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THE APPARITION!
MUSICAL DRAMATIC ROMANCE, IN TWO ACTS,
AS PERFORMED WITH UNIVERSAL APPLAUSE AT THE Theatre-Royal,
Hay-Market.
To Mr. BANNISTER, Jun.
Whose friendly Assistance introduced the Apparition to the Notice of the Public, the Piece is, with Thanks,
Inscribed,
By his obliged
And very humble Servant,
J. C. CROSS.
Theatre Royal,
Hay-Market,
Sept. 9, 1794.
SCENE. Outside of a Cottage.
Enter from the Cottage Hubert and Polly.
Hubert.Who like us, child, enjoying the luxury of health, content, and clear consciences, would covet the grandeur of the great?
Polly.Not I, indeed, father; riches too often excite envy, and make its possessors miserable; there's the dear lady Lauretta, confin'd in yon odious Tower, what would she give to be tenant of this little shed, and as happy as we are?—Ah! I was from home when her misfortune happen'd; you've often said you'd tell me the whole story.
Hubert.I will, child; my deceased kind master, Heaven rest him, tho' placid to his tenants and his vassals, was austere and unforgiving to those he lov'd not; Lauretta was his darling; so partial was he, that the noblest suitors were denied access, and she condemn'd a virgin flower to wither, rather than lose her fascinating converse.
Polly.Poor dear lady! and so—
Hubert.By chance lord Egbert, wand'ring near this spot, beheld her, he look'd and lov'd; and tho' an equal hatred rancour'd in the bosom of their sires, mutual affection warm'd their hearts; means oft occurr'd for private interviews; I only was their confidant—one unlucky evening—
Polly.Gracious me! the lovers were discover'd—
Yes, the jealous earl,—"astonish'd at her constant absence, unattended, towards approaching eve;" disguis'd himself, and at a distance follow'd—
Polly.Ah! poor dear innocents!
Hubert.They met—"unconscious of the threatening storm, calm and serene, their whole discourse was love,"—the earl approach'd—rage darted from his eye—
Polly.Oh dear, I should have expir'd away, that's certain! so her poor lover—
Hubert.Drew to defend himself, and unhappily kill'd (unknowing whom) the hasty earl, a pious monk convey'd the corse to yon old priory, which there was privately inurn'd; Lauretta, by a mandate from the court, imprison'd, mourns her residue of life; the murderer (if self-defence be murder) fled; Glanville, my master's kinsman, who now lords it yonder, procur'd a sentence of outlawry 'gainst him, and vast rewards are offer'd for his apprehension.
Polly.And I dare say my lord's ghost won't rest till he is taken!
Hubert.Ridiculous! you're like our silly neighbours, who, distemper'd by their fears, of late, assert, he haunts the castle.
Polly.Well, I wou'dn't sleep in't for the world, I wonder how cousin Peter likes his place?
Hubert.Ill enough, I warrant, for the earl's successor, o'erbearing, domineers, and makes the household wretched—dear sweet lady! I remember her a prattling infant—when thy good mother was alive, and thou could'st playfully just lisp her name! Ah! I shall never see such days again!
A prattling infant! ah! I ought to have nurs'd a little one of my
own by this time if Chearly had been lucky; for he says he'll never
marry 'till he has earn'd enough to make us both comfortable, and
alack, he's as far off that as ever! "He never
makes a prosperous voyage or lucky venture but some shipmate's
misfortune, or friend's adversity, make him as poor as ever again." Oh
dear, 'tis now almost two years since we first kept company.
Chearly without.
Chearly.Yeo, ho! where are you, my girl?
Polly.Well, I declare here he is!—always laughing! never knew him downhearted, but once, in all my life! "and that was, when they were going to take father to prison, and his agent wou'dn't advance money enough to release him."
Enter Chearly.
Chearly.Tol de riddle, loddle diddle, &c. (dancing) "Dammee! I can shake my timbers yet."—Polly, a buss you jade—how's dad, eh? how's old rough and tough? Ecod! I'd a rare trip of it this bout, forty moidores, you rogue.
Polly.Indeed! then you must be rich!
