person, and that my servant, too, and not have respect enough to all I have ever been receiving from infancy, the obligation to the best of fathers, to an unhappy virgin, too, whose life depends on mine? [Shutting the door. [To MYRTLE.] I have, thank Heaven, time to recollect myself, and shall not, for fear of what such a rash man as you think of me, keep longer unexplained the false appearances under which your infirmity of temper makes you suffer, when, perhaps, too much regard to a false point of honour makes me prolong that suffering. Myr. I am sure Mr Bevil cannot doubt but I had rather have satisfaction from his innocence than his sword. Bev. Why, then, would you ask it first that way? Myr. Consider; you kept your temper yourself no longer than till I spoke to the disadvantage of her you loved. Bev. True. But let me tell you, I have saved you from the most exquisite distress, even though you had succeeded in the dispute. I know you so well, that, I am sure, to have found this letter about a man you had killed, would have been worse than death to yourself. Read it.-When he is thoroughly mortified, and shame has got the better of jealousy, he will deserve to be assisted towards obtaining Lucinda. [Aside. Myr. With what a superiority has he turned the injury upon me as the aggressor! I begin to fear I have been too far transported- A treaty in our fantily!' is not that saying too much? I shall relapse But I find (on the postscript) something like jealousy'-With what face can I see my benefactor, my advocate, whom I have treated like a betrayer?—Oh, Bevil! with what words shall I Bev. There needs none; to convince is much more than to conquer. Myr. But can you Enter SIR JOHN BEVIL, and MR SEALAND. Sir J. Bev. Give me leave, however, Mr Sealand, as we are upon a treaty for uniting our families, to mention only the business of an ancient house.-Genealogy and descent are to be of some consideration in an affair of this sort Mr Sea. Genealogy and descent! Sir, there has been in our family a very large one. There was Gulfrid the father of Edward, the father of Ptolemy, the father of Crassus, the father of earl Richard, the father of Henry the marquis, the father of duke John Sir J. Bev. What! do you rave, Mr Sealand? all these great names in your family? Mr Sea. These! yes, sir-I have heard my father name them all, and more. Sir J. Bev. Ay, sir!--and did he say they were all in your family? Mr Sea. Yes, sir: he kept them all-he was the greatest cocker in England-He said duke John won many battles, but never lost him one. Sir J. Bev. Oh, sir, your servant! you are laughing at my laying any stress upon descent, But I must tell you, sir, I never knew any one, but he that wanted that advantage, turn it into ridicule. Bev. You have overpaid the inquietude you Mr Sea. And I never knew any, who had magave me in the change I see in you towards me. ny better advantages, put that into his account. Alas! what machines are we! thy face is alter-But, Sir John, value yourself as you please upon ed to that of another man, to that of my companion, my friend. Myr. That I could be such a precipitate wretch! Bev. Pray, no more. Myr. Let me reflect, how many friends have died by the hands of friends for want of temper; and you must give me leave to say, again and again, how much I am beholden to that superior spirit you have subdued me with.-What had become of one of us, or perhaps both, had you been as weak as I was, and as incapable of reason? Bev. I congratulate to us both the escape from ourselves, and hope the memory of it will make us dearer friends than ever. Myr. Dear Bevil! your friendly conduct has convinced me, that there is nothing manly but what is conducted by reason, and agreeable to the practice of virtue and justice; and yet, how your ancient house, I am to talk freely of every thing you are pleased to put into your bill of rates on this occasion.