are such religious observers of their word. forgive me, I should never forgive myself. Barn. All who are honest are. Mill. Am I refused by the first man, the Mill. To one another; but we simple wo-second favour I ever stooped to ask? Go then, men are seldom thought of consequence enough thou proud hard-hearted youth; but know, to gain a place in their remembrance. you are the only man that could be found, [Laying her Hand on his, as by ac- who would let me sue twice for greater fa cident. vours. Barn. Her disorder is so great, she don't Barn. What shall I do? How shall I go or perceive she has laid her hand on mine. stay? mean? Heavens! how she trembles! What can this Mill. Yet do not, do not leave me. I with [Aside. my sex' pride would meet your scorn; but Mill. The interest I have in all that relates when I look upon you, when I behold those to you (the reason of which you shall know eyes-Oh! spare my tongue, and let my hereafter) excites my curiosity; and were I blushes-this flood of tears too, that will force sure you would pardon my presumption, I its way, declare-what woman's modesty should should desire to know your real sentiments hide. on a very particular subject. Mill. You'll think me bold. Barn, Oh, heavens! she loves me, worthless Barn. Madam, you may command my poor as I am. Her looks, her words, her flowing thoughts on any subject. I have none that I tears confess it. And can I leave her then? would conceal. Oh, never, never! Madam, dry up your tears; you shall command me always. I will stay here for ever, if you would have me. Mill. What then are your thoughts of love? Lucy. So, she has wheedled him out of his Barn. If you mean the love of women, I virtue of obedience already, and will strip have not thought of it at all. My youth and him of all the rest, one after another, till she circumstances make such thoughts improper has left him as few as her ladyship, or myin me yet. But if you mean the general love self. Barn. No, indeed. [Aside. we owe to mankind, I think no one has more Mill. Now you are kind indeed; but I mean of it in his temper than myself. I don't know not to detain you always; I would have you that person in the world, whose happiness I shake off all slavish obedience to your master; don't wish, and wouldn't promote, were it in but you may serve him still. my power. In an especial manner, I love Lucy. Serve him, still! Ay, or he'll have no my uncle and my master; but above all, my opportunity of fingering his cash; and then he'll not serve your end, I'll be sworn. friend. Mill. You have a friend then, whom you love? Barn. As he does me, sincerely. Mill. He is, no doubt, often bless'd with your company and conversation. Barn. We live in one house, and both serve the same worthy merchant. Mill. Happy, happy youth! Whoe'er thou art, I envy thee; and so must all who see and know this youth. What have I lost by being formed a woman! I hate my sex, myself. Had I been a man, I might perhaps have been as happy in your friendship, as he who now enjoys it is; but as it is-Oh! Barn. I never observed woman before; or this is, sure, the most beautiful of her sex. Aside] You seem disordered, madam;-may know the cause? Mill. Do not ask me-I can never speak it, whatever is the cause. I wish for things impossible. I would be a servant, bound to the same master, to live in one house with you. Barn. How strange, and yet how kind her words and actions are! and the effect they have on me is as strange. I feel desires I never knew before; I must be gone, while I have power to go. [Aside] Madam, I humbly my leave. Lake Mill. You will not, sure, leave me so soon! Mill. You cannot be so cruel! I have prepared a poor supper, at which I promised myself your company; Enter BLUNT. [Aside Blunt. Madam, supper's on the table. [Exeunt Barnwell and Millwood. Blunt. What, is all this preparation, this elegant supper, variety of wines, and music, for the entertainment of that young fellow? Lucy. So it seems. Blunt. How! is our mistress turned fool at last? She's in love with him, I suppose. Lucy. I suppose not. But she designs to make him in love with her, if she can. Blunt. What will she get by that? He seems under age, and can't be supposed to have much money. Lucy. But his master has, and that's the same thing, as she'll manage it. Blunt. I don't like this fooling with a handsome young fellow; while she's endeavouring to ensnare him she may be caught herself. Lucy. Nay, were she like me, that would certainly be the consequence; for, I confess, there is something in youth and innocence that moves me mightily. Blunt. Yes, so does the smoothness and plumpness of