hands, and my money burns in my pocket. But now I think on't, my myrmidons are upon duty tonight; I'll fairly stroll down to the guard, and nod away the night with my honest lieutenant, over a flask of wine, a story, and a pipe of tobacco. (Gong off. Bisarre meets him.)

Bir. Who comes there? stand!

Dur. Heyday, now she's turned dragoon!

Bs. Lookye, sir, I'm told ye intend to travel again. I design to wait on you as far as Italy. Dur. Then I'll travel into Wales.

Bis. Wales! What country's that?

Dur. The land of mountains, child; where you're never out of the way, 'cause there's no such thing as a high road,

Bis. Rather, always in a high road, because you travel all upon hills: but be't as it will, I'll jog along with you.

Dur. But we intend to sail to the East Indies. Bis. East, or West, 'tis all one to me: Im tight and light, and the fitter for sailing.

Dur. But suppose we take through Germany, and drink hard?

Bis. Suppose I take through Germany and drink harder than you?

Dur. Suppose I go to a bawdy house?

Bis. Suppose I show you the way?

Dur. 'Sdeath, woman! will you go to the guard house with me, and smoke a pipe?

Bis. Hold, hold, sir, (Catches him by the arm, going,) one word before we part.

Dur. Let me go, madam, or I shall think that you re a man, and, perhaps, may examine you.

Bis. Stir if you dare; I have still spirits to attend me, and can raise such a muster of fairies, as shall punish you to death. Come, sir, stand there now, and ogle me: (He frowns upon her.) Now a languishing sigh: (He groans.) Now run, and take my fun, faster. (He runs, and takes it up.) Now play with it handsomely.

Dar. Ay, ay, (He tears it all in pieces.)

Bis. Hold, hold, dear humourous coxcomb! Captain, spare my fan, and I'll Why, you rude, inhuman monster! don't you expect to pay for this? Dur. Yes, madam, there's twelvepence; for that is the price on't.

Bis. Sir, it cost a guinea. Dur. Well, madam, you shall have the sticks again. [Throws them to her, and exit. Bis. Ha, ha, ha! ridiculous, below my concern! I must follow him, however, to know if he can give me any news of Oriana. [Exit.

SCENE IV.

Lamorce's Lodgings.

Enter YOUNG MIRABEL.

Y. Mr. Bloody hell-hounds! I overheard you: Was not I two hours ago, the happy, gay, rejoicing Mirabel? How did I plume my hopes in a fair, coming prospect, of a long scene of years! Life courted me with all the charms of vigour, youth, and fortune; and to be torn away from all my promised joys, is more than death; the manor too!by villains! Omy Oriana, this very moment night have blessed me in thy arms! and my poor boy! the innocent boy! Confusion! But hush, they come. I must dissemble still. No news of my wine, gentlemen?

1. Mir. Sir, I may go near to guess at your erployments; you, sir, are a lawyer, I presume: you a physician, you a scrivener, and a stock-jobber. All cut-throats, egad! (Aside.)

4 bra. Sir, I am a broken officer; I was cashiered at the head of the army, for a coward, so I took up up the trade of n.urder, to retrieve the reputation of my courage.

3 Bra. I am a soldier too, and would serve my king; but I don't like the quarrel, and I have a ore honour than to fight in a bad cause.

2 Bra. I was bred a gentleman, and have no estate; but I n ust have my whore and my bottle, through the prejudice of education.

1 Bra. I am a ruffian too; by the prejudice of education, I was born a butcher. In short, sir, if your wine had come, we might have trifled a little longer. Come, sir, which sword will you fall by? mine, sir?

2 Bra. Or mine? (Draws.) 3 Bra. Orn ine? (Draits.) 4 Bra. Or mine? (Draus.)

Y. Mir. I scorn to beg my life; but to be butchered thus! (knocking.) O, there's the wine! this moment for my life or death.

Enter ORIANA.

Lost! for ever lost! Where's the wine, child? (Faintly.)

Oriana. Coming up, sir. (Stamps.)

Enter DURETETE with his sword drawn, and six of the grand Musqueteers, with their pieces presented; the ruffians drop their swords. Oriana goes off.

Y. Mir. The wine, the wine, the wine! Youth pleasure, fortune, days and years, are now my own again! Ah, my dear friends! did not I tell you, this wine would make ne merry? Dear Captain, these gentlemen are the best-natured, facetious, witty creatures, that ever you knew.

Enter LAMORCE.

Lam. Is the wine come, sir?

Y. Mr. O yes, madam, the wine is core; sce there! (Pointing to the soldiers.) Your ladyship has got a very fine ring upon your finger. Lam. Sir, 'tis at your service. Y. Mir. O ho! is it so! Thou dear seven hundred pounds, thou'rt welcome home again, with all my heart! Ad's my life, madam! you have got the finest built watch there. Tompion's, I presume? Lam. Sir, you may wear it.

