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Title: The Beaux-Stratagem
Author: Farquhar, George
Language: English
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THE BEAUX-STRATAGEM
By George Farquhar
'He was a delightful writer, and one to whom
I should sooner recur for relaxation and
entertainment and without after-cloying and disgust,
than any of the school of which he may be said
to have been the last The Beaux-Stratagem
reads quite as well as it acts: it has life,
movement, wit, humour, sweet nature and sweet
temper from beginning to end.'
CHARLES COWDEN CLARKE
PREFACE
_The Author_. 'It is surprising,' says Mr. Percy Fitzgerald,
'how much English Comedy owes to Irishmen.' Nearly fifty
years ago Calcraft enumerated eighty-seven Irish dramatists in
a by no means exhaustive list, including Congreve, Southerne,
Steele, Kelly, Macklin, and Farquhar--the really Irish
representative amongst the dramatists of the Restoration, the true
prototype of Goldsmith and Sheridan. Thoroughly Irish by
birth and education, Captain George Farquhar (1677-1707)
had delighted the town with a succession of bright, rattling
comedies--Love and a Bottle (1698), The Constant Couple
(1699), Sir Harry Wildair (1701), The Inconstant (1702),
The Twin Rivals (1702), The Recruiting Officer (1706). In
an unlucky moment, when hard pressed by his debts, he sold
out of the army on the strength of a promise by the Duke of
Ormond to gain him some preferment, which never came. In
his misery and poverty, with a wife and two helpless girls to
support, Farquhar was not forsaken by his one true friend,
Robert Wilks. Seeking out the dramatist in his wretched
garret in St Martin's Lane, the actor advised him no longer to
trust to great men's promises, but to look only to his pen for
support, and urged him to write another play. 'Write!' said
Farquhar, starting from his chair; 'is it possible that a man
can write with common-sense who is heartless and has not a
shilling in his pockets?' 'Come, come, George,' said Wilks,
'banish melancholy, draw up your drama, and bring your sketch
with you to-morrow, for I expect you to dine with me. But as
an empty purse may cramp your genius, I desire you to accept
my mite; here is twenty guineas.' Farquhar set to work, and
brought the plot of his play to Wilks the next day; the later
approved the design, and urged him to proceed without
delay. Mostly written in bed, the whole was begun, finished,
and acted within six weeks. The author designed to dedicate
it to Lord Cadogan, but his lordship, for reasons unknown,
declined the honour; he gave the dramatist a handsome present,
however. Thus was _The Beaux-Stratagem_ written. Farquhar
is said to have felt the approaches of death ere he finished the
second act. On the night of the first performance Wilks
came to tell him of his great success, but mentioned that
Mrs. Oldfield wished that he could have thought of some more
legitimate divorce in order to secure the honour of Mrs. Sullen.
'Oh,' said Farquhar, 'I will, if she pleases, solve that
immediately, by getting a real divorce; marrying her myself, and
giving her my bond that she shall be a widow in less than a
fortnight' Subsequent events practically fulfilled this prediction,
for Farquhar died during the run of the play: on the
day of his extra benefit, Tuesday, 29th April 1707, the plaudits
of the audience resounding in his ears, the destitute,
broken-hearted dramatist passed to that bourne where stratagems
avail not any longer.
_Criticism of The Beaux-Stratagem_. Each play that
Farquhar produced was an improvement on its predecessors,
and all critics have been unanimous in pronouncing _The Beaux-Stratagem_
his best, both in the study and on the stage, of which
it retained possession much the longest. Except _The Recruiting
Officer_ and _The Inconstant_, revived at Covent Garden in 1825,
and also by Daly in America in 1885, non of Farquhar's other
plays has been put on the stage for upwards of a century.
Hallam says: 'Never has Congreve equalled _The Beaux-Stratagem_
in vivacity, in originality of contrivance, or in clear
and rapid development of intrigue'; and Hazlitt considers it
'sprightly lively, bustling, and full of point and interest:
the assumed disguise of Archer and Aimwell is a perpetual
amusement to the mind.' The action--which commences,
remarkably briskly, in the evening and ends about midnight
the next day--never flags for an instant. The well-contrived
plot is original and simple (all Farquhar's plots are excellent),
giving rise to a rapid succession of amusing and sensational
incidents; though by no means extravagant or improbable, save
possibly the mutual separation of Squire Sullen and his wife in
the last scene--the weak point of the whole. Farquhar was a
master in stage-effect. Aimwell's stratagem of passing himself
off as the wealthy nobleman, his brother (a device previously
adopted by Vanbrugh in _The Relapse_ and subsequently by
Sheridan in his _Trip to Scarborough_), may perhaps be a
covert allusion to the romantic story of the dramatist's own
deception by the penniless lady who gave herself out to be
possessed of a large fortune, and who thus induced him to
marry her.
The style adopted is highly dramatic, the dialogue being
natural and flowing; trenchant and sprightly, but not too witty
for a truthful reflex of actual conversation. The humour is
genial and unforced; there is no smell of the lamp about it,
no premeditated effort at dragging in jests, as in Congreve.
As typical examples of Farquhar's _vis comica_ I Would cite the
description of Squire Sullen's home-coming, and his 'pot of
ale' speech, Aimwell's speech respecting conduct at church, the
scene between Cherry and Archer about the £2000, and the
final separation scene--which affords a curious view of the
marriage tie and on which Leigh Hunt has founded an argument
for divorce. This play contains several examples of Farquhar's
curious habit of breaking out into a kind of broken blank verse
occasionally for a few lines in the more serious passages.
Partaking as it does of the elements of both comedy and force,
it is the prototype of Goldsmith's _She Stoops to Conquer_, which
it resembles in many respects. It will be remembered that
Miss Hardcastle compares herself to Cherry (Act III.), and
young Marlow and Hastings much resemble Archer and
Aimwell. Goldsmith was a great admirer of the works of his
fellow-countryman, especially _The Beaux-Stratagem_, and refers
to them several times (Citizen of the World, letter 93; History
of England, letter 16; Vicar of Wakefield, ch. 18), and in the
Literary Magazine for 1758 he drew up a curious poetical scale
in which he classes the Restoration dramatists thus:--
Congreve--Genius 15, Judgment 16, Learning 14, Versification 14;
Vanbrugh--14, 15,14,10; Farquhar--15, 15, 10, io. Unlike
Goldsmith, unhappily, Farquhar's moral tone is not high;
sensuality is confounded with love, ribaldry mistaken for wit
The best that can be said of him that he contrasts favourably
with his contemporary dramatists; Virtue is not _always_
uninteresting in his pages. He is free from their heartlessness,
malignity, and cruelty. The plot of _The Beaux-Stratagem_ is
comparatively inoffensive, and the moral of the whole is
healthy. Although a wit rather than a thinker, Farquhar in
this play shows himself capable of serious feelings. It is
remarkable how much Farquhar repeats himself. Hardly an
allusion or idea occurs in this play that is not to be found
elsewhere in his works. In the Notes I have pointed out many of
these coincidences.
_The Characters_. This play has added several distinct
original personages to our stock of comedy characters, and it
affords an excellent and lifelike picture of a peculiar and
perishing phase of the manners of the time, especially those
obtaining in the country house, and the village inn frequented
by highwaymen. The sly, rascally landlord, Boniface (who
has given his name to the class), is said to have been drawn
from life, and his portrait, we are told, was still to be seen
at Lichfield in 1775. The inimitable 'brother Scrub,' that
'indispensable appendage to a country gentleman's kitchen'
(Hazlitt), with his ignorance and shrewd eye to the main
chance, is likewise said to have been a well-known personage
who survived till 1759, one Thomas Bond, servant to Sir
Theophilus Biddulph; others say he died at Salisbury in 1744.
Although Farquhar, like Goldsmith, undoubtedly drew his
incidents and personages from his own daily associations,
there is probably no more truth in these surmises than in
the assertion (repeatedly made, though denied in his preface
to _The Inconstant_) that Farquhar depicts himself in his young
heroes, his rollicking 'men about town,' Roebuck, Mirabel,
Wildair, Plume, Archer. Archer (copied by Hoadley in
his character of Ranger in _The Suspicious Husband_) is a
decided improvement on his predecessors, and is the best of
all Farquhar's creations; he is assuredly the most brilliant
footman that ever was, eminently sociable and, with all his
easy, rattling volubility, never forgetful of his self-respect
and never indifferent to the wishes or welfare of others. As
Hunt has pointed out, the characters of Archer and Aimwell
improve as the play progresses; they set out as mere intriguers,
but prove in the end true gentlemen. They are sad rogues, no
doubt, but they have no bitter cynicism, no meanness; Aimwell
refuses to marry Dorinda under any deception. They
thoroughly good fellows at bottom, manly, accomplished his
spirited, eloquent, generous--the forerunners of Charles Surfor.
Marriage retrieves them and turns them into respectable and
adoring husbands. Though rattle-brained, much given to
gallantry, and somewhat lax in morality, they are not knaves
or monsters; they do not inspire disgust. Even the lumpish
blockhead, Squire Sullen--according to Macaulay a type of
the main strength of the Tory party for half a century after the
Revolution--contrasts favourably with his prototype Sir John
Brute in Vanbrugh's _Provoked Wife_, He is a sodden sot,
who always goes to bed drunk, but he is not a demon; he does
not beat his wife in public; he observes common decency
somewhat. His wife is a witty, attractive, warm-hearted
woman, whose faults are transparent; the chief one being that
she has made the fatal mistake of marrying for fortune and
position instead of for love. There is something pathetic in her
position which claims our sympathy. She is well contrasted with
her sister-in-law, the sincere, though somewhat weakly drawn,
Dorinda; whilst their mother-in-law, Lady Bountiful, famed for
her charity, is an amusing and gracious figure, which has often
been copied. Cherry, with her honest heart and her quickness
of perception, is also a distinct creation. Strange to say, the
only badly drawn character is Foigard, the unscrupulous Irish
Jesuit priest. Farquhar is fond of introducing an Irishman into
each of his plays, but I cannot say that I think he is generally
successful; certainly not in this instance. They are mostly
broad caricatures, and speak an outlandish jargon, more like
Welsh than Irish, supposed to be the Ulster dialect: anything
more unlike it would be difficult to conceive. The early
conventional stage Irishman, tracing him from Captain. Macmorris
in Henry V.,through Ben Jonson's _Irish Masque_ and _New
Inn_, Dekker's Bryan, Ford's Mayor of Cork, Shadwell's
O'Divelly (probably Farquhar's model for Foigard), is truly
a wondrous savage, chiefly distinguished by his use of the
expletives 'Dear Joy!' and 'By Creesh!' This character
naturally rendered the play somewhat unpopular in Ireland,
and its repulsiveness is unrelieved (as it is in the case of
Teague in _The Twin Rivals_) by a single touch of humour or
native comicality. It is an outrage.
_The First Performance_. _The Beaux-Stratagem_ was first
performed on Saturday, 8th March 1707, at the Theatre Royal
(or, as it was sometimes called, the Queen's Theatre), situated
in the Haymarket, on the site afterwards occupied by Her
Majesty's Theatre. It ran for ten nights only, owing to
benefits. The cast on that occasion was a strong one. Robert
Wilks (a brother-Irishman), who performed Archer, was the
foremost actor of the day. He was Farquhar's lifelong friend,
and appeared in all his plays, except _Love and a Bottle_ which
was produced in London during Wilks's absence in Dublin.
This actor's most famous part was 'Sir Harry Wildair' (_The
Constant Couple_), which our author drew on purpose for him, and
which ran for fifty-two nights on its first appearance. Farquhar
himself said that when the stage had the misfortune to lose
Wilks, 'Sir Harry Wildair' might go to the Jubilee! Peg
Woffington is said to have been his only rival in this part. Sullen
was the last original character undertaken by Verbruggen, a
leading actor of the time. It was from Verbruggen's wife
(probably the 'Mrs. V------' of Farquhar's letters) that the famous
Mrs. Oldfield received her earliest instructions in acting. The
last-named lady was the original Mrs. Sullen. Her connection
with Farquhar is very interesting and romantic. She resided
with her aunt, Mrs. Voss, who kept the Mitre Tavern in St,
James's Market (between Jeryrm Street, Regent Street, and the
Haymarket). One day, when she was aged sixteen, Farquhar,
a smart young captain of twenty-two, happened to be dining
there, and he overheard her reading Beaumont and Fletcher's
_Scornful Lady_ aloud behind the bar. When Farquhar, much
struck by her musical delivery and expression, pressed her to
resume her reading, the tall and graceful girl consented with
hesitation and bashfulness; although she afterwards confessed,
'I longed to be at it, and only needed a decent entreaty.' The
dramatist quickly acquainted Sir John Vanbrugh with the
jewel he had thus accidentally found, and she obtained through
him an engagement at the Theatre Royal as 'Candiope' in
Dryden's _Secret Love_. She soon became the fine lady of the
stage, and was the original representative of no less than
sixty-five characters. Pope disliked and satirised her severely;
on the other hand, Cibber worshipped her. According to some,
Farquhar fell violently in love with her, and she is the 'Penelope'
of his letters; but although she often spoke of the happy
hours she spent in his company, there appears to be no foundation
for this surmise. Bowen, a low comedian of considerable talent,
afterwards accidentally killed by Quin the
actor, was Foigard; and Scrub--originally written for Colley
Cibber, who, however, preferred Gibbet--was represented by
Norris, a capital comic actor, universally known as 'Jubilee
Dicky' on account of his representation of 'Dicky' in _The
Constant Couple_. He had an odd, formal little figure, and a high
squeaking voice; if he came into a coffee-house and merely
called 'Waiter!' everybody present felt inclined to laugh. He
had previously appeared in Farquhar's four principal plays, as
also had Mills, who did Aimwell. Cibber tells us that the
play was better received at Drury Lane than at the Haymarket,
as, owing to the larger size of the latter house, it was difficult
to hear.
_Later Stage History_. Originally brought out under the
title _The Stratagem_ only, which it retained in the playbills till
1787 (though printed with 'Beaux'), this play continued to be
very popular with the stage down to the dawn of the present
century; and many great actors and actresses appeared from
time to time in its characters; In 1721 Quin acted in
Lincoln's Inn Fields as Squire Sullen. The part of Mrs. Sullen
has been undertaken by Mrs. Pritchard (1740 and 1761), Peg
Woffington (1742, along with Garrick as Archer for the first
time, and Macklin as Scrub), Mrs. Abington (1774, 1785,
1798), Mrs. Barry (1778), Miss Farren (1779), Mrs. Jordan
(1802), Mrs. C. Kemble (1810), Mrs. Davison (1818), and Miss
Chester (1823, for Dibdin's benefit, with Liston as Scrub).
Garrick's repeated performances of Archer, in light blue and
silver livery, were supremely good, more particularly in the
scenes with Cherry, the picture scene with Mrs. Sullen, and when
he delivers Lady Howd'ye's message. He generally acted with
Weston, an inimitable Scrub; but at O'Brien's benefit at Drury
Lane, 10th April 1761, Garrick himself played Scrub to O'Brien's
Archer. On one occasion Garrick had refused Weston a loan of
money, and Weston not appearing at the greenroom, Garrick
came forward before the curtain and announced that he would
himself play Scrub, as Weston was ill. Weston, who was in the
gallery with a sham bailiff, shouted out, 'I am here, but the
bailiff won't let me come '; whereupon the audience insisted
on Garrick's paying the loan and relieving the debtor so as to
enable him to play Scrub! Other famous Scrubs were Shutes
(1774), Quick (1778, 1785, 1798), Bannister, junior (1802, will
C. Kemble as Aimwell), Dowton (1802), Liston (1810), Johnstone
(1821), and Keeley (1828, with C. Kemble as Arches
and Miss Foote as Cherry; it ran for twelve nights at Covenl
Garden). Goldsmith is said to have expressed a desire to art
this part. On the occasion of Mrs. Abington's benefit (Covenl
Garden, November 19, 1785), she took the part of Scrub for that
night only, for a wager, it is said. Ladies were desired to send
their servants to retain seats by four o'clock, and the pit and
boxes were laid together. She disgraced herself, acting the
part with her hair dressed for 'Lady Racket' in the afterpiece
(_Three Hours After Marriage_). In April 1823 another female
impersonator of this part appeared--not very successfully--in
Miss Clara Fisher, with Farren as Archer. This was in Dublin
(Hawkins' Street), where the play was frequently performed
about 1821-1823. It was also the piece chosen for the re-opening
of Smock Alley Theatre, Dublin, in 1759, when Mrs. Abington
made her first appearance on the Irish stage as Mrs. Sullen.
Miss Pope (1774), Mrs. Martyn (1785, 1798), and Mrs.
Gibbs (1819) were the principal exponents of Cherry. In 1819
Emery did Gibbet.
About 1810 the play was performed at the Royal Circus
under Elliston as a _ballet d'action_, in order to evade the Patent
Act. Otherwise, neither this play nor any other of Farquhar's
seems ever to have been 'adapted' for the modern stage. In the
present half-century _The Beaux-Stratagem_ has been but seldom
performed. It was acted in London in 1856. In February
1878 Mr. Phelps gave it extremely well in the Annexe Theatre
at the Westminster Aquarium. Lastly, William Farren, as
Archer, revived it at the Imperial Theatre, on Monday, 22nd
September 1879, with great success, a new Prologue (spoken
by Mrs. Stirling) being written for the occasion. There were
several matinees given in succession. The cast included Mr.
Kyrle Bellew as Gibbet; Mr. Lionel Brough as Scrub; Miss
Marie Litton as Mrs. Sullen; Mrs. Stirling--one of her last
appearances--as Lady Bountiful; Dorinda, Miss Meyrick;
Cherry, Miss Carlotta Addison; Gipsy, Miss Passinger;
Aimwell, Mr. Edgar; Sir Charles Freeman, Mr. Denny;
Sullen, Mr. Ryder; Foigard, Mr. Bannister; Boniface, Mr.
Everill; Hounslow, Mr. Bunch; Bagshot, Mr. Leitch. The
Epilogue for this occasion was written by Mr. Clement Scott.
I know not if the play has been acted since that date.
_Bibliography_. The first edition was published in a small
quarto (78 pages) by Bernard Lintott, 'at the Cross-Keys
next Nando's Coffeehouse in Fleet Street' between the two
Temple gates. The British Museum Catalogue dates it 1707
(the copy in my possession, however, bears no date), but it is
supposed not to have been published till 1710, three years
after Farquhar's decease; whence some have erroneously dated
his death in that year. Lintott, on January 27, 1707, had
paid the dramatist £30. in advance for this play, double what
he usually gave for a play. The same publisher issued the
first complete edition of Farquhar's plays in an octavo volume,
dedicated to John Eyre, with a quaint illustration prefixed to
each play (we reproduce that prefixed to _The Beaux-Stratagem_),
introducing all the characters of the play, and a frontispiece
representing Farquhar being presented to Apollo by Ben
Jonson. The general title-page is undated, but the title-pages
of the various plays bear the date 1711, and all bear Lintott's
name (sometimes alone, sometimes with others) save _Sir Harry
Wildair_, which is said to be printed by James Knapton. Some
say this volume did not appear till 1714. In 1760 Rivington
published an edition of Farquhar which appears to be slightly
'bowdlerised.' At least two complete editions of his works
were published in Dublin; one, described as the seventh, in
two volumes small octavo, by Risk and Smith, in 1743 (including
a memoir, and _Love and Business_), in which the title-pages
of the various plays bear different dates, ranging from 1727
to 1741, _The Beaux-Stratagem_ being described as the twelfth
edition, and dated 1739; the other, charmingly printed by
Ewing in three 16mo volumes, dated 1775, with a vignette
portrait and other illustrations, and containing a life by Thomas
Wilkes. An Edinburgh edition of The _Beaux-Stratagem_, with
life, appeared in 1768, and an edition in German in 1782 by J.
Leonhardi, under the title _Die Stutzerlist_. Separate editions
of the play also appeared in 1748, 1778, and 1824 (New York),
and it is included in all the various collections of English
plays, such as Bell's, Oxberry's, Inchbald's, Dibdin's,
Cumberland's, etc., and in the collected editions of Farquhar's
works dated 1718, 1728, 1736, 1742, 1760, and 1772. The principal
modern editions of Farquhar are Leigh Hunt's (along with
Wycherley, Vanbrugh, and Congreve), and Ewald's (1892), in
two volumes large octavo.
ADVERTISEMENT
The reader may find some faults in this play,
which my illness prevented the amending of;
but there is great amends made in the representation,
which cannot be matched, no more than
the friendly and indefatigable care of Mr. Wilks,
to whom I chiefly owe the success of the play.
GEORGE FARQUHAR.
DRAMATIS PERSONAE
With names of the original actors and actresses.
[Illustration: Dramatis1]
S C E N E.--Lichfield.
PROLOGUE
_Spoken by Mr. Wilks_.
WHEN strife disturbs, or sloth corrupts an age,
Keen satire is the business of the stage.
When the _Plain-Dealer_ writ, he lash'd those crimes,
Which then infested most--the modish times:
But now, when faction sleeps, and sloth is fled,
And all our youth in active fields are bred;
When through Great Britain's fair extensive round,
The trumps of fame, the notes of UNION sound;
When Anna's sceptre points the laws their course,
And her example gives her precepts force: {10}
There scarce is room for satire; all our lays
Must be, or songs of triumph, or of praise.
