Her blood cries vengeance; but my father'speace [Dies. King. As much his goodness wounds me, as his death. What then are both? O Philip, once renowned! From scene to scene, advancing in distress, SCENE I. ACT I. Enter MRS BEVERLEY and CHARLOTTE. Mrs Bev. Be comforted, my dear; all may be well yet. And now, methinks, the lodging begins to look with another face. Oh, sister! sister! if these were all my hardships; if all I had to complain of were no more than quitting my house, servants, equipage, and shew, your pity would be weakness. Char. Is poverty nothing, then? Char. That I may hate my brother. pernicious vice of gaming! But, methinks his usual hours of four or five in the morning might have contented him; it was misery enough to wake for him till then. Need he have staid out all night?—I shall learn to detest him. Mrs Bev. Not for the first fault. He never slept from me before. Char. Slept from you! No, no, his nights have nothing to do with sleep. How has this one vice driven him from every virtue !--Nay, from his affections, too!The time was, sister Mrs Bev. And is. I have no fear of his affections. Would I knew, that he were safe! Char. From ruin and his companions. But that is impossible. His poor little boy, too! What must become of him? Mrs Bev. Why, want shall teach him industry. From his father's mistakes he shall learn prudence, and, from his mother's resignation, patience. Poverty has no such terrors in it as you Char. Has he not undone you?-Oh, this imagine. There is no condition of life, sickness and pain excepted, where happiness is excluded. The husbandman, who rises early to his labour, enjoys more welcome rest at night for it. His bread is sweeter to him, his home happier, his family dearer, his enjoyments surer. The sun, that rouses him in the morning, sets in the evening to release him. All situations have their conforts, if sweet contentment dwell in the heart. But my poor Beverley has none. The thought of having ruined those, he loves, is misery for ever to him. Would I could ease his mind of that ! Char. If he alone were ruined, it were just he should be punished. He is my brother, it is true; but when I think of what he has done, of the fortune you brought him, of his own large estate too. squandered away upon this vilest of passions, and among the vilest of wretches! Oh, I have no patience! My own little fortune is untouched, he says. Would I were sure of it! Mrs Bev. And so you may--it would be a sin to doubt it. Char. I will be sure of it-it was madness in me to give it to his management. But I will demand it from him this morning. I have a melancholy occasion for it. Mrs Bev. What occasion? Mrs Bev. He had no reason, Jarvis. Jar. I was faithful to him, while he lived ; and when he died, he bequeathed me to his son. I have been faithful to him, too. Mrs Bev. I know it, I know it, Jarvis. Jar. I am an old man, madam, and have not a long time to live. I asked but to have died with him, and he dismissed me. Mrs Bev. Prithee, no more of this! It was his poverty that dismissed you. Jar. Is he indeed so poor, then?--Oh! he Mrs Bev. No; I have no need of it. Take it, was the joy of my old heart-But must his and reward a lover with it. The generous Lew-creditors have all?-And have they sold his son deserves much more. Why won't you make him happy? Char. Because my sister is miserable. Mrs Bev. You must not think so. I have my jewels left yet. I will sell them to supply our wants; and, when all is gone, these hands shall toil for our support. The poor should be industrious-Why those tears, Charlotte? Char. They flow in pity for you. Mrs Bev. All may be well yet. When he has nothing to lose, I shall fetter him in these arms again; and then what is it to be poor? Char. Cure him but of this destructive passion, and my uncle's death may retrieve all yet. house too? His father built it, when he was but a prating boy. The times, that I have carried him in these arms! And, "Jarvis,' says he, when a beggar has asked charity of me, why should people be poor? You shan't be poor, Jarvis; if I were a king, nobody should be poor." Yet he is poor. And then he was so brave!