBBERS. 
 
 127 
 
 will. She fufFers in anguifh and defpair that is 
 enough Come, my brave boys I Courage Po 
 Franconia we go ! there we muft be within eight 
 days. (txeunU 
 
 END OF ACT THIRD. 
 
 ACT
 
 128 THE ROBBERS. 
 
 ACT IV. 
 
 SCENE, A Gallery in the Cajlle of Moor. 
 
 Charles de Moor in difguife^ under the name 
 of Count de Braund, and Amelia looking at a 
 picture in the apartment.^ the habit of a nun 
 %. Jying on the table. 
 
 Moor, 
 {ff^ith emotion.) He was a moft excellent man ! 
 
 Amelia. 
 
 You appear, Sir, to take a great intereft in that 
 picture. 
 
 Moor. 
 (^Still looking earnejily at the pidiure.) A 
 moll excellent a moft worthy man ! And is 
 he now no more ? 
 
 Amelia
 
 THE ROBBERS. 129 
 
 Amelia, 
 
 No more. Thus every joy of life muft yanifh. 
 "{Takes his hand affectionately,^ Count ! All 
 fublunary blifs is vain ! 
 
 Moor* 
 
 'Tis even fo ! moft true ! Can you have pro* 
 ved that truth already ? you, who fcarcely yet 
 have feen your twentieth year ? 
 
 ^metia. 
 
 Yes, I have proved it ! We are called into life, 
 only to die in forrow. We gain a little, that we 
 may lofe it with tears ; we engage our hearts 
 only that thofe hearts may break ! -^ 
 
 Moor, 
 What ! have you already loft fo much ? 
 
 Amelia. 
 Nothing ! all ! ^nothing ! 
 
 Moor. 
 
 And would you learn forgetfulncfs in that holy 
 garb that lies there ? 
 
 R Amelia,
 
 130 THE ROBBERS. 
 
 Amelia. 
 
 To-morrow I hope to do fo. Shall we con- 
 
 tinuc our walk. Sir? 
 
 Moor, 
 So foon ? Whofe pifture is that on the right 
 hand? He has, methinks, a countenance that 
 befpeaks misfortune. 
 
 u^tnelia. 
 The pi^Vure on the left is the Count's fon he 
 who is now mafter here. 
 
 Moor. 
 His only fon ? 
 
 Amelia, 
 Come, come away 
 
 Moor, 
 But whofe is that pidure on the right hand ? 
 
 u4melia. 
 Won't you walk into the garden ? Come - 
 
 Moor, 
 But that picture on the right hand ? -You 
 are in tears, Amelia ? 
 
 {Amelia goes out -with precipitation,) 
 
 Moor
 
 THE ROBBERS. 131 
 
 Moor alone. 
 
 She loves me I loves me ftill I Her tears be- 
 tray her ! Yes, flie loves me ! Oh heavens i Is 
 
 that the couch on which we fo off have fat wiicre 
 I have hung in rapture on her neck ? Are theft: 
 my father's halls ? O days of blifs for ever pall I 
 for ever ! Ah ! How the dear remembrance of 
 thofe days fhoots through my foul, like the firfl 
 burft of fpring ! O wretch ! here fliould have 
 been thy happy refidence here (houldft thou have 
 pafs'd thy days honoured, refpeded, loved-^. 
 here fhouldil thou have feen the years of thy biefl 
 infancy revive in the blooming oft'spring of thy 
 Amelia here received the willing homage of thy 
 happy dependants. No more ! I muft return- 
 return to mifery 1 Farewel, dear manfion ! my 
 father's houfe ! fcenes that liave feen me in my 
 years of childhood, when my free bofoni bejy: with 
 rapture that have feen me this day miferable in 
 defpair! {IValks tcnvards the door, and then 
 Jiiddenlyjiops.) Shall I never behold her more? 
 not for a laft adieu i no more kifs thofe dear 
 lips ! ^Yes, 1 will fee her once more once more 
 enfold her in my arms were I to die for it. I 
 muft have one greedy draught of the poifoi; of 
 R 2 delight.
 
 132 'THE ROBBERS. 
 
 delight and then I go as far as ocean and de- 
 fpair fhall bear me ! {Exit, 
 
 SCENE, J Chamber hi the Cajlle. 
 
 Francis de Moor. 
 
 {In a deep reverie.) Begone, thou horrible 
 image ! begone ! What a coward 1 am ! What 
 art thou afraid of ? Whom ? Does not this 
 Count, this flranger, feem a fpy of hell, to dog 
 me at the heels ? Methinks I fliould know him. 
 There is fomething great lomething, methinks, 
 that I have feen before in thole wild and fun- 
 burnt features : ^Something that makes me trem- 
 ble ! {^He zvalks abcut for Jouie timcy and then 
 
 tings the bell.) Who's there I Francis, take 
 
 care I fomething lurks there for thy perdition I 
 
 Enter Daniel. 
 
 Daniel. 
 What are your commands. Sir ? 
 
 Francis. 
 
 {Looking Jiedfajily at him for a conjiderahle 
 
 time*')
 
 THE ROBBERS. 133 
 
 time.) Nothing. Begone ! Fill me fome wine 
 there but quick. ' 
 
 (Exit Daniel. 
 
 Fra7icis. 
 No matter the rafcal will confefs all, if I put 
 him to the torture. I'll penetrate him with a look 
 fo dreadful, that his confcience (hall betray him. 
 (Hejiops before a portrait of Charles, and exa- 
 mines it,) That long crane's neck ! thofe dark, 
 lowering eye- brows ! that eye that fhoots fire ! 
 {Shuddering.) All-blafting hell ! is it thy prc- 
 fentiment ? 'Tis he 1 it muft be Charles himfelf 1 
 
 Ejiter Daniel, with a cup of wine. 
 
 Put it down there. ^Look at me ftedfaftly ! 
 What, your knees are fhaking ! you tremble ! 
 confefs. Sir ! What have you done ? 
 
 DanieL 
 Nothing as I hope for mercy ! 
 
 Francis. 
 
 Drink that wine off. What, do you hefitate ? 
 Speak ! quick ! What have you put jn that 
 wine ? 
 
 DanieL
 
 134 THE ROBBERS. 
 
 Daniel. 
 So help me, God I nothing 
 
 Francis, 
 
 You have put poifon in the wine ! Are you 
 not as pale as afhes? Confefs, wretch, confefs ! 
 Who gave it you ? Was it not the Count 
 the Count who gave it you ? 
 
 Daniel. 
 
 The Count ! Almighty God ! the Count has 
 given me nothing ! 
 
 Francis, 
 
 {Taking Jwld of him.) V\\ gripe you black in 
 the face, Uar ! old hoary traitor ! Nothing ? 
 Why then were you fo often together ? you and 
 he and Amelia? What were you whifpering 
 of? Have I not feen her bold, her fhamelefs 
 glances at him ? Ihe who aiFeded fuch a modefl 
 air 1 Did I not obferve her, when by ftealth fhe 
 droppM a tear into his wine and how he fwal- 
 lowed it with fuch avidity ? 1 perceived it in the 
 glafs I faw it with thefe eyes I faw it. 
 
 Daniel*
 
 THE ROBBERS. 135 
 
 Daniel, 
 
 God knows ! I know not a fmglc fyllablc of all 
 that. 
 
 Francis. 
 
 Will you deny it ? give me the lie to my face? 
 What plots, what machinations, have you devifed 
 to get rid of me ? To fmother me in my fleep ? 
 to cut my throat ? to poifon me in my drink- 
 drug my meals ? Confefs it, wretch I-r-confefs 
 it this inftant ! I know it all. 
 
 Daniel. 
 
 As the living God (hall fave me nothing have 
 I faid but the truth ! 
 
 Francis, 
 
 Well ! This once I forgive you But I know he 
 has given you money.- Did not ^e fqueeze your 
 hand ? Yes, harder than ufual like an old ac- 
 quaintance ? V 
 
 Daniel, 
 Never, indeed, Sir ! 
 
 Francis. 
 
 For example did n*t he fay that he knew you 
 well that perhaps you might know him that 
 
 one
 
 IS6 THE ROBBERS. 
 
 one day you might difcovcr How ? did n't he fay 
 fomething of that kind ? 
 
 Daniel. 
 Not a word of it, Sir. 
 
 Francis. 
 That he would be revenged? horribly revenged ? 
 
 Daniel. 
 Not a fyllable! 
 
 Francis. 
 
 What! Not a fyllable ? Recoiled yourfelf. 
 Have you forgot that he faid he knew your late 
 mafter well very particularly well that he loved 
 him much ^loved him as a fon Iqves a father ? 
 
 Daniel. 
 
 I do remember I think I heard him fay 
 fomething of that kind. 
 
 Fra77cis. 
 
 (^^larm*d.) Did he fay it ? fay thofe words ? 
 did he fay he was my brother ? 
 
 Da72ieU
 
 THE ROBBERS. 137 
 
 Daniel. 
 
 No, he did not fay that. But when Mifs Ame- 
 lia was walking with him in the gallery I was 
 Jiftening at the door he ftopp'd before my late 
 maftcr's pidure, as if he had been thunderftruck 
 and Mifs Amelia pointed to the pi6hire, and faid 
 He was an excellent man Yes, faid he, *' moft 
 " excellent j" and he wiped his eyes when he faid it, 
 
 Francis, 
 
 Go ! quick ! Call Herman hither ! 
 
 {Exit Daniel. 
 
 'Tis clear as day ! ^*T!S Charles ! ^He will now 
 come, and imperioufly afk Where is my inhe- 
 ritance ? And is it for this that I have loft roy 
 
 fleep moved heaven and earth for this ! ftifled the 
 cries of nature in my breaft and now when the 
 reward (hould come this vagabond, this beggar, 
 fteps between, and with his horrid hand t^ars all 
 this fine fpun web. Softly *Tis but a ftep mi 
 eafy one a little murder I None but a driveller 
 would leave his work imperfed Or idly look on 
 fill time Ihould finifli it. 
 
 Enter Herman, 
 
 S Francis*
 
 138 THE ROBBERS. 
 
 Francis* 
 Ha ! Welcome, my Eurypylus my prompt-, 
 my adlive inftrument ! 
 
 Henyian* 
 
 i^Jbru-ptly^ and ivith rudenefs.') What did you 
 want with me, Count ? 
 
 Francis. 
 
 That you fhould give the finifliing ftroke to your 
 work put the feal to it 
 
 Herman. 
 
 Really ? 
 
 Francis. 
 
 Give the picture the lafl: touch. 
 
 Herman. 
 
 Poh! 
 
 Francis. 
 
 Shall I call the carriage 1 we'll tall^ over 
 that at our airing ? 
 
 Herman. 
 
 Lefs ceremony, Sir, if you plcafe. All the bu- 
 finefs that you and I have to fettle to-day, may 
 
 be
 
 THE ROBBERS. 139 
 
 be done within the four walls of this apartment. 
 Mean time, a word or two with you by way of 
 preface, which may perhaps fave your breath 
 in our after-communing. 
 
 Francis, 
 
 (Refervedly.) Hm ! And what may thofc 
 words be ? 
 
 Herman. 
 (^fVith a malignant tone of irony.) *' Thou 
 " (halt have Amelia, 1 fay and from my hand,'* 
 
 Francis. 
 i^fVith ajionijl^ment.) Herman ! 
 
 Herman, 
 
 (In the fame tone oj irony, and turning his 
 back upon him.) " Amdia has loft every fup- 
 " port, and is the play-thing of my will. Then 
 '* you may eafily guefs what follows in Ihort all 
 *' goes to a wifh." (^IVith an indignant laugh, 
 and then haughtily to Francis.) Now Count 
 de Moor, what have you to fay to me I 
 
 Frajjcis. 
 
 {Evafively.) To you ? nothing I had fome- 
 thing to fay to Herman. 
 
 S 2 Herman^
 
 140 THE ROBBERS. 
 
 Herman, 
 A truce with fliuffling Why was I fent for 
 hither ? Was it to be a fecond tiip.e your fool ? 
 To hold the ladder for a thief to mount to fell 
 my foul, to catch a hangman's fee ? What elfe 
 did you want with me ? 
 
 Francis, 
 
 Ha! by the way, (asifrecolkdhig,') we mufi: 
 not forget the main point Did not my valet de 
 chambre mention it to you I wanted to talk with 
 you about the dowry ? 
 
 Herman, 
 
 Sir, this is bantering or worfe. Moor, take 
 care of yourfelf beware how you kindle my fu- 
 ry. Moor, we are here alone my name is at 
 flake againfl: yours. Trull not the devil, though 
 you have raifcd him yourfelf. 
 
 Francis, 
 
 {^ffeding a haughty air.) Is it thus. Sir, 
 you fpeak to your mailer ? Tremble, flave ! 
 
 Herman. 
 (^Ironically.) For fear of lofmg your favour ? 
 a mighty lofs to one who is at war with himfelf. 
 
 Moor,
 
 THE ROBBERS. 141 
 
 Moor, I abhor you for a villain don*t make 
 me laugh at you for a fool too I can open tombs! 
 and raife the dead to life ! Which of us two is 
 no%u the flavc ? 
 
 Francis. 
 
 (^Smoothly.^ Come, good friend, be politic- 
 fhow yourfelf a man of fenfe don't be falfe to 
 your word. 
 
 Herman, 
 
 To deteft a wretch like you is the befl policy 
 to keep faith with you would be an utter want of 
 fenfe. Faith with whom ? with the father of lies 
 the arch-impoftor ! Oh ! fuch faith makes mc 
 fhudder ! Treafon is virtue here and perfidy a 
 faint-like quality. But flay a little patience 1 
 vengeance is cunning. 
 
 Francis. 
 
 Oh ! by the by ^what a fool I was to forget 1 
 Did n't you lofe a purfc lately in this room ? a 
 hundred louis was n't it ? Hah ! I had almoft 
 forgot that. Here, my good friend, take what's 
 your own. {Offers him apurje,) 
 
 Herman, 
 
 {Throws it from him with contempt.) Curfe 
 00 your Judas bribe the earneft of damnation ! 
 
 You 
 
 y^
 
 142 THE ROBBERS. 
 
 You thought to make my poverty a pander to 
 my confcience ! But there you are foil'd. Sir, 
 thrown out entirely. Another purfe of gold you 
 know of may help to maintain certain folks to 
 furnifh fuftenance for 
 
 Francis. 
 
 (ff^itha countenance exprejjive of fear. ^ 
 
 Herman, Herman ! don't make me think you a 
 
 .traitor. Were you to make any other ufe of that 
 
 money than you ought to do you were the vilefl 
 
 of traitors. 
 
 Herman. 
 
 (Triumphantly-) Ay truly ! fay you fo ? then 
 know. Count Moor I will enhance your lliame 
 double your mefs of infamy I will prepare a 
 banquet for you, where the whole world fhall be 
 the guefts ! You underfland me now. Sir my 
 mofl revered, mod gracious mailer ! 
 
 Francis, 
 
 (^uite difconcerted.) Ha ! devil ! Curft im- 
 poflor ! (Striking his forehead.') Beaft that I 
 was, to flake my fortune on a fool's caprice 1 
 'Twas brutilh ! 
 
 Herman,
 
 THE ROBBERS. 143 
 
 Herman* 
 Whew ! O *twas fhrewd 'twas cunning ! 
 
 Francis. 
 
 (^Biting his lip,) Moft true and ever will be 
 true there is no thread fo feebly fpun, as that 
 which weaves the bands of guilt 1 
 
 Herman. 
 
 Ha! what now? are angels now degraded, and 
 the devils turn'd moralifts ? 
 
 Francis. 
 
 (^Starts off abruptly^ and with a malignant 
 fmile.) And certain folks will have much ho" 
 nour to be fure in their condut. 
 
 Herman. 
 
 (Clapping his hands.") Bravo ! inimitable ! 
 You play your part to admiration You draw the 
 poor fool into the fnare then wo be on his head, 
 if he attempts to efcape O cunning fiend I And 
 yet, {Clapping him on the poiddcr.) Sir Count ! 
 You have not got your leiTon yet quite perfeft. 
 By heavens, you mufl firft know how far the lo- 
 fmg gamefler will venture. Set fire to the pow- 
 
 4cf-
 
 144 THE ROBBERS. 
 
 dcr-room, fays the pirate, and blow all to hell 
 both friend and foe ! 
 
 Francis. 
 
 {Goes to take down a piftol from the watt.') 
 Here's treafon deliberate 
 
 Herman. 
 
 {Draws out a large piffol from his pockety 
 and takes an aim.) Don't give yourfelf fo much 
 trouble One's prepar'd for all events with you. 
 
 Francis. 
 
 {Lets jail his pifiol^ and throws himfelf back 
 in a chair in great confufionC) Keep my fecret 
 at lead till I colled my thoughts, 
 
 Herman. 
 
 Yes- till you have hired a dozen aflaflins to 
 feal my mouth for ever. But heark'ee, {in his 
 ear^ the fecret is contained in a certain paper 
 which my heirs will open. 
 
 {Exit. 
 
 Francis* 
 
 {Alone.) What was that, Francis I Where 
 was your courage ? Your prefencc of mind, that 
 
 us'd
 
 THE ROBBERS. 145 
 
 usM to be fo prompt ? Betray'd by my own in- 
 ftruments ! The props of my good luck begin to 
 totter the mound is broken and all will fpee- 
 dily give way to the enemy. Now for a quick re- 
 
 folve But how ? but what ? If I durft but do it 
 
 to come behind and ftab him! Durfl ! a wound- 
 ed man's a child I'll do it. {Stalks backzoards and 
 forwards, and then flops as if hefitating from 
 fear.') Who's that behind me ? {Rolling his eyes.) 
 What figures are thefe what founds yet I think 
 I have courage courage ! yes But if my fhadow 
 fhould difcover me while I flruck him or a glafs 
 or the whizzing of my arm. Ugh ! How my hair 
 briftles ! {He lets fall a poniard fromimder his 
 clothes.) ^No, I am no coward tender-hearted 
 only-^ yes, that is it. Thefe are virtue's ftruggles 
 I honour this feeling To kill my brother with 
 my own hand ! No, that were monftrous ! No, no, 
 no : Let me cherifh this veftige of humanityI 
 will not murder Nature, thou haft conqucr'd 
 There's fomething here that feels like tender-* 
 nefs--Yes, he fhall live. 
 
 {Exit* 
 
 SCENE,
 
 i^ THE ROBBERS. 
 
 SCENE, // Garden, 
 
 Amelia alone, fitt:j?g in an arbour^ tvhtre fe^ 
 vera I covet'' d walks are feen to centre. 
 
 ^jmelia. 
 " You are in tears, Amelia '/' Thefe were 
 his words and fpoken with that expreffion. 
 Oh it fumiRoned up a thoufand dear remembran- 
 ces fcenes of palfc delight as in my days of hap- 
 pinefs my golden fpring of love Hark! 'tis the 
 ^nightingale ! O fuch was thy fong, fweet bird, in 
 thofe^bled: days fo bloom'd the flowers and then 
 I lay enraptured on his neck. Sure, if the fpirits 
 of the dead hover around the living, this ftranger 
 is the angel of my Charles. O falfe and faithlefs 
 heart ! and doll thou feek thus artfully to veil thy 
 perfidy? No, no begone for ever from this 
 breaftj the weak, the impious wilh. Here, in. this 
 heart, where Charles lies buried, fhall never hu- 
 man being fill his place. And yet this ftranger, 
 this unknown 'tis wonderful my thoughts fhould 
 dwell thus fi:rong, thus conftantly upon him as 
 'twere my Charles's pidure his features feem to 
 melt into the very image of my only love! 
 
 You
 
 THE ROBBERS. 147 
 
 <( 
 
 You are in tears, Amelia !'* Ha ! let me fly I 
 To morrow I am a faint {Rijes up.) A faint I 
 Poor heart ! O what a word was' that ? how 
 fwect to this ear was once that word ^but now 
 now () heart, thou haft betrayed me. I believed 
 thee vanquifh'd, and thought it fortitude alas 1 
 'twas but defpair ! (^She Jits dozon 172 tlie ar- 
 bour^ and covers her face with her hands.) 
 
 Enter Herman /ir^wi one oj the covered tualks. 
 
 Herman, 
 {To him/elf.) Now let the tempeft rage, the' 
 it fhouid fuik me to the bottom * ! (^Sees u4me^ 
 lia.) Mifs Amelia, Mifs Amelia ! 
 
 Amelia, 
 Pla ! a fpy ! What feek you. here f 
 
 Herman. 
 
 I bring you news fweet, pleafant horrible 
 news. If you are difpofed to forgive, you fliall 
 hear wonders. 
 
 * Germ. UndfoUt er m'tr auch his an die gurgel fcbnud'. 
 kn. Though it fhould fwell up to my throat. , 
 
 
 
 T 2 ' j^melia.
 
 148 THE ROBBERS. 
 
 Amelia, 
 
 I have nothing to forgive. Let me be fparcd 
 your news. 
 
 Herman. 
 Do you not mourn a lover I 
 
 Amelia. 
 
 iJVLeaf living him with a long look.') Child of 
 ill-luck, what right have you to aik that queftion? 
 
 Herman* 
 The right of hate of love 
 
 Amelia, 
 Can there be love beneath a garb like that ? 
 
 Herman, 
 
 Ay, even to make a man a villain ! Had you 
 not an uncle vi^ho died lately ? 
 
 Amelia, 
 {fVith tendernefs.) A father ! 
 
 Herman, 
 They are alive ! (^Exit ivith precipitation.') 
 
 Amelia*
 
 THE ROBBERS. 149 
 
 Amelia, 
 My Charles alive ! {Running out^ half fran- 
 tic^ after Herman^ jhe meets Charles de Moor, 
 who is entering by one of the lualks.") 
 
 Moor, 
 
 Whither do you run, my child thus wild, 
 thus frantic ? 
 
 Amelia, 
 Eajth, fwallow me up ! That man ! 
 
 Moor, 
 
 I came to bid you adieu. But, oh heavens ! 
 to meet you thus 1 
 
 Atnelia, 
 
 Go, Count 1 Farewel ! Yet flay how hap- 
 py had I been had you not come at this moment ! 
 O had you never come ! 
 
 Moor. 
 
 You had been happy then ? Farewel for ever ! 
 
 (/f going out,") 
 
 'Amelia, 
 
 Stay for heaven's fake, flay ! I meant not fo 
 O God, why did I not mean fo ? Tell mc. 
 
 Count
 
 156 THE ROBBERS. 
 
 Count what have I done that makes me feem 
 thus guilty to myfelf : 
 
 Moor. 
 Thofe words are death to me ! 
 
 My heart was fo pure before my eyes beheld 
 ypu. But now oh were they ihut for ever 
 they have corrupted, poifoned all my heart ! 
 
 Moor. 
 On me, me only be the curfe : thy eyes, thy 
 heart, are guiltlefs, pure as angels 
 
 Amelia. 
 
 There was his look ! quite him ! O Count, I 
 entreat turn not on me thofe looks. O fpare 
 me ! fpare me thofe looks, that ftir rebellion in 
 my breaft.' O traitor Fancy, that paint*fl him 
 to my mind in every glance. Begone, Sir or 
 take a crocodile's foul form, and you will pleafc 
 me more. 
 
 Moor. 
 
 [fVith a look exprejjivc of the mofi pajjionatc 
 affeCiioru) Young woman, that is falfe !
 
 THE ROBBERS. in ^ 
 
 I' 
 
 Amelia. ^^ ' 
 
 (TcririerJy.') And if you (liould be fatthlefs ;^.,^ 
 if you (houM feek to ruin, to betray this weak, \'-| 
 this woman's heart. But how can falfehood dwell ^ 
 in eyes that look like his that feem his own re- { 
 flefted ? And yet, O better it were fo and thoiL^^' 
 wert falfe, that I might hate thee ! And yet niorc^ 
 wretched flill, fliould I not love thee! {Moor 
 prejjes her hand to his lips zvith ardour.") Thy L 
 kiflcs burn like fire. 
 
 Moor, 
 
 'Tis my foul that burns in them 
 
 Amelia, 
 
 Go! leave me while it is not too late. There 
 is fortitude in a man*s bofom. Show that thou 
 haft that ftrength of mind, and fliare it with liie ! 
 
 Moor* 
 Can he fliow fortitude who fees thee tremble? 
 No, here I fix me faft. (^Embraces her, and lays 
 his head on her bofomS) Here I will die ! 
 
 ^mtlia. 
 
 (^In great confufion.') Away ! leave me ! What 
 have you done? Away with thofe lips. {She 
 
 firugglei,^
 
 152 THE ROBBERS. 
 
 Jiruggles with a faint endeavour.^ An impious 
 fire burns in my veins. (Tenderly^ and drown' d 
 in tears.) And didfl: thou come from the utter- 
 mod verge of earth to extinguifli in this heart its 
 holy flame that love which had defied even death ? 
 (^She prejfes him clofer to her bojom,') God for- 
 give you, young man !. 
 
 Moor. 
 
 (^In Amelia^ s arms.) Oh, if to die to part the 
 foul and body, be thus fweet 'tis heaven to die ! * 
 
 Amelia. 
 
 (^IVith rapturous tendernejs.) There where 
 thou art, has be been a thoufand times and 
 1, when thus I held him, forgot there was a heaven 
 or earth. Here his delighted eye rang'd over Na- 
 ture's beauties, and felt her power with rapture. 
 Here with enthufiafm he faw, he owned the all- 
 pervading energy of the univerfal Parent ; and his 
 noble countenance, illuminated with the great idea, 
 acquired, methought, hew beauty. Here heard 
 the nightingale his voice more heavenly than her 
 own. ^Here from this rofe-tree he pull'd frefh ro- 
 
 Germ. So ifi Jlcrhtn das 7ne:JlerJlnck des lehens. To 
 die is the mafterpiece of esiftence.
 
 THE ROBBERS. 153 
 
 fes ^for nie. *Twas here, oh here, he held me 
 to his heart and prefs'd his burning lips to mine. 
 {They give way to their emotiotis without con- 
 troul, and mingle their kij/es.) O Charles ! now 
 ftrike me dead 1 My vows are broken ! 
 
 p 
 
 Moor. 
 
 (Tearing him/elf from her, as if in frenzy,) 
 Can this be hell that fnares me ? (Gazing on 
 her,) I am happy I 
 
 Amelia, 
 
 (Perceiving the ring upon her finger.) Art 
 thou there, on that guilty hand ? Witnefs of my 
 perjury Away with you ! (She pulls the ring 
 from her finger, and gives it to Moor,) Take 
 it, too dear feducer'l and with it what I hold mod 
 facred Oh, take my all my Charles ! (She 
 falls back upon the feat.) 
 
 Moor, 
 
 (Turns pale.) O thou Mofl: High ! Was this 
 thy almighty will ? It is the ring I gave her pledgee 
 
 of our mutual faith. Hell, be the grave of love I 
 
 She gave me back my ring ! 
 
 U JmeHa,
 
 154 THE ROBBERS. 
 
 (Terrified.') Heavens ! What is the matter 
 Your eyes roll wildly and your lips are deadly 
 pale ! O wretch ! and is the pleafurc of thy 
 crime fo fhort ? 
 
 Moor, 
 
 (Commanding himfclf,) Nothing tis nothing. 
 (Throtving up his eyes to heaven.) I am flill a 
 man. {He takes off his own ringy and puts it 
 oyi ^'melia's finger.) Take this ! delightful 
 fiend ! And with it what I hold moft facred, take 
 my all, my Emily 1 
 
 Amelia, 
 (^Starting up.) Your Emily ! 
 
 Moor. 
 
 O (he was fo dear to my heart ! fo true, fo faith- 
 ful even as angels true When we parted, we 
 exchanged our rings, and vowed eternal conflan- 
 cy. She heard that I was dead believed it and 
 was condant to the dead. She heard I was alive 
 and was faithlefs to the living. I flew into her 
 arms was happy as the bleft in paradile. -Think 
 what a thunderflroke, Amelia ! She gave me- 
 
 baek my ring flie took her own. 
 
 u^melia.
 
 THE ROBBERS. 155 
 
 Amelia, 
 
 (^Looking on the ground with afionifljment.) 
 'Tis ftrange, mofi ftrange ! moft horrible ! 
 
 Mooi\ 
 
 Ay, ftrange and horrible ! Ay, my good girl. 
 Oh, much there is to know, much, much to learn, 
 c*er this poor intellect can fcan His nature, who 
 fmiles at human oaths, and weeps at man*s fond 
 projects. O but my Emily is a lucklefs maid, un- 
 fortunate 1 
 
 y^ntelia. 
 Unfortunate 1 Yes, fmce Ihe rcjeded you. 
 
 Moor. 
 
 Unfortunate. She kifs'd the man fhe had be- 
 tray 'd. 
 
 Amelia, 
 
 (^fVith melancholy tendcrnefs.) O then flie 
 is indeed unfortunate ! From my foul I pity her 
 O I could love her with a fifter's love. But there 
 is a better world than this. 
 
 Moor, 
 
 Yes, where all eyes arc opened! and where 
 U 2 love
 
 156 THE ROBBERS. 
 
 love looks back with horror. ^That world is call- 
 ed Eternity. Yes, yes, my Emily was a 
 lucklefs maid ! O mofl unfortunate 
 
 Amelia* 
 
 Are all unfortunate and lucklefs whofe name 
 is Emily? 
 
 Moor. 
 
 Yes, all ^Yes, when they think they prcfs an an- 
 gel to their heart, and grafp a murderer!- ^Un- 
 fortunate indeed, my Emily ! 
 
 Amelia. 
 
 (JVith an exprejjion of deep affliction.') O 
 I mull weep for her ! 
 
 Moor. 
 
 (7'aking her hand, and fiewing her the 
 ring.) Weep for thyfelf. 
 
 Amelia. 
 
 (Kno-wijig the ring.) Charles ! Charles ! O 
 heaven and earth ! 
 
 {She faints. Thefcene clofes.) 
 
 SCENE,
 
 THE ROBBERS. 157 
 
 SCENE, A Foreft feen by Moonlight, In one 
 part of the Scene a Ruined Tower, 
 
 The band of Robbers Jleeping on the ground, 
 Spiegelberg and Razman come forward in dif- ' 
 eourfe, 
 
 Razman, 
 
 The night is far advanced and the Captain 
 Hot come yet. 
 
 Spiegelberg, 
 
 Harkce, Razman, I have a word for you in con- 
 fidence. Captain, did you fay? Who made him 
 our Captain ? or rather has he not ufurped that ti- 
 tle, which by right was mine ? What ! Is it for 
 this we have fet our hves on the cafl of a die ? ^Is 
 it for this we have expofed ourfelves to Fortune's 
 fpleen, have fcorned difgrace and infamy ? 
 What ! to be the daftard bondfmen of a flave? We 
 flaves, who fhould be princes ! -By heavens, Raz- 
 man, 1 ne'er could brook it. 
 
 Razman,
 
 158 THE ROBBERS. 
 
 Razman. 
 Nor I, by Jupiter ! But where's the remedy ? 
 
 Spiegelberg. 
 
 The remedy ? Are you one of thofe flaves, and 
 alk that queftion? Razman! If you are the 
 man 1 always took you for Look'ee, they 
 have obferved his abfence nay, they almofl: give 
 him up for loft. Razman, methinks I hear his 
 knell What ! does not your heart bound at the 
 thought ? the thought of liberty, my boy i Do you 
 want courage for the bufmefs ? 
 
 Razman. 
 Ha, Satan ! how thou tempteft me ! 
 
 Spiegelberg, 
 
 What ! Do you take me, boy ? Come then 
 follow me quick I know the road he took A 
 brace of piftols feldom fail. Come along ! 
 
 Etuitzer. 
 
