Lionel and Clarifla. COMIC OPERA. As it is Performed at the T HE A T RE-ROY A L I N COVEN T-G A R D E N, LONDON: Printed for W. GRIFFIN, in Catharine-flrcet, Strand. MDCCLXVIII. k [P. Is6d.J *K?ii. : A ADVERTISEMENT. SINCE the printing of this little Piece, it has been intimated to the Author, that he is likely to fuffer from fome ill Will, occasioned by a very faulty, and very unfortunate, Opera of his reprefented laft Win- ter ; but he begs leave to obferve, that it is again ft the Laws of England to try aMan twice for the fame Fact ; and more fo, after Punifhment has been inflicted.. He thinks it can hardly be neceflary to fay, that he never, in any of his Writings, intended to give the leaft Offence : And as his tri- fling Productions, have more than once, been lucky enough to be ho- noured with the Approbation pf the Public; he flatters himfelf, fhould he again be found capable of affording them an innocent Entertainment 5 that thofe to whofe Juftice he moft readily fubfcribes, will not refufe him an Opportunity of appealing to their Candour. 2028925 PERSONS, MEN. Sir John Flowcrdale, Mr. Gibfon; Colonel Oldboy, Mr. Shuter. Mr. Jefiamy, Mr. Dyer. Lionel, Mr. Mattoeks. Harman, Mr. Mahoon. Jenkins, Mr. Dunftall, WOMEN. Diana, Mrs. Baker. ClarifTa, Mifs Macklim Lady Mary Oldboy, Mrs. Green. j cnnjr> Mrs. Mattocks, SCENE the Country. LIONEL AND CLARISSA. ACT I. SCENE I. A Chamber in Colonel OLDBOY'S Houfe: Colonel OLD BOY is difcovered at breakfaft reading a news- paper; at a little diftance from the tea-table fits JENKINS; and on the oppofite fide DIANA, who appears playing upon a harpficord. A Girl attending. A. 4. and the fields* Be grateful to the feafon^ It's f.leafures let's employ ; Kind Nature gives, and Reafen Permits us to enjoy. Col Well faid Dy, thank you Dy. /This, matter Jenkins, is the way I make my daughter entertain me every morning at breakfaft. Come here and kifs me you flut, come here and kifs me you baggage. Dian. Lord, papa, you call one fuch names Col. A fine girl, maiter Jenkins, a devilifh fine girl ! (he has got my eye to a twinkle. There's fire for you fpirit ! I defign to marry her to a Duke: how much money do you think a Duke would expect with fuch a wench ? r> . 2 LIONEL AND CLARISSA: Jen. Why,. Colonel, with fubmiffion, 1 think there is no occalion to go out of our own country here ; we have never a Dke in k I believe, but we have many an honeft gentleman, who, in my opinion, might de- ferve the young lady. Col. So, you would have me marry Dy to a country 'fquire, eh f How fay you to this Dy ! would not youv rather be married to a Duke ? Dian. So my hufband's a rake, papa, I don't care what he is. Col. A rake ! you damned confounded little baggage ^ why you wou'd not wifh to marry a rake, wou'd you ? So her hufband is a rake, fhe does not care what he is! Ha, ha, ha, ha! Dian. Well, but liftentorne, papa When you go out with your gun, do you take any pleafure in (hooting the poor tame ducks, and chickens in your yard ? No, the partridge, the pheafant, the woodcock are the game ; there is fome fport in bringing them down be- caufe they are wild; and it is juft the fame with an hufband or a lover. I would not wafte powder and fhot, to wound one of your fober pretty behaved gentle- men ; but to hit a libertine, extravagant, madcap fellow, to take him upon the wing CoL Do you hear her, mailer Jenkins ? Ha, ha, ha f jfen. Well, but,, good Colonel, what do you fay to my worthy and honourable patron here, Sir John Flowerdale ? He has an eftate of eigbt thoufand pounds a year as well paid rents as any in the kingdom, and but one only (daughter to enjoy it; and yet he is willing, you fee, to gtVe this daughter to your fon. Dian. Pray, Mr. Jenkins, how does Mifs Clarifiaand our univerfity friend Mr. Lionel? That is the only grave young man I ever liked, and the only handfome one I ever was acquainted with, that did not make love to me. Col. Ay, mafter Jenkins, who is this Lionel ? They fay he is a damn'd witty knowing fellow ; and egad I think him well enough for one brought up in a college. Jen. A COMIC OPERA. 3 Jen. His father was a general officer, a particular friend of Sir John's, who, like many more brave men, that live and die in defending their country, left little elfe than honour behind him. Sir John lent this young man, at his own expence, to Oxford; where, while his fon lived, they were upon the fame footing : and fince our young gentleman's death, which you know unfortunately happened about two years ago, he has continued him there. During the vacation he is come to pay us a vifit, and Sir John intends that he fhall fhortly take orders, for a very confiderable benefice in the gift of the family, the prefent incumbent of which is an aged man. Dlan. The laft time I was at at your houfe, he was teaching Mifs Clarifla mathematics and philofophy. Lord, what a ftrange brain I have! If I was to lit down to diftracl: myfelf with fuch ftudies Col. Go, hufiey, let fome of your brother's rafcals inform their mafter that he has been long enough at his toilet ; here is a meflage from Sir John Flowerdale You a brain for mathematics indeed ! We {hall have women wanting to head our regiments to-morrow or next day. Dian. Well, papa, and fuppofe we did. I believe, in a battle of the fexS, you men would hardly get the better of us. To rob them ofjlrength, when wife Nature thought fit By women to jlill do her duty, IrJIead of afwordjhe endud them with wit, And gave them a jhield in their beauty. Sound, found then the trumpet, both fexes to arms ! Our tyrants at once and protefiors ! We quickly Jhallfee, whether courage or charms. Decide for the Helens or Heftors. SCENE 4 LIONEL ANI> CLARISSA: SCENE II. Colonel OLD BOY, JENKINS. Col. Well, maftcr Jenkins ! don't you think now that a Nobleman, a Duke, an Earl, or a Marquis, might be content to (hare his title 1 fay, you under- ftand me with a fweetener of thirty or forty thoufand pounds, to pay off mortgages ? Befides, there's a profpect of my whole eftate; for, I dare fwear, her bro- ther will never have any children. yen. I fhould be concerned at that, Colonel, when there are two fuch fortunes to defcend to his heirs, as yours and Sir John Flowerdale's. Col. Why look you, mafter Jenkins, Sir John Flower- dale is an honeft gentleman; our families are nearly re- lated; we have been neighbours time out of mind ; and if he and I have an odd difpute now and then, it is not for want of a cordial efteem at bottom. He is going to marry his daughter to my fon ; fhe is a beautiful girl, an elegant girl, a fenfible girl, a worthy girl, and a word in your ear damn me if I aint very forry for her. Jen, Sorry ! Colonel ? Col. Ay between ourfelvcs, mafter Jenkins, my fon won't do. *J-en. How do you mean ? Col. I HI you, mafter Jenkins, he won't do -5\t is not the thing, a prig At fixteen years old, or thereabouts, he was a bold, fprightly boy, as ypu Ibould fee in a thoufand; could drink his pint of port, o" his bottle of claret now he mixes all his wine with water. Jen. Oh ! if that be his only fault, Colonel, he will ne'er make the worfe hufband, I'll anfwcr for it. Col. You know my wife is a woman of quality I was prevailed upon to fend him to be brought up by her brother Lord Jeflamy, xvho had no children of his own, and promifed to leave him an cftate he has got the eftate indeed, but, the fellow has taken 3 his A COMIC OPERA. $ his LordQiip's name for it. Now, matter Jenkins, I would be glad to know, how the name of Jeffamy is better than that of Oldboy. "Jen. Well ! but, Colonel, it is allowed on all hands that his Lordfhip has given jour fon an excellent education. Col. Pfha ! he fent him to the univerfity, and to travel forfqoth; but what of that; I was abroad, and at the univerfity myfelf, and never a rufh the better for either. Iquarelled with his Lordfliip about fix years before his death, and fo had not an opportunity of fee- ing how the youth went on ; if I had, mafter Jenkins, I would no more have fuffered him to be made fuch a monkey of He has been in my houfe but three days, and it is all turned topfy turvy by him and his r tically fervants then his chamber is like a perfumer's {hop, with wafh-balls, pafres, and pomatum and GO you know he had the impudence to tell me yefterday at my own table, that I did not know how to behave my- felf? Jen. Pray, Colonel, how does my Lady Mary ? Col. What my wife ? In the old way, mafter Jenkins; always complaining ; ever fomething the matter with her head, or her back, or her legs but we have had the devil to pay lately fhe and I did not fpeak to one another for three weeks. 'Jen. How fo, Sir ? Col. A little affair of jealoufy you muft know my game-keeper's daughter has had a child, and the plaguy baggage takes it into her head to lay it to me Upon my foul it is a fine fat chubby infant as ever I fet my eyes on; I have fent it to nurfe; and, be- tween you and me, I believe I fhall leave it a fortune. "Jen. Ah, Colonel, you will never give over. Col. You know my Lady has a pretty vein of poetry; fhe writ me an heroic epiftle upon it, where {he calls me her dear falfe Damon ; fo I let her cry a little, promifed to do fo no more, and now we are as good friends as ever, Jen. 6 LIONEL AH* CLARISSA: Jen. Well, Colonel, I muft take my leave ; I have delivered rny mefiage, and Sir John may expeft the pleafure of your company to dinner. Col. Ay, ay, we'll comepox o' ceremony among friends, &ut won't you ftay to fee my fon ; I have fent to- him, and fuppofe he will be here as foon as his valet- rfe-chambre will give him leave. Jen. There is no occafion, good Sir : prefent my tumble refpe<5h, that's all. CoL Well, but, zounds, Jenkins, you muft not go. till you drink ibmething - let you and I have a bottle f hock - Jen. Not for the world, Colonelj 1 never touch any thing ftrong in a morning. Ccl. Never touch any thing ftrong 1 Why one bottle won't hurt you man, this is old and as mild as milk. Jen. Well, but, Colonel, pray excufe me. To tell you the truth, In the days of my ycuth, As mirth and nature bid, And I lovd a lafs, And I did as younkers did. But now I am old, With grief be it told, 1 mujl thcfe freaks forlear ; At fixty -three, "Tivixt you and me, A man grows worfefer wear. SCENE A COMIC OPERA. 7 SCENE III. Mr* JESSAMY, Lady MARY OLDEOY, and that Colonel OLDBOY. Lady M. Shut the door, why don't you flint the door there ? Have you a mind I (hould catch my death? This houfe is abfolutely the cave of /Eoiusj one had as good live on the eddy ftone, 01 ia a wind- mill. Mr. Jefs. I thought they told your Ladyfhip that there was a meflenger here from Sir John Flowcrdaie. Col. Well, Sir, and fo there was ; but he had not patience to wait upon your curling-irons. Mr. Jenkins was here, Sir John i 'lowerdale's fteward, who has lived in the family theie forty years. Mr. Jcfs. And pray, Sir, might not Sir John Flow- erdale have come himfelf : if he had been acquainted with the rules of good breeding, he would have known that I ought to have been vifited. Lady M. Upon my word, Colonel, this is a folecifm, Col, 'Sblood, my Lady, it's none. Sir John Flower- dale came but laft night from his fifter's feat in the weft, and is a little out of order. But I fuppofe he thinks he ought to appear before him with his daughter in one hand, and his rent-roll in the other, and cry, Sir, pray do me the favour to accept them. Lady M. Nay, but, Mr. Old boy, permit me to fey - Col. He need not give himfelf lo many affe6led airs j I think it's very well if he gets fuch a girl for going for; fhe's one of the fcandfomeft an( J richeit in this country, and more than he deferves. Mr. Jeff". That's an exceeding fine china jar your Ladyfliip has got in the next room ; I faw the fellow of it the other day at Williams's, and will fend to my agent to purchafe it: it is the true matchlefs old biu* and white. Lady Betty Barebones has a couple that flie gave an hundred guineas for, on board aa India- man j but fhe reckons them at a hundred and twenty- five 8 LIONEL AND CLARISSA: . five, on account of half a dozen plates, four Nankeen beakers, and a couple of fhaking Mandarins, that the cuitom-houfe officers took from under her petticoats. Col. Did you ever hear the like of this ! He's chat- tering about old china, while I am talking to him of a. fine girl. I tell you what, Mr. Jeflamy, fmce that's the name you choofe to be called by, I have a good mind to knock you down. Mr. 'Jeff. Knock me down! Colonel? What do you mean ? I muft tell you, Sir, this is a language to which I have not been accuftomed ; and, if you think proper to continue or repeat it, I fhall be under a neceflity of quitting your houfe. Col. Quitting my houfe ? Mr. Jeff'. Yes, Sir, incontinently. CoL Why, Sir, am not I your father, Sir, and have not I a right to talk to you as I like? I will, firrah. But, perhaps, I mayn't be your father, and I hope not. Lady M. Heavens and earth, Mr. Oldboy ! Col. What's the mattter, Madam ! I mean, Madam, that he might have been changed at nurfe, Madam ; and I believe he was. Mr. Jeff. Huh ! huh ! huh ! Col. Do you laugh at me, you faucy jacknspes ! Lady M. Who's there, fomebody bring me a chair. Really, Mr. Oldboy, you throw my weakly frame into fuch repeated convulfions but I fee your aim; you want to lay me in my grave, and you will very foon have that fatisfa&ion. CoL I can't bear the fight of him. Lad-/ M. Open that window, give me air, or I fhall faint. Mr. Jef Hold, hold, let me tie a handkerchief about my neck firir. This curfed {harp north wind Antoine, bring down my muff. Col. Ay, do, and his great-coat. Lady M. Marg'ret fome harts-horn. My dear Mr. Oldboy why will you fly out in this way, when you know how it fhocks my tender nerves ? ," CoL ACOMICOPERA. 