The Lawyers, A Drama in Five Acts Part 18

_P. Coun._ Love shakes my resolution! but to resign, would it not lower me in the public eye?

_Soph._ Would it lower you in your own mind?

_P. Coun._ No. But--

_Soph._ Contentment must dwell here. (Pointing to his heart.) If ever you have felt content, I need say no more.

_P. Coun._ No! Oh no!

_Soph._ Who can refuse his esteem to the man who has tasted the cup of luxury, and, in the flower of youth and in the height of his career, can dash it from his lips, and say, "I will not drink it; I prefer the charms of a tranquil life to all the noise and well-bred hate of a court? I am too irritable to rule my fellow-citizens, notwithstanding I wish to serve them."

_P. Coun._ Sophia!

_Soph._ Numbers are anxious to aspire to places, for which they are neither qualified by nature nor education, and, when they have once tasted the sweets of office, how difficult to resign!--I know it.

_P. Coun._ You shake my resolution.

_Soph._ But if I have not convinced you, then I will not proceed.

_P. Coun._ Yes, you convince me; but--

_Soph._ But you do not see what road to pursue after you shall have resigned your bewitching offer? O my friend! whatever may be the choice of your future pursuits, whatever may be the burthen, my heart, my hands, will bear a part in it; I will joyfully, nay with rapture, a.s.sist you in rearing the fabric of your happiness, of your tranquil and real grandeur. Here or elsewhere, merchant, tutor, lawyer, or farmer, whatever you pitch upon, that may afford maintenance and peace of mind, choose that for you and me. I do not wish to have any other share in your determination but the silent satisfaction of having, by inward peace of mind, preserved the life of a good man, whom exterior shew was rapidly conducting to a state of splendid misery.

_P. Coun._ You have gained your point!--I shall resign my gown. Peace, toil, in future, provided I can call thee my guardian angel!

_Soph._ (embraces him.) I hope you will find me such.

_P. Coun._ Father, father!--Sophia, thou hast restored me to myself!--but what is to be thy reward?

SCENE X.

Enter MASTER CLARENBACH.

_Clar._ What is the matter, my son?

_P. Coun._ Can you conceive it, father? I shall not be a Privy Counsellor much longer.

_Clar._ How so?

_P. Coun._ I will lay down my gown, and, with heart and soul, work as I did, before I was raised to that office.

_Clar._ In earnest? can I rely on it?

_P. Coun._ Sophia has resigned her fortune on my account, and I shall resign it on hers;--I do not wish for any high office! I am going to re-enter the tranquil cla.s.s of the industrious citizens. She consents to be my wife. It is her wish, and I see peace and happiness spring from out of it.

_Soph._ Does it meet with your approbation, father?

_Clar._ Ay! You ought to read it in my countenance; I would fain open the window, and call out, Jack is no more a Privy Counsellor,--_vivat_!

And then there is a pretty, amiable, discreet young lady, that is not possessed with the demon of pride,--_vivat_! and she will be Master Clarenbach's daughter in law,--_vivat_! huzza, I say, Gernau! Girl, come, give me a kiss! (They kiss.)

SCENE XI.

Enter GERNAU and FREDERICA.

_Clar._ Jack is my son once more,--_vivat_! huzza! husband and wife!

(steps between them,) son and daughter! (Embraces him.)

_Fred._ What?

_Gern._ How?

_Clar._ More of it another time.

_P. Coun._ I will resign.

_Clar._ Look you here, my sweet girl! he was not calculated for it, no more than a true genuine christian Privy Counsellor is calculated for a carpenter. He has had some learning indeed; but then all that solid by-work, such as is requisite for a Privy Counsellor, of that he never was possessed; and so sit down to work. I must work too; we will sc.r.a.pe plenty of money together, without wronging any one. Daughter-in-law, Frederica, and I, will nurse him as the best soul we know. Now pray give the girl a kiss, that I may believe in the relations.h.i.+p.--(Sophia kisses her.)--And Jack too, that I may be quite happy!--(Sophia gives him a kiss.)--And so G.o.d bless you in your pursuits!

_Soph._ (to the Privy Counsellor.) My father will be your father; and, if ever he could forget it, spare him, and treat him with filial affection.

_P. Coun._ I promise it. I shall apply once more for his consent, which I once obtained.

_Fred._ Before you resign?

_Clar._ No, that were a cheat.--But, dear Jack, all,--how shall I call it? (half audible,) all the earnings of unjust Privy Counsellors,--return them to whom they may belong, then you can work with heart-felt satisfaction.

SCENE XII.

Enter Aulic Counsellor REISSMAN.

_Reiss._ So, I must look for my young lady here?

_Clar._ Where she has been doing a deal of good. Come, Sir, come this way; partake in the joys of good men, and think you are one of them.

_Soph._ Be moved by what you see; sanctify it by your blessing, and you will make us all happy.

_P. Coun._ Yes, Sir.

_Clar._ Recollect yourself, and act in a good and fair manner; for, upon my soul! you cannot go from hence but altogether good or bad; I tell you that before hand.

_Reiss._ (to the Privy Counsellor.) You have sold a monopoly to Benniger, Mr. Privy Counsellor.

_Clar._ There now. Curse that money!

_Reiss._ One of our citizens has lodged a complaint about it against you.