THE CLANDESTINE MARRIAGE. BY G. COLMAN AND D. GARRICK. PROLOGUE. WRITTEN BY MR GARRICK. Spoken by Mr Holland. POETS and Painters, who from nature draw Which from his canvas to the stage is brought. The Painter dead, yet still he charms the eye; O let me drop one tributary tear, ACT I. SCENE L-A Room in STERLING's House.Miss FANNY and BETTY meeting. Bet. Running in. Ma'am ! Miss Fanny! maʼam! Fun. What is the matter, Betty? Bet. Oh la! ma'am ! as sure as I am alive, here is your husband— Fun. Hush! my dear Betty! if any body in the house should hear you, I am ruined. Bet. Mercy on me! it has frightened me to such a degree that my heart is come up to my mouth. But as I was saying, ma'am, here's that dear, sweet Fan. Have a care! Betty. Bet. Lord! I am bewitched, I think.-But as I was a-saying, ma'am, here's Mr Lovewell just come from London. Fan. Indeed! I Bet. Yes, indeed and indeed, maʼam, he is. saw him crossing the court-yard in his boots. Fan. I am glad to hear it.-But pray now, my dear Betty, be cautious. Don't mention that word again, on any account. You know, we have agreed never to drop any expressions of that sort, for fear of an accident. Bet. Dear ma'am, you may depend upon me. There is not a more trustier creature on the face of the earth than I am. Though I say it, I am as secret as the grave-and if it is never told till I tell it, it may remain untold till doom's-day for Betty. Fan. I know you are faithful-but in our circumstances we cannot be too careful. Bet. Very true, ma'am! and yet I vow and protest, there's more plague than pleasure with a secret; especially if a body mayn't mention it to four or five of one's particular acquaintance. Fun. Do but keep this secret a little while longer, and then, I hope, you may mention it to any body.-Mr Lovewell will acquaint the family with the nature of our situation as soon as possible. Bet. The sooner the better, I believe: for if he does not tell it, there's a little tell-tale, I know of, will come and tell it for him. you. Bet. Angry!-Bless the dear puppet! I am sure I shall love it, as much as if it was my own.-I meant no harm, Heaven knows. Fan. Well, say no more of this-It makes me uneasy-All I have to ask of you, is to be faithful and secret, and not to reveal this matter, till we disclose it to the family ourselves. Bet. Me reveal it !-If I say a word, I wish I may be burned. I would not do you any harm for the world—And as for Mr Lovewell, I am sure I have loved the dear gentleman ever since he got a tide-waiter's place for my brother-But let me tell you both, you must leave off your soft looks to each other, and your whispers, and your glan ces, and your always sitting next to one another at dinner, and your long walks together in the evening.-For my part, if I had not been in the secret, I should have known you were a pair of lovers at least, if not man and wife, as— Fan. See there now! again. Pray be careful. Bet. Well-well-nobody hears me. Man and wife. I'll say no more-what I tell you is very true for all that. Lor. [Calling within.] William ! Bet. I say, here comes Mr Lovewell-Mind the caution I give you-I'll be whipped now, if you are not the first person he sees or speaks to in the family. However, if you choose it, it's nothing at all to me,-as you sow, so you must reap-as you brew, so you must bake. I'll e'en slip down the back-stairs, and leave you together. [Exit. Fan. I see, I see I shall never have a moment's ease till our marriage is made public. New dis tresses crowd in upon me every day. The soli citude of my mind sinks my spirits, preys upon my health, and destroys every comfort of my life. It shall be revealed, let what will be the conse quence. Enter LOVEWELL. Loc. My love!-How's this !-In tears ?--Indeed this is too much. You promised me to sup port your spirits, and to wait the determination of our fortune with patience. For my sake, for your own, be comforted! Why will you study to add to our uneasiness and perplexity? Fan. Oh, Mr Lovewell ! the indelicacy of a se cret marriage grows every day more and more shocking to me. I walk about the house like a guilty wretch: I imagine myself the object of the suspicion of the whole family; and am under the perpetual terrors of a shameful detection. Lov. Indeed, indeed, you are to blame. The amiable delicacy of your temper, and your quick sensibility, only serve to make you unhappy. To clear up this affair properly to Mr Sterling, is the continual employment of my thoughts. Every thing now is in a fair train-It begins to grow ripe for a discovery; and I have no doubt of its concluding to the satisfaction of ourselves, of your father, and the whole family. Fan. End how it will, I am resolved it shall end soon-very soon. I would not live another week in this agony of mind to be mistress of the universe. Lov. Do not be too violent neither. Do not let us disturb the joy of your sister's marriage with the tumult this matter may occasion!have brought letters from Lord Ogleby and Sir John Melvil