--Oh, he was a brave little boy! And yet so merciful, he'd not have killed the gnat, that stung him. Mrs Bev. Speak to him, Charlotte; for I cannot. Char. When I have wiped my eyes. Jar. I have a little money, madam; it might have been more, but I have loved the poor. All that I have is yours. Mrs Bev. Ay, Charlotte, could we cure him! But the disease of play admits no cure but poyerty; and the loss of another fortune would but increase his shame and affliction. Will Mr Lew-I son call this morning? Char. He said so last night. He gave me hints too, that he had suspicions of our friend Stukely. Mrs Bev. Not of treachery to my husband? That he loves play I know, but surely he is ho Mrs Bev. No, Jarvis; we have enough yet. thank you, though, and will deserve your good ness. Jar. But shall I see my master? And will he let me attend him in his distresses? I'll be no expence to him; and it will kill me to be refus ed. Where is he, madam? Mrs Bev. Not at home, Jarvis. You shall see hin another time. Char. To-morrow, or the next day—Oh, Jarvis! what a change is here! Jar. A change indeed, madam! my old heart aches at it. And yet, methinks--But here's somebody coming. Stuke. Good morning to you, ladies. Mr Jarvis, your servant. Where's my friend, madam? [To Mrs Bev. Mrs Bev. I should have asked that question Have you seen him to-day? of you. Stuke. No, Madam. Char. Nor last night? Stuke. Last night! Did he not come home, then? Mrs Bev. No. Were you not together? Stuke. At the beginning of the evening; but not since. Where can he have staid? Mrs. Bev. I beg your pardon; but 'tis ever thus with me in Mr Beverley's absence. No one knocks at the door, but I fancy it is a messenger of ill news. Stuke. You are too fearful, madam; 'twas but one night of absence; and if ill thoughts intrude (as love is always doubtful), think of your worth and beauty, and drive them from your breast. Mrs Bey. What thoughts? I have no thoughts, that wrong my husband. Stuke. Such thoughts, indeed, would wrong him. The world is full of slander; and every him in this madness of gam-wretch, that knows himself unjust, charges his neighbour with like passions; and by the general Char. You call yourself his friend, sir; why do you encourage ing? Stuke, You have asked me that question be-frailty hides his own- -If you are wise, and fore, madam; and I told you my concern was, would be happy, turn a deaf ear to such reports. that I could not save him. Mr Beverley is a It is ruin to believe them. man, madam; and if the most friendly entreaties have no effect upon him, I have no other means. My purse has been his, even to the injury of my fortune. If that has been encouragement, I deserve censure; but I meant it to retrieve him. Mre. Bev. Ay, worse than ruin. It would be to sin against conviction. Why was it mentioned? Stuke. To guard you against rumour. The sport of half mankind is mischief; and for a single error they make men devils. If their tales reach you, disbelieve them. Mrs Bev. What tales? By whom? Why told? I have heard nothing-or if I had, with all his errors, my Beverley's firm faith admits no doubt Mrs Bev. I don't doubt it, sir; and I thank you-But where did you leave him last night? Stuke. At Wilson's, madam, if I ought to tell; in company I did not like. Possibly he may be there still. Mr Jarvis knows the house, I be--It is my safety, my seat of rest and joy, while Mrs. Bev. No, he may take it ill. Char. He may go as from himself. the storm threatens round me. I'll not forsake it. [Stukely sighs and looks down.] Why turn you, sir, away? and, why that sigh? Stuke. I was attentive, madam; and sighs Stuke. And, if he pleases, madam, without na- will come we know not why. Perhaps, I have ming me. I am faulty myself, and should con- been too busy-If it should seem so, impute my ceal the errors of a friend. But I can refuse no-zeal to friendship, that meant to guard you a thing here. [Bowing to the ladies.gainst evil tongues. Your Beverley is wronged, slandered most vilely-My life upon his truth. Mrs Bev. And mine too. Who is it that doubts it? But no matter- -I am prepared, sir Jar. I would fain see him, methinks. Mrs Bev. Do so, then; but take care how you upbraid him-I never upbraided him. vet. Jar. Would I could bring him comfort! [Exit. Stuke. Don't be too much alarmed, madam. All men have their errors, and their times of seeing them. Perhaps, my friend's time is not come But he has an uncle; and old men don't live for ever. You should look forward, madam; we are taught how to value a second fortune by the loss of a first. [Knocking at the door. Mrs. Bey. Hark!-No-that knocking was too rude for Mr Beverley, Pray Heaven he be well! Stuke, Never doubt it, madam. You shall be well, too-Every thing shall be well. [Knocking again. Mrs. Beo. The knocking is a little loud, though-Who waits there? Will none of you answer?-None of you, did I say? Alas, what was I thinking of! I had forgot myself, Char. I'll go, sister-But don't be alarmed so. [Exit. Stuke. What extraordinary accident have you to fear, madam? -Yet why this caution?