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 No. CXXIV. 
 
 ''^^ 
 
 TPIE KING'S lllYAL; 
 
 OR, 
 
 THE COURT AND THE STAGE. 
 
 A DRAMA, IN FIVE ACTS. 
 
 TOM TAYLOR AND CHARLES READE, 
 
 AUTHORS OF "'masks AND FACES," " TWO LOVES AND A LIFE," 
 ETC. KTC. 
 
 To WIIICII AnE ADDED, 
 
 A Description of tlie Costume — Cast of the Characters— Entrances and Exit* 
 Kelative Positions of the Performers on the Stage, and the whole of the 
 Stage Business. 
 
 AS PERFORMED AT THE NEW YORK THEATRES. 
 
 NEW-YORK: 
 SAMUEL FRENCH, 
 
 121 NASS A U-STRI;KT.
 
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 ONIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA 
 SANTA BARBARA 
 
 ©ostumc. — The King's Rltal. 
 
 (Court Costumes of Keign of Charles II ) 
 
 STAGE DIRECTIONS. 
 
 EXITS AND ENTRANCES. 
 
 L. means First Entrance, Left. R. First Entrance, Rir^ht. S. E. L. 
 Second Entrance, Left. S. E. R. Second Entrance, Jiieht. U. E. L. 
 UppCr Eyitrance, Left. U. E. R. Upper Entrance, Risht (/. Centre. 
 L. C. Left of Centre R. C. Rishtof Centre. T. E. L Third Entrance, 
 Left. f. E. R. Third Entrance, Ri^ht. C. D. Centre Door. D. 11, 
 Door Rmht. D. L. Door Left. U. D. L. Upper Door, Left. U. D. II. 
 Ujiper Door, Riaht. 
 
 *,*" The Reader is supposed to he on the Stage, facing the Audience.
 
 THE KING'S RIVAL. 
 
 AOT I. 
 
 SCENE.— T^^c Maflcd Gallery of Whitehall.— Lar^c practicable glass 
 doors c. leading to the Park.— Large double do:irs leading off u. e. r. 
 to the King's apartments . — Large double doors leading off u. e. l. lead- 
 ing to the Queen's apartments. — Large windows r. arid l. 2 e. vnlh, 
 curtain.'!. — Buckhursv, Etherege, and Ogle, forvi group near table, 
 L. H. — Lord Shaftesbury at table r. — Courtiers about stage. 
 
 Ether, (c.) Nay, 'tis certain the Duchess and his Majesty arc off. 
 Will Ghifiinch tells me 'twas a rare scene. First, the lady scolded and 
 the King swore, then the King scolded and the lady swore, but his 
 Majesty was firm for once. 
 
 Buck, (l.) The Duchess out of favor ! — rot it, I had a suit to his 
 Majesty that the Duchess had stood my friend in — for a ship. 
 
 Shaft, (r.) The Duchess out! Humph I And who is the royal 
 favorite now ? 
 
 Oi'/e. ((-. c.) Fair Jenninnrs. for a thousand. 
 Ether, (c.) No ; 'tis not fair Jennini;s. 
 
 Ogle. 'Tis some play-house wench then ! Gad's my life, it is little 
 Nelly. 
 
 Buck. Mrs. Gwynne of the King's House? 
 
 Ogle. Even so. Will Chiffinch says the King hath cast his royal 
 cheep's eyes on the fresh little rogue. 
 Buck. 'Tis a lie ! 
 Os^le. I fiercely.] How! 
 Buck. Of that knave Chiffinch. 
 Ogle. Oh ! 
 Ether. Pshaw ! Where are your eyes 1 The lady who has ousted 
 
 the Duchess, Fair Jennings, Moll Davies, and all the rest, is 
 
 Omnrj. Wliot 
 
 Ether. Mrs. Stewart ; — he's deeper in love with her than he hath been 
 with woman yet since Lucy "V^'alters. 
 
 Offle. 'Tis true he hath taken -her much apart of late. 
 Elhcr. And his eyes follow her like a pair of bailiiis.
 
 TUE KING S RIVAL. 5 
 
 Shaft. (I must be better acquainted with this' lady ) 
 
 Eilier. Why 'twas for jealousy of her the Duchess broke out last 
 night ! 
 
 Buck. (I'm glad 'tis not Nelly.) This will be sour news for Rich- 
 mond. 
 
 Ogle. 'Tis true the Duke of Richmond has long followed Mistress 
 Stewart. 
 
 Buck. Oh, a sea Strephon ! Has her portrait in his cabin aboard 
 the " Rupert," and worships it as the Muscovites do their St. Nicholas. 
 
 Ogle. Here comes that prince of newsmongers, Sam Pepys, he'll 
 know all. 
 
 Enter Pepys, followed by his hrolhcr John, l. 1 e. 
 
 Pcpy-i. A good day to your lordship ; a good day, my Lord Buckhurst ; 
 genilemen all, your servant. My brother, my lord, John Pepys, from 
 the university. [a.s?(/e to John ] Bear thyself easily, John. A njodest 
 youth, whom I crave leave to connneiid to your lordship. I had a word 
 to say to your lordship touching the fleet, and the payment of the 
 sailors. 
 
 tihiifl. By-and-by, sir ; I have other business now. Sir George, a 
 word. [Ether, turns to Sh.4FT.] 
 
 Pcpya (l. c ) Ah ! 'tis so with them all ; talk of money and they're 
 deaf 1 But you're from the fleet, my lord. \_to Buck] You saw the 
 fight. 
 
 Buck, (c.) And so would hear no more of it. I'd as lief hear of the 
 plague. 
 
 Pepys. As your lordship says — the plague — [the bills are up again 
 this week — 110 dead in All-hallows Ward — and the pretty fat widow in 
 the New Exchange gone, that I bought a pair of laced gloves of only 
 last week ; 'tis most grievous — 1 had to burn the gloves] 
 
 Buck Rot the plague ! I would hear of the play-house, man. 
 
 Pepys. Ah ! 'tis dull — dull — would they but give us more of Ethe- 
 rege, and less of that tame rogue, Shakespeare. They talk of his 
 " Midsuinmer Night's Dream," — poor, insipid stuff, methinks. No, 
 give me Nelly in Florimel ; she do jilay the most excellent mad fool I 
 ever saw in my life. I saw her last night — The King was there. 
 
 Buck. Ah! 
 
 Pepys. And, Lord ! to see how he do gaze and sigh after her. 
 
 Buck. Eh ! After Nelly — it cannot be. 
 
 Pcprjs. Doubtless as your lordship says, 'tis impossible ; methinks he 
 is mad now for Misu Stewart — getting her into corners, and — [o//.'<ervcs 
 John ] — further otf, John, we are on state matters. But the Dutch, 
 niy lord — the late action — you were in it — was it a victory ! 
 
 Buck. 1 know not whether 'twas a victory or not ; I saw nothing but 
 .•smoke, and smelt nothing but stinkpots ; ask Richmond, he brings 
 letters and a Dutch flag. 
 
 Pepys. A Dutch flag I Ah ! his grace of Richmond. There is a 
 man ! eh, my lord ! 
 
 Bvck. Pshaw, a water drinker! 
 
 Pepys. As your lordship says, a sober knave.
 
 6 THE KIKJt S RIVAL. 
 
 Buck. But about Nelly ? 
 
 Pepys. Oh, the inadilcst rogue ! I saw her in their tiring-room last 
 night, [/o John ] W'liat I you must be thrusting yourself into aliairs of 
 policy 'i 
 
 John. Nay, brother ! [retires n])'\ 
 
 Pepys. And what's better still, 1 kissed her too ! 
 
 Buck. And she culled thee, I'll be sworn. 
 
 Pepys. As your lordship says — in some sort she did ; 'tis a playful 
 thing. 
 
 Buck, [gravely.] Well, Mr. Pepys, take my advice — kiss her no 
 more. 
 
 Pepys. Why not, my lord ? 
 
 Buck. Because if my sword come about your ears, 'twill sting them 
 worse than her hand 
 
 Pepys. Ugh ! Your lordship is merry. 
 
 Buck. No ! I am in eavnesl ! What says Mrs. Pepys to such wild 
 doings ] 
 
 Fepys. My wife, poor wretch. Ha, ha, ha ! \^gravely.'] But your lord- 
 ship will not mention it to her ! 
 
 Buck. Make yourself easj on that head, [lotuhes sword hiU.'\ This is 
 all the risk you run. [Pep\s retires up.'\ Ha ! My nostrils are offended 
 with the odor of sanctity and .=alt water. See, boys, see ; here comes 
 Richmond, with that black puritan, Major Wildman. 
 
 Ogle. Let's bait them both. 
 
 Enter Richmond, l. n. 1 e. 
 
 Rich. (This is Whitehall. I shall see her once again. I shall lay 
 my flag at the feet of the gracious sovereign I love and serve ; and a 
 look and a word from the queen of my heart will repay me for past 
 danger and separation.) 
 
 Enter Major Wildman, l. 1 e. 
 
 Wild. (Now to see who, amidst all these fools and triflers, I can win 
 to our great cause, — the cause of heaven and the people.) 
 
 Rich. (l. c.) My heart bounds with pro[)hetic joy, and loyalty and 
 love. 
 
 Ether (r. c.) Welcome from sea, my lord, laurels and all. 
 
 Ogle, (c.) And never a willow among 'em vet. 
 
 Rich. Good day, Sir George Etherege. Sir Thomas Ogle, you are 
 merry. 
 
 Wild, (l.) And have they not cause 1 The Dutch beating us at sea ; 
 the plague scourging us on shore ; the King's exchequer bankrupt. 
 What should they do but be merry '\ 
 
 Buck, (c ) At least there's some merit in merriment under the awful 
 shadow of Major Wildman. 
 
 Wild. Each to his calling, my lord. You thrust with the tongue, I 
 wear my wit here [touches sword.^ much at your service. 
 
 Ogle. (The Drawcansir.) 
 
 Rich. His Majesty is late. I long to behold his gracious counte- 
 nance. There is but one face here I more desire to see again.
 
 THE KING S RIVAL. 7 
 
 Buch. You, may, perhaps, have a double pleasure ; you may see 
 them together. 
 
 Rich. (What means he 1) I have a Dutch flag to lay at his Majesty's 
 feel. 
 
 Ether. Nay, the flag should be laid at the feet of Britannia, who now 
 fiirurcs on earth and British halfpence, under the form of La Belle 
 Stewart. 
 
 Buck. The King hath been a hoarder of halfpence ever since the new 
 coinage. 'Tin a politic device of my Lord Treasurer to teach his Ma- 
 jesty saving. 
 
 Jiic/i. I do not understand. Is this jesting 1 
 
 Buck. Sober truth. Who has a penny- piece 1 [courtiers search their 
 pockets. John Pkpvs produces a penny.] Sec, observe his Majesty's 
 head, which heaven preserve. Reverse, Miss Stewart's portrait, with 
 Britannia's helmet and trident. 
 
 Ether. The only fault the King finds in the die is, that their two 
 heads are not on the same side of the coin. 
 
 Rich. (This is but to chafe me. Her name shall not be fouled in a 
 quarrel with these court moths.) [retires 7/^.] 
 
 Ether. Habel I how he winced ! 
 
 Ogle. Every hit went home. 
 
 Wild. (Jealous ! and of the King ! Ah ! here's stuff to work on.) 
 
 Buck. ([ feel for him : 'tis ill jesting with jealousy. These tales 
 about Nelly and the King I Let him take the Maids of Honor, and 
 welcome ; but when it comes to the players, — peste ! 'tis scandalous.) 
 [they group \,.. a little hack.] 
 
 Fcpys. [To Jou\.] 'Tis a duke, John. Now mark how I accost 
 him. My Lord Duke, I make bold to put myself on your Grace' mem- 
 ory. 
 
 Rich. (l. c.) Ah ! Master Samuel Pepys, I think. 
 
 I'cpys. (c ) I saw your Grace at our olfice before the fleet sailed, alniut 
 the pay of the men on board your Grace's ship, the " Rupert." Sad 
 grumbling knaves, your Grace. — they make me mad, sometimes. They 
 have the foulest tricks : one of them lay a-dying right before the oliice 
 windows, no later than yesterday, of the scurvy. 
 
 Rich. \^Miiie the money that should go for their food and medicine is 
 lavished on these butterflies. I never come to Whitehall. Master Pepys, 
 but I long to shake the gold olf these gentlemen's coats into my poor 
 fellows' pockets. 
 
 Pcpi/s. Bat this action, my lord ; how did it go 1 Doubtless it was a 
 victory ; but I cannot hear of any prizes taken. 
 
 Rich. A victory ! Oil, yes. [ironically.] We have but lost fourteen 
 ships. 
 
 Fcpys. i\Icrcy on mc ! 
 
 lltch. And seven run aground on the Galloper Sand ; and the enemy 
 has not chased us further up the river than Chatham, this time. So 
 past doubt it is a victory. 
 
 Pepys. Alack a-day ! Here'll be more ships to find, and no money ! 
 Still it is a comfort we have a Dutch flag. 
 
 Rich. Let us make much of it — for the Dutch have some ten of ours,
 
 8 THE king's rival. 
 
 to set against that one bit of bunting. But wl»at can you expect from a 
 fleet, where the best title to promotion is the gooJ word of a royal ihis- 
 tress, ami the worst discredit, to have followed the sea from boyho'jd ! 
 
 J'ejiys. 'Tis true, these geuileiiieii captains are a sore curse — but I 
 beg your grace's pardon. 
 
 Kich. Reckon not nie among them, sir, I often blush for the title I 
 bear. Wlio would not rather be a plain sailor like Jjrake or iVliuLTS, 
 than such a nobleni:in as Barkely ! Mr. Pcpys ! liis ship, the " Swift- 
 sure," was never sern from the beginning of the ti'iht, till the last shot 
 was fired ! 'Tis thanks to such gentlemen as he, that Van Tromp dares 
 sail up the Thames, with a broom at his mast-head, while Eiii;iish flags 
 crowd sail before him, like flying-fish before an albicore. Oh, sir, I 
 have seen tliinys from the deck of my ship the " Rupert," that liave 
 pricked me to break my sword i'or very shame. 
 
 Pcpys. \^shrui;s his xlioulders,'] Hush ! 
 
 wad. (l ) (This is my man.) That speech sounds strangely here, 
 yet I have seen tlie time when, even inside these walls, the honor of 
 England had more such defenders. 
 
 J-iich. W'lien shall we see that time again 1 
 
 Wild, [loiccrins his voice ] When you sec a man again at the head 
 of this kingdom, instead of a courtier's puppet, and a mistress's plaj'- 
 Ibing. 
 
 Rich. Sir ! These are dangerous words ! Oh. for the days gone by, 
 when gallant deeds of gentlemen won gentle looks of ladies I 
 
 Pcpys. Our ladies think more of a man's leg in a coraiito, than of his 
 hand in a battle. 
 
 Pich. Not all. Mr. Pepys. Thank beaven, there is still one at least, 
 •worthy to nerve a man's arm in the hour cf danger ! One that an 
 English gentleman need not blush to live and die for ! 
 
 Pepys. WeW, I trust there may be: but I should be hard put to it to 
 name the lady, though there's no answering for them now, since my 
 Lady Bagot turned cruel, and Miss Stewart kind. 
 
 Rich. (.Miss Stewart again !) Come, Mr. Pepys, I have been twelve 
 months away from court — ^\ou spoke of — of Lady Bagot. 
 
 Pepys. It is said she holds the Duke of York at a distance, but the 
 marvel is not so great that a wonian should take to virtue for a change 
 — what I most admire at. is the other transformation. 
 
 RiiJi. "What other ! 
 
 Pept/s. Nay, I hate talebearing — but 'tis said that Miss Stewart — Ha ! 
 His Majesty I 
 
 Rich. (Curse their light tongues that make so free with her name. I 
 must see her — speak vv-ith her — aye, even before I pay my duty to the 
 King — I feel a sickness at my heart.) [^retires.] 
 
 Enter King Ch.^kles, Chiffinch and Page. 
 {All the Nuble-f^ and CourLiers salute him.) 
 Kimy. Good day, gentlemen I Ha, my Lord Shaftesbury — (Hang 
 his grave face) — So. Buckhurst, welcome from sea. 
 
 Pcpys. (l. c.) I bring for your Majesty's approval, the list of tha 
 reserve fleet, [giving paper ]
 
 THE king's rival. d 
 
 Kin<r. [Janguidly — sil.i in chair on the h. of tabic.'] Let it lie there, 
 Master Pe()ys, — I will peruse it — when I have time. 
 
 Shaft (r.) The business of this day's council, vour ^Tajesty 
 
 King. Odds lish, man, shall 1 not learn the business of the council, 
 at the council ! 
 
 IShaJl. (r. of fable.) [drily] IjCt us hope so, your Majesty These 
 papers await your Majesty's sij;nature. [King takes pen.] Shall I not 
 first make you acquainted with their purport^ 
 
 Kmg. What, is it not enough that I sign them for you 1 Ah, traitor, 
 would you annihilate your King ? [to page ] Bid Master Story attend 
 us to the pond, [exit, Page, c ] I have not fed the ducks to-day — while 
 I waste my time here my pintados will be starving. 
 
 I'cpyx. (And the sailors ]) 
 
 King. And, Chiffinch — here is no paper — fetch me pens and paper. 
 [exit Chif. l. 1 E.] Now. Etherege, what would'st thou ! A favor by thy 
 face. 
 
 Ether, (c.) But that your Majesty should take order — 
 
 King. Tillyvally — take order 1 Next to physic 'tis the thing I hate 
 most. So, where's the paper ! [imp'iticiitly.] 
 
 Ether, [to Buck] (Take note now] Nay, then Davenant will have 
 his way. 
 
 King, [interested ] Eh 1 Davenant ! 
 
 Eiher. And the Duke's house secures pretty Nelly. 
 
 King, [with vivacity.] Nelly ! But she's hired at the other house 
 with Killiirrew. '^ 
 
 Ether. Yes, your Majesty, but Sir William bids her fourscore pounds 
 over Killigrew, and though Nelly be loyal, yet money being everywhere 
 scarce 
 
 King. Odds fish ! Rob the King's Playhouse — and of its prettiest 
 wench ! Tempt Nelly from her allegiance — this must be looked to. 
 
 Buck. (So ! now I know what to do.) 
 
