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 L-OF-CALIFO^ 
 
 
 
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 THE 
 
 GAMESTER, 
 
 A x 
 
 TRAGEDY, 
 
 As it is Adted at the 
 
 Theatre-Royal in Drmy-Lane, 
 
 L O N D O N : 
 
 Printed for R. FRANCKLIN, in I 
 Coixnt-Garden-, and Sold by R. 
 in Pall-Mall t M.DCC.LIII. 
 
 Pike One SfciUing aud Six Pence. ] 
 
 hilUpc wid Si 
 
 92 3 04
 
 (iii) 
 
 PR. 
 
 GOS 
 
 TO THE 
 
 RIGHT HONOURABLE 
 
 HENRY PELHAM. 
 
 S I R, 
 
 IT was a very fine Piece of Ora- 
 tory of a young Lawyer at the 
 Bar, who as Council againft a High- 
 wayman, obferved that the Profe- 
 cutor had been robbed of a certain 
 Quantity of Ore, which being puri- 
 fied by Fire, cut into circular Pieces, 
 and imprefied with the Image of a 
 King and the Arms of a State, 
 brought with it the Neceflaries, the 
 Conveniencies and the Luxuries of 
 Life. I'll be hanged, fays an honed 
 Country Gentleman who was Hand- 
 ing
 
 iv The Dedication. 
 
 ing by, if this flourifhing Fool does 
 not mean Money. But if he had faid 
 it in one Word,, would not all the 
 reft have been implied ? 
 
 Juff fuch a Cenfure as this fhould I 
 deferve,, if in an Addrefa to Mr. Tel- 
 ~ham I endeavoured to enumerate the 
 Qualities he poffefles. The Charac- 
 ters of great Men are generally con- 
 netted with their Names ; and it is 
 impoffible for any one to read the 
 Name of iVfr. Telham, without con- 
 necting with it, in his own Mind, 
 tfie Virtues of Humanity. 
 
 It is therefore fufficient that I 
 deiire his acceptance of this Play ; 
 that I acknowledge the Obligations 
 I owe hinij and that I fubfcribe 
 myfdf 
 
 His mojl gratefuf; 
 
 and 
 mq/t obedient Servant, 
 
 E D w. MOOR B.
 
 PROLOGUE. 
 
 v Written and Spoken by Mr. GARRICK. 
 
 } 
 
 jj T IKE famd La ManchaV Kiiight, who Launce in hand^. 
 j Mounted his Steed to free tV enchanted Land, 
 
 Our Quixote Bard fets forth a Monfter-taming, 
 ( Arm 1 d at all Points, to fght that Hydra GAMING^ 
 
 dloft on Pegafus he 'waves his Pen, 
 
 And hurls Defiance at the Caitiffs Den. 
 
 The Firfl on fancy d Giants /pent his Rage, 
 r^ But This has mo re. than Wind?mtts to engage. 
 ^ He combats Pajfion, rooted in the Soul, 
 ^- Whofe Powers at once delight yt and eontroul ; 
 ^ Whofe Magic Bondage each loft Slave enjoys, 
 
 Nor nvifles Freedom, tho' the Spell deftroys. 
 
 fofatve our Land from this MAGICIAN'* Charms, 
 
 And refcue Maids and Matrons from his Arms, 
 
 Our Knight Poetic ' comes And Oh ! ye Fair f 
 
 , This black EN CHANTER V ivic&ed Arts be wart ! 
 3 His fubile Poifon dims the brightcft Eyes, 
 
 And at his Touch, each Grace and Beauty dies. 
 
 Love, Gentlenefs and Joy to Rage gi've Way^ 
 
 And the foft Don)e becomes a Bird of Prey. 
 
 May this our bold Advent 'rer break the Spell, 
 And drive the Da-men to his native Hell. 
 ^ Ye Slaves of Paffion, and ye Dupes of Chance, 
 5 Wake all your- Po<vSrs from this de/lruffi-tje Trance f 
 
 Shake of the Shackles cf tlis Tyrant Vice: 
 
 Hear other Calls than thofe of Cards and Did : 
 
 Be learn d tn nobler Arts, than Arts of Play t 
 
 Ajid other Debts than thofe of Honour pay. 
 
 No longer live infenfible to Shame, 
 
 Loft to your Country, Families and Fame. 
 
 Coud our romantic Mufe this Work atchi^'e, 
 
 IVond there one hone/l Heart in Britain grieve f 
 
 Th* Attempt, tho" lujfd, wceu'd not in 'vain be mAde y 
 
 If e<~Sry honejl Hand ivoud Itnd its Aid. 
 
 E P I-
 
 EPILOGUE. 
 
 Written by a FRIEND, 
 And Spoken by Mrs. PRITCHARD. 
 
 ON ev'ry Gamefler in th" Arabian Nation, 
 ""Tii faid, that Mahomet denouncd Damnation ; 
 But in Return for wicked Cards and Dice, 
 He gave them black-efd Girls in Paradife. 
 Should he thus Breach, good Countrymen, to* You, 
 His Converts would, I fear, be mighty few. 
 So much your Hearts are fet on fordid Gain, 
 The brighteji Eyes around you Jbine in wain. 
 Shoud the moji heav'nly Beauty bid you take ter, 
 Youd rather hold - two Aces and a Maker, 
 By your Example, our poor Sex drawn in, 
 Is guilty of the fame unnafral Sin ; 
 The Study now of every Girl cf Parts 
 Is how to ivzrz jour Money, not your Hearts. 
 O ! in what Jweet, what ravijhing Delights, 
 Our Beaux and Belles together pafs their Nights ! 
 By ardent Perturbations kept awake, 
 
 Each views with longing Eyes the other's Staltc. 
 
 The Smiles and Graces are from Britain ftown y ~\ 
 Our Cupid is an errant Sharper grown, > 
 
 And Tor tune jits en Cytherea's Throne. 3 
 
 In all thefe Things tho 1 W r omen may be blam'd, 
 Sure Men, the wi/er Men Jhoud be ajhamd ! 
 And "'tis a horrid Scandal I declare 
 That four jlrange Queens ficud rival all the Fair, 
 Tour Jilts with neither Beauty, Wit nor Parts, 
 O Shame ! have got PoffeJJion of their Hearts ; 
 And thofe bold Sluts, for all their Queenly Pride, 
 Have playd kcfe Tricks, or clfe they're much belfd. 
 Cards were at Jirjl for Benefits defigrfd, 
 Sent to amufc, and net enJJave the Mind. 
 From Good to Bad how eafy the Trai;fition ! 
 For what vjas Pleafure once, is zow Perdition. 
 Fair Ladies then thtfe wicked Gamejlers faun, 
 Whoever weds tne t is, you fee, undone*
 
 Dramatis Perfonae. 
 
 
 MEN. 
 
 Beverley, 
 
 Mr. Garrick. 
 
 Lewfon, 
 
 Mr. Moflbp. 
 
 Stukely, 
 
 Mr. Davies, 
 
 Jarvis, 
 
 Mr. Berry. 
 
 Bates, 
 
 Mr. Burton. 
 
 Dawfon-, 
 
 Mr. Blakes. 
 
 Waiter, 
 
 Mr. Ackman. 
 
 WOMEN. 
 
 Mrs. Beverlcy, Mrs. Pritchard. 
 
 Charlotte, Mifs Haughton. 
 
 Lucy, Mrs. Price.
 
 The GAMESTER. 
 
 TRAGEDY. 
 
 A C T I. SCENE I. 
 
 B 
 
 Enter Mrs. Beverley and Charlotte. 
 
 Mrs, Beverley. ^ "^ E comforted, my Dear ; 
 all may be well yet. And 
 now, methinks, the Lod- 
 gings begin to look with 
 another Face. O Sifter ! Sifter ! if thefe were 
 all my Hardfhips ; if all I had to complain of 
 were no more than quitting my Houfe, Servants, 
 Equipage and Shew, your Pity wouid be Weak- 
 nefs. 
 
 Char. Ts Poverty nothing then ? 
 Mrs. Bev. Nothing in the World, if it affected 
 only Me. While we had a Fortune, I was the 
 happieft of the Rich: And now 'tis gone, give 
 me but a bare Subfiftance and my Hufband's 
 Smiles, and I'll be the happieft of the Poor. 
 To me now thefe Lodgings want nothing but 
 their -Mafter. Why do you look fo at me ? 
 Char. That I may hate my Brother. 
 
 B Mrs. Bev*
 
 2 The G A M E S T E R. 
 
 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 have contented him; 'twas Mifery enough 
 to wake for him till then. Need he have ftaid 
 out all Night? I Tball 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 
 have nothing to do with Sleep. How has this 
 one Vice driven him from every Virtue! Nay, 
 from his Affections too! The Time was, Sif- 
 ter 
 
 Mrs. Bev. And is. I have no fear of his Af- 
 fections. Would I knew that he were fafe ! 
 
 Char. From Ruin and his Companions 
 
 But that's impoflible. His poor little Boy too ! 
 What mull become of him ? 
 ""Mrs. Bev. Why, Want (hall teach him In- 
 dull ry. From his Father's Miftdkes he {hall 
 learn Prudence, and from his Mother's Refigna- 
 tion. Patience. Poverty has no fuch Terrors in 
 it a^ you imagine. There's no Condition of Life, 
 Sicknefs and Pain excepted, where Happinefs is 
 excluded. The Husbandman, who rifes early to 
 his Labour, enjoys more welcome Reft at Night 
 for't. His Bread is fweeter to him j his Home 
 happier ; his Family dearer ; his Enjoyments 
 furer. The Sun that roufes him in the Morning, 
 fets in the Evening toreleafe him. All Situations 
 have their Comforts, if fvveet Contentment dwell 
 in the Heart, But my poor Bfver/ey has none. 
 The Thought of having ruin'd thofe he loves, is 
 
 Mifery
 
 n 
 
 GAMESTER. 3 
 
 Mifery for ever to him. Would I could cafe 
 \ his Mind of that! 
 
 Char. If he alone were ruin'd, 'twere juft he 
 fhou'd be punifh'd. He is my Brother, 'tis true ; 
 but when I think of what he has done ; of the 
 Fortune you brought him ; of his own large 
 Eftate too, fquander'd away upon this vilefl of 
 Paffions, and among the vilefl of Wretches ! O ! 
 I have no Patience ! My own little Fortune is 
 untouch'd, he fays. Wou'd I were fure on't. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. And fo you may 'twould, be a 
 Sin to doubt it. 
 
 Char. I will be fure on't 'Tv/as Madnefs 
 
 in me to give it to his Management. But I'll. 
 demand it from him this Morning. I have a me- 
 lancholy Occafion for't. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. What Occafion? 
 
 Char. To fupport a Sifter. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. No ; I have no Need on't. Take 
 it, and reward a Lover with it. The generous 
 Lewfon deferves much more. Why won't you 
 make him happy? 
 
 Char. Becaufe my Sifter's mifera,ble. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. You muft not think fo. I have my 
 Jewels left yet. I'll fell 'em to fupply our Wants j 
 and when all's gone thefe Hands mall toil for our 
 
 Support. The Poor mould be induftrious 
 
 Why thofe Tears, Charlotte ? 
 
 Char. They flow in Pity for you. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. All may be well yet. When he 
 has nothing to lofe I (hall fetter him in thefe 
 Arms again ; and then what is it to be poor ? 
 
 Char. Cure him but of this deftru&ive Paffion, 
 and my Uncle's Death may retrieve all yet. 
 
 B 2 Mrs. Bgv,
 
 4 f&e G A M E S T E R. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. Ay, Charlotte^ could we cure him. 
 But the Difeafe of Play admits no Cure but Po- 
 verty ; and the Lofs of another Fortune wou'd 
 but encreafe his Shame and his Affliction. Will 
 Mr. Lew/on call this Morning ? 
 
 Char. He faid fo la ft Night. He gave me 
 Hints too, that he had Sufpicions of our Friend 
 Stukely. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. Not of Treachery to my Hufband ? 
 That he loves Play I know j but furely he's 
 honeft. 
 
 Char. He wou'd fain be thought fo ; therefore 
 I doubt him. Honefty needs no Pains to fet it- 
 felf off. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. What now, Lucy ? 
 
 Enter Lucy. 
 
 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 Jarvis. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. Is this well, Jarvis ? I defir'd you 
 to avoid me. 
 
 Jar. Did you, Madam? I am an old Man, 
 and had forgot. Perhaps too you forbad my 
 Tears ; but I am old, Madam, and Age will be 
 forgetful. 
 
 Mrs! Bev. The faithful Creature ! how he moves 
 me. (To 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 dti- 
 mifs'd me. Mrs. Btv.
 
 The G A M E S T E R. 5 
 
 Mrs. Bev. He had no Reafon, Jarvit. 
 
 Jar. I 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, Jarvh. 
 
 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 ! 'Twas 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 Houle 
 too ? His Father built it when He was but a 
 prating Boy. The Times I have carry 'd him in 
 thefe Arms! And, Jarvzs, fays he, when a Beggar 
 has afk'd Charity of me, why {hould People 
 be poor ? You {han't be poor, Jarvis ; if I was a 
 King, no-body {hould be poor. Yet He is poor. 
 
 And then lie was fo brave ! O he was a brave 
 
 little Boy ! And yet fo merciful he'd not have 
 kill'd the Gnat that {lung him. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. Speak to him Charlotte; for I cannot, 
 
 Char. When I have wip'd my Eyes. 
 
 Jar. I have a little Money, Madam; it might 
 have been more, but I have lov'd the Poor. All 
 that I have is yours. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. No, Jarvis; we have enough yet. 
 I thank you tho', and will deferve your Goodnefs. 
 
 Jar. But {hall I fee my Mafter? And will he 
 let me attend him in his Diftrefles! I'll be no Ex- 
 pence to him ; a#d 'twill kill me to be refufed. 
 Where is he, Madam ? 
 
 Mrs.
 
 6 We G A M E S T E R. 
 
 , Mrs. Bev. Not at home, Jarms. You (hall 
 fee him another Time. 
 
 Char. To-morrow, or the next Day O, Jar- 
 vis ! what a Change is here ! 
 
 Jar. A Change indeed, Madam ! My old 
 Heart akes at it. And yet methinks But here's 
 fomebody coming. 
 
 Enter Lucy with Stukely. 
 
 Lucy. Mr. Stukcly, Madam. (Exit Lucy. 
 
 Stu. Good Morning to you, Ladies. Mr. J 'ar- 
 vts 9 your Servant. Where's my Friend, Madam ? 
 
 (To Mrs. Bev. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. I fhou'd have afk'd that Queftion 
 of You. Have not you feen him to-day ? 
 
 Sfu. No, Madam. 
 
 Char. Nor la ft Night? 
 
 Sfu. Laft Night ! Did not he come home then ? 
 
 Mrs. Bev. No. Were not you together ? 
 
 St*a. At the Beginning of the Evening ; but 
 not fince. Where can he have ftaid ? 
 
 Char. You call yourfe'f his Friend, Sirj why 
 do you encourage him in thisMadnefs of Gaming ? 
 
 Stu. You hfave afk'd me that Queftion before, 
 Madam j and I told you my Concern was that I 
 could not flive him ; Mr. Beverley is a Man, Ma- 
 dam ; and if the moft friendly Entreaties have no 
 Effect upon him, I have no other Means. My 
 Purfe has been his, even to the Injury of my For- 
 tune. If- That has been Encouragement, I de- 
 fei ve Cenfure ; but I meant it to retrieve him. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. I don't doubt it, Sir; and I thank 
 yc u But where did you leave him laft Night ? 
 
 Stu. At Wilfons, Madam, if I ought to tell; 
 in Company I did not like. Poffibly he may be 
 
 there
 
 tffc G A M E S T E R. 7 
 
 there Hill. Mr. Jarvis knows the Houfe, I be- 
 lieve. 
 
 J ar. Shall I go, Madam ? 
 
 Mrs. Bev. No, he may take it ill. 
 
 Char. He may go as from himfelf. 
 
 Stu. And, if he pleafes, Madam, without 
 naming Me. I am faulty myfelf, and mould con- 
 ceal the Errors of a Friend. But I can refute 
 nothing here. (Bowing to the Ladies. 
 
 Jar. I would fain fee him methinks. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. Do fo then. But take care how you 
 upbraid him. I have never upbraided him. 
 
 Jar. Would I could bring him Comfort ! 
 
 (Exit Jarvis. 
 
 Stu. Don't be too much alarm'd, Madam. 
 All Men have their Errors, and their Times of 
 feeing 'em. Perhaps my Friend's Time is not 
 come yet. But he has an Uncle ; and old Men 
 don't live for ever. You fhou'd look forward. 
 Madam ; we are taught how to value a fecond 
 Fortune by the Lofs of a firft. 
 
 (Knocking at the Dtor. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. Hark! No that Knocking was 
 too rude for Mr. Beverley. Pray Heaven he be 
 well ! 
 
 Stu. Never doubt it, Madam. You (hall be 
 
 well too Every Thing mall be well. 
 
 (Knocking again. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. The knocking is a little loud tho' 
 
 Who waits there ? Will none of you anfwer ? 
 
 None of you, did I fay ? Alas! what was I 
 
 thinking of! 1 had forgot myfelf. 
 
 Char. I'll go, Sifter But don't be alarm'd 
 
 & (Exit Charlotte. 
 
 Stu.
 
 8 ne G A M E S T E R. 
 
 Stu. What extraordinary Accident have you to 
 fear, Madam? 
 
 Mrs. Bev. I beg your Pardon ; but 'tis ever thus 
 with me in Mr. Severity's Abfence. No one 
 knocks at the Door, but I fancy it is a Meflenger 
 of ill News. 
 
