PS 
 
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 No. XIX. 
 
 MODERN STANDARD DRAMA. 
 
 EDITED BY EPES SARGENT, 
 
 Author of “Velasco, a Tragedy,” &c. 
 
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 ■:Y 
 
 t/ld ^4 
 
 / 
 
 CHARLES THE SECOND: 
 
 , . t / 0l >7j 
 
 , c/ r/y a a ret/ 
 
 THE MERRY MONARCH.^ 
 
 *y 
 
 % Conufog 
 
 IN TWO ACTS. 
 
 BY JOHN HOWARD PAYNE, ESQ.^~ 
 
 THE STAGE EDITION: 
 
 WITH THE STAGE BUSINESS, CAST OF CHARACTERS. COS- 
 TUMES, RELATIVE POSITIONS, &c. 
 
 A 
 
 CCLLESE UBKMiy 
 
 4pKfc7*tfr HAW HASS* 
 
 NEW YORK : 
 
 WILLIASi TAYLOR & CO., No. 2 ASTOR HOUSE. 
 
 PHILADELPHIA 73 DOCK STREET, OPPOSITE EXCHANGE BUILDING. 
 
 BALTIMORE— JARVIS BUILDINGS, NORTH STREET. 
 
 1846. 
 
 PRICE 12 1-2 CENTS. 
 

AUTHOR’S PREFACE. 
 
 I cannot but feel sensible bow mucb this little comedy owes, 
 for its success, to the admirable acting it has drawn forth. It 
 has had the good fortune to present Mr. Charles Kemble in that 
 line in which he is the peculiar delight of the public, and in 
 which he stands unrivalled. Mr. Jones, Mr. Duruset, and Mrs. 
 F aucit, are likewise entitled to my wannest thanks for the ta- 
 lent which they have exerted on the occasion. 
 
 If I make separate mention of Mr. F awcett and Miss M. 
 Tree, it is because I have had no previous opportunity of ac- 
 knowledging their merits in another piece of mine, the opera of 
 Clari ; and I take this occasion to express my high and grate- 
 ful sense of their excellence in both. 
 
 The part of Captain Copp , in the hands of Mr. F awcett, is 
 one of those rich and racy pieces of acting, that can only be fur- 
 nished by the veteran artist in whom vigorous original talent 
 has been refined and mellowed by time and experience. It has 
 all the spirit of youthful days, with the generous flavor of ma- 
 tured age. I may speak almost impartially on this subject, for, 
 in fact, Mr. F awcett has made the character his own by his ini- 
 mitable acting. 
 
 If I say that Miss M. Tree, as Mary , frequently equals the 
 best points of Mademoiselle Mars in the French original, she 
 will not think I undervalue her genius by a comparison with 
 the finest comic actress in existence. Of her Clari, I can but 
 re-echo the admiration already bestowed upon it throughout the 
 kingdom. 
 
 I understand that the authorship of this comedy has been 
 claimed by different persons in the public papers, on the ground 
 of their having produced translations of the French original, 
 
IV 
 
 author's preface. 
 
 which, have been performed at the minor theatres. In reply to 
 this I wonkl observe, that I have never seen any of those trans- 
 lations. My play was written last antumn at Paris. It was 
 founded on a printed copy of “ La Jeunesse de Henry V-,” of 
 which a number of editions have appeared. The incidents and 
 situations are nearly the same, but the dialogue differs essen- 
 tially throughout, especially in the part of Captain Copp. I am 
 not aware that the circumstance of one person’s having trans- 
 lated a foreign play for any individual theatre, gives him an ex- 
 clusive property in the original play. I believe foreign plays 
 are considered open to any one, to alter and adapt according to 
 his taste and ability ; and, after all, the honour of a translation 
 or adaptation is a matter very little worth contending for. 
 
 But, while I totally disclaim all benefits from contemporary 
 translations, I must advert to material advantages which I have 
 received from other sources, and I regret that I am restrained 
 from acknowledging them except in general terms. My manu- 
 script had been revised by a literary friend, to whom I am in- 
 debted for invaluable touches; and the Songs' were supplied, 
 during my absence, by, as I am informed, “ a very amiable and 
 accomplished young lady,” whose concealment of her name 
 shows that her modesty is equal to her merit. 
 