 Re-enter Page, c. 
 
 Page. Mr. Story attends your Majesty at the pond ; he has a rare 
 brood of painted ducks. 
 
 King. Hang the ducks, man ! we have grave matters in hand. Bid 
 Davenant and Killigrew attend us in our closet. [Exit Page 
 
 He-enter Chiffinch, l. 
 
 So Chiffinch at last. Now this paper. 
 
 Chif. [av'kicardhj and trying to keep in a laugh.] Your Majesty — 
 
 King. Well, man, well ; where is it 1 What art thou grinning at! 
 
 Chif. Your Majesty's Stationer has refused all further supply. He 
 is a poor man, and says your Majesty's custom hath ruined him ; he 
 hath lost £400 by your Majesty. 
 
 King. The Knave ! [angrily — l/irti good-hi mmiredhj .] Odds fish I is 
 our i)rivy purse so empty 1 See paper henceforth furnished at th.y own 
 credit, (3hifiinch. 
 
 (Ihif. [sorroxcfully.] But my credit's as bad as your Majesty's. 
 
 King. Nay, then, we must write in the Queen's closet.
 
 10 THE king's rival. 
 
 John, [to Pepys, — aside] Brother, brother, a blank leaf from my 
 sermon. 
 
 Fcpyx. Give it mc. John, quick. If your Majesty would deign to use 
 a fair page from my journal book. 
 
 Kin<r. Thanks, Master Pepys — we will remember tkis good service. 
 
 \icritcs. 
 
 John. Brotlier, brother, the service was mine. 
 
 Fepyn. Hold thy peace, John ! Thou art too forward. Do I not 
 know what is good for thee, John 1 
 
 King, [fuldmg 7io<c.] Harkye, ChifFinch — this to Jlrs. Stewart's own 
 hand. 
 
 Rc-c7iler Page. 
 
 farje. Sir William Davcnant and Sir Thomas Killigrcw await your 
 Majesty's plea.su re. 
 
 King "i'is well. Carry off our Nell Gwynne I No. we cannot part 
 with Nelly. [Exit c. \). followed hy Page. 
 
 Back, [ircahing out.] But you shall part with her, if I carry her off 
 by force. George — Tom — will you stand by mu ! 
 
 Elher. When did we fdil thee yet ! 
 
 Buck. Then I count upon you. Pll have a brace of follows ready 
 with a coach near her lodging in Drury Lane — you keep the street. 
 Harkye ! [/Acy retire up, u. c, 
 
 WiLDMAN comes down with Ricii.mond. 
 
 Jiich. And this is the court! Bankrupt alike in credit and decency I 
 — all corrupt ! — all impure I — no, not all ! — you doubt ! 
 
 Wild. I doubt not — I know. Can this infamy last ! Ought it to 
 last ! 
 
 Rich. Master Pepys, you were speaking of Mrs. Sfewart. 
 
 Pepys. Was I so '. Ah, my tongue will wag. 
 
 .Kick. What had you to say of that lady 1 
 
 Pepys. On second thoughts — nothing ! 
 
 Rich. (Are they all in league to torture me !) 
 
 Enter a Page, throwing open door of Queen's apartments, l. u. e. 
 
 Page. Her Majesty ! 
 
 Enter Queen, /o//o?('crf hy Misses Middleton, Price, Wells, Lady 
 Denham, old Lady Sanderson, &,c., t/icy pass towards the King's 
 apartment. 
 
 Chif. T crave your Majesty's pardon, but the King is busy in his 
 closet with matters of state. 
 
 Queen. Say we await his leisure in the 'Withdrawing Room. 
 
 Enter Miss Stewart, r. 1 e. who curtsies to Queen. 
 
 Exit Queen, after dismissing attendants, l. v. e. — The Page closes 
 the doors. 
 
 Rich, (l.) My own love I how the sight of her noble face strikes 
 scandal dumb. [Lows to Miss Stewart.
 
 THE king's rival. 11 
 
 Slew. {r. c.) RichinomI ! / 
 
 Rich. Frances I 
 
 Chlf. (r.) [^cumins' lo lur on oilier aide] By your leave my lord — one 
 word, jiiadain. [^gh-.ins; rioie — anuk.l From the King ! 
 
 Bti'v;. [coldly ] 'Tis well, sir. (Must I still endure this persecution 1) 
 [/o Richmond] Richmond, you arc come at last, and safe, and 
 glorious. 
 
 llrch. [coldhj ] Pardon me — tlic Kind's letter ! 
 
 Slai:. But 1 would rather speak to you than read the King. 'Tis 
 nothing — douhtless it concorn.s the Queen. 
 
 JUcli. TliC more your duty to read it. Nay, I will wait — I have 
 learned to wait 
 
 Stcvj [opciim;; ?u/lr. mid rnidnio- it .~\ " I must see j'ou here, and alone. 
 — (JuAiM.Ks.'" [in I in- 1 It/.] Mils/, ^ve vou— alone ! Oh, this passes bear- 
 ing 1 [lo C!ni-FiN\ ii] Tell the King — [pause's.] — yet. no. I will see 
 him, and bring this new folly to an end ! [to Chiffinch.] Say, I obey his 
 Majesty. [Chiffinch bows and cri's, c. d.] And now, 1 am free — free 
 to hear of j-our deservings. 
 
 Pepya. [coming down irilh John, r.] The sun having risen, I am fain 
 to bask in its rays. My brotlicr John, Madam, for whom I would crave 
 your countenance. 
 
 Slew, (c.) [tedious ] Sir, your servant. 
 
 Pcpys And for myself — 
 
 Shaft, (r c.) [inlerriijilivsr him ] By your leave. Master Secretary. 
 [Pf.pvs pocs up followed l/y John.] Fair .\iistress Stewart, you are often 
 alone with t!ie King, hero is a ])appr I would fain lay before his Majesty. 
 
 Slew. Metliinks, my lord, as President of the Council, your own hand 
 were the more fitting channel. 
 
 Shaft. Aids ! business never reaches the royal ear save in the dis- 
 guise of pleasure. 
 
 Stcic. More shame for councillors v\'ho stoop so to disguise it. 
 
 [Shaft : retires. 
 
 I\ich. (How they all cringe In her) 
 
 Buck, [coming down, r.] May I recall myself to Mistress Stewart's 
 sweet memory ! 
 
 Stew. My Lord Buckhnrst is not easily ft)rgotten. 
 
 Buck. Madam, I have a suit to the King, 'tis for a ship ; f have 
 served two campaigns as a volunteer — as Fve no talent for obeying 
 orders--, I think I must be created to give them. 
 
 Sicic- Nay, my lord ; why appeal to me 1 Surely the Lord High 
 Adniiia! 
 
 Buck- \'\'hat is the Duke of York's pennant to Mistress Stewart's 
 petticoat ! 
 
 Slew. [haiighlihj.'\ My lord, Frances Stewart has no such power a.i 
 you suppose ; but if she had, she would put it to better use than to 
 recommend for command one who owns liimself wanting in its first 
 requirement — obedience! [turns nway'\ 
 
 Buck, [to Ogi.e.] Fm sped, Tom ; I wish you better luck, [goes up. 
 
 Ogle, [coming doien, r.] Mistress Stewart — a word for Charity's 
 sweet sake.
 
 12 THE king's rival. 
 
 Slew. Nay, that is a spell I must obny. 
 
 Ogle. I beseech your good oiiices i'or a poor and most deserving 
 man. 
 
 Slciv. What do you want for himl 
 
 Ogle. Only a uiiserable thousand of the public money — the embassy 
 to the Venetian. 
 
 Slew. And wlio is the poor but deserving man you would have it 
 for! 
 
 Offle. One Sir Thomas Ogle. 
 
 Slew. Yourself! 
 
 Ogle. As deserving a fellow as I know, and as out at elbows. 
 
 Si.eio. Nay, you need no advocate for your deserts — they speak for 
 themselves — and for vour poverty vou had best vouch 
 
 Offlc. Who! 
 
 Slew. Your creditors I [^lurns aicai/.'\ 
 
 Ogle. Ugh! 
 
 Wild, (l.) \to Rich ] You see how these court flies buzz about her ? 
 
 Rich. (l. c.) \\'A\, sir; and what then ! 
 
 Wild. They have the instinct of corruption ! (It works ! it works ! 
 This duke shall be ours ) lEjcit, L. 1 e. 
 
 Rc-cnlcr Chiffinch. c. d. 
 
 Chif. His .Majesty invites the court to the Tennisyard My Lord 
 
 Rochester has challenged Sir Charles Sedley to the best of si.x sets, and 
 
 the wager will be })lnyed anon. [£x/<. c. 
 
 [^Courtiers take hands of ladici and file off, c. Ethehege and 
 
 SH.iFTESBUKY ojjcr their hands successively to Miss Stewart, who 
 
 curtsies and declines.'] 
 
 Ether. (Curse her proud spirit.) Fair Mistress Middleton — ■ 
 
 [E.C1I wi/h Iter, c. n. 
 
 Shaft. My Lady Denham, may I crave the honor. [Exit vn/h her, c. d. 
 
 Repys. Plague on't, all the pretty ones are taken up. Lord that I 
 should be fobbed olf willi the motlier of the maids, [iroc? up ceremo- 
 7iiousiy to Lady S.\NnERsON, wJio is old and plain.] Well, my wife, poor 
 wretch, would like it best so My Lady Sanderson, may I make bold 1 
 Follow u.*;, John, and mark how I bear myself 
 
 [Exit with old lady, followed by John, imitating Pei'vs" ■■<truf, c 
 
 SteiD. Alone with him at last, [surprised.] He does nut speak to me 
 — Richmond ! 
 
 Rich. Madam. 
 
 Stew. Madam ! 
 
 Rich, [sorroiifiilly ] Nay, I am quick to catch the tone of the court. 
 There was a time J bad used less ceremony, but that was when l'''ranccs 
 Stewart boasted a scantier train of followers. 
 
 Stew. Richmond ! Your esteem is precious to me — you know it is ; 
 but remember the blood in my veins is royal. No — no ; I will not — I 
 cannot be proud with you. Is it thus you and I should meet ! 
 
 Rich. Heaven knows it is not the meeting I have looked for all this 
 weary time ; through storm — through battle — in the face of danger — • 
 under the shadow of death.
 
 THE KINQ-'s RIVAL. 13 
 
 Sfew. Ah, me ! Their evil tongues have worked on you, too : is 
 your trust not proof airainst the scandal of this place \ 
 
 Rich. Tongues I Scandal ! Thsit were little ; but my own eyes — my 
 own ears — this sadden respect of the court — this secret commerce of 
 letters with the King! How ain I to reconcile these with liie fjir fame 
 of f'^-ances Stewart ! 
 
 Htcw. Frances Stewart is a woman ; what has she to oppose to the 
 random wits of profligate fopHiigs ! Heaven lielp me I i wear no 
 sword ! I once thought I might have trusted the defence of my good 
 name to yours, 
 
 Rich. Oh, if my heart's blood could spare you a reproach, so I knew 
 it undeserved. 
 
 Sleio. My way of life in this loose court has been open to you. If 
 man knows what I have been, and am — you should know it. I will 
 not stoop to clear myself in your thouglils by protestations, still less by 
 tears. I will but look you in the face thus, and say — I am worthy of a 
 good man's love ! Do you believe me \ [/;a«ir ] 1 will be trusted or I 
 will be nothing to you — do you trust me I 
 
 Rich. That voice — those eyes — bear down all doubt ! 
 
 Slew. And now. speak to me of yourself 
 
 Rich. Nay, I would hear of you. 
 
 Stew. A lite spent on the sea in danger and honor, is better worth 
 relating than idle days wasted in an itlle court. Tell me of yourself — 
 and make me, if you can, love and honor you more than I do. 
 
 [Richmond kisses her hand. 
 
 Voice of Pan'c. [xvithouf.'\ Way for his Majesty ! 
 
 Slew, \_Goes to the c. d., and looks out.^ The King — he comes this 
 way — go — 
 
 Rich. Why should I go ! 
 
 Stew. Because he must not find you here — for your own sake — for 
 my sake, he must not ! 
 
 Jiich. [iroc.s to c. n.] So' unattended! (The letter — was this a ren- 
 dezvous ! [roW///.] I will wait — the King owes me a hearing.) 
 
 Stew, [coidli/.] You had better have trusted her who loves you ! 
 Enter the King hasliltj, c. — not seeing Rich mono, who is hidden by cur 
 tains of windows, \.. 2 e.] 
 
 King. (l. c.) Now, my fair Britannia ! 
 
 [Richmond comes from loindow. and kneels to the King ; he ftarts back 
 
 Kiu<r. [angrily. '\ Ha ! my Lord of Richmond as I think— [/oo/.»- at 
 Stf.wart, then at Richmond,] What do you here ! 
 
 Rich (l.) I am just from the fleet, your Majesty, with letters and a 
 dag from Sir Edward Spragge. 
 
 Ki7i(j. S'death, my Lord, you are a better captain than courtier, or 
 you should know that audieiu^es are asked — not taken as highwaymen 
 take purses. We would be alone — we will send for you when our lei- 
 sure serves. 
 
 Rich. Your Majesty teaches me a subject's duty- 
 
 [Exit, L. 1 E., with a look of anguish at Miss Sxew.\bt. 
 
 Stew, [aside ] This must have an end.
 
 14 'I'HK kino's XIVA.L. 
 
 Kins. Hanjj him — salt-water swab ! You read my letter 1 I said 
 alone ! 
 
 Stew. Your pardon, Sire, I take my orders from the Queen ! 
 
 Km^. Nay, forgive me, sweet Mistress Stewart — but in your company 
 Charles Stewart would forget tlie King. 
 
 iSleic. Charles Stewart forgets the King, when he so treats a noble 
 gentleman, and a faithful servant. 
 
 King. S'doath, are we poor monarchs never to be private 1 What 
 the plague had the man to be thrusting his frowsy flag in my face; now, 
 when the Majesty of Britain would be alone with the beauty ot Britan- 
 nia ! — What, still frowning I — Nay then, set me a penance — I'll perform 
 it — foi de roi 1 
 
 Stew. Repair the slight you have put on the Duke of Richmond, 
 grant him an audience fuitluviih — here, and before the court, with such 
 honor as his name and gallant deeds deserve. 
 
 King. Anything at my Britannia's bidding. Here, who waits I 
 
 Ilc-cntcr Chiffinch, c. 
 
 Say to his Grace of Richmond, we grant him an audience here — in an 
 hour. 
 
 Stcio Sooner ! 
 
 King. Plague on't — in halfan-hour. [Exit, Chiffinch, l. 1 e. 
 
 There ! and now let the magnanimity of King Charles the Second plead 
 for the gracelessness of that sad rogue, Charles Stewart — your most 
 loving cousin. 
 
 Stew. Ever my most gracious sovereign. 
 
 King. Odd's lish ! — \V hy will you be still thrusting that cursed crown 
 in my face ' Here is no King, I tell you, but a man, a loving, and some- 
 thing hot blooded man. [ujiproaches her passionately.^ 
 
 Stew. And here — a woman — an unprotected and orphaned woman, if 
 vour kingly crown restrain you not, let my crown of maidenliood make 
 me sacred. 
 
 King, \_ih-aws hack a moment] Pshaw ! — All royalty is restraint — 
 besides, you and I are but mesne King and Queen : we are vassals both 
 of one Lord paramount — King Cupid ! The only king that bears no 
 fetters — he owns no law but choice — no restraint but satiety — no sanc- 
 tion but his own. 
 
 '' Stew. Your Majesty's love-canons and mine are strangely different. 
 
 " Khig. Let me teach you mine. 
 
 '• Stew. Nay, Sire, why look for more pupils'! Surely, you have 
 '' enough already. And you would find me as unapt as you have found 
 " them quick-witted. 
 
 " King. Ah ! you do yourself wrong. Compare not yourself with 
 " tlie Mancinis and the Castlcmaines, beings whose very names infect 
 '• the air you breathe. No, no ; it is not the King, sated with easy 
 " victories and venal conquests that now pleads before you, but the man 
 '■ consumed by that passion which purifies like fire. I have only 
 " desired till now ; now, for the first time, I love ! 
 
 " Slew. If I could believe this. Sire ! 
 
 " Kinir. You would love me !
 
 THE KJNg's rival. 15 
 
 " Sicin. This were the last time we slnuld ever meet alone. 
 
 " King. Oh, no I — you woulJ not say so, il' you knew nie better ; if 
 "you could but look here, (piitiins^ his hand on his hfarl,) and see how 
 *• empty, how desolate, is this heart of mine I In its better moments, 
 " it yearns for something to believe in, and look u|) to. Oh, do not turn 
 " away ! you would not shake oil' a drowing wretch that tried to grasp 
 " 3'our hand, and will yoa iling me back into that sea of howling appe- 
 " tites that is sucking me down I all for want of a strong pure love, like 
 "yours, to grapple to I" [F/r«if« himself before her.\ Oh, Frances 
 Stewart ! have you no pity on the most unhappy man in England ! 
 
 i>lc}v. For heaven's sake, rise. Sire I I do pity you ; would I could 
 comfort you. Should any one see you in this posture ! [King nse*.] 
 Remember whom I serve : your wife, your wronged, unhappy, but still 
 loving wife; whose heart is crying for love as loudly as your own ; on 
 whom alone you can bestow aii'ection, and yet bring no infamy. 
 
 Kniff. Mistress Stewart, you forget yourself 1 1 came here to woo, 
 not to hear a sermon : Barrow gives nie enough of preaching. I know 
 your sex ! I can read this coldness : it is not that you cannot love, but 
 that you love some other. 
 
 iStew. \_Confuscd ] Your Majesty ! 
 
 King. Let him not cross my path. The King brooks no rival here. 
 
 Stew. Nay ; even were it so. you could hardly deny me the right of 
 loving one. you, who love so many 1 But, indeed, your Majesty wrongs 
 yourself : King Charles's worst enemies have never denied him gene- 
 rosity. 
 
 King. You think so. Ha, yes ! I have been generous ! the tool of 
 every knave that set himself to cozen me ; " the plaything of every 
 '• pretty jade who chose to fool Charles Stewart." I have been easy ; 
 but why ? — because I was indifierent, or despised them. But for the 
 man who comes between me and you, let him look to himself. 
 
 titcw. The man whom Frances Stewart loves will brave even Charles 
 Stewart's anger. 
 
