Obrázky stránek
PDF
ePub

nor low: where can she be, think you?| Lady T. Where she's serving you as all your sex ought to be served, making you a beast. Don't you know that you're a fool, brother?

Mel. O, I conceive you: you'll tell him so. Mask. Tell him so! ay; why you don't think I mean to do so?

Mel. No, no; ha, ha! I dare swear thou wilt not.

Sir P. A fool! he, he, he! you're merry- Mask. Therefore, for our further security, No, no, not I; I know no such matter. I would have you disguised like a parson, Lady T. Why then you don't know half that, if my lord should have curiosity to peep, your happiness. he may not discover you in the coach, but Sir P. That's a jest, with all my heart, faith think the cheat is carried on as he would and troth. But harkye, my lord told me have it.

something of a revolution of things; I don't Mel. Excellent Maskwell!

know what to make on't: 'gadsbud, I must Mask. Well, get yourselves ready, and consult my wife. He talks of disinheriting his meet me in half an hour, yonder in my lady's nephew, and I don't know what. Look you, dressing-room: I'll send the chaplain to you sister, I must know what my girl has to trust with his robes: I have made him my own, to, or not a syllable of a wedding, 'gadsbud, and ordered him to meet us to-morrow mornto show you that I am not a fool. ing at St. Alban's; there we will sum up this account to all our satisfaction.

Lady T. Hear me:-consent to the breaking off this marriage, and the promoting any other, without consulting me, and I'll renounce all blood, all relation, and concern with you for ever: nay, I'll be your enemy, and pursue you to destruction; I'll tear your eyes out, and tread you under my feet.

Lady T. With Careless, fool! most likely. Sir P. O, if she be with Mr. Careless 'tis well enough.

I

Mel. Should I begin to thank or praise thee, should waste the little time we have. [Exit. Musk. Madam, you will be ready? Cyn. I will be punctual to the minute. [Going. Mask. Stay, I have a doubt. Upon second Sir P. Why, what's the matter now? Good thoughts we had better meet in the chaplain's Lord, what's all this for? Pho, here's a joke chamber here; there is a back way into it, so indeed.—VVhy, where's my wife? that you need not come through this door, and a pair of private stairs leading down to the stables. It will be more convenient. Cyn. I am guided by you; but Mellefont Lady T. Fool, sot, insensible ox! But will mistake. remember what I said to you, or you had Mask. No, no; I'll after him immediately, better see my face no more; by this light, and tell him. [Exit Cynthia] Why, qui vult you had. [Exit. decipi decipiatur. Tis no fault of mine; I Sir P. You're a passionate woman, 'gadsbud; have told 'em in plain terms how easy 'tis for but, to say truth, all our family are choleric; me to cheat 'em; and if they will not hear I am the only peaceable person amongst 'em. the serpent's hiss, they must be stung into [Exit. experience and future caution.-Now to prepare my lord to consent to this. But first, I must instruct my little Levite; he promised me to be within at this hour. Mr. Saygrace, Mr. Saygrace!

Re-enter MELLEFONT and MASKWELL, with

CYNTHIA. Mel. I know no other way but this he has proposed, if you have love enough to run the

venture.

[Goes to the Chamber-door, and knocks. Say. [Within] Sweet sir, I will but pen Cyn. I don't know whether I have love the last line of an acrostic, and be with you enough, but I find I have obstinacy enough in the twinkling of an ejaculation, or before to pursue whatever I have once resolved, and you can

a true female courage to oppose any thing Mask. Nay, good Mr. Saygrace, do not that resists my will, though 'twere reason itself. prolong the time, by describing to me the Mask. That's right. Well, I'll secure the shortness of your stay; rather, if you please, writings, and run the hazard along with you. defer the finishing of your wit, and let us Cyn. But how can the coach be got ready talk about our business; it shall be tithes in without suspicion? your way.

Mask. Leave it to my care; that shall be so far from being suspected, that it shall be got ready by my lord's own order.

Mel How?

Mask. Why, I intend to tell my lord the whole matter of our contrivance, that's my way. Mel. I don't understand you.

Enter SAYGRACE.