-Yet, sir, I have made no objections to your son's family--it is his morals that I doubt. Sir J. Bev. Sir, I can't help saying, that what might injure a citizen's credit, may be no stain to a gentleman's honour. Mr Sea. Sir John, the honour of a gentleman is liable to be tainted by as small a matter as the credit of a trader: We are talking of a marriage; and, in such a case, the father of a young woman will not think it an addition to the honour or credit of her lover, that he is a keeper Sir J. Bev. Mr Sealand, don't take upon you to spoil my son's marriage with any woman else. Mr Sea. Sir John, let him apply to any woman else, and have as many mistresses as be pleases. Sir J. Bev. My son, sir, is a discreet and sober | gentleman. Mr Sea. Sir, I never saw a man that wenched soberly and discreetly that ever left it off-the decency observed in the practice hides, from the sinner even, the iniquity of it: they pursue it, not that their appetites hurry them away, but, I warrant you, because 'tis their opinion they may do it. Sir J. Bev. Were what you suspect a truth— do you design to keep your daughter a virgin, till you find a man unblemished that way? Now, in plain terms, sir, I shall not care to have my poor girl turned a grazing, and that must be the case when Sir J. Bev. But pray consider, sir, my son― Mr Sea. Look you, sir, I'll make the matter short. This unknown lady, as I told you, is all the objection I have to him: but one way or other he is or has been certainly engaged to her-I am therefore resolved this very afternoon to visit her now, from her behaviour or appearance, I shall soon be let into what I may fear or hope for. : Sir J. Bev. Sir, I am very confident there can be nothing inquired into, relating to my son, that will not, upon being understood, turn to his advantage. Mr Sea. Sir, as much a cit as you take me for-I know the town and the world-and give me leave to say, that we merchants are a species of gentry that have grown into the world this last century, and are as honourable, and almost as Mr Sea. I hope that as sincerely as you beuseful, as you landed folks, that have always lieve it-Sir John Bevil, when I am satisfied in thought yourselves so much above us; for your this great point, if your son's conduct answers trading, forsooth! is extended no farther than a the character you give him, I shall wish your alload of hay, or a fat ox-You are pleasant peo-liance more than that of any gentleman in Great ple, indeed! because you are generally bred up to be lazy, therefore, I warrant you, industry is dishonourable! Sir J. Bev. Be not offended, sir; let us go back to our point. Mr Sea. Oh! not at all offended-but I don't love to leave any part of the account unclosedLook you, sir John, comparisons are odious, and more particularly so on occasions of this kind, when we are projecting races that are to be made out of both sides of the comparisons. Sir J. Bev. But my son, sir, is, in the eye of the world, a gentleman of merit. Mr Sea. I own to you I think him so—But, sir John, I am a man exercised and experienced in chances and disasters; I lost in my earlier years a very fine wife, and, with her, a poor little infant: this makes me perhaps over cautious to preserve the second bounty of Providence to me, and be as careful as I can of this child.-You'll pardon me; my poor girl, sir, is as valuable to me as your boasted son to you. Sir J. Bev. Why, that's one very good reason, Mr Sealand, why I wish my son had her. Mr Sea. There is nothing but this strange lady here, this incognita, that can be objected to him. Here and there a man falls in love with an artful creature, and gives up all the motives of life to that one passion. Sir J. Bev. A man of my son's understanding cannot be supposed to be one of them. Mr Sea. Very wise men have been so enslaved; and when a man marries with one of them upon his hands, whether moved from the demand of the world, or slighter reasons, such a husband soils with his wife for a month perhaps-then good b'w've, madam-the show's over- -Ah! John Dryden points out such a husband to a hair, where he says, And while abroad so prodigal the dolt is, Britain; and so your servant. [Erit SEALAND. Sir J. Bev. He is gone in a way but barely civil; but his great wealth, and the merit of his only child, the heiress of it, are not to be lost for a little peevishness— Humph. Be not transported, sir; you will grow incapable of taking any resolution in your perplexity. Sir J. Bev. Yes, as angry as I am with him, I would not have him surprized in any thing.