 Stu. You are too fearful, Madam ; 'twas but 
 one Night of Abfence ; and if ill Thoughts in- 
 trude (as Love is always doubtful) think of your 
 Worth and Beauty, and drive 'em from your 
 Breaft. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. What Thoughts ? I have no 
 Thoughts that wrong my Husband. 
 
 Stu. Such Thoughts indeed would wrong 
 firm. The World is full of Slander ; and every 
 Wretch that knows himfelf unjuft, charges his 
 Neighbour with like Paflions ; and by the general 
 Frailty hides his own - If you are wife, and 
 would be happy, turn a deaf Ear to fuch Re- 
 ports. *Tis Ruin to belirve 'em. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. Ay, worfe than Rnm. 'Twou'd be 
 to fin againft Conviction. Why was it mention'd ? 
 
 Stu. To guard you againft Rumour. The 
 Sport of half Mankind is Mifchief ; and for a 
 fingle Error they make Men Devils. If their 
 Tales reach you. disbelieve 'em. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. What Tales? By whom ? Why told? 
 I have heard nothing or if I had, with all his 
 Errors, my Beverlefs firm Faith admits no 
 Doubt - it is my Safety, my Seat of Reft and 
 Joy, while the Storm threatens round rue. I'll 
 not forfake ir. (Stukely^/jj and looks down) Why 
 torn you, Sir, away ? And why that Sigh ? 
 
 Stu, I was attentive, Madam ; and Sighs will 
 
 come
 
 GAMESTER, 9 
 
 come we know not why. Perhaps I have been 
 too bufy- IFit mould feetn fo, impute my Zeal 
 to Friendship, that meant to guard you again ft 
 evil Tongues. Your Bever/ey is wrong'd, flan- 
 der'd moft vilely My Life upon his Truth* 
 
 Mrs. Bev. And mine too* Who is't that 
 
 doubts it? But no Matter- *I am prepared, 
 
 Sir Yet why this Caution ? i You are my 
 
 Husband's Friend j I think you mine too ; the 
 common Friend of both, (paufes) I had been 
 unconcern'd elfe. 
 
 Stu. For Heaven's Sake, Madam, be fo ftill ! 
 I meant to guard you again/I Sufpicion, not to 
 alarm it* 
 
 Mrs* Bev. Nor have you, Sir. Who told you 
 of Suspicion ? I have a Heart it cannot reach. 
 
 Stu. Then I am happy I wou'd fay more ^ 
 but am prevented* 
 
 Enter Charlotte. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. Who was it Charlotte? 
 
 Char. What a Heart has that Jarvisl A 
 Creditor, Sifter. But the good old Man has taken 
 
 him away Don't diftrefs his Wife! Don't 
 
 diftrefs his Sifter! I cou'd hear him fay. 'Tis 
 
 cruel to diftrefs the afflicted And when he 
 
 few me at the Door, he begg'd Pardon that his 
 Friend had knock'd fo loud. 
 
 Stu. I wi(h I had known of this. Was it a 
 large Demand, Madam ? 
 
 Char. I heard not that ; but Vifits fuch as 
 thefe, we muft expecl: often. Why fo diftrefs'd, 
 Sifter ? This is no new Affliction. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. No, Charlotte ; but I am faint with 
 watching quite funk and fpiritlefs Will 
 C you 

 
 10 *Thc GAMESTER. 
 
 y-;u evcufe me, Sir ? I'll to my Chamber, and try 
 to teft. a little. 
 
 Sin. Good Thoughts go with you, Madam. 
 
 ( Exit Mrs. B-v. 
 
 My Bait is taken then, (dfide.) Poor Mrs. Bever- 
 ly ! Hew i:iy Heart grieves to fee heir thus! 
 Clear. Care her, and be a Fdcnd thca. 
 Stu. Hov ci.re hr, Madam ? 
 Char, Reclaim my B- : f !:L-r. 
 , ,.. fy ; give Lin: a .new Creation ; or breathe 
 i- 1 into himl 111 tlan'k on't, Madam. 
 
 u thankltfs. 
 
 Ufelcfo I a;n fure h Is.. If thro' miftaken 
 
 Friendfhip, or. other M 'iv ?, you feed his Paf- 
 
 ^-irh ycur Purfe, ;,ndi^:th it bv Example. 
 
 r.cia-is to cure Fevers kcvp from the Parent's 
 
 thirfly Lin- the Cap th^t woii'd enf.arr'e him ; You 
 
 give it to his Hands (a Knocking.) Hark! Sir 
 
 7hcfe are my Frothei's defperate Symptoms 
 
 Another Creditor. 
 
 Stu.. One n t fo eafily got rid of Wha%. 
 
 LF&JOH I 
 
 Enter Lewfon. 
 
 Le-iv. M.^dam, ycur Servant Yours, Sir, 
 I was enquiring for you at your I odgings. 
 
 Stu. Ti':is Morniiig? You bad Bufinefs then ? 
 Lew. You'll call it by another Name, per- 
 haps. Where's Mr. Beverley., Madam? 
 
 -. We have lent to enquire for him. 
 Lew. Is he abroad then ? He did nut ule to go 
 out fo ear1<'. 
 
 Char No ; nor to P.ay out fo Ia-e. 
 Lew. Is that the Cafe. I am forry for it. Bat 
 i perhaps, may dired you to him. 
 
 Stu.
 
 tte G A M E S T E R. n 
 
 Stu. -I have already, Sir. But what was 
 your Bufineis wi:h Me? 
 
 Lsv;. To congratulate you upon, your late Suc- 
 cefles at Play. Poor Eevcrley ! BNC You are his 
 Friend; and there's a Comfort in having fucccfsful 
 Friends. 
 
 Stu. And what am I to underftand by this ? 
 
 Lew. That Beverley's a poor Man, with a 
 rich Friend that's all. 
 
 Stu. Your Words wou'd mean fomething, I 
 fuppofe. Another Time, Sir, I (hall defire an 
 Explanation. 
 
 Lew. And why not now ? I am no Dealer in 
 long Sentences. A Minute or two will d for me, 
 
 Sftf. But not for Me, Sir. I am flow of Ap- 
 prehenfion, and mud have Time and Privacy. A 
 Lady's Prefence engages my Attention Ano- 
 ther Morning I may be found at Home. 
 
 Lew. Another Morning then, I'll wait upon 
 you- 
 
 Stu. I mall expe& you, Sir. Madam, your 
 Servant. (Exit Stu. 
 
 Char. What mean you by this ? 
 
 Lew. To hint to him that [ know him. 
 
 Char. How know him ? Mere Doubt and Sup- 
 polition ! 
 
 Lew. I fliall have PtooF foon. 
 
 Char. And what then ? Wou'd you rifk your 
 Life to be his Punifhcr. 
 
 Lew. My Life, Maiam ! Don't be afraid. And 
 yet I am happy in your Concern for me. But 
 let it content you that I know this Stukfh- 
 Twou'd be as ealy to make him honeft'as brave. 
 
 Char* And what do you intend to do? 
 
 C 2 Lew
 
 G A M E S T E It 
 
 Lew. Nothing, 'till I have Proof. Yet my 
 Sufpicions are we!l grounded-^ But methinks, 
 Madam, I am acting here without Authority, 
 Oo'i'd 1 have leave to call Mr Beverley Brother, 
 his Concerns would be my own. Why will yoi* 
 niaka my Services appear officious ? 
 
 Cbarj YOU know my Reafons, and mou*d not 
 prefs me. But 1 am cold, you fay ; and cold J 
 
 will he, while a poor Sifter's deftitute My 
 
 Heart bleeds for her ! and 'till I fee her Sorrows 
 moderated, Love has no Joys for me. 
 
 Lew. Can I be lefs a Friend by being a Bro- 
 ther? \ wou'd not fa v an unkind Thing . -... But 
 the pillar of your Houfe is fhaken. Prop it with 
 another, and it mall ftand firm again You 
 nuift comply. 
 
 Char And will : -when I have Peace within 
 
 mvfclf. But let us change the Subject^ Your 
 
 Bufinefs here this Morning is with my Sifter, 
 Misfortunes prefs too hard uppQ her : Yet till 
 to Day (lie has borne 'em nobly.V 
 
 Lew, Where isfhe? 
 
 Char. Gone to her Chamber Her Spirits 
 
 fail-d her, 
 
 Lew. I hear her coming Let what has 
 
 pafs'd with Stukety be a Secret She has already 
 \oo m,uch to trouble her. 
 
 Enter Mrs. Beverley, 
 Mrs. Bev, Good Morning, Sir j I hear4 your 
 
 Voice, and as I thought, enquiring fqr Me r 
 
 Where's Mr, &fukffy, Charlotte? 
 . Gb,ar, This Moment gone-- You have beet 
 in Tears, giftcr 5 feut here's a Friend (hall com- 
 fort you,
 
 ^GAMESTER. 13 
 
 . Or if I add to your Diftreffes, I'll beg 
 your Pardon, Madam. The Sale of your Houfe 
 and Furniture was finifh'd Yeflerday. 
 
 Mrs: Bev. I know it, Sir. I know too your 
 generous Reafon for putting me in Mind of" it. 
 But you have obliged me too much already. 
 
 Lew. There are Trifles, Madam, which I 
 know you have fet a Value on : Thofe I have 
 purqhas'd, and will deliver. I have a Friend too* 
 that efteems you He has bought largely ; and 
 will call nothing his, till he has feen you. If a 
 Vifit to him would not be painful, he has begg'd 
 it may be this Mprning, 
 
 Mrs. Bev. Not painful in the leaft. My Pain 
 is from the Kindnefs of my Friends. Why am 
 I to be oblig'd beyond the Power of Return ? 
 
 Lew. You (hall repay us at your own Time. 
 
 I have a Coach waiting at the Door Shall we 
 
 have your Company, Madam ? (tfb Char. 
 
 Char. No. Vty Brother may return; foon; 
 I'll flay and receive him. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. He may want a Comforter, per* 
 Baps. But don't upbraid him, Charlotte. We 
 flian't be abfent long Come, Sir, fince I muft 
 be fo oblig'd 
 
 Lew. *Tis I that am oblig'd. An Hour or lefg 
 
 will be fufficient for us. We (hall find you at 
 
 Jiome, Madam? (To Char. 
 
 (Exit Lew. & Mrs. Bev. 
 
 Char. Certainly. I have but little Inclination 
 <o appear abroad O ! this Brother! this Bro- 
 ther ! To what Wretchednefs has he redue'd us. 
 
 (Exit Char. 
 
 SCENE
 
 i 4 Tbc G A M E S T E R. 
 
 SCENE changes to Stukely'j Lodgings* 
 Enter Stuk?ly. 
 
 S'u. That Leirfai fufpedts me, 'tis too plais^ 
 
 Yet why mou'd he fufpedt me ? i ap^.ar the 
 
 Friend of Severity as much as he. - : ut I am 
 rich ic ieems ar d fo I am ; Thanks to another's 
 Folly and aiy own Wifdom. To what Ufe is 
 Wifdom, Hi*, to take Advantage of the weak ? 
 This Sever leys my Fool j 1 vheat him, and hs 
 
 calls me.Frieiid 1'c.t iroie i'uiine's. mufl be 
 
 done T i. His Wife's j.v s are ui,fold ; fo is 
 the Rev:fior, of h ; s ifnclcvi Eilate. I rnuft have 
 
 diefd too- -n the.e's a Tr-afure above 
 
 all 1 love his Wife erbre fne k:iew thn 
 
 Beyer fey I lov'd her ; bur !ik? a ciingipg Fool, 
 bow'd at a D10.;.-nc, whiK he cpt in and won 
 
 Jj CT -Never, nev, r will i toigive h rr> Oi't. 
 
 IVIy Pride, as well ..s Love, is wounded b this 
 Conqueft, } muftluve Vc. , Tho'e '-I-nrs, 
 
 this r-.-- or: -ins;, were well thro. .in Already 
 
 they luve tail^ii'd on her It Jealoufy Oiou'd 
 weaken her Affections, Want may co rupt her 
 
 Vutue My Hate rejoyces in the Hope 
 
 Thefe Jewels may do much. He (hail demand 
 'em of her ; which, when mine, fliall be con- 
 verted to fpecial Purpofes -What now, Bates ? 
 
 Enter Bates. 
 
 Hates'. Is it a Wonder then to fee me? The 
 Forces are in readinefs, and only wait for Orders, 
 
 fcu. At la'ft Night's Rendezvous, waiting-" for 
 Me. Is Da^fin with you? 
 
 Betes. Drefs'd like a Nobleman 3 with Money 
 
 in
 
 G A M.E S T E R. 15 
 
 in his Pocket, and a Set of Dice that (hall deceive 
 the Devil. 
 
 Stu. That Fellow has a Head to undo a Na- 
 tion. But for the reft, they are fuch low-man- 
 nf-r'd, i!U looking Dogs, I wonder Rtyerley' has 
 not fufpected 'em. 
 
 Batfs. No Matter for Manners and Looks. Do 
 You i'unplv 'em with Money and they are Gen- 
 tlemen by Profeffion The Paffion of Gaming 
 
 cafts fuch a Mid before the Eyes, that the No^ 
 bleman (hull bt furrounded with Sharpers, and 
 imagine himfelf in the btft Company. 
 
 Sfu. The ie's that WiJiams toe It was He, 
 
 I fupppfe, that call'd a? Beverly's with the Note 
 this Morning. What Directions did ycu give 
 him ? 
 
 B^fes. To knock loud, and be clamorous. 
 Did not you lee him ? 
 
 Sfu. No. The Fool fneak'd off wi:h Jarvts. 
 Had he appear'riwithin Doors, as directed, the 
 Note had been dilcharg'd. I waited there or; Pur- 
 pofe. \ want the Women to think well of B3jS ; 
 for Lewfon's grown fufpicious ; he told me fo 
 himfelf. 
 
 Bates: What Anfvver did you make hi-m ? 
 
 Sfu. A (hort onfc That I wou'd fee him> 
 
 fbon, for farther Explanation. 
 
 Bates. We muft take care of him. But what 
 have we to do with Bevzrley ? Dawfon and the 
 reft are wondering at you. 
 
 Stu. Why let 'em wonder. I have Deigns 
 above their narrow Reach. They lee me lend 
 him Money; and they ftare at me. But they are 
 Fools. I want him to believe me beggar'd by him. 
 
 'Bates.
 
 16 ftc G AM ESTER, 
 
 Bates. And what then ? 
 
 Stu. Ay, there's the Qucftion ; but no Matter* 
 At Night you may know more. He waits for 
 me at Wiybiis. I told the Women where to find 
 him. 
 
 Bates. To what Purpofe ? 
 
 Stu. To fave Sufpicion. It look'd friendly* 
 and they thank'd me. Old Jarvis was dif- 
 patch'd to him. 
 
 Bates. And may intreat him Home. 
 , Stu. No; he expe&s Money from me: But 
 
 I'il have none. His Wife's Jewels muft go 
 
 Women are eafy Creatures, and refufe nothing 
 
 where they love Follow to Wilfons \ but be 
 
 fure he fees you not. You arc a Man of Cha- 
 rafter, you kno*v ; of Prudence and Difcretion. 
 Wait for me in an outer Room; I (hall have Bu- 
 finefs for you prefcntly. Come, Sir 
 
 Let drudging Fools by Honefty grow great. 
 The farter Read to Riches ii Deceit. (Exeunt. 
 
 End of the firjl ACT. 
 
 ACT
 
 G A M E S T E R, 
 ACT II. 
 
 SCENE a Gaming Houfe, with a 
 Box, Dice, &c. 
 
 BEVERLEY is difcoverd fitting. 
 
 BEFERLEr. 
 
 HY, what a World is this! The Slave 
 that digs for Gold, receives his .daily 
 Pittance, and fleeps contented; while thofe, 
 for whom he labours, convert their Good to 
 Mifchiefj making Abundance the Means of 
 
 Want. O Shame ! Shame ! Had Fortune 
 
 given me but a little, that little had been ftill 
 my own. But Plenty leads to Wafte; and 
 fhallow Streams maintain their Currents, while 
 fwelling Ravers beat down their Banks, and 
 leave their Channels empty. What had I to 
 do with Play ? I wanted nothing. My Wifhes 
 and my Means w$re equal. The Poor follow'd 
 me with Bleffings Attove fcatter'd Rofes on my 
 
 Pillow, and Morning wak'd me to Delight 
 
 O, bitter Thought ! that leads to what I was, 
 
 by what I ami I wou'd forget both 
 
 Who's there? 
 
 Enter a Waiter. 
 
 Walt. A Gentleman, Sir, enquires for you. 
 
 Bev. He might have us'd kfs Ceremony. 
 Stukely I fuppofe ? 
 
 Wait. No, Sir, a Stranger. 
 
 Bev. Well, fhew him in. (Exit Waiter. 
 
 A Meflenger from St^kely then ! From Him that 
 
 has undone me! Yet all in Friendship ; and 
 
 now he lends me from his Little, to bring back 
 Fortune to me. 
 
 D Enter
 
 i* fbe GAMESTER. 
 
 Enter Jarvis. 
 
 Jarvis ! Why this Intrufion ? = Your Ab- 
 
 ience had been kinder 
 
 y&r, I came in Duty, Sir. If it be trou- 
 blefome 
 
 Bw. It is I Vvou r d be private hid 
 
 even from myfelf. Who fent you hither r 
 
 Jar. One that wou'd perfuade you Home 
 again. My Miftrefs is not well; her Tears 
 told me fo, 
 
 Bev, Go with thy Duty there then But 
 
 does me weep? I am to blame to let her weep, 
 Prithee begone; I have no Bufinels for thee. 
 
