Abbildungen der Seite
PDF
EPUB

:

my freedom in it to the means we talked of. Keep this a secret at home, and hasten to the ruined

Ruined by friendship!

him.

R. STUKELY.

-I must relieve or follow

Mrs Bev. Follow him, did you say? Then I am lost, indeed!

Bev. Oh, this infernal vice! how has it sunk me! A vice, whose highest joy was poor to my domestic happiness. Yet how have I pursued it! turned all my comforts to bitterest pangs, and all my smiles to tears.-Damned, damned infatuation!

Mrs Bev. Be cool, my life! What are the means the letter talks of? Have you-have I those means? Tell me, and ease me. I have no life while you are

wretched.

'Tis I alone have You shall reserve

Bev. No, no; it must not be. sinned; 'tis I alone must suffer. those means, to keep my child and his wronged mother from want and wretchedness.

Mrs Bev. What means?

Bev. I came to rob you of them-but cannotdare not-Those jewels are your sole support-I should be more than monster to request them.

Mrs Bev. My jewels! Trifles, not worth speaking of, if weighed against a husband's peace; but let them purchase that, and the world's wealth is of less value.

Bev. How little do I seem before such virtues ! Mrs Bev. No more, my love. I kept them till occasion called to use them; now is the occasion, and I'll resign them cheerfully.

Bev. Why, we'll be rich in love then. But this excess of kindness melts me. Yet for a friend one would do much-He has denied me nothing.

Mrs Bev. Come to my closet-But let him manage wisely. We have no more to give him.

Bev. Where learnt my love this excellence?. 'Tis

Heaven's own teaching: that Heaven, which to an angel's form has given a mind more lovely. I am unworthy of you, but will deserve you better.

Henceforth my follies and neglects shall cease,
And all to come be penitence and peace;
Vice shall no more attract me with her charms,
Nor pleasure reach me, but in these dear arms.
[Exeunt.

ACT THE THIRD.

SCENE I.

STUKELY'S Lodgings.

Enter STUKELY and BATES.

Stuke. So runs the world, Bates. Fools are the natural prey of knaves; Nature designed them so, when she made lambs for wolves. The laws, that fear and policy have framed, Nature disclaims; she knows but two, and those are force and cunning. The nobler law is force; but then there's danger in't; while cunning, like a skilful miner, works safely and unseen.

Bates. And therefore wisely. Force must have nerves and sinews; cunning wants neither. The dwarf that has it shall trip the giant's heels up.

Stuke. And bind him to the ground. Why, we'll

[ocr errors]

erect a shrine for Nature, and be her oracles. Conscience is weakness; fear made it, and fear maintains it. The dread of shame, inward reproaches, and fictitious burnings swell out the phantom. Nature knows none of this; her laws are freedom.

Bates. Sound doctrine, and well delivered!

Stuke. We are sincere, too, and practise what we teach. Let the grave pedant say as much.-But now to business-The jewels are disposed of; and Beverley again worth money. If my design succeeds, this night we finish with him-Go to your lodgings, and be busy-You understand conveyances, and make ruin sure.

Bates. Better stop here. The sale of this reversion may be talked of-There's danger in it. Stuke. No, 'tis the mark I aim at. We'll thrive and laugh. You are the purchaser, and there's the payment. [Giving him a Pocket-Book.] He thinks you rich; and so you shall be. Enquire for titles, and deal hardly; 'twill look like honesty.

Bates. How if he suspects us?

Stuke. Leave it to me. I study hearts, and when to work upon them. Go to your lodgings; and if we come, be busy over papers. Talk of a thoughtless age, of gaming and extravagance; you have a face for't.

Bates. A feeling too that would avoid it. We push too far; but I have cautioned you. If it ends ill, you'll think of me-and so, adieu. [Exit.

Stuke. This fellow sins by halves; his fears are consoience to him. I'll turn these fears to use. Rogues that dread shame, will still be greater rogues to hide their guilt-Lewson grows troublesome-We must get rid of him-He knows too much. I have a tale for Beverley. He shall call Lewson to account-If it succeeds, 'tis well; if not, we must try other means-But here he comes-I must dissemble.

Enter BEVERLEY.

Look to the door there!-[In a seeming Fright.] My friend!-I thought of other visitors.

Bev. No; these shall guard you from them.-[Offer. ing Notes.] Take them, and use them cautiously— The world deals hardly by us.

Stuke. And shall I leave you destitute? No: your wants are the greatest. Another climate may treat me kinder. The shelter of to-night takes me from this.

Bev. Let these be your support then-Yet is there need of parting? I may have means again; we'll share them, and live wisely.

Stuke. No: I should tempt you on. Habit is nature in me; ruin can't cure it. Even now I would be gaming. Taught by experience as I am, and knowing this poor sum is all that's left us, I am for ventu ring still-And say I am to blame-Yet will this little supply our wants? No, we must put it out to usury. Whether 'tis madness in me, or some restless impulse of good fortune, I yet am ignorant; but

Bev. Take it, and succeed then. I'll try no more. Stuke. 'Tis surely impulse; it pleads so stronglyBut you are cold-We'll e'en part here then. And for this last reserve, keep it for better uses; I'll have I thank you though, and will seek fortune singly-One thing I had forgot Bev. What is it?

none on't

Stuke. Perhaps, 'twere best forgotten.

But I am

open in my nature, and zealous for the honour of my friend-Lewson speaks freely of you.

Bev Of you I know he does.

Stuke. I can forgive him for❜t; but, for my friend, I'm angry.

Bev. What says he of me?

Stuke. That Charlotte's fortune is embezzled-He talks on't loudly.

Bev. He shall be silenced, then-How heard you of it?

Stuke. From many. He questioned Bates about it. You must account with him, he says.

Bev. Or he with me-and soon, too.

Stuke. Speak mildly to him. Cautions are best. Bev. I'll think on't-But whither go you? Stuke. From poverty and prisons-No matter whither. If fortune changes, you may hear from me.

Bev. May these be prosperous, then. [Offering the Notes, which he refuses.] Nay, they are yours-I have sworn it, and will have nothing-Take them, and use them.

Stuke. Singly I will not-My cares are for my friend; for his lost fortune and ruined family. All separate interests I disclaim. Together we have fallen; together we must rise. My heart, my honour, and affections, all will have it so.

Bev. I am weary of being fooled.

Stuke. And so am I-Here let us part, thenThese bodings of good fortune shall all be stifled; call them folly, and forget them-farewell.

Bev. No; stay a moment-How my poor heart's distracted! I have these bodings too; but whether caught from you, or prompted by my good or evil genius, I know not-The trial shall determine-And yet, my wife

Stuke. Ay, ay, she'll chide.

Bev. No; my chidings are all here.

[Pointing to his Heart. Stuke. I'll not persuade you.

Bev. I am persuaded; by reason too; the strongest reason, necessity. Oh, could I but regain the height I have fallen from, Heaven should forsake me in my latest hour, if I again mixed in these scenes, or

« ZurückWeiter »