ÆäÀÌÁö À̹ÌÁö
PDF
ePub

Enter FRANKLY.

Frank. It is impossible I should be deceived. My eyes, and the quick pulses at my heart, assure me it is she. Ha! 'tis she, by Heaven! and the door left open too—A fair invitation, by all the rules of love. [Exit.

SCENE III.-Changes to an apartment in MR STRICTLAND'S house.

Enter CLARINDA, FRANKLY following her. Frank. I hope, madam, you will excuse the boldness of this intrusion, since it is owing to your own behaviour that I am forced to it.

Cla. To my behaviour, sir!

Frank. You cannot but remember me at Bath, madam, where I so lately had the favour of your hand

Cla. I do remember, sir; but I little expected any wrong interpretation of my behaviour from one who had so much the appearance of a gentleman.

Frank. What I saw of your behaviour was so just, it would admit of no misrepresentation. I only feared, whatever reason you had to conceal your name from me at Bath, you might have the same to do it now; and though my happiness was so nearly concerned, I rather chose to venture thus abruptly after you, than be impertinently inquisitive.

Cla. Sir, there seems to be so much civility in your rudeness, that I can easily forgive it ;though I don't see how your happiness is at all concerned.

Frank. No, madam! I believe you are the only lady, who could, with the qualifications you are mistress of, be sensible of the power they give you over the happiness of our sex.

Cla. How vain should we women be, if you gentlemen were but wise! If you did not all of you say the same things to every woman, we should certainly be foolish enough to believe some of you were in earnest.

[ocr errors]

Frank. There is nothing, madam, which could take off from the gaiety with which your presence inspires every heart, but the fear of losing you. How can I be otherwise than as I am, when I know not but you may leave London as abruptly as you did Bath?

Enter LUCETTA.

Luc. Madam, the tea is ready, and my mistress waits for you.

Cla. Very well, I come- -[Exit LUCETTA.] You see, sir, I am called away: but I hope you will excuse it, when I leave you with an assurance, that the business, which brings me to town, will keep me here some time.

Frank. How generous it is in you thus to ease the heart, that knew not how to ask for such a favour!-I fear to offend-But this house, I suppose, is yours?

Cla. You will hear of me, if not find me here. Frank. I then take my leave. [Exit FRANK. Cla. I'm undone !He has me!

Enter MRS STRICTLAND.

Mrs Strict. Well; how do you find yourself? Cla. I do find-that, if he goes on as he has begun, I shall certainly have him without giving him the least uneasiness.

Mrs Strict. A very terrible prospect, indeed! Cla. But I must tease him a little- Where is Jacintha? how will she laugh at me, if I become a pupil of hers, and learn to give ease! No; positively I shall never do it.

Mrs Strict. Poor Jacintha has met with what I feared from Mr Strictland's temper; an utter denial. I know not why, but he really grows more and more ill-natured.

Cla. Well; now do I heartily wish my affairs were in his power a little, that I might have a few difficulties to surmount: I love difficulties; and yet, I don't know-it is as well as it is. Mrs Strict. Ha, ha, ha! Come, the tea waits. [Exeunt.

Enter MR STRICTLAND. Strict. These doings in my house distract me.

Frank. Could you have the least sense of what I feel whilst I am speaking, you would know me to be in earnest, and what I say to be the dictates of a heart that admires you; may II met a fine gentleman: when I inquired who not say that

Cla. Sir, this is carrying the

Frank. When I danced with you at Bath, I was charmed with your whole behaviour, and felt the same tender admiration! but my hope of seeing you afterwards, kept in my passion till a more proper time should offer. You cannot, therefore, blaine me now, if, after having lost you once, I do not suffer an inexcusable modesty to prevent my making use of this second opportunity.

Cía. This behaviour, sir, is so different from the gaiety of your conversation then, that I am at a loss how to answer you.

VOL. IL

he was, why, he came to Clarinda. I shall not be easy till she is decamped. My wife had the character of a virtuous woman-and they have not been long acquainted: but then they were by themselves at Bath-That hurts- -that hurts-they must be watched, they must; I know them, I know all their wiles, and the best of them are but hypocrites-la!-[LUCETTA passes over the stage.] Suppose I bribe the maid: she is of their council, the manager of their secrets it shall be so; money will do it, and I shall know all that passes. Lucetta!

Luc. Sir.
Strict. Lucetta!

4 S

Re-enter LUCETTA. Luc. Sir! If he should suspect, and search me now, I'm undone.

[Aside. Strict. She is a sly girl, and may be serviceable. [Aside.] Lucetta, you are a good girl, and have an honest face. I like it. It looks as if it carried no deceit in it-Yet, if she should be false, she can do me most harm. [Aside. Luc. Pray, sir, speak out. Strict. [Aside.] No; she is a woman, and it is the highest imprudence to trust her.