But as in grounds best cultivated, tares
And poppies rise among the golden ears;
Our product so, fit for the field or school,
Must mix with nature's favourite plant--a fool:
A weed that has to twenty summers ran,
Shoots up in stalk, and vegetates to man.
Simpling our author goes from field to field,
And culls such fools as many diversion yield {20}
And, thanks to Nature, there's no want of those,
For rain or shine, the thriving coxcomb grows.
Follies to-night we show ne'er lash'd before,
Yet such as nature shows you every hour;
Nor can the pictures give a just offence,
For fools are made for jests to men of sense.
THE BEAUX-STRATAGEM
ACT I., SCENE I.
_A Room in Bonifaces Inn_.
_Enter Boniface running_.
_Bon_. Chamberlain! maid! Cherry! daughter Cherry!
all asleep? all dead?
_Enter Cherry running_.
_Cher_. Here, here! why d'ye bawl so, father? d'ye think
we have no ears?
_Bon_. You deserve to have none, you young minx! The
company of the Warrington coach has stood in the
hall this hour, and nobody to show them to their
chambers.
_Cher_. And let 'em wait farther; there's neither red-coat
in the coach, nor footman behind it. {10}
_Bon_. But they threaten to go to another inn to-night.
_Cher_. That they dare not, for fear the coachman should
overturn them to-morrow.--Coming! coming!--
Here's the London coach arrived.
_Enter several people with trunks, bandboxes, and other
luggage, and cross the stage_.
_Bon_. Welcome, ladies!
_Cher_. Very welcome, gentlemen!--Chamberlain, show
the _Lion and the Rose_. [_Exit with the company_.
_Enter Aimwell in a riding-habit, and Archer
as footman, carrying a portmantle_.
_Bon_. This way, this way, gentlemen!
_Aim_. [_To Archer_.] Set down the things; go to the
stable, and see my horses well rubbed. {20}
_Arch_. I shall, sir. [_Exit_.
_Aim_. You're my landlord, I suppose?
_Bon_. Yes, sir, I 'm old Will Boniface, pretty well known
upon this road, as the saying is.
_Aim_. O Mr. Boniface, your servant!
_Bon_. O sir!--What will your honour please to drink, as
the saying is?
_Aim_. I have heard your town of Lichfield much famed
for ale; I think I 'll taste that. {29}
_Bon_. Sir, I have now in my cellar ten tun of the best ale
in Staffordshire; 'tis smooth as oil, sweet as milk,
clear as amber, and strong as brandy; and will be
just fourteen year old the fifth day of next March,
old style.
_Aim_. You're very exact, I find, in the age of your ale.
_Bon_. As punctual, sir, as I am in the age of my children.
I'll show you such ale!--Here, tapster [_Enter
Tapster_] broach number 1706, as the saying is.--Sir,
you shall taste my _Anno Domini_.--I have lived
in Lichfield, man and boy, above eight-and-fifty
years, and, I believe, have not consumed eight-and-fifty
ounces of meat. {42}
_Aim_. At a meal, you mean, if one may guess your sense
by your bulk.
_Bon_. Not in my life, sir: I have fed purely upon ale; I
have eat my ale, drank my ale, and I always sleep
upon ale.
_Enter Tapster with a bottle and glass, and exit_.
Now, sir, you shall see!--[_Fitting out a glass_.]
Your worship's health.--[_Drinks_.] Ha! delicious,
delicious! fancy it burgundy, only fancy it, and 'tis
worth ten shillings a quart. {51}
_Aim_. [Drinks,] 'Tis confounded strong!
_Bon_. Strong! it must be so, or how should we be strong
that drink it?
_Aim_. And have you lived so long upon this ale, landlord?
_Bon_. Eight-and-fifty years, upon my credit, sir--but it
killed my wife, poor woman, as the saying is.
_Aim_. How came that to pass?
_Bon_. I don't know how, sir; she would not let the ale
take its natural course, sir; she was for qualifying
it every now and then with a dram, as the saying
is; and an honest gentleman that came this way
from Ireland, made her a present of a dozen bottles
of usquebaugh--but the poor woman was never
well after: but, howe'er, I was obliged to the
gentleman, you know. {66}
_Aim_. Why, was it the usquebaugh that killed her?
_Bon_. My Lady Bountiful said so. She, good lady, did
what could be done; she cured her of three
tympanies, but the fourth carried her off. But
she's happy, and I 'm contented, as the saying is.
_Aim_. Who 's that Lady Bountiful you mentioned?
_Bon_. 'Ods my life, sir, we'll drink her health.--[Drinks.]
My Lady Bountiful is one of the best of women.
Her last husband, Sir Charles Bountiful, left her
worth a thousand pound, a year; and, I believe,
she lays out one-half on't in charitable uses for the
good of her neighbours. She cures rheumatisms,
ruptures, and broken shins in men; green-sickness,
obstructions, and fits of the mother, in women; the
king's evil, chincough, and chilblains, in children:
in short, she has cured more people in and about
Lichfield within ten years than the doctors have
killed in twenty; and that's a bold word. {84}
_Aim_. Has the lady been any other way useful in her
generation?
_Bon_. Yes, sir; she has a daughter by Sir Charles, the
finest woman in all our country, and the greatest
_fortune_. She has a son too, by her first husband,
Squire Sullen, who married a fine lady from London
t' other day; if you please, sir, we 'll drink his health.
_Aim_. What sort of a man is he? {92}
_Bon_. Why, sir, the man 's well enough; says little, thinks
less, and does--nothing at all, faith. But he's a
man of a great estate, and values nobody.
_Aim_. A sportsman, I suppose?
_Bon_. Yes, sir, he's a man of pleasure; he plays at
whisk and smokes his pipe eight-and-forty hours
together sometimes.
_Aim_. And married, you say? {100}
_Bon_. Ay, and to a curious woman, sir. But he's a--he
wants it here, sir. [_Pointing to his forehead_.
_Aim_. He has it there, you mean?
_Bon_. That's none of my business; he's my landlord,
and so a man, you know, would not--But--ecod, he's
no better than--Sir, my humble service to you.--
[_Drinks_.] Though I value not a farthing what he
can do to me; I pay him his rent at quarter-day;
I have a good running-trade; I have but one
daughter, and I can give her--but no matter for
that. {111}
_Aim_. You're very happy, Mr. Boniface. Pray, what
other company have you in town?
_Bon_. A power of fine ladies; and then we have the
French officers.
_Aim_. Oh, that's right, you have a good many of those
gentlemen: pray, how do you like their company?
_Bon_. So well, as the saying is, that I could wish we had
as many more of'em; they're full of money, and pay
double for everything they have. They know, sir,
that we paid good round taxes for the taking of 'em,
and so they are willing to reimburse us a little.
One of 'em lodges in my house. {123}
_Re-enter Archer_.
_Arch_. Landlord, there are some French gentlemen
below that ask for you.
_Bon_. I'll wait on 'em.--[_Aside to Archer_.] Does your
master stay long in town, as the saying is?
_Arch_. I can't tell, as the saying is.
_Bon_. Come from London?
_Arch_. No. {130}
_Bon_. Going to London, mayhap?
_Arch_. No.
_Bon_. [_Aside_.] An odd fellow this.--[_To Aimwell_.] I beg
your worship's pardon, I 'll wait on you in half a
minute. [_Exit_.
_Aim_. The coast's clear, I see.--Now, my dear Archer,
welcome to Lichfield!
_Arch_. I thank thee, my dear brother in iniquity.
_Aim_. Iniquity! prithee, leave canting; you need not
change your style with your dress. {140}
_Arch_. Don't mistake me, Aimwell, for 'tis still my
maxim, that there is no scandal like rags, nor any
crime so shameful as poverty.
_Aim_. The world confesses it every day in its practice
though men won't own it for their opinion. Who
did that worthy lord my brother, single out of the
side-box to sup with him t' other night?
_Arch_. Jack Handicraft, a handsome, well-dressed,
mannerly, sharping rogue, who keeps the best company
in town. {150}
_Aim_. Right!' And, pray, who married my lady
Manslaughter t'other day, the great fortune?
_Arch_. Why, Nick Marrabone, a professed pickpocket,
and a good bowler; but he makes a handsome
figure, and rides in his coach, that he formerly used
to ride behind.
_Aim_. But did you observe poor Jack Generous in the
Park last week.
_Arch_. Yes, with his autumnal periwig, shading his
melancholy face, his coat older than anything but
its fashion, with one hand idle in his pocket, and
with the other picking his useless teeth; and, though
the Mall was crowded with company, yet was poor
Jack as single and solitary as a lion in a desert.
_Aim_. And as much avoided for no crime upon earth
but the want of money. {166}
_Arch_. And that's enough. Men must not be poor;
idleness is the root of all evil; the world's wide
enough, let 'em bustle. Fortune has taken the weak
under her protection, but men of sense are left to
their industry. {171}
_Aim_. Upon which topic we proceed, and, I think, luckily
hitherto. Would not any man swear now, that I am
a man of quality, and you my servant, when if our
intrinsic value were known--
_Arch_. Come, come, we are the men of intrinsic value
who can strike our fortunes out of ourselves, whose
worth is independent of accidents in life, or revolutions
in government: we have heads to get money
and hearts to spend it. {180}
_Aim_. As to pur hearts, I grant ye, they are as willing
tits as any within twenty degrees: but I can have
no great opinion of our heads from the service they
have done us hitherto, unless it be that they have
brought us from London hither to Lichfield, made
me a lord and you my servant.
_Arch_. That 's more than you could expect already. But
what money have we left?
_Aim_. But two hundred pound. {189}
_Arch_. And our horses, clothes, rings, etc.--Why, we
have very good fortunes now for moderate people;
and, let me tell you, that this two hundred pound,
with the experience that we are now masters of, is
a better estate than the ten we have spent--Our
friends, indeed, began to suspect that our pockets
were low, but we came off with flying colours,
showed no signs of want either in word or deed.
_Aim_. Ay, and our going to Brussels was a good pretence
enough for our sudden disappearing; and, I
warrant you, our friends imagine that we are gone
a-volunteering. {201}
_Arch_. Why, faith, if this prospect fails, it must
e'en come to that I am for venturing one of the
hundreds, if you will, upon this knight-errantry; but,
in case it should fail, we 'll reserve t' other to carry
us to some counterscarp, where we may die, as we
lived, in a blaze.
_Aim_. With all my heart; and we have lived justly,
Archer: we can't say that we have spent our fortunes,
but that we have enjoyed 'em. {210}
_Arch_. Right! so much pleasure for so much money.
We have had our pennyworths; and, had I millions,
I would go to the same market again.--O London!
London!--Well, we have had our share, and let
us be thankful: past pleasures, for aught I know,
are best, such as we are sure of; those to come
may disappoint us. {217}
_Aim_. It has often grieved the heart of me to see how
some inhuman wretches murder their kind fortunes;
those that, by sacrificing all to one appetite, shall
starve all the rest. You shall have some that live
only in their palates, and in their sense of tasting
shall drown the other four: others are only epicures
in appearances, such who shall starve their nights
to make a figure a days, and famish their own to feed
the eyes of others: a contrary sort confine their
pleasures to the dark, and contract their specious
acres to the circuit of a muff-string. {228}
_Arch_. Right! But they find the Indies in that spot
where they consume 'em, and I think your kind
keepers have much the best on't: for they indulge
the most senses by one expense, there's the seeing,
hearing, and feeling, amply gratified; and, some
philosophers will tell you, that from such a
commerce there arises a sixth sense, that gives
infinitely more pleasure than the other five put
together, {237}
_Aim_. And to pass to the other extremity, of all keepers I
think those the worst that keep their money.
_Arch_. Those are the most miserable wights in being,
they destroy the rights of nature, and disappoint
the blessings of Providence. Give me a man that
keeps his five senses keen and bright as his sword,
that has 'em always drawn out in their just order and
strength, with his reason as commander at the head
of 'em, that detaches 'em by turns upon whatever
party of pleasure agreeably offers, and commands 'em
to retreat upon the least appearance of disadvantage
or danger! For my part, I can stick to my bottle
while my wine, my company, and my reason, hold
good; I can be charmed with Sappho's singing
without falling in love with her face: I love hunting,
but would not, like Actæon, be eaten up by my own
dogs; I love a fine house, but let another keep it;
and just so I love a fine woman. {255}
_Aim_. In that last particular you have the better of me.
_Arch_. Ay, you're such an amorous puppy, that I'm
afraid you 'll spoil our sport; you can't counterfeit
the passion without feeling it.
_Aim_. Though the whining part be out of doors in town,
'tis still in force with the country ladies: and let me
tell you, Frank, the fool in that passion shall-outdo
the knave at any time.
_Arch_. Well, I won't dispute it now; you command for
the day, and so I submit: at Nottingham, you
know, I am to be master. {266}
_Aim_. And at Lincoln, I again.
_Arch_. Then, at Norwich I mount, which, I think, shall
be our last stage; for, if we fail there, we'll embark
for Holland, bid adieu to Venus, and welcome
Mars.
_Aim_. A match!--Mum!
_Re-enter Boniface_.
_Bon_. What will your worship please to have for supper?
_Aim_. What have you got?
_Bon_. Sir, we have a delicate piece of beef in the pot,
and a pig at the fire.
_Aim_. Good supper-meat, I must confess. I can't eat
beef, landlord. {278}
_Arch_. And I hate pig.
_Aim_. Hold your prating, sirrah! do you know who you
are?
_Bon_. Please to bespeak something else; I have everything
in the house.
_Aim_. Have you any veal?
_Bon_. Veal! sir, we had a delicate loin of veal on
Wednesday last.
_Aim_. Have you got any fish or wildfowl? {287}
_Bon_. As for fish, truly, sir, we are an inland town, and
indifferently provided with fish, that 's the truth on't;
and then for wildfowl--we have a delicate couple of
rabbits. {291}
_Aim_. Get me the rabbits fricasseed.
_Bon_. Fricasseed! Lard, sir, they 'll eat much better
smothered with onions.
_Arch_. Psha! Damn your onions!
_Aim_. Again, sirrah!--Well, landlord, what you please.
But hold, I have a small charge of money, and your
house is so full of strangers that I believe it may
be safer in your custody than mine; for when this
fellow of mine gets drunk he tends to nothing.--Here,
sirrah, reach me the strong-box. {301}
_Arch_. Yes, sir.--[_Aside_.] This will give us a reputation.
[_Brings Aimwell the box_.
_Aim_. Here, landlord; the locks are sealed down both
for your security and mine; it holds somewhat
above two hundred pound: if you doubt it I'll
count it to you after supper; but be sure you lay it
where I may have it at a minute's warning; for my
affairs are a little dubious at present; perhaps I
may be gone in half an hour, perhaps I may be
your guest till the best part of that be spent; and
pray order your ostler to keep my horses always
saddled. But one thing above the rest I must beg,
that you would let this fellow have none of your
_Anno Domini_, as you call it; for he's the most
insufferable sot--Here, sirrah, light me to my chamber.
[_Exit, lighted by Archer_.
_Bon_. Cherry! daughter Cherry! {315}
_Re-enter Cherry_.
_Cher_. D'ye call, father?
_Bon_. Ay, child, you must lay by this box for the
gentleman: 'tis full of money.
_Cher_. Money! all that money! why, sure, father, the
gentleman comes to be chosen parliament-man.
Who is he? {321}
_Bon_. I don't know what to make of him; he talks of
keeping his horses ready saddled, and of going
perhaps at a minute's warning, or of staying perhaps
till the best part of this be spent.
_Cher_. Ay, ten to one, father, he's a highwayman.
_Bon_. A highwayman! upon my life, girl, you have hit it,
and this box is some new-purchased booty. Now,
could we find him out, the money were ours.
_Cher_. He don't belong to our gang. {330}
_Bon_. What horses have they?
_Cher_. The master rides upon a black.
_Bon_. A black! ten to one the man upon the black
mare; and since he don't belong to our fraternity,
we may betray him with a safe conscience: I don't
think it lawful to harbour any rogues but my own.
Look'ee, child, as the saying is, we must go
cunningly to work, proofs we must have; the
gentleman's servant loves drink, I'll ply him that
way, and ten to one loves a wench: you must work
him t' other way. {341}
_Cher_. Father, would you have me give my secret for
his?
_Bon_. Consider, child, there's two hundred pound to
boot.--[_Ringing without_.] Coming! coming!--Child,
mind your business. [_Exit_.
_Cher_. What a rogue is my father! My father! I deny
it. My mother was a good, generous, free-hearted
woman, and I can't tell how far her good nature
might have extended for the good of her children.
This landlord of mine, for I think I can call him
no more, would betray his guest, and debauch his
daughter into the bargain--by a footman too!
_Re-enter Archer_.
_Arch_. What footman, pray, mistress, is so happy as to
be the subject of your contemplation? {355}
_Cher_. Whoever he is, friend, he'll be but little the
better for't.
_Arch_. I hope so, for, I 'm sure, you did not think of me.
_Cher_. Suppose I had?
_Arch_. Why, then, you 're but even with me; for the
minute I came in, I was a-considering in what
manner I should make love to you.
_Cher_. Love to me, friend!
_Arch_. Yes, child. {364}
_Cher_. Child! manners!--If you kept a little more
distance, friend, it would become you much better.
_Arch_. Distance! good-night, sauce-box. [_Going_.
_Cher_. [_Aside_.] A pretty fellow! I like his pride.--
[_Aloud_.] Sir, pray, sir, you see, sir [_Archer returns_]
I have the credit to be entrusted with your master's
fortune here, which sets me a degree above his
footman; I hope, sir, you an't affronted? {372}
_Arch_. Let me look you full in the face, and I 'll tell you
whether you can affront me or no. 'Sdeath, child,
you have a pair of delicate eyes, and you don't
know what to do with 'em!
_Cher_. Why, sir, don't I see everybody?
_Arch_. Ay, but if some women had 'em, they would kill
everybody. Prithee, instruct me, I would fain make
love to you, but I don't know what to say. {380}
_Cher_. Why, did you never make love to anybody
before?
_Arch_. Never to a person of your figure I can assure
you, madam: my addresses have been always confined
to people within my own sphere, I never
aspired so high before. [_Sings_.
But you look so bright,
And are dress'd so tight,
That a man would swear you 're right,
As arm was e'er laid over. {390}
Such an air
You freely wear
To ensnare,
As makes each guest a lover!
Since then, my dear, I 'm your guest,
Prithee give me of the best
Of what is ready drest:
Since then, my dear, etc.
_Cher_. [_Aside_.] What can I think of this man?--[_Aloud_.]
Will you give me that song, sir? {400}
_Arch_. Ay, my dear, take it while 'tis warm.--[_Kisses
her_.] Death and fire! her lips are honeycombs.
_Cher_. And I wish there had been bees too, to have
stung you for your impudence.
_Arch_. There 's a swarm of Cupids, my little Venus, that
has done the business much better.
_Cher_. [_Aside_.] This fellow is misbegotten as well as I.--
[Aloud.] What's your name, sir?
_Arch_. [_Aside_.] Name! egad, I have forgot it.--[_Aloud_.]
Oh! Martin. {410}
_Cher_. Where were you born?
_Arch_. In St Martin's parish.
_Cher_. What was your father?
_Arch_. St. Martin's parish.
_Cher_. Then, friend, good-night
_Arch_. I hope not.
_Cher_. You may depend upon't
_Arch_. Upon what?
_Cher_. That you're very impudent.
_Arch_. That you 're very handsome. {420}
_Cher_. That you're a footman.
_Arch_. That you're an angel.
_Cher_. I shall be rude.
_Arch_. So shall I.
_Cher_. Let go my hand.
_Arch_. Give me a kiss. [_Kisses her_.
[_Call without_.] Cherry! Cherry!
_Cher_. I'm--my father calls; you plaguy devil, how
durst you stop my breath so? Offer to follow me
one step, if you dare. [_Exit_.
_Arch_. A fair challenge, by this light! this is a pretty
fair opening of an adventure; but we are knight-errants,
and so Fortune be our guide. [_Exit_.
ACT II., SCENE I.
_A Gallery in Lady Bountifuls House_.
_Enter Mrs. Sullen and Dorinda, meeting_.
_Dor_. Morrow, my dear sister; are you for church this
morning?
_Mrs. Sul_. Anywhere to pray; for Heaven alone can
help me. But I think, Dorinda, there's no form of
prayer in the liturgy against bad husbands:
_Dor_. But there's a form of law in Doctors-Common
and I swear, sister Sullen, rather than see you this
continually discontented, I would advise you
apply to that: for besides the part that I bear
your vexatious broils, as being sister to the husband
and friend to the wife, your example gives me such
an impression of matrimony, that I shall be apt
condemn my person to a long vacation all its life
But supposing, madam, that you brought it to
case of separation, what can you urge against your
husband? My brother is, first, the most constant
man alive.
_Mrs. Sul_. The most constant husband, I grant ye.
_Dor_. He never sleeps from you.
_Mrs. Sul_. No, he always sleeps with me. {20}
_Dor_. He allows you a maintenance suitable to your
quality.
