back all them creatures love my lady extremely. delay. Shall we make Marplot of the party? Mir. Go, go, dear Gardy! I hope I shall Mir. If you'll run the hazard, sir George; I believe he means well. recover it. you Scent. Yes, madam. Sir F. B'ye, b'ye, dearee! Ah, mischief! how Mar. Nay, nay, for my part I desire to be look now! B'ye, b'ye. [Exit. let into nothing; I'll be gone, therefore pray Mir. Scentwell, see him in the coach, and don't mistrust me. [Going. bring me word. Sir G. So now he has a mind to be gone [Exit. to Charles: but not knowing what affairs he Mir. So, sir, you have done your friend a may have upon his hands at present, I'm resolv'd he shan't stir. [Aside] No, Mr. Marplot, you must not leave us; we want a third person. [Takes hold of him. signal piece of service, I suppose. Mar. I never had more mind to be gone Mar. Why, look you, madam, if I have committed a fault, thank yourself; no man is more serviceable when I am let into a secret, and none more unlucky at finding it out. in my life. Who could divine your meaning; when you Mir. Come along then; if we fail in the talk'd of a blunderbuss, who thought of a voyage, thank yourself for taking this ill-starr'd rendezvous? and when you talk'd of a monkey, gentleman on board. who the devil dreamt of sir George? Mir. A sign you converse but little with Sir G. That vessel ne'er can unsuccessful prove, our sex, when you can't reconcile contradictions. Whose freight is beauty, and whose pilot's Enter SCENTWELL. love. [Exeunt Sir George and Miranda. Scent. He's gone, madam, as fast as the coach and six can carry him Mar. Tyty ti, tyty ti. [Steals off the other Way. Sir G. I dare swear thou didst not. Madam, SCENE I.—A Room in SIR FRANCIS GRIPE'S I beg you to forgive him. Mir. Well, sir George, if he can be secret. Mar. 'Odsheart, madam! I'm as secret as a priest when trusted, Sir G. Why 'tis with a priest our business is at present. House. Enter MIRANDA, PATCH, and SCENTWELL. Mir. Well, Patch, I have done a strange bold thing; my fate is determin'd, and expectation is no more. Now to avoid the imper Scent. Madam, here's Mrs. Isabinda's wo-tinence and roguery of an old man, I have man to wait on you. Mir. Bring her up, Enter PATCH. How do ye, Mrs, Patch? What news from your lady? thrown myself into the extravagance of a young one; if he should despise, slight, or use me ill, there's no remedy from a husband but the grave, and that's a terrible sanctuary to one of my age and constitution. Patch. O! fear not, madam; you'll find your Patch, That's for your private ear, madam. account in sir George Airy; it is impossible Sir George, there's a friend of yours has an a man of sense should use a woman ill, enurgent occasion for your assistance. Sir G. His name, dued with beauty, wit, and fortune. It must be the lady's fault if she does not wear the unfashionable name of wife easy, when nothing but complaisance and good humour is requisite on either side to make them happy. Mir. I long till I am out of this house, lest Sir G. A third person may not be proper, any accident should bring my guardian back. perhaps. As soon as I have dispatched my Scentwell, put my best jewels into the little own affairs I am at his service. I'll send my casket, slip them into thy pocket, and let us servant to tell him I'll wait on him in half an march off to sir Jealous's. hour. Scent. It shall be done, madam. [Exit. Mir. How came you employed in this mes- Patch. Sir George will be impatient, masage, Mrs. Patch? dam. If their plot succeeds, we shall be well Patch. Want of business, madam; I am receiv'd; if not, he will be able to protect us. discharg'd by my master, but hope to serve Besides, I long to know how my young lady my lady still. Mir. Farewell, old Mammon, and thy detested walls! Twill be no more sweet sir Patch. With all my heart, madam. Francis! I shall be compell'd the odious task Mar. Tell it here, Mrs. Patch.