Y. Mir. On adam, by no means; 'tis too much Rob you of all! (Taking it from her.) Good, dear time, thou'rt a precious thing; I'm glad I have retrieved thee. (Putting it up.) What, my friends neglected all this while! Gentlemen, you'll pardon my complaisance to the lady. How now? is it civil to be so out of humour at my entertaina ent, and I so pleased with yours? Captain, you're surprised at all this; but we're in our frolics, you must know. Some wine here!

Enter Servant, with wine. Come, Captain, this worthy gentleman's health. (Tweaks the first Bravo by the nose; he roars.) But now, where-where's my dear deliverer; my boy, my charming boy?

1 Bra. I hope some of our crew below stairs have despatched him.

Dur. Here, gentlemen, be sure you secure those fellows.

1 Bra. Yes, sir, we know you, and your guard will be very civil to us.

Dur. Take them to justice. (The guards carry off the bravoes.) Now for you, madam: he, he, he! I'm so pleased to think that I shall be revenged of one woman before I die. Well, Mrs. Snap-dragon, which of these honourable gentlemen is so happy to call you wife?

1 Bra. Sir, she should have been mine to-night, 'cause Sampre, here, had her last night. Sir, she's very true to us all four.

Enter OLD MIRABEL, DUGARD, and BISARRE. Old Mir. Robin, Robin! Where's Bob? where's my boy! What, is this the lady? a pretty creature, 'faith! Harkye, child, because my son was so civil as to oblige you with a coach, I'll treat you with a cart, indeed I will.

Dug. Ay, madam, and you shall have a swingeing equipage, three or four thousand footmen at your heels, at least.

Dur. No less becomes her quality.

Bis. Faugh! the monster!

Dur. Monster! ay, you're all a little monstrous, let me tell you.

Enter YOUNG MIRABEL.

Old Mir. Ah, my dear Bob! art thou safe, man? Y. Mir. No, no, sir, I am ruined: the saver of my life is lost!

Old Mir. No, he came and brought us the news. Y. Mir. But where is he?

Enter ORIANA.

Ha! (Runs and embraces her.) My dear preserver, what shall I do to recompense your trust? Father, friends, gentlemen, behold the youth, that has relieved me from the most ignominious death!Command me, child: before you all-before my late, so kind, indulgent stars, I swear to grant whate'er you ask.

Oriana. To the same stars, indulgent now to me, I will appeal as to the justice of my claim: I shall demand but what was mine before-the just per

Omnes. Oriana!

Oriana. In this disguise I resolved to follow you abroad, counterfeited that letter, that brought me into your service; and so, by this strange turn of fate, I became the instrument of your preservation; few common servants would have had such cunning; my love inspired me with the meaning of your message, because my concern for your safety made me suspect your company.

Dur. Mirabel, you're caught.

Y. Mir. Caught! I scorn the thought of imposition.-Caught! no 'tis my voluntary act; this was no human stratagem, but by my providential stars, designed to shew the dangers wandering youth incurs, by the pursuit of an unlawful love; to plunge me headlong in the snares of vice, and then to free me by the hands of virtue; here, on my knees, I humbly beg my fair preserver's pardon; my thanks are needless, for myself I owe.-And now, for ever do protest me yours.

Old Mir. Tall, all di dall! (Sings.) Kiss me, daughter-no, you shall kiss me first, (To Lamorce.) for you're the cause on't. Well, Bisarre, what say you to the captain?

Bis. I like the beast well enough, but I don't understand his paces so well as to venture him in a strange road.

Old Mir. But marriage is so beaten a path, that you can't go wrong.

Bis. Ay, 'tis so beaten that the way is spoiled. Dur. There is but one thing should make me thy husband-I could marry thee to-day, for the pri vilege of beating thee to-morrow.

Old Mir Come, come, you may agree for all this. Mr. Dugard, are not you pleased with this?

Dug. So pleased, that, if I thought it might secure your son's affection to my sister, I would double her fortune.

Y. Mir. Fortune! has she not given me mine? my life-estate my all? and what is more, her virtuous self? Behold the foil (pointing to Lamorce), that sets this brightness off! (To Oriana.) Here view the pride, and scandal of the sex?

What liberty can be so tempting there,

(To Lamorce.) As a soft virtuous, am'rous bondage here? (To Oriana.)

DON ALONZO.

DON CARLOS.

DON ALVAREZ.

ACT I.

LEONORA. ISABELLA.

And I indulge my meditation here.
Woman, away! I choose to be alone.
[you;
Isa. I know you do, and therefore will not leave
Excuse me, Zanga, therefore dare not leave you.
(Thund r.)