 . (Gets up fecretly.') Ha ! villain I have not 
 forgot the Bohemian foreft when you fcream'd, 
 like a pitiful fcoundrel, that the enemy was upon 
 us.--'*Twas then I fwore it by my foul Have 
 
 at
 
 THE ROBBERS. 159 
 
 at your heart, you murderer ! (Dratus his 
 fword They fight.") 
 
 The Robbers, 
 
 (^All Jiarting up.) Murder! murder! Swit- 
 zer Spiegelberg. Separate them 
 
 Switzer, 
 
 (Stabs Spiegelberg.) There, villain ! die ! 
 Be quiet, my lads Don't let this craven's 
 
 fate alarm you ^. This envious rafcal has always 
 had a fpite at our Captain and the coward has 
 not a flea-bite on his dainty Ikin The rafcal would 
 ftab a man behind the back would fkulk and 
 murder. What boots it that we waftc ourfelves 
 in toil, have drench'd ourfelves in fweat, have 
 fed on fire and fulphur, if at the laft we meet a 
 coward's fate, and die like rats by poifon ? 
 
 Crimm 
 Zounds, our Captain will be horr^ly enraged. 
 
 Szvitzer, 
 
 f 
 
 That's my concern alone Shuftcrle play'd the 
 
 * Germ. Laji euch die hafenjagd nlcht aufwecken. 
 Don't be roufed at the hunting of this hare. 
 
 fame
 
 i6o THE ROBBERS. 
 
 fame game, and he's hang'd, as our chief had 
 prophefied for him. 
 
 (^AJhot is heard, 
 
 Grimm, 
 
 {Starting.) Hark ! a piftol-fliot ! Another \ 
 Halloa, the Captain ! 
 
 Kozinski, 
 
 Patience, we muft hear a third fhot. 
 
 (^ third pot is heard. 
 
 Grimm, 
 
 Tis he, 'tis he ! Switzer, conceal yourfelf for 
 a moment let me fpeak to him. 
 
 (They found their horns. 
 
 Enter Moor. 
 
 Switzer. 
 {Running to meet him.) Welcome, Captain ! 
 I have been a little choleric in your abfence. 
 {Shews him the dead body.) Be you judge be- 
 tween me and this man he wanted to murder 
 you ^to flab you in the back. 
 
 , Moor, 
 
 Avenging Power ! thy hand is here ! Was it 
 
 not
 
 THE ROBBERS. i6i 
 
 not he whofe fyren fong feduced us ? Here con- 
 fecrate this fword to the avenging God, whofc 
 ways are incomprehenfible. Switzer, 'twas not 
 thy hand that did this deed. 
 
 Switzer. 
 
 Zounds ! but it was my hand. And may I be 
 cursM, if I think it the worft adion of my life. 
 (Ihrows down his Jzuord upon the body, and 
 g&ej out in a pajjion.') 
 
 Moor. 
 
 (^Fery thoughtfully.) I fee it plain ! Father of 
 Heaven ! I know it. The dry leaves fall around- 
 
 the autumn of my days is come ! Take him 
 
 out of my fight. (The body of Spiegelberg is 
 carried out.) 
 
 Grimm* 
 
 Give us our orders, Captain ! What's to be 
 done now ? 
 
 Moor, 
 
 Soon very foon will all be accomplifhed. Of 
 late Tve loft myfelf. Bid your trumpets fpeak. 
 I want that mufic. 1 muft be fuckled like a child, 
 and rear'd again to deeds of horror. ^Blow your 
 
 trumpets ! 
 
 X Kozinski*
 
 i62 THE ROBBERS. 
 
 Koz'ujski, 
 Captain, this is the hour of midnight flccp 
 han|.i^s heavy on our eye-lids we have not {hut 
 an eye thefe three nights. 
 
 Moor. 
 
 And can foft Sleep reft on the murderer's Ikis ? 
 Why flies he then from me ? But I have been of 
 late a daftard a mere changeling. Blow your 
 trumpets, 1 command you I muft have mufic to 
 roufe my fpirit from its lethargy. {Ihey play a 
 ivarlike piece of mujic^Moor -walks about very 
 thow^htfid, and then gives a fignalfor them to 
 Jiop.) Begone ! Good night 1^1*11 talk, to you 
 to-morrow. 
 
 The Robbers lay themfelves doivn on the 
 ground, and one by one fahite him. Good, 
 njghtj Captain. {They fall ajleep^^ 
 
 Moor, 
 
 {^lone awake^ while there is a profound Ji-^ 
 lencc.) A long, long night ! on which no mor- 
 row e'er fhall dawn. Think you that I will trem- 
 ble ? Shadows of the dead, the murder'd, rife ! 
 np joint of me ihall quake. Your dying agonies^ 
 
 your
 
 THE ROBBERS. 153 
 
 your black and ftranglcd vifages, your gaping 
 wounds thcfe are but links of that eternal chaia 
 of dcftiny which bound me from my birth, un- 
 confcious bound me \vhich hung perhaps upon 
 the humours of my nurfe my father's tempera- 
 mcnt, or my mother's blood. Why did the great 
 Artificer form, like Perillus, this monfter, whofe 
 burning entrails yearn for human flefli. (^Hold- 
 ing a pijiol to his fore he Lid.) This little tubs u- 
 nites Eternity "to Time I This awful key will fhut 
 the prifon-door of life, and open up the regions 
 of futurity. Tell me ! oh tell ! to what unknown, 
 what ftranger coafts thou (halt condud me ! The 
 foul recoils within herfelf, and Ihrinks with 
 terror from that dreadful thought ; while fancy, 
 cunning in her malice, fills the fcene with horrid 
 phantoms. No, no ! Whoe'er is man, mud on 
 Be what thou wilt, thou dread unknozun, fo 
 but this Jelf remains ; this feif within. For lali 
 that is external, what has it of reality beyond that 
 form and colour which the mind itfclf bellows ? 
 I am myfelf my heaven or my hell. {Cajiing a 
 look as to a diftance,) If thou fhould'fl give mc 
 a new earth, where 1 alone inhabited, companion 
 of eternal night and filence, this mind, this a(51ivc 
 all-creative brain, would people the hideous void 
 with its own images would fill the vaft of fpace 
 
 X 2 with
 
 i54 THE ROBBERS. 
 
 with fuch chimera-forms, that all eternity were 
 
 fcarce enough to unravel them. But perhaps it 
 
 is by ever-varying fcenes of mifery in this ill world, 
 that, flep by ftep, thou leadfl: me to annihila- 
 tion, Oh that it were poffible to flop the current 
 of that after-life, as eafy as 'tis to break the thread 
 of this ! Thou may'fl reduce me into nothing- 
 but this liberty thou can'ft not take from me- (^He 
 cocks the pijiol, and then fuddcnly flops?) And 
 Ihall I then ruHi to death, through (lavifh dread of 
 living here in torment ? Bend this man*s foul 
 beneath the fcourge of mifery ? No I will bear 
 it all. (He throws away tlie piJioL) My pride 
 Ihall conquer fufferance. Let my deftiny be ac- 
 compliOied ! (The night becomes more dark, 
 and a bell at a dijiance Jirikes tzvelve,) 
 
 Enter Herman, zvho fpeaks^ and is anfiver- 
 ed by a voice from the tower, 
 
 Herman. 
 
 HuHi! Hu fn ! How the howlet cries! The vil- 
 lage clock ftrikes- twelve j all fail afleep except 
 remorfe and vengeance. (He goes to the tower, 
 and knocks.) Come up, thou man of forrow ! 
 Tenant of the tower 1 Thy meal is ready. 
 
 Moor*
 
 THE ROBBERS. t6s 
 
 Moor. 
 (Draws back, Jhuddering.') What can that 
 ttican? 
 
 Voice from the tozver. 
 
 Who knocks there ? Is it thou, Herman, my 
 raven ? 
 
 Herman. 
 
 Yes, 'tis thy raven Herman Come to the grate, 
 and eat. ^Thy comrades of the night make fearful 
 mufic Old man, doft thou relifli thy meal? 
 
 Vojce. 
 
 Yes hunger is keen. O thou vi^ho fendfl: the 
 ravens ! accept my thanks for this thy bread in 
 the wildernefs ! How fares it with my good 
 friend Herman ? 
 
 Herman. 
 
 Hufli ! hark. What noife is that ? Do you 
 hear nothing? 
 
 Voice, 
 No. Do you hear any thing ? 
 
 Herman. 
 
 The wind whiftles through the rents of the 
 tower a mufic of the night that makes the teeth 
 
 chatter,
 
 t66 THE ROBBERS. 
 
 chatter, and the nails turn blue. ^Hark, 'tis there 
 again. ^I hear a murmuring noife, like thofe who 
 groan in fleep. ^You have company, old man 
 hu ! hu ! hu ! 
 
 Voice* 
 Do you fee any thing ? 
 
 Herman. 
 
 Farcwel, farewel ! Your deliverer is at hand 
 your avenger ! {He is going hajiily out,) 
 
 Moor. 
 {^Approaches, firnddering.) Stop ! 
 
 ^ Herman. 
 
 Who is that? 
 
 Moor* 
 
 Stop! fpeak! Who art thou? What haft thou 
 to do here ? Speak ! 
 
 Herman, 
 
 (Coming for'wards.') 'Tis one of his fpies 
 
 that's certain. 1 have loft all fear. (Draws 
 
 his /word.) Defend yourfelf, coward ! you. have 
 a man before you. 
 
 Moor*
 
 THE ROBBERS. 167 
 
 Moor. 
 
 ril have an anfwer. {Strikes the fivord out 
 of his hand.) What boots this childifh fword- 
 play ? Didft thou not fpeak of vengeance ? Ven- 
 geance belongs exclufively to me of all the men 
 of earth. Who dares infringe my rights ? 
 
 Herman 
 
 By heaven ! 'tis none of woman born for that 
 arm withers like the (troke of death. 
 
 Voice, 
 
 Alas, Herman ! is it you who are fpeaking ? 
 Whom do you fpeak to ? 
 
 Afoor, 
 
 What I ftill thofe founds ? ^What is a-doing 
 here ? (Runs towards the ioiver.) Some hor- 
 rible myftery, for certain, is conccal'd in that 
 tower. This fword Ihall bring it to light. 
 
 Herman, 
 
 (Comes fonvard trembling.) Terrible ftran- 
 ger ! art thou the wandering fpirit of this dcfert 
 or perhaps one of the minifters of that unfathom- 
 able retribution, who make their circuit in this 
 
 lower
 
 i68 THE ROBBERS. 
 
 lower world, and take account of all the deeds of 
 darknefs ? Oh ! if thou art, be welcome to this 
 tower of horrors ! 
 
 Moor, 
 
 Traveller of the night ! you have divined my 
 funftion the Exterminating Angel is my name y 
 but I am fleih and blood, as thou art. Is this 
 fome .miferable wretch, caft out of men, and bu- 
 ried in this dungeon ? I will loofe his chains. 
 Once more fpeak 1 thou Voice of terror ! Where 
 is the door ? 
 
 Herman. 
 
 As foon could Satan force the gates of heaven, 
 as thou that door. Retire, thou man of ftrength! 
 the genius of the wicked foils the common intel- 
 lect of man, (^Strikes the door zvith his /word,) 
 
 Moor, 
 
 But not the craft of robbers. (He takes fonie 
 pafs-keys from his pocket.) For once, I thank 
 my God Tve learnt that craft ! Thefe keys would 
 mock heirs forefight. {He takes a key, and o- 
 petis tlie gate of the toxver, /4n old man comes 
 from below, emaciated like a Jkeleton, Moor 
 fprings back xcith ajff right,) Horrible fpeCtre ! 
 my father ! 
 
 E7jter
 
 ii. 
 
 T^HE ROBBERS. 169 
 
 Enter, from ifie dungeon, the Old Count de 
 Moor. 
 
 0. Moor, 
 
 I thank thee, O my God ! the hour of my de- 
 liverance is come 1 
 
 Moor. 
 
 Shade of the aged Moor 1 who has difturbed 
 thy a(hes in the grave ? Haft thou brought with 
 thee into the world of fpirits fome foul crime, that 
 bars the gates of paradife on thy foul ? I will fay 
 prayers and malTes of the dead, to gain thy fpirit 
 peace. Haft thou hid in the earth the widow or 
 the orphan's gold ; and now, in expiation of that 
 guilt, pour*(l at the midnight hour the fhriek of 
 mifery.? I'll dig that treafure up, though guard- 
 ed by hell's dragons. Or comeft thou now, at my 
 requeft, to expound to me the dread enigmas of 
 eternity ? Speak, fpeak ! I will not blanch, nor 
 ilop the affrighted ear ! 
 
 0. Moor, 
 
 I am no fpirit but alive, as thoU art ! O life 
 indeed of mifery ! 
 
 Moor, 
 What ! waft thou not in thy grave ? 
 
 .Y 0. Moor. *
 
 170 THE ROBBERS. 
 
 0. Moor. 
 
 I was indeed interr'd * . Three complete 
 moons have I languifhed in this dark dungeon, 
 where not a ray of light can penetrate where no 
 fweet air or healthful breath can enter where the 
 hoarfe ravens croak, and the owls (hriek. 
 
 Moor. 
 Heaven and earth ! Who has done that ? 
 
 Herman 
 
 {P^^ithfavagejny.') A fon ! 
 
 0. Moor, 
 Do not curfe him. 
 
 Moor, 
 
 (^Darting furioujly on Herman.) Serpent- 
 tongued liar I a fon ! Speak that again repeat it 
 was a fon, and I plunge my dagger in thy impi- 
 ous throat. A fon ! -^ 
 
 * Germ. Dar keij}, ein i&dtet hund liegt in metner vaten 
 gruft. That is, A deaSl dog lies in my father's tomb. 
 An cxpreflion of which the Tranflator does not fee tl 
 force, and therefore he has omitted it. 
 
 Herman,
 
 THE ROBBERS. 171 
 
 Herman. 
 And were all hell let loofe, I ftill muft fay, his fon ! 
 
 Moor. 
 (^Petrified with horror,) .O everlafting Chaos ! 
 
 0. Moor. 
 
 If thou art a man, and haft a human heart ! O 
 my unknown deliverer hear the miferies of a fa- 
 ther, punifhed in his own fons. For three long 
 moons have I poured my complaints to theljp , . 
 walls of rock, which echoed to my groans. -^li^ 
 Oh I if thou art a manj and haft a human heart- 
 Moor. 
 
 A prayer that would move even wolves to pity. 
 
 0. Moor. 
 
 I lay upon a fickbed. Scarce had I begun to 
 gain a little ftrength, when they brought me a 
 man who gave me the dreadful intelligence that 
 my eldeft fon had fallen in battle, and with his la- 
 teft breath had told, that my inhuman maledidion 
 had driven him to dcfpair and death. 
 
 Y 2 Herman.
 
 172 THE ROBBERS, 
 
 Herman, 
 
 A falfe, moft horrible impofture That villain 
 was myfelf feduced by him that foh with 
 bribes and promifes to difappoint all your inqui- 
 ries and refearches after his elder brother cor- 
 rupted by that unnatural fon to blaft the mifer- 
 able remnant of your days. 
 
 0. Moor, 
 
 And was it thou ? O heavens 1 Was it a con- 
 certed plan ? Was I then deceived ? 
 
 Moor. 
 
 (Reinoving to a little dijiance.) Doft thou 
 hear that, Moor ? The light begins to dawn. A 
 day of horrors [ 
 
 Herman, 
 
 Here, crufh the viper ! I was his vile accom- 
 plice I fupprelFed your Charles's letters, ' chan- 
 ged thofe from you, and fubftituted others in their 
 place, conceived in terms of barbarous fefent- 
 ment. Thus have you been deceived thus cruel- 
 ly was he cut ofF from your inheritance-^ba- 
 niflied from your heart. 
 
 Moor^
 
 THE ROBBERS. 173 
 
 Moor^ 
 
 * (fVith an exprejjion of unutterable anguijh,) 
 And hence become a robber and a murderer ! 
 {Strikes his breaji and his forehead,) O fool, 
 fool, fool ! the viftim of infernal treachery !-*- 
 and now a murderer and affaflin 1 {fValks about 
 in great agitation.) 
 
 0, Moor. 
 
 - Francis ! May all {fupprej/ing rage) But 
 
 I will curfc no more and I faw nothing nothing 
 fufpeded. O fond indulgent dotard ! 
 
 Moor, 
 {Stops fuddenly,) And that poor father in a 
 dungeon ! {SupprefPing his anguijh.) What caufe 
 have I for rage or for complaint ? {IVith affeCl- 
 ed conApfure.) Go on. Sir. 
 
 O. Moor, 
 
 fainted at the news. ^They mud have thought 
 me dead for when I came to myfelf, I was on a 
 bier, and flirouded as a corpfe. I beat upon the 
 lid of the coffin it was opened ^*twas in the dead 
 of night my fon Francis flood before mc. 
 ** What," faid he, with a voice of horror, " Muft 
 
 '* you
 
 174 THE ROBBERS. 
 
 *' you then live for ever ?" And with thefe words, ' 
 he fhut the coffin. The thunder of that voice be- 
 reaved me of my fenfes. When I again recovered 
 them, 1 found the bier in motion. After fome 
 time it (topped. ^The coffin was again opened, 
 and at the entry of this dungeon I found my fon 
 Francis, with that man who had brought me the 
 bloody fword of my fon Charles. I fell at Fran- 
 cis* feet, embraced his knees and wept, conju- 
 red him, fupplicated. The fears, the fupplica- 
 tions of his father, never reached his iron heart. 
 ** Throw down that carcafe," f<iid he, with a 
 voice of thunder, " he has lived too long.'' 
 They threw me down into that dungeon, and my 
 fon Francis locked the iron door upon me. 
 
 Moor, 
 
 Impoflible 1 inipoffible 1 Your memory or 
 your fenfes play you falfe ! 
 
 0. Moor. 
 
 It may be fo. Hearken, but reftrain yourfelf.' 
 ; Thus I lay for twenty hours and none knew 
 
 of my fufferings. No foot of man e'er treads this 
 folitary wade for 'tis the common report that the 
 ghofts of my forefathers haunt this dreadful tower, 
 drag their chains among the ruins, and chant at 
 
 the
 
 THE ROBBERS. i}f 
 
 the hour of midnight the long of death. At laft 
 1 heard the creaking of the iron door, It Was 
 opened, and this man brought me fome bread and 
 water. ^He told me that I was condemned to be 
 ftarved to death in that dungeon, and that he 
 forfeited his own Ufe, if it were known that he 
 brought me the fmalleft particle of food. It waa 
 by his means I have preferved a miferable being 
 fo long but the chilling cold, the foul air, and 
 
 the anguiih of my own mind my ftrength was 
 
 quite exhaufted, my body was emaciated to a fke- 
 leton. A thoufand times have I prayed to God 
 to put an end to my fufferings ; but the meafure 
 of my puniftiment muft not have been complete 
 dr perhaps there is yet in ftore for me fome hap- 
 pinefs-rfome blifs the Almighty has decreed to 
 come, for which he has deigned thus miraculouf- 
 ly to preferve me. But come what will, my fuf- 
 ferings are juft moft merited. Oh my Charles, 
 my Ciiarles I Before thy hairs were gray ! 
 
 Moor, 
 
 "It is enongh. (To the band ajleep.) Rife there, 
 you fenfelefs logs you hearts of ftone ! What ! 
 will none of you awake ? {He fifes a pljiol over 
 them. They ft art to their feet immediately^ 
 
 Robbers.
 
 ij6 THE ^-ROBBERS. 
 
 Robbers. 
 Halloa ! halloa ! What is the matter I 
 
 Moor. 
 
 J Could you fleep out that tale? A tale that 
 might have roufed even fleep eternal. Mark here, 
 mark here ! What are this world's laws ? mere 
 knavery a game with loaded dice. Difcord is 
 fet at large, and ranges wild as hell. The bands 
 of nature are diflblved a fon has flain his father I 
 
 Robbers, 
 What does the Captain fay ? 
 
 Moor, 
 
 Slain ! did I fay that word is tame 'tis pallia- 
 tiveA fon has racked his father killed him in 
 torment broken him on the wheel even that is 
 yamifh of his horrible crime. ^The cannibal him- 
 felf would fhudder at it. Oh God ! he has de- 
 voured him. See, fee there ! he faints ! A fon 
 confined his father in that tower cold, naked, 
 hungry, and athirft. ^Ljdok there, look there ! 
 This is my father 1 
 
 Robbers. 
 
 \ " 
 
 (Coming round the old man.) Your father r 
 
 Siviizer.
 
 THE ROBBERS. 177 
 
 Szvitzer, 
 
 (^j4pproaches with refpeCt^ and throws him^ 
 /elf at the old man's feet.) Father of my Cap- 
 tain ! I kifs your feet. I draw this dagger, and 
 I here devote it to thy fcrvice I 
 
 Moor, 
 
 Revenge ! revenge ! revenge this violated, 
 profwed, this hoary head ! Here I tear for ever 
 the fraternal bond. (//<? rends his coat from top 
 to bottom,) Here, in the face of heaven, 1 carfe 
 him ! curfe every drop of blood within him ! 
 Hear me, O moon and ftars ! and thou black ca- 
 nopy of night, that witnefleft this horror ! hear 
 my cries 1 Hear me, O God ! thrice-terrible a- 
 vcngcr thou who reign'ft above yon pallid orb < 
 and judgement doom'fl, and dart'fl thy fiery bolts 
 through darknefs, to the head of guilt ; behold 
 me on my knees behold me raife this hand aloft ! 
 and hear my oath ! May nature curfe me ! ex- 
 pel me, like fome horrible abortion, from out the 
 circle of her works if hcr^i, upon this ftone, I 
 do not fhed that parricide's blood till the foul 
 vapour from the fountain of his heart rife into air, 
 ^nd dim the bleflcd fun ! {^Rifes from his. knees,) 
 
 Z Rfjifbers,
 
 lyi THE ROBBERS. 
 
 Robbers, 
 This is a flroke of hell ! Let them now call us 
 villains. Now, by all the dragons of darknefs, 
 we never did any thing half fo horrible 1 
 
 Moor, 
 
 Yes, and by all the groans of thofe poor 
 wretches whom your daggers have difpatched 
 by thofe who perilhed on that dreadful day when 
 fire and ruin raged at our command no murder- 
 ous plan fliall be devifed, no fcheme of rapine be 
 lefolved or meditated, till every man among us 
 glut his fteel, and dye his garments purple in that 
 monfter's blood. Who could e'er have thought 
 that we were deflined to ferve as inftruments in 
 the Almighty's hand, and minifter to his juftice ? 
 Our fate's myfterious clue is now unravelling. 
 This day the invifible arm of a fuperlor Power 
 gives dignity to our vocation. Adore his Majefty, 
 who honours you this day as agents in his hands 
 to execute his wondrous purpofes ! employs you 
 as his angels to execute his ftern decrees, and 
 
 pour the vials of his wrath. Be all uncovered! 
 
 fail on your knees, and humbly kifs the dud 
 then rife ail hallowed men ! (7'hey fall on 
 their kmesy and make a Jblemn projiration to 
 the earth.) 
 
 Switzer,
 
 THE ROBBERS. 179 
 
 Switzer. 
 Now give your orders, Captain 1 Say what 
 we Ihall do. 
 
 Moor. 
 
 Rife, Switzer, and touch thefe facred locks. 
 (/fe brings him to his fatlier, and makes him 
 take hold of a l^ck of his hair.) You remeni^ 
 ber, when you cleft the head of that Bohemian 
 trooper who had raifed his fabre to kill me, when 
 I was fainting with fatigue, and my knees were 
 finking under me 'twas then I promifed you a 
 high reward, a kingly recompence But to this 
 hour I never have been able to difcharge that debt; 
 
 . i ;;;-;, Switzer, 
 
 And may you never be ! It is my pride, to 
 call you ftill my debtor. 
 
 Moor, 
 
 No/^This day I will difcharge it. Switzer, 
 
 thou art honoured this day above all mortals. 
 ^e thou the avenger of my father. (^Switzer ri' 
 fes.) 
 
 Switzer. 
 Moft honoured Captain ! this day thou haft 
 Z 2 made
 
 i8p THE ROBBERS.* 
 
 made me for the firft time truly proud. Give or- 
 ders how, and when> and where, thy friend 
 fhall flrike. 
 
 Moor. 
 The precious minutes are already numbered, 
 Thou muft be fpeedy. Choofe out the worthiefl: 
 of the band, and lead them ftraight to yonder 
 caftle. -Seize him, were he afleep. Drag him 
 from out his bed, though he lie couch'd in plea- 
 fure's lap. Lay hold of him at table, while, like 
 the fwine, he gorges. Tear him from the altar, 
 though on his knees before the crucifix. But 
 bear what I moft folemnly command : Bring him 
 tp me alive ! This hand fliall hew that man in 
 pieces, and feed the famifh'd vultures with his 
 limbs, who dares to- wound his fkin, or rob him 
 of a fmgle hair. I muft have him all entire. 
 Bring him to me alive, bring him entire, and 
 millions fliall be your reward. 1*11 plunder 
 kings, I'll fet my life at nought, to earn for thee 
 a glorious recompence. Thou hafl my purpofc* 
 hafle thee to accomplilh it ! 
 
 Szuitzer. 
 
 It is enough ! here take my hand upon it! 
 Captain, yoi^ iJiaU fee two of us or none. 
 
 Comcj
 
 THE ROBBERS. i8i 
 
 Come, Switzer's minifters of vengeance. (Exit^ 
 followed by a part of the band, and Herman.) 
 
 Moor, 
 
 Let the reft difpcrfe themfclves in the forcft 
 I remain here. 
 
 END OF ACT FOURTH. 
 
 ACT
 
 i# THE ROBBERS. 
 
 ACT V. 
 
 SCENE, Jn Apartment in Moor's Cajile. 
 
 Francis de Moor in a night-gown, rujhes in, 
 followed by Daniel. 
 
 Francis. 
 
 BetrayM 1 betray*d ! The fpirits of the dead 
 rife from their graves a countlefs hofl: raifed 
 from eternal flecp to haunt the murderer. 
 Who's that? 
 
 Daniel. 
 
 {Anxioujly,') Heaven pity me ! What ! my 
 dear Lord, is it -poflible it could be you who 
 fhriek'd fo horribly as to waken us all out of our 
 flcep? 
 
 Francis,
 
 THE ROBBERS. 183 
 
 Francis, 
 
 Your flcep? Who gave you leave to fleep? 
 What ! Sleep at this hour, when all lliould be a- 
 wake ? Awake ! Ay, armed and caparifoned. 
 Quick, quick, to arms, to arms. Load every 
 muiket. Sce'ft thou not how they force their 
 way through every door, and dart along ybn 
 vaulted parages f 
 
 Daniel. 
 Who, my Lord ? 
 
 Francis, 
 
 Who? bead ! Doft thou not fee them? hear them? 
 yVre your fcnfcs gone ? Demons and ghofts ! . 
 How goes the night ? 
 
 Daniel, 
 The vPatch has juft cried Two. 
 
 Francis, 
 
 No more? Will this eternal night lad to the 
 day of judgement ? Heard you no noife without ? 
 Nofhouting? Cries of vidory ? HarkI horfes 
 
 at the gallop ! Where is Char The 
 
 Count, I mean ? 
 
 Daniel,
 
 i84 THE ROBBERS. 
 
 Daniel, 
 I cannot tell, Sir. 
 
 Francis, 
 
 You cannot tell ? You are of the plot I 
 V\\ tread your villain's heart out. You cannot 
 tell ? The very beggars have confpired againfl: mc. 
 Heaven, earth, and hell, combined againft me! 
 
 Daniel, 
 My Lord ! 
 
 Francis, 
 
 Who faid I trembled ? No ''twas but a dream. 
 The dead are in their graves ^Tremble ? No 
 I am quite at eafe. 
 
 Datiiel. 
 
 You arc not well, my Lord. ^You are quite 
 pale ^Your voice is changed, ^it faulters. 
 
 Francis. 
 I am feverifh. I fhall let blood to-morrow. 
 
 Daniel, 
 Indeed, Sir, you are ill very ill. 
 
 Francis*
 
 THE ROBBERS. 185 
 
 Francis, 
 
 Yes, that is all. It is fo, and illncfs afltfts 
 the brain, and gives wild dreams. What matter 
 what one dreams ! *Tis indigeflion makes us 
 dream. I had a pleafant dream juft now. {He 
 Jinks down in a faint,) 
 
 Daniel. 
 
 Good God ! What's here ! George ! Conrad 1 
 Baftian ! Martin ! Where are vou all ? Give but 
 a fign of Ufe. {He jhakes him.) O Lord ! they'll 
 fay I murdered him. 
 
 Francis. 
 
 {Di/^ufied,) Begone ! Who (hakes me there ? 
 Horrible fpcftre ! Are the dead alive ? 
 
 Daniel. 
 
 Mertiful God ! H^as loll his reafon ! 
 
 Francis, 
 
 {Recovering himfelf gradually.^ Wheje am 
 1 ? Is it you, Daniel ? What did I fay ? What 
 fignifics it ? ^Don*t mind it : *Twas all a lie, 
 whatever it was. Come, help me It was, I 
 think, , a fit of giddinefs ^from want of llecp. 
 
 A a Daniel*
 
 iS6 THE ROBBERS; 
 
 Daniel, 
 I'll call affiftance, Sir : fend for phyficians* ' 
 
 Francis. 
 
 Stop. Sit down here : You arc a man of 
 fenfe, Daniel ^1*11 tell you how I .... . 
 
 Daniel. 
 
 No, no, Sir, Another time. I'll fee you 
 put to bed you have great need of reft, 
 
 Francis, 
 
 Nay, Daniel I mufl; tell you 'tis fo odd. - 
 You'll laugh, I promife you : You muft know 
 I thought I had been feafting like a Prince, and 
 I laid me down quite happy on one of the 
 graify banks of the garden there I fell afleep, 
 and all of a fudden but you'll laugh when 
 I tell you. 
 
 Daniel, 
 All of a fudden What ? 
 
 Francis. 
 All of a fudden, I was waked by a clap of thun-1 
 der. ^I got upon my feet, and ftaggering, looked 
 
 around
 
 THE ROBBERS. 187 
 
 around me ^when lo ! the whole horizon feemed 
 to be one great Iheet of fire the mountains, 
 towns, and forefts feemed to melt like wax in a 
 furnace ; and then a dteadful temped arofe, which 
 drove before it the heavens, the earth, and the 
 ocean. 
 
 DanieL 
 
 Good God ! It is the defcription of the day 
 of judgement. 
 
 Francis, 
 
 Did you ever hear fuch ridiculous fluff? Then 
 I flaw a perfon come forward, who held in his 
 right hand a brazen balance, which ftretched from 
 cafl to wcfl. ^He cried with a loud voice, " Ap* 
 '' proach, ye children of the dufl : I weigh the 
 " thoughts of the heart !" 
 
 DanieL 
 
 God have mercy upon me I 
 
 Francis. 
 
 All feemed to be flruck with terror ; and every 
 
 countenance was pale as afhes. *Twas then I 
 
 thought I heard my name in a dreadful voice that 
 
 ifi'ued in thunder from a mountain, a voice 
 
 A a 3 that
 
 i88 THE ROBBERS. 
 
 that froze the marrow in my bones, and made 
 my teeth chatter as if they had been of iron. 
 
 Daniel. 
 O, may Gcd forgive you ! 
 
 Francis, 
 
 He did not forgive me. Behold, an old man 
 appeared, bent to the ground with forrow, a hor- 
 rible fight ; for he had gnawed away one half of 
 his arm from hunger. None could bear to look 
 upon him. I knew him : He cut off one of his 
 grey locks, and threw it from him. Then I heard 
 a voice iffue from the fmoke of the mountain : 
 '* Mercy and fdrgivenefs to all the fmners of the 
 *' earth ! Thou only art rejeded." {^fter a 
 long paufc.) Why don't you laugh 
 
 Daniel, 
 
 .' Laugh .'* at what makes my flefli creep ? 
 Dreams come from God ! 
 