Avast! Jack Spritsail was aground, so handed out a round dozen to set him afloat again— Old Oakum's widow wanted victualling for a little crew of young mariners, the pettyfogging sharks had boarded Ben Buntline, and a few staunch old shipmates ax'd for a bit of a lift; so d'ye see, I grew light here, and my friends all light hearted.
Polly.Ah, Chearly, you'll make me heavy hearted; with all your success you've bought no wedding ring yet—we shall never—
Chearly.If we don't I'll be damn'd—next voyage —I shan't stay long ashore—next voyage now— If we're not spliced, why then—I'll—I'll, damme! I'll forswear flip and heave my 'bacco box overboard; as for this, you'd ha' just handed out the rhino as I did, not a soul but wanted it, and who, you know Poll, could be hard hearted enough to see a fellow creature founder, when a few paltry shiners wou'd save him from sinking.
Polly.Yes, Chearly, but by giving all, you're liable to want yourself.
Chearly.Damme! I did'nt think of that—you're right there I believe—but more's to be had where I arn'd that; and while I can boast health, fair weather and sound timbers, I've a right to pick up a drowning shipmate, wherever I fall in with him.
Polly.Ah Chearly, I love your very faults.—
Chearly.And I can't find any with you—but zounds! I'd forgot—I'd a rare
bit of an escape in the offing—sav'd a gemman's life tho'—"I'll
tell you."—My mind running upon you, I was bent on making this here
port last night—an open boat— heavy sea—squall came on—up and
down she went —pitch'd end for end—"as thof she'd not live half a
second."—A vessel drove by—heard a signal of distress—made for
it—came up with a half drown'd devil, they'd spilt—lent a hand to
haul him aboard— 'twoudn't do—shipt an unlucky sea—over she went
—capsiz'd, damme! kept taught hold of our fellow
traveller, struck out for shore, "hap at hazard," reach'd it in
half a glass—"driving at five knots an hour."—All hands safe and
as cheary as Saturday night, and the bowl slung.
Dear! dear! what danger you must have been in!
Chearly.Danger! Lord love ye! if all is but sound here (Strikes his heart) let the surge swell and the wind blow great guns, 'tis all one as a calm to us— howsomdever my heart was with you , so I left my messmates to refit, and after beating to windward all night, just reach'd the channel time enough for a morning salute. (kisses her)
Polly.But you want refreshment—Father will be so glad to see you—
Chearly.Not more so, than I to hail him; told the saved gemman where I was bound—tol de riddle loddle diddle, &c. (dances.) Damme! gi's another buss—my heart's full tho' my locker's empty—I'm the tight vessel to box it through life's trip—brisk as a fresh breeze, keelhauling care, and jigging it away to the hornpipe step.
SCENE. A Hall in the Castle.
Enter Peter and Elinor.
Peter.Do you now Elinor be good temper'd a bit, only just say you don't care how soon we two comes together.
Elinor.Well, we are together, and now I don't care how soon we part; there must be nothing like love in this castle, you know how our poor lady suffers by it.
Peter.That's unlucky! and our rich lord too; dang it mun, I've stumbled over a secret.
Elinor.A secret, dear me! let's hear it.
Peter.Quite unlucky! my lord Glanville's mad for love of madam Lauretta.
Elinor.No, sure!
Peter.Yes, sure, as we two loves one another—I heard un talking about it just now to unself, and a mutter'd something silently, but I didn't hear that.
Elinor.No! that's astonishing.
Peter.So it be; quite unlucky. Then Larry (dang un, it's my 'pinion you's a sneaking kindness a'ter he) 'a brings un a letter, and so then a smil'd, and then a look'd glum again, ay, as glum as when a kik'd me for saying earl Egbert were alive, and then a read it over and over five or six times.
Elinor.Indeed!
Peter.Aye, now I never reads any thing over and over above once, unless it be a love letter.—Then ecod! a stampt his foot, then turning round short on his heel, spies I—
Listening.
Peter.Aye, now warn't that unlucky?
Elinor.Well, and what did you say for yourself?
Peter.Nothing at all, made him the best bow I'd got to my back and runn'd out of his way—but come, dan't be so coy now, gi' us a bit of a smack, (Going to kiss her, she smacks his face.) waunds! now that's unlucky! thof it sounds well enough, it be no smack to crack on! od rabbit un! here's Larry again—how dang'd unlucky!