 King. 'Tis well! Whoever he be, let him take heed to his footing. 
 Yes ; they all cozen, and rival, and thwart, and plot against their King; 
 and their King, poor fool, laughs and forgives them ! But for this one, 
 let his foot trip, and his head shall answer for it. Aye, his head, 
 madam, though half the nation mourned about his scaffold! 
 
 [Exit fur iouslij mto his apartment, U. u. E. 
 
 Stew. [Sinking with terror into a thai r] And I must play the brag- 
 gart I 1 dreamed nut of this peril. Shoukl he discover 'tis Richmond 
 i love, and should my love destroy him I — horrible! I must hide it. hide 
 it as jealously as I ever thouohl to avow it proudly. Yes. cruel King ! 
 Ungenerous rival! His foot shall not slip! Our love shall triumph yet! 
 He is here ! 
 
 Rc-cntcr ClUFi■l^scH, ahou-ing in Richmond, l. 1. e. 
 
 Chif. 'Twas here, my lord, that his Majesty ajipointed you an au- 
 dience ; I will announce your presence. [Exit, u. u. e. 
 
 Rich. [Aside — stci?!!'' Miss Stewart] She is here still ! Yet flush- 
 ed from the King's caresses 1 Oh, give me patience !
 
 10 THE king's rival. 
 
 Slew. At my request, his Majesty has promised to repair with honoi 
 the soeiiiiiig sh;,'ht lie put on you 
 
 Rich. At your lequesi I And I must stoop to take honor of the hand 
 that, but now, may have pressed yours in passion ! But tliat he is my 
 Kintf — [Liij/s hi.s kind on his swnrd. 
 
 Stew. Richmond 1 for love of heaven I l)e moie temperate; be master 
 of yourself You shall know all I I have no secrets from you. Tlie 
 King hath even now urged liis suit to me. 
 
 Rich. The confession is out of date. I am fresh from a resale of 
 court gossip. I know all now, and would spare 3'our lips, [retires up,] 
 and my ears. 
 
 iStcw. (^Better so awhile ! Let him think of me as he will ; hate me 
 if he will : by that, means, he will be sale till I dare reveal the truth ; it 
 were words wasted, to attempt it now ) Richmond, will you grant me 
 one request! — meet me to-night in the Queen's gallery, at the couehee : 
 I have tliat to say you must hear, alike for your own safety and my 
 honor. 
 
 Rich. 'Tis uncourteous to refuse any request of so fair and favored a 
 lady ; hut what you do me the honor to propose to ine is impossible. 
 
 Slew. Impossible ! You decline an interview with me, sirl 
 
 Rich. With regret ; but my letters and fla^ delivered, I return this 
 evening to the fleet. 
 
 Slew. To the fleet! To-night] 
 
 Rich. Yes ! The Dutch stdl hold the sea. We can scarce fail to 
 meet them ere long : and it will go hard, but 1 find all I have left now 
 to hope for, a friendly bullet and a sailor's grave. [Retirea vp, l. 
 
 Stew. Richmond ! Charles I — He shall not go ! I know too well his 
 
 fiery spirit! Come what may, he shall not throw away his life! and 
 
 mine that hangs on it. [Crosses e. 
 
 Re-enter Buckhukst, Etheregr, Ogle, Couetieus and Ladies, fioin 
 
 the Park. 
 
 Buck. Nay ; I never saw more masterly vollying than Sedley's in 
 that last set. 
 
 Slew. (He shall not go!) 
 
 Pepys. My lord, it grieves me that I should have won the trifling 
 matter of fifty pieces. 
 
 Back, (c ) Console thyself: I will but owe it thee. Mistress Stewart, 
 are you still obdurate, touching my suit for a ship 1 
 
 Stew. (r. c.) I have been thinking of it since you went, my lord ; and, 
 on second thoughts, I will back your suit. 
 
 Buck. Now, bless you, for a true patriot. Having the leisure of a 
 command, I shall write such sea-son us. 
 
 Re-enter Chiffinch, e. u. e. 
 Chif. The King ! 
 
 Enter King, excited, u. u. e. ; he poees vp and down ; all fall lack. 
 Kins', (c.) So, who won the wager] 
 
 Buck. (l. c) Sedley, your Majesty. Rochester is drinking away his 
 sorrow at the butterv.
 
 THE king's .^ival. 17 
 
 Chif. [To King J The Duke of Kichmond awaits an audience of 
 your Majoty. 
 
 Kiii'j. The Duke of Richmond ! \^Asidi:, to Miss Sxr.WAr.T ] Fair 
 Mistress Stewart, a word. You pleaded witli ine for this Duke Ha! 
 
 Sletc (ii.) And so, your Majesty most simply inlers lie may- he tiie 
 rival you threatened so soundly. 
 
 Kin'j. Beware I 'tis ill jestiiiir on some suhjocts 
 
 )Sti:w. [Smiljiig.] Nay ; if your Majesty is determined to suspect nil I 
 shall ask favors for, you shall have subjects enougii ; for I have another 
 suit. 
 
 King. A suit! Command me I — hut not for this Richmond. 
 
 Slew. Nay ; my suit will be apt to oii'end the Duke of Richmond. 
 
 Kins'. 'Tis granted, then ! 
 
 SteuK Then, my suit is, that your Majesty take the Duke of Rich- 
 mond's command — 
 
 King. 'Tis done I — 
 
 Slew. And give it — 
 
 King [iwpiciou.s/y.] To whoml 
 
 S/cw. To my Lord Buckhurst. 3'onder. 
 
 King. (Slie loves not Richmond, after all. — And this Buckhurst has 
 been hot after Nelly — and so I shall rid me of him.) At Britannia's 
 bidding, my Lord Buckhurst shall have the command. Harkye, Master 
 Pepys. the name of the Duke of Richmond's ship ! 
 
 J'cfiys. [advuncin(/. l.] The '" Rupert," your Majesty ! (He thought 
 to take me at unawares.) 
 
 Kinff. Now, my Lord of Richmond ! 
 
 Richmond approaches, l. c; and kneeling, offers his letters and Jlag. 
 
 Rich. I am charged to present to your Maje.'ty, these letters from 
 Sir Edward Sjiragge, containing an account of the last sea light; and 
 this flag, the trophy of the victory that hath attended your Majesty's 
 arms ! 
 
 King. 'Tis well ! Sir Edward has selected a worthy messenger ! 
 
 Kick. This duty done. I crave your Majesty's gracious leave to return 
 to my command. 
 
 King. Not so! We cannot risk all our Dukes against these mccha 
 nical salt-butter Mynheers. We would have your Grace near our 
 person. 
 
 Rich Your Majesty, my best ambition is to devote my sword and life 
 to your Majesty's service at sea. 
 
 King. And our good pleasure is, to keep both for use on shore — 
 Your command is filied up I 
 
 Rich. My command filli-d up ! — before I am dead — who has prevailed 
 with your Majesty to ])ut this shame on me ! 
 
 Amg. Nay — your flag is wanted by a fair lady. You are too gallant 
 to rci^ret the sacrifice 
 
 Rich. At least let me crave this fair ladv's name] 
 
 Kill's. (This iniirht be hut a woman's cunniiiir to avert my suspicion 
 from Richmond — I will watch them close.) [Turning to Ricii.MONn.] 
 It is Miss Stewart ! She hath begged the command of the " Rupert"
 
 18 THE king's rival. 
 
 for my Lord Buclcluirst yonder. See my Lord Buckhurst's commiEsion 
 made out for the '• Rupert," Master I'epys. 
 
 Pcpyn. (i-.) Doubtless, a most lilting choice, your Majesty. (Good 
 lack, a precious captain ! But I must speak him fair, the victualling 
 may l)c>a penny in my pocket.) 
 
 King. \in a sprigklly lone] 'Tis half-past three — who's for the play- 
 house ! Fair ladies and gentlemen all ! My Brittania I — you see how I 
 obey. To pleasure you, I have ali'ronted the proudest nobleman in 
 England. 
 
 IS/cw. I thank your Majesty ! (My heart ! How will this end ?) 
 
 King. Miss Stewart, your fair hand! [Gives his hand to Miss Stew- 
 art, the others take ladies and follow. Exeunt, c. 
 
 Rich. She has struck me in the face before them all! — She has broken 
 my sword 1 — She has broken my heart ! Revenge ! No — it is not her 
 fault — this is not my Frances — she is under some spell ! What hath 
 corrupted her nature thus ! 
 
 Wild, {striding suddenly to Richmond's side."] The Satyr King ! His 
 look pollutes a woman — his touch turns her to stone. 
 
 Rich. Revenge ! Curse him — curse him ! 
 
 Wild. Cur.«e not at all — it is a sin ! dethrone him ! 
 
 Rieh. I will ! 
 
 Wild. Swear it ! 
 
 Rich. I swciir ! [on his J:necs, c, "Wild standing over him cxultingly. 
 
 ACT H. 
 
 SCENE. — Apartments in Buckhurst's House. Door c. Door of Closet 
 {upper part glass,) r. h. 3 E. Chairs, Furniture of Ihc "period. Table 
 set for supper. 
 
 Servants discovered arranging table. 
 
 \st. Scrv. Come, bustle, my lord viill be home anon. 
 
 2nd. Scrv. And Mistress Gvvynne with him ; my lord will get into 
 
 trouble. 
 
 Is^ Serv. No ! Certain gentlemen, look you, carry off a certain lady 
 
 — my lord is none of them — they bring he- here, but still my lord takes 
 
 no part. " Then comes my lord and fmds the lady in his house : he 
 
 " cannot let her go till after supper ; once at supper, as he is a nobleman 
 
 " of the Court and she a play actress — " 
 
 " "nd Scrv. She stays to breakfast. — [15/ Servant nods .^ But suppose 
 
 " instead of all this she should strive to escape ! 
 
 " \sl Scrv. Let her settle matters with the locks and bolts.'" 
 
 " 2nd Scrv. Say that she screams hastily — what are we to dol" 
 
 " l.fi Srrv. We must — [puts his fingers in his ears.y^ 
 
 " 2nd Scrv. But say that she takes the law of him and calls us a^• 
 
 witnesses 1" 
 
 Isl Serv. We have but to hold our tongues ! 
 
 Enter Pepys, ushered in by a 3d Servant. 
 
 3rd Scrv. Mr. Samuel Pepys to see my lord.
 
 THE king's rival. 19 
 
 ]st Serv. My lord is not at home. 
 
 Pcpys. I will wait till my lord's return. 
 
 1st Scrv. When my lord returns, he desires to be private. 
 
 Pepys. Then will I hut write the matter, and so retire. 
 
 Ist iScrv. As you will, sir. [Hxeunl Sicrvants, c. 
 
 Pcpyx. A strange request of the Duke of Richmond. My Lord Buck- 
 hurst takes his command from him, yet, lo ! he would have me beg his 
 lordship to let him serve on board the " Rupert" as a volunteer, l^ord, 
 that a duke should have no more pride ! Sure love hath disordered his 
 mind ; and they say, too. he hath taken much to drink, a foul habit in 
 a nobleman. Here s matter for my journal hook, [lakes out hook and peers 
 about.} Came to my Lord Buckhursts at seven of the clock, where a tablo 
 set for two persons, mighty neat, but found not my lord, in a fair apart- 
 ment, [goes pecrituj about,] with wrought chairs very curious; and one 
 of the new Levant car[)els, like my Lord Sandwich's, though methinks 
 ]on:,'er, but no ink that I see. nor pen to write with — which ve.xes me ; and 
 indeed it is strange a nobleman should be without ink. Stay, there's his 
 closet, [peeps through glass door,] and on the table a standish and two 
 pens. 1 will in, for it irks me till I have entered all this day's doings in 
 ray diary. And next his Grace of Riclmiond's petition, in writing, ibr 
 my Lord Buckhurst. Lord, could my honest poor father, the tailor, see 
 his Sam penning a duke's wishes to a Lord ! Yet, let me not be pufl'id 
 up, hut comport myself humbly to my superiors. If I be grown great, 
 what then ! There be greater ! Aye, even in our office, the more's the 
 pity. — I to my Diary. [Enter Closet, r. h. 
 
 1st Serv. [le-entcnng, c] Mr. Pcpys — gone — that's well — [takes out 
 key and beckons off, c] 
 
 Enter tn-o Bravos. carrying- IS ell Gwynne mvffled in. a Cloak and 
 Hood, a Chair is placed c. she is sealed on it. — Bravos exeunt, c. 
 Servant locks door outside, c. 
 
 Nell. Iremoves her hood ] Now, is this a Cliristian land ! I like a jest 
 well, but this is past a jest : I won't put up with such ruffianly treatment 
 — I will not ! ril be revenged! D'ye hear! I'll scratch your eyes 
 out ! No I I'll do better I I'll love you and break your heart — you 
 unmannerly scourer! It is my Lord Brouncker! No! he has too much 
 sense. It is Harry Jermyn. No! he has too much conceit to think 
 force necessary. It's Tom Ogle. No ! he has not a crown to pay the 
 bullies with. Plague on't ! I can't be in a becoming rage tiil I know 
 who has done it, because it may be some I like. AV'ell, one thing is 
 clear — here I am ! And another thing is clrar — that here he ouoht to 
 be too. [j}anse.] The man must be a fool 1 carries ofla woman by violence, 
 and then, like ilac!)eth in ihe play, "' We will proceed no further in this 
 business." Oh 1 but we will though, [examines napkins, <f-c.] No 
 cipher ! No coat armor ! This door leads to another room. — Oh ! 
 [retreats.] There sits my Tarquin ! — I could not see his face, he was 
 writing. This is a great man — carries off a play actress by violence, 
 tlicn turns his back, sits down, and pens away for the bare liti;. I know 
 what he is now — he is a poet ! I have one or two poets in my leading- 
 strings. I will bur.st in and abuse him. How ! In Billingsgate or
 
 20 THE king's HIVAL. 
 
 -■• 
 blank verse ■? Shall it be orange-wench or tragedy-queen 1 Pshaw! 
 there is no sport in either - and I love sport. \^lij'ls her eyes to heaven.'^ 
 Oh I howl love sport! What shall it Lie! Virinous despair ! Uh, 
 yes ! that will be tiie best jest of all ! [clajjn her luinds.] But liow to get 
 him out! 1 can't go and say — " (Jonie forlh, sir, and oll'end my cliastc 
 ear with your indiscreet proposals." Til cough him out. No I I have 
 done that uj)on the stage eleven thou.sand times. Gad s my life ! Is'elly, 
 do let us have something new. [^croes to door.] Til sob him out ! He ! 
 he ! ah I li^ives Luud sob, then runs and. sits down. Hides her face /\ 
 
 Rc-enlcr Pepvs viith inquirivi; air. Journal in his hand. 
 Oh ! oh ! (The deer has broke covert !) Oh ! 
 
 Pcjiys. (u.) [at door.^ A lady — in distress — in sore distress. I will 
 console her ! [comes down to her.^ It grieves me, sweet lady — (I can't 
 see her face.) — that one so fair — 
 
 Ndl. (l.) Oh' oh! 
 
 J-'cpys. Should ever know sorrow. 
 
 Nell. Oh ! oh ! Why 'tis that solemn toad, Sam Pepys ! You clcse 
 sinner! I'll tell your wife ! 
 
 I'cpys. Why, 'tis pretty mad Nelly ! Tell my wife ! Now, heaven 
 forbid ! Tell her what! What is the matter, Mistress Gwynne ! 
 
 Nell. The matter is, that 111 expose you to all the town foi a sheep- 
 faced rogue ! 
 
 Pepys (Rogue ! W'hat can she mean 1 Hath she got wind of that 
 matter of the vitualling — or the liergen prizes — or the plate from 
 Master Bowen ! or — ) [hafi/il!/.] Mistress Gwynne! Nelly! pretty 
 Nelly I — st)me one has vexed you, and so you fall foul of your friend — 
 sure we are fast friends. 
 
 Nell. Private friendship must give way to public morality. 
 
 " Pepys. Alas ! child, what have you to do with public morality V 
 
 " Nell. As little as yourself! But friend or not, I'll reveal your real 
 character " 
 
 I'cpys. You would not be so cruel. 
 
 Nell. To all the world, and your wife, unless you instantly conduct 
 me back to my lodgings in Drury Lane. 
 
 I'cpys. \C'\ih pleasure, sweet Nelly ; with great pleasure ! \_goes to 
 door C.J How now ! The door is locked ! 
 
 Nell. You knew not that — innocent soul ! 
 
 Pepys. No! it was not locked when I entered. 
 
 Nell You have the key of your own door, I })resume. 
 
 Pepys. Yes ! [shoics key.] But this is not my door. 
 
 Nell. Not yours! Whose house is this ! 
 
 Pepys. Whose should it be. but my Lord Buckhurst's ; and he will 
 be here anon; and he will find us locked up to'jeiher. [tries duor.^ And 
 he is a dare devil,— and did once say of me, if he caught me again in 
 your tiring room, he'd slit niv ears, [.\hnkes door.] 
 
 Nell. (So, my Lord Buckhurst') Hark! I hear a footstep, \_sci2ca 
 Pepvs's «rOT.] 
 
 Buck. [wUhoul, c] So she is here. 
 
 Pepys. Oh, let me go !
 
 THE king's rival. 21 
 
 Nell. (More sport ) Oh, Sir I stay with me ; do not leave me to this 
 vile seducer. 
 
 I'cjiijs JNay ; he won't hurt you. [tries to escape. 
 
 jS'cII. Protect me I oh, protect iiie I [xcize.i his wig, tchich comes vjj in 
 her Iiand.^ 
 
 J^epys I must protect my ears, [rm^s into closet. She gets his book 
 jrorn hnn.j 
 
 NcU. [looks at bonk-.'\ What's this 1 Diary 1 Odds's fish ! Secrets ! 
 By your leave, [tears out leaves.} 
 
 I'epys. [jjuts out his hcad.j My journal book ; I've lost ray Journal 
 bouk. 
 
 i\tll. Here it is, man I [losses it to Mm ] (Minus a few pages, which 
 ril read at my leisure.) So, this is Buckhurst's doing ! I'm glad 'tis 
 Buckhurst. I like him. I'll make him smart for it. Uh I oh! 
 
 Enter Lord Buckhurst, cautiously, c. 
 
