"Beef. Ha! Hell! the lie! By Heaven, thou'st rous'd the lion in my heart! Off, yeoman habit !-base disguise! off! off! [Discovers himself, by throwing off his upper dress, and appearing in a very fine waistcoat. Am I a beefeater now? Or beams my crest as terrible, as when In Biscay's Bay I took thy captive sloop! Puff. There, egad! he comes out to be the very captain of the privateer who had taken Whiskerandos prisoner-and was himself an old lover of Tilburina's. Dang. Admirably managed, indeed. Put. Now, stand out of the way. "Whisk. I thank thee, fortune! that hast thus bestow'd A weapon to chastise this insolent. [Takes up one of the swords. "Beef. I take thy challenge, Spaniard, and I thank Thee, fortune, too!- [Takes up the other sword. "Whisk. Vengance and Tiiburina! "Beef. Exactly so [They fight, and after the usual number of wounds given, WHISKERANDOS falls. "Whisk. O cursed parry !—that last thrust in tierce Was fatal!Captain, thou hast fenced well! And Whiskerandos quits this bustling scene For all eter - 66 Beef.nity-he would have added, but stern death Cut short his being, and the noun, at once!" Puff. O my dear Sir, you are too slow; now mind me.-Sir, shall I trouble you to die again? "Whisk. And Whiskerandos quits this bustling scene For all eter Beef. -nity-he would have addedPuff. No, Sir-that's not it-once more, if you please. Whisk. I wish, Sir-you would practise this without me--I can't stay dying here all night. Puff. Very well, we'll go over it by and by I must humour these gentlemen. [Exit WHISKERANDOS. "Beef. Farewell-brave Spaniard, and when next Puff. Dear Sir, you needn't speak that speech, as the body has walked off. Beef. That's true, Sir-then I'll join the fleet. Puff. If you please. [Exit BEEFEATER.] Now, enter Tilburina, stark mad, in white satin. Sneer. Why in white satin? Puff. O Lord, Sir-when a heroine goes mad, she always goes into white satin-don't she, Dangle? Dang. Always-it's a rule. Puff. Yes-here it is-[Looking at the book.] enter Tilburina, stark mad in white satin, and her confidante stark mad in white linen. Enter TILBURINA and CONFIDANTE mad, according to custom. Sneer. But what the deuce, is the confidante to be mad too? Ah me! He's no where! [Exit TILBURINA." Puff. There, do you ever desire to see any body madder than that? Sneer. Never, while I live! And pray what becomes of her? Puff. She is gone to throw herself into the sea, to be sure-and that brings us at once to the scene of action, and so to my catastrophe my sea-fight, I mean. Sneer. What, you bring that in at last? Puff Yes-yes-you know my play is called the Spanish Armada, otherwise, 'egad, I have no occasion for the battle at all. Now then for my magnificence, my battle!-my noise! -and my procession!-You are all ready? Prom. [Within.] Yes, Sir. Puff. Is the Thames dressed? Enter THAMES, with two Attendants. Thames. Here I am, Sir. Puff. Very well, indeed-See, gentlemen, there's a river for you! Sneer. But, pray, who are these gentlemen in green with him?" Puff. Those ?-those are his banks. Sneer. His banks? the other with a villa!-you take the allusions? Puff. Yes, one crowned with alders, and but, hey! what the plague! you have got both your banks on one side-Here, Sir, come round Ever while you live, Thames, go between your banks. [Bell rings.]—There, soh! now for't! Stand aside, my dear friends!-away, Thames! [Exit THAMES, between his banks. [Flourish of drums, trumpets, cannon, &c. &c.scene changes to the sea-the fleets engagethe music plays "Britons, strike Home."Spanish fleet destroyed by fire ships, &c.— English fleet advances-music plays "Rule Britannia."-The procession of all the English rivers and their tributaries, with their emblems, &c. begins with Handel's water-music, ends with a chorus, to the march in Judas Maccabaus. During this scene, Puff directs and applauds every thing-then fect-so, ladies and gentlemen, if you please, Puff. Well, pretty well-but not quite perwe'll rehearse this piece again to-morrow. [Curtain drops. OROONOKO: A TRAGEDY, IN FIVE ACTS. BY THOMAS SOUTHERN. REMARKS. THE circumstance on which the better part of this drama is founded, is said to have actually occurred during the reign of Charles II. at Surinam, where an African prince, entrapped by the "mild subjects of a Christian king and a Christian government," was brought and sold to slavery. Oroonoko excites the warmest sympathy of his auditors; his love for Imoinda is tender, manly, noble, and unpolluted; his firmness and resolution, truly heroic. The loose and trivial nature of the comic characters, in which Southern has unfortunately yielded to the corrupt taste of the age wherein he wrote, has hitherto prevented the attraction of this play; but the talents of Mr. Kean, and the judicious alterations now made, are likely to procure it an ample share of public favour. Planters, Indians, Negroes, Men, Women, and Children. SCENE.