صور الصفحة
PDF
النشر الإلكتروني

Mask. I humbly would petitionLord Touch. Is it for yourself! [MASKWELL pauses.] I'll hear of nought for any body else.

Mask. Then witness, Heaven, for me, this wealth and honour was not of my seeking, nor would I build my fortune on another's ruin: I had but one desire

Lord Touch. Thou shalt enjoy it. If all I am worth in wealth or interest can purchase Cynthia, she is thine. I am sure sir Paul's consent will follow fortune; I will quickly shew him which way that is going.

Mask. You oppress me with bounty; my gratitude is weak, and shrinks beneath the weight, and cannot rise to thank you-what, enjoy my love forgive the transports of a blessing so unexpected, so unhoped for, so unthought of! Lord Touch. I will confirm it, and rejoice with thee. [Exit. Mask. This is prosperous indeed! why, let him find me out a villain, settled in possession of a fair estate, and full fruition of my love; I'll bear the railings of a losing gamester-but should he find me out before! 'tis dangerous to delay let me think-should my lord proceed to treat openly of my marriage with Cynthia, all must be discovered, and Mellefont can be no longer blinded. It must not be; nay, should my lady know it--aye, then were fine work indeed! her fury would spare nothing, though she involved herself in ruin. No, it must be by stratagem--I must deceive Mellefont once more, and get my lord to consent to my private management. He comes opportunely-now will I, in my old way, discover the whole, real truth of the matter to him, that he may not suspect one word on't.

No mask like open truth to cover lies,
As to go naked is the best disguise.

Enter MELLEFONT.

Mel. Oh, Maskwell, what hopes? I am confounded in a maze of thoughts, each leading into another, and all ending in perplexity. My uncle will not see, nor hear me.

Mask. No matter, sir; don't trouble your head; all is in my power.

Mel. How, for Heaven's sake?

Mask. Little do you think, that your aunt has kept her word-how the devil she wrought my lord into this dotage, I know not; but he is gone to sir Paul about my marriage with Cynthia, and has appointed me his heir.

Mel. The devil he has! What's to be done? Mask. I have it, it must be by stratagem; for it is in vain to make application to him. I think I have that in my head, which cannot fail. Where is Cynthia?

Mel. In the garden.

[blocks in formation]

Enter LORD and LADY TOUCHWOOD. Lady Touch. Maskwell your heir, and marry Cynthia!

Lord Touch. I cannot do too much for so much merit.

Lady Touch. But this is a thing of too great moment to be so suddenly resolved. Why Cynthia? Why must he be married? Is there not reward enough in raising his low fortune, but he must mix his blood with mine, and wed my niece? How know you, that my brother will consent, or she? nay, he himself, perhaps, may have affections otherwhere.

her.

Lord Touch. No, I am convinced he loves

[blocks in formation]

[Aside.

Lord Touch. His humility long stifled his pas sion; and his love of Mellefont would have made him still conceal it but, by encouragement, I wrung the secret from him, and know he is no way to be rewarded but in her. I will defer my farther proceedings in it, till you have considered it: but remember how we are both indebted to him, [Exit.

Lady Touch. Both indebted to him! Yes, we are both indebted to him, if you knew all-villain! Oh, I am wild with this surprize of treachery it is impossible; it cannot be he love Cynthia! What shall I do? How shall I think? I cannot think-all my designs are lost, my love unsated, my revenge unfinished, and fresh cause of fury from unthought-of plagues!

Enter SIR PAUL,

Sir Paul. Madam, sister, my lady sister, did you see my lady, my wife?

Lady Touch. Oh! Torture!

Sir Paul. Gad's-bud, I cannot find her high nor low; where can she be, think you?

Lady Touch. Where she is serving you, as all your sex ought to be served; making you a beast. Don't you know, that you are a tool, brother?

Sir Paul. A fool; he, he, he! you are merryno, no, not I; I know no such matter. Lady Touch. Why, then, you don't know half your happiness.

