Complete Works of Thomas Otway

by Thomas Otway

Theod.

  What do you resolve to do, Sir?

  Fath.

  Do, Sir! What can I resolve to do, Sir? I have no means to hope to escape, Sir: for, in the first place, I have no Money; and a Man that kills another, without Money in his pocket, is in a very hopeful condition. In the next place, for a disguise, I have no Cloaths but these you see on my Back; with this Tripe-Buff Belt here, which there is not a Constable in the whole City but knows, and has had in his Custody, Sword and all. Look you, Gentlemen, I have civilly kill’d a Man for your Service; if you will resolve, fairly and squarely, to hang like Friends together, so: If not, I mutiny; and the word is, Discover the Plot, the old Boy must impeach.

  Enter Rosard.

  Ros.

  Oh, Sir! where are you?

  Grat.

  Well, Rosard; what’s the News now?

  Ros.

  The Gentleman, Heav’n be thanked, is reviv’d again, Sir; though the Doctors say, such another Fit will certainly carry him off. The poor Creature is very weak, but very penitent.

  Fath.

  In troth, and that’s a very ill Symptom; therefore my Opinion is still — I am for hanging all together.

  Theod.

  Heark you, old Rust; you say you have no Money, wherefore, during the present Interval, in the first place, because I will have no Mutiny upon this occasion; in order to your Escape, there’s Money for you: in the next place, as you want Change of Rayment, here is the Key of a small Wardrobe, at the lower end of the Gallery above, you’ll find the Door to it: Equip your self, and provide for your Security, as your best Discretion shall direct you.

  Fath.

  Look you, Friend, the sooner the better; for, to tell you the truth, else I shall make but a scurvy matter of it at Tyburn Cross; with a whining, snivling Account of breaking the Sabbath, and keeping ill Company. Wherefore, not being good at making Speeches, I will leave the Opportunity to you, of shewing your politer Rhetorick, and save a Member of the Commonwealth — There’s no great harm in Murder, when it brings a Man Money.

  [Aside, and Exit.

  Porcia.

  And now, my Tyrant Brother, I hope we stand on even Terms.

  Theod.

  No, Lady, not yet: There’s Life return’d, and therefore hopes still, though, at present, in some measure to comply with you, and ease your Apprehensions, within the Limits of the House and Gardens you are at your Liberty, but no farther this Night: And, for your ampler satisfaction, if I have any Midnight Alarms from your Correspondent abroad, there’s Entertainment ready for him, which he may not be very fond of; so Good Night, it is almost Ten. Who waits? What hoa, be ready there. Come Gratian, I’ll see you to your Repose, and then to my Post of Guard.

  Porcia.

  Ten! That was the Hour, Phillis, Beaugard mentioned; was it not?

  Phill.

  It was, Madam.

  Pore.

  Be ready then, all ye propitious Powers, that smile on faithful Love; Wait, like kind Angels, on him; Establish Conquest in his able Hand, and Kindness in his Heart. Oh, Sylvia

  Sylv.

  You are transported, Cousin!

  Pore.

  With hopes of Liberty I am indeed: it is an English Woman’s natural Right. Do not our Fathers, Brothers and Kinsmen often, upon pretence of it, bid fair for Rebellion against their Soveraign; And why ought not we, by their Example, to rebel as plausibly against them?

  Sylv.

  Most edifying Doctrine this is, truly.

  [A Whistle without.

  Porcia.

  The Sign! Heark, the Sign! Phillis, heard you nothing?

  [Whistle again.

  ’Tis there again; he’s true, and I am happy. Sylvia, let us retire our selves; you know your old Apartment, for pretious mischief will be soon on foot; and Action worthy Love’s great Cause. Thy Husband too, may chance to have his share in the bus’ness; and, as I have order’d Matters, meet something in the Adventure, to mortifie his roving Humour, and reconcile him to his Duty and Allegiance. — Heark:

  [Whistle again.

  There, ’tis once more a Summons to the Citadel to surrender. This shall, in after Story, be call’d, Captain Beaugard’s besieging of the Widow.

  Which, as ’tis laid sure, with Success must end,

  Since Justice does his Enterprize attend

  Without, and powerful Love within’s his Friend.

  SCENE changed to Fields on the Back-side of a Garden

  Enter Beaugard, with a Party.