 London , June 5, 1824. 
 
 J. H. P. 
 
EDITORIAL INTRODUCTION. 
 
 This is the production of an American dramatist, Mr. Payne, 
 author of “ Brutus.” As will be seen from his preface, it is 
 borrowed from the French, and was originally brought out in 
 London as far back as 1824. It keeps possession of the stage 
 as a favorite after-piece, and is frequently played. 
 
 The character of Captain Copp , which is original with Mr. 
 Payne, is skilfully drawn; and the historical traits of Charles 
 and Rochester appear to be pretty faithfully preserved. Of 
 course these last are neither very exemplary nor agreeable per- 
 sonages ; although there are too many to be found, who resem- 
 ble them, in the haunts of fashionable dissipation. The incident 
 of the watch, on which the plot principally turns, is said to be 
 true ; but this is rather traditional than historical. 
 
 The comedy forms a light, gay, dashing little afterpiece ; and, 
 without conveying any very pointed moral, it keeps the atten- 
 tion pleasantly awake. Mr. Charles Kemble, as the “ merry 
 monarch,” is said to have been inimitably successful. The 
 piece was originally dedicated to him in the following terms : 
 
 TO 
 
 CHARLES KEMBLE, 
 
 AS A SLIGHT TESTIMONIAL OF GRATEFUL FRIENDSHIP, 
 AND SINCERE ADMIRATION OF HIS TALENT, 
 
 THIS TRIFLE 
 
 IS INSCRIBED BY 
 
 JOHN HOWARD PAYNE . 
 
CAST OF CHARACTERS. 
 
 King Charles II. 
 
 Rochester 
 
 Captain Copp . . 
 Edward 
 
 Lady Clara 
 
 Mary Copp 
 
 Covent Garden. 
 Mr. C. Kemble. 
 “ J ones. 
 
 “ Duruset. 
 
 “ Fawcett. 
 
 Mrs. Faucit. 
 Miss M. Tree. 
 
 Park. 
 
 Mr. Dyott. 
 
 “ Bland. 
 
 “ Bass. 
 
 “ S. Pearson. 
 
 Mrs. Abbott. 
 
 “ Knight. 
 
 Mitchell's Olympic. 
 Mr. Walcot. 
 
 “ Fenno. 
 
 “ Nickinson. 
 
 “ Dennison. 
 
 Miss Clarke. 
 Miss Roberts. 
 
 Pages, Servants, (fC. 
 
 - «► 
 
 COSTUMES. 
 
 KING CHARLES. — Large drab beaver hat, white plumes, point lace collar and 
 cuffs, black circular cloak lined with white satin, and turned back with gold 
 trimming. A star on the cloak. Green doublet, slashed with white satin from 
 top to the bottom of sleeves, and richly embroidered. Sash of amber-coloured 
 ,silk, with bows round the waist and sleeves. Deep buff full breeches, richly em- 
 broidered, with point lace at the knees. Yellow boots. — Sailor’s dress : Very full 
 blue tunic, to draw round the waist; full blue breeches, blue stockings, striped 
 shirt, coarse baize cap, russet shoes. 
 
 ROCHESTER. — Two dresses of the same fashion as the king’s, except that the 
 embroidered dress is of plum colour, and no cloak. White satin sash, white 
 bows, and white shoes. 
 
 EDWARD. — Scarlet doublet, white full breeches trimmed with gold button-holes 
 and tassels, white puffs, white silk sash and gold fringe, white shoes. — Second 
 dress : Same shape as the first, but of plain puce brown, trimmed with amber- 
 coloured silk. 
 
 CAPTAIN COPP. — Very full scarlet tunic, drawn round the waist with black cord 
 and black bows, striped shirt, large blue breeches, trimmed with yellow and large 
 gilt ball buttons, cloak to match, with a few buttons but no other trimming, and 
 large drab beaver hat. 
 