Enter Larry, speaks as entering.
Larry.First and foremost, I'm here safe at last, Och bodderation to you, Mr. Peter, I've forc'd a march to bate up your quarters—in one single second if I don't find you somewhere else, quite and clean out of sight directly.
Peter.That's unlucky! wounds Mr. Larry, as I be an honest man, I wur only—
Larry.Playing the taef, Mr. Honesty; coming the blarney over a soldier's tent furniture in his absence, if he hadn't been bye all the while to perceive you; but if I don't drill you to better behaviour.
Don't drill me, I be but a bad recruit, and shall never make a good soldier.
Glanville, without.
Glanville.Peter!
Peter.There! his honour wants to drill me, that's unlucky too, for dang it, I don't know which drilling to perfar, you set your fingers to work, and he uses his toes—you're quite handy and he's the kick; 'cod! I woud'n't belong to your aukward squad for the (Larry goes to strike him.)—coming your honour, ha! ha! ha! was ever any thing so unlucky?
Aye, go to his honour, or go to the devil,
for fait, his honour don't seem to have a heart of a lighter
complexion. Oh! my little rosebud! why do you let such a wither'd
stalk as that, twine his arms about you, and blight all your beauties.
Why sure you're not jealous of the poor creature?
Larry.Fait, I'm but a poor creature, my own self, or do you think I'd lower the dignity of my tip top ancestors so far, as to keep watch and watch before a ruinous haunted old hole of a Tower here night and morning?
Elinor.Haunted, why I thought you always—
Larry.You may think what you please, but if there ar'n't spirits as naturally alive as you and I are in those old ivy walls I'll—
Elinor.Bless me! spirits!
Larry.Yes, you may stare, but if I didn't see 'em invisible my own self, I was fast asleep all the time I was waking, that's all—a jolly old ghost of a fat friar and my poor deceased good looking master as natural as life.—Oh! by the holy, I won't be under milantary execution to parade it with such coffin customers any longer, for e'er a lord or lady of 'em all.
Elinor.Ah! my lady Lauretta, our lord Glanville has just given her permission for the first time since her confinement, to enjoy the fresh air of the garden.
Larry.Och! then I should like to turn gardener my own self, if it was only to take a peep thro' the bushes, to see if I could hear what she was thinking about.
Glanville, without.
Glanville.Larry!
Larry.Blood and oons! here's our generalissimo with his officious orders! I'd as leave march to meet old Belzebub's detachment, as be made his aid de camp on any expedition.
Elinor.And so would I
Stop, my little pocket pistol, stop a bit, as you're not charg'd, take a little priming before you go off. (Kisses her.)
Enter Glanville, with open Letter.
Glanville.Larry!
Larry.My lord!
Glanville.Be trebly observant on your post, and should a stranger's foot approach the castle, give instant intimation.
Larry.Fait! then a brace of strangers, without either feet, stockings, shoes or shoulders, made their approach here last night.
Glanville.What mean you?
Larry.I mean that a couple of ghostesses—
Glanville.Folly! these superstitious menials give body to the phantoms which their fears have raised.
Well, if I didn't see as pretty a frightful pair—
Glanville.Peace.
Larry.Or war, it's all the same to me; but if I didn't clap my two good looking peepers upon—
Glanville.Peace I say! thou art impertinent! assurance gives thee a disgusting boldness, think'st thou by this, to gain my favour? and that sheer impudence can make thee thrive?
Larry.Fait! I can't say but as far as I've obsarv'd, it's the only ware now worth dealing in: if impudence didn't bring some folks forward in the world, by my soul ignorance would want a settled place of habitation.
Glanville.Begone! send Humphrey to me, "touching this same letter, would 'twere true.—precaution's necessary." (Aside)
I'll send Humphrey after you, or any body before myself, to be
bodder'd with your curs'd commanding orders.—Och dear! how fond I
find myself, fait, I'll go take another thimble full of love
before I wet my whistle to go upon duty; och! but I've felt the
tender passion beating a rub a dub in my breast ever since I was the
height of a drumstick.
SCENE. Another Apartment. Enter Glanville reading the Letter.
