Countess. Heaven be with you. Mrs. H. And my prayers. [Exit Bar. S. Countess. Come, my friend, come into the a ir, till he returns with hope and consolation.

Mrs. H. Oh! my heart, how art thou afflicted! My husband! My little ones! Past joys and future fears. Oh dearest madam, there are moments in which we live years! moments which steal the roses from the cheeks of health, and plough deep furrows in the brow of youth.

Countess. Banish these sad reflections. Come, let us walk. The sun will set soon; let nature's beauties dissipate anxiety.

Mrs. H. Alas!-Yes, the setting sun is a proper scene for me.

Countess. Never forget, a morning will succeed.
[Exeunt.

Baron S. You have found her again.

Stra. Shew a bankrupt the treasure which he once possessed, and then congratulate him on the amount! Baron S. Why not, if it be in your power to retrieve the whole?

Stra. I understand you: you are a negociator from my wife. It won't avail.

Barn S. Learn to know your wife better. Yes, I am a messenger from her; but without power to treat She, who loves you unutterably, who without you can never be happy, renounces your forgiveness; because, as she thinks, your honour is

SCENE IL-The Skirts of a park, lodge, &c., as incompatible with such a weakness.

before.

Enter BARON STEINFORT.

Baron S. On earth there is but one such pair;
they shall not be parted. Yet what I have under-
taken is not so easy as I at first hoped. What can
I answer when he asks me, whether I would per-
suade him to renounce his character, and become
the derision of society? For he is right: a faithless
wife is a dishonour; and to forgive her, is to share
her shame. What, though Adelaide may be an
exception; a young deluded girl, who has so long
and so sincerely repented, yet what cares an un-
feeling world for this? The world! he has quitted
it. 'Tis evident he loves her still; and, upon this
assurance, builds my sanguine heart the hope of a
happy termination to an honest enterprize.
Enter FRANCIS, with two children, WILLIAM and
AMELIA.

Fra. Come along, my pretty ones-come.
Will. Is it far to home?

Fra. No, we shall be there directly now.
Baron S. Hold! Whose children are these?
Fra. My master's.

Will. Is that my father?

Baron S. It darts like lightning through my brain.
A word with you. I know you love your master.
Strange things have happened here: your master
has found his wife again.

Fra. Indeed! Glad to hear it.
Baron S. Mrs. Haller-

Fra. Is she his wife?

Still more glad to hear it.

Baron S. But he is determined to go from her.

Fra. Oh!

Baron S. We must try to prevent it

Fra. Surely.

Stra. Psha! I am not to be caught.
Baron S. Charles, consider well-

Stra. Steinfort, let me explain all this. I have
lived here four months: Adelaide knew it.
Baron S. Knew it! She never saw you till to-
day.

Stra. That you may make fools believe. Hear further: she knows, too, that I am not a common sort of man; that my heart is not to be attacked in the usual way; she, therefore, framed a deepconcerted plan. She played a charitable part; but in such a way, that it always reached my ears; she played a pious, modest, reserved part, in order to excite my curiosity; and, at last, to-day, she plays the prude: she refuses my forgiveness, in hopes, by this generous device, to extort it from my compassion.

Baron. S. Charles, I have listened to you with astonishment! This is a weakness only to be pardoned in a man who has so often been deceived by the world. Your wife has expressly and steadfastly declared, that she will not accept your forgiveness, even if you yourself were weak enough to offer it.

Stra. What, then, has brought you hither?

Baron S. More than one reason. First, I am come in my own name, as your friend and comrade, to conjure you solemnly not to spurn this creature from you; for, by my soul, you will not find her equal.

Stra. Give yourself no further trouble.

Baron S. Be candid, Charles: you love her still.

Stra. Alas! yes.

Baron S. Her sincere repentance has long since obliterated her crime.

Stra. Sir, a wife once induced to forfeit her hon

Baron S. The unexpected appearance of the chil- our, must be capable of a second crime. dren may perhaps assist us.

Fra. How so?

Baron S. Hide yourself with them in that hut; before a quarter of an hour is passed, you shall know more.

