Eger. The lady, sir, has never yet been affection brought me to my native land, in consulted, and I have some reason to believe quest of an only child. I found her, as I that her heart is engaged to another man. thought, amiable as paternal fondness could Sir P. Sir, that is na business of yours I desire; but foul seduction has snatched her know she wull consent; and that's aw we are from me; and hither am I come, fraught with till consider. Oh! here comes my lord! a father's anger, and a soldier's honour, to seek the seducer, and glut revenge.

Enter LORD LUMBERCOURT.

Lord L. Sir Pertinax, every thing is ready, and the lawyers wait for us.

Sir P. We attend your lordship; where is lady Rodolpha?

Lady M. Pray, sir, who is your daughter?
Mel. I blush to own her-but-Constantia.
Omnes. How!

Lady M. Constantia!

Eger. Is Constantia your daughter, sir? Mel. She is, and was the only comfort that nature, fortune, or my own extravagance had

Lord L. Giving some female consolation to poor Constantia. Why, my lady! ha! ha! ha! I hear your vestal, Constantia, has been flirt-left me. ing!

Sir P. Yas, yas, my lord, she is in very gude order for ainy mon that wants a wife, and an heir till his estate, intill the bargain.

Enter TOMLINS.

Tom. Sir, there's a man below, that wants to speak to your honour upon particular business.

stay, what, is he a gentleman?

Sir P. Gude traith, then I fancy ye wull find but vary little comfort fra her; for she is na better than she should be-she has had na damage in this mansion; but ye may gang till Hadley, till yean farmer Hodges', and there ye may learn the whole story, fra a cheel they caw Melville.

Mel. Melville!

Sir P. Yas, sir; Melville.

Mel. O! would to heaven she had no crime

Sir P. Sir, I canna speak till ainy body noow-be must come another time; haud- to answer but her commerce with Melvilleno, sir, he is not the man; it is your son, Tom. He looks something like one, sir; a your Egerton, that has seduced her! "and here, sort of a gentleman; but he seems to be in sir, are the evidences of his seduction.

a kind of a passion; for when I asked his name, he answered hastily, 'tis no matter, friend, go tell your master there is a gentle

Eger. Of my seduction, sir!

Mel. Of yours, sir, if your name be Egerton.
Eger. I am that man, sir; but pray what

man here, that must speak to him directly. is your evidence?

Sir P. Must! ha! vary peremptory indeed! Mel. These bills, and these gorgeous jewels pr'ythee let's see this angry sort of a gentle--not to be had in her menial state, but at man, for curiosity's sake. [Exit Tomlins. the price of chastity; not an hour since she sent them, impudently sent them, by a servant of this house; contagious infamy started from

Enter LADY RODOLPHA.

Lady R. Oh! my lady Macsycophant, I am their touch. come an humble advocate for a weeping piece Eger. Sir, perhaps you may be mistaken of female frailty; who begs she may be per- concerning the terms on which she received mitted to speak till your ladyship, before ye them; do you but clear her conduct with refinally reprobate her.

spect to Melville, and I will instantly satisfy your fears concerning the jewels and her

Sir P. I beg your pardon, lady Rodolpha,
but it must not be; see her, she shall not. virtue.
Lady M. Nay, there can be no harm, my
dear, in hearing what she has to say for herself,
Sir P. I tell you, it shall not be.
Lady M. Well, well, my dear, I have done,
I have done.

Enter TOMLINS and Melville.
Tom. Sir, that is my master.
Sir P. Weel, sir, pray what is your urgent
business wi me, sir?

Mel. To shun disgrace and punish baseness. Sir P. Punish baseness! what does the fallow mean? wha are ye, sir?

Mel. A man, sir.

Sir P. A mon, sir!

Mel. And one whose spirit and fortune once bore as proud a sway as any within this country's limits.

Mel. Sir, you give me new life; you are my better angel-I believe in your words, your looks-kuow then-I am that Melville.