 Btick. [aside.] (Trying to escape ! I heard her at the door. In 
 tears ! I'aiih I am half ashamed. Pshaw! it is but a long face, and a 
 hiiiii trauical protestation.) You see at your feel a true penitent. 
 
 ^Aell. Oh : 
 
 Buch. Love too hot to be quenched by reason has fired me to this 
 act ; but your tears put out my flame, and waken my sleeping con- 
 science : never will I rise from my knees — [kneels.'\ — till you pardon the 
 temerity of my passion. 
 
 Nell. Oh ! 
 
 Buck. (Sure it is Niobe and not Nell Gvvynne.) Nay, sweet soul, be 
 comforted ; liiough you came here a prisoner, you remain a queen. 1 
 live but to obey your lightest words. (What a sullen devil it is.) [knock 
 at c. D.] Come in ! 
 
 Re-enter \st Serv.int, cautiously, c. 
 
 1st. Serv. ((,.) My Lord — [hesitates.] 
 
 Buck, (c.) \\'hat now 1 rascal ! 
 
 Isl. Serv. My lord, the chairmen that came with mistress — ahem — 
 wilii this lady. 
 
 Buck Weil ! what of the dirty fellows 1 
 
 Serv. They are in the hall, and will not go until — 
 
 NcU. (e.) [sharply.] Until they are paid for their villany. 
 
 Serv. Ahem ! 
 
 Nell. Oh ! oh ! 
 
 Buck, [nottii roicc.] Tell the knaves they shall be paid to-morrovr. 
 
 Serv. 1 have, my lord ; but they say they never risk their necks on 
 credit. 
 
 Buck. S'death ! let some of my rogues disburse. 
 
 Serv. ^\ e cannot ; your lorilship's rogues have received no wages 
 from your honor these fei.\ months. 
 
 Buck [about to search Ai.v porkeLH.] No ! I played with De Grammont 
 last night ; so 'tis usi'less to sound my pockets. 
 
 Nell, [lo Sekv.ant.1 Come hither, sir, if you please, [sighs.] How 
 much do the rullians demand ?
 
 23 TiiK king's rival, 
 
 Srrv. [crossing to Nell.] Two Jacobuses each, and there are three 
 of tlicni, madam. 
 
 iVc//. liBiih .-Hidden rncrtry.'j What ! six Jacobiises for carryinjr off an 
 actress ! 'Tis extravajjaiU — 'tis monstrous — 'tis rank extortion I 
 
 S''rv So I said, Madam ; but tliey say my lord promised. 
 
 NcIL Oh! if he promised! Honor among tliieves • ahem! [draivs 
 out a long picrsc. well filled.] 
 
 Serv. [after ei/eing the purse a long time with siirprise and joy.] 
 (TliinJi heaven, there is money come into our house.) 
 
 Nell. [grumliling.'\ It is very dear I — it is sadly too dear ! [c?»es 
 servant mnnci/.^ [."Servant borvs rcspectfidly. and exit, c. d. 
 
 Nell. \_sevierely.'\ You vnist learn to manage tliese things better. 
 
 Buck. Alas ! \i' I fail, it is from lack of experience. 
 
 Nell. Then the next time you carry off a lady, consult the lady her- 
 self for the cheapest way to do it ; don't let her cost you six Jacobuses ; 
 ten to one your lady will not be worth the six Jacobuses ; and even if 
 she is, she won't like to have to pay them herself Ha ! ha ! ha ! 
 
 Buck. Ha ! ha ! ha ! You are the woman after my own heart. Sweet 
 merry Nelly, I adore you ! Ha ! ha ! ha! 
 
 Nell. And I like you ; I ought to, for you cost me dear. He ! he! 
 
 Buck. You will stay here, now you are here. 
 
 Nell. I will stay to supper, and then back to Drury Lane. 
 
 Buck. Not till you promise to be mine ; and mine only ; and mine foi 
 ever! 
 
 Nell. That I will not ! 
 
 Buck. Why not ? 
 
 Nell. Because that would be a bad bargain for me ; worse than the 
 six Jacobuses. Why, you rhyming rliodomantader, you've been telling 
 the same tale to " Moll Davis, and Mary Knight, and Beck Marshall, 
 and " every laced petticoat in Drury Lane. 
 
 Buck. Of course, I have ; but I cive them all up for ever. There is 
 but one woman in the world henceforth, and that one is Nelly Gwynne. 
 Probatum est — in sccula Kaeculorum. 
 
 Nell. [^Tenderly.] Is this true! Can so great a rover learn to stay 
 at home i 
 
 Buck. Forever! Here I swear eternal fidelity ! [Lifts his hands. 
 
 Nell. Oh, my lord, such a sacrifice of all your most cherished habits 
 fills me with gratitude. There. I will not be behind you : I hereby give 
 up little Jermyn, Harry Sidney, and Hart, and Lacey, &c., &c., &.C., 
 &c., &c , and, like you, devote myself to one. 
 
 Buck. Swear, then, as I did ! 
 
 Nell. (Now for it.) [Attaches perriirig secretly to her wrist.] I will 
 swear as you did, and keep it, as you will. 
 
 Buck. Swear, then ! 
 
 Nell. [With sudden enthusiasm] I swear : 
 
 [Kaistvg her hand ; pcrrncig hanging to her wrist ; they eye it ; she 
 then aetaches and throiv.t it down, and clings to Buckhurst. 
 
 Buck. What is that ! 
 
 Ntll. [Innocently] It is like the thiigs you men wear on your heads. 
 How did it come there! Is it yours ]
 
 THE king's rival. 23 
 
 Buck. Is it mine! Don't cling at nie, you crocodile! No! — it's 
 yours ! 
 
 A'cll. Oh, no I — my hair is stuck on by tiie roots — [pulls her hair'\— 
 feel ' 
 
 Buck. He must be here 1 He is here ! 
 
 Nell. No, he is not. Who 1 [Looks al closft. 
 
 B'irk. You look towards that closet. 
 
 Nell. No. I don't. Sec, I look anywhere but there. 
 
 \_Looks ill opposite dirrctioh 
 
 Buck, (c.) Ah I [Runs to closnt; brings out Pni-Ys.J .So, Master 
 Pcpys ! by all lliat's smug. [To Nei.ly, pouUtng to his bald head.] 
 W'liat do you call this? 
 
 Nell, (l.) The head of a goose. [Puis Tcig- on Pepys.] And now it is 
 tlie head of a wise man. 
 
 Buck. You must answer this to me, sir ! 
 
 Pepys. (r.) My lord, I vow I came here nn public busincs.'; — and — 
 
 Nell. No need to excuse yourself. [To Buckhurs^t.] He has as 
 much right to be in my company as you have. 
 
 I'cpys. No, I have not, my lord. I afi'ect her not, save as a lover of 
 plays. I am a sober servant of His Majesty. 
 
 Nell Ungrateful ! [Crossing, c.J And, you, do you think to tear 
 me from this worthy, though timid man l Desist, vairi lord, I go no- 
 where without my solid, sanctimonious, smug-faced Samuel. 
 
 [Embraces him violently. 
 
 Pcpys. [Repulsing her rovghhj ] Believe her not, my lord ; 'tis a 
 mischievous jade. 
 
 Nell. He comes into my tiring room, "lends me pins, and watches all 
 my metamorphoses." My " tiring " wench calls him the scene shifter 
 — he, he, he! 
 
 Pepys. Scandal! scandal! I went thither after Knipp ; not after this 
 madcap. I came here, to-night, with a suit to your lordshi[) from the 
 Duke of Richmond. 
 
 Buck. Pshaw ! I'll no suits now, but one. Mr Pepys ! I am not 
 jealous of you, forgive my lieat ; you must sup with us. Pleasure 
 lirst, then business, like the ancient Germans. Who waits ! Supper! 
 supper ! 
 
 He-enter First Servant, c. 
 
 Sen. The Duke of Richmond and Major Wildman would speak with 
 your lordship. 
 
 Buck. Curse their puritanical faces! [Gravely.'\ My duty to his 
 grace, and tell liiin 1 have with me, at this moment — hem I The 
 Bishop of London. 
 
 Nell. And the Lady Abbess of Drury Lane. So, if he will walk up 
 stairs, he shall sup with two rogues, and one jade. Two more plates 
 sir ! [Skrv.wt gimilcs. 
 
 Buck. [Ironically ] Mr. Pepys, can you tell who is the master of this 
 house ! 
 
 Nell. [Gravely.] Why, don't you know 1 I am! Co, bid them in, 
 sirrah I
 
 24 THE king's rival. 
 
 Buck. Nay ! they're a pair tliat understand no mirth ; they'll turn our 
 Tvitie to verjuice. Serve s.u|iper in my tlnset, sirrali I Show the Duke 
 and the Major in iiither ; say I'll join ihein [ir-'xt^ Servant, ^aZ/yj 
 When I iiave drutik one round to thy health and our love. 
 i^cll. [&j/cm ?(/_?/.] And to the nienioiy of my lo.st Jacobu.ses. 
 Buck. [Siiildoili/ liiniiri^.l The devil take your Jacobuses ! 
 Nell. V\'hy, he has (,roi them — ha, ha ! 
 
 [^Exciin/ BucKHURST, leading Nelly, followed hij Pepys; all 
 liiugkingy R. 3 E. 
 
 Enter Richmond and M.ijor Wild.m.\n, c. 
 
 Wihl. (l.) Courage, sir; bend but your pride to this last suit to rny 
 Lord Buchkurst, and our road is fair before us. 
 
 Rich (r.) (Ay 1 I must drink the cup to the dregs.) Frances ! 
 
 \V(ld. In all the ships are gallant spirits that cliafe at the cowardice 
 and o'erbearing ignorance of these gentlemen captains ; the fire is 
 smouldering; ere we have been a week in the fleet it shall break out in 
 the "Rupert," first; but, before we go. these j)apers in duplicate, 
 signed by the hea'ds of our jilot. One copy I take to the fleet ; one ib 
 to be lel't with the Duke of Buckingham ; thus we engage ourselves 
 mutually. See. there is a blank left next to Buckingham ; I would fain 
 see that blank filled by a noble name 
 
 Rick. [Fill.i I'Uixs jrom Uible and drinks.!^ I will think of it. 
 
 Wild. The feeb.er spirits are still led by titles ; each known hand set 
 here brings us a thousand meaner ones. Do you hesitate] 
 
 Rich Yes 1 Major ^^'i^lman ; to you it is a small matter to subscribe 
 to the upsetting of the king : your place is among the people ; but I was 
 bor!i by the side of the throne. We, of the nobility, lend our lustre to 
 the crown, and draw our lustre from it. Besides, I am haif drunk now, 
 and, when I'm half drunk, 1 feel as if she was not all lost to me; wait 
 till I'm sober. When I'm sober, I am utterly, hojjelessly wretched, and 
 Could sign anything. Treason! sacrilege! perdition 1 — what you will. 
 
 [ Wucea aside the jiapcrs. 
 
 Wild. (Patience! 'Tis in a high and holy cause ; I must have his 
 name ; I will have it !) 
 
 Re-enter Buukhukst and Pepvs. 
 
 Buck. (r. c.) My lord duke — major — your jiardon that I have kept you 
 Waiting , but 1 was even now with Master Pepys, who has told me of 
 your grace's wi.<h. 
 
 Rich. (l. c.) Then, you know the measure of my desire now : to 
 berve as a volunteer on board the good ship I once commanded. 
 
 Buck. I see no reason to denv your grace ; and yet. now I remember 
 me. his majesty said he needed you about the court ; I must not olleiid 
 his n);iji'sty. being now his captain. 
 
 /"■c/; (k.) Nay, n;y lord. Lit, majesty knows the duke's wish; fori 
 niadc bold to tell his majr.sty no later than yesterday. 
 
 Buck. And what did the king say! 
 
 ]\}>. The king but turned to Miss Stewart — (ahem ! I forgot the 
 Duke.)
 
 THE KINO S RIVAL, 
 
 75 
 
 Buck. And what did he say 1 
 
 Pcpys. He but shrugged liis shoulders, and said, " How fond somo 
 folk are of salt water.'' 
 
 Kick. And what did she say 1 
 
 I'cfT/s. Nothing! Only laughed and shrugged her fair shoulders in 
 rej)ly. 
 
 Nell, {cnmimr foricard, c] So you are the Duke of Richmond. I am 
 Nell Gwynne. [she curtsies. He bows coldly ] 
 
 Buck. (Confound the jade !) Now, Nelly ! why couldn't you keep 
 away ! 
 
 Nell. I long to see a man everybody says is dying for love. 'Tis a 
 malady I have never met with out of a play-book. 
 
 Re-enter first Servant, c. 
 
 Serv. A lady below would speak with my lord. 
 
 Buck. A lady — alone \ 
 
 Nell. So my lord ! Another already ! Well, well I — Please go to 
 her meanwhile ihe duke here and I ! Ahem! 
 
 Buck. Nay, Nelly !— madcap ! Did you ask her name 1 
 
 Serv. Mistress Stewart ! 
 
 Rich. Oh ! 
 
 Back. Mistress Stewart — my fair patroness! Say I await her 
 commands. ^Exit Servant, c] Pray you all retire into that room but 
 till I have received this lady's orders, [goes up c. Exeunt Pepys and 
 
 WiLDMAN. R. 3 K.] 
 
 Nell, [/o Richmond] Your old sweetheart ! We will learn what she 
 comes for — pcriiaps the wind has shifted in your favor. 
 
 Rich. Oh, no, no I 
 
 Nell. How can you tell I Who can answer for the wind or a wo- 
 man ? Come, courage — if she ca.:not see your deserts there may be as 
 fair who can. (I like him — besides, "twill be sport to torment Tarquin — 
 and I will ) Exeunt Nkll and Richmond, r. 3 k. 
 
 Enter Servant, .shoxcing in. ceremoniously, Miss Stewart. 
 
 Buck. (i,. c ) Madam ! I am honored beyond thanks by this visit. 
 
 i^/ew. (k.) No compliments, my lord ! You said this morning you 
 owed me sometliing in return for the command which the King gave 
 you at my instance. 
 
 Buck. I am much your debtor for it. 
 
 Slciv. Then, like a hard creditor, I come to you thus soon for a repay- 
 ment, or rather to make myself your debtor in my turn. 
 
 Buck. Conunand n»c, sweet Mistress Stewart! 
 
 Slew. The Duke of Richmond would serve as a volunteer in the ship 
 he lately counnanded ; this is not for his credit — it is madness — it gives 
 great concern to all his sincere friends, amongst whom, in spile of 
 appearances, I rank myself; my request is, that you will not permit 
 him to serve unihr you 
 
 Buck. I would fain obey you. Mistress Stewart ; hut, not to deceive 
 you, the duke has been liere alrea<ly, when 1 in sonie sort acceded to 
 his request. If i deny him now, 1 shall seem to go froui my word. 
 
 2
 
 26 THE king's rival. 
 
 /S/fU'. [coldhj.] My lord, your commission is not yet made out, it 
 needs but a word from me. and — 
 
 Jhick. Nay. my fair patroness, since you arc peremptory, there is no 
 more to be said, [with cncruy ] 'J'he duke siiall not set liis foot oa board 
 the " Rupert" while J command her. 
 
 Richmond hurst into room, followed iy Neli.v, vho is endeavoring to 
 hold him. WiLDMAN comes to door and ivalckcs. 
 
 Stew. Oh, Richmond ! In this company I 
 
 Rich. Why do you persecute me thus ^ 
 
 at.cic. Sir! 
 
 Rich. Was it so great a crime to love you ] Is every avenue of 
 honor to be closed to me because you have forfeited men's good word ' 
 
 Slew. Are you mad ! \\'liat is our misunderstanding to these gentle- 
 men 1 
 
 Rich. What is it to you whether I go on board the •' Rupert" or 
 not1 
 
 Slew. Nothing; from this moment nothing I \to Buck.] My lord, I 
 withdraw my request. 
 
 Nell, [^coming doivn, c] Nay. Madam ! never mind liim ; he means 
 not half he says. — [conjidentiatli/.] — He is in drink, [retires up.] 
 
 Stew, [ivith disffust.] (The excuse is well placed.) 
 
 Rich. And whose is the fault if I turn to that or any other means of 
 oblivion ! I was a gentleman, esteemed both loyal and brave ; 1 loved 
 my country, I loved honor, I loved you. In one day you robbed me of 
 my faith in woman, and of my hopes of honor. Can you not leave me 
 even the chance of deaths 
 
 Stc7i'i. [coiilcmptuouslt/.] What ! Is honor only to be gained on board 
 the " Rupert 1" The man who has honor in his soul is not a slave of 
 circumstances. Be not so poorly lost, my lord ; awake, and be yourself 
 again. Honor has a thousand paths ; take any one of them, and walk 
 erett on it — a nobleman, and, above all, a man ! 
 
 Rich. She bids me do this — she who has unmanned me. 
 
 Slew, [wilh rimng cnergy.'\ A doubting heart has unmanned you ! 
 Duke of Richmond, you have been poisoned by unvvorthv suspicions, 
 misled by unworthy associates. Recall your reason ! Either I am 
 what cowards and liirs say I am — the king's minion — or. I am Frances 
 Stewart. If I am Frances Stewart, to degrade yourself will be to lose 
 me ; if I be that other thing. I am not worthy a gentleman should ruin 
 himself thus — soul, body, and heart, for me ! Be yourself, my lord, 
 for your own sake, if not for mine. 
 
 Rich. ^V'e take commands from our friends, not from our enemies ; 
 still less from a treacherous enemy like you — who still speak me fair to 
 my face, but follow me behind with ill oilices You rob me of my 
 sword, and now you come to my successor, and force him to refuse me 
 a bare plank of the ship I once ordered as its captain. Ah! traitress ! 
 traitress ! 
 
 Stev\ This rude breeding suits the associates you have chosen. 
 Henceforth I mingle no more in your aflairs. [/oBuck."] My lord, J 
 withdraw my request. — Yoo vnll find worse enemies than me
 
 THE king's rival. 27 
 
 Ndl. (That's for me !) 
 
 Slew. Are you sure 1 was your enemy ^ Then becontent. [so/cm n/y.] 
 I am no more lo you that which I was — I am nothiiii; to you, and you 
 are nothing to mc! Unmannerly gentleman! — ungrateful man I — 
 dishonored duke I — farewell I [fforiig-, c] 
 
 Jiic/i. Frances ! [Miss Stewart curtsies to others at door. Buck- 
 hurst hows her off, c] Those papers I 
 
 Willi, [gnlng them.] You will sign them now ! 
 
