Hunks. [In surprise.] Are you turn'd fool? -Two per cent? Gripe. Ay-by the hour. Hunks. Oh! cry you mercy. -[with a mysterious air.] IPyramid- -Yesterday, in neath that PyramidMufti But Gossip! -Observe that a vault— -be-was interred the late Gripe. [With indifference.] Well-peace be with him. Hunks. Y-e-s-and his rhino with us! for you must know-that, here in Smyrna—when a Mufti dies-they bury all his riches with him --they do, i'fecks. Gripe. Indeed?-in that case-'twou'd scarce vex a man to die. Hunks. It- -does mitigate to be sure. Gripe. [After a pause.] All his riches buried with him?Eying the Pyramid, then eagerly to HUNKS.] Pise on it, Gossip!-here were a venture now! Eh? Hunks. [Seeming to hesitate.] And yethave my scruples——A’n't it a sin, think you? -so rich a prize! Gripe. We're to go halves! Hunks. A sacrilege? eh! Gripe. Not if we go halves. | my neice too-but, by your leave-I forbid the banns there-They'd instantly call us to account for their fortunes. Hunks. They would-and be ever gaping, gaping at ours-But-we waste time-Come, come along with me, to get the implements for our enterprize. Gripe. Can't you as well step for them yourself?— -one business must not obstruct anotherI'll but carry my spark this cash—just hard by— and be back presently. [Exeunt severally. -I ment 1 feel. My Harriet. Har. My Lively. Lively. My Harriet. Har. -My Lively. A foe to wine, 'tis true, 'tis true. Let's take. -Let's seize on all he left. 'Tis lawful spoil, Gripe. Not sinful theft. Hunks. 'Tis lawful spoil, not sinful theft. [They shake hands and are going off, when LIVELY appears at his window. Lively. Rot them, 'will they sleep here?-Ah! he saw me. [Shuts it. Gripe. [Turning hastily] Ha! somebody at that window methought! Hunks. My hopeful nephew, 'tis like-a scapegrace! but, i'fecks, I shall soon rid my hands of him-I'll shut him up in a mad-house! Gripe. An excellent scheme !-Ay, ay, clean straw and a dark cell,-The whipster flirts with Lively. In vain they our hearts would dissever. I love, and will love you for ever; Har. In vain they our hearts would dissever. Lively. For Harriet I live, and for Harriet would die. Har. Ah! Lively I swear, and this heart cannot lie, I will ne'er be but yours. Lively. What! Never? [Pointing to the door open. Lively. [Points to the unscrewed bar.] Though his windows Hunks grates. Har. Lively. Har. Lively. Love loves to make fools of such ing bald pates. Deign love then to guide us, -For ever, Nor suffer these grubs to divide us. -Oh! Never! Deign love then to guide us for ever. Lively. They shall not divide us; no, Never. Har. Jenny. Sooner, perhaps, than you imagine. | servant, kind Mr. Squander !—will you any more -Miss has an aunt in Dublin-Lady Mildmay-her heart and house are open to you. AIR. Haste, let us fly from this land of oppression, Where beauty is led like a pig in a string; A heart that's divided, to share in succession, My mind (too exalted) I never can bring. A bird in hand's an old expression, That two in the bush is not one in possession; We'll bring the proud infidels to a confession, That women have souls as well as the men. Quick, then, away to an island of pleasure, Where each happy female may do as they please, Where liberty's reckon'd the choicest of treasure; Then fly, and the kind opportunity seize. The bird in hand's an old expression, That two in the bush is not one in possession; We'll bring the proud infidels to a confession, That women have souls as well as the men. Lively. Why are not we gone then? What stops us? Jenny. Stops!-What stops many an hopeful project? lack of cash-[Looking archly at him.] Are you flush, Sir? [He shakes his head sorrowfully. So I thought--and therefore hold it bad policy to leave all Miss's fortune, all her Mama's effects, in Gripe's clutchesCheer up, however-a lucky crisis may come, and trust me for not letting it slip. Lively. Infernal muck-worms- -'Sdeath! I grow wild with resentment; but you, my love, -you seem quite unconcern'd. Har. Pardon me, dear Lively!