by Thomas Otway
Yet you your self command me to be gone.
Is my despair so charming to your view?
D’ you think the tears I shed are all too few?
Of such a heart, a vain return you make,
No never call those dear Idea’s back.
But suffer me in this belief to rest;
That secretly, long since exil’d your breast,
I only from a faithless wretch depart,
And one that never lays the loss to heart.
If you had Lov-d me, this had nere been sent,
Here you have commanded me to banishment.
[Opens the Tablets
What wondrous Love you bear me this doth show.
Read, read, ungrateful, read and let me go.
[Gives him the
Tit.
You shall not go, I have not given consent,
Nor will I ever to your banishment.
Your cruel resolution I descry,
To be reveng’d of me you seek to dye.
And then of all I love, except the pain,
Nought but the sad remembrance will remain.
Antiochus! be thou a witness here
Ber. sinks down in a Chair.
Of all my misery and my despair.
Antio.
D-sp-ir’s a Theam I only understand;
You, if you will, your wishes may command.
Such Beauty ready for possession see,
And leave that ugly hag Despair, to me.
Antio.
Behold those eyes how dull and dark they grow!
Madam, when at your feet I fall thus low,
[Kneels.
Vouchsafe my sad afflictions to believe,
Alas! ‘-is all the ease I’m like to have.
When first the dreadful minute I beheld;
That by my duty and the Laws compel’d,
I found it forc’d that you must hence depart.
Though nothing e’re can banish you my heart.
’Twas then m- soul had first a sense of fears,
Foreseeing your reproaches and your tears.
I then expected, Madam, all the weight
Of woes that can on worst misfortunes light.
But whatsoever fears opprest my heart,
I find I but foresaw the lesser part.
I thought my vertue not so apt to bow;
am asham-d ’tis thus intangled now.
Ber.
Let me alone and vex my soul no more,
You of your vertue talk’t enough before.
Urge it not still to agg-avate my shame.
WHEN Crown’d with conquest from the wars you came,
I know you brought me but to fill your state;
For els- the triumph had not been -omplete.
Tit.
Since you have then resolv’d: It s-all be so.
And judg by this if y’are belov’d or no.
No longer Torments on my soul shall prey,
Since I to freedom see so brave a way;
A way by more than one great Roman shown,
Who, when their Misery’s had prest ’em down,
Propt from within, shook off with life, the weight,
Offers to stab himself
And thus fell nobly grapling with their fate.
Ber.
Oh stay! to wrong me more what way dy’e take?
Would Titus die for Berenices sake?
I see the blow you cruelly prepare
To wound that breast where I, you say, have share.
To hurt what’s mine would be unjustly done
No, rather strike this heart, that’s all your own.
Tit.
Best of thy sex! and dearest, now I see.
How poor is Empire when compar’d to thee.
Hence ye, perplexing Cares, that clog a brain,
Whilst struck with extasie I here fall down.
[Kneels
Thus at your feet a happy prostrate laid,
I’m much more blest than if the world I swaid.
Ber.
Now the blest Berenice enough has seen:
[Kneels
I thought your Love had quite extinguisht been:
But ’twas my error, for you still are true.
Your heart is troubled, and your tears I view.
Ev’n my worst sufferings much o’repaid I see,
Nor shall th’ unhappy world be curst for me,
Nothing since first ’twas yours, my love would shake,
So absolute a Conquest did you make.
But now I’le bring it to the utmost test,
And with one fucal Act crown all the rest.
Tit.
Hah! tell me Berenice what will you do?
Ber.
Far from your sight and Rome for ever go:
I have resolv’d on’t, and it shall be so.
Tit.
Antiochus! I’m born to be undone;
When I the greatest conquest thought t’have won:
Ev’n in my noblest race I am out-run.
But thou wer’t always gen’rous, always kind;
Your inlarg’d Kingdom shall to hers be joyn’d.
And now how much you are my faithful friend;
In being so to her, you’l best expres.
Falling on his neck.
Never forsake her in sad distress.
Where e’re she goes, for ever with her be.
And sometimes in my absence sigh for me.
Antio.
Arsaces! on thy bosome let me lye,
WHILST I but take one last dear look, and die.
Ber.
No live: and by a generous strife out-do
Us both, and of your self be conqu’rour too.
Farewel.
Let us all three a rare example prove:
Of a most tender though unhappy love.
Thus, Sir, your Peace and Empire I restore.
Farewell and reign, I’le never see you more.
[Ex. Ber.
Antio.
Oh Heaven!
Tit.
She’s gone and al- I valu’d lost:
Now Friend, let Rome, of her great Emp’ror boast.
Since they themselves first taught me cruelty,
I’le try how much a Tyrant I can be.
Henceforth all thoughts of pitty I’le disown,
And with my arms the Universe ore-run.
Rob’d of my Love, through ruins purchase fame,
And make the world’s as wretched as I am.
[Exeunt Omnes.
The Cheats of Scapin
CONTENTS
PERSONS REPRESENTED IN THE FARCE.
ACT FIRST.
ACT SECOND.