9 Col 'Sblood, Madam, its enough to make a man mad. Lady M. Hartfhorn ! Hartfhorn ! Mr. Jef Colonel ! Col. Do you hear the puppy ? Mr. Jeff. Will you give me leave to afk you one quaftion ? Col. I don't know whether I will or not. Mr. Jef I fhould be glad to know, that's all, what fmgle circumftance in my conduft, carriage, or figure you can poffibly find fault with Perhaps 1 may be brought to reform -Pr'ythee let me hear from your own mouth, then, ferioufly what it is you do like, and what it is you do not like. Col. Hum! Mr. Jeff. Be ingenuous, fpeak and fpare not. tl. You would know ? Col. Zounds Sir.' then I'll tell you without anyjeft, The thing of all things, which 1 hate and deleft $ A coxcomb , a fop, A dainty milk-fop ; Jf^bo^ effenfd and dizen dfrom bottom to top^ Looks juft like a doll for a milliner's Jhop. A thing full of prate > And pride and conceit ; Allfajhion^ no weight ; Whojhrugs and takes fnttjf* And carries a muff"; A minikin^ Finiking, French powder-puff : And now Sir, I fancy, I'v< told you tnwgk. SCENE ,o LIONEL AND CLARISSA: SCENE IV. Lady MARY OLDBOY, Mr. JESSAMY. Mr. Jeff. What's the matter with the Colonel, Madam ; does your ladyfhip know ? He feems a little dtfordered in his ienfes ; I don't think it would be amifs to take out a commiffion of lunacy againft him. Lady AJ. Heigho ! don't be furprifed, my dear j it was the fame thing with my late dear brother, Lord Jeflamy ; they never could agree : that good natured, friendly foul, knowing the delicacy of my conftitution, has often faid, filler Mary, I pity you. Not but your father has good qualities, and I aflure you 1 remember him a very fine gentleman himfelf. In the year of the hard-froft, one thoufand feven hundred and thirty-nine, when be firft paid his addreiles to me, he was called agreeable Jack Oldboy, "though I married him without the confent of your noble grandfather. Mr. Jeff. I think he ought to be 'proud of me : I believe there's many a Duke, nay Prince, who would efteem rhemfelves happy in having Aich a fon Lady M. Yes, my dear ; but your lifter was always your father's favourite: he intends to give her a pro- digious fortune, and fets his heart upon feeing her a woman of quality. Mr. Jeff. He fhould Wifh to fee her look a little like a gentlewoman firft. When fhe was in London, laft winter, I am told fhe was taken notice of by a few men. But fhe wants air^ manner Lady M> And has not a bit of the genius of our family, and I never knew a woman of it but herfelf without. I have tried her : about three years ago I fet her to tranflate a little French fong : I found fhe had not even an idea of verification ; and fhe put down Jove and joy for rhyme fo I gave her over. Mr. JeJJ'. Why, indeed, fhe appears to have more of the Thaleftris than the Sapho about her. Lady M. Well, my dear, I muft go and drefs my- /elf, though I proteft I am fitter for my bed than my coach. And condefcend to the Colonel a little -Do ? my dear, if it be only to oblige your mamma. ACOMICOPERA. 11 SCENE V. Mr. JESS A MY. Let me confider : I am going to vifit a country Ba- ronet here ; who would fain prevail upon me to marry his daughter : the old gentleman has heard of my parts and underflanding, Mifs of my. figure and addrefs. But, fuppofe I fhould not like her when I fee her ? Why, pofttively, then I will not have her ; the treaty's at an end, and, fans compliment, we break up the congrefs. But, won't that be cruel, after having fuffered her to flatter herfelf with hopes, and fhewing myfelf to her. She's a ftrange dowdy I dare believe : however, (he brings provifion with her for a feparate maintenance. Antoine, appretez la toilet. I am going to fpend a curfed day ; that I perceive already ; I wifli it was ever, I dread it as much as a general election. a man offajhion condefcends 3 To herd among his country friends , They watch his looks, his motions .* One booby gapes, another flares^ And all he fays , does, eats, drinks, Mufl fuit their ruflic notions But as for this bruti/h old clown here; S' death, why did I ever come down here ! The favage will now never quit mt ; Then a confort to take, For my family's fake, m in a fine jeopardy, fplit mt ! C * SCENE 1^ LIONEL AND CLARISSA; SCENE VI. Changes to a Study in Sir JOHN FLOWERD ALE'S Houfe ; two Chairs and a Table, with Globes and Mathematical Instruments. CLARISSA enters, fol- lowed by JENNY. Clar. Jmmortal pow'rs protefl me, Ajji/l, fupport, direft me ; Relieve a heart opprejl ; Ah ! why this palpitation ! Ceafe bufy perturbation, And kt me, let me reft. Jen, My dear-lady, what ails you? Clar. Nothing Jenny, nothing. "Jen, Pardon me, Madam, there is fomething ails you indeed. Lord! what fignifies all the grandeur and riches in this world, if they can't procure one content. I am fure it vexes me to the heart, fo it docs, to fee, fuch a dear, fweet, worthy young Lady, as you are, pining yourfelf to death. Clur. Jenny, you are a good girl, and I am very much obliged to you for feeling fo much on my ac- count ; but, in a little time, I hope I fliall be eafier. Jen. Why, now, here to day, Madam, for fartain you ought to be merry to day, when there's a fine gentleman coming to court you ; but, if you like any one elfe better, I am fure, 1 wifh you had him, with all my foul. Clar. Suppofe, Jenny, I was fo unfortunate, as to like a man without my father's approbation j would .you \vifh me married to him ? Jen, I wifh you married to any ojie. Madam, that cou/d make you happy. Clar. Keigho! yen. Madam I Madam ! yonder's Sir John and Mr. Lionel on the terras : I believe they are coming up Ijcre. Poor, dear Mr. Lionel, he' does noi fcem to be ACOMICOPERA. ,3 Jje in over great fpirits either. To be fure, Madam> it's no bufmefs of mine ; but, I believe, if the truth was known, there are thofe in the houfe, who wou'd give more than ever I fball be worth, or any the likes of me, to prevent the marriage of a fartain perforj rhat fhall be namelefs. Clar. What do you mean? I don't underftand you. Jen. I hope you are not angry, Madam ? Clar. Ah ! Jenny yen. Lauk ' Madam, do you think, when Mr. Lionel's a clergyman, he'll be obliged to cut off his hair ? I'm fure it will be a thoufand pities, for it is the fweeteft colour, and looks the niceft put up in a cup and your great pudding-fleeyes! Lore}! they'll quite fpoil his ftiape, and the fall of his flioulders. Well ! Madam, if I was a Lady of large fortune, I'll be hanged if Mr. Lionel Should be a parfon, if I cou!4 help it. Clar. I'm going into my drefling-room It feems then Mr. Lionel is a great favourite of yours ; but, pray Jenny, have a care how you talk in this manner to any one elfe. Jen. Me talk ! Madam, I thought you knew me better ; and, my dear Lady, keep up your fpirits. I'm. fure I have drefled you to day as nice as hands and pins can make you. Tm but a poor fervant 'tis true, Ma am ; But was I a lady like you, Ma'am, In grief would I fit! The dickens a lit ; No faith, I would fearcb the world thro\ Ma am, 'To find what my liking could hit. Sat in cafe a young man t In my fancy there ran ; It might anger my friends and relations : But, if I had regard, ltj})ouldgo very hnrd, Or, Id follow my own ind'natisns. SCENE 1 4 " LIONEL AND CLARISSA: SCENE VII. Sir JOHN FLOWERDAIE, LIONEL. Sir yohn. Indeed* Lionel, I will not hear of it. What! to run from us all of a fudden, this way ; and 3t fuch a time too ; the eve of my daughter's wedding, as I may call it ; when your company muft be doubly agreeable, as well as neceflary to us ? I am fure you have no ftudies at prefent, that require your attend- ance at Oxford : I muft, therefore, infift on your putting fuch thoughts out of your head. Lion. Upon my word, Sir, I have been fo long from the univerfity, that it is time for me td think of returning. It is true, I have no abfolute ftudies ; but, really, Sir, I fhall be obliged to you, if you will give me leave to go. Sir 'John. Come, come, my dear Lionel, I have for fome time obferml a more than ordinary gravity growing upon you, and I am not to learn the reafon of it : I know, to minds ferious, and well inclined, like yours, the facred function you are about to embrace Lion. Dear Sir, your goodnefs to me, of every kind, is fo great, fo unmeritted ! Your condefcenfion, your friendly attentions in fhort, Sir, I want words to ex^ prefs my fenfe of obligations - Sir John. Fie, fie, no more of them. By my laft letters, I find that my old friend, the re&or, ftill con- tinues in good health, confidering his advanced years. You may imagine I am far from defiring the death of fo worthy and pious a man ; yet, I muft own, at this time, J could wifh you were in orders, as you might then perform the ceremony of my daughter's marriage j which would give me a fecret fatisfa&ion. Lion. No doubt, Sir, any office in my power, that could be inftrumental to the happinefs of any of your iamily, I foould perform with pleafure. Sir A COMIC OPERA. t$ Sir John. Why, really, Lionel, from the chara&er of her intended hufband, I have no room to doubt, but this match will make ClariiTa perfectly happy : to be fure, the alliance is the moft eligible, for both families. Lion. If the gentleman is fenfible of his happinefc, in the alliance, Sir. Sir 'John. The fondnefs of a father is always uif- pe&ed of partiality } yet, I believe, I may venture to fay, that few young women will be found more unex- ceptionable than my daughter : her perfon is agreeable, her temper fweet, her underftanding good j and, with the obligations (he has to your inftrudtion Lion. You do my endeavours to much honour, Sir; I have been able to add nothing to Mifs Flower- dale's accomplifhments, but a little knowledge in rhattefB of fniall importance to a mind already io well improved. 6Yr John. I don't think fo; a little knowledge, even in thofe matters, is neceflary for a woman, in whom, 1 am far from considering ignorance as a defireable characleriftic: when intelligence is not attended with impertinent affc&ation, it teaches them to judge with precifton, and gives them a degree of folidity neceflary for the companion of a fenfible man. Litn. Vender's Mr. Jenkjns : I fancy he's looking for you, Sir. Sir "John. I fe him j he's come back from Colonel Oldboy's; I have a few words to fay to him, and will return to you again in a minute. SCENE 16 LIONEL AND CLARISSA: SCENE VIII. LIONEL : afterwards CLARISSA, and then JENNY* who enters abruptly and runs out again. Lion. To be a burthen to one's felf, to wage con- tinual war with one's own paffions, forced to combat, unable to overcome ! But fee, fhe appears, whofe pre- fence turns all my fufferings into tranfport, and makes even mifery itfelf delightful. Perhaps, Madam, you are not at leifure now; other- wife, if you thought proper, we would refume the fub- je6t we were upon yeiterday. Clar. I am fure, Sir, 1 give you a great deal of trouble. Lion. Madam you give me no trouble ; I fliould think every hour of my life happily employed in your fervice; and, as this is probably the laft time I {hall have the fatisfaclion of attending you upon the fame ccafion Clar. Upon my word, Mr. Lionel, I think myfelf extremely obliged to you; and fhall ever confider the enjoyment of your friendfhip Lion My friendftiip, Madam, can be of little mo- ment to you ; but if the moft perfect adoration, if the warmeft wifhcs for your felicity, though I fhould never be witnefs of it : if thefe, Madam, can have any merit to continue in your remembrance, a man once honoured with a fhare-of your efteem Clar. Hold Sir I think I hear fomebody. Lion. If you pleafe, Madam, we will turn over this celeflial globe once more Have you looked at the book I left you yefterday ? Clar. Really, Sir, I have been fo much difturbed in my thoughts for thefe two or three days paft, that I have not been able to look at any thing. Lisn. I am forry to hear that Madam j I hop^ there was nothing particular to difturb you. The care Sir John A COM I C OPERA. 17 John takes to difpofe of your hand in a manner fuitable to your birth and fortune. Clar. I don't know, Sir ; I own I am difturbed ; I own J am uneafy ; there is fomething weighs upon my heart, which I would feign difclofe. Lion. Upon your heart, Madam ! Did you fay your heart ? Clar. I did, Sir, I Jen. Madam ! Madam I Here's a coach and fix driving up the avenue: It's colonel Oldboy's family ; and, I believe the gentleman is in it, that's coming to court you. Lord, i muft run and have a peep at him out of the window. Lion. Madam, I'll take my leave. Clar. Why fo Sir? Blefs me, Mr. Lionel, what's the matter ! You turn pale. Lion. Madam ! Clar. Pray fpeak to me, Sir. You tremble. Tell me the caufe of this fudden change. How are you ? Where's your diforder ? Lioa. Oh fortune ! fortune ! You ajk me in vain. Of what ills I complain, Where harbours the torment I find j In my head, in my heart, It invade* ev'ry part, Andfubdues both my body and mind. Each effort I try, Ev'ry med'tlne apply, 'The pangs of my foul to appeafe j But doomd to indure, What I mean for a cure, Turns ptifon and feeds the difeafe. SCENE i8 LIONEL AND CLARISSA: SCENE IX. CLARISSA, DIANA. Dlan. My dear Clarifia I'm glad I have found you alone. For Heaven's fake, don't let any one break in upon us ; and give me leave to fit down with you a little : I am in fuch a tremour, fuch a panic Clar. Mercy on us, what has happened ? Dion. You may remember I told you, that when I was laft winter in London, I was followed by an odious fellow, one Harman ; I can't fay but the wretch pleafed me, though he is but a younger brother, and not worth fix-pence : And In fhort, when 1 was leaving town, I promifed to correfpond with him. Clar. Do you think that was prudent ? Dian. Madnefs ! But this is notthe worft ; for what do you think, the creature had the aflurance to write to me about three weeks ago, defiring permiflion to come down and fpend the fummer at my father's. Clar. At your father 's 1 Dian. Ay, who never faw him, knows nothing of him, and would as foon confent to my marrying a horfe jockey. He told me a long ftory of fome tale he in- tended to invent to make my father receive him as an indifferent perfon ; and fome gentlemen in London* he faid, would procure him a letter that fhould give it a face ; and he longed to fee me fo, he faid, he could not live without it j and if he could be permited but to fpend a week with me Clar. Well, and what anfwer did you make ? Dian. Oh ! abufed him, and refufed to liften to any fuch thing But I vow I tremble while I tell it you Juft before we left our houfe, the impudent monfter arrived there, attended by a couple of fervants, and is now actually coming here with my father. Clar. Upon my word, this is a dreadful thing. Dian. Dreadful, my dear ! I happened to be at the window as he came into the court, and I declare I had like to have tainted away. I A COMIC OPERA. 