 Francis, 
 
 Fy, fy ! you muft not fay fo. Gall me a fool, 
 a child, an idiot, any thmg. But prithee 
 laugh at me. 
 
 Daniel,
 
 THE *ROB:bERS. 189 
 
 Daniel, 
 
 Dreams come from God. I will go pray for you. 
 % {Exit, 
 
 Francis, 
 
 No *Tis popular fuperftition ! All chimeras '. 
 If the paft is pad, who has decided that an eye 
 above fhall e'er look back upon it ? Does ven- 
 geance dwell above the ftars ? No, no : Yet 
 there is fomething here that tells in dreadful 
 whifpers to my foul, there is ^a Judge above 
 the ftars 1 Should I this night appear before 
 him -No, 'tis all a jeft a miferable fubterfuge 
 for coward fear to grafp at. But if it lliould 
 be fo if that were true and all were regiftered 
 above and this the night of reckoning. 
 Why this quaking of the joints ? this fearful fhud- 
 dering? To die ! that word congeals my blood > 
 To give account ! Ay, and when that reckoning 
 comes, to face the Judge fliould he do jufticc ! 
 
 Enter a Servant hafiily. 
 
 Servant, 
 
 Amelia has efcaped. The Count has fud- 
 
 dcnly gone off. 
 
 Enter
 
 190 THE ROBBERS. 
 
 Enter Daniel, toith a countenance of terror* 
 
 Daniel, 
 
 My Lord, there is a troop of horfemcn riding 
 up to the Caflle at the full gallop, and crying. 
 Murder, murder ! The village is all in alarm. 
 
 Francis. 
 
 Go ring the bells, and fummon all to church 
 to prayers I fay. I will have prayers faid for 
 me : I'll fet the prifoners free make reftitution 
 to the poor five and fix fold. Go call my con- 
 feffor, to give me abfolution of my fins. What ! 
 not yet gone ? {The tumult increafes.) 
 
 Daniel, 
 
 God forgive me all my fins ! Are you fcrious. 
 Sir ? And dd*you really wifh I fliould obey thcfe 
 orders ? You, who have always made a jeft of 
 prayers, and who fo oft 
 
 Francis. 
 
 No more 1 To die, to die is dreadful. 
 It will be too late. (Szvitzer's cry is heard.) To 
 prayers, to prayers 1 
 
 Daniel,
 
 THE ROBBERS. 191 
 
 DajiieL 
 
 Tis what I always told you but you mock*d 
 at prayer. And now, behold. Sir, when you arc 
 in trouble when the flood overwhelms your 
 foul 
 
 Switzer's voice is heard in the court of the 
 caftle. Storm break down the gates. Yonder 
 is a light ! they mufl be there I 
 
 Francis. 
 
 (On his knees,") Hear my prayer, O God of 
 
 heaven ! It is the firft. Hear me, O God of 
 
 heaven ! 
 
 Switzer, 
 
 {Still in the court.) Strike them down, my 
 lads. It is the devil comd from hell to feize him. 
 Where's Blackman with his troop ? Surround 
 the caftle, Grimm ! Run ! ftorm the ramparts. 
 
 Grimm. 
 
 Here ! bring the firebrands ! Watch where 
 he comes down : We'll fmoke him out ! 
 
 V 
 
 Francis.
 
 192 THE ROBBERS. 
 
 Francis. 
 
 My God ! I have been no common murderer 
 no miferable petty crimes committed ! 
 
 Daniel. 
 
 God have compaflion on us ! Even his prayers 
 are fms ! 
 
 {They fling Jiones and firebrands the ivifi' 
 dows are broken in the cajile is Jet on fire.) 
 
 Francis. 
 
 I cannot pray. Here, here, (beating on his 
 breaji,) all is choked . up 1 No, I vi^ill pray no 
 more. 
 
 Daniel. 
 
 Chrift and his mother fave us ! The whole 
 caftle is on fire ! 
 
 Francis. 
 
 Here ! take this fvvord ! flab me behind ! 
 thruit it into my bowels that thefe villains may 
 not come to make their fport of me. {The fire 
 increajes.') 
 
 Daniel.
 
 THE ROBBERS. 193 
 
 Da?2ieL 
 
 God forbid ! I will fend none to heaven be- 
 fore his time, far lefs to (He runs off.) 
 
 Francis. 
 
 (Looking after him. ^paufe.) To hell, he 
 
 would have faid. Yes, I feel he's right. Are 
 
 thefe their fhouts of triumph ? that hifling there, 
 is it hell's ferpents ? Hark, they are coming up 1 
 they are at the door ! Why Ihould I (hudder 
 at this fword's point ? Ha ! the gate is down ! 
 Now *tis impoflible to efcape. {He attempts to 
 throw himf elf into the flames , and is purfued 
 by.the Robbers, who rujh in^ acrofs the Jiage,) 
 
 SCENE, ^ Foreji. A ruined Tower, as in the 
 end of the Fourth Al. 
 
 The Old Count de Moor feated ujwn a Jlone, 
 Charles de Moor in convcrfation with him,^ 
 Some of the band fcatt ere d through the fureJL 
 
 Moor, 
 And was he dear to you, that other fon ? 
 
 B b 0. Mjor*
 
 194 THE ROBBERS. 
 
 0, Moor. 
 
 Heaven knows 1k>w dear he was to me ! O 
 
 why did my weak heart ever liftcn to thofc artful 
 
 tales of bafeft calumny ? I was fo happy ! above 
 
 all fathers bled in the fair promife of my childrens 
 
 youth. But, Oh accurfed hour ! the fpirit of a 
 
 fiend pofTefled the youngeft of ray fons I trufted 
 
 to the ferpent's wiles, and loft both my children 1^ 
 
 {Hides his face -with his haiids. Moor goes to 
 
 a little dijiance^ How deeply now I feel the truth 
 
 of thofe fad words Amelia uttered, " In vain, 
 
 *' when on your death-bed, you Ihall ftretch your 
 
 " feeble hands to grafp your Charles he never 
 
 '* will approach your bed never more comfort 
 
 " you." (Moor, turning azv ay his head^ gives 
 
 him his hand.) Oh were this my Charles's hand ! 
 
 . But he is gone ! He's in the narrow houfe ! he 
 
 flee ps the fleep of death !-rHe cannot hear the 
 
 voice of my complaint I muft die amidft the 
 
 ftrangers No fon have I to clofe my eyes I 
 
 Moor^ " 
 
 (In great agitation.) It muft be fo it muft 
 
 this moment. (To the Robbers.) Leave us a- 
 
 lone I And yetcan I bring back his fon ? I 
 
 never can br".qg back that fon ! No, no, it muft 
 
 not be. No, never, never ! 
 
 0. Moor.
 
 THE ROBBERS. 195 
 
 0. Moor. 
 What doft thou fay ? What doft thou mutter 
 to thyfelf > 
 
 Moor* 
 Thy Ton 1 Yes, old man, ( lie/it ating)^ thy 
 fon is loft for ever ! 
 
 0. Moor, 
 
 For ever ? 
 
 Moor, 
 Afk me no more ! For ever ! 
 
 0, Moor. 
 
 Why did you take me from yon hideous dun- 
 geon ? 
 
 Moor. 
 
 But ftay If I could now but get his blefling 
 ftcal it from him like a thief, and fo efcape with 
 that celeftial treafure ! {He throws himfelf at 
 his feet.) I broke the iron bolts of the dungeon. 
 bleffed old man 1 1 afk thy kifs for that. 
 
 0. Moor. 
 
 {Pr effing him to his bofom.) Take this, and 
 think it is a father's kifs and I will dream I hold 
 my Charles to my brcaft. What? can you weep? 
 
 B b 2 Moor, 
 

 
 196 THE ROBBERS. 
 
 Moor, 
 {JVith great emotion.^ I thought it was a fa- 
 ther's klfs. {Throivs himfdf on his neck, J[ 
 confufed fioife is heard, and a light is feen of 
 torches approaching. Moor rifes hajiily.) Hark! 
 
 'tis vengeance comes ! Yonder they come I 
 
 {Looks ear72ejiiy at the old man, and then rai~ 
 fes his eyes to heaven^ -with an exprejjion of 
 deliberate fury.) Thou fufFering Lamb ! en- 
 flame me with the tyger's fury ! The facrifice 
 mufi: now be offered up ! and fuch a viftim, that 
 the flars fhaU hide their heads in darknefs, and u- 
 niverfal nature be appalled ! {The torches are 
 Jeen, the noife encreafes, and feveral pijiol- 
 fiots are heard.) 
 
 0. Moor. 
 
 Alas ! alas ! what is that horrid noife ? Who 
 is a-coming ? Are thefe my fon*s confederates 
 con\e to drag me from the dungeon to the fcaf- 
 fold? 
 
 Moor. 
 
 {Raijing his hands to heaven,) O Judge of 
 heaven and earth ! hear a murderer's prayer ! 
 Give him ten thoufand lives ! may life return a- 
 new, and every dagger's ftroke refrefh him for 
 eternal agonies ! , 
 
 0, Moor,
 
 THE ROBBERS. 
 
 97 
 
 0. Moor, 
 What is't you mutter there ? 'tis horrible ! 
 
 Moor* 
 
 I fay my prayers 1 (^The wild mufic of the 
 Robbers is tieard,') 
 
 0. Moor. 
 O think of Francis in your prayers ! 
 
 Moor, 
 
 (In a voice choked with rage.^ He is not 
 forgotten ! 
 
 0. Moor, 
 
 That's not the voice of one who prays ! O 
 ccafc I Such prayers make me all Ihudder !- 
 
 Enter Switzcr with a party of Robbers ; 
 Francis de Moor, handcujfcd, in the middle of 
 them.) 
 
 Switzer. 
 
 Triumph ! Captain. ^ Here he is I I have 
 fulfilled my word. 
 
 Crititm,
 
 198 THE ROBBERS. 
 
 Grimm. 
 
 We tore him out of the flames of his caftle : > 
 His vaflals all took to flight. 
 
 Kozimki, 
 
 The caftle is in aflies and even the memory 
 of his name annihilated. (A dreadful paufe. 
 Moor comes Jlotuly forward.) 
 
 Moor. 
 
 (^JVith a Jiern voice to Francis.) Doft 
 thou know me ? 
 
 Francis, 
 
 (^ff^ithout anfivering^ fixes his eyes immove- 
 ably on the ground, while Charles leads him to- 
 ivards the old man.) Doft thou know that man ? 
 
 Francis, 
 
 (^Starting back with horror.) Thunder of 
 heaven ! It is my father ! 
 
 0, Moor. 
 
 {Turns away fhuddering.) Go ! May God 
 forgive you. I have forgotten 
 
 Moor.
 
 THE ROBBERS. 199 
 
 Moor, 
 
 {With Jiern fever ity.) And may my curfc 
 accompany that prayer, and clog it with a mil- 
 flone's weight, that it may never reach the mercy* 
 feat of God ! Do you know that dungeon ? 
 
 Francis, 
 
 {To Herman,) Monfler ! Has your invete- 
 rate enmity to our blood, purfued my poor fa- 
 ther even to this dungeon ? 
 
 Hertna?!. 
 
 Bravo ! Bravo ! Where a lie is wanted, the de- 
 vil will never defert his own. 
 
 Moor. 
 
 Enough. ^Lead this old man a little on into 
 the foreft. I need no father's tears to prompt to 
 what remains. {They lead off the old County 
 ivJio is in a Jiate of infenfibility-) Approach 
 yc felons ! {7 hey form a fcmicircle round the 
 tivo brothers, and look flernly on, refting upon 
 their inusktts.) Now, not a breath be heard ! 
 As fure as I now hope for heaven's mercy the 
 firft who moves his lips to utter a found, I blow 
 his brains out. Hufh ! 
 
 * . FranciS"
 
 200 THE ROBBERS. 
 
 Francis, 
 
 (To Herman^ inatranjportqf rage.) Wretch ! 
 that 1 could fpit my poifonous foam in torrents on 
 that face ! ^This is gall ! (Gnawing his chains, 
 and weeping from rage.) 
 
 Moor, 
 
 (ff^ith great dignity.) I (land commiflioned here 
 as minifter of heaven's Almighty King, the Judge 
 of right and wrong ; -and from your mouths I 
 fhall announce a doom, which the moft pure and 
 upright court on earth would fandion and approve. 
 The guilty are aflembled here as judges, and I 
 of all mod guilty am their chief. He, who on 
 fcrutiny of his own confcience, and ftri6t review 
 of all his pafl offences, does not appear pure as 
 the innocent child, and fpotlefs when compared 
 with this enormous and moft horrible wretch," let 
 him withdraw from this affembly, and break his 
 poniard as a token ! (^// the Robbers throw - 
 V^j)/ their poniards, without breaking them, and 
 remain in the fame pojiure,) Now, Moor, be 
 proud indeed ! for thou haft this day changed the 
 fcarlet fmners to the fpotlefs angels. There's ftill 
 a poniard wanting. (^He draws his poniard^ and 
 
 a
 
 THE ROBBERS. 201 
 
 apaufe en/ites.) His mother was mine too ! (7b 
 Kozinski and Switzer.) Be judges I (In great 
 etnotion he breaks his poniard, and retires 
 to a/ide.) 
 
 Srvitzer, 
 
 {^Jter a paufe,) Stand I not here like fomc 
 poor dunce at fchool, bewildered and amazed, 
 my faculties locked up. What, not a new in- 
 vention to be found of torment. While life is la- 
 vifh in variety of pleafures, is death fo niggardly 
 in choice of tortures ? (Striking the ground wi- 
 patiently.) Speak thou, for I have loft all fe- 
 culty of invention. 
 
 Kozinski, 
 
 ITiink on his gray hairs : Caft your eyes on 
 that dungeon: Let thefe fuggeft ! Should I, a 
 fcholar, thus inftrua his matter ? 
 
 Sivitzer, 
 Accuftomed as I am to fcenes of horror, Tnv 
 poor in fuch invention. ^Was not this dungeon 
 the chief fcene of his atrocious crimes ? Sit wc 
 not now in judgement before this dungeon? Down 
 with him into the vault ! There let him rot alive 1 
 
 C c The
 
 202 THE ROBBERS. 
 
 The Robbers. 
 
 (^.i/pplauding tumultuoufly .) Down with him! 
 Down with him ! (They go to lay hold of him,) 
 
 Francis, 
 
 (^Springing into the arms of his brother.^ Save 
 me from the claws of thefe murderers ! Save 
 me, brother ! 
 
 PAoor. 
 
 Thou haft made me chief of thefe murderers. 
 (^Francis ft arts back ivith terror,) Wilt thou 
 entreat me now ? 
 
 The Robbers. 
 
 (Still more tttmultuous.) Down with him 1 
 Down with him ! 
 
 Moor, 
 {JVith a dignified expreffion of grief) Son 
 of my father! Ihou haft robbed me of Heaven's 
 blifs Be that fm blotted out i Perdition is thy 
 lot i i do forgive thee, brother ! (fie embraces 
 him^ and goes out, -ivhilt the Robbers put Fran- 
 eii dnwn into the dungeon, laughing in a Ja- 
 vagt manner.^ 
 
 Moor^
 
 THE ROBBERS. 403 
 
 Moor, 
 
 (Returning, plunged in a deep reverie.^ It 
 is accomplifhed I O God who ruled all ! accept 
 my thanks. It is accomplifhed ! (/w deep me- 
 ditation.) If this dungeon should be 
 
 THE LIMIT OF MY COURSE, TO WHICH 
 THOU HAST LED ME THROUGH PATHS OF 
 BLOOD AND HORROR! If FOR THAT END 
 THOU HAST DECRtED I SHOULD BECOME 
 THE CHIEF OF THESE FOUL MuRDERERS: 
 
 Eternal Providence ! I bend me to thy will with 
 awe and reverence I tremble and adore ! 
 Thus let it be and here I terminate the work. 
 His battle o*er, the foldier falls with dignity. Thus 
 let me vanifh with the night, and end my courfe 
 as breaks yon purple dawn! Bring in my fa- 
 ther ! {Some of the Robbers go out, and return 
 luith the old man,) 
 
 0. Moor, 
 O whither do you lead me ? Where is my fon ? 
 
 Moor. 
 
 {IVith dignified compofure,) The planet and 
 the grain of fand hath each its place allotted in 
 
 C c 2 this
 
 204 THE ROBBERS. 
 
 this fcenc of things : Thy fon hath likcwife his. 
 Be feated there I 
 
 0. Moor. 
 
 (Breaks out into tears.^ Oh, I have no chil- 
 dren ! None ! 
 
 Moor. 
 Peace, peace ! Be feated there ! 
 
 0. Moor, 
 
 O cruel in your kindnefs ! You have faved a 
 dying wretch, and dragged him back to life, on- 
 ly to tell him that his children are ho more ! Shew 
 mercy yet, and bury me again in that dark tower I 
 
 Moor. 
 
 (Seizes his hand, and raifes it with tranj- 
 port to heaven,) Do not blafpheme, old man ! 
 Blafpheme not Him, before whofe righteous 
 throne I have this day prayed with confidence- 
 To day, the wicked have approached the throne 
 of mercy. 
 
 0. Moor, 
 And have they there been taught to murder ? 
 
 Moor,
 
 THE ROBBERS. 205 
 
 Moor, 
 
 {IVith a voice of indignation.^ Old man, no 
 more \ {In a calmer tone.) If his divinity thus 
 ftirs within the fumer's bread, is it for faints to 
 quench that holy fire ? Where could you now find 
 words to exprefs contrition or to fue forgivenefs, 
 if this day He fliould baptife for thee a son ? 
 
 0. Moor. 
 Are fons baptifed in blood ? 
 
 Moor. 
 What doft fliou fay ? Is truth revealed by the 
 tongue of dcfp^r ? Yes, old man, it is poflible 
 for Providence to baptife even with blood. This 
 day He has baptifed for thee with blood. Fear- 
 ful and wonderful are His ways. But in the 
 end arc tears of joy. 
 
 0. Moor. 
 Where fliall thofe tears be (hed ? 
 
 Moor, ' ' 
 
 Upon thy Charles's heart 1 {Throivs himfelf 
 into his amis.) 
 
 0. Moor.
 
 466 THE ROBBERS. 
 
 0. Moor. 
 (In a tr an/port of joy.') My Charles alive ! 
 
 Moor. 
 
 Yes ! he's alive ! fent here to fave to avenge 
 his father. ^Thus by thy favourite fon thy kind- 
 nefs recompenfed. (^Pointing to the tower.') 
 Thus by the prodigal revenged ! (^Prejfes him 
 more zuannly to his breqft.) 
 
 The Robbers 
 Hark ! there are voices in the foreft ! 
 
 Moor, 
 
 Call in the band ! (The Robbers go out.) 
 'Tis time, O heart ! time to remove the cup of 
 pleafure from the lips, before it turn to poifon. 
 
 0. Moor. 
 
 Are thefc men thy friends ? I dread to look at 
 them. 
 
 Moor, 
 Afk any thing but that ! That has no anfwcr. 
 
 Etiter
 
 THE ROBBERS. 207 
 
 Enter Amelia, -with her hair difl:evelled, M 
 the band follow, and range themfelves in the 
 back ground of the fcene. 
 
 Amelia, 
 They fay the dead have arifen at his voice 
 that my uncle is alive faved from that tower ! ' 
 My Charles, where are you ? Where is my uncle? 
 
 Moor, 
 
 (^Starting back.) Oh ! what a pi6lure for an 
 eye like mine ! 
 
 0. Moor. 
 (Rifes trembling.) Amelia ! my dear niece ! 
 
 Amelia, 
 
 (Throwing hcrfelf into , the old man's arms,) 
 My father, O once more, my Cliarles ! my all 1 
 
 0. Moor, 
 
 My Charles alive ! and I ! and all ! My 
 Charles alive ! 
 
 Moor. 
 
 (IVithfury, to the band.) Let us be gone, 
 my friends ! The arch-fiend has betrayed me 1 
 
 Amelia*
 
 2o THE ROBBERS. 
 
 Amelia. 
 
 (Di/higaging herf elf from the embrace of the 
 old man, flies into the arms of Charles, and 
 einbraces him zvith tranfport.) I have him here ! 
 
 heavens, I have him here ! 
 
 Moor. 
 
 :> 
 Tear her from my arms ! Kill her ! and him 
 
 and me too and all I Let nature go to wreck ! 
 
 Amelia, 
 
 My hufband ! Oh my hufband ! Tranfportcd 
 quite ! he is in extafy. Why am I thus poor in 
 tranfport ? cold, infenfible, *midft this tumultu- 
 ous joy ? 
 
 0, Moor. 
 
 Come, my children ! Here, Charles, thy 
 
 hand and thine, Amelia ! A happincfs like this 
 
 1 never looked for on this fide the grave. Here 
 let me blefs your union and for ever' 
 
 u4meiia. 
 For ever his ! For ever ! and he mine ! O 
 Powers of heaven ! abate this torrent of delight I 
 It kills with pleafure ! 
 
 Moor,
 
 THE ROBBERS. 209 
 
 Moor, 
 
 {Tearing himfdf from the arms of /Amelia,) 
 Away ! away 1 dear wretch ! mod niiferable of 
 
 brides ! Look there ! afk of thefe men ! and 
 
 hear them ! ^Hear them, O mod unhappy of all 
 fathers ! Let me be gone for ever ! 
 
 Amelia, 
 
 What wouldft thou do ? ^where go ? Here's 
 love and happinefs eternal ! What mean thofe 
 dreadful words ? 
 
 O, Moor, 
 
 Where would he go ? My fon ! my only fon I 
 What does he mean ? 
 
 Moor, 
 
 It is too late ! In vain ! Thy curfe, my fa- 
 ther ! Afk me no more. I am I have thy 
 
 curfe believed, at lead, thy curfe ^ ! {IVith 
 
 firmnefs,) Die, wretched Emily ! Father, by 
 me twice flain ! thefe thy deliverers are robbers! 
 robbers and aflaflins 1 Thy fon their Cap- 
 tain * 
 
 Germ. Dein vermeinter faich. Thy fuppofed curfe. 
 
 D d O.Moov, 
 
 9
 
 2IO THE ROBBERS. 
 
 0. Moor, 
 O God ! My children ! Oh ! {He dhs.} 
 
 (Amelia remains motionlefs as a Jiatue, The 
 ba7jd preferve a dreadful filence.') 
 
 Moor, 
 (Running to dajh his head againji an oaky 
 Jiops fuddenly.) The fpirits of thofe 1 murdered 
 in their fleep or in the bed of love ! Hark 1 
 yon dreadful explofion, which crufh*d to death 
 the mother and her infant ! The flames, which 
 lick'd the cradles of the babes 1 Ay, that's the 
 
 nuptial torch and thefe the wedding fongs ! 
 
 Oh ! He has not forgotten. -He knows to crave 
 his debt. Then, Love, be gone for ever. Here 
 is my doom and this my jufl: award ! 'Tis re- 
 tribution. 
 
 Amelia, 
 {fVho recovers^ as if from a thunder-Jiroke,') 
 Father of heaven ! 'tis true ! He has faid it I 
 It is true. But what have 1 done ? I, an inno- 
 cent lamb ! I have loved this Man ! 
 
 Moor. 
 
 *Tis more than man can bear ! I have heard 
 the yell of death poured from a thoufand mouths, 
 
 and
 
 THE ROBBERS. m 
 
 and never flirunk ! Shall I now quake before a 
 
 woman? be myfelf a woman ! No, no! No 
 
 woman e*er (hall move to weaknefs this man's 
 heart. I muft have blood ! This will wear off! 
 ril drink of blood and then I'll brave niv fate ! 
 (Is going of.) 
 
 Amelia 
 
 (Rapes into his arms.) Murderer ! fiend ! 
 whatever thou art angei to me ! I will not let 
 thee go ! 
 
 Moor. 
 
 Is this a dream ? a frenzy of the brain ? or new 
 device of hell, to make its game of me I See how 
 fhe clings clings to the murderer's neck \ 
 
 ^melia<. 
 Ay faft ! for ever 1 
 
 M007\ 
 
 She loves me ! loves mc ftill. Then I am 
 fpotlefs as the light ! She loves me. With all 
 my crimes, fhe loves me ; an angel weeps on a 
 fiend*s neck a fiend reftored to grace. Here let 
 the ferpents of the Furies die hell fink to nothing 
 I am happy ! (Hiding his face on the bo' 
 om of Amelia.) 
 
 D d 2 Crimm,
 
 212 THE ROBBERS, 
 
 urimm. 
 
 {FurioiiJIy.) Stop, Traitor ! leave her arms 
 this inftant ! or I will fpeak a word that Ihall 
 appal you to the foul ! 
 
 Stvitzer, 
 
 (^biterpofes his fiuord bettveen Moor and 
 Grimm.) Think on the forefl of Bohemia! 
 Marked thou that ? Thmk on the forefl of Bohe- 
 mia ! Traitor ! Where are thy oaths ? Are all 
 our wounds forgot ? our fortune, honour, life, 
 defpifed for thee I our fufFerings, more than mor- 
 tal, fet at nought 1 Didft thou not then lift up 
 that hand to heaven, and fwear fwear never to 
 forfake us never to defert thofe who have been 
 true to thee ? Foul, faithlefs, bafefl traitor ! 
 To fell us for a woman's tears ! 
 
 7Jie Robbers 
 
 ( Murmur wg confufedly., uncover their 
 breajis.) Look here ! look at thefe wounds ! 
 We bought thee with our blood ! Thou art our 
 bondman ours thou art IIf the Archangel Mi- 
 chael fhould feek to wreft thee from the Prince 
 of hell thou art ours. Come ! come along ! a 
 vidim for a vidim ! a woman for the band ! 
 
 Moor,
 
 THE ROBBERS. 
 
 Moor, 
 
 213 
 
 {Difengaging himfelf from Amelia's arms.) 
 *Tis done ! I would have fain gone back. But 
 He that is in heaven has faid, No ! Look not 
 thus dark upon me, Emily ! He has no need of 
 me."" -Has he not millions of Jiis creatures ? He 
 can fpare one ! I am that one. Come, friends, 
 let us be gone ! {Turning to the band.) 
 
 )j Amelia. 
 
 {Holding him fafl.) Stop, flop ! one fmgle 
 flroke ! a mortal ftroke ! Again abandoned ! 
 O draw that fword in mercy ! 
 
 Moor* 
 Mercy is in the tyger's heart. I cannot kill. 
 
 Amelia. 
 
 {Embracing his knees.) O, for the love of- 
 God ! for mercy ! I afk thee not for love.-^ 
 know we are curft by Fate. Death ! death's my 
 only prayer ! See, my hand fhakes. I cannot 
 touch the fword its gleaming terrifies me ! O, 
 to thee it were fo eafy I inured to death. Strike, 
 ftrike, and I will blefs thee 1
 
 414 THE ROBBERS.] 
 
 Moor, 
 
 (JVith Jiernnefs.) Wouldfl: thou alone be 
 happy ? Begone ! I cannot kill a woman ! 
 
 Amelia. 
 
 Murderer ! thou kill'fl the happy only but 
 the wretch who longs for death, thy barbarous 
 pity fpares. {To the band.) Have mercy on 
 me ! kindeft niinifters of death ! O pity me I 
 Yes, thofe favage looks are comfort to the wretch ! 
 They thirfl for blood. Difpatch me quick ! 
 In mercy kill me ! Your matter is a coward 
 a mere braggart ! (^Some of the Robbers prefent 
 their pieces at her.) 
 
 Moor. 
 
 {In fury.) Begone, you harpies ! {Places 
 himfe If between them ^w^ Amelia.) Dare buf? 
 a foul of you to violate this fanduary ! She is 
 mine ! {trie ire ling her ivajie -with his arm.) 
 Let heaven and hell combine their powers to 
 force her from this hold ! Love is above all 
 oaths ! {He lifts her from the ground^ and 
 fjjews her triumphantly to all the band.) What 
 Nature has united, who fhall dare to part ? 
 
 The
 
 THE ROBBERS. 
 
 2!5 
 
 The Robbers. 
 (^Levelling their muJketSy and taking aim at 
 
 both.) We (hall dare 
 
 Moor. 
 
 (^H^lth a contemptuous fmile.) Poor, impo- 
 tent, and weak I (//I? places Amelia, zuho is 
 almoji infenjible, on a fione.) Look up, my 
 bride i No priefl: fhall blefs our union no hal- 
 lowed prayer be faid ! I know what's better. 
 (Takes the handkerchief from Amelia's neck^ 
 and difcovers her bofotn-) Gaze on this beau- 
 teous fight ! if ye be men ! Felons ! have yc 
 hearts of ftone ? Behold me here ! Tm young 
 Tve felt the power of love ! I was beloved 1 be- 
 trothed ! 1 had reached the gate of paradife ! 
 
 (/ a tone of tender fupplication.') and fhall my 
 brothers force mc thence ? {The Robbers /mile.') 
 It is enough ! {fVith jirmnefs.') llius far 
 has Nature fpoke ! Now the Man's part begins 1 
 I am a murderer, like you ! a robber, and 
 
 incendiary ! I am (advancing to the band 
 
 ivith an air of inexprefflble majejly) your Cap- 
 tain ! and will you thus, ye felons 1 fword in 
 hand, thus treat, thus parley with your Captain ? 
 Down with your arms ! it^ is your mafter who 
 
 commands I
 
 2i6 THE ROBBERS. 
 
 commands ! {T^hey lay down their arms.') 
 There ! what are you now, but children, and I 
 am free ! Moor muft be free, in order to be 
 great ! Now, 1 would not exchange this triumph 
 for an elyfium of love I (^He drcnvs his fwordJ) 
 Poor wretches I your mean fouls reach not this 
 height. Whate'er is great feems frenzy in your 
 eyes. The fpirit of defpair outftrips your fnail- 
 paced wifdom. On deeds like thefe we paufe 
 
 not till they are done ! Fll think on this 
 
 hereafter ! (^He Jiabs u^melia.') 
 
 The Robbers. 
 
 {Clapping their hands.) Bravo 1 moft wor- 
 thy Captain ! Thy honour is difcharg'd ! ^I'hou 
 Prince of Robbers ! 
 
 Moor,-^^ . 
 
 Now fhe is mine ! She's mine ! Or that here- 
 after is but the dream of fools ! 1 have foird 
 
 my deftiny ! In fpite of fate, I have brought 
 home my bride: And with this fword, have 
 feal'd our wedding vows. Thoufands of years 
 ihall pafs, and feafons roll, e*er the bright fun fhall 
 
 witnefs fuch a deed. (7b Amelia with tender- 
 
 hefs.) Was it not fweet, my Emily, to die thus 
 by thy bridegroom's hand ? .
 
 THE ROBBERS. iif 
 
 Amelia, 
 
 {Stretching out her hand to him.) Oh moft 
 fweet ! (^/i6' dies.') 
 
 i 
 
 ^ Mooi\ 
 
 (To the band.) And now, my friends ! warm- 
 hearted, pitying friends ! Did your poor felon* 
 fouls look for a deed like this ? What was your 
 facrifice to me ? a life ftain'd deep with infamy, 
 Spotted with crimes blafted with fm and fliame* 
 1 facrificed to you a fpotlefs angel I (Throzvs 
 his fword to them tuith contempt.) Now, fe* 
 Ions, we are even ! This bleeding corpfe cancels 
 my bond for ever. Yto\\\ yours, 1 fet you free ! . 
 
 The Robbers, 
 
 (Crowding to him.) We are your flavcfl 
 till death ! 
 