_Mrs. Sul_. A maintenance! do you take me, madam, for
an hospital child, that I must sit down, and bless
my benefactors for meat, drink, and clothes? As
I take it, madam, I brought your brother ten
thousand pounds, out of which I might expect some
pretty things, called pleasures.
_Dor_. You share in all the pleasures that the country
affords. {30}
_Mrs. Sul_. Country pleasures! racks and torments!
Dost think, child, that my limbs were made for
leaping of ditches, and clambering over stiles? or
that my parents, wisely foreseeing my future
happiness in country pleasures, had early instructed
me in rural accomplishments of drinking fat ale,
playing at whisk, and smoking tobacco with my
husband? or of spreading of plasters, brewing of
diet-drinks, and stilling rosemary-water, with the
good old gentlewoman my mother-in-law? {40}
_Dor_. I'm sorry, madam, that it is not more in our
power to divert you; I could wish, indeed, that our
entertainments were a little more polite, or your
taste a little less refined. But, pray, madam, how
came the poets and philosophers, that laboured so
much in hunting after pleasure, to place it at last in
a country life? {47}
_Mrs. Sul_. Because they wanted money, child, to find
out the pleasures of the town. Did you ever see a
poet or philosopher worth ten thousand pounds?
if you can show me such a man, I 'll lay you fifty
pounds you'll find him somewhere within the
weekly bills. Not that I disapprove rural pleasures,
as the poets have painted them; in their landscape,
every Phillis has her Corydon, every murmuring
stream, and every flowery mead, gives fresh alarms
to love. Besides, you'll find, that their couples
were never married:--but yonder I see my Corydon,
and a sweet swain it is, Heaven knows!
Come, Dorinda, don't be angry, he's my husband,
and your brother; and, between both, is he not a
sad brute? {62}
_Dor_. I have nothing to say to your part of him, you 're
the best judge.
_Mrs. Sul_. O sister, sister! if ever you marry, beware of
a sullen, silent sot, one that's always musing, but
never thinks. There's some diversion in a talking
blockhead; and since a woman must wear chains,
I would have the pleasure of hearing 'em rattle a
little. Now you shall see, but take this by the way.
He came home this morning at his usual hour of
four, wakened me out of a sweet dream of something
else, by tumbling over the tea-table, which he
broke all to pieces; after his man and he had
rolled about the room, like sick passengers in a
storm, he comes flounce into bed, dead as a salmon
into a fishmonger's basket; his feet cold as ice, his
breath hot as a furnace, and his hands and his face
as greasy as his flannel night-cap. O matrimony!
He tosses up the clothes with a barbarous swing
over his shoulders, disorders the whole economy of
my bed, leaves me half naked, and my whole night's
comfort is the tuneable serenade of that wakeful
nightingale, his nose! Oh, the pleasure of counting
the melancholy clock by a snoring husband! But
now, sister, you shall see how handsomely, being a
well-bred man, he will beg my pardon. {87}
_Enter Squire Sullen_.
_Squire Sul_. My head aches consumedly.
_Mrs. Sul_. Will you be pleased, my dear, to drink tea
with us this morning? it may do your head good.
_Squire Sul_. No.
_Dor_. Coffee, brother?
_Squire Sul_. Psha!
_Mrs. Sul_. Will you please to dress, and go to church
with me? the air may help you.
_Squire Sul_. Scrub! [_Calls_.
_Enter Scrub_.
_Scrub_. Sir!
_Squire Sul_. What day o' th' week is this?
_Scrub_. Sunday, an't please your worship. {99}
_Squire Sul_. Sunday! bring me a dram; and d'ye hear,
set out the venison-pasty, and a tankard of strong
beer upon the hall-table, I 'll go to breakfast
[_Going_.
_Dor_. Stay, stay, brother, you shan't get off so; you
were very naught last night, and must make your
wife reparation; come, come, brother, won't you
ask pardon?
_Squire Sul_. For what?
_Dor_. For being drunk last night.
_Squire Sul_. I can afford it, can't I? {109}
_Mrs. Sul_. But I can't, sir.
_Squire Sul_. Then you may let it alone.
_Mrs. Sul_. But I must tell you, sir, that this is not to be
borne.
_Squire Sul_. I 'm glad on't.
_Mrs. Sul_. What is the reason, sir, that you use me thus
inhumanly?
_Squire Sul_. Scrub!
_Scrub_. Sir! {118}
_Squire Sul_. Get things ready to shave my head. [_Exit_.
_Mrs. Sul_. Have a care of coming near his temples,
Scrub, for fear you meet something there that may
turn the edge of your razor.--[_Exit Scrub_.] Inveterate
stupidity I did you ever know so hard, so
obstinate a spleen as his? O sister, sister! I shall
never ha' good of the beast till I get him to town;
London, dear London, is the place for managing
and breaking a husband.
_Dor_. And has not a husband the same opportunities
there for humbling a wife? {129}
_Mrs. Sul_. No, no, child, 'tis a standing maxim in
conjugal discipline, that when a man would enslave his
wife, he hurries her into the country; and when
a lady would be arbitrary with her husband, she
wheedles her booby up to town. A man dare not play
the tyrant in London, because there are so many
examples to encourage the subject to rebel. O
Dorinda! Dorinda! a fine woman may do anything
in London: o' my conscience, she may raise an
army of forty thousand men. {139}
_Dor_. I fancy, sister, you have a mind to be trying your
power that way here in Lichfield; you have drawn
the French count to your colours already.
_Mrs. Sul_. The French are a people that can't live
without their gallantries.
_Dor_. And some English that I know, sister, are not
averse to such amusements.
_Mrs. Sul_. Well, sister, since the truth must out, it may
do as well now as hereafter; I think, one way to
rouse my lethargic, sottish husband, is to give him
a rival: security begets negligence in all people,
and men must be alarmed to make 'em alert-in their
duty. Women are like pictures, of no value in the
hands of a fool, till he hears men of sense bid high
for the purchase.
_Dor_. This might do, sister, if my brother's understanding
were to be convinced into a passion for you; but,
I fancy, there's a natural aversion on his side; and
I fancy, sister, that you don't come much behind
him, if you dealt fairly. {159}
_Mrs. Sul_. I own it, we are united contradictions, fire
and water: but I could be contented, with a great
many other wives, to humour the censorious mob,
and give the world an appearance of living well with
my husband, could I bring him but to dissemble a
little kindness to keep me in countenance.
_Dor_. But how do you know, sister, but that, instead of
rousing your husband by this artifice to a counterfeit
kindness, he should awake in a real fury?
_Mrs. Sul_. Let him: if I can't entice him to the one, I
would provoke him to the other. {170}
_Dor_. But how must I behave myself between ye?
_Mrs. Sul_. You must assist me.
_Dor_. What, against my own brother?
_Mrs. Sul_. He's but half a brother, and I 'm your entire
friend. If I go a step beyond the bounds of honour,
leave me; till then, I expect you should go along with
me in everything; while I trust my honour in your
hands, you may trust your brother's in mine. The
count is to dine here to-day.
_Dor_. 'Tis a strange thing, sister, that I can't like that
man. {181}
_Mrs. Sul_. You like nothing; your time is not come;
Love and Death have their fatalities, and strike home
one time or other: you 'll pay for all one day, I
warrant ye. But come, my lady's tea is ready, and
'tis almost church time. [_Exeunt_.
ACT II., SCENE II.
_A Room in Boniface's Inn_.
_Enter Aimwell dressed, and Archer_.
_Aim_. And was she the daughter of the house?
_Arch_. The landlord is so blind as to think so; but I
dare swear she has better blood in her veins.
_Aim_. Why dost think so?
_Arch_. Because the baggage has a pert _je ne sais quoi_;
she reads plays, keeps a monkey, and is troubled
with vapours.
_Aim_. By which discoveries I guess that you know more
of _Cher_.
_Arch_. Not yet, faith; the lady gives herself airs;
forsooth, nothing under a gentleman!
_Aim_. Let me take her in hand.
_Arch_. Say one word more of that, and I'll declare
myself, spoil your sport there, and everywhere else;
look ye, Aim well, every man in his own sphere.
_Aim_. Right; and therefore you must pimp for your
master.
_Arch_. In the usual forms, good sir, after I have served
myself.--But to our business. You are so well
dressed, Tom, and make so handsome a figure, that
I fancy you may do execution in a country church;
the exterior part strikes first, and you're in the
right to make that impression favourable. {23}
_Aim_. There's something in that which may turn to
advantage. The appearance of a stranger in a
country church draws as many gazers as a blazing-star;
no sooner he comes into the cathedral, but a
train of whispers runs buzzing round the congregation
in a moment: _Who is he? Whence comes he?
Do you know him?_Then I, sir, tips me the verger
with half-a-crown; he pockets the simony, and
inducts me into the best pew in the church; I pull
out my snuff-box, turn myself round, bow to the
bishop, or the dean, if he be the commanding-officer;
single out a beauty, rivet both my eyes
to hers, set my nose a-bleeding by the strength of
imagination, and show the whole church my concern,
by my endeavouring to hide it; after the
sermon, the whole town gives me to her for a lover,
and by persuading the lady that I am a-dying for
her, the tables are turned, and she in good earnest
falls in love with me. {42}
_Arch_. There's nothing in this, Tom, without a precedent;
but instead of riveting your eyes to a
beauty, try to fix 'em upon a fortune; that's our
business at present.
_Aim_. Psha! no woman can be a beauty without a
fortune. Let me alone, for I am a marksman.
_Arch_. Tom!
_Aim_. Ay. {50}
_Arch_. When were you at church before, pray?
_Aim_. Um--I was there at the coronation.
_Arch_. And how can you expect a blessing by going to
church now?
_Aim_. Blessing! nay, Frank, I ask but for a wife. [_Exit_.
_Arch_. Truly, the man is not very unreasonable in his
demands. [_Exit at the opposite door_.
_Enter Boniface and Cherry_.
_Bon_. Well, daughter, as the saying is, have you brought
Martin to confess? {59}
_Cher_. Pray, father, don't put me upon getting anything
out of a man; I 'm but young, you know, father,
and I don't understand wheedling.
_Bon_. Young! why, you jade, as the saying is, can any
woman wheedle that is not young? your mother
was useless at five-and-twenty. Not wheedle!
would you make your mother a whore, and me a
cuckold, as the saying is? I tell you, his silence
confesses it, and his master spends his money so
freely, and is so much a gentleman every manner of
way, that he must be a highwayman. {70}
_Enter Gibbet, in a cloak_.
_Gib_. Landlord, landlord, is the coast clear?
_Bon_. O Mr. Gibbet, what 's the news?
_Gib_. No matter, ask no questions, all fair and
honourable.--Here, my dear Cherry.--[_Gives her a bag_.]
Two hundred sterling pounds, as good as any that
ever hanged or saved a rogue; lay 'em by with the
rest; and here-three wedding or mourning rings,
'tis much the same you know-here, two silver-hilted
swords; I took those from fellows that never
show any part of their swords but the hilts-here
is a diamond necklace which the lady hid in the
privatest place in the coach, but I found it out--
this gold watch I took from a pawnbroker's wife; it
was left in her hands by a person of quality: there's
the arms upon the case.
_Cher_. But who had you the money from? {86}
_Gib_. Ah! poor woman! I pitied her;-from a poor
lady just eloped from her husband. She had made
up her cargo, and was bound for Ireland, as hard
as she could drive; she told me of her husband's
barbarous usage, and so I left her half-a-crown.
But I had almost forgot, my dear Cherry, I have a
present for you.
_Cher_. What is 't?
_Gib_. A pot of ceruse, my child, that I took out of a
lady's under-pocket.
_Cher_. What, Mr. Gibbet, do you think that I paint?
_Gib_. Why, you jade, your betters do; I 'm sure the lady
that I took it from had a coronet upon her handkerchief.
Here, take my cloak, and go, secure the
premises. {101}
_Cher_. I will secure 'em. [_Exit_.
_Bon_. But, hark'ee, where's Hounslow and Bagshot?
_Gib_. They'll be here to-night.
_Bon_. D' ye know of any other gentlemen o' the pad on
this road?
_Gib_. No.
_Bon_. I fancy that I have two that lodge in the house
just now.
_Gib_. The devil! how d'ye smoke 'em? {110}
_Bon_. Why, the one is gone to church.
_Gib_. That's suspicious, I must confess.
_Bon_. And the other is now in his master's chamber; he
pretends to be servant to the other; we 'll call him
out and pump him a little.
_Gib_. With all my heart.
_Bon_. Mr. Martin! Mr. Martin! [_Calls_.
_Enter Archer, combing a periwig and singing_.
_Gib_. The roads are consumed deep, I'm as dirty as Old
Brentford at Christmas.--A good pretty fellow
that; whose servant are you, friend? {120}
_Arch_. My master's.
_Gib_. Really!
_Arch_. Really.
_Gib_. That 's much.--The fellow has been at the bar by
his evasions.--But, pray, sir, what is your master's
name?
_Arch_. _Tall, all, dall!_--[_Sings and combs the periwig._]
This is the most obstinate curl--
_Gib_. I ask you his name?
_Arch_. Name, sir--_tall, all, doll!_--I never asked him
his name in my life.--_Tall, all, doll!_ {131}
_Bon_. What think you now? [Aside to Gibbet.
_Gib_. [_Aside to Boniface_.] Plain, plain, he talks now as
if he were before a judge.--[_To Archer_.] But pray,
friend, which way does your master travel?
_Arch_. A-horseback.
_Gib_. [_Aside_.] Very well again, an old offender, right--
[_To Archer_.] But, I mean, does he go upwards or
downwards?
_Arch_. Downwards, I fear, sir.--_Tall, all!_ {140}
_Gib_. I 'm afraid my fate will be a contrary way.
_Bon_. Ha! ha! ha! Mr. Martin, you 're very arch.
This gentleman is only travelling towards Chester,
and would be glad of your company, that's all.--
Come, captain, you'll stay to-night, I suppose?
I'll show you a chamber--come, captain.
_Gib_. Farewell, friend!
_Arch_. Captain, your servant.--[_Exeunt Boniface and
Gibbet._] Captain! a pretty fellow! 'Sdeath, I
wonder that the officers of the army don't conspire
to beat all scoundrels in red but their own. {151}
_Re-enter Cherry_.
_Cher_. [_Aside_.] Gone, and Martin here! I hope he did
not listen; I would have the merit of the discovery
all my own, because I would oblige him to love me.
--[_Aloud_] Mr. Martin, who was that man with my
father?
_Arch_. Some recruiting Serjeant, or whipped-out trooper,
I suppose.
_Cher_. All's safe, I find. [_Aside_
_Arch_. Come, my dear, have you conned over the
catechise I taught you last night? {161}
_Cher_. Come, question me.
_Arch_. What is love?
_Cher_. Love is I know not what, it comes I know not
how, and goes I know not when.
_Arch_. Very well, an apt scholar.--[_Chucks her under the
chin_.] Where does love enter?
_Cher_. Into the eyes.
_Arch_. And where go out?
_Cher_. I won't tell ye. {170}
_Arch_. What are the objects of that passion?
_Cher_. Youth, beauty, and clean linen.
_Arch_. The reason?
_Cher_. The two first are fashionable in nature, and the
third at court.
_Arch_. That's my dear.--What are the signs and tokens
of that passion?
_Cher_. A stealing look, a stammering tongue, words
improbable, designs impossible, and actions impracticable.
{180}
_Arch_. That's my good child, kiss me.---What must a
lover do to obtain his mistress?
_Cher_. He must adore the person that disdains him,
he must bribe the chambermaid that betrays him,
and court the footman that laughs at him. He
must--he must--
_Arch_. Nay, child, I must whip you if you don't mind
your lesson; he must treat his-- {188}
_Cher_. Oh ay!--he must treat his enemies with respect,
his friends with indifference, and all the world with
contempt; he must suffer much, and fear more; he
must desire much, and hope little; in short, he
must embrace his ruin, and throw himself away.
_Arch_. Had ever man so hopeful a pupil as mine!--
Come, my dear, why is love called a riddle?
_Cher_. Because, being blind, he leads those that see, and,
though a child, he governs a man.
_Arch_. Mighty well!--And why is Love pictured blind?
_Cher_. Because the painters out of the weakness or
privilege of their art chose to hide those eyes that
they could not draw. {199}
_Arch_. That's my dear little scholar, kiss me again.--
And why should Love, that's a child, govern a man?
_Cher_. Because that a child is the end of love.
_Arch_. And so ends Love's catechism.--And now, my
dear, we'll go in and make my master's bed.
_Cher_. Hold, hold, Mr. Martin! You have taken a great
deal of pains to instruct me, and what d' ye think I
have learned by it?
_Arch_. What? {209}
_Cher_. That your discourse and your habit are
contradictions, and it would be nonsense in me to believe
you a footman any longer.
_Arch_. 'Oons, what a witch it is!
_Cher_. Depend upon this, sir, nothing in this garb shall
ever tempt me; for, though I was born to servitude,
I hate it. Own your condition, swear you love me,
and then--
_Arch_. And then we shall go make my master's bed?
_Cher_. Yes. {219}
_Arch_. You must know, then, that I am born a gentleman,
my education was liberal; but I went to
London a younger brother, fell into the hands of
sharpers, who stripped me of my money, my friends
disowned me, and now my necessity brings me to
what you see.
_Cher_. Then take my hand--promise to marry me before
you sleep, and I'll make you master of two
thousand pounds.
_Arch_. How! {229}
_Cher_. Two thousand pounds that I have this minute in
my own custody; so, throw off your livery this
instant, and I 'll go find a parson.
_Arch_. What said you? a parson!
_Cher_. What! do you scruple?
_Arch_. Scruple! no, no, but--Two thousand pounds, you say?
_Cher_. And better.
_Arch_. [_Aside_.] 'Sdeath, what shall I do?--[_Aloud_.] But
hark 'ee, child, what need you make me master of
yourself and money, when you may have the same
pleasure out of me, and still keep your fortune in
your hands?
_Cher_. Then you won't marry me? {242}
_Arch_. I would marry you, but--
_Cher_. O sweet sir, I'm your humble servant, you're
fairly caught! Would you persuade me that any
gentleman who could bear the scandal of wearing
a livery would refuse two thousand pounds, let the
condition be what it would? no, no, sir. But I
hope you 'll pardon the freedom I have taken, since
it was only to inform myself of the respect that I
ought to pay you. [_Going_.
_Arch_. [_Aside_.] Fairly bit, by Jupiter!--[_Aloud_.] Hold!
hold!--And have you actually two thousand pounds? {254}
_Cher_. Sir, I have my secrets as well as you; when you
please to be more open I shall be more free, and
be assured that I have discoveries that will match
yours, be what they will. In the meanwhile, be
satisfied that no discovery I make shall ever hurt
you, but beware of my father! [_Exit_.
_Arch_. So! we're like to have as many adventures in
our inn as Don Quixote had in his. Let me see--
two thousand pounds--if the wench would promise
to die when the money were spent, egad, one would
marry her; but the fortune may go off in a year or
two, and the wife may live--Lord knows how long.
Then an innkeeper's daughter! ay, that's the
devil--there my pride brings me off. {268}
For whatsoe'er the sages charge on pride,
The angels' fall, and twenty faults beside,
On earth, I'm sure, 'mong us of mortal calling,
Pride saves man oft, and woman too, from falling.
[_Exit_.
ACT III., SCENE I
_The Gallery in Lady Bountiful's House.
Enter Mrs. Sullen and Dorinda_.
_Mrs. Su_., Ha! ha! ha! my dear sister, let me embrace
thee! now we are friends indeed; for I shall have a
secret of yours as a pledge for mine--now you'll be
good for something, I shall have you conversable in
the subjects of the sex.
_Dor_. But do you think that I am so weak as to fall in
love with a fellow at first sight?
_Mrs. Sul_. Psha! now you spoil all; why should not we
be as free in our friendships as the men? I warrant
you, the gentleman has got to his confidant already,
has avowed his passion, toasted your health, called
you ten thousand angels, has run over your lips,
eyes, neck, shape, air, and everything, in a description
that warms their mirth to a second enjoyment.
_Dor_. Your hand, sister, I an't well.
_Mrs. Sul_. So--she's breeding already--come, child, up
with it--hem a little--so--now tell me, don't you like
the gentleman that we saw at church just now?
_Dor_. The man's well enough.
_Mrs. Sul_. Well enough! is he not a demigod, a Narcissus,
a star, the man i' the moon? {21}
_Dor_. O sister, I'm extremely ill!
_Mrs. Sul_. Shall I send to your mother, child, for a little
of her cephalic plaster to put to the soles of your
feet, or shall I send to the gentleman for something
for you? Come, unlace your stays, unbosom yourself.
The man is perfectly a pretty fellow; I saw
him when he first came into church.
_Dor_. I saw him too, sister, and with an air that shone,
methought, like rays about his person. {30}
_Mrs. Sul_. Well said, up with it!
_Dor_. No forward coquette behaviour, no airs to set him
off, no studied looks nor artful posture--but Nature
did it all--
_Mrs. Sul_. Better and better!--one touch more--come!
_Dor_. But then his looks--did you observe his eyes?
