The Female Gamester: A Tragedy Part 11

Best flatter it. [Aside.]--O! I am quite abash'd.

Your merited rebukes so awe my soul, That I shall live from this day forth in penitence, And adoration of your heav'nly virtues: Let me then read in thy relenting eye My peace restor'd, or seal my final doom!

Mrs. ANDREWS. Your future conduct must determine it.

Lord BELMOUR. Permit me then, I pray-- [He seizes her hand, and kisses it.]

We are to meet At lady Meldmay's drawing-room to-night; Till then--[Aside as he goes off.]--The prize is mine.

She now must yield.

Mrs. ANDREWS. Are these his papers? heav'n what have I done?

I'll instantly dispatch them after him Yet that were dang'rous too; they might miscarry; And then in person to return them to him, May cause another interview between us.-- What mischiefs have I heap'd upon myself! [Goes off.]

SCENE V.

Mr. ANDREWS's house.

ANDREWS and JEFFERSON.

ANDREWS. What,--my old faithful steward!--O! impossible.

And yet, this finding of the secret key Of the cash-chest, (with which he charg'd my wife) And medals in his trunk--but then the letter, Giving me information of this matter Has not the writer's name--that causes doubt-- Then, his surprize, which seem'd so unaffected, With his most firm behaviour, so unlike The consciousness of guilt, when in his presence They were discover'd there, favour him much.

Wherefore, till this affair be further canva.s.s'd I wou'd not fend him to a public prison. [He walks to and fro.]

JEFFERSON. I shall obey.--He never judg'd more justly. [Aside, as he goes off.]

Enter a Servant, with a letter to Mr. ANDREWS, which he reads.

ANDREWS. The Speedwell cast away! a heavy loss!

Ills upon Ills in train pursue each other.

Heard you of this before?

JEFFERSON. Such rumour was On the Exchange to-day, but not with certainty.

ANDREWS. However she's insur'd, and highly too.

Go fetch the policy, I wish to see it.

Or rather wait me in the compting-house.

JEFFERSON. [As he goes off] O heav'n! I gave the money to his wife. [Exit.]

ANDREWS. He seem'd confus'd, and mutter'd to himself; My fears antic.i.p.ate some dread event.

But what of this? shou'd it be heav'n's high will, That the remorseless billows should ingulf The remnant of my wealth; yet this--all this, I cou'd with patient resignation bear, And toil with pleasure for an honest pittance.

But oh! to lose that precious, treasur'd gem, Which my whole soul engross'd--to see another, In my disgrace exult--yet more--yet more-- My children--oh my children--must ye suffer!

Away all thoughts of peace henceforth for ever. [Goes off.]

Scene VI.

Lord WESTON's apartments.

Lord BELMOUR and Lord WESTON.

Lord BELMOUR. Well, nephew, have you yet consider'd better Of your love-frolick for the merchant's daughter?

You may meet numbers through this s.p.a.cious city With wealth superior far to her possessions; Nor need you languish for their hearts a moment.

Lord WESTON. The common light s.h.i.+nes not more unreserv'd; Their very charms fatigue the public eye.

But, sir, my spirit scorns an easy conquest.

Lord BELMOUR. Fine founding words, yet answer not my question.

You too much from the world seclude yourself; Which serves to add fresh fuel to the flame.

Long have I been, as I may say, your parent, And have at present in my thoughts for you, A wife well suited to your rank and fortune.

Lord WESTON. Thanks, my good lord! I doubt not your kind wishes; But here, where all life's happiness depends, Permit me to determine for myself.

True joys dwell only with united hearts, And solitude is far the wiser choice Than wedlock where domestic bliss is absent.

How vain is then the hope of such delights With those of Fas.h.i.+on's stamp, whose only merit, Is, that they are of this all-conqu'ring s.e.x, Of ev'ry other excellence regardless?

Lord BELMOUR. Again, young lord, I tell you, shou'd you wed With the first merchant's daughter of the world, 'Twould to your lineage be disgrace for ever.

Lord WESTON. Disgrace lies only in the want of virtue, That excellence, in which she most abounds.

Lord BELMOUR. How long have you surrender'd to this dotage?

Lord WESTON. Almost from infancy; for even then, A mutual sympathy inspir'd our souls; Which first commenc'd in her good father's house, (Whom I then serv'd,) when all I knew of love, Was that her presence ever gave me pleasure, As did her absence pain--I even thought, The air blew sweeter from the place she breath'd.

But when her heav'nly mind disclos'd its beauties, My heart then fix'd beyond the power of change.

Lord BELMOUR. All, all romance, with which your head seems fill'd.

But briefly to decide this matter, know, 'Tis now full thirty summers since I wedded, Yet have not had one offspring to inherit My large possessions, which I can bestow, As best my pleasure suits: and you're the one, Who in my mind stands fairest for adoption; My heir apparent, as my next a-kin.

Reflect too, that your income is unequal To that high rank in life, it shou'd support.

Lord WESTON. The more I lose, the more I prize myself, In persevering thus---but, my lov'd uncle!

What can impede the progress of my bliss, When your consent hath sanctified my choice?

Lord BELMOUR. What though I yielded once to your fond suit, It is now rumour'd, and by all believ'd, Not only that her father is reduc'd To bankruptcy and want, but that the whole Of the large fortune which an uncle left her Is wasted with the rest.

Lord WESTON. Is this her fault?

Is she to suffer for another's act?

Constantia hath that ever-during worth, Which wealth or grandeur's glitter far outweighs: That heav'nly mind, which will, when time hath cool'd The fever of the heart, and reason rules, Cause mutual friends.h.i.+p and domestic blessing.

But shou'd ev'n this misfortune be as rumour'd, I have this one occasion more of proving My constancy, and how I prize her virtues; Then, to secure for ever that esteem By me preferr'd to all terrestrial blessings.

Lord BELMOUR. Infatuated boy! you form perfections Which only have existence in your fancy.

But pray, consider, what the world will say.

Lord WESTON. The world! base world! to censure gen'rous deeds; You mean, perhaps, my lord, those slaves of fas.h.i.+on, Who barter real for fict.i.tious happiness; Alas! Their judgment is not worth a thought: If I'm approv'd of by the wife and honest, I shall be happy, and despise that world, Where virtue is discourag'd,--vice exalted,-- Corruption an adopted cherish'd system, And ev'ry manly sentiment extinguish'd.

Lord BELMOUR. For shame, young lord, call reason to your aid!

Lord WESTON. From beauty only, it might have preserv'd me; But reason is Constantia's ceaseless advocate.

Lord BELMOUR. Once more forsake her, if you prize my favour, The world's esteem, or your own future welfare.