 Rich. With my blood, and that of all my house ! [Wildman stands 
 ezultuigly, R. as llicmioiiD signs on tabic, c. Tableau. Nelly, c. watching 
 Richmond. 
 
 end of act ii. 
 
 [Note. — It is essential to the success of this scene that it should be 
 played with great fire. The speakers rising above each other in turn ; 
 it should at tlie same time be played with leeling, being a duel between 
 lovers, not a stranger's quarrel.] 
 
 ACT III. 
 
 SCENE. — Spring Gardcjis. — The Stage represents a Garden u-ith cut 
 hedges and trees. — Illuminated by lights in trees. — Arbors r. and l. 
 (with turf hanks,) in which arc tables and seals. [Over trees, in back 
 sround, are seen the towers of Westminster Abbey ] 3IoonUiiht. — Music 
 at a little distance, r h. Courtiers and Ladies ■promenading — some in 
 upper Arbors^ with wine. — Drawers moving about. 
 
 Enter Buckhurst disguised as a drawer, e. u. e. 
 
 Buck. Plague on this jealousy ! My fellow heard Nelly order her 
 coach for Spring Gardens. So I must needs go and borrow the deaf 
 and dumb drawer's suit to watch her. I shall soon find whether she 
 has a gallant — and then if I must wear antlers, they shall be sharp ones. 
 Ware Buckhurst and Buckhorn. [retires, l. u. e.] 
 
 Enter Kins'- in while wisr ; a black patch over his eye ; his hat slouched; 
 iciih Ctiiffinch also muffled, l. u. e. 
 
 King. I scarce know how to believe thee, Chiffinch. Miss Stewart 
 cme hither! I knew Jennings — and Price — and Wells, were given 
 to such gad-about tricks ; but that she should join in the frolic ! (There's 
 more in this than appears — a rival, perhaps ! Ha! but she has had 
 warning ) — Chiflinch ! I'm well di.-guised ! 
 
 Chif. Your Majesty looks like a Paul's captain, or a courtier out of 
 favor. 
 
 King. But not too ill-favored to affect the ladies' company, eh 1 I 
 woulil not be too ill-looking, neither. 
 
 Chif. Fear not, sir ! Jupiter will peep under the bull's hide 
 
 Kirnr. And horns. That same Jupiter chose ominous disguises. But 
 how to know our own fiir ones ! They will be masked 1 
 
 Chif. That mole on Miss Stewart's chin, your Mijcsty. 
 
 " King. Ha ! That, like an amorous fly. drawn by the honey of her
 
 28 TfiE kin'g's rival. 
 
 ♦• lips, hath hcGti stricken motionless for the presumptioTi. Her sole 
 " beauty paich — do I not know it — by siijht, alas !" [inii.sic] The com- 
 .pany is thickest round the fiddles yonder. Well, when our subjects 
 thus enjoy themselves, why not the King ! [music, loiulcr and litxUcr.] 
 That's a Coranto — my le^^s itch to be at it — come man, come. 
 
 [Exeunt, R. H. 
 Enter BucKHURST, i,. u. e. 
 
 Buck. Here she comes with the Duke of R,ichmond. I'll wait on 
 them — their tongues will wag freely at supper, and I shall know how 
 matters stand. 
 
 Enter Nelly, masked, Richmoxd, and Pepys, l. u. e. 
 
 Nell, [taking off mask.] What, all a-niort, my lord ! Samuel, order 
 some wine ! [ail enterin<r arbor, l. 
 
 Pcpyi. I will. This is the deaf and dumb drawer, I know him by his 
 cap and jerkin — an excellent knave. Supper — wine ! Ah ! I forgot. 
 [writes on his tablets, and gives the order to Buckhurst, r. 
 
 Exit Buckhurst. — pause. 
 
 Nell, [breaking out.] Why, 'tis a man of stone ! I vow this is cruel ; 
 you were merry enough but now. 
 Rich. Was n I was drunk then. 
 Nell. Then, pr'ythee, be drunk again. 
 
 Re-enter Buckhurst, r., with wine. 
 
 Rich. Wine, wine! stirrer of thick pulses ; chaser of sorry thoughts. 
 Let's change bloods with the grape, Nelly, till our muddy currents 
 dance and sparkle like this. 
 
 Sings. 
 [The pleasures of love and the joys of good wine. 
 To perfect our happiness wisely we join. 
 Let every man stand. 
 With his glass in his hand, 
 And briskly discharge at the word of command. 
 Wine quickly recovers, 
 Poor languishing lovers, 
 Makes us frolic and gay — drowns all our sorrow j 
 But, alas ! we relapse again on the morrow.] * 
 
 Nell. (A good song, but a vile ending ) Samuel ! throw off thy hypO" 
 crisy for three minutes and sing thy real mind. 
 Pepys. I will, Nelly — fetch me a lute. 
 
 Sings. 
 Be wise, and say you had warning ; 
 To laugh is better than learning. 
 A song is better tlian fasting. 
 And good wine is worth the tasting. 
 Then keep your brain as light as you can. 
 An ounce of sorrow will fmish a ojan.
 
 THE king's rival. 29 
 
 Richmond and Nell yoin in chorus, — Buckhurst also, involuntarily. 
 
 Pepys. Ha ! what, an echo! Methoii<iht 'twas from a fourth mouth ! 
 
 Rirh. So, so ! I'm a new man already. Here's to thee, Master 
 Pepys — Nelly. 
 
 NcU. My king of the sea ! How thine eyes sparkle, rogue I 
 
 Rich. Buss me. Nelly. [Ames her. 
 
 Buck. {hehind.'\ Oh! 
 
 Fepys. Eh! the deaf anJ dumh drawer. Oh I 'tis his way of asking 
 me to drink. An ugly voice, but moans well, poor lad. 
 
 Nell. And now for a toast, in solemn silence, — the memory of the 
 depariied — Buckhurst ! 
 
 Buck, [aside, bck'tnd.'\ Ah! [dashes down a plale.'\ 
 
 Nell. The clumsy knave 
 
 Pepys. The memory of my Lord Buckhurst, and may the sea bring 
 him wisdom, for he hath a plentiful lack of it. A shallow man ; shallow, 
 shallow ; and hath the rarest conceit of iiimself. 
 
 Nell. Poor Buckhurst ! But he has got your ship, and 'tis but fair 
 you should have his Nelly. 
 
 Rich. Ay ! change is the fashion ; in love and liquor. This claret is 
 too cold and thin ; give me champagne and brimmer glasses. I would 
 drown remembrance. Champagne is your only Lethe. 
 
 Pepys. Champagne, sirrah ! Od-so ! I had forgot ! [imitates cham- 
 pairne.] Saw you Iiow I made him apprehend me ! Ha ! ha ! 'Tis a 
 quick witted knave. Lord, how merry I could be were Knipp but here 
 now. [fiddles without. 
 
 Nell. Hark ; those dear fiddles ! Come, a dance, a dance, and then 
 to our wine again ! Who is for sport follow me ! 
 
 [Exeunt Richmond and Nelly, r. 
 
 Pepys. Gone! Nay, then; I'll e'en look out for a petticoat myself. 
 I'll take of these oranges to make myself acceptable. JEjcif, l. 
 
 Buck. Curse the jade ! Hang the Duke ! Plague on 'em all ! Oh, 
 what an eruption of wrath have I had to keep down all this while ! I'll 
 follow them. So, my I^ord Duke of Richmond — my sea monster of con- 
 stancy. But the King shall know on't. He suspects him already with 
 Mistress Stewart; and if this philandering v^'ith Nelly don't ruin him 
 and her too ! I'll lay Chiflinch on the scent. The memory of Buck- 
 hurst, eh ! Zounds ! my Lady Nelly, but you shall have cause to re- 
 member him. [Exit, R. 
 
 Dance. 
 
 Enter Queen, masked. Miss Stewart. Mrs Wells, and Mrs. Jen- 
 nings, shown in by Ogle, l. u. e. 
 
 Orile. Here yonr Majesty will be safe from scourers and rufllcrs ; they 
 haunt where there is less li<rht 
 
 Queen. Keep by us. Sir Thomas, for love of the saints ! Your masks, 
 ladies — your masks. 
 
 Of/fl. At the table yonr Majesty will be less exposed to curious eyes. 
 
 Queen, [/o Wells and .Jennings ] Go, girls, go, a« Sir Thomas bids 
 you. My Stewart, a word with ycni.
 
 30 THE kino's rival. 
 
 " Ifrs. Wcllx. But, Sir Thomas, wliy come hither if we are to do 
 " nothing worse than sit mum cliance, and cat cakes at a tahle I 
 
 '• Jeini. Here is no sport, Winifred, as when Mrs. Price and I went 
 " seihng oranges at Drury Lane the other night." 
 
 " (h/le. Nay, I'm as much for sport as you arc, fair ladies ; but in the 
 Queen's com|)any we must be mad with (iecorum." 
 
 " Wells. Well, for all her touch-me-not, Portuguese, air, 'tis hard if 
 Bomebody be not rude to us." [ihey fjo up. 
 
 Queen. And you still think I have done ill to come hither, my sweet 
 Stewart] 
 
 StciB. (r.) What says your Majesty's heart 1 
 
 Queen. Alas ! it knows but one constant thought — love for my hus- 
 band. Oh, Frances ! teach me how to win that. I love fiim so, but I 
 know not how to make him love me. 
 
 Stciv. And you would seek that secret in such a place as this 1 
 
 Queen, (l.) I would learn what those women are whom he affects. 
 I would see something real, be it what it may. At the court I learn 
 nothing; there I have only respect and neglect. 
 
 Slew. May I speak my true mind to you 1 
 
 Queen. Oh, do, do ! You are the only one of them all who ever does, 
 since they sent my Portuguese away. 
 
 Stew. No man's love, that deserves the name, was ever won by wo- 
 man's stooping. Man's love is worship, and she that wins it must be 
 above the worshipper. 
 
 Queen. But woman's love is not like man's. 
 
 Slew. The greater woman's fault! Our love should be a worship 
 too, or if, spite of our better selves, it light on the unworthy, it is a 
 shameful secret to be hidden and not a jewel to be worn and gloried in. 
 
 Queen. But could you so hide your love 1 
 
 Stew. I could die in stifling its strong life rather than utter it when 
 utterance is shame. Oh, dear lady and mistress, pray for him you love ; 
 sufler for him ; die for him, if need be ; but never to win return of pas- 
 sion, descend from your dignity of queen, j'our higher dignity of woman. 
 
 King and Chiffinch appear behind , from u. e. r., watching. Pepys 
 on the other side, also watching. 
 
 Queen. Oh. Stewart ! You recall me to my better self I have done 
 wrong to venture to this place. Let us return. Summon the others. 
 
 King, (c.) ('Tis she ! So my nun in masquerade, I have you in the 
 sin !) " 
 
 Ogle, (r.) Your pardon, sir ; these ladies would be private. 
 
 Kins'. Tilly-vally, man. Such a bevy of vizards want a better guard 
 than thee. 
 
 Os'le. How, now, thou saucy Jack I 
 
 J'epys. (Here'U be a scuffle. I'll withdraw.) 
 
 Ogle. Stand back, or Pll break thy rnpier about thy ears. 
 
 C'/nf. (k ) [vhispers Ogle.] Have a care Sir Thomas, 'tis the King. 
 
 Pepys. The King ! 
 
 [.4s Sir Thomas Ogle is about to kneel, the King prevents him ly a 
 rapid gesture. 
 
 ^^
 
 THE king's rival. 81 
 
 Quce7i. [to Stewart ] Oh I I am frightened — let us go. 
 
 Stew. No : he'll follow us — we are safer here in the crowd. 
 
 " 31is. Wells, [to Jewings.] 1 knew somebody would be rude to us !" 
 
 King. Your pardon, fair ladies ; but seeing you unattended in this 
 ill-mannered place, I hasten to put my sword and service at your com- 
 mand. 
 
 Stew. We are not alone, sir — our friends will be here anon. 
 
 King. Then I will mount guard in their absence. 
 
 Stew. We accept no protection from a stranger. 
 
 King. A stranger ! Nay — I know that black vizard intimately — and 
 that — and that — and that. 
 
 Slew. The masks, perhaps ; but not the wearers. 
 
 King. A.re yo\i sure] Shall I guess! 
 
 Queen [to Stew.irt.] Should he discover lis] 
 
 Stew. Fear nothing — this is no courtier 1 Who can it be 1 
 
 King. Ha ! No courtier ! What, is my coat too threadbare, or my 
 face too honest, that you presume so much \ 
 
 Slew. Nay, if you were, we are no court ladies to fear you the more 
 for that. 
 
 King. I'll be sworn you are none. No ; the ladies of the court are 
 too discreet to venture to such places. They take example of the Queen 
 and that paragon of virtue — fair Mistress Stewart. 
 
 Stew. Once more, sir, we would be alone. 
 
 King. Nay — nay — four petticoats and never a man — 'tis a slight 
 upon tlie se.x. Oh, you'll find nie the humblest of slaves and the most 
 diverting. I'll sing you the last new song — tell you t!ie story of the 
 last new play — give you the last bit of court gossip — 'tis of that same 
 Mistress Stewart. 
 
 Stew. (Why does Sir Thomas not rid us of this man 1) 
 
 King. Listen, ladies — 'tis the pleasantest tale — how the King told his 
 passion to the fair and frozen Frances. 
 
 Queen. Ha ! 
 
 Stew. Sir — whoever you are — 
 
 King. Nay, Madam, if you are not interested, this lady appears to be. 
 Let her hear how the fair and frozen Frcances preached him a sermon — 
 and sat before him, his whole duty to his wife. 
 Qnerii. [asiiie.^ My good Stewart I 
 
 King. How the wicked king was abashed — and how he had a min- 
 ute's mind to eschew gallantry and turn a good humdrum husband. 
 
 Queen, [aside.'] My true Stewart I 
 
 King. But the Devil still whispered a doubt if the Stewart were as 
 cold as she seemed. " She's a prude," <iuath Satan, " and follows her 
 own diversions in secret." So the King watched and watched — and 
 the Devil watched too in the likeness of Will Chiflinch — and led the 
 King to a certain garden, frequented by the looser sort of courtiers and 
 cits, and there, who should the King meet — but this pink of purity — 
 this statue of snow — this Diana in a laced petticoat — .Mi.stress Stewart. 
 Stew, [forcing a laugh] Ha' ha! ha! 'Tis as true doubtless as 
 most court scandal. 
 
 King. But tlje story's not done yet. The King accosted her — she
 
 33 THE king's rival. 
 
 was masked — and thou^fht herself unknown — but the King seizing het 
 wrist with one liand thus — 
 
 fi/cw. Unhand ine, sir ! 
 
 Kinfr. And flinging the other hand round her waist — so — 
 
 QuMJi. Holy saints ! 
 
 Ulew. Hflj) ! help ! 
 
 Kintr. [fie reel ij.'\ Let none stir ! I say — pressed his burning lips to 
 the tell-tale mole that made the mask useless — thus — thus — thus. 
 
 [/.(iAM her. 
 
 Qucev. \ faintly '\ No — no— not before my face I 
 
 Stew. The King ! 
 
 King. Aye, the King, who now and henceforward holds Frances 
 Stewart like any other woman, but that he loves her more than all the 
 women in the world ! 
 
 Queen. No ! Charles I — My husband ! \^faints.'\ 
 
 Kirip. The Queen ! 
 
 Stnr. Oh, this is well done, Sir. You have stained a spotless honor; 
 you have broken a loving heart. 
 
 King. Silence — silence all — for your lives 1 Her name at least must 
 not be whispered here ! My poor Kate ! I knew not she was here — 
 look up, Kate! Here, bear her into your pavilion! Bring up her 
 coach! Staunch that blood, some of you ! Curse the women ! Heaven 
 forgive me ! Chiffinch, send for Pierce at once ! Bear her in I say — 
 gently — gently ! 
 
 [Exeunt Kinu, Ogle, and Chiffinch, hearing off Queen. Jennings 
 and Wells follow, l. u. e. 
 
 Slew. I am sutlocating ! Poor Queen ! Dear Mistress' ! Oh what 
 is a King that he should dare trample thus on all that stands betwoen 
 him and sin ! — The kind, good Queen ! — it needed but this. I will go 
 to her — but he is there — and how can she bear to see my face ] No ! — 
 I must choke here ! and there is none to help me now ! Oh, ]lich- 
 raond ! Richmond ! you are right ! — All feigning is ill and leads to 
 worse ill. — I will humble myself —I will ask his forgiveness, \_goes u}).'] 
 
 Re-enter Richmond, Nelly, and Pepvs. 
 
 Nell. A fig for Jacob Hall, after this ! \^'liy, you've danced the 
 breath out of my bodv. and I thought I was a match for most partners — 
 give us some wine. Sober Samuel. 
 
 Stew, (r.) (Richmond ! and with that woman ! — Oh ! he did not lore 
 me as I loved him ! — how soon he has found consolation ! — how low he 
 has stooped for it 1 "What is left me now ? Pride, silence, and a break- 
 ing heart !) 
 
 JRich Come, my Florimel 1 One round more, and then home \sighx.1 
 Nell- Home ! And before the sun ! Not I ! — We'll biil breathe our- 
 selves ; and thence once more to the fidilies — [ikctl/stanC loom of inins 
 heard, L.] Hark ! ^^'hat's that ] 
 
 Kieh. \ Lifiteninrr.l It sounds like far off firing! A\'huro should it be 1 
 Pep. I'll go and learn. [Exit, l. o. b 
 
 Re-evter King ; he soc.f to Mis.5 Stewart.
 
 THE king's rival. 33 
 
 Kinff, (r. c) Madam! Mistress Stewart I 
 
 Stew (r.) The Queen, Sire. How (ares it with the Queen 1 
 
 Kins'. Better, nuich better. Pierce says 'lis nothing : the hlooj was 
 
 not from the lieart ! and now let me take you from this place, it lits you 
 
 not. 
 
 Stciv. As ill as it fits your Majesty. I will jtq alone ! 
 