 Moor, ^ 
 
 No, no ! All is accompliflied ! My genius tells 
 me^ '- Here mufl be thy bourn : Thus far coiild 
 " nature go ! No further !" Here, take this 
 bloody plume ! (Throws his phmie at their 
 feet.) He that will be your Captain now, may 
 take it up ! 
 |- E c 77/f
 
 !ji8 THE ROBBERS. 
 
 The Robbers* 
 
 Oh fplritlefs ! Where are your mighty plans ? 
 ^ir-bubbles all ! burft with a woman's breath ! 
 
 Moor, 
 
 (fVith dignity.) What Moor has done, who 
 dares to qucftion ? Hear my lad. command !-- 
 Come hither 1 Stand around, and hearken to 
 your dying Captain's words ! {^Looking at th'.m 
 for a long time.) You have been devoted to 
 
 me faithful beyond example. Had virtue been 
 the bond of your attachment, you had been he- 
 roes : your memories had been revered, your 
 jiames pronounced with rapture by mankind. 
 Go, and devote what yet remains of life to man- 
 kind^ Service, to your country's caufe. Go, 
 ferve a gracioL's king, who wages war to vindi- 
 cate the rights oi man ! 1 his be my benedidion 1 
 
 Hence ! Farewel. Step, Switzer and Ko- 
 
 ^inski I 
 
 ^ {The hand goes out ^ icavirjg Smizcv and Ko- 
 zinski zuith Moor.) 
 
 Moor. 
 
 Give me thy hand, Kozmsid ! Thine too, 
 
 ibv.'it'^^^r '
 
 THE JOBBERS. 219 
 
 Switzer I {Taking their hands ^ ami placiirr 
 himfelf beUceen them.) Young man ! {To 
 Kczifjski.) Thou art yet unfpottcd amongfl 
 the guilty, only guiltlcfs ! {To Switzer.') Thefe 
 hands I have deep imbrued in blood ! That 
 be my offence, not thine ! Here with this grafp 
 I take what is mine own. Now, Switzer, thou 
 art pure ! {Raifes their hands to hcjvcn zuith 
 fervour.) Father of heaven ! here I give them 
 up ! loft fiiecp rcflored 1 They will be now more 
 fervently thine own than thofe who never fell I 
 {Siv:izer and Kozinski fall on each other's 
 neck.) Not now, my friends ! O fpare me 
 
 n this decifive hour I An earldom is 
 
 mine bv heritage, a rich domain, on whicfc no 
 
 malediclion refts. Share it between you: Be- 
 
 k 
 come good men ! good citizens ! And li^tor ten 
 
 whom I have aeftrofed you make but one-4nan 
 
 bleft, my foul may yet be favcd 1 Go! quiciv ! 
 
 while yet my fortitude remains ! {Szcitzcr and 
 
 Kozinski go out, hiding ih.eir fia-.s.) 
 
 Good citizen ! And am not I too worthy of 
 that name I What law fo terrible as tliat which 
 I have obQ,yed ? What vengeance or atonement 
 
 of offence that's like to mine? Be my fate 
 
 fultiiicd I Hard by 1 have obferved a wretch 
 
 who
 
 pi THE ROBBERS. 
 
 who labours by the day, an officer He has c* 
 leven children. To him who fhall deliver up the 
 Robber Moor, a high reward is now proclaimed. 
 He and his babes Ihall have it ! 
 
 THE END. 
 
 % . .
 
 T O T H E 
 RIGHT HONOURABLE 
 
 Henry Pelham; 
 
 SIR, 
 
 T was a very fine Piece of 
 Qptory of a young Law- 
 yer at the Bar, who, as 
 Council agaiuft a High- 
 wayman, obfcrved that the Profecutor 
 had been robbed of a certain Quantity 
 of OrCj which being purified by Fire, 
 cut into circular Pieces, and imprefled 
 with the Image of -a King and the 
 Arms of a State, broiight with it the 
 Ncceflaries, the Conveniences, and the 
 Luxuries of Life. I'll be hang'd, fays 
 an honcft Country Gentleman who was 
 A 2 ftandiiig
 
 IV The Dedication. 
 
 ftanding by, if this flourifliing Foel 
 does not mean Money. But if he uM 
 faid it in one Woid, would not all the 
 reft have been implied ? 
 
 Just fuch a Cenfure as this fhould 
 I deferve, if in an Addrcfs to Mr. Pel- 
 ham I endeavoured to enumerate the 
 Qualities he poffcfles. The Charadtcrs 
 of great Men are generally conneded 
 with their Names ; and it is impoffible 
 for any one to read the Name of Mr. 
 Pelham^ without connecting with it, 
 in his own Mind, the Virtues of Hu- 
 manity. 
 
 It is therefore fufEcient that I de- 
 fire his Acceptance of this Play ; that I 
 acknowledge the Obligations I owe 
 him, and that I fubfcribe myfelf 
 
 His moji grateful^ 
 and 
 mofi obedient Servant^ 
 
 Edw. Moore.
 
 PROLOGUE. 
 
 Written and Spoken by Mr. G AR R I C K, 
 
 LIKE fam'd La M*nchah Knight, who Laonce in Hand 
 Mounted his Steed to free th* enchanted Land, 
 Our Quixote Bard fets out a Monfler taming, 
 Arm'd at all Points, to fight that HydraGAMiWQ, 
 Aloft on Pegafus he waves his Pen, 
 And hurls Defiance at the CaitiiF'j Den : 
 The firft on fancy'd Giants fpent his Rage, 
 But This hat more than Windmills to engage* 
 He combati Paifion, rooted in the Soul, 
 Whofe Powers at once delight ye and controul ; 
 Whofe magic Bondage each loil Slave enjoyi. 
 Nor wifties Freedom, tho' the Spell deftroys. 
 To fave our Land from this Magician's Charmi 
 And refcue Maids and Matrons from his Arms, 
 Our Knight Poetic comes And Oh ! ye Fair ! 
 This black Enchanter'* wikcd Arts beware I 
 His fubtle Poifon dims the brightcft Eyes, 
 And at his Touck, each Grace and Beauty dies. 
 Love, Gentlenefs and Joy to rage give Way, 
 And the foft Dove becomes a Bird of Prey. 
 May thi our bold Advent'rer break the Spell, 
 And drive the Dafmon to his native Hell. 
 
 Ye Siaves of Paflion, and ye Dupes of Chance, 
 Wake all your Pow'rs from this dellruftive Trance t 
 Shake off the Shackles of this Tyrant Vice : 
 Hear other Calls than thofc of Cards and Dice : 
 Be learn'd in nobler Arts than Arts of Play, 
 And other Debts than thofe of Honour pay. 
 No longer live infenfible to Shame, 
 Loft to your Country, Families and Fame. 
 
 Could our romantic Mufe this Work atchieve^ 
 Wou'd there one honeft Heart in Britain grieve i 
 Th' Attempt, tho' wild, would not in vain be made. 
 If cv'ry honeft Hacd wou'd lend it* Aid- 
 
 EPI.
 
 EPILOGUE. 
 
 Writtea by a FRIEND, 
 And Spoken by Mrs. PRITCHARD. 
 
 ON ev'ry Gameftcr in th' Arahian Nation, 
 'Tis faid that Mahomtt denounc'd Damnation : 
 But in Return f -r wic 'red Cards and Dice, 
 He gave ihem black ey'u Girls in Paradifc. 
 Should he thus preach, good Countrymen, to YMi 
 His Converts woul J, I fear, be mighty few. 
 So much your Hearts are fet on fordid Gain, 
 The brightcft Eyes around you (hine in vain. 
 Shou'd the moft heav'nly Beauty bid you take herj 
 Vou'd rather ho'd fwo Aces and a Maktr, 
 
 By your Ex.imple, our poor Sex drawn in. 
 Is guilty wi the fame unnat'ral Sin ; 
 The Study now of ev'ry Girl of Parts, 
 Is how to win your Money, not your Hearts. 
 O ! in what fweet, what ravifhing Delights, 
 Our Beaux and Belles together paft their Nights I 
 By ardent Perturbations kept awake. 
 Each view* with longing Eyes the other's Stake. 
 The Smiles and Graces are from Britain flown. 
 Our Cupid is an errant Sharper grown. 
 And Fortune fits on CytJberea's, Throne. 
 In all thefe Things, tho' Women may be blam'd. 
 Sure Men, the wifer Men, fliould be alham'd ! 
 And 'tis a horrid Scandal, I declare, 
 That four Itrange Queens fhould rival all the Fair j 
 Foi-ir jilts with .icither Beauty, Wit, nor Parts, 
 O Shame! have got Poffeffi on of their Hearts ; 
 Ar.d chofe bold Siuts, for all their Queenly Pride^ 
 Have play'd ioofe Tricks, or elfe they're much bely'd. 
 Cards were at firll for Benefits defign'd, 
 Sent to aaiufe, and not enflave tuc Mind. 
 From Good to Bad how eafy the Tranfuion ! 
 For what was Pleafurc once, is now Peraltion. 
 Fair Ladies then thefe wicked Ganaefters ibun, 
 Whoever wedi one, is, you kc undoac. 
 
 Dra-
 
 Dramatis Perfonae, 
 
 
 J 
 
 M 
 
 E 
 
 N. 
 
 Beverley, 
 
 
 
 
 Mr. Garrick. 
 
 Lcwfon,* 
 
 
 
 
 M", Moflbp. 
 
 Stukcly, 
 
 
 
 
 Mr. Davies. 
 
 Jarvif, 
 
 
 
 
 Mr. Berry. 
 
 Bates, 
 
 
 
 
 A&. Burton. 
 
 Dawfon, 
 
 
 
 
 Mr. Blakes. 
 
 Waiter, 
 
 
 
 
 ik&-. Ackman. 
 
 
 W 
 
 O 
 
 M 
 
 E N. 
 
 Mrs, Beverley, 
 
 
 
 M's. Pritchard. 
 
 Charlotte, 
 
 
 
 
 M/s Haughtoa.' 
 
 Lucy, 
 
 
 
 
 Mrs, Price,
 
 '. \
 
 THE 
 
 GAMESTER. 
 
 A 
 
 TRAGEDY. 
 
 ACT I. SCENE I. 
 
 B 
 
 Enter Mrs. Beverley and Charlotte. 
 
 Mrs. Beverley. f^E comforted, my Dear; all 
 may be well yet. And 
 now, methinks, the Lodg- 
 ings begin to look with another Face. O Sif- 
 ter ! Sifter ! if thefe were all my Hardfhip.s ; if 
 all I had to complain of were no more than 
 quitting my Houfe, Servants, Equipage and 
 Shew, your Pity would be Weaknefs. 
 Char. Is Poverty nothing, then ? 
 Mrs. Bev. Nothing in the World, if it affe<5ted 
 only Me. While we had a Fortune, I was the 
 happieft of the Rich : And now 'tis gone, give 
 mc but a bare Subfiftance and my Ilufband's 
 
 B .Smiles^
 
 1 rZ'^ G A M E S T E R. 
 
 Smiles, and Til be the happbft of the Poor. 
 To me now thefe Lodgings want nothing but 
 their Mailer. Why do you look at me ? 
 
 Char, That I may hate my Brother. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. Don't talk fo, Charlotte. 
 
 Char, Has he not undone you ? Oh ! this 
 
 pernicious Vice of Gaming ! But methinks his 
 ufual Hours of four or five in the Morning might 
 Jiavc contented him-, 'twas Mifery enough to 
 wake for him till then. Need he have ftaid out 
 all Night ? I fliall learn to deteft him ? 
 
 Mrs. Bev Not for the firft Fault. He never 
 flept from me before. 
 
 Char, Slept from you \ No, no, his Nights 
 hive nothing to do vsith Sleep. How has this 
 one Vice driven him from every Virtue ! Nay, 
 
 from his Affedions, too! The Time was. 
 
 Sifter 
 
 Mrs. Bev^ And is. I have no Fear of his 
 Affcdtions. Wou'd I knew that he were fafe ! 
 
 Char. From Ruin and his Companions ^ 
 
 But that's impoffible. His poor little Boy, too?' 
 What muil become of Him ? 
 
 Mrs. i^ev. Why Want fli^ll teach him In^ 
 duftry. From his Father's Miftakes he fhall 
 learn Prudence, and from his Mother's Refigna- 
 tion, Patience. Poverty has no fuch Teri'or$ in 
 k as you irnagine. There's no Condition of Life, 
 Sicknpfs and Pain excepted, where Happinefs is 
 txcluded. The- Hufbandman wha rlBs early to 
 
 his
 
 ne GAMESTER. 3 
 
 his Labour, enjoys more welcome Reft at Night 
 for't. His Bread is fweeterto him-, his Home 
 happier; his Family dearer-, his Enjoyments 
 furer. The Sun tha,t roufes him in the Morni':!g, 
 fcts in the Evening to releafc him. All Si uations 
 have their Comforts, if fweet Contentment dwell 
 in the Heart. But my poor Beverley has none. 
 The Thought of having ruin'd thofe he loves is 
 Mifery for ever to fiim. Wou'd I couV. eafe his 
 Mind of that! 
 
 Char. If he alone were^ruin'd, 'twere juft he 
 fhou'd be punifh'd. He is niv Brother, *tis true; 
 but when I think of what lie has done ; of the 
 Fortune you brought him ; of his own large [- 
 ftate too, fquander'd away upon this v\h^ of 
 -Paffions^ and among the vilefr of Wretches! 
 O ! I have no Pacien e 1 iVIy own little Fortune 
 is untouch'd, he fays. Wou'd 1 were fure on'r. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. And fo you may 'twould b a 
 
 Sin to doubt it. 
 
 Char. . I; "Will be fu'^e cn't 'twas Madnrfs in 
 me td give; it to his Management. But ]']-} de- 
 mand it from him this Morning. I have a me- 
 lancholy Occafion for*t. 
 '- ^Tt Bev. What Oecafion ? 
 
 Char. To fupport a Sifter. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. No ; 1 have no Need on*t; Take 
 
 'it and reward a Lover with it. The gcneroiis 
 
 l^ewfon dtferves much more. Why won't yi/u 
 
 make him happy ? 
 
 B 2 Cl^ur,
 
 4 The GAMESTER. 
 
 
 
 Char. Becaufc my Sifter's miferable. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. You muft not think fo. I have my 
 Jewels left yet. I'll fell 'em to fupply our 
 Wants , and when all's gone thcfe Hands fhall 
 toil for our Support. The Poor fhould be in- 
 duftrious-^ Why thofc Tears, Charlotte? 
 
 Char. They flow in Pity for you. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. All may be well yet. When he 
 has nothing to \ofe I (hall fetter him in thefe 
 Arms again , and then what is it to be poor ? 
 
 Char, Cure him but of this deftrudtive Paffion, 
 and my Uncle's Death may retrieve all yet. 
 
 hlt?^.^Bev. Ay, CharlottCy cou'd we cure him. 
 But the Dileafe of Play admits no Cure but Po- 
 verty ; and the Lofs of another Fortune wou'd 
 but encreafe his Shame and his Afflidiotn. ..Will 
 Mr, Lewfon call this Morning ? 
 
 Char. He laid fo laft Night. He gave me 
 Hints, too, that he had Sufpicions of our Friend 
 Stukely. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. Not of Treachery to my Hulband ? 
 That he loves Play, I know j but furely he's 
 honeft. 
 
 Char. He would fain be thought fo ; therefore 
 I doubt him, Honefty needs no Pains to fet it- 
 felf off. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. What now, Luey? 
 
 Lucy. Your old Steward, Madam. I had not 
 the Heart to deny him Admittance, the good 
 old Man begg'd fo hard for't, (Exit Lucy. 
 
 Enter
 
 Ihe GAMESTER. 5 
 
 Enter Jarvis. 
 
 Mrs. Bcv. Is this well, Jarvis ? 1 defirtd you 
 to avoid me. 
 
 Jar. Did you. Madam ? I am an old Man, 
 and had forgQt. Perhaps, too, you forbad my 
 Tears; but I am old. Madam, and Age will 
 be forgetful. 
 
 Mrs. Bfj, The faithful Creature I how he 
 moves me. (^0 Char. 
 
 Char. Not to have feen him had been Cruelty. 
 
 Jar. I have forgot thefe Apartments, too. I 
 remember none fuch in my young Mafter's 
 Houfe ; and yet I have liv'd in't thefe five 
 and twenty Years. His good Father would not 
 have difmifs'd me. ' 
 
 Mrs.\&f^. He had no Reafon, Jarvis. 
 
 Jar. \ was faithful to him while he liv'd, and 
 when he dy'd, he bequeath'd me to his Son. I 
 have been faithful" to Him, too. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. I know it, I know it, Jarvis. 
 
 Char. We both know it. 
 
 Jar. I am an old Man, Madam, and have not 
 a long Time to live. I afk'd but to have dy'd 
 with him, and he difmifs'd me. ''"^^,- .. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. Prithee no more of this I 'T^as 
 his Poverty that difmifs'd you. 
 
 Jar; Is he indeed fo poor, then ? Oh-! he 
 
 was the Joy of my old Heart But muft his 
 
 Creditors have all ? And have they fold his 
 Houfe, too ,'' His Father built it when He was . 
 
 but
 
 e T/?'^ G A M E S T E R. 
 
 but a prating Bov. The Times that I have car- 
 lyd hinj in thefe Arms! And, Jarvis, fay he, 
 when a Beggar has afk'd Charity ot me, why 
 ihould Pecfxle be. poor ? You fhan't be poor, 
 Jarvis j if I was a King, no-body {hould be 
 poor. Yet He is poor. And then he was fo 
 brave ! O he was a brave little Boy I And yet 
 fo merciful he*d not have kill'd the Gnat that 
 ilung him. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. Speak to hini, Charlotte ; for I can- 
 not. 
 
 Char. When I have \vip*d my Eyes. 
 
 Jar. I have a little Money, Madam; it might 
 have been more, but I have lov'd the Poor. AU 
 that 1 have is yours. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. No, Jarvis , we .have enough yet. 
 I thank y-u, though, and will deferve your 
 Goodncfs. 
 
 Jar. But fhill I fee my Mafter ? And will he 
 let me attend him in his DiftrefTes ? Di be no 
 Expence to him , and 'twill kill me to be rcfu- 
 fed. Where is he. Madam? 
 
 Mrs. Bev. Not at Home, Jarvis, You fliall 
 fee him another Time. 
 
 Cbar. To-morrow, or the next Day O, Jar^ 
 ms ! Wnat a Change is here ! 
 
 Jar. A Charge indeed, Madam! My old 
 JH^art akcs at it. And yet, methinks-.^Bu 
 here's fomebody coming. 
 
 Enter
 
 The G A M E S T E R. 7 
 
 Enter Lucy with Stukely. 
 
 Lucy. Mr. Stukely, Madam. (Exit: 
 
 Stu. Good Morning to you, Ladies. Mr. Jar- 
 visy your Servant. Where's nry Friend, Madam ? 
 
 {To Mrs. Bev. 
 
 Mr. Bev, I Ihould have a(k*d tHat Qucftion 
 of You. Have you fcen him To-day ? 
 
 Stu. No, Madam. 
 
 Cbar. Nor taft Night ? 
 
 Stu. Laft Night! Did he not come Home 
 then ? 
 
 Mrs. Bev. No. Were you not together ? 
 
 Stu. At the Beginning of the Evening ; but 
 not fince. Where can he have (laid ? 
 
 Cbar. You call yourfelf his Friend, Sir j why 
 do you encourage him in this Madr.efs of Gaming ? 
 
 Stu. You have afk'd me that Qiieftion before. 
 Madam , and I told you my Ccniccrn was that 1 
 could not favc' l>im 5 Mr. Beverley is a Man, 
 Madam ; and if the moft friendly Entreaties have 
 no EfFe<Sl upon him, I have no other Means. 
 My Purfe has been his, even to the Injury of my 
 Fortune. If that has been Encouragement, I 
 dcferve Genfure ; but I meant- it to retrieve him. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. I don't doubt it. Sir*, and I thbnk 
 you But where did you leave him laft Night ? 
 
 Stu. At IViifon's, Madam, if I ought to tell ; 
 in Company I did not like. Poffibly he may be 
 there ftill. Mr. Jarvis knows the Houfe, I be- 
 lieve. 
 
 Jar.
 
 8 "the GAMESTER. 
 
 Jar. Shall 1 go. Madam ? 
 . Mrs. Bev. No, he may take it ill. 
 
 Char. He may go as from himfelf. 
 
 Stu, And, if he pleafcs. Madam, without 
 naming Me. I am faulty myfelf, and fhould 
 conceal the Errors of a Friend. But I can rc- 
 fufe nothing here. (Bowing to the Ladies, 
 
 Jar. I would fain fee him, methinks. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. Do fo, then. But take Care how you 
 upbraid him. I have never upbraided him. 
 
 Jar. Wou'd I cou'd bring him Comfort ! 
 
 (Exit Jarvis. 
 
 Stu. Don't be too much alarm'd, Madam. 
 All Men have their Errors, and their Times of 
 feeing 'em. Perhaps my Friend's Time is not 
 come yet. But he has an Uncle , and old Men 
 don't live for ever. You fhou'd look forward. 
 Madam ; we are taught how to value a fecond 
 Fortune by the Lofs of a firfl:. 
 
 (Knocking at the Door. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. Hark ! No that Knocking was 
 too rude for Mr. Beverley. Pray Heaven he be 
 well ! 
 
 Stu. Never doubt it. Madam. You fhall be 
 well, too Every thing Ihall be well. 
 
 (Knocking again; 
 
 Mrs. Bev. The Knocking is a little loud, 
 tho' Who waits there? Will none of you an- 
 fwer ? None of you, did I fay ? Alas ! what 
 was I thinking of! I had forgot myfelf. 
 
 Char.
 
 The GAMESTER. 9 
 
 Char, rilgo. Sifter- But don't be alarm*d 
 
 fo. (Emt. 
 
 Siu. What extraordinary Accident have you to 
 fear. Madam? 
 
 Mrs. Bev. I beg your Pardon *, but *tis ever 
 thus with me in Mr. Beverley's Abfence; No 
 one knocks at the Door, but I fancy it ii a 
 Meffenger of ill News. ' ' - 
 
 Stu. You are too fearful. Madam , *twas but 
 one Night of Abfence ', and if ill Thoughts in- 
 trude (as Love is always doubtful) think of your 
 ^Worth and Beauty^ and drive 'em from your 
 Breaft. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. What Thoughts ? I have no 
 Thoughts that wrong my Hufband. 
 
 5/. Such Thoughts indeed would wrong hini. 
 The World is full of Slander ; and every Wretch 
 that knows himfelf unjuft, charges his Neigh- 
 bour with like Paffions ; ind by the gneral 
 Frailty hides his own It you are wife, and wou'd 
 be happy, turn a deaf Ear to fuch Reports. 'Tis 
 Ruin to believe 'em. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. Ay, worfe than Ruin. 'Twould be 
 to fin againft Convidion. Why was it mention'd? 
 
 Slu. To guard you againlt Rumour. The 
 
 Sport of half Mankind is Mifchicf; and ror a 
 
 fingle Erro?; they make Men Devils. If their 
 
 Talcs reach you, difbelieve 'em. 
 
 2 Mrs. Bev. What Talcs .? By whom ? Why told ? 
 
 I have )ieard nothing or if I had, with all his 
 
 C Errors,
 
 Id r^^r G A M E S T E R. 
 
 Errors, my Beverlefs firm Faith admits no 
 Doubt *It is my Safety, my Seat of Reft and 
 Joy, while the Storm threatens round me. I'll 
 not forfake it. {Stuk.t\y fighs and looks down) Why 
 -turn you, Sir, away ? and why that Sigh ? 
 
 Stu. I was- attentive. Madam ; and Sighs will 
 -come we know not why. Perhaps I have been 
 too bufy.--If it fliould fecm fo, impute my Zeal 
 to Friendlhip, that meant to guard you againft 
 jfivil Tongues. Your Beverley is wrong'd, flan- 
 iier'd moft vilely My Life upon his Truth. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. And mine too. Who is't thit 
 
 doubts it ? But no Matter < I am prepar'd, 
 
 ^ir' Yet why this Caution ? You are m^ 
 
 Hufband*s Friend ; I think you mine too ; the 
 common Friend of both. (Paufes) I had been 
 unconcern'd clfe. 
 
 Stu, For Heaven's Sake, Madam, be fo ftill ! 
 I meant to guard you againft Sufpicion, not CO 
 alarm it. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. Nor have you. Sir. Who told you 
 of Sufpicion ? I have a Heart it cannot reach. 
 
 Stu. Then I am happy*- I would fay more 
 but am prevented. 
 
 Enter Charlotte. 
 
 Mrs. Bev, Who was it, Charlotte ? 
 
 Char. What a Heart has that Jarvis I A 
 
 Creditor, Sifter. But the good old Man has ta- 
 ken him away Don't diftrefs his Wife ! Don't 
 diftrefs his Sifter ! I could 4iear him fay. 'Tis 
 
 cruel
 
 rbe GAMESTER. ii 
 
 cruel to diftrefs the Afflidcd ^And when he 
 
 faw me at the Door, he begg*d Pardon that his 
 Friend had knock'd fo loud. 
 
 Stu. I wifh I had known of this. Was it a, 
 Jarge Demand, Madam ? 
 
 Cbor. I heard not that; but Vifits fuch as 
 thefe, we muft expcft often, Why fo diftrefs'd, 
 Sifter ? This is no new Aifliftion. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. No, Charlotte j but I am faint wi(h 
 
 watching quite funk and fpiritlefs Will 
 
 you excufe me, Sir ? 1*11 to my Chamber, and try 
 to reft a little. 
 
 Stu. Good Thoughts go with you. Madam. 
 
 (Exit A^s. Bev. 
 My Bait *s taken then. (Afide.) Poor Mrs. Bever^ 
 ley ! How my Heart grieves to fee her thus \ 
 
 Char. Core her, and be a Friend then. 
 
 S$H How cure her. Madam ? 
 
 Char. Reclaim my Brother. 
 
 Stu. Ay , give him a new Creation ; or breathe 
 another Soul into him. I'll think on't, Madam. 
 Advice I fee is thanklefs. 
 
 Char, yfelefs I am fure it is, if thro' miftaken 
 Friendftiip, or other Motives, you feed his Paf 
 fion with your Purle, and footh it by Exampk. 
 Phyficians to cure Fevers keep from the Patient's 
 ihirfty Lip the Cup that wou'd enflame him 5 
 You give it to his Hands (a Knocking.) Hark ! 
 Sir Thefe are my Brother's defperate Symptoms 
 Another Creditor. 
 
 C 2 Stu.
 
 12 The G A M E S r E R, 
 
 Stu. One not fo eafily got rid of -What, 
 
 Lew/on! 
 
 Enter Lewfon. 
 
 Lew. Madam, your Servant Yours, Sir, 
 I was enquiring for you at your Lodgings. 
 
 Stu. This Morning? You had Bufinefs then? 
 
 Lew You'll call it by another Name, per- 
 haps. Where's Mr. Beverley, Madam ? 
 
 Char. We have fent to enquire for him. 
 
 Lew, Is he abroad then ? He did not ufe to 
 go out fo early. 
 
 Char. No , nor to (lay out fo late. 
 
 Lew. Is that the Cafe ? I am forry for it. But 
 'Mr, Srukely, perhaps, may diredt you to-him. 
 ' StUt 1 have already, Sir. But what was 
 your Btrftnefs with me ? 
 
 Lew. To congratulate you upon your late 
 Succefles at Play. Poor Beverley ! But you are 
 his Friend ; and there's a Comfort in having fuc- 
 cefsful Friends. 
 
 Stu. And what am I to underftand by this? 
 
 Lew. That Beverley^ 2l poor Man, with a rich 
 Friend that's all. 
 
 Stu. Your Words wou'd mean fomething, I 
 fuppofe. - Another Time, Sir, I fhall defire an 
 Explanation. 
 
 Lew. And why not now ? I am no Dealer in 
 long Sentences. A Minute or two will do forme. 
 
 Stu. B-it not for Me, Sir. ! am (low of Ap- 
 prehcnfion, and muft have Time and Privacy. A 
 
 Lady's
 
 ne GAMESTER. 13 
 
 Lady's Prefence engages my Attention i\no- 
 thcr Morning I may be found at i-lomc. 
 
 Lew, Another Morning then, I'll wait upon 
 
 Stu. I fhall exped you. Sir. Madam, your 
 .Servant. / .- {Exit, 
 
 Char. What mean you by this ? 
 
 Lew. To hint to him that I know him. 
 
 Char, How know him ? Mere Poybt and Sup- 
 poficion ! . . : , 
 
 Lew. I fhall have Proof foon, 
 
 Char. And what then ? Wou'd you rifk your 
 Life to be his Punifher ? 
 
 Lew. My Life, Madam ! Don't be afraid. And 
 yet I am happy in your concern for me. But let 
 it content you that I know this 5/^^^-^'Twou'd 
 be as eafy to make him honeft as brave. 
 
 Char. And what do you intend to do ? 
 
 Lew. Nothing, 'till I have Proof Yet my 
 
 Sufpicions are well grounded But merhinks. 
 
 Madam, I am adting here without Authority. 
 Cou'd I have Leave to call Mr, Beverley Brother, 
 his Concerns would be my own. Why will you 
 make my Services appear officious ? 
 
 Char. You know my Reafons, and fiiou'd not 
 prefs me. But I am cold, you fay -, and cold I 
 
 will be, while a poor Sifter's deftitute My 
 
 Heart bleeds for her! and 'till I fee her Sorrows 
 moderated, I .ovc has no Joys for me. 
 
 Lew,
 
 14 fi'^ G A ME S T E R. 
 
 Lev9: Can I be lefs a Friend by being a Bro- 
 ther? I would aot fay areunkiTidThinjg -But 
 tfee Pillar of your Hoiafeis ffeaken. Prop it with 
 another, and it fhall (land firm again You 
 muR: comply. 
 
 Char. And will when I have Peace with-in 
 
 myfelf. But let us change thfe Subjedl Your 
 Bufinefe here this Marniflg is with- my Sifter. 
 Misfbrtufics prcfs too hard' upoft hef : Yet till to 
 Day fhe has borne 'em nobly, . 
 
 Lew. Where is Ihe? ; 
 
 Char. Gone to her Chemb^i* *Her' Spirits 
 fail'd her. 
 
 hew'^ I hear her comiflg Let what has 
 pafs'd w-tth Stukely be a Secret ^She has already 
 toa much to trouble her. 
 
 Enter Mrs. Beverley. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. Good Morning, Sir j I heard your 
 Voice, and as 1 thought, enquiring for Me 
 Where's Mr. Stukely^ Charlotte ? 
 
 Char. This Moment gone ^Yow have been 
 
 m Tears,. Sifter, but hre*s a f -riend ftiali conj- 
 fbttyou. 
 
 Lew. Or if I add to your Diftrefies, Til beg 
 your Pardon, Madam. The Sale of your Houfc 
 and Furniture was fiailh'd Yefterday. 
 
 Mrs. Bei^. I know it, Sir. I know too your 
 generous Reafon for putting me in Mind of it, 
 But you have bligedi me too much already. 
 
 L(w^
 
 r^t G A M E S T E H. 15 
 
 Ltw, Tbcre are Trifles, Madam, which I 
 know you have fet a Value on : Thofe I have 
 purchased, and will deliver. I have a Friend 
 jtoo that efteems you He has bou^t largely 4 
 ^nd will call nothing his, till he has feon you. 
 if a Vifit to him would not be painful, he has 
 begg*d it may be this Morning. 
 
 Mrs. Bev, Not painful in the leaft. MyTaia 
 is from the Kindncfs of my Friends. Why am 
 J to be oblig'd beyond the Power of Refurn ? 
 
 Lew, You ftiall repay us at your own Time 
 
 I ha^e a Coach waiting at the Door Shall wc 
 
 have your Company, Madam ? To Char. 
 