-Surinam, a Colony in the West Indies; at the time of the action of this Tragedy in the possession of the English. ACT I. Enter CHARLOTTE WELDON, in man's clothes, following LUCY. Lucy. What will this come to? what can it end in? you have persuaded me to leave dear England, and dearer London, the place of the world most worthy living in, to follow you, a husband-hunting, into America: I thought husbands grew in these plantations. Char. Why so they do, as thick as oranges ripening one under another. Week after week they drop into some woman's mouth. "Tis but a little patience, spreading your apron in expectation, and one of 'em will fall into your lap at last. Lucy. Ay, say you so, indeed? Char. But you have left dear London, you say pray what have you left in London that was very dear to you, that had not left you before? Lucy. Speak for yourself, sister. Char. Nay, I'll keep you in countenance. The young fellows, you know, the dearest part of the town, and without whom London had been a wilderness to you and me, had forsaken us a great while. Lucy. Forsaken us! I don't know that ever they had us. Char. Forsaken us the worst way, child; that is, did not think us worth having; they neglected us, no longer designed upon us, they were tired of us. Women in London are like the rich silks, they are out of fashion a it must be with a young man, I promise you— great while before they wear out Lucy. The devil take the fashion, I say. Char. You may tumble them over and over at their first coming up, and never disparage their price; but they fall upon wearing immediately, lower and lower in their value, till they come to the broker at last. To prevent which, with what youth and beauty were left, some experience, and the small remainder of fifteen hundred pounds a piece, which amounted to bare two hundred between us both, I persuaded you to bring your person for a venture to the Indies. Every thing has succeeded in our voyage: I pass for your brother one of the richest planters here happening to die just as we landed, I have claimed kindred with him: so without making his will, he has left us the credit of his relation to trade upon we pass for his cousins, coming here to Surinam chiefly upon his invitation; we live in reputation; have the best acquaintance in the place; and we shall see our account in't, I warrant you. Lucy. I must rely upon you— Enter WIDOW LACKITT. Widow L. Mr. Weldon, your servant. Your servant, Mrs. Lucy, I am an ill visitor, but 'tis not too late, I hope, to bid you welcome to this side of this world. [Salutes LUCY. Char. 'Gad so, I beg your pardon, widow, I should have done the civilities of my house before: but, as you say, 'tis not too late, I hope[Going to kiss her. Widow L. What! you think now this was a civil way of begging a kiss; and by my troth, if it were, I see no harm in't; 'tis a pitiful favour indeed that is not worth asking for; though I have known a woman speak plainer before now, and not understood neither. Char. Not under my roof. Have at you, widow. Widow L. Why that's well said, spoke like a younger brother, that deserves to have a widow. Kisses her.] You're a younger brother, I know, by your kissing. Char. How so, pray? Widow L. Why, you kiss as if you expected to be paid for't. You stick so close, there's no getting rid of you. Char. I am a-kin to a younger brother. Widow. L. So much the better: we widows are commonly the better for younger brothers. Lucy. Better or worse, most of you. But you wont be much the better for him, I can tell you. [Aside. Char. I was a younger brother; but an uncle of my mother's has maliciously left me an estate, and I'm afraid spoiled my fortune. Widow L. No, no; an estate will never spoil your fortune; I have a good estate myself, thank Heaven, and a kind husband that left it behind him. Char. Thank Heaven that took him away from it, widow, and left you behind him. Widow L. Nay, Heaven's will must