Say. You shall prevail; I would break off in the middle of a sermon to do you a pleasure.

Musk. You could not do me a greater, except the business in hand. Have you provided a habit for Mellefont?

Mask. Good. Let them be carried to him.

Mask. Why, I'll tell my lord I laid this Say. I have; it is ready in my chamber, plot with you on purpose to betray you; and together with a clean-starched band and cuffs. that which put me upon it, was the finding impossible to gain the lady any other way Have you stitched the gown sleeve, that he ut in the hopes of her marrying you. may be puzzled, and waste time in putting Mel. Soit on?

Mask. So!-why so: while you're busied Say. I have; the gown will not be indued making yourself ready, I'll wheedle her without perplexity.

to the coach, and instead of you, borrow Mask. Meet me in half an hour, here in my lord's chaplain, and so run away with your own chamber. Jer myself. let there be no light,

VVhen Cynthia comes, and do not speak, that

she may not distinguish you from Mellefont.
I'll urge haste, to excuse your silence.
Say. You have no more commands?
Mask. None; your text is short.

Say. But pithy; and I will handle it with
discretion.
[Exit.
Mask. It will be the first you have so served.

Re-enter LORD TOUCHWOOD.

Lord T. Sure, I was born to be controlled by those I should command! my very slaves will shortly give me rules how I shall govern them!

Mask. I am concerned to see your lordship discomposed.

Lord T. Have you seen my wife lately, or disobliged her?

Mask. No, my lord. What can this mean?

Mel. 'Tis loss of time; I cannot think him false. [Exeunt Careless and Mellefont. Re-enter LORD TOUCHWOOD. Cyn. My lord musing! [Aside. Lord T. He has a quick invention, if this were suddenly designed. Yet, he says, he had prepared my chaplain already.

Cyn. How's this? Now I fear, indeed. [Aside. Lord T. Cynthia here! Alone, fair cousin, and melancholy.

Cyn. Your fordship was thoughtful. Lord T. My thoughts were on serious business, not worth your hearing.

Cyn. Mine were on treachery concerning you, and may be worth your hearing. Lord T. Treachery concerning me! Pray be plain. What noise?

Mask. [Within] Will you not hear me?
Lady T.[Within] No, monster! traitor! No.
Cyn. My lady and Maskwell! This may be

[Aside. Lord T. Then Mellefont has urged somebody to incense her. Something she has heard of you, which carries her beyond the lucky. My lord, let me entreat you to stand bounds of patience. behind this screen and listen; perhaps this Mask. This I feared. [Aside] Did not your chance will give you proof of what you never lordship tell her of the honours you de- could have believed from my suspicions. signed me?

Lord T. Yes.

[They retire behind the Screen. Mask. Tis that: you know my lady has a Re-enter MASKWELL, and LADY TOUCHWOOD high spirit; she thinks I am unworthy. with a Dagger.

Lord T. Unworthy! 'tis an ignorant pride Lady T. You want but leisure to invent in her to think so. Honesty to me is true fresh falsehood, and sooth me to a fond belief nobility. However, 'tis my will it shall be so, of all your fictions: but I will stab the lie and that should be convincing to her as much that's forming in your heart, and save a sin as reason. I'll not be wife-ridden. Were it in pity to your soul. possible it should be done this night.

Mask. Ha! he meets my wishes. [Aside] Few things are impossible to willing minds. Lord T. Instruct me how this may be done, and you shall see I want no inclination.

Mask. I had laid a small design for to-I morrow (as love will be inventing), which I thought to communicate to your lordship: but it may be as well done to-night.

Lord T. Here's company: come this way, and tell me. [Exeunt.

Mask. Strike then, since you will have it so. Lady T. Ha! a steady villain to the last! Mask. Come, why do you dally with me thus? Lady T. Thy stubborn temper shocks me, and you knew it would. This is cunning all; know thee well; but thou shalt miss thy aim. Mask. Ha, ha, ha!