 Jar. Yes, Sir; to lead you from this Place. 
 I am your Servant ftilL Your profperous For- 
 tune blefs'd my old Age, If That has left you, 
 I mud not leave you. 
 
 Bev. Not leave me ! Recall paft Time then ; 
 or through this Sea of Storms and Darknefs, 
 
 {hew me a Star to guide me : But what 
 
 can'ft Thou ? 
 
 Jar. The little that I can, I will, You have 
 
 been generous to me 1 wou'd not offend 
 
 you, Sir but 
 
 Bev. No. Think'ft thou I'd ruin Thee too ! 
 
 I have enough of Shame already My Wife ! 
 
 my Wife! Wou'd'ft thou believe it, Jarvit? I 
 have not leen her all this long Night I, 
 who* have Jov'd her fo, that every Hour of Ab- 
 u-nce feenVd as a Gap in Life, But other Bonds 
 have held me-r -Q ! I have play'd the Boy, 
 dropping my Counters in the Stream, and reach- 
 ing to redeem 'em, have loft myfelf. Why wilt 
 Thou, follow Mifery ? Or if thou wilt, go td thy 
 Miftrefs. She has n.o Guilt to ding her, and 
 therefore may be comforte^. jkr.
 
 fbe G A M E S T E R. 19 
 
 "Jar. For Pity's Sake, Sir ! I have no 
 
 Heart to fee this. Change. 
 
 Bev. Nor I to bear it -How fpeaks the 
 
 World of me, Jarvis ? 
 
 Jar. As of a good Man dead. Of one, who 
 walking in a Dream, fell down a Precipice, The 
 World is lorry for you. 
 
 Bev. Ay, and pities me. Says it not fo? 
 
 But I was born to Infamy I'll tell thee 
 
 what it fay?. It calls me Villain ; a treacherous 
 Husband; a cruel Father; a falfe Brother; one 
 loft to Nature and her Charities. Or to fay all in 
 one fhort Word, it calls me-- -Garnefter. Goto 
 thy Miftrefs^- I'll fee her prefently. 
 
 Jar. And why not now ? Rude People* prefs 
 upon her ; loud, bawling Creditors ; Wretches, 
 
 who know no Pity 1 met one at the Door ; 
 
 he wou'd have feen my Miftrefs. I wanted 
 Means of prefent Payment, fo promis'd it To- 
 morrow. But others may be prefling ; and (he 
 has Grief enough already. Your Abfence hangs 
 too heavy on her. 
 
 Bev. Tell her I'll come then. I have a Mo- 
 ment's Bufmeft. But what haft Thou to do with 
 My Diftreffes ? Thy Hojiefty has left thee poor 5 
 and Age wants Comfort. Keep what thou haft 
 for Cordials ; left between thee and the Grave, 
 Mifery fteal in. I have a Friend mall counfel me 
 This is that Friend. 
 
 Enter Stukely, 
 
 Stu. How fares it, Sever ley ? Honeft Mr 
 jfarvis y well met; I hop'd to find you bcrc, 
 That Viper Williams i Was it not He tl 
 bled you this Morning? 
 
 'Jar. My Miftrefs heard him the 
 am forry that (he heard him.
 
 20 ^GAMESTER; 
 
 Be'v. And jfarvis promis'd Pity men t. 
 
 Stu. That muft not be. Tell him I'll fatisfy 
 him. 
 
 Jar. Will you, Sir ? Heaven will reward you for't. 
 
 Bev. Generous Stukely ! Friendmip like yours, 
 had it Ability like Will, wou'd more than ballance 
 the Wrongs of Fortune. 
 
 Stu. You think too kindly of me Make hafts 
 to Williams ; his Clamours may be rude clfe. (to Jar. 
 
 Jar. And my Matter will go Home again 
 Alas ! Sir, we know of Hearts there breaking for 
 his Abfence. (Exit. 
 
 Bev. Wou'd I were dead? 
 
 Sfu. Or turn'd Hermit ; counting a String of 
 Beads in a dark Cave ; or under a weeping Wil- 
 *ow, praying for Mercy on the Wicked. Ha f 
 ha ! ha! Prithee be a Man, and leave dying to 
 Difeafe and old Age. Fortune may be ours again-} 
 at leaft we'll try for't. 
 
 Bev. No; it has fool'd us on too far. 
 
 Sfu. Ay, ruin'd us ; and therefore we'll fit down 
 contented. Thefe are the Defpondings of Men 
 without Money , but let the mining Ore chink in 
 the Pocket, and Folly turns to Wifdom. We 
 are Fortune's Children True, (lie's a fickle Mo- 
 ther ; but (hall We drocp becaufe She's peevifh ? 
 No ;fhe has Smiles in Store. And thefe her frowns 
 are meant to brighten 'em. 
 
 Bev. Is this a Time for Levity ? But You are /in- 
 gle in the Ruin, and therefore may talk lightly of 
 it. With Me 'tis complicated Mifery. 
 
 Stu. You cenfure me unjuftly J but af- 
 
 fum'd thefe Spirits to cheer my Friend. Heaven 
 knows he wants a Comforter. 
 Bev. What new Misfortune ?' 
 
 Stu.
 
 the C A M E S T E ft. ii 
 
 Stu. I wou'd have brought you Money ; but 
 Lenders want Securities. What's to be done? AH 
 that was mine is yours already. 
 
 Bev. And there's the double Weight that finks 
 me. I have undone my Friend too ; one, who to 
 fave a drowning Wretch, reach'd out his Hand, 
 and perifh'd with him. 
 
 Stu. Have better Thoughts. 
 
 Bev. Whence are they to proceed ?- 1 have 
 
 nothing left. 
 
 Stu. (Sighing) Then we're indeed undone. 
 What Nothing? NoMoveables? Nor ufelefs Trin- 
 kets ? Rawbles lock d up in Cafkets to ftarve their 
 Owners? 1 have ventur'd deeply for you. 
 
 Bev. Therefore this Heart- akej for I am loft 
 beyond all Hope. 
 
 Stu. No ; Means may be found to fave us. 
 Jar vis is rich. Who made him fo ? This is no 
 Time for Ceremony. 
 
 Bev. And is it for Difhonefty ? 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 Morning. 
 
 Stu. And when we meet again, upbraid me. 
 Say it was I that tempted you. Tell Lewfort 
 fo ; and tell him I have wrong'd you ' He has 
 Sufpicions of me, and will thank you. 
 
 Bev. No ; we have been Companions in a rafli 
 Voyage, and the fame Storm has wrsck'd us both. 
 Mine {hall be Self-Upbraidings. 
 
 Stu. And will they feed us ? You deal unkindly 
 by me. I have fold and borrowed for you, while 
 Land or Credit Jailed ; and now, when Fortune 
 
 (hou'd
 
 22 The G A M E S T E R. 
 
 {hou'd be try'd, and my Heart whifpers me Suc- 
 cefs, I am deferted ; turn'd loofe to Beggary, 
 while You have Hoards. 
 
 Bev. What Hoards ? Name 'em, and take 'em. 
 
 Stu. Jewels. 
 
 Bev. And (hall this thriftlefs Hand feize Them 
 too ? My poor, poor Wife! Muft flic lofe all ? I 
 wou'd not wound her fo. 
 
 Stu, Nor I, but from Neceflity. One Effort 
 more, and Fortune may grow kind. I have un- 
 ufual Hopes. 
 
 Bev. Think of fome other Means then. 
 
 Stu. I have ; and you rejected 'em. 
 
 Bev. Prythee let me be a Man. 
 
 Stu. Ay, and your Friend a poor one. But I 
 have done. And for thefe Trinkets of a Woman, 
 why, let her keep 'em to deck out Pride with, 
 and (hew a laughing World that fhe has Finery to 
 ftarve in. 
 
 Bev. No; flic (hall yield up all. My Friend 
 demands it. But need he have talk'd lightly of 
 her ? The Jewels that She values are Truth and 
 
 Innocence Thofe will adorn her ever j and 
 
 for the reft, flie wore 'em for a Husband's Pride, 
 and to his Wants will give 'em. Alas ! you know 
 her not. Where fhall we meet ? 
 
 Stu. No Matter. I have chang'd my Mind. 
 kave me to a Prifon ; 'tis the Reward of Friendship, 
 
 Bev. Perifli Mankind firft Leave you toa Pri- 
 fon ! No; fallen as you fee me, I'm not that 
 Wretch. Nor wou'd I change thisHeart,o'ercharg'd 
 as 'tis with Folly and Misfortune, for one moil 
 prudent and moil happy, if callous to a Friend's 
 DiftreiTes,
 
 G A M E S T E R. 23 
 
 Stu. You are too warm. 
 
 Bev. In fuch a Caufe, not to be warm is to be 
 frozen. Farewel. I'll meet you at your Lodgings. 
 ' Sfu. Reflect a little. The Jewels may be loft. 
 Better not hazard 'em 1 was too preffing. 
 
 Bev. And I ungrateful. Refle&ion takes up 
 Time. I have no Leifure for't. Within an Hour 
 expeft me. (Exit. 
 
 Sta.Thethoughtlefs,fhallowProdigal!WefhaU 
 hate Sport at Night then But hold The Jew- 
 els are not ours yet The Lady mayrefufe 
 
 'em The Husband may relent too 
 
 'Tis more than probable I'll write a Note to 
 
 Beverley, and the Contents (hall fpur him to de- 
 mand 'cm .-.But am I grown this Rogue thro* 
 A-'arice ? No ; I have warmer Motives, Love and 
 
 Revenge Ruin the Husband, and the Wife's 
 
 Virtue may be bid for ? 'Tis of uncertain Value, 
 and (inks, or rifes in the Purchafe, as Want, or 
 Wealth, or Paffion 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 Affedions, keep 
 
 it againft a Famine Why, let the Famine 
 
 come then j I am in hafte to purchafe. 
 
 Enter Bates. 
 
 Look to your Men, Bates-, there's Money ftir- 
 ring. We meet To-night upon this Spot. Haften 
 and tell 'em fo. Sever by calls upon me at my 
 Lodgings, and we return together. Haften, I 
 fey, the ^Rogues will fcatter elfe. 
 
 Bates. Not 'till their Leader bids 'em, 
 $tu. Come on then. Give 'em the Word and 
 
 follow
 
 G A M E S T E R, 
 
 follow me ; I muft advife with you This 
 
 is a Day of Bufmefs. ' (Exeunt 
 
 SCENE changes to BeverleyV Lodgings. 
 
 Enter Beverley and Charlotte. 
 
 Char. Your Looks are changed too ; there's 
 Wildneis in 'em. My wretched Sifter! How 
 will it grieve her to fee you thus! 
 
 Bev. No, no-~a little Reft will eafe me. And 
 for your Lewjorj's Kindncfs 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, he 
 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 
 guefling. He cares not if you had. That Care is 
 mine I lent it you to husband, and now I claim it. 
 
 Bev. You have Sufpicions then. 
 
 Char. Cure 'em, and give it me. 
 
 Bei\ To. flop, a Sifter's Chiding. 
 
 Char. To vindicate her Brother. 
 
 Bev. How if he needs no Vindication ? 
 
 Char. I would fuin hope fo. 
 
 Bcv. Ay, wou'd and cannot. Leave it to 
 Time then'; 'twill latisfy all Doubts. 
 
 Char. Mine are already fatisfy'd. 
 
 Bcv. 'Tis well. . And when the Subject is re- 
 new^, fpeak to me like a Sifter, and I will anfwer 
 like a Brother. 
 
 Char. To tell me 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. 
 
 Bcv.
 
 7& GAMESTER, s s 
 
 Bev. No more of this you wring my Heart. 
 
 Cba. Wou'd that the Mifery were all your own ! 
 But Innocence nwft foto Unthinking Rioter! 
 whofe Home was Heaven to him ; an Angel dwelt 
 there, and a little Cherub, that crown'd his Days 
 with Blcffings How has he loft this Heaven, to 
 league with Devils! 
 
 Bev. Forbear, I fnyj Reproaches come too 
 late 5 they iearch, but cure not : And for the For- 
 tune you demand, we'll talk To-morrow on't ; 
 our Tempers may be milder. 
 
 Cba. Or if 'tis gone, why farewell all. I 
 claim'd it for a Sifter. She holds my Heart in 
 hers ; and every Pang (lie feels tears it in Pieces 
 But ril upbraid no more. What Heaven permits, 
 perhaps, it may ordain ; and Sorrow then is fin- 
 mi. Yet that the Huiband! Father! Brother! 
 
 mould be its Inftrumcnt of Vengeance! .'Tis 
 
 grievous to know that. 
 
 Bev. If you're my Sifter, fpare the Remem- 
 brance it wounds loo deeply. To-morrow fhall 
 clear all ; and when the worft is known, it may 
 be better than your Fears. Comfort my Wife ; 
 and for the Pains of Abfence, I'll make Atone- 
 ment. The World may yet go well with us. 
 
 Cba. See where (he comes ! Look chearfully 
 upon her Afflictions fuch as hers are prying, 
 and lend thofe Eyes that read the Soul. 
 
 Enter Mrs. Beverley and Lewfon. 
 Mrs. Bev. My Life ! 
 
 Bev. My Love ! How fares it ? I have been a 
 truant Huiband. 
 
 E Mrs,
 
 26 Tfc GAMESTER. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. But we meet now, and that heals 
 all Doubts and Alarms I have had; 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 
 Brother'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 your Goodnefs to the Wife, upbraids the 
 Hufband's Follies. Had I been wife, She had not 
 trepafs'd on your Bounty. 
 
 Lew. Nor has (he trefpafs'd. The little I have 
 done, Acceptance over- pays. 
 
 Cha. So Friendship thinks 
 
 Mrs. Bev. And doubles Obligations by ftriving 
 to conceal 'em We'll talk another Time on't. 
 You are too thoughtful, Love. 
 
 Bev. No, I have Reafon for thefe Thoughts. 
 
 Cha. And hatred for the Caufe Wou'd you 
 had that too ! 
 
 Bev. I have The Caufe was Avarice. 
 
 Cha. 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. 
 
 Bev. Or if they cou'd, thofe I have drain'd 
 him of. Something of this he hinted in the Morn- 
 ing That Lewfon had Sufpicions of him Why 
 thefe Sufpicions ? [angrily. 
 
 Lew. At School we knew this Stukely. A 
 curming plodding Boy he was, fordid and cruel. 
 Slow at his Tafk, but quick at Shifts and Trick- 
 ing. He fchem'd out Mifchief, that others might 
 
 be
 
 Ibe GAMESTER. 27 
 
 be punifh'd ; and wou'd tell his Tale with fo much 
 Art, that for the Lam he merited, Rewards and 
 Praife were given him. Shew me a Boy with 
 fucri a Mind, and Time that ripens Manhood in 
 him, (hall ripen Vice too I'll prove him, and 
 lay him open t'you 'Till then be warn'd I 
 know him, and therefore fhun him. 
 
 Bev. As I wou'd thofe that wrong him You 
 are too bufy, Sir. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. No, not too bufy Miftaken per- 
 haps That had been milder. 
 
 Lew. No matter, Madam. I can bear this, 
 and praiie the Heart that prompts it Pity fuch 
 Friendship Ihou'd be fo plac'd! 
 
 Bev. Again, Sir! But I'll bear too You 
 wrong him, Lewfon, and will be forry for't. 
 
 Cha. Ay, when 'tis prov'd he wrongs him. 
 The World is full of Hypocrites. 
 
 Bev. And Stukely one fo you'd infer I think 
 I'll hear no more of this my Heart akes for 
 him I have undone him. 
 
 Lew. The World fays otherwife 
 
 Bev. The World is falfe then . have Bufinefs 
 with you, Love, [to Mrs. Bev.] We'll leave 'era 
 to their Rancour. [going, 
 
 Cha. No. We mall find Room within for't 
 Come this way, Sir. [to Lewfon. 
 
 Lew. Another Time my Friend will thank me 5 
 that Time is haftening too. [Ex. Lew. tfWChar. 
 
 Bev. They hurt me beyond beat ing Is Stukely 
 falfe? Then Honefty has left us! 'Twere finning 
 againft Heav'n to think fo. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. I never doubted him. 
 E 2
 
 28 7& GAMESTER. 
 
 Bev. No; You are Charity. Meeknefs and ever- 
 during Patience live in that Heart, and Love that 
 knows no Change Why did I ruin you ? 
 
 Mrs. Bev. Yon have not ruin'd me. I have 
 no Wants when You are prefent, nor WifLes 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 ; itill ciouding on my Thoughts, tr> four 
 the Prefent by the Paft. I have another Pang 
 too. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. Tell it, and let me cure it. 
 
 Bev. That Friend that generous Friend, 
 
 whofe Fame they have traduc'd I have undone 
 Him too. While he had Means he lent me largely ; 
 and now a Prifon muft oe his Portion. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. No j I hope other wife. 
 
 Bev. To hope muft be to ad:. The charitable 
 Wi(h feeds not the Hungry Something muft-be 
 done. 
 
 Mrs.5^u. What? 
 
 Bev. In Bitternefs of Heart he told me, juft 
 now he told me, I had undone him. Cou'd I 
 hear that, and think of Happinefs? No ; I have 
 difclaim'd it, while He is miferable. 
 
 Mrs. Bev, The World may mend with us, and 
 then we may be grateful. 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
 
 The GAMESTER. 29 
 
 Enter Lucy. 
 
 Lucy. A Letter, Sir. [delivers it and Ex. 
 
 - Bev. The Hand is Stukeh's. 
 