Is this a night for walks of contemplation?
Something unusual hangs upon your heart,
And I will know it; by our loves I will.
To you I sacrificed my virgin fame;
Ask I too much to share in your distress?
Zan. In tears? Thou fool! then hear me, and be
In hell's abyss, if ever it escape thee.
To strike thee with astonishment at once,

I hate Alonzo. First recover that,

And then thou shalt hear farther.

Isa. Hate Alonzo!

[plung d

No. 4.-THE BRITISH DRAMA.

G

I then was young: he placed me near his person,
And thought me not dishonour'd by his service.
One day, (may that returning day be night,
The stain, the curse, of each succeeding year!)
For something, or for nothing, in his pride
He struck me. (While I tell it, do I live?)
He smote me on the cheek.- I did not stab him,
For that were poor revenge.-E'er since, his folly
Has strove to bury it beneath a heap
Of kindness, and thinks it is forgot.
Insolent thought! and like a second blow!
Affronts are innocent, where men are
And such alone can wisely drop revenge.
Isa. But with more temper, Zanga, tell your
To see your strong emotion startles me. [story
Zan. Yes, woman, with the temper that befits it.
Has the dark adder venom? So have I, [me!
When trod upon. Proud Spaniard, thou shalt feel
For from that day, that day of my dishonour,
I from that day have curs'd the rising sun,
Which never fail'd to tell me of my shame.
I from that day have bless'd the coming night,
Which promis'd to conceal it! but in vain;
The blow return'd for ever in my dream.
Yet on Itoil'd, and groan'd for an occasion
Of ample vengeance; none is yet arriv'd.
Howe'er, at present, I conceive warm bopes
Of what may wound him sore in his ambition,
Life of his life, and dearer than his soul.
By nightly march he purpos'd to surprise.
The Moorish camp; but I have taken care
They shall be ready to receive his favour.
Failing in this, a east of utmost moment,
Would darken all the conquests he has won.
Isa. Just as I enter'd, an express arriv'd.
Zan. To whom?

Isa. His friend, Don Carlos.

Zan. Be propitious,

O, Mahomet, on this important hour,

And give at length my famish'd soul revenge!
What is revenge, but courage to call in
Our honour's debts, and wisdom to convert
Others' self-love into our own protection?
But see, the morning ray breaks in upon us;
I'll seek Don Carlos, and inquire my fate. [Exeunt.
SCENE II.-The Palace.

Enter DON CARLOS and DON MANUEL. Man. My lord Don Carlos, what brings your express?

Car. Alonzo's glory, and the Moor's defeat.
The field is strew'd with twice ten thousand slain,
Though he suspects his measures were betray'd.
He'll soon arrive. Oh, how I long to embrace
The first of heroes, and the best of friends!
I lov'd fair Leonora long before

The chance of battle gave me to the Moors;
And while I groan'd in bondage, I deputed
This great Alonzo, whom her father honours,
To be my gentle advocate in love.

Man. And what success?

Car. Alas! the cruel maidIndeed, her father, though high at court, And powerful with the king, has wealth at heart To heal his devastation from the Moors; Knowing I'm richly freighted from the east, My fleet now sailing in the sight of Spain, (Heav'n guard it safe through such a dreadful Caresses me, and urges me to wed. Man. Her aged father, see, [storm!)

Leads her this way.

Love calls for love. Not all the pride of beauty,
Those eyes, that tell us what the sun is made of;
Those lips, whose touch is to be bought with life;
Those hills of driven snow, which seen are felt;
All these possess'd, are nought, but as they are
The proof, the substance of an inward passion,
And the rich plunder of a taken heart.
Leon. I pray, my lord, no more.
Car. Must I despair, then? Do not shake me
Heavn's! what a proof I gave, but two nights past,
Of matchless love! To fling me at thy feet,
I slighted friendship, and I flew from fame;
Nor heard the summons of the next day's battle:
But, darting headlong to thy arms, I left
The promis'd fight; 1 left Alonzo, too,
To stand the war, and quell a world alone.

Leon. Why should you wish me stay? Your friend's arrival will bring comfort to you, My presence none; it pains you and myself; For both our sakes, permit me to withdraw. [Exit. Enter DON ALONZO, with Attendants. Car. Alonzo!

Alon. Carlos!-I am whole again; Clasp'd in thy arms, it makes my heart entire. Car. Whom dare I thus embrace? The conqueror Of Afric?

Alon. Yes, much more; Don Carlos' friend. The conquest of the world would cost me dear, Should it beget one thought of distance in thee. I rise in virtues to come nearer thee. moda mo 'Twas Carlos conquer'd, 'twas his cruel chains Inflam'd me to a rage unknown till then, And threw my former actions far behind.

