Sir E. Briefly, thus: You may have noticed in my library For my harsh bearing tow'rd him, on what ground You met him in the library? Sir E. (Rising.) Oh, never Can he forget that solemn interview! Wil. Ay, speak to that: it was a solemn interview! Sir E. Observe, he does acknowledge that we met. Guilt was my theme: he cannot now deny it. Wil. It was a theme of-(Checking himself.) No! While every word he spake belied his features, Fit. What said you to him? Sir E. "Regulate your life In future better. I now spare your youth, Flight ripens all my doubt to certainty, A chest-(Wilford starts.) You see he changes at And justice to the world unlocks my tongue." the word. Wil. (Aside.) And well I may! Sir E. Where I have told you, brother, The writings which concern our family, Fit. You oftentimes have said so. Chance called me suddenly away. I left Fixed o'er the chest, upon his knees, intent, As now I think, on plunder. Confusion Shook his young joints as he let fall the lid, And gave me back the key. Fit. Did you not search Your papers on the instant? He fled, and I arraign him. Fit. (Rising, and coming down.) Trust me, brother, This charge is staggering: yet accidents Sometimes combine to cast a shade of doubt Upon the innocent. May it be so here; Here is his trunk; 'twas brought he at my order. 'Tis fit it be inspected. Wil. Take the key, E'en take it freely. You'll find little there I value, save a locket, which my mother Gave me upon her death-bed! and she added Is grieving for my injuries. Fit. (Crossing, and unlocking the box.) How now ?- The very watch Sir Edward's father wore, Sir E. Hold! (Seating himself.) Pray you, hold. Justice has thus far struggled with my pity, To do an act of duty to the world. I would unmask a hypocrite,-lay bare The front of guilt, that men may see and shun it. 'Tis done, and I will now proceed no further. Fit. Look ye, brother; this act Is so begrimed with black, ungrateful malice, You (To Wilford.) Sir E. I will not have it thus. Fit. You must-you shall! Docs not this rouse you, too? Look on these jewels; Look at this picture,-'twas our mother's. Stay. Let me inspect this nearer. (Examining the trunk.) What are here? Parchments! Sir E. Oh, look no further. They are deeds, Which, in his haste, no doubt, he crowded there, Not knowing what, to look o'er at his leisure. Family deeds: they all were in my chest. Wil. (Aside.) Oh, 'tis deep laid! These, too, give a colour! Fit. What have we here? Here is a paper Sir E. Touch it not! throw it back! bury it; sink it! Oh, carelessness and haste! Give me that paper! Darkness and hell!-Give back the paper! (Sir Edward rushes down, and attempts to snatch t-Wilford runs between the tro brothers, falls on his knees, and prevents him, clinging to Fitzharding. Wil. (Rapidly.) No! I see I see! Preserve it: you are judge. My innocence-my life, rests on it! Sir E. Devils! Foil me at my own game! Fate! (Laughing hysterically.) Ha! ha! ha! Sport, Lucifer! He struck me (Mortimer is fainting and falling-Wilford runs and catches him. Wil. I'll support him. Read! read! read! Fit. What is this? My mind misgives me: It is my brother's hand. (Reading.) stroyed before my death. "To be de Narrative of my murder of-" Oh, great heaven! I have been wandering with the damned, sure! And-ay, 'tis Wilford! Oh! thought flashes on me Like lightning! I am brain-scorched!-Give me leave; I will speak-soon I will-a little yet!- (Bursts into tears, and falls on Wilford's neck. Wil. Be firm, sir-pray, be firm! My heart bleeds for you, Warms for you! Oh! all your former charity Sir E. Well, I will, I will be firm: one struggle, and 'tis over. I have most foully wronged you. Ere I die, Sir E. More. I feared this boy; to To die,---to have my ashes trampled on By the proud foot of scorn!---Polluted!---Hell! [Falls. A TRAGEDY, IN FIVE ACTS.-BY GEORGE LILLO. ACT I. Persons Represented, TRUEMAN. SCENE I-A Room in Thorowgood's house. Enter THOROWGOOD and TRUEMAN. True. Sir, the packet from Genoa is arrived. (Gives letters.) Thor. Heaven be praised, the storm that threatened our royal mistress, pure religion, liberty, and laws, is for a time diverted; by which means, time is gained to make such preparations on our part as may, heaven concurring, prevent his malice, or turn the meditated mischief on himself. True. He must be insensible indeed, who is not MILLWOOD. LUCY. MARIA. affected when the safety of his country is con cerned. Sir, may I know by what means-if I am too bold Thor. Your curiosity is laudable; and at some future period I shall gratify it with the greater pleasure, because from thence you may learn how honest merchants, as such, may sometimes contribute to the safety of their country, as they do at all times to its happiness; that if hereafter you should be tempted to any action that has the appearance of vice or meanness in it, upon reflecting on the dignity of our profession, you may with honest scorn rejcct whatever is unworthy of it. True. Should Barnwell or I, who have the benefit (Trueman it. Thor. You compliment, young man. bows respectfully) Nay, I am not offended. the name of merchant never degrades the gentleman, so by no means does it exclude him; only take heed not to purchase the character of complaisance at the expense of your sincerity. of your example, by our ill conduct bring any im- tends; for as I know love to be essential to happiputation on that honourable name, we must be feftness in the marriage state, I had rather my without excuse. approbation should confirm your choice than direct As