to Mr Sterling. They will be here this evening-and, I dare say, within this hour. Fan. I am sorry for it. Lov. Why so? ship to Lord Ogleby, and his having placed me with your father, have been, you know, the first links in the chain of this connection between the two families; in consequence of which, I am at present in high favour with all parties: while they all remain thus well affected to me, I propose to lay our case before the old lord; and if I can pre Fan. No matter-Only let us disclose our mar- vail on him to mediate in this affair, I make no riage immediately! Lov. As soon as possible. Fan. But directly. Loo. In a few days, you may depend upon it. Fan. Indeed you must.alarming reasons for it. doubt but he will be able to appease your father; and, being a lord and a man of quality, I am sure he may bring Mrs Heidelberg into good humour at any time.Let me beg you, therefore, to have but a little patience, as, you see, we are upon the very eve of a discovery, that must probably be to our advantage. Fan. Manage it your own way. I am per -I have the most suaded. Lon. Alarming indeed! for they alarm me, even before I am acquainted with them-What are they? Fan. I cannot tell you. Lov. Not tell me? Fan. Not at present. When all is settled, you shall be acquainted with every thing. Lov. Sorry they are coming!-Must be discovered!-What can this mean? Is it possible you can have any reasons that need be concealed from me? Fan. Do not disturb yourself with conjectures -but rest assured, that, though you are unable to divine the cause, the consequence of a discovery, be it what it will, cannot be attended with half the miseries of the present interval. Lov. You put me upon the rack.—I would do any thing to make you easy.-But you know your father's temper.-Money (you will excuse my frankness) is the spring of all his actions, which nothing but the idea of acquiring nobility or magnificence, can ever make him forego-and these he thinks his money will purchase.-You know too your aunt's, Mrs Heidelberg's, notions of the splendour of high life; her contempt for every thing that does not relish of what she calls quality; and that from the vast fortune in her hands, by her late husband, she absolutely governs Mr Sterling and the whole family: now if they should come to the knowledge of this affair too abruptly, they might, perhaps, be incensed beyond all hopes of reconciliation. Fan. But if they are made acquainted with it otherwise than by ourselves, it will be ten times worse: and a discovery grows every day more probable. The whole family have long suspected our affection. We are also in the power of a foolish maid-servant; and, if we may even depend on her fidelity, we cannot answer for her discretion.-Discover it, therefore, immediately, lest some accident should bring it to light, and involve us in additional disgrace. Lov. Well-well-I mean to discover it soon, but would not do it too precipitately. I have more than once sounded Mr Sterling about it, and will attempt him more seriously the next opportunity. But my principal hopes are these.-My relation Lov. But in the mean time make yourself easy. Fan. As easy as I can, I will.We had better not remain together any longer at present.Think of this business, and let me know how you proceed. Lov. Depend on my care! But, pray, be cheerful. Fan. I will. [Exit. As she is going out, enter STERLING. Sterl. Hey-day! who have we got here? Fan. [Confused.] Mr Lovewell, sir! Sterl. And where are you going, hussy? Fan. To my sister's chamber, sir! Sterl. Ah, Lovewell! What! always getting my foolish girl yonder into a corner?-Well-welllet us but once see her eldest sister fast married to Sir John Melvil, we'll soon provide a good husband for Fanny, I warrant you. Lov. Would to Heaven, sir, you would provide her one of my recommendation! Sterl. Yourself! eh, Lovewell? Lov. And I fatter myself, that such a proposal would not be very disagreeable to Miss Fanny. Sterl. Better and better! Lov. And if I could but obtain your consent, sir Sterl. What! you marry Fanny !-no-nothat will never do, Lovewell!You're a good boy, to be sure-I have a great value for youbut cann't think of you for a son-in-law.-There's no stuff in the case; no money, Lovewell! Lov. My pretensions to fortune, indeed, are but moderate; but, though not equal to splendour, sufficient to keep us above distress.-Âdd to which, that I hope by diligence to increase it—and have love, honour Sterl. But not the stuff, Lovewell !—Add one little round 0 to the sum total of your fortune, and that will be the finest thing you can say to me. You know I've a regard for you-would do any thing to serve you-any thing on the footing of friendship-but Lov. If you think me worthy of your friendship, sir, be assured, that there is no instance in which I should rate your friendship so highly. Sterl. Psha! psha! that's another thing, you know -Where money or interest is concerned, friendship is quite out of the question. Lon. But where the happiness of a daughter is at stake, you would not scruple, sure, to sacrifice a little to her inclinations. S'erl. Inclinations! why, you would not persuade me that the girl is in love with you-eh, Lovewell? Mr Sterling.' [Reading.] Mercy on me! his lard ship writes a worse hand than a boy at his exer cise. But how's this?