Lady T. Ha! do you mock my rage? Then this shall punish your fond rash contempt. Again smile? And such a smile as speaks in ambiguity! Ten thousand meanings lurk in each corner of that various face; O! that they Re-enter CYNTHIA, with Careless. were written in thy heart, that I with this Care. Is not that he, now gone out with might lay thee open to my sight! But ther my lord? 'twill be too late to know-Thou hast, thou Cyn. I am convinced there's treachery. The hast found the only way to turn my rage confusion that I saw your father in, my lady too well thou knowest my jealous soul could Touchwood's passion, with what imperfectly never bear uncertainty. Speak then, and tell I overheard between my lord and her, con- me! Yet are you silent? O, I am wildered firm me in my fears. Where's Mellefont?

Care. Here he comes.

Re-enter Mellefont.

Cyn. Did Maskwell tell you any thing of the chaplain's chamber?

Mel. No, my dear. Will you get ready? The things are all in my chamber; I want nothing but the habit.

Care. You are betrayed, and Maskwell is the villain I always thought him.

in all passions! But thus my anger melts [Weeps] Here, take this poniard; for my ver spirits faint, and I want strength to hold i thou hast disarm'd my soul.

[Gives him the Dagge Mask. So, 'tis well; let your wild fury ha vent: and when you have temper tell m Lady T. Now, now, now I am calm, an can hear you.

a

Mask. Thanks, my invention; and now have it for you. [Aside] First, tell me wh Cyn. When you were gone, he said his urged you to this violence? for your passio mind was changed; and bid me meet him in broke in such imperfect terms, that yet I a the chaplain's room, pretending immediately to learn the cause. to follow you, and give you notice.

Lady T. My lord himself surprised me w Care. There's Saygrace tripping by with a the news, you were to marry Cynthia; t bundle under his arm. He cannot be ignorant you had owned your love to him; and that Maskwell means to use his chamber; let's indulgence would assist you to attain your en in, and examine him, Mask, I grant you, in appearance, all

Sir P. All turned topsy-turvy, as sure as

true; I seemed consenting to my lord, nay, know, my lord; but here's the strangest revotransported with the blessing: but could you lution! all turned topsy-turvy, as I hope for think that I, who had been happy in your Providence. lov'd embraces, could e'er be fond of an in- Lord F. O heavens, what's the matter? ferior slavery? No. Yet, though I dote on Where's my wife? each last favour more than all the rest, though I would give a limb for every look you cheaply throw away on any other object of your love, yet, so far I prize your pleasures o'er my own, that all this seeming plot that I have laid, has been to gratify your taste, and cheat the world to prove a faithful rogue to you.

Lady T. If this were true; but how can it be? Mask. I have so contrived, that Mellefont will presently, in the chaplain's habit, wait for Cynthia in your dressing-room; but I have put the change upon her, that she may be otherwise employed. Do you muffle yourself, and meet him in her stead. You may go privately by the back stairs, and unperceived; there you may propose to reinstate him in his uncle's favour, if he'll comply with your desires. His case is desperate, and I believe he'll yield to any conditions: if not, here, take this; you may employ it better than in the heart of one, who is nothing when not yours.

[Gives her the Dagger. Lady T. Thou canst deceive every body: nay, thou hast deceived me. But 'tis as would wish. - Trusty villain! I could worship thee.

Mask. No more. It wants but a few minutes of the time; and Mellefont's love will carry him there before his hour.

Lady T. I go, I fly, incomparable Mask

well!

[Exit.

a

gun.

Lord F. How do you mean? My wife?
Sir P. The strangest posture of affairs!
Lord F. What, my wife?

Sir P. No, no; I mean the family.-Your lady? I saw her go into the garden with Mr. Brisk.

Lord F. How, where, when, what to do? Sir P. I suppose they have been laying their heads together.

Lord F. How?

Sir P. Nay, only about poetry, I suppose, my lord; making couplets. Lord F. Couplets!

Sir P. O, here they come.

Enter LADY FROTH and BRISK.
Brisk. My lord, your humble servant; sir
Paul, yours.-The finest right!

Lady F. My dear, Mr. Brisk and I have been stargazing I don't know how long.

Sir P. Does it not tire your ladyship? Are you not weary with looking up?