Fra. But

Baron S. No more questions, I entreat you. Time is precious.

Fra. Well, well! questions are not much in my way. Come, children.

Will. Why, I thought you told me I should see my father?

Fra. So you shall, my dear. Come, moppets.

[Goes into the hut with the children.

Baron S. Excellent! I promise myself much from this little artifice. If the mild lock of the mother

Baron S. Not so, Charles. Ask your heart what portion of the blame may be your own. Stra. Mine!

Baron S. Yours. Who told you to marry a thoughtless, inexperienced girl? One scarce expects established principles at five-and-twenty in a man, yet you require them in a girl at sixteen! But of this no more. She has erred; she has repented; and, during three years, her conduct has been so far above reproach, that even the piercing eye of calumny has not discovered a speck upon this radiant orb.

Sira. Now, were I to believe all this, (and I confess that I would willingly believe it,) yet can she never again be mine. Oh! what a feast would it be for the painted dolls and vermin of the world, when I appeared among them with my runaway

wife upon my arm! what mocking, whispering, | heaven protect your hours in bliss. pointing! Never, never, never!

Baron S. Enough! As a friend I have done my duty: I now appear as Adelaide's ambassador. She requests one moment's conversation: she wishes once again to see you, and never more! You cannot deny her this only, this last request. Stra. Oh! I understand this too: she thinks my firmness will be melted by her tears: she is mistaken. She may come.

Baron S. She will come, to make you feel how much you mistake her. I go for her.

Stra. Another word.

Baron S. Another word!

Stra. Give her this paper and these jewels; they belong to her. (Presenting them.)

Baron S. That you may do yourself. [Exit. Stra. The last anxious moment of my life draws near. I shall see her once again; I shall see her on whom my soul dotes. Is this the language of an injured husband? What is this principle which we call honour? Is it a feeling of the heart, or a quibble in the brain? I must be ressolute: it cannot now be otherwise. Let me speak solemnly, yet mild: and beware that nothing of reproach escape my lips. Yes, her penitence is real. She shall not be obliged to live in mean dependence: she shall be mistress of herself, she shall (Looks round, and shudders.) Ha! they come. Awake, insulted pride! protect me, injured honour!

This paper

will be necessary for the purpose; it contains a written acknowledgement of my guilt. (Offers it trembling.)

Stra. Tearing it.) Perish the record for ever! No, Adeleide; you only have possessed my heart; and, I am not ashamed to own it, you alone will reign there for ever. Your own sensations of virtue, your resolute honour, forbid you to profit by my weakness; and even if-Now, by heaven this is beneath a man!-But never, never will another fill Adelaide's place here.

Mrs. H. Then nothing now remains but that one sad, hard, just word - farewell!

Stra. Stay a moment. For some months we have, without knowing it, lived near each other. I have learnt much good of you: you have a heart open to the wants of your fellow-creatures. I am happy that it is so: you shall not be without the power of gratifying your benevolence. I know you have a spirit that must shrink from a state of obligation. This paper, to which the whole remnant of my fortune is pledged, secures your independence, Adelaide; and let the only recommendation of the gift be, that it will administer to you the means of indulging in charity, the divine propensity of your

nature.

Mrs. H. Never! To the labour of my hands alone will I owe my sustenance. A morsel of bread, moistened with the tear of penitence, will suffice my wishes, and exceed my merits. It Enter MRS. HALLER, COUNTESS WINTERSEN, served myself, or even others from the bounty of would be an additional reproach to think that I

and BARON STEINFORT.

Mrs. H. (Advances slowly, and in a tremor: the Countess attempts to support her.) Leave me now, I beseech you. (Approaches the Stranger, who, with averted countenance, and in extreme agitation, awaits her address.) My lord!

Stra. (With gentle tremulous utterance, and face still turned away.) What would you with me,

Adelaide?

Mrs. H. (Much agitated.) No-for heaven's sake! I was not prepared for this. Adelaide!-No, no. For heaven's sake!-Harsh tones alone are suited to a culprit's ear.

Stra. (Endeavouring to gwe his voice firmness.) Well, madam!