ACT THIRD.
EPILOGUE.
PERSONS REPRESENTED IN THE FARCE.
Thrift Gripe. Two old Merchants. — Mr. Sandford. Mr. Noakes.
Octavian, Leander, Their Sons — Mr. Norris. Mr. Percivall.
Scapin, A Cheat — Mr. Anth. Leigh
Shift, Sly, Scapins Instruments — Mr. Richards.
Lucia, Thrifty’s Daughter, — Mrs. Barry.
Clara, Gripe’s Daughter. — Mrs. Gibbs.
The SCENE DOVER.
ACT FIRST.
SCENE FIRST.
Enter Octavian Shift.
Oct.
THIS is unhappy News; I did not expect my Father in two Months, and yet you say he is return’d already
Sh.
’Tis but too true.
Oct.
That he arriv’d this Morning?
Sh.
This very Morning.
Oct.
And that he is come with a resolution to Marry me?
Sh.
Yes, Sir, To Marry you.
Oct.
I am ruin’d and undone; prithee advise me.
Sh.
Advise you?
Oct.
Yes, advise me. Thou art as surly, as if thou really couldst do me no good. Speak: Has Necess
ity taught thee no Wit? Hast thou no Shift?
Sh.
Lord, Sir, I am at present very busie in Contriving some Trick to save my self; I am first prudent, and then good natur’d.
Oct.
How will my Father rage and storm, when he understands what things have happen’d in his absence? I dread his anger and reproaches.
Sh.
Reproaches! Would I could be quit of him so easily; methinks I feel him already on my Shoulders.
Oct.
Dis-inheriting is the least I can expect.
Sh.
You should have thought of this before, and not have fallen in Love with I know not whom, one that you met by chance in the Dover-Coach; she is indeed a good smug Lass, but God knows what she is besides; perhaps some —
Oct.
Villain.
Sh.
I have done, Sir, I have done.
Oct.
I have no Friend that can appease my Father’s anger, and now I shall be betrayed to want and misery.
Sh.
For my part, I know but one Remedy in our misfortunes.
Oct.
Prithee what is it?
Sh.
You know that Rogue and arch-Cheat Scapin.
Oct.
Well What of him?
Sh.
There is not a more subtle Fellow breathing; so cunning, he can cheat one newly Cheated; ’tis such a Wheadling Rogue, I’ll undertake in two hours he shall make your Father forgive you all, nay, allow you Money for your necessary Debauches: I saw him in three days, make an old cautious Lawyer turn Chymist and Projector.
Oct.
He is the fittest person in the World for my Business; the Impudent Varlet can do any thing with the peevish old Man. Prithee go look him out, we’ll set him a work immediately.
Sh.
See where he comes — Monsieur Scapin!
Enter Scapin.
Scap.
Worthy Sir!
Sh.
I have been giving my Master a brief Account of thy most Noble Qualities: I told him, thou wert as Valiant as a ridden Cuckold, Sincere as Whores, Honest as Pimps in want.
Scap.
Alas Sir! I but Copy you: ’Tis you are brave; you scorn the Gibbets, Halters and Prisons which threaten you, and valiantly proceed in Cheats and Robberies.
Oct.
Oh Scapin! I am utterly ruin’d without thy assistance.
Scap.
Why? What’s the matter good Mr. Octavian?
Oct.
My Father is this day arriv’d at Dover with old Mr. Gripe, with a resolution to Marry me.
Scap.
Very well.
Oct.
Thou knowest I am already Married; How will my Father resent my Disobedience? I am for ever lost, unless thou canst find some means to reconcile me to him.
Scap.
Does your Father know of your Marriage?
Oct.
I am afraid he is by this time acquainted with it.
Scap.
No matter, no matter, all shall be well: I am publick-spirited; I love to help distressed young Gentlemen, and thank Heaven I have had good success enough.
Oct.
Besides, My present want must be considered, I am in rebellion without any Money.
Scap.
I have Tricks and Shifts too to get that: I can cheat upon occasion; but Cheating is now grown an ill Trade; yet Heav’n be thank’d, there were never more Cullies and Fools; but the great Rooks and Cheats allow’d by publick Authority, ruin such little Undertraders as I am.
Oct.
Well, Get thee straight about thy Bus’ness: Canst thou make no use of my Rogue here?
Scap.
Yes, I shall want his assistance; the Knave has Cunning, and may be useful.
Sh.
Ay Sir; But like other wise Men, I am not over-Valiant: Pray leave me out of this Bus’ness; my Fears will betray you; you shall execute, I’ll sit at home and advise.
Scap.
I stand not in need of thy Courage, but thy Impudence, and thou hast enough of that: Come, come, thou shalt along; What, Man, stand out for a Beating? That’s the worst can happen.
Sh.
Well, well.
Enter Clara.
Oct.
Here comes my dearest Clara.
Cla.
Ah me Octavian! I hear sad News: They say, your Father is return’d.
Oct.
Alas! ’Tis true, and I am the most unfortunate person in the World; but ’tis not my own misery that I consider, but yours: How can you bear those wants to which we must be both reduc’d?
