charged upon me, I shall neither attempt to palliate nor deny, but content myself with wishing that I may be one of those whose follies may cease with their youth, and not of that number who are ignorant in spite of experience. Whether youth can be imputed to any man as a reproach, I will not, sir, assume the province of determining; but surely age may become justly contemptible, if the opportunities which it brings have past away without improvement, and vice appears to prevail when the passions have subsided. The wretch who, after having seen the consequences of a thousand errors, continues still to blunder, and whose age has only added obstinacy to stupidity, is surely the object either of abhorrence or contempt, and deserves not that his grey hairs should secure him from insult. Much more, sir, is he to be abhorred, who, as he has advanced in age has receded from virtue, and becomes more wicked with less temptation-who prostitutes himself for money which he cannot enjoy, and spends the remains of his life in the ruin of his country. But youth, sir, is not my only crime; I have been accused of acting a theatrical part. A theatrical part may either imply some peculiarities of gesture, or a dissimulation of my real sentiments, and an adoption of the opinions and language of another man.

In the first sense, sir, the charge is too trifling to be confuted, and deserves only to be mentioned to be despised. I am at liberty, like every other man, to use my own language; and though, perhaps, I may have some ambition to please this gentleman, I shall not lay myself under any restraint, nor very solicitously copy his diction or his mein, however matured by age or modelled by experience. But if any man shall, by charging me with theatrical behaviour, imply that I utter any sentiments but my own, I shall treat him as a calumniator and a villain-nor shall any protection shelter him from the treatment he deserves. I shall, on such an occasion, without scruple trample upon all those forms with which wealth and dignity intrench themselves— nor shall any thing but age restrain my resentment;-age, which always brings one privilege, that of being insolent and supercilious without punishment. But with regard, sir, to those whom I have offended, I am of opinion that if I had acted a borrowed part I should have avoided their censure: the heat that offended them is the ardour of conviction, and that zeal for the service of my country, which neither hope

U

nor fear shall influence me to suppress. I will not sit unconcerned while my liberty is invaded, nor look in silence upon public robbery. I will exert my endeavours, at whatever hazard, to repel the aggressor and drag the thief to justice, whoever may protect him in his villany, and whoever may partake of his plunder.

ALEXANDER AND THE ROBBER CHIEF.

Alexander. What! art thou the Thracian robber, of whose exploits I have heard so much?

Robber. I am a Thracian and a soldier.

A. A soldier!—a thief, a plunderer, an assassin! the pest of the country! I could honour thy courage, but I must detest and punish thy crimes.

R. What have I done, of which you can complain?

A. Hast thou not set at defiance my authority, violated the public peace, and passed thy life in injuring the persons and properties of thy fellow-subjects?

R. Alexander! I am your captive-I must hear what you please to say, and endure what you please to inflict. But my soul is unconquered; and if I reply at all to your reproaches, I will reply like a free man.

A. Speak freely. Far be it from me to take the advantage of my power to silence those with whom I design to

converse!

R. I must then answer your question by another. How have you passed your life?

A. Like a hero. Ask Fame, and she will tell you. Among the brave, I have been the bravest: among sovereigns, the noblest: among conquerors, the mightiest.

R. And does not Fame speak of me too? Was there ever a bolder captain of a more valiant band? Was there ever-but I scorn to boast. You yourself know that I have

not been easily subdued.

A. Still, what are you but a ROBBER, a base dishonest

ROBBER.

R. And what is a CONQUEROR? Have not you, too, gone about the earth like an evil genius, blasting the fair fruits of peace and industry-plundering, ravaging, killing, without law, without justice, merely to gratify an insatiable lust for dominion? All that I have done to a single district, with

a hundred followers, you have done to whole nations, with a hundred thousand. If I have stripped individuals, you have stripped kings and princes. If I have burned a few hamlets, you have desolated the most flourishing kingdoms. and cities of the earth. What is then the difference, but that as you were born a king, and I a private man, you have been able to become a mightier robber than I?

A. But if I have taken like a king, I have given like a king. If I have subverted empires, I have founded greater; I have cherished arts, commerce, and philosophy.

R. I too have freely given to the poor what I took from the rich. I have established order and discipline among the most ferocious of mankind; and have stretched out my protecting arm over the oppressed. I know, indeed, little of the philosophy you talk of. But I believe neither you nor I shall ever repay to the world the mischief we have done it.

A. Leave me -Take off his chains and use him well. [Exit Robber]-Are we then so much alike?-Alexander to a robber-Let me reflect.-BARBAULD.