19 Clar. Isn't my Lady below ? Dian. Yes, and I muft run down to her. You'll have my brother here prefently too, he would fain have come in the coach with my mother and me, but my father infifted on his walking with him over the fields Clar. Well, Diana, with regard to your affair i- I think you muft find feme method of immediately in- forming this gentleman that you confider the outrage he has committed againft you in the moft heinous light, and infifr upon his going away directly, Dian. Why, I believe that will be the beft way- but then he'll be begging my pardon and afking to flay. Clar. Why then you muft tell him pofitively you won't confent to it ; and if he perfifts in fo extravagant a defign, tell him you'll never fee him again as long as you live. Dian. Muft I tell him fo ? Ah ! pr'ythee fpare me, dear eft creature / How can you prompt me tofo much ill-nature / Kneeling before me, Should I hear him implore tne ; Cou'd I accufe him, Cou'd I refufe him The boon he/houd ajk ? Set not a lover the cruel tafk. No, believe me my dear, Was he now Jlanding here, In foight of my frights and alarms ; J might rate him, might fcold him, ButJhou'dJIili/lrive to hold him, And fink at lajl into his arms. Dz SCENE 20 LIONEL AND CLARISSA: SCENE X. CLARISSA. How eafy to direct the conduct of others, how hard to regulate our own ! I can give my friend advice, while I am confcious of the fame indifcretions in myfelf. Yet is it criminal to know the moft worthy, rnoft ami- able man in the world, and not be infenfible to his merit ? But my father, the kindcft, beft of fathers, will he approve the choice I have made ? Nay, has he not made another choice for me ? And, after all, how can I be fure that the man I love, loves me again ? He never told me To; but his looks, his actions, his pre- fent anxiety fufficiently declare what his delicacy, his generofity will not fufFer him to utter : it is my part then to fpeak firft. Hope and fear alternate rifing y Strive for empire o'tr my hearty : ' ry peril now defpifag) Now at evry breath 1 ftart. Teach, ye learned fages, teach Hoiv tofiem this beating tide : If you've any rules to reach me^ and be the weak one's guide* Thus^ our trial's at a diftance, Wijdom^ fciencc, promife aid ; JSut m need of their ajjljiance^ We attempt to grajp a Jhade. SCENE A COMIC OPERA. 21 SCENE XL Changes to a Side Vkw of Sir JOHN FLOWERDALE' Hcufe, with Gates, and a Profpefl of the Garden. HARM AN enters witb Colonel QLDBOY. CoL Well, and how does my old friend Dick Rantum do ? I have not feen him thefe twelve years : he was an honeft worthy fellow as ever breathed j I remember he kept a girl in London, and was curfedly plagued t>y his wife's relations. Har. Sir Richard^was always a man of fpirit, Colonel. Col. But as to this bufinefs of yours, which he tells me of in his letter I don't fee much in it An affair with a citizen's daughter pinked her brother in a duel Is the fellow likely to die ? Har. Why, Sir, we hope not j but as the matter is dubious, and will probably make fome noifc, I thought it was better to be for a little time out of the way; when hearing my cafe Sir Richard Rantum mentioned you ; he faid, he was fure you would permit me to remain at your houfe for a few days, and offered me a recommendation. Col. And there's likely to be a brat in the cafe And the girl's friends are in bufinefs I'il tc-U you what will be the conftquence then They will be for going to law with you for a maintenance but no matter, I'll take the affair in hand for you make me your follicitor; and, if you are obliged to pay for a fmgle fpoonful of pap, I'll be content to father all the children in the Foundling Hofpital. Har. You are very kind, Sir. Col, But hold haric you you fay there's money to be had fuppofe you were to marry the wench ? Har. Do you think, Sir, that wouid be fo right, after what has happened ? BeHdes, there's a ilronger objection To tell you the truth, I am honourably in love in another place. Oi LIONEL AND CLARISSA: Col. Oh ! you are. Har. Yes, Sir ; but there are obftacfes A father In fhorf, Sir, the miftrefs of my heart lives in this very county, which makes even my prefent fituation a little irkfome. Col. In this county ! Zounds \ Then I am fure I am acquainted with her, and the firft letter of her name is Har. Excufe me, Sir, I have fome particular rea- fons Col But look who comes yonder Ha! ha! ha! My fon picking his fteps like a dancing-mafter. Pr'ythee, Harman, go into the houfe, and let my wife and daughter know we are come, while I go and have fome fport with him : they will introduce you to Sir John Flowerdale. Har. Then, Sir, I'll take the liberty Col. But d'ye hear, I muft have a little more dif- courfe with you about this girl ; perhaps {he's a neighbour of mine, and I may be of fervice to you j I fuppofe {he's handfome ? Har. It's impoflible to defcribe her to you. Yes, Jbe is fair ; divinely fair , And f after than the balmy air Thai vernal Zephir blows ; Her cheeks tranfcend the rofe's bloomy Andfweeter is the rich perfume Her ruby lips difdofe. Flyfwift irbifper oh Love, and in her ear> >ifperfoft, her lover's near, Full of doubt and full of fear j If my rajhnefs Jhould offend, Intercede, My pardon plead, Her angry brow unbend. SCENE A COMIC OPERA, 23 SCENE XII. Colonel OLDBOY, Mr. JESSAMY, and federal Servants. Col. Why, Zounds ! one would think you had never put your feet to the ground before 5 you make as much work about walking a quarter of a mile, as if you had gone a pilgrimage to Jerufalem. Mr. Jeff. Colonel, you have ufed me extremely ill, to drag me through the dirty roads in this manner j you told me the way was all over a bowling-green ; only fee what a condition 1 am in ! Col. Why, how did I know the roads were dirty ? is that my fault ? Beftdes, we miftook the way. Zounds, man, your legs will be never the worfe when they are brufhed a little. Mr. Jeff. Antoine ! have you fentLaRoque for the fhoes and ftockings ? Give me the glafs out of your pocket not a duft of powder left in my hair, and the failure as flat as the fore-top of an attorney's clerk- get your comb and pomatum ; you muft borrow fome powder ; I fuppofe there's fuch a thing as a dreffing- room in the houfe ? Col. Ay, and a cellar too, I hope, for I want a glafs of wine curfedly but hold ! hold ! Frank, where are you going ? Stay, and pay your devoirs here, if you pleafe ; I fee there's fomebody coming out to welcome us. SCENE $4 LIONEL AND CLARISSA: SCENE XIII. Colonel OLDBOT, Mr. JESSAMY, LIONEL, DIANA> CLARISSA. Lion. Colonel your moft obedient ; Sir John is walk- ing with my Lady in the garden, and has comnaiffioned me to receive you. Qol. Mr. Lionel, I am heartily glad to fee you- come here, Frank this is my Ton, Sir. Lien. Sir, I am extremely proud to* Mr. Jeff". Can't you get the powder then ? Col. Mifs Clary, my little Mifs Clary give me a kifs my dear as handlbme as an angel by Heavens- Frank, why don't you come here? this is Mifs FJowerdale. Dian. Oh Heavens Clarifla ! Juft as I faid, that im- pudent devil is come here with my father. Mr. Jeff. Had'nt we better go into the houfe? To be made in fuel) a pickle ! Will you pleafe to lead the -way, Sir? Col. - No, but if you pleafe, you may Sir 9 For precedence none willjlickle. . Brother , no politenefs ? fiefs me / ou net your band be/low ? Lead the Lady. Clar. - -- Don't diftrefs me; Dear Diana let him go. Mr. Jeff. Ma am permit me. - . - Smoke the beau. A. 2. Cruel muft /, can I bear j Oh adverfejlars ! Ob fate fever e ! Befit, tormented^ Each hope prevented : Col. None but the brave deferve the fair* Come Ma'am let me lead you : Now, 5/r, I precede you. A. 5. Lovers mujl ill ufage bear. Oh adverfejlars ! ohfatefevere / None but the brave deferve the fair. A COMIC OPERA. 2$ A C T II. SCENE L A /&//, in Sir Join FLO VVERD ALE'S Houfe, with the View of a grand Stair-cafe^ through an Arch. On either Side of the Stair-cafe below^ two Docrs^ leading from different Apartments. LIONEL enters followed by JENNY. Jen. Well, but Mr. Lionel, confider, pray confider now ; how can you be fo prodigious undifcreet as you are, walking about the hall here, while the gentlefolks are within in the parlour ? Don't you think they'll wonder at your getting up fo foon after dinner, and before any of the reft of the company ? Lion. For Heaven's fake, Jenny, don't fpeak to me : I neither know where I ana, nor what I am doing ; I am the moft wretched and miferable of all mankind. Jen. Poor dear foul I pity you. Yes, yes, I believe you are miferable enough indeed ; and I affure you I have pitied you a great while, and fpoke many a word in your favour, when you little thought you had fuch a friend in a corner. Lion, But, good Jenny, fince, by fome accident or other, you have been able to difcover what I would willingly hide from all the world; I conjure you, as you regard my intereft, as you value your Lady's peace and honour, never let the moft diftant hint of it efcape you ; for it is a fecret of that importance Jen. And, perhaps, you think I cant keep a fecret. Ah ! Mr. Lionel, it muft be hear, fee, and fay nothing in this world, or one has no bufinefs to live in it; be- fides who would not be in love with my Lady ? There's never a man this day alive but might be proud of it ; for (he is the handfomeft, fweeteft temperdeft ! And I am lure one of the belt miftrcifcs, ever poor girl had. E Lien. $6 LIONEL AND CLARISSA: Lion. Oh Jenny! She's an angel. Jen. And fo fhe is indeed Do you know that fhe gave me her blue and filver facie to day, and it is every crum as good as' new ; and, go things as they will, don't you be fretting and vexing yourfelf, for I am mortally fartain (he would liverer fee a toad than this Jeflamy. Though I muft fay, to my thinking, he's a very likely nlan ; and a finer pair of eye-brows, and a more ddicater nofe I nerer faw on a face. Lion. Hy Heavens I fhall run mad. Jen. And why fo? It is not beauty that always takes the fancy : Moreover, to let you know, if it was, I don't think him any more to compare to you, than a thiftle is to a carnation : and fo's a fign ; for, mark my words, my Lady loves you, as much as (he hates him. Lion. What you tell me, Jenny, is a thing I neither merit nor expert : No, I am unhappy, and let me con- tinue fo ; my moft prefumptuous thoughts fhall never carry me to a wifh that may affect her quiet, or give her eaufe to repent. Jen. That's very honourable of you I muft needs fay ; but for all that, liking's liking, and one can't help it; and if it fhould be my Lady's cafe it is no fault of yours. I am fure, when fhe called me into her drefling-room, before fhe went down to dinner, there fhe itbod with her eyes brim full of tears ; and fo I fell a crying for company and then fhe faid fhe could not abide the chap in the parlour ; and at the fame time, fhe bid me take an opportunity to fpeak to you, and de- fire you to meet her in the garden this evening after tea ', for fhe has fomething to fay to you. Lion. Jenny, I fee you are my friend ; for which I thank you, though I know it is impofiible to do me any fervice ; take this ring and wear it for my fake. Jen. I am very much obliged to your honour ; I am your friend indeed but, I fay, you won't forget to be in the garden now j and in the mean time keep as little in the houfe as you can, for walls have eyes and ears ; and I can tell you the fervants take notice of your uneafmefs, tho' J am always deliring them to inind their own bufinefs. ACOMIC OPERA. 27 Lion. Pray have a care Jenny, have a care my dear girl, a word may breed fufpicion. Jen. Plha ! have a care yourfelf; it is you that breeds fufpicion, fighing and pining about; you look for all the world like a ghoft; and if you don't pluck up your fpirits you will be a ghoft foon; letting things get the better of you. Though to be fure when I thinks with myfelf, being crofs'd in love is a terrible thing- There was a young man in the town where I was born made away with himfelf upon the account of it. Lion. Things (han't get the better of me Jenny. Jen. No more they don't ought. And once again I {ay, fortune is thrown in your difh and you are not to fling it out ; my Lady's eftate will be better than three bifhopricks if Sir John could give them to you. Thinjc of that Mr. Lionel, think of that. Lion. Think of what ? Ob talk not to me of the wealth jhe po/efles. My hopes and my views to herfelf I confine ; The fplendour of riches but Jlightly imprejjes A heart that is fraught with a pajjinn like mine. By love, only love, Jhoud our fouls be cemented; No infreft) no motive, but that wou'd I own ; With her in a cottage be blejl and contented, 4nd wretched without her^ tbo' plac'd on a thront. SCENE aS LIONEL AND CLARISSA: SCENE II. JENNY, COLONEL OLDBOY. Col. Very, well my Lady, I'll come again to you pre- iently, I am only going into the garden for a mouthful of air. Aha ! my little Abigal ! Here Molly, Jenny, Betty ! What's your name ? Why don't you anfwer me, hufiey, when I call you? Jen. If you want any thing, Sir, I'll call one of the footmen. Col. The footmen \ the footmen ! Damn me, I never knew one of them, in my life, that would'nt prefer a rafcal to a gentleman Come here, you flut, put your hands about my neck and kifs me. Jen. Who, I, Sir ! CoL Ay, here's money for you j what the devil are you afraid of ? I'll take you into keeping j you (hall go and live at one of my tenant's houfes. Jen. I wonder you are'nt afham'ed, Sir, to make an honeft girl any fuch propofial; you that have a worthy gentlewoman, nay, a Lady of your own To be furc fhe's a little ftricken in years; but why {hould'nt fhc grow elderly as well as yourfelf ? Col. Burn a Lady, 1 love a pretty girl Jen. Well, then you may go look for one, Sir, I have no pretenfions to the title. Col. Why, you pert baggage, you don't know me. Jen. What do you pinch my ringers for ? Yes, yes, I know you well enough, and your charekter's well known all over the country, running after poor young creatures as you do, to ruinate them. Col. What, then people fay Jen. Indeed, they talk very bad of you ; and what- ever you may think, Sir, tho' I'm in a menial ftation, I'm come of people that won'd'nt fee me put upon ; there are thofe that wou'd take my part againft the proudeft he in the land, that Ihould offer any thing Uncivil. 