Sir Paul. That's a jest, with all my heart, faith and troth--but hark ye, my lord told me something of a revolution of things; I don't know what to make on't-Gad's-bud, I must consult my wife-he talks of disinheriting his nephew, and I don't know what--look you, sister, I must know what my girl has to trust to; or not a syllable of a wedding, Gad's-bud-to shew you that I am not a fool.

Lady Touch. Hear me : consent to the breaking off this marriage, and the promoting any

other, without consulting me, and I will renounce | ly meant for a statesman or a jesuit--but thou all blood, all relation and concern with you for art too honest for the one, and too pious for ever-nay, I'll be your enemy, and pursue you to the other. destruction; I'll tear your eyes out, and tread you under my feet.

Sir Paul. Why, what's the matter now? Good Lord, what's all this for? Pooh, here's a joke indeed---why, where's my wife?

Lady Touch. With Careless, in the close arbour; he may want you by this time, as much as you want her.

Sir Paul. Oh, if she be with Mr Careless, 'tis well enough.

Lady Touch. Fool, sot, insensible ox! but remember what I said to you, or you had better eat your own horns; by this light, you had.

Sir Paul. You are a passionate woman, Gad's bud-but, to say truth, all our family are choleric; I am the only peaceable person amongst them. [Exeunt. Enter MELLEFONT, MASKWELL, and CYNTHIA. Mel. I know no other way but this he has proposed; if you have love enough to run the

venture.

Cyn. I don't know whether I have love enough--but I find I have obstinacy enough, to pursue whatever I have once resolved; and a true female courage to oppose any thing that resists my will, though it were reason itself.

Mask. That's right---well, I'll secure the writings, and run the hazard along with you. Cyn. But how can the coach and six horses be got ready without suspicion?

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

Mel. How?

Mask. Why, I intend to tell my lord the whole matter of our contrivance; that's my way.

Mel. I do not understand you.

Mask. Why, I'll tell my lord I laid this plot with you, on purpose to betray you; and that, which put me upon it, was the finding it impossible to gain the lady any other way, but in the hopes of her marrying you.

Mel. So.

Mask. So, why so, while you are busied in making yourself ready, I'll wheedle her into the coach; and, instead of you, borrow my lord's chaplain, and so run away with her myself.

Mel. Oh, I conceive you, you'll tell him so.
Mask. Tell him so! Aye; why, you don't

think I mean to do so?

not.

Mel. No, no; ha, ha! I dare swear thou wilt

Mask. Therefore, for our farther security, I would have you disguised like a parson, that if my lord should have curiosity to peep, he may not discover you in the coach, but think the cheat is carried on as he would have it.

Mask. Well, get yourselves ready, and meet me in half an hour, yonder, in my lady's dressing room; go by the back-stairs, and so we may slip down without being observed--I'll send the chaplain to you with his robes; I have made him my own--and ordered him to meet us to-morrow morning at St Alban's; there we will sum up this account to all our satisfactions.

Mel. Should I begin to thank or praise thee, I should waste the little time we have.

[blocks in formation]

[Exit.

Mask. Why, qui vult decipi decipiatur. 'Tis no fault of mine. I have told them in plain terms how easy it is for me to cheat them; and if they will not hear the serpent's hiss, they must be stung into experience and future cautionNow to prepare my lord to consent to thisBut first I must instruct my little Levite; there is no plot, public or private, that can expect to prosper without one of them has a finger in it; he promised me to be within at this hour—Mr Saygrace, Mr Saygrace!

[Goes to the chamber door, and knocks. [Mr SAYGRACE looking out.] Sweet sir, I will but pen the last line of an acrostic, and be with you in the twinkling of an ejaculation, in the pro│nouncing of an Amen, or before you can—

Mask. Nay, good Mr Saygrace, do not prolong the time by describing to me the shortness of your stay; rather, if you please, defer the finishing of your wit, and let us talk about our business; it shall be tithes in your way.

Enter SAYGRACE.

Say. You shall prevail; I would break off in the middle of a sermon to do you a pleasure. Mask. You could not do me a greaterexcept――the business in handHave you provided a habit for Mellefont?