-This mercantile rough man may go grossly into the examination of this matter, and talk to the gentlewoman so as to Humph. No, I hope not in an abrupt manner. Sir J. Bev. No, I hope not! Why, dost thou know any thing of her, or of him, or of any thing of it, or all of it? Humph. My dear master! I know so much, that I told him this very day, you had reason to be secretly out of humour about her. Sir J. Bev. Did you go so far? Well, what said he to that? Humph. His words were, looking upon me stedfastly, Humphrey, says he, that woman is a woman of honour. mere punctilio! I could, any hour of the day, get her to her lover, and would do it but she, forsooth, will allow no plot to get him; but if he Sir J. Bev. How! do you think he is married can come to her, I know she would be glad of to her, or intends to marry her? it; I must therefore do her an acceptable vioHumph. I can say nothing to the latter-butlence, and surprise her into his arms. I am sure he says he can marry no one without your consent, while you are living. Sir J. Bev. If he said so much, I know he scorns to break his word with me. Humph. I am sure of that. Sir J. Bev. You are sure of that?-Well, that's some comfort-then I have nothing to do but to see the bottom of this matter during this present ruffle.-Oh, Humphrey Humph. You are not ill, I hope, sir? Sir J. Bev. Yes, a man is very ill that is in a very ill humour. To be a father, is to be in care for one, whom you oftener disoblige than please by that very care.-Oh! that sons could know the duty to a father before themselves are fathers! -But perhaps you'll say, now, that I am one of the happiest fathers in the world; but I assure you, that of the very happiest is not a condition to be envied. Humph. Sir, your pain arises not from the thing itself, but your particular sense of it.You are over fond; nay, give me leave to say, you are unjustly apprehensive from your fondness. My master Bevil never disobliged you, and he will, I know he will, do every thing you ought to expect. Sir J. Bev. He won't take all this money with this girl-For aught I know, he will, forsooth, have so much moderation, as to think he ought not to force his liking for any consideration. Humph. He is to marry her, not you; he is to live with her, not you, sir. Sir J. Bev. I know not what to think; but I know nothing can be more miserable than to be in this doubt-Follow me; I must come to some resolution. [Exeunt. SCENE III. BEVIL junior's lodgings. Enter Toм and PHILLIS, Tom. Well, madam, if you must speak with Mr Myrtle, you shall; he is now with my master in the library. Phil. But you must leave me alone with him, for he can't make me a present, nor I so handsomely take any thing from him, before you; it would not be decent. Tom. It will be very decent indeed for me to retire, and leave my mistress with another man! Phil. He is a gentleman, and will treat one properly. Tom. I believe so-but, however, I won't be far off, and therefore will venture to trust you. I'll call him to you. [Exit TOM. Phil. What a deal of pother and sputter here is between my mistress and Mr Myrtle, from I go by the best rule imaginable: if she were my maid, I should think her the best servant in the world for doing so by me. Enter MYRTLE and Toм. Oh, sir! you and Mr Bevil are fine gentlemen, to let a lady remain under such difficulties as my poor mistress, and not attempt to set her at liberty, or release her from the danger of being instantly married to Cimberton. Myr. Tom has been telling-But, what is to be done? Phil. What is to be done, when a man can't come at his mistress!-why, can't you fire our house, or the next house to us, to make us run out, and you take us? Myr. How, Mrs Phillis Phil. Ay-let me see that rogue deny to fire a house, make a riot, or any other little thing, when there were no other way to come at me. Tom. I am obliged to you, madam. Phil. Why, don't we hear every day of people's hanging themselves for love, and won't they venture the hazard of being hanged for love?—Oh! were I a man Myr. What manly thing would you have me undertake, according to your ladyship's notion of a man? Phil. Only be, at once, what one time or other you may be, and wish to be, and must be. Myr. Dear girl! talk plainly to me, and consider I, in my condition, can't be in very good humour-You say, to be at once what I must be? Phil. Ay, ay -I mean no more than to be an old man; I saw you do it very well at the masquerade. In a word, old sir Geoffry Cimberton is every hour expected in town, to join in the deeds and settlements for marrying Mr Cimberton- -He is half blind, half lame, half deaf, half dumb; though, as to his passions and desires, he is as warm and ridiculous as when in the heat of youth. Tom. Come, to the business, and don't keep the gentleman in suspense for the pleasure of being courted, as you serve me. Phil. I