 [opens and reads It to himfelf. 
 
 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 directs me to conceal it from you. [reads, 
 
 " Let your Hafte to fee me be the only Proof 
 " of your Efteem for me. I have deter- 
 " min'd, iince we parted, to bid Adieu to 
 fc England; chufing rather to forfake my 
 4< Country than to owe my Freedorn in it 
 " to the Means we talk'd of. Keep this a 
 <c Secret at Home, and haften to the ruin'd 
 
 46 R. Stukefy." 
 
 Ruin'd by Friendfhip ! I mufl: relieve or follow 
 him. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. Follow him, did you fay ? Then I 
 am loft indeed ! 
 
 Bev. O this infernal Vice I how has it fuiik me ! 
 A Vice, whole higheft Joy was poor to my do- 
 meftic Happineis. Yet how have I purfu'd it! 
 turn'd all my Comforts to bittereft Pangs ! and all 
 thy Smiles to Tears. Damn'd, damn'd Infatua- 
 tion ! 
 
 Mrs. Bev. Be cool, iny Life ! What are the 
 
 Means the Letter talks of? Have you have I 
 
 thofe Means ? Tell me, and eafe me. I have no 
 Life while you are wretched. 
 
 Bev. No, no j it mufl not be. 'Tis I alone 
 have finn'd ; 'tis I alone muft fuffer. You (hall 
 
 referve 

 
 30 The G A M E S T E R. 
 
 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 mou'd be more than Monfter to requeft 'em. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. My Jewels ! Trifles, not worth the 
 fpeaking of, if weigh'd againft a Husband's Peace ; 
 but let 'em purchafe That, and the World'sWealth 
 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 j now is the Occafion, 
 and I'll refign 'em chearfully. 
 
 Bev. Why we'll be rich in Love then. But 
 this Excefs of Kindnefs melts me. Yet for a Friend 
 one wou'd do much He has deny'd Me no- 
 thing) 10 
 
 Mrs. Bev. Come to my Clofet But let him 
 
 manage wifely. We have no more to give him. 
 
 Bev. Where learn'd my Love this Excellence ? 
 - 'TisHeaven'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 my Follies and Negletfs foatt ceafe, 
 And all to come be Penitence and Peace ; 
 Vice flail no more attract me with her Charms, 
 Nor Pleafufe reach me y but in thefe dear Arms. 
 
 [Exeunt. 
 
 End of the Second A C. T. 
 
 ACT
 
 tte GAMESTER. 31 
 
 ACT III. 
 
 SCENE Stukely V Lodgings. 
 Enter Stukely and Bates. 
 
 6 runs the World, Bates. Fools are the 
 natural Prey of Knaves ; Nature defign'd 
 them fo, when (lie made Lambs for Wolves. The 
 Laws that Fear and Policy have fram'd, Nature 
 difclaims : She knows but two; and thofe are Force 
 and CmlBing. The nobler Law is Force ; but 
 then there 'iWQanger in't ; while Cunning,, like a 
 fkiUfcd JVliner,"* works fafely and unfeen. 
 
 *S?.' And therefore wifely, Force muft have 
 Nerves and Sinews ; Cunning wants neither. The 
 Dwarf that has it {hall trip the Giant's Heels up. 
 
 Stu. And bind him to the Ground. Why, 
 we'll erect a Shrine for Nature, and be her Oracles. 
 Conference is Weaknefs ; Fear made it, and Fear 
 maintains it. The Dread of Shame, inward Re- 
 proaches, and fictitious Burnings fwell out the 
 Phantom. Nature knows none of this j Her Laws 
 are Freedom. 
 
 Bat. Sound Doctrine, and well deliver'd ! 
 
 Stu. We are fincere too, and practice what we 
 
 teach. Let the grave Pedant fay as much. 
 
 But now to Bufinels. The Jewels are difpos'd of; 
 and Beverly again worth Money. He waits to 
 count his Gold out, and then comes hither. If 
 my Dcfign fuccoeds, this Night we finifh with 
 him. Go to your Lodgings and be bufy You 
 underftand Conveyances, and can make Ruin Hire. 
 
 Bat.
 
 32 7be GAMESTER. 
 
 Bat. Better ftop here. The Sale of this Re- 
 verfion may be talk'd of There's Danger in't. 
 
 Stu. No, 'tis the Mark 1 aim at. We'll thrive 
 and kuigh. You are the Purchafer, and there's 
 the Payment, [giving a Pocket Book.] He thinks 
 you rich ; and fo you ihall be. Enquire for Titles, 
 and deal hardly ; 'twill look like Honefty. 
 
 Bat. How if he fufpeds us ? 
 
 Stu. Leave it to me. I fhidy Hearts, and 
 when to work upon 'em. Go to your Lodg- 
 ings ; and if we come, be bufy over Papers. 
 Talk of a thoughtlefs Age, of Gaming and Ex- 
 travagance ; you have a Face for't. 
 
 Bat. A Feeling too that won'd avoid it. We 
 pu(h too far; but I have caution'd you, If it 
 ends ill, you'll think of me and fo adieu. 
 
 [Exit. Bute?. 
 
 Stu. This Fellow fins by halves; his Fears are 
 Confcience to him. I'll turn thefe Fears to Ufe. 
 Rogues that dread Shame, will flill be greater 
 
 Rogues to hide their Guilt This mall be 
 
 thought of. Lewfon grows troublefome . We 
 
 muft get rid of him. He knows too much. I 
 have a Tale for Beverley ; Part of it Truth too 
 He {hall call Lewfon to Account If it fucceeds, 
 'tis well ; if not, we muft try other Means But 
 here he comes I muft diflemble. 
 
 Enter Beverley. 
 Look to the Door there ! [in a feeming Fright~\ 
 
 My Friend ! I thought of other Vifitoi s. 
 
 Bev. No : Thefe mall guard you from 'em 
 
 [offering Notes] Take 'em, and ufe 'em cautioufly 
 
 The World deals hardly by us. 
 
 Stu,
 
 We -G AMES.TER. 33 
 
 : Sfit. And (hall I leave you dedicate ? No Your 
 
 Wants are gre'ateft.; Another Climate may treat 
 
 me kinder. The Shelter of To-night takes me 
 
 from this. 
 
 Bev. Let thefe be your Support then - Yet Is 
 there need of Parting ? I may have Means again ; 
 we'll (hare 'em, and live wifely. 
 
 Stu. No. I fhou'd tempt you on. Habit is 
 Nature in me ; Ruin can't cure it. Even now I 
 wou'd be gaming. Taught by Experience as I 
 am, and knowing this poor Sum is all that's left 
 us, I am for venturing dill And fay I am to 
 blame Yet will this little fupply our Wants? 
 No ; we mutt put it out to Ufury* Whether 'tis 
 Madnefs in me, or fome relidlefs Impulfe of 
 good Fortune, 1 yet am Ignorant; but 
 
 Be-v. Take it, and fucceed then. I'll try no more. 
 
 Sfu t 'Tis furely Impulfe ; it pleads fo drongly 
 .But you are cold We'll e'en part here then. 
 And for this lad Referve keep it for better ufes ; 
 I'll have none on't. I thank you ,tho', and will 
 feek Fortune ilngly One Thing I had forgot 
 
 Bev. What is it" ? 
 
 Stu.- Perhaps, 'twere bed forgotten. But I am 
 open in my Nature, and zealous for the Honour 
 of my Friend Lew/on fpeaks ffeely of you. 
 
 Bev. Of You I know he does. 
 
 Stu. I can forgive him for't ; but for my Friend 
 Tm angry. 
 
 Bev. What fays he of Me ? 
 
 Stu. That Charlotte's Fortune is embezzled 
 He talks on't loudly. 
 
 Bev. He (hall be .filenc'd then How heard 
 you of it ? 
 
 F ton.
 
 34 tfk -GAMESTER, 
 
 Stu. From many. He queftion'd Bates about 
 it. You mu ft account with Him, he lays, 
 
 Bev. Or He with Me and foon too, 
 
 Stu. Speak mildly to him. Cautions are bed, 
 
 Bev. I'll -think on*t But whither go you ? 
 
 Sttt. From Poverty and Priibns ^ No matter 
 whiiher. If Fortune changes you may hear from 
 me. 
 
 Bev. May thefe be profperous then. fyjMiig 
 the Notes, which be refufei^ Nay, they are yours 
 I have fworn it, and will have nothing take 
 'em and ufe *em. 
 
 Sfu. Singly I will not. My Caves are for my 
 Friend ; for his loft Fortune, and ruin'd Family. 
 All feparate Interefts I dilclaim. Together we 
 have fall'n: together we mu ft rife. My Heart, 
 my Honour and Affections, all will have it fo. 
 
 Bev. I am weary of being fool'd. 
 
 Stu. And fo am I Here let us part then 
 Thefe Bodings of Good- fortune mall all be ftifled ; 
 I'll call 'em Folly, and forget 'em This one 
 Embrace, and then farewel. [offering foEfnfrrace. 
 
 ev. No ; Stay a Moment How my poor 
 Heart's diftracled ! I have thefe Bodings too ; but 
 whether caught from You, or prompted by my 
 good or evil Genius, I know not The Trial ftiaM 
 determine And yet, my Wife 
 
 Sfu. Ay, ay, fhe'll chide. 
 
 Bev. Noj My Chidings are all here. 
 
 pointing tQ bis Heart. 
 
 Stu. I'll not perfwade you. 
 
 Bev. I am perfwaded ; by Reafon too ; the 
 ftrongeft Reafon ; Neceffity. Oh ! cou'd I but 
 regain the Height I have fallen from, Heaven 
 
 fhou'd
 
 GAMESTER. 35 
 
 &qu*d forfake me in my lateft Hour, if I again 
 mix'd in tbefe Scenes, or facrinVd the Huiband's 
 Peace, his Joy and beft Affections to Avarice and 
 Infamy ! 
 
 Sfu. I have .refblv'd like You ; and fince our 
 Motives are fo honeft, why m6u'd we fear Succefs ? 
 
 Bev. Come on then where fhall we meet ? 
 
 Stu. At Wtlfon's Yet if it hurts you, leave 
 fne : I have milled you often. 
 
 Bev. We have mi fled each other But come! 
 Fortune is fickle, and may be tir'd with plaguing 
 us There let us reft our Hopes. 
 
 Stu. Yet think a little - - 
 
 Bev. I cannot thinking but diftrafis me. 
 
 When Defpcratim leads, all Thoughts. are vain-, 
 Reajon ivou'd kfi^ what Rafljnejs may obtain. 
 
 [Exeunt. 
 
 SCENE changes to Beverley V Lodgings. 
 Enter Mrs. Beverley and Charlotte, 
 
 t. 'Twas all a Scheme, a mean one ; unworthy 
 of my Brother. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. No, I am fure it was not Stukley 
 is honed too ; I know he is This Madnefs has 
 undone 'em both. 
 
 Cba. My Brother irrecoverably' You are too 
 fpiritlefs a Wife -A mournful Tale, mixt with 
 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 aik*d your Life fooner than 
 thofe Jewels. 
 
 F 2 Mrs.
 
 36 The GAMESTER. 
 
 Mrs.Bcv. He fhou'd have had it then, [warmly] 
 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 Miftreflcs, and Women for a bafe-Dclu- 
 der. And (hall a Wife- do lefs? Your Chid ings 
 hurt me, Charlotte. 
 
 Cba. And come too late ; they might have fav'd 
 you die. How cou'd he. life fo? 
 
 Mrs. Bev. 'Twas Friendfhip did it. His Heart 
 was breaking for a Friend. 
 
 Cba.. The Friend that has betray M him. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. Prithee don't think fo. 
 
 Cba. To-morrow he Accounts with Ale. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. And fairly I will not doubt it. 
 
 Cha. Unlefs a Friend has wanted I have no 
 Patience -^-Siller! Siller \ we. are bound to curie 
 this Friend. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. My B 'ever Icy fpeaks nobly of him. 
 
 Cha. And L^wfon truly- But I difpleafe you 
 with this Talk To-morrow will infkucl us. 
 
 Mrs. Bcv. Stay till it comes then I wou'd 
 not th'ink fo hardly. 
 
 . Cba. Nor I, but from Conviction 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 
 Diftreffes fo unmerited he will have Pity. 
 
 Mrs. JBtv. I know it, and am chearful. We 
 have no more to lofe ; and for what's gone,, if it 
 brings Prudence Home, the Purchafd was well 
 made. 
 
 Cha. My L.r^/bn will be kind too. White he 
 and I have Life and Means, You (hall divide with 
 so And fee, he's heie* 
 
 Enter
 
 G A M E S T E R. 37 
 
 Enter Lewfon. 
 We were juft fpeaking of you. 
 
 Lew. 'Tis beft to interrupt you then.- -Few Cha- 
 radters will bear a Scrutiny ; and where the Bad 
 outweighs the Good, he's fa'feft that's lead talk'd 
 of. What fay you, Madam? [Tv-Cfarlcttf* 
 
 Cba. That I hate Scandal, tho' a Woman - 
 therefore talk feldom of yon. 
 
 Mrs. Ben-. Or, with more Truth, that, tho' a 
 Woman, Ihe loves to Praife Therefore talks al- 
 ways of you. I'll leave you to decide it. 
 
 [Exit. Mrs. Bev. 
 
 "Lew. How good and amiable ! I came to talk MI 
 private with' you ; of Matters that concern you. 
 
 C/ja. What Matters ? 
 
 Lew. Fii ft anfwer me fincerdy to what I afk. 
 
 Cba. I will--- But you alarm me. 
 
 Lew, I am too grave, perhaps ; but be aflur\i 
 of this, I have no News that' ; troubles Me, and 
 therefore mou'd not You. 
 
 Cka. I ;im eafy then Propofe your Queftion. 
 
 Lew. *Tis now a tedious Twelve-month, iincc 
 with an open and kind Heart you faid you lov'd me. 
 
 Cba. So tedious, did you (ay ? 
 
 lt?.w. And when in Confequence of fuch fvveet 
 Words, I prefs'd for Marriage, you gave : a volun- 
 tary Promite that you wou'd live for Me. 
 
 C/ja. You think me chang'd then ? [angrik. 
 
 Lew. I did not fay fo. A thoufand times 
 have prefs'd for the Performance of this Promife; 
 but private Cares, a Brother's and a Sifter's Ruin, 
 wevg Keafoiis for delaying it. 
 
 D4 CLa '
 
 GAMESTER, 39 
 
 QM. Why, now I'll anfwer you. Your Doubts 
 are Prophecies I am really chang'cL 
 
 Lew. Indeed! 
 
 Cba. I cou'd torrnent you now, as you have 
 Mej but 'tis not in my Nature That lam 
 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 I wou'd be yours, and 
 happy. 
 
 Lew. My kindeft Owkttte! [taking far 
 Hand] Thanks are too poor for this and Words 
 too weak! But if we love fo, why fhou'd our 
 Union be delay'd ? 
 
 Cha. For happier Times, The prefent are too 
 wretched. 
 
 L,ew. I may have Reafons that prefs it now. 
 
 Cha. What Reafons ? 
 
 Lew. The ftrongeft Reafons ; unanfwerable 
 ones f 
 
 Cha. Be quick and name 'em. 
 
 Lew. No, Madam ; I am bound in Honour to 
 make Conditions firft I am bound by Inclina-r 
 tion too. This fweet Profufion of kind Words 
 pains while it pleafes. I dread the lofing you> 
 
 Cha. Aftonifliment ! What mean you ? 
 
 Ltw. Firft promile, that Tormorrow, or next 
 Day, you will be mine for ever. 
 
 Cha. I do tho' Mifery mou'd fucceed. 
 
 Lew. Thus then I feize you ! And with you 
 every Joy on this fide Heaven ! 
 
 Cha. And thus I feal my Promife. [embracing 
 kim\ Now, Sir, your Secret? 
 
 Lew,
 
 4 o <Tbe GAMESTER. 
 
 Lewi Your Fortune's loft. 
 
 Cha. My Fortune loft !- -I'll iliuiy to be humble 
 then. But was my Promife claim 'd- for this.? How 
 nobly generous ! Where iearnt you this fad News? 
 
 Lew. From Bates, Stukdfs prime Agent. I 
 have oblig'd him, and he's grateful He told it 
 me in Friendihip,. to -warn me from my Charlotte. 
 
 Cha. 'Twas honeft in him, and I'll, efteem him 
 for'r. 
 . Lew.. He knows much more than he has told. 
 
 Cba. For Me it is enough. And for your gene- 
 rous Love, I thank you from my Soul. If you'd 
 oblige me more, give me a little Time. 
 
 Len\ Why Time ? It robs us of our Happinefs. 
 
 Cba. I have a Tafk to iearn firft. Trie little 
 Pride this Fortune gave me mutt be fubdu'd. 
 Once we were equal; and might have met oblig- 
 ing 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* 
 
 C/ja. Leave me to think on't. 
 
 Lew. To-morrow then you "11 fix in y Happi- 
 nefs ? 
 
 Chat. All that I can, I will 
 
 Lew-. It mu ft be fo, we live but for each oiher. 
 Keep what you know a Secret ; and when we 
 meet To r morrow, more may be known. Fare- 
 well. [Exit. Leu-ion; 
 
 Cha. My poor, poor Sifter! how wou'd this 
 wound her ! But I'll conceal it, and fpeak Com- 
 fort to her. . '[Exit. 
 
 S C E N E
 
 The G A M E S T E R. 41 
 
 Scene changes, to a Room in the Gaming-Hoitfe. 
 
 Enter Beverley and Stukely. 
 
 Bev. Whither wou'd you lead me ? (Angrily. 
 