Sir P. Hoow, sir! ye that Melville, that was at farmer Hodges'?

Mel. The same, sir; it was he brought my Constantia to my arms; lodged and secreted me-once my lowly tenant, now my only friend; the fear of inexorable creditors made me change my name from Harrington to Melville, till I could see and consult some who once called themselves my friends.

Eger. Sir, suspend your fears and anger but for a few minutes-I will keep my word with you religiously; and bring your Constantia to your arms, as virtuous and as happy as you could wish her.

[Exeunt Lady Macsycophant and Egerton.

Lord L. You seem to be a soldier, sir! Mel. I was, sir, and have the soldier's cer- Sir P. The clearing up of this wench's virtificate, to prove my service-rags and scars: tue is dom'd unlucky! I'm afraid it wull ruin for ten long years, in India's parching clime, aw oor affairs again-hoowever, I ha yean I bore my country's cause, and in noblest stroke still in my heed, that wull secure the dangers sustained it with my sword-at length bargain wi my lord, let matters gang as they ungrateful peace has laid me down, where wull. [Aside] But I wonder, maister Melville, welcome war first took me up-in poverty-that ye did na pick up some leetle matter of and the dread of cruel creditors. Paternal the siller in the Indies-Ah! there ha been

bonny fortunes snapped up there of late years upon honour, yean brother is ass gude till by some of the meelitary blades. Rodolpha ass another.

Sir P. I'll ainswer, madam, for your grandmother; noow, my lord, what say you?

Mel. Very true, sir; but it is an observation among soldiers, that there are some men who never meet with any thing in the service but Lord L. Nay, sir Pertinax, so the agreement blows and ill fortune-I was one of those, stands, all is right again; come, child, let us even to a proverb. be gone. Lookye, sir Pertinax, let me have Sir P. Ah! 'tis pity, sir; a great pity, noow, no more perplexity, or trouble about writings, that ye did na get a mogul, or some sic an lawyers, duns, debts, or daughter; only let me animal intill your clutches-Ah! I should like be at my ease, and rat me if I care one pinch till ha the strangling of a nabob-the rum- of snuff if her ladyship concorporates with the maging of his gold dust, his jewel closet, and cham of Tartary. [Exit Lord Lumbercourt. aw his magazines of bars and ingots; ha! ha! Sir P. Ass to ye, my lady Macsycophant, I ha! gude traith, noow, sic an aw fellow would suppose ye concluded, before ye gave your be a bonny cheel to bring over till this toown, consent till this match, that there would be an and till exhibit him riding on an elephant; end of every thing betwixt ye and me: ye upon honour a mon might raise a poll tax shall ha a jointure, but not a bawbee besides, by him that would gang near till pay the debts living or dead, shall ye, or any of your issue, of the nation! ever see of mine; so, madam, live wi yeer Constantia, wi yeer son, and wi that-that Enter EGERTON, CONSTANTIA, LADY MACSY-damn'd black sheep there. [Exit Sir Pertinax. COPHANT, and SIDNEY. Lady R. Weel, cousin Egerton, in spite Eger. Sir, I promised to satisfy your fears o'the ambeetious frenzy o'your faither, and the concerning your daughter's virtue; and my thoughtless deesipation o'mine, don Cupid has best proof to you and all the world, that I at last carried his point in favour o'his devothink her not only chaste, but the most de-tees; but I mun noow take my leave with the serving of her sex, is, that I have made her fag-end of an awd north country wish, brought the partner of my heart, and the tender guar- fra the hospitable land of fair Strathbogie: dian of my earthly happiness for life!

Sir P. Hoow, married!

Eger. I know, sir, at present we shall meet your anger-but time, reflection, and our dutiful conduct, we hope, will reconcile you to our happiness.

