Acres. Nothing, nothing, my dear friend; my dear Sir Lucius; but I-I-I don't feel quite so bold somehow as I did. Sir L. O fie! consider your honour. Acres. Ay, true; my honour; do, Sir Lucius, edge in a word or two, every now and then, about my honour. Sir L. Well, here they're coming. (Looking.) Acres. Sir Lucius, if I wasn't with yon I should almost think I was afraid. If my valour should leave me! valour will come and go. Sir L. Then pray keep it fast while you have it. Acres. Sir Lucius; I doubt it is going; yes, my valour is certainly going! it is sneaking off! I feel it oozing out as it were, at the palms of my hands! Sir L. Your honour; your honour-Here they are. Acres. Oh, that I was safe at Clod Hall! or could be shot before I was aware! Enter FAULKLAND and CAPTAIN ABSOLUTE. Sir L. Gentlemen, your most obedient; ha! what, Captain Absolute! So, I suppose, sir, you are come here, just like myself, to do a kind office, first for your friend, then to proceed to business on your own account? Acres. What Jack! my dear Jack! my dear friend! Capt. A. Harkye, Bob, Beverley's at hand. Sir L. Well, Mr. Acres. I don't blame your saluting the gentleman civilly. So, Mr. Beverley, (to Faulkland) if you choose your weapons, the Captain and I will measure the ground. Faulk. My weapons, sir! Acres. Ods life! Sir Lucius, I'm not going to fight Mr.Faulkland; these are my particular friends! Sir L. What, sir, did not you come here to fight Mr. Acres? Faulk. Not I, upon my word, sir! Sir L. Well, now, that's mighty provoking! But I hope, Mr. Faulkland, as there are three of us come on purpose for the game, you won't be so cantanckerous as to spoil the party, by sitting out. Capt. A. Oh! pray, Faulkland, fight to oblige Sir Lucius. Faulk. Nay, if Mr. Acres is so bent on the matter. Acres. No, no, Mr. Faulkland. I'll bear my disappointment like a Christian. Lookye, Sir Lucius, there's no occasion at all for me to fight; and if it is the same to you, I'd as lieve let it alone. Sir L. Observe me, Mr. Acres. I must not be trifled with. You have certainly challenged somebody, and you came here to fight him. Now, if that gentleman is willing to represent him, I can't see, for my soul, why it isn't just the same thing. Acres. Why, no, Sir Lucius, I tell you, 'tis one Beverley I've challenged; a fellow, you see, that dare not shew his face. If he were here, I'd make him give up his pretensions directly! Capt. A. Hold, Bob! let me set you right; there is no such man as Beverley in the case. The person who assumed that name is before you; and as his pretensions are the same in both characters, he is ready to support them in whatever way you please. Sir L. Well, this is lucky. Now you have an opportunity Acres. What, quarrel with my dear friend, Jack Absolute! not if he were fifty Beverleys! Zounds! Sir Lucius, you would not have me be so unnatural! Sir L. Upon my conscience, Mr. Acres, your valour has oozed away with a vengeance! Acres. Not in the least! ods backs and abettors; I'll be your second with all my heart; and if you should get a quietus, you may command me entirely. I'll get you snug lying in the Abbey here; or pickle you, and send you over to Blunderbuss-hall, or anything of the kind, with the greatest pleasure. Sir L. Pho! pho! you are little better than a coward. | | | bred man. Sir L. Pho! you are beneath my notice. Capt. A. Nay, Sir Lucius, you can't have a betdetermined dog; called in the country, fighting ter second than my friend Acres. He is a most Bob. He generally kills a man a week;-don't you Bob? Sir L. Well, then, Captain, 'tis we must begin; so come out, my little counsellor, (draws his sword) and ask the gentleman, whether he will resign the lady without forcing you to proceed against him? won't let it be an amicable suit, here's my reply. Capt. A. Come on then, sir, (draws) since you Enter SIR ANTHONY, DAVID, and the Ladies. knock down my master in particular; and bind his Dav. Knock 'em all down, sweet Sir Anthony; hands over to their good behaviour! Sir Anth. Put up, Jack, put up, or I shall be in a frenzy; how came you in a duel, sir? better than I; 'twas he called on me, and you Capt. A. 'Faith, sir, that gentleman can tell you know, sir, I serve his majesty. going to cut a man's throat, and he tells me he me out, without explaining his reasons. Sir Anth. 'Gad, sir! how came you to call my son out, without explaining your reasons? Sir. L. Your son, sir, insulted me in a manner which my honour could not brook. Sir Anth. Zounds, Jack! how durst you insult the gentleman in a manner which his honour could not brook? fore ladies. Captain Absolute, come here. How Mrs. M. Come, come, let's have no honour becould you intimidate us so? Here's Lydia has been terrified to death for you. Capt. A. For fear I should be killed, or escape, ma'am? word here; I believe I could interrupt the young offer this gentleman my hand, and solicit the return Capt. A. Oh! my little angel, say you so? Sir Lucius, I perceive there must be some mistake here. With regard to the affront which you affirm I have given you, I can only say that it could not