 Char. No. My Brother may return foon; 
 
 I'll ftay and receive him. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. He may want a Comforter, per- 
 haps. B^it don't upbraid him, Charlotte. We 
 
 Ihan'x be abfcnt long Come, Sir, fmce I muft 
 
 be fo oblig'd. 
 
 Iaw. 'Tis I that ^m oblig'd. An Hour or lefs 
 will be fufficicnt for us. We fhall find you at 
 Home, Madam ? To Char. ^^ Exit. 
 
 with Mrs. Bev, 
 Char, CcEtaint^y. J -have i)ut liitle Inclinacion 
 to appear abroad O ! xhis Brother ! this Bro- 
 ther ! T9 whai Wretcbedneis has he reduc'd us. 
 
 {Exit. 
 
 SCENE
 
 i6 ne G A M E S t E R. 
 
 SCENE changes to Stukely's Lodgings. 
 ' '] ; - - - ^ 'Enter Stukely. 
 
 St'u. That: LewfoH fiifpedVs me, 'tis too plain. 
 Yet why (liou*d he fulpeft me ? I appear the 
 f n6n3 of 'Beverley as much as he. But I am 
 rich it feertis and fb I am ; Thanks to another's 
 Folly and my own Wifdom. To what Ufe is 
 Wifdom, but to take Advantage of the Weak ? 
 This Beverley* s my Fool ; I cheat him, and he 
 
 calls me Friend Bur more Bufmefs muft bfc 
 
 don*^ yet. His Wife's Jewels are unfold ; fo is 
 the Reverfion of his Uncle's Eftate, I muft have 
 
 thefe too And thefi' there's a Treafure abov6 
 
 all -litjve his Wife Betpt:e flic knew this 
 
 Me'-jcrley I lov'd her ; but like a cringing Foolj 
 bbw'd at a Diftance, while he ftept in and won 
 
 her Never, never will I forgive him for't. 
 
 My Pride, as well as Love, is wounded by this 
 Conquer. I muft have Vengeance. ThofeHintSj 
 
 this Morning, were Well thrown in-* Already 
 
 thry have faiten'd on her'. II Jealoufy fhou'd 
 weaken her Affections, Want may corrupt her 
 Virtue My Heart rejoices in the Hope Thefe 
 Jewels may do much. He fliall demand 'em of 
 her *, which, when minf , fhall be converted to 
 fpecia) Purpofes What now. Bates? 
 Knter Batf s. 
 
 Bates. Is it a Wonder then to fee me ? The 
 Forces are all in Readinefs, and only wait for Or- 
 ders. Where's Beverley ? 
 
 Stu,
 
 ne GAMESTER. 17 
 
 Stu. At laft Night's Rendezvous, waiting for 
 me. Is Daw/on with you ? 
 
 Bates. Drefs'd like a Nobleman ^ with Money 
 in his Pocket, and a Set of Dice that iKall deceive 
 the Devil. 
 
 Sfu. That Fellow has a Head to undo a Na- 
 tion. But for the reft, they are fuch low-man- 
 her*d, ill-looking Dogs, I wonder Beverley has 
 not fufpeded 'em. 
 
 Bates. No Matter for Manners and t.ooks." 
 Do You fupply 'eni with Money, and they are 
 Gentlemen by iProfefllon The I^aflion of Gam- 
 ing cafts fuch a Mift before the Eyes, that the 
 Nobleman (hall be furrounded with Sharpers, 
 and imagine himfelf in the beft Company. 
 
 Siu. There's that Wtlliams, too It was He, 
 I fuppofe, that cali'd at Beverley^s with the Nofe 
 this Morning. What Dire6liohs did you give 
 him ? 
 
 Baies. To kiiock loud, and be clamorous. 
 Did not yoii fee him ? 
 
 Siu. No. The Fool fneak'd off with Jarvis. 
 Had he appear'd within Doors, as direfled, the 
 Note had been difcharg'd. 1 waited there on Pur- 
 pbfe. I want the Women to think well of me ; 
 for Lewfott's, grown fufpicious ; he told me fo 
 himfelf. 
 
 Bates, What Anfwer did you make him ? 
 
 Stu. A Ihort one That I wou'd lee him 
 
 fcK)n, for farther Explanation. 
 
 D Bates.
 
 ;a?f 
 
 is ne GAMESTER. 
 
 Bates. We muft take Care of him. But whaaf 
 have w6 to do with Beverly ? Daw/on and the 
 *eft are wondering at you. 
 
 Sti^. Why let *em wondef. I have Defigns 
 above their narFow Reach. They fee rtte lend 
 him Money ; and they flare at me. But they arc 
 Fools. I want him to believe me beggared by him% 
 
 Satis. And what then 1 
 
 Stu. Ay there's the Queftion ; but no Matter. 
 At Night you may know more. He waits for 
 mc at Wilfon^i, I told the Women where to find 
 fcim. 
 
 Bates. To what Purpofe ? 
 
 Stu. To fave Sufpicion. It lookM friendly; 
 and they thank'd me- OH Jarvis was dif- 
 patch'd to him. 
 
 Bates. And may kitreat him Home. 
 
 Stu. No-, he cxpedls Money from me : But 
 
 Pll have none. His Wife's Jewels muft go 
 
 '^omen are eafy Creatwes, and refufe nothing. 
 
 where they love FoUow to Wilfon^s -y but be 
 
 fure he fees you not. You are a Man of Cha- 
 rafter, you know ; of Prudence and Difcretion. 
 Wait for me in an outer Room j I fhall have 
 Bufincfs for you prefently. Come, Sir ; 
 
 Let drudging Fools hy Honifiy grow great ; 
 ^he Jhorter Road to Riehts is Deceit^. (Exeunf. 
 
 The End of the frft KQT.
 
 fh Q AUE S T EK^ 19 
 
 ACT 11. 
 
 SCENE a Gaming Houfe, imth a 'Table^ 
 Box, Dice, &c, 
 
 Beverley is difcover*d fitting, . 
 
 BEVERLET. 
 
 WHY, what a World is this! The Slave, 
 that digs for Gold, receives his daily 
 pittance, and fleeps contented ; while thofe, for 
 whom he labours, convert their Good to Mif" 
 chief; making Abundance the Means of Want. 
 O Shame! Shame! Had Fortune given me but 
 a little, that little had been ftill my own. But 
 Plenty leads to Wade*, and fliallow Streams 
 maintain their Currents, while fwelling Rivers 
 beat down their Banks, and leave their Channels 
 empty. What had I to do with Play ? I wanted 
 nothing. My Wilhes and my Means were equal. 
 The Poor folio w'd me with BlefTings ; Love 
 fcatter'd Rofes on my Pillow, and Morning wak'd 
 
 me to Delight O, bitter Thought I that leads 
 
 to what I was, by what I am ! I wou'd forget 
 
 both Who*s there ? 
 
 Enter a Waiter. 
 
 Wait. A Gentleman, Sir, enquires for you. 
 
 Bev. He might have us'd Icfs Ceremony. 
 Stukely, I fuppofe f 
 
 Waif. No, Sir, a Stranger. 
 
 Bsv. Well, ftiew him in. (Exit Waiter. 
 
 ^ Meflengcr from Stukely, then ! from Him that 
 
 D 2 has
 
 ao ne G A M E S T E R. 
 
 has undone me! Yet all in Friendlhip-, and 
 
 now he lends me from his Little, to bring back 
 Fortune to mc. 
 
 Enter Tar vis. 
 
 Jarvis ! Why this Intrufion ? -Your Abfence. 
 
 had been kinder. 
 
 Jar, I came in Duty, Sir. If it be trouble- 
 fome 
 
 Bev. It is 1 wou'd be private -hid even 
 
 from myfelf. Who fent you hither ? 
 
 Jar. One that vvou*d perfuade you Home 
 again. My Miftrefs is not well ; her Tears told 
 me fo. 
 
 Bev. Go with thy Duty there then But 
 does fhe weep ? I am to blame to let her weep. 
 Prithee begone : I have no Bufinefs for thee. 
 
 Jar. Yes, Sir y to lead you from this Place, 
 I am your Servant flill. Your profperous For- 
 tune blefs'd my old Age. If That has left you, 
 I muft not leave you. 
 
 Bev. Not leave me! Recall paft Time then ; 
 or through this Sea of Storms and Darknefs, 
 
 iliew me a Star to guide me But what can'ffe^ 
 
 Thou ? 
 
 Jar, The little that I can, I wilh You have 
 been generous to me I wou'd not offend you. 
 Sir but 
 
 Bev. No. Think'ft thou I'd. ruin Thee, too ! 
 
 I have enough of Shame already My Wife ! 
 
 My Wife ! Woud'it thou believe it, Jarvis ? % 
 
 have
 
 ne GAMESTER. 21 
 
 have not fcen her all this long Night 1, who 
 
 have lov'd her fo, that every Hour of Abfence 
 fcem'd as a Gap in Life. But other Bonds have 
 held me O 1 I have play'd the Boy ! drop- 
 ping my Counters in the Stream, and reaching 
 to redeem 'em, have loft myfelf. Why wilt 
 Thou tollow Mifery ? Or if thou wilt, go to thy 
 Miftrefs. She has no Guilt to fting her, and 
 therefore may be comforted. 
 
 Jar. For Pity's Sake, Sir ! I have no 
 
 Heart to fee this Change. 
 
 Bev. Nor I to bear it How fpeaks the 
 
 World of me, Jarvis ? 
 
 Jar, As of a good Man dead. Of one, who 
 walking in a Dream, fell down a Precipice. The 
 World is forry for you. 
 
 Bev. Ay, and pities me. Says it not fo ? 
 
 But 1 was born to Infamy Pll tell thee what 
 
 it fays. It calls me Villain j a treacherous Huf-- 
 band \ z, cruel Father-, a falfe Brother; one loft 
 to Nature and her Charities. Or to fay all in 
 one fhort Word, it calls me Gamefter. Go to 
 thy Miftrefs Pll fee her prefently. 
 
 Jar. And why not. now? Rude People prcfs 
 upon her ; loud, bawling Creditors ; Wretches, 
 
 v/ho know no Pity I met one at the Door ; 
 
 he wou'd have feen my Miftrefs. I wanted 
 Means of prefent Payment, fo promis'd it To- 
 morrow. But others may be prefting ; and (he 
 has Grief enough already. Your Abfence hangs 
 too heavy on her. Bev,
 
 11 ne GAMESTER. 
 
 Bev. Tell her I'll come, then. I have a Mo, 
 jnent's Bufmefs. But what haft Thou to do with 
 My Diftrefles ? Thy Honefty has left thee poor ; 
 ^pd Age wants Comfort, Keep what thou haft 
 for Cordials ; left between thee and the Grave, 
 Mifery fteal in. I have a Friend Ih^U counfel 
 me^ This is that Friend. 
 
 EnUr Stukely, 
 SiH How fares it, Beverley? Honeft Mr, 
 JarvJs, well met; 1 hop*d to find you here. 
 That Viper ffilliams ! Was it not He that troy- 
 ^Icd you this Mornipg ? 
 
 Jar, My Miftrefs heard hioi then f - I ^m 
 forry that flie heard him. 
 
 Bev. And Jarvis promised Payment. 
 Stu. That muft not be. Jell him I'll fatisfy 
 him. 
 
 Jar, "Will you. Sir? Heaven will reward you 
 fbr't. 'D ; . 
 
 Bev. Generous Stukely ! Friendfhip like your^, 
 had it Ability like Vvill, wou'd more than bal-*. 
 lance the Wrongs of P^ortune, 
 
 Slu. You think too kindly of me Make ha(lfi 
 
 XQlViUiams\ hisClamours maybe rudeelfe. (tp]^x 
 
 Jar. And my Mafter will go Home again 
 
 Alas ! Sir, we know of Hearts there breaking for 
 
 his Abfence. (^xit, 
 
 Bev. Wou'd I were dead ! 
 
 Stu, Or turn'd Hermit , counting a String of 
 
 Beads in a dark Cave j or under a weeping Wil- 
 
 low.
 
 -ne GAMESTER. 23 
 
 low, praying for Mercy on the Wicked. Ha I 
 ha! hal ^Prithee be a Man, and leave dying td 
 Difeafe and old Age. Fortune may be ouri 
 again ; at leaft we*ll try for*t. 
 
 Bev. No ; it has fool*d us on too ht, 
 
 Stu. Ay, ruin*d us; and therefore we'll fit doiwfi 
 contented. Thefe are the Defpondings of Meri 
 without Money , but let the fbining Ore chink 
 in the Pocket, and Folly turns toWifdom. We 
 are Fortune's Children^ True, Ihe's a fickle 
 Mother} butlhall We droop becaufe She's peevifh? 
 
 -No i (he has Smiles in Store. And thefe 
 
 her Frowns are meant to brighten 'em. 
 
 Bev, Is this a Time for Levity ? But you are 
 fingle in the Ruin, and therefore may talk light- 
 ly of it. With Me 'tis complicated Mifery. 
 
 Stu. You cenfure me unjuftly I but ailumed 
 thefe Spirits to cheer my Friend. Heaven 
 knows he wants a Comforter. 
 
 BeU What new Misfortune ? 
 
 Stu. I wou'd have brought you Money; but 
 Lenders want Securities. What's to be done ? 
 All that was mine is yours already. 
 
 Bev. And there's the double Weight that finks 
 me. I have undone my Friend, too ; one, who 
 to fave a drowning Wretch, reach'd out his 
 Hand, and perifh'd with him. 
 
 Stu, Have better Thoughts. 
 
 Bev, Whence are they to proceed ? I have 
 nothing left. 
 
 Stu
 
 24 ^i>e- 9 A M E S T E R. 
 
 I ptu. {Sighing) Then we're indeed undone; 
 .What Nothing ? No Moveables ? Nor ufelefs 
 Trinkets ? Bawbles lock'd up in Cafkets to ftarve 
 their Owners ? I have ventur'd deeply for you, 
 
 Bev. Therefore this Heart- ake -, for I am lofi 
 beyond all Hope. 
 
 Stu. No ; Means may be found to fave us. 
 Jarvis is rich. Who made him fo ? This is no 
 Time for Cererhony. 
 
 Bev, And is it for Dilhonefty ? The good old 
 Man ! Shall I rob Him too ? My Friend wou'd 
 , grieve for't. No ; let the little that he has, buy 
 Food and Cloathing for him. * 
 
 Stu, Good Morning, then; . (Going. 
 
 Bev. So hafty ! Why then good Mornino;. 
 
 Stu. And when we meet again, upbraid me. 
 Say it was I that ten? pted you. Tell Lewfon 
 fo , and tell him I have wrong*d you fie has 
 Sufpicions of me, and will thank you. 
 
 Bev. No ; we have been Companions in a 
 rafh Voyage, and the fame Storm has wreck'd us 
 both. Mine Ihall be Self-Upbraidings. 
 
 Stu. And will they feed us ? You deal unkind- 
 ly by me. I have fold and borrow'd for you, 
 while Land or Credit laft ; and now, when For- 
 tune fhould be try'd, and my Heart whifpers me 
 Succefs, I am deferred -, turn'd loofe to Beggary, 
 while You have Hoards. 
 
 Bev. What Hoards ? Name 'em, and take 'cm. 
 
 Stu, Jewels.
 
 rht GAMESTER* 25 
 
 kev. And fhall this thriftlefs Hand feize Them 
 bo ? My poor, poor Wife ! Muft Ihe lofe all ? 
 I wou*d not wound her fo. 
 
 Stu. Nor I, but from Neceflity. One Effort 
 more, and Fortune may grow kind. I h;ivt 
 Unufual Hopes. 
 
 Bev. Think of fome other Means, then. 
 
 Slu. I have i and you reje6led 'em. 
 
 Bev. Pry thee let me be a Man. 
 
 Stu. Ay, and your Friend a poor one. But t 
 have done. And for thefc Trinkets of a Wo- 
 man, why, let her keep 'em to deck out Pride 
 with, and fhew a laughing World that fhe has 
 Finery to ftarve in. 
 
 Bev. No i ihe ihall yield up all. My Friend 
 demands it. But need he have talk*d lightly of 
 her ? The Jewels that fhe values are Triith and 
 
 Innocence- Thofe will adorn her ever; and 
 
 for the reft, Ihe wore 'cm for a Hufband*s Pride^ 
 and to his Wants will give 'em. Alas ! you 
 kiTOw her not. Where (hall we meet ? 
 
 Stu, No Matter. I have chang'd my Mind. 
 Leave me to a Prifbn j 'tis the Reward of Friend- 
 Ihip. 
 
 Btv. Perilh Mankind firfl: Leave you to a 
 Wifon ! No ; fallen as you fee me, I'm not that 
 Wretch. Nor wou'd I change this Heart, o*er- 
 charged as 'tis with Folly and Misfortune, for 
 one moft prudent and moft happy, if callous to 
 a Friend's DiftrciTes. 
 "' E StH.
 
 26 Th GAMESTER. 
 
 Siu. You ate too warm. 
 
 ev. In fuch a Caufe, not to be warm is to 
 be frozen. FaFewell. I'll meet you at your 
 Lodgings. 
 
 Slu. Refleft a Rttfe. The Jewels may be loft. 
 Better oc hazard 'em 1 w^s too prefling. 
 
 Bev, And I ungrateful. Refieftion takes up 
 Time. 1 have no Leifure fqr't. Within an 
 Hour expc(5t me. (Exit, 
 
 Stu, The thouglitlefs, fhallow Prodigal \ Wc 
 fhall have Sport at Njght, thep But hold 
 The Jewels arc not ours yet The Lady may 
 
 refufe'em The Huiband may relent, too 
 
 'Tis more than probable Pil writ? a Note 
 
 to Beverley^ and the Contents Ihali fpur. him to 
 
 demand 'em But am I grpwn this Rogue 
 
 thro' Avarice ? No j I have warmer Motives, 
 Love and Revenge Ruin the Hufband and the 
 Wife's Virtue may be bid for ? *Tis of uncertain 
 Value, and finks, or rifes in the Purchafe, a,$ 
 Want, or Wealth, or PafTion governs. The 
 Poor part cheaply with it , rich Dames, tho* 
 pleas'd with felling, will have high Prices for't. 
 Your Love-fick Girls give it for Oaths and Lying. 
 But tender Wives, who boaft of Honour and Af- 
 fedions, keep it againft Famine ^Why, kt F^ 
 mine come theo ; I am in hafte to purchafe. 
 
 Enter Bates. 
 Look to your Men, Bates \ there's Money ftir^ 
 rin^. W^e meet To-night upon this Spot. Ha- 
 
 ftca
 
 the GAMESTER,. ly 
 
 ften and tell 'cm lb. Beverley calls upon mc at 
 my Lodgings, and we return together. Haften, 
 I fay, the Rogues will fcatter elfe. 
 
 Bates. Not *till their Leader bids 'em. 
 
 Slu. Come on, then. Give 'em the Word and 
 
 follow me i I muft advifc with you This is 
 
 a Day of Bufinefs. (Exeunt^ 
 
 SCENE changes to Beverley's Lodgings* 
 Enter Beverley and Charlotte. 
 
 Char, Your Looks are chang'd, too ; there's 
 Wildncfs in 'em. My wretched Sifter! How 
 will it grieve her to fee you thusi 
 
 . Ben). No, no a little Reft will eale mc. 
 
 And for your LewforC% Kindnefs to her, it has 
 my Thanks , I have no more to give him. 
 
 Char. Yes -, a Sifter and her Fortune. I trifle 
 
 with him and he complains My Looks, hr 
 
 fays, are cold upon him* He thinks too 
 
 Bev. That I have .loft your Fortune He 
 
 dares not think fo. 
 
 Char, Nor does he You are too quick at 
 
 guelTing. He cares not if you had. That Care 
 is mine I lent it you to huft^and, an.l now I 
 claim it. 
 
 B(v. You have Sufpicions, then. 
 
 Char. Cure 'em, and '!;'ve it me. 
 
 Bev, To ftop a Sifter's Chiding. 
 
 ,Char, To vindicate her Brother. 
 
 hv How if he neecs no Vindication ? 
 
 Char, I wou'd fain hope fo. 
 
 E 2 Bev
 
 8 "The G A M S T E R. 
 
 Bev. Ay, wou*d and cannot. Leave it to 
 Time, then-, *twi!l fatisfy all Doubts. 
 
 Char. Mine are already fatisfy'd. 
 
 Bev. 'Tis well. And when the Subje(5l is 
 renew'd, fpeak to me like a Sifter, and I will 
 anfwer like a Brother. 
 
 Char. To tell nie I'm a Beggar. Why, tell it 
 now. I that can bear the Ruin of thofe dearer 
 to me, the Ruin of a Sifter and her Infant, can 
 bear that too. 
 
 Bev. No more of this- you wring my Heart. 
 
 Char. Wou'd that the Mifcry were all your 
 own! But In'flocenee muft fuffer Unthinking 
 Rioter! whofe Home was Heaven to him; an 
 Angel dwelt there, and a little Cherub, that 
 crown'd his Days v/ith Blefiings How he has loft 
 this Heaven to league with Devils ! 
 
 Bev. Forbear, I fayj Reproaches come too 
 late ; they fearch, but cure not : And for the 
 Fortune you demand, we'll talk To-morrow 
 on't; our Tempers may be milder. 
 
 Char. Or if 'tis gone, why farewell all. I 
 (rlaim'd it for a Sifter. She holds my Heart in 
 her*s ; and every Pang fhe feels tears it in Pieces 
 But I'll upbraid no more. What Heaven 
 permits, perhaps, it may ordain \ and Sorrow 
 then is finful. Yet that the Kufband ! Feather? 
 Brother ! ftiould be its Inftruments of Vengeance! 
 
 'Tis grievous to know that. 
 
 Bev^
 
 rhe GAMESTER. 29 
 
 Bev. If you're my Sifter, fpare the Remem- 
 brance ^ it wounds too deeply. To-morrow 
 ihail clear all-, and when the worft is known, it 
 may be better than your Fears. Comfort my 
 Wife-, and for the Pains of Ablence, I'll make 
 Atonement. The World may yet go well with us. 
 
 Char. See where fhe comes ! Look chear* 
 
 fully upon her Affedions fuch as her's arc 
 
 prying, and lend thofe Eyes that read the Soul, 
 
 Enter Mrs. Beverley and Lewfon. 
 
 Mrs. Bt!v. My Life ! 
 
 Bev. My Love ! How fares it ? I have been a 
 truant Hufband. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. But we meet now, and that heals 
 all. Doubts and Alarms I have had j but in this 
 dear Embrace I bury and forget 'em My Friend 
 here (pointing to Lewfon) has been indeed a Friend. 
 Charlotte, 'tis You muft thank him : Your Bro- 
 ther's Thanks and mine are of too little Value. 
 
 Bev. Yet what we have we'll pay. I thank 
 you, Sir, and am oblig'd. I wou'd fay more, 
 but that yourGoodnefs to the Wife, upbraids the 
 Hufband's Follies. Had I been wife, (he had 
 not trefpafs'd on your Bounty. 
 
 Lew. Nor has fhe trefpafs'd. The little I have 
 done, Acceptance over-pays. 
 
 Char. So Friend (hip thinks 
 
 Mrs. Bev. And double Obligations byftriving 
 
 to conceal *em We'll talk another Time on't. 
 
 You are too thoughtful, Love. 
 
 Bev.
 
 go fhe GAMESTER. 
 
 Bev. No, I have Reafon for thefe Thoughts. 
 
 Char. And Hatred for the Caufe Wou*d 
 
 you had That, too ! 
 
 Bev. 1 have The Caufc was Avarice. 
 
 Char. And who the Tempter ? 
 
 Bev. A ruin'd Friend -ruin'd by too much 
 Kindnefs. 
 
 Lew. Ay, worfe than ruin'd -, ftabb'd in his 
 Fame, mortally ftabb'd Riches can*t cure him-. 
 
 hev. Or if they cou'd, thofe 1 have drain'd 
 him of. Something of this he hinted in the 
 Morning That Lewfon had Sulpicions of him 
 "Why thefe Sufpicions? (angrily. 
 
 Lew. At School we knew this Stukdy. A 
 cunning plodding Boy he was, fordid and cruel. 
 Slow at hisTaflc, but quick at Shifts and Trick- 
 ing. He fchem'd out Mifchief, that others might 
 be punifli'd , and wou'd tell his Tale with fo 
 much Art, that for the Lafh he merited. Rewards 
 and Praife were given him. Shew me a Boy with 
 fuch a Mind, and Time that ripens Manhood in 
 him, fhall ripen Vice, too I'll prove him, and 
 
 lay him open t'you 'Till then be warn'd- 
 
 I know him, and therefore Ihun him. 
 
 Bev. As I wou'd thofe that wrong him- 
 
 You are too bufy. Sir. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. No, not too bufy^^ Miftaken, 
 perhaps- That had been miMer. 
 
 Lew., No Matter, vMadam.- I can bear this, 
 and praife the Heart that prompts it Pity fuch 
 Friendihip Cbou'd be lo plac'd i Bev,
 
 ^be GAMESTER: ^ 
 
 Bev, Again, Sir ! But I'll bear, too You 
 wrong him, Lewfon, and will be forry for*t. 
 
 Char. Ay, when *tis prov'd he wrongs him; 
 The World is full of Hypocrites. 
 
 Bev. And Stukely one fo ypu*d infer, I 
 
 think rU hear no more of this my Heart 
 
 akes for him ! have undone him. 
 
 Lew, The World fays otherwi!e. 
 
 Bev, The World is falfe, then 1 have Bu- 
 
 fmcfs with you. Love, (to Mrs. Bev.) We-H leave 
 'cm to their Rancour. (going. 
 
 Char. No. We Ihall find Room within for't. 
 Gome this Way, Sir. (to Lewfon, 
 
 Lew. Another Time my Friend will thank me ; 
 that Time is haftcnlng too. (Ex. Lew. and Char. 
 
 Bev. They hurt me beyond bearing lis 
 
 Stukely falfe ? Then Honcfty has left us ! *Twcrc 
 fmning againft Heaven to think fo. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. I never doubted him. 
 
 Bev. No ; You are Charity. Mccknefs and 
 ever-during Patience live in that Heart, and Love 
 that knows no Change Why did I ruin you ? 
 
 Mrs. Bev. You have not ruin'd me. I have 
 no Wants when You are prefent, nor Wiflies in 
 your Abfence but to be bleft with your Return. 
 Be but refign'd to what has happen'd, and I am 
 rich beyond the Dreams of Avarice. 
 
 Bev. My generous Girl ! But Memory will 
 be bufy ; flill crouding on my Thoughts, to four 
 the Prefent by the Paft. I have another Pang, 
 too. Mrs.
 
 3* the G A M E S T E M* 
 
 Mrs. Bev. Tell it, and let me cure it. 
 
 Bev. That Friend ' that generous Friend^ 
 
 whofe Fame they have traduc*d ' v I have un- 
 done Him too. While he had Means he lent mc 
 largely -, and now a Prifon mufl be his Portion. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. No j I hope otherwife. 
 
 Bev. To hope muft be to ad. The charitable 
 
 Wifh feeds not the Hungry- Something mufl 
 
 be done. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. What ? 
 
 Bev. In Bitternefs of Heart he told me, juft 
 now he told me, I had undone him. Cou'd T 
 hear that, and think of Happinefs ? No > 1 have 
 difclaim'd it, while He is miferable. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. The World may mend with us, and 
 then we may be gratcfuL There's Comfort in 
 that Hope* 
 
 Bev, Ay , 'tis the fick Man's Cordial^ his pro- 
 mis'd Cure -, while in preparing it the Patient 
 
 dies. What now ? 
 
 Enter Lucy. 
 
 Lucy. A Letter, Sir. (delivers it and Exi 
 
 Bev. The Hand is Stukely*s. 
 
 (opens it and reads it to bimfelfi 
 
 Mrs. Bev. And brings good News at leaft 
 
 I'll hope fo -What fays he. Love ? 
 
 Bev. Why this too much for Patience. Yet 
 he direds me to conceal it from you. (reads * 
 
 Let
 
 ne GAMESTER. 33 
 
 ^* Lf t your Hafte to fee me be the only Proof of 
 * your Efteem for me. I have determin'd^ 
 *' fince we parted, to bid Adieu to Ejigland% 
 " chufing rather to forfake my Country, than 
 "to owe my Freedom in it to the Means we 
 ** talk'd of. Keep this a Secret at Home^ 
 " and haften t-o the fuin'd 
 
 R. Stukelyr 
 
 feuin'd by Friend fliip! I muft relieve or follow 
 liim. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. Follow him, did you fay ? Then 
 i am lofl", indeed ! 
 
 Bev. O this infernal Vice ! how has it funk 
 me ! A Vice, whofe higheft Joy was poor to my 
 domeftic Happinefs. Yet how have I purfu'd 
 it I turn'd all my Comforts to bittereft Pangs ! 
 and all my Smiles to Tears. Damn*d, damn'd 
 Infatuation ! 
 
 Mrs. Bev. Be cool, my Life ! What are thef 
 Means the Letter talks of ? Have you have 
 I thofe Means ? Tell me, and cafe me. I have 
 no Life while you are wretched. 
 
 Bev. No, no , it mufl: not be. 'Tis I alone 
 have finn'd -, *tis I alone muft furfer. You ihall 
 referve thofe Means to keep my Child and his 
 Wrong'd Mother from Want and Wretchednefs^ 
 
 Mrs. Bev. What Means .? 
 
 Bev. I came to rob you of *em but cannot 
 dare not Thofe Jewels are your fole Support 
 I lliould be more than Monfter to requeft 'cm. 
 
 F Mrs.
 
 34 ri'* G A M E S T E R. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. My Jewels ? Trifles, not worth the 
 fpeaking of, if weigh'd againft a Hufband's? 
 Peace; but let 'em purchafc That, and the 
 World's Wealth is of lefs Value. 
 
 Bev. Amazing Goodnefs ! How little do I 
 feem before fuch Virtues ! 
 
 Mrs. Bev. No more, my Love. I kept 'em 
 'till Occafion call'd to ufe 'em ; now is the Oc- 
 cafion, and I'll refign 'em chearfully. 
 
 Bev. Why we'll be rich in I .ove, then. But 
 this Excefs of Kindnefs melts me. Yet for a 
 
 Friend one wou'd do niuch He has deny'd 
 
 Me nothing. *i i\ 
 
 Mrs. Bev. Come to rrty Clolet But let him 
 manage wifely. We have no more to give him. 
 
 Bev, Where learnt my Love this Excellence ? 
 'Tis Heaven's own teaching : That Heaven, 
 which to an Angel's Form has given a Mind 
 more lovely. I am unworthy of you, but will 
 deferve you better. 
 
 Henceforth tny Follies a?td NegkBs Jhalt ceafe^ 
 And all to come be Penitence and Peace ; 
 Vice jhall no more aitra^ me with her Charms^ 
 Nor Pleafure reach me, but in thefe dear Arms, 
 
 (Exeunt. 
 
 End of the Second ACT.
 
 fhe GAMESTER. 35 
 
 ACT IIL 
 
 SCENE Stukely's Lodgmgs. 
 
 Enter Stukely and Bates. 
 
 Stu. 00 runs the World, Bates. Fools are the 
 O natural Prey of Knaves -, Nature defign'd 
 them fo, when fhe made Lambs for Wolves. 
 The Laws that Far and Policy have fram'd. 
 Nature declaims : She knows but two ; and 
 thofe are Force and Cunning. The nobler Law 
 is Force i but then there's Danger in'tj while 
 Cunning, like a fl^ilful Miner, works fafely and 
 wnfecn. 
 
 Bates. And therefore wifely. Force muft have 
 Nerves and Sinews -, Cunnin<y wants neither. The 
 Pwarf that has it fhall trip the Giant's Heels up. 
 