_Mrs. Sul_. Yes, yes, I did.--His eyes, well, what of his
eyes? {38}
_Dor_. Sprightly, but not wandering; they seemed to
view, but never gazed on anything but me.--And
then his looks so humble were, and yet so noble,
that they aimed to tell me that he could with pride
die at my feet, though he scorned slavery anywhere
else.
_Mrs. Sul_. The physic works purely!--How d' ye find
yourself now, my dear?
_Dor_. Hem! much better, my dear.--Oh, here comes our
Mercury!
_Enter Scrub_.
Well, Scrub, what news of the gentleman?
_Scrub_. Madam, I have brought you a packet of news.
_Dor_. Open it quickly, come. {51}
_Scrub_. In the first place I inquired who the gentleman
was; they told me he was a stranger. Secondly, I
asked what the gentleman was; they answered and
said, that they never saw him before. Thirdly, I
inquired what countryman he was; they replied,
'twas more than they knew. Fourthly, I demanded
whence he came; their answer was, they could not
tell. And, fifthly, I asked whither he went; and
they replied, they knew nothing of the matter,--and
this is all I could learn. {61}
_Mrs. Sul_. But what do the people say? can't they
guess?
_Scrub_. Why, some think he's a spy, some guess he's a
mountebank, some say one thing, some another:
but, for my own part, I believe he's a Jesuit.
_Dor_. A Jesuit! why a Jesuit?
_Scrub_. Because he keeps his horses always ready
saddled, and his footman talks French.
_Mrs. Sul_. His footman! {70}
_Scrub_. Ay, he and the count's footman were jabbering
French like two intriguing ducks in a mill-pond;
and I believe they talked of me, for they laughed
consumedly.
_Dor_. What sort of livery has the footman?
_Scrub_. Livery! Lord, madam, I took him for a captain,
he's so bedizzened with lace! And then he has
tops to his shoes, up to his mid leg, a silver-headed
cane dangling at his knuckles; he carries his
hands in his pockets just so--[_walks in the French
air_.--and has a fine long periwig tied up in a bag.
--Lord, madam, he's clear another sort of man
than I! {83}
_Mrs. Sul_. That may easily be.--But what shall we do
now, sister?
_Dor_. I have it--this fellow has a world of simplicity,
and some cunning, the first hides the latter by
abundance.--Scrub!
_Scrub_. Madam!
_Dor_. We have a great mind to know who this gentleman
is, only for our satisfaction.
_Scrub_. Yes, madam, it would be a satisfaction, no doubt.
_Dor_. You must go and get acquainted with his footman,
and invite him hither to drink a bottle of your ale
because you 're butler to-day. {95}
_Scrub_. Yes, madam, I am butler every Sunday.
_Mrs. Sul_. O' brave! sister, o' my conscience, you
understand the mathematics already. 'Tis the best
plot in the world: your mother, you know, will be
gone to church, my spouse will be got to the ale-house
with his scoundrels, and the house will be our
own--so we drop in by accident, and ask the fellow
some questions ourselves. In the country, you
know, any stranger is company, and we're glad to
take up with the butler in a country-dance, and
happy if he 'll do us the favour. {106}
_Scrub_. O madam, you wrong me! I never refused your
ladyship the favour in my life.
_Enter Gipsy_.
_Gip_. Ladies, dinner's upon table.
_Dor_. Scrub, we'll excuse your waiting--go where we
ordered you.
_Scrub_. I shall. [_Exeunt_.
ACT III., SCENE II
_A Room in Bonifaces Inn_.
_Enter Aimwell and Archer_.
_Arch_. Well, Tom, I find you 're a marksman.
_Aim_. A marksman! who so blind could be, as not
discern a swan among the ravens?
_Arch_. Well, but hark'ee, Aimwell!
_Aim_. Aimwell! call me Oroondates, Cesario, Amadis,
all that romance can in a lover paint, and then I 'll
answer. O Archer! I read her thousands in her
looks, she looked like Ceres in her harvest: corn,
wine and oil, milk and honey, gardens, groves, and
purling streams played on her plenteous face. {10}
_Arch_. Her face! her pocket, you mean; the corn, wine
and oil, lies there. In short, she has ten thousand
pounds, that's the English on't.
_Aim_. Her eyes------
_Arch_. Are demi-cannons, to be sure; so I won't stand
their battery. [_Going_.
_Aim_.-Pray excuse me, my passion must have vent.
_Arch_. Passion! what a plague, d' ye think these
romantic airs will do our business? Were my temper
as extravagant as yours, my adventures have something
more romantic by half. {21}
_Aim_. Your adventures!
_Arch_. Yes,
The nymph that with her twice ten hundred pounds,
With brazen engine hot, and quoif clear-starched,
Can fire the guest in warming of the bed----
There's a touch of sublime Milton for you, and the
subject but an innkeeper's daughter! I can play
with a girl as an angler does with his fish; he keeps
it at the end of his line, runs it up the stream, and
down the stream, till at last he brings it to hand,
tickles the trout, and so whips it into his basket.
_Enter Boniface_.
_Bon_. Mr. Martin, as the saying is--yonder's an honest
fellow below, my Lady Bountiful's butler, who begs
the honour that you would go home with him and
see his cellar.
_Arch_. Do my _baise-mains_ to the gentleman, and tell
him I will do myself the honour to wait on him
immediately. [_Exit Boniface_.
_Aim_. What do I hear? {40}
Soft Orpheus play, and fair Toftida sing!
_Arch_. Psha! damn your raptures; I tell you, here's a
pump going to be put into the vessel, and the ship
will get into harbour, my life on't. You say, there's
another lady very handsome there?
_Aim_. Yes, faith.
_Arch_. I 'm in love with her already.
_Aim_. Can't you give me a bill upon Cherry in the
meantime?
_Arch_. No, no, friend, all her corn, wine and oil, is
ingrossed to my market. And once more I warn
you, to keep your anchorage clear of mine; for if
you fall foul of me, by this light you shall go
to the bottom! What! make prize of my little
frigate, while I am upon the cruise for you!----
_Aim_. Well, well, I won't. [_Exit Archer_.
_Re-enter Boniface_.
Landlord, have you any tolerable company in the
house, I don't care for dining alone?
_Bon_. Yes, sir, there's a captain below, as the saying is,
that arrived about an hour ago. {60}
_Aim_. Gentlemen of his coat are welcome everywhere;
will you make him a compliment from me and tell
him I should be glad of his company?
_Bon_. Who shall I tell him, sir, would--
_Aim_. [_Aside_.] Ha! that stroke was well thrown in!--
[_Aloud._] I'm only a traveller, like himself, and
would be glad of his company, that's all.
_Bon_. I obey your commands, as the saying is. [_Exit_.
_Re-enter Archer_.
_Arch_. 'Sdeath I I had forgot; what title will you give
yourself? {70}
_Aim_. My brother's, to be sure; he would never give me
anything else, so I'll make bold with his honour
this bout:--you know the rest of your cue.
_Arch_. Ay, ay. [_Exit_.
_Enter Gibbet_.
_Gib_. Sir, I 'm yours.
_Aim_. 'Tis more than I deserve, sir, for I don't know
you.
_Gib_. I don't wonder at that, sir, for you never saw me
before--[_Aside_] I hope.
_Aim_. And pray, sir, how came I by the honour of seeing
you now? {81}
_Gib_. Sir, I scorn to intrude upon any gentleman--but
my landlord--
_Aim_. O sir, I ask your pardon, you 're the captain he
told me of?
_Gib_. At your service, sir.
_Aim_. What regiment, may I be so bold?
_Gib_. A marching regiment, sir, an old corps.
_Aim_. [_Aside_.] Very old, if your coat be regimental--
[_Aloud_.] You have served abroad, sir? {90}
_Gib_. Yes, sir--in the plantations, 'twas my lot to be
sent into the worst service; I would have quitted it
indeed, but a man of honour, you know--Besides,
'twas for the good of my country that I should be
abroad:--anything for the good of one's country--
I'm a Roman for that.
_Aim_. [_Aside_.] One of the first; I 'll lay my life. [_Aloud_.]
You found the West Indies very hot, sir?
_Gib_. Ay, sir, too hot for me.
_Aim_. Pray, sir, han't I seen your face at Will's coffee-house?
{101}
_Gib_. Yes, sir, and at White's too.
_Aim_. And where is your company now, captain?
_Gib_. They an't come yet.
_Aim_. Why, d' ye expect 'em here?
_Gib_. They 'll be here to-night, sir.
_Aim_. Which way do they march?
_Gib_. Across the country.--[_Aside_.] The devil's in 't, if I
han't said enough to encourage him to declare!
But I'm afraid he's not right; I must tack
about {111}
_Aim_. Is your company to quarter in Lichfield?
_Gib_. In this house, sir.
_Aim_. What! all?
_Gib_. My company's but thin, ha! ha! ha! we are but
three, ha! ha! ha!
_Aim_. You're merry, sir.
_Gib_. Ay, sir, you must excuse me, sir; I understand the
world, especially the art of travelling: I don't care,
sir, for answering questions directly upon the road--
for I generally ride with a charge about me. {121}
_Aim_. Three or four, I believe. [Aside.
_Gib_. I am credibly informed that there are highwaymen
upon this quarter; not, sir, that I could suspect a
gentleman of your figure--but truly, sir, I have got
such a way of evasion upon the road, that I don't
care for speaking truth to any man.
_Aim_. [_Aside_.] Your caution may be necessary.--[_Aloud_.]
Then I presume you're no captain? {129}
_Gib_. Not I, sir; captain is a good travelling name, and
so I take it; it stops a great many foolish inquiries
that are generally made about gentlemen that travel,
it gives a man an air of something, and makes the
drawers obedient:--and thus far I am a captain,
and no farther.
_Aim_. And pray, sir, what is your true profession?
_Gib_. O sir, you must excuse me!--upon my word, sir, I
don't think it safe to tell ye.
_Aim_. Ha! ha! ha! upon my word I commend you.
_Re-enter Boniface_.
Well, Mr. Boniface, what's the news? {140}
_Bon_. There's another gentleman below, as the saying is,
that hearing you were but two, would be glad to
make the third man, if you would give him leave.
_Aim_. What is he?
_Bon_. A clergyman, as the saying is.
_Aim_. A clergyman! is he really a clergyman? or is it
only his travelling name, as my friend the captain
has it?
_Bon_. O sir, he's a priest, and chaplain to the French
officers in town. {150}
_Aim_. Is he a Frenchman?
_Bon_. Yes, sir, born at Brussels.
_Gib_. A Frenchman, and a priest! I won't be seen in his
company, sir; I have a value for my reputation, sir.
_Aim_. Nay, but, captain, since we are by ourselves--can
he speak English, landlord?
_Bon_. Very well, sir; you may know him, as the saying
is, to be a foreigner by his accent, and that's all.
_Aim_. Then he has been in England before?
_Bon_. Never, sir; but he's a master of languages, as the
saying is; he talks Latin--it does me good to hear
him talk Latin. {162}
_Aim_. Then you understand Latin, Mr Boniface?
_Bon_. Not I, sir, as the saying is; but he talks it so very
fast, that I 'm sure it must be good.
_Aim_. Pray, desire him to walk up.
_Bon_. Here he is, as the saying is.
_Enter Foigard_.
_Foi_. Save you, gentlemens, bote.
_Aim_. [Aside.] A Frenchman!--[To Foigard.] Sir, your
most humble servant. {170}
_Foi_. Och, dear joy, I am your most faithful shervant,
and yours alsho.
_Gib_. Doctor, you talk very good English, but you have
a mighty twang of the foreigner.
_Foi_. My English is very veil for the vords, but we
foreigners, you know, cannot bring our tongues
about the pronunciation so soon.
_Aim_. [_Aside_.] A foreigner! a downright Teague, by
this light!--[_Aloud_.] Were you born in France,
doctor? {180}
_Foi_. I was educated in France, but I was borned at
Brussels; I am a subject of the King of Spain, joy.
_Gib_. What King of Spain, sir? speak!
_Foi_. Upon my shoul, joy, I cannot tell you as yet.
_Aim_. Nay, captain, that was too hard upon the doctor;
he's a stranger.
_Foi_. Oh, let him alone, dear joy; I am of a nation that is
not easily put out of countenance.
_Aim_. Come, gentlemen, I 'll end the dispute.--Here,
landlord, is dinner ready? {190}
_Bon_. Upon the table, as the saying is.
_Aim_. Gentlemen--pray--that door--
_Foi_. No, no, fait, the captain must lead.
_Aim_. No, doctor, the church is our guide.
_Gib_. Ay, ay, so it is.
[_Exit Foigard foremost, the others following_.
ACT III., SCENE III.
_The Gallery in Lady Bountiful's House_.
_Enter Archer and Scrub singing, and hugging one
another, the latter with a tankard in his hand
Gipsy listening at a distance_.
_Scrub_. _Tall, all, dall!_--Come, my dear boy, let 's have
that song once more.
_Arch_. No, no, we shall disturb the family.--But will you
be sure to keep the secret?
_Scrub_. Pho! upon my honour, as I'm a gentleman.
_Arch_. 'Tis enough. You must know, then, that my master
is the Lord Viscount Aimwell; he fought a duel
t' other day in London, wounded his man so dangerously,
that he thinks fit to withdraw till he hears
whether the gentleman's wounds be mortal or not
He never was in this part of England before, so he
chose to retire to this place, that's all. {12}
_Gip_. And that's enough for me. [_Exit_.
_Scrub_. And where were you when your master
fought?
_Arch_. We never know of our masters' quarrels.
_Scrub_. No! if our masters in the country here receive
a challenge, the first thing they do is to tell their
wives; the wife tells the servants, the servants
alarm the tenants, and in half an hour you shall
have the whole county in arms. {21}
_Arch_. To hinder two men from doing what they have
no mind for.--But if you should chance to talk now
of my business?
Scrub. Talk! ay, sir, had I not learned the knack of
holding my tongue, I had never lived so long in a
great family.
_Arch_. Ay, ay, to be sure there are secrets in all families.
_Scrub_. Secrets! ay;--but I 'll say no more. Come, sit
down, we 'll make an end of our tankard: here--
[_Gives Archer the tankard_.
_Arch_. With all my heart; who knows but you and I
may come to be better acquainted, eh? Here's
your ladies' healths; you have three, I think, and to
be sure there must be secrets among 'em. [_Drinks_.
_Scrub_. Secrets! ay, friend.--I wish I had a friend!
_Arch_. Am not I your friend? come, you and I will
sworn brothers.
_Scrub_. Shall we?
_Arch_.. From this minute. Give me a kiss:--and no
brother Scrub--
_Scrub_. And now, brother Martin, I will tell you a secret
that will make your hair stand on end. You must
know that I am consumedly in love.
_Arch_. That's a terrible secret, that's the truth on't
_Scrub_. That jade, Gipsy, that was with us just now in
the cellar, is the arrantest whore that ever wore a
petticoat; and I 'm dying for love of her.
_Arch_. Ha! ha! ha!--Are you in love with her person
her virtue, brother Scrub?
_Scrub_. I should like virtue best, because it is more
durable than beauty: for virtue holds good with
some women long, and many a day after they have
lost it.
_Arch_. In the country, I grant ye, where no woman's
virtue is lost, till a bastard be found.
_Scrub_. Ay, could I bring her to a bastard, I should have
her all to myself; but I dare not put it upon, the
lay, for fear of being sent for a soldier. Pray
brother, how do you gentlemen in London like this
same Pressing Act?
_Arch_. Very ill, brother Scrub; 'tis the worst that ever
was made for us. Formerly I remember the good
days, when we could dun our masters for our wage
and if they refused to pay us, we could have a
warrant to carry 'em before a Justice: but now if
we talk of eating, they have a warrant for us, and
carry us before three Justices.
_Scrub_. And to be sure we go, if we talk of eating; for
the Justices won't give their own servants a bad
example. Now this is my misfortune--I dare not
speak in the house, while that jade Gipsy dings
about like a fury.---Once I had the better end of the
staff.
_Arch_. And how comes the change now?
_Scrub_. Why, the mother of all this mischief is a priest.
_Arch_. A priest!
_Scrub_. Ay, a damned son of a whore of Babylon, that
came over hither to say grace to the French officers,
and eat up our provisions. There's not a day goes
over his head without a dinner or supper in this house.
_Arch_. How came he so familiar in the family? {81}
_Scrub_. Because he speaks English as if he had lived
here all his life, and tells lies as if he had been a
traveller from his cradle.
_Arch_. And this priest, I'm afraid, has converted the
affections of your Gipsy?
_Scrub_. Converted! ay, and perverted, my dear friend:
for, I 'm afraid, he has made her a whore and a
papist! But this is not all; there's the French
count and Mrs. Sullen, they 're in the confederacy,
and for some private ends of their own, to be sure.
_Arch_. A very hopeful family yours, brother Scrub!
suppose the maiden lady has her lover too?
_Scrub_. Not that I know: she's the best on 'em, that's
the truth on't: but they take care to prevent my
curiosity, by giving me so much business, that I'm
a perfect slave. What d' ye think is my place in
this family?
_Arch_. Butler, I suppose. 99
_Scrub_. Ah, Lord help you! I 'll tell you. Of a Monday
I drive the coach, of a Tuesday I drive the plough,
on Wednesday I follow the hounds, a Thursday I
dun the tenants, on Friday I go to market, on Saturday
I draw warrants, and a Sunday I draw beer.
_Arch_. Ha! ha! ha! if variety be a pleasure in life, you
have enough on't, my dear brother. But what
ladies are those?
_Scrub_. Ours, ours; that upon the right hand is Mrs.
Sullen, and the other is Mrs. Dorinda. Don't mind
'em; sit still, man. {110}
_Enter Mrs. Sullen and Dorinda_.
_Mrs. Sul_. I have heard my brother talk of my Lord
Aimwell; but they say that his brother is the
finer gentleman.
_Dor_. That's impossible, sister.
_Mrs. Sul_. He's vastly rich, but very close, they say.
_Dor_. No matter for that; if I can creep into his heart,
I 'll open his breast, I warrant him: I have heard
say, that people may be guessed at by the behaviour
of their servants; I could wish we might talk to
that fellow. {120}
_Mrs. Sul_. So do I; for I think he 's a very pretty
fellow. Come this way, I'll throw out a lure for
him presently.
[_Dorinda and Mrs. Sullen walk a turn towards
the opposite side of the stage_.
_Arch_. [_Aside_.] Corn, wine, and oil indeed!--But, I
think, the wife has the greatest plenty of flesh and
blood; she should be my choice.--Ay, ay, say you
so!--[_Mrs. Sullen drops her glove. Archer runs,
takes it up and gives to her_.] Madam--your ladyship's
glove.
_Mrs. Sul_. O sir, I thank you!--[To Dorinda.] What
a handsome bow the fellow has! {131}
_Dor_. Bow! why, I have known several footmen come
down from London set up here for dancing-masters,
and carry off the best fortunes in the country.
_Arch_. [_Aside_.] That project, for aught I know, had been
better than ours.--[_To Scrub_.] Brother Scrub, why
don't you introduce me?
_Scrub_. Ladies, this is the strange gentleman's servant
that you saw at church to-day; I understood he
came from London, and so I invited him to the
cellar, that he might show me the newest flourish in
whetting my knives. {142}
_Dor_. And I hope you have made much of him?
_Arch_. Oh yes, madam, but the strength of your lady
ship's liquor is a little too potent for the constitution
of your humble servant.
_Mrs. Sul_. What, then you don't usually drink ale?
_Arch_. No, madam; my constant drink is tea, or a little
wine and water. 'Tis prescribed me by the physician
for a remedy against the spleen. {150}
_Scrub_. Oh la! Oh la! a footman have the spleen!
_Mrs. Sul_. I thought that distemper had been only
proper to people of quality?
_Arch_. Madam, like all other fashions it wears Out, and
so descends to their servants; though in a great
many of us, I believe, it proceeds from some
melancholy particles in the blood, occasioned by
the stagnation of wages.
_Dor_. [_Aside to Mrs. Sullen_.] How affectedly the fello*
talks!--[_To Archer_.] How long, pray, have yon
served your present master? {161}
_Arch_. Not long; my life has been mostly spent in the
service of the ladies.
_Mrs. Sul_. And pray, which service do you like best?
_Arch_. Madam, the ladies pay best; the honour of
serving them is sufficient wages; there is a charm in
their looks that delivers a pleasure with their commands,
and gives our duty the wings of inclination.
_Mrs. Sul_. [_Aside_.] That flight was above the pitch of a
livery.--[_Aloud_.] And, sir, would not you be satisfied
to serve a lady again? {171}
_Arch_. As a groom of the chamber, madam, but not as a
footman.
_Mrs. Sul_. I suppose you served as footman before?
_Arch_. For that reason I would not serve in that post
again; for my memory is too weak for the load of
messages that the ladies lay upon their servants in
London. My Lady Howd'ye, the last mistress I
served, called me up one morning, and told me,
'Martin, go to my Lady Allnight with my humble
service; tell her I was to wait on her ladyship
yesterday, and left word with Mrs. Rebecca, that
the preliminaries of the affair she knows of, are
stopped till we know the concurrence of the person
that I know of, for which there are circumstances
wanting which we shall accommodate at the old
place; but that in the meantime there is a person
about her ladyship, that from several hints and
surmises, was accessory at a certain time to the
disappointments that naturally attend things, that
to her knowledge are of more importance--' {191}
_Mrs. Sul_., _Dor_. Ha! ha! ha! where are you going, sir?