3 CA A COMIC OPERA. 2$ Col. Well, come, let me know now, how does your young Lady like my fon ? Jen. You want to pump me do you ? I fuppofe'you would know whether I can keep my tongue within mj teeth. Col. She does'nt like him then ? Jen. I don't fay fo, Sir Isn't this a fhame now I fuppofe to-morrow or next day it will be reported that Jenny has been talking, Jenny faid that, and t'other But here, Sir, I ax you, Did I tell you any fuch thing ? Col. Why yes, you did. Jen. I ! Lord blefs me, how can you Col. Ad I'll mouzlc you. Jen. Ah ! ah ! Col. What do you bawl for ? Jen. Ah ! ah ! ah ! Indeed, forfootb, a pretty youib t To play the am' row fool; jftfuch an age, methinks your rage Might be a little cool. fie, let me go, Sir. Kifs me ! No, no, Sir. You pull me andjhake me, for what do you take me, This figure to make me ? Vd have you to know Tm not for your game, Sir 5 Nor will / be tame, Sir. Lord, have you no flame, 5/r, To t-umbk one fo ? s c E >; E 30 LIONEL AND CLARISSA: S C -E N E III. Colonel OLDBOY, Lady MARY, DIANA, HARMAK* Lady M. Mr. Oldboy, won't you give me your hand to lead me up ftairs, my dear ? Sir, I am prodigioufiy obliged to you ; I proteft I have not been To well, I don't know when : I have had no return of my bilious com- plaint after dinner to-day j and eat fo voracioufly ! Did you obferve Mifs ? the whole wing of a Partridge ; Doctor Arfnic will be quite aftonilhed when he hears it ; furely his new invented medicine has done me a pro- digious deal of fervice. Col. Ah ! you'll always be taking one flop or other till you poifon yourfelf. Lady M. It brought Sir Barnaby Drugg from death's door, after having tryed the Spaw and Biiftol waters without effect : it is good for feveral things, in many fovereign, as in colds and confumptions, and lownefs of fpirits ; it corre<5ts the humours, rectifies the juices, regulates the nervous fyfrem ; creates an appetite, pre- vents flufhings and ficknefs after meals ; as a!fo vain fears and head-achs ; it is the fineft thing in the world for an afthma \ ami no body that takes it, is ever troubled with hyfteries. Col. Give me a pinch of your Lordfhips's fnufF. Lady M. This is a mighty pretty fort of man a Colonel, who is he ? Col. A voung fellow my Lady, recommended to me. Lady M. I proteft he has the fweeteft tafte for poetry ! Heha^ repeated to me two or three of his own things; and I have been telling him of the poem my late brother Lord JefTamy made on the moufe that was drowned. Col. Ay, a fine fubje& for a poem ; a moufe that was drowned in a Lady M. Hufli, my dear Colonel, don't mention it 5 t) be lure the circumftance was vaftly indelicate; but for the number of lines, the poem was as charming a mo rfel I heard the Earl of Punley fay, who underftood Latin, that it was equal to any thing in Catullus. A COMIC OPERA. 31: Col. Well, how did you like your fon's behaviour at fJtnner, Madam ? I thought the girl looked a little afkew at him Why, he found fault with every thing, and contradi&ed every body ! Lady M. Softly Mifs Flowerdale I undcrftand has ekfired a private conference with him. Col. What, Harman, have you got entertaining my daughter there ? Come hither, Dy ; has he been giving you a hiftory of the accident that brought him down here r Dlan. No, Papa, the gentleman has been telling me Lafy M. No matter vvhatMifs 'tis not polite to repeat what has been faid. Col. Well, well, my Lady, you know the compact we made ; the boy is yours, the girl mine Give me your hand Dy. Lady M. Mifs, why won't you take a pair of my French chicken-gloves your hands lookfo chapped and to red, I declare one would think you did up your own linen. Col. Why now, my Lady, I think they are very white. Lady M. Colonel I have done Pray, Sir, was there any news when you left London ; any thing about the Eaft-Indies, the miniftry, or politics of any kind ? I am {trangely fond of politics : but I hear nothing fmce my Lord Jeffamy's death ; he ufed to write to me all ths affairs of the nation, for he was a very great politician himfelf. I have a manufcript fpeech of his in my ca- binet Ke never fpoke it, but it is as fine a thing as ever came from man. Col. What is that crawling on your LaJyfliip's petticoat. Lady M. Where ! where f Col. Zounds ! a fpider with legs as long as my arm. Lady M. Oh Heavens ! Ah don't let me look at it ; I .'lull faint, I (hall fainc ! A fpider ! a fpider ! a fpider ! SCENE 32 LIONEL AN CLARISSA. SCENE IV. COLONEL OLDBOY, DIANA, HARMAK. Col. Old. Hold ; zounds let her go ; I knew tha fpider would fet her a galloping, wirh her damned fufs about her brother my Lord Jefiamy. Harman come here. How do you like my daughter ? Is the girl you are in love with as handfomeas this ? Har. In my opinion, Sir, Col. What, as handfome as Dy f I'll lay you twenty pounds (he has not fuch a pair of eyes. He tells me he's in love, Dy ; raging mad for love, and, by his talk, I begin to believe him. Dia. Now, for my part, papa, I doubt it very much; though, by what I heard the gentleman fay juft now within, I find he imagines the lady has a violent partiality for him ; and yet he may be miftaken there too. Col. For fhame, Dy, what the mifchief do you mean ? How can you talk fo tartly to a poor young fellow un- der misfortunes ? Give him your hand, and afk his pardon. Don't mind her, Harman. For all this, (he is as good-natur'd a little devil, as ever was born. Har. You may remember, Sir, I told you before dinner, that I had for fome time carried on a private correfpondence with my lovely girl ; and that her father, whofe confent we defpair of obtaining, is the great obftacle to our happinefs. Col. Why don't you carry .her off in fpight of him, then ? Iran away with my wife afk my Lady Mary, fhe'il tell you the thing herfelf. Her old conceited Lord of a father thought I was not good enough ; but I mounted a garden-wall, notwithstanding their cheveuxr- de-frize of broken glafs botties, took her out of a three pair of flairs window, and brought her down a ladder in my arms. By the way, (he would have fqueezed through a cat-hole to get at me. And I would have taken her out of the Tower of London, damme, if it had been furrounded with the three regiments of guards. A COMIC OPERA. 33 Dia. But furely, papa, you would not perfuade the gentleman to fuch a proceeding as this is ; confi>!erthe noife it will make in the country ; and if you are known to be the advifer and abettor Col Why, what do I care ? I fay, if he takes my advice he'll run away with her, and I'll give him all the aflifttince I can. Har. I am fure, Sir, you are very kind ; and, to tell you the truth, i have more than once had the very fcheme in my head, if I thought it was feafible, and knew how to go about it. Col. Feafible, and knew how to go about it ! The thing's feafible enough, if the girl's willing to go off with you, and you .have fpirit fufficient to undertake it. Har. O, as for that Sir, I can anfwer. Dia. What, Sir, that the lady will be willing to go off with you ? Har. No, Ma'am, that I have fpirit enough to take her, if fhe is willing to go ; and thus far i dare ven- ture to promife, that between this and to-morrow morning i will find out whether (he is or not, Col. So he may ; (he lives but in this county ; and tell her, Harman, you have met with a friend, who is inclined to ferveyou. You fhall have my poit-chaife at a minute's warning ; and if a hundred pieces will be of any ufe to you, you may command 'em. Har. And you are really fcrious, Sir ? Col. Serious ; damme ir I an't. I have put twenty young fellows in a way of getting girls that they never would have thought of: and bring her to my houfe ; whenever you come you fhall have a f upper and a bed ; but you muft marry her fidr, becauic my Lady will be fqucamifb. Dia. Well, but, my dear papa, upon my word you have a great deal to anfwer for : fuppofe it was your own caie to have a daughter -in fuch circumftances, would you be obliged to any one Col. Hold your tongue-, huffy, who bid you put in ypur oar ? However, Harman, I don't want to let F you 34 LIONEL AND CLARISSA: you upon any thing ; 'tis no affair of mine to be fure, I only give you advice, and tell you how I would a& if I was in your place. Har. I afiure you, Sir, I am quite charm'd with the advice j and, fince you are ready to (land my friend, I am determined to follow it. Col. You are Har. Pofitively Col. Say no more then ; here's my hand : You understand me. No occafion to talk any further of it at prefent. When we are alone Dy, take Mr. Har- man into the drawing-room, and give him fome tea. 1 fay, Harman, Mum. Har. O, Sir. Col. What do you mean by your grave looks, miftrcfs ? How curfedly vext tbe-oldfelkw will be^ ff ben he finds you have fnapt tip his daughter ; Sut.Jhift as be will, leave the matter to me, And I warrant you foon Jhall have caught ber. a plague and a pox^ Shall an ill- natur'dfox* Prevent youth and beauty From doing their duty ? He ought to be fet in thejiocks. He merits the law ; And if we can't lite bim y By gad we'll indite him. Ha t ba y ba, ba t ba. t ba t ba, SCENE A COMIC OPERA. 35 S C E N E V. DIANA, HARMAN. Dian. Sir, I defire to know what grofs acts of imprudence you have ever difcovered in me, to autho- rize you in this licence, or make you imagine I fhould not (hew fuch marks of my refentmen.t as your mon- {trous treatment of me deferves. Har. Nay, my dear Diana, I confefs I have been rather too bold ; but consider, I languifh'd to fee you ; and when an opportunity offer'd to give me that pleafure without running any rifque, either of your quiet or reputation, how hard was it to be refifted ? 'Tis true, I little thought my vifit would be attended with fuch happy confequences as it now feems to promife. Dian. What do you mean ? Har. Why, don't jyou fee your father has an inclina- tion I fhould run away with you, and is contriving the means himfelf ? Dia. And do you think me capable of concurring ? Do you think I have no more duty ? Har. I don't know that, Madam j I am fure your refufing to feize fuch an opportunity to make me happy, gives evident proofs that you have very little love. Dia. If there is no way to convince you of my love but by my indifcretion, you are welcome to consider it, in what lijjht you pleafe. Har. Was ever fo unfortunate a dog ? Dia. Very pretty this upon my word ; but is it pof- fible you can be in earncft ? Har. It is a matter of too much confcquence to jeft about. Dia. And yeu ferioufly think I ought Har. You are fenfible there are no hopes of your father's cooly and wittingly confenting to our marriage ; ch nee has thrown in our way a whimfical method of furprizing him into a compliance, aad why fh/juld not we avail our fcivcs ofit ? F 2 Di 3 6 LIONEL AND CLARISSA: Dia. And fo you would have me Har. I (hall fay no. more, Ma'am. Dia, Nay, bar, for Heaven's fake Har. No, Madam no; I have done. Dia. And are you pofitively in this violent fufs about the matter, or only giving yourfelf airs ? Hor. You may fuppofe what you think proper, Madam. Dla. Well, come j let us go into the drawing- room and drink ten, and afterwards we'll talk of matters. Har. I won't drink any tea. Dia. Why fo ? Har. Becaufe I don't like it. Dia. Not like it ! Ridiculous. Har. I wifh you would let me alone. Dia. Nay, pr'ythee Har. I won't ; Dla. Well, will you if I confent to a& as you pleafe ? Har. I don't know whether I will or not. Dla. Ha, ha, ha, poor Harman. Come then, p'ning, peevifi lover. Tell ns what to do and Jay ; From your doleful dumps recover ', Smile, and it jball have its way. Wit}) their humours^ thus to teaze us t Men are fur thejlrangejl elves ! c/'//y creatures, would you plfafe us, Yuujhwld Jlilljeem plcafd ycurfclvcs. SCENE A CO MIC OPERA. & SCENE VI. HARMAN. Say'ft thou fo, my girl I Then Love renounce me, If I drive not old Truepenny's humour to the uttermoft. Let me confider ; - what ill confequencecan pofflbly attend it? The defign is his own, as in part will be the execution. He may perhaps be angry when he finds out the deceit. Well ; he deceives himfelf j and faults we commit ourfeives we feKlom find much diffi- culty in pardoning. '. ' Hence with caution, hence with fear, Etntity prompts, and naught Jhall jlay me ; fur that prize IJleer ; nor winds> nor waves difmay me. Yet, rajh lover ^ Think what evils may betide you ; Leve and fortune both are blind, And you have none elfe to guide you. SCENE ' LIONEL AND CLARISSA; SCENE VII. Changes to a handfome DreJJing-room^fuppofed to be CLA- RISSA'S. On one Side , between the Wings, is a Table with a Glafj, Boxes t and twc Chairs. DIANA enters before JESS A MY. Dia. Come, brother, I undertake to be miftrefs of the ceremony upon this occafion, and introduce you to your firft audience. Mifs Flowerdale is not here, I perceive ; but no matter.-- Mr. Jeff. Upon my word, a pretty elegant dreffing- roomthis ; hut confound our builders, cr architects, as they call thcmfelves, they are all errant ftone-mafons ; not one of them know the fituation of doors, windows, or chimnies j which are as eflenttal to a room as eyes, nofe and mouth to a countenance. Now, if the eyes are where the mouth fhould be, and the nofe out of proportion and its place, qtiel horrible phiftognsmie* Dia. My dear brother, you are not come here as a virtuofo to sdmire the temple ; but as a votary to ad- drefs the deity to whom it belongs. Shew, I befeech you, a little more devotion, and tell me, how do you iike Mils Flowerdale ? don't you think her very hand- fome ? Mr. Jef. Pale ; but that I am determinrd (he (hall remedy ; for, as loon as we are married, I will make her put on rouge : Let me fee j has (he got any in her boxes here ; Veritable toilet a la Angkife. Nothing but a bottle of Hungary-water, two or three rows of pins, a paper of patches, and a little bole-ar- moniac by way of tooth-powder. Dia. Brother, I would fain give you fome advice upon this occafion, which maybe of fcrvice to you : You are now going to entertain a young Lady Let me prevail upon you to lay afide thofe airs, on account of x which fome people are impertinent enough to call you a coxcomb ; for, I am afraid, {he may be apt to think you a coxcomb too, as 1 allure you (he is very capable of diftingui&ing. Mr A COMIC OPERA. 