 Stu. And bind him to the Ground. Why, 
 we'll erect a Shrine for Nature, and be her Ora- 
 cles, Confcience is Weaknefs ; Fear made it, 
 4nd Fear maintains it. The Dread of Shame, 
 ii-ward Reproaches, and fictitious Burnings fwell 
 out the Phantom. Nature knows none of this ; 
 Her Laws are Freedom. 
 . Bates. Sound Dodtrine, and well dcliver'd ! 
 
 Stu. Wc are fincere, too, and pra<^ice what 
 we teach. Let the grave Pedant fay as much. 
 But now to Bufinefs. The Jewels are difpos'd 
 of ; and Beverley again worth Money. He waits 
 to count his Gold out, and then comes hither. 
 
 F 2 If
 
 ^S ne GAMESTER. 
 
 If my Defign fucceeds, this Night we finifli with 
 him. Go to your Lodgings and be bufy You 
 underftand Gonveyances, and can make Ruin fure. 
 
 Bates. Better flop here. The Sale of this Re- 
 verfion may be talk'd of-^There*s Danger in*t. 
 
 Stu. No, 'tis tile Mark 1 aim at. We*ll thrive 
 and laugh. You are the Purchafer, and there's 
 the Payment (giving a Pocket-Bcok.) He thinks 
 you rich \ and fo you fliall be. Enquire for Ti- 
 tles, and deal hardly , 'twill look like Honefty. 
 
 Bates. How if he fuipctfts us ? 
 
 8tH. Leave it to Me. I ftudy Hearts, and 
 when to work upon 'em. Go to your Lodgings ; 
 and if we come, be bufy over Papers. Talk of 
 a thoughtiefs Age, of Gaming and Extravagance ; 
 you have a Face for't, ^ 
 
 Bates. A Feeling too that wou'd avoid it. We 
 pufh too far; but 1 have caution'd you. If it ends 
 jl), you'll think of me- and fo adieu. (Exil. 
 
 Stu, This Fellow fms by Halves *, His Fears are 
 Confcience to him. Pll turn thefe Fears to U:e. 
 Rogues that dread Sham.e, will ll;ll be greater 
 
 Rogues to hide their Guilt- This (hall be 
 
 thought of. Leivfon grows trpublefome--' We 
 
 mud get rid of bim. He knows too much. 
 
 1 have a Tale for Beverky , Part oi it Truth, too 
 He fhail call Leivfon to Account If it fuc- 
 ceeds, 'tis well ; if not, we mufc try other Meana 
 But here he comts I mufl: diilemble. 
 
 Enter
 
 The GAMESTER, 37 
 
 Enter Beverley. 
 Look to the Door there ! (in a feeming Fright} 
 My Friend ! 1 thought of other Vifitors. 
 
 Bev. No ; Thefe fhall guard you from 'em * 
 (offering Notes) Take, 'em and ufe 'cm cautioufly 
 '. ^The World deals hardly by us. 
 
 Stu. And fhall I leave you deftitute? No ; Your 
 Wants are the grcateft. Another Climate may 
 treat me kinder. The Shelter of To-pight takes 
 jne from this. 
 
 Bev. Let thcfe be your Support then Yet 
 
 is there need of Paning? 1 may have Means 
 again i we'll Ihare *em, and live wifely, 
 
 Stu. No. I fhou'd tempt you on. Habit is 
 Nature in me ; Ruin can't cure it. Even now 
 I woii'd be gaming. Taught by Experience as I 
 am, and knowing this poor Sum is all that's left 
 
 us, I am for venturing ftill And fay I am to 
 
 blame Yet will this Little fupply our Wants ? 
 
 No ; we muft put it out to Ufury. Whether 'tis 
 Madnefs in me, or fome reftlefs Impulfe of good 
 Fortune, I yet am ignorant ; but 
 
 Bev, Take it, and fucceed then, 1*11 try no more* 
 
 Stu, 'Tis furely Impulfe ; it pleads fo ftrongly 
 
 But you are cold -We'll e'en part here 
 
 then. And for this laft Refcrve, keep it for better 
 Ufes i I'll have none on't. I thank you tho*, and 
 will feek Fortune fingly "One Thing I had for- 
 got 
 
 JS^. What is it ? 
 
 Stu,
 
 ^t ne G A M S T E R. 
 
 Stu. Perhaps, 'twere bcft forgotten. But I am 
 open in my Nature, and zealous for the Honour 
 of my Friend Lewfon fpeaks freely of you. 
 
 Bev. Of You I know he does. 
 
 Stu. I can forgive him for't ; but for my 
 Friend I'm angry. 
 
 B'ev. What fays he of Me ? 
 
 Stu, That Charlotte's Fortune is embezzled 
 I He talks on't loudly. 
 
 Bev. He fliall be filenc'd then How heard 
 
 you of it ? 
 
 Stu. From many. He queftion'd Bates about 
 it. You muft account with Him, he fays. 
 
 Bev. Or He with Me and foon, too. 
 
 Stu. Speak mildly to him. Cautions are beft. 
 
 Bev. I'll think on't But whither go you ? 
 
 Stu. From Poverty and Prifons No Mat- 
 ter whither. If Fortune changes you may hear 
 from me. . 
 
 Bev. May thefe be profperous, then, {^offering 
 the Notes, which he refufes] Nay, they are your's 
 
 1 have fworn it, and will have nothing-^- 
 
 Take 'em and ufe 'em. 
 
 Stu. Singly I will not. My Cares are for my 
 Friend ; for his loft Fortune, and luin'd Family. 
 All feparate Interefts 1 difclaim. Together wc 
 have fall'n ; together we mull rife. My Heart, 
 my Honour, and Affedions, all will have it fo. 
 
 Bv I am weary of being fooi'd. 
 
 Stu.
 
 ne GAMESTER; 39 
 
 Stu. And fo am I Here let us part, then 
 Thefc Bodings of Good- fortune ihall all be ftifled ; 
 I'll call 'em Folly, and forget 'em This one 
 Embrace, and then farewel. (offering to embrace. 
 
 Bev. No ; Stay a Moment How my poof 
 Heart's diftrafted ! I have thefe Bodings too ; 
 but whether caught from You, or prompted by 
 
 my good or evil Genius, I know not The 
 
 Trial fhall determine And yet, my Wife. 
 
 Siu. Ay, ay, fhe'll chide. 
 
 Bev. No ; My Chidings :ire all here. 
 
 (pointing to his Heart, 
 
 Stu. I'll not perfwade you. 
 
 Bev. I am perfwaded; by Reafon, too; the 
 ftrongeft Reafon , Ncceflity. Oh ! cou'd I but 
 regain the Height I have fallen from. Heaven 
 fliou'd forfake me in my lateft Hour, if I again 
 mix'd in thefe Scenes, or facrific'd the Hufband's 
 Peace, his Joy and bcft AfFcdions, to Avarice 
 and Infamy, 
 
 Stu. I have rcfolv'd like You -, and fince our 
 Motives arc fo honeft, why Ihou'd we fear Succefs ? 
 
 Bev, Come on, then- Where Ihall we meet ? 
 
 Stu, At H^ilfon's Yet if it hurts you, leave 
 
 me : I have mifled you often. 
 
 Bev. We have mifled each other But come! 
 Fortune is fickle, and may be tir'd with plaguing 
 us There let us reft our Hopes. 
 
 Stu. Yet think a little - 
 
 Bev,
 
 4d the GAMESTER. 
 
 . B4V, I cannot ^thinking but diftraifls m6 
 
 When t)efp^ration leads all thoughts are vaihi 
 Reafott wotCd lo.fe^ what Rajhnefs may obtain. 
 
 (Exeunt.- 
 
 SC E N E changes to 'BtvtAtfs Lodgings, 
 Enter Mrs. Beverley a7id Chjfrlotte. 
 
 Cha. *Twas all a Scheme, a mean one > un- 
 worthy of my Brother. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. No, I am fure it was not Stukely 
 
 5s honcft too ; I know he is This Madnefs 
 
 has undone 'em both. 
 
 Char, My Brother irrecoverably You are 
 
 too fpiritlefs a Wife- A mournful Tale, mixc 
 witK a few kind Words, will fteal away your 
 SouL The World's too fubtle for fuch Goodnefs. 
 Had I been by, he fhou'd have afk'd your Life 
 fooner than thofe jewels. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. He lliou'd have had it, then, {wanrdy) 
 I. live but to oblige him^ She who can love, and is 
 belov'd like Me, will do as much. Men have 
 done more for Miftrcfles, and Women for a bafc 
 Deluder. And ihall a Wife do lefs.? Your Chid- 
 ings hurt me, Charlotte. 
 
 Char. And come too late j they might have 
 fav'd you elfe. How cou'd he ufe you fo ? 
 
 Mrs. Bev. 'Twas Friendfliip did it. HisHeato 
 was breaking for a Friend. . \^ 
 
 Char. The Friend that has betray'd him. 
 
 Mps;
 
 rhe GAMESTER. 41 
 
 Mrs. Bev. Prithee don't think fo. 
 
 Char. To-morrow he accounts with Me. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. And fairly 1 will not doubt it. 
 
 Ckar. Unlefs a Friend has wanted 1 have 
 
 no Patience- Sifter! Siltei ! we are bound tO 
 
 curfe this Friend. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. My Beverley fpeaks nobly of hifn. 
 
 Char, And Levifon truly But I difplealeyou 
 
 with this Talk. -^To-morrow will inflrudt us. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. Stay till it comes then 1 wou'd 
 
 not think fo hardly. 
 
 Char. Nor I, but from Conviftion- .Yet we 
 
 have Hope of better Days. My Uncle is infirm," 
 
 and of an Age that threatens hourly Or if he 
 
 lives, you never have offended him; and for Di- 
 ilreffcs fo unmerited he will have Pity. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. I knov/ it, and am chcarfuL We 
 
 have no more to lofe j and for what's gone, if ic 
 
 brings PrudenceHome,the Purchafe was well made. 
 
 Cbar, My Lew/on will be kind too. While He 
 and I have Life and Means, You Ihall divide 
 
 with us- And fee, he's here ! 
 
 Enter Lewfon. 
 We were juft fpeuking of you. 
 
 Lew. 'Tis heft to interrupt you then. Few Cha- 
 rafters will bear a Scrutiny j and where the Bad 
 out- weighs the Good, he's fafeft that's leaft talk'd 
 of. What fay ycu. Madam ? (To Charlotte, 
 
 Char. That I hate Scandal, tho' a Woman 
 therefore talk feldom of you. 
 
 G Mrs.
 
 42 Thi GAMESTER. 
 
 Mrs, Bev. Or, with more Truth, that, tho* a 
 
 Woman, llie loves to praife Therefore talks 
 
 always of you. I'll leave you to decide it. (Exit. 
 
 Lew. How good and amiable ! I came to talk 
 in private with you , of Matters that concern you. 
 
 Char. What Matters ? 
 
 Lew. Firft anfwer me fincerely to what I alk. 
 
 Char* I will But you alarm me. 
 
 Lew. I am too grave, perhaps ; but be aflur'd 
 of this, I have no News that troubles Me, and 
 therefore Ihou'd not You. 
 
 Char. I am eafy then Propofe your Queftion, 
 
 Lew. 'Tis now a tedious Twelve-month, fince 
 T^ith an open and kind Heart you faid you lov'd me. 
 
 Char. So tedious, did you fay ? 
 
 Le'w. And when in Ccnfequence of fuch fweet 
 Words, I prefs'd for Marriage, you gave a volun- 
 tary Promife that you wou'd live for Me. 
 
 Char. You think me chang'd, then ? (angrily. 
 
 Lew. I did not fay fo. A thoufand times I 
 have prefs'd for the Performance of this Promife: 
 but private Cares, a Brothcr*s and a SiOer's Ruin, 
 were Reafons for delaying it. 
 
 Char. I had no other Reafons. Where will this 
 end ? 
 
 Lew. It fhall end prefently. 
 
 Char. Go on. Sir. 
 
 Lew. A Promife, fuch as this, given freely, 
 not extorted, the World thinks binding ; but I 
 think otherwife. 
 
 Char.
 
 fh G A M E S t E R. 4j 
 
 Char. And wou'd releafe me from it ? 
 Lew. You are too impatient. Madam. 
 
 Cbar. Cool, Sir quite cool -Pray go on. 
 
 Lezv, Time and a near Acquaintance with my 
 Faults may have brought Change if it be fo; 
 or for a Moment, if you have wilhM this Promife 
 were unmade, here I acquit you of it This is 
 my Queftion then ; and with fuch Plainncfs as I 
 afk it, I fhall entreat an Anfwer. Have you re- 
 pented of this Promife ? 
 
 Char. Stay, Sir, The Man that can fufpedl mc 
 ihall find me chang'd Why am I doubted ? 
 
 Lew. My Doubts are of myfelf. I have my 
 Faults, and You have Obfervation. If from my 
 Temper, my Words oi* Adions, you have con- 
 ceived a Thought agdinft me, or even a Wilh for 
 Separation, all that has pafs'd is nothing. 
 
 Char. You ftartlc me But tell me I muft 
 be anfwcr'd firft. Is it from Honour you fpeak 
 this ? Or do you wifli me chang'd ? 
 
 Lew. Heaven knows I do not. Life and m^ 
 Cbarlcite arc fo conneflcd, that to lofe one, were 
 Lofs of both. Yet for a Promife, tho* given in 
 l.ove, and meant for binding; if Time, or Ac- 
 cident, or Rcafon fliouM change Opinion * 
 with Me that Promife has no Force. 
 
 Char. Why, now Til anfwer you. Your 
 Doubts are Prophecies 1 am really chang'd. 
 
 Lew, Indeed ! 
 
 Char. I cou'd torment You now, as you have 
 G 2 Me; '
 
 44 'I'he GAMESTER. 
 
 Me; but it is not in my Nature That I am 
 
 chang'd, I own : for what at firft was Inclination, 
 is now grown Reafon in me ; and from that Rea- 
 fon, had I the World ! nay, were I poorer than 
 the pooreft, and You too wanting Bread, with 
 
 but a Hovel to invite me too 1 wou'd be 
 
 yours, and happy. 
 
 Lew. My \{\T\At{\. Charlotte I ( taking her Hand) 
 
 Thanks arc too poor for this and Words too 
 
 "weak ! But if we love io, why fhou'd our Union 
 be delay'd ? 
 
 Char. For happier Tim.es. The prefent are 
 too wretched. 
 
 Lew. I may have Reafons that prefs it now. 
 
 Char. What Reafons .? 
 
 Lew. The ftrongeft Reafons , unanfwcrablc 
 ones. 
 
 Char. Be quick and name 'em. 
 
 Lew. No, Madam ; I am bound in Honour to 
 make Conditions firft - lam bound by Incli- 
 nation too. This fweet Profufion of kind Words 
 pains while it pleales. I dread the lofing you. 
 
 Char. Aftonilliment ! What mean you ! 
 , Lew. Firft promife, that To-morrow, or the 
 next Day, you will be mine for ever. 
 
 Char. I do tho' Mifcry fhou'd fucceed. 
 
 Lew. Thus then I feize you ! And with you 
 every Joy on this Side Heaven ! : 
 
 Char. And thus I ft-al m.y Promife. (embracing 
 him) Now, Sir, your Secret .'' 
 
 Lew. Ycur Fortune's loft, Char.
 
 Ike G A M E S T E R. 45 
 
 Char. My Fortune loft ! I'll ftudy to tie 
 
 humble then. But was my Promife claim'd for 
 this ? Mow nobly generous ! Where learnt you 
 this fad News r 
 
 Lew. From Bales^ Stukcly's prime Agent. I 
 
 have oblig'd him, and he's grateful He told it 
 
 me in Friendfhip, to warn me from my Charlotte, 
 
 Char. 'Twas honeft in him, and I'll efteem him 
 for't. 
 
 Levj. He knows much more than he has told. 
 
 Char. For Me it is enough. And for your ge- 
 nerous Love, I thank you from my Soul. If 
 you'd oblige me more, give me a little Time. 
 
 Leiv. Why Time ? It robs us of our Happinefs. 
 
 Char. I have a Tafk to learn firft. The little 
 pride this Fortune gave me muft be fubdu'd. Once 
 we were equal ; and might have met obliging and 
 oblig*d. But now *tis otherwife ; and for a Life 
 of Obligations, I have not learnt to bear it. 
 
 Lew. Mine is that Life. You are too noble. 
 
 Char. Leave me to think on't. 
 
 Lew. To-morrow then you'll fix my Happinefs ? 
 
 Char. Ail that I can, I will. 
 
 Lew. It muft be fo; we live but for each other. 
 Keep what you know a Secret ; and when we 
 meet To-morrow, more may be known.- 
 F^arewell. (Exit, 
 
 , Char. My poor, poor Sifter ! how would this 
 wound her ! But I'll conceal it, and fpeak Com- 
 fort to her. (Exit. 
 
 SCENE
 
 46 fh GAMESTER. 
 
 > 
 SCENE changes to a Room in the Gaming-Uoufe, 
 
 Enter Beverley and Stukcly. 
 
 Bev, Whither wou'd you lead me ? (Angrily. 
 
 Stu. Where we may vent our Curfes. 
 
 Bev. Ay, on yourfelf, and thofc damn*d Coun- 
 fcis that have deftroy'd me. A thoufand Fiends 
 wefe in that Bofom, and all let loofe to tempt 
 me t had refifted elfe. 
 
 Stu. Go on. Sir 1 have deferv'd this from 
 
 you. 
 
 Bev. And Curfes everlafling -Time is too 
 
 fcanty for 'em 
 
 Stu. What have I done ? 
 
 Ben). What the Arch-Devil of old did 
 
 footh'd with falfe Hopes, for certain Ruin. 
 
 Stu. My felf unhurt ; nay, pleas*d at your De- 
 llrudion So your Words mean. Whyj tell it to 
 the World. 1 am too poor to find a Friend in*t. 
 
 Bev. A Friend ! what's he ? I had a Friend. 
 
 Stu And have one dill. 
 
 Bev. Ay ; I'll tell you of this Friend. He 
 found me happicft of the Happy. Fortune and 
 Honour crown'd me ; and Love and Peace liv'd 
 in my Heart. One Spark of Folly lurkM there v 
 That too he found ; and by deceitful Breath blew 
 it to Flames that have confum'd me. This Friend 
 were You to Me. - 
 
 Stu. A little more, perhaps The Friend who 
 gave his All to fave you ; arid not fucceeding, 
 chofe Ruin with you. But no Matter, I have un- 
 done you, and am a Villain. Bev,
 
 rbg GAMESTER. 47 
 
 Bev. No i I think not The Villains are within. 
 
 Stu, WhatViHiins? 
 
 Bev. Daw/on and the reft We have been 
 
 Dupes to Sharpers. 
 
 S(u. How know you this ? I have had Doubts 
 as well as you , yet ftlll as Fortune chang'd 1 
 
 bluQi'd at my own Thoughts But You have 
 
 Proofs, perhaps. 
 
 Brj. Ay, damn'd ones. Repeated Loflcs 
 Night after Night, and no Revcrfc- Chance has 
 no Hand in this. 
 
 Siu. I think more charitably, yet I am peevifh 
 
 in my Nature, and apt to doubt The World 
 
 fpeaks fairly of this Daw/an, fo does it of the reft. 
 We have watch*d *em clofely too. But *tis a 
 Right ufurp'd by Lofers, to think the Winners 
 Knaves We'll have more Manhood in us. 
 
 Bev. I know not what to think. This Night 
 has ftung me to the quick Blafted my Reputa- 
 tion too I have bound my Honour to thefe Vi- 
 pers ; play'd meanly upon Credit, 'till I tir'd'em; 
 and now they fhun me to rifle one another. What's 
 to be done ? 
 
 Siu. Nothing. My Counfels have been fatal. 
 
 Bev. By Heaven Til not furvivc this Shame- 
 Traitor! 'tis you have brought it on me. (taking 
 hold ofbimj. Shew me the Means to fave nl?, or 
 I'll commit a Murder here, and next upon myfelf. 
 
 Stu. Why do it then, and rid me of Ingra- 
 titude.
 
 48. ri'-f G A M E S T E R. 
 
 Bev. Prithee forgive this Language* I fpeak 
 1 know not what Rage and Dcfpair are in my 
 Heart, and hurry me to Madnefs. My Home 
 
 is Horror to me ^I'll not return to't. Speak 
 
 quickly, tell me, if in this Wreck of Fortune, 
 
 one Hope remains ? Name it, and be my Oracle. 
 
 74 Stu. To vent your Curfes on You have be- 
 
 :?, flow'd 'em liberally. Take your own Counfel : 
 
 ^ and fhou'd a defperate Hope prefent itfelf,, 'twill 
 
 fuit your defperate Fortune. I'll not advi|^you. 
 
 i Bev. What Hope? By Heaven I'll catch at it^ 
 
 ? however defperate. I am fo funk in Mifery, it 
 
 cannot lay me lower. 
 
 Stu. You have an Uncle. 
 
 ,Bev. Ay. What of Him? 
 
 Stu. Old Men live long by Temperance y 
 while their Heirs ftarve on Expectation. 
 
 Bev. What mean you ? 
 
 Stu. That the Reverfion of his Eftate is your'sv 
 and will bring Money to pay Debts with Nay 
 more, it may retrieve what's pafi. 
 
 Bev. Or leave my Child a Beggar. 
 
 Stu. And what's his Father ? A difhonourable- 
 
 one ; engag'd for Sums he cannot pay That 
 
 (hou'd be thought of. 
 
 Bev. It is my Shame The Poifon that en- 
 flames me. Where fliall we go ? To whom ? I 
 am impatient 'till all's loft. 
 
 Stu. All may be your's again Your Man is- 
 
 Bates He has large Funds at his Command, 
 
 and will deal juftly by you. Bev-
 
 n-e-- G A ME S T E R. .^ 
 
 Bev. I am refolv'd Tell *etTi within we'll 
 
 meet 'em prcfently; and with fgll Purfes, too 
 Come, follow me, 
 
 Stu. No. I'll have no hand in this; nor do 
 I counfel it^ U(e your Difqretion, and a(fl from 
 that. You'll find me at my Lodgings. 
 
 Bev. Succeed what will, this Night 1*11 dare 
 
 the wcrft. ' 
 
 *Tis lofs of Fear, to be compleatly curs'd. 
 
 ,.. '(ExitBtv, 
 
 Siu. Why, lofe it then Tor ever Fear is the 
 IVfoid's worll Evil ', and 'tis a friendly Office to 
 dri^ it from, the Bofom Thus far has Fortune 
 trOjwn'd me 'Yet Beverley is rich -, rich in his 
 Wife's beft Xfpafure, ,her|ionour and AfFeftions. 
 I wou'd lupplant him there, too. But 'lis the 
 Curfe of thinking Minds to raife up Difficulties. 
 Fools only conquer Women. Fearlefs of Dan- 
 gers which they fee not, they prefs on boldfy, 
 and by pcrfi^ing, profper. Yet may a Tale of 
 Art do much Charlotte is fometimes abfent. 
 The Seeds of Jealoufy arc fown already. U I 
 miftake not^ they have takt-n ^<.oot too. Now is 
 the Time to ripen 'cm, and reap the Harveft. 
 The fofteft of her Sex, if wrong'd in Love, or 
 thinking thai fbe's, wrong'd, becomes a Tygrefs 
 
 in Revenge ^)rit inliantly to Beverley's No 
 
 Matter for the t)anger When Beauty leads us 
 on, 'tis Indifcrction to refledt, and Cowardice to 
 doubt, (Exit. 
 
 t^ H SCENE
 
 5 5r&i' G A M E S T E R. ^^ 
 
 SCENE changes to Beverley's Lodgings, 
 
 Enter Mrs. Beverley and Lucy. 
 Mrs. Bev. Did Charlotte tell you any Thing ? 
 Lucy. No, Madam. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. She look'd confus'd, mcthought ; faid 
 . flie had Bufinefs with her Lewfon j which, when I 
 prefs'd to know, Tears only were her Anfwer. 
 
 Lu. She feem'd in hafte, too Yet her Return 
 may bring you Comfort. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. No, my kind Girl , I was not born 
 for't But why do I diftrefs the;? Thy fympa- 
 thizing Heart bleeds for the Ills of others What 
 Pity that thy Miftrefs can't reward thee! But 
 there's a Power above, that fees, and will re- 
 member all. Prithee footh me with the Songi 
 thou fung'ft laft Night. It fuits this Change of 
 Fortune; and there's a Melancholy in't that 
 pleafes me. 
 
 Lu. I fear it hurts you. Madam Your Good- 
 nefs too draws Tears from me But I'll dry *em, 
 and obey you. J 
 
 SONG. j 
 
 When Damon languijh'd at my Feet, 
 
 y^nd I leliev'djptm true, 
 ^he Moments of Delight how fweet ! 
 
 But ah I how fwift they flew ! 
 the funny Hilly the flow*ry Vak^ 
 
 The Garden and the Grove^ 
 Have echoed to his ardent Tale^ 
 And Vows of endlefs Love*
 
 ne GAMESTER. 51 
 
 II. 
 
 The Conquejl gairi'd^ be left his Prizes 
 
 He lejt her to complain j 
 ^0 talk of Joy with weeping Eyes, 
 
 And meafure Time by Pain. 
 But Heaven will take the Mourner's Part^ 
 
 In pity to Defpair ; 
 And the lafl Sigh that rends the Heart, 
 
 Shall waft the Spirit there. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. I thank thee, Lucy I thank 
 
 Heaven, too, my Griefs are none of thefe. Yet 
 Stukely deals in Hints He talks of Rumours 
 ril urge him to fpeak plainly Hark ! there's 
 fome one entering. 
 
 Lu. Perhaps my Mafter, Madam. (Exit, 
 
 Mrs. Bev. Let him Se well too, and I am fa- 
 tisfy'd. (Goes to the Door, and lijlens.) No , 'tis 
 another's Voice ; his had been Mufic to me. 
 Who is it, Lucy ? 
 
 Re-enter Lucy with Stukely. 
 
 Lu. Mr. Stukely, Madam. (Exit. 
 
 Stu. To meet you thus alone. Madam, was 
 what I wifh'd. Unfearonable'Vifits, when Friend- 
 fhip warrants *em, need no Excufe. Therefore 
 I make none. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. What mean you, Sir? And where's 
 your Friend ? 
 
 Stu. Men may have Secrets, Madam, which 
 their bcft Friends are not admitted to. We 
 parted in the Morning, not foon to meet again. 
 
 H 2 Mrs.
 
 -^? ne Q AMES T E R. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. You meaii to leave us then ? To 
 leave your Country, too? I am nO Stranger to 
 your Reafons, and pity your Misfortunes. 
 
 Slu. Your Pity has undone you. Cou*d Bever- 
 ley do this ? That Letter was a falfe one -, a mean 
 Contrivance to rob you (Jf your Jewels -I wrote 
 it not. f /. >- - = ; 
 
 Mrs. B^. Im^dfTibie I WhVtide^tJ^rhe W then ? 
 
 Stu. Wrong'd-as lam, Madamj Imuft ipeak 
 
 ^laJDly. ^, r::.\ ,v.- A:-.:.: I ,'::}\->M 
 
 3s Mrs. 5^1;. Do fo, and eafe me. Your Hints 
 Jiave troubled me. Reports, you fay, are ftir- 
 
 ling Reports, of whom ? You wiih'd me no,t 
 
 to credit 'em. What, Sir, are thefe Reports? ' 
 ^\\\Stu.. I thought 'em Slander, Madam ; and Cau- 
 ti<3n'd you in Friendfhip , left from officious 
 .Tongues the Tale had reach'd you with double 
 Aggravation. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. Proceed, Sir. 
 
 Stu. It is a Debt due to my Fame, due to an 
 injured Wife, too . We both are injured. 
 
 Mrs. Bev* How injur'd .? And who has in- 
 jur'd us? ' 'A'.'.'f'- 
 tuiStu. My Friend, your Hufband. '' 
 
 Mrs. Bev. You wou'd refent for both then ? 
 But know. Sir, My Injuries are my own, and do 
 not need a Champion. 
 
 Stu. Be not too hafty. Madam. I corhe not in 
 Refentm.ent, but for Acquittance You thought 
 me poor ; and to the feiga'd Diftrefles of a Friend 
 gave up your Jewels. Mrs.
 
 ne GAMESTER, 53 
 
 r Mrs. Bev, I gave 'etA to a Huiband. 
 
 ^Ai; "Who gave 'em to a 
 
 .- Mrs, Bev. Whrft ? Whom dki he give 'em to ? 
 
 Sttt. A Miftrefs. 
 ' Mrs; Bev. No; on my Life he did not. 
 
 Stu. Himfelf confcfs'd it, with Curfes on her 
 Avdricc. , s- 
 
 Mn.Bi^.'VW not believe it-^-^r^He has no 
 Miftrefs or if he has, why is it told to Me ? 
 
 'S'/a. Togoardy^u againft Infolts. He told 
 me, that to move you to Compliance, he forg*d 
 that Letter; pretending I was ruin'd; ruirt*d by 
 Him, too. The Ffaud fucceeded ; and what a 
 truding Wife beftow'd in Pity, was lavi'fh'd on a 
 Wanton. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. Then I 6m loft, indeed ; and my 
 Afflidions are too powerful for me His Follies 
 I have borne without upbraiding, and faw xht 
 Approach of Poverty without a Tear 'My /ifFec- 
 tions, my ftrong Alie<?tions fupp^rted me through 
 every Trial. 
 
 Stu. Be patient, Madam. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. Piitient ! The barbarous, uhgr:ateful 
 Man 1 And does he think that the Tcnderhefs of 
 my Heart is his bcft Security fbr wounding it? 
 But hie-fhall find that Injuries Ibch. as thefe, cafii 
 arm my Weaknefe for Vengt ante alid iCedrefs. 
 
 >Stu. Ha-1 then I may fuceeeS-* (Aftde, 
 R'Cdrcfs is in your Power. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. What Redrcfs ? / 
 
 Stu. i
 
 54 ^he G A M E S T E R. 
 
 Stu. Forgive mc. Madam, if in my Zeal to 
 
 ferve you, I hazard your Difpleafure. Think 
 
 of your wretched State, Already Want furrounds 
 you ? Is it in Patience to bear That ? To fee your 
 helplcfs little one robb*d of his Birth-right ? A 
 Sifter, too, with unavailing Tears, lamenting her 
 loft Fortune ? No Comfort left you, but ineffec- 
 tual Pity from the Few, out-wcigh'd by Infults 
 from the Many ? 
 
 Mrs. Bev. Am I fo loft a Creature ? Well, Sir, 
 my Redrefs ? 
 
 Stu. To be refolv'd is to fecure it. The Mar- 
 riage Vow, once violated, is in the Sight of Hea- 
 ven diflblv'd Start not, but hear me ! 'Tis 
 
 now the Summer of your Youth -, Time has not 
 cropt the Rofes from your Cheek, tho' Sorrow 
 
 long has wafh'd 'em Then ufe your Beauty 
 
 wifely i and freed by Injuries, fly from the cruel- 
 eft of Men, for Shelter with the kindeft. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. And who is He ? 
 
 Stu. A Friend to the Unfortunate ; a bold one, 
 too i who, while the Storm is burfting on your 
 Brow-, and Lightning fiafhing frpm your Eyes, 
 dares tell you that he loves you. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. Wou'd that thefe Eyes had Heaven's 
 own Lightning ! that with a Look, thus I might 
 blaft thee ! Am I then fallen fo low ? Has Poverty 
 fo humbled me, that I ftiou*d liften to a hcUifti 
 Offer, and fell my Soul for Bread ? O Villain ! 
 Villain! But nqw I know thee, and thank 
 thee for the KnowlcdgCv Stu
 
 rbe gamester; 55 
 
 Stu. If you arc wife, you Ihall have Caufe to 
 thank me. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. An injur'd Hufband, too, fhall 
 thank thee. 
 