_Arch_. Why, I han't half done!--The whole howd'ye was
about half an hour long; so I happened to misplace
two syllables, and was turned off, and rendered incapable.
_Dor_. [_Aside to Mrs. Sullen_.] The pleasantest fellow,
sister, I ever saw!--[_To Archer_.] But, friend, if your
master be married, I presume you still serve a lady?
_Arch_. No, madam, I take care never to come into a
married family; the commands of the master and
mistress are always so contrary, that 'tis impossible
to please both. {203}
_Dor_. There's a main point gained: my lord is not
married, I find. [_Aside_.
_Mrs. Sul_. But I wonder, friend, that in so many good
services, you had not a better provision made for
you.
_Arch_. I don't know how, madam. I had a lieutenancy
offered me three or four times; but that is not bread,
madam--I live much better as I do. {211}
_Scrub_. Madam, he sings rarely! I was thought to do
pretty well here in the country till he came; but
alack a day, I 'm nothing to my brother Martin!
_Dor_. Does he?--Pray, sir, will you oblige us with a
song?
_Arch_. Are you for passion or humour?
_Scrub_. Oh le! he has the purest ballad about a trifle--
_Mrs. Sul_. A trifle! pray, sir, let's have it.
_Arch_. I 'm ashamed to offer you a trifle, madam; but
since you command me-- {221}
[_Sings to the tune of Sir Simon the King_]
A trifling song you shall hear,
Begun with a trifle and ended:
All trifling people draw near,
And I shall be nobly attended.
Were it not for trifles, a few,
That lately have come into play;
The men would want something to do,
And the women want something to say.
What makes men trifle in dressing? {235}
Because the ladies (they know)
Admire, by often possessing,
That eminent trifle, a beau.
When the lover his moments has trifled,
The trifle of trifles to gain:
No sooner the virgin is rifled,
But a trifle shall part 'em again.
What mortal man would be able
At White's half an hour to sit?
Or who could bear a tea-table, {240}
Without talking of trifles for wit?
The court is from trifles secure,
Gold keys are no trifles, we see:
White rods are no trifles, I 'm sure,
Whatever their bearers may be.
But if you will go to the place,
Where trifles abundantly breed,
The levee will show you His Grace
Makes promises trifles indeed.
A coach with six footmen behind, {250}
I count neither trifle nor sin:
But, ye gods! how oft do we find
A scandalous trifle within.
A flask of champagne, people think it
A trifle, or something as bad:
But if you 'll contrive how to drink it;
You 'll find it no trifle, egad!
A parson's a trifle at sea,
A widow's a trifle in sorrow:
A peace is a trifle to-day, {260}
Who knows what may happen to-morrow!
A black coat a trifle may cloke,
Or to hide it, the red may endeavour:
But if once the army is broke,
We shall have more trifles than ever.
The stage is a trifle, they say,
The reason, pray carry along,
Because at every new play,
The house they with trifles so throng.
But with people's malice to trifle, {270}
And to set us all on a foot:
The author of this is a trifle,
And his song is a trifle to boot.
_Mrs. Sul_. Very well, sir, we 're obliged to you.--
Something for a pair of gloves. [_Offering him money_.
_Arch_. I humbly beg leave to be excused: my master,
madam, pays me; nor dare I take money from any
other hand, without injuring his honour, and
disobeying his commands. [_Exit Archer and Scrub_.
_Dor_. This is surprising! Did you ever see so pretty a
well-bred fellow? {281}
_Mrs. Sul_. The devil take him for wearing that livery!
_Dor_. I fancy, sister, he may be some gentleman, a friend
of my lord's, that his lordship has pitched upon for
his courage, fidelity, and discretion, to bear him
company in this dress, and who ten to one was his
second too.
_Mrs. Sul_. It is so, it must be so, and it shall be so!--
for I like him.
_Dor_. What! better than the Count? {290}
_Mrs. Sul_. The Count happened to be the most agreeable
man upon the place; and so I chose him to serve
me in my design upon my husband. But I should
like this fellow better in a design upon myself.
_Dor_. But now, sister, for an interview with this lord and
this gentleman; how shall we bring that about?
_Mrs. Sul_. Patience! you country ladies give no quarter
if once you be entered. Would you prevent their
desires, and give the fellows no wishing-time?
Look'ee, Dorinda, if my Lord Aimwell loves you or
deserves you, he'll find a way to see you, and there
we must leave it. My business comes now upon
the tapis. Have you prepared your brother? {303}
_Dor_. Yes, yes.
_Mrs. Sul_. And how did he relish it?
_Dor_. He said little, mumbled something to himself,
promised to be guided by me--but here he comes.
_Enter Squire Sullen_.
_Squire Sul_. What singing was that I heard just now?
_Mrs. Sul_. The singing in your head, my dear; you
complained of it all day. {310}
_Squire Sul_. You're impertinent
_Mrs. Sul_. I was ever so, since I became one flesh with
you.
_Squire Sul_. One flesh! rather two carcasses joined
unnaturally together.
_Mrs. Sul_. Or rather a living soul coupled to a dead
body.
_Dor_. So, this is fine encouragement for me!
_Squire Sul_. Yes, my wife shows you what you must do.
_Mrs. Sul_. And my husband shows you what you must
suffer. {321}
_Squire Sul_. 'Sdeath, why can't you be silent?
_Mrs. Sul_. 'Sdeath, why can't you talk?
_Squire Sul_. Do you talk to any purpose?
_Mrs. Sul_. Do you think to any purpose?
_Squire Sul_. Sister, hark'ee I--[_Whispers_.] I shan't be
home till it be late. [_Exit_.
_Mrs. Sul_. What did he whisper to ye? {328}
_Dor_. That he would go round the back way, come into
the closet, and listen as I directed him. But let
me beg you once more, dear sister, to drop this
project; for as I told you before, instead of awaking
him to kindness, you may provoke him to a rage;
and then who knows how far his brutality may carry
him?
_Mrs. Sul_. I 'm provided to receive him, I warrant you.
But here comes the Count: vanish! [_Exit Dorinda_.
_Enter Count Bellair_.
Don't you wonder, Monsieur le Count, that I was
not at church this afternoon? {339}
_Count Bel_. I more wonder, madam, that you go dere at
all, or how you dare to lift those eyes to heaven that
are guilty of so much killing.
_Mrs. Sul_. If Heaven, sir, has given to my eyes with the
power of killing the virtue of making a cure, I hope
the one may atone for the other.
_Count Bel_. Oh, largely, madam, would your ladyship be
as ready to apply the remedy as to give the wound.
Consider, madam, I am doubly a prisoner; first to
the arms of your general, then to your more conquering
eyes. My first chains are easy--there a
ransom may redeem me; but from your fetters I
never shall get free. {352}
_Mrs. Sul_. Alas, sir! why should you complain to me
of your captivity, who am in chains myself? You
know, sir, that I am bound, nay, must be tied up in
that particular that might give you ease: I am like
you, a prisoner of war--of war, indeed--I have
given my parole of honour! would you break yours
to gain your liberty? {359}
_Count Bel_. Most certainly I would, were I a prisoner
among the Turks; dis is your case, you 're a slave,
madam, slave to the worst of Turks, a husband.
_Mrs. Sul_. There lies my foible, I confess; no fortifications,
no courage, conduct, nor vigilancy, can pretend
to defend a place where the cruelty of the governor
forces the garrison to mutiny.
_Count Bel_. And where de besieger is resolved to die
before de place.--Here will I fix [_Kneels_];--with
tears, vows, and prayers assault your heart and
never rise till you surrender; or if I must storm--
Love and St. Michael!--And so I begin the
attack. {372}
_Mrs. Sul_. Stand off!--[_Aside_.] Sure he hears me not!
--And I could almost wish--he did not!--The
fellow makes love very prettily.--[_Aloud_.] But, sir,
why should you put such a value upon my person,
when you see it despised by one that knows it so
much better?
_Count Bel_. He knows it not, though he possesses it; if
he but knew the value of the jewel he is master of
he would always wear it next his heart, and sleep
with it in his arms. {382}
_Mrs. Sul_. But since he throws me unregarded from
him--
_Count Bel_. And one that knows your value well comes
by and takes you up, is it not justice?
[_Goes to lay hold of her_.
_Enter Squire Sullen with his sword drawn_.
_Squire Sul_. Hold, villain, hold!
_Mrs. Sul_. [_Presenting a pistol_.] Do you hold!
_Squire Sul_. What! murder your husband, to defend
your bully! {390}
_Mrs. Sul_. Bully! for shame, Mr. Sullen, bullies wear
long swords, the gentleman has none; he's a
prisoner, you know. I was aware of your outrage,
and prepared this to receive your violence; and, if
occasion were, to preserve myself against the force
of this other gentleman.
_Count Bel_. O madam, your eyes be bettre firearms than
your pistol; they nevre miss.
_Squire Sul_. What! court my wife to my face!
_Mrs. Sul_. Pray, Mr. Sullen, put up; suspend your fury
for a minute. {401}
_Squire Sul_. To give you time to invent an excuse!
_Mrs. Sul_. I need none.
_Squire Sul_. No, for I heard every syllable of your
discourse.
_Count Bel_. Ah! and begar, I tink the dialogue was vera
pretty.
_Mrs. Sul_. Then I suppose, sir, you heard something of
your own barbarity?
_Squire Sul_. Barbarity! 'oons, what does the woman call
barbarity? Do I ever meddle with you? {411}
_Mrs. Sul_. No.
_Squire Sul_. As for you, sir, I shall take another time.
_Count Bel_. Ah, begar, and so must I.
_Squire Sul_. Look'ee, madam, don't think that my anger
proceeds from any concern I have for your honour,
but for my own, and if you can contrive any way of
being a whore without making me a cuckold, do it
and welcome. {419}
_Mrs. Sul_. Sir, I thank you kindly, you would allow me
the sin but rob me of the pleasure. No, no, I 'm
resolved never to venture upon the crime without
the satisfaction of seeing you punished for't.
_Squire Sul_. Then will you grant me this, my dear?
Let anybody else do you the favour but that
Frenchman, for I mortally hate his whole generation.
[_Exit_.
_Count Bel_. Ah, sir, that be ungrateful, for begar, I love
some of yours.--Madam------ [_Approaching her_.
_Mrs. Sul_. No, sir. {429}
_Count Bel_. No, sir! garzoon, madam, I am not your
husband.
_Mrs. Sul_. 'Tis time to undeceive you, sir. I believed
your addresses to me were no more than an amusement,
and I hope you will think the same of my
complaisance; and to convince you that you ought,
you must know that I brought you hither only
to make you instrumental in setting me right with
my husband, for he was planted to listen by my
appointment.
_Count Bel_. By your appointment? {440}
_Mrs. Sul_. Certainly.
_Count Bel_. And so, madam, while I was telling twenty
stories to part you from your husband, begar, I was
bringing you together all the while?
_Mrs. Sul_. I ask your pardon, sir, but I hope this will
give you a taste of the virtue of the English ladies.
_Count Bel_. Begar, madam, your virtue be vera great,
but garzoon, your honeste be vera little.
_Re-enter Dorinda_.
_Mrs. Sul_. Nay, now, you 're angry, sir. {449}
_Count Bel_. Angry!--_Fair Dorinda [Sings 'Fair
Dorinda,' the opera tune, and addresses Dorinda._]
Madam, when your ladyship want a fool, send for me.
_Fair Dorinda, Revenge, etc, [Exit singing_.
_Mrs. Sul_. There goes the true humour of his nation--
resentment with good manners, and the height of
anger in a song! Well, sister, you must be judge,
for you have heard the trial.
_Dor_. And I bring in my brother guilty.
_Mrs. Sul_. But I must bear the punishment. Tis hard,
sister. {460}
_Dor_. I own it; but you must have patience.
_Mrs. Sul_. Patience! the cant of custom--Providence
sends no evil without a remedy. Should I lie
groaning under a yoke I can shake off, I were
accessory to my ruin, and my patience were no
better than self-murder.
_Dor_. But how can you shake off the yoke? your divisions
don't come within the reach of the law for a divorce.
_Mrs. Sul_. Law! what law can search into the remote
abyss of nature? what evidence can prove the
unaccountable disaffections of wedlock? Can a jury
sum up the endless aversions that are rooted in our
souls, or can a bench give judgment upon antipathies? {474}
_Dor_. They never pretended, sister; they never meddle,
but in case of uncleanness.
_Mrs. Sul_. Uncleanness! O sister! casual violation is
a transient injury, and may possibly be repaired, but
can radical hatreds be ever reconciled? No, no,
sister, nature is the first lawgiver, and when she has
set tempers opposite, not all the golden links of
wedlock nor iron manacles of law can keep 'em
fast.
Wedlock we own ordain'd by Heaven's decree,
But such as Heaven ordain'd it first to be;--
Concurring tempers in the man and wife
As mutual helps to draw the load of life.
View all the works of Providence above,
The stars with harmony and concord move;
View all the works of Providence below, {490}
The fire, the water, earth and air, we know,
All in one plant agree to make it grow.
Must man, the chiefest work of art divine,
Be doom'd in endless discord to repine?
No, we should injure Heaven by that surmise,
Omnipotence is just, were man but wise.
[_Exeunt_.
ACT IV., SCENE I
_The Gallery in Lady Bountiful's House,
Mrs. Sullen discovered alone_.
_Mrs. Sul_. Were I born an humble Turk, where women
have no soul nor property, there I must sit
contented. But in England, a country whose women
are its glory, must women be abused? where women
rule, must women be enslaved? Nay, cheated into
slavery, mocked by a promise of comfortable society
into a wilderness of solitude! I dare not keep the
thought about me. Oh, here comes something to
divert me.
_Enter a Countrywoman_.
_Worn_. I come, an't please your ladyship--you're my
Lady Bountiful, an't ye? {11}
_Mrs. Sul_. Well, good woman, go on.
_Worn_. I have come seventeen long mail to have a cure
for my husband's sore leg.
_Mrs. Sul_. Your husband! what, woman, cure your
husband!
_Worn_. Ay, poor man, for his sore leg won't let him stir
from home.
_Mrs. Sul_. There, I confess, you have given me a reason.
Well, good woman, I 'll tell you what you must do.
You must lay your husband's leg upon a table, and
with a chopping-knife you must lay it open as broad
as you can, then you must takeout the bone, and
beat the flesh soundly with a rolling-pin, then take
salt, pepper, cloves, mace, and ginger, some sweet-herbs,
and season it very well, then roll it up like
brawn, and put it into the oven for two hours.
_Worn_. Heavens reward your ladyship!--I have two
little babies too that are piteous bad with the graips,
an't please ye. {30}
_Mrs. Sul_. Put a little pepper and salt in their bellies,
good woman.
_Enter Lady Bountiful_.
I beg your ladyship's pardon for taking your business
out of your hands; I have been a-tampering
here a little with one of your patients.
_Lady Boun_. Come, good woman, don't mind this mad
creature; I am the person that you want, I suppose.
What would you have, woman?
_Mrs. Sul_. She wants something for her husband's sore
leg. {40}
_Lady Boun_. What's the matter with his leg, goody?
_Worn_. It come first, as one might say, with a sort of
dizziness in his foot, then he had a kind of laziness
in his joints, and then his leg broke out, and then it
swelled, and then it closed again, and then it broke
out again, and then it festered, and then it grew
better, and then it grew worse again.
_Mrs. Sul_. Ha! ha! ha!
_Lady Boun_. How can you be merry with the misfortunes
of other people? {50}
Mrs. Sul, Because my own make me sad, madam.
_Lady Boun_. The worst reason in the world, daughter;
your own misfortunes should teach you to pity
others.
_Mrs. Sul_. But the woman's misfortunes and mine are
nothing alike; her husband is sick, and mine, alas!
is in health.
_Lady Boun_. What! would you wish your husband sick?
_Mrs. Sul_. Not of a sore leg, of all things. {59}
_Lady Boun_. Well, good woman, go to the pantry, get
your bellyful of victuals, then I 'll give you a receipt
of diet-drink for your husband. But d'ye hear,
goody, you must not let your husband move too
much?
_Worn_. No, no, madam, the poor man's inclinable enough
to lie still. [_Exit_.
_Lady Boun_. Well, daughter Sullen, though you laugh, I
have done miracles about the country here with my
receipts. {69}
_Mrs. Sul_. Miracles indeed, if they have cured anybody;
but I believe, madam, the patient's faith goes.
farther toward the miracle than your prescription.
_Lady Boun_. Fancy helps in some cases; but there's
your husband, who has as little fancy as anybody, I
brought him from death's door.
_Mrs. Sul_. I suppose, madam, you made him drink
plentifully of ass's milk.
_Enter Dorinda, who runs to Mrs. Sullen_.
_Dor_. News, dear sister! news! news!
_Enter Archer, running_.
_Arch_. Where, where is my Lady Bountiful?--Pray,
which is the old lady of you three? {80}
_Lady Boun_. I am.
_Arch_. O madam, the fame of your ladyship's charity,
goodness, benevolence, skill and ability, have drawn
me hither to implore your ladyship's help in behalf
of my unfortunate master, who is this moment
breathing his last.
_Lady Boun_. Your master! where is he?
_Arch_. At your gate, madam. Drawn by the appearance
of your handsome house to view it nearer, and
walking up the avenue within five paces of the
courtyard, he was taken ill of a sudden with a sort of
I know not what, but down he fell, and there he lies.
_Lady Boun_. Here, Scrub! Gipsy! all run, get my easy
chair down stairs, put the gentleman in it, and bring
him in quickly! quickly! {95}
_Arch_. Heaven will reward your ladyship for this charitable
act.
_Lady Boun_. Is your master used to these fits?
_Arch_. O yes, madam, frequently: I have known him
have five or six of a night. {100}
_Lady Boun_. What's his name?
_Arch_. Lord, madam, he 's a-dying! a minute's care or
neglect may save or destroy his life.
_Lady Boun_. Ah, poor gentleman!--Come, friend, show
me the way; I 'll see him brought in myself.
[_Exit with Archer_.
_Dor_. O sister, my heart flutters about strangely! I can
hardly forbear running to his assistance. {107}
_Mrs. Sul_. And I 'll lay my life he deserves your
assistance more than he wants it. Did not I tell you that
my lord would find a way to come at you? Love's
his distemper, and you must be the physician; put
on all your charms, summon all your fire into your
eyes, plant the whole artillery of your looks against
his breast, and down with him.
_Dor_. O sister! I 'm but a young gunner; I shall be afraid
to shoot, for fear the piece should recoil, and hurt
myself.
_Mrs. Sul_. Never fear, you shall see me shoot before you,
if you will. {119}
_Dor_. No, no, dear sister; you have missed your mark so
unfortunately, that I shan't care for being instructed
by you.
_Enter Aimwell in a chair carried by Archer and Scrubs
and counterfeiting a swoon; Lady Bountiful and
Gipsy following_.
_Lady Boun_. Here, here, let's see the hartshorn drops.--
Gipsy, a glass of fair water! His fit's very strong.
--Bless me, how his hands are clinched!
_Arch_. For shame, ladies, what d' ye do? why don't you
help us?--[_To Dorinda_.] Pray, madam, take his
hand, and open it, if you can, whilst I hold his head.
[_Dorinda takes his hand_.
_Dor_. Poor gentleman!--Oh!--he has got my hand
within his, and squeezes it unmercifully-- {130}
_Lady Boun_. 'Tis the violence of his convulsion, child.
_Arch_. Oh, madam, he's perfectly possessed in these
cases--he'll bite if you don't have a care.
_Dor_. Oh, my hand! my hand!
_Lady Boun_. What's the matter with the foolish girl? I
have got his hand open, you see, with a great deal of
ease.
_Arch_. Ay, but, madam, your daughter's hand is somewhat
warmer than your ladyship's, and the heat of
it draws the force of the spirits that way. {140}
_Mrs. Sul_. I find, friend, you're very learned in these
sorts of fits.
_Arch_. Tis no wonder, madam, for I 'm often troubled
with them myself; I find myself extremely ill at this
minute. [_Looking hard at Mrs. Sullen_.
_Mrs. Sul_. I fancy I could find a way to cure you.
[_Aside_.
_Lady Boun_. His fit holds him very long.
_Arch_. Longer than usual, madam.--Pray, young lady,
open his breast and give him air.
_Lady Boun_. Where did his illness take him first, pray?
_Arch_. To-day at church, madam. {151}
_Lady Boun_. In what manner was he taken?
_Arch_. Very strangely, my lady. He was of a sudden
touched with something in his eyes, which, at the
first, he only felt, but could not tell whether 'twas
pain or pleasure.
_Lady Boun_. Wind, nothing but wind!
_Arch_. By soft degrees it grew and mounted to his brain,
there his fancy caught it; there formed it so beautiful,
and dressed it up in such gay, pleasing colours,
that his transported appetite seized the fair idea, and
straight conveyed it to his heart That hospitable
seat of life sent all its sanguine spirits forth to meet,
and opened all its sluicy gates to take the stranger in.