saw you, at the masquerade, act such a one to perfection: go, and put on that very habit, and come to our house as sir Geoffry: there is not one there but myself knows his person; I was born in the parish where he is lord of the manor; I have seen him often and often at church in the country. Do not hesitate, but corse thither; they will think you bring a certain security against Mr Myrtle, and you bring Mr Myrtle. Leave the rest to me; I leave this with you, and expect- -They don't, I told you, Myr. I think I will instantly attempt this wild know you; they think you out of town, which you expedient-the extravagance of it will make had as good be for ever, if you lose this oppor- me less suspected, and it will give me opportunity.—I must be gone; I know I am want-tunity to assert my own right to Lucinda, with ed at home. Myr. My dear Phillis! [Catches and kisses her, and gives her money. Phil. Oh fy! my kisses are not iny own; you have committed violence; but I'll carry them to the right owner. [Tom kisses her.] Come, see me down stairs, [To Toм.] and leave the lover to think of his last game for the prize. [Exeunt Tom and PHILLIS. SCENE I.-SEALAND'S house. out whom I cannot live. But I am so mortified at this conduct of mine towards poor Bevil! he must think meanly of me.- I know not how to reassume myself, and be in spirits enough for such an adventure as this- -yet I must attempt it, if it be only to be near Lucinda, under her present perplexities; and sure The next delight to transport with the fair, ACT V. Enter PHILLIS, with lights before MYRTLE, disguised like old SIR GEOFFRY, supported by MRS SEALAND, LUCINDA, and CIMBER TON. Mrs Sea. Now I have seen you thus far, sir Geoffry, will you excuse me a moment, while I give my necessary orders for your accommodation? [Exit MRS SEALAND. Myr. I have not seen you, cousin Cimberton, since you were ten years old; and as it is incumbent on you to keep up your name and family, I shall, upon very reasonable terms, join with you in a settlement to that purpose, though I must tell you, cousin, this is the first merchant that has married into our house. Luc. Deuce on them! am I a merchant because my father is? [Aside. Myr. But is he directly a trader at this time? Cim. There's no hiding the disgrace, sir; he trades to all parts of the world. Myr. We never had one of our family before, who descended from persons that did any thing. Cim. Sir, since it is a girl that they have, I am, for the honour of my family, willing to take it in again, and to sink it into our name, and no harm done. Myr. Tis prudently and generously resolved -Is this the young thing? Cim. Yes, sir. Myr. By your leave, young lady-[Puts on Spectacles.]-Cousin Cimberton, she has exactly that sort of neck and bosom, for which my sister Gertrude was so much admired in the year sixtyone, before the French dresses first discovered any thing in women below the chin. Luc. What a very odd situation am I in! Though I cannot but be diverted at the extravagance of their humours, equally unsuitable to their age. Chin, quotha! I don't believe my passionate lover there, knows whether I have one or not. Ha, ba! Cim. Madam, I would not willingly offend, but I have a better glass-- [Pulls out a large one. Enter PHILLIS to CIMBERTON. Phil. Sir, my lady desires to shew the apartment to you, that she intends for sir Geoffrey. Cim. Well, sir, by that time you have sufficiently gazed and sunned yourself in the beauties of my spouse, there, I will wait on you again. [Exeunt Cim. and PHIL. Myr. Were it not, madam, that I might be troublesome, there is something of importance, though we are alone, which I would say more safe from being heard. Luc. There is something in this old fellow, methinks, that raises my curiosity. Myr. To be free, madam, I as heartily contemn this kinsman of mine as you do, and am sorry to see so much beauty and merit devoted by your parents to so insensible a possessor. Luc. Surprising! I hope, then, sir, you will not contribute to the wrong you are so generous to pity, whatever may be the interest of your family. Myr. This hand of mine shall never be employed to sign any thing against your good and happiness. Luc. I am sorry, sir, it is not in my power to make you proper acknowledgments; but there is a gentleman in the world, whose gratitude will, I'm sure, be worthy of the favour. Myr. All the thanks I desire, madam, are in that Mr Bevil should still marry my young misyour power to give. Luc. Name them, and command them. Myr. Only, madam, that the first time you are alone with your lover, you will with open arms receive him. Luc. As willingly as heart could wish it. Myr. Thus, then, he claims your promise.Oh, Lucinda! Luc. Oh, a cheat, a cheat, a cheat! Myr. Hush! 