Mrs. H. Oh! if you will ease my heart, if you will spare and pity me, use reproaches.

Stra. Reproaches!-Here they are; here on my sallow cheek, here on my hollow eye, here in my faded form; these reproaches I could not spare

you.

Mrs. H. Were I a hardened sinner, this forbearance would be charity; but I am a suffering penitent, and it overpowers me. Alas! then I must be the herald of my own shame; for where shall I find peace, till I have eased my soul by my confession?

Stra. No confession, madam: I release you from every humiliation. I perceive you feel that we must part for ever.

Mrs. H. I know it; nor come I here to supplicate your pardon; nor has my heart contained a ray of hope that you would grant it. All I dare ask is, that you will not curse my memory.

Stra. No; I do not curse you: I shall never curse you.

Mrs. H. From the conviction that I am unworthy of your name, I have, during three years abandoned it. But this is not enough: you must have that redress which will enable you to choose another-another wife; in whose chaste arms may

a man whom I had so deeply injured.
Stra. Take it, madam; take it.

Mrs. H. I have deserved this. But I throw myself upon your generosity: have compassion on me!

Stra. (Aside.) Villain! of what a woman hast thou robbed me! (Puts up the paper.) Well, madam, I respect your sentiments, and withdraw my request; but on condition, that if ever you shall be in want of anything, I may be the first and only person in the world to whom you will make application.

Mrs. H. I promise it, my lord.

Stra. And now I may, at least, desire you to take back what is your own-your jewels. (Gives her the casket.)

Mrs. H. (Opens it in violent agitation, and her tears burst upon it.) How well do I recollect the sweet evening when you gave me these! That evening my father joined our hands, and joyfully 1 pronounced the oath of eternal fidelity: it is broken This locket you gave me on my birthday: that was a happy day. We had a country feast: how cheerful we all were! This bracelet I received after my William was born!-No! take them, take them! I cannot keep these, unless you wish that the sight of them should be an incessant reproach to my almost broken heart. (Gives them back.)

Stra. (Aside.) I must go: my soul and pride will hold no longer. (Turning towards her.) Farewell! Mrs. H. Oh! but one minute more! an answer to but one more question. Feel for a mother's heart! Are my children still alive? Stra. Yes, they are alive. Mrs. H. And well?

A TRAGEDY, IN FIVE ACTS.-BY THOMAS OTWAY.

Bel. "I'M SACRIFICED! I'M SOLD! BETRAY'D TO SHAME!"-Actii, scene 1.

In right, though proud oppression will not hear me? When, in requital of my best endeavours,

You may remember, scarce five years are past,
Since in your brigantine you sail'd to see
The Adriatic wedded by our duke;
And I was with you: your unskilful pilot
Dash'd us upon a rock; when to your boat
You made for safety: enter'd first yourself,
Th' affrighted Belvidera following next,
As she stood trembling on the vessel's side,
Was, by a wave, wash'd off into the deep;
When instantly I plung'd into the sea,
And buffeting the billows to her rescue,
Redeem'd her life to half the loss of mine.
Like a rich conquest, in one hand I bore her,
And with the other dashed the saucy waves,
That throng'd and press'd to rob me of my prize.
I brought her, gave her to your despairing arms:
Indeed you thank'd me; but a nobler gratitude
Rose in her soul: for from that hour she loved me,
Till for her life she paid me with herself.

Pri. You stole her from me; like a thief you stole
her,

At dead of night! that cursed hour you chose
To rifle me of all my heart held dear.

May all your joys in her prove false, like mine:
A sterile fortune, and a barren bed,
Attend you both; continual discord make

Your days and nights bitter and grievous; stiil
May the hard hand of a vexatious need
Oppress and grind you; till at last, you find
The curse of disobedience all your portion.

But's happier than me: for I have known
The luscious sweets of plenty; every night
Have slept with soft content about my head,
And never walk'd but to a joyful morning;
Yet now must fall, like a full ear of corn,
Whose Blossom 'scap'd, yet's wither'd in the
ripening.