Say. I have; they are ready in my chamber, together with a clean starched band and cuffs.

Mask. Good: let them be carried to him---Have you stitched the gown-sleeve, that he may Mel. Excellent Maskwell! thou wert certain- be puzzled, and waste time in putting it on?

[blocks in formation]

Enter MELLEFont.

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

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

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

Cyn. When you were gone, he said his mind was changed, and bid me meet him in the chaplain's room, pretending immediately to follow you, and give you notice.

Care. There's Saygrace tripping by, with a bundle under his arm-He cannot be ignorant that Maskwell means to use his chamber; let's follow and examine him.

Enter Lord ToUCHWOOD and MASKWELL. Lord Touch. Sure I was born to be controuled by those I should command: my very slaves will |false. shortly give me rules how I shall govern them.

Mask. I am concerned to see your lordship discomposed

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

Mask. No, my lord- -What can this mean? [Aside. Lord Touch. Then Mellefont has urged somebody to incense her-Something she has heard of you, which carries her beyond the bounds of patience.

Mask. This I feared. [Aside.] Did not your lordship tell her of the honours you designed me?

Lord Touch. Yes.

Mask. 'Tis that; you know my lady has a high spirit; she thinks I am unworthy.

Mel. 'Tis loss of time- -I cannot think him [Exeunt MEL. and CARE, Enter Lord TOUCHWOOD.

Cyn. My lord musing!

Lord Touch. He has a quick invention, if this were suddenly designed-Yet he says he had prepared my chaplain already.

Cyn. How is this! Now I fear, indeed. Lord Touch. Cynthia here! Alone, fair cousin, and melancholy?

Cyn. Your lordship was thoughtful. Lord Touch. My thoughts were on serious busincss, not worth your hearing.

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

Mask. [Within.] Will you not hear me?
Lady Touch. [Within. No, monster! Trai-
No!

Lord Touch. Unworthy! 'Tis an ignorant pride in her to think so-Honesty to me is true nobi-tor! lity. However, 'tis my will it shall be so, and Cyn. My lady and Maskwell! This may be that should be convincing to her as much as realucky-My lord, let me entreat you to stand be-By Heaven, I'll not be wife-ridden!hind this screen, and listen; perhaps this chance Were it possible, it should be done this night. may give you proof of what you never could have Mask. By Heaven! he meets my wishes. [Aside.] believed from my suspicions. Few things are impossible to willing minds.

son

Lord Touch. Instruct me how this may be done; you shall see I want no inclination.

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

Lord Touch. Here is companyway, and tell me.

-Come this
[Exeunt.

Enter CARELESS and CYNTHIA.
Care. Is not that he, now gone out with my
lord?
Cyn. Yes.

Care. By Heaven! there's treachery.The confusion that I saw your father in, my lady Touchwood's passion, with what imperfectly I overheard between my lord and her, confirm me in my fears. Where's Mellefont?

Cyn. Here he comes.

Enter Lady TOUCHWOOD, with a dagger, and
MASKWELL: CYNTHIA and Lord TOUCH-
WOOD abscond, listening.

Lady Touch. You want but leisure to invent fresh falsehood, and sooth me to a fond belief of all your fictions; but I will stab the lie, that's forming in your heart, and save a sin in pity to your soul.

Musk. Strike then-since you will have it so. Lady Touch. Ha! a steady villain to the last! Mask. Come, why do you dally with me thus? Lady Touch. Thy stubborn temper shocks me, and you knew it would-This is cunning all, and not courage; no, I know thee well-But thou shalt miss thy aim.

Mask. Ha, ha, ha!

Lady Touch. Ha! Do you mock my rage?
Then this shall punish your fond, rash attempt!
Again smile!
[Goes to strike.

And such a smile as speaks in ambiguity!

that various face.

your desires. His case is desperate, and, I be

Ten thousand meanings lurk in each corner of lieve, he will yield to any condition-If not, here, take this; you may employ it better than in the heart of one who is nothing, when not yours. [Gives the dagger.