Maria. What can I say? how shall I answer as I ought this tenderness, so uncommon, even in the best of parents? But you are without example; yet, had you been less indulgent, I had been most wretched. That I look on the crowd of courtiers that visit here with equal esteem, but equal indifference, you have observed, and I must needs confess: yet, had you asserted your authority, and insisted on a parent's right to be obeyed, I had submitted, and to my duty sacrificed my peace. True. Well, sir, have you any commands for me at this time? Thor. Only to look carefully over the files, to see whether there are any tradesman's bills unpaid; and if there are, to send and discharge them. We must not let artificers lose their time, so useful to the public and their families, in unnecessary attendance. Enter MARIA. [Exit Trueman. Thor. Well, Maria, have you given orders for the entertainment? I would have it in some measure worthy the guests. Let there be plenty, and of the best; that the courtiers, though they dený us citizens politeness, may at least commend our hospitality. Maria. Sir, I have endeavoured not to wrong your well-known generosity by an ill-timed parsi mony. Thor. Nay, it was a needless caution; I have no cause to doubt your prudence. Thor From your perfect obedience in every other instance, I feared as much, and therefore would leave you without a bias in an affair wherein your happiness is so immediately concerned. Maria Whether from a want of that just ambition that would become your daughter, or from some other cause, I know not; but I find high birth and titles do not recommend the man who owns them to my affections. Thor. I would not that they should, unless his merit recommends him more. A noble birth and fortune, though they make not a bad man good, yet they are a real advantage to a worthy one, and place his virtues in the fairest light. Maria. I cannot answer for my inclinations but they shall ever be submitted to your wisdom and authority; and as you will not compet me to marry where I cannot love, so love shall never make me act contrary to my duty. Sir, have I your permisThor. I'll see you to your chamber. Maria. Sir, I find myself unfit for conversation at present: I should but increase the number of the company, without adding to their satisfac-sion to retire? tion. Thor. Nay, my child, this melancholy must not be indulged. Maria, Company will but increase it. I wish you would dispersent with my absence; solitude best suits my present temper. Thor. You are not insensible that it is chiefly on your account these noble lords do me the honour so frequently to grace my board; should you be absent, the disappointment may make them repent their condescension, and think their labour lost. Maria. He that shall think his time or honour lost in visiting you, can set no real value on your daughter's company, whose only merit is that she is yours. The man of quality, who chooses to converse with a gentleman and merchant of your worth and character, may confer honour by so doing, but he loses none. Thor. Come, come, Maria, I need not tell you that a young gentleman may prefer your conversation to mine, and yet intend me no disrespect at all; for though he may lose no honour in my company, it is very natural for him to expect more pleasure in yours. I remember the time when the company of the greatest and wisest man in the kingdom would have been insipid and tiresome to me if it had deprived me of an opportunity of enjoying your mother's. Maria. Yours, no doubt, was as agreeable to her; for generous minds know no pleasure in society but where it is mutual. Thor. Thou knowest I have no heir, no child but thee; the fruits of many years' successful industry must all be thine; now it would give me pleasure great as my love, to see on whom you would bestow it. I am daily solicited by men of the greatest rank and merit for leave to address you; but I have hitherto declined it, in hopes that by observation I should learn which way your inclination [Exeunt SCENE II.-A Room in Millwood's House. Mill. How do I look to-day, Lucy? Lucy. O, killingly, madam! A little more red, and you'll be irresistible! But why this more than ordinary care of your dress and complexion? What new conquest are you aiming at? Mill. A conquest would be new indeed; Lucy. Not to you, who make them every day,but to me. Well, it is what I'm never to expect, unfortunate as I am: but your wit and beauty Mill. First made me a wretch, and still continue me so. Men, however generous or sincere to one another, are all selfish hypocrites in their affairs with us. We are no otherwise esteemed or regarded by them, but as we contribute to their satisfaction. It is a general maxim among the knowing part of mankind, that a woman without virtue, like a man without honour or honesty, is capable of any action, though never so vile: and yet what pains will they not take, what arts not use, to seduce us from our innocence, and make us contemptible and wicked, even in their own opinions? Then is it not just, the villains, to their cost, should find us so? But guilt makes them suspicious, and keeps them on their guard; therefore, we can take advantage only of the young and innocent part of the sex, who, having never injured women, apprehend no injury from them. Lucy. Ay, they must be young indeed. Mill. Such a one, I think, I have found. As I've passed through the city, I have often observed him receiving and paying considerable sums of money: from thence I conclude he is employed in affairs of consequence. |