Luc. I am not able to understand you. Strict. I am glad of it. I would not have you understand me.

Luc. Then, what did you call me for?-If he should be in love with my face, it would be rare sport. [Aside. Strict. Tester, ay, Tester is the proper person. [Aside.] Lucetta, tell Tester I want him. Luc. Yes, sir. Mighty odd, this! It gives me time, however, to send Buckle with this letter to his master. [Aside. Exit. Strict. Could I but be once well satisfied that my wife had really finished me, I believe I should be as quiet as if I were sure to the contrary: but, whilst I am in doubt, I am miserable.

[blocks in formation]
[blocks in formation]

[Aside.

Strict. So; we cannot be too private. Come hither, hussy; nearer yet.

Luc. Lord, sir! You are not going to be rude? I vow I will call out.

Strict. Hold your tongue-Does the baggage laugh at me? She does; she mocks me, and will reveal it to my wife; and her insolence upon it will be more insupportable to me than cuckoldom itself. [Aside.] I have not leisure now, Lucetta-Some other time--Hush! Did not the bell ring? Yes, yes; my wife wants you. Go, go, go to her. [Pushes her out.] There is no hell on earth like being a slave to suspicion. [Exit.

SCENE IV.--The Piazza, Covent-Garden.

Enter BELLAMY and JACK MEGGOT. Bel. Nay, nay, I would not put your family into any confusion.

J. Meg. None in life, my dear, I assure you. I will go and order every thing this instant for her reception.

Bel. You are too obliging, sir; but you need not be in this hurry, for I am in no certainty when I shall trouble you; I only know, that my Jacintha has taken such a resolution.

J. Meg. Therefore, we should be prepared; for, when once a lady has such a resolution in her head, she is upon the rack till she executes it. 'Foregad, Mr Bellamy, this must be a girl of fire.

Enter FRANKLY.

Frank. Buxom and lively as the bounding doe!-Fair as painting can express, or youthful poets fancy, when they love! Tol, de rol, lol!

[Singing and dancing. Bel. Who is this you talk thus rapturously of? Frank. Who should it be, but--I shall know her name to-morrow. [Sings and dances. J. Meg. What is the matter, ho? Is the man mad?

Frank. Even so, gentlemen; as mad as love and joy can make me.

Bel. But inform us whence this joy proceeds. Frank. Joy! joy! my lads! She's found! my Perdita! my charmer!

J. Meg. Egad! her charms have bewitched the man, I think!---But who is she?

Bel. Come, come, tell us, who is this won

[blocks in formation]

J. Meg. I'll be as secret as a debauched prude

Frank. Whose sanctity every one suspects. Jack, Jack, 'tis not in thy nature; keeping a secret is worse to thee than keeping thy accounts. But to leave fooling, listen to me both, that I may whisper it into your ears, that echo may not catch the sinking sound—I cannot tell who she is, faith-Tol de rol, lol—

J. Meg. Mad! mad! very mad!

Frank. All I know of her is, that she is a charming woman, and has given me liberty to visit her again-Bellamy, 'tis she, the lovely she!

Bel. So I did suppose.

Enter RANGER.

Ran. Why-Hey!-is there never a wench to be got for love or money?

Bel. Pshaw! Ranger here?

Ran. Yes, Ranger is here, and perhaps does not come so impertinently as you may imagine. Faith! I think I have the knack of finding out secrets. Nay, never look so queer-Here is a letter, Mr Bellamy, that seems to promise you better diversion than your hugging one another. Bel. What do you mean?

Ran. Do you deal much in these paper-to

[Aside.kens?

[To FRANK. J. Meg. Poor Charles! for Heaven's sake, Mr Bellamy, persuade him to go to his chamber, whilst I prepare every thing for you at home. Adieu. [Aside to BEL.] B'ye Charles; ha, ha, ha! [Erit.

Frank. Oh, love! thou art a gift worthy of a god, indeed! dear Bellamy, nothing could add to my pleasure, but to see my friend as deep in love as I am.

Bel. I shew my heart is capable of love, by the friendship it bears to you.

Bel. Oh, the dear kind creature! it is from herself. [To FRANK. Ran. What, is it a pair of laced shoes she wants? or have the boys broke her windows? Bel. Hold your profane tongue!

Frank. Nay, prithee, Bellamy, don't keep it to yourself, as if her whole affections were contained in those few lines.

Ran. Prithee, let him alone to his silent raptures. But it is as I always said-your grave men ever are the greatest whoremasters.

Bel. I cannot be disobliged now, say what you will. But how came this into your hands?

Ran. Your servant Buckle and I changed commissions; he went on my errand, and I came on his.