be done; he's in a better place. Char. A better place for you, no doubt on't. Now you may look about you; choose for yourself, Mrs. Lackitt, that's your business; for I know you design to marry again. Widow L. Nay, I'll do nothing rashly: I'll resolve against nothing. The devil, they say, is very busy upon these occasions, especially with the widows. But, if I am to be tempted, Mrs. Lucy, your brother is a very pleasant gentleman: I came about business to him, but he turns every thing into merriment. Char. Business, Mrs. Lackitt? Then I know you would have me to yourself. Pray, leave us together, sister. [Exit LUCY.] What am I drawing upou myself here? [Aside. Widow L. You have taken a very pretty house here, every thing, so neat about you already. I hear you are laying out for a plantation. Char. Why, yes, truly, I like the country, and would buy a plantation, if I could, reasonably. Widow L. O! by all means reasonably. Char. If I could have one to my mind, I would think of settling among you. Widow L. O! you can't do better. Indeed we can't pretend to have so good company for you as you had in England; but we shall make very much of you. For my own part, I assure you, I shall think myself very happy to be more particularly known to you. Chur, Dear Mrs. Lackitt, you do me too much honour. Widow L. Then as to a plantation, Mr. Weldon, you know I have several to dispose of. Mr. Lackitt, I thank him, has left, though I say it, the richest widow upon the place; therefore I may afford to use you better than other people can. You shall have one upon any reasonable terms. Mr. Weldon: well, I like that name of yours exceedingly, Mr. Weldon. Char. My name! Widow L. O exceedingly! If any thing could persuade me to alter my own name, verily believe nothing in the world would do it so soon, as to be called Mrs. Weldon. Char. I'm glad you like my name. Widow L. Of all things. But then there's the misfortune, one cannot change one's name without changing one's condition. Char. You hardly think it worth that, I believe. Widow L. Think it worth what, Sir? chang ing my condition! indeed, Sir, I think it worth every thing. But alas! Mr. Weldon, I have buried my poor dear husband but six weeks; poor dear creature, I loved him sincerely: 'tis too soon to think of changing one's condition yet; indeed it is: pray, don't desire it of me: not but that you may persuade me to any thing, sooner than any person in the world Char. Who, I, Mrs. Lackitt ? Widow L. Indeed you may, Mr. Weldon, sooner than any man living. Lord, there's a great deal in saving a decency: I never minded it before. Well, I am glad you spoke first, to excuse my modesty. Now I will own to you, (but I wont confess neither,) I have had a great respect for you a great while. I beg your pardon, Sir; and I must declare to you, indeed I must, if you desire to dispose of all I have in the world, in an honourable way, my fortune and person, if you wont understand me without telling you so, are both at your service, 'gad so! another time Enter STANMore. Stan. So, Mrs. Lackitt, your widowhood's weaning apace; I see which way 'tis going. Weldon, you're a happy man. The women and their favours come home to you. Widow L. A fiddle of favour, Mr. Stanmore; I am a lone woman, you know it, left in a great deal of business, and business must be followed or lost. I have several stocks and plantations upon my hands, and other things to dispose of, which Mr. Weldon may have occasion for. Char. We were just upon the brink of a bargain, as you came in. Stan. Let me drive it on for you. Char. So you must, I believe, you or somebody for me. Stan. I'll stand by you: I understand more of this business than you can pretend to. Char. I don't pretend to it; 'tis quite out of my way indeed." Stun. If the widow gets you to herself, she will certainly be too hard for you: I know her of old she has no conscience in a corner; a very Jew in a bargain. Char. Is this true, widow? Widow L. Speak as you find, Mr. Weldon; I have offered you very fair! think upon't, and let me hear of you; the sooner the better, Mr. Weldon. [Exit. Stan. I assure you, my friend, she'll cheat you if she can. Char. I don't know that, but I can cheat her if I will. Stan. Cheat her! how? Char. I can marry her; and then I am sure I have it in my power to cheat her. Stan. Can you marry her? Char. Yes, faith, so she says: her pretty person and fortune (which, one