Glanville. (Reads)"No means occurr'd 'till nearing Albion's cliffs of following your
commands.— Egbert's no more: I took advantage of last boisterous
night, and as he careless stood contemplating its horrors, plung'd
him in the waves." Could I believe this scroll, all then were well,
but should he live! should providence—what then?— who'd not
destroy an outlaw and a murderer!— what meant he by returning?—why
thus venture?
—I fear some secret plans are laid, to obtain his pardon! A
mission from the court already I've receiv'd, giving Lauretta
liberty—as yet it must not be—she weds me first, and then—(a
noise.)—What noise is that? (Friar enters.) Excellent
friend, thou'st ta'en advantage of my trust reposed, and enter'd to
my wish—
I joy I have my lord; nor have your prying vassals seen me.
Glanville.The bar against my union with this squeamish girl is now remov'd; Egbert's no more.
Friar.Indeed!
Glanville.Why do you start? She must be liberated too! so says the court; ere she is—dost thou understand? Our union, or her death, would make my fortune sure—
Friar.Her death!
Glanville.Nay, comprehend me right; I love the maid to desperation, love her—that is (mark me) her wealth—I'm next of heir, 'tis in my grasp, and I must fasten on it.
Friar."Then sooth her ear with gentle strains of courtship, nor harbour in your breast a thought would make a Croesus poor, and life's elisium hell.
"Glanville."I've try'd by threats and close imprisonment to bring her to my wish, but all in vain; now seeming lenity shall gloss my conduct, she breathes a freer air already. I'll prepare her heart for soft impressions, speak of Egbert's death, my love, and my deserts; her wealth must, or be mine, or I must cease to be.
Vain man! thou little think'st the instrument (thou deem'st) of all thy villainies will ere long become thy punisher.
SCENE. An outside View of Hubert's Cottage.
Enter Earl Egbert.
Egbert.Thus far I've journey'd safe—my errand, love, impell'd by passion
near allied to desperation,
here I've ventur'd; or to behold my lov'd Lauretta, or die in the
attempt; seven tedious moons have glimmer'd since we parted! Yon tower
is her vile prison—since dire misfortune drove me hence, I have
incessant courted danger, and strove in vain for death; I wish'd
t'erase her image from my heart 'mid crimson carnage, and the clash of
arms.
How to proceed, sure Hubert inhabits here—my kind preserver too—I'll e'en trust him.
Enter Chearly.
Chearly.Ah! my master! what you've come up with a body at last! well, and how has the salt water season'd your appetite? If it's keen, I'll answer for as comfortable a bit of beef and biscuit within here, as e'er honest heart was welcome to.
Egbert.Thank ye, my kind fellow! you sav'd my life, look for a reward. (Offers money.)
Avast there, damme! if nought but the lucre of gain makes a man do his duty, I wou'dn't give a twist of damag'd spun yarn for his sarvices.
Egbert.Good creature, I may repose a confidence in—you'll not betray me?
Chearly.Betray you! damme! what do you take me for?
Egbert.Behold in me the unfortunate Egbert, whom misadventure—
Chearly.Luff, luff, I've heard all about it, old Hubert told me; 'twas a curs'd unlucky cruise, that's certain; but you were not to blame, and a court-martial must have acquitted you; therefore, behold in me Jack Chearly, mariner and cockswain, with I hope courage in his heart, though not a stiver in his pocket—who will stick by you, while he's a rag of canvass left, or a splinter to hang it on—but what sinnifies preaching—in to old Hubert, and stow a little belly timber in your hold, for your ribs seem as bare as a biscuit—in—in—matey. [Exit into house Earl Egbert.] —Bless his heart! what a pity misfortin don't keep a look-out for proper swabs to split her spite upon, instead of boarding the worthy and true-hearted!
Enter Polly.
Polly.La! Chearly! who is that with father! I never saw him take on so in my life before.
Chearly."Hey! why it's—no, avast there— mus'n't bouse out his bearings—poor fellow, let's go comfort him."
Polly."But"—Who is he?
Chearly.Why did'nt you see he was unhappy? So what signifies the name a leaky vessel bears, so as one can render her a sarvice?