Pri. Home, and be humble; study to retrench;
Discharge the lazy vermin of thy hall,
Those pageants of thy folly:

Reduce the glitt'ring trappings of thy wife
To humble weeds, fit for thy little state:
Then, to some suburb cottage both retire;
Drudge to feed loathsome life; get brats and

starve

Home, home, I say.

[Exit.

Jaf. Yes, if my heart would let me-
This proud, this swelling heart: home I would go,
But that my doors are hateful to my eyes,
Fill'd and damm'd up with gaping creditors,
Watchful as fowlers when their game will spring.
I've now not fifty ducats in the world,
Yet still I am in love and pleas'd with ruin.
Oh, Belvidera! Oh! she is my wife;
And we will bear our wayward fate together,
But ne'er know comfort more.

Enter PIERRE.

Pier. My friend, good morrow;

Jaf. Half of your curse you have bestow'd in How fares the honest partner of my heart?

vain:

Heav'n has already crown'd our faithful loves
With a young boy, sweet as his mother's beauty;
May he live to prove more gentle than his grand-
sire,

And happier than his father.

Pri. Rather live,

To bait thee for his bread, and din your ears
With hungry cries; whilst his unhappy mother
Sits down and weeps in bitterness of want.
Jaf. You talk as if 'twould please you.

Pri. Twould, by heav'n!

Jaf. Would I were in my grave!

Pri. And she, too, with thee:

What, melancholy? not a word to spare me?
Jaf. I'm thinking Pierre, how that damn'd
starving quality,

Call'd honesty, good footing in the world.
Pier. Why, powerful villany, first set it up,
For its own ease and safety. Honest men
Are the soft easy cushions on which knaves
Repose and fatten. Were all mankind villains,
They'd starve each ether; lawyers would want
practice,

Cut-throats reward; each man would kill his
brother

Himself; none would be paid or hang'd for murder.

For, living here, you're but my curst remembran- Honesty! 'twas a cheat invented first cers,

I once was happy.

Jaf. You use me thus, because you know my soul
Is fond of Belvidera. You perceive

My life feeds on her, therefore thus you treat me.
Oh! could my soul ever have known satiety;
Were I that thief, the doer of such wrongs,
As you upbraid me with, what hinders me

But I might send her back to you with contumely,
And court my fortune where she would be kinder?
Pri. You dare not do't.

Jaf Indeed, my lord I dare not.

My heart that awes me, is too much my master: Three years are past, since first our vows were plighted,

During which time, the world must bear me
witness,

I've treated Belvidera like your daughter,
The daughter of a senator of Venice:
Distinction, place, attendance, and observance,
Due to her birth, she always has commanded.
Out of my little fortune I've done this;

Because (though hopeless e'er to win your nature)
The world might see I loved her for herself:
Not as the heiress of the great Priuli.

Pri. No more.

Jaf. Yes, all: and then adieu for ever.

To bind the hands of bold, deserving rogues,
That fools and cowards might sit safe in power,
And lord it uncontroll'd above their betters.
Jaf. Then honesty is but a notion?
Pier. Nothing else;

Like wit, much talk'd of, not to be defin'd:

He that pretends to most, too, has least share in't,
Tis a ragged virtue. Honesty! no more on't.
Jaf. Sure, thou art honest!

Pier. So, indeed, men think me;
But they're mistaken, Jaffier: I'm a rogue
As well as they;

A fine, gay, bold-fac'd villain, as thou seest me.
'Tis true, I pay my debts, when they're contracted;
I steal from no man; would not cut a throat,
To gain admission to a great man's purse,
Or a whore's bed! I'd not betray my friend,
To get his place or fortune; I scorn to flatter
A blown-up fool above me, or crush the wretch
beneath me;

Yet, Jaffier, for all this, I'm a villain,

Jaf. A villain!

Pier. Yes, a most notorious villain;
To see the sufferings of my fellow creatures,
And own myself a man: to see our senators
Cheat the deluded poople with a shew
Of liberty, which yet they ne'er must taste of.

There's not a wretch that lives on common charity, They say, by them our hands are free from fetters;