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THE IRISH WIDOW

WAS first acted at Drury Lane in the year 1772, and is supposed to have been written expressly to introduce Mrs. Barry (afterwards Mrs. Crawford) to the public in a new light. Indeed it was, as the author avows, at her own request that he transformed the Grecian Daughter into the Irish Widow; and, as he very modestly terms it, in a dedication to Mrs. Barry, sunk her "to the lowest note, from the top of the compass." The successof the piece did honour to the judgment of the author and the actress; and it is still an attractive drama.

DRAMATIS PERSONÆ.

As originally acted at Drury Lane, 1772.

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Bates. Is he gone out? His card tells me to come directly-I did but lock up some papers, take my hat and cane, and away I hurried.

Serv. My master desires you will sit down, he will return immediately-he had some business with his lawyer, and went out in great haste, leaving the message I have deliver'd. Here is my young master. [Exit.

Enter NEPHEW.

Bates. What, lively Billy!-hold, I beg your pardou -melancholy William, I think-here's a fine revolution-I hear your uncle, who was last month all gravity, and you all mirth, have chang'd characters; he is now all spirit, and you are in the dumps, young man.

Neph. And for the same reason-This journey to Scarborough will unfold the riddle.

Bates. Come, come, in plain English, and before your uncle comes-explain the matter. Neph. In the first place I am undone.

Bates. In love, I know-I hope your uncle is not undone too-that would be the devil!

Neph. He has taken possession of him in every sense. In short, he came to Scarborough to see the lady I had fallen in love with

Bates. And fell in love himself?

Neph. Yes, and with the same lady.
Bates. That is the devil indeed!

Neph. O, Mr. Bates! when I thought my happiness complete, and wanted only my uncle's consent, to give me the independence he so often has promis'd me, he came to Scarborough for that purpose, and wish'd me joy of my choice; but in less than a week his approbation turned into a passion for her; he now hates the sight of me, and is resolv'd, with the consent of the father, to make her his wife directly.

Bates. So he keeps you out of your fortune, won't give his consent, which his brother's foolish will requires, and he would marry himself the same woman, because right, title, conscience, nature, justice, and every law, divine and human, are against it.

Neph. Thus he tricks me at once both of wife and fortune, without the least want of either.

Bates. Well said, friend Whittle! but it can't be, it shan't be, and it must not be-this is murder and robbery in the strongest sense; and he shan't be hanged in chains, to be laughed at by the whole town, if I can help it.

Neph. I am distracted, the widow is distress'd, and

we both shall run mad.

Bates. A widow too! 'gad a mercy, threescore and five!

Neph. But such a widow! she is now in town with her father, who wants to get her off his hands; 'tis equal to him who has her, so she is provided for-I hear somebody coming-I must away to her lodgings, where she waits for me to execute a scheme directly for our delivery.

Bates. What is her name, Billy?
Neph. Brady,

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