The Acting Drama; Containing Sixty Highly Popular Plays, Etc

In her undoing; but my heart has none;
Her happiness must be my interest,
And that I would restore.

Car. Why, so, I mean.

These hardships, that my father lays upon her,
I'm sorry for, and wish I could prevent;
But he will have his way. Since there's no hope
From her prosperity, her change of fortune
May alter the condition of her thoughts,
And make for you.

Vil. She is above her fortune.

Car. Try her again. Women commonly love
According to the circumstances they are in.
Vil. Common women may.

No, though I live but in the hopes of her,
And languish for th' enjoyment of those hopes;
I'd rather pine in a consuming want

Of what I wish, than have the blessing mine,
From any reason but consenting love.
Oh! let me never have it to remember,
I could betray her coldly to comply:

When a clear gen'rous choice bestows her on me,
I know too well the unequalled gift:

I would not have it, but to value it.

Enter SAMPSON.

Samp. Why, truly, very little to the purpose. like a Jew as he is, he says you have had moro already than the jewels ar worth: he wishes you would rather think of redeeming 'em, than expect any more money upon 'em. [Exit SAMPSON.

Isa. So:-poverty at home, and debts abroad!
My present fortune bad; my hopes yet worse!
What will become of me?

This ring is all I have left of value now;
'Twas given me by my husband; his first gift
Upon our marriage: I've always kept it
With my best care, the treasure next my life:
And now but part with it to support life,
Which only can be dearer. [Takes off the ring.]
Take it, Nurse,

'Twill stop the cries of hunger for a time;
Take care of it:

Manage it as the last remaining friend

That would relieve us. [Exit Nurse.] Heav'n can
only tell

Where we shall find another [goes back and sits.]
My dear boy!
[Embraces him.

Car. Take your own way; remember, what I The labour of his birth was lighter to me
offer'd

Came from a friend.

Vil. I understand it so.

I'll serve her for herself, without the thought
Of a reward.

[Exit.

Car. Agree that point between you.
If you marry her any way, you do my business.
I know him-What his generous soul intends
Ripens my plots-I'll first to Isabella.-

I must keep up appearances with her too.

[Exit.

SCENE II.-A Room in ISABELLA's House.

Than of my fondness now; my fears for him
Are more than, in that hour of hovering death,
They could be for myself-He minds me not,
His little sports have taken up his thoughts:
Oh, may they never feel the pangs of mine! [Rises.
Thinking will make me mad: why must I think,
When no thought brings me comfort?

Enter Nurse.

Nurse. Oh, madam! you are utterly ruined and undone; your creditors of all kinds are come in upon you; they have mustered up a regiment of rogues, that are come to plunder your house, and seize upon all you have in the world: they are

ISABELLA sitting, and Nurse discovered. ISABELLA's below. What will you do, madam?

Son at play.

Isa. Sooner, or later, all things pass away,
And are no more. The beggar and the king,
With equal steps, tread forward to their end;
The reconciling grave

Swallows distinction first, that made us foes;
Then all alike lie down in peace together.
When will that hour of peace arrive for me?
In Heav'n I shall find it. Not in Heaven,
If my old tyrant father can dispose
Of things above. But there his interest
May be as poor as mine, and want a friend
As much as I do here.

Nurse. Good madam, be comforted.

[Weeping.

Isa. [Rises.] Do I deserve to be this outcast
wretch,

Abandon'd thus, and lost? But 'tis my lot,
The will of Heav'n, and I must not complain :
I will not for myself: let me bear all

The violence of your wrath; but spare my child:
Let not my sins be visited on him:
They are; they must; a general ruin falls
On every thing about me: thou art lost,
Poor Nurse, by being near me.

Nurse. I can work, or beg, to do you service.
Isa. Could I forget

What I have been, I might the better bear
What I am destined to. Wild hurrying thoughts
Start every way from my distracted soul,
To find out hope, and only meet despair.
What answer have I?

Isa. Do nothing! no, for I am born to suffer.

Enter CARLOS, hastily.-Nurse goes back.
Car. Oh, sister? can I call you by that name,.
And be the son of this inhuman man.
Inveterate to your ruin?