Polly.But you won't leave us so soon, Chearly?
Chearly.I must in a few tides, my locker's empty, you know; old Ocean's my
agent, and I must draw upon him—I wish I'd a cag-full of comfort to
carry
his hon—pho—I mean I wish to yarn a little rhino for the
priest to—eh?—Oh! you little likely devil! bless your stem and
streamers! you're the neatest prettiest sailing frigate in the whole
navy.
SCENE. A Hall in the Castle.
Enter Larry, followed by Elinor.
Elinor.Stop, Larry, why so hasty?
Larry.Oh, is it you faith? not hasty at all, only I'm in the divel of a hurry:—I can't stop, so I'll just stay, to hear what you've got to tell a body.
Elinor.Why for all your fine speeches to me, Peter says you're ever bragging about your Irish beauties.
Larry.Bless 'em! Sweet creatures! to be sure I am: always speak well of the bridge that carries you safe over—by the powerful! I parted with as sweet a slip in the Cove of Cork—almost as pretty as your own handsome self—when I stepp'd over here, only just to see how the land lay—fait, I took myself abroad as a venture, and left my little lass, nothing but a few kind kisses for home consumption.
Elinor.Kisses indeed!
Glanville. (without.)Where's Peter?
Larry.S'blood! I must to my post and relieve my comrade, or else—don't let that Peter, Elinor, wid the false key of his palaver—open the heaven of your little heart—for if he does, nation seize me! but angel as you are, I'll be after playing the very divel wid you.
Well to be sure! Larry does look divinely in his regimental uniform! how well he march'd and perform'd his exercise at last review! well, there is a mort of pleasure in a field day, that's certain.
SCENE. A View near Hubert's Cottage.
Enter Earl Egbert and Hubert.
Egbert.A private way?
Hubert.Yes, my good lord: a subterraneous pass, near clogg'd by time, which report affirms led to this tower; but is now so dismally forbidding, that the boldest of us dare not explore its confines.
Egbert.I am fix'd:—will see once more my dear contracted love: sweet Lauretta! let me again behold thee, alas! I fear I foster a fruitless hope.
Hubert.I'll be your guide—but pry'thee do not venture.
Egbert.No more—disdain of danger, weariness of life, screw resolution to it's highest pitch—Shew me the spot.
Enter Chearly.
Chearly.Yeo ho! Avast! where's his honour bound? if he don't keep a good look out a head, the land sharks will lay hold of him—none of his fashionable crew of former friends to stick by him now! No— so steers the world! Friendship! Damme, with some folks, it's lighter than a feather, and puff'd out of sight by the first gust of misfortune! well, let an enemy but attempt to grapple him, and smack, I steer between, receive their broadside, and be rather rak'd myself than a brave fellow shou'd want support—I wish I was along-side his sweetheart, and cou'd tow her safe out of execution dock for him.
Peter. (without)How unlucky.
Enter Peter.
Chearly.Ah Peter! my old acquaintance—well, what corner's the wind in now?
Peter.Why a dang'd cross corner—all unluckly! I bee's com'd to warn cousin and old Hubert, to be timbersome in calling at castle to ax a'ter I—for Measter's outrageous, and I be in disgrace—how unlucky—cod! I'll take my davy, I saw somebody like what-d'ye call-un? the outlawry earl, lurking hereabouts.
Chearly.Damme! say that again, and—
Peter.He'll sartinly be shot!—how unlucky! they'll hang un up.
Chearly.Zounds! haul your wind! or I'll hang you up, you shall dangle from the next yard arm, ye noisy lubber. (Seizes and shakes him.)
Peter.That would be unlucky! dang it! they all have a buffet at l!
Measter kicks ma'—Elinor slaps ma', Larry drills ma', and you
throttles ma'—I be pye-ball'd already with your thumps! feggs! a few
more such active acquaintance would change my fair colour to
heathenish ebony: dang't I shou'dn't
have one inch left of christian-like white skin in my whole
composition.
Enter Hubert.
Hubert.Chearly, our friend has attempted—
Chearly.What?