 King. Will you not trust me I [trWMs.] What's ihatl 
 
 Jiich. [ Who kns been hslcnuig.'\ it is the roar of ilisiaut cannon — the 
 
 night is c.ear — cannon at sea ! 
 
 Re-enter Pefys. 
 
 Nell. Well ! How scared thou look'st. man ! What is it • 
 
 Pep. They say 'tis the Dutch guns at Chatham. Mercy on us ! 
 
 Nell. Oh ! would I were a tire-ship to blow the Dutchman out of the 
 water ! 
 
 Kins;. (An enemy's guns — and in English -waters !) 
 
 Rich. De Ruyter at Chatham, and I not there ! I owe that to her ! 
 
 Pep. There they go — boom ! boom ! boom I Pray heaven the yard 
 may be safe ! 
 
 Riek. The sound makes me mad ! Ship or no ship, I'll but see 
 Wildman, take from him those papers, and leave them with the Duke 
 of Buckingham, and then to the fleet. Good-by, Nelly. 
 
 Nctl. What — will you go 1 Heigho ! At least, promise to see me 
 to-morrow at twelve. 
 
 Rich. Yes, yes, at twelve*, good-by. 
 
 Nell. Nay ; we must have a parting health ! 
 
 Rich. No! Those guns have sobered me. They ring the knell of 
 England's honor in my ears ! Yes, I wid give you a health : the health 
 that should be drunk to that ignominious music ! Fill your glasses high, 
 ladies and gentles of the Court, for I drink to the memory of a man! 
 By birth a yeoman, and by soul an emperor. Raise your glasses high, 
 dwarfs, for I drink to a giant. Whiles he lived, no Dutchman swept the 
 narrow seas! no Castlemaines dishonored the high places, and insulted 
 the matrons of the land. Vice and folly trembled at his eye, and all 
 good things lay safe beneath his mighty shadow. He died, and then 
 dogs took courage and tore the great man's bi)dy from the tomb — from 
 hallowed ground; but no power can tear him from his immortal se- 
 pulchre in England's heart. [Rises and removes his hat.^ Honor and 
 reverence to those dishonored bones that were the Protector ; aye ! the 
 protector of every honest man, and chaste woman in the land ; and the 
 scourge of cowardly soldiers, of unchristian prelates, of cutpurse nobles, 
 and lascivious kings ! 
 
 King. Such speeches as these lay the tongue that utters them in the 
 dust. 
 
 Steu\ Oh, heed him not. Sire ! he is drunk, he is mad; and I am to 
 blame for it. You know, Sire, to serve my Lord Buckhurst, I caused 
 your Majesty to disgrace this, your zealous servant. 
 
 Re-enter Chiffinch, l. u. e. 
 Chif. The Queen is come to herself, and asks for your Majesty.
 
 34 THE king's rival. 
 
 Kins. The Dutch at Chatham ! Cromwell's memory pledged in my 
 hearinii;! You shall dearly ahye this ! I come, Chiflinch. Oh. what I 
 wiih secret tr:uti)rs, open enemies, a cold mistress, and a loving wife, 
 who would be the Kinsj of England ! \^Guns cease. — Exi'., l. u. k. 
 
 Rich^ Farewell, Nelly. 
 
 Nell.. Nay; I'll not hudge this hour yet. 
 
 Rich. Then, I leave you to the eliarrre of Master Pepys. I have 
 urgent business with Major Wildman. Those papers safe in the Duke's 
 hands. I'll straight to Chatham. A Dutch bullet may save me from the 
 guilt of treason yet ! \^I'lxit, l. u. e. 
 
 Stew. Richmond gone alone I He has left his base companions. I'll 
 follow and tell liiin all. \^A confused noise heard outside, r. v e.] What's 
 that^ 
 
 IS ell. Go, and learn what bear's loose, Samuel. 
 
 Pep. That way the noise is. [J-Jxll. R. u. e. 
 
 Stew A crowd rush hitherwards ! \A'hat's that cry ! Ha ! The 
 plague ! 
 
 [A confused crowd of men and loomcn rush across stage, crying : 
 • Fly '. fly V from r. u. e. 
 
 Re-enter Pepys, haggard, and in terror, r. u. e. 
 
 Nell. Whatl whati 
 
 Pep. One stricken with the plague hath escaped from his house info 
 the gardens. He comes this way — see ! see I Save yourselves Fly I 
 fly! " [Ent,u. 
 
 Stew. [To Nell.] Are you not afraid. Madam T 
 
 Nell. Yes ; but running wont help us ; best stand firm. 
 
 [3Iore people jjass over, with confused noise. 
 
 Enter Major Wildm.in, r. u. e., pale and delirious, in his shirt and 
 breeches; dress torn and icet. 
 
 Wild. Ha ! The fiends fly from me. Ha ! ha ! ha ! Avaunt Satha- 
 nas — I am strong — smite — smite — and spare not. The father's head 
 fell — why not the son's? 'Tis written the saints shall reign a thousand 
 years. (The papers — have we not set our hands — see — see — we have 
 no traitors — no traitors — I answer for the Fleet — look how they throw 
 up their caps. Hark ! For God and the people I Hush — hush — good 
 friends ! Not yet — not yet. I must see the papers safe And the 
 Duke comes not — as he said. How dark it is ! Lights ! liijhts ! I will 
 go — but I am weak and weary — torment me not. \A'hat fire is this — in 
 my brain, and in my heart! I parch— Oh, for heaven's sake, water!) 
 The papers ! See them safe. 'Tis life and death ! The fiend has me 
 by the throat ! I'm burning — burning! \^'ater ! water I The papers! 
 "V^'ater ! Will no Christian bring water to a dying man ! [Falls. 
 
 Stew. Poor soul! I will, though I take death in exchange. 
 
 [Gars to tabic and sets water. 
 
 Nell. Oh, no ! not yon ; let me go. My life is worth far less than 
 yours. You are a lady of rank. [Runs off, v. e. l. 
 
 Stew. And claim the privilege of rank : the post of danger. [Givet 
 Major Wildman water '\ How greedily he drinks.
 
 THE king's rival. 35 
 
 V/dd And angels came and ministered unto him. The papers — 
 Slet,-. These papers lie heavy on his mind — they should be of mo- 
 ment, [lakes papers. 
 Wild. Aye — so. so — thanks — you'll keep them — remember, all have 
 signed — blcssiujjs on you, you have the papers — I can sleep now — 
 
 [He falls back. 
 
 Steid He has fainted, poor -juull But these papers — there was a 
 
 fearful iin[)ort in his broken woids. J^et me see. \^Opens papers.^ 
 
 What's here ! A compact against the King! Treason! I am the 
 
 instrument of heaven lo save liL'^i. 
 
 \_KiUcr has/ill/ Nei.l Gwv.n.ve •;/•///( men and torches, u. e. l., who 
 aurround \V^ildm.\x. 
 Stew. To the Kin^. [Rushes off, L. H. 
 
 [Nklly kncci'^i o.yer W ild.man; Ulc ihcii. hold their torches up so as to 
 Ugkf the scene. 
 
 KXl) OF .\CT in. 
 
 ACT IV. 
 
 SCENE — An apartment in (he Duice of Richmond's house, richly 
 furnished, c. — A velvet curiam drawn across cntraiicc to inner room 
 R. (J. — A private door, 'near which a hay window, L. 2 E. Door l. h. 
 
 Enter Servant, ushering in with great respect Miss Stewart, l. h. 
 
 (SVto. My lord bade nie say he should be here at twelve of the clock, 
 — 'tis upon the stroke. Pray vou be seated. Madam, [places chair, hoivs. 
 
 [Exit, L. 
 
 S!cii\ I am in Richmond's house ! This boldness may be mis-read ; 
 but it is for his salvation, and for mine ! How changed he is ! It is 
 despair that drives him to dice, and wine ! If words of mine can do me 
 right, and raising me, lift him to what he should be, — to what he i.s, 
 — shall priilc of blood, or maiden daintiness withhold them ! I will see 
 him, — speak lo him,— and he shall believe me, too, before I quit this 
 house. It is here he sits, on this chair, methinks, — dear Charles ! [sits 
 in chair and smdes.] And here he writes, and there is the cabinet where 
 he stores his papers and jirecious things. Does he treasure auuht of 
 mine! I keep all his hand has traced, [eyes rlramr.r wistfitlly.] Nay, 
 that wrre ungenerous ? — Why does be not come ! I will watch for him 
 at ilie v.indow. [stands al iriJidoic] How shall I S[)eak to him ' — how 
 soothe his wounded spirit 1 — how bring him back to belief of me, to rcs[)ect 
 of himself ! — how make him once more the Richmond I have loved, — 
 love sliil ' The star of chivalry, — the flower of manhood, — the soul of 
 honor ! Love will teach me how. Yet he comes not Ah ! a coach 
 draws up at the door. 'Tis he ! No, it is a woman. She approaches 
 the door now. Oli, turn. — turn ! [sta>ts.^ 'Tis the actress. How fair 
 she is ; s!ie is coming here, — here, where I am ! " What said th.it 
 1-jcquey 1 Twelve o'clock, — 'li.s a set meeting. I am too late, too late I" 
 [wrings her hands."] This is no place for me ! [going. Nell speaks
 
 Sii THE king's rival. 
 
 toilhout.] She will find me I — " she will make me the town talk ! — she 
 will say we met on the same errand I Oh, shame !" Is tiiere no 
 escape ! Ah, this curtain I [i!ra}rs curtain a Utile on one .?«/«.] Duke 
 of Richmond, you have cuiiipeiled mc to conceal myself, — to hide my 
 head before such as she ! Oh, Kichmund ! — Richmond I 
 
 Yrctires behind curtain, r. c. 
 Nell. [withotit.'\ Loss ceremony, my good man, — I can make my 
 entrance without a call boy. 
 
 Enter Nell, l. h. 
 
 Not here ! Faith, this is gallant! Well, I'll examine the field of 
 battle, that is to he, when we've liretl of one another. So, — a private 
 door, locked ! That is to put u.s away when a rival comes ; and here a 
 curtain. — that's to put our rivals away when 7ve come. A cabinet I 
 brimful of secrets! and unlocked [hesitates a mdmcrit ] Then what 
 riirht has he to leave me alone with it 1 [opc7is drawer ] " Log of His 
 Majesty's ship ' Rupert.' " Log ! I'll no loi^'s, save to l)urn at Christ- 
 mas tide ! What's here ! Letters, — tied wiih blue ribbon in a true- 
 lover's knot, — a woman's hand too ! lJy-and-l>y. Letter.^, — and here 
 a brooch, and a love-lock ! Oh, ho ! "rloss}', soft, and bhick as jet ! 
 Yes, this is an old Cupid's cable, and once anchored the good ship 
 Richmond : ''but what then, — the lock always outlasis ihe love, as this 
 shall, — for it is my turn now. I like this duke. — he mopes and drinks, 
 and is riding post-haste to the devil, lor a woman, — signs he has a 
 heart. I'll cure him of his green sickness, — it will be achaiitable deed, 
 and good sport, too, while it lasts." Steps ! here he comes, anil before 
 I have read his letters ! [fiici; to seat 
 
 Enter Richmond, hastily, l. h. 
 
 Rich. Thy pardon, fair Nelly, that I have made thee wait. 
 
 Hell Oh, I have had companions here. 
 
 Jiich. Companions ! 
 
 If ell. Your four walls, [astdc ] Oh, lud ! there's one of the drawers 
 not shut. 
 
 Rich. As good companions I fear, as their master, the kinder of thee 
 to venture to to dull a house. 
 
 Nell. W^ell, now I am here, what are j-ou going to say to me ! 
 
 Rich. What but the old tale — how I admire thee. 
 
 Nell. No. you do not. Tell me what you admire me for! 
 
 Rich. For thy frank and sunny temper. Thou art thyself I am 
 sick of hypocrisy. Feigning hearts, and false, smooth laces have 
 tortured mo to death. Thy open brow, without mask or veil, have 
 comfort for me. I come to it like a desert traveller, to ficsh, clear 
 water. 
 
 Nell. Were that in rhyme, now, 'twere worth a round from the pit ! 
 Well, you have hit my good point — I am an honest woman — 
 
 Rich. How long could so airy a spirit put up with so dull a rogue as 
 I, Mistress Gvvynne ? 
 
 Nell. Nell ! 
 
 Rich. [sadly.'\ Nell!
 
 THE king's rival. 37 
 
 Nell. Nol not that sort of Nell ; I'm not ' the knell, that summons 
 you to Heaven or to'' — the cellar under the stage. 
 
 Mich. Thou art a merry soul. 
 
 Nell, ril make you another, only you must not be frovvard, but take 
 my physic like a good child. 
 
 liicli. Shall I love thee! 
 
 Hell. I doubt if you know how. He who loves Nelly must not be 
 jcalous^I am so fond of sport ! Jealou.sy is not a lit companion for a 
 hero ; it drives you to mad courses — drink, and dice, and — spare my 
 blusiies for the rest. 
 
 liich. Then thou knowest ; oh, cure me. Nelly — no niatter how — 
 teach me to forget her — thinking of whom — I forget myself I have 
 been mad — I am mad I Slie is destroying me. Good, .kind, lionest 
 Nelly, help me to root out of my heart, one that is unworthy a place in 
 any true man's. Do this, and be the poor. lost Richmond's friend 
 
 [Miss Stewart kIicws her face pale as dca/Ji at llie ciirlain. 
 
 Nell. Yes 1 But belore I mix my physic, let me know the sickness I 
 am to cure you of Have you loved Mistress Sievvarl long ! Have you 
 been true to her! Odd's bodikins ! What a quesiiou ! I'f course 
 not ! 
 
 Rich. My love for her was the centre of my soul I If I led a severe 
 life in those dissolute days, it was lest siie should ever blush ibr me; 
 if I sought for honor in war, it was that she might draw more pleasure 
 and more pride from my love. She was n)y sun ! The sun is set, the 
 night and the frost are upon me, and I am withered away. \\ ould j'ou 
 kno-w how I loved her — compare what I was when we were one in 
 heart, with what I am now — a Damascus blade rusted, an escutcheon 
 blackened, a ship rotting or. the shore, an idle man, a drunken duke. 
 
 Nell. I envy you ! \^saiU]/.^ I could not love anybody enough to be 
 miserable for them. 
 
 Rich. My love is all misery now 
 
 Nell. No, not all — why an' you go to that, the soul of man brings 
 him grief that the brutes escape ibr want of a soul. Yet who would 
 lose, 
 
 •'Though full of pain this intellectual being. 
 These thoughts that wander through eternity.'' 
 'Tis vile taste to quote John Milton, but the roundhead sings better than 
 our poets, that have no head, round or square. Sti.l keep your soul 
 tho' 'tis the seat of sutlering ; still keep the choicest jewel of that soul ; 
 your love for Mistress Stewart. [Richmo.xd kixacs her hmid.j True I 
 could cure you but how < Blunt the pain by deadening the heart that 
 feels it — villanous surgerj' ! [r/.ves.J but no noble nature was ever 
 corru[)ted or lowered by me, nor ever shall ; for all the world contains I 
 would not have that sin on my hands now, nor its remorse on my soul 
 when I come to the end of my time. 
 
 Rich. How little tb.e world knows you 1 Yours is a heart of gold I 
 
 Nell. Heart of a fiddle ; come, sit by me, and tell me, what has Miss 
 Stewart done, that you despair ! 
 
 Rich. Done ! Is she not quoted in all mouths the royal favorite ; alJ 
 know how this King's favor is purchased by her sex 1
 
 38" TIIK KINO S RIVAL. 
 
 Nell. We'll grant you that — what, besides \ 
 
 Rich. Seeing I know this dnnining truth, her heart has so turned 
 atraiust me, that she lias rohl)ed me of mj' command, leaves me to rust 
 here, a tliinir for these fiyl'low courtiers to spend their buzz on. 
 
 Nell. Hum ! What more 1 
 
 Rich. Is't not enough ! Her fair fame is soiled — her nature corrupted 
 • — till she hates me wliom she onco loved. 
 
 Nell. How fast you go ! Humph ! 'J'he way to read a woman is to 
 put yourself in her place, if you happen to be a woman. Now let us 
 apply this test; lam Mistress Stewart, you are my lover — the King 
 wuos me ; if I favor the King, you are in my way : I should say to the 
 KiniT " Here's an ass that loves me, but luckily he loves laurels too — 
 m:\kii him an admiral — send him to sea — and get him handsomely 
 knocked on the head." But say I favor you — 
 
 Rich. What then 1 
 
 Nell. Why then, scholar, I keep you by me for my own pleasure, 
 and thereby check to the King. 
 
 Rich. Mistress Gwynne ! 
 
 Nell. Ntlly! What I Is daylinht breaking in 1 Oh, I forgive you ; 
 you are a novice and a hero, but that Old Rowley, with his experience, 
 should l>e crulled by her into taking your command, and keeping you at 
 the court here — that does amaze me ! Lucky for both his Majesty and 
 you, I am not a man — I would whip her away from both of you — a pair 
 of nil! — com — poops 1 Hal ha I ha! ha! 
 
 Rich. Nelly! 
 
 Nell, "\^'hat 1 'Tis Nelly now: yes. many things are possible; 
 Portsmouth may be virtuous, the sky may rain Burgundy, Nelly may 
 turn Puritan. JBut that she who clipped your wings lest you should fly 
 away from you — that this woman loves you not — is impossibU; ! 
 
 Rich. Oh, what comfojtable words are these, [hcsiiates.] And yet 
 the King's pursuit of her — 
 
 Nell. Is hot as ever ! A sure proof the man has not caught her yet! 
 Must I teach you the alphabet of your own se.K as well as mine ! 
 
 Rich. Heaven bless the tongue that speaks these words ; they are 
 balm to my brain, they are blood to my veins, and sunshine to my heart ! 
 What fiend has blinded me to reasons that carry conviction as you 
 speak them \ God bless you ! You have conquered. I believe in her 
 — I love her once again ! 
 
 Enter Servant, with note, l. h. 
 
 Scrv. These from the Duke of Buckingham, my lord. 
 