 Stu. Yet know, proud Woman, I have a 
 Heart as ftubborn as your own ; as haughty and 
 imperious ; and as it loves, fo can it hate. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. Mean defpicable Villain ! I fcorn 
 thee and thy Threats. Was it for this that 5<r- 
 vcrley wa$ falfe ? That his too credulous Wife 
 Ihou'd in Defpair and Vengeance give up her 
 Honour to a Wretch ? But he fhall know it, and 
 Vengeance (ball be his. 
 
 Siu. Why fend him for Defiance then. Tel! 
 him I love his Wife ; but that a worthlefs Huf- 
 band forbids our Union. 1*11 make a Widow of 
 you, and court you honourably. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. O Coward ! Coward ! thy Soul will 
 fhrink at him. Yet in the Thought of what may 
 happen, I feel a Woman's Fears. Keep thy own 
 Secret, and begone. Who's there ? 
 
 Enter I.ucy. 
 Your Abfcnce, Sir, wou'd pleafe me. 
 Stu. I'll not offend you. Madam. 
 
 (Ex. Stu. with Lucy. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. Why opens not the Earth to fwallow 
 
 fuch a Monfler ? Be Confcience then his Punifhcr, 
 
 'till Heaven in Mercy gives him Penitence, or 
 
 dooms him in his Juflice. ;
 
 Come to my Chamber, Lucy -, I have a [Tale , t^^ 
 tell thee, fhall pi^\Lt th9^ .w?ep for thy pool* 
 Miftrefs. 
 
 Tei Heaven the guiltlefs Sufferer regards. 
 And whom it moji affli^s, it moji rewards. 
 
 (Exeunt. 
 
 Mfjd of the "third il,C T* 
 
 A e ^ IV. 
 
 SC, E N E Beverley's .Xgdgings, 
 Enter Mrs* Beverley, Charlotte, and LcwfoHi 
 
 Char fnr^HE fmooth-tpngu'd Hypocrite! 
 
 JL hew. But we have found him,,an!d 
 will requite him Be chearful, Madam \ {to Mrs, 
 Bev.) and for the Infuks of this Ruffian you fhall 
 have ample Retribution. 
 
 Mrs. Bev, But not by Violence -^ Remember 
 you have fworn it 5 I had been filent clfe. 
 
 hew. You need not doubt me j I lh|ll b^ xool 
 as Patience. . ''"' 
 
 Mrs. 5(?i;. See him To-morrow then. '/' '. 
 
 hew. And why not now ? By Heaven the've- 
 rieft Worm that crawls is made of braver Spirit 
 
 than
 
 ne GAMESTER. S7 
 
 than this Stukdy Yet for my Promife, I'll deal 
 gently with him I mean to watch his Ixx)ks 
 From thofe, and from his Anfwers to my Charge, 
 much may be learnt. Next I'll to Bates^ and 
 fift him to the Bottom. If I fail there, the Gang 
 is numerous, and for a Bribe will each betray the 
 
 other Good Night; I'll lofe no Time. 
 
 (Ex. Lewfon. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. Thefe boiHerous Spirits ! how they 
 wound me! But Reafoning is in vain. Come, 
 Charlotte \ we'll to our ufual Watch. The Night 
 grows late. 
 
 Char. I am fearful of Events; yet pleas'd 
 
 To-morrow may relieve us. (Going, 
 
 Enter Jarvis. 
 
 Char. How now, good Jarvis? 
 
 Jar. I have heard ill News, Madam. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. What News ? Speak quickly. 
 
 Jar. Men arc not what they feem. I fear me 
 Mr. Stukely is diflioneft. 
 
 Char, We know it, Jarvis. But v/hat's your 
 News ? 
 
 Jar. That there's an Action againft my Mafter, 
 at his Friend's Suit. 
 
 Mx^.Eev. O Villain! Villain! 'twas this he 
 threaten'd then. Run to that Den of Robbers, 
 
 IVilfon's YourMaftcr may be there. Entreat 
 
 him Home, good Jarvis. Say I have BuHnefs 
 with him But tell him not of Stukely It may 
 
 I pro-
 
 58 The GAMES T E R. 
 
 provoke him to Revenge- Hafte! hafte! good 
 
 Jarvis^ "^ ' (Exit Jarvis. 
 
 Char. This Miniiler of Hell ! O I cou*d tear 
 him Piece-meal ! 
 
 Mrs, Bev. 1 am fick of fuch a World Yet 
 
 Heaven is juft ; and in its own good Time, will 
 hurl Deftrudion on fuch Monfters. (Exeunt. 
 
 SCENE changes to Stukely's Lodgings 
 
 Enter Stukely and Bates meeting, 
 
 Bat^s, Where have you been ? 
 
 Stu. Fooling my Time away --Playing my 
 Tricks, like a tame Monkey, to entertain a Wo- 
 man- No Matter where 1 have been vexc 
 
 and difappointed. Tell me o^ Beverley How 
 
 bvore he his laft Shock ? ^ 
 
 Bat. Like one (fo Daw/on fays) whofe Senfea 
 had been numb'd with Mifery. When all was 
 left, he fixt his Eyes upon the Ground, and 
 ilood Ibiiie Time, with folded Arms, ilupid and 
 moiionlefs. Then fnaiching his Sword that hung 
 againft tlie Vv^ainfcot, he fat him down ; and with 
 a Look of fixt Attention, drew Figures on the 
 
 Floor /\t laft he ftar ted up, look'd wild, and 
 
 trembled > and like a Woman, feiz'd with her 
 Sex's Fits, laugh'd out aloud, while the Tears 
 trickled down his Face lo left the Room. 
 
 Stu. Why, this was Madnefs. , 
 
 Bat. The Madnefs of Defpair, 
 
 Stu. We muft confine him then. A Prifon 
 
 wou*d
 
 'Tk GAMESTER. 59 
 
 Woii*d do well (a Knocking at the Door.) Harki 
 that Knocking may be his: Go that Way down \ 
 
 (Ex, Bates. 
 Who*^therc? 
 
 Enter Lewfon. 
 
 Lew, An Enemy ^an open and avow*d one. 
 ' Sift. Why am I thus broke in upon ? This 
 Houfe is mine, Sir 5 and fhou'd protcft me from 
 Infult and lU-manncrs. 
 
 Lew. Guilt has no Place of San6luary ; where* 
 ever found, 'tis Virtue's lawful Game. The Fox*s 
 Hold, and Tyger's Den are no Security againll 
 the Hunter. 
 
 Stu. Your Bufinefs, Sir? 
 
 Leio. To tell you that I know you Why this 
 Confufion ? That Look of Guilt and Terror ? Is 
 Beverley awake ? Or has his Wife told Tales ? The 
 Man that dares like You, fliou'd have a Soul to 
 juftify his Deeds, and Courage to confront Ac- 
 cufcrs. Not with a Coward's Fear to ftirink be- 
 neath Reproof. 
 
 Slu. Who waits there ? 
 
 (JlcuJi and in Confu/ton, 
 
 Lew, By Heaven he dies that interrupts us* 
 (/hutting the Door.) You fhou'd have weigh'd 
 your Strength, Sir j and then, inftead of clirhbing 
 to high Fortune, the World had mark*d you for 
 what you are, a little paultry Villain. 
 
 Btu. You think I fear you. 
 -*;X/te/. I know you fear me. This is to prove 
 
 1 2 it.
 
 6o The GAMESTER. 
 
 it. (pulls him by the Sleeve.) You wanted Priva* 
 cy ! A Lady's Prefence took up your Attention ? 
 Now we are alone, Sir. Why, what a Wretch ! 
 (fiings him from him.) The vileft Infed; in Cre- 
 ation will turn when trampled on , yet has this 
 Thing undone a Man by (^unnin^ and roean 
 Arts undone him. But we have found you, Sir-, 
 trae'd you thro' all your Labyrinths. If you 
 wou'd fave yourfelf, fall to Confeflion. No. 
 Mercy will be fhewn elfe. 
 
 Stu. Firft prove me what you think me 
 
 'Till then your Threatenings are in vain And 
 for this Infult, Vengeance may yet be mine. 
 
 Lew. Infamous Coward ! why take it now then 
 (draws, and Stukely retires.) Alas ! 1 pity thee 
 Yet that a Wretch like this fhou'd overcome a 
 
 Beverley! it fills me with Aftonifhment ! A 
 
 Wretch, fo mean of Soul, that even Defperation 
 cannot animate him to look upon an Enemy 
 You fhou'd not thus have foar'd. Sir, unlefs, like 
 others of your black Profeffio-n, you had a Sword 
 to keep the Fools in Awe, your Villainy has ruined. 
 
 Stu, Villainy! 'Twere bed to curb this Licence 
 of your Tongue -, for know. Sir, while there are 
 Laws, this Outrage on my Reputation will not be 
 borne with. 
 
 Lew. Laws ! dar'fl Thou feek Shelter from 
 the Laws ? Thofc Laws, which thou and thy in- 
 fernal Crew live in the confiant Violation of? 
 Talk'ft thou of Reputation, too ? when under 
 
 Friend-
 
 ^he GAMESTER. Ci 
 
 Frlendlhip's facred Name, thou haft betray'd, 
 robb'd, and deftroy'd ? 
 
 Stu. Ay, rail at Gaming ; *tis a rich Topic, 
 
 and affords noble Declamation' Go, preach 
 
 againft it in the City : You'll find a Congregation 
 in every Tavern. If they fhou'd laugh at you, 
 fly to my Lord, and fermonize it there. He'll 
 thank you and reform. 
 
 Lezv. And viiW Example fanclify a Vice? No, 
 "Wretch j the Cuftom of my Lord, or of the Cit 
 that apes him, cannot excufe a Breach of Law, 
 or make the Gamefter's Calling reputable. 
 
 Siu. Rail on, I fay But- is this Zeal for beg- 
 gar'd Beverley ? Is it for Him that I am treated 
 thus ? No J he and his Wife might both have 
 groan'd in Prifon, had but the Sifter's Fortune 
 cfcap'd the Wreck, to have rewarded the difm- 
 tcrcfted Love of honeft Mr. Lewfon. 
 
 Lew, How I deteft thee for the Thought ! But 
 thou art loft to every human Feeling. Yet lee 
 me tell thee, and may it wring thy Heart ! that 
 tho' my Friend is ruin'd by thy Snares, thou haft 
 unknowingly been kind to Me. 
 
 Stu. Have I ? It was indeed unknowingly. 
 
 Lrju Thou haft affifted me in Love ; given 
 me the Merit that I wanted j fince but for Thee, 
 my Charlotte had not known 'twas her dear felf I 
 figh'd for, and not her Fortune. 
 
 Stu. Thank me, and take her then. 
 
 Liw. And as a Brother to poor Beverley^ I 
 
 \viil
 
 6z r^/ G A M E S T E k. 
 
 will- purfuc the Robber that has ftript him, attd 
 fnatch him from his Gripe. ' ' ^^ 
 
 Stu. Then know, impruderrtMari, he fV within 
 my Gripe ; and fhou'd my Friend fhip for him be 
 flander*d once again, the Hand that has fupply'd 
 him, fhall fall and crufli him. 
 ' JLew. Why, now there's a Spirit in thee! This 
 is indeed to be a Villain ! But I fhall reach thee 
 yet Fly where thou wilt, my Vengeance fhaii 
 fJUTfue thee And Beverley l!iail ycfbe fav'd, be 
 fav'd from Thee, thou Monftet j nor owe his 
 Refcue to his Wife's DifhonotJf. (x!t', 
 
 Stu. (paujrng) Then Ruin- has" bAclcfs'd me 
 C)urfe on my coward Heart I I wou'd be bravely 
 villainous -, but 'tis riiy Nature to 1ft rink at Dan- 
 ger, and he ha^ found me. Yet F'ear brings 
 Caution, and That Security MoreMifchief muft 
 
 be done to hide the pafl Look to yourfelf, 
 
 o^clous Lewfcn there may-be Danger Hirring 
 * ^ How now, Bates F 
 
 Enter Bates. 
 
 Bat. What is the Matter ? 'Twas Leivfen and 
 
 not Beverley that left you I heard him loud * 
 
 You feem alarm'd too. 
 
 .S/. Ay, and with Reafon We are difcover'd* 
 
 Bat. I fear'd as much, and therefore cautioh'd 
 you But You Vv'ere peremptory." 
 
 Stu. Thus Fools talk ever ; fpending their idle 
 Breath on what is paft, and trembling at the fu- 
 ture. Wc muft be a6live, Beverley, at woril, is 
 
 but
 
 rhe. GAMESTER. 63 
 
 but fufpicious ; but Z>w/o's Genius, and his Hate 
 to Me, will lay all open. Means muft be found 
 to ftop him. 
 
 Bat. What Means ? 
 
 Stu. Difpatch him Nay, ftart not Dc- 
 
 fperate Occafions call for defperate Deeds -Wc 
 
 live but by his Death. 
 
 Bat. You cannot mean it ? 
 
 Stu. I do, by Heaven. 
 
 Bat. Good Night, then. (Going, 
 
 Stu. Stay, I muft be heard, then anfwer*d. 
 Perhaps the Motion was too fudden ; and human 
 Wcaknefs ftarts at Murder, tho' ftrong Neceflity 
 compels it. I have thought long of this ; and 
 my firft Feelings were like your*s; a foolifh 
 Confcience aw'd me, v/hich foon I conquer'd. 
 The Man that wou'd undo me, Nature cries out, 
 undo. Brutes know their Foes by Inftindt ; and 
 where fuperior Force is given, they ufe it for De- 
 ftruftion. Shall Man do leli ? Lewfon purfues 
 . us to our Ruin ; and fhall we, with the Means to 
 cruili him, fly from our Hunter, or turn and tear 
 him ^ *Tis Folly even to hefitate. 
 
 Bat. He has'oblig'd me, and I dare not. 
 
 Stu. Why, live to Shame then, to Beggary and 
 Puniflimetat. You wou'd be privy to the Deed, 
 yet want the Soul to aft it. Nay more j had my 
 Defigns been levelled at his Fortune, you had 
 
 , (lepc in the loremofl: And what is Life with- 
 
 N^ut its Comforts ? Thofe you wou*d rob him of; 
 ' . ^ and
 
 64 the GAMESTER. 
 
 and by a lingring Death, add Cruelty to Murder. 
 Henceforth adieu to half-made Villains There's 
 Panger in 'em. "What you have got is your's \ 
 
 keep it, and hide with it-^ I'll deal my future 
 
 Bounty to thofe that merit it. 
 
 Bat. What's the Reward ? 
 ^ Stu. Equal Divifion of our Gains. I fwear it, 
 
 and will be ju{V, 
 ^ Bat. Think of the Means then. 
 
 Stu. He's gone to Beverley'* s Wait for him in 
 
 the Street 'Tis a dark Night, and fit for Mif- 
 
 chief. A Dagger would be ufeful. 
 
 Bat. He fleeps no more, 
 
 Stu. Confider the Reward ! When the Deed's 
 done, I have farther Bufinefs with you. Send 
 Daw/on to me. 
 
 Bat. Think it already done and fo farewel, 
 
 . (Exit, 
 
 :y^tu. Why, farewel Lew/on then ; and farewel 
 
 to my Fears This Night fecurcs me. I'll wait 
 
 the Event within. (Exit. 
 
 SCENE changes to the Street. Stage darkened. 
 
 Enter Beverley. 
 
 \ Bev. How like an Out-caft do I wander r 
 
 Loaded with every Curfe, that drives the Soul to 
 
 Defperation -The Midnight Robber, as he 
 
 walks his Rounds, fees by the glimmering Lamp 
 
 ncjy jfjiantic Looks, and dreads to meet me. 
 
 - 3^h||ier am I going ? -My Home lies there; 
 
 f "* _<wkjtT~''^^' ->'<*^^^^iiriCS> all 
 
 ^1
 
 f^^ G A M E S T T: R. $ 
 
 nil that is dear on Earth it holds too -, yer an; the 
 Gates of Death more welcome tf - me Dl en- 
 ter it no more Who pafTf s there ? *Tis Lrwfon 
 
 He meets me in a gloomy Hour , and Memory 
 tcJls mc he has been meddling with my Fame. 
 Enter Lewfon. 
 
 Lew. Beverley ! Well met. I have been bufy 
 in your Affairs. 
 
 Bev. So I have heard. Sir; and now muft 
 thank you as I ought. 
 
 Lew, To-morrow I may deferve your Thanks. 
 Late as it is, I go to Bates. Difcoverics arc 
 making that an arch Villain trembles at. 
 
 Bev. Difcoveries arc made. Sir, that You fhall 
 tremble at. Where is this boafted Spirit ? this 
 high Demeanour, that was to call me to Account? 
 
 You fay I have wrong*d my Sifter Now fay 
 
 as much. But firft be ready for Defence, as I 
 am for Refentment. ^ig^^Druivs. 
 
 Lew. What mean you ? I under(lan(Fy'oU not. 
 
 Bev. The Coward's ftale Acquittance. Who, 
 when he fpreads foul Calumny abroad, and dreads 
 juft Vengeance on him, cries out, \Vhat mean 
 you, I undcrftand you not. 
 
 Lew. Coward and Calumny ! Whence arc thofe 
 Words ? But 1 forgive, and pity you. 
 
 Beu. Your Pity had been kinder to my Fame. 
 But you have traduc*d it ; told a vile Story to 
 the pubfic Ear, that I have wi v)ng*d my Sifter. 
 
 K Leiv,
 
 66 The GAMESTER. 
 
 Lew. 'Tis falfc. Shew me the Man that dares 
 accufe me. 
 
 Bev. I thought you brave, and of a Soul fu- 
 perior to low MaUce ; but I have found you, and 
 will have Vengeance. This is no Place for Ar- 
 gument. 
 
 Levj. Nor fiiall it be for Violence. Imprudent 
 Man ! who in Revenge ior fancy'd Injuries, wou'd 
 pierce the Heart that loves him. But honeft 
 Friendfhip ads from itfelf, unmov*d by Slander, 
 or Ingratitude. The Life you thiril for, fnail be 
 employ'd to ferve you. 
 
 Bei-, 'Tis thus you wou'd compound then 
 Firfi: do a Vv' rong beyond Forgivenefs, and to re- 
 drefs it, load me with Kinunefs unfoiicited. I'll 
 not receive it. Your Zeal is troublefoaie, 
 
 Lezv. No Matter. It lliall be ufeful. 
 
 Bev. h will not be accepted. 
 
 Lew. It mufi. Ycu know me nor. 
 
 BtV- li^s ; for the Slanderer of my Fanie. Who 
 under Shew of FriendlTiip, arraigns me of Inju- 
 ftice. Buzzing in every Ear foul Breach of 
 Truft, and Fam.ily Difhonour. 
 
 hciv. Flave I done this .^ Who told you fo .'' 
 
 Bcv. The World Tis talk'd of every where. 
 It pleas'd you to add Threats, too. You were to 
 
 call me to Account Vvhy, do it now then; I 
 
 11, all be proud of luch an Arbiter. 
 
 Le^j:. i:^Lit up your Sword, and know ncc bet^ 
 
 tcr.
 
 <rb: GAMESTER. 5; 
 
 Icr. I never injured you. The bafe Suggeftion 
 comes from Siukely, I fee him and his Aims. 
 
 Bev. What Aims ? I'll not conceal it j *twas 
 Siukeiy that accus'd you. 
 
 Lew. To rid him of an Enemy Perhaps 
 
 of two . He fears Difcovery, and frames a 
 
 Tale of Falfehood, to ground Revenge and Mur- 
 der on. 
 
 Bev. I muft have Proof of this. 
 
 Lew. Wait till To-morrow then, 
 
 Bev, I will. 
 
 Lew. Good Night- 1 go to ferve you 
 
 Forget what's pad as I do ; and chear your Fa- 
 mily with Smiles. To-morrow may confirm *em, 
 and make all happy. (Exit. 
 
 Bev. (Paitfing.) How vile, and how abfurd is 
 Man ! His boafted Honour is but another Name 
 for Pride -, which eafier bears the Confcioufncfs 
 of Guilt, than the World's juft Reproofs. But 
 'tis the Fafhion of the Times ; and in Defence of 
 Falfehood and falfe Honour, Men die Martyrs, 
 I knew not that my Nature was fo bad. 
 
 {jlands mufing. 
 Enter Bares ar?d Jarv'is. 
 
 Jar. This Way the Noife was and yonder*s 
 my poor Maftcr. 
 
 Bat. I heard him at high Words with Lcvjfon, 
 TheCaufe I know not. 
 
 Jar. I heard him too. Misfortunes vex him, 
 K 2 Bat.
 
 :6? The G AME S T EK. 
 
 Bat. Go to him, and lead him Homc-^But he 
 comes this W^yr-r I'll not be fcen by him. 
 
 fE;**. Bates. 
 
 Bev. (Jiarting.) What Fellow's that? (feeing 
 Jarvis) Art thou a Mur<^erer, Friend ? Come, 
 lead the Way -, 1 have a Hand as mifchievous 5$ 
 
 thine ; a Heart as defperate too-. Jarvis ! 
 
 To Bed, old Man, the Cold will chill thee. 
 
 Jar. Why are you wandering ^ this late 
 Hour ? Your SwQrd dra,wn too !--^Foi: Heay'n*s 
 Sake Iheath it. Sir the Sight dfftr*ds me. 
 
 Bev^ Whofe Voice \yas th^t ? (wildly. 
 
 Jar. 'Twas niinc. Sir. I^et mc intre*t you tQ 
 give the Sword to Me^ 
 
 Btv. Ay, take it quickly take it Perhaps I 
 ani not ^ curs'd, but H^v'n may ha^ve (ti\^ thee 
 t% this Moment tP fnatch rnc from. Perdition, 
 
 Jar, Then I ^pi blcfs'd. 
 
 Bev. Continue fo, and leave me. My Sorrows; 
 ^t contagious. No on is bleft that's near me. 
 
 Jar. I came to ft^ck you. Sir. 
 
 Bev. And now thou haft found me, kave me 
 My Thoughts are wild and will not be difturb'd. 
 
 Jar. Such Thoughts are bcft difturb'd. 
 
 Bev. I tell thee that they will not -Who 
 
 fent thee hither? 
 
 Jar. My weeping Miftreffs. ;I ... 
 
 Bev. Am I fo meek a Huft^and ^hpi^? thftta 
 commanding Wife prefcribes my Houfs,^ ^jidfcnds 
 to chide me for my Ab(ence? Tell her, I'll 
 not return. Jar.
 
 Ue GAMESTER. 69 
 
 Jar, Thofc Words wou'd kill her. 
 
 Bev. Kill her ! Wou'd they not be kind then ? 
 
 But fhe fhall live to curfe me 1 have dcfcrv'd 
 
 it of her. Docs Ihe not h^ie me, Jarvis ? 
 
 Jar. Alas, Sir 1 Forget your Griefs, and let m^ 
 lead you to her. The S erects are dangerous. 
 
 Bev. Be wife, and leave me then. The Nigly:'* 
 black Horrors arc fuitcd to ray Thoughts - 
 Thcfe Stones fhall be my Refting-placc. (liei 
 down.^ HcrefliaJl my Soul brood o'er its Mife- 
 rics , 'till withfthc Fiends of Hell, and Guilty of 
 the Earth, I ftart and tremble at the Morning's 
 Light. 
 
 Jar. For Pity's Sake, Sir ! Upon my Knee* 
 I beg you to quit this Place, and theic i^di 
 I'houghts. Let Patience, not Defpair poflcfs 
 
 you Rife, i bcfccch you There's not 1. 
 
 Moment of your Abfence, that my poor Miftrcfe 
 does not groan for. 
 
 Bev. Have I undone her, and is flic ftill foi 
 kind ? (Jlarting up) It is too much -My Brain 
 
 can't hold it O, Jarvis! how dclpcrate is that 
 
 Wretch'-s State, which only Death or Madnefs 
 can relieve.. 
 
 Jar. Appeafe his Min4,, good Heaven I and 
 givcT'him Refignation ! Alas, Sir, cou'd Beings in 
 the oth^f World perceive the Events of this, how 
 wou'd yoMr Parents- blcfled Spirits grieve for you 
 ^en in Heaven ! Let me conjure you by their 
 hononr'd Memories-, by the fweet Innocence of 
 
 your
 
 ^o The GAMESTER. 
 
 your yet helplefs Child, and by the ccafclefs Son 
 rows of my poor Miftrefs, to rouzc your Man- 
 hood, and ftrugglc with thefe Griefs, 
 
 Bev. Thou virtuous, good old Man ! thy Tears 
 and thy Entreaties have reach'd my Heart, thro* 
 all its Miferics. O! had I li(len*d to thy honeft 
 Warnings, no earthly Blcffing had been wanting 
 to me ! I was fo happy^ that even a Wifh for 
 more than I pofTefs'd, was arrogant Prefumption. 
 But I have warr'd againft the Power that blefs'd 
 me, and now am fcntenc'd to the Hell I m.erit. 
 
 Jar. Be but refign'd, Sir, and Happinefs may 
 yet be yours. 
 
 Bev. Prithee be honeft, and do not flatter 
 Mifery. 
 
 Jar. I do not. Sir Flark ! I hear Voices 
 
 Come this Way i we may reach Home un- 
 
 notic'd. 
 
 Bev. Well, lead me then Un-notic'd did'ft 
 
 thou fay ? Alas ! I dread no Looks but of thofe 
 Wretches I have made at Home. (ExeunU 
 
 SCENE changes to Stukely*s. 
 Enter Stukely afid Dawfon. 
 Stu. Come hither, 'Dawfon. My Limbs arc on 
 the Rack, and my Soul fhivers in me^ 'till this 
 Night's Bufmefs be complete. Tell me thy 
 Thoughts : Is Bates detcrmin'd, or does he 
 xvaver ? 
 
 Dwvo. At firft he feem'd irrefolute ; wifli'd the 
 
 Em-
 
 rbc GAMESTER. 71 
 
 Employment had been mine , and mutter'd 
 Curfes on his Coward Hand, that trembled at 
 the Deed. 
 
 Stu. And did he leave you fo ? 
 
 Daw, No. We walk'd together ; and (hel- 
 ter'd by the Darknefs, faw Beverley and Lewfon 
 in warm Debate. But foon they cool*d -, and 
 then I left *em to haften hither ; but not *till *twas 
 rciblv'd Lewfcn rtiou'd die. 
 
 Stu. Thy Words have given me Life That 
 Quarrel, too, was fortunate ; for if my Hopes 
 deceive me not, it promifes a Grave to Beverley, 
 
 Daw, You mifconceive me. Lewfon and he 
 were friends. 
 
 Stu. But my prolific Brain ihall make *em 
 Enemies. If Lewfon falls, he falls by Beverley, 
 An upright Jury fliall decree it. Afk me no 
 Queftion, but do as I dired. This Writ (takes 
 out a Pocket Book) for fome Days paft, I have 
 treafur'd here, 'till a convenient Time call'd for 
 its Ule. That Time is come. Take it, and 
 give it to an Officer. It muft be ferv'd this In- 
 fant. (Gives a Paper, 
 
 Daw. On Beverley? 
 
 Stu. Look at it. 'Tis for the Sums that I 
 have lent hrm. 
 
 Daw, Muft he to Prifon then ? 
 
 Stu. I afk'd Obedience-, not Replies. This 
 Night a Jail muft be his Lodging. 'Tis probable 
 he's not gone Home yet. Wait at his Door, and 
 fee it executed. Daw.
 
 72 n^ G A M E S T E R. 
 
 Daw. Upon a Beggar ? He has no Means of 
 Payment. 
 
 Sta. Dull and infenfible ! If Lewfon dies, tvho 
 was it kiird him ? Why, he that was fecn quar- 
 relhng with him , and I that knew of Beverley'i 
 
 Intents, arrefted him in Friendfhip A Httlc 
 
 late, perhaps-, but *twas a virtuous Al, and Men 
 will thank me for't. Now, Sir, you underftand me ? 
 
 Daw. Moft pcrfedly And will about it. 
 
 Stu. Hafte then , and when 'tis done, come 
 back and tell me. 
 
 Daw, 'Till then farewell. (Exit. 
 
 Stu. Now tell thy Tale, fond Wife! And 
 Lew/on^ if again thou can'ft infult me, I'll kneel 
 and own thee for my Mafter. 
 
 Not Avarice now, but Vengeance fires my Breafi, 
 And one JJjort Hour muji make me curji or blejl, 
 
 (Exit. 
 
 End of the Fourth ACT. 
 
 ACT V. Scene continues. 
 Enter Stukely, Bates, and Dawfon. 
 
 Bates. T^OOR Lewfon! But I toM you 
 
 X enough lad Night The Thought 
 of him is horrible to me. 
 
 Stu,
 
 rhe GAMESTER. 
 
 Stu. In the Street, did you fay ? And no onv 
 near him ? 
 
 Bai. By his own Door ; he was leading me to 
 his Houfe. I pretended Bufinefs with him, and 
 ftabb*d him to the Heart, while he was reaching 
 at the Bell. 
 
 Stu. And did he fall fo fuddenly? 
 
 Bat. The Repetition pleafes you, I fee. I told 
 you, he fell without a Groan. 
 
 Stu. What heard you of him this Morning ? 
 
 Bat. That the Watch found him in their 
 Rounds, and alarm'd the Servants. I mingled 
 with the Crowd juft now, and faw him dead in 
 his own Houfe. The Sight terrify'd me. 
 
 Stu. Away with Terrors, *till his Ghoft rife and 
 accufc us We have no living Enemy to fear 
 unlefs 'tis Beverley \ and him we have lodg*d fafe 
 in Prifon. 
 
 Bat. Mud He be murder'd too ? 
 
 Stu. No ; 1 have a Scheme to make the Lavr 
 his Murderer At what Hour did Lewfon fall? 
 
 Bat>, The Clock llruck Twelve as I turn'd to 
 leave him. *Twas a melancholy Bell, I thoughtj 
 lolling for his Death. 
 
 Stu. The Time was lucky for u^'- Beverley 
 was arrefted at Onej you fay ? (to Dawfon* 
 
 Daw. Exadly. 
 
 Stu. Good, We'll talk of this prefently 
 
 The Women were with him, I think ? 
 
 Daw, And old Jarvis. I wou'd have told 
 L you
 
 rbe GAMES T E R. 
 
 you of *cm laft Night, but your Thoughts were 
 loo buiy. 'Tis well you have a Heart of Stone, 
 the Title wou'd melt it clfe. 
 
 Stu. Out with it then; 
 
 Daw. I trac'd him to his Lodgings ; and prc^ 
 tending Pity for his Misfortunes, kept the Door 
 open, while the Officers feiz'd him. 'Twas a 
 
 damn'd Deed but no Matter 1 follow*d 
 
 my Inftruftions. 
 
 Stu. And what faid he r 
 
 Daw. He upbraided me with Treachery; call'd 
 You a Villain ; acknowledg'd the Sums you had 
 lent him, and fubmitted to his Fortune/ 
 
 Siu. And the Women 
 
 Daw, For a few Minutes Atlonilhment kept 
 'cm filent They look'd wildly at one another, 
 while the Tears fiream'd down their Cheeks. But 
 Rage and Fury foon gave 'em Words ; and then, 
 in the very Bittemefs of Defpair, they curs*d me 
 and the Monlfer t;:iat had employ'd me. 
 
 Stu. And you bore it with Philofophy ? 
 
 Daw, *Till the Scene chang'd, and then I 
 melted. I order'd the Officers to take away their 
 Prifoner. The Women fhriek'd, and wou'd 
 have foUow'd him , but we forbad 'em. 'Twas 
 then they fell upon their Knees, the Wife taint- 
 ing, the Sifter raving, and both with all the Elo- 
 quence of Mifery endeavouring to foften us. I 
 never felt Compaffion 'till that Moment ; and 
 had the Officers been mov'd like Me, we had left 
 
 the
 
 tii GAMESTER. yg 
 
 the Bufmcfs undone, and fled with CuiTcs on 
 ourfcivcs. But their Hearts were fteel*d by Cuftom. 
 The Tears of Beauty and the Pangs of Affedion 
 were beneath their Pity. They tore him from their 
 Arms, and lodg'd him in Prilbn, with only Jar- 
 vis to comfort him. 
 