Sir P. Naver, naver; and could I make ye, her, and aw your issue beggars-I would move hell, heaven, and earth till effect it.

may mutual love and gude humour ever be the guest of your hearts, the theme of your tongues, and the blithsome phantom of aw your tricksy dreams through the rugged road of this crooked, deceitful world; and may our faithers be an example to oorsels, that will remind us to treat oor bairns 1), should heaven croon our endeavours, wi more lebeerality and affection, than that with which oor fathers have treated us. [Exit Lady Rodolpha. Eger. You seem melancholy, sir.

Lord L. Why, sir Pertinax, this is a total revolution, and will entirely ruin my affairs. Sir P. My lord, wi the consent of your lord- Mel. These precarious turns of fortune, sir, ship and lady Rodolpha, I ha an expedient till will press upon the heart: for notwithstanding offer, that wull notainly punish that rebel- my Constantia's happiness, and mine in hers, lious villain, but answer every end that your I own I cannot help feeling some regret, that lordship and lady Rodolpha proposed by the my misfortunes should be the cause of any intended match wee him. disagreement between a father and the man to Lord L. I doubt it much, sir Pertinax; I whom I am under the most endearing obligations. doubt it much; but what is it, sir? what is Eger. You, sir, have no share in his disayour expedient? greement; for had not you been born, from Sir P. My lord, I ha another son, my son my father's nature, some other cause of his Sandy, he is a guid lad; and provided the resentment must have happened; but for a lady and your lordship ha na objection till time, sir, at least, and I hope for life, afflichim, every article of that rebel's intended mar- tion and angry vicissitudes have taken their riage shall be amply fulfilled, upon lady Ro-leave of us all: if affluence can procure condolpha's union with my younger son, Sandy. tent and ease, they are within our reach. My Lord L. Why, that is an expedient, indeed, fortune is ample, and shall be dedicated to sir Pertinax; but what say you, Rodolpha? the happiness of this domestic circle. My scheme, though mock'd by knave, coquette, and fool,

Lady R. Nay, nay, my lord, ass I had na reason till ha the least affection till my cousin Egerton, and ass my intended marriage wi him was entirely an act of obedience till my grandmother, provided my cousin Sandy wull be ass agreeable till her ladyship, ass my cousin Chairles, here, would ha been-I have na the least objection till the change; ay, ay,

To thinking minds must prove this golden

rule:

In all pursuits-but chiefly in a wife,
Not wealth, but morals, make the happy
life.
[Exeunt.

1) Children.

A NEW WAY TO PAY OLD DEBTS.

Comedy by P. Massinger. Acted at the Phoenix, Drury Lane 1633. This play is very deservedly commended in two copies of verses by Sir Henry Moody and Sir Thomas Jay: it is one of the best of the old comedies. The plot is good and well conducted, the language dramatic and nervous, and the characters, particularly that of Sir Giles Overreach, are highly and judiciously drawn. It was revived at Drury Lane Theatre in the year 1748, and several times since; but whether from any fault in the performance, or want of taste in the audience, it did not meet with that success which might have been expected from its merit, and which some of its contemporaries, not possessed of more, have since received on a revival. We are the more inclined to believe that the want of success must have arisen from the performers, as it was acted at Covent Garden, in 1781, in a manner that showed it was deserving of the utmost applause. Mr. Henderson's perfance of Sir Giles Over-reach, in particular, could not be too much commended. It was revived by Mr. Cooke, who, though he may have fallen short of his predecessor just mentioned, yet has sustained the part with credit, and he who has seen Kean in this character will not easily forget him.

My quondam master, was a man of worship;

SCENE I. The Outside of a Village Ale-Bore the whole sway of the shire; kept a good

house.

Enter WELLBORN, TAPWELL, and FROTH.
Well. No liquor! nor no credit?
Tap. None, sir;

Not the remainder of a single can,

Left by a drunken porter; all night pall'd too. Froth. Not the dropping of the tap for your morning's draught, sir.

'Tis verity, I assure you.