39 Mr. 'Jeff' So much the worfe for me. If fhe is ca- pable of diftinguifhing, I (hall meet with a terrible repulfe. I don't believe (he'll have me. Dia. I don't believe (he will, indeed. Mr. Jeff. Go on, fitter, - ha, ha, ha. Dla. proteft I am ferious. Though, I perceive, you have more faith in the counfellor before you there, the looking-glafs. But give me leave to tell you, it is not a powder'd head, a lac'd coat, a grimace, a ihrug, a bow, or a few pert phrafes, learnt by rote, that confti- ' tute the power of pleafing all women. Mr. Jeff". Aprcs ma chere. Dia, Thefe qualifications we find in our parrots and monkies. I would undertake to teach Poll, in three weeks, the. fafhionable jargon of half the fine men about town ; and I am fure it muft be allowed, that pug, in a fcarlet coat, is a figure as degage and alluring as moft of them. Mr. Jeff". Upon rnj^ honour that's a charming India cabinet But Mifs Flowerdale will be here presently You had better return to give the gentleman his tea, and it is ten to one but we fhall agree, though I fhould not profit by your fage advice. Dla. Well, I will leave you. I wonder i Ifivfar, How women can bear A fop, that himfelfjiill admires ; Mere puppets for play , Of papier macke, Without either foul or dejires. One's pos'd in on'e's aim t To give them a name, Things offuch equivocal growth ; Nor majhr nor mifs^ But 'twixt that and this, Ridiculous copies of both. [Exit. % C E N AND CLARIS s * &*. PILL CLARISSA, Mr. JESSAMT. Clar. Sir, I took the liberty to defire a few mo- ments private converfation with you I hope you will excufe it I am, really, greatly embarrafs'd. But, in an affair of fuch immediate confequence to us both Mr. Jejf. My dear creature, don't be embarafs'd be- fore me; I fhould be extremely forry to ftrike you with any awe; but, this is a fpecies of mauvaife honte, which the company I ihali introduce you to, will foon cure you of. Clar. Upon my word, Sir, I don't understand you. Mr. Jejf. Perhaps, you may be under fome un- eafinefs, left I fhould not be quite fo warm in the pro- fecution of this affair, as you (^mld wifli : it is true, with regard to quality, I might do better; and, with regard to fortune, full as well But, you pleafe me Upon my foul, 1 have not met with any thing more agreeable to me "a great while. Clar. Pray, Sir, keep your feat. Mr. JeJ/. Mauvaife honte again. My dear, there is nothing in thefe little familiarities between you and me When we are married, I Ihall do every thing to render your life happy ..... Clar. Ah ! Sir, pardon me. The happinefs of my life depends upon a ciccumftance - Mr. Jeff. Oh \ I underftand you You have been told, I fuppofe, of the Italian opera girl Rat peoples tongues However, 'tis true, I had an affair with her at Naples; and fhe is, now here. But, be fatisfied, I'll give her a thoufand pounds, and fend her about her bufmefs. Clar. Me Sir! I proteft nobody told me Lord ! I jiever heard any fuch thing, or enquired about it. Mr.Jeff'. Nor, have not they been chattering to you of my affair at Pifa, with the Principeffa del - Clar. No, indeed, Sir. I Mr* ACOMICOPERA. 41 Mr. Jeff. Well ! I was afraid they might, becaufe, in this rude country However, my dear, creature, you ought to prepare yourfelf againft any little trials of this kind ; we are naturally volage ; yet, I dare ven- ture to promife you, that my flights will be but fhort ; and, I (hall foon return again to my deftined mate But, why filent, on a fudden don't be afraid to fpeak. Clar. No, Sir, I will come to the fubjeft, on which, I took the liberty to trouble you Indeed, I have great reliance on your generofity. Mr. Jeff. \ou'll find me generous as a prince, depend on't. Clar. I am blefs'd, SIri with one of the beft of fathers : I never yet difobey'd himj in which I have had little merit; for his commands have always been to fee u re my own felicity. Mr. Jeff. Well ! my dear, don't imagine I will prevent your being dutiful to your father : no, no, continue to love him ; I (han't be jealous. Clar. But now, Sir, I am under the fhocking necef- fity of difobeying him, or being wretched for ever. Mr. Jeff. Hem! Clar. I repeat it, Sir, wretched for ever my pre- fent fituation the gloomy profpeft before me the in- quietude of my mind Ah ! bow weak is inclination, Fain I would yet more explain ; But, you fee my agitation, And ^villfpare my tongue the pain. Help, and force, at onceforfake me, On your kindnefs I depend. Since your wife you cannot make me, Make, make me, Sir, y^ur friend. SCENE 42 LIONEL AND CLARISSA: SCENE IX. JESSAMY, JENKINS. Mr. Jeff: Who's there ? Jenk. Do you call, Sir F Mr. Jeff". Hark you, old gentleman ; who are you ? Jenk. Sir, my name is Jenkins. Mr. Je/. Oh ! you are Sir John Flowerdale's ftew- ard ; a (ervant he puts confidence in. Jenk. Sir, I have ferved Sir John Flowerdale many years : he is the beft of mailers; and, I believe, he has fome dependance on my attachment and fidelity. Mr. Je/. Then, Mr. Jenkins, I fhall condefcend to fpeak to you. Does your mafter know who I am ? Does he know, Sir, that I am likely to be a Peer of Great Britain ? That I have ten thoufand pounds a year : that I have pafled through all Europe with dif- tinguifhed eclat ; that I refufed the daughter of Myrr- heer Van Slokenfolk, the great Dutch burgomafter : and, that, if I had not had the misfortune of being bred a proteftant, I might have married the niece of his prefent holinefs the Pope j with a fortune of two hundred thoufand piaftres. Jenk. I am fure, Sir, my mafter has all the refpecl imaginable Mr. Jeff'. Then, Sir, how comes he, after my {hewing an inclination to be allied to his family ; how comes he, I fay, to bring me to his houfe to be af- fronted. I have let his daughter go ; but, I think, I was in the wrong; for a woman that infults me, is no more fafe than a man. I have brought a Lady to reafon before now, for giving me faucy language and left her male friends to revenge it. Jenk. Pray, good Sir, what is the matter ? Mr. Jejf. Why, Sir, this is the matter, Sir Your matter's daughter, Sir, has behaved to me with damn'd infolence, and impertinence; and, you may tell Sir John Flowerdale, firfl, with regard to her, that, A COMIC OPERA. 43 that, I think fhe is a filly, ignorant, aukward, ill bred country pufs. Jenk. Oh ! Sir, for Heaven's fake Mr. Jeff. And, that, with regard to himfelf; he is, in my opinion, an eld, doating, ridiculous, coun- try ''fquire ; without the knowledge of either men or things; and, that he is below my notice, if it were not to defpife him. Jenk. Good lord ! Good lord ! Mr. Jeff'. And, advife him and his daughter to keep out of my way j for, by gad, I will affront them, in the firft place I meet them And, if your mafter is for carrying things further; tell him, I fence better than any man in Europe. In Italy, Germany, France, I have been ; IVhere, princes Fve liv'dwith, where monarcbs Tvefew, The great have carefs'd me, The fair have addrefid me ; Nay, finite!) I have had from a queen. And, now, Jhall a pert, Infignificant flirt, With infolence ufe me 9 Prefume to refiife me ; She fancy's my pride will be hurt. But tout au contraire, I'm pleased, I declare ; >uite happy, to think, I efcape from the fn are: Serviteur Manffelle ; my claim I withdraw. Hey ! where are my people ; fa/, la!, lal, lal, la. SCENE 44 LIONEL AND CLARISSA: SCENE X. I muft go and inform Sir John of what has happen- ed j but, I will not tell him of the outrageous beha- viour of this young fpark ; for, he is a man of fpirit, and would refent it. Egad, my own fingers itched to be at him, once or twice ; and as flout as he is, I fancy thefe old fifts would give him a bellyful, fie complains of Mifs Clarifla; but, fhe is incapable of treating him in the manner he fays. Perhaps, fhe may have behaved with fome coldnefs towards him j and, yet, that is a myftery to me too; for, {he has feen him before;. and, I have heard Sir John fay a thou- fand times, that fhe exprefled no repugnance to the match. Ob ! ladies, lovely creatures ; Tour wit) your Jhape, your features, Are all divine : TSutJlill changing, feigning ; The man who feeks your meaning^ Goes out the Jea to fathom, Without lead or line. Your charms are formed to pleafe us ; You fyread the lure tofgize us : And when -we get Into the net, Why, then, you vex and teaze us SCENE A C O M I C O P E R A. 45 SCENE XI. e to Sir JOHN FLOWEHDALE'S Garden; with a view of a Canal, by Moon-light : the fide Scenes re- prefent Box-hedges^ intermixed with Statues, and flow- ering Shrubs. LIONEL tnters t hading CLARISSA. Lion. Hift methought I heard a noife fhould we be furprized together, at a junture fo critical; what might be the confequence I know not how it is , but, at this, the happieft moment of my lite, I feel a damp, a tremor, at my heart Clar. Then, what ihould I do ? If you tremble, I ought to be terrified, indeed ; who, have difcovered fentiments which, perhaps, 1 fhould have hid, with a franknefs, that, by a man lefs generous, lefs noble minded than yourfelf, might be conftrued to my dif- ad vantage. Lion. Oh ! wound me not with fo cruel an expref- fion you love me, and have condefcended to confefs it You have feen my torments, and been kind enough to pity them The world, indeed, may blame you Clar. And, yet, was it proclaimed to the world,? What could the mod malicious fuggeft ? They could but fay, that, truth and fmcerity got the better of forms : that the tongue dar'd to fpeak, the honeft fen- fations of the mind ; that, while you aimed at im- proving my understanding, you engaged, and con- quered my heart. Lion. And, is it ! is it poflible ! Clar. Becalm, and liften to me: what I have done has not been lightly imagined, nor rafhly undertaken: it is the work of reflection, of conviction ; my love is not a facrifice to my own fancy, but a tribute to your worth ; did I think there was a more deferving man in the world Lion. If, to doat on you more than life, be to de- fervc you, fo far I have merit ; if, to have no vvifli, 46 LIONEL AND CLARISSA: hope, no thought, but you, can entitle me to the envied diftin&ion of a moment's regard, fo far I dare pretend. Clar. That, I have this day refufed a man, with whom I could not be happy, I make no merit : born for quiet and fimplicity, the crouds of the world; the noife attending pomp and diftin&ion, have no charms for me : I wifli to pafs my life in rational tranquility, with a friend, whofe virtues I can refpec"r, whofe ta- lents I can admire j who will make my efteem the bails of my affe&ion. Lion. O charming creature ! yes, let me indulge the flattering idea; form'd with the fame fentiments, the fame feelings, the fame tender paffion for each other j Nature defign'd us to compofe that facred nnion, which nothing but death can annul Clar. One only thing remember. Secure in each others affections, here we muft reit ; I would not give my father a moment's pain, to purchafe the empire of the world. That he will never force my inclinations, I am confident ; and, while he lives, or, till fome fa- vourable accident, now unforefeen, offers to befriend us Lion. Command, difpofe of me as you pleafe ; an- gels take cognizance of the vows of innocence and virtue ; and, I will believe that ours are already re- gifter'd in Heaven, Clar. I will believe fo too. Go, and, on my truth relying. Comfort to your cares applying, Bid each doubt and f arrow flying, Leave to peace, and love your breajt. Go, and may the Povurs that hear us, Still, as kind protestors near us, Through our troubles fafely Jleer us To a port of joy and rift. SCENE A COMIC OPERA. 47 SCENE XII. LIONEL, SIR JOHN FLOWERDALE. Sir John. Lionel, Lionel. Lion. Who calls? Sir John. Lionel. Lion. Heavens ! 'Tis Sir John FlowerdaJe ; where ftiall I hide myfelf j how avoid him this way unlucky cr6el love, to what do you reduce me ? Sir John. Who's there ? Lion. 'Tis I, Sir ; I am here, Lionel. Sir John. My dear lad, I have been fearching for you this half hour, and was at laft told you had come into the garden : I have a piece of news, which I dare fwcar will {hock and furprize you j my daughter has refufed Colonel Oldboy's fon, who is this minute departed the houfe in violent refentment of her ill treatment. Lion. Is he gone, Sir ? Sir John. Yes, and the family are preparing to follow him : it is impoffible to defcribe to you, how 1 am griered at this fatal accident; you know, as well as I, the cogent reafons that determined me to this marriage. Oh Lionel ! Clarifla has deceived me : in this affair (he has fuffered me to deceive myfelf. The meafures which I have been fo long preparing are broken in a moment my hopes fruftrated ; and both parties, in the eye of the world, rendered light and ridiculous. Lion. I am forry to fee you fo much moved ; pray,, Sir, recover your felf. Sir John. 1 am forry, Lionel, (he has profited no better by your leflbns of philofophy ; than to impofe upon and diftrefs fo kind a father. Lion. Have jufter thoughts of her, Sir ? She has not impofed on you, (he is incapable have but a little patience and things may yet be brought about. 