Frank. The light of friendship looks but dim before the brighter flame of love: love is the spring of cheerfulness and joy. Why, how dull and phlegmatic do you shew to me now! whilst I am all life; light as feathered Mercury-You, dull and cold as earth and water; I, light and warm as air and fire. These are the only ele-to ments in love's world! Why, Bellamy, for shame! get thee a mistress, and be sociable.

Bel. Frankly, I am now going to

Frank. Why that face now? Your humble servant, sir. My flood of joy shall not be stopped by your melancholy fits, I assure you. [Going. Bel. Stay, Frankly; I beg you stay. What would you say now, if I really were in love?

Frank. Why, faith, thou hast such romantic notions of sense and honour, that I know not what to say.

Bel. To confess the truth, then, I am in love. Frank. And do you confess it as if it were a sin? Proclaim it aloud; glory in it; boast of it as your greatest virtue; swear it with a lover's oath, and I will believe you.

Bel. Why, then, by the bright eyes of her I love

[blocks in formation]

Bel. 'Sdeath! I want him this very instant. Ran. He will be here presently; but I demand know what I have brought you? Frank. Ay, ay! out with it! you know we never blab, and may be of service.

Bel. Twelve o'clock! oh, the dear hour! Ran. Why, it is a pretty convenient time, indeed.

Bel. By all that's happy, she promises in this letter here to leave her guardian this very night and run away with me.

[ocr errors]

Ran. How is this?

Bel. Nay, I know not how myself-she says at the bottom-Your servant has full instructions from Lucetta how to equip me for my expedition. I will not trust myself home with you to-night, because I know it is inconvenient; therefore, I beg you would procure me a lodging; it is no matter how far off my guardian's. Yours, JACINTHA.' Ran. Carry her to a bagnio, and there you may lodge with her.

[ocr errors]

Frank. Why, this must be a girl of spirit, faith

Bel. And beauty equal to her sprightliness. I love her, and she loves me. She has thirty thousand pounds to her fortune.

Ran. The devil she has!
Bel. And never play at cards.

Ran. Nor does ar jone thing like any other woman, I suppose?

Frank. Not so, I hope, neither. Bel. Oh, Frankly, Ranger, I never felt such ease before! the secret's out, and you don't laugh

at me.

Frank. Laugh at thee, for loving a woman with thirty thousand pounds? thou art a most unaccountable fellow!

Ran. How the devil could he work her up to this! I never could have had the face to have done it. But-I don't know how-there is a degree of assurance in you modest gentlemen, which we impudent fellows never can come up to.

Bel. Oh! your servant, good sir. You should not abuse me now, Ranger, but do all you can to assist me.

Ran. Why, look ye, Bellamy, I am a damnable unlucky fellow, and so will have nothing to do in this affair: I'll take care to be out of the way, so as to do you no harm; that's all I can answer for; and so-success attend you. [Going.] I can not leave you quite to yourself neither; for if this should prove a round-house affair, as I make no doubt it will, I believe I may have more interest there than you; and so, sir, you may hear of me at[Whispers. Bel. For shame, Ranger! the most noted gaming-house in town,

Ran. Forgive me this once, my boy. I must go, faith, to pay a debt of honour to some of the greatest rascals in town. [Exit RAN. Frank. But where do you design to lodge her? Bel. At Mr Meggot's-He is already gone to prepare for her reception.

Frank. The properest place in the world: his aunts will entertain her with honour.

Bel. And the newness of her acquaintance will prevent its being suspected. Frankly, give me your hand: this is a very critical time.

Frank. Pho! none of your musty reflections now! When a man is in love, to the very brink of matrimony, what the devil has he to do with Plutarch and Seneca? Here is your servant, with a face full of business-I'll leave you togetherI shall be at the King's Arms, where, if you want my assistance, you may find me. [Erit FRANK.

Enter BUCKLE.

Bel. So, Buckle, you seem to have your hands full.

Buckle. Not fuller than my head, sir, I pro mise you. You have had your letter, I hope? Bel. Yes, and in it she refers me to you for my instructions.

Buckle. Why, the affair stands thus. As Mr Strictland sees the door locked and barred every night himself, and takes the key up with him, it is impossible for us to escape any way but through the window; for which purpose, I have a ladder of ropes.

Bel. Good.

Buckle. And because a hoop, as the ladies wear them now, is not the most decent dress to come down a ladder in, I have, in this other bundle, a suit of boy's clothes, which, I believe, will fit her; at least, it will serve the time she wants it. You will soon be for pulling it off, I Suppose.

Bel. Why, you are in spirits, you rogue. Buckle. These I am now to convey to Lucetta-Have you any thing to say, sir?

Bel. Nothing, but that I will not fail at the hour appointed. Bring me word to Mr Meggot's how you go on. Succeed in this, and it shall make your fortune.

[Exeunt.

ACT III.

SCENE I.—The street before Mr STRICTLAND's palace by moonlight-Ay, here stands the temple where my goddess is adored-the doors open!

house.