Hubert.Enter'd the subterraneous pass, which report avers conveys you to the castle;—how anxiously I await the event—I would have follow'd, but his injunction—
Chearly.S'death! but I'll follow and be in junction with him in a crack—an enterprize of danger! and I not share in it!—Zounds! I'll scale the walls and —I want no pilot, old one—expect a bit of a breeze tho'—so out you come, old shipmate, (Draws his cutlass.) —Aye, many's the time you've tapp'd the claret of old England's enemies! this honest friend never turn'd traitor to a good cause; or slunk from duty, when inhumanity was to be punished, or my country's foes chastis'd.
I'm all uneasiness! this lad's rashness too—
Peter. (comes down)Yes, his rashness too made me uneasy: seeing I be prattily made and well put together, cod! a has just naw been a trying to shake me all to pieces!
Hubert.My babbling tongue to intimate this pass!—I dread the consequence—unlucky!
Yes, dang'd unlucky! so be I—I've had all kinds of fortin,
but good fortin, and no luck at all but bad luck! when I wur at
hoame, feyther taught me to thrash corn—by laying the flail across
my shoulders, and I wur lucky an I had'nt half a score lessons every
day—a'died at last, that wur lucky; left I his heir too—now any
one wou'd ha' thought that lucky—I wur only heir to a cartload of
debts— so it wur dang'd unlucky a'ter all; well then, I lov'd a
pratty maid for a few months or so, with her own
consent, but dang it!—churchwardens gave their consent for
sending I to jail, without ever asking of mine; then I com'd—but
odzookens, there's no such thing as luck in this world—I'ze a great
mind to tuck myself up and try t'other.
SCENE. A Garden belonging to the Castle.
Enter Lauretta.
Lauretta.Another tedious day creeps on of weary life, why view I once more
light? But to remind
me of the scene gave birth to all my woes—anear these walls my
Egbert—but let me not reflect—Oh luckless day! torn from my love,
my parent lifeless, and myself imprison'd! An age of misery in one
short hour of life—no prospect of relief but in the silent grave!
Enter Glanville.
Glanville.Umph! she avoids me, but in vain; if not imprison'd soon within these arms, her doom is fix'd—poison or marriage—these rich domains must own me for their lord—nor will I scruple 'bout the means—future ages poring o'er my story, shall not read a mere memorial, to tell curious fools I liv'd supinely, and supinely died! No—come what will, I'll climb to fortune's top, posterity shall know that Glanville lived, and deeds of noble daring write his epitaph.
SCENE. The Outworks of the Castle. Larry discovered at his Post. Thunder, Light'ning, Rain, &c. for some Time, after which it gradually clears up.
Larry.That's right! rumble away, and water your plants by pailfulls; by
my soul, I'm sorry they've set me here—I'd rather be transplanted,
and grow somewhere else—being upon guard this weather suits but ill
with a man's welfare! besides, the claps of thunder and screams of
ghostesses make such a clatter, that while I'm nodding here on the
watch, I can't take a single nap in quiet—fait!—if
they were alive for one moment they should be dead in half a
second; but being apparitions only, there's no such thing as dealing
with them, they bodder your gig, and trip up your heels, without ever
a toe to stand upon! (Friar comes cautiously from a door on a
descent, appearing to lead under ground, followed by the Baron
Fitz-Allen, clad in armour, who observing Larry, stalks majestically
across the stage.) Och! ubbubboo! ubbubboo! och! (sighs)
before I mention their names, there they are! the dead jontleman, my
master again, as I'm alive! but as for old father confessor there, I
don't know what the devil he wants with him! but by my soul your
priests bundle themselves into the best company, dead or alive! your
most obadient t'other world gentlefolks! and I'm happy to bid
good bye to you—but by the powers, the next that pops his cold nose
this way, smells red-hot powder.
Then I sung fal de ral tit.
Larry.And down you drop, Mr. Tit, with your chirruping. (As Chearly appears on the wall, Larry fires, and he drops on the side next the audience) Och! stop the ball! stop the ball—I wou'dn't even have fir'd a blank cartridge, if I'd known it had been you—I've kilt my friend! I've—Och! (howls) what have I done amiss that—
Chearly. (rising.)Yes, ha, ha, ha! it is a miss, and that miss is a damn'd good hit for me—
Larry.Och! by the pow'rs if I didn't take you for a ghost, I'll be shot.
