Pagina-afbeeldingen
PDF
ePub

service, to live here. I am yet afraid he may soon grow weary of Wintersen and retirement.

Mrs. H. I should trust not. They, who bear a cheerful and unreproaching conscience into solitude, surely must increase the measure of their own enjoyments. They quit the poor, precarious, the dependent pleasures, which they borrowed from the world, to draw a real bliss from that exhaustless source of true delight, the fountain of a pure unsullied heart.

Bar. Has retirement long possessed so lovely an advocate?

Mrs. H. I have lived here three years.

Bar. And never felt a secret wish for the society you left, and must have adorned?

Mrs. H. Never.

Bar. To feel thus belongs either to a very rough or a very polished soul. The first sight convinced me in which class I am to place you.

Mrs. H. [With a sigh.] There may, perhaps, be a third class.

Bar. Indeed, madam, I wish not to be thought forward; but women always seemed to me less calculated for retirement than men. We have a thousand employments, a thousand amusements, which you have not.

Mrs. H. Dare I ask what they are?

Bar. We ride-we hunt-we play-read-writeMrs. H. The noble employments of the chase, and the still more noble employment of play, I grant you.

Bar. Nay, but dare I ask what are your employments for a day?

Mrs. H. Oh, my lord! you cannot imagine how quickly time passes when a certain uniformity guides the minutes of our life. How often do I ask, "Is Saturday come again so soon?" On a bright cheerful morning my books and breakfast are carried out upon the grass plot. Then is the sweet picture of reviving industry, and eager innocence, always new to me. The birds' notes so often heard, still waken new ideas: the herds are led into the fields: the peasant bends his eye upon his plough. Every thing lives. and moves; and in every creature's mind it seems as it were morning. Towards evening I begin to roam abroad: from the park into the meadows. And sometimes, returning, I pause to look at the village boys and girls as they play. Then do I bless their innocence, and pray to Heaven those laughing thoughtless hours could be their lot for

ever.

Bar. This is excellent '-But these are summer amusements. The winter! The winter!

Mrs. H. Why for ever picture winter like old age, torpid, tedious, and uncheerful? Winter has its own delights: this is the time to instruct and mend the mind by reading and reflection. At this season, too, I often take my harp, and amuse myself by playing or singing the little favourite airs that remind me of the past, or solicit hope for the future.

Bar. Happy indeed are they, who can thus create and vary their own pleasures and employments.

Enter PETER, L. (Mrs. Haller crosses to Peter.)

Pet. Well-well-Pray now-I was ordered-I can keep him out no longer-"Tis old Tobias: he will come in. Enter TOBIAS, L. forcing his way; Exit Peter, L, Tob. I must, good Heaven, I must!

Mrs. H. [Confused.] I have no time at present-I—I··-· You see I am not alone.

Tob. Oh! this good gentleman will forgive me.

Bar. What do you want?

Tob. To return thanks. Even charity is a burden if one may not be grateful for it.

Mrs. H. To-morrow, good Tobias ; to-morrow.

Bar. Nay, no false delicacy, madam. Allow him to vent the feelings of his heart; and permit me to witness a scene which convinces me, even more powerfully than your conversation, how nobly you employ your time. Speak, old man.

Tob. Oh, lady, that each word which drops from my lips, might call down a blessing on your head! I lay forsaken and dying in my hut: not even bread nor hope remained. Oh! then you came in the form of an angel; brought medicines to me; and your sweet consoling voice did more than those. I am recovered. To-day, for the first time, I have returned thanks in presence of the sun : and now I come to you, noble lady. Let me drop my tears upon your charitable hand. For your sake, Heaven has blessed my latter days. The Stranger too, who lives near me, has given me a purse of gold to buy my son's release. I am on my way to the city: I shall purchase my Robert's release. Then I shall have an honest daughterin-law. And you, if ever after that you pass our happy cottage, oh! what must you feel when you say to yourself, "This is my work!"

C

Mrs. H. [In a tone of entreaty.] Enough, Tobias; enough!

Tob. I beg pardon ! I cannot utter what is breathing in my breast. There is One who knows it. May His blessing and your own heart reward you! [Exit, L. Mrs. H. [Endeavouring to bring about a conversation.] I suppose, my lord, we may expect the Count and Countess every moment now?

Bur. Not just yet, madam. He travels at his leisure. I am selfish, perhaps, in not being anxious for his speed: the delay has procured me a delight which I never shall forget.

Mrs. H. [Smiling.] You satirise mankind, my lord.
Bar. How so?

Mrs. H. In supposing such scenes to be uncommon.

Bar. I confess I was little prepared for such an acquaintance as yourself: I am extremely surprised. When Solomon told me your name and situation, how could I suppose that--Pardon my curiosity: You have been, or are, married?

