-A walking rouleau!-a body that seems to owe all its con sequence to the dropsy!—a pair of eyes like two dead beetles in a wad of brown dough!-a beard like an artichoke, with dry shrivelled jaws, that would disgrace the mummy of a monkey! Don Jer. Well done, Margaret! Duen. But you shall know that I have a brother who wears a sword—and, if you don't do me justice Isaac. Fire seize your brother, and you too! I'll fly to Jerusalem to avoid you! Duen. Fly where you will, I'll follow you. Don Jer. Throw your snowy arms about him, Margaret.— [Exeunt ISAAC and DUENNA.] But, Louisa, are you really married to this modest gentleman? Don. Louisa. Sir, in obedience to your commands, I gave him my hand within this hour. Don Jer. My commands! Don Ant. Yes, sir; here is your consent, under your own hand. Don Jer. How! would you rob me of my child by a trick, a false pretence? and do you think to get her fortune by the same means? Why, 'slife, you are as great a rogue as Isaac ! Don Ant. No, Don Jerome; though I have profited by this paper in gaining your daughter's hand, I scorn to obtain her fortune by deceit. There, sir.-[Gives a letter.] Now give her your blessing for a dower, and all the little I possess shall be settled on her in return. Had you wedded her to a prince, he could do no more. Don Jer. Why, Gad take me, but you are a very extraordinary fellow! But have you the impudence to suppose no one can do a generous action but yourself? Here, Louisa, tell this proud fool of yours that he's the only man I know that would renounce your fortune; and, by my soul, he's the only man in Spain that's worthy of it. There, bless you both: I'm an obstinate old fellow when I'm in the wrong; but you shall now find me as steady in the right. Enter DON FERDINAND and DONNA CLARA Another wonder still! Why, sirrah! Ferdinand, you have not stole a nun, have you? Don Ferd. She is a nun in nothing but her habit, sir—look nearer, and you will perceive 'tis Clara d'Almanza, Don Guz man's daughter; and, with pardon for stealing a wedding, sho is also my wife. Don Jer. Gadsbud, and a great fortune! Ferdinand, you are a prudent young rogue, and I forgive you: and, ifecks, you are a pretty little damsel. Give your father-in-law a kiss, you smiling rogue ! Don. Clara There, old gentleman; and now mind you behave well to us. Don Jer. Ifecks, those lips ha'n't been chilled by kissing beads! Egad, I believe I shall grow the best-humoured fellow in Spain. Lewis! Sancho! Carlos! d'ye hear? are all my doors thrown open? Our children's weddings are the only holidays our age can boast; and then we drain, with pleasure, the little stock of spirits time has left us.-[Music within.] But see, here come our friends and neighbours! Enter MASQUERADERS. And, i'faith, we 'll make a night on't, with wine, and dance, and catches-then old and young shall join us. Don Jer... FINALE. Come now for jest and smiling, Let us laugh and play, so blithe and gay, Don. Louisa. Thus crown'd with dance and song, Don Ferd. . Don Art. The hours shall glide along, With a heart at ease, merry, merry glees Each bride with blushes glowing, Our wine as rosy flowing, Let us laugh and play, so blithe and gay, Then healths to every friend With a heart at ease, merry, merry glees Don. Clara, Nor, while we are so joyous, Don Jer. Let us laugh and play, so blithe and gay, For generous guests like these Accept the wish to please, So we'll laugh and play, so blithe and gay, [Exeunt omnes: THE SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL. A COMEDY. DRAMATIS PERSONE. AS ORIGINALLY ACTED AT DRURY-LANE THEATRE IN 1777. SIR PETER TEAZLE Mr. King. BITE JOSEPH SURFACE CHARLES SURFACE Mr. Dodd. Mr. Palmer. Mr. Smith. Mr. Packer. CRABTREE ROWLEY LADY TEAZLE Mr. Parsons. Mr. Aickin. Mr. Baddeley. Mr. Lamash. Mrs. Abington. LADY SNEERWELL Miss Sherry. Miss P. Hopkins. Gentlemen, Maid, and Servants. SCENE.-LONDON. A PORTRAIT; ADDRESSED TO MRS. CREWE, WITH THE COMEDY OF THE SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL. BY R. B. SHERIDAN, ESQ. TELL me, ye prim adepts in Scandal's school, So shall my theme as far contrasted be, The perfect model, which I boast, supply: Vain Muse! couldst thou the humblest sketch create No tongue o'ervalues Heaven, or flatters her! Would doubt our truth, nor deem such praise her ow Adorning fashion, unadorn'd by dress, Simple from taste, and not from carelessness; Discreet in gesture, in deportment mild, Not stiff with prudence, nor uncouthly wild: She frowns no goddess, and she moves no queen. But dost thou farther watch, with charm'd surprise, The mild irresolution of her eyes, Curious to mark how frequent they repose, In brief eclipse and momentary close- What though her peaceful breast should ne'er allow She barbs with wit those darts too keen before:- Though Greville, or the Muse, should deign to teach, Graced by those signs which truth delights to own, Peace, idle Muse! no more thy strain prolong, |