Chearly.And I'll be shot if you didn't try to make me one—but all's right and tight, so hand us your fin, and here's to you (Takes out a flask, and drinks). Come, take a pull—it's better with a friend than pulling a trigger.
Larry.Not a single sup, Chearly;—off guard I'm your man, but not upon
duty—it's so unsoldier-like —it's a vice, that—it's no
vice—but—blood
and oons! you might leave me a bit of a sup, howsomdever!
Aye, that I will, and give you a sentiment shall make you gulp it down glibly—May the British constitution ever ride snug and sound in the harbour of safety, till eternity's afloat, and old time founders.
That's not long enough wid your floundering; may it last—may it last for ever and-a-day, and you and I live to see it. (Drinks, turns up the flask empty, and offers it to Chearly) There, don't ax me to swig any more of your swipes, you may finish the rest yourself—but arrah! what the devil brought you here?
Chearly.Zounds! I'd forgot that—I'm oft like a shot—am a little out of my latitude to be sure, but must try to find out the longitude, and if I don't bring the vessel I'm cruising after safe into port, may I sink in sight of it—Yeo, ho, my hearty—
Where the devil can he be marching to? Blood and oons, how he skims it away yonder! clamb'ring over the wall like a cat without claws! by my soul, perhaps he's after Elinor! Och! my pretty brown Bess, though you've been a kind mistress to me (addressing his musquet) for many a month, I must be after leaving you to look after him ; if you don't be troubly obsarvant on your post, by the holy! there's not another bullet goes down your troat, if you were starving for it—and yet my jewel I love you dearly.
SCENE. The inside of Hubert's Cottage.
Enter Polly.
Polly."Dear, dear! I never was happier in all my life! father says he has spoken to the priest, who, for all Chearly is so poor, has consented to say grace over us—what a feast of satisfaction it will be! well, he always told me love led to happiness: but then you must have constancy for its companion, and never chide it away with a forbidding frown."
"Enter Hubert, throws himself into a Chair."
Polly."La, father, what's the matter?"
Hubert."Oh child, I know not;—but dread the worst.—The stranger you saw here, is earl Egbert, desperation impell'd him to attempt a private entrance into the castle—the report of a musquet has been heard, and I fear he is now no more."
"Dear me;—but what can we do for him, father?"
Hubert."Alack, child! nothing—Chearly too to be so venturous—"
Polly."Chearly! sure nothing happen'd him! —what of Chearly?—do tell me, father."
Hubert."I'll try our neighbours.—Egbert was much belov'd, alack! every determination is pregnant with danger."
Polly."Danger! Chearly in danger! let's fly to his assistance, I'm sure, father, he wou'd to yours. Dear! dear! woman as I be, I'd fight most manfully, afore he should come to any harm."
SCENE. The Court Yard of the Castle; on one side of the Stage, a Wing of it, in which are folding Doors.
Enter Glanville and Lauretta.
Lauretta.For heaven's sake desist.—Think'st thou by wounding me with Egbert's death to gain thy cause? why torture an unfortunate? talk-not of love to me—my love lies buried in my Egbert's grave.
Glanville.Nay, pr'ythee hear me, by my soul I swear—
Lauretta.Leave me, my lord, or lead me back to prison;—there unassail'd by cruel solicitations, I'll brood o'er my misfortunes, and weep away the residue of life.
Glanville.Nay mark me, lady.—I demand attention; will enforce it.—Our union is the price must purchase happiness;—consent, or—
Lauretta.Never, I'd rather die; know then thou'rt my aversion. I view thee with disdain, with horror, read in thy angry visage, a heart loaded with guilt, pregnant with every mischief, and—
Glanville.I'm choak'd with rage—no further dallying —I'll be obey'd—if
still you tauntingly revile my suit, this keen edg'd sword shall wing
its vengeance
to thy heart, tho' self destruction were the fatal consequence.
(Draws, she screams and faints into Egbert's arms, who enters on the
instant; at the same time Chearly comes on.)
Yeo ho! square the yards there—I can't speak, but this honest friend here shall sav a few short sentences for me.
My Egbert! is it possible!
Egbert.Lauretta, let us fly; death only shall divide us now.