with the other, you know, are not contemptible) are both at my service. Stan. Contemptible! very considerable, 'egad; very desirable; why, she's worth twenty thousand pounds, man; a clear estate: no charge upon't, but a boobily son: he indeed, was to have half; but his father begot him, and she breeds him up not to know or have more than she has a mind to. Char. There's a great deal to be made of this [Musing. Stan. A handsome fortune may be made on't, and I advise you to't by all means. Char. To marry her! an old wanton witch! I hate her. Stan. No matter for that: let her go to the devil for you. She'll cheat her son of a good estate for you; that's a perquisite of a widow's portion always. Char. I have a design, and will follow her at least, till I have a pennyworth of the plantation. Stan. I speak as a friend, when I advise you to marry her, for 'tis directly against the interest of my own family. My cousin Jack has belaboured her a good while that way. Char. What! honest Jack? I'll not hinder him. I'll give over the thoughts of her. Stan. He'll make nothing on't; she does not care for him. I'm glad you have her in your power. Char. I may be able to serve him. Stan. Here's a ship come into the river; I was in hopes it had been from England. Char. From England? Stan. No; I was disappointed; I long to see this handsome cousin of yours: the picture you gave me of her has charmed me. Char. You'll see whether it has flattered her or no, in a little time. If she be recovered of that illness that was the reason of her staying behind us, I know she will come with the first opportunity. We shall see her, or hear of her death. Enter LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR and BLANDFORD. Lieut. I grudge him nothing this time; but if fortune had favoured me in the last sale, the fair slave had been mine; Clemene had been mine. Bland. Are you still in love with her? Enter CAPTAIN DRIVER, teased and pulled about by WIDOW LACKITT and several PLANTERS, at one door; at another, CHARLOTTE WELDON, dressed in man's clothes, LUCY, STANMORE, and JACK STANMORE. Widow L. Here have I six slaves in my lot, and not a man among them; all women and children; what can I do with 'em, captain? 1 Plan. I have all men in mine. Pray, captain, let the men and women be mingled together, for the good of the plantation. 2 Plan. Ay, ay, a man and a woman, captain, for the good of the plantation. Capt. D. Let them mingle together, and be damned; what care I. Would you have me a pimp for the good of the plantation? 1 Plan. I am a constant customer, captain. Widow L. I am always ready money to you, captain. i Plan. For that matter, mistress, my money is as ready as yours. Widow L. Pray hear me, captain. Capt D. Look you, I have done my part by you; I have brought the number of slaves I bargained for; if your lots have not pleased you, you must draw again among yourselves. 3 Plan. I am contented with my lot. 4 Plan. I am very well satisfied. 3 Plan. We'll have no drawing again. Capt. D. Do you hear, mistress? you may hold your tongue: for my part, I expect my money. Widow L. Captain, nobody questions or scruples the payment: but I wont hold my tongue; 'tis too much to pray and pay too: one may speak for one's own, I hope. Capt. D. Well, what would you say? Widow L. I say, no more than I can make out. Capt. D. Out with it, then. Widow L. I say things have not been so fair carried as they might have been. How do I know but you have juggled together in my absence? You drew the lots before I came, I'm sure. Capt. D. That's your own fault, mistress; you might have come sooner. Widow L. Then here's a prince, as they say, among the slaves, and you set him down to go as a common man. Capt. D. I'll warrant you. Widow L. Sir, you're a scurvy fellow, to talk at this rate to me. If my husband were alive, gadsbodikins, you would not use me so. Marry come up here, who are you, I trow? You begin to think yourself a captain, forsooth, because we call you so. You forget yourself as fast as you can; but I remember you; I know you for a pitiful, paltry fellow, as you are, an upstart to prosperity; one that is but just come acquainted with cleanliness, and that never saw five shillings of your own without deserving to be hanged for 'em. Lieut. She has given you a broadside, captain; you'll stand up to her. Capt. D. Hang her, I'll come no nearer. Widow L. By this good light, it would make