-Eh!—with you to-night [Reading.]— Lawyers to-morrow morningTo-night!-that's sudden, indeed-Where's my sister Heidelberg? she should know of this i mediately. Here, John! Harry! Thomas! [Calling the servants.] Hark ye, Lovewell! Lov. Sir. Sterl. Mind now, how I'll entertain his lordshi and Sir John We'll shew your fellows at the other end of the town how we live in the cityThey shall eat gold-and drink gold-and he a you-gold.Here, cook! butler! [Calling.] What signifies your birth, and education, and titles!Money, money—that's the stuff that makes the great man in this country. Lov. I cannot absolutely answer for Miss Fanny, sir; but am sure that the chief happiness or misery of my life depends entirely upon her. Sterl. Why, indeed, now if your kinsman, Lord Ogleby, would come down handsomely for but that's impossible-No. no-'twill never doI must hear no more of this-Come, Lovewell, promise me that I shall hear no more of this. Lor. [Hesitating.] I am afraid, sir, I should not be able to keep my word with you, if I did promise you. Serl. Why you would not offer to marry her without my conse 't, would you, Lovewell? Lov. Marry her, sir! Lov. Very true, sir. Sterl. True, sir!-Why then, have done with your nonsense of love and matrimony. You're n rich enough to think of a wife yet. A mand business should mind nothing but his businessWhere are these fellows?-John! Thomas! (C ing.]-Get an estate, and a wife will follow a course. Ah, Lovewell! an English merchan is the most respectable character in the univers 'Slife, man, a rich English merchant may mak himself a match for the daughter of a nabobWhere are all my rascals? Here, William! [Confused. Sterl. Av, marry her, sir!-I know very well that a warm speech or two from such a dangerous young spark as you are, would go much farther towards persuading a silly girl to do what she has more than a month's mind to do, than twenty grave lectures from fathers or mothers, or uncles or aunts, to prevent her. But you would not, sure, be such a base fellow, such a treacherous young rogue, as to seduce my daughter's affections, and destroy the peace of my family in that manner.I must insist on it, that you give me your word-Let me see!-Suppose I get Sir John Me not to marry her without my consent. Lov. Sir-I-I-as to that-I-I-beg, sirPray, sir, excuse me on this subject at present. Sterl. Promise then, that you will carry this matter no farther without my approbation. Lov. You may depend on it, sir, that it shall go no farther. Sterl Well-well-that's enough-I'll take care of the rest, I warrant you.-Come, come, let's have done with this nonsense !-What's doing in town? Any news upon 'Change? Lov. Nothing material. Sterl. Have you seen the currants, the soap, and Madeira safe in the warehouses? Have you compared the goods with the invoice and bills of lading, and are they all right? Lov. They are, sir. Sterl. And how are stocks? Lov. Fell one and a half this morning. Sterl. Well, well, some good news from America, and they'll be up again-But how are Lord Ogleby and Sir John Melvil? When are we to expect them? Lov. Very soon, sir. I came on purpose to bring you their commands. Here are letters from both of them. [Giving letters. Sterl. Let me see-let me see-'Slife, how his lordship's letter is perfumed!-It takes my breath away. [Opening it.] And French paper too! with a fine border of flowers and flourishes-and a slippery gloss on it that dazzles one's eyes. My dear [Exit, calling of: Lov. So as I suspected.- -Quite averse t the match, and likely to receive the news with great displeasure.-What's best to be done to interest himself in this affair. He may mention it to Lord Ogleby with a better grace than I a and more probably prevail on him to interfere it. I can open my mind also more freely to John. He told me, when I left him in town, the he had something of consequence to comm cate, and that I could be of use to him. Is glad of it: for the confidence he reposes in me. and the service I may do him, will ensure me he good offices. Poor Fanny! It hurts me to s her so uneasy, and her making a mystery of the cause adds to my anxiety.-Something must done upon her account; for, at all events, her se licitude shall be removed. Miss Sterl. Never do I desire it-never, my brink of marriage, fortune, title--But I had forgot - There's that dear sweet creature, Mr Lovewell, dear Fanny, I promise you. Oh, how I long to in the case. You would not break your faith with be transported to the dear regions of Grosvenoryour true love now for the world, I warrant you. square-far-iar from the dull districts of AldersFan. Mr Lovewell !-always Mr Lovewell!