Clar.
Love shall teach me, that can make all things easie to us, which is a sign it is the chiefest good: But I have other Cares; Will you be ever constant? Shall not your Father’s Severity constrain you to be false?
Oct.
Never, my dearest, never.
Clar.
They that love much, may be allow’d some fears.
Scap.
Come, come; we have now no time to hear you speak fine tender things to one another: Pray do you prepare to encounter with your Father.
Clar.
I tremble at the thoughts of it.
Scap.
You must appear resolute at first: Tell him you can live without troubling him; threaten him to turn Souldier; or what will frighten him worse, say, you’ll turn Poet. Come, I’ll warrant you, we bring him to Composition.
Oct.
What would I give ‘twere over?
Scap.
Let us practise a little what you are to do. Suppose me your Father, very grave and very angry.
Oct.
Well.
Scap.
Do you look very carelesly, like a small Courtier upon his Country Acquaintance; a little more surlily: — Very well: — Now I come full of my Fatherly Authority. — Octavian, Thou makest me weep to see thee; but alas they are not tears of joy, but tears of sorrow. Did ever so good a Father beget so lewd a Son? Nay, but for that I think thy Mother Vertuous, I should pronounce thou art not mine; Newgate-Bird, Rogue, Villain, what a Trick hast thou play’d me in my absence? Marry’d? Yes: but to whom? Nay that thou -knowest not. I’ll warrant you some Waiting-Woman corrupted in a Civil Family, and reduc’d to one of the Play-Houses, remov’d from thence by some Keeping Coxcomb, or —
Cla.
Hold Scapin, Hold —
Scap.
No offence Lady, I speak but anothers words.
Thou abominable Rascal, thou shall not have a groat, not a groat. Besides, I will break all thy bones ten times over; get thee out of my house — Why Sir, you reply not a word, but stand as bashfully, as a Girl that’s examin’d by a Bawdy Judge, about a Rape.
Oct.
Look yonder comes my Father.
Scap.
Stay Shift, and get you two gone, let me alone to manage the old fellow.
[Exit Oct. and Clara.
Enter Thrifty.
Th.
Was there ever such a rash action?
Scap.
He has been inform’d of the Business, and is now so full of it, that he vents it to himself.
Th.
I would fain hear what they can say for themselves.
Scap.
We are not unprovided.
[At a distance.
Th.
Will they be so Impudent to deny the thing?
Scap.
We never intend it.
Th.
Or will they endeavour to excuse it?
Scap.
That perhaps we may doe.
Th.
But all shall be in vain.
Scap.
We’l try that.
Th.
I know how to lay that Rogue my Son fast.
Scap.
That we must prevent.
Th.
And so that Tatterdemalleon , I’le thrash him to death, I will be three Years a Cudgelli
ng him.
Th.
I wondred he had forgot me so long.
Th.
Oh Oh! Yonder the Rascal is, that brave Governour, he tutor’d my Son finely.
Scap.
Sir, I am overjoyed at your safe return.
Th.
Good morrow Scapin, indeed you have followed my Instructions very exactly, my Son has behaved himself very prudently in my absence, has he not Rascal, has he not?
Scap.
I hope you are very well.
Th.
Very well — Thou sayst not a word Varlet, thou sayst not a word.
Scap.
Had you a good Voyage Mr. Thrifty?
Th.
Lord Sir! A very good Voyage, pray give a Man a little leave to vent his Choler.
Scap.
Would you be in Choler Sir?
Th.
Ay, Sir, I would be in Choler.
Scap.
Pray with whom?
Th.
With that confounded Rogue there.
Scap.
Upon what reason?
Th.
Upon what reason? hast thou not heard what hath happened in my abscence.
Scap.
I have heard a little Idle story.
Th.
A little Idle story. Quoth a - why Man, my Son’s undone, my Son’s undone.
Scap.
Come, come, things have not been well carried, but I would advise you to make no more of it.
Th.
I am not of your opinion, I’le make the whole Town ring of it.
Scap.
Lord Sir, I have stormed about this business as much as you can do for your Heart, but what are we both the better? I told him indeed, Mr. Octavian, you do not do well, to wrong so good a Father: I preached him three or four times asleep, but all would not do, still at last, when I had well examined the Business I found you had not so much wrong done you as you Imagine.
Th.
How not wrong done me to have my Son married without my consent to a Beggar!
Scap.
Alas he was ordained to it.
Th.
That’s fine indeed, we shall steal, cheat, murder, and so be hang’d, then say we were ordained to it.
Scap.
Truly I did not think you so subtile a Phylosopher, I mean he was fatally engaged in this affair.
Th.
Why did he Engage himself?
Scap.
Very true indeed, very true; but fie upon you now, would you have him as wise as your self, young men will have their follies, witness my charge Leander; who has gon and thrown away himself at a stranger rate then your Son. I would fain know if you were not once young your self; yes I warrant you, and had your frailties.
Th.
Yes, but they never cost me any thing; a man may be as frail and as wicked as he please, if it cost him nothing.