a woman do a thing she never designed; marry again, though she were sure to repent it, and be revenged of such a Jack S. What's the matter, Mrs. Lackitt; can I serve you? Widow L. No, no, you can't serve me: you are for serving yourself, I'm sure. Pray, go about your business. Lord! how can you be so troublesome; nay, so unconscionable, to think that every rich widow must throw herself away upon a young fellow that has nothing? Stan. No, no, way. he's a little familiar; 'tis his Capt. D. Say you so? nay, I can be as familiar as he, if that be it. Well, Sir, look upon me full. What say you? how do you like me for a brother-in-law? Char. Why, yes, faith, you'll do my business, [Turning him about.] if we can agree about my sister's. Capt. D. I don't know whether your sister will like me or not: I can't say much to her; but I have money enough: and if you are her brother, as you seem to be a-kin to her, I know that will recommend me to you. Char. This is your market for slaves; my sister is a free woman, and must not be disposed of in public. You shall be welcome to my house, if you please; and, upon better acquaintance, if my sister likes you, and I like your offers Capt. D. Very well, Sir, I'll come and see her. Lieut. Where are the slaves, captain? they are long a coming. Bland. And who is this prince that's fallen to my lot for the lord-governor? Let me know something of him that I may treat him accordingly who is he? Stan. Jack, you are answered, I suppose. Capt. D. He's the devil of a fellow, I can Jack S. I'll have another pluck at her. tell you; a prince every inch of him: you have Widow L. Mr. Weldon, I am a little discon-paid dear enough for him for all the good he'll certed; but pray bring your sister to dine with 'Gads my life, I'm out of all patience with that pitiful fellow my flesh rises at him; I can't stay in the place where he is. me. [Exit. Bland. Captain, you have used the widow very familiarly. Capt. D. This is my way; I have no design, and therefore am not over civil. If she had ever a hansdome daughter to wheedle her out of, or if I could make any thing of her booby Char. My sister, Sir. Capt. D. Would I were a-kin to her; if she were my sister, she should never go out of the family. What say you, mistress? You expect I should marry you, I suppose? Lucy. I sha'n't be disappointed, if you don't. [Turns away. Char. She wont break her heart, Sir. Capt. D. But I mean- [Follows her. Char. And I mean-[Goes between him and LUCY.] that you must not think of her without marrying. Capt. D. I mean so too. Char. Why then your meaning's out. Char. I will grow, and be taller for you. Capt. D. I don't well know whether he designs to affront me or no. do you: I was forced to clap him in irons, and did not think the ship safe neither. You are in hostility with the Indians, they say; they threaten you daily: you had best have an eye upon him. Bland. But who is he? Lieut. And how do you know him to be a prince? Capt. D. He is son and heir to the great king of Angola, a mischievous monarch in those parts, who, by his good will, would never let any of his neighbours be in quiet. This son was his general, a plaguy fighting fellow! I have formerly had dealings with him for slaves, which he took prisoners, and have got pretty roundly by him; but, the wars being at an end, and nothing more to be got by the trade of that country, I made bold to bring the prince along with me. Lieut. How could you do that? Bland. What! steal a prince out of his own country! impossible! Capt. D. 'Twas hard indeed; but I did it. You must know this Oroonoko Bland. Is that his name? Capt. D. Ay, Oroonoko. Capt. D. Is naturally inquisitive about the men and manners of the white nations. Because I could give him some account of the other parts of the world, I grew very much into his favour: in return of so great an honour, you know, I could do no less, upon my coming away, than invite him on board me. Never having been in a ship, he appointed his time, and I prepared my entertainment. He came the next evening, as private as he could, with about some twenty along with him. The punch went round; and as many of his attendants as would be dangerous, I sent dead drunk on shore; the rest we secured; and so you have the prince Oroonoko. Bland. Unheard of villany! Stan. Barbarous treachery! Lieut. But, captain, methinks you have taken a great deal of pains for this prince Oroonoko; |