Lady F. O, no; I love it violently. - My dear, you're melancholy. Lord F. No, my dear, I'm but just awake. Lady F. Snuff some of my spirit of hartshorn. Lord F. I've some of my own, thank you,

my dear.

Lady F.

Well, I swear, Mr. Brisk, you

Mask. So! This was a pinch indeed! My understand astronomy like an old Egyptian. invention was upon the rack, and made discovery of her last plot. I hope Cynthia and my chaplain will be ready. I'll prepare for the expedition.

[Exit. Cynthia and Lord Touchwood come forward. Cyn. Now, my lord!

Brisk. Not comparable to your ladyship; you are the very Cynthia of the skies, and queen of stars.

Lady F. That's because I have no light, but what's by reflection from you, who are the sun.

Brisk. Madam, you have eclipsed me quite, let me perish; I can't answer that. Lady F. No matter.-Harkye, shall you and make an almanac together? Brisk. With all my soul.

I

Your ladyship

Lord T.. Astonishment binds up my rage! Villany upon villany! Heavens, what a long track of dark deceit has this discovered! I am confounded when I look back, and want a due to guide me through the various mazes has made me the mon in't 1) already, I'm so of unheard-of treachery. My wife!-Oh, tor- full of the wounds which you have given. ture! my shame, my ruin!" Lady F. O, finely taken! I swear now you Cin. My lord, have patience; and be sen-are even with me.— O Parnassus! you have whle how great our happiness is, that this an infinite deal of wit. discovery was not made too late.

Sir P. So he has, 'gadsbud! and so has your

Lord T. I thank you. Yet it may be still ladyship. too late, if we don't presently prevent the execution of their plots.-She'll think to meet Re-enter CARELESS and CYNTHIA, with LADY him in that dressing-room: was't not so? And PLIANT.

Maskwell will expect you in the chaplain's Lady P. You tell me most surprising things. chamber. For once, I'll add my plot too.--Bless me, who would ever trust a man?Let us haste to find out, and inform my nephew; O, my heart aches for fear they should be all and do you, quickly as you can, bring all deceitful alike. the company into this gallery.-I'll expose the traitress and the villain.

[Exeunt.

Re-enter SIR PAUL PLIANT, with LORD FROTH. Lord F. By heavens, I have slept an age. Sir Paul, what o'clock is't? Past eight, on my conscience. My lady's is the most inviting couch, and a slumber there is the prettiest amusement!-But where's all the company?

Sir P. The company? 'Gadsbud,' I don't|

1) Moore's Almanac has got a very curious wood-cut of a man, marked with the different signs and planets that govern the different parts of the face and body, according to Aristotle's Phisiognomy, and he thus appears to be full of wounds; for instance, the forehead is governed by Mars, the right eye is under the dominion of Sol, the left eye is ruled by the Moon, the right ear is the care of Jupiter, the left of Saturn, the rule of the nose is claimed by Venus, and Mercury seizes upon the month. The signs of the Zodiac have also their share in the government, and form the House of Commons of the realm.

Care. You need not fear, madam; you have injured friend, thou wonder of all falsehood. charms to fix inconstancy itself.

of

Lady P. O dear, you make me blush.
Lord F. Come, my dear, shall we take leave
my lord and lady?

Cyn. They'll wait upon your lordship presently.

Lady F. Mr. Brisk, my coach shall set you down.

[Lady Touchwood shrieks from within. All. What's the matter?

[Throws off his Disguise. Lord T. Are you silent, monster?

Mel. Good heavens! how I believed and loved this man! Take him hence, for he's a disease to my sight.

Lord T. Secure the manifold villain.
[Servants take Maskwell off.
Care. Miracle of ingratitude!

Sir P. O Providence, Providence, what discoveries are here!

Brisk. This is all very surprising, let me

perish.

LADY TOUCHWOOD, muffled up, runs in affrighted; followed by LORD TOUCHWOOD, Lady F. You know I told you Saturn looked dressed like a Parson, with a Dagger a little more angry than usual.