a partridge move a mighty desire in the hawk to be the destruction of it. Lucy. Why, birds are their prey, and men ours: though, as you observed, we are sometimes caught ourselves. But that, I dare say, Barn. I am sorry I must refuse the honour will never be the case with our mistress. you designed me; but my duty to my master Blunt. I wish it may prove so; for you calls me hence. I never yet neglected his ser- know we all depend upon her. vice. He is so gentle, and so good a master, trifle away her time with a young fellow that that should I wrong him, though he might there's nothing to be got by, we must all starve. Should she 66 GEORGE BARNWELL. Lucy. There's no danger of that; for I am alone; you have no interest in them, nor ough sure she has no view in this affair but interest. your concern for me to give you a moment' Blunt. Well, and what hopes are there of pain. True. You speak as if you knew of friend Before I saw success in that? Lucy. The most promising that can be. Tis ship nothing but the name. true, the youth has his scruples; but she'll your grief I felt it. E'en now, though igno soon teach him to answer them, by stifling rant of the cause, your sorrow wounds me to his conscience. Oh, the lad is in a hopeful the_heart. way, depend upon it. ACT IL SCENE 1.—A Room in THOROWGOOD's House. as Friend circum [Exeunt. Barn. Twill not be always thus. ship and all engagements cease stances and occasions vary; and since you once may hate me, perhaps it might be better for us both that now you loved me less. True. Sure I but dream! Without a cause Ungenerous Barn. How strange are all things round would Barnwell use me thus? me! Like some thief who treads forbidden and ungrateful youth, farewell; I shall enground, and fain would lurk unseen, fearful deavour to follow your advice. [Going] Yet, I enter each apartment of this well-known stay; perhaps I am too rash and angry, when house. To guilty love, as if that were too the cause demands compassion. Some unforelittle, already have I added breach of trust. seen calamity may have befallen him, too great A thief! Can I know myself that wretched to bear. Barn. What part am I reduced to act? thing, and look my honest friend and injured [Aside. master in the face? Though hypocrisy may 'Tis vile and base to move his temper thus, awhile conceal my guilt, at length it will be the best of friends and men. True. I am to blame; pr'ythee forgive me, known, and public shame and ruin must ensue. In the mean time, what must be my life? Ever Barnwell. Try to compose your ruffled mind; to speak a language foreign to my heart; to and let me know the cause that thus transhourly add to the number of my crimes, in order ports you from yourself; my friendly counsel to conceal 'em. Sure such was the condition may restore your peace. Barn. All that is possible for man to do of the grand apostate, when first he lost his disconsolate he wandered; for man your generous friendship may effect; purity. Like me, and while yet in heaven, bore all his future but here, even that's in vain. hell about him. Enter TRUEMAN. True, Barnwell, oh how I rejoice to see you safe! So will our master, and his gentle daughter; who, during your absence, often inquired after you. True. Something dreadful is labouring in your breast; oh, give it vent, and let me share your grief; 'twill ease your pain, should it admit no cure, and make it lighter by the part I bear. Barn. Vain supposition! My woes increase by being observed: should the cause be known, they would exceed all bounds. True. So well I know thy honest heart, guilt cannot harbour there. Barn. Oh, torture insupportable! [Aside. can't True. Then why am I excluded? Have I a But thought I would conceal from you? Barn. Would he were gone! His officious love will pry into the secrets of my soul. [Aside. True. Unless you knew the pain the whole family has felt on your account, you conceive how much you are beloved. why thus cold and silent?-When my heart is full of joy for your return, why do you turn away-why thus avoid me? What have I done? How am I altered since you saw me last? Or rather, what have you done-and why are you thus changed? for I am still the same. upon Barn. What have I done, indeed! [Aside. Barn. I am not well. [Turning to him] Barn. If still you urge me on this hated subject, I'll never enter more beneath this roof, nor see your face again. True. 'Tis strange-but I have done-say but you hate me not. Burn. Hate you! I am not that monster yet. True. Shall our friendship still continue? Barn. It's a blessing I never was worthy must stand on terms; and but of, yet now upon conditions can confirm it. True. What are they? Barn. Never hereafter, though you should wonder at my conduct, desire to know more than I am willing to reveal. True. 