-Pish! pox! of dissembling no longer to get my own, and I wish I were fairly out of the house. I find coax him with the wheedling names of my marriage is the end of this secret; and now precious, my dear, dear Gardy! O heavens! I'm half mad to know what Charles wants him for. [Aside. -Enter SIR FRANCIS GRIPE, behind. Sir G. Madam, I'm doubly press'd by love Sir F. Ah, my sweet Chargy! don't be and friendship. This exigence admits of no frighted: [She starts] but thy poor Gardy has been abus'd, cheated, fool'd, betray'd; but no- Mir. Undone, past redemption! [Aside. My choice is fix'd, let good or ill betide. Mir. I am so surpris'd with joy to see you, SCENE II.—An Apartment in the House of I know not what to say. Sir F. Poor, dear girl! But do you know that my son, or some such rogue, to rob or murder me, or both, contriv'd this journey? for upon the road I met my neighbour Squeezum well, and coming to town. Mir. Good lack! good lack! what tricks are there in this world! SIR JEALOUS TRAFFICK. Enter SIR JEALOUS TRAFFICK, meeting a Serv. Sir, here's a couple of gentlemen inquire for you; one of them calls himself signior Diego Babinetto. Sir J. Ha! Signior Babinetto! admit 'em instantly-joyful minute; I'll have my daughter Re-enter SCENTWELL, with a diamond Neck-married to-night, lace in her Hand, not seeing SIR FRANCIS. Scent. Madam, be pleas'd to tie this neck-Enter CHARLES in a Spanish habit, with lace on, for I can't get into the-SIR GEORGE AIRY, dressed like a Merchant. Senhor, beso las manos: vuestra merced es [Seeing Sir Francis. Mir. The wench is a fool, I think! Could muy bien venido en esta tierra. you not have carried it to be mended without putting it in the box? Sir F. What's the matter? Charles. Senhor, soy muy humilde, y muy obligado cryado de vuestra merced: mi padre embia a vuestra merced, los mas profondos Mir. Only, dearee! I bid her, I bid her-de sus respetos; y a commissionado este merYour ill-usage has put every thing out of my cadel Ingles, de concluyr un negocio, que me head. But won't you go, Gardy, and find out haze el mas dichoss hombre del mundo, hathese fellows, and have them punished, and, ziendo me su yerno. and Sir J. I am glad on't, for I find I have lost Sir F. Where should I look for them, child? much of my Spanish. Sir, I am your most no, I'll sit me down contented with my safety, humble servant. Signior don Diego Babinetto nor stir out of my own doors till I go with has informed me that you are commissioned thee to a parson. by signior don Pedro, etc. his worthy fatherSir G. To see an affair of marriage con Patch. Ay, madam, and I stay for speedy answer. Mir. If he goes into his closet I am ruin'd. [Aside] Oh, bless me! In this fright I had summated between a daughter of yours and forgot Mrs. Patch. signior Diego Babinetto his son here. True, your sir, such a trust is repos'd in me, as that letter will inform you. I hope 'twill pass upon him. [Aside. Gives him a Letter Sir J. Ay, 'tis his hand. [Seems to read, Sir G. Good, you have counterfeited to a nicety, Charles. [Aside to Charles. Sir J. Sir, I find by this that you are a man of honour and probity; I think, sir, he calls you Meanwell. Mir. I must get him out of the house. Now assist me, fortune! [Aside. Sir F. Mrs. Patch! I profess I did not see you: how dost thou do, Mrs. Patch? Well, don't you repent leaving my Chargy? Patch. Yes, every body must love her-but I come now-Madam, what did I come for? my invention is at the last ebb. Sir G, Meanwell is my name, sir. [Aside to Miranda. Sir J. A very good name, and very signiSir F. Nay, never whisper, tell me. ficant. For to mean well is to be honest, and Mir. She came, dear Gardy! to invite me to be honest is the virtue of a friend, and a to her lady's wedding, and you shall go with friend is the delight and support of human me, Gardy; 'tis to be done this moment, to a society. Spanish merchant. Old sir Jealous keeps on Sir G. You shall find that I'll discharge the his humour: the first minute he sees her, the part of a friend in what I have undertaken, next he marries her. sir Jealous. Therefore, sir, I must entreat the Sir F. Ha, ha, ha, ha! I'd go if I thought presence of your fair daughter, and the assistthe sight of matrimony would tempt Chargy ance of your chaplain; for signior don Pedro to perform her promise. There was a smile, strictly enjoined me to see the marriage rites there was a consenting look, with those pretty performed as soon as we should arrive, to twinklers, worth a million! 