—I feel the utmost contempt of their depravity, mixed with a kind of pity for my uncle's foible.-But [Taking his hand, and looking fondly at him.] the truth is-that AIR. At thy presence, vengeful passion, From this tranquil bosom fly. Jenny. In, in, get ye in-here's Gripe a-com Ing. Har My uncle! O lud! I shall die in fright. Rouleaus, at the same discount? hee, hee, hee, -I ha' totted it up-200 pistoles, at two per cent by the hour, will amount, in six months, (with interest upon interest) to about 20,000/. sterling. Good! good!-Pise on it! I'll have an execution in petto-then, souse-his maga zines-his town house-his villa-all mine, all mine.-Come, come,-upon the whole, no dear purchase. AIR. If the proverb has truly asserted, Are melting their guineas, Some lurking regret still within is, [Pulls out his bunch of keys, and unlocks his door leaving the key in the lock; then calls JENNY. Gripe. Jenny! Jenny! I say. Gripe. Yes, and the bottle of Cyprus wine. [Exit JENNY. He takes a turn in the square, towards HUNKS's house.] I have made too good a day's work on't, to grudge myself wine at night. Lively. [Softly opening the window.] What is he muttering there. Gripe. [To himself, coming just under the window.] A lucky day has this been, both to Hunks and me and to-morrow, he'll pin up the basket, by getting that nephew of his confined, Lively. Aside.] How, how?-the fusty kid napper! -confined?-I shall give him the slip, though. [Withdraws, shutting the window. Jenny. Here, sir———— Gripe. [Eating and holding the glass to be [Runs into the house with Jenny, who locks | fill'd] What's Harriet a doing? the door. Lively. [Leaping in at his window, and replacing the bar.] Plague welcome him. Enter GRIPE, walking leisurely, with a parch ment bond in his hand. Gripe. Here's the bond-stamp'd and all Jenny. Waiting for you-we have not supp'd. Gripe. Well, you may-[Sips.]-go to bed -To himself.] Mufti Jenny. Best go in doors, sir. Gripe. [Walks to and fro, mounching and sipping.] No-Aside.] warm rogues, your Mufties!-[To ker.]—I sha'n't come home, to night, may-hap-[Holds out the glass to be fill'd.] a plumb, at least. Jenny. [To Harriet.] Joy! joy!-the deeds! Aside.the chattles!I have them all.-Now, my turtles, we take wing- [Recollecting.] hang it!I forgot Here, these-[Delivers them in a hurry.] Be careful of the contents; I'll be back immediately. [Exit. Jenny. [Staring at him, but not filling.] Why, sir-'tis wine-[Louder.] wine, sir. Har. O gemini ! What a load of finery !Come, Lively! let's sit down and lay them all in order. [They sit on the wall of the draw well, placing apron and basket between them, then range the parcels out of the one into the other.[ And first this bundle of-bonds, I suppose, at bottom. Gripe. Eh?-Pise on't! I wasn't minding.Here, lock up-[Giving the glass, and remnant of bread] this for to-morrow-O! a mint! a mine!-the Indies![In extacy.] I fly, I fly. If [Hurries away, leaving his keys. Jenny. [Looking after him.] Quite frantic, I declare [Going in] and has forget-nay, as am alive, he has-Runs in with the things, then seizes the keys, and calls aloud]—Mr. Lively! Miss Harriet! [They look out,] Come down. [They disappear as to descend, then turning over the keys.] ay, this is the key of his den-this of the iron door to his closet-and this-[To Lively and Harriet] see here my lambkins! the crisis is come; Gripe has forgot his keys-See! -he said he should not be at home to-night-wear them!-ah! Harriet! how enchanting is But there's no trusting to that-So while I step that look!—while your eyes thus tenderly shoot in, stay you here, and watch-I'll not return into mine. 'tis perfect extacy! empty-handed, I promise you. [Runs joyfully into the house. Lively. Faith! my dearest Harriet! 'twas high time-do you know that my vile uncle is plotting to get me confined? Har. Confined!