 TWO WAITERS, in plain doublets. 
 
 BEEF-EATERS. 
 
 LADY CLARA. — Very rich pink satin dress, with full sleeves, trimmed with pearl 
 beads. 
 
 MARY. — Black velvet body, blue silk skirt trimmed with point lace, and point lace 
 apron. 
 
 EXITS AND ENTRANCES. 
 
 R. means Right; L. Left; R. D. Right Door ; L. D. Left Door; 
 S. E. Second Entrance ; U. E. Upper Entrance; M. D. Middle Door. 
 
 RELATIVE POSITIONS. 
 
 R., means Right; L., Left ; C., Centre; R. C., Right of Centre; 
 L. C., Left of Centre. 
 
 It.B. Passages marked with Inverted Commas, are usually omitted in the 
 representation. 
 
A 
 
 
 CHARLES THE SECOND. 
 
 ACT I . 
 
 Scene I . — The Royal Palace. 
 
 r 
 
 Enter Rochester and Lady Clara, r. < 
 
 Eady C. Yes, my lord, her majesty will have it, that you 
 are the chief cause of the king’s irregularities. 
 
 Roch. Oh, I’ll warrant it : and of his not loving her, too 
 — is it not so 1 
 
 Lady C. I did not say that ; but, in truth, my lord, your 
 continual jests on the married state — 
 
 Roch. Heaven bless it ! 
 
 Lady C. Your continual ridicule of married men — 
 
 Roch. Heaven help them ! 
 
 Lady C. Your licentious example, and still more licen- 
 tious poetry — 
 
 Roch. What’s coming next ? 
 
 Lady G. All these, I say, make you the most dangerous 
 of men. 
 
 Roch. Dangerous ! My dear Lady Clara, you make 
 me vain. 
 
 Lady G. It is well known that you are the king’s prime 
 companion in all his excesses. 
 
 Roch. What, is my loyalty to be made my reproach 1 
 Must I not stand by my monarch in all his moods 1 Would 
 you have me weep, when my sovereign laughs ? Would 
 you have me whine, when my sovereign calls for a jolly 
 song ! No, no, my lady, that might have done in the days 
 of the Roundheads ; hut times are altered. We have a 
 merry monarch to reign over us — A merry monarch makes 
 
4* * THE^SEdOND, '% ^ [Act I. 
 
 a merry court — so God save the jovial king, and send him 
 boon companions. 
 
 Lady C. [Laughing .] I see it is in vain to reason with 
 you. 
 
 Loch. Then give over the attempt. Let us talk of some- 
 thing of a nearer and a dearer interest — of your merits and 
 my most ardent flame. 
 
 Lady C. Ah, me ! I fear, like many other of your 
 flames, it will hut end in smoke. You talk of being des- 
 perately in love : what proof have you ever given 1 
 
 Loch. What proof? Am I not ready to give the great- 
 est proof a man can offer — to lay down this Jweet bachelor 
 life, and commit matrimony for your sake ? 
 
 Lady C. Well, this last, I must say, coming from a Ro- 
 chester, is a most convincing proof. I have heard you out, 
 listen now to me. \Rochester bows7\ If, by your ascendancy 
 over the king, you can disgust him with these nocturnal 
 rambles, and bring him back to reason — 
 
 Roch. Your ladyship forgets one of my talents. 
 
 Lady C. Which is it ? 
 
 Roch. That of getting myself banished two or three times 
 a year. 
 
 Lady G. And if the woman you profess to love should 
 offer to partake your exile ? — 
 
 Roch. I am a lost man — I surrender. That last shot 
 reached my heart. 
 
 Lady G. [Sighing.] Ah, my lord — if that heart were on- 
 ly worth your head ! Well, is it agreed ? 
 
 Roch. It is your will — I undertake the sacrifice — but, 
 madam, bear in mind my recompense. 
 
 Lafly C. You may hope for everything. Adieu, my 
 lord/ I now begin to believe in your passion, since you 
 are willing to make a sacrifice to it, even of your follies. 
 
 [Exit, R. 
 