Well. Verity, you brach!

house;

Reliev'd the poor, and so forth; but he dying,
And the twelve hundred a year coming to you,
Late master Francis, but now forlorn Well-
born-

Well. Slave, stop! or I shall lose myself.
Froth. Very hardly.

You cannot be out of your way.

Tap. You were then a lord of acres, the prime gallant,

And I your under-butler: note the change now: The devil turn'd precisian? Rogue, what am I? You had a merry time of't. Hawks and hounds, Tap. Troth! durst I trust you with a look-With choice of running horses; mistresses, And other such extravagancies;

ing-glass,

To let you see your trim shape, you would Which your uncle, sir Giles Overreach, ob

quit me,

And take the name yourself.
Well. How! dog?

Tap. Even so, sir. Advance your Plymouth
cloak;

There dwells, and within call (if it please your
worship),

A potent monarch call'd the constable,
That does command a citadel call'd the stocks;
Such as with great dexterity will hale
Your poor tatter'd-

Well. Rascal! slave!

Froth. No rage, sir.

serving,

Resolving not to lose so fair an opportunity,
On foolish mortgages, statutes, and bonds,
For awhile supplied your lavishness, and then
left you.

Well. Some curate has penn'd this invec-
tive, mongrel,

And you have studied it.

Tap. I have not done yet. Your lands gone, and your credit not worth a token,

You grew the common borrower; no man 'scap'd Your paper pellets, from the gentleman to the groom;

stock,

with a little

Tap. At his own peril! Do not put yourself In too much heat, there being no water near While I, honest Tim Tapwell, To quench your thirst; and sure for other liquor, As mighty ale, or beer, they are things, I take it, Some forty pounds or so, bought a small cottage, You must no more remember; not in a dream, sir. And humbled myself to marriage with my Well. Why, thou unthankful villain, dar'st

thou talk thus?

Froth here.

Well. Hear me, ungrateful hell-hound! did

not I

Is not thy house, and all thou hast, my gift?
Tup. I find it not in chalk; and Timothy Make purses for you? then you lick'd my boots,
And thought your holiday cloak too coarse to

"Twas I, that when I heard thee swear, if ever

Whose riots fed and cloth'd thee? Wert Thou couldst arrive at forty pounds, thou

That beggar themselves to make such rascals rich.
Thou viper, thankless viper!

But since you are grown forgetful I will help
Your memory, and beat thee into remembrance;
Nor leave one bone unbroken. [Beats him.
Tap. Oh, oh, oh!
Froth. Help! help!

Enter ALLWORTH.

Allw. Hold, for my sake, hold!
Deny me, Frank? they are not worth your anger.
Well. For once thou hast redeem'd them
from this sceptre:
[Shaking his Cudgel.

But let 'em vanish;
For if they grumble, I revoke my pardon.
Froth. This comes of your prating, hus-
band; you presum'd

On your ambling wit, and must use your
glib tongue,
Though you are beaten lame for't.
Tap. Patience, Froth,
There's law to cure our bruises.

[Tapwell and Froth go into the House. Well. Sent for to your mother?

Allw. My lady, Frank, my patroness! my all!
She's such a mourner for my father's death,
And, in her love to him, so favours me,
That I cannot pay too much observance to her.
There are few such stepdames.

Well. 'Tis a noble widow,
And keeps her reputation pure, and clear
From the least taint of infamy; her life,
With the splendour of her actions, leaves no
tongue

To envy or detraction. Pr'ythee tell me,
Has she no suitors?

Allw. Even the best of the shire, Frank,
My lord excepted: such as sue and send,
And send and sue again; but to no purpose.
Yet she's so far from sullenness and pride,
That I dare undertake you shall meet from her
A liberal entertainment.

Well. I doubt it not.
Now, Allworth, better come and mark my
counsel. I am bound to give it;
Thy father was my friend; and that affection
I bore to him, in right descends to thee:
Thou art a handsome and a hopeful youth;
Nor will I have the least affront stick on thee,
If I with any danger can prevent it.
Allo. I thank your noble care; but, pray
you, in what

Do I run the hazard?