'Tis hard; but upon any conditions I must be your friend. Barn. Then, as much as one lost to himself [Embracing can be another's, I am yours. True. Be ever so; and may heaven restore your peace! But business requires our attenTrue. Heavy they look, indeed, and swoln dance: business, the youth's best preservative with tears;-now they overflow. Rightly did from ill, as idleness his worst of snares. Will my sympathizing heart forebode last night, you go with me? when thou wast absent, something fatal to our peace. Barn. I'll take a little time to reflect on what has passed, and follow you. [Exit True Barn. Your friendship engages you too far. man] I might have trusted Trueman, and enMy troubles, whate'er they are, are mine gaged him to apply to my uncle to repair the House. Enter MILLWOOD, LUCY, and a Footman. Foot. Ladies, he'll wait upon you immediately. wrong I have done my master:-but what of SCENE II.—Another Room in THOROWGOOD'S Millwood? Yet shall I leave her,, for ever leave her, and not let her know the cause? she who loves me with such a boundless passion! Can cruelty be duty? I judge of what she then must feel, by what I now endure. The love of life, and fear of shame, opposed by inclination strong as death or shame, like wind and tide in raging conflict met, when neither can prevail, keep me in doubt. How then can I determine? Enter THOROWGOOD. Thorow. Without a cause assigned or notice given, to absent yourself last night was a fault, young man, and I came to chide Mill, Tis very well-I thank you. [Exit Footman. Enter BARNWELL. Barn. Confusion! Millwood! Mill. That angry look tells me, that here I am an unwelcome guest: I feared as much: the unhappy are so every where. ། Barn. Will nothing but my utter ruin content you? Mill. Unkind and cruel. Lost myself, your for it, but hope I am prevented. That mo-happiness is now my only care. Barn. How did you gain admission? dest blush, the confusion so visible in your Mill. Saying we were desired by your uncle face, speak grief and shame. When we have offended heaven, it requires no more: and to visit and deliver a message to you, we were received by the family without suspicion, and shall man, who needs himself to be forgiven, with much respect conducted here. be harder to appease? If my pardon, or love, · Barn. Why did you come at all? be of moment to your peace, look up secure Mill. I never shall trouble you more, come to take my leave for ever. malice of my fate! I go hopeless, despairing ever to return. This hour is all I have left; one short hour is all I have to bestow on love and you, for whom I thought the longest life of both. Barn. This goodness has o'ercome me, [4side] Oh, sir, you know not the nature and extent of my offence; and I should abuse mistaken bounty to receive it. Though I had rather die than speak my shame, though racks could not have forced the guilty secret from my breast, your kindness has. Thorow. Enough, enough; whate'er it be, this concern shows you're convinced, and am satisfied. How painful is the sense of guilt to an ingenuous mind: Some youthful folly which it were prudent not to inquire into. Barn. It will be known, and you'll recall your pardon, and abhor me. Thorow. I never will. Yet be upon your guard in this gay, thoughtless season of your life: when vice becomes habitual, the very power of leaving it is lost. Barn. Hear me, on my knees, confessThorow. Not a syllable more upon this subject: it were not mercy, but cruelty, to bear what must give you such torment to re real. me! too I'm Such is the Barn. Then we are met to part ever. Mill. It must be so. Yet think not that time or absence shall ever put a period to my grief, or make me love you less. Though I must leave you, yet condemn me not. Barn. Condemn you! No, I approve your resolution, and rejoice to hear it; 'tis just, 'tis necessary;-I have well weighed, and found it so. Lucy. I am afraid the young man has more sense than she thought he had. [Aside. Barn. Before you came, I had determined never to see you more. Mill. Confusion! [Aside. Lucy. Ay, we are all out; this is a turn so unexpected, that I shall make nothing of my part; they must e'en play the scene betwixt themselves. to bear. Aside. Barn. This generosity amazes and distracts Mill. It was some relief to think, though Thorow. This remorse makes thee dearer absent, you would love me still; but to find to me, than if thou hadst never offended. this, as I never could expect, I have not learn'd Whatever is your fault, of this I am certain, Barn. I am sorry to hear you blame me was harder for you to offend, than me to in a resolution that so well becomes us both. pardon. [Exit. Mill. I have reason for what I do, but you Barn. Villain! villain! villain! basely to have none. Wrong so excellent a man. Should I again Barn. Can we want a reason for parting, return to folly?