- -on what pretext? catch me if he can.The tables are now AIR-DUET. Lively. Next, this band-box in the corner jewels. Har. Stay, let me just take a peep-Oh! Lively! such noble brilliants Lively. With what delight shall I see my angel [Springs to embrace her. Har. [Resentfully.] How now, sir? what liberty? [Takes his hand off the basket to repel him, the basket and apron fall into the well, she screams.] Oh heavens the basket's dropt into the well. Enter JENNY, who overhears her, and screams. Lively. I was sure she had hold on't-So,in my transport Jenny. [Provoked.] Transport; nonsense yes, yes-We're finely on our way now-Lovers! lovers, say I-[Wringing her hands.] wretch! that I am. Lively. Patience, Jenny!-Can't I go down for them? Jenny. [Eagerly.] Egad, that's true-and by my troth, so you shall, [Ironically.] Mr. Transport. Har. [Alarm'd.] into the well; [Runs to look down into it. Sure you have lost your senses, Bless us! how could you think of it, Jenny. La! what are you so afraid of?—'tis really not deep; and besides, has been dry this long while. Lively. [Looking up at the pulley.] Ay, but there's never a rope. Jenny. We can take the rope and bucket of Gripe's well.-Come, let's in a bit, for the pre sent-The patrole will be going their rounds, and they must not surprise us. [Exeunt into GRIPE's house, and shuts the door. The Grand March is played. Enter ALI, at the head of the Janizaries, marching in files. Halts in the middle of the square. Ali. Don't you observe, lads, the nocturnal stillness of this city, ever since our corps has mounted guard here? Osman. True, Captain-every body allows it. Ali. [Strutting importantly.] Let's keep it up then. Hearken to your ordershem! hem! --To you, Osman-for this night, I consign half the corps, and half the city; west ward.You, Mustapha! with the remainder, follow me this square shall be our place of rendez vouz. Must. In faith, noble captain, a masterly manoeuvre. Ali. Now take heed all let your march be 0 ACT II. SCENE I.-The Square. Enter GRIPE alone, walking circumspectly about the Square, peeping and listening on all sides. RECITATIVE accompanied. Gripe. If it were done, when 'tis done-Then 'twere well, It were done quickly. Enter from GRIPE's House, LIVELY, with a long rope in his hand, JENNY with a bucket, and HARRIET following. Lively. Escape? ay, sure, nothing to stop us —there's a ship sails in the morning-her cap Th' attempt and not the deed, confounds us-tain is my acquaintance, and has engaged to| strictly. The sleeping and the dead are but as pictures, -Then- —we shall both be Crasus's- -if vic take us on board. the rope into the pulley.]-O gad! how gaily we shall live in Ireland, upon the funds of this well-leaps down and hands the ropes end to JENNY.] Ireland! my Harriet, that's your true female paradise. There you'll all be queens, empresses, sultanas-eh, Jenny? Jenny. [Hanging the bucket over the well.] Ay, ay-well, this is secur'd-All's ready. Lively Come, then-down I go. Har. But harkye-are you sure there's no danger. Jenny. Danger? why, the well is quite dryI tell you. [LIVELY sits upon the wall, and puts his feet in the bucket, while they take hold of the rope. The Women escape into GRIPE's house, and shut the door. Enter on the left HUNKS carrying a lantern, followed by GRIPE carrying a ladder and an Iron crow; as they advance, LIVELY, in the well, continues calling to HARRIET and JENNY. Lively. Hawl, hawl away, hawl. Hunks. [Hearing the voice turns short.] Eh? saying Gossip? Gripe. Nothing I-Wasn't it that spoke? Hunks. No! [Lays down the sledge near the wel', GRIPE throwns down the crow.] you Gripe. [Groaning.] Oh! pise on it! this damn'd ladder has broke my back. [Goes to set it up beneath the deep window of the distant house. Hunks. What's the matter man?"No gains without pains," i'fecks-[Takes the lantern to examine the pyramid.] Now, how to set about this job. Gripe. [Examines it likewise.] Why, this whole front is but one single stone. Hunks. Just hit it with your sledge. [Claps his ears to it. Gripe. [Striking gently in different parts.] Well, how does it sound? Hunks. Hollow, hollow- -This must be the entrance, i'fecks, gossip, and that same stone we must force out. |