網頁圖片
PDF
ePub 版

LEONTINE.

Why, let him, when we are out of his power. But believe me, Olivia, you have no great reafon to dread his refentment. His repining temper, as it does no manner of injury to himself, fo will it never do harm to others. He only frets to keep himself employed, and fcolds for his private amusement.

OLIVIA.

I don't know that; but, I'm fure, on fome occafions, it makes him look most shockingly.

CROAKER, difcovering himself.

How does he look now ?-How does he look now? OLIVIA.

[blocks in formation]

How do I look now? Sir, I am your very humble fervant, Madam, I am yours. What, you are going off, are you? Then, first, if you please, take a word or two from me with you before you go. Tell me firft where you are going? and when you have told me that, perhaps, I fhall know as little as I did before,

LEONTINE.

If that be fo, our answer might but increase your displeasure, without adding to your information.

CROAKER.

I want no information from you, puppy: and you too, good madam, what answer have you got?

Eh!

(A cry

(A cry without, ftop him.) I think I heard a noife. My friend Honeywood without-has he feized the incendiary? Ah, no, for now I hear no more

on't.

LEONTINE.

Honeywood without! Then, Sir, it was Mr. Honeywood that directed you hither.

CROAKER.

No, Sir, it was Mr. Honeywood conducted me hither.

LEONTINE.

Is it poffible?

CROAKER.

Poffible! Why, he's in the house now,

anxious about me, than my own fon, Sir.

LEONTINE.

Then, Sir, he's a villain.

CROAKER.

Sir: more

How, firrah! a villain, because he takes moft care of your father? I'll not bear it. I tell you I'll not bear it. Honeywood is a friend to the family, and I'll have him treated as fuch.

LEONTINE.

I fhall ftudy to repay his friendship as it deferves.

CROAKER.

Ah, rogue, if you knew how earnestly he entered into my griefs, and pointed out the means to detect them, you would love him as I do. (A cry without, ftop him.) Fire and fury! they have feized the in

cendiary

cendiary they have the villain, the incendiary in view. Stop him! ftop an incendiary! a murderer; ftop him!

OLIVIA.

[Exit.

Oh, my terrors! What can this new tumult mean?

LEONTINE.

Some new mark, I fuppofe, of Mr. Honeywood's fincerity. But we shall have fatisfaction: he fhall give me inftant satisfaction.

OLIVIA.

value my

It must not be, my Leontine, if you efteem or my happiness. Whatever be our fate, let us not add guilt to our misfortunes-Confider that our innocence will shortly be all we have left us. You must forgive him.

LEONTINE.

Forgive him! Has he not in every instance betrayed us? Forced me to borrow money from him, which appears a mere trick to delay us: promised to keep my father engaged till we were out of danger, and here brought him to the very scene of our escape ?

OLIVIA.

Don't be precipitate. We may yet be mistaken.

Enter

Enter POSTBOY, dragging in JARVIS: HONEYWOOD entering foon after.

POSTBOY.

Aye, mafter, we have him faft enough. Here is the incendiary dog. I'm entitled to the reward; I'll take oath I saw him ask for the money at the bar, and then run for it.

my

HONEYWOOD.

Come, bring him along. Let us fee him. Let him learn to blufh for his crimes. (Difcovering his miftake.) Death! what's here! Jarvis, Leontine, Olivia! What can all this mean?

JARVIS.

Why, I'll tell you what it means that I was an old fool, and that you are my mafter that's all,

Confufion!

HONEYWOOD.

LEONTINE.

Yes, Sir, I find you have kept your word with me. After fuch bafenefs, I wonder how you can venture to see the man you have injured?

HONEYWOOD.

My dear Leontine, by my life, my honour

LEONTINE.

Peace, peace, for fhame; and do not continue to aggravate basenefs by hypocrify. I know you, Sir,

I know you.

Ho❤

HONEYWOOD.

Why, won't you hear me! By all that's juft, I knew not

LEONTINE.

Hear you, Sir! to what purpose? I now fee through all your low arts; your ever complying with every opinion; your never refusing any request; your friendship as common as a prostitute's favours, and as fallacious; all these, Sir, have long been contemptible to the world, and are now perfectly fo

to me.

HONEY WOOD.

Ha! contemptible to the world! That reaches [Afide.

me.

LEONTINE.

All the feeming fincerity of your profeffions, I now find, were only allurements to betray; and all your feeming regret for their confequences, only calculated to cover the cowardice of your heart. Draw, villain!

Enter CROAKER, out of breath.

CROAKER.

Where is the villain? Where is the incendiary? (Seizing the poftboy.) Hold him faft, the dog; he has the gallows in his face. Come, you dog, confefs; confefs all, and hang yourself.

POST BOY.

Zounds! master, what do you throttle me for?

CROAKER,

« 上一頁繼續 »