'Ods-precious! I avoid the accidental overtures of Venus. am happier than the great mogul, the emperor Sir J. Overtures of Venus! of China, or all the potentates that are not in Sir G. Ay, sir; that is, those little hawking the wars. Speak, confirm it, make me leap females that traverse the park and the playout of my skin. house to put off their damag'd wareMir. When one has resolved, 'tis in vain fasten upon foreigners like leeches, and watch to stand shilly-shally. If ever I marry, posi- their arrival as carefully as the Kentish men tively this is my wedding-day. do a shipwreck: I warrant you they have heard they Sir J. Nay, I know this town swarms with Sir F. Oh! happy, happy man Verily, I of him already. will beget a son the first night shall disinherit that dog Charles. I have estate enough to them. purchase a barony, and be the immortalizing| the whole family of the Gripes. Sir G. Ay, and then you know the Spaniards are naturally amorous,' but very conMir. Come then, Gardy, give me thy hand; stant; the first face fixes 'em; and it may let's to this house of Hymen. very dangerous to let him ramble ere he is tied. be Sir J. Pat to my purpose 1)- Well, sir, Isa. Oh! never, never! there is but one thing more, and they shall Could I suspect that falsehood in my heart, be married instantly. I would this moment tear it from my breast, Charles. Pray heaven that one thing more And straight present him with the treach'rous don't spoil all. Aside. part. Sir J. Don Pedro wrote me word, in his Sir J. Falsehood! why, who the devil are last but one, that he designed the sum of five you in love with? Don't provoke me, for by thousand crowns by way of jointure for my St. Iago I shall beat you, housewife. daughter, and that it should be paid into my Sir G. Sir Jealous, you are too passionate. hand upon the day of marriageGive me leave, I'll try by gentle words to Charles. Oh, the devil! [Aside. work her to your purpose. Sir J. I pray do, Mr. Meanwell, I pray do; Sir J. In order to lodge it in some of our funds in case she should become a widow, she'll break my heart. [Weeps] There is in and return to Englandthat casket jewels of the value of three thou What shall I say? Sir G. Pox on't! this is an unlucky turn. sand pounds, which were her mother's, and [Aside. a paper wherein I have settled one-half of Sir J. And he does not mention one word my estate upon her now, and the whole when of it in this letter. I die, but provided she marries this gentleman, Sir G. Humph! True, sir Jealous, he told else by St. Iago, I'll turn her out of doors to me such a thing, but, but, but, but-he, he, beg or starve. Tell her this, Mr. Meanwell, he, he he did not imagine that you would pray do. [Walks toward Charles. insist upon the very day; for, for, for, for Šir G. Ha! this is beyond expectation money, you know, is dangerous returning by Trust to me, sir, I'll lay the dangerous consequence of disobeying you at this juncture Charles. Zounds! say we have brought it before her, I warrant you. Come, madam, do in commodities. [Aside to Sir George. not blindly cast your life away just in the Sir G. And so, sir, he has sent it in mer- moment you would wish to save it. chandize, tobacco, sugars, spices, lemons, and Isa. Pray cease your trouble, sir: I have so forth, which shall be turned into money no wish but sudden death