 Sfu. There let him lie, 'till we have farther 
 
 Bufinefs with him And for You, Sir, let me 
 
 hear no more of your CompafTion A Fellow 
 
 nurs*d in Villainy, and -^mploy'd from Childhood 
 in the Bufinefs of Hell, lhou*d have no Dealings 
 with CompafTion. 
 
 Daw. Say you fo. Sir ? You fhou'd have nam*d 
 the Devil that tempted me 
 
 Stu. 'Tis falfc I found you a Villain, md 
 therefore employ 'd you but no more of this 
 WjB have embark'd too far in Mifchief to 
 recede. Lewjon is dead, and we are all PrJncipall 
 in his Murder. Think of that There's Time 
 enough for Pity when ourfelves are out of Danger 
 
 Beverley ftill lives tho' in a Jail His 
 
 Ruin will fit heav^y on him ; and Difcoveries may 
 be made rj undo us ail. Something muft be 
 done, and fpeedily You faw hmi quarrelling with 
 Levofcn in the Street laft Night? (To Bates. 
 
 Bat. I did ; his Stewar^l, Jawis^ faw him too. 
 
 Siu. And Ihall attcfl it. Here's Matter to 
 
 work upoii An unwilling Evidence carries 
 
 Weight with him. Something of my Delign I 
 
 have hinted t'you before Bc'vcrliy nmii be 
 
 L 2 the
 
 yS 27.^ G A M E S T E R. 
 
 the Author of this Murder ; and wc the Parties 
 
 to convi(5l him But how to proceed will rer 
 
 quire Time and Thought Come along with 
 
 Me ; the Room vvithin is fitter for Privacy But 
 
 no CompafTion, Sir ? (to Dawfon) We want 
 
 Leifure for't This Way. (Exeunt, 
 
 SCENE changes to Beverley's Lodgings, 
 Enter Mrs. Beverley and Charlotte. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. No News of Lewfon yet ? 
 
 hcr. None. He went out early, and knows 
 not what has happen'd. 
 
 Mvs.Bcv, The Clock ftrikcs Eight -I'll 
 wait no longer. 
 
 Char, Stay but 'till y^mj comes. Hehasfent 
 twice to ftop us 'till we fee him. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. I have no Life in this Separation 
 O! What a Night was laft Night! I wou'd not 
 
 pafs another fuch to purchafe Worlds by it 
 
 My poor Beverley too ! What muft He have felt ! 
 
 The very Thought diilrafls me To have him 
 
 torn at Midnight from me ! A loathfome 
 
 Prifon his Habitation ! A cold damp Room his 
 Lodging ! The bleak Winds perhaps blowing upon 
 his Pillow ! No fond Wife to lull him to his Reft ! 
 and no Refiedions but to wound and tear him ! 
 
 'Tis too horrible 1 wanted Love for him, 
 
 or they had not forc'd him from me. They 
 
 fhou'd ha/e parted Soul and Body firft- 1 wai 
 
 too tame. 
 
 Char.
 
 9be GAMESTER. 77 
 
 Char, You muft not talk fo. All that wc cou'd 
 
 we did ; and 'jarvh did the reft The. faithful 
 
 Creature will give him Comfort. Why does he 
 delay coming ! 
 
 Mrs. Bev, And there's another Fear. His poor 
 Matter may be claiming the laft kind Office from 
 ^im His Heart perhaps is breaking. 
 
 Char. See where he comes -His Looks ar6 
 chearful top. 
 
 Enter Jarvis. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. Are Tears then chearful ? Alas, h4 
 
 weeps! Speak to him, Charlotte r-I have no 
 
 Tongue to afk him Queftions. 
 
 Char. How does your Mailer, Jarvis ? 
 
 J^r. I am old and foolifh, Madam -, and Tear$ 
 
 will come before my Words But don't You 
 
 weep ; (to Mrs. Bev.) I have a Talc of Joy for 
 you. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. What Tale ? Say but he*s well, 
 
 and I have Joy enough. 
 
 Jar. His Mind too fhall be well all fhall be 
 
 well- 1 have News for him that fhall make his 
 
 poor Heart bound again Fie upon old Age--* 
 How childifh it makes me ! I have a Tale of Joy 
 for you, and my Tears drown it. 
 
 Char. Shed 'em in Showers then, and make 
 Hafte to tell it. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. What is it, Jarvis? 
 
 Jar. Yet why fhou'd I rejoice when a good 
 Man dies } Your Uncle, Madam, dy'd Yefterday. 
 
 Mrs.
 
 yj fhi G AM t S r E R. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. My Uncle ! O Heavens ! 
 
 Char, How heard you of his Death ? 
 
 Jar. His Steward came Exprefs, Madam I 
 mcthiiP in the Street, enquiring tor your Lodging! 
 
 I Ihou'd not rejoice pernaps^ but ht ^':is 
 
 old, 'and ^y poor Mafter a Prifoner Now he 
 
 Ihall live again - O 'tis a brave Fortune ! and 
 'twasDeath to me to fee him a Prifoner. 
 
 Char, 'vVherc left you the Steward ? 
 
 Jar. 1 wou'd not bring hirn hither, to be a 
 Witnefs of your Diftrefles ; and befides, I wanted 
 once before 1 die, to be the Meffenger of Joy 
 t*you. My good Mailer will be a Man again. 
 
 Mrs Sev, Hafte, hafte then; and let us fiy to 
 him \' We are delaying our own Happincfs. 
 
 Jar. I' had forgot a Coach, Madam -, and 
 Z/iKtj has order'd one. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. Where was-the Need of that.^ The 
 News has given me Wings. 
 
 Cha?: 1 have no Joy, 'till my poor Brpther fhares 
 it with me. How did he pafs the Night, J^mj.? 
 
 y^r. Why now, Madam, I can tell you. Like 
 a Man dreaming of Death and Horrors. When 
 they led him to his Ceil For 'twas 2 poor Apart- 
 ment for my Mafter He flung himfelf upon a 
 wretched Bed, and lay fpeechlefs 'till Day- break. 
 A Sigh now and then, and a few Tears that fol- 
 low' thofe Sighs, were all that told me he was 
 alive. 1 fpoke to him, but he wou'd ho-: hear 
 me J and when 1 perfifted, he rais'd his HaiX* ac 
 
 mc.
 
 rbe G A M E S T E R. 7^ 
 
 me, and knit his Brow fo. I thought he wou*d 
 have ftruck me. 
 
 Mrs. Bev, O Mifcrablc ! But what faid he, 
 Jarvis ? Or was he filent all Night ? 
 
 Jar. At Day-break he darted from the Bed> 
 and looking wildly at me, afk*d who I was. I 
 told him, and bid him be of Comtort Begone, 
 
 old Wretch, fays he 1 have fworn never to 
 
 know Comfort My Wife ! my Child ' my Sif- 
 ter! I have undone *em all, and will know no 
 Comfort Then tailing upon his Knees, he im- 
 precated Curfes upon himfelf. 
 
 Mrs. Bev, This is too horrible ( But you did 
 not leave him fo ? 
 
 Char. No, I am fure he did not. 
 
 Jar. I had not the Heart, Madam. By De- 
 crees I brought him to himfelf. A Shower of 
 Tears came to his Relief; and then he calPd me 
 his kindcft Friend, and begg*d Forgivenefs of me 
 like a Child I was a. Child too, when he begg'd 
 Forgivenefs of me. My Heart throbb*d fo, I 
 cou'd not fpcak to him. He turn'd from me for a 
 Minute or two, and fupprefling a few bitter Sighs, 
 
 cnquir'd after his wretched Family Wretched 
 
 was his Word, Madam 'AfkVl how you bore 
 
 the Mifery of laft Night If you had Good nefs 
 
 enough to fee him in Prifon -And then begg*d 
 
 me to haften to you. I told him he muft be- 
 more himfelf firft He promifed me he wou*d ; 
 and bating a few fuddcn Intervals, he became 
 
 eom-
 
 8o Thi GAMESTER. 
 
 compos'd and afy And then I left him ; but 
 
 not without an Attendant a Servant in the 
 
 Prifon, whom I hir'd to wait upon him *Tis 
 
 an Hour fincc we parted 1 was prevented in 
 
 my Hafte to be the Meflenger of Joy t'you. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. What a Talc is this ? But we have 
 llaid too long' A Coach is needlefs. 
 
 Char, Hark ! I hear one at the Door. 
 
 Jar. And Lucy comti to tell us We*ll 
 
 Away this Moment. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. To comfort him or die with him. 
 
 ( Exeunt i 
 
 SCENE changes to Stukely*? Lodgings, 
 
 Enter Stukcly, Bates aTid Dawfon. 
 
 Stu. Here's prefumptive Evidenct at leafi: 
 Or if we want more, why we mud fwear more. 
 But all unwillingly We gain Credit by Reluc- 
 tance I have told you how to proceed. Beverley 
 mud die We hunt him in View now, and 
 muft not flacken in the Chace. *Tis either Death 
 for Him, or Shame and Punilhment for Us. Think 
 of that, and remember your Inftrudions YoUy 
 Bates, muft to the Prifon immediately, I wou'd 
 be there but a few Minutes before you. And you, 
 Dawfon, muft follow in a few Minutes after. So 
 
 here wc divide-- ^But anfwer me-, are you 
 
 refolved upon this Bufinefs like Men ? 
 
 Bates. Lik Villains ratherr But you may de* 
 pcnd upon us. 
 
 StH,
 
 nt GAMESTER. 
 
 ^tu. Like what we are then-^ You make 
 
 -Anfvver, Dawfon Gompaflion, I fuppofe, h& 
 
 leizM you. \ 
 
 Daw, No ; I have difciaim'd it My Anfwer 
 is Batesh You may depend upon me.' - - ' " 
 
 Stu. Confider the Reward ! Riches and Secu- 
 rity ! I have fworn to ilividc with you to the lalt 
 Shilling So here we fcparatc 'till we meet in 
 
 Prifon Remember your Inftrudlions and be 
 
 Men. (Exeunt. 
 
 SCENE changes to a Prifon, 
 
 Beverley is difcover^d fitting. After afbart Paufe^ 
 he Jlarts />, and comes forward, 
 
 Bev. Why, there's an End then, I have judg'd 
 deliberately, and the Refult is Death. How the 
 Self-Murderer's Account may ftand, I know not. 
 But this I know The Load of hateful Life op- 
 prefles me too much The Horrors of my Soul 
 are more than I can bear (offers to kneel) Fa- 
 ther of Mercy ! 1 cannot pray- Dcfpair h^s 
 
 laid his Iron Hand upon me, and feal'd me for 
 Perdition Confcience! ConfcienccJ thyClamouC$. 
 
 are too loud Here's that fliajl filence thee. 
 
 (TaJces a Vial out of his Fochty and looks at it.) 
 Thou art moft irienJly to the Mifcrable. Corrje 
 then, thou Cordial for fick Minds Comje.tp 
 my Heart. (Drinks) O, that the Grave wou'J 
 bury Memory as well as Body! F^r if the Soul 
 fees ^nd feels the Sufferings of th^fe dear Ones 
 
 M it
 
 n^ GAMESTER. 
 
 eaves behind, the Efverlafting has no Venge- 
 
 nee to torment it deeper 1*11 think no more 
 
 on*t Reflexion comes too late Once there 
 
 was a Time for*t but naw 'tis paft. 
 
 Who*s there ? 
 
 Enter Jarvis. 
 
 Jar, One that hop'd to fee you with better 
 
 Looks Why d'you turn fo from me ? I have 
 
 brought Comfort with me And fee who comes 
 to give it wckome.- 
 
 Bev. My Wife and Sifter ! Why, 'tis but one 
 Pang more then, and farcwel World. (Jfid^, 
 Enter Mrs. Beverley and Charlotte. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. Where is he ? (Runs and embraces 
 lim) O I have him ! I have him ! And now they 
 {hall never part us more - 1 have News, Love^ 
 to make you happy for ever But don't took 
 coldly on me. 
 
 Char. Hovf is it, Brother T 
 
 Mrs. Bcv. Alas ! he hears us not Speak to 
 
 me. Love. 1 have no Heart to fee you thus. 
 
 Bev. Nor I to bear the Senfe of fo much 
 Shame This is a fad Place. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. We came to take you from it. Ta 
 tell you the World goes well again. That Pro- 
 vidence has feen our Sorrows, and fent the Means- 
 to help 'em Your Uncle dy'd Yeftelrday. 
 
 Bev. My Uncle! No, do not fay fo OI* 
 1 am fiek at Heart ! 
 
 Mrs*
 
 fJbe GAMESTER, 83 
 
 Mrs. Bev. Indeed ! 1 meant to bring you 
 
 Comfort. 
 
 Bev. Tell mc he lives then If you wou'd 
 
 bring me Comfort, tell me he lives. 
 
 Mrs.Bdv. And if I did. 1 have no Power 
 
 to raife the Dead He dy'd Yefterday. 
 
 Bev. And I am Heir to him ? 
 
 Jar. To his whole Eftate, Sir r-But bear it 
 
 patiently pray bear it pa'icnt:y. 
 
 Bev. Wll, well (Paufinx) Why Fame 
 
 fays I am rich then ? 
 
 Mrs. Bev. And truly fo Why do you look 
 
 (o wildly,? 
 
 Bev. Do \} The News was unexpedled. But 
 has he left me all ? 
 
 Jar, All, all. Sir He cou'd not leave it 
 from you. 
 
 Bev. I a.m forry for iL 
 
 Char. Sony ! Why forry .^ 
 
 Bev. Your Uncle's dead, Charlotte. 
 
 Char. Peace be with his Soul then Is it fg 
 
 terrible that an old Man Hiou'd die ? 
 
 Bev. He fliou'd have been immortal. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. Heaven knows I wilh*d not for his 
 Death. *rwas the Will of providence that he 
 fhou*d die Why are you diftuib'd fo ? 
 
 Bev. Has Death no Terrors in it ? 
 
 Mrs. Bev. Not an old Man's Death Yet if it 
 troubles you, I wifh him living, 
 
 Bev. And I, with all my i Jeart, 
 
 M 2 Ckdr.
 
 S4 n^ G A M E S T E R. 
 
 Char. Why, what's the Matter ? 
 
 Bev. Nothing ^How heard you of his Death ? 
 
 Mrs. Bev. His Steward came Exprefs. Wou'd 
 I had never known it ! 
 
 Bev. Or had heard it one Day fooner For 
 
 I have a Tale to tell, fhall turn you into Stone i 
 or if the Power of Speech lemain, you fhall 
 kneel down and curfe me. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. Alas ! What Tale is this ? And why 
 are we to curfe you V\\ blefs you for ever. 
 
 Eev. No \ I have deferv'd no BlefTings. The 
 World holds not fuch another Wretch, All this- 
 large Fortune, this fecond Bounty of Heaven, 
 that might have heal'd our Sorrows, and fatisfy'd 
 our utmoft Hopes, in a curs'd Hour I fold lafl; 
 Night. 
 
 Char. Sold ! How fold ! 
 
 Mrs. Bev. ImpoiTible ! It cannot be ! 
 
 Bev. That Devil Stukel)\ with all Hell to aid 
 him, tempted me to the Deed. To pay falfe 
 Debts of Honour, and to redeem pafl Errors, I 
 
 fold the Reverfion Sold it for a fcanty Sum, 
 
 and loll it among Villains. 
 
 Char. Why, farewel all then. 
 
 Bev. Liberty and Life Gome kneel and 
 
 cur ft' rne. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. Then hear me. Heaven ! (Kneels) 
 Look down with Mercy on his Sorrows ! Give 
 Softncfs to his Looks, and Quiet to his Heart ! 
 Take from his Memo.-'y the Senfe of what is paft, 
 
 and
 
 ^be GAMESTER. 85 
 
 and cure him of Defpair ! On Mc! on Mc ! if 
 Mifery muft be the Lot of either, multiply Mif- 
 fortunes ! I'll bear *cm patiently, fo He is happy ! 
 Thcfe Hands fliall toil for his Support! Thefe 
 Eyes be lifted up for hourly Bleflings on him ! And 
 every Duty of a fond and faithful Wife be doubly 
 
 done to chear and comfort him ! So hear 
 
 mc! So reward me! (Rifes, 
 
 Bev. 1 wou'd kneel too, but that offended 
 Heaven wou'd turn my Prayers into Curfes. 
 What have I to afk for ? I, who have fhook 
 Hands with Hope ? Is it for Length of Days that 
 I fhou'd kneel ? No; My Time is limited. Or 
 is it for this World's Bleflings upon You and 
 Yours? To pour out m.y Heart in Wi(hes for a 
 ruin'd Wife, a Child and Sifter? O! no! For I 
 have done a Deed to make Life horrible t'you - 
 
 Mrs. Bev. Why horrible ? Is Poverty fo hor- 
 rible ? The real Wants of Life are few. A 
 
 ' little Induftry will fupply 'em all -And Chear- 
 
 fulnefs will follow It is the Privilege of 
 
 honeft Induftry, and we'll enjoy i: fully. 
 
 Bev, Never, never O, I have told you but 
 
 in Part. The irrevocable Deed is done. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. What Deed ? And why do you 
 look fo at me ? 
 
 Bev. A Deed that dooms my Soul to VengC" 
 ancc That fcals Your Mifery here, and) Mine 
 hereafter. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. No, no; You have a Heart too" 
 
 good
 
 16 ne GAMESTER. 
 
 good for't Alas ! he raves, Charlotte His 
 Looks too terrify me Speak Comfort to him 
 He can have done no Deed of Wickednefs. 
 
 Char, And yet I fear the word What is it. 
 Brother ? 
 
 Bev. A Deed of Horror. 
 
 Jar, Afk him no Queftiqps, Madam This 
 lafl: Misfortune has hurt his Brain. A little Time 
 -will give him Patience. 
 
 Enter Stukely. 
 , Bev. Why is this Villain here ? 
 
 Stu. To give You Liberty and Safety. There, 
 Madam's, his Difcharge. (Giving a Paper to 
 Mrs, Beverley) Let him fly this Moment. The 
 Arreft laft Night was meant in Friendfiiip; but 
 came too late. 
 
 Char, What mean you, Sir ? 
 
 Stu, The Arreft was too late, I fay ; I wou'd 
 have kept his Hands from Blood, but was too late. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. His Hands from Blood 1 Whole 
 Blood .? O, Wretch ! Wretch ! 
 
 Stu, From Lewfon'i Blood. 
 
 Char, No, Villain ! Yet what of Lewfcn ? 
 Speak quickly. 
 
 Stu. You are ignorant then ! I thought I heard 
 the Murderer a Confeffion. 
 
 Char, What Murderer ? And who is mur- 
 der'd ? Not Lewfon ? Say he lives, and I'll 
 k,neel and worfhip you. 
 
 Stti. In Pity, fo I wou'd j but that the Tongues 
 
 of
 
 The GAMESTER. S; 
 
 of all cry Murder. I came in Pity, not in Ma- 
 lice 1 to fave the Brother, not kill the Sifter. 
 Your Lew/en's dead. 
 
 Char. O horrible ! Why who has kill'd 
 
 him ? And yet it cannot be. What Grime had 
 He committed that he Ihou'd die ? Villain ! he 
 lives ! he lives ! and (hall revenge thefe Pangs. 
 
 Mrs. Bev, Patience, fweet Charlotte. 
 
 Char. O, 'tis too much for Patience I 
 
 Mrs. Bev. He comes in Pity, he fays ! O ? 
 execrable Villain! The Friend is killM then, 
 and this the Murderer? 
 
 Bev. Silence, I charge you Proceed Sir. 
 Stu. No. Juftice may flop the Talc and 
 here's an Evidence. 
 
 Enter Bates. 
 
 Bates. The News, I fee, has reach'd you. But 
 take Comfort, Madam. (ToQ\izx.) There's one 
 
 Without enquiring for you Go to him, and 
 
 lofe no Time. 
 
 Char. OMifery! Mifery! (Exit. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. Follow her, Jarvis, If it be true 
 that Leivfonh dead, her Grief may kill her. 
 
 Bates. Jarvis muft ft ay here, Madam. I have 
 fonie Queftions for him. 
 
 Stu, Rather let him fly. His Evidence may 
 crufli his Maftcr. 
 
 Bev. Why ay; this looks like Management. 
 
 Bates. He found you quarrelling with Lew/on 
 in the Street laft Night. (1o Bev. 
 
 Mrs.
 
 88 -^he GAMESTER. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. No i I am fure he did not. 
 
 ' Jar. Or if I did 
 
 ^ .Mrs. Bev, 'Tis falfe, old Man They had 
 
 ,iio, Quarrel ; there was no Caufe for Quarrel. 
 
 'Bev. Let him proceed, I fay O! I am fick ! 
 Tick ! Reach a Chair. (Refits down. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. You droop, and tremble, Love. 
 Your Eyes are fixt too Yet You are innocent. 
 If Lewfon's dead, You kill'd him not. 
 
 Ejiier Dawfon. 
 ^ 5/. Who Tent for Dtfw/^ .? 
 
 Bates. 'Twas I We h^^re'a: Witnefs too, you 
 Httle' think of Without thcPe! - 
 
 "^'-Stii. WharWitnefs? -^^'^^L .o>i .-. ^^ 
 
 Bates. A right one. Lookrathirn. '"''^ ' 
 Enter Lcwfon and Charlotte. 
 "^^Stii. Lewfonl O Villains! Villains! 
 
 (To Bates and Dawfon. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. Rifen from the .Dead ! Why, this 
 is uncxpeded Happinefs ! 
 
 Char. Or is't his Ghoft .? (To Stukely) That 
 Sight wou'd pleafe you, Sir. 
 
 Jar. What Riddle's this > 
 
 Bev. Ec quick and tell it My Minutes are 
 but few. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. Alas ! why fo ? You fhall live long 
 md happily. 
 
 Lew. While Shame and Punifhment fhall rack 
 that Viper (Pointing to Stukely) The Talc is fhort 
 I was too bufy in his Secrets, and therefore 
 
 doom'd
 
 Ti'^ G A M E S T E R. 89 
 
 doom'd to die. Bates, to prevent the Murder, 
 underftand it I kept aloof to give it Credit. 
 Char. And give Me Pangs unutterable. 
 Lew. I felt 'cm all, and wouM have told you 
 But Veofc^eance w mted ripening. The Vil- 
 lain's Scheme was but halt executed. 7 he Ar- 
 reft by Daiicfcn foUowM the fuppofed Murder 
 And now, depending on his once wicked Aflb- 
 ciates, he comes to fix the Guilt on Beverley, 
 Mri. Brj. O ! execrable Wretch ! 
 Bates. Ba'wfcn and I are Witnefles of this. 
 Lew. And of a thouiand Frauds. His For- 
 tune ruin'd by Sharpers and falfe Dice-, and 
 Stukely fole Contriver and PoflelTor of all. 
 
 Daw. Had he but flopt on this Side Murder, 
 wc had been Villains dill. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. Thus Heaven turns Evil into 
 Good ; and by permitting Sin, warns Men to 
 Virtue, 
 
 LrdV* Yet punilhcs the Inllrument. So fhall 
 our Laws; tho' not with D-^i.h. But Death 
 were Mercy. Shame, Beggary, and imprifon- 
 mcnt, unpity'd Mifery, the Stings of Confci- 
 ence, and the Curfes of Mankind fliall make 
 
 Life hateful to him till at lad, his own 
 
 Hand end him How does my Friend? 
 
 (To Bcv. 
 Bev. Why, well. W^ho's he that afks me ? 
 
 Mrs. Bcv. 'Tis Leztifon^ Love Why do you 
 
 look fo at him ? 
 
 N Bev,
 
 go r^r C A M E S T E R. 
 
 Bev, They told me he was murderM. (Wildly) 
 
 Mrs. Bev. Ay ; but he lives to fave us. 
 
 Bev. Lend me your Hand The Room turns 
 round. 
 
 Mrs Bev. O Heaven ! 
 
 Lew. This Villain here dillnrbs him. Remove 
 
 him from his Sight And lor your Lives fee 
 
 that you guard him. (Stukely is taken off by 
 Dawfon and Bates.) How is it, Sir ? 
 
 Bev. 'Tis here and here (Pointing to bis 
 
 Head and Heart.) And now it tears me ! 
 
 Mrs. Bev. You feel convuls'd too What 
 
 h't difturbs you ? 
 
 Lew. This fudden Turn of Joy perhaps 
 
 He wants Reft too Laft Night was dreadful to 
 him. His Brain is giddy. 
 
 Char. Ay, never to be cur*d Why, Brother! 
 1 I fear ! 1 fear ! 
 
 Mrs. Bev. Preferve him. Heaven ! My 
 Love ' my Life ! look at me ! How his Eyes 
 flame! 
 
 Bev. A Furnace rages in this Heart I have 
 been too hafty. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. Indeed ! O me I O me ! 
 
 Help, 'Jarvisl Fly, fly for Help! Your 
 
 Maftcr dies elfe. Weep not, but fly! (Ex, 
 
 Jar.) What is this hafty Deed? Yet do 
 
 not anAver me ' My Fears have guefs'd 
 
 
 
 Bev*
 
 The GAMES T E R. 91 
 
 Bev, Call back, the MeiTmger *Tis not in 
 
 Medicine's Power to help me. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. Is it then fo ? 
 
 Bev. Down, reftlefs Flames ! (Laying bis 
 
 Hand on his Heart) down to your native Hell " 
 
 There you (hall rack me O ! for a Paule from 
 
 Pain! 
 
 Mrs. Bev. Help, Charlotte I Support him, Sir ! 
 (2o Lcwfon) This is a killing Sight! 
 
 Bev, That Pang was well It has numb'd 
 
 my Scnfes. Where's my Wife ? Can you 
 
 forgive me. Love ? 
 
 Mrs. Bev. Alas ! for what ? 
 
 Bev. (Starting again) And there's another 
 
 Pang' Now all is quiet Will you forgive 
 
 xne? 
 
 Mrs. 5^1;. I will Tell me for what ? 
 
 Bev. For meanly dying. 
 . Mrs. Bev. No do not fay it. 
 
 Bev. As truly as my Soul muft anfwer it - 
 Had Jarvis ftaid this Morning, all had been 
 
 well. But prefs'd by Shame -pent in a Pii- 
 
 lon tormented with my Pangs for You dri- 
 ven to Dcfpair and Madnefs 1 took the Ad- 
 vantage of his Abfence, corrupted the poor 
 
 Wretch he left to guard me, and fwaliow'd 
 
 Poifon. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. O ! fatal Deed ! 
 
 Char. Dreadful and cruel ! 
 
 N2 Bev.
 
 92 
 
 rhe GAMESTER. 
 
 Bev. Ay, moft accurs'd ^And now I go to 
 
 my Account. This Reft from Pain brings Death ; 
 yet 'tis Heaven's Kindnefs to me. I wifh'd for 
 Eafc, a Moment's Eafe, that cool Repentance 
 
 and Contrition might foften Vengeance Bend 
 
 me, and let me kneel. (They lift him from his 
 Chair y and fupport him on his Knees) I'll pray for 
 You too. Thou Power that madeft me, hear 
 me ! If for a Life of Frailty, and this too hafty 
 Deed of Death, thy Juftice dooms me, here I 
 acquit the Sentence. But if, enthroned in Mer- 
 cy where thou fit'ft, thy Pity has beheld me, fend 
 me a Gleam of Hope ; that in thefe laft and 
 bitter Moments my Soul may tafte of Comfort ! 
 And for thefe Mourners here, O I let their Lives 
 
 be peaceful, and their Deaths happy ! Now 
 
 raifc me. (They lip him to the Chair, 
 
 Mrs. Bev. Reftorehim, Heaven! Stretch forth 
 thy Arm omnipotent, and fnatch him from the 
 Grave ! O fave him ! fave him ! 
 
 Bev. Alas ! that Prayer is fruitlefs. Already 
 Death has feiz'd me Yet Heaven is gracious 
 I afk'd for Hope, as the bright Prcfage of For- 
 givenefs, and like a Light, blazing thro' Dark- 
 
 nefs, it came and chear'd me .'Twas all I 
 
 liv'd for, and now I die. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. Not yet ! Not yet ! 
 
 Stay but a little and I'll die too. 
 
 Bev, No i live, I charge you. We have a 
 
 little
 
 ^i&f G A M E S T E R. 9^ 
 
 little One. Tho' I have left him, You will not 
 
 leave him. To Lewfon\ Kindnefs I bequeath 
 
 him Is not this CharlotU? We have liv*d in 
 Love, tho* I have wrong'd you Can you for- 
 give me, Charlotte? 
 
 Char. Forgive you ! O my poor Brother ! 
 
 ; Bev. Lend me your Hand, Love. So raifc 
 
 -hie No 'twill not be My Life is finilh*d 
 O ! for a few fhort Moments ! to tell you how 
 my Heart bleeds for you X^at even now, thus 
 dying as I am, dubious and fearful of Hereafter, 
 
 ' my bofom Pang is for Your Miferies. Support 
 
 her Heaven! And now I go O, Mercy! 
 
 Mercy ! {Dies. 
 
 Lew, Then all is over How is it, Madam? 
 
 ^ My poor Charlotte too ! 
 
 Enter Jarvis. 
 
 I* *Jar. How docs my Mafter, Madam ? Here's 
 
 Help at Hand Am I too too late then ? 
 
 (Seeing Beverley. 
 Char. Tears I Tears ! Why fall you not ? 
 O wretched Sifter ! Speak to her. Lew/on-^ 
 Her Grief is fpeechlefi. 
 
 Letv. Remove her from this Sight Go to her 
 
 I Jarvis Lead and fupport her. Sorrow like 
 
 Her's forbids Complaint Words are for lighter 
 
 Griefs Some miniftring Angel bring her Peace! 
 
 (Jar, a/rd Char, lead her off. 
 
 And
 
 94 r^^ C A M E S T E R. 
 
 And Thou, poor breathlefs Corpfe, may thy de- 
 parted Soul have found the Reft it pray*d for ! 
 Save but one Error, and this laft fatal Deed, thy 
 Life was lovely. Let frailer Minds tzke Warn- 
 ing ; and from Example learn, that Want of 
 Prudence is Want of Virtue. 
 
 Follies f if uncontroul* d^ of ever^Kind, 
 Grow into PaffionSy and fuhdiie the Mind ; 
 With Senfe and Reafon hold fuperior Strife, 
 And conquer Honour^ Nature^ Fame and Life. 
 

 
 Dramatis Perfonae, 
 
 When Revived 1771. 
 
 Beverley, 
 
 Mr, Rcddilh^ 
 
 Lcwfon, 
 
 Mr. Cauthcrly. 
 
 Stukcly, 
 
 Mr, Palmer. 
 
 Jarvis, 
 
 il^. Ai]^in.* 
 
 Bates, 
 
 Mr, PackJf. 
 
 Dawfon, 
 
 M: J. Aickin. 
 
 Waiter,'^ 
 
 M-. Wheeler. 
 
 ^ Charlotte, 
 
 Mrs, Reddilh. 
 
 - Lucy, 
 
 Mri. Davies. 
 
 ^ M-j. Beverley,'* 
 
 M's, Baddcley, 
 
 H^ 
 

 
 
 
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 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY 
 
 Los Angeles 
 This book is DUE on the last ^ate stamped below. 
 
 
 OCT 2 S 1935 
 
 UAN24i9' 
 
 FEB 27!^ 
 MAR 1 6 198b 
 
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