-Detested thought!-But what who have so many to wish we had never met! of Millwood then?-Why I renounce her- Mill. Look on me, Barnwell. Am I deI give her up―The struggle's over, and virtue formed or old, that satiety so soon succeeds has prevailed. Reason may convince, but gra- enjoyment? Nay, look again; am I not she titude compels. This unlooked-for generosity whom yesterday' you thought the fairest and has saved me from destruction. [Going the kindest of her sex; whose hand, trembling Mill. Where is the danger, since we are to part? Mill. Ay, ay, the barbarous man is rich enough; but what are riches when compared Barn. The thought of that already is too to love! painful. Mill. If it be painful to part, then I may hope, at least, you do not hate me. Barn. No-No-I never said I did-Oh, my heart! Mill, Perhaps you pity me? Barn, I do-Ido-Indeed I do. Mill. You'll think upon me! Lucy. For awhile he performed the office of a faithful guardian, settled her in a house, hired her servants-But you have seen in what manner she has lived, so I need say no more of that. Mill. How I shall live hereafter, heaven knows! Lucy. All things went on as one could Barn. Doubt it not, while I can think at all. wish, till some time ago, his wife dying, he Mill. You may judge an embrace at part-fell violently in love with his charge, and ing too great a favour, though it would be would fain have married her. Now the man the last. Barnwell draws back] A look shall is neither old nor ugly, but a good, personable then suffice-farewell-for ever. sort of man; but I don't know how it was, she could never endure him. In short, her ill usage so provoked him, that he brought in an account of his executorship, wherein he makes her debtor to him [Exeunt Millwood and Lucy, Barn, I to resolve to suffer be to conquer -I have conquered-Painful victory! Re-enter MILLWOOD and Lucy. Mill. A trifle in itself, but more than enough Mill. One thing I had forgot-I never must to ruin me, whom, by this unjust account, he return to my own house again. This I thought had stripped of all before. proper to let you know, lest your mind should Lucy. Now, she having neither money nor change, and you should seek in vain to find friend, except me, who am as unfortunate as me there. Forgive me this second intrusion; herself, he compelled her to pass his account, I only came to give you this caution, and that and give bond for the sum he demanded; but perhaps was needless. still provided handsomely for her, and contiBarn. I hope it was; yet it is kind, and Inued his courtship, till being informed by his must thank your for it. spies (truly, I suspect some in her own faMill. My friend, your arm. [To Lucy]mily) that you were entertained in her house, Now, I am gone for ever. [Going. and staid with her all night, he came this mornBarn. One thing more-sure there's no ing, raving and storming like a madman; talks danger in knowing where you go? If you no more of marriage (so there's no hope of think otherwise→→ making up matters that way), but vows her ruin, unless she'll allow him the same favour that he supposes she granted you. Mill. Alas! [Weeping. Lucy. We are right, I find; that's my cue. [Aside Al, dear sir, she's going she knows not whither; but go she must. Barn. Humanity obliges me to wish you well; why will you thus expose yourself to needless troubles? Barn. Must she be ruined, or find a refuge in another's arms? Mill. He gave me but an hour to resolve in: that's happily spent with you-And now I go Lucy. Nay, there's no help for it; she must Barn. To be exposed to all the rigours of quit the town immediately, and the kingdom the various seasons; the summer's parching as soon as possible. It was no small matter, heat, and winter's cold; unhoused, to wander you may be sure, that could make her resolve friendless through the unhospitable world, in to leave you. misery and want; attended with fear and Mill. No more, my friend; since he for danger, and pursued by malice and revenge. whose dear sake alone I suffer, and am con- Wouldst thou endure all this for me, and can tent to suffer, is kind and pities me; where'er I do nothing, nothing to prevent it? I wander, through wilds and deserts benighted and forlorn, that thought shall give me comfort. Mill. To know it will but increase your troubles. Barn. My troubles can't be greater than they are. Lucy. Well, well, sir, if she won't satisfy you, I will. Barn. I am bound to you beyond expression. Mill. Remember, sir, that I desired you not to hear it. Lucy. Tis really a pity there can be no way found out. Barn. Oh, where are all my resolutions now? Lucy. Now, I advised her, sir, to comply with the gentleman. Barn. Tormenting fiend, away! I had rather perish, nay, see her perish, than have her saved by him. I will myself prevent her ruin, though with my own. Á moment's patience; I'll return immediately, [Exil Lucy. 