to free me from with all expedition: in the mean time, sir, if you this hated Spaniard. If you are his friend, sea, an, an, an please to accept of my bond for performance-inform him what I say. Sir J. It is enough, sir; I am so pleas'd Sir G. Suppose this Spaniard, which you with the countenance of signior Diego, and strive to shun, should be the very man to the harmony of your name, that I'll take your whom you'd fly? word, and will fetch my daughter this moment. Isa. Ha! Within there. Enter Servant. Desire Mr. Tackum, my neighbour's chaplain, to walk hither. Serv. Yes, sir. Sir G. Would you not blame your rash resolve, and curse your eyes that would not look on Charles? [Rises. Isa. On Charles! Where is he? [Exit. Sir G. Hold, hold, hold. 'Sdeath! madam, Sir. J. Gentlemen, I'll return in an instant. you'll ruin all. Your father believes him to [Exit. be signior Babinetto. Compose yourself a little, Sir G. 'Egad, that five thousand crowns had pray madam. [He runs to Sir Jealous] She like to have ruined the plot. Charles. But that's over; and if fortune throws no more rubs in our way Sir G. Thou'lt carry the prize-But hist! here he comes. Sir G. Rise, madam, and do not disoblige father, who has provided a husband worthy vour begins to hear reason, sir; the fear of being turned out of doors has done it. Speak gently to her, sir; I'm sure she'll yield; I see it in her face. Sir J. Well, Isabinda, can you refuse to bless a father whose only care is to make you happy. I Isa. Oh, sir! do with me what you please; am all obedience. Sir J. And wilt thou love him? Isa. I will endeavour it, sir. Enter Servant. [Exeunt. of you, one that will love you equal with his SCENE III.-The Street before SIR JEALOUS soul, and one that you will love, when once you know him. 1) Pat means, exactly. TRAFFICK'S House. Enter MARPlot. Mar. I have hunted all over the town for [Aside. Charles, but can't find him, and by Whisper's his voice; I shall be beaten again. Enter a Servant of SIR JEALOUS TRAFFICK'S Hark'e, sir, do you belong to this house? Mar. Isn't your name Richard? Mar. Oh, ay, Thomas-Well, there's a shilling for you. Serv. Thank you, sir. Mar. Why ay, but his name is neither Babinetto nor Meanwell. Sir J. What is his name then, sirrah? Ha! now I look at you again, I believe you are the rogue that threatened me with half a dozen myrmidons Mar. Me, sir! I never saw your face in all Thomas, my life before. Sir J. Speak, sir; who is it you look for? or, or Mar. Pray, Thomas, can you tell if there Mar. A terrible old dog! [Aside] Why, be a gentleman in it in a Spanish habit? sir, only an honest young fellow of my acSere. There's a Spanish gentleman within quaintance-I thought that here might be a that is just a-going to marry my young lady, sir. ball, and that he might have been here in a Mar. Are you sure he is a Spanish gentleman? masquerade.-'Tis Charles, sir Francis Gripe's Sero. I'm sure he speaks no English that I son,-because I knew he us'd to come hither hear of. sometimes. Mar. Then that can't be him I want, for 'tis Sir J. Did he so?-Not that I know of, I'm an English gentleman that I inquire after; he sure. Pray heaven that this be don Diegomay be dressed like a Spaniard, for aught IIf I should be trick'd now-Ha! my heart misknow. gives me plaguily-Within there! stop the Sero. Ha! who knows but this may be an marriage-Run, sirrah, call all my servants! impostor? I'll inform my master, for if he I'll be satisfied that this is signior Pedro's son should be impos'd upon, he'll beat us all round. ere he has my daughter. [Aside] Pray come in, sir, and see if this be the person you inquire for. Mar. Ay, I'll follow you-Now for it. [Exeunt. SCENE IV.