3 Sir 48 LIONEL AND CLARISSA: 5/r John, No, Lionel, no ; the matter is paft, and there's an end of it ; yet I would conjecture to what fuch an unexpected turn in her conduct can be owing j I would fain be fatisfied of the motive that could urge her to fo extraordinary a proceeding, without the leaft intimation, the leaft warning to me, or any of her friends. Lion. Perhaps, Sir, the gentleman may have been too impetuous and offended Mifs Flowerdale's delicacy certainly nothing elfe could occafion Sir John. Heaven only knows 1 think, indeed, there can be no fettled averfion, and furely her affec- tions are not engaged el fe where. Lion. Engag'd, Sir No, Sir. Sir John. I think not, Lionel. Lion. You may be pofitive, Sir, I'm fure Sir John. O worthy young man, whofe integrity, opennefs, and every good quality have rendered dear to me as my own child ; I fee this affair troubles you as much as it does me. Lion. It troubles me indeed, Sir. Sir John. However, my particular difappolntment onght not to be detrimental to you, nor (hall it : I well know how irkfome it is to a generous mind to live in a ftate of dependence, and have long had it in my thoughts to make you cafy for life. Lion. Sir John, the fituation of my mind at prefcnt is a little difturb'd fpare me! 1 befeech you, fpare me ; why will you perfift in a goodnefs that makes me afham'd of myfelf ? Sir John. There is an eitate in this county which I purchased fome years ago, by me it will never be mified, and whoever marries my daughter will have little reafon to complain of my difpofing of fuch a trifle for my own gratification. On the prefent marriage I in- tended to perfect a deed of gift in your favour, which has been for fome time prepared ; my lawyer has this day completed it, and it is yours my dear Lionel, with every good wifli that the warmeft friend can beftow. Lion* A C O M I C O P E R A. 49 Lion. Sir, if you prefented a piftol with defign to fiioot me, I would fubmit to it ; but you muft excufe me, I cannot lay myfelf under more obligations. Sir John. Your delicacy carries you too far; in this I confer a favour on myfelf: however, we'll talk no more on the fubject at prefent, let us walk towards the fooufe, our friends will depart elfe without my bidding them adieu. < SCENE XIII. DIANA, CLARISSA, and afterwards LIONEL. Dlan. So then, my dear Clarifla, you really give credit to the ravings of that French wretch, with regard to a plurality of worlds ? Clar. I don't make it an abfolute article of belief, but I think it an ingenious conjecture with great pro- bability on its fide. Dlan. And we are a mopn to the moon ! Nay, child, J know fomething of aftronomy, but that that little fhining thing there, which feems not much larger than a filver plate, fhould, perhaps, contain great cities like London j and who can tell but they may have kings there and parliaments, and plays and operas, and people of fashion ! Lord the people of fafliion in the moon muft be ftrange creatures, Clar. Methinks Venus (nines very bright in yonder corner. Dlan. Venus ! O pray let me look at Venus ; I fuppofe, if there are any inhabitants there, they muft be all lovers. Lion. Was ever fuch a wretch I can't ftay a mo- ment in a place j where is my repofe? fled with my virtue? Was I then born for talfljood and diffimulation ? I was, I was, and live to be confcious of it; to impofe upon my friend ; to betray my benefactor and lie to bide my ingratitude a monfter in a moment No, I m^y be the moft unfortunate of. men, but I will not be the moft odious j while my heart is yet capable of dictating what is honeft, I will obey its voice. H SCENE 5 o LIONEL AND CLARISS A: SCENE XIV. DIANA, CLARISSA, LIONEL, Colonel OLDBOY, HARMAN. Col. Dy, where are you ? What the mifchief, is th(s a time to be walking in thegarden ? The coach has been ready this half hour, and your mama is waiting for you. Dian. I am learning aftronomy, Sir } do you know papa, that the moon is inhabited ? Col. Hufly, you are half a lunatic yourfelf; come, here, things have gone juft as I imagin'd they wou'd, the girl has refus'd your brother, 1 knew he mull difguft her. Dian. Women will want tafte now and then, Sir. Col. But I muft talk to the young Lady a little. Har. Well, I have had a long conference with your father about the elopement, and he continues firm in his opinion that I ought to attempt it : in fhort, all the neceflary operations :.tt fettled between us, and I am to leave his houfe to-morrow morning, if 1 can but per- fuade the young Lady Dian. Ay, but I hope the young Lady will have more fen fe Lord, how can you' teaze me with your nonfenfe. Come, Sir, isn't it time for us to go hi 1 ? Her Ladyfhip will be impatient. Col. Friend Lionel, goodnight to you; Mifs ClaruTa, my dear,' tho' I am. father of the puppy who has dif- pleafed you, give me a kifs; you ferv'd him right, and I thank you for it. Col. O what a night is here for love ! Cynthia brightly Jhining aboue } Among the trees^ 7'o thejighing breeze, Fountains tinkling ; Stars a twinkling : Dian. A COMIC OPERA. 5* Dian. O what a night is here for love ! So may the morn propitious prove \ Har. And fo it 'will ij right I guefs: For fometimes light, As well as nighty A lover's hopes may blefs. A. 2. Farewell my friend ', May gentle reft Calm each tumult in your breaft 9 Every pain $ndfear remove. Lion. II 'bat have I done ? Where Jhall I run, With grief and Jhame at once oppreft - 9 How my own upbraiding Jhun, Or meet my friend diftrejl ? A. 3. Hark to Philomel ', howfweety From yonder elm. tol. ^ Tweet, tweet, tweet, tweet. A. 5. O what a night is here for love ! But vainly Nature Jl rives to move. Nor nightingales among the trees, Nor twinkling Jlars, nor Jighing breeze 9 Nor murm ring Jlr earns, Nor Phoebe s beams, Can charm unlefs the btart's at eafe. H2 SCENE LIONEL AND CLARISSA: ACT III. SCENE I. A Room in Colonel OLDBOY'S Houfe. HARM AM enters, with his Hat, Boots, and IFhip, followed by DIANA. Dian. Pry'thee,' hear me. Har . My dear, "what would you fay ? Dian. I am afraid of the ftep we are going to take ; indeed, I am : 'tis true, my father is the contriver of it ; but, really, on confideration, I think, I fhould appear lefs culpable if he was not fo ; I am at once criminal myfelf and rendering him ridiculous. Har. Do you love me ? Dian. Suppofe I do, you give me a very ill proof of your love for me, when you would take advantage of my tendernefs, to blind my reafon : how can you have fo little regard for my honour as to facrifice it to a vain triumph? For, it is in that light I fee the rafh action you are forcing me to commit j nay, me- thinks my confenting to it fhould injure me in your own efteem. When a woman forgets what fhe owes herfelf, a lover fhould fet little value upon any thing fhe gives to him. Har. Can you fuppofe then, can you imagine, that my paflion will ever make me forget the veneration And, an elopement is nothing, when it is on the road to matrimony. Dian. At beft, I (hall incur the cenfure of difobe- dience, and indifcretion ; and, is it nothing to a young woman, what the world fays of her ? Ah ! my good friend, be affured, fuch a disregard of the world- is the firft ftep towards deferving its reproaches. Har. But, the neceffity we are under Mankind has too much good fenfe, too much good nature Dian. Every one has good fenfe enough to fee other people's faults, and good nature enough to A COMIC OP ERA. 53 Overlook their own. Befides, the moft facred things may be made an ill ufe of; and, even marriage itfelf, if indecently and improperly Har. Come, get yourfelf ready: where is your band-box, hat, and cloak ? Slip into the garden ; be there, at the iron-gate, which you {hewed me juft now i and, as the poft-chaife comes round, 1 will ftep and take you in. Dian, Yet, one thing more. My fortune depends almoft entirely upon my father's generofity : now, think, with yourldf, whether it would not be better to devife feme other method t Har. Hang fortune ! It is the bane of love ; and, therefore, they are both piclur'd blind, to {hew, that their coming together can never be premeditated ; but, if they do meet, it is by chance, when, they joflle, and (me generally overturns t'other. Dian. Dear Harman, let me beg of you to defifi. Har. Dear Diana, let me beg of you to go on. Dian. 1 fliall never have refolution to carry m thro' it. Har. We fliall have four horfes, my dear, and thejr will aflift us Dian. In fliort I cannot go with you. Har. But, before me Into the garden, won't you? Dian. Well, Harman, if ever hereafter you prefume to reproach me withvthis inftance of my condefcenfion - Ah f bow cruel the refletl'ion^ Woman once to error led ; Ev'ry eye wakes for detetHon^ Ev'ry tongue the tale tofyread. Vainly is her fault lamented, By the poor, mifguided fair j 'That whith caution had prevented^ Penitence can nier repair. SCENE 5J LIONEL AND CLARI $SA: SCENE II. Colonel OLD BOY, HARM AN. Col. Hey dey ! what's the meaning of this ? Who is it went out of the room there ? Have you and my daughter been in conference, Mr. Harman ? Dy anrf you in private, eh ? tier. Yes, faith, Sir, foe has been taking me to tafk here, very feverely, with regard to this affair; and (he has faid fo much againft it, and put it into fuch a ftrange light, that, fne has almoft ftagger'd my refolution . Co!. A biify impertinent baggage; egad, I wifli I had catched her meddling, and after I had ordered' her not : but, the thing's gone too far now to retract : you fay, you have lent to the girl, and fhe has re-' turn'd for anfwer, that fhe is ready to go with you ; you muft'not difappoint the poor triing, nor vou (han't. Har. No, no, Colonel, I am determined; I always have politenefs enough to hear a lady's reafons; but, conftancy enough to keep a will of my own. Col. Very well now, let me afk you ; don't you think it would be proper upon this occafion to have a letter ready writ for the father, to let him know who has got his daughter, where you have taken her, and how you defign to difpofe of her ? Har. Certainly, Sir, and I'll write it directly. Col. You write it ! you be damn'd ! I wo'nt truft you with it ; I tell you, Harman, you'll commit fomc curfed blunder, if you don't leave the management of this whole affair to me : I have writ the letter for you myfelf. Har. Have you, Sir ? Col. Ayhere, read it; I think its the thing: how- ever, you are welcome to make any alteration you like. Har. " Sir, I have loved your daughter a great while, fecretly ; {he aflures me tbere is no hopes of your contenting to our marriage ; I therefore, take her without it. I am a gentleman who will ufe her well ; and, A COMIC OPERA. 5$ and, when you confider the matter, I dare fwear you will br willing to give her a fortune. If not, you ihali find I dare behave myfelf like a man A word to the wife You muft expecl: to hear from me in another ftile." Col.' Npw, Sir, I will tell you what you muft do uith this letter : as foon as you have got off with the girl, Sir, fend your fervant back to leave it at the houfe, with orders to have it delivcr'd to the old gentleman. Har. Upon my honour, I will, Colonel. Col. But, upon my honour, I don't believe you'll get the girl: come, Harman, I'll bet you a buck, and fix dozen of burgundy, that you won't have fpirit enough to bring this affair to a crifis. Har. And, 1 fay done firft, Colonel. Col. Then look into the court there, Sir; a chaife with four of the prettied bay geldings in England, with two boys in fcarlet and nlver jackets, that will whifk you along. Har. Boys! Colonel? Little cupids, to tranfport me to the fummit of my defires. Col. Ay, but for all that, it mayn't be amifs for me to talk to them a little out of the window for you. Dick, come hither ; you are to go with this gentle- fnan, and do whatever he bids you ; and, take into the chaife whoever he -pleafes ; and, drive like devils, do you hear ; but, be kind to the dumb beafts. Har. Leave that to me, Sir And fo, my dear Cplonel, To fear a fir anger, Behold the foldier arm ; He knows no danger^ When honour founds tie alarm i But daunt Icfs gc/s y Among his foes, Jn Cupid's militia, Sofearlefs I i/ue ; And-, as youfee, Armd cap-a-pee^ Refoht on death or vifiory. 56 LIONEL AND CLARISSA, SCENE III. Colonel OLDBOY, Lady MARY, and then JEM* r, Lady M. Mr. Oldboy, here is a note from Sir John Flowerdale : it is addrefs'd tome, intreating my Ton tq come over there again this morning. He apprehends the accident yefterday arofe from fome miftake, and I really believe it did ; for certainly the young Lady could not be fo wanting to her own intereft, as premeditatedly to rcfufe my Ton. Col. What the devil young Lady would do otherwife ! Lady M. The note is brought by a maid : (he is in he anti-chamber We had better fpeak to her Child, child, why don't you come in ? yen. I chufe to ftay where I am, if your Ladyfhip pleafes. Lady M. Stay where you are are ! why fo ? Jen. I am afraid of the old gentleman there. Col. Afraid of me, hufly. Lady M. Pray, Colonel, have patience Afraid-^. Here is fomething at the bottom of this What did you mean by that expreffion, child ? Jen. Why the Colonel knows very wcjl, Madam, he Wanted to be rude with me yefterday, Lady M. Oh Mr. Oldboy ! Col' Lady Mary don't provoke me, but let me talk to the girl about her bufinels. How come you to bring this note here ? 