The Toy Shop (1735) The King and the Miller of Mansfield (1737) Part 4

_1. La._ Why, really, in my Opinion, the Man's as great a Curiosity himself, as any Thing he has got in his Shop.

_Gent._ He is so indeed. I think we have heard a great Deal of Folly very justly ridicul'd.

_In this gay thoughtless Age He'as found a Way, In trifling Things just Morals to convey.

'Tis his at once to please and to reform, And give old Satire a new Pow'r to charm.

And, would you guide your Lives and Actions right, Think on the Maxims you have heard to Night._

_FINIS._

THE KING AND THE MILLER OF MANSFIELD.

A DRAMATICK TALE.

By _R. DODSLEY_,

AUTHOR of the TOY-SHOP.

_LONDON:_

Printed for the AUTHOR, at _Tully's Head, Pall-Mall_; and Sold by T.

COOPER, at the _Globe_ in _Pater-Noster-Row_. M.DCC.x.x.xVII.

Dramatis Personae.

_MEN._

The KING, Mr. _Cibber_.

The MILLER, Mr. _Miller_.

RICHARD the _Miller_'s Son, Mr. _Berry_.

Lord LUREWELL, Mr. _Este_.

COURTIERS and KEEPERS of the Forest.

_WOMEN._

PEGGY, Mrs. _Pritchard_.

MARGERY, Mrs. _Bennet_.

KATE, Mrs. _Cross_.

SCENE, _Sherwood Forest_.

THE KING AND THE MILLER.

SCENE, _Sherwood Forest._

_Enter several_ COURTIERS _as lost._

_1 Courtier._ 'Tis horrid dark! and this Wood I believe has neither End nor Side.

_4 C._ You mean to get out at, for we have found one in you see.

_2 C._ I wish our good King _Harry_ had kept nearer home to hunt; in my Mind the pretty, tame Deer in _London_ make much better Sport than the wild ones in _Sherwood Forest_.

_3 C._ I can't tell which Way his Majesty went, nor whether any-body is with him or not, but let us keep together pray.

_4 C._ Ay, ay, like true Courtiers, take Care of ourselves whatever becomes of Master.

_2 C._ Well, it's a terrible Thing to be lost in the Dark.

_4 C._ It is. And yet it's so common a Case, that one would not think it should be at all so. Why we are all of us lost in the Dark every Day of our Lives. Knaves keep us in the Dark by their Cunning, and Fools by their Ignorance. Divines lose us in dark Mysteries; Lawyers in dark Cases; and Statesmen in dark Intrigues: Nay, the Light of Reason, which we so much boast of, what is it but a Dark-Lanthorn, which just serves to prevent us from running our Nose against a Post, perhaps; but is no more able to lead us out of the dark Mists of Error and Ignorance, in which we are lost, than an _Ignis fatuus_ would be to conduct us out of this Wood.

_1 C._ But, my Lord, this is no time for Preaching methinks. And for all your Morals, Day-light would be much preferable to this Darkness I believe.

_3 C._ Indeed wou'd it. But come, let us go on, we shall find some House or other by and by.

_4 C._ Come along. [_Exeunt._

_Enter the_ KING _alone_.

No, no, this can be no publick Road that's certain: I am lost, quite lost indeed. Of what Advantage is it now to be a King? Night shews me no Respect: I cannot see better, nor walk so well as another Man. What is a King? Is he not wiser than another Man? Not without his Counsellors I plainly find. Is he not more powerful? I oft have been told so, indeed, but what now can my Power command? Is he not greater and more magnificent? When seated on his Throne, and surrounded with n.o.bles and Flatterers, perhaps he may think so, but when lost in a Wood, alas! what is he but a common Man? His Wisdom knows not which is North and which is South; his Power a Beggar's Dog would bark at; and his Greatness the Beggar would not bow to. And yet how oft are we puff'd up with these false Attributes? Well, in losing the Monarch, I have found the Man.

[_The Report of a Gun is heard._

Hark! Some Villain sure is near! What were it best to do? Will my Majesty protect me? No. Throw Majesty aside then, and let Manhood do it.

_Enter the_ MILLER.

_Mil._ I believe I hear the Rogue. Who's there?

_King._ No Rogue, I a.s.sure you.

_Mil._ Little better, Friend, I believe. Who fir'd that Gun?

_King._ Not I, indeed.