'tis I, 'tis I, your lover! Myrtle himself, madam! Luc. Oh, bless me! what rashness and folly to surprize me so! But hush-my motherEnter MRS SEALAND, CIMBERTON, and PHILLIS. Mrs Sea. How now! What's the matter? Luc. Oh, madam! As soon as you left the room, my uncle fell into a sudden fit, and-and -so I cried out for help to support him, and conduct him to his chamber. Mrs Sea. That was kindly done. Alas, sir! how do you find yourself? Myr. Never was taken in so odd a way in my life Pray lead me—Oh, I was talking here-Pray carry me-to my cousin Cimberton's young lady Mrs Sea. [Aside.]-My cousin Cimberton's young lady! How zealous he is, even in his extremity, for the match! A right Cimberton ! [CIMBERTON and LUCINDA lead him, as one in pain. Cim. Pox, uncle, you will pull my ear off! Luc. Pray, uncle, you will squeeze me to death! Mrs Sea. No matter, no matter- -he knows not what he does. Come, sir, shall I help you out? Myr. By no means: I'll trouble nobody but my young cousins here. tress. Mrs Sea. How! Nay, then, he shall find she is my daughter as well as his-I'll follow him this instant, and take the whole family along with me. The disputed power of disposing of my own daughter, shall be at an end this very night. I'll live no longer in anxiety, for a little hussy, that hurts iny appearance, wherever I carry her, and for whose sake I seem to be not at all regarded, and that in the best of my days. - Phil. Indeed, madam, if she were married, your ladyship might very well be taken for Mr Scaland's daughter. Mrs Sea. Nay, when the chit has not been with me, I've heard the men say as much—I'll no longer cut off the greatest pleasure of a woman's life (the shining in assemblies) by her forward anticipation of the respect that's due to her superior-She shall down to Cimberton-hallshe shall she shall. Phil. I hope, madam, I shall stay with your ladyship? Mrs Sea. Thou shalt, Phillis, and I'll place thee then more about me-But order chairs immediately—I'll be gone this minute. [Exeunt. SCENE II.-Charing-Cross. Enter MR SEALAND and HUMPHREY. Mr Sea. I am very glad, Mr Humphrey, that you agree with me, that it is for our common good I should look thoroughly into this matter. Humph. I am, indeed, of that opinion; for there is no artifice, nothing concealed in our family, which ought in justice to be known. I need not desire you, sir, to treat the lady with care and respect. Mr Sea. Mr Humphrey-I shall not be rude, though I design to be a little abrupt, and come into the matter at once, to see how she will bear up on a surprize [CIM. and Luc. lead him off. Phil. But pray, madam, does your ladyship intend that Mr Cimberton shall really marry my Humph. That's the door, sir; I wish you sucyoung mistress at last? I don't think he likes cess.--[While HUMPHREY speaks, SEALAND conher. sults his table-book.]-I am less concerned what Mrs Sea. That's not material; men of his spe-happens there, because I hear Mr Myrtle is as culation are above desires. But, be it as it may, now I have given old sir Geoffrey the trouble of coming up to sign and seal, with what countenauce can I be off? Phil. As well as with twenty others, madam. It is the glory and honour of a great fortune to live in continual treaties, and still to break off; it looks great, madam. Mrs Sea. True, Phillis- -Yet to return our blood again into the Cimbertons, is an honour not to be rejected. But, were not you saying that sir John Bevil's creature, Humphrey, has been with Mr Sealand? Phil. Yes, madam, I overheard them agree, that Mr Sealand should go himself, and visit this unknown lady, that Mr Bevil is so great with; and, if he found nothing there to fright him, well lodged as old sir Geoffrey; so, I am willing to let this gentleman employ himself here, to give them time at home; for I am sure it is necessary for the quiet of our family, that Lucinda were disposed of out of it, since Mr Bevil's inclination is so much otherwise engaged. [Exit HUMPHREY. Mr Sea. I think this is the door.-[Knocks.]I'll carry this matter with an air of authority, to inquire, though I make an errand to begin dis[Knocks again. course. |