--You are my husband's friend; I think you mine too; the common friend of both. [Pauses.] I had been unconcerned else. Stuke. For Heaven's sake, madam, be so still! I mean to guard you against suspicion, not to alarm it. Mrs Bev. Nor have you, sir. Who told you of suspicion? I have a heart it cannot reach. Stuke. Then I am happy-I would say more; but am prevented. Stuke. I wish I had known of this. Was it a large demand, madam? Char. I heard not that; but visits, such as these, we must expect often-Why so distressed, sister? This is no new affliction. Mrs Bev. No, Charlotte; but I am faint with watching quite sunk and spiritless-Will you excuse me, sir? I'll to my chamber, and try to rest a little. [Exit. Stuke. Good thoughts go with you, madam. My bait is taken, then. [Aside.] Poor Mrs Beverley! How my heart grieves to see her thus! Char. Cure her, and be a friend, then. Stuke. How cure her, madam? Char. Reclaim my brother. Stuke. Ay, give him a new creation, or breathe another soul into him. I'll think on it, madam. Advice, I see, is thankless. Char. Useless I am sure it is, if through mistaken friendship, or other motives, you feed his❘ passion with your purse, and soothe it by example. Physicians, to cure fevers, keep from the patient's thirsty lip the cup, that would inflame him. You give it to his hands. [A knocking.] Hark, sir! These are my brother's desperate symptomsAnother creditor. Stuke. One not so easily got rid of-What, Lewson! Enter LEWSON. I Lew. Madam, your servant- Yours, sir. was enquiring for you at your lodgings. Stuke. This morning! You had business, then? Lew. You'll call it by another name, perhaps. Where's Mr Beverley, madam? Char. We have sent to enquire for him. Lew. Is he abroad, then? He did not use to go out so early. Char. No, nor stay out so late. Lew. Is that the case? I am sorry for it. But Mr Stukely, perhaps, may direct you to him. Stuke. I have already, sir. But what was your business with me? Lew. To congratulate you upon your late successes at play. Poor Beverley!-But you are his friend; and there's a comfort in having successful friends. Stuke. And what am I to understand by this? Lew. That Beverley's a poor man, with a rich friend; that's all. Stuke. Your words would mean something, I suppose. Another time, sir, I shall desire an explanation. Lew. And why not now? I am no dealer in long sentences. A minute or two will do for me. Stuke. But not for me, sir. I am slow of apprehension, and must have time and privacy. A lady's presence engages my attention. Another morning I may be found at home. Lew. Another morning, then, I'll wait upon you. | Stuke. I shall expect you, sir. Madam, your [Exit Stukely. servant. Char. What mean you by this? Lew. To hint to him, that I know him. Char. How know him? Mere doubt and supposition! Lew. I shall have proof soon. Char. And what then? Would you risque your life to be his punisher? Lew. My life, madam! Don't be afraid. And yet I am happy in your concern for me. But let it content you, that I know this StukelyIt will be as easy to make him honest as brave. Char. And what do you intend to do? Lew. Nothing, till I have proof. Yet my suspicions are well-grounded-But, methinks, madam, I am acting here without authority. Could I have leave to call Mr Beverley brother, his concerns would be my own. Why will you make my services appear officious? Char. You know my reasons, and should not press me. But I am cold, you say; and cold I will be, while a poor sister's destitute-My heart bleeds for her; and, till I see her sorrows moderated, love has no joys for me. Lew. Can I be less a friend by being a brother? I would not say an unkind thing-But the pillar of your house is shaken; prop it with another, and it shall stand firm again. You must comply. Char. And will, when I have peace within myself. But let us change this subject-Your business here this morning is with my sister. Misfortunes press too hard upon her; yet, till today, she has borne them nobly. Lew. Where is she? Char. Gone to her chamber. Her spirits failed her. Lew. I hear her coming. Let what has passed with Stukely be a secret-She has already too much to trouble her. Enter Mrs BEVERLEY. Mrs Bev. Good morning, sir; I heard your voice, and, as I thought, enquiring for me.-Where's Mr Stukely, Charlotte? Char. This moment gone- -You have been in tears, sister; but here's a friend shall comfort you. Lew. Or, if I add to your distresses, I will beg your pardon, madam. The sale of your house and furniture was finished yesterday. Mrs Bev. I know it, sir; I know too your generous reason for putting me in mind of it. But you have obliged me too much already. Lew. There are trifles, madam, which I know you have set a value on; those I have purchased, and will deliver. I have a friend too, that esteems you He has bought largely, and will call nothing his, till he has seen you. If a visit to him would not be painful, he has begged it may be this morning. 3 |