Cec. You oppress my very soul, my lord! But, alas! unconquerable obstacles deprive me for ever of that title. Neither would I obtain it by alienating such a son from such a father.

Lord G. Put him entirely out of the question; the meanness of his conduct acquits me to myself. Do you know, madam, he has resolved to marry a creature of low birth, illiterate, vulgar, and impudent? And, to complete her perfections, she has been his mistress at least!

Cec. Surely he knows, and purposely shocks me thus. [Aside.

Lord G. But your integrity doesn't render you less amiable in my eyes; it greatly enhances every other merit. As to his wretch, I have her in my power, and shall make her dearly repent.

Cec. Then I am lost indeed! [Aside.]-You have, my lord, though I know not how, discovered

[Rises in confusion. Lord. G. [Rises, taking snuff, without looking at her.] Oh, nothing more easy, madam; I had him carefully traced to her house; and, during his absence, took servants and forced her away.

Cec. [Aside.] That, however, cannot be me; every word seems to add to a mystery I dare not inquire into.

Lord G. But why waste one precious moment on such an animal? What are these unconquerable obstacles?

Cec. Spare me, my lord; your indulgence induces me to try again to soften your resolutions respecting your son deprived of the weak, the guilty, the miserable wretch you justly condemn, a little time will (no doubt) incline him to his duty. I should have your pardon to solicit, my lord, but that your own openness authorizes mine.

Lord G. But, can you, who so powerfully plead the

cause of another, be deaf to the sighs of a man who adores you? who offers you a rank

Cec. Be satisfied, my lord, with knowing I have all that esteem your merit claims; which influences me beyond every casual advantage.

Lord G. But, madam

Cec. Alas! my lord!-[Bursts into tears, aside.]-Be silent, if possible, both pride and virtue. I have deserved, and will submit to it—yet surely the bitterness of this moment expiates all past offences. [Exit.

Lord G. Amiable creature! what an amazing elegance of mind and person! Tears were her only answers to my questions, and blushes to my looks: yet these only heighten a curiosity they have softened into love. [Exit.

Scene III.-Woodville's Apartment.
WOODVILLE alone.

Wood. No intelligence of my Cecilia yet!-were I only assured of her safety, it would be some consolation.

Enter JACOB.

Jac. Zur, zur!-I do meake so bowld as to ax to spake to you.

Wood. Jacob! my honest fellow, the very sight of thee revives my hopes, and sets my heart in motion !— Well, what's the news?

Jac. Zurprising news indeed, zur !-Loord, I thought I should never meat wi'ye ;-I com'd to your lodgings twice, and ye warn't up.

Wood. Up! 'sdeath, you ignorant booby! why didn't you order them to rouse me that moment?

Jac. Loord, zur! why your gentlemen (as they do caal un) ware so terrable foine, I ware afeard of affronting un!

Wood. Plague on the stupidity of both, say I!— But what's all this to the purpose? the news? the news?

Jac. Las-a-deazy! muortal bad news, indeed!

Wood. You tedious blockhead! is your lady return'd?

Jac. Noa, zur. [Shaking his head very mournfully. Wood. [Aside.] The horrid forebodings of my heart recur; yet, surely she could not be so desperate!— Shocking as the suspense is, I more dread the certainty. -Speak, however, my good fellow! [Jacob wipes his eyes.]-I shall ever value your sensibility.-Tell me then the simple truth, whatever it may be..

Jac. I wull, zur, I wull.-There has com❜d two foine gentlemen, wi' zwords by their zides, just for all the world like yourn.

Wood. Well, and what did these gentlemen say?

Jac. Why, they went up stears, willy nilly, and carr'd off- -our Bridget.

[Bursts out a crying.

Wood. You impudent, ignorant clown! I'll give you cause for your tears. [Shakes him. Jac. Loord! Loord!-do ye ha a little Christin commiseration-Well, if ever I do cuome nigh ye again, I do wish break every ye may buone in my zkin. Wood. [Walking about in a rage.] To insult me with your own paltry love affairs! These great and mighty gentlemen were only constables I dare swear, and your fears converted their staves to swords.

Jac. Ay, but that an't the worst neither. I do verily think my turn wull cuome next;—can't zleep in my bed for thinking on't, nor enjoy a meal's meat :-zo, except you do bring your zword, and cuome and live in our houze, I wull guo out on't, that's a zure thing; for I had rather sceare craws at a graat a deay all my loife long, than 'bide there to be so terrifoid.

Wood. Sceare craws truly! why the craws will sceare you, ye hen-hearted puppy!-There, teake that, [Gives

him money.] and guo home, or to the devil, so you never fall in my way again.

Jac. Zome faulk that I do knaw wull zee the black gentleman first, 'tis my belief-zoa I had best keep out o'his woy too.

Enter CAPTAIN HARCOURT.

Capt. Har. Woodville, what's the matter? Why you will raise the neighbourhood.

JACOB returns.

Jac. Here's a peaper housemaid do zend you, wi' her humble duty; but, if zo be it do put ye in another desperate teaking, I do huope ye wull zend for zhe to beat, and not I.-Loord! Loord! what wull becuome of me in this wide world of London? [Exit JACOB. Capt. Har. Ha! ha! ha! he is a choice fellow !

Wood. A heart oppressed with its own feelings, fears ev'ry thing. I have hardly courage to open a letter without an address.

Capt. Har. Come, come, give it me then. Hey, what? confusion !-Was ever any thing so unlucky? [Attempts to tear it.

Wood. [Snatches it from him.] Ha! it is important

then?

Capt. Har. Why will you invent torments for your

self? [Aside.] My own letter by ev'ry thing carelessHere's a stroke

Wood [Reads in a broken voice and manner.]

Woodville on the brink of marriage-You will be disengaged-A nobleman-D-nation!-Heart and fortune at her feet.

I'll let his soul out there! Hell and furies!-but I will find him, if money-Never will I close my eyes tillOh, Cecilia[Throws himself into a seat. Capt. Har. This is the most unforeseen-I know not what to say to him-Pr'ythee, Woodville! do not sa

crifice so many reasonable presumptions in her favour, to a paper that may be a forgery, for aught you know!

Wood Oh, Charles! that I could think so!--but I have seen the villain's execrable hand somewhere! Did you never see the hand?

Capt. Har. Um-I can't but own I have-What the devil shall I say to him— [Aside.

Enter the Governor.

Gov. Woodville, my dear boy! I am come to have a little talk with thee.-Charles! don't run away!you are in all your cousin's secrets.

Wood. What should possess this tiresome mortal to come here?—I should have waited on you, in half an hour, sir.

Gov. Ay, and that's what I wanted to avoid :-The more I talk to your father, Frank, the more I find him. fixed on the match with his Miss Mortimer! Nay, he tells me, he will have you married this very day.

Wood. That's mighty probable, in the humour I am in.

Gov. Ah, Frank! the girl I offer thee――

Wood. Is no more agreeable to me than her you despise.

do

you

Gov. How do you know that, peppercorn?-How know that?-od, I could tell youWood. And to tell you my full mind, sir, I had rather make myself miserable to gratify my father, than any other man.

Gov. Od! thou art so obstinate, boy, I can't help loving thee.-[Aside.]-I don't see why I am obliged to know his miss is my daughter-I have a great mind to own what we have done with her; and, if he will marry, e'en take care nobody hinders him; then, trump up a farce about forgiving them ;-and yet, it goes against my conscience to punish the puppy for life,