 Stu. Where we may vent our Curfes. 
 
 Bev. Ay, on yourfelf, and thole damn'd Coun- 
 fels that have deftroy'd me. A thouiand Fiends 
 were in that Bofom, and all let loofe to tempt 
 .me 1 had refitted elfe. 
 
 Stu. Go on, Sir I have deferv'd this from 
 you. 
 
 Bev. And Curfes everlailing* Time is too 
 fcanty for 'em 
 
 Stu. What have I done ? 
 
 Bev. What the Arch-Devil of old did < 
 footh'd with fal-fe Hopes, for certain Ruin. 
 
 Stu. Myfelf unhqrt; nay, pleas'd at your De- 
 jftruction So your Words mean. Why; tell it to 
 the World. I am too poor to find a Friend in't. 
 
 Bev. A Friend ! what's he ? I had a Friend. 
 
 t Stu. And have one ftill. 
 
 Bev. Ay ; I'll tell you of this Friend. He 
 found me happieft of the Happy. Fortune and 
 Honour crown'd me ; and Love and Peace liv'd 
 in my Heart. One Spark of Folly lurk'd there ; 
 That too he found ; and by deceitful Breath blew 
 it to Flames that have conium'd me. This Friend 
 were you to me. 
 
 Stu. A little more perhaps The Friend who 
 gave his All to fave you ; and not fucceeding, 
 chofe Ruin with you. But no matter, I have 
 undone you, and am a Villain. 
 
 Bev. No; I think not -The Villains are 
 
 within. 
 
 G Stu.
 
 42 The GAMESTER. 
 
 Stu. What Villains ? 
 
 . Bev. ' Dawfon and the reft We have been 
 
 Dupes to Sharpers. 
 
 Stu. How know you this ? I have had Doubts 
 as well as you j yet ftill as Fortune chang'd I 
 Mum'd at my own Thoughts But You have 
 Proofs, perhaps. 
 
 Bev. Ay, damn'd ones. Repeated LofTes 
 Night after Night, and no Reverfe Chance has 
 no Hand in this. 
 
 Stu. I think more charitably ; yet I am peevifh 
 
 in my Nature, and apt to doubt The World 
 
 fpeaks fairly of this Daw/on, fo does it of the 
 reft. We have watch'd 'em clofcly. 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 flung me to the quick Blafted my Reputa- 
 tion too 1 have bound my Honour to thefe 
 
 Vipers ; play'd meanly upon Credit, 'till I tir'd 
 'em ; and now they fliun me to rifle one an- 
 other. What's to be done ? 
 
 Stu. Nothing. My Counfels have been fatal. 
 Bev. By Heaven I'll not furvive this Shame 
 Traitor ! 'tis you have brought it on me. (taking 
 hold of him.) Shew me the Means to fave me, or 
 I'll commit a Murder here, and next upon my- 
 felf. 
 
 Stu. Why do it then, and rid me of Ingra- 
 titude. 
 
 Bev. Prithee forgive this Language I fpeak 
 I know not what Rage and Defpair are in my 
 Heart, and hurry me to Madnefs. My Home 
 
 i& Horror to me I'll not return to't. Speak 
 
 quickly;
 
 The GAMESTER. 4j> 
 
 quickly j tell me, if in this Wreck of For- 
 tune, one Hope remains ? Name it, and be my 
 Oracle. 
 
 Stu. To vent your Curfes on You have be- 
 jftow'd 'em liberally. Take your own Counfel : 
 and fhou'd a defperate Hope prefent itfclf, 'twill 
 fuit your defperate Fortune. I'll not advife you. 
 
 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 -, 
 while their Heirs ftarve on Expectation. 
 
 Bev. What mean you ? 
 
 Stu. That the Reverfion of his Eftate is yours ; 
 and will bring Money to pay Debts with Nay 
 more, it may retrieve what's part. 
 
 Bev. Or leave my Child a Beggar. 
 
 Stu. And what's his Father ? A difhonourable 
 
 one ; engag'd for Sums he cannot pay That 
 
 fhou'd be thought of. 
 
 Bev. It is my Shame the Poifon that en- 
 flames me. Where mall we go ? To whom ? I 
 am impatient 'till all's loft. 
 
 Stu. All may be yours again Your Man is 
 
 Bates He has large Funds at his Command, 
 
 and will deal juftly by you. 
 
 Bev. I am refolv'd Tell 'em within we'll 
 meet 'em prefently j and with full Purfes too 
 Come, follow me. 
 
 Stu. No. I'll have no hand in this ; nor do 
 
 I counfel it Ufe your Difcretion, and act from, 
 
 that. You'll find me at my Lodgings. 
 
 G 2
 
 44 flk GAMESTER. 
 
 Bev. Succeed what will, this Night I'll dare 
 
 the worft. 
 *Tis lofs of Fear, to be compleatl y curs'd. 
 
 (Exit Bev. 
 
 Stu Why, lofe it then for ever Fear is the 
 Mind's worft Evil 5 and 'tis a friendly Office to 
 drive it from the Bofom Thus far has Fortune 
 crown'd me Yet Bever/ey is rich ; rich in his 
 Wife's beft Treafure, her Honour and Affec- 
 tions. I wou'd fupplant him there too. But 'tis 
 theCurfe of thinking Minds to raife up Difficulties. 
 Fools only conquer Women. Fearlefs of Dan- 
 gers which they fee not, they prefs on boldly, 
 and by perfifting, profper. Yet may a Tale of 
 Art do much Charlotte is fometimes abfent. 
 The Seeds of Jealoufy are fown already. If I 
 miftake not, they have taken Root too. Now 
 is the Time to ripen 'em, and reap the Harveft. 
 The fofteft of her Sex, if wrong'd in Love, or 
 thinking that {he's wrong'd, becomes a Tygrefs 
 
 in Revenge-- I'll inftantly to Severity's No 
 
 Matter for the Danger When Beauty leads us 
 on, 'tis Indifcretion to reflect, and Cowardice to 
 doubt. (Exit. 
 
 Scene changes to Beverley's Lodgings. 
 
 Enter Mrs. Beverley and Lucy. 
 Mrs. Bev. Did Charlotte tell you any Thing ? 
 Lu. No, Madam. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. She look'd confus'd methought j faid 
 fh" had Bulinefs with her Leivfoti', 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.
 
 TJje G A M E S T E R. 45 
 
 Mrs. Bev. No,, my kind Girl ; I was not born 
 for't But why do I diftrefs thee ? 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 Song 
 thou fung'ft laft Night. It fuits this Change 
 of Fortune ; and there's a Melancholy in't that 
 pleafes me. 
 
 Lit. I fear it hurts you, Madam Your Good- 
 -nefs too draws Tears from me But I'll dry 'em, 
 and obey you. 
 
 SONG. 
 When Damon languijh'd at my Feef, 
 
 And I belieifd him true, 
 The Moments of Delight how fiueet ! 
 
 But ah ! how fwift they flew ! 
 The funny Hill, the flow' ry Vale> 
 
 The Garden and the Grove, 
 
 Have echoed to his ardent Tale, 
 
 And Vows of endlefs Love. 
 
 2. 
 The Conqueft gain'd, he left his Prize, 
 
 He left her to complain ; 
 To talk of Joy with weeping Eyes y 
 
 And meafure Time by Pain. 
 But Heav'n will take the Mourner's Part, 
 
 In pity to Defpair - t 
 
 And the laft Sigh that rends the Heart > 
 Shall waft the Spirit there. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. I thank thee, Lucy> 1 thank 
 
 Heaven too my Griefs are none of thefe. Yet 
 Stukely deals in Hints He talks of Rumours 
 
 -I'll
 
 46 The GAMESTER. 
 
 I'll urge him to (peak plainly Hark ! there's 
 
 iome one entering. 
 
 Lu. Perhaps my Matter, Madam. (Exit. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. Let him be well too, and I am 
 fatiiy'd. (Goes to the T>odr, and lift em.) No 5 
 'tis another's Voice -, his had been Mufic to me. 
 Who is it Lucy ? 
 
 Re-enter Lucy with Stuk^ly. 
 
 Lu. Mr. Stukely, Madam. (E\it. 
 
 Stu. To meet you thus alone, Madam, /was 
 what I wifh'd. Unfeafonable Vifits, when Friend- 
 fliip 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 beft Friends are not admitted to. We 
 parted in the Morning, .not foon to meet again. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. You mean to leave us then ? To 
 leave your Country too ? I am no Stranger to 
 your Reafons, .and pity your Misfortunes. 
 
 Stu. Your Pity has undone you. Cou'd Be- 
 icrley do this ? That Letter was a falfe one j a 
 mean Contrivance to rob you of your Jewels 
 I wrote it not. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. Impoffible ! whence came it then ? 
 
 Sty. Wrong'd.as I am, Madam, I muft fpeak 
 plainly 
 
 Mrs. Bev. Do fo, and cafe me. Your Hints 
 have troubled me. Reports, you fay, are ftir- 
 
 ring Reports of whom ? You wim'd me not 
 
 to credit 'em. What, Sir, are thefe Reports? 
 
 Stu. I thought 'em Slander, Madam ; and 
 
 caution'd you in Friend (hip ; left from officious' 
 
 2 Tongues
 
 The G A M E S T E R. 47 
 
 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 injur'd Wife too We both are injur'd. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. How injur'd ? And who has in- 
 jur'd us ? 
 
 Stu. 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 come not 
 
 in Refentment, but for Acquittance You 
 
 thought me poor ; and to the feign'd DiftrelTes 
 of a Friend gave up your Jewels. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. 1 gave 'em to a Hufband. 
 
 Stu. Who gave 'em to a 
 
 Mrs. Bev. What ? Whom did he give 'em to ? 
 
 Stu. A Miftrefs. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. No ; on my Life he did not. 
 
 Stu. Himfelf confefs'd it, with Curfes on her 
 Avarice. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. I'll not believe it He has no 
 
 Miftrefs or if he has, why is it told to Me? 
 
 Stu. To guard you againft Infults. He told 
 me, that to move you to Compliance, he forg'd 
 that Letter ; pretending I was ruin'd ; ruin'd by 
 Him too. The Fraud fucceeded ; and what a 
 trufting Wife beftow'd in Pity, was lavim'd on 
 a Wanton. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. Then I am loft indeed ; and my 
 Afflictions are too powerful for me His Follies 
 I have borne without upbraiding, and faw the 
 Approach of Poverty without a Tear my Affec- 
 tion*
 
 4? The G A M E S T E R. 
 
 tions, my ftrong Affections fupported me through 
 every Trial. 
 
 Sfu. Be patient, Madam. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. Patient ! The barbarous, ungrateful 
 Man ! And does he think that the Tendernefs of 
 my Heart is his beft Security for wounding it ? 
 But he mail find that Injuries fuch as thefe can 
 arm my Weaknefs for Vengeance and Redrefs. 
 
 Stu. Ha ! then I may fucceed ( \dfide. 
 Redrefs is in your Power. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. What Redrefs ? 
 
 Sfu. Forgive me, Madam, if in my Zeal to 
 
 ferve you, I hazard your Difpleafure. Think 
 
 of your wretched State. Already Want fur- 
 rounds you. Is it in Patience to bear that ? To 
 fee your -helplefs little one robb'd of his Birth- 
 right ? A Sifter too, with unavailing Tears, la- 
 menting her loft Fortune ? No Comfort left you, 
 but ineffectual Pity from the Few, out-weigh'd 
 by Infults from the Many ? 
 'Mrs. Bev. Am I fo loft a Creature? Well, 
 Sir, my Redrefs ? 
 
 Sfu. To be refolv'd is to fecure it. The mar- 
 riage Vow, once violated, is in the Sight of 
 
 Heaven diflblv'd Start not, but hear me ! 'Tis 
 
 now the Summer of your Youth ; Time has not 
 cropp'd the Rofes from your Cheek, tho* Sorrow 
 
 long has wam'd 'em Then ufe your Beauty 
 
 wifely j and freed by Injuries, fly from the 
 crueleft of Men, for Shelter with the kindeft. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. And who is he ? 
 
 Sfu. A Friend to the Unfortunate ; a bold one 
 too ; who while the Storm is burfling on your 
 Brow, and Lightening flafhing from your Eyes, 
 dares tell you that he loves you. Mrs.
 
 tte G A M E S T E R. 49 
 
 Mrs. Bev. Wou'd that thcfe Eyes had Heaven's 
 own Lightening ! that with a Look, thus I might 
 blait thee.! Am I then fallen fo low? Has Po- 
 verty fo humbled me, that I mou'd liften to 4 
 helliih Offer, and fell my Soul for Bread ? O 
 
 Villain ! Villain ! But now I know thee, 
 
 and thank thee for the -Knowledge, 
 
 Stu. If you are wife, you fhall have Caufe to 
 thank me. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. An injur'd Hufband too mall thank 
 thse. 
 
 to. Yet know, proud Womarv I have a 
 Heart as flubborn 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 Be- 
 <uer/ey was falfe t That his too credulous Wife 
 fhou'd in Defpair and Vengeance give up her 
 Honour to a Wretch ? But he mall know it, and 
 Vengeance mall be his. 
 
 Stu. Why fend him for Defiance then. Tell 
 him I love his Wife; but that a woithlefs Huf- 
 band forbids our Union. I'll make a Widow of 
 you, and court you honourably. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. O Coward ! Coward ] thy Soul will 
 flirink at him. Yet in the Thought of what 
 may happen, I feel a Woman's Fears. Keep 
 thy ow-n Secret, and begone. Who's there? 
 
 Enter Lucy. 
 
 Your Abfence, Sir, wou'd pleafe me. 
 Stu. I'll not offend you, Madam. 
 
 (Ex. Stu, with Lucy. 
 
 H Mrs.
 
 50 The G A M E S T E R. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. Why opens not the Earth to fwal- 
 low fuch a Monfter ? Be" Confcience then his 
 Puniftier, 'till Heaven in Mercy gives him Peni- 
 tence, or dooms him in his Juilice. 
 
 Re enter Lucy. 
 
 Come to my Chamber, Lucy j \ have a Tale to 
 tell thee, fhall mal^e. thjee weep for thy ' poor 
 Miftrefs. 
 
 Yet Heav'n the guiltlefs Sufferer regards, . 
 And whom it moft affli^s 3 it moft rewards. 
 
 (Exeunt^ 
 
 End of tie T H i R p ' A 
 
 ACT
 
 [50 
 
 A C T IV. 
 
 S Cfe N E Beverley'j Lodgings* 
 
 fehter Mrs. Reverley, Charlotte, and Lewfon. 
 
 CharJ I A HE fmooth-tongu'd Hypocrite! 
 
 j^ Lew. But we have found him, and will 
 requite him Be chearful, Madam; (to Mrs. Bev.) 
 and for the Inlults of this Ruffian, you (hall have 
 ample Reftibwiion. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. But not by Violence Remember 
 you have fwot-n it ; I had been filent elfe. 
 
 Lenv* You need not dotabt me ; I fhaH be cool 
 as Patience. 
 
 Mr?. Bev. See him To-morrow then. 
 
 Lew. And why not now ? By Heaven the 
 veriefl Worm that crawls is made of braver Spirit 
 than this Sttikely Yet for my Promife, I'll deal 
 gently with him I mean fo watch bis Looks 
 From thofe, and from his Anfwers to my Charge, 
 much may be learnt. Next I'll to Bafes, and 
 fift him to the Bottom. If I fail 'there,' the' 'Gang 
 is numerous, and for a Bribe will each betray the 
 other Good Night; I'll lofe no Time. 
 
 (E.v. Lew/on. 
 
 Mrs. B?v. Tliefe boifterous Spirits! how they 
 wound me ! But Reasoning is in vain. Come, 
 Charlotte >, we'll to otu- u-iiral Watch. The Night 
 giows late. 
 
 H 2 Cha,
 
 5*2 tffe GAMESTER. 
 
 Cba. I am fearful of Events j yet pleas'd 
 To-morrow may relive us. (Going. 
 
 "Enter Jarvis. 
 
 Cba. How now, good Jarvis ? 
 
 Jar. I have heard ill Netos, Fftadam. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. What News ? Speak quickly. 
 
 Jar. Men are not what they feem. I fear me 
 Mr. Sfukety is difhonefL 
 
 Char. We know it, Jarvis. But what's your 
 News ? 
 
 Jar. That there's an A#ion againft my Matter, 
 at his Friend's Suit. 
 
 Mrs Bev. Q Villain ! Villain ! 'twas this he 
 threaten'd then. Run to that Den of Robbersy 
 Wtlfirfs Your Matter may be there. Entreat 
 him Home, good Jarvis. Say I have Bufmefs 
 with him But tell him not of Stukely It may 
 provoke him to Revenge Hafte ! hafte ! gooi 
 Jarvis. (Exit Jarvis. 
 
 Cba. ThisM'mnler of Hell! O I cou-'d tear 
 him Piece-meal !- - - 
 
 Mrs. Bev. I am fick of fuch a World YcC 
 Heaven is juft ; and in its own good Time, will 
 hurl Deftru&ion on fuch Monfters. (Exawt. 
 
 SCENE changes to 
 
 Enter Stukely and Bates meeting. 
 
 'Bates. Where have you been ? 
 