Do not think I am akin to his barbarity.
I must abhor my father's usage of you.
Can you think

Of any way that I may serve you in?
But what enrages most my sense of grief,
My sorrow for your wrongs, is, that my father,
Has ordered me not to appear for you.
Foreknowing well the storm that was to fall,

For disobeying him; do not you stay
Isa. I thank your pity; my poor husband fell
To venture his displeasure too for me.
Car. You must resolve on something.
Isa. Let my fate

Determine for me; I shall be prepared.
The worst that can befall me is to die.
Hark, they are coming: let the torrent roar :
It can but overwhelm me in its fall;
And life and death are now alike to me.

[Exit,

[Erit.-Nurse follows, leading the Child.

SCENE III.-Antechamber in Isabella's House
Enter CARLOS and VILLEROY, with Officers,
Vil. No farther violence-

The debt in all is but four thousand crowns

Were it ten times the sum, I think you know
My fortune very well can answer it.
You have my word for this: I'll see you paid.
Offi. That's as much as we can desire: so we
have the money, no matter whence it comes.
.Vil. To-morrow you shall have it.

Car. Thus far all's well

And now my sister comes to crown the work. Isa. [Without.] Where are these rav'ning bloodhounds, that pursue

In a full cry, gaping to swallow me?

Enter ISABELLA, Nurse, and Child.-Nurse and
Child stand a little back.

I meet your rage, and come to be devoured;
Say, which way are you to dispose of me;
To dungeons, darkness, death?

Cur. Have patience.

Isa. Patience!

Vil. I'm most unhappy that my services
Can be suspected to design upon you;
I have no farther ends than to redeem you
From fortune's wrongs; to show myself at last,
What I have long profess'd to be, your friend:
Allow me that; and to convince you more,
That I intend only your interest,
Forgive what I have done, and in amends

(If that can make you any, that can please you)
I'll tear myself for ever from my hopes,
Stifle this flaming passion in my soul,
And mention my unlucky love no more.
Isa. This generosity will ruin me.

[Aside.

Vil. Nay, if the blessing of my looking on you Disturbs your peace, I will do all I can To keep away, and never see you more. Car. [Stopping him.] You must not go. Vil. Could Isabella speak

[Going.

Those few short words, I should be rooted here,
And never move but upon her commands.
Car. [Goes to her.] Speak to him, sister; do not

throw away

A fortune that invites you to be happy. In your extremity he begs your love;

And has deserved it nobly. Think upon
Your lost condition, helpless and aloue.
Though now you have a friend, the time must come
That you will want one; him you may secure
To be a friend, a father, a husband to you.
Isa. A husband!

Car. You have discharged your duty to the dead,
And to the living! 'tis a wilfulness
Not to give way to your necessities,
That force you to this marriage.
Nurse. [Leading forward the Child.] What must
become of this poor innocence?

[To the Child. Car. He wants a father to protect his youth, And rear him up to virtue: you must bear The future blame, and answer to the world, When you refuse the easy, honest means Of taking care of him.

Isa. Do not think I need

Your reasons to confirm my gratitude. --
I have a soul that's truly sensible
Of your great worth, and busy to contrive,
[TO VILLEROY

If possible, to make you a return.
Vil. Oh, easily possible!

Isa. It cannot be your way: my pleasures are Buried, and cold in my dead husband's grave; And I should wrong the truth, myself, and yor, To say that I can ever love again.

I owe this declaration to myself.

But as a proof that I owe all to you,

If, after what I have said, you can resolve

To think me worth your love-[VILLEROY advances to her.]-Where am I going?

You cannot think it; 'tis impossible.
Vil. Impossible!

Isa. You should not ask me now, nor should

grant ;

I am so much obliged, that to consent
Would want a name to recommend the gift:
'Twould show me poor, indebted, and compelled
Designing, mercenary: and I know

You would not wish to think I could be bought.
Vil. Be bought! where is the price that can pre-
tend

To bargain for you? Not in Fortune's power.
The joys of Heav'n, and love, must be bestowed;
They are not to be sold, and cannot be deserved.
Isa. Some other time I'll hear you on this subject.
Vil. Nay, then there is no time so fit for me.

[Following her.

Since you consent to hear me, hear me now;
That you may grant: you are above

[Takes her hand.
The little forms which circumscribe your sex;
We differ but in time, let that be mine.
Isa. You think fit

To get the better of me, and you shall;
Since you will have it so

I will be yours. [CARLOS exults apart.

Vil. I take you at your word.

Isa. I give you all,

My hand and would I had a heart to give :
But if it ever can return again,
'Tis wholly yours.

Vil. Oh ecstacy of joy!