 Rich. From Buckingham, [reail.'i direction.'] Haste — -po.^t haste ! I 
 am a conspirator ! Oh, why did I ever plot ! My love is true, I will 
 enoa<>-e no further in this desperate business. But what does he write ! 
 [rcad'f.] " Come to me on the instant, our sky clouds — Warehawk." 
 Some danger toward — nay. then, I cannot fall o?L. [/o Nell.] Your 
 pardon, I must to the Duke of Buckingham, but 
 
 Nell. But you would come back and hear La Belle further. "\^'ell, 
 shall I wait your return \ 
 
 Rich. Pr'ythee do ; 'twill be a crowning charity, sweet Nelly. 
 
 [Exit, L II.
 
 THE king's rival. 39 
 
 Nell. I've lifted twenty years off that man's head. How the fellow 
 treads now ! Ah I haughty prude ! you will never know how much 
 you owe the greatest coquette in London. 
 
 [Miss Stewakt comes from behind cw?7.»7».'?.] 
 Metliii:ks I see her, if one should tell her of this, I couid act her now, 
 as with her queenly brow and i'alcon eye slie holds out her dainty lingers 
 tj Nelly, thus, — '• Here is your reward — you may kiss the Stewart's 
 hand."' 
 
 t</ew. (r ) [in a fai7)t voice.) Mistress Gwynne 1 
 
 Nell, (l.) Who calls ] A lady ! Mistress Stewart or her ghost I 
 
 Stew. It is I — Frances Stewart. I was behind that curtain. 
 
 Nell. What the plague — she must have heard every word ! What ! 
 Did you hide yourself to listen 1 
 
 8(ew. Oh, no ; madam ! I was here awaiting my lord, when you 
 came ; I hid myself; I feared you would expose me ; I was like the 
 world — I did not know you, madam. 
 
 Nell. Well, Mistress Stewart, proverbs are not always true ; you lis- 
 tened — but heard some good of yourself ! The best I can make on't 
 now, is to call my coach and leave you to the duke. 
 
 Stew. What, before I have said one word to you 1 
 
 Nell. (She seems moved.) 
 
 S/ew. Ah, I understand I You think I am ungrateful; they have 
 told you I am cold. Yes; I am cold to the false-hearted, Mistress 
 Gwynne ; I live in a court — I live among reptiles that crawl about me 
 and freeze my heart to stone. But you have showed me this day a 
 great heart — an hone.^t heart within a mile of Whitehall ; and I long to 
 warm myself at it. but you turn away from me. What ! You lay me 
 under so huge a debt, and will take no payment! That is unkind — 
 that is not like you. 
 
 Nell. Mistress Stewart ! Why, it is a woman like myself I 
 
 Sleic. In good faith it is ; and what would you do had I served you 
 as you have served me this day 1 
 
 Nell. Something, I'll be sworn, that would noways become Mistress 
 Stewart. 
 
 Slew. But what would you do ! 
 
 Nell. Faith, 1 should take the impudent jade round the neck, and 
 give her two great smacks on each cheek. Ha ! ha 1 ha ! 
 
 Stcic. Ah, so ! [^kissing her warmly.} And so. Oh. my heart is too 
 full to speak! [enibracts kcr.} 
 
 Nell. Don't cry ; there is nothing to cry about, except that I am not 
 worthy of your kisses ; let me go, you forget who I am — Nell Gwynne, 
 the actress. 
 
 8t('W. Hush, hush ; I believe not a word the court says of vou — I 
 never will ; hear how it talks of me. You have an honest heart — how 
 have I pined for one I Oh. lay that honest heart to initie! 
 
 Nell. You, sweet lady ! I love you — I would die to serve vou ! 
 [whimpers. Miss Stewart dries Nelly's tears vnlh her handkerchief.] 
 
 Re-enter hastily the Duke of Richmond — he stands transfixed with 
 surprise.
 
 40 THE king's rival. 
 
 Nell. The duke ! [about to rrcotl. Miss S liolds her hand.'] 
 
 Stew (v.) Yes, I iiin lieie; I was trying to lliank this s;ooiJ soul, and 
 could find no words ; forgive nic, lUchiuoiid, as I forgive you. How 
 have we misread each other ! 
 
 Rirh. (l.) What ! my own noble Frances ! You ask me to forgive 
 you ! Me ! an infidel, who doubled of the sun, because a cloud came 
 between nie and its glorious presence. 
 
 Stew. Nay, 'tis I am most to blame ; I left the one safe track — tlie 
 path of truth. To shield my lover, I stooped to deceive the King ; and 
 I did not deceive the King, and I deceived my lover ; benceforlb P'ran- 
 ces Stewart walks in the narrow path of truth, aye, though it lead her 
 unto death ! 
 
 Kich. I will approve my penitence by a life of trust and love. 
 
 Stew. Forget the past, dear Richmond ; we know each other now. 
 [turns to Nell.] God bless you for it. And once to know now, is it 
 not to know for ever ! [they embrace] 
 
 Stew. I will tell the King all ; how can he hurt yon ; you are an 
 Englishman, and break no law ; therefore the law will sliield you, aye, 
 though it be against a King. Cromwell has not lived all in vain. 
 
 Rich. Madman that I was ! I had the vantage ground, and I have 
 left it ; curse on my hot head. 
 
 Stew. Think no more of the past, my dearest, look forward to our 
 future — it seems so bright, so beautiful ! 
 
 Rich. Heaven grant it may be so I \a.'<ide'\ Wildman missing with 
 those papers — the compact and our names — that bodes ill. 
 
 NcJl. (r ) \lo Stkw.\kt.] The Duke is disturbed. 
 
 Huh. Forgive this trouble, 'tis not for myself, but for thee, for thee, 
 iny precious one. 
 
 Nell. I understand. He's right, fair mistress you are in danger, but 
 be ruled by me, and VW set you out of shot of the King. But you'll 
 obey me, both of you ? 
 
 Rich. You have a title to my obedience. 
 
 Stew. A better still to mine. 
 
 Nell. Then you will be ruled by poor little Nelly, great folks, upon 
 your honor? 
 
 Rirh. Upon our honor ! 
 
 Nell. Then upon my honor, you shall be married, ere the day's ten 
 minutes older — aye, in this house. 
 
 Rich. Dearest, we have promised to obey. 
 
 St^ew. Married ! Here ! Now ! Impossible ! 
 
 Nell. Impossible, quotha I Try, you'll find it easier than to undo. 
 
 Stew. This is too sudden. 
 
 Nell. Would you sacrifice his happiness, and to ceremony 1 The 
 husband can defend, where the lover is powerless. I hold you to your 
 word. 
 
 Slew. But there is none to stand by me at the altar, no witness, no 
 clergyman. 
 
 Nell. I'll find all. For a father — the first sober gentleman will serve, 
 {goes to windoic, l. 2. e.] Ha, in the nick of time — Master Pepys and
 
 THE king's rival, 41 
 
 his modest brother, [ficckons.] He shakes his perriwig ; nay, then, the 
 magic leaves must compel. \^shukcs Icaocs of diary J I thought so ! 
 Enter Pepys, l. h. 
 
 Pcpxji. You calleLl. fiir Nell. Ha, Mistress Stewart ! My lord! 
 
 Nell. This lady is to marry that gentleman, and you are to give her 
 away. 
 
 [Stew.\et and Richmond retire. Pkpys beckons Nell aside. 
 
 Pepys. Give her away — to him ! His .Majesty's ward, and a maid of 
 honor, is not given away lilce a bona roha at a Fleet-marriage — no, I 
 must think of my advancement. I take no part in such mad doings ! 
 
 Nell Say you so? 
 
 Pepi/s. Nay, more. The Kina; shall know of this. 
 
 Nell, [fakes papers from her pocket.] And the King shall know of this 
 — [reads.] — " To Whitehall, and there in the matted gallery " 
 
 Pepys. The missing leaves of my journal book ! 
 
 i\'e// '• But Ijord, to see how the poor shallow King is fooled of all — 
 and what small respect he hath of himself " 
 
 Pepys Nay, Mistress Nelly 
 
 KclL. " And is grown of late methinks, marvellous ill favored." His 
 majesty will relisli this. 
 
 Pepys. Pr'ythee, for mercy's sake 
 
 Nell. " Thence to the .Mulberry garden, with Knipp, telling my wife, 
 
 poor wretch! I had business in the office " Mrs. Pepys will like 
 
 that! 
 
 Pepys. Nay, nay, Nelly, hold — give me those leaves, and I'll do your 
 bidding in nil things. 
 
 Nell. I.^ndertake then, and with a good grace. 
 
 Pepys. yto Rich.mond and Miss Stew.\rt.] Fair lady, my good lord, 
 I esteem myself liap[)y to be thus trusted, di-spose of my poor self as you 
 will. 
 
 Rirh. [/(I Nelly] But. the clergyman. 
 
 Ndhj. Master Pepys, call brother John ! He's below— I saw him. 
 
 Pepys. But if the King comes to know, 'twill be the poor lad's ruin. 
 
 Nell, [reads slowly.] "At the office, counting of my gains from the 
 last prizes. The Lord forgive me!" 
 
 Pepys Nay then, f must [/o Miss Stewart arid Richmo.vd.] My 
 brother waits below and v^'ill be honored by this trust. ('Tis an undone 
 youth ) [Exit L. 
 
 Ricli. How long the moments seem till we are one ! 
 Re-enter Pepys, with John Pepys, l. 1 e. 
 
 Pepys- Thy congee, John. My brother, madam. Plague on't. [aside, 
 to John.] 'Tis great advancement for thee, John. 
 
 Nell. Reverend sir. you are to marry this lady to this gentleman. 
 
 John. I will bind them as fast as e'er a bishop in the land. I've the 
 rubric in my pocket. 
 
 Pepys. [aside tn Nell.] And now give me my leaves. 
 
 Nell. What ! before the knot is tied, old fox ! No ! 
 
 Pepys. [axide ] There is no escape I John, thou art marvellously 
 favored in this ; remember, 'tis to me thoii owest it.
 
 42 THE king's J;ival. 
 
 John. I am bounden to 3'ou. brother. 
 
 Nell. In then, fatiier and priest. 
 
 \_Exeiint Pepys and John lo inner room, b. c. 
 Now \^lo Miss S. and Rich. J I will be your sentinel! 
 
 liicli. Was ever man so happy, yet so fearful ; my love, I ought to 
 bid you pause — reflect, ere you take this step ; yet, how can 1 1 Heaven 
 forgive me — how can 1 1 
 
 Stew. ]t were in vain — I would not desert you now. The hand that 
 now takes thine, throws down defiance to a King ; but if destruction 
 fall, it falls on two souls knit strong in one. Come I — you believe I 
 love you now ] [Exit with Richmond, e. c. 
 
 Nell. I would go too, but I fear I should laugh and spoil the cere- 
 mony ; I always laugh at the high tragical — but I will peep ! They are 
 all kneeling I Ay, the place is holy — how solemn that lad's voice 
 sounds ; the woman vi'eeps, the man is pale. It is a high and holy con- 
 tract ! They join hands before the priest — those are great vs-ords — 
 '• Through evil report and good report, for better for worse — till death 
 Us do part." May that be far off! Heaven's blessing be on you! 
 Yours is a sacred union. It seals the love that makes hearts pure, and 
 fits them for a better world than this. I shall never stand so before the 
 priest ! The Church will never give me Heaven's blessing ! No honest 
 man will so love me! I shall die Nell Gwynne — and men will say I 
 was a wanton ! Who will believe my heart was not corrupt] Oh, woe 
 is me ! woe is me ! Heaven pity me ! Heaven help me ! 
 
 Enter suddenly Major Wildman, pale and dishevelled, l. h. 
 
 Wild, (l.) The Duke of Richmond, madam. I must see him on the 
 instant. 
 
 Nell, (r ) Ah ! 
 
 Wild. You look scared. 
 
 Nell. Small wonder : are you not he wc saw death-stricken in Spring 
 Gardens. 
 
 Wild. Madam ! I have wrestled back to daylight from the threshold 
 of the grave! But this is no time to speak of past dangers. \\'here 
 are those papers 1 Did you take them, — have you them! Speak, for 
 the love of heaven ! 
 
 Nell. You terrify me. The papers are safe. Mistress Stewart took 
 them, — she was there. 
 
 Wild. The other lady ! But where are they now ! 
 
 Nell- In safe keeping. S!ie gave them to the King himself! 
 
 Wild. To the King ! 
 
 Nell. Seeing you so troubled about them, she read, and saw they 
 were treason ; as you could not give them to his Majesty, she did. 
 
 Wild She has struck our heads from our shoulders ! 
 
 Nrll. How ! — They were not for the Kintr ! 
 
 Wild. Disguise is useless now. You are the Duke's friend. 
 
 Nell. To the death! 
 
 Wdd. They were a compact for the Kinjr's undoing; signed by the 
 Duke of Buckingham, myself, tlie Duke of llichmoiid 
 
 Nell. RichmontI ! Oh this is terrible !
 
 THE KINGS RIVAL. 43 
 
 Wild. I came to warn him. A ship waits in the river to carry us to 
 Flanders. He must fly with me. Bring me where he is. 
 Nc/f. It cannot be. Fly you. I will warn him. 
 Wild. Yes ! — I must fly ; but not till I have put him on his guard ; 
 nor till we Imve taken vengeance on the traitorous hand that lias be- 
 trayed us 
 
 JVell. She knew not what she did. Leave her and him to my care 
 and heaven ! 
 
 Wild. Where is lie 1 
 Nell. There! 
 
 [The curtain is drawn iy Nelly. The Duke and Duchess arc 
 
 discovered at the Altar hand in-hand ; others grouped round. 
 
 Mv.';ic. 
 Wild. Mistress Stewart, too ! What does he. hand-in-hand with the 
 woman who has destroyed iiim ! 
 Nell. Husli ! Man and wife ! 
 
 [WiLDMAN staggers back, and act-drop descends. 
 
 END OF ACT IV. 
 
 ACT V. 
 
 SCENE. — The King's Clo.set. Folding doors, c. Secret door. r. c. 
 Door of Inner Chamber, r. 3 E. Door, l. Fire-place, R. 2 e. Tables. 
 Chairx. Guitar. Great many -papers in confusion. A lighted taper 
 on table. King discovered in velvet dressing-goivn, sealing letters. 
 
 Kintr. "V^'hen I first came to this seat of thorns, called a throne, I 
 had a father's murder to avenge. I raised a scaflold for his murderers. 
 Since then, I have returned to my natural humor, and been an easy 
 King — the tool of intriguing men, the dupe of intriguinn- women, till the 
 name of King bids fair to become a laughing-stock in this England. I 
 must rear the scaflold once more. 
 
 Enter Chiffinch, l. 
 Chif The Lord President. 
 King. Admit him, and attend me in the robing-room. 
 
 [Exit Chiffinch, e. 3 k 
 Enter Shaftesbury, l. 
 
 We sent for you, my lord, that you might prepare the Council for the 
 grave matter to be laid before them this day. Read that paper. 
 
 Shaft. [After examining paper.^ Hum! It is treason. "A solemn 
 league and compact to dethrone the King," and signed [Pause.] Has 
 your Majesty read these signatures 1 
 
 Kins'. No ; 1 knew myself too well. You read the names, my Lord. 
 
 Shaft. The Lord Grey, of Wark — 
 
 Kinn-. Ah ! 1 refused him a place in the Exchequer. I meant it 
 kindly ; he has taken it ill. Go on. 
 
 Shaft. Koger Palmer, Earl of Castlemaine.
 
 41 THE kino's rival. 
 
 Kiyig. Ah ! T have injured him. He has a right to butt at mc. Go on. 
 
 Hhnfl. Major Wildman. 
 
 Kins. Ha, ha! a fifth monarchy man — the old leaven — he is a mad- 
 man, and nothinj" worse. Go on ; why do you pausC \ 
 
 Shaft. George V^illiers, Duke of Buckiii;,fhani. 
 
 Kino-. My Lord ! [Starting up.] Do yi>u muck me I 
 
 Shaft. It is, indeed, his hand and seal. Charles — 
 
 King'. One moment, sir — one moment — this was mine own familiar 
 friend, in whom I trusted. Oh ! who would be a king 1 Proceed, my 
 Lord. 
 
 Shaft. Charles Stewart, Duke of Richmond. 
 
 King: Hal [^Starts np.] Impossible! 
 
 Shajt. Nay, Sire, see ! 
 
 [KrxG lookx at vame, avd kccpx the papers. 
 
 King. Frances Stewart ! Oliver's health ! Treason, for once, I thank 
 thee. I've heard enough ; more than enough To the Council, my 
 Lord. Open this blacli business in what fashion you will ; I will but 
 dress, and follow you. 
 
 Shaft. The papers, Sire, shall I take them 1 
 
 King. No ; let the clerk fetch them. I would go over the names. I 
 may read them now. I know the worst and the best. 
 
 [Sh.4Ftesbury bows, and exits, c. 
 
 Enter Page, l. 
 
 Page. His Grace, the Duke of Pvichmond, Sire, requests a private 
 audience. [King puts papers o7i table. 
 
 King. The Duke of — 
 
 Page. The Duke of Richmond, your Majesty. 
 
 King. A private audience ! Does he come to assassinate me 1 Well, 
 ■we shall he mari to man. I will receive his Grace here after the Coun- 
 cil [Exit Page, l.] « The Duke of Richmond plots against my throne, 
 and, no doubt, my life. 1 wish him dead, for he stands between me 
 and the woman I love. He is reported a gallant gentleman. His hlood 
 IS as good as my own. Oh ! for once, to lay aside the King; and love, 
 and iiate, and face my rival like a man. Let him come. Should he 
 make a motion to his sword, mine shall answer it ; I have the one hero 
 which I carried against Cromwell at Worcester, and ran away from hiai 
 like all the rest. It may have better luck this time. 
 
 Re-enter Chiffi.nch, r. 3 e. 
 
 Chif. Your Majesty's toilet is prepared. 
 King. So, to the Council — Buckingham ! ! 
 
 [Exit, follou-ed by Chiffincii. Door, r. 3 K. 
 Secret door is cautiously opened, r. c, and Nf.lly peeps in. 
 
 Nell. Thank you for this key, Madam Davis. It cnnies in a lucky 
 time. No one here; that is luckier sliil. As I expected, cvervthing in 
 confusion ; he is a .■■ad sloven. If he h.ive but left these papers lltler- 
 injf about, and I can find them, I will destroy those proofs of the Duke's
 
 THE king's rival. 45 
 
 trrason They can't kill me for it : besiiles. T'i) swear I never saw them. 
 W'hai is tliis ;' •' Expenses of the Kinif's ducks." '• List ol the ships 
 at Chatham yard." "Project ot' the Canary Comp.iny.' "For the 
 Council!' Ha, yes! '' fSoiemn league*' This is it! He is saved — 
 or sluiii be. How t.) destroy them ! Ha 1 this taper ! 
 
