Thus, meaning no offence, in language faint, The City Rage for foldiering we paint. But fure, no fons of Briton, wish repreft That zeal which leads one man to ferve the reft; Long may fuch Rage infpire the English mind! "Ma foi!" he cries-" No people bleft as we; My Vife, for common good, oblige to marry: "She labour for the State, tant mieux pour elle, "She forgot me— —I her-c'eft Bagatelle ! "Allons au Guerre! L'eau de vie banish forrow, "Victoire to-day-La Guillotine to-morrow " English Tom Blunt, a dealer in small wares, Who knows a bit what's paffing above stairs, Cries "Why, in that there change of wives fo faft "I think a good one mayhap may come at last "But in that gulleting machine, d'ye see "I've no idea how it makes one free: "For my part now, whatever may be faid, "I'm for a little meat, and safe warm bed, "I does not relish freedom-when one's dead! "So, once for all, my means and refolution "Go, to ftand by the good old Constitution." Such and fo different reign with sovereign power, The various "Rages" of the present hour. I wish, in truth I wifh in very fpight, Your Rage may be, to fee us many a night. THE THE RAGE: A COME D Y. ACT I. SCENE I.-DARNLEY'S Garden, and view of bis fmall Villa. Enter DARNLEY and Sir GEORGE GAUNTLET. SIR GEORGE. AND fo, Darnley, you prefer this solitary life, to all the joys of London-to be fure you've a nice fnug Villa, and a charming wife here but its dull the fcene tires-it wants variety, Harry. Darnley. No, Sir George. Since I retir'd to this peaceful fpot, I have not had a wifh beyond it: I've been fo happy in that humble cottage, that when I'm doom'd to leave it, the world will be a waste, and life not have a charm! Sir George. How you are alter'd, Darnley? When we were brother officers you were the greateft rake in the regiment; but from the time we were quarter'd at Worcester, where you firft beheld Mifs Dormer Darnley. I faw the folly of my former life, I own'd the power of her fuperior charms, and leaving a busy and tumultuous world, retir'd with her to this fequefter'd fcene-'tis now three years fince I married. Sir George. And from that time to this, have you liv'd in this out-of-the-way place? : Darnley. Yes and till you yesterday honour'd me with a vifit, I have not feen a friend within my doors-but isn't it a happy life, Sir George? Our affections have room to fhoot-care and diftruft are banifh'd from our cottage, and with fuch a woman as Mrs. Darnley to converse with, what is the world to me? I can defy and scorn its malice. Sir George. She's an angelic creature indeed, Darnley and at Worcester, I had myself nearly fallen a victim to her charms; but about your future life-do you mean to live for ever in these woods and meadows? Darnley. No-would to heaven I could!-I fear I must forego my prefent calm, and mix in active life again: When I married, I fold my commiffion, you remember, to purchase this fmall farm-Mrs. Darnley's portion was but a trifle, and an encreafing family has fo enlarg'd my expences, that unless I return to the army Sir George. Ah-you want to be raking again? Darnley. No-I want to fecure an independence for my family-I want to fee my children affluent, and to attain this, I have once more applied to my uncle Sir Paul Perpetual, who ! who was fo offended at my felling out, that he has ever fince abandon'd me. Sir George. What-does the old beau ftill perfevere in his refentment? Darnley. His anger has encreas'd; for he writes me word, he intends marrying Lady Sarah Savage, on purpose to have heirs more worthy his eftate:-Oh! my friend :-'tis hard, that fortune fhould beftow fuch treafures, and then compel me to defert them? Sir George. So it is: but now I think on't, this Lady Sarah Savage and her brother are my intimate friends; and as you are their neighbours, I'll introduce you and Mrs. Darnley to their notice-When are they expected. from town? Darnley. To day. Sir George. Then we'll pay them a visit: Lady Sarah Savage fhall interfere with your uncle, and if that fails, her brother can easily enfure your promotion in the army-but fee; here's Mrs. Darnley? Darnley. Look at her, Sir George-do you, can you blame me?-who would not act as I have done? Sir George. I would by heav'ns!-'d live with her in a hermitage !die with her on a pilgrimage!-I'd-fdeath: if I don't mind, I fhall discover all. [Afide. Enter Mrs. DARNLEY. Darnley advancing to her.] Maria! Mrs. Darnley. Oh Harry!-I have been looking for you every where-I declare you're grown quite a truant-Before your friend came, you В 2 us'd us'd to walk with me over the farm: or ride with me to see our children; or fit and read to me under our favourite Beach Tree-but nowSir George !I beg your pardon-I didn't fee you before. Sir George. Madam ! [Bowing obfequiously. Darnley. My friend is all kindness, Maria; he has promis'd to introduce me to the honourable Mr. Savage: Mrs. Darnley. What :-take you to Savage house! me. Darnley. Ay-why not-you fhall go with Mrs. Darnley, No-let me ftay here-I am not weary of my prefent life. Darnley. Nor I-but 'tis a great connexion: and though not abfolutely diftrefs'd, I would improve my fortune-I would fee you and my children have every comfort. Mrs. Darnley. We have, while you are with us confider we have never liv'd a day apart, and if they lure you into fashionable fcenes, you'll be corrupted, Harry-you'll despise the humble roof you once rever'd, and I perhaps fhall be forgotten and neglected. Darnley. Never!-I cannot bear the fuppo fition; and while we have hearts to endure, and hands to labour, there is fufficient for our cottage! I will not go-My friend, who fees my motive, I'm fure, will not condemn me. Sir George. No-always obey the Ladies; but Darnley, I fee our horfes-you recollect we were to ride to see your children: fo, Madam, I have the fuperlative honour Enter |