Leave that to me. If all my services,
If all that man can foldly say or do,
Can beget love, love shall be born again,
Oh, Carlos! now my friend and brother too :
And, Nurse, I have eternal thanks for thee.

[Exeunt Nurse and Child

And may'st thou ever feel those inward joys,
Thy duty gives thy father--but, my son,

Te must not let resentment choke our justice;
Vis fit that Villeroy know he has no claim
From me, in right of Isabella. Biron

I will be sure my interest will not suffer
By these his high, refined, fantastic notions
Of equity and right.-What a paradox

199

Is man! My father here, who boasts his honour,
And even but now was warm in praise of justice,
Can steel his heart against the widow's tears,
And infant's wants: the widow and the infant
Of Biron; of his son, his fav'rite son.
'Tis ever thus weak minds, who court opinion,
And dead to virtuous feeling, hide their wants
In pompous affectation-Now to Villeroy-
Ere this his friends, for he is much beloved,
Crowd to his house, and with their nuptial songs
Awake the wedded pair: I'll join the throng,
And in my face, at least, bear joy and friendship.

[Erit.

Vil [Rises.] I thank you for this proof of your affection.

Whose name brings tears), when wedded to this I am so much transported with the thoughts

woman,

By me abandon'd, sunk the little fortune

lis uncle left, in vanity and fondness:

I am possess'd of those your brother's papers, Which now are Villeroy's, and, should aught remain,

In justice it is his; from me to him
You shall convey them-follow me, and take them,
[Exit Count BALDWIN.
Car. Yes, I will take them; but ere I part with

them,

Of what I am, I know not what I do.

My Isabella!

but, possessing her, Who would not lose himself?Where's Carlos now?

Methinks I am but half myself without him.

Maur. This is wonderful! married, and yet in

raptures.

Vil. Oh! when you all get wives, and such as

mine

(If such another woman can be found), You will rave too, dote on the dear content,

And prattle in their praise out of all bounds.
I cannot speak my bliss! "Tis in my head.
'Tis in my heart, and takes up all my soul-
The labour of my fancy.-

Enter ISABELLA and Child.

My Isabella! Oh, the joy of my heart,
That I have leave at last to call you mine!
But let me look upon you, view you well.
This is a welcome gallantry indeed!

I durst not ask, but it was kind to grant,
Just at this time: dispensing with your dress
Upon this second day to greet our friends.
Isa. Black might be ominous :

I would not bring ill-luck along with me. Vil. Oh! if your melancholy thoughts could change

With shifting of your dress-Time has done cures Incredible this way, and may again.

Isa. I could have wish'd, if you had thought it fit,

Our marriage had not been so public.

Vil. Do not you grudge me my excess of love; That was a cause it could not be conceal'd: Besides, 'twould injure the opinion

I have of my good fortune, having you;
And lessen it in other people's thoughts.

Enter CARLOS.

Vil. My Carlos too, who came in to the support Of our bad fortune, has an honest right, In better times to share the good with us.

Car. I come to claim that right, to share your joy;

To wish you joy; and find it in myself;
For a friend's happiness reflects a warmth,
A kindly comfort into every heart
That is not envious.

[Leads the Child, and appears to fondle him. Vil. He must be a friend indeed,

Who is not envious of a happiness
So absolute as mine: there is the cause;
Thank her for what I am, and what must be :

[Music flourish.

I see you mean a second entertainment.
My dearest Isabella, you must hear
The raptures of my friends; from thee they spring;
Thy virtues have diffused themselves around,
And made them all as happy as myself.

Isa. I feel their favours with a grateful heart, And willingly comply.

[VILLEROY, ISABELLA, CARLOS, and Child sit; attendants stand at their backs.

EPITHALAMIUM.

Man. Ye love-wing'd hours, your flight,
Your downy flight prepare,

Bring every soft delight

T soothe the brave and fair.
Hail, happy pair, thus in each other bless'd;
Be ever free from care, of ev'ry joy possess'd!

DUET.

Take the gifts the gods intend ye;
Grateful meet the proffer'd joy;
Truth and honour shall attend ye;
Charms that ne'er can change or cloy.

Oh, the raptures of possessing,
Taking beauty to thy arms!

SCENE III.A Room.

Enter SAMPSON and Nurse, laughing.

Samp. Ay, marry, nurse, here's a master, indeed? He'll double our wages for us! If he comes on as fast with my lady as he does with his servants, we are all in the way to be well pleased.