-The Inside of the House. Enter MARPLOT and Servant. Serv. Sir, please to stay here; I'll send my master to you.. [Exit. Mar. So, this was a good contrivance. If this be Charles now, he will wonder how I found him out. Re-enter Servant and SIR JEALOUS TRAFFICK Sir J. What is your earnest business. blockhead! that you must speak with me before the ceremony's past? Ha! who's this? Sero. Why this gentleman, sir, wants another gentleman in a Spanish habit, he says. Sir J. In a Spanish habit! 'tis some friend of signior don Diego's, I warrant. Sir, your Sir J. I say, I suppose you would speak with signior Babinetto? Mar. Hey-day! what the devil does he say now? [Aside] Sir, I don't understand you. Sir J. Don't you understand Spanish, sir? Mar. Not I indeed, sir. Sir J. I thought you had known signior Babinetto. Mar. Not I, upon my word, sir. Sir J. What then, you'd speak with his friend, the English merchant, Mr. Meanwell? Mar. Neither, sir, not I; I don't mean any such thing. Sir J. Why, who are you then, sir? and what do you want? [In an angry Tone. Mar. Nay, nothing at all, not I, sir. - Pox on him! I wish I were out; he begins to exalt Mar. Ha! sir George! what have I done now Enter SIR GEORGE AIRY, with a drawn Sword, between the Scenes. Sir G. Ha! Marplot here-oh, the unlucky Mar. Upon my soul, sir George [Going up to Sir George Sir J. Nay then, I'm betray'd, ruin'd, undone.-Thieves, traitors, rogues! [Offers to go in] Stop the marriage, I say. - Sir G. I say go on, Mr. Tackum.-Nay, no entering here; I guard this passage, old gentleman: the act and deed were both your own, and I'll see 'em sign'd, or die for't. Enter Servant. Sir J. A pox on the act and deed! -Fall on, knock him down. Sir G. Ay, come on, scoundrels! I'll prick your jackets for you. you. Sir J. Zounds! sirrah, I'll be reveng'd on [Beats Marplot Sir G. Ay, there your vengeance is due. Ha, ha! Mar. Why, what do you beat me for? 1 han't married your daughter. Sir J. Rascals! why don't you knock him down? Sero. We are afraid of his sword, sir; il you'll take that from him, we'll knock him down presently. Enter CHARLES and ISABINDA. Charles. Rascals, retire; she's my wife touch her if you dare; I'll make dogs'-meal of you. Mar. Ay, I'll make dogs'-meat of you, rascals Sir J. Ah! downright English-Oh, ob oh, oh! Enter SIR FRANCIS GRIPE and MIRANDA. Mar. Now how the devil could she get those Sir F. Into the house of joy we enter with- writings, and I know nothing of it? out knocking—Ha! I think 'tis the house of Sir F. What, have you robb'd me too, mistress? 'Egad, I'll make you restore 'em sorrow, sir Jealous. Sir J. Oh, sir Francis, are you come? hussy, I will so. What! was this your contrivance, to abuse, Sir J. Take care I don't make you pay the trick, and chouse me out of ny child? arrears, sir. Tis well 'tis no worse, since 'tis Sir F. My contrivance! what do you mean? no better. Come, young man, seeing thou Sir J. No, you don't know your son there hast outwitted me, take her, and bless you both! in a Spanish habit? Charles. I hope, sir, you'll bestow your blessing too; 'tis all I ask. Mar. Do, Gardy, do. Sir F. Confound you all! Sir F. How! my son in a Spanish habit! Sirrah, you'll come to be hang'd. Get out of my sight, ye dog! get out of my sight. Sir J. Get out of your sight, sir! get out with your bags. Let's see what you'll give him now to maintain my daughter on. [Kneels. [Exit. Mar. Mercy upon us, how he looks!" Sir G. Ha, ha, ha! ne'er mind his curses, Charles; thou'lt thrive not one jot the worse Sir F. Give him! he shall never be the for 'em. Since this gentleman is reconcil'd better for a penny of mine-and you might we are all made happy. have look'd after your daughter better, sir Jealous. Trick'd, quotha! 'Egad, I think you design'd to trick me: but lookye, gentlemen, 1 believe I shall trick you both. This lady is my wife, do you see, and my estate shall descend only to her children. Sir G. I shall be extremely obliged to you, sir Francis. Sir F. Ha, ha, ha, ha! poor sir George! does not your hundred pounds stick in your stomach? ha, ha, ha! Sir G. No, faith, sir Francis, this lady has given me a cordial for that. [Takes her by the Hand. Sir F Hold, sir, you have nothing to say to this lady. Sir G. Nor you nothing to do with my wife, sir. Mir. Ay, really, guardian, 'tis even so. I hope you'll forgive my first offence. Sir F. What, have you chous'd me out of my consent and your writings then, mistress, ha? Mir. Out of nothing but my own, guardian, Sir J. Ha, ha, ha! 