_Lady Boun_. Your master should never go without a
bottle to smell to.--Oh--he recovers! The
lavender-water--some feathers to burn under his nose--
Hungary water to rub his temples.--Oh, he comes
to himself!--Hem a little, sir, hem.--Gipsy! bring
the cordial-water. {171}
[_Aimwell seems to awake in amaze_.
_Dor_. How d' ye, sir?
_Aim_. Where am I? [_Rising_.
Sure I have pass'd the gulf of silent death,
And now I land on the Elysian shore!--
Behold the goddess of those happy plains,
Fair Proserpine--let me adore thy bright divinity.
[_Kneels to Dorinda, and kisses her hand_.
_Mrs. Sul_. So, so, so! I knew where the fit would end!
_Aim_. Eurydice perhaps--
How could thy Orpheus keep his word, {180}
And not look back upon thee?
No treasure but thyself could sure have bribed him
To look one minute off thee.
_Lady Boun_. Delirious, poor gentleman!
_Arch_. Very delirious, madam, very delirious.
_Aim_. Martin's voice, I think.
_Arch_. Yes, my Lord.--How does your lordship?
_Lady Boun_. Lord! did you mind that, girls?
[_A side to Mrs. Sullen and Dorinda_.
_Aim_. Where am I? {189}
_Arch_. In very good hands, sir. You were taken just
now with one of your old fits, under the trees, just
by this good lady's house; her ladyship had you
taken in, and has miraculously brought you to
yourself, as you see.
_Aim_. I am so confounded with shame, madam, that I
can now only beg pardon; and refer my acknowledgments
for your ladyship's care till an opportunity
offers of making some amends. I dare be no
longer troublesome.--Martin! give two guineas to
the servants. [_Going_.
_Dor_. Sir, you may catch cold by going so soon into the
air; you don't look, sir, as if you were perfectly
recovered. {203}
[_Here Archer talks to Lady Bountiful in dumb show_.
_Aim_. That I shall never be, madam; my present illness
is so rooted that I must expect to carry it to my
grave.
_Mrs. Sul_. Don't despair, sir; I have known several in
your distemper shake it off with a fortnight's
physic. {209}
_Lady Boun_. Come, sir, your servant has been telling me
that you're apt to relapse if you go into the air:
your good manners shan't get the better of ours--
you shall sit down again, sir. Come, sir, we don't
mind ceremonies in the country--here, sir, my
service t'ye.--You shall taste my water; 'tis a
cordial I can assure you, and of my own making--
drink it off, sir.--[_Aimwell drinks_.] And how d'ye
find yourself now, sir?
_Aim_. Somewhat better--though very faint still. {219}
_Lady Boun_. Ay, ay, people are always faint after these
fits.--Come, girls, you shall show the gentleman the
house.--'Tis but an old family building, sir; but
you had better walk about, and cool by degrees,
than venture immediately into the air. You 'll find
some tolerable pictures.--Dorinda, show the gentleman
the way. I must go to the poor woman below. [_Exit_.
_Dor_. This way, sir.
_Aim_. Ladies, shall I beg leave for my servant to wait on
you, for he understands pictures very well? {231}
_Mrs. Sul_. Sir, we understand originals as well as he
does pictures, so he may come along.
[_Exeunt all but Scrub, Aimwell leading Dorinda.
Enter Foigard_.
_Foi_. Save you, Master Scrub!
_Scrub_. Sir, I won't be saved your way--I hate a priest,
I abhor the French, and I defy the devil. Sir, I 'm
a bold Briton, and will spill the last drop of my
blood to keep out popery and slavery.
_Foi_. Master Scrub, you would put me down in politics,
and so I would be speaking with Mrs. Shipsy. {240}
_Scrub_. Good Mr. Priest, you can't speak with her; she's
sick, sir, she's gone abroad, sir, she's--dead two
months ago, sir.
_Re-enter Gipsy_.
_Gip_. How now, impudence! how dare you talk so
saucily to the doctor?--Pray, sir, don't take it ill;
for the common people of England are not so civil
to strangers, as--
_Scrub_. You lie! you lie! 'tis the common people that
are civilest to strangers.
_Gip_. Sirrah, I have a good mind to--get you out I say.
_Scrub_. I won't. . {251}
_Gip_. You won't, sauce-box!--Pray, doctor, what, is the
captain's name that came to your inn last night?
_Scrub_. [Aside.] The captain! ah, the devil, there she
hampers me again; the captain has me on one side,
and the priest on t' other: so between the gown and
the sword, I have a fine time on't.--But, _Cedunt
arma toga_. [_Going_.
_Gip_. What, sirrah, won't you march?
_Scrub_. No, my dear, I won't march--but I'll walk.--
[_Aside_.] And I 'll make bold to listen a little too.
[_Goes behind the side-scene and listens_.
_Gip_. Indeed, doctor, the Count has been barbarously
treated, that's the truth on't. {263}
_Foi_. Ah, Mrs. Gipsy, upon my shoul, now, gra, his
complainings would mollify the marrow in your
bones, and move the bowels of your commiseration!
He veeps, and he dances, and he fistles,
and he swears, and he laughs, and he stamps, and
he sings; in conclusion, joy, he's afflicted
_à-la-Française_, and a stranger would not know whider
to cry or to laugh with him. {271}
_Gip_. What would you have me do, doctor?
_Foi_. Noting, joy, but only hide the Count in Mrs.
Sullen's closet when it is dark.
_Gip_. Nothing! is that nothing? it would be both a sin
and a shame, doctor.
_Foi_. Here is twenty louis-d'ors, joy, for your shame
and I will give you an absolution for the shin.
_Gip_. Sut won't that money look like a bribe? {279}
_Foi_. Dat is according as you shall tauk it. If you
receive the money beforehand, 'twill be _logicè_, a
bribe; but if you stay till afterwards, 'twill be only
a gratification.
_Gip_. Well, doctor, I 'll take it _logicè_ But what must I
do with my conscience, sir?
_Foi_. Leave dat wid me, joy; I am your priest, gra; and
your conscience is under my hands.
_Gip_. But should I put the Count into the closet--
_Foi_. Vel, is dere any shin for a man's being in a closhet?
one may go to prayers in a closhet. {290}
_Gip_. But if the lady should come into her chamber, and
go to bed?
_Foi_. Vel, and is dere any shin in going to bed, joy?
_Gip_. Ay, but if the parties should meet, doctor?
_Foi_. Vel den--the parties must be responsible. Do
you be gone after putting the Count into the
closhet; and leave the shins wid themselves. I
will come with the Count to instruct you in your
chamber. {299}
_Gip_. Well, doctor, your religion is so pure! Methinks
I'm so easy after an absolution, and can sin afresh
with so much security, that I 'm resolved to die a
martyr to't Here's the key of the garden door,
come in the back way when 'tis late, I 'll be ready to
receive you; but don't so much as whisper, only
take hold of my hand; I 'll lead you, and do you
lead the Count, and follow me. [_Exeunt_.
_Scrub_. [_Coming forward_.] What witchcraft now have
these two imps of the devil been a-hatching here?
'There 's twenty louis-d'ors'; I heard that, and saw
the purse.--But I must give room to my betters.
[_Exit_.
_Re-enter Aimwell, leading Dorinda, and making love in
dumb show; Mrs. Sullen and Archer following_.
_Mrs. Sul_. [_To Archer_.] Pray, sir, how d'ye like that
piece? {313}
_Arch_. Oh, 'tis Leda! You find, madam, how Jupiter
comes disguised to make love--
_Mrs. Sul_. But what think you there of Alexander's
battles?
_Arch_. We only want a Le Brun, madam, to draw greater
battles, and a greater general of our own. The
Danube, madam, would make a greater figure in
a picture than the Granicus; and we have our
Ramillies to match their Arbela. {322}
_Mrs. Sul_. Pray, sir, what head is that in the corner
there?
_Arch_. O madam, 'tis poor Ovid in his exile.
_Mrs. Sul_. What was he banished for?
_Arch_. His ambitious love, madam.--[_Bowing_.] His
misfortune touches me.
_Mrs. Sul_. Was he successful in his amours?
_Arch_. There he has left us in, the dark. He was too
much a gentleman to tell. {331}
_Mrs. Sul_. If he were secret, I pity him.
_Arch_. And if he were successful, I envy him.
_Mrs. Sul_. How d 'ye like that Venus over the chimney?
_Arch_. Venus! I protest, madam, I took it for your
picture; but now I look again, 'tis not handsome
enough.
_Mrs. Sul_. Oh, what a charm is flattery! If you would
see my picture, there it is over that cabinet. How
d' ye like it? {340}
_Arch_. I must admire anything, madam, that has the
least resemblance of you. But, methinks, madam
--[_He looks at the picture and Mrs. Sullen three
or four times, by turns_.] Pray, madam, who drew it?
_Mrs. Sul_. A famous hand, sir.
[_Here Aimwell and Dorinda go off_.
_Arch_. A famous hand, madam!--Your eyes, indeed, are
featured there; but where's the sparking moisture,
shining fluid, in which they swim? The picture,
indeed, has your dimples; but where's the swarm
of killing Cupids that should ambush there? The
lips too are figured out; but where's the carnation
dew, the pouting ripeness that tempts the taste in
the original? {353}
_Mrs. Sul_. Had it been my lot to have matched with
such a man! [_Aside_.
_Arch_. Your breasts too--presumptuous man! what,
paint Heaven!--Apropos, madam, in the very next
picture is Salmoneus, that was struck dead with
lightning, for offering to imitate Jove's thunder; I
hope you served the painter so, madam? {360}
_Mrs. Sul_. Had my eyes the power of thunder, they
should employ their lightning better.
_Arch_. There's the finest bed in that room, madam! I
suppose 'tis your ladyship's bedchamber.
_Mrs. Sul_. And what then, sir?
_Arch_. I think the quilt is the richest that ever I saw.
I can't at this distance, madam, distinguish the
figures of the embroidery; will you give me leave,
madam? {369}
_Mrs. Sul_. [_Aside_.] The devil take his impudence!--
Sure, if I gave him an opportunity, he durst not
offer it?--I have a great mind to try.--[_Going:
Returns_.] 'Sdeath, what am I doing?--And alone,
too!--Sister! sister! [_Runs out_.
_Arch_. I 'll follow her close--
For where a Frenchman durst attempt to storm,
A Briton sure may well the work perform. [_Going_.
_Re-enter Scrub_.
_Scrub_. Martin! brother Martin! {378}
_Arch_. O brother Scrub, I beg your pardon, I was not
a-going: here's a guinea my master ordered you.
_Scrub_. A guinea! hi! hi! hi! a guinea! eh--by
this light it is a guinea! But I suppose you expect
one-and-twenty shillings in change?
_Arch_. Not at all; I have another for Gipsy.
_Scrub_. A guinea for her! faggot and fire for the witch!
Sir, give me that guinea, and I 'll discover a plot.
_Arch_. A plot!
_Scrub_. Ay, sir, a plot, and a horrid plot! First, it must
be a plot, because there's a woman in't: secondly,
it must be a plot, because there's a priest in't:
thirdly, it must be a plot, because there 's French
gold in't: and fourthly, it must be a plot, because
I don't know what to make on't. {393}
_Arch_. Nor anybody else, I 'm afraid, brother Scrub.
_Scrub_. Truly, I 'm afraid so too; for where there's a
priest and a woman, there's always a mystery and
a riddle. This I know, that here has been the
doctor with a temptation in one hand and an
absolution in the other, and Gipsy has sold herself
to the devil; I saw the price paid down, my eyes
shall take their oath on't. {401}
_Arch_. And is all this bustle about Gipsy?
_Scrub_. That's not all; I could hear but a word here and
there; but I remember they mentioned a Count, a
closet, a back-door, and a key.
_Arch_. The Count!--Did you hear nothing of Mrs. Sullen?
_Scrub_. I did hear some word that sounded that way;
but whether it was Sullen or Dorinda, I could not
distinguish. {409}
_Arch_. You have told this matter to nobody, brother?
_Scrub_. Told! no, sir, I thank you for that; I 'm resolved
never to speak one word _pro_ nor _con_, till we have a
peace.
_Arch_. You're i' the right, brother Scrub. Here's a
treaty afoot between the Count and the lady: the
priest and the chambermaid are the plenipotentiaries.
It shall go hard but I find a way to be included in
the treaty.--Where 's the doctor now?
_Scrub_. He and Gipsy are this moment devouring my
lady's marmalade in the closet. {420}
_Aim_. [_From without_.] Martin! Martin!
_Arch_. I come, sir, I come.
_Scrub_. But you forget the other guinea, brother Martin.
_Arch_. Here, I give it with all my heart.
_Scrub_. And I take it with all my soul.--[_Exit Archer_.]
Ecod, I 'll spoil your plotting, Mrs. Gipsy! and if
you should set the captain upon me, these two
guineas will buy me off. [_Exit_.
_Re-enter Mrs. Sullen and Dorinda, meeting_.
_Mrs. Sul_. Well, sister!
_Dor_. And well, sister! {430}
_Mrs. Sul_. What's become of my lord?
_Dor_. What's become of his servant?
_Mrs. Sul_. Servant! he's a prettier fellow, and a finer
gentleman by fifty degrees, than his master.
_Dor_. O' my conscience, I fancy you could beg that
fellow at the gallows-foot!
_Mrs. Sul_. O' my conscience I could, provided I could
put a friend of yours in his room.
_Dor_. You desired me, sister, to leave you, when you
transgressed the bounds of honour. {440}
_Mrs. Sul_. Thou dear censorious country girl! what
dost mean? You can't think of the man without
the bedfellow, I find.
_Dor_. I don't find anything unnatural in that thought:
while the mind is conversant with flesh and blood,
it must conform to the humours of the company.
_Mrs. Sul_. How a little love and good company
improves a woman! Why, child, you begin to live--
you never spoke before. {449}
_Dor_. Because I was never spoke to.--My lord has told
me that I have more wit and beauty than any
of my sex; and truly I begin to think the man is
sincere.
_Mrs. Sul_. You're in the right, Dorinda; pride is the
life of a woman, and flattery is our daily bread; and
she's a fool that won't believe a man there, as much
as she that believes him in anything else. But I 'll
lay you a guinea that I had finer things said to me
than you had.
_Dor_. Done! What did your fellow say to ye? {460}
_Mrs. Sul_. My fellow took the picture of Venus for mine.
_Dor_. But my lover took me for Venus herself.
_Mrs. Sul_. Common cant! Had my spark called me a
Venus directly, I should have believed him a footman
in good earnest.
_Dor_. But my lover was upon his knees to me.
_Mrs. Sul_. And mine was upon his tiptoes to me.
_Dor_. Mine vowed to die for me. {468}
_Mrs. Sul_. Mine swore to die with me.
_Dor_. Mine spoke the softest moving things.
_Mrs. Sul_. Mine had his moving things too.
_Dor_. Mine kissed my hand ten thousand times,
_Mrs. Sul_. Mine has all that pleasure to come.
_Dor_. Mine offered marriage.
_Mrs. Sul_. O Lard! d' ye call that a moving thing? {475}
_Dor_. The sharpest arrow in his quiver, my dear sister!
Why, my ten thousand pounds may lie brooding
here this seven years, and hatch nothing at last
but some ill-natured clown like yours. Whereas if
I marry my Lord Aimwell, there will be titled, place,
and precedence, the Park, the play, and the
drawing-room, splendour, equipage, noise, and
flambeaux.--_Hey, my Lady Aimwell's servants
there!--Lights, lights to the stairs!--My Lady
Aimwell's coach put forward!--Stand by make
room for her ladyship!_--Are not these things
moving?--What! melancholy of a sudden? {487}
_Mrs. Sul_. Happy, happy sister! your angel has been
watchful for your happiness, whilst mine has
slept regardless of his charge. Long smiling years
of circling joys for you, but not one hour for
me! [_Weeps_.
_Dor_. Come, my dear, we 'll talk of something else.
_Mrs. Sul_. O Dorinda! I own myself a woman, full of
my sex, a gentle, generous soul, easy and yielding
to soft desires; a spacious heart, where love and all
his train might lodge. And must the fair apartment
of my breast be made a stable for a brute to lie in?
_Dor_. Meaning your husband, I suppose? {499}
_Mrs. Sul_. Husband! no; even husband is too soft a
name for him.--But, come, I expect my brother
here to-night or to-morrow; he was abroad when
my father married me; perhaps he 'll find a way to
make me easy.
_Dor_. Will you promise not to make yourself easy in the
meantime with my lord's friend?
_Mrs. Sul_. You mistake me, sister. It happens with
us as among the men, the greatest talkers are
the greatest cowards? and there's a reason for
it; those spirits evaporate in prattle, which might
do more mischief if they took another course.--
Though, to confess the truth, I do love that fellow;
--and if I met him dressed as he should be, and I
undressed as I should be--look 'ee, sister, I have no
supernatural gifts--I can't swear I could resist the
temptation; though I can safely promise to avoid
it; and that's as much as the best of us can do.
[_Exeunt_.
ACT IV., SCENE II.
_A Room in Bonifaces Inn_.
_Enter Aimwell and Archer laughing_.
_Arch_. And the awkward kindness of the good motherly
old gentlewoman--
_Aim_. And the coming easiness of the young one--
'Sdeath, 'tis pity to deceive her!
_Arch_. Nay, if you adhere to these principles, stop where
you are.
_Aim_. I can't stop; for I love her to distraction.
_Arch_. 'Sdeath, if you love her a hair's-breadth beyond
discretion, you must go no further. 9
_Aim_. Well, well, anything to deliver us from sauntering
away our idle evenings at White's, Tom's, or Will's
and be stinted to bare looking at our old acquaintance,
the cards; because our impotent pockets can't
afford us a guinea for the mercenary drabs.
_Arch_. Or be obliged to some purse-proud coxcomb for a
scandalous bottle, where we must not pretend to
our share of the discourse, because we can't pay
our club o' th' reckoning.--Damn it, I had rather
sponge upon Morris, and sup upon a dish of bones
scored behind the door!
_Aim_. And there expose our want of sense by talking
criticisms, as we should our want of money by
railing at the government.
_Arch_. Or be obliged to sneak into the side-box, and
between both houses steal two acts of a play, and
because we han't money to see the other three, we
come away discontented, and damn the whole five.
_Aim_. And ten thousand such rascally tricks--had we
outlived our fortunes among our acquaintance.--
But now-- {30}
_Arch_. Ay, now is the time to prevent all this:--strike
while the iron is hot.--This priest is the luckiest
part of our adventure; he shall marry you, and
pimp for me.
_Aim_. But I should not like a woman that can be so
fond of a Frenchman.
_Arch_. Alas, sir! Necessity has no law. The lady may
be in distress; perhaps she has a confounded
husband, and her revenge may carry her farther
than her love. Egad, I have so good an opinion of
her, and of myself, that I begin to fancy strange
things: and we must say this for the honour of our
women, and indeed of ourselves, that they do stick
to their men as they do to their _Magna Charta_, If
the plot lies as I suspect, I must put on the
gentleman.--But here comes the doctor--I shall be
ready. [_Exit_.
[_Enter Foigard_.]
_Foi_. Sauve you, noble friend.
_Aim_. O sir, your servant! Pray, doctor, may I crave
your name? {50}
Foi, Fat naam is upon me? My naam is Foigard,
joy.
_Aim_. Foigard! a very good name for a clergyman.
Pray, Doctor Foigard, were you ever in Ireland?
Foi, Ireland! no, joy. Fat sort of plaace is dat saam
Ireland? Dey say de people are catched dere when
dey qre young.
_Aim_. And some of 'em when they are old:--as for
example.--[_Takes Foigard by the shoulder_.] Sir, I
arrest you as a traitor against the government;
you're a subject of England, and this morning
showed me a commission, by which you served
as chaplain in the French army. This is death by
our law, and your reverence must hang for it.
_Foi_. Upon my shoul, noble friend, dis is strange news
you tell me! Fader Foigard a subject of England!
de son of a burgomaster of Brussels, a subject of
England! ubooboo---- {68}
_Aim_. The son of a bog-trotter in Ireland! Sir, your
tongue will condemn you before any bench in the
kingdom.
_Foi_. And is my tongue all your evidensh, joy?
_Aim_. That's enough.
_Foi_. No, no, joy, for I vill never spake English no more.
_Aim_. Sir, I have other evidence.--Here, Martin!
_Re-enter Archer_.
You know this fellow?
_Arch_. [_In a brogue_.] Saave you, my dear cussen, how
does your health? {78}
_Foi_. [Aside.] Ah! upon my shoul dere is my countryman,
and his brogue will hang mine.--[_To Archer_.]
_Mynheer, Ick wet neat watt hey xacht, Ick universton
ewe neaty sacramant!_
_Aim_. Altering your language won't do, sir; this fellow
knows your person, and will swear to your face.
_Foi_. Faash! fey, is dere a brogue upon my faash too?
_Arch_. Upon my soulvation dere ish, joy!--But cussen
Mackshane, vil you not put a remembrance upon me?