Well. Art thou not in love? Put it not off with wonder. Allw. In love, at my years?

Well. You think you walk in clouds, but are transparent.

I have heard all, and the choice that you
have made;

And, with my finger, can point out the north star,
By which the loadstone of your folly's guided.
And to confirm this true, what think you of
Fair Margaret, the only child and heir

Of cormorant Overreach? Dost blush and start,
To hear her only nam'd? Blush at your want
Of wit and reason.

Allw. Howe'er you have discover'd my intents,
You know my aims are lawful; and if ever
The queen of flowers, the glory of the spring,
Sprung from an envious briar, I may infer,

As I believe it; canst thou ever hope
To enjoy a quiet bed with her, whose father
Ruin'd thy state?

Allw. And yours too.

Well. I confess it, Allworth.

I must tell you as a friend, and freely,
That, where impossibilities are apparent,
'Tis indiscretion to nourish hopes.
Or canst thou think (if self-love blind thee not)
That sir Giles Overreach (that to make her great
In swelling titles, without touch of conscience,
Will cut his neighbour's throat, and I hope
his own too)

Will e'er consent to make her thine? Give o'er,
And think of some course suitable to thy rank,
And prosper in it.

Allw. You have well advised me.
But, in the mean time, you that are so studious
Of my affairs, wholly neglect your own.
Remember yourself, and in what plight you are.
Well. No matter, no matter.
Allw. Yes, 'tis much material:

You know my fortune and my means; yet
something

I

can spare from myself, to help your wants. Well. How's this?

Allw. Nay, be not angry.

Well. Money from thee?

From a boy, a stipendiary? one that lives
At the devotion of a stepmother,
And the uncertain favour of a lord?
I'll eat my arms first. Howsoe'er blind fortune
Hath spent the utmost of her malice on me;
Though I am vomited out of an alehouse,
And thus accoutred; know not where to eat,
Or drink, or sleep, but underneath this canopy;
Although I thank thee, I despise thy offer.
And as I, in my madness, broke my state
Without th' assistance of another's brain,
In my right wits I'll piece it; at the worst,
Die thus, and be forgotten.

Allow. A strange humour! [Exeunt severally.
SCENE II-A Chamber in LADY ALLWORTH'S
House.

Enter ORDER, AMBLE, and Furnace.
Order. Set all things right, or, as my name
is Order,
Whoever misses in his function,
For one whole week makes forfeiture of his
breakfast,

And privilege in the wine-cellar.
Amble. You are merry,

Good master steward.

Fur. Let him; I'll be angry.
Amble. Why, fellow Furnace, 'tis not twelve
o'clock yet,

Nor dinner taking up; then 'tis allow'd,
Cooks, by their places, may be choleric.
Fur. You think you have spoke wisely, good
man Amble,

My lady's go-before.

Order. Nay, nay, no wrangling.
Fur. Twit me with the authority of the
kitchen?

At all hours, and at all places, I'll be angry;
And, thus provok'd, when I am at my prayers
I will be angry.

Amble. There was no hurt meant.

Inscription, vicious or honourable.

Fur. I am friends with thee, and yet I will I will not force your will, but leave you free
To your own election.
Allw. Any form you please

be angry.

Order. With whom?

Fur. No matter whom: yet, now I think on't, I will put on: but, might I make my choice, I'm angry with my lady.

Amble. Heaven forbid, man.

Order. What cause has she given thee?
Fur. Cause enough, master s'eward:
I was entertain'd by her to please her palate,
And, till she forswore eating, I perform'd it.
Now since our master, noble Allworth, died,
Though I crack my brains to find out tempt-
ing sauces,

When I am three parts roasted,
And the fourth part parboil'd, to prepare her
viands,

She keeps her chamber, dines with a panada,
Or water gruel; my skill ne'er thought on.
Order. But your art is seen in the dining-

room.

Fur. By whom?