Enter BELLAMY in a chairman's coat.

Bel. How tediously have these minutes passed these last few hours! and the envious rogues will fly, no lightning quicker, when we would have them stay. Hold, let me not mistakethis is the house. [Pulls out his watch.] By Heaven, it is not yet the hour! I hear somebody coming. The moon's so bright-I had better not be here till the happy instant comes.

Enter FRANKLY.

[Exit BEL.

Frank. Wine is no antidote to love, but rather feeds the flame: Now am I such an amorous puppy, that I cannot walk straight home, but must come out of my way to take a view of my queen's

Enter LUCETTA.

[Retires.

[blocks in formation]

I must see more of this before I give further | home at this instant: I shall spoil his sport I beway to love. lieve. Do you know me, sir?

Luc. One minute he is in the street; the next he is in the kitchen: now he will lock her out, and then he'll wait himself, and see what figure she makes when she vouchsafes to venture home. Jac. I long to have it over. Get me but once out of his house. Frank. [Aside.] Cowardly were in his place!

rascal! would I

Luc. If I can but fix him any where, I can let you out myself- -You have the ladder

ready in case of necessity? Jac. Yes, yes. [Exit Luc. Frank. [Aside.] The ladder! This must lead to some discovery; I shall watch you, my young gentleman, I shall.

Enter CLARINDA and Servant.

Cla. This whist is a most enticing devil. I am afraid I'm too late for Mr Strictland's sober hours.

Jac. Ha! I hear a noise!

Cla. No; I see a light in Jacintha's window. You may go home. [Giving the servant money.] I am safe.

Jac. Sure it must be he! Mr Bellamy-sir. Frank. [Aside.] Does he not call me? Cla. [Aside.] Ha! Who's that? I am frightened out of my wits- -A man!

Jac. Is it you?

Frank. Yes, yes; 'tis I, 'tis I.

Jac. Listen at the door.

[blocks in formation]

Frank. I am amazed! You here! This was unexpected, indeed!

Cla. Why, I believe, I do come a little unexpectedly, but I shall amaze you more. I know the whole course of your amour: all the process of your mighty passion, from its first rise

Frank. What is all this!

Cla. To the very conclusion, which you vainly hope to effect this night.

Frank. By Heaven, madam, I know not what you mean! I came hither purely to contemplate on your beauties.

Čla. Any beauties, sir, I find, will serve your turn. Did I not hear you talk to her at the win

dow?

Frank. Her!

Cla. Blush, blush, for shame! but be assured you have seen the last both of Jacintha and me. [Erit.

Frank. Jacintha, hear me, madam-She is gone. This must certainly be Bellamy's mistress, and I have fairly ruined all the scheme.— This it is to be in luck.

Enter BELLAMY, behind.

Bel. Ha! a man under the window! Frank. No, here she comes, and I may convey her to him.

Enter JACINTHA, and runs to FRANKLY. Jac. I have at last got to you. Let us haste away-Oh!

Frank. Be not frightened, lady.
Jac. Oh! I am abused! betrayed!
Bel. Betrayed!Frankly!
Frank. Bellamy!

Bel. I can scarce believe it though I see it.

Frank. I have it. Now I shall see what sort | Draw-
of mettle my young spark is made of. [4side.
Cla With a ladder, too! I'll assure you.-
But I must see the end of it.

[Aside.

Jac. Hark! Did not somebody speak? Frank. No, no; be not fearful-'Sdeath! we are discovered.

[FRANKLY and CLARINDA retire.
Enter LUCETTA.

Luc. Hist! hist! are you ready?
Jac. Yes, may I venture?

Luc. Now is your time. He is in high conference with his privy counsellor, Mr Tester.You may come down the back stairs, and I'll let you out. [Exit LUCETTA. Jac. I will, I will; and am heartily glad of it. [Exit Jac. Frank. [Advancing.] May be so: but you and I shall have a few words before you get off so cleanly.

Cla. [Advancing.] How lucky it was I came

Frank. Hear me, Bellamy-lady—————————
Jac. Stay-do not fight!

Frank. I am innocent; it is all a mistake! Jac. For my sake, be quiet! We shall be discovered! the family is alarmed!

Bel. You are obeyed. Mr Frankly, there is but one way

Frank. I understand you. Any time but now. You will certainly be discovered! To-morrow at your chambers.

Bel. Till then, farewell.

[Exeunt BEL. and JAC. Frank. Then, when he is cool, I may be heard; and the real, though suspicious, account of this matter may be believed. Yet, amidst all this perplexity, it pleases me to find my fair incognita is jealous of my love.

Strict. [Within.] Where's Lucetta? Search every place.

Frank. Hark! the cry is up! I must be gone. [Exit FRANK,

« ÀÌÀü°è¼Ó »