Lady Touch. Thou canst deceive every body--Nay, thou hast deceived me; but it is as I would wish-Trusty villain! I could worship thee.

O! that they were written in thy heart, That I, with this, might lay thee open to my sight! But then 'twill be too late to knowThou hast, thou hast found the only way to turn my rage; too well thou knowest my jealous soul could never bear uncertainty. Speak, then, and Mask. No more-It wants but a few mitell me- -Yet are you silent? Oh, I am wilder- nutes of the time; and Mellefont's love will cared in all passions! But thus my anger melts-ry him there before his hour. [Weeps.] Here, take this poniard, for my very spirits faint, and I want strength to hold it; thou hast disarmed my soul. [Gives the dagger. Lord Touch. Amazement shakes me--Where will this end?

Mask. So, 'tis well—let your wild fury have a vent, and when you have temper, tell me.

Lady Touch. Now, now, now I am calm, and can hear you.

Mask. [Aside] Thanks, my invention: and now I have it for you--First tell me, what urged you to this violence? For your passion broke out in such imperfect terms, that yet I am to learn the cause.

Lady Touch. My lord himself surprised me with the news, you were to marry Cynthia-That you had owned your love to him, and his indulgence would assist you to attain your ends.

Cyn. How, my lord!

Lord Touch. Pray forbear all resentments for awhile, and let us hear the rest.

Mask. I grant you, in appearance all is true; I seemed consenting to my lord; nay, transported with the blessing-But could you think that I, who had been happy in your loved embraces, could e'er be fond of inferior slavery?

Cyn. Nay, good my lord, forbear resentment, let us hear it out.

Lord Touch. Yes, I will contain, though I could burst. [Aside. Mask. I, that had wantoned in the rich circle of your world of love, could be confined within the puny province of a girl? No-Yet, though I dote on each last favour more than all the rest, though I would give a limb for every look you cheaply throw away on any other object of your love; yet so far I prize your pleasures over my own, that all this seeming plot that I have laid, has been to gratify your taste, and cheat the world, to prove a faithful rogue to you. Lady Touch. If this were trueit be?

-But how can

Mask. I have so contrived, that Mellefont will presently, in the chaplain's habit, wait for Cynthia in your dressing-room: but I have put the change upon her, that she may be otherwhere employed. Do you procure her night-gown, and, with your hood tied over your face, meet him in her stead; you may go privately by the back-stairs, and, unperceived, there you may propose to reinstate him in his uncle's favour, if he will comply with VOL. II.

Lady Touch. I go, I fly, incomparable Mask

well!
[Exit.
Mask. So! this was a pinch indeed; my inven-
tion was upon the rack, and made discovery of
her last plot: I hope Cynthia and my chaplain
will be ready. I will prepare for the expedition.

[Exit.

CYNTHIA and LORD TOUCHWOOD come forward.

Cyn. Now, my lord! Lord Touch. Astonishment binds up my rage! Villainy upon villainy! Heavens, what a long track of dark deceit has this discovered! I am confounded when I look back, and want a clue to guide me through the various mazes of unheard-of treachery. My wife! Damnation! My hell!

Cyn. My lord, have patience, and be sensible how great our happiness is, that this discovery was not made too late.

Lord Touch. I thank you, yet it may be still too late, if we don't presently prevent the execu tion of their plots-Ha! I'll do it. Where is Mellefont, my poor injured nephew? How shall I make him ample satisfaction?

Cyn. I dare answer for him.

Lord Touch. I do him fresh wrong to question his forgiveness, for I know him to be all goodness- -Yet my wife! Damn her!--She'll think to meet him in that dressing-room-Was it not so? And Maskwell will expect you in the chaplain's chamber-For once l'll add my plot toolet us hasten to find out, and inform my nephew; and do you, quickly as you can, bring all the company into this gallery. I'll expose the strumpet and the villain. [Exeunt.