By such as pretend to love her, but come
To feed upon her. Yet, of all the harpies
That do devour her, I am out of charity
With none so much as the thin-gutted squire,
That's stolen into commission.

Order. Justice Greedy?

Fur. The same, the same. Meat's cast away
upon him;

It never thrives. He holds this paradox,
"Who eats not well, can ne'er do justice well."
His stomach's as insatiate as the grave.
[A Knocking.

If

Amble. One knocks.

Enter ALLWORTH.

Order. Our late young master.
Amble. Welcome, sir.

Fur. Your hand.

a stomach, a cold bake-meat's ready.
you have
Order. His father's picture in little.
Fur. We are all your servants.
Allw. At once, my thanks to all:
This is yet some comfort. Is my lady stirring?
Enter LADY ALLWORTH.

Order. Her presence answers for us.
Lady A. Sort those silks well.
I'll take the air alone.

And, as I gave directions, if this morning
I am visited by any, entertain 'em
As heretofore; hut say, in my excuse,

I am indispos'd.

Order. shall, madam.

Lady A. Do, and leave me.

[Exeunt Order, Amble, and Furnace.

Nay, stay you, Allworth.

How is it with your noble master?

Allw. Ever like himself;

No scruple lessen'd in the full weight of honour.
He did command me (pardon my presumption),
As his unworthy deputy, to kiss

Your ladyship's fair hands.

Lady A. I am honour'd in
His favour to me.
For the Low Countries?

Does he hold his purpose

Allw. Constantly, good madam:
But he will in person first present his service.
Lady A. And how approve you of his course?
You are yet,
Like virgin parchment, capable of any

With humble emulation, I would follow
The path my lord marks to me.

Lady A. 'Tis well answer'd,

And I commend your spirit. You had a father
(Bless'd be his memory), that some few hours
Before the will of heaven took him from me,
Did commend you, by the dearest ties
Of perfect love between us, to my charge:
And therefore what I speak you are bound
to hear,

With such respect, as if he liv'd in me.
Allw. I have found you,

Most honour'd madam, the best mother to me;
And with my utmost strength of care and service,
Will labour that you never may repent
Your bounties shower'd upon me.

Lady A. I much hope it.

These were your father's words: "If e'er my son
Follow the war, tell him it is a school
Where all the principles tending to honour
Are taught, if truly follow'd; but for such
As repair thither, as a place in which
with license practise
They do presume they may
Their lawless riots, they shall never merit
The noble name of soldiers.

To obey their leaders, and shun mutinies;
To dare boldly

In a fair cause, and for the country's safety
To run upon the cannon's mouth undaunted;
To bear with patience the winter's cold,
And summer's scorching heat,

Are the essential parts make up a soldier;
Not swearing, dice, or drinking.

Allw. There's no syllable

You speak, but it is to me an oracle;
Which but to doubt were impious.

Lady A. To conclude:

Beware ill company; for often men
Are like to those with whom they do converse.
And from one man I warn you, and that's
Wellborn:

Not 'cause he's poor-that rather claims
pity;

your

But that he's in his manners so debauch'd,
And hath to vicious courses sold himself.
Tis true your father lov'd him, while he was
Worthy the loving; but if he had liv'd
To have seen him as he is, he had cast him off,
As you must do.

Allw. I shall obey in all things.
Lady A. Follow me to my chamber; you
shall have gold

To furnish you like
As I hear from you.

my son, and still supply'd

Allw. I am still bound to you. [Exeunt.

SCENE III.—A Hall in LADY ALLWORTH'S

I

House.

Enter SIR GILES Overreach, Justice Greedi,
ORDDER, AMBLE, FURNACE, and MARRALL.
Just. G. Not to be seen?

Sir G. Still cloister'd up? Her reason,
hope, assures her, though she makes herself
Close pris'ner ever for her husband's loss,
Twill not recover him.

Order. Sir, it is her will;

Which we that are her servants ought to serve,