 Stu. Fooling my Time away Playing my 
 Tricks, like a tame Monkey, to entertain a Wo^ 
 man .-No Matter where- I have been- vext and 
 disappointed. Tell me of Beverly How bore 
 he his lafl Shock? : Bat,
 
 G AMES T E K. 53 
 
 Bat. Like one (fo Daivfon fays) whofe Senfes 
 fiad been numb'd with Mifery. When all was 
 loft, he fixt his Eyes upon the Ground; and 
 flood fome Time, with folded Arms, ftupid and 
 motionlefs. Then fnatching his Sword r that 
 hung agaimt the Wainfcot, he fat him down , 
 and with a Look of fixt Attention, drew Figures 
 on the Floor At laft he ftarted up, look'd wild, 
 and trembled ; and like a Woman, feiz'd with 1 
 her Sex's .Fits, laugh'd out aloud, while the 
 Tears trickled down his Face fo left the Room. 
 
 Stu. Why, this was Madnefs. 
 
 Baf. The Madnefs of Defpair. 
 
 Sftt. We mwft confine him then. A Prifori 
 wou'd do well, (a Knocking at the Door] Hark ! 
 that Knocking may be his. Go that Way down v 
 
 (Ex. Bates, 
 Who's there ? 
 
 Enter Lewfon. 
 
 Lew. An Enemy an open and avow r d erne; 
 Stu. Why am' I thus broke in upon? This 
 ifoufe is mine, Sir f and fliou'd protecl: me from 
 Infult and Ill-manners. 
 
 Lew. Guilt has no Place of Sanctuary ; where- 
 dver found, 'tis Virtue's lawful Game. The Fox's 
 Hold, and Tyger's Den are no Security againfl' 
 the Hunter. 
 
 Stu. Your Bufinefs, Sir ? 
 
 Lew. To tell you that I know you Why this 
 Confufion? That Look of Guilt and Terror? Is 
 fteverley awake ? Or hashisWife toldTales ? The 
 Man that dares like You, fhou'd have a -Soul to 
 juflify his Deeds, and Courage to con-front Ae- 
 
 cufers.
 
 54 tffe G A M E S T E R. 
 
 cufers. Not with a Coward's Fear to fhrink be-> 
 
 neath Reproof. 
 
 Stu. W!K> waits there ? 
 
 ( Aloud y and in Coxfufwn. 
 
 Lew. By Heaven he dies that interrupts us.. 
 (Jbiitttngtbe Dcor.) You mou'd have weigh'd 
 your Strength', Sir; and tken, inftead of climbing 
 to high Fortune, the World had mark'd you for 
 what you are, a little .paultry Villain. 
 
 Stu. You think I fear you. 
 
 Lew. I know you fear me. This is to prove 
 it. (pulls him by the Sleeve.) You wanted Pri- 
 vacy ! A Lady's Prefence took up your Attention ! 
 Now we are -alone, Sir. Why, what a Wretch ! 
 (Jiings him from him.} The vileil: Infect in Cre- 
 ation will tarn vvh^n trampled on ; yet ha this 
 Thing undone a Man by Cunning and mean 
 Arts undone him. But we have found you, Sir j 
 trac'd you thro' all your Labyrinths. If you 
 wou'd fave yourfei/, fall to Cenfeffion. Na 
 Mercy "will be (hewn elie. 
 
 Sfu. Firft prove me what- you think me 
 'Till then your Threatenings are in vain Anfd 
 for this Infult, Veirgeance may yet be mine. 
 
 Lew. Infamous Coward ! why, take it now 
 then (draws, and Stukely retires.'] Alas! I pity 
 rhee Yet that a Wretch like this fhou'd over-^ 
 come a Bever/ey ! it fills me with Aftoniduiient ! 
 
 A Wretch, fo mean of Soul, that even Defpe- 
 
 ration cannot animate him to look upon an Ene- 
 my You fhou'd not thus have fozrr'd, Sir, un- 
 kfs, like others of yonr black Profeffion, you had 
 a Sward to keep the Fools in Awe, yoiw Vil-lany 
 has ruined. 
 
 Siu.
 
 G A M E S T E R. 55 
 
 Stu. Villany ! 'Twere beft to curb this Licence 
 of your Tongue j for know, Sir, while there are 
 Laws, this Outrage on my Reputation will not 
 be borne with. 
 
 Lew. Laws ! dar'ft Thou feek Shelter from 
 the Laws ? Thofe Laws, which thou and thy in- 
 fernal Crew live in the conftant Violation of ? 
 Talk'ft thou of Reputation too ? when under 
 Friend (hip's facred Name, thou had betray'd, 
 robb'd, and deftroy'd ? 
 
 Stu. Ay, rail at Gaming; 'tis a rich Topic, 
 and affords noble Declamation Go, preach a- 
 gainft it in the City : You'll find a Congregation 
 in every Tavern. If they fhou'd laugh at yon, 
 fly to my Lord, and iermonize it there. lie'lj 
 thank you and reform. 
 
 Lew. And will Example fandify a Vice ? No, 
 Wretch j the Cuftom of my Lord, or of trie 
 Cit that apes him, cannot excufe a Breach of 
 Law, or make the Gamefter's Calling reputable. 
 
 Stu. Rail on, I fay-- But is this Zeal for beg- 
 gar'd Beverley ? Is it for Him that I am treated 
 thus? Noj he and his Wife might both have 
 groan'd in Prifon, had but the Sifter's Fortune 
 efcap'd the Wreck, to have rewarded the difin- 
 terefted Love of horieft Mr. Leivjon. 
 
 Lew. How I deteft thee for the Thought ! 
 But thou art loft to every human Feeling. Yet 
 let me tell thee, and may it wring 'thy Heart ! 
 jthat tho' my Friend is ruin'd by thy Snares, thou 
 )iaft unknowingly been kind to Me. 
 
 Stu. Have I ? It was indeed unknowingly. 
 
 Lew. Thou haft afllfted me in Love ; given 
 me the Merit that I wanted $ fmce but for Thee, 
 
 my
 
 6 Tie G A ME S T E R. 
 
 iy Charlotte had not known 'twas her dear felf 
 I iigh'djfor, and not her Fortune. 
 
 Stu. Thank me, and, take her then. 
 
 Lew. And as a Brother to poor Beverley, I 
 will purfue the Robber that has ftript him, and 
 inatch him from his Gripe. 
 
 Stu. Then know, imprudent Man, he is within 
 my Gripe ^ and mou'd my Friendfhip for him 
 be flander'd once again, the Hand that has fupi- 
 ply'd him, mall fall and cruih him. 
 
 Le r &. Why, now there's Spirit in thee ! This is 
 indeed to be a Villain ! But I mall .reach thee 
 yet Fly where thou wilt, : my Vengeance {hall 
 purfue thee And Sever ley mail yet be fav'd, be 
 jfaVd from Thee, thou Monfterj nor owe his 
 Refcue to his Wife's Dishonour. (Exit, 
 
 Stu. (paufmg\ Tlien Ruin ha,s encloe'd me. 
 Curfe on my coward Heart I I wou'd be bravely 
 villanous j but 'tis my Nature to mrink at Dan- 
 ger, and he has found me. Yet Fear brings 
 Caution, and ThatSecurity More Mifchief mud 
 be done to hide the pafl Look to yourfelf, oftU- 
 .cious Lewfon there .may be Panger ftirring * 
 now, Bates f 
 
 Enter Bates. 
 
 Pat. What is the Matter ? 'Twas Lewfon and 
 not Sever ley that left you-r-I heard him loud -' 
 You feem alarm'd too. 
 
 Stu. Ay, and with Reafon We are difcover'd, 
 
 Bat. I fear'd as much, .and therefore caution'd 
 you - But You were peremptory. 
 
 Stu. Thus Fools talk ever j fpending their idle 
 Breath on what is paft, and trembling at the fu/- 
 
 ture.
 
 We G A M E S* T E R. 57 
 
 lure. We muft be a&ive. BeVe'rLy, at worft, is 
 but fufpicious ; but -'Lew fan'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, dart net De- 
 Operate Occaiions call for defpcrate L'ceds We 
 Jive but by his Death, 
 
 Bat. You .cannot mean it ? 
 
 Stu. I do, by Heaven. 
 
 Rat. Good Night then. (Going. 
 
 Stu. Stay. I muft be heard, then anfwer'd 
 Perhaps the Motion was too Hidden j and human 
 Weaknefs fiarts at Murder, tho' flrong Neceffity 
 compels it. I have thought long of this ; and 
 my firft Feelings were like yours ; a foolifli 
 Confcience aw'd me, which foon I conquer 'dw 
 The Man that wou'd undo me, Nature Aeries 
 out, undo. Brutes know their Foes by loilincl } 
 and where fuperior Force is given, they ufe irfor 
 Deftruclion. Shall Man do lefs ? Lcivfon purfues 
 us to our Ruin ; and (hall we, with the Means 
 to crum him, fly from our Hunter, or turn' and 
 tear him ? 'Tis Folly even to hcfitate. 
 
 Bat. He has oblig'd me, and I dare not. 
 
 Stu. Why, live to Shame then, to Beggary and 
 Puniihment. You wou'd be privy to the Deed, 
 yet want the Soul to ad it. Nay more - t had my 
 Defigns been levell'd at his Fortune, you had 
 flept in the foremoil And what is Life with- 
 out its Comforts? Thofe you wou'd rob him of; 
 and by a lingring Death, (add Cruelty to Murder.. 
 Henceforth adieu to half--made Villains There's 
 Danger in 'em. "What you have got is your's; 
 1 keep
 
 58 tte G A M E S T E R. 
 
 keep it, and hide with it I'll deal my futur* 
 
 Bounty to thofe who merit it. 
 
 Sat. What's the Reward ? 
 
 Stu. Equal Divifion of our Cains. I fwear 
 it, and will be juft. 
 
 feat. Think of the Means then. 
 
 Sfa. He's gone to Beverlefs Wait for him in 
 the Street 'Tis a dark Night, and fit for Mis- 
 chief. A Dagger would be ufeful. 
 
 Bat. He fleeps no more. 
 
 Stu. Confider the Reward ! When the Deed's 
 done, I have farther Bufmefs with you* . Send 
 \Dawfon to me. 
 
 Eat. Think it already done and fo farewel. 
 
 (Exit. 
 
 Stu. Why, farewel Lewfai then j and farewel 
 to my Fears This Night fecures me. I'll wait 
 the Event within. (Exit. 
 
 -Scfat change* to tbe Street. Stage darker! d. 
 
 Ent-er Beverley. 
 
 Btv. How like an Out-caft do I wander ? 
 Loaded with every Corfe, that drives the Soul to 
 
 Defpe'ration -The Midnight Robber, as he 
 
 walks his Rounds, fees by the glimmering Lamp 
 
 my frantic Looks, and dreads to meet me. 
 
 Whither am I going? -My Home lies there; 
 
 11 that is dear on Earth it holds too j yet arc 
 the Gates of Death more welcome to me I'll 
 enter it no more Who paffes there ? 'Tis Lewfon 
 He meets me in a gloomy Hour ; and Memory 
 tells me he has been meddling with my Fame. 
 
 Enter
 
 Toe G A M E S-T E R. 
 
 Lew. Sever ley /.. Well met. I have been bufy 
 in your Affairs. 
 
 }fay. 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. Difcoveries 'are 
 making that an arch Villain trembles at. 
 
 Bev. Difcoveries are made, Sir, that You fliall 
 tremble at. Where is this boafted Spirit ? 'this 
 high Demeanour, that was to call me to Ac- 
 count? You fay I have wrong'd my Sifter - 
 Now fay as much. But firft be ready for De- 
 fence, as I am for Refentment. (Draws. 
 
 Lew. What mean you ? I underftand you not. 
 
 Bev. The Coward's ftale Acquittance. Who, 
 when he fpreads foul Calumny abroad, and 
 dreads juft Vengeance on him, cries out, What 
 mean you, I iinderftand you not. 
 
 Le^-. Coward, . and Calumny 1 Whence are 
 thofe Words ? But I forgive, and pity you. 
 
 Bev, Your Pity had been kinder to my Fame. 
 But you have traduc'd.it; told a vile Story to 
 the public Ear, that I have wrong'd my Sifter. 
 . Lew. 'Tis falfe. Shew me the Man that -dares 
 accufe me. . . 
 
 Bev. I thought you brave, and of a Soul fu- 
 perior to low Malice; but I have found you, 'and 
 will have Vengeance. This is no Place for Ar- 
 gument. 
 
 LCIU. Nor fhall it be for Violence. .Impru- 
 dent Man ! who in Revenge for fancy 'd Injuries, 
 wou'd pierce, the Heart .that loves him. But 
 lioneft Friendship afts from itfclf, unmovM 
 
 I 2 Slant^ r a
 
 PO <Tbe G A M E S T E R. 
 
 Slander or Ingratitude, The Life you thiril for, 
 
 ihall be employ'd to ferve you. 
 
 Bcv. 'Tis thus you vvou'd compound then 
 Firfl do a -Wrong beyond Forgivenefs, and to re- 
 drefs it, load me with Kindnels unfolicited. I'll 
 not receive it. Your Zeal is troublefome. 
 
 Lew. No Matter. It ihall be ufeful. 
 
 Bei\ It will not be accepted. 
 
 Lew. It muft. You know me not. 
 
 JEkiv Yes ; for the Slanderer of my Fame. Who 
 under me w of-Friendihip, arraigns me of In- 
 juftice. Buzzing in every Ear foul Breach of 
 Truft, and Family Difhonour. 
 
 Leid. Have I done this ? Who told you fo ? 
 
 Btv. The World 'Tis talk'd of every where. 
 It pleas r d you to add Threats too. You were to 
 
 call me to Account -Why, do it now then ; I 
 
 ihall be proud of fuch an Arbiter. 
 
 Lew. Put up .your Sword, and know me bet- 
 ter. I never injurM you. The bale Suggeftion 
 comes from St'ukely ; I fee him and his Aims. 
 
 Bsv. What Aims ? I'll not conceal it ; 'twas 
 Stukely that accus'd. you. 
 
 Lew. To rid him of an Enerny Perhaps 
 
 of two. He fears . Difcovery, ; .and frames a 
 
 Tale of Falfehood, to ground Revenge and Mur- 
 der on. 
 
 Bev. I muft have Proof of this. 
 
 Lew. Wait till To-morrow then. 
 
 Bev. I will. 
 
 Lew. Good Night I go to ferve you For- 
 get what's part as 1 do ; and chear your Family 
 with Smiles. To-morrow may .confirm 'em, and 
 make all happy. .
 
 The GAMESTER. 61 
 
 Bev. (Pau/ing.) How vile, and how abfurd 
 is Man ! His boafted Honour is but another 
 Name for Pride ; which eafier bears the Con- 
 fcioufnefs of Guilt, than the World's juft Re- 
 proofs. But 'tis the Fafhion of the Times- and 
 in defence of Falfehood and falfe Honour, Men 
 die Martyrs. I knew not that my Nature was 
 fo bad. (flands mufing. 
 
 Enter Bates and Jarvis. 
 
 Jar. This Way the Noife was and yondcr's 
 my poor Matter. 
 
 Bat. I heard him at high Words with Lewfon. 
 The Caufe I know not. 
 
 Jar. I heard him too. Misfortunes vex him. 
 Bat. Go to him, and lead him Home But he 
 
 comes this Way I'll not be feen by him. 
 
 Ex. Bates. 
 
 Bev. (Jlarting) What Fellow's that ? (feeing 
 Jarvis) Art thou a Murderer, Friend ? Come, 
 lead the Way j I have a Hand as mifchievous as 
 
 thine; a Heart as deiperate too- Jarvis ! 
 
 To Bed, old Man, the Cold will, chill thee: 
 
 Jar. Why are you wandering at this late 
 Hour? Your Sword drawn too ! ForHeav'n's 
 Sake {heath it, Sir the Sight diffracts me. 
 Bev; Whofe Voice was that ? (wildly. 
 
 Jar. 'Twas mine, Sir. Let me intreat you to 
 give the Sword to Me. 
 
 Bev. Ay, take it quickly take it Perhaps I 
 am not fo curs'd, but Heav'n may have fent thee 
 at this Moment to fnatch me from Perdition. 
 Jar. Then I am blefs'd. 
 Bev. Continue fo, and leave me. My Sor- 
 rows are contagious. No one is bled that's near 
 
 Jar. 
 
 .
 
 62 7& -.G.' A M E S' T E R. 
 
 Jar. I came to,feek you, Sir. 
 
 Bev. And now thou haft found me, leave mg 
 MyThoughte are wild and will not be difturb'd. 
 
 Jar. Such Thoughts are beft diflurb'd. 
 
 Bev. Itellthee that they will not - Who feht 
 thee hither ? 
 
 Jar. My wesping Miftrefs, 
 
 Bev. Am I fo meek a Hufband then? -that a 
 commanding Wife prefcribes my Hours, and 
 lends to chide me for my Abfence ? Tell her, 
 I'll not return. 
 . Jsr. Thofe 'Words wWd kill her. 
 
 Bev. Kill her ! Wou'd they not be kind then ? 
 Bat ihe mall live to'curfe me I have deferv'4 it 
 of. her. - Does fhe not hate me, Jarvis ? 
 
 Jar. Alas, Sir! Forget your Grie-fe, and 
 let. me 1 lead you to her. The Streets are dan- 
 gerous. 
 
 Bev. Be wife, and leave me then. The Night's 
 Hack Horrors are fuited to my Thoughts - * 
 T-h'efe Stones malt be my Refting-place. (lies 
 dc-ivn.) Here flvall my Soul -bn'ood o'er its Mife- 
 ries ; 'till with the Fiends of Hell, and Guilty of 
 the Earth, I fhrt and tremble at the Morning's 
 Light, 
 
 gfe For Pity's Sake, Sir ! Upon my Knees I 
 beg you to quit this Place, and thefc fad Thoughts. 
 Let Patience, not Defpair, potfefs you Rife, I 
 feefeech you There's not a Moment of your Ab- 
 lence', that my poor Miftrefs-does not groan-for. 
 Have I- undone her, and is {he dill fo 
 
 kind ? (farting up) It is too much ---- My Brain 
 can't hold it- O,' Jeri'is ! how defperate is' that 
 Wretch's 'State, which only Death or Madnefs 
 can relieve.
 