_Foi_. Mackshane! by St. Paatrick, dat ish my naam
shure enough! [_Aside_.
_Aim_. I fancy, Archer, you have it. [_Aside to Archer_.
_Foi_. The devil hang you, joy! by fat acquaintance are
you my cussen? {92}
_Arch_. Oh, de devil hang yourshelf, joy! you know we
were little boys togeder upon de school, and your
foster-moder's son was married upon my nurse's
chister, joy, and so we are Irish cussens.
_Foi_. De devil taake de relation! vel, joy, and fat school
was it?
_Arch_. I tinks it vas--aay--'twas Tipperary.
_Foi_. No, no, joy; it vas Kilkenny. {100}
_Aim_. That 's enough for us--self-confession,---come, sir,
we must deliver you into the hands of the next
magistrate.
_Arch_. He sends you to jail, you 're tried next assizes, and
away you go swing into purgatory.
_Foi_. And is it so wid you, cussen?
_Arch_. It vil be sho wid you, cussen, if you don't
immediately confess the secret between you and Mrs.
Gipsy. Look 'ee, sir, the gallows or the secret, take
your choice. {110}
_Foi_. The gallows! upon my shoul I hate that saam
gallow, for it is a diseash dat is fatal to our family.
Vel, den, dere is nothing, shentlemens, but Mrs.
Shullen would spaak wid the Count in her chamber
at midnight, and dere is no haarm, joy, for I am to
conduct the Count to the plash, myshelf.
_Arch_. As I guessed.--Have you communicated the
matter to the Count?
_Foi_. I have not sheen him since. {120}
_Arch_. Right again! Why then, doctor--you shall conduct
me to the lady instead of the Count.
_Foi_. Fat, my cussen to the lady! upon my shoul, gra,
dat is too much upon the brogue.
_Arch_. Come, come, doctor; consider we have got a
rope about your neck, and if you offer to squeak,
we 'll stop your windpipe, most certainly: we shall
have another job for you in a day or two, I hope.
_Aim_. Here 's company coming this way; let's into my
chamber, and there concert our affairs farther. {130}
_Arch_. Come, my dear cussen, come along. [_Exeunt_.
_Enter Boniface, Hounslow, and Bagshot at one
door, Gibbet at the opposite_.
_Gib_. Well, gentlemen, 'tis a fine night for our enterprise.
_Houn_. Dark as hell.
_Bag_. And blows like the devil; our landlord here has
showed us the window where we must break in, and
tells us the plate stands in the wainscot cupboard in
the parlour.
_Bon_. Ay, ay, Mr. Bagshot, as the saying is, knives and
forks, and cups and cans, and tumblers and tankards.
There's one tankard, as the saying is, that's near
upon as big as me; it was a present to the squire
from his godmother, and smells of nutmeg and toast
like an East-India ship. {143}
_Houn_. Then you say we must divide at the stairhead?
_Bon_. Yes, Mr Hounslow, as the saying is. At one end
of that gallery lies my Lady Bountiful and her
daughter, and at the other Mrs. Sullen. As for the
squire--
_Gib_. He's safe enough, I have fairly entered him, and
he's more than half seas over already. But such a
parcel of scoundrels are got about him now, that,
egad, I was ashamed to be seen in their company.
_Bon_. Tis now twelve, as the saying is--gentlemen, you
must set out at one.
_Gib_. Hounslow, do you and Bagshot see our arms fixed,
and I 'll come to you presently.
_Houn.,Bag_. We will. [_Exeunt_.
_Gib_. Well, my dear Bonny, you assure me that Scrub is
a coward?
_Bon_. A chicken, as the saying is. You 'll have no
creature to deal with but the ladies. {161}
_Gib_. And I can assure you, friend, there's a great deal
of address and good manners in robbing a lady; I
am the most a gentleman that way that ever travelled
the road.--But, my dear Bonny, this prize will
be a galleon, a Vigo business.--I warrant you we
shall bring off three of four thousand pounds.
_Bon_. In plate, jewels, and money, as the saying is, you
may. {169}
_Gib_. Why then, Tyburn, I defy thee! I'll get up to
town, sell off my horse and arms, buy myself some
pretty employment in the household, and be as
snug and as honest as any courtier of 'em all.
_Bon_. And what think you then of my daughter Cherry
for a wife?
_Gib_. Look 'ee, my'dear Bonny--Cherry _is the Goddess I
adore_, as the song goes; but it is a maxim, that
man and wife should never have it in their power
to hang one another; for if they should, the Lord
have mercy on 'em both! [_Exeunt_.
ACT V., SCENE I.
_A Room in Bonifaces Inn,
Knocking without, enter Boniface_.
_Bon_. Coming! Coming!--A coach and six foaming
horses at this time o' night I some great man, as the
saying is, for he scorns to travel with other people.
_Enter Sir Charles Freeman_.
_Sir Chas_. What, fellow! a public house, and abed when
other people sleep?
_Bon_. Sir, I an't abed, as the saying is.
_Sir Chas_. Is Mr. Sullen's family abed, think 'ee?
_Bon_. All but the squire himself, sir, as the saying is;
he's in the house.
_Sir Chas_. What company has he? {10}
_Bon_. Why, sir, there 's the constable, Mr. Gage the
exciseman, the hunch-backed barber, and two or
three other gentlemen.
_Sir Chas_. I find my sister's letters gave me the true
picture of her spouse. [_Aside_.
_Enter Squire Sullen, drunk_.
_Bon_. Sir, here's the squire.
_Squire Sul_. The puppies left me asleep--Sir!
_Sir Chas_. Well, sir.
_Squire Sul_. Sir, I am an unfortunate man--I have three
thousand pounds a year, and I can't get a man to
drink a cup of ale with me. {21}
_Sir Chas_. That's very hard.
_Squire Sul_. Ay, sir; and unless you have pity upon me,
and smoke one pipe with me, I must e'en go home
to my wife, and I had rather go to the devil by half.
_Sir Chas_. But I presume, sir, you won't see your wife
to-night; she 'll be gone to bed. You don't use to
lie with your wife in that pickle?
_Squire Sul_. What I not lie with my wife! why, sir, do
you take me for an atheist or a rake? {30}
_Sir Chas_. If you hate her, sir, I think you had better lie
from her.
_Squire Sul_. I think so too, friend. But I'm a Justice of
peace, and must do nothing against the law.
_Sir Chas_. Law! as I take it, Mr. Justice, nobody
observes law for law's sake, only for the good of those
for whom it was made.
_Squire Sul_. But, if the law orders me to send you to jail
you must lie there, my friend.
_Sir Chas_. Not unless I commit a crime to deserve it
_Squire Sul_. A crime? 'oons, an't I martied? {40}
_Sir Chas_. Nay, sir, if you call a marriage a crime, you
must disown it for a law.
_Squire Sul_. Eh! I must be acquainted with you, sir.--
But, sir, I should be very glad to know the truth of
this matter.
_Sir Chas_. Truth, sir, is a profound sea, and few there
be that dare wade deep enough to find out the
bottom on't. Besides, sir, I 'm afraid the line of
your understanding mayn't be long enough. {50}
_Squire Sul_. Look'ee, sir, I have nothing to say to your
sea of truth, but, if a good parcel of land can entitle
a man to a little truth, I have as much as any He in
the country.
_Bon_. I never heard your worship, as the saying is, talk
so much before.
_Squire Sul_. Because I never met with a man that I
liked before.
_Bon_. Pray, sir, as the saying is, let me ask you one
question: are not man and wife one flesh? {60}
_Sir Chas_. You and your wife, Mr. Guts, may be one
flesh, because ye are nothing else; but rational
creatures have minds that must be united.
_Squire Sul_. Minds!
_Sir Chas_. Ay, minds, sir; don't you think that the mind
takes place of the body?
_Squire Sul_. In some people.
_Sir Chas_. Then the interest of the master must be
consulted before that of his servant {69}
_Squire Sul_. Sir, you shall dine with me to-morrow!--
'Oons, I always thought that we were naturally one.
_Sir Chas_. Sir, I know that my two hands are naturally
one, because they love one another, kiss one another,
help one another in all the actions of life; but I
could not say so much if they were always at cuffs.
_Squire Sul_. Then 'tis plain that we are two.
_Sir Chas_. Why don't you part with her, sir?
_Squire Sul_. Will you take her, sir?
_Sir Chas_. With all my heart. {79}
_Squire Sul_. You shall have her to-morrow morning, and
a venison-pasty into the bargain.
_Sir Chas_. You 'll let me have her fortune too?
_Squire Sul_. Fortune! why, sir, I have no quarrel at her
fortune: I only hate the woman, sir, and none but
the woman shall go.
_Sir Chas_. But her fortune, sir--
_Squire Sul_. Can you play at whisk, sir?
_Sir Chas_. No, truly, sir.
_Squire Sul_. Nor at all-fours?
_Sir Chas_. Neither. {90}
_Squire Sul_. [_Aside_.] 'Oons! where was this man bred?--
[_Aloud_.] Burn me, sir! I can't go home, 'tis but two
a clock.
_Sir Chas_. For half an hour, sir, if you please; but you
must consider 'tis late.
_Squire Sul_. Late! that's the reason I can't go to bed.--
Come, sir! [_Exeunt_.
_Enter Cherry, runs across the stage, and knocks at
Aimwells chamber door. Enter Aimwell in his
nightcap and gown_.
_Aim_. What's the matter? you tremble, child; you're
frighted. {99}
_Cher_. No wonder, sir--But, in short, sir, this very
minute a gang of rogues are gone to rob my Lady
Bountiful's house.
_Aim_. How!
_Cher_. I dogged 'em to the very door, and left 'em breaking in.
_Aim_. Have you alarmed anybody else with the news?
_Cher_. No, no, sir, I wanted to have discovered the whole
plot, and twenty other things, to your man Martin;
but I have searched the whole house, and can't find
him: where is he? {110}
_Aim_. No matter, child; will you guide me immediately
to the house?
_Cher_. With all my heart, sir; my Lady Bountiful is my
godmother, and I love Mrs. Dorinda so well--
_Aim_. Dorinda! the name inspires me, the glory and the
danger shall be all my own.--Come, my life, let me
but get my sword. [_Exeunt_.
ACT V., SCENE II.
_A Bedchamber in Lady Bountifuls House.
Mrs. Sullen and Dorinda discovered undressed;
a table and lights_.
_Dor_. 'Tis very late, sister, no news of your spouse yet?
_Mrs. Sul_. No, I 'm condemned to be alone till towards
four, and then perhaps I may be executed with his
company.
_Dor_. Well, my dear, I'll leave you to your rest; you 'll
go directly to bed, I suppose?
_Mrs. Sul_. I don't know what to do.--Heigh-ho!
_Dor_. That's a desiring sigh, sister.
_Mrs. Sul_. This is a languishing hour, sister.
_Dor_. And might prove a critical minute if the pretty
fellow were here. {11}
_Mrs. Sul_. Here! what, in my bedchamber at two o'clock
o' th' morning, I undressed, the family asleep, my
hated husband abroad, and my lovely fellow at my
feet!--O 'gad, sister!
_Dor_. Thoughts are free, sister, and them I allow you.--
So, my dear, good night.
_Mrs. Sul_. A good rest to my dear Dorinda!--[_Exit
Dorinda_.] Thoughts free! are they so? Why,
then, suppose him here, dressed like a youthful, gay,
and burning bridegroom, {21}
[Here Archer steals out of a closet behind.
with tongue enchanting, eyes bewitching, knees
imploring.]
--[_Turns a little on one side and sees
Archer in the posture she describes_.]--Ah!--[_Shrieks,
and runs to the other side of the stage_.] Have my
thoughts raised a spirit?--What are you, sir, a man
or a devil?
_Arch_. A man, a man, madam. [_Rising_.
_Mrs. Sul_. How shall I be sure of it?
_Arch_. Madam, I'll give you demonstration this minute.
[_Takes her hand_.
_Mrs. Sul_. What, sir! do you intend to be rude? {31}
_Arch_. Yes, madam, if you please.
_Mrs. Sul_. In the name of wonder, whence came ye?
_Arch_. From the skies, madam--I'm a Jupiter in love,
and you shall be my Alcmena.
_Mrs. Sul_. How came you in?
_Arch_. I flew in at the window, madam; your cousin
Cupid lent me his wings, and your sister Venus
opened the casement.
_Mrs. Sul_. I 'm struck dumb with wonder! {40}
_Arch_. And I--with admiration!
[_Looks passionately at her_.
_Mrs. Sul_. What will become of me?
_Arch_. How beautiful she looks!--The teeming jolly
Spring smiles in her blooming face, and, when she
was conceived, her mother smelt to roses, looked on
lilies--
Lilies unfold their white, their fragrant charms,
When the warm sun thus darts into their arms.
[_Runs to her_.
_Mrs. Sul_. Ah! [_Shrieks_.
_Arch_. 'Oons, madam, what d' ye mean? you 'll raise the
house. {51}
_Mrs. Sul_. Sir, I 'll wake the dead before I bear this!--
What! approach me with the freedom of a keeper!
I 'm glad on't, your impudence has cured me.
_Arch_. If this be impudence--[_Kneels_.] I leave to your
partial self; no panting pilgrim, after a tedious,
painful voyage, e'er bowed before his saint with
more devotion. {58}
_Mrs. Sul_. [_Aside_.] Now, now, I 'm ruined if he kneels!
--[_Aloud_.] Rise, thou prostrate engineer, not all
thy undermining skill shall reach my heart.--Rise,
and know I am a woman without my sex; I can
love to all the tenderness of wishes, sighs, and tears
--but go no farther.--Still, to convince you-that
I'm more than woman, I can speak my frailty,
confess my weakness even for you, but--
_Arch_. For me! [_Going to lay hold on her_.
_Mrs. Sul_. Hold, sir! build not upon that; for my most
mortal hatred follows if you disobey what I command you
now.--Leave me this minute.--[_Aside_.]
If he denies I 'm lost. {71}
_Arch_. Then you 'll promise--
_Mrs. Sul_. Anything another time.
_Arch_. When shall I come?
_Mrs. Sul_. To-morrow--when you will.
_Arch_. Your lips must seal the promise.
_Mrs. Sul_. Psha!
_Arch_. They must! they must! [_Kisses her_.]
--Raptures and paradise!--And why not now, my angel? the
time, the place, silence, and secrecy, all conspire.
And the now conscious stars have preordained this
moment for my happiness. [_Takes her in his arms_.
_Mrs. Sul_. You will not! cannot, sure! {83}
_Arch_. If the sun rides fast, and disappoints not mortals
of to-morrow's dawn, this night shall crown my
joys.
_Mrs. Sul_. My sex's pride assist me!
_Arch_. My sex's strength help me!
_Mrs. Sul_. You shall kill me first!
_Arch_. I 'll die with you. [_Carrying her off_.
_Mrs. Sul_. Thieves! thieves! murder! {91}
_Enter Scrub in his breeches, and one shoe_.
_Scrub_. Thieves! thieves! murder! popery!
_Arch_. Ha! the very timorous stag will kill in rutting
time. [_Draws, and offers to stab Scrub_.
_Scrub_. [_Kneeling_.] O pray, sir, spare all I have, and
take my life!
_Mrs. Sul_. [_Holding Archer's hand_.] What does the
fellow mean?
_Scrub_. O madam, down upon your knees, your marrow-bones!
--he 's one of 'em. {100}
_Arch_. Of whom?
_Scrub_. One of the rogues--I beg your pardon, one of
the honest gentlemen that just now are broke into
the house.
_Arch_. How!
_Mrs. Sul_. I hope you did not come to rob me?
_Arch_. Indeed I did, madam, but I would have taken
nothing but what you might ha' spared; but your
crying 'Thieves' has waked this dreaming fool, and
so he takes 'em for granted. {110}
_Scrub_. Granted! 'tis granted, sir; take all we have.
_Mrs. Sul_. The fellow looks as if he were broke out of
Bedlam.
_Scrub_. 'Oons, madam, they 're broke into the house with
fire and sword! I saw them, heard them; they 'll
be here this minute.
_Arch_. What, thieves!
_Scrub_. Under favour, sir, I think so.
_Mrs. Sul_. What shall we do, sir?
_Arch_. Madam, I wish your ladyship a good night {120}
_Mrs. Sul_. Will you leave me?
_Arch_. Leave you! Lord, madam, did not you command
me to be gone just now, upon pain of your
immortal hatred?
_Mrs. Sul_. Nay, but pray, sir---- [_Takes hold of him_.
_Arch_. Ha! ha! ha! now comes my turn to be ravished.
--You see now, madam, you must use men one way
or other; but take this by the way; good madam,
that none but a fool will give you the benefit of his
courage, unless you'll take his love along with it.
--How are they armed, friend? {131}
_Scrub_. With sword and pistol, sir.
_Arch_. Hush!--I see a dark lantern coming through the
gallery--Madam, be assured I will protect you, or
lose my life.
_Mrs. Sul_. Your life! no, sir, they can rob me of
nothing that I value half so much; therefore now,
sir, let me entreat you to be gone. {138}
_Arch_. No, madam, I'll consult my own safety for the
sake of yours; I 'll work by stratagem. Have you
courage enough to stand the appearance of 'em?
_Mrs. Sul_. Yes, yes, since I have 'scaped your hands, I
can face anything.
_Arch_. Come hither, brother Scrub! don't you know me?
_Scrub_. Eh, my dear brother, let me kiss thee.
[_Kisses Archer_.
_Arch_. This way--here----
[Archer and Scrub hide behind the bed.
_Enter Gibbet, with a dark lantern in one hand, and
a pistol in the other_.
_Gib_. Ay, ay, this is the chamber, and the lady alone.
_Mrs. Sul_. Who are you, sir? what would you have?
d' ye come to rob me? {149}
_Gib_. Rob you! alack a day, madam, I 'm only a
younger brother, madam; and so, madam, if you
make a noise, I 'll shoot you through the head; but
don't be afraid, madam.--[_Laying his lantern and
pistol upon the table_.] These rings, madam; don't
be concerned, madam, I have a profound respect
for you, madam; your keys, madam; don't be
frighted, madam, I 'm the most of a gentleman.
--[_Searching her pockets_.] This necklace, madam;
I never was rude to any lady;--I have a veneration
--for this necklace-- {160}
[_Here Archer having come round, and seized the
pistol takes Gibbet by the collar, trips up his
heels, and claps the pistol to his breast_.
_Arch_. Hold, profane villain, and take the reward of thy
sacrilege!
_Gib_. Oh! pray, sir, don't kill me; I an't prepared.
_Arch_. How many is there of 'em, Scrub?
_Scrub_. Five-and-forty, sir.
_Arch_. Then I must kill the villain, to have him out of
the way.
_Gib_. Hold, hold, sir, we are but three, upon my honour.
_Arch_. Scrub, will you undertake to secure him?
_Scrub_. Not I, sir; kill him, kill him! {170}
_Arch_. Run to Gipsy's chamber, there you'll find the
doctor; bring him hither presently.--[_Exit Scrub,
running_.] Come, rogue, if you have a short prayer,
say it.
_Gib_. Sir, I have no prayer at all; the government has
provided a chaplain to say prayers for us on these
occasions.
_Mrs. Sul_. Pray, sir, don't kill him: you fright me as
much as him. {179}
_Arch_. The dog shall die, madam, for being the occasion
of my disappointment.--Sirrah, this moment is your
last.
_Gib_. Sir, I 'll give you two hundred pounds to spare my
life.
_Arch_. Have you no more, rascal?
_Gib_. Yes, sir, I can command four hundred, but I must
reserve two of 'em to save my life at the sessions.
_Re-enter Scrub and Foigard_.
_Arch_. Here, doctor, I suppose Scrub and you between
you may manage him. Lay hold of him, doctor.
[_Foigard lays hold of Gibbet_.
_Gib_. What! turned over to the priest already!--
Look 'ee, doctor, you come before your time; I an't
condemned yet, I thank ye. {192}
_Foi_. Come, my dear joy; I vill secure your body and
your shoul too; I vill make you a good catholic,
and give you an absolution.
_Gib_. Absolution! can you procure me a pardon, doctor?
_Foi_. No, joy--
_Gib_. Then you and your absolution may to the devil!
{199}
_Arch_. Convey him into the cellar, there bind him:--
take the pistol, and if he offers to resist, shoot him
through the head--and come back to us with all
the speed you can.
_Scrub_. Ay, ay, come, doctor, do you hold him fast, and
I 'll guard him.
[_Exit Foigard with Gibbet, Scrub following_.
_Mrs. Sul_. But how came the doctor--
_Arch_. In short, madam--[_Shrieking without_.] 'Sdeath!
the rogues are at work with the other ladies--I 'm
vexed I parted with the pistol; but I must fly to
their assistance.--Will you stay here, madam, or
venture yourself with me? {211}
_Mrs. Sul_. [_Taking him by the arm_.] Oh, with you, dear
sir, with you. [_Exeunt_.
ACT V., SCENE III.
_Another Bedchamber in the same.
Enter Hounslow and Bagshot, with swords drawn,
haling in Lady Bountiful and Dorinda_.
_Houn_. Come, come, your jewels, mistress!
_Bag_. Your keys, your keys, old gentlewoman!