-gate, Cheap, andlewick, and Farringdon Without Lord, what signifies Mr Lovewell, sister ? and Within-my heart goes pit-a-pat at the very Miss Stert. Pretty peevish soul:-Oh, my dear idea of being introduced at court! Gilt chariot! grave, romantic sister!-a perfect philosopher in pye-bald horses!-laced liveries !—and then the petticoats!-Love and a cottage!-Eh, Fanny-whispers buzzing round the circle- Who is that Ah, give me indifference and a coach and six! young lady? Who is she?'- Lady Melvil, maʼain!' Lady Melvil! My ears tingle at the sound. Fun. And why not the coach and six without the indifference-But pray, when is this hap--And then at dinner, instead of my father perpy marriage of yours to be celebrated? I long to petually asking-Any news upon Change?to cry, Well, sir John ! any thing new from Argive you joy. thur's?-or-to say to some other woman of quality, Was your ladyship at the Duchess of Rubber's last night?-Did you call in at Lady Thunder's? In the immensity of crowd I swear I did not see you-scarce a soul at the opera last Saturday-shall i see you at Carlisle House next Thursday?-Oh, the dear Beau Monde! I was born to move in the sphere of the great world. Miss. Sterl. In a day or two-I cannot tell exactly-Oh, my dear sister!--I must mortify her a little. Aside.] I know you have a pretty taste. Pray, give me your opinion of my jewels.-How do you like the style of this esclavage? [Shewing jewels. Fan. Extremely handsome, indeed, and well fancied. Fan. And so, in the midst of all this happiness, Miss Sterl. What d'ye think of these bracelets? I shall have a miniature of my father set round you have no compassion for me-no pity for us with diamonds to one, and Sir John's to the other. | poor mortals in common life. -And this pair of ear-rings! set transparent! here, the tops, you see, will take off to wear in a morning, or in an undress-How d'ye like them? [Sheus jewels. Fan. Very much, I assure you-Bless me, sister, you have a prodigious quantity of jewels-you'll be the very queen of diamonds. Mess Sterl. Affectedly.] You !--You're above pity-You would not change conditions with ine. -You're over head and ears in love, you know. -Nay, for that matter, if Mr Lovewell and you come together, as I doubt not you will, you will live very comfortably, I dare say.-He will mind his business-you'll employ yourself in the deMiss Steri. Ha, ha, ha! very well, my dear!-lightful care of your family-and once in a season I shall be as fine as a little queen, indeed.—I have perhaps you'll sit together in a front box at a bea bouquet to come home to-morrow-made up of | nefit play, as we used to do at our dancing-master's, diamonds and rubies, and emeralds, and topazes, you know-and perhaps I may meet you in the summer with some other citizens at Tunbridge. and amethysts-jewels of all colours, green, red, blue, yellow, intermixt-the prettiest thing you For my part, I shall always entertain a proper reever saw in your life!-The jeweller says, I shall gard for my relations. You sha'n't want my set out with as many diamonds as any body in countenance, I assure you. town, except Lady Brilliant, and Polly What d'ye call it, Lord Squander's kept mistress. Fan. But what are your wedding clothes, sister? Miss Sterl. Oh, white and silver to be sure, you know. I bought them at Sir Joseph Lutestring's, and sat above an hour in the parlour behind the shop, consulting Lady Lutestring about gold and silver stuffs, on purpose to mortify her. Fan. Fie, sister f how could you be so abomi nably provoking? Fun. Oh, you're too kind, sister! Enter Mrs HEIDELBERG, Mrs Heidel. [At entering.] Here this evening! I vow and pertest we shall scarce have time to provide for them-Oh, my dear! [To Miss STERL.] I am glad to see you're not quite in a dishable. Lord Oglevy and Sir John Meivil will be here tonight. Miss Sterl. To-night, ma'am? Mrs Heidel. Yes, my dear, to-night-Oh, put on a smarter cap, and change those ordinary rui fles!-Lord, I have such a deal to do, I stail scarce have time to slip on my Italian lutestring.— Where is this dawdle of a housekeeper: [ter Mrs TRUSTY.] Oh, here, Trusty! do you know that people of qualaty are expected here this even Miss Sterl. Oh, I have no patience with the pride of your city-knights' ladies. Did you ever observe the airs of Lady Lutestring, drest in the richest brocade out of her husband's shop, playing crown whist at Haberdasher's Hall; whilst the civil smirking Sir Joseph, with a snug wig trimmed round his broad face as close as a new-ing? cut yew-hedge, and his shoes so black that they shine again, stands all day in his shop, fastened to his counter like a bad shilling? Fan. Indeed, indeed, sister, this is too much If you talk at this rate, you will be absolutely a bye-word in the city-You must never venture on the inside of Temple Bar again. Trus. Yes, ma'am. Mrs Heidel. Well-Do you be sure now that every thing is done in the most genteelest manner -and to the honour of the famaly. Trus. Yes, ma am. Mrs Heidet. Well-but mind what I say to you, |