SCENE IL

Enter LORD FROTH and SIR PAUL. Lord Froth. By Heavens! I have slept an age -Sir Paul, what o'clock is it? Past eight! On my conscience, my lady's is the most inviting couch, and a slumber there is the prettiest amusément! But where is all the company?

Sir Paul, The company! Gad's bud, I. don't know, my lord; but here's the strangest revolution, all turned topsy-turvy, as I hope for Providence.

Lord Froth, O Heavens! What's the matter? Where is my wife?

2 B

Sir Paul. All turned topsy-turvy, as sure as a gun.

Lord Froth. How do you mean? My wife! Sir Paul. The strangest posture of affairs! Lord Froth. What! my wife?

Sir Paul. No, no, I mean the family. Your lady's affairs may be in a very good posture; I saw her go into the garden with Mr Brisk.

Lord Froth. How? Where, when, what to do? Sir Paul. I suppose they have been laying their heads together.

Lord Froth. How?

Sir Paul. Nay, only about poetry, I

[blocks in formation]

suppose,

Brisk. My lord, your humble servant; sir Paul, yours-The finest night!

Lady Froth. My dear, Mr Brisk and I have been star-gazing I don't know how long.

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

Lady Froth. Oh, no! I love it violently

My dear, you are melancholy.

Lord Froth. No, my dear, I am but awake.

Care. You need not fear, madam; you have charms to fix inconstancy itself.

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

Cyn. They will wait upon your lordship presently.

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

All. What's the matter?

[A great shriek from the corner of the stage. Enter LADY TOUCHWOOD, and runs out affrighted, my LORD after her, like a parson. Lady Touch. Oh! I'm betrayed-Save me, help me! Lord Touch. Now, what evasion, strumpet? Lady Touch. Stand off, let me go.

Lord Touch. Go, and thy own infamy pursue thee! You stare as you were all amazed-I do not wonder at it-But too soon you'll know mine, and that woman's shame.

Enter MELLEFONT, disguised in a parson's habit, and pulling in MASKWELL.

Mel. Nay, by Heaven! you shall be seen― Careless, your hand-Do you hold down your

Lady Froth. Snuff some of my spirit of harts-head? Yes, I am your chaplain; look in the face horn.

Lord Froth. I have some of my own, thank you, my dear.

Lady Froth. Well, I swear, Mr Brisk, you understand astronomy like an old Egyptian!

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

stars.

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

sun.

Brisk. Madam, you have eclipsed me quite, let me perish- -I cannot answer that. Lady Froth. No matter-Harkee, shall you and I make an almanack together?

Brisk. With all my soul-Your ladyship has made me the man in it already, I am so full of the wounds which you have given.

Lady Froth. O, finely taken! I swear now you are even with me; O Parnassus, you have an infinite deal of wit!

Sir Paul. So he has, Gads-bud; and so has your ladyship.

Enter LADY PLYANT, CARELESS, and CYNTHIA.

Lady Ply. You tell me most surprising things; bless me, who would ever trust a man? O, my heart aches for fear they should all be deceitful alike.

of your injured friend, thou wonder of all falsehood.

Lord Touch. Are you silent, monster?

Mel. Good Heavens! How I believed and loved this man! Take him hence, for he is a disease to my sight.

Lord Touch. Secure that manifold villain. [Servants seize him,

Care. Miracle of ingratitude! Brisk. This is all very surprising, let me perish. Lady Froth. You know I told you Saturn looked a little more angry than usual.

Lord Touch. We'll think of punishment at leisure; but let me hasten to do justice, in rewarding virtue and wronged innocence.- -Nephew,

I hope I have your pardon, and Cynthia's? Mel. We are your lordship's creatures. Lord Touch. And be each other's comfortLet me join your hands-Mutual love, lasting health, and circling joys, tread round each happy year of your long lives.

Let secret villainy from hence be warned, Howe'er in private mischiefs are conceived, Torture and shame attend their open birth: Like vipers in the womb, base treachery lies Still gnawing that, whence first it did arise; No sooner born, but the vile parent dies.

[Exeunt omnes.

« السابقةمتابعة »