 Roch. [Alone.] A pretty task I have undertaken, truly ! 
 I — Rochester — become reformer ! And, then, the con- 
 vert I have to work upon ! Charles, who glories in all 
 kinds of rambling frolics ! True, he has had none but 
 pleasant adventures as yet. If I should trick him into 
 some ridiculous dilemma ? My whole life has been a tis- 
 sue of follies, and I am called a man of wit. I am now to 
 attempt a rational act, and 1 shall be called a madman ! 
 
Scene I.] CHARLES THE SECOND. 
 
 9 
 
 Well, be it so— matrimony will be sure to bring me to my 
 senses. 
 
 Enter Edward, languidly, r. H ‘"'c 
 
 Ah ! here comes my young protegfe — How downcast he 
 seems ! How now, Edward, what’s the matter with you, 
 boy 1 
 
 Edw. [jS ighing.] Nothing, my lord. 
 
 XL_ Roch. Good heaven, what a sigh to heave up nothing 
 with ! Tell me the truth this instant. Hast thou dared 
 to fall in love 1 
 
 Edw. I hope, my lord, there is no harm in indulging an 
 honest attachment. 
 
 Iloch . An honest attachment ! A young half-fledged 
 page about court, who has hardly tried his wings in the 
 sunshine of beauty, to talk of an honest attachment. Why, 
 thou silly boy, is this the fruit of all the lessons I have giv- 
 en thee 1 
 
 Edw. Did not your lordship tell me, that one of the first 
 duties of a page was to be zealous in his devotion to the 
 
 fair % 
 
 Roch. Yes; but I told thee to skim over the surface of 
 beauty, just dipping your wings, like a swallow, not plump- 
 ing in like a goose — I told you to hover from flower to 
 flower like a butterfly, not to bury yourself in one like a 
 bee. An honest attachment ! What a plebeian phrase ! 
 There’s a wife and seven children in the very sound of it. 
 
 Edio. My lord, I know your talent for putting things in 
 a whimsical light, but, could you see the object of my pas- 
 sion — 
 
 Roch. Nay, a truce with all description. But who, pray, 
 is the object of this honest attachment 1 
 
 Edw. [ Embarrassed .] My lord ! 
 
 Roch. One of the maids of honour, I’ll be bound, who 
 has privately been petting you with sweetmeats, and lend- 
 ing you love-tales. 
 
 Edw. No, my lord. 
 
 Roch. Pray, then, give me some clue. What is the name 
 of your beauty 1 
 
 Edw. Her name, my lord, is Mary. 
 
 Roch. Mary ! a very pretty, posy-like name — And what 
 sequestered spot may the gentle Mary embellish with her 
 presence I 
 
10 CHARLES THE SECOND. [Act I. 
 
 Edw. She lives at the Tav... Nay, my lord, promise 
 not to laugh. 
 
 Roch. Come, the residence of this fair one 1 
 
 Edw. Why, then, my lord, she inhabits the tavern of the 
 Grand Admiral, in Wapping. 
 
 Roch. Usquebaugh and tobacco ! the tavern of the Grand 
 Admiral ! — Ha ! ha ! ha !- — An honest attachment to some 
 pretty bar-maid ! 
 
 Edw. No, my lord, no bar-maid, I assure you. Her 
 uncle keeps the tavern. 
 
 Roch. [ With mock gravity .] Oh, then, she is heiress ap- 
 parent to the tap -room, and you no doubt look forward to 
 rise in the state through the dignities of drawer, tapster, 
 and head-waiter, until you succeed to the fair hand of the 
 niece, and the eopper nose of the uncle, and rule with spi- 
 got in hand over the fair realms of Wapping. You, who 
 I flattered myself would have made the torment and delight 
 of all the pretty women at court, you to be so completely 
 gulled at the very outset, — the dupe of a green girl, and 
 some old rogue of a publican ! 
 
 Edw. Indeed, indeed, my lord, you do the uncle injus- 
 tice. He is a perfectly honest, upright man — an old cap- 
 tain of a cruiser. 
 