'Twas well you came, or, by what I can perceive, you had lost him. Mill. Hush! he's here. Barn. Begin, and ease my expectation. Re-enter BARNWELL, with a Bag of Money. Lucy. Why you must know my lady here Barn. What am I about to do?-Now you, was an only child, and her parents dying who boast your reason all-sufficient, suppose while she was young, left her and her for- yourselves in my condition, and determine for tune (no inconsiderable one I assure you) to me; whether 'tis right to let her suffer for my the care of a gentleman who has a good estate faults, or, by this small addition to my guilt, prevent the ill effects of what is past.-Here, his own. take this, and with it purchase your deliver- Mill. So, I may hope to see you there Barn. Answer me not, but fly-lest, in the agonies of my remorse, I again take what is not mine to give, and abandon thee to want and misery. True. I cannot speak it. See there. [Gives a Letter. Maria. [Reads] I know my absence will surprise my honoured master and yourself; and the more, when you shall understand, that the reason of my withdrawing is, my having embezzled part of the cash with which I was entrusted. After this, 'tis needless to inform you, that I intend never to Mill. Say but you'll come. return again. Though this might have been Barn. You are my fate-my heaven, or my known by examining my accounts, yet to hell; only leave me now-dispose of me here- prevent that unnecessary trouble, and to after as you please. [Exeunt Millwood and cut off all fruitless expectations of my reLucy] What have I done? Were my reso- turn, I have left this from the lost lutions founded on reason, and sincerely made? GEORGE BARNWELL. Why then has heaven suffered me to fall?! True. Lost indeed! Yet how he should be Such undistinguish'd horrors make my brain, easy, unaffected, and engaging. ACT III. Maria. This and much more you might [Exit. have said with truth. He was the delight of every eye, and joy of every heart that knew him. SCENE L-A Room in THOROWGOOD'S House. True. Since such he was, and was my friend, THOROWGOOD and TRUEMAN discovered, piest maid this wealthy city boasts, kindly can I support his loss? See, the fairest, hapwith Account-books, sitting at a Table. condescends to weep for thy unhappy fate, Thorow. Well, I have examined your ac-poor, ruined Barnwell! Counts; they are not only just, as I have Maria. Trueman, do you think a soul so Method in business is the surest guide. Are True. Never, never: so well I know him, casions. True. Upon receiving your orders he retired, go and hasten him. Thorow. I'm now going to the Exchange: Maria. Is there no means yet to preserve him? True. Oh, that there were! But few men recover their reputation lost, a merchant never. let him know, at my return I expect to find Nor would he, I fear, though I should find tim ready. [Exeunt. him, ever be brought to look his injured master Enter MARIA, with a Book. Sits and reads, Maria. I fear as much, and therefore would martyr cheaply purchases his heaven; small Maria. If I should supply the money, could as soft passion, feeble and hopeless, opposes his True. Nothing more easy. But can you own desires. What is an hour, a day, a intend it? Will you save a helpless wretch Year of pain, to a whole life of tortures such from ruin? Oh, were an act worthy such exalted virtue as Maria's! Sure heaven, in mercy to my friend, inspired the generous thought. Enter TRUEMAN. True. Oh, Barnwell! Oh, my friend! how art thou fallen! Maria. Ha! Barnwell! What of him? Speak, Bay, what of Barnwell? Maria. Doubt not but I would purchase so great a happiness at a much dearer price. But how shall he be found? True. Trust to my diligence for that. In True. Tis not to be concealed: I've news the mean time I'll conceal his absence from to tell of him that will afflict your generous your father, or find such excuses for it, that father, yourself, and all who know him. Maria. Defend us, heaven! the real cause shall never be suspected. Maria. In attempting to save from shame |