Glanville. (without)Ring the alarm bell! seize them, let none escape.
Curse on such cowardly swabs!—a first rate opening all its ports upon a jolly boat! but if they hadn't disabled my starboard fin, shiver me! but I'd ha made 'em scud—"what, all your scurvy crew as black hearted as yourself."—but tho' I'm disabled I'll rather sink than strike!
"Here's a farmentation! lord! lord! how unlucky."
Glanville.Egbert! my fears foreboded this! that villain to betray me! but no matter—[To Egbert] Resign your forfeit life, justice demands it.
Peter."I said a'd suffer! how unlucky."
Enter Larry.
Larry.Oh! what a pretty piece of work brown Bess has made of it, to let a whole world and a half into the castle, here, and be damn'd to her.
Glanville.Hold!—this soldier shall perform the office—Larry, the law demands yon wretch should die—therefore do you—
Larry.Me! No your honour, his life may be
forfeit, but I'd rather lose mine than be his executioner.
What, dare you mutiny?
Larry.No, I know my duty better, but it can't be right for me to make amends for one murder by committing another;—so get somebody else for your bloodhound, for the divel fire me! if I'll hunt with such a savage pack any longer.
Lauretta. (kneeling.)Oh Glanville, if one spark of pity yet remains—be merciful—save, oh, save my Egbert!
Egbert."Plead not my love, I'd rather meet yon base assassin's sword than sue to him for mercy."
Chearly.Oh! for an oaken towel to give that fellow a wipe!—"Scuttle ye, ye swabs! lay me but along side yon pirate, and if I don't capsize him—may grog be my poison."
Glanville.This instrument (Snatching Chearly's cutlass from one of the servants.) with which his bully yonder wou'd ha' destroy'd me, shall—
Chearly.Damme, I wish I had it! we'd then see what it would do—Zounds! how an honest bit of steel's disgrac'd when it falls into the hands of a scoundrel.
Lauretta.Once more, I pray you hear me—!
Glanville.You plead in vain—your tears should have slowed for your father's death and not for his assassin's, even should the injur'd shade of him he murder'd, stalking from his silent grave, plead for his forfeit life, 'twould not avail, this moment is his last—
Monster, forbear
Heavens! the baron living!
Fitz Allen.Vassals, behold your long lost lord restor'd—restor'd to make the virtuous happy, and to punish cruelty—Seize on that wretch— (they seize him) —my child, my dear Lauretta!
Toddle liddle, &c. (dances) I knew we shou'd double the cape; 'Sdeath—those fast friends about me had nigh stopt my windpipe a little while ago, and now I'm quite choak'd with joy!
Larry.It's old master sure enough! I know him by his voice, and visible—invisibles; how the divel did he recover it after being so long under the sod? fait there's his familiar, and we shall now know all about it.
Enter Friar.
Friar.You thought my lord no more, long was recovery doubtful; when accomplish'd, to prove his daughter's filial love, and probe his kinsman's gratitude, he contradicted not the story of his death—yon villain, considering me as his accomplice, furnish'd the means of entrance, you know the rest—
Peter.Tables be turn'd Measter Glanville, how dang'd unlucky.
Fitz Allen.Oh! my child! forgive my seeming cruelty—every pang you felt wounded me sore— let Glanville be well guarded—Noble Egbert, thou'rt worthy of my daughter—nor will I longer bar your union.
Chearly.Damme! but the wind has chopp'd about prettily. "I thought once we should all have gone to the bottom."
Enter Hubert, Polly, Elinor, &c. (they start.)
Chearly.Ah my pretty Poll.
Hubert.My lord, is it possible?
Peter."Yes, it be; tho' almost unpossible to believe it, I hopes a won't die again soon; that wou'd be unlucky."
Polly.Why Chearly, you're hurt.
Chearly.Pooh, a scratch; that one kiss from you will sooner cure than all the med'cine chests in the cock-pit. (kisses her.)
Egbert.Chearly, to what exertions do I owe your
presence here, and aid to my dear Lauretta in the hour of danger?
Why to good luck and zeal to serve you both—they calls me poor, but to assist the worthy in the hour of calamity, gives a body more comfort than all that wealth can bestow.