'jenny. Why Sir John gave it to me, to deliver to my uncle Jenkins, and I took it down to his houfe ; but while we were talking together, he remember- ed that he had fome bufmefs with Sir John, fo he defired me to brin r it, becaufe he faid it was not proper to be fent by any of the common fervants. Lady M. Colonel, look in my face, and help blufh- ing if you can. Col. What the plague's the matter, my Lady ? I have not been wronging you noWj as you call it. Jenny* A C O M I C O P E R A. 57 Jenny. Indeed, Madam, he offer'd to make me his kept Madam : I am 'fure his ufage of me put me into fuch a twitter, that I did not know what I was doing all the day after. Lady M. I don't doubt it, tho' I fo lately forgave him ; but, as the poet fays, his fex is all deceit. Read Pamela, child, and refift temptation. Jenny. Yes, Madam, I will. Col. Why I tell you, my Lady, it was all a joke. Jenny* No, Sir, it was no joke, you made me a proffer of money, fo you did, whereby 1 told you, you had a lady of your own, and that though fhe was old you had no right to defpife her. Lady M. And how dare you, miftrefs, make ufe of my name ? Is it for fuch trollops as you to talk of per- fons of diftinction behind their backs ? Jenny, Why, madam, I only faid you was in years. Lady M. Sir John Flowerdale fliaJl be inform'd of your impertinence, and you fhall be turn'd out of the fa- mily j I fee you are a confident creature, and 1 believe you are no better than you ihould be. Jenny. I fcorn your words, Madam. Lady M. Get out of the room ; how dare you (Uy m this room to talk impudently to me? Jenny. Very well, Madam, I fhall let my lady know how you have us'd me ; but I {han't be turn'd out of mjr place, Madam, nor at a lofs, if I am ; and if you are angry with every one that won't fay you are young, I believe there is very few you will keep friends wiih. / wonder^ I'mfure^ why tb.'s fufsjhould be made % For my part I'm neither afoanid nor afraid Of what I have dor.e, nor efivhat I have faid. Afcrvant^ I hape y is nojtave j And fud tbo\ to their flames. Some ladies call names^ 1 know better how to behave. Times are nctfo bad. If occajion 1 had^ Nor my cbarafter fuch J medjlarue en't* And for going away y J dont want to ftay^ And fo Tm your Lady/hip's fervant. I J S C L N ,J 58 LIONEL AND CLARISSA: SCENE IV. Colonel OLDBOY, Lady MARY, Mr. JESSAMY. Mr. Jeff. What is the matter here ? Lady M. I will have a feparate maintenance, I will indeed. Only a new inftance of your father's infidelity, my dear. Then with fuch low wretches, farmers daughters and fervant wenches : but any thing with a cap on, 'tis all the fame to him, Mr. Jeff. Upon my word, Sir, I am forry to tell you, that thofe practices very ill fuit the character which you ought to endeavour to fupport in the world. Lady M> Is this a recompence for my love and re- gard j I, who have been tender and faithful as a turtle dove ? Mr. Jeff. A man of your birth and diftindion mould, methinks, have views of a higher nature, than fuch low, fuch vulgar libertinifm. Lady ~M. Confider my birth and family too, Lady Mary Jeflamy might have had the beft matches in England. Mr. Jeff. Then, Sir, your grey hairs. Lady M. I, that have brought you fo many lovely fiveet babes. Mr. Jeff. Nay, Sir, it is a refle&ion on me, Lady M. The heinous fin too Mr. "Jeff. Indeed, Sir, I blufh for you. Col. S'death and fire, you little effeminate puppy, do you know who you talk to ? And you, Madam, do you know who I am ? Get up to yoar chamber, or Bounds I'll make fuch a Lady M. Ah ! my dear come away from him. SCENE A COMIC OPERA. 59 Colonel OLDBOY, Mr. JESSAMY, a SERVANT. Col. Am I to be tutor'd and call'd to an account ! How now, you fcoundrel, what do you want ! Serv. A letter, Sir. Col. A letter, from whom, firrah ? Serv. The gentleman's fervant, an't pleafe your ho- nour, that left this juft now in the poft-chaife the gentleman my young lady went away with. Col. Your young lady, firrah Your young lady went away with no gentleman, you dog What gentle- man ! What young lady, firrah ! Mr. Jeff. There is Come myilery in this With your leave, Sir, I'll open the letter, I believe it contains no fecrets. Col. What are you going to do, you jackanapes ? you {han't open a letter of mine Dy Diana Some- body call my daughter to me there" To William " Oldboy, Efq. Sir, I have lov'd your daughter a great " while fecretly Confenting to.our marriage*" Mr. Jeff. Sofo. Col.. You villain you dog, what is it you have brought me here ? Serv. PJeafe your honpur, if you'll have patience, I'll tell your honour As I told your honour before, the gentleman's fervant that went off juft now in the poft- chaife, come to the gate, and left it after his matter was gone, I faw my young lady go into the chaife with the gentleman. Mr. JeJ[. A very fine joke indeed ; pray, Colonel, do you generally write letters to yourfelf ? why this is your own hand. Col. Call all the fervants in the houfe, let horfes be faddled dire&ly every one take a diffeient road. Serv. Why, your honour, Dick faid it was by your own orders, Col. My orders, you rafcal, I thought he wa; going to run away with another gentleman's daughter Dy DianaOldboy. I 2 Mr. 6e? ' LIONEL AMD CLARISSA: Mr. Jeff. Don't wafte your lungs to no purpofe, Sir } your daughter is half a dozen miles off. by; this time. Col. Sirrah, you have been brib'd to further the fcheme of a pick-pocket here. Mr. Jeff. Befides, the matter is entirely of your own contriving, as well as the tetter and fpirit of this elegant epiftle. Col. You are a coxcomb, and I'll difinherit you ; the letter is none of my Writing,, it was writ by the devil, and the devil contrived it. Diana, Margaret, my Lady Mary, William) John Mr. Jeff. I am very glad of this, prodigioufly glad of it, upon my honour but what (hall I do with myfelf ? j can't think of ftaying here any longer rot the country I wifli I had never returned to it, with their vulgar trade and liberty Bear i oh bear me^ of a fudden* Some kindjlroke of failing chance^ From this land of beef and pudding^ To dear Italy or France : Pmfick to tbefaul, Politicks and fea- coal, Have given me tbe vapours ;. Their curfed new:- papers, Their mobbing^ Stock- jobbing* Are horrors to me : I wijh the whole ijlwd watfunk in the fea* SCENE , .A COMIC OPERA, 61 SCENE VI. COLONEL OLDBOY, with one Boot on, his Whip, Hi Gap, and a riding Csat on his- arm y followed by a? number cffervants. A flu* ! a jade! and he a rafcal, a poaching rafcal ! but damn me I won't follow her ; No, no, take my whip and my cap ; and my coat, and come he;e you, Sir, and pull off my boot; ay, ay, let her crime be her puniflrmerit'; I won ? t follow her the length of a fpur leather; but I will be revenged on her ; (he fhall'never have fix-pence from me : the difappointment will put the fcoundrel out of temper, and he'll thrafh her a', dozen times a dav The thought pieces me, I hope he will do fo Zoum's ! who v,'o-.:!d ever have de- p'endance on any thing female {he that feemed fo well contented in my houfe, nnd in the very moment when- I was beft contented with her, and contriving to make- her fortune But why (hould i vex my/elf ? 1' am no' worfe ofF than every father may be, if an opportunity? efFers. Girls like fqirrels oft appear^ Jn their cages pleafid with Jlavry^ Bttt, in f aft, 'tis all but knav'ry ; Lefs thro 1 love, than out of fear : Only on their tricks relying, Let them out, their bonds untying, And yoa'/ljft the matttr plain. Once there's nought their flight to hamper , Prejlo ivbi/k-away they fcamper; Never to return again. Weudyou manage laj/is rightly, Tou tnujl watch them daily, nightly, Shut them dofe, and hold them tightly j Never loofc an inch of chain : Freedom, run-aways will make y em, jdnd tbt dt -i,il can't overtake e'm. SCENE 2 LIONEL AND CLARISSA* SCENE VIL Changes to CLARISSA'S Dreffmg-room ; on the table is a cujhian with bobinsfor making lace j and near it a/mall frame for embroidery with chain. CLARISSA, enters, followed by JENNY. Clar. Jenny, fet my work here. yen. Yes, Ma'am, and my own too. I'm fure I have been very idle this week, and I am in no very good working humour at prefent. Clar. Where have you been : I was enquiring for you why will you go out without letting me know. Jen. Dear, Ma'am, never any thing happen'd fp unlucky ; I am forry you wanted me But I was fent to Colonel Oldboy's with a letter ; where I have been fo ufed Lord have mercy upon me quality indeed I fay quality pray, Madam, do you think that I looks any ways like an immodeft parfon to be fure I have a gay air, and I can't help it, and I loves to appear a little genteelifh, that's what I do. Clar. Jenny, take away this thing, I can't work. Jen. Heaven preferve me, Madam, you are crying. Clar. O my dear Jenny ! Jen. My dear'miftrefs, what's the matter ? Clar. I am undone. "Jen. No, Madam ; no, Lord forbid ! Clar. I am indeed I have been rath enough td dif- cover my weaknefs for a man, who treats me with con- tempt. Jen. Is Mr. Lionel ungrateful, then. Clar. I have loft his efteem for ever, Jenny, fincelaft night, that I fatally confcfs'd what I fhould have kept a fecret from all the world, he has fcarce condefcended to caft a look at me, nor given me an anfwer when I fpoke to him, but with coldnefs and referve. Jen. Then he is a nafty, barbarous, unhuman brute. Cfor. Hold, Jenny, hold - t it is all my fault. I Jen. A COMIC OPERA. 63 ^en. Your fault, Madam, I wifh I was to hear fuch, a word come out of his mouth, if he was a minifter to- morrow and to fay fuch a thing from his pulpit, and I by, I'd tell him it was falfe upon the fpot. Clar. Somebody's at the doojr; fee who it Is. "Jen. You in fault indeed that I know to be the tnoft virtuoufeft, niceft, moft delicateft - Clar How now. Jen. Madam, its a meflage from Mr. Lionel, if you are alone, and at leifure, he would be glad to wait upon you : I'll tell him, Madam, that you're bufy. Clar. Where is he, Jenny ? jen. In the ftudy, the man fays. Clar. Then go to him, and tell him I fhould be glad to fee him, but do not bring him up immediately, be- caufc I will ftand in the balcony a few minutes for a little air. Jen. Do fo, dear Madam, for your eyes are as red as ferrets, you are ready to faint too ; mercy on us, for what do you crieve and vex yourfelf if I was as you Clar. Oh ! IVby with Jighs my heart is fivclling y Why with tears my eyes o'er Jiow j AJk me not, 'tis pajl the telling^ Mute involuntary woe. winds and waves a Jlranger^ fentrous tempts the inconftantfeas; In each billow fancy's danger , Shrinks at every rifmg breeze. SCENE; fy LIONEL AND CLARISSA. SCENE VIII. Sir JOHN FLOWERDALE, JENJCINTS. Sir Jv. So then, the myftery is difcovered : but is it pofliole ttiat my daughter's refufal of Colonel's Old- boy's Ton (hould proceed from a clandeftine engagement, and that engagement with Lionel. Jink. My niece, Sir, is in her yoang Lady's fecrets, and Lord knows fhe had little dcfign to betray them ; but having remarked fome odd expreifions of hers yefter- day, when flic came down to me this morning with .the letter, I queftioned her ; and, in fhort, drew the whole "affair out j upon which I feigned a recollection of fome bufmefs with you, .and defired her to carry the letter to Colonel Oldboy's herfelf, while I came up hither. Sir Jo. And they are mutually promifed to each other, and that prom ife was exchanged yefterday. *Jenk. Yes, Sir, and it is my duty to tell you; elfe I vvojld rather die then be the means of wounding the heart of my dear young lady ; for if there is one upon earth of truly noble and delicate fentiments. Sir Jo. I thought fo once, Jenkins. Sir Jo. And think fo (till : O good, Sir John, now is the time for you to exert that character of worth and gentlenefs which the world fo defervedly has given you, you have indeed caufe to be offended ; but confider, Sir, your daughter is young, beautiful, and amiable ; the }x>or youth unexperienced, fcnfible, and at a time of ife when fuch temptations are hard to be refitted : their opportunities were many, thir caft of thinking the fame. Sir jo. Jenkins, I can allow for all thefe things ; but the young hypocrites, there's the thing, Jenkins j their hypocrify, their hypocrify wounds me. Jen. Call it by a gentler name, Sir, modefty on her 'part, apprehenfion on his. Sir Jo. Then what opportunity have they had, they nevsr were together but when my filler or myfelf made one A COM 1C OPERA. 65 one of the company ; befiu'es, I had fo firm a reliance on Lionel's honour and gratitude. Jenk. Sir, I can never think th at nature {ram p'd, that gracious countenance of his, to mafk a corrupt heart. Sir Jo. How ! at the very time that he was confcious of being himfelf the caufe of it; did he not fhew more concern at this affair than I did ? Nay, don't I tell you that laft night, of his own accord, he offered to be a mediator in the affair ; defired my leave to fpeak to my daughter ; I thought myfelf obliged to him, contented ; and, in confequence of his afiuranee of fuccefV, wrote that letter to Colonel Oldboy, to deflre the family would come here again to-day. Jenk. Sir, as we were {landing in the next room, I heard a meflage delivered from Mr. Lionel, defiring leave to wait upon your daughter ; I dare fwear they will be here prefently ; fuppofe we were to ftep into that clofet, and overhear their converfation. Sir Jo. What, Jenkins, after having lived fomany years in confidence with my child, fhall I become an eves-dropper to detect her. Jenk. It is neceflary at prefent. Come in, my dear mafter,Iet us only confider that we were once young like; them; fubfe& to the fame paffions, the fame indifcrc- tions ; and it is the duty of every man to pardon errors incident to his kind. W})en love gets into a youthful brain t Injlruttion is fruitlefs, and caution vain ; Prudence may cry do fa But if love fays, no ; Poor Prudence may go y [Pith her preaching^ And teaching^ To Jencho. Dear 5/V, in old age , ' Tis not hard to be fagf, And 'tis eafy to point the way j But do or fay , What we may, Lvue and youth will have thtir day K SCENE - LIONEL AND CLARISSA, VC E N E IX. CLARISSA, and then LIONEL. Clar. He comes ! O Heavens, in this trying inftar.t vouchfafe your aid ! A mift fcems to gather round me, and I am ready to fink under I .know not what oppref- fion. Sir, you defired to fpeak to me j I need not tell you the prefent fituation of my heait; it is full. What- ever you have to fay, I beg you will explain yourfelf; and, if poffible, rid me of the anxiety under which I have laboured for fome hours. Lion. Madam, your anxiety cannot be greater than mine; I come, !'-] ed, to fpeak to you, and yet, I know not how; I come to .advife you, (hall I fay as a friend? yes, as a friend to your glory, your felicity j dearer tq me than my life, Clar* Go on, Sir. Lion. Sir Jk-hn FlowerdaJe, Ma^ajn, is fuel; a father as few arebicfied with ; his care, his prudence has pro- vided for you a match. Your refufal renders him in- confolable. Liften to no fuggeftions that would pervert you from your duty, but make the worthiefl of men happy by fubmitting to his will. Clar. How, Sir, after what pafled between us yefter- day evening, can you advife me to marry Mr. Jefiamy I Lion. I would advife you tojojarry any one. Madam, rather than a villain. C ! -a. A villain, Sir ! Lion. I fhould be the worft of villains, Madam, was I to talk to you in any other ftrain : Nay, am I not a villain, at once treacherous and ungrateful ? Received into this houfe as an afylum ; what have I done I Be- trayed the confidence of the friend that trufted me ; endeavoured to facriHce his peace, and the honour of his family, to my own unwarrantable defires. Clar. Say no more, Sir ; fay no more ; I fee my er- ror too late ; I have parted from the rules pi efcribed to my fex ; I have miftaken indecorum r a laudable fmcerity j A COMIC OPERA. 