Mrs. H. [Suddenly sinking from her cheerful raillery into mournful gloom.] I have been married, my lord.

Bar. [Whose inquiries evince his curiosity, yet are restrained within the bounds of the nicest respect.] A widow, then?

Mrs. H. I beseech you-There are strings in the human heart, which touched, will sometimes utter dreadful discord -I beseech you—

Bar I understand you. I see you know how to conceal every thing except your perfections.

Mrs. H. My perfections, alas!—[Rural_music_without, L.] But I hear the happy teuantry announce the Count's arrival. Your pardon, my lord; I must attend them.

[Exit, L.

Bar. Excellent creature!-What is she, and what can be her history? I must seek my sister instantly. How strong and how sudden is the interest I feel for her! But it is a feeling I ought to check. And yet, why so? Whatever are the emotions she has inspired, I am sure they arise from the perfections of the mind; and never shall be met by unworthiness in mine. [Exit, L.

SCENE II.-The Lawn.

(Rural Music, L.)

Enter SOLOMON and PETER, L. ushering in the COUNT,

CHILD, COUNTESS WINTERSEN leading the Child; MRS. HALLER, the BARON, and SERVANTS following.

Sol. Welcome, ten thousand welcomes, your Excellencies!

Count. Well! here we are! Heaven bless our advance and retreat! Mrs. Haller, I bring you an invalid, who in future will swear to no flag but yours.

Mrs. H. Mine flies for retreat and rural happiness.

Count. But not without retreating Graces, and retiring Cupids too.

Countess. [Who has in the meantime kindly embraced Mrs. Haller, and by her been welcomed to Wintersen.] My dear Count, you forget that I am present.

Count. Why, in the name of chivalry, how can I do less than your gallant brother, the Baron, who has been so kind as nearly to kill my four greys, in order to be here five minutes before me?

Bar. If I had known all the charms of this place, you should have said so with justice.

Countess. Don't you think William much grown?

[Puts William over to Mrs. Haller.

Mrs. H. The sweet boy!

[Stoops to kiss him, and deep melancholy overshadows her countenance. Retires with the Child a little, L. Count. Well, Solomon, you've provided a good dinner. Sol. As good as haste would allow, please your RightHonourable Excellency!

Pet. Yes, as good as

[Count retires a little R. with Solomon and Peter. Bar. Tell me, I conjure you, sister, what jewel you have thus buried in the country

Countess. Ha! ha! ha! What, brother, you caught at last?

Bar. Answer me.

Countess. Well, her name is Mrs. Haller.

Bar. That I know; but

Countess. But !—but I know no more myself.
Bar. Jesting apart, I wish to know.

Countess. And, jesting apart, I wish you would not plague me. I have at least a hundred thousand important things to do. Heavens! the vicar may come to pay his respects to me before I have been at my toilet; of course I must consult my looking-glass on the occasion. Come, William, [Crossing, R.] will you help to dress me, or stay with your father?

Count. We'll take care of him.

Countess. Come, Mrs. Haller.

[Goes to the Child, centre.

[Mrs. Haller crosses to the Countess.

[Exit with Mrs. Haller, Susan and Hannah following, R. Bar. [Aside, and going.] I am in a very singular hu[Crosses, R.

mour.

Count. Whither so fast, good brother? Bar. To my apartment: I have letters to-ICount. Pshaw! Stay. Let us take a turn in the park together.

Bar. Excuse me. I am not perfectly well. I should be but bad company. I

[Exit, R. Count. [Solomom and Peter advance bowing, R.] Well, Solomon, you are as great a fool as ever, I see.

Sol. Ha! ha! At your Right Honourable Excellency's service.

Count. [Points to Peter.] Who is that ape at your elbow ?

Sol. Ape!-Oh! that is-with respect to your Excellency be it spoken-the son of my body; by name, Peter. [Peter bows.

Count. So, so! Well, how goes all on ?

Sol. Well and good; well and good. Your Excellency will see how I've improved the park. You'll not know it again. A hermitage here; serpentine walks there; an obelisk; a ruin; and all so sparingly, all done with the most economical economy.

Count. Well, I'll have a peep at your obelisk and ruins, while they prepare for dinner.

Sol. I have already ordered it, and will have the honour of attending your Right Honourable Excellency.

Count. Come, lead the way. [Solomon crosses, L.] Peter, attend your young master to the house; [Gives the Child over to Peter, who is R.] we must not tire him.

[Exeunt, L U. E. conducted by Solomon; George and Harry follow.

Pet. We'll go round this way, your little Excellency, and then we shall see the bridge as we go by; and the new boat, with all the fine ribands and streamers. This way, your little Excellency. [Exit, leading the Child, R. U. E.

SCENE III.-The Antichamber.

Enter MRS. HALLER, R.

Mrs. H. What has thus alarmed and subdued me? My

« VorigeDoorgaan »