have been intentional; and as you must be convinced, that I should not fear to support a real injury-you shall now see that I am not ashamed to atone for an inadvertency: I ask your pardon. bation, I will support my claim against any man But for this lady, while honoured with her appro whatever. Sir Anth. Well said, Jack, and I'll stand by you, my boy. Acres. Mind, I give up all my claim; I make no pretensions to anything in the world; and if I can't get a wife without fighting for her, by my valour! I'll live a bachelor, Sir L. Captain, give me your hand-an affront mit the same plea for yours. (Sir Anthony comes handsomely acknowledged becomes an obligation-forward.) and as for the lady-if she chooses to deny her own hand-writing here-(Takes out letters.) Mrs. M. Oh! he will dissolve my mystery! Sir Lucius, perhaps there is some mistake. Perhaps I can illuminate Sir L. Pray, old gentlewoman, don't interfere where you have no business. Miss Languish, are you my Delia, or not? Lyd. Indeed, Sir Lucius, I am not. (Lydia and Absolute walk aside.) Mrs. M. Sir Lucius O'Trigger-ungrateful as you are--I own the soft impeachment-pardon my camelion blushes-I am Delia, Sir L. You Dalia-pho! pho! be easy. Mrs. M. Why, thou barbarous Vandyke-those letters are mine. When you are more sensible of my benignity, perhaps I may be brought to encourage your addresses. Faulk. Now I shall be blest, indeed. Sir Anth. What's going on here? So you have been quarrelling too, I warrant. Come, Julia, I never interfered before; but let me have a hand in the matter at last. All the faults I have ever seen in my friend Faulkland, seemed to proceed from what he calls the delicacy and warmth of his affection for you. There, marry him directly, Julia, you'll find he'll mend surprisingly! (The rest come forward.) Sir L. Come now, I hope there is no dissatisfied person but what is content; for as I have been disappointed myself, it will be very hard if I have not the satisfaction of seeing other people succeed better. Acres. You are right, Sir Lucius-So, Jack, I wish you joy. Mr. Faulkland, the same. Ladies, come now, to shew you I'm neither vexed nor angry, odds tabors and pipes! I'll order the fiddles in half an hour to the New Rooms-and I insist on your all meeting me there. Sir L. Mrs Malaprop, I am extremely sensible of your condescension, and whether you or Lucy have put this trick upon me, I am equally beholden to you. And to shew you I am not ungrateful, Sir Anth. 'Gad! sir, I like your spirit; and at Captain Absolute, since you have taken that night we single lads will drink a health to the young lady from me, I'll give you my Delia into the bar-couples, and a good husband to Mrs. Malaprop. gain. Capt. A. I am much obliged to you, Sir Lucius; but here's my friend, fighting Bob, unprovided for. Sir L. Ah! little valour-here, will you make your fortune? Acres. Ods wrinkles! No. But give me your hand, Sir Lucius, forget and forgive; but if ever I give you a chance of pickling me again, say Bob Acres is a dunce, that's all. Sir Anth. Come, Mrs. Malaprop, don't be cast down-you are in your bloom yet. Mrs. M. O, Sir Anthony! men are all barbarians! (All retire but Julia and Faulkland.) Jul. He seems dejected and unhappy, not sullen : there was some foundation, however, for the tale he told me. O woman! how true should be your judgment, when your resolution is so weak! Faulk. Julia! how can I sue for what I so little deserve? I dare not presume-yet hope is the child of penitence. Jul. Oh! Faulkland, you have not been more faulty in your unkind treatment of me, than I am now in wanting inclination to resent it. As my heart honestly bids me place my weakness to the account of love, I should be ungenerous not to ad Faulk. Our partners are stolen from us, JackI hope to be congratulated by each other; your's for having checked in time the errors of an illdirected imagination, which might have betrayed an innocent heart; and mine for having, by ber gentleness and candour, reformed the unhappy temper of one, who by it made wretched whom be loved most, and tortured the heart he ought to bave adored. Capt. A. Trae, Faulkland, we have both tasted the bitters, as well as the sweets of love-with this difference only, that you always prepared the bitter cup for yourself, while I Lyd. Was always obliged to me for it, eh? M Modesty! But come, no more of that; our happi ness is now as unalloyed as general. Jul. Then let us study to preserve it so; th while hope pictures to us a flattering scene of future bliss, let us deny its pencil those colours which are too bright to be lasting. When hearts deserving happiness would unite their fortunes, virtue would crown them with an unfading garland of modest, hurtless flowers; but ill-judging passion will force the gaudier rose into the wreath, whose thorn offends them when its leaves are dropt! [Exeunt A TRAGEDY, IN FIVE ACTS.-BY NATHANIEL LEE. SCENE I.