 -ti AM E'S'-T E R, 6; 
 
 . ''Jar.- Appeafe -his Mind, good Heaven ! and 
 give him Resignation ! Alas, Sir, cou'd Beings in 
 the other World perceive the 'Events of this, hovy 
 wou'd your Parents bleiled Spirits-grieve for you,' 
 even in Heaven !~^ Let me conjure you by their 
 honour'd Memories ; by the fweet Innocence of 
 your yet helple&fchild, and by tfe ceafelefs Sor- 
 rows of my poor Miftrefs, to rouze your Man- 
 hood i and ftruggle with thefe Griefs. 
 
 Bev. Thou virtuous, good old Man ! thy Tears 
 ami thy Entreaties have reach'd my Heart, thro* 
 ail its Miferies. O ! had I liften'd to thy honeft 
 V/arnings, no earthly, Blefiing had 'been wanting 
 to me.! I was fo happy, that even a Wim for 
 more than I ppflefs'd," was arrogant Prefumption. 
 But- 1 have waVr'd -againft the Power that Hefs'd 
 me, and now am fentenc'd to the Hell I merit. 
 ' J&A Be but reiign'd, Sir, and 'Happineis may 
 yet be yours. 
 
 Rev. Prithee be honefr, and do not flatter 
 Mifery. 
 
 Jar. I do not," Sir I lark! Ihear Voices- 
 Ceme this Way j we may 'reach Home im- 
 notic'd. 
 
 Bev. Well, lead me then Un-notic'd : dkl'il 
 thou fay? Alas! I dread no Looks, but oftfoofe 
 Wretches I have made at Home. (Exeunt, 
 
 V 
 
 SCENE changes to StukelyY 
 
 Enter- Stukely and Dawfon. 
 Stu. Come hither Dawfon. My Limbs are on 
 the Rack, and my Soul mivers in rne, 'till this 
 Night's Bufinefs be .complete. Tell m thy 
 
 Thoughts :
 
 64 *fbe G A M E S T E R. 
 Thoughts : Is Bates determin'd, or does he 
 waver ? 
 
 Da-ja. At firft he feem'd irrefolutej wifh'd 
 the Employment had been mine ; and mutter'd 
 Curfes on his Coward Hand, that trembled at 
 the Deed. 
 
 Stu. And did he leave you fo ? 
 
 Daw. No. We walk'd together j and fhel- 
 ter'd by the Darknefs, faw Beverley and Lewfon 
 in warm Debate. But foon they cool'd j and 
 then I left 'ern to haften hither; but not 'till 
 'twas refoiv'd Lewfon fhou'd die. 
 
 Stu. Thy Words have given me Life That 
 Quarrel too was fortunate j for if my Hopes de- 
 ceive me not, it promifes a Grave to Beverley. 
 
 Daw. You mifconceive me.. Lew/on and he 
 were Friends. 
 
 Stu. But my .prolific Brain fhall make 'em 
 Enemies. If Lewfon falls, he falls by Beverley. 
 An upright Jury mall decree it. Alk me no 
 Questions, but do as I direct. This Writ (takes 
 out a Pocket Book) for fome Days pad, I have 
 treafur'd here, 'till a convenient Time call'd for 
 its life. That Time is come. Take it, and 
 give it to an Officer. It muft be ferv'd this In- 
 flant. (Gives a Paper. 
 
 Daw. On Beverley? 
 
 Eev. Look at it. 'Tis for the Sums that I 
 have lent him. 
 
 Daw. Muft he to Prifon then ? 
 
 Stu. I afk'd Obedience ; not Replies. This 
 Night a Jail muft be his Lodging. 'Tis pro- 
 bable he's not gone Home yet. Wait at his 
 Door, and fee it executed. 
 
 2 \ Daw.
 
 The GAMESTER. 65 
 
 )aw. Upon a Beggar ? He has no Means of 
 Payment. 
 
 Stu. Dull and infenfible ! If Lew/on dies, who 
 was it kilPd him ? Why, he that was feen quarrel- 
 ing with him; and I that knew of Bever/ey's In- 
 tents, arrefted him in Friendfhip A little late, 
 perhaps ; hut 'twas a virtuous Aft, and Men will 
 thank me for't. Now, Sir, you underftand me? 
 
 Daiv. Moft perfectly And will about it. 
 
 Stu. Hafte then; and when 'tis done, come 
 back and tell me. 
 
 Daw. 'Till then farewel. [Exit. 
 
 Stu. Now tell thy Tale, fond Wife! And 
 Lewfon, if again thou can'ft infult me, I'll kneel 
 and own thee for my Mafter. 
 
 Not Avarice now, but Vengeance fires my Breafl 
 And onefiort Hour muft make me curft or bleft. 
 
 Exit. 
 End of the Fourth ACT. 
 
 ACT V. Scene continues, 
 
 Enter Stukely, Bates, and Dawfon. 
 
 OOR Lewfon ! But I told you enough 
 laft Night The Thought of him is 
 horrible to me. 
 
 Stu. In the Street, did you fay ? And no one 
 near him ? 
 
 Bat. By his own Door ; he was leading me to 
 
 his Houfe. I pretended Bufinefs with him, and 
 
 K (labb'd
 
 66 The G A M E S T E R. 
 
 ftabb'd him to the Heart, while he was reaching 
 at the Bell. 
 
 Stu. And did he fall fo fuddenly ? 
 
 Bat. The Repetition pleafes you, I fee. I told 
 you, he fell without a Groan. 
 
 Stu. What heard you of him this Morning ? 
 
 Bat. That the Watch found him in their 
 Rounds, and alarm'd the Servants. I mingled 
 with the Croud juft now,, and faw him dead in his 
 own Houfe. The Sight terrify'd me, 
 
 Stu. Away with Terrors, 'till his Ghoft rife 
 and accufe us We have no living Enemy to fear 
 unlefs 'tis Beverley ; and him we have lodg'd 
 fafe in Prifon. 
 
 Bat. Muft He be murder'd too? 
 
 Stu. No ; I have a Scheme to make the Law 
 his Murderer At what Hour did Lew/on fall ? 
 
 Bat. The Clock ftruck Twelve as I turn'd to 
 leave him. 'Twas a melancholy Bell, I thought, 
 tolling for tys Death. 
 
 Stu. The Time was lucky for us Beverley was 
 arrefled at One, you fay ? [to Dawfon. 
 
 Daw. Exactly. 
 
 Stu. Good. 'We'll talk of this prefently 
 
 The Women were with him, I think? 
 
 Daw. And old yawls. I wou'd have told you 
 of 'em, la ft Night, but your Thoughts were too 
 bufy. 'Tis well you have a Heart of Stone, the 
 Tale wou'd melt it elfe. 
 
 Stu. Out with it then. 
 
 Daw. I trac'd him to his LodgingF ; and pre- 
 tended Pity for his Misfortunes, kept the Door 
 open, while the Officers feiz'd him. 'Twas a 
 damn'd Dee4 but no Matter- I followed my 
 Inductions. Stu.
 
 The G A M S T E R. 67 
 
 Stu. And what faid he ? 
 
 Daw, He upbraided me with Treachery ; called 
 You a Villain ; acknowledg'd the Sums you had 
 lent him, and fubmitted to his Fortune. 
 
 Stu. And the Women 
 
 Daw. For a few Minutes Aftoniiliment kept 
 'em iilent They look'd wildly at one another, 
 while the Tears ftream'd down their Cheeks. Bat 
 Rage and Fury Coon gave 'em Words; and then, 
 in the very Bitternefs of Defpair, they curs'd me, 
 and the Monfter that had employ 'd me. 
 
 Stu. And you bore it with Philofophy? 
 
 Draw. 'Till the Scene chang'd, and then 1 
 melted. I order'd the Officers to take away their 
 Prifoner. The Women fhriek'd, and wou'd have 
 follow'd him -, but we forbad 'cm. 'Twas then 
 they fell upon their Knees, the Wife fainting, the 
 Sifter raving, and both with all the Eloquence of 
 Mifery endeavouring to foften us. I never felt 
 Companion 'till that Moment ; and had the Offi- 
 cers been mov'd like Me, we had left the Bufinefs 
 undone, and fled with Curfes on ourfelves. But their 
 Hearts were fteel'd by Cuftom. The Tears of 
 Beauty and the Pangs of Affection were beneath their 
 F^ity. They tore him from their Arms, and lodsj'd 
 him in Prifon, with only jfanjis to comfort him. 
 
 Stu. There let him lie, 'till we have farther 
 Bufinefs .with him And for You, Sir, let me 
 hear no more of your Companion - A Fellow 
 nurs'd in Villany, and employ 'd from Childhood 
 in the Bufinefs of Hell, fhou'd have no Dealings 
 with Companion. 
 
 Daw. Say you fo, Sir?- Yoy. fhou'd have 
 
 nain'd the Devil that tempted me 
 
 K 2 Stu.
 
 68 fye GAM ESTER. 
 
 Stu. 'Tis falfe. I found you a Villain, and 
 therefore employ 'd you But no more of this - 
 We have embark'd too far in Mifchief to recede. 
 Lew/on is dead, and we are all Principals in his 
 Murder. Think of that There's Time enough 
 
 for Pity, when ourfelves are out of Danger- 
 
 Beverley flill lives, tho' in a Jail His Ruin 
 will fit heavy on him; and Dilcoveries may be 
 made to undo us all. Something muft be done, 
 
 and fpeedily You fa w him quarrelling with 
 
 Lew/on in the Street laft Night ? [To Bates. 
 
 Bat. I did ; his Steward, Jaruis, faw him 
 too. 
 
 Stu. And mall atteft it. Here's Matter to 
 
 wo k upon An unwilling Evidence carries 
 
 weight with him. Something of my Defign I 
 
 have hinted t'you before -Beverley muft be the 
 
 Author of this Murder ; and we the Parties to 
 convict him But how to proceed will require 
 Time and Thought Come along with Me; the 
 Room within is fitter for Privacy But no Com- 
 paffion, Sir \to Dawfon] We want Leifure 
 for't This Way. [Exeunt. 
 
 SCENE changes to Beverley'j- Lodgings. 
 
 Enter Mrs. Beverley and Charlotte. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. No News of Lewfon yet ? 
 
 Char. None. He went out early, and knows 
 not what has happen'd. 
 
 Mrs.J5^j. The Clock ftrikes Eight ---I'll wait 
 no longer. 
 
 Che.
 
 rbe G A M E S T E R. 69 
 
 Cha. Stay but 'till Jarvis comes. He has fent 
 twice to flop 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 diftradts 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 up- 
 on his Pillow ! No fond Wife to lull him to his 
 Reft ! and no Reflections but to wound and tear 
 him! ? Tis too horrible- I wanted Love for 
 him,- or they had not forc'd him from me. They 
 fliou'd have parted Soul and Body firft I was 
 too tame. 
 
 Cha. You muft not Talk fo. All that we cou'd 
 -we did; and Jaruis did the reft The faithful 
 Creature will give him Comfort. Why does he 
 delay coming ? 
 
 Mrs. Bev. And there's another Fear. His poor 
 Mafter may be claiming the laft kind Office from 
 him His Heart perhaps is breaking. 
 
 Cha, See where he comes His Looks are 
 chearful too. 
 
 Enter Jarvis. 
 Mrs. Bev. Are Tears then chearful ? Alas, he 
 
 weeps ! Speak to him Charlotte 1 have no 
 
 Tongue to afk him Qu_eftions. 
 
 Char. How does your Mafter, Jarvis ? 
 Jar. I am old and foolifh, Madam j and Tears 
 will come' before my Words But don't You 
 
 weep
 
 7 o Me G A M E S T E R. 
 
 weep. \_to Mrs. Bev.] I have a Talc of Joy for 
 you. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. What Talc? Say but he's well, 
 and I have Joy enough. 
 
 Jar. His Mind too mall be well all (hall be 
 well -I have News for him that iliall 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. 
 
 CM. Shed 'em in Showers then, and make Hafte 
 to tell it. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. What is it, Jaruis ? 
 
 Jar. Yet why fhou'd I rejoice when a good Man. 
 dies? Your Uncle, Madam, dy'd Yefterday. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. My Uncle ! O Heavens I 
 
 Cha. How heard you of his Death ? 
 
 Jar. His Steward came Exprefs, Madam I 
 met him in the Street, enquiring for your Lo'dg- 
 ings - I lliou'd not rejoice perhaps but he 
 was old, and my poor Matter a Prifoner Now 
 he (ball live again O 'tis a brave Fortune! and 
 'twas Dc^ath to me to fee him a Prifoner. 
 
 Cba. Where left you the Steward ? 
 
 Jar. I wou'd not bring him hither, to be a 
 Witnefs of your Diftreffes ; and befides, I wanted 
 once before I die, to be the MeiTenger of Joy 
 t'you. My good. Matter will be a Man again. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. Hafte, hafte then ; and let us fly to 
 him we are delaying our own Happinefs. 
 
 Jar. I had forgot a Coach, Madam ; and Lucy 
 has order'd one. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. Where was the Need of that ? The 
 News has given me Wings. 
 
 Cba.
 
 AM ESTER. 71 
 
 Cba. I have no Joy, 'till my poor Brother (hares 
 it with me. How did he pafs the Night, Jarvis? 
 
 yar. Why now, Madam, I can tell you. Like 
 a Man dreaming of Death and Horrors. When 
 they led him to his Cell For 'twas a poor Apart* 
 ment for my Matter -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'd thofe Sighs, were all that told me he was 
 alive. I fpoke to him, but he wou'd not hear 
 me ; and when I peril fted, he rais'd his Hand 
 
 at me, and knit his Brow ib 1 thought h 
 
 wou'd have ftruck me. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. O Miferable! But what laid he, 
 Jarvis ? Or was he iilent all Night ? 
 
 Jar. At Day-break he ftarted from the Bed, 
 and looking wildly at me, alk'd who I was. 
 I told him, and bid him be of Comfort Be- 
 gone old Wretch, fays he I have fworn never 
 to know Comfort My Wife ! my Child ! my 
 Sifter ! I have undone 'em all, and will know no 
 Comfort Then letting go his Hold, and falling 
 upon his Knees, he imprecated Curfes upon him- 
 felf. 
 
 Mrs. Bcv. This is too horrible ! But you did 
 not leave him fo? 
 
 Cba. No, I am fure he did not. 
 
 Jar. I had not the Heart, Madam. By De- 
 grees I brought him to himfelf. A Shower of 
 Tears came to his Relief; and then he call'd me 
 his kindeft Friend, and begg'd Forgivenefs of me 
 like a Child J was a Child too, when he begg'd 
 Forgivenefs of me. My Heart throbb'd fo, I 
 could not fpeak to him. He turn'd from me for a 
 
 Minute
 
 72 ^GAMESTER. 
 
 Minute or two, and fuppreffing a few bitter Sighs, 
 enquir'd after his wretched Family -Wretched 
 was his Word, Madam Afk'd how you bbre 
 the Mifery of laft Night If you had Goodnefs- 
 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 promis'd me he wou'd ; 
 and bating a few fullen Intervals, he became 
 compos'd and eafy And then I left him; but 
 not without an Attendant A Servant in the Pri- 
 fon, whom I hir'd to wait upon him 'Tis an 
 Hour fince we parted - 1 was prevented in my 
 Hafte to be the Meflenger of Joy t'you. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. What a Tale is this ? But we have 
 ftaid too long A Coach is needlefs. 
 
 Cha. Hark ! I hear one at the Door. 
 
 Jar. And Lucy comes to tell us We'll away 
 this Moment. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. To comfort him or die with him* 
 
 SCENE changes to StukelyV Lodgings. 
 
 Enter Stukely, Bates and Dawfon. 
 
 Stu. Here's prefumptive Evidence at leaft --.- 
 or if we want more, why, we muft fwear more. 
 But all unwillingly We gain Credit by Reluct- 
 anceI have told you how to proceed. Bcverley 
 muft die We hunt him in View now, and 
 muft not flacken in the Chace. 'Tis either Death 
 for Him, or Shame and Punifliment for Us. Think 
 of that, and remember your Inftruclions You, 
 Bates, muft to the Prifon immediately. I wou'd 
 
 be
 
 ^GAMESTER, 73 
 
 be there but a few Minutes before you. And you, 
 Dawfon, muft follow in a few Minutes after. So 
 
 here we divide But anfwer me ; are ypu 
 
 refolv'd upon this Bufmefs like Men ? 
 
 Bates. Like Villains ratherBut you may de- 
 pend upon us. 
 
 Stu. Like what we are then- You make no 
 Anfwer, Dawjon Companion, I fuppofe, has 
 feiz'd you. 
 
 Daw. No ; I have difclaim'd it- My Anfwer 
 is Bateis You may depend upon me. 
 
 Stu. Confider the Reward ! Riches and Secu- 
 rity ! I have fworn to divide with you to the laft 
 Shilling So here we feparate 'till we meet in Pri- 
 
 fon Remember your Inflations and be 
 
 Men. (Exeunt. 
 
 SCENE changes to a Prifon. 
 
 Beverley is difcoverd fitting. After a Jhort 
 Paufe heftarts upj 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 fland, I know not. 
 But this I know the Load of hateful Life op- 
 prcffes me too much The Horrors of my Soul 
 are more than I can bear (Offers to kneel) Fa- 
 ther of Mercy ! 1 cannot pray Defpair has 
 
 laid his iron Ha-nd upon me, and feal'd me for 
 Perdition Confcience.'Confcience! thy Clamours 
 
 are too loud. Here's that mall filence thee. 
 