Lord T. We'll think of punishment at lei

in his Hand. Lady T. O, I'm betrayed.-Save me! help me! sure. But let me hasten to do justice, in Lord T. Now what evasion, wicked woman? rewarding virtue and wronged innocence, Lady T. Stand off; let me go. [Exit. Nephew, I hope I have your pardon, and Lord T. Go, and thy own infamy pursue Cynthia's. thee! You stare, as you were all amazed. I don't wonder at it; but too soon you will know mine, and that woman's, shame.

[Throws off his Gown. Re-enter MELLEFONT, disguised in a Parson's Habit, with two Servants, bringing in MASKWEll.

Mel. Nay, by heaven, you shall be seen. [To Maskwell] Careless, your hand.-Do you hold down your head? [To Maskwell] Yes, I am your chaplain. Look in the face of your

Mel. We are your lordship's creatures. Lord T. And be each other's comfort. Let me join your hands. Uninterrupted bliss attend you both! May circling joys tread round each happy year of your long lives! Let secret villany from hence be warn'd, Howe'er in private mischiefs are conceiv'd, Torture and shame attend their open birth. Like vipers in the breast, base treach'ry lies, Still gnawing that whence first it did arise; No sooner born, but the vile parent dies. Exeunt.

THE WAY OF THE WORLD,

Comedy by W. Congreve. Acted at Lincoln's Inn Fields. 1700. This was the last play its author wrote, and perhaps the best; the language is pure, the wit genuins, the characters are natural, and the painting is highly finished yet, such is the strange capriciousness of public taste, that, notwithstanding the great and deserved reputation this author had acquired by his three former comedies, this before us met with but indifferent success; while his Mourning Bride, a piece of not the twentieth part of its merit, was in the full meridian of applause. It is not very improbable (says Mr. Baker) that this testimonial of want of judgment in the audience might be the motive for the anther's quitting the stage so early; for, though he was at that time in the prime of life, not above twenty-seven years of age, and lived about twenty-nine years afterwards, he never obliged the public with any other dramatic piece. Time, however, has since opened the eyes of the town to its perfections; and it is now as frequently performed as any of his other plays.-Mr. Baker's memory seems to have failed him when he asserted, that Congreve never obliged the public with any dramatic piece after this; his Judgment of Paris was performed in the following year; and his Semele, an opera, in 1707; and these, though not very important works, are still dramatic pieces.

[blocks in formation]

SCENE.-London.-The Time equal to that of the Representation.

ACT I.

SCENE I-A Chocolate House.
MIRABELL and FAINALL, rising from Cards,
BETTY waiting.

Mir. You are a fortunate man, Mr. Fainall.
Fain. Have we done?

Mir. What you please. I'll play on to entertain you.

no

too negligently; the coldness of a losing game-
ster lessens the pleasure of the winner. I'
more play with a
ill fortune, than I'd make love to a woman
man that slighted his
who undervalued the loss of her reputation.
Mir. You have a taste extremely delicate,
and are for refining on your pleasures.
Fain. Pr'ythee, why so reserved? Something
has put you out of humour.

Fain. No, I'll give you your revenge another
time, when you are not so indifferent; you day; and you are gay; that's all.
are thinking of something else now, and play

Mir. Not at all: I happen to be grave to

Fain. Confess, Millamant and you quar

relled last night, after I left you: my fair cousin fellow. The devil's in't if an old woman is has some humours that would tempt the pa- to be flatter'd farther. But for the discovery tience of a stoic. What, some coxcomb came of this amour, I am indebted to your friend, in, and was well received by her, while you or your wife's friend, Mrs. Marwood. were by? Fain. What should provoke her to be your Mir. Witwould and Petulant! and what enemy, unless she has made you advances was worse, her aunt, your wife's mother, my which you have slighted? Women do not evil genius; or to sum up all in her own easily forgive omissions of that nature. name, my old lady Wishfort came in. Mir. She was always civil to me, till of late; Fain. O there it is then. She has a lasting I confess I am not one of those coxcombs passion for you, and with reason. What, who are apt to interpret a woman's good then my wife was there? manners to her prejudice; and think that she Mir. Yes, and Mrs. Marwood, and three who does not refuse 'em every thing, can or four more, whom I never saw before. refuse 'em nothing.