SCENE GLENALVON, NORVAL, AND LORD RANDOLPH.

Glenalvon. Has Norval seen the troops?
Norval. The setting sun

With yellow radiance lighten'd all the vale;
And as the warriors moved, each polish'd helm,
Corslet, or spear, glanced back his gilded beams.
The hill they climb'd, and halting at its top,
Of more than mortal size, tow'ring they seem'd
An host angelic, clad in burning arms.

Glen. Thou talk'st it well; no leader of our host

In sounds more lofty speaks of glorious war.

Nor. If I shall e'er acquire a leader's name,

My speech will be less ardent. Novelty

Now prompts my tongue, and youthful admiration
Vents itself freely; since no part is mine

Of praise pertaining to the great in arms.

Glen. You wrong yourself, brave sir; your martial deeds Have rank'd you with the great. But mark me, Norval; Lord Randolph's favour now exalts your youth

Above his veterans of famous service.

Let me, who know these soldiers, counsel

you.

Give them all honour: seem not to command;
Else they will scarcely brook your late sprung power,
Which nor alliance props, nor birth adorns.

Nor. Sir, I have been accustom'd all my days
To hear and speak the plain and simple truth:
And tho' I have been told that there are men
Who borrow friendship's tongue to speak their scorn,
Yet in such language I am little skill'd.
Therefore I thank Glenalvon for his counsel,
Although it sounded harshly. Why remind
Me of my birth obscure? Why slur my power
With such contemptuous terms?

Glen. I did not mean

To gall your pride, which now I see is great.
Nor. My pride!

Glen. Suppress it, as you wish to prosper.
Your pride's excessive. Yet, for Randolph's sake,
I will not leave you to its rash direction.

If thus you swell, and frown at high-born men,
Will high-born men endure a shepherd's scorn?
Nor. A shepherd's scorn!

Glen. Yes; if you presume

To bend on soldiers these disdainful eyes,
What will become of you?

Nor. If this were told!

Hast thou no fears for thy presumptuous self?

Glen. Ha! dost thou threaten me?

Nor. Didst thou not hear?

Glen. Unwillingly I did; a nobler foe

Had not been question'd thus. But such as thee-
Nor. Whom dost thou think me?

Glen. Norval.

Nor. So I am

And who is Norval in Glenalvon's eyes?

Glen. A peasant's son, a wandering beggar-boy; At best no more, even if he speaks the truth.

Nor. False as thou art, dost thou suspect my truth?
Glen. Thy truth! thou'rt all a lie and false
Is the vain-glorious tale thou told'st to Randolph.
Nor. If I were chain'd, unarm'd, and bed-rid old,
Perhaps I should revile; but as I am,

I have no tongue to rail. The humble Norval
Is of a race who strive not but with deeds.

Did I not fear to freeze thy shallow valour,

And make thee sink too soon beneath my sword,
I'd tell thee-what thou art. I know thee well.

Glen. Dost thou not know Glenalvon, born to command Ten thousand slaves like thee

Nor. Villain, no more!

Draw and defend thy life. I did design

To have defy'd thee in another cause;

But Heav'n accelerates its vengeance on thee.
Now for my own and Lady Randolph's wrongs.

Enter LORD RANDOLPH.

Lord R. Hold, I command you both. The man that stirs Makes me his foe.

Nor. Another voice than thine

That threat had vainly sounded, noble Randolph.

Glen. Hear him, my Lord; he's wond'rous condescending! Mark the humility of shepherd Norval!

Nor. Now you may scoff in safety.

Lord R. Speak not thus,

[Sheathes his sword.

Taunting each other; but unfold to me

The cause of quarrel, then I judge betwixt you.

Nor. Nay, my good Lord, though I revere you much, My cause I plead not, nor demand your judgment,

I blush to speak; I will not, cannot speak

Th' opprobrious words that I from him have borne.
To the liege-lord of my dear native land
I owe a subject's homage: but ev'n him
And his high arbitration I reject.
Within my bosom reigns another lord;
Honour, sole judge, and umpire of itself.
If my free speech offend you, noble Randolph,
Revoke your favours, and let Norval go
Hence as he came, alone, but not dishonour'd.

Lord R. Thus far I'll mediate with impartial voice:

The ancient foe of Caledonia's land

Now waves his banners o'er her frighted fields.

Suspend your purpose till your country's arms

Repel the bold invader: then decide

The private quarrel.

Glen. I agree to this.

Nor. And I.