 (Takes a Vial out of his Pocket, and looks at it.) 
 Thou art mofl friendly to the Miferable. Come 
 
 then, thou Cordial for fick Minds Come 
 
 L to
 
 74 We G A M E S T E R. 
 
 to my Heart. (Drinks.) O, that the Grave 
 wou'd bury Memory as well as Body ! For if the 
 Soul fees and feels the Sufferings of thofs dear 
 Ones it leaves behind, the Ever lading has no Ven- 
 geance to torment it deeper I'll think no 
 
 rrinre on'c Reflection comes too late 
 
 Once there was a Time for't but now 'tis pail. 
 Who's there? 
 
 Enter Jar vis. 
 Jar. One that hop'd to fee you with better 
 
 Looks : Why d'yoti turn fo from me ? I have 
 
 brought Comfort with me And fee who comes 
 
 to give it welcome. 
 
 ' Bev. My Wife and Sifter ! Why, 'tis but one 
 
 Pang then, and farewel World. (Afide. 
 
 Enter Mrs. Beverley and Charlotte. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. Where is he ? (Runs and embraces 
 him) O I have him ! I have him ! And now they 
 mall never part us more I have News, Love, ro 
 make you happy for ever. But don't look coldly 
 on me. 
 
 Char. How is it, Brother ? 
 
 Mrs. Bev. Alas! he hears us not Speak to 
 
 me, Love. ' I have no Heart to fee you thus. 
 
 Bev. Nor I to bear the Senfe of fo much 
 Shame This is a fad Place. 
 
 M>s. Bev. We come to take you from it. To 
 Icll you that the World goes well again. That 
 Providence has feen our -Sorrows, and fent the 
 Means to heal 'em Your Uncle dy'd Yefterday. 
 
 Bev. Mv Uncle! No, do not fay fo O ! I 
 am fck at Heart ! 
 
 Mrs.
 
 Me GAMES T R. 75 
 
 Mrs. Bev. Indeed ! I meant to bring you 
 
 Comfort. 
 
 Bev. Tell me he lives then If you wou'd 
 
 give me Comfort, tell rne he lives. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. 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 Eft ate, Sir But bear it 
 patiently pray bear it patiently. 
 
 Bev. Well, well (Paufmg} Why, Fame fays 
 I am rich then ? 
 
 Mrs. Bev. And truly fo Why do you look fo 
 wildly ? 
 
 Bev. Do I ? The News was unexpected. But 
 has he left me all ? 
 
 Jar. AD, all, Sir He cou'd not leave it from 
 you. 
 
 Bev. I'm forry for it. 
 
 Cha. Sorry ! Why forry ? 
 
 Bev. Your Uncle's dead, Charlotte. 
 
 Char. Peace be with his Soul then Is it fo 
 terrible that an old Man mould die ? 
 
 Bev. Hefhou'd have been immortal. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. Heaven knows I wifh'd not for his 
 Death. 'Twas the Will of Providence that he 
 {hou'd die Why are you difturb'd fo ? 
 
 Bev. Has Death no Terrors in it ? 
 
 Mrs. Bev. Not an old Man's Death. Yet if it 
 troubles ycu, I wi(h him living. 
 
 Bev. And I, with all my Heart. 
 
 Char. Why, what's the Matter? 
 
 Bev. Nothing How heard you of his Death ? 
 
 Mrs. Bev. His Steward came Exprefs. Wou'd 
 I had n-sver known it ! 
 
 L 2 Bev.
 
 76 Sfc* GAMESTER. 
 
 Bev. Or had heard it one Day fooner "For 
 I have a Tale to tell, fhall turn you into Stone ; 
 or if the Power of Speech remain, you fhall 
 kneel down and curfe me. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. Alas ! What Tale is this? And why 
 
 are we to curfe you ? I'll blefs you for ever. 
 
 Bev. No j I have deferv'd no Bleffings. 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 laft 
 Night. 
 
 Char. Sold ! How fold ! 
 Mrs. Bev. Impoflible ! It cannot be ! 
 Bev. That Devil Stukely, with all Hell to aid 
 him, tempted me to the Deed. To pay falfe 
 Debts of Honour, and to redeem pad Errors, I 
 
 fold the Reverfion Sold it fora fcanty Sum, 
 
 and loft it among Villains. 
 
 Char. Why, "farewel all then. 
 Bev. Liberty and Life Come, kneel and 
 curfe me. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. Then hear me Heaven ! (Kneels) 
 Look down with Mercy on his Sorrows! Give 
 Softnefs'to his Looks, and Quiet to his Heart! 
 Take from his Memory the Senfe of what is paft, 
 and cure him of Defpair ! On Me ! on Me ! if 
 Mifery mufl be the Lot of either, multiply Mis- 
 fortunes! I'll bear 'em patiently, fo He is happy! 
 Thefe Hands (hall toil for his Support ! Thefe 
 Eyes be lifted up for hourly Bleffings on him! And 
 every Duty of a fond and faithful Wife be doubly 
 
 done to cheer and comfort him ! $0 heat 
 
 rne! So re ward me! (Ri/rt* 
 
 Bev,
 
 We G A M E S T E R. 77 
 
 Bev. I wou'd kneel too, but that offended 
 Heaven wou'd turn my Prayers into Curfes- 
 What have I to aik for ? I who have (hook 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 Bleffings upon You and Yours ? To 
 pour out my Heart in Wimes 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- 
 ible? The real Wants of Life are few. A 
 little Induftry will fupply 'em all And Chear- 
 
 fulnefs will follow It is the Privilege of honefl 
 
 Induftry, and we'll enjoy it 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 Stoul to Venge- 
 ance That feals Your Mifery here, and Mine 
 hereafter. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. No, no -, You have a Heart too 
 
 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 war ft What is it, 
 
 Brother ? 
 
 Bev. A Deed of Horror. 
 
 Jar. Afk him no Questions, Madam This 
 laft Misfortune has hurt his Brain. A little Time 
 will give him Patience. 
 
 Enter Stukely. 
 
 Bev. Why is this Villain here ? 
 Sfu. To give you Liberty and Safety. There, 
 
 Madam's
 
 7 3 r/:e G A M E S T E R . 
 
 Madam's his Difcharge. (Giving a Paper to Mrs. 
 Beverlcy) Let him fly this Moment. The Arreft 
 Jaft Night was meant in Friendship; 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! Whole 
 
 Blood? O, Wretch! Wretch! 
 
 Stu. From Lew/on s Blood. 
 
 Char. No, Villain! Yet what of Le-wfonl 
 Speak quickly. 
 
 Stu. You are ignorant then! I thought I heard 
 the Murderer at Confeffion. 
 
 Char, What Murderer ? And who is mnr- 
 
 der'd ? Not Leivfon ? Say he lives, and I'll kneel 
 and wormip you. 
 
 Stu.. In Pjty, fo I wou'd ; but that the Tongues 
 of all cry Murder. I came in Pity, not in Malice; 
 to fave the Brother, not kill the Sifter. Your 
 Leivfon's dead. 
 
 Char. O horrible ! Why who has kill'd him? 
 And yet it cannot be. What Crime had He com- 
 mitted that he {hou'd die ? Villain ! he lives ! he 
 lives! and (hall revenge thefe Pangs. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. Patience, fvveet Ch.iriotte ! 
 
 Char. O, tis too much for Patience ! 
 
 Mrs. Bw. He comes in Pity, he fays. O! ex- 
 ecrable Villain ! The Friend is kiil'd then, and 
 this the Murderer ? 
 
 Bev. Silence, "I charge yon Proceed, Sir. 
 
 Stu. No. Juft-ce may flop the Tale and 
 here's an Evidence. 
 
 Eater
 
 flfc G A M E S T E R. 79 
 
 JEwfrr Bates. 
 
 Bates. The News, I fee has reach'd you. But 
 take Comfort, Madam. (To Char.) There's one 
 Without enquiring for you Go to him and lofe 
 no Time. 
 
 Char. O Mifery ! Mifery ! (Exit. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. Follow her, Jarvis. If it be true 
 that Lew/on's dead, her Grief may kill her. 
 
 Bates. Jarvis muft ftay here, Madam. I have 
 fome Queftions for him. 
 
 Stu. Rather let him fly. His Evidence may 
 crum his Mafter. 
 
 Bev. Why ayj this looks like Management. 
 
 Bates. He found you quarrelling with Lewfon 
 in the Street laft Night. ; (To Bev' 
 
 Mrs. Bev. No ; I am fure he did not. 
 
 Jar. Or if I did 
 
 Mrs. Bev. 'Tis falie, old Man They had no 
 Quarrel ; there was no Caufe for Quarrel. 
 
 Bev. Let him proceed, I fay O ! I am fick ! 
 fick ! Reach me a Chair. (He fits down. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. You droop, and tremble, Love. 
 Your Eyes are fixt too Yet You are innocent. 
 If Lew/bti's dead, You kill'd him not. 
 
 Enter Dawfbri. 
 Stu. Who fent for Dawjon ? 
 Bates. 'Twas I We have a Witnefs too, you 
 little think of Without there ! 
 Sin. What Witnefs ? 
 Bates. A right one. Look at him. 
 
 Enter Lewfon and Charlotte. 
 Stu. Lewfonl O Villains! Villains! 
 
 (?o Bates rtWDawfon, 
 Mrs. Bev.
 
 So The 'G A M E S T E &. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. Rifen from the Dead ! Why, this 
 is unexpected Happinefs ! 
 
 Char. Or is't his Ghoft ? (To Stukely) That 
 Sight wou'd pleafe you, Sir. 
 
 >r.What Riddle's this? 
 
 Beii. Be quick and tell it My Minutes are 
 
 but few. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. Alas ! why fo ? You (hall live long 
 and happily 
 
 Lew. Whib Shame and Punifhment (hall rack 
 that Viper (FwW//?^Stukely)TheTaleis {hort 
 I was too hnfy in his Secrets, and therefore 
 doom'd to die. Bates, to prevent the Murder, 
 undertook it I kept aloof to give it Credit 
 
 Char. And gave Me Pangs unutterable. 
 
 Lew. I felt 'em all, and wou'd have told you 
 But Vengeance wanted ripening. The Vil- 
 lain's Scheme was but half executed. The Arreft 
 by Daw/on follow'd the fuppos'd Murder And 
 now, depending on his once wicked AfTociates, 
 he comes to fix the Guilt on Beverley. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. O ! execrable Wretch ! 
 
 Bates. Dawfon and I are Witnefles of this. 
 Lew. And of a thoufand Frauds. His For- 
 tune ruin'd by Sharpers and falfe Dice; and 
 Stukely fole Contriver and Poffeffor of all. 
 
 Daic. Had he but ftopt on this Side Murder, 
 we had been Villains ftill. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. Thus Heaven turns Evil inte 
 Good ; and by permitting Sin, warns Men to 
 Virtue. 
 
 Lew. Yet punifhes the Inflrument. So mail 
 our Laws ; tho* not with Death. But Death 
 were Mercy. Shame, Beggary, and Imprifon- 
 
 ment,
 
 tte G A M E S T E R. 81 
 
 merit, unpity'd Mifery, the Stings of Confcience, 
 and the Curies of Mankind (hall make Life hate- 
 ful to him till at laft, his own Hand end 
 
 him How does my Friend ? (T<? Bev. 
 
 Bev. Why, well. Who's he that afks me ? 
 
 Mrs. Bev. 'Tis Lew/on, Love Why do 
 
 you look fo at him ? 
 
 Bev. They told me he was murder'd. (Wildly. 
 
 Ms Bev. Ay ; but he lives to fave us. 
 
 Bcv, Lend me your Hand The Room turns 
 
 round. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. O Heaven ! 
 
 Lew. This Villain here, difturbs him. Re- 
 move him from his Sight And for your 
 
 Lives, fee that you guard him. (Stukely is taken 
 off by Dawfon #W Bates.) How is it, Sir ? 
 
 Bev. 'Tis here- and here. (Pointing tohisHead 
 and Heart.} And now it tears me ! 
 
 Mrs. Bev. You feel convuls'd too What is't 
 difturbs you ? 
 
 Lew. This fudden Turn of Joy perhaps 
 
 He wants Reft too Lad Night was dreadful to 
 
 him. His Brain is giddy. 
 
 Char. Av, never to be cur'd Why, Bro- 
 ther ! O ! I fear ! I fear ! 
 
 Mrs. Bev. Preferve him, Heaven ! My Love ! 
 my Life ! look at me ! How his Eyes flame ! 
 
 Bev. A Furnace rages in this Heart 1 have 
 
 been too hafty. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. Indeed ! O me ! O me ! Help, 
 
 y<trvis ! Fly, fly for Help ! Your Mailer dies 
 elfe Weep not but fly ! (Ex. Jar.) What is this 
 
 hafty Deed ? Yet do not anfwer me My 
 
 Fears have guefs'd it.
 
 82 <fke G A M E S T E R. 
 
 Bev. Call back the McfTenger Tis not in 
 
 Medicine's Power to help me. 
 
 Mrs. Bev. Is it then fo ? 
 
 Bev. Down, reftlefs Flames! (Laying his 
 Hand en bis Heart] down to your native Hell 
 
 There you (hall rack me O ! for a Paufe from 
 
 Pain! 
 
 Mrs. Bev. Help Charlotte ! Support him, Sir ! 
 {To Lewfon) This is a killing Sight ! 
 
 Bsv. That Pang was well It has numb'd my 
 
 Senfes. Where's my Wife ? Can you forgive 
 
 me, Love? 
 
 Mrs. Bev. Alas ! for what ? 
 
 Bw. (Starting again) And there's another 
 Pang -Now all is quiet Will you forgive me ? 
 
 Mrs. j&"u. 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 Prifon tor- 
 mented with my Pangs for You driven to Dcf- 
 
 pair and Madncfs I took the Advantage of his 
 Abfence, corrupted the poor Wretch he left to 
 guard me, and- fwallow'd Poifon, ^ 
 
 Mr. Btv. O! fatal Deed! 
 
 Cbar^ Dreadful and cruel ! 
 
 Bev. Ay, moft accurs'd And now T go to my 
 Account. This Reft from Pain brings Death ; yet 
 'tis Heaven's Kindnefs to me. I wifh'd for Eafe, 
 a Moment's :;&, that cool Repentance and Con- 
 trition might foften Vengeance Bend me, and 
 let me kneel. (Tbey lift him from hn Chair and 
 fupport him. on his Knees) I'll pray for You too. 
 
 Thou
 
 <Tbe G A M E S T E R. 83 
 
 Thou Power that mad'ft 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, enthron'd in Mercy where thou fit'fr., thy 
 Pity has heheld 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 ! let their Lives be peaceful, and their 
 
 Deaths happy ! Now raife me, 
 
 (Jhey lift him to the Chair. 
 Mrs. Bev. Reftore him, 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 Prefage of Forgivenefs, 
 and like a Light, blazing thro* Darknefs, it came 
 and chear'd me 'Twas all I liv'd for, and now 
 I die. 
 
 Mrs. Bcv. Not yet ! Not yet ! Stay but a 
 little and I'll die too. 
 
 Bev. No; live I charge you. We have a 
 
 little One. Tho' I have left him, You will not 
 
 leave him. Tc Lew/on's Kindnefs I bequeath 
 
 him Is not this Charlotte ? We have liv'd in 
 Love, tho' I have wrong'd you Can you forgive 
 me, Charlotte ? 
 
 Char. Forgive you ! O my poor Brother! 
 Bvv. Lend me your Hand, Love fo raife 
 me No 'twill not beMy Life is finifh'd 
 O ! for a few fhort Moments ! to tell you how my 
 Heart bleeds for you That even now, thus dying 
 as I am, dubious and fearful of Hereafter, my bo- 
 fom Pang is for Your Miferies. Support her 
 
 Heaven!
 
 8 4 37* G A M E S T E R. 
 
 -Heaven ! ' And now I go O, Mercy ! 
 
 .Mercy! (Dies. 
 
 . Lew. Then all is over How is it, Ma- 
 
 dam ? My poor Charlotte too ! 
 
 Enter Jar v i9. 
 Jar. How does my Matter, Madam ? Here 
 
 Help at Hand *Am I too late then ? 
 
 (Seeing Beverley. 
 
 Char. Tears ! Tears ! Why fall you not ? 
 
 O wretched Sifter ! Speak to her, Lewfon 
 
 Her Grief is fpecchlefs. 
 
 Lew. Remove her from this Sight Go to 
 
 rier, Jjzrvts, Lead and fupport her. Sorrow 
 
 like Hers forbids Complaint Words are for 
 
 ligluei Griefs Seme miniftring Angel hring her 
 
 Peace ! (Jar. and Char, lead her off. 
 
 And Thou, poor breathlefs Corps, may thy depart- 
 
 "ed Soul have found the Rift it pray'd for ! Save 
 
 but .one Error, and .this la ft fatal Deed, thy Life 
 
 * \vas lovely. Let frailer Mi.nds take Warning - 3 
 
 ^ and from Jixr.nr,,L learn, that Want of Prudence 
 
 \ r irtue. 
 
 Follies, if uncontrouTd, of every Kind, 
 Grow into 1 andfubdue the Mind ; 
 
 With Sen ft ana Re'afen bold /uperior Strife, 
 -And conquer J-lp:iGur, Nature t Fame and Life. 
 
 F / "N i S.
 
 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY 
 
 Los Angeles 
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