Nurse. He's in a rare humour; if she be in as good a one

Samp. If she be, marry, we may e'en say, they have begot it upon one another.

your old Count? You thought your throat cut, I Nurse. Well; why don't you go back again to warrant you, to be turned out of a nobleman's service.

Samp. For the future, I will never serve in a house where the master or mistress of it lie single: they are out of humour with every body when they are not pleased themselves. Now, this matrimony makes every thing go well. There's mirth and money stirring about when those matters go on as they should do.

Nurse. Indeed, this matrimony, Sampson—

Samp. Ah, nurse! this matrimony is a very good thing- -but what, now my lady is married, I hope we shall have company come to the house: there's something always coming from one gentleman or other upon those occasions, if my lady loves company. This feasting looks well, nurse.

Nurse. Odso, my master! we must not be seen. [Exeunt.

Enter VILLEROY, with a letter, and ISABELLA.

Vil. I must away this moment--see his letter,
Sign'd by himself: alas! he could no more;
My brother's desperate, and cannot die
In peace, but in my arms.

Isa. So suddenly !

Vil. Suddenly taken, on the road to Brussels,
To do us honour, love; unfortunate!
Thus to be torn from thee, and all those charms,
|Though cold to me and dead.

Isa. I'm sorry for the cause.
Vil. Oh! could I think,

Could I persuade myself, that your concern
For me, or for my absence, were the spring,
The fountain of these melancholy thoughts,
My heart would dance, spite of the sad occasion,
And be a gay companion in my journey;
But-

Enter CARLOS.

My good Carlos, why have you left my friends?

Mere ceremony had been constraint; and this Good-natured rudeness

Vil. Was the more obliging.

There, Carlos, is the cause.

Car. Unlucky accident!

[Gives the letter.

Th' Archbishop of Malines, your worthy brotherWith him to-night? Sister, will you permit it? Vil. It must be so.

Isa. You hear it must be so.

Vil. Oh, that it must!

Car. To leave your bride so soon!

Vil. But having the possession of my love,

I am the better able to support

My absence in the hopes of my return.
Car. Your stay will be but short?
Vil. It will seem long!

The longer that my Isabella sighs:
I shall be jealous of this rival grief,
It takes so full possession of thy heart,
There is not room enough for mighty love.

Enter Servant, bows, and exit.

My horses wait: farewell, my love! You, Carlos,
Will act a brother's part, till I return,
And be the guardian here. All, all 1 have
That's dear to me, I give up to your care.

Car. And I receive her as a friend and brother. Vil. Nay, stir not, love! for the night air is cold, And the dews fall-Here be our end of parting; Carlos will see me to my horse.

[Exit with CARLOS. Isa. Oh, may thy brother better all thy hopes!

Adieu.

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Bir. The longest day will have an end; we are got home at last.

Bel. We have got our legs at liberty; and liberty is home, where'er we go; though mine lies most in England.

Bir. Pray, let me call this yours: for what I can command in Brussels, you shall find your own. I have a father here, who perhaps, after seven years' absence, and costing him nothing in my travels, may be glad to see me. You know my story-How does my disguise become me?

Bel. Just as you would have it; 'tis natural, and will conceal you.

Bir. To-morrow you shall be sure to find me

Samp. Who's there? What would you have? Bir. Is your lady at home, friend?

Samp. Why, truly, friend, it is my employment to answer impertinent questions: but for my lady's being at home, or no, that's just as my lady pleases. Bir. But how shall I know whether it pleases her or no?

Samp. Why, if you'll take my word for it, you may carry your errand back again: she never pleases to see any body at this time of night, that she does not know; and by your dress and appearance I am sure you must be a stranger to her.

Bir. But I have business; and you don't know how that may please her.

Samp. Nay, if you have business, she is the best judge whether your business will please her or no therefore I will proceed in my office, and know of my lady whether or no she is pleased to be at home or no[Going.

Nurse. I have delivered your ring, sir! pray Heaven, you bring no bad news along with you! Bir. Quite contrary, I hope.

Nurse. Nay, I hope so too; but my lady was very much surprised when I gave it her. Sir, I am but a servant, as a body may say; but if you'll walk in that I may shut the doors, for we keep very orderly hours, I can show you into the parlour, and help you to an answer, perhaps as soon as those that are wiser

Bir. I'll follow syou—
Now all my spirits hurry to my heart,
And every sense has taken the alarm
At this approaching interview!
Heavens! how I tremble!

[Exit.

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