-Alexander's Camp before Babylon. Enter HEPHESTION and LYSIMACHUS, fighting; CLYTUS parting them. Cly. What, are you madmen? This a time for Put up, I say, or by the gods that form'd me, Cly. But must not have his life. Lys. Must not, old Clytus! Cly. Hare-brain'd boy, you must not. Heph. Lend me thy sword, thou father of the war, Know, 'tis thy glory that thou dy'st by me. [bears. Heph, And cure the bleeding wounds my honour Cly. Some prop'rer time! 'tis false-no hour is proper; No time should see a brave man do amiss. ARISTANDER OFFICERS, &c. ROXANA PARISATIS SYSIGAMBIS Why, a vain, smiling, whining, coz'ning woman. lay, When my blood boil'd, and nature work'd me high, Cly. Yes, Troy, they tell us, by a woman fell : Lys. We were, indeed, to blame. When our hot master, whose impatient soul Lys. Clytus, thou'rt right-put up thy sword, Had passion not eclips'd the light of reason, Heph. Why has not reason power to conquer [love? Cly. Because unmann'd; 38 ALEXANDER THE GREAT. And join'd in mighty combat with Darius, Heph. In his heart. Cly. Well said, young minion!-I, indeed, forgot Enter SYSIGAMBIS, with a letter, and PARISATIS. And urge a suit that I can never grant? Par. To sooth this god, and charm him into For sixty rolling years, my soul has stood Heph. A blessing like the beauteous Parisatis, Whole years of service, and the world's wide empire, With all the blood that circles in our veins, Heph. Such arrogance, did Alexander woo, Sys. It grieves me, brave Lysimachus, to find Lys. Forget her, madam! sooner shall the sun (ACT I That Alexander should himself explain Something there is, I know not why, that shocks me; Enter CASSANDER. Cas. The face of day now blushes scarlet deep: Enter THESSALUS, with a packet. How now, dear Thessalus, what packet's that? Cas. Is not his fate resolv'd?-this night he dies; ments, [comes! Ere I could blast the growth of this Colossus. His haughty soul will kindle at his wrongs, Enter POLYPerchon. Br OP Did Did Tos Yet The We P As i All talk of wrongs, and mutter their complaints. homage, And kiss the feet of this exalted man. The name, the shout, the blast from ev'ry mouth To And The list'ning ear, and drowns the voice of heav'n. Poly. I fawn, or echo him! [niels; Cassander, no! my soul disdains the thought! tortures, C The In Wi Th The a thousand W T Н A Could more have shock'd my soul, than thou hast done, [ance By the bare mention of Philotas' murder. As if the sight had froze us into marble: Cas. At our last banquet, when the bowl had The giddy round, and wine inflam'd my spirits; Poly. Thus when I mock'd the Persians that He struck me on the face, swung me around, Poly. O let us not delay the glorious business! Our wrongs are great, and honour calls for vengeance. Cas. This day, exulting Babylon receives Poly. How bore Statira his revolted love? Thes, No words can paint the anguish it occasion'd! E'en Sysigambis wept, while the wrong'd queen Struck to the heart, fell lifeless on the ground. Cas. When the first tumult of her grief was laid, I sought to fire her into wild revenge; And to that end, with all the art I could, Describ'd his passion for the bright Roxana : But tho' I could not to my wish inflame her, Thus far, at least, her jealousy will help; She'll give him troubles that perhaps may end him, And set the court in universal uproar. But see, she comes. Our plots begin to ripen. Now every one disperse, And, with a face of friendship, meet the king, [Exeunt. Enter SYSIGAMBIS, STATIRA, and PARISATIS. Sta. O for a dagger, a draught of poison, flaines! Swell heart, break, break, thou wretched stubborn thing. Now, by the sacred fire, I'll not be held : Sys. Is there no reverence to my person due? Sta. O he's false. This glorious man, this wonder of the world, Sys. Believe not rumour, 'tis impossible. Sta. Away, and let me die. Why, Alexander, why would'st thou deceive me! Have I not kiss'd thy wounds with dying fondness, Bath'd 'em in tears, and bound 'em with my hair! Par. If man can thus renounce the solemn ties Of sacred love, who would regard his vows? Sta. Regard his vows, the monster, traitor! Oh! For since the sight of him is now unwelcome, Are half so sweet as Alexander's breath: grace, That it is heav'n to be deluded by him. Sys. Her sorrows must have way. Sta. Roxana then enjoys my perjur'd love; Roxana clasps my monarch in her arms, Doats on my conqu'ror, my dear lord, my king. Oh 'tis too much! by heav'n I cannot bear it! I'll die, or rid me of the burning torture. Hear me, bright god of day, hear, ev'ry god. Sys. Take heed, Statira; weigh it well, my child, Ere desperate love enforces you to swear. Sta. O fear not that, already have I weigh'd it; And in the presence here of heav'n and you, Renounce all converse with perfidious man. Farewell, ye cozeners of our easy sex! And thou the falsest of the faithless kind, Farewell for ever! Oh, farewell! farewell! If I but mention him, the tears will flow. How cou'dst thou, cruel, wrong a heart like mine, Thus fond, thus doting, ev'n to madness, on thee? Sys. Clear up thy griefs, thy Alexander comes, Triumphant in the spoils of conquer'd India; This day the hero euters Babylon. Sta. Why, let him come: all eyes will gaze with rapture. All hearts will joy to see the victor pass, Never from this sad hour, never to see, |