 EiUcr King, has/ili/, u. 3 e . drcs.^ed. ailcndcd by Ciiiffinch, uho cxiU c. d. 
 Niii.LY, drops papers at table. 
 
 Kniff. Who's there ] Mistress Gwynnc ! You look disturbed. 
 
 iVf //. So do you. ^^'hat is the matter I 
 
 King. Nothing in especial ; oi.ly a litt'.e more treason and ingratitude 
 than usual ; and then the kingdom is in great disorder. 
 
 Ac.'l. Ni-t so great as this room. I trust. What ! are there no women 
 in this house to set matters to rights a little^ 
 
 Kiii!X. There are women enow in this house. 
 
 Nell. But not the sort of women that set things to rights, eh I Can 
 your Mnjesty bear to hear the truth ! 
 
 Kinif. How can I tell ! 'Tis an annoyance I have never yet expe- 
 rienced f. oin a woman. 
 
 Acll. Ha ! ha I 
 
 King. Be pleased to give me back my key, mistress. 
 
 Kdl. \\'hat ! may I not keep it ! May I not come here whenever I 
 please. Will Chiffinch told Mrs. Davis I was to have it for good and all 
 
 King. Kay ! I will send it you whenever I would have you come. 
 You are too giddy to he trusted with it. 
 
 At//. Weil, there is your key, and pray heaven your Majesty may 
 never trust it to a worse woman than Nell Gwynnc ; but that's past 
 praying for while you have such as Castlemaine about you. 
 
 King. Hey-day, .Mistress I 
 
 Nell. You are ; they trade on your bad qualities ; tliey have not the 
 wit to see your good ones ; they deceive you and laugh at you, and 
 leave you here in a dirty slovenly room, without even a fire, though 'tis 
 as cold as a Lenten audience. 
 
 KniiS. No ; they gave me a fire, but it has gone out. 
 
 Nell. Then, suppose we light it a^rain ! 
 
 Krnrr, It is somewhat cold I I will order the rogues to light it. 
 
 Nell. No, no , let us light it ourselves. Shouldn't you like to learn 
 how to light a fire ! 
 
 King, [yairn.'i.] Vcs ; I think I ahould like to learn how to light a 
 fire. Can you teach me ! 
 
 Nell. Noliody belter ; I have lighted hundreds. 
 
 King. With your eyes. Nelly ! 
 
 Nell. No, Charles, with a farlhin": rushlight! First we get some 
 wood. Let's see ; cliop me up this box. What are you looking for 1 
 Your sword will do. \^Kivg ckoux up a cedar box.] No — Sire ; get the bel- 
 lows, [takes paper and chips, lishls paper, thrown ctiipx on it.'\ Now, 
 larger wood ! good sport, isn t it ! Now, you blow, and I'll [)ut on some 
 pa|)er lighted to draw the flames through, [ichilc Knur is bloiinng, she 
 gets Ireanonablc paper, and puts il 07i fire.] Blow I Harder 1 Thero
 
 46 THE king's rival. 
 
 now. [clapx her hands'^ tliat is the ^pst fire I ever lighted. Ha, ha! — 
 (for it has saved a mail's life) — ha ! ha ! [/auuh-s hi/^s/crirallij] 
 
 Kiiiir. Wli.u a mad merry soul it is ; jou must often come to see mc. 
 Odslisli ! ] knuvv not whether it is the fire or your airy ludyshij), but 
 the room hcciiis slrange'y brighter. 
 
 Nell. Then, suppose we sit hy the fire, now 'tis lighted. 
 
 King. "\\ iih ail my heart. [J'hci/ draw their chairs to the fire.'] 
 
 Reenter CuiFriNcii, c. d. 
 
 Chif. The Clerk of the Council ! 
 
 Kjn<:. Hang the Clerk of the Council ! 
 
 V/iif. He conies after the pajiers for my Lord.s, Sire. 
 
 King;. Ay, these ; give them to him. 
 
 Nell. (Just in time — thank heaven !) 
 
 Kivg. Well? 
 
 Chif. Sire, Mistress Stewart craves an immediate audience. 
 
 Kin";. Mistress Stewart! admit her instantly. [/oNei-l.] You await 
 the while in that room ; I can't part with you yet ; you will not listen, 
 hussy. 
 
 Nell, [.■iolemnly ] I have no mean faults, your Majesty. (How fond 
 the men are of making us women tell lies ; he knows very well I shall 
 listen.) [Exit, R. 3 E. 
 
 Enter Miss Stewart, c. d., ushered in by Chiffincu, who exits im- 
 medialely, c. d. 
 
 King. What can I do for your service, fair Cousin 1 
 
 Slew. Sire, I come to take my leave of your Majesty. To-morrow I 
 retire from the Court. 
 
 King. How ! without our permission '' 
 
 atew. No, Sir ; I shall have your permission ; I have her Majesty's, 
 and you will hardly oppose our joint desire in so light a matter. 
 
 King. Light matter ! Frances, would you take from me the one face 
 that it charms me to look on ! ^\'ould you rob my Court of its star ; 
 niy heart of its Queen 1 
 
 Sten\ Sire ; it is best we part ; scandalous tongues have been busy 
 both with your credit and mine ; I would not have our common name 
 sullied either in your person or my own. I love your Majesty, as sub- 
 jects should love their King, with honor and respect ; I always would 
 so love you : and that I niay, I beseech you let me leave this place. 
 \_ahout to /incel.} 
 
 King, [raise.i her.] Rise ! rise I Leave the Court ] No ! no I do 
 not decide hastily. 
 
 Slew. I have thought and decided ; but, before I go, I have here gifts 
 of your Majesty's, which I would return, [gives casket. King opens it.} 
 
 King. I'hese pearls ; my one gift to you. 
 
 Steio. 1 do not need them to keep your Majesty's goodness in T«mem- 
 brance. 
 
 King. Pshaw! They were the oflerings of my love. 
 
 Stcir. And therefore they scorch my neck in the wearing Take 
 them, Sire
 
 THE KINfi S RIVAL. 
 
 47 
 
 Kiv^. Think better of all this. Wait here a few minutes. 1 so to 
 open the Council. That done, I will return, and jiive you convincing 
 reasons that now is not the time to ilisrespoct your King;. [Exi/. c. 
 
 S/ric. Wliat docs he mean ! His air is slranirrly grave ! There is a 
 rlnud about hi.s brow I never saw before. — It tills me with dim terror — I 
 linow not why. I will wait and fathom his meanini;. 
 
 Enter RicH.MOND, l. 
 
 Rich. My Frances. You here ! 
 
 Slcii;. Kiclimond! My own dear husband! Ah, if yesterday you 
 had found me tiiu.s you would have had hard thoughts of me. 
 Jiu-.h. All that is past. 
 
 IStao. Oh yes, yes ! You gue«s why I am here. 
 
 Rich. Yes, you come to take your leave of this corrupt court, and to 
 announce our marriage. 
 
 Slcic. Alas I I am a woman still, and still a coward. 1 was here to 
 bid the King farewell, but I proposed (forgive me. my own love,) to let 
 none know our happiness till we should be far off out of hearing of 
 their scandal — out of reach of their malice. 
 
 Rkli. INot so ; be truer to yourself Stand by me as I tell the King 
 the truth, and tell him. too, the husband of Frances .Stewart must either 
 serve his country and his King in some honorable post or live with you 
 a loving and a quiet life at home. 
 
 Slcro. Richmond, you are better than I am— you are more fearless, 
 and therefore are you more true. These two years past I have breathed 
 the air of a court, but you have been on the sea. The pure breath of 
 heaven lias played upon your face ; your heart has still been strung to 
 danger and to glory. — take me from this stilling atmosphere of lies, — oh, 
 take me away ! away to the great sea you love take me anywhere 
 where truth is — raise me to your level, my honest sailor I — I love you — 
 I will be worthy of you. \^Shc embraces him. The Kins' stands on 
 threshold, c] No more equivocation — no more disguise. We are Eng- 
 lish — we are noble — we are one — we will defy this King together I 
 
 King, [adoancing.^ You will need all your courage. \_Richmovd 
 uncovers.^ 
 SteiP. Ah ! 
 
 Kiric/. Unhand her, sir — or by heaven 
 
 Stew. You outrage me, sir, in threatening him. 
 
 King. S' death, madam 1 do you bring your lover into my very closet? 
 Would you show yourself without shame as well as ijratilude ! 
 
 Slew. And since when have 1 forfeited a woman's right to choose 
 whom she will lovel Am I the first English maiden who has prefer- 
 red an honorable suit to one that was all insult, though a king's 1 This 
 tyranny is not to be borne. Yes, Sire ! know that 1 love the Duke of 
 Richmond, and I claim a freeborn English woman's ri^ht to bestow my 
 hand and heart on the man I choose. " Oh ! I know that your Majesty's 
 " court is no place for honorable love, but I am leaving your court, and 
 " leaving it I throw oH" all the deceit it taught me." This is the man J 
 .ove, and his I am till death us do part. 
 
 King. That may be sooner than you think, disloyal lady.
 
 48 THE king's rival. 
 
 Steto. Iille throats, your Majesty. I am not a child, nor am I dig- 
 loval, as you well know. I am more true to you than you are to your- 
 self. 
 
 King. Say you so ! I shall answer you better when I find a certain 
 pa[)er. 
 
 Nell, [■'ihnws her face at door, r. 3 e. radiant. Asidc.^ The paper I 
 burnt — find it if you can. 
 
 Kins', [rummasiti!^ ] 'Twas on this table. 
 
 Nell. [«.vi(/e.] Look up the chimney I 
 
 Kins- Tis gone! — curse on it — between this and the council. 
 Treason sits on niy very footstool ; but tl)is time she is foiled. Tlio 
 paper was in duplicate ; [opens drawer.'\ here is that duplicate. 
 
 Nell. [(iiiidc.'\ Lost! lost! 
 
 King. Do you know this] 
 
 Slew. The ]japers I jr^^vc your Majesty in Spring Gardens Ithoufflit 
 not of danger when I took that paper from a plaijue-spotted 'hand to 
 give it you. You should not have called me disloyal. 
 
 KiiKj. Your rebuke is just. You are a somewhat cold-blooded but 
 certainly loyal body, and therefore it is 1 am about to put a question to 
 j'ou : what does tlie man deserve, who, being my soldier, vet fights 
 auainst me : — who, drawing honor from me, vet aims at my throne and 
 life! 
 
 Stew He deserves death. 
 
 Kmir. But, saj' this man was a nobleman 1 
 
 Slew. Then he deserves to die twice, — once for attacking his king — 
 once for dishonoring his own bloud. 
 
 King You say well. Head the names signed to this paper — or read 
 but one — here. 
 
 Stew. [Iicgnt.s to read ] Charles Stewart, [pauses and i^azes first at 
 R,icHM0M) then nt the Kino ] 
 
 King. Charles Stewart. Duke of Richmond. Oh, you know his 
 signature, you have seen it to his love letters. Duke of Ivichmond, this 
 lady's hand trave me the proofs of your guilt — this lady's tongue has 
 pronounced your doom, — the scafiold. Ah ! you love Cromwell, — to 
 Cromwell you shall go ! 
 
 Slew. No, no! This is delusion. Richmond — speak, belie this 
 writing — say you have not been so mad. 
 
 liich. I w as mad. 
 
 Slew. Ah ! 1 drove him to treason — betrayed him to his ruin. I have 
 muiili'red the man I love. 
 
 Riih. Hush. I''rnnces! you have but done your duty — my imwortliy 
 doubts, they ruined me 1 
 
 Sinn. Mercy, sire ! mercy! 
 
 Kivs Mercy for lam ! 
 
 Slew. No, not for him, but for me. Oh ! spare my life— it is bound 
 Uj) in his. 
 
 Kmis. You were warned. 
 
 Slew. 1 was Oh ! I have been much to blame — forgive me. He 
 loved you so — he was so faithful — so zealous a subject until we drove 
 him to dcsjiair.
 
 THE king's rival. 49 
 
 King. These are idle words — here is his handwriting. 
 
 Slew. No! hero is his true handwriting. See. sir, — his letter 
 written from sea, scarce four weclis since, — read it, sir, I implore you, 
 — my hand shaices so I cannot. — pray read, it may soften your heart 
 towards us. 
 
 King, [reads coldly. "l " Sweetheart, I write, with tlie Dutchmen a 
 short mile on our lee — how I may fare in this battle rests with heaven. 
 My breath is my king's, as my heart is thine. If I die. tell the King 
 he had no truer servant. What I have been to thee thou knowest. 
 For my life, I would I had ten thousand instead of one — "' 
 
 Stcic Oh, no I 'tis not so cold. You read his words but not his 
 heart. *• For my life, would I had ten thousand instead of one, to give 
 them all to his Majesty — my last thought is for him and thee — and my 
 last words shall be loving and loyal " And this man loved not the 
 King 1 But he loved rne, — and he is not like you — his love is not given 
 to many. Oh ! think what it must be to live but for one — and to see 
 that one snatched from us in sport. (" He was the poor man that had 
 but one lamb, the sole joy of his heart; you were the rich man that had 
 many flocks and herds ; yet who must rob him of his only treasure.") 
 Such wrongs have driven men mad in every age. Oh ! what ice is at 
 my heart — what lead is on my lips. I cannot say one word that sounds 
 like love — but I can die for you, my lord. Well, raise the axe. Sire ! 
 he has offended you — let him die — but the hour h6 dies I shall die tool 
 
 King. Perdition ! You forget to whom you plead for your lover. 
 
 Utew. Lover ! He is my husband ! 
 
 King. Your husband ! Now, by heaven 
 
 Blew. We were married yesterday. 
 
 ktfig. Married ! 
 
 aicw. It was I who proposed this, not he. I could not bear his 
 doubts, his misery, his madness. Have pity on me! It is too horrible 
 to make a husband fall by his wife's hand. Your whole reign, your 
 *whole life, cry out against such monstrous cruelly. You never loved 
 me, or you could not kill me. No! I see mercy in his eye. Oh! do 
 not fight against your own generous nature. You have humbled us — 
 do not destroy us. By the name of Stewart which we all three bear — 
 by the bitter sorrows our race suffered together — by your father's head 
 the royal martyr, who in the act of death forgave his murderers — by 
 your own hope of mercy from the Eternal King — T implore you, on my 
 knees, have mercy upon poor Frances Stewart. No ! I will not let you 
 go till you grant my life. Charles ! my dear cousin ! have pity on me — 
 pity ! pity ! [Famis.] 
 
 Rich. Frances ! My love I My wife ! My crime will be her death 
 [ Falls on his knees and ncpforls her head. 
 
 King. Poor souls ! Stay, sir! we are rousrh nurses — there's a wo- 
 man here. [Goes hastily to door, r. 3 e., and beckons Nell Gwynne, 
 vho comes hastily in and helps Richmond fake Miss Stewart tu chair — 
 gives her Jlacon lo smell — King mcJUalcs.^ How they love one another! 
 If I take his life she will hate me. [sadly.] And I am a King, and must 
 not I)ope to have anything I really long for. Then since I cannot be
 
 50 TBS king's rival. 
 
 anyt.iing more agreeable I will be a king, [puts on ris hat — they all look 
 at hiin with anxicly.} Ho, ChilFmch ! 
 
 Re-cnlcr Chiffinch, c. 
 Is the court assembled 1 ^ 
 
 Chif. Yes, Sire ! 
 
 Ktng. Open the doors. [Exit Chiffinch, c. 
 
 Nell. (L.) \_lrcmblini:.'] Courage, dear lady — the King relents. 
 King, (c.) Cousin Frances ! do not tremble — do not weep. I told 
 you I loved you as I have loved no other woman — I will prove it. Cousin 
 of Richmond, you a»e the husband of Frances Stewart. I am not so 
 rich as my brother of France. I can give you, for my wedding present, 
 but this poor slip of paper. [gives him the Ireasonablc paper. 
 
 Rich. (e. c.) Oh, Sire! you have conquered me as the axe never con- 
 quered a gentleman. 
 
 Slew. (r. c ) He has conquered himself — he is greater than a king. 
 [Richmond and Stewart kics the King's hands. The doors are 
 opened, c. The Quekn and cmtrt appear. 
 King. There has been a marriage at court — nobody was in the secret 
 but myself [Quee.\ advances into closet.'^ Sutler me to present the 
 Duke and Duchess of Richmond to your Majesty. [Duke, Duchess, and 
 Queen exchange obeisances] and to the court [Duke, Duchess, and coiirt 
 exchange obeisance.t.'] 
 
 King, [too/cing at Nell, who laughs.] Well, Nelly, have we done 
 our duty. 
 
 Nell. Indeed you have, your Majesty ! [crosses to King.] You have 
 made two loving hearts happy, and I am happy! [sli/hj.] And when 
 
 your Majesty pleases, I'll help you to light another fire 
 
 King, [confused and slopping her.} No, no ! And since our hap|»iness 
 is complete [taking the Queen's hand.] I invite your Majesty and the 
 court to accompany me to the playhouse, and if Mistress Nelly has 
 taught us a lesson here, she will likewise amuse us there. 
 
 Nell. It is our desire, your Majesty, while we amuse to improve the 
 mind — our aim is — 
 
 By nature's study, to portray most clear, 
 
 From Beaumont, Fletcher, Johnson — immortal Shakeitpeare — 
 How Kings and Princes, by our mimic art, 
 Yield their sway, and applaud the actor's part. 
 The Bard of Avon, in that prolific age, 
 Traced thoughts upon the enduring page ; 
 Precepts in that powerful work we find, 
 To improve the morals and instruct the mind ; 
 There he holds, as 'twere. " a mirror up to nature, 
 " Shows scorn her own image, virtue her own feature." 
 To-night, King, Queen, Lords and Ladies act their part, 
 Each prompted by the workings of the heart ; 
 And Nelly hopes they will not lose their cause — 
 Nor will they — if favored by your applause. 
 Ladies. Queen. Kino. Nelly. Stewart. Richmond. 
 O O o O 
 
 CuETAiN Falls.
 
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