  Beaug.

  Hold, stand fast; I have just now receiv’d Intelligence over the Garden-Wall, that our design has taken air, and there will be no easie Entrance.

  1. Man.

  Ah Captain; the time has been, when, under your Command, we should have had no need of a Council of War for the attacking such a Fortification as this is.

  Beaug.

  Peace Plunder, Peace you Rogue; no Moroding now: we’ll burn, rob, demolish and murder another time together: This is a Bus’ness must be done with Decency. — Heark.

  2. Man.

  Some Company coming, Sir, from the Back-Street Ward.

  Beaug.

  Hold then, Plunder: Do you, with your flying Party, hover at a distance about the Fields; while I, with the rest of the Body, post my self as advantagiously as I can, to watch the Enemies Motions. —

  [Exeunt.

  Enter Theodoret and his Party.

  Theod.

  This way the noise was: Be sure keep safe the Garden Gate, and follow me carefully.

  [Exit Theod.

  Enter Courtine.

  Court.

  So, here I am; and now for my Instructions. Let me see.

  [Reads the Billet.

  Pray come disguised, that if the Design should miscarry, your Retreat may be the easier. Your unknown blushing Servant — Humph! Blushing Servant! Passingly modest, I’ll warrant you! Pray come disguised! So I am, or the Devil’s in’t; for I look more like a Cut-throat, than any thing else. Let me see; Upon this very Spot, the last time I was here, did I meet my damn’d Wife: Avert the Omen, sweet Heaven, I beseech thee. And now, as I am considering, where can my Friend Beaugard be at present too? With a Whore. There’s that Question answer’d. Wherefore, would but my unknown blushing Servant appear, or give me a kind Sign; would but my little Partridge call, methinks I could so shuckle, and run, and Bill, and clap my Wings about her. Hah!

  [Turns about.

  Enter Theodoret.

  Theod.

  Stand: Who goes there?

  Court.

  What’s the matter now?

  1 Serv.

  Stand, Sir: What are you, Sir?

  Court.

  What am, I, Sir! A Man, Sir.

  Theod.

  A Man, Sir, we see you are: But what Man are you, Friend?

  Court.

  A Gentleman, Friend; and you had best use me so. — By Heaven, Theodoret; and if I am but discover’d!

  Theod.

  Hands off, unloose him. You are not him we look for, Sir.

  Court.

  I am glad of that with all my Heart.

  Theod.

  And therefore I ask your Pardon. But, if you are a Gentleman, you will assist one in me, that have been injured. I have reason to believe, my House is now beset by Villains, who have base designs upon the Honour of my Family. Wherefore, if you are what you pretend, you’ll draw your Sword to do a good Cause Justice.

  Court.

  Sir, I wear it for no other end; and you shall command it. — Ay, ’tis so Beaugard; upon new Exploits for the Recovery of his Widow. Nothing but Knight-Errantry stirring this Moon.

  Theod.

  Please you then, Sir, to stay here with my Servants, while I walk to the Corner of yon Wall, and try what I can discover.

  [Exit Theod.

  Court.

  You may trust me, Sir. Now will I shew my self a true Renegado; take Entertainment in Christian Service, to betray ’em to my Brother Turk, upon the first opportunity. And so,
my blushing Unknown, you may e’en stay your Stomach with your Sheets for this Night.

  Re-enter Theodoret.

  Theod.

  They are here, stand fast; be resolute, and be rewarded.

  Enter Lucrece.

  Lucr.

  Now, for a convenient Opportunity to do a mischief: Beaugard, I find, is come, and my kind Mistress punctual to Appointment in the Garden. Now, could I but order the Affair so, as to slur Beaugard upon her, instead of my self; and her upon him, instead of Porcia, my Conscience would be satisfied; and he, Mr. Courtine, my Rival Widow, and the Wife serv’d all in their kind.

  Theod.

  Hold, Sir; What are you?

  [To Beaugard at the Entrance.

  Court.

  Ay; Now, now.

  Beaug.

  No matter, Sir; this is not a time of Night to answer Questions.

  Theod.

  Nay, then. —

  Beaug.

  Nay, now Sir; and when else you think fitting, Sir: I am the Man you look for; and you are him I wisht to meet here.

  Court.

