honour as my own, and carry arms for you and Furiofo. [Exit into Hermitage. O. Doric. What! reflect on my profeffion! ftop-come back! Tradel. Nay, now, 'tis but a paltry cottage, and you are losing better jobs. Come, I have one in view for you myself. O. Doric. Indeed! Tradel. Ay with a man of real confequence. I cannot exactly recollect his name, he gave a fumptuous ball last night, and all are pushing for his cuftom. I've got it for myself already, and now, I'll kindly fpeak a word for you. 0. Doric. Will you? that's noble! lead onand, for yon fwaggerer's bafe reflections-zounds! let him be told, 'tisn't the occupation makes the man, it is the man makes the occupation. And, in this great commercial land, an honeft tradesman, who can pay his way, may strut with any nabob in the world. So, if you think I am afraid --pooh! quite the contrary. (putting on his hat) [Exeunt. SCENE II.-A room in Sir Edward Specious's boufe. Enter the DELINQUENT. Delin. Sdeath! I grow weary of his villainy; it is not further to be borne; for, whilft thus conftantly employed in covering his detefted crimes, perhaps the object that I feek calls loudly for protection; and, defperate as I am, would I not rather fuccour than opprefs, even my deadlieft foe? but one, who's twined around my heart-Oh! let me burst my ignominious chains, and fly from this difgraceful Enter Enter Sir Edward Specious hastily. Sir Edw. So;-this is fortunate !-partake, partake my triumph! for, fpite of all their paltry arts, the faithlefs fair is in my power. Delin. Indeed! (furlily.) Sir Edw. Ay: the lady fhe refides with means to-night, to take her to a concert,—and, mark— not only on the road, will leave her to your care Delin. Mine! Sir Edw. Ay: but fo confine this hated governefs by ftratagem and art, that, bear her pupil but on board my yacht, Delin. Never! Sir Edw. How! dare you? Delin. I dare-when first, abroad, I anfwered for your faults, they were the offspring of gay, giddy youth; and ftill the noble name of gentleman was not quite loft in your pursuits; but when, to gratify licentious paffion, you'd doomone virtuous woman to confinement, and force another to defpair and infamy, you wrong, without redrefs, that fex, which man but lives to love and to protect. Sir Edw. Wretch! traitor! muft I remind you who you are? Delin. No; tell me who I was. Sir Edw. I will; for it will gall you to reflect, that you, the proud Sir Arthur Courcy, of Northumberland, famed for his landed and commercial rank, implored my father to become his bail, and meanly left him to discharge the debt. Delin. Ha! Sir Edw. (holding Delin.) And after that, when this Sir Arthur's bankruptcy enfued, dared he appear to his commission! no; he fled the kingdom and now, as outlaway, as outlaw, may may be tried for crimes, moft flagrant and felonious. Delin. Peace! or, by heaven! Sir Edw. Nay, more,-this outlaw spread fuch defolation round, that many a peafant's cheerful home was changed to drear imprisonment; and his own family befide Delin. (breaking from him) Nay take my life, for every word's a dagger to that heart, that ftill could prove its motives were not evil; but that it boldly has involved itself, not skulk'd, like you,` beneath another's name. Sir Edw. 'Tis well, fir; but there was a time when you'd have own'd yourself obliged Delin. Knelt! proud Sir Arthur would have knelt and rifen prouder from the grateful pofture; but when you trample on a worm, remember it has feelings-haply tender as your own. Sir Edw. Well, well, perhaps I was too warm; forget what's paft, and fome more defperate agent fhall be found. Delin. What! you're refolved! Sir Edw. I am! and had you granted this, my laft requeft, it might have led e'en to reversing of your outlawry; for all thofe bonds my father purchased, from revenge, had been returned into your hands, and freedom thus reftored, you might indeed regain the noble height from whence you fell. Delin. What! freedom? Sir Edw. Ay: and expect, befides, another bright reward: the lovely prize but once on board the veffel, we'll fail directly for Northumberland. Delin. Northumberland! Sir Edw. Yes; to that very spot, where, beyond doubt, the tender treafure that you feek, now claims the pity you fo wish to prove. Delin. (having fhewn much joy during the preceding Speech) Will you? I am no longer mafter of myfelf--nature, refiftlefs nature mounts within my foul, and, like a whirlwind, hurries me to action.-The time,-the place- Sir Edw. There--this letter will explain (giving bim letter) no more-away! Delin. Ah: to my native fhore,-to liberty, to life! (rushes out.) Sir Edw. Within there! Enter Servant. Serv. Where is the mafter of my yacht? hall, Sir. [Exit Servant. Sir Edw. I'll come to him. now! SCENE III.-Outfide of the Hotel. Enter Dorville from the Hotel. [Exit. Dorv. Not yet returned! Surely no creditor has come from town and fuddenly arrefted him. Plague on't! if there has-now, at the moment when this letter from his uncle gives hopes of lafting happiness and wealth. Well, well, I'll feek and fhew him-Oh, he's here; and, as I fearedby heaven! two bailiffs with him! Enter Young Doric, followed by two Perfons. So, you're at laft rewarded as you ought. 1. Doric. Yes, I am, exactly; for this gentleman, an active, enterprifing upholsterer (Upholsterer bows very low) has almost forced me to take a ready furnifhed villa of his about a mile off. And this gentleman, a smart advertising wine-merchant (WineMerchant bows alfo) actually infifts on ftocking it with his own beft port and Madeira; and 'tis no fault of mine,for, as I faid before, upon my honour, gentlemen, I doubt very much whether I can pay you. Wine Merch. Oh, we know who we're trusting! One who is vifited by all the town. Upholft. So noticed, so refpected-and by fuch folid and fubftantial-Do, pray indulge us; fay 'tis a bargain, and we'll fly to execute your orders. Y. Doric. Well: fince I muft indulge you-fly, fly, my fine fellows! Upholst. Enough :-And we shall ever feel fo much indebted to your kindnefs. (Bowing both very low) Y. Doric. (returning the bow) Not more than I fhall feel indebted to you, gentlemen. [Exeunt Wine-Merchant and Upholsterer. And for the fair, induftrious tradefman's fake, I am glad that you are match'd; for 'tis fuch pufhing and high-priced extortioners that injure credit, and make fwindling flourish. Dorv. It is; but they are right in their furmifes now; for, by this friendly letter from your partner r. Doric. My uncle! What, from honeft old Toby and to you! Oh, let me read!"Dear Mr. Dorville, in anfwer to your pleafing account of Jack's reformation, close study of architecture, and being now on the road to London, to take part as active partner"-Oh, you dear, friendly, lying, corref pondent!"I heartily thank you, and as I cou’dn't fay more, if I were to write volumes, Your's, Toby Doric. P. S. Hope Jack will be in town to-night, being suddenly called on a building job to Briftol." |