Did you not blush to see me turn a rebel? So soon to court a shadow, a strange thing, Without a name? Did you not curse my levity, Or think upon her death with the less sorrow, That she had 'scap'd a punishment more killing? Oh, how I shame to think on't! Lady. Sir, in my Opinion, 'twas an argument of love To your Maria, for whose sake you could Affect one that but carried her small likeness. Heart!. No more! you are too charitable: but [never I know my guilt, and will from henceforth Change words with that strange maid, whose innocent face, Like your Maria's, won so late upon me: Will you deny this favour? Then, farewell! Enter Nurse, and Maria in her own apparel. After some show of wonder, Heartlove goes towards her. Lady. Be not deluded, sir! upon my life, This is the soul whom you but thought Maria, In my daughter's habit. What did you mean, Nurse? [like now? I knew she would but cozen you: is she not Heartl. One dew unto another is not nearer 39. [and that Nurse. She thinks she is a gentlewoman; Imagination has so taken her, She scorns to spcak. How handsomely she carries it, As if she were a weil-bred thing, her body! And, I warrant you, what looks! Lady. Pray, be not foolish. fa word, Heartl. I disturb nobody. Speak but half And I am satisfied! But what needs that? I'll swear 'tis she. Lady. But do not, I beseech you; For, trust me, sir, you know not what I know. Heartl. Peace then, [with me. And let me pray! She holds up her hands Enter Algripe, Lurcher, and Alathe. And other strangers, madam. Upon my knees, I ask thy worship's pardon! Lady. This is incredible! Lure, Do you know me, sir? No matter for the deed, if you release it. But where's thy sister? if she live, I'm happy, Tho' I conceal'd our contract+, which was stol'n from me With the evidence of this land. Alathe goes to Maria, and gives her a paper; she wonders, and smiles upon Heartlove;* he, amaz'd, approaches her; afterwards she shews it her Mother, and then gives it to Heartlove. Nurse. Your daughter smiles. [tell, sir. Alathe. Nay, 'tis she. To work thy fair way, I preserv'd you, brother, That would have lost me willingly, and serv'd you Thus like a boy: I serv'd you faithfully, And cast your plots but to preserve your credit; Your foul ones I diverted to fair uses, So far as you would hearken to my counsel, Sympson. One dew unto another is not nearer.] Mr. Theobald saw with me, that Frank Heartlove's name was dropt here, which I have made no scruple to insert in the text. 4° Of all our sorrows the sweet ease. She weeps now.] Mr. Theobald says in his margin, She weeps now, which is here only made a stage direction, must be part of the text. However, I have not dar'd to follow his opinion, as it either might or might not have been, so the reader is left to his own judgment either to admit or reject it. Sympson. The measure and sense both declaring for it, we have inserted the words in the text. ♦ Tho' I conceal our contract.] So former editions. That And bless the time I had so wise a sister! Alathe. I stole the contract, I must confess, and kept it to myself; Heartl. Contracted? this destroys Maria. Dare you give this hand [it. To this young gentleman? my heart goes with Alg. Maria alive? how my heart's exalted! 'Tis my duty: fall joys Take her, Frank Heartlove, take her; and With her; besides some land t' advance her jointure! [blessings crown ye! Lady. What I have is your own; and Heartl. Give me room, And fresh air to consider, gentlemen My hopes are too high. Maria. Be more temperate, Or I'll be Welsh again! Alathe. Lady, your love! I ha' kept my word; there was [hate you, A time, when my much suffering made me And to that end I did my best to cross you; And hearing you were dead, I stole your cothin, That you might never more usurp my office. Many more knacks I did, which at the weddings Shall be told of as harmless tales 42. [Shout within. Enter Wildbrain Wildb. Hollow your throats apieces! I'm at home; If you can roar me out again— Lurt. A continent of fleas : room for the pageant! Make room afore there! Your kinsman, madam. Lady. My kinsman ? let me wonder! I'll wonder too, to see this company Your admiration; I was never dead yet43. Wildb. You're merry, aunt, I see, and all your company: If ye be not, I'll fool up, and provoke ye; Wildb. Madam, have mercy! I gladly take (we will year; Enquire the reason of this habit afterwards), Now you are soundly sham'd; well, we restore you. Where's Toby? where's the coachman? Lurc. I'll be his physician. I warrant you, madam. You are mortified; Your suit shall be granted too. Wildb. Make, make room afore there! Lady. Home forward with glad hearts! Maria. I wait you. [home, child. Heartl. On joyfully!-The cure of all our grief, Is owing to this pretty Little Thief. [Exeunt omnes. 42 Lady, your love, &c.] This speech has been hitherto given to Lurcher; tho' the circumstances recited in it prove that it belongs to Alathe. The fourth line of it, however, requires some amendment: we should either read, And hearing you were dead, or, And fearing you wern't dead. We prefer the former. 43 Tis not worth Your admiration; I was never dead yet.] These words (though so obviously belonging to Maria) have hitherto stood as part of Wildbrain's speech. THE A TRAGI-COMEDY, The Commendatory Verses by Gardiner attribute this Play wholly to Fletcher. Its first pub lication was in the folio of 1647. In the year 1687, Tate made some alterations in this piece, with which it was printed; and Peter Motteux, about ten years afterwards, brought it forward as an Opera, under the title of 'The Island Princess, or the Generous 'Portuguese.' A bell rings. ACT I. Their late attempt, which is too fresh amongst (As for his recreation he was rowing Between both lands) bids us be wise and cir cumspect. Chris. It was a mischief suddenly imagin'd, And as soon done: that governor is a fierce knave; [ing. Unfaithful as he's fierce too; there's no trustBut I wonder much, how such poor and base pleasures As tugging at an oar, or skill in steerage, Pin. Base breedings love base pleasure: Think it as noble too, tho' it be slavish, 1 Governor of Terna, &c.] Ternata (or Ternate, as Milton calls it), Tidore, and Bakan or Bacham, are three of the Molucco islands. Sympson. As That sprightly fellow, he that's wise and tem- Pin. She dares not see him, But keeps herself at distance from his kisses, A week 4, or two, or three, she would look like And is arriv'd under safe conduct also, For I dare think she'll do the best. The French in courtship, or the dancing English.] If the English were as fond of dancing in the time of the Poets, as they are now, the common lection is right; otherwise I should chuse to read so, The French in courtship, dancing, or the English, &c. 3 And her complexion.] First folio and Sympson read, And wears her complexion, &c. Sympson. 4 Let him but like it, &c.] The editors of 1750 propose varying to, let him but lick it; or, let him but kiss it; or, let him but look on't: So, (says Sympson) in Solomon's Song: Look not upon me because I am black, because the Sun hath look'd upon me.' 5 And he brought, &c.] I read and point the latter part of this speech thus: And he hath brought a letter from his prisoner, Whether compell'd, or willingly deliver'd From the poor king: and what else be in't— The addition of a monosyllable in the first line, and the change of the points, is required by the sense and the meas ue: The or in the third got there from the line above, and excluded the proper monosyllable. Sewward. H'has |