'tis some comfort at least to see you are over-reach'd as well as myself. Will you settle your estate upon your son now? Sir F. He shall starve first. Mir. That I have taken care to prevent. There, sir, are the writings of your uncle's estate, which have been your due these three years. [Gives Charles Papers. Charles. I shall study to deserve this favour.] Sir J. I always lov'd precaution, and took care to avoid dangers; but when a thing was past, I ever had philosophy to be easy. Charles. Which is the true sign of a great soul. I lov'd your daughter, and she 'me, and you shall have no reason to repent her choice. Isa. You will not blame me, sir, for loving my own country best. Mar. So here's every body happy, I find, but poor Pilgarlick. I wonder what satisfaction I shall have for being cuff'd, kick'd, and beaten in your service! Sir J. I have been a little too familiar with you as things are fallen out; but since there's no help for't, you must forgive me. Mar. 'Egad, I think so-but provided that you be not so familiar. for the future. Sir G. Thou hast been an unlucky rogue. Charles. That I'll vouch for, and freely forgive thee. Sir G. And I'll do you one piece of service more, Marplot; I'll take care that sir Francis makes you master of your estate. Mar. That will make me as happy as any of you. Sir J. Now let us in, and refresh ourselves with a cheerful glass, in which we'll bury all animosities; and By my example let all parents move, COLLEY CIBBER. On CIBBER was born on the 6th of November, O, S. 1671. His father, Cajus Gabriel Cibber, was a native of Holein, and came into England, to follow his profession of a statuary, some time before the restoration of King Charles II. His mother was the daughter of William Colley, Esq, of Glaiston in Rutlandshire. In 1682 he was sent to the freeKhool of Grantham in Lincolnshire, where he stayed till he got through it, from the lowest form to the uppermost; and sach learning as that school could give him is, as he himself acknowledges, the most he could pretend to. leaving the school, our author came to Nottingham, and found his father in arms there among the forces which the Earl of Devonshire had raised to aid the Prince of Orange, afterwards King William III, who had landed in the west. The old man, considering this a very proper season for a young fellow to distinguish himself in, entreated the Earl of Devonshire to accept of his son in his room, which his Lordship not only consented to, but even promised, that, when airs were setled, he would further provide for him. During his period of attendance on this nobleman, however, a Frequent application to the amusements of the theatre awakened in him his passion for the stage, which he seemed now determined on pursuing as his summum bonum, and, in spite of father, mother, or friends, to fix on as his ne plus ultra. From 1689 to 1711 we find him working through the difficulties of a poor salary at the theatre and the supporting by the help of his pen a numerous family of children. In 1711 he became united, as joint-patentee with Collier, Wilks, and Dogget, in the management of Drury Lane theatre; and afterwards in a like partnership with Booth, Wilks, and Sir Richard Steele. During this latter period, which did not entirely end till 1751, the English stage was perhaps in the most flourishing state it ever enjoyed, After a number of years, passed in the utmost ease, gaiety, and good-humour, The departed this life, at Islington, on the 12th of December 1757; his man-servant (whom he had talked to by his bed |