Car. I love fair Leonora. How I love her!

Yet still I find (I know not how it is)
Another heart, another soul for thee.
Thy friendship warms, it raises, it transports;
Like music, pure the joy, without alloy,
Whose very rapture is tranquility:

But love like wine, gives a tumultuous bliss,
Heighten'd indeed beyond all mortal pleasures;
But mingles pangs and madness in the bowl.
Enter ZANGA.

[Exit.

Zan. Manuel, my lord, returning from the port On business both of moment and of haste, Humbly begs leave to speak in private with you. Car. In private! Ha! Alonzo, I'll return; No business can detain me long from thee. Zan. My lord Alonzo, I obey'd your orders. Alon. Will the fair Leonora pass this way? Zan. She will, my lord, and soon. Alon. Come near me, Zanga; For I dare open all my heart to thee, Never was such a day of triumph known! There's not a wounded captive in my train, That slowly follow'd my proud chariot wheels, With half a life, and beggary, and chains, But is a god to me: I am most wretched. In his captivity, thou know'st Don Carlos, My friend, (and never was a friend more dear) Deputed me his advocate in love;

What did I do?-I lov'd myself. Indeed, One thing there is might lessen my offence, (If such offence admits of being lessen'd)

I thought him dead; for (by what fate I know not) His letters never reach'd me.

Zan. Thanks to Zanga, (Aside.) Who thence contriv'd that evil which has happen'd. Alon. Yes, curs'd of heaven! I lov'd myself; and In a late action, rescu'd from the Moors, [now, I have brought home my rival in my friend.

Zan. We hear, my lord, that in that action, too, Your interposing arm preserv'd his life. [mine, Alon. It did; with more than the expense of For, O! this day is mention'd for their nuptials. Zan. My lord, she comes.

Alon. I'll take my leave, and die.

[Exit.

Zan. Hadst thou a thousand lives, thy death would please me.

Unhappy fate! My country overcome!
My six years' hope of vengeance quite expir'd!
Would nature were-I would not fall alone:
But others' groans shall tell the world my death.
[Aside, and exit.
Enter LEONORA and ALONZO.
Alon When nature ends with anguish like to this,
Sinners shall take their last leave of the sun,
And bid his light adieu.

(Weeps.)

Leon. The mighty conqueror Dismay'd! I thought you gave the foe you sorrows. Alon. O, cruel insult! are those tears your sport, Which nothing but a love for you could draw? Afric I quell'd, in hope by that to purchase Your leave to sigh unscorn'd; but I complain not; "Twas but a world, and you are-Leonora.

Leon. That passion which you boast of, is your A treason to your friend.

Alon. O, Leonora!

[guilt,

Leon. I weep by chance; nor have my tears a But, O! when first I saw Alonzo's tears, [meaning. I knew their meaning well.

Alon. Heavens! what is this?

Leon. Alonzo, pardon me the injury
Of loving you. I struggled with my passion,
And struggled long; let that be some excuse.
You well may wonder at such words as these;
I start at them myself, they fright my nature.
Great is my fault; but blame me not alone;
Give him a little blame, who took such pains
To make me guilty.

[blessing
Alon. Blame you! you know I think your love a
Beyond all human blessings! 'tis the price.
Of sighs and groans, and a whole year of dying:
But, O, the curse of curses! - O, my friend!-
Leon. Alas!

Alon. What says my love? Speak, Leonora. Leon. Was it for you, my lord, to be so quick In finding out objections to our love? Think you so strong my love, or weak my virtue, It was unsafe to leave that part to me?

sals?

Alon. Is not the day then fix'd for your espou[way; Leon. Indeed, my father once had thought that But marking how the marriage pain'd my heart, Long he stood doubtful; but at last resolv'd, Your counsel, which determines him in all, Should finish the debate.

Leon. Hold, Alonzo!

[quer'd.

And hear a maid, whom doubly thou hast con-
I love thy virtue as I love thy person,
And adore thee for the pains it gave me;
But, as I felt the pains, I'll reap the fruit;
I'll shine out in my turn, and shew the world
Thy great example was not lost upon me.
Thus, then, I tear me from thy hopes for ever.
Shall I contribute to Alonzo's crimes?
No, though the life-blood gushes from my heart,
You shall not be asham'd of Leonora.
Nay, never shrink: take back the bright example
You lately lent; O, take it while you may;
While I can give it you, and be immortal!
Alon. She's gone, and I shall see that face no
But pine in absence, and till death adore. [more;
When with cold dew my fainting brow is hung,
And my eyes darken, from my falt'ring tongue
Her name will tremble with a feeble moan,
And love with fate divide my dying groan.

[Exit.

[Exit.