64 fmcerity } and it is juft I fliould meet with the treat- -mer>t my imprudence defervcs. LIJTI. 'Tis I, and only I, am to bhme ; while I took advantage of the father's fecurity, I practifed upon the tendcrnefs and ingenuity of the daughter ; my own ima- gination gone aftray, I artfully laboured to lead yours afrerit: but here 9 Madam, I give you back thofe vows yhich I Infidioufly extorted from, you ; keep them for .bme happier man, who may receive them without Wounding his honour, or his peace. lar. For Heaven's fake ! , Why do you weep ? Don't fpeak to me. Lion. Oh! my Clariffa, my heart is broke j I am hateful to myfelf for loving you ; yet, before I leave you for ever, I will once more touch that lovely hand indulge my fondnefs with a laft iook- pray for your health and profperity. Clar. Can you forfake me ? Have I then given my affections to a man who rejects and difregards them ? Let me throw myfelf at my father's feet ; he is generous and compaifionate : He knows your worth- Lion, Mention it not ; were you ftript of fortune, reduced to the meaneft flatten, and I monarch of the globe, 1 fhould glory in raiting you to univerlal empire - f birt as it is O dry tbofe tears ! like melted ore, Fajl dropping, on my heart they fall ; think no more of me j m more The memory of pajl f cents it call. On awildfta of pajfion tofsd j Ifplit upon the fatal fie/f, Friendjhip and love at once are //?, And now I wijh to lofe myfelf. SCENE 68 L I O.N'.E L AND CLARISSA: -.*.il*-rfj &iw -SCENE X. ./ CLARISSA, JENNY, then Sir JOHN FLOWER* DALE and JENKINS, and afterwards LION EL, Jenny. O Madam ! I have betray 'd you. I hava gone and faid fomething I fhould not have faid to ny uncle Jenkins ; and, as fure as day, he has gone aivf told it all to Sir John. Clar. My-father! Sir John. Go, Jenkins, and defire thatyou'ng gentle- man to come back flay where you are but what have I done to you my child ? Hbto have I deferv'd that you (hould treat me like an enemy? Has there been any undefigned rigo'ur in my conduct, or terror , in my looks ? Clar. Oh Sir! *> Jenk. Here is Mr. Lionel. Sir John. Come in When I teH you that I am in- - ftru&ed in all your proceedings, and that I have been, car witnefs to your converfation in this place; you will, perhaps, imagine what my thoughts are of you, and the meafures which jufticeprefcribes me (p follow. <.Lion. Sir, 1 have nothing to fay in my own defence; I ftand tefore you, felf-convited, felf-condemn'd, and fhall fubmit without -murmuring to the fenterice of my judge. Sir John. As for you, ClarifTa, flnce yourearlieft in- fancy, you have known no-parent but me; I have been to you, at once, both father and mother; and, that I might the better fulfill-;thofe united duties, tho' left a widower in the prime of my days, I would never enter into a fecond marriage I loved^you for your Jikenefs to your dear mother ; but that .mother never deceiv'd me and there the likenefs fails you haye repaid my affection wrth difiimulation ClarifTa, you ihould have trufted me. . Jenny. O my dear, fweet Lady. Sir John. As for you, Mr. Lionel, what terms can I find ftrong enough to paint the exeefs of my friend&ip! A COMIC OPERA. 69 I loved, I eftcemed, I honoured your father: he was a brave, a generous, and a fincere man ; I thought you inherited his good qualities you were left an or- phan, I adopted you, put you upon the footing of my own fon ; educate'd you like a gentleman ; and de- fign r d you for a profelfion, to which, I thought, your virtues would have been an ornament. Jenny. Dear me, dear me. Jenk. Hold your tongue. Sir John. What return you have made me, you feeni to be acquainted with yourfelf; and, therefore, I fhall not repeat it Yet, remember, as an aggra- vation of your guilt, that the laft mark of my bounty was conferr'd upon you in the very inftant, when you were undermining my defigns. Now, Sir, 1 have but one thing more to fay to you Take my daughter, was fhe worth a million, fhe is at your fervice. Lion. To me Sir! your daughter! do you give her to me? Without fortune without friends without-- Sir 'Join. You have them all in your heart j him whom virtue raifes, fortune cannot abafe. Clar. O, Sir, let me on my knees kifs that dear hand acknowledge my error, and intreat torgivenefs and blefling. Sir John. You have not erred, my dear daughter ; you have diftinguifh'd. It is 1 fhould afk pardon, for this little trial of you ; for I am happier in the fon- in- law you have given me, than if you had married a prince Lion. My patron my friend my father I woujd fain fayfomething; but, as your goodnefs exec "ds all bounds Sir John. I think I hear a : coach drive into the court; it is Colonel Oldboy's family ; 1 will go ami receive them. Don't make yourfelves uneafy at this ; we muil endeavour to pacify them as well as we can. My denr Lionel, if I have made you happy, you have made me fo; Heaven blefs you, iy children, and make you de- one another. S C $ N jb LIONEL AND CLARISSA: ... * -fr* I $*&& j.-r- SCENE XI. CLARISSA, LIONEL, JENNY. y Clar. . and the fates that decreed: A. 2. But pain was in/lifted. by Heaven y out ofkindnifs. To heighten the joys that were doomed to fuccetd. Our day was o'ercaft : But brighter thefcene is y The fky more ferene is, Andfofter the calm for the hurricane pajt. SCENE A COMIC OPERA. 71 SCENE XII. Changes to Sir JOHN FLOWERDALE": Han. Lady MARY OLDBOY enter s^ leaning on a Servant , Mr. JESS AMY hading her ; and afterwards, on the other Side, Sir JOHN FLOWERDALE enters with Colonel OLDBOY. Lady M. 'Tis all in vain, my dear ; fer. me down any where ; I can't go a ftep further I knew, when Mr. Oldboy infifted upon my coming, that I fliould be feized with a mea-grim by the way 3 and it's well I did not die in the coach. Mr. Jeff. But, pr'thee, why will you let yourfelf be affected with fuch tiifles Nothing more common than for young women of fafhion to gooff with low fellows. Lady M. Only feel, my dear, how I tremble ! Not a nerve but what is in agitation ; and my blood runs cold, cold ! ' Mr. Jeff. Well, but Lady Mary, don't let us expofe ourfelves to thofe people ; I fee there is not one of the rafcals about us, that has not a grin upon his countenance. Lady M. Expofe ourfelves ! my dear? Your father will be as ridiculous as Hu.dibrafs, or Don Quixote. Mr. Jeff. Yes, he will be very ridiculous indeed. Sir Jo. I give you my word, my good friend, and neighbour, the joy I feel upon this occafion, is greatly allayed by the difappointment of an alliance with your family ; butl t have explained to you how things have happened You fee my fituation ; and, as you are kind enough to confider it yourfelf, I hope you will excufe it to your fan. Lady M. Sir John Flowerdale, how do you do ? you fee we have obev'd your fummons ; and I have the plea- furc to allure you, that my fon yielded to my intreaties with very lii-.le difagrcment : in fliort, if I may fpeak metaphorically, he is content to itand candidate again, notwitMand.ng his late repulfe, when he hopes for aa unanimous election. Col. Well, but my Lady, you may fave your rheto- ric ; for the borough is difpofed of to a worthier member. Mr. Jefs. What do you fay, Sir ? ft LIONEL AND CLARISSA: uxrf*. * 3 ^ : ^S C E N E XIII. />JOHN FLOWERDALE. Z^ MARY OLDBOY, Jifefr. JESSAMY, &/MM/ OLDBOY, LJONEJ,, CLA- RISSA, JENNY. Sir John. Here are my fon and daughter. 2Wy ^ I s tm ' s P rett y> Sir John ? " Sir John. Believe me, Madam, it is not for want of ft juft fenfe of Mr. Jeflarny's merit, that this affair has gone off on any fide : but the heart is a delicate thing; and after it has once felt, if the objcft is meritorious, the impreffion is not eafily effac'd ; it would therefore have been an injury to him, to have given him in appearance what another in reality poflefled. Mr. Jeff. .Upon my honour, upon my foul, Sir Jofenj I am not the leaft offended at this contre temps Pray, Lady Mary fay no more about it. - Col. Tol, lol, lol, lol. Sjr John. But, my dear Colonel, I am afraid, after all, this affair is taken amifs by you ; yes, I fee you are angry on your fon's account ; but let me repeat it, I have a very high opinion of his merit. Col. Ay that's more than I have Taken amifs I Hon'c take any thing amifs ; I never was in better fpirits, or more pleafed in my life. ir John. Come, you are uneafy at fomething, Colonel. Col. Me ! Gad I am not uneafy are you a juftice of peace ! Then you could give me a warrant, cou'd'nt you ? You muft know, Sir John, a little accident hai happen'd in my family fince I faw you lair., you and I may fhake hands Daughters, Sir, daughters ! Your's has fnapt at a young fellow without your approbation 5 and how do you think mine has ferv'd me this morning ? only run away with the fcoundrel I brought to dinner, here, yefterday. Sir John. I am cxceflively concerned. A COMIC OPERA. 73 Cot Now I'm not a bit concern'd No, damn me, I am glad it has happened ; yet, thus far, I'll confefs, I Ihould be forry that either of them would come in my way, becaufe a man's temper mav fometimes get the better of him, and I believe I fhould be tempted to brcalc her neck, and blow his brains out, Ctar. J3ut pray, Sir, explain this affair. Co!. I can explain it no farther Dy, my daughter Dy, has run away from us. SCENE XIV. Sir JOHN FLOWERDALE. Colonel OLDBOY, Lady MARY OLDBOY, Mr. JESSAMY, CLARISSA, LIONEL, JENNY, DIANA, HARMAN, JENKINS, . No, my dear papa, I am not run away; and, upon my knees, I intreat your pardon for the folly I have committed j but, let it be fome alleviation that duty, affection, were too ftrong to fuffer me to car- ry it to extremity : and, if you knew the agony I have fceen in, lince 1 faw you laft Lady M. How's this ? Har. Sir, I reftore your daughter to you ; whofe fault, as far as it goes, I muft alfo take upon myfelf; we have been known to each other fometimej as Lady Richly, your fitter, in London, can acquaint you Col. Dy, come here - Now, you rafcal where's your fword ; if you are a gentleman you (hall fight mej if you are a fcrub, I'll horfe-whip jou Draw, Sirrah Shut the door there, don't let htm efcape. Har. Sir, don't imagine I want to efcape ; I am ex- tremely forry for what has happened, but am ready to give you any fatisfaclion you think proper. Col. Follow me into the garden then Zounds ! I have no fword about me Sir John Flowerdale lend us a cafe of piftols, or a couple of guns j and, come and fee fair play. Clar, My dear papa ! L Dian, 74 LIONEL AND CLARISSA Dian. Sir John Flowerdale O my indifcretion \ve e: me here,.Sir, to beg your mediation in our favour. Lady M. Mr. Oldboy, if you attempt to fight I fhall expire. Sir John. Pray, Colonel, let me fpeak a word to you in private. Col. Slugs and a faw-pit Mr. Jeff. Why, Mifs Dy, you are a perfect heroine for a romance And, pray who is this courteous knight ? Lady M. O Sir, you that I thought fuch a pretty behav'd gentleman ! Mr. Jeff. What bufmefs are you of friend ? Har. My chief trade, Sir, is plain dealing ; and, as that is a commodity you have no reafon to be very fond of, I would not advife you to purchafe any of it by impertinence ; Col, And is this what you would advife me to ? Sir John. It is, indeed, my dear old friend ; as things are fituated, there is, in my opinion, no other prudent method of proceeding; and it is the method I would adopt myfelf, was I in your cafe. Col. Why, 1 believe you are in the right of it fay what you will for me then. Sir John. Well ! young people, I have been able to ufe a few arguments, which haVe foftned my neighbour here ; and in fome meafure pacified his refentment. I find, Sir, you are a gentleman by your connections ? Har. Sir, till it is found that my character and fa- mily will bear the ftri&eft fcrutiny, 1 defife no favour Arid for fortune i Col. Oh ! Rot your fortune, I don't mind that I know you are gentleman, or Dick Rantum would not have recommended you. And fo, Dy, kifs and friends. Mr. Jeff. What, Sir, have you no more to fay to the man who has ufed you fo ill ? Col. Us'd me ill! That's as I take it he has done a mettled thing; and, perhaps, I like him the better for it ; it's long before you would have fpirit enough to run away with a wench Harman give me your band i A COMIC OPE HA. 75 hand ; let's hear no more of this now - Sir John Flowerdale, what fay you ? (hall we fpend the day to- gether, and dedicate it to love and harmony ? Sir John. With all my heart. Col. Then take off my great-ccat. Lion, Come then, all ye facial pow'rs, Shed your influence o'er us, Crown with blifs the prefent hours, And lighten thofe before us. May the jujl, the gen rous kind, Still fee that you regard 'tm ; And Lionels for ever find, ClariJJas to reward 'em. Clar. Love, thy godhead Source offacred pajjion ; But will never bow before Thofe idols i wealth, or fafb : on. May, like me, each maiden wife, From the fcp defend her; Learning, fenfe, and virtue prize, Andfcorn the vain pretender. Har. Why tie plagnt Jhould men be fad, IVhile in time we moulder ? Grave, or gay, or vsx'd, or glad, We cvry day grow older. Bring tl)e fiafk, the mufic bring, Joy will quickly find usj Drink, and laugh, and dance, andfmg^ And caji our cares behind us. Dian. Hcwfoall I efcape -fo naught, On filial laws to trample \ /'// e'en curtfey, cwn my fault, And pUad papa's example. Parents 'tis a hint to you, Children oft are Jhamelefe; Oft tranfgrcfs the things, too true But are you always blamelffs ? j 6 LIONEL AND CLARISSA Col. One word more before we go ; Girls and boys have patience ; Tou to friends mujl fomething BW% As well as to relation** Thefe kind geneleman addrefs What tbd we forgave Vw, Still they mujl be loji> unlefs T*u l*da hand tajaoe 'S I OF THE OfEKA. A 000026116 4