DRAMATIS PERSONE MEN. Sir Barometer Oldstyle...... Mr. Grove, ***The Passages marked with inverted Commas, are omitted in the Representation. YES, OR NO? ACT I. SCENE I-4 Room, with Desk, Account Books, &c. DRAB writing. Enter OBADIAH BROADERIM. Oba. DRAB. Drab. Here I am. (Advancing.) Oba. Is the man, Charles Fervor, departed? Oba. Hem! verily I rejoice thereat; for, he is by nature, refembling Satan, full of evil deedsand the spirit of the faithful is not in him. Drab. Nay-his head is light,-but his heart is fterling. (with energy.) Oba. When confign'd to me, by the man named Barometer Oldstyle, his guardian, he was very young-but he encreased not in difcretion as he advanced in years, and the flesh hath triumph'd over the fpirit. He delighted in the vanities of the world-affociated with the men of blood, and learn'd the business of death. In the words of the wicked, he hath become a foldier. Drab. Yea. Oba. He hath now a commiffion to obtain men, and train them in the ways of carnage and bloodfhed. At the town in which he is to fojourn for this purpose, I poffefs fome worldly effe&s. Drab. Thou doft-dwellings, which are rented of thee at exorbitant fums. Oba. 'Tis true, the fpeculation hath fucceeded, and I reap the reward of industry Drab. (Afide.) And extortion.-(aloud.) Verily yea. Oba. I have therefore defired the youth Fervor, to receive the rents of a tenant, called Seagrave, who is much in arrears, and apply the amount thereof to his own emergencies. Drab. (Afide.) The man Seagrave hath no money, and the man Broadbrim knoweth it. Oba. Had he remained in London, he would doubtless have been entrapp'd by the men-term'd bailiffs-from whom I muft have released him,this expense is avoided, and the peril of the bailiffs refts on his own shoulders. Drab. Yea. (much affected, but endeavouring to conceal it.) Oba. I am informed they are already in purfuit, and I have written to the guardian to warn him of the youth's abominations. Drab. (Afide.) Verily, thou art a viper,-the fpirit waxeth ftrong within me. (Afide, much agitated.) Oba. I have likewife written to the fifter of the aforefaid Oldftyle, by name, Penelope Snap,-verily, I bear the woman much affection-and fhall depart in the vehicle which journeyeth to that place forthwith. Drab. (Having appeared violently agitated.) I can hear thee no more" thou haft bafely traduced a "noble youth, under thy protection, to his guar"dian-the only friend he hath in existence-fent "him to be arrested in the very fight of this friend, "by bailiffs whom he cannot fatisfy; for thou haft "affured him of the means, where thou well know"eft, he cannot obtain it.-Thy love for the wo* man, and thy kindnefs for the youth, is hypo "crify." Thy character fhall be published amongst our brethren, whofe fe&t thou haft difgraced by fuch a flagrant outrage on juftice and humanity. [Exit. Oba. (Having liftened in confternation, ftands for a moment irrefolute, then takes a few steps after DRABflops,-turns round-and uttering the ejaculation, "Hem"--walks flowly off, contrary to the Exit of DRAB. P SCENE II.-PATTY SEAGRAVE in fimple mourning, is feen working at a Table; the appearance of the Room clean-but indicative of extreme diftrefs. Pat. Heigho!-How folitary and fad every thing appears, I with William would return-poor brother-his heart is full, and as heavy as mine(a knock at the door)-Oh, there he is at laft, (opens the door, WILLIAM SEAGRAVE enters, and drops into a Chair exhausted.) Pat. (Leaning over him.) Dear William, you have been out a long time. Will. To no purpose. Pat. No-will not Mr. Worldly pay the debt? (WILLIAM Shakes his head.) What will become of us ? Will. A prifon. Pat. Can nothing be done? Will What elfe is left us? Pat. I can work Will. Inceffantly!-you have fupported yourself and a fick brother seven weeks-it cannot laft. Pat. Oh, yes Will. Impoffible! arrears of rent-out-standing debts-the apothecary's bill-(hides his face.) Pat. You went out very early brother, I fear you are ill. Will. Not very well.-I have not tafted food today. Pat. Heaven! and there is no bread in the house Will No bread! and you-you have toil'd fince morning without refreshment Pat. I wish'd for none. Will. What's that!-Ha! it shall,-it must be fo.-(a Recruiting Party heard without.) Pat. Where are you going? Will. Heaven knows!-(half afide.) Will. No-No-I fhall return immediately.'Tis the last resource! Afide and Exit.) Pat. Poor fellow-how pale he looks, and he was once fo handsome :-I am fure 'tis anxiety for me-and yet I try to appear happy on his account, and fometimes fing his favourite ballad; but it founds more melancholy than it used, SONG. On Ella's cheek, the rose was seen,- |