_Enter Aimwell and Cherry_.
_Aim_. Turn this way, villains! I durst engage an army
in such a cause. [_He engages them both_.
_Dor_. O madam, had I but a sword to help the brave
man!
_Lady Boun_. There's three or four hanging up in the
hall; but they won't draw. I 'll go fetch one, however. [_Exit_.
_Enter Archer and Mrs. Sullen_.
_Arch_. Hold, hold, my lord! every man his bird, pray.
[_They engage man to man; Hounslow and
Bagshot are thrown and disarmed_.
_Cher_. [Aside.] What! the rogues taken! then they'll
impeach my father: I must give him timely notice.
[_Runs out_.
_Arch_. Shall we kill the rogues?
_Aim_. No, no, we 'll bind them.
_Arch_. Ay, ay.--[_To Mrs. Sullen, who stands by him_.]
Here, madam, lend me your garter.
_Mrs. Sul_. [_Aside_.] The devil's in this fellow! he fights,
loves, and banters, all in a breath.--[_Aloud_.]
Here's a cord that the rogues brought with 'em, I
suppose. {20}
_Arch_. Right, right, the rogue's destiny, a rope to hang
himself.--Come, my lord--this is but a scandalous
sort of an office [_Binding the Highwaymen together_.]
if our adventures should end in this sort of
hangman-work; but I hope there is something in
prospect, that--
_Enter Scrub_.
_Arch_. Well, Scrub, have you secured your Tartar?
_Scrub_. Yes, sir, I left the priest and him disputing about
religion.
_Aim_. And pray carry these gentlemen to reap the
benefit of the controversy. {31}
[_Delivers the prisoners to Scrubs who leads
them out_.
_Mrs. Sul_. Pray, sister, how came my lord here?
_Dor_. And pray, how came the gentleman here?
_Mrs. Sul_. I 'll tell you the greatest piece of villainy--
[_They talk in dumb show_.
_Aim_. I fancy, Archer, you have been more successful in
your adventures than the housebreakers.
_Arch_. No matter for my adventure, yours is the
principal.--Press her this minute to marry you--now
while she's hurried between the palpitation of her
fear and the joy of her deliverance, now while the
tide of her spirits is at high-flood--throw yourself
at her feet, speak some romantic nonsense or other
--address her, like Alexander in the height of his
victory, confound her senses, bear down her reason,
and away with her.--The priest is now in the cellar,
and dare not refuse to do the work.
_Re-enter Lady Bountiful_.
_Aim_. But how shall I get off without being observed?
_Arch_. You a lover, and not find a way to get off!--Let
me see--
_Aim_. You bleed, Archer. {50}
_Arch_. 'Sdeath, I 'm glad on 't; this wound will do the
business. I 'll amuse the old lady and Mrs. Sullen
about dressing my wound, while you carry off
Dorinda.
_Lady Boun_. Gentlemen, could we understand how you
would be gratified for the services--
_Arch_. Come, come, my lady, this is no time for compliments;
I 'm wounded, madam.
_Lady Boun., Mrs. Sut_. How! wounded!
_Dor_. I hope, sir, you have received no hurt? {60}
_Aim_. None but what you may cure----
[_Makes love in dumb show_.
_Lady Boun_. Let me see your arm, sir--I must have
some powder-sugar to stop the blood.--O me! an
ugly gash; upon my word, sir, you must go into bed.
_Arch_. Ay, my lady, a bed would do very well.--[_To
Mrs. Sullen_.] Madam, will you do me the favour
to conduct me to a chamber.
_Lady Boun_. Do, do, daughter--while I get the lint and
the probe and the plaster ready.
[_Runs out one way, Aimwell carries off
Dorinda another_.
_Arch_. Come, madam, why don't you obey your mother's
commands? {71}
_Mrs. Sul_. How can you, after what is passed, have the
confidence to ask me?
_Arch_. And if you go to that, how can you, after what is
passed, have the confidence to deny me? Was not
this blood shed in your defence, and my life exposed
for your protection? Look 'ee, madam, I 'm none of
your romantic fools, that fight giants and monsters
for nothing; my valour is downright Swiss; I'm a
soldier of fortune, and must be paid.' {80}
_Mrs. Sul_. 'Tis ungenerous in you, sir, to upbraid me
with your services!
_Arch_. 'Tis ungenerous in you, madam, not to reward 'em
_Mrs. Sul_. How! at the expense of my honour?
_Arch_. Honour! can honour consist with ingratitude?
If you would deal like a woman of honour, do like
a man of honour. D' ye think I would deny you in
such a case?
_Enter a Servant_.
_Serv_. Madam, my lady ordered me to tell you, that your
brother is below at the gate. [_Exit_.
_Mrs. Sul_. My brother! Heavens be praised!--Sir, he
shall thank you for your services; he has it in his
power. {93}
_Arch_. Who is your brother, madam?
_Mrs. Sul_. Sir Charles Freeman.--You'll excuse me,
sir; I must go and receive him. [_Exit_.
_Arch_. Sir Charles Freeman! 'sdeath and hell! my old
acquaintance. Now unless Aimwell has made good
use of his time, all our fair machine goes souse into
the sea like the Eddystone. [_Exit_.
ACT V., SCENE IV.
_The Gallery in the same house.
Enter Aimwell and Dorinda_.
_Dor_. Well, well, my lord, you have conquered; your late
generous action will, I hope, plead for my easy
yielding; though I must own, your lordship had a
friend in the fort before.
_Aim_. The sweets of Hybla dwell upon her tongue!--
Here, doctor--
_Enter Foigard with a book_.
_Foi_. Are you prepared boat?
_Dor_. I 'm ready. But first, my lord, one word.--I have
a frightful example of a hasty marriage in my own
family; when I reflect upon't it shocks me. Pray,
my lord, consider a little-- {11}
_Aim_. Consider! do you doubt my honour or my love?
_Dor_. Neither: I do believe you equally just as brave:
and were your whole sex drawn out forme to choose,
I should not cast a look upon the multitude if you
were absent. But, my lord, I'm a woman; colours,
concealments may hide a thousand faults in me,
therefore know me better first; I hardly dare affirm
I know myself in anything except my love. {19}
_Aim_. [Aside,] Such goodness who could injure! I find
myself unequal to the task of villain; she has
gained my soul, and made it honest like her own.--
I cannot, cannot hurt her.--[_Aloud_.] Doctor, retire.
--[_Exit Foigard_] Madam, behold your lover and
your proselyte, and judge of my passion by my
conversion!--I 'm all a lie, nor dare I give a
fiction to your arms; I 'm all counterfeit, except my
passion.
_Dor_. Forbid it, Heaven! a counterfeit! {29}
_Aim_. I am no lord, but a poor needy man, come with a
mean, a scandalous design to prey upon your fortune;
but the beauties of your mind and person have
so won me from myself that, like a trusty servant, I
prefer the interest of my mistress to my own.
_Dor_. Sure I have had the dream of some poor mariner,
a sleepy image of a welcome port, and wake involved
in storms!--Pray, sir, who are you?
_Aim_. Brother to the man whose title I usurped, but
stranger to his honour or his fortune. {39}
_Dor_. Matchless honesty!--Once I was proud, sir, of
your wealth and title, but now am prouder that you
want it: now I can show my love was justly levelled,
and had no aim but love.--Doctor, come in.
_Enter Foigard at one door, Gipsy at another-,
who whispers Dorinda_.
[_To Foigard_.] Your pardon, sir, we shan't want you
now.--[_To Aimweil_.] Sir, you must excuse me--I 'll
wait on you presently. [_Exit with Gipsy_.
_Foi_. Upon my shoul, now, dis is foolish. [_Exit_.
_Aim_. Gone! and bid the priest depart!--It has an
ominous look.
_Enter Archer_.
_Arch_. Courage, Tom!--Shall I wish you joy? {50}
_Aim_. No.
_Arch_. 'Oons, man, what ha' you been doing?
_Aim_. O Archer! my honesty, I fear, has ruined me.
_Arch_. How?
_Aim_. I have discovered myself.
_Arch_. Discovered! and without my consent? What!
have I embarked my small remains in the same
bottom with yours, and you dispose of all without
my partnership?
_Aim_. O Archer! I own my fault. 60
_Arch_. After conviction--'tis then too late for pardon.--
You may remember, Mr. Aimwell, that you proposed
this folly: as you begun, so end it. Henceforth
I 'll hunt my fortune single--so farewell!
_Aim_. Stay, my dear Archer, but a minute.
_Arch_. Stay! what, to be despised, exposed, and laughed
at! No, I would sooner change conditions with the
worst of the rogues we just now bound, than bear
one scornful smile from the proud knight that once
I treated as my equal. {70}
_Aim_. What knight?
_Arch_. Sir Charles Freeman, brother to the lady that I
had almost--but no matter for that, 'tis a cursed
night's work, and so I leave you to make the best
on't. [_Going_.
_Aim_. Freeman!--One word, Archer. Still I have
hopes; methought she received my confession with
pleasure.
_Arch_. 'Sdeath, who doubts it?
_Aim_. She consented after to the match; and still I dare
believe she will be just. {81}
_Arch_. To herself, I warrant her, as you should have
been.
_Aim_. By all my hopes she comes, and smiling comes!
_Re-enter Dorinda, mighty gay_.
_Dor_. Come, my dear lord--I fly with impatience to your
arms--the minutes of my absence were a tedious
year. Where's this priest?
_Re-enter Foigard_.
_Arch_. 'Oons, a brave girl!
_Dor_. I suppose, my lord, this gentleman is privy to our
affairs? {90}
_Arch_. Yes, yes, madam, I 'm to be your father.
_Dor_. Come, priest, do your office.
_Arch_. Make haste, make haste, couple 'em any way.--
[_Takes Aimwells hand_.] Come, madam, I 'm to give
you--
_Dor_. My mind's altered; I won't.
_Arch_. Eh!
_Aim_. I 'm confounded!
_Foi_. Upon my shoul, and sho is myshelf.
_Arch_. What 's the matter now, madam? {100}
_Dor_. Look'ee, sir, one generous action deserves another.
--This gentleman's honour obliged him to hide
nothing from me; my justice engages me to conceal
nothing from him. In short, sir, you are the
person that you thought you counterfeited; you are
the true Lord Viscount Aimwell, and I wish your
Lordship joy.--Now, priest, you may be gone; if
my Lord is pleased now with the match, let his
Lordship marry me in the face of the world.
_Aim., Arch_. What does she mean? {110}
_Dor_. Here's a witness for my truth.
_Enter Sir Charles Freeman and Mrs Sullen_.
_Sir Chas_. My dear Lord Aimwell, I wish you joy.
_Aim_. Of what?
_Sir Chas_. Of your honour and estate. Your brother
died the day before I left London; and all your
friends have writ after you to Brussels;--among
the rest I did myself the honour.
_Arch_. Hark 'ee, sir knight, don't you banter now?
_Sir Chas_. 'Tis truth, upon my honour.
_Aim_. Thanks to the pregnant stars that formed this
accident! {121}
_Arch_. Thanks to the womb of time that brought it
forth!--away with it!
_Aim_. Thanks to my guardian angel that led me to the
prize! [_Taking Dorindas hand_].
_Arch_. And double thanks to the noble Sir Charles
Freeman.--My Lord, I wish you joy.--My Lady, I
wish you joy.--Egad, Sir Freeman, you're the
honestest fellow living!--'Sdeath, I'm grown
strange airy upon this matter!--My Lord, how
d'ye?--A word, my Lord; don't you remember
something of a previous agreement, that entitles me
to the moiety of this lady's fortune, which I think
will amount to five thousand pounds?
_Aim_. Not a penny, Archer; you would ha' cut my throat
just now, because I would not deceive this lady.
_Arch_. Ay, and I 'll cut your throat again, if you should
deceive her now. {139}
_Aim_. That's what I expected; and to end the dispute,
the lady's fortune is ten thousand pounds, we'll
divide stakes: take the ten thousand pounds or
the lady.
_Dor_. How! is your lordship so indifferent?
_Arch_. No, no, no, madam! his Lordship knows very
well that I 'll take the money; I leave you to his
Lordship, and so we 're both provided for.
_Enter Count Bellair_.
_Count Bel_. _Mesdames et Messieurs_, I am your servant
trice humble! I hear you be rob here.
_Aim_. The ladies have been in some danger, sir.
_Count Bel_. And, begar, our inn be rob too! {150}
_Aim_. Our inn! by whom?
_Count Bel_. By the landlord, begar!--Garzoon, he has
rob himself, and run away!
_Arch_. Robbed himself!
_Count Bel_. Ay, begar, and me too of a hundre pound.
_Arch_. A hundred pounds?
_Count Bel_. Yes, that I owed him.
_Aim_. Our money's gone, Frank.
_Arch_. Rot the money! my wench is gone.--[_To Count
Bellair_.] _Savez-vous quelquechase de Mademoiselle
Cherry?_ {161}
_Enter a Countryman with a strong-box and a letter_.
_Coun_. Is there one Martin here?
_Arch_. Ay, ay--who wants him?
_Coun_. I have a box here, and letter for him.
_Arch_. [_Taking the box_.] Ha! ha! ha! what's here?
Legerdemain!--By this light, my lord, our money
again!--But this unfolds the riddle.--[_Opening the
letter_.] Hum, hum, hum!--Oh, 'tis for the public
good, and must be communicated to the company.
[_Reads_.
Mr. Martin, lyo
My father being afraid of an impeachment by the
rogues that are taken to-night, is gone off; but if
you can procure him a pardon, he'll make great
discoveries that may be useful to the country. Could I
have met you instead of your master to-night, I would
have delivered myself into your hands, with a sum
that much exceeds that in your strong-box, which I
have sent you, with an assurance to my dear Martin
that I shall ever be his most faithful friend till
death.
CHERRY BONIFACE.
There's a billet-doux for you! As for the father,
I think he ought to be encouraged; and for the
daughter--pray, my Lord, persuade your bride to
take her into her service instead of Gipsy. {184}
_Aim_. I can assure you, madam, your deliverance was
owing to her discovery.
_Dor_. Your command, my Lord, will do without the
obligation. I 'll take care of her.
_Sir Chas_. This good company meets opportunely in
favour of a design I have in behalf of my unfortunate
sister. I intend to part her from her
husband--gentlemen, will you assist me? {192}
_Arch_. Assist you! 'sdeath, who would not?
_Count Bel_. Assist! garzoon, we all assist!
_Enter Squire Sullen_.
_Squire Sul_. What 's all this? They tell me, spouse,
that you had like to have been robbed.
_Mrs. Sul_. Truly, spouse, I was pretty near it, had not
these two gentlemen interposed.
_Squire Sul_. How came these gentlemen here?
_Mrs. Sul_. That's his way of returning thanks, you must
know. {201}
_Count Bel_. Garzoon, the question be apropos for all dat.
_Sir Chas_. You promised last night, sir, that you would
deliver your lady to me this morning.
_Squire Sul_. Humph!
_Arch_. Humph! what do you mean by humph? Sir,
you shall deliver her--in short, sir, we have saved
you and your family; and if you are not civil, we 'll
unbind the rogues, join with 'em, and set fire to
your house. What does the man mean? not part
with his wife! {211}
_Count Bel_. Ay, garzoon, de man no understan common
justice.
_Mrs. Sul_. Hold, gentlemen, all things here must move
by consent, compulsion would spoil us; let my dear
and I talk the matter over, and you shall judge it
between us.
_Squire Sul_. Let me know first who are to be our judges.
Pray, sir, who are you?
_Sir Chas_. I am Sir Charles Freeman, come to take away
your wife. {221}
_Squire Sul_. And you, good sir?
_Aim_. Thomas, Viscount Aimwell, come to take away
your sister.
_Squire Sul_. And you, pray, sir?
_Arch_. Francis Archer, esquire, come----
_Squire Sul_. To take away my mother, I hope. Gentlemen,
you 're heartily welcome; I never met with
three more obliging people since I was born!--
And now, my dear, if you please, you shall have
the first word. {231}
_Arch_. And the last, for five pounds!
_Mrs. Sul_. Spouse!
_Squire Sul_. Rib!
_Mrs. Sul_. How long have we been married?
_Squire Sul_. By the almanac, fourteen months; but by
my account, fourteen years.
_Mrs. Sul_. 'Tis thereabout by my reckoning.
_Count Bel_. Garzoon, their account will agree.
_Mrs. Sul_. Pray, spouse, what did you marry for? {240}
_Squire Sul_. To get an heir to my estate.
_Sir Chas_. And have you succeeded?
_Squire Sul_. No.
_Arch_. The condition fails of his side.--Pray, madam,
what did you marry for?
_Mrs. Sul_. To support the weakness of my sex by the
strength of his, and to enjoy the pleasures of an
agreeable society.
_Sir Chas_. Are your expectations answered?
_Mrs. Sul_. No. {250}
_Count Bel_. A clear case! a clear case!
_Sir Chas_. What are the bars to your mutual contentment?
_Mrs. Sul_. In the first place, I can't drink ale with him.
_Squire Sul_. Nor can I drink tea with her.
_Mrs. Sul_. I can't hunt with you.
_Squire Sul_. Nor can I dance with you.
_Mrs. Sul_. I hate cocking and racing.
_Squire Sul_. And I abhor ombre and piquet.
_Mrs. Sul_. Your silence is intolerable.
_Squire Sul_. Your prating is worse. {260}
_Mrs. Sul_. Have we not been a perpetual offence to each
other? a gnawing vulture at the heart?
_Squire Sul_. A frightful goblin to the sight?
_Mrs. Sul_. A porcupine to the feeling?
_Squire Sul_. Perpetual wormwood to the taste?
_Mrs. Sul_. Is there on earth a thing we could agree in?
_Squire Sul_. Yes--to part.
_Mrs. Sul_. With all my heart
_Squire Sul_. Your hand.
_Mrs. Sul_. Here. {270}
_Squire Sul_. These hands joined us, these shall part us.
--Away!
_Mrs. Sul_. North
_Squire Sul_. South.
_Mrs. Sul_. East.
_Squire Sul_. West--far as the poles asunder.
_Count Bel_. Begar, the ceremony be vera pretty!
_Sir Chas_. Now, Mr. Sullen, there wants only my sister's
fortune to make us easy.
_Squire Sul_. Sir Charles, you love your sister, and I love
her fortune; every one to his fancy. {281}
_Arch_. Then you won't refund;
_Squire Sul_. Not a stiver.
_Arch_. Then I find, madam, you must e'en go to your
prison again.
_Count Bel_. What is the portion?
_Sir Chas_. Ten thousand pounds, sir.
_Count Bel_. Garzoon, I 'll pay it, and she shall go home
wid me. {289}
_Arch_. Ha! ha! ha! French all over.-- Do you know,
sir, what ten thousand pounds English is?
_Count Bel_. No, begar, not justement.
_Arch_. Why, sir, 'tis a hundred thousand livres.
_Count Bel_. A hundre tousand livres! Ah! garzoon, me
canno' do't, your beauties and their fortunes are
both too much for me.
_Arch_. Then I will.--This night's adventure has proved
strangely lucky to us all--for Captain Gibbet in his
walk had made bold, Mr. Sullen, with your study
and escritoir, and had taken out all the writings of
your estate, all the articles of marriage with this
lady, bills, bonds, leases, receipts to an infinite
value: I took 'em from him, and I deliver 'em to
Sir Charles.
[_Gives Sir Charles Freeman a parcel of
papers and parchments_.
_Squire Sul_. How, my writings!--my head aches
consumedly.--Well, gentlemen, you shall have her
fortune, but I can't talk. If you have a mind, Sir
Charles, to be merry, and celebrate my sister's
wedding and my divorce, you may command my
house--but my head aches consumedly.--Scrub,
bring me a dram.
_Arch_. [_To Mrs. Sullen_.] Madam, there's a country
dance to the trifle that I sung to-day; your hand,
and we'll lead it up.
_Here a Dance_.
Twould be hard to guess which of these parties is
the better pleased, the couple joined, or the couple
parted; the one rejoicing in hopes of an untasted
happiness, and the other in their deliverance from
an experienced misery.
Both happy in their several states we find,
Those parted by consent, and those conjoined.
Consent, if mutual, saves the lawyer's fee.
Consent is law enough to set you free.
[_Exeunt omnes_.
EPILOGUE
_Designed to be spoken in 'The Beaux-Stratagem'_.
If to our play your judgment can't be kind,
Let its expiring author pity find:
Survey his mournful case with melting eyes,
Nor let the bard be damn'd before he dies.
Forbear, you fair, on his last scene to frown,
But his true exit with a plaudit crown;
Then shall the dying poet cease to fear
The dreadful knell, while your applause he hear.
At Leuctra so the conquering Theban died,
Claim'd his friends' praises, but their tears denied:
Pleased in the pangs of death he greatly thought
Conquest with loss of life but cheaply bought
The difference this, the Greek was one would fight
As brave, though not so gay, as Serjeant Kite;
Ye sons of Will's, what's that to those who write?
To Thebes alone the Grecian owed his bays,
You may the bard above the hero raise,
Since yours is greater than Athenian praise.
*** End of this LibraryBlog Digital Book "The Beaux-Stratagem" ***
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