  Now how the Devil I shall do to tilt Booty; Hang me like a Dog if I can imagine.

  Beaug.

  Come on there.

  Theod.

  You pass upon your death.

  Beaug.

  I have learnt to scorn death more since first you threatned it

  I see your Numbers too, and come prepar’d,

  Porcia’s my Claim, and here I’ll win or lose her.

  Theod.

  Then take thy due; and dye like a midnight Thief. Fall on.

  [Beaug. and Theod. engage, and their Parties. Beaug. and Theod. quit each other. Beaug. falls upon Courtine, and Theod. upon Beaug. Party; who retire from him, as Court. does from Beaug. off from the Stage.

  Theod.

  He runs, he runs; the Half-bred Hector runs. False Cards and Diee, and Quart-pot Brothel-Brawles, were bitter for his Management, than honourable Difference: Heark, Clashing of Swords still, by Heaven I miss our Friend the honourable Stranger, that so generously took our Party; if it him, let’s out, and give him succor.

  Enter Beaugard driving in Courtine,who retires beyond the reach of his Sword.

  Beaug.

  Base Rascal! Coward flie! —

  Court.

  No, Sir, I stand stock still, and won’t stir an Inch; but since you are so uncivil, resolve not to fight a stroke more: So there’s my Sword, and here’s your humble Servant.

  Beaug.

  Courtine!

  Court.

  The same.

  Beaug.

  And thou my Enemy too!

  Court.

  No, Sir, your Friend, had you been wise enough to have found it; I came hither disguis’d, for a Reason you shall know hereafter; But falling into the hands of the Enemy, was forced to take Party against you, for fear of being beaten for you: Yet with a design of revolting would you have given me leave; but you, when you should have kept at the head of your Friends took a particular fancy to be tickling my small guts, and now you see what you have got by it.

  Beaug.

  Then farewel for ever poor Widow. — But stay, it were base and unmanly to give it over so — Let me see — Lend me thy Disguise, Quickly, quickly, quickly, my Imagination’s warm.

  Court.

  Ay, with all my heart, and glad to be rid of it so —

  [Disguises Beaug.

  Beaug.

  Take this, and rally my scatter’d Forces,

  [Gives him his Whistle.

  They know the sign; and cannot be far off under the conduct of Plunder that was my Serjeant abroad, thou know’st him; make what haste is possible, I’ll be hereabouts, and be near me, if any new Disaster should happen.

  Court.

  Well, with all my heart for once, here is a new design in Embrio now, though I fancy when we have got her, we shall never make of this Widow what she has cost us.

  Beaug.

  No more; I hear Company Vanish. —

  [Exit Court. Enter Theod.

  Theod.

  This way I think I heard it: Look, Is not that he! Oh my dear generous Friend, let me embrace you: I hope you are come off well.

  Beaug.

  Very well, Sir, I thank you, if I were but well off from this place; I fear the man I had to deal withall is fallen, for I left him stagg’ring. Security were best for us all, Sir.

  Theod.

  My house shall be your Sanctuary, and I’ll dye with you but I’ll protect you.

  Beaug.

  I gad, and that’s kindly said, as things stand between us, and if he knew all.

  [Aside.

  Theod.

  Open the Garden-gate there: You shall rest your self in an Arbor, while I dispose of the gross of my Family, and prepare an Apartment for your privacy.

  Beaug.

  If I had dy’d in your Quarrel, Sir, a Generosity like this had over-rewarded it.

  [Courtine at the Entrance.

  Court.

  Stand still ye beaten scatter’d Scoundrels, I think that’s he, follow me but at a distance.

  Theod.

  Open the Gate I say there, come Sir —

  [They enter the Garden.

  Court.

  The Stratagem succeeds, and Troy at last is taken.

  Enter Lucrece.

  Lucr.

  Oh dear Sir, are not you Captain Beaugard?

  Court.

  The same, my dear Child, the same; Hast thou any good tydings for me?

  Lucr.

  The private door of the Garden on the other side is opened, and you may enter Sir. My poor Lady is dying almost with despair, that she shall never see you more: Could you now tell me news of Captain Courtine?

  Court.

  Hah! Does then my Blushing unknown belong to these Territories? It must be so, Captain Courtine is just gone in before Sweet-heart, therefore if thou art a true Friend to Love, quickly conduct me.

