i-^-' '^ii:]NY-!;o\^^' %ajA!N>]\Vv^ '^AiiVJianiv '">;<: .^uRRAHVa^^ ? 1 1 r^ ^ ^ .y i (^ ^^ ? .y i ? il:i-h. UVdUl V^l % ^^ 111 lirri ^^^tllBR^RV/;/^ ^X\M!BRARY(^;,^^^ .vvlOSANG[lfj> '%a:iAIN.! : %aJAl,NllJ\\V ^>m,uis^ td f p " : 'Al^^r, _^X\lllBRARY/:!^ .^\1-L1BRARY9/, 10^ ^y*. '(iOJilVDJO' Si^' % 'mm:A'':s> SVfc .s\\ ;!F;tv\[r;'6i,' \ (. , r-i V^ '-'/. ^\[1jN!V[Rv/, ^y?: ^.10NAN',fi^,j>. 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. (//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 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 EfFee- 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 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 AlieStu. 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 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 "* _'<*^^^^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. , 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^ ^f^.fav^:? ^hiit*(;fiO .niiL niiJ^a /r-^f?-?!!*! /'^r ivt^^^ ' tfi-'^VSTfCl .i:::^e.;',7 .-M ,nj:kv/ ,'::r:U^a ^i^^iQx^^ \\ n..a 'Spii^.k^^ .f^ U .Uf'CAIiF'^'"' i\r.i AMcno, -'.1'" una ;rr ID 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 ^^ MAN 9 1989 JAN 1 1?^ iin g!^'^)if b 1994 ''^'vi'. iii'Hv \\ 3 1158 00096 7678 ' .^pP^^ '/M]\ \'i]\;\l !\\v '''Vi}\^(M.]'^^ iyi!:iNV\l: \VS!bR-\HV/:)/