Seeing me, they all put on their grave faces, Fain. You are a gallant man, Mirabell; and whispered one another, then complained aloud though you may have cruelty enough not to of the vapours, and after fell into a profound answer a lady's advances, you have too much silence. generosity not to be tender of her honour. Fain. They had a mind to be rid of you. Yet you speak with an indifference which Mir. For which reason I resolved not to seems to be affected, and confesses you are stir. At last the good old lady broke through conscious of a negligence.

her painful taciturnity, with an invective against Mir. You pursue the argument with a distrust long visits. I would not have understood her, that seems to be unaffected, and confesses you but Millamant joining in the argument, I rose, are conscious of a concern for which the and with a constrained smile told her, I thought lady is more indebted to you, than is your wife. nothing was so easy as to know when a visit Fain. Fie, fie, friend, if you grow cenbegan to be troublesome; she redden'd, and I sorious, I must leave you. I'll look upon the withdrew, without expecting her reply. gamesters in the next room. Mir. Who are they?

Fain. You were to blame to resent what she spoke only in compliance with her aunt. Mir. She is more mistress of herself than to be under the necessity of such resignation. Fain. What! though half her fortune depends upon her marrying with my lady's approbation?

Mir. I was then in such a humour, that I should have been better pleased if she had

been less discreet.

Fain. Petulant and Witwould. Bring me some chocolate. [Exil.

Mir. Betty, what says your clock? Betty. Turn'd of the last canonical hour, sir. Mir. How pertinently the jade answers me! [Aside] Ha! almost one o'clock! [Looking on his Watch] O, y'are come.

Enter Footman.

Fain. Now I remember, I wonder not they Well; is the grand affair over? You have were weary of you; last night was one of been something tedious.

their cabal nights; they have 'em three times Foot. Sir, there's such coupling at Pancras, a week, and meet by turns, at one another's that they stand behind one another, as 'twere apartments! where they come together, like in a country dance. Ours was the last couple the coroner's inquest, 1) to sit the mur-to lead up; and no hopes appearing of disder'd reputations of the week. You and I are patch, besides, the parson growing hoarse, we excluded; and it was once proposed that all were afraid his lungs would have failed before the male sex should be excepted; but some-it came to our turn; so we drove round to body moved, that, to avoid scandal, there might Duke's-place; and there they were rivetted in be one man of the community; upon which a trice. motion Witwould and Petulant were enrolled)

members.

Mir. And who may have been the foundress of this sect? My lady Wishfort, I warrant, who publishes her detestation of mankind; and, full of the vigour of fifty-five, declares for a friend and ratafia; and let posterity shift for itself, she'll breed no more.

Mir. So, so; you are sure they are married?
Foot. Incontestibly, sir: I am witness.
Mir. Have you the certificate?
Foot. Here it is, sir.

Mir. Has the tailor brought Waitwell's
clothes home, and the new liveries?
Foot. Yes, sir.

Mir. That's well. Do you go home again, Fain. The discovery of your sham addres-d'ye hear, bid Waitwell shake his ears, and ses to her, to conceal your love to her niece, dame Partlet rustle up her feathers, and meet has provoked this separation: had you dis-me at one o'clock by Rosamond's-pond, that sembled better, things might have continued in I may see her before she returns to her lady; and as you tender your ears, be secret. [Exit Footman.

the state of nature.

Enter FAINALL,

Mir. I did as much as man could, with any reasonable conscience; I proceeded to the very last act of flattery with her, and was guilty of a song in her commendation. Nay, Fain. Joy of your success, Mirabell; you I got a friend to put her into a lampoon, and look pleased.

[ocr errors]

compliment her with the addresses of a young Mir. Ay; I have been engaged in a matter The business of a coroner (coronator) is, to assemble of some sort of mirth, which is not yet ripe twelve of the inhabitants of the parish, to examine for discovery. I am glad this is not a cabalinto the cause of the death of any one who has been kiled; and the verdict given in their sitting in cases night. I wonder, Fainall, that you, who are of murder, is of very great weight in the affair. married, and of consequence should be dis

« PředchozíPokračovat »