  Lucr.

  I’ll shew you, Sir, into the door where you may conceal your self in one of the Arbors till I go through the House, and bring you farther intelligence.

  Court.

  And if my Adventure happen really to be at the end of this business, my Friend and I shall not, I fancy, pass our time very uncomfortably.

  [Exeunt.

  Rogues, follow me, follow me Rogues.

  SCENE, The Garden.

  Beaugard looking out of an Arbor.

  Beaug.

  So, so, thus far I am undiscovered; it is as dark, as if the Devil himself were abroad a solacing amongst a Company of Northern Witches to Night: if be but enter’d with my Mermidons, the Widow’s infallibly all my own. ! Who comes here?

  Enter Lucrece.

  Lucr.

  Sir, Sir, where are you?

  Beaug.

  Here, here, my Friend, I wait you.

  Lucr.

  Friend! Is not your Name? —

  Beaug.

  My Name, what! what can this mean? —

  [Aside.

  Lucr.

  Beaugard, Come, come, I know you: You need not distrust your self, my design is to do you service; your Porcia knows you are here, and expects you with her Arms open, follow me.

  Beaug.

  Be thou my good or bad Angel, at the charm of that name I must follow thee, though thou lead me to Perdition.

  Lucr.

  Softly, no noise, this way, give me your hand.

  [Exeunt.

  Enter Courtine.

  Court.

  Hold, let me see; Ay, there I think is an Arbor where I will creep in, and lie as close, as a Coward in the Hold at a Sea-fight.

  Enter Theodoret.

  Theod.

  Hereabouts it was I left him, it is wonderfully dark: Friend! Friend! Where are you?

  Court.

  Hah! that’s another sort of Voice than the Youngsters I depend on: By Heav’n, Theodoret!

  [Aside.

  Theod.

  Friend, F
riend, I say, where are you?

  Court.

  Ay, but the Devil a word you get of me.

  [Aside.

  Theod.

  Why, Sir Friend, do not you hear me?

  Court.

  No.

  [Aside.

  Theod.

  I am sure this must be the Arbor; I’ll run and call a Flambeaux.

  Court.

  That may not be so well neither, my affairs will not agree with the light as I take it.

  [Aside.

  Theod.

  May be he’s fallen asleep, let me see.

  [Gropes into the Arbor, and feels him.

  ’Tis even so: What hoa, Sir! —

  [Courtine snores.

  Friend, Friend, awake, your Chamber’s ready, and I stay for you.

  Court.

  Who’s there? What are you?

  [Aloud, as if frighted suddenly.

  Theod.

  Hush, make no noise; but come away.

  Court.

  Is it you, Sir? — He mistakes me for Beaugard, I hope.

  Theod.

  The same: I wait upon you, follow me.

  Court.

  If he discover me, all again is ruin’d; but Darkness, I hope, and Impudence, will befriend a good Cause.

  SCENE, Dardevill’s Chamber,

  With only one small Lamp burning, and Dardevill on the Bed.

  Dard.

  Oh! oh! oh! my Wounds and my Sins! Conscience, Conscience, Conscience, how shall I quiet thee!

  [Beaug Father at the door.

  Fath.

  This cowardly Chicken-hearted Rascal will dye, and be damn’d at last. How do you do Sir? How do you find your self?

  Dard.

  Oh very ill, Heav’n knows! within few hours of a Grave, and without great mercy of a deeper place: Who ever you are, if you have any Charity, procure me some Conscientious Godly Divine to unburden my self of my iniquity to.

  Fath.

  This puling, whining, repining Rogue, within these two days was blaspheming: Ought I to be hang’d now for such a Varlet! Shall I send you a Divine, said you Sir?

  Dard.

  It would be a great Favour, and a Comfort to me, Sir.

  Fath.

  I’ll try what I can do for you, since I see your condition so dangerous, a Pox o’yr Queasy Conscience: There is no safety for me in staying here, that’s one thing, the House being certainly beset for the apprehending some body: For looking out at the Wardrobe Window as I was dressing my self, I observed six or seven arm’d Rogues with hangmanly Faces, sneaking and sculking about the Garden, that’s another thing; wherefore I will hasten and finish my disguise, and if there come an Alarum, take the fairest opportunity to get off in it, and that for me will be the best thing.