 Roch. Worse and worse ! Some old buccaneer, tired of 
 playing the part of a monster at sea. has turned shark on 
 shore. And do you dare to appear in such a house with 
 the dress of a royal page '? 
 
 Edw. Oh ! I have taken care to avoid that. I have in- 
 troduced myself into the house as a music-master. 
 
 Roch. And your musical name, gentle sir. 
 
 Edw. Georgini, at your service. 
 
 Roch. Ha ! ha ! ha ! very soft and Italianish — I’ll war- 
 rant this heroine bar-maid will turn out some unknown 
 princess, carried off by the old buccaneer landlord, in one 
 of his cruisings. 
 
 Edw. Your lordship is joking; but, really, at times, I 
 think she is not what she seems. 
 
 Roch. Ha ! ha ! ha ! I could have sworn it. But si- 
 lence — I hear his majesty dismount. Run to where your 
 duty calls — we’ll take another opportunity to discuss the 
 merits of this Wapping Princess. 
 
 Edw. [Goes out muttering .] There’s many a true thing 
 
CHARLES THE SECOND. 
 
 11 
 
 Scene I.] h 
 
 said in jest. I am certain her birth is above her condition. 
 
 [Exit, l. 
 
 Koch. I must see this paragon of bar-maids — She must 
 be devilish pretty ! The case admits of no delay — I’ll see 
 her this very evening. Hold ! Why not fulfil my promise 
 to Lady Clara at the same time 1 [Beef-eaters appear at 
 door, e.] It is decided : — I’ll give his majesty my first les- 
 son in morals this very night. But he comes. 
 
 Enter Charles, door in c. 
 
 Chas. Good day, my lord ? — What, musing ! I never 
 see thee with that air of grave cogitation, but I am sure 
 there is some mischief devising. 
 
 Koch. On the contrary, I am vehemently tempted to re- 
 form. 
 
 Chas. Reform ! ha ! ha ! ha ! why, man, no one wfill 
 credit thy conversion ! Is not thy name a by-word 1 Do 
 not mothers frighten their daughters with it, as formerly 
 with that of Beelzebub 1 Is not thy appearance in a neigh- 
 borhood a signal for all the worthy burghers to bar their 
 windows and put their womankind under lock and key 1 
 Art thou not, in melancholy truth, the most notorious scape- 
 grace in the kingdom 1 
 
 Koch. Heaven forefend, that in anything I should take 
 precedence of your majesty. 
 
 Chas. But what proof do you give of your conversion 1 
 
 Roch. The most solemn — I am going to be married ! 
 
 Chas. Married ! And who, pray, is the lady you have 
 an idea of rendering miserable 1 
 
 Koch. The Lady Clara ! 
 
 Chas. The Lady Clara ! The brilliant, the discreet, the 
 virtuous Lady Clara ! She marry Rochester ! ha ! ha ! 
 ha ! 
 
 Koch. Ah, my liege, heaven has given her a superabun- 
 dance of virtues — She will be able to make a very virtuous 
 man of me with her superfluity. 
 
 Chas. Well, when thou art married, I will undertake to 
 write thy epithalamium. 
 
 Roch. Then your majesty may at once invoke the Muses. 
 All is settled. [ With great gravity .] As soon as the rites 
 are solemnized, I shall quit the court and its mundane 
 pleasures, and retire with my lovely bride to my castle at 
 
12 
 
 CHARLES THE SECOND. 
 
 [Act I. 
 
 Rochester, under permission of my creditors, the faithful 
 garrison of that fortress. 
 
 Chas. What ! is your castle again in pledge % 
 
 Roch. No, my liege, not again. It has never, to my 
 knowledge, been exactly out of keeping. A castle requires 
 a custodian. 
 
 Chas. Ah, Rochester ! Rochester ! Thou art an ex- 
 travagant dog. I see I shall be called on to pay these 
 usurers at last. 
 
 Roch. Your majesty is ever bounteous. I should not 
 have dared to solicit, and certainly shall not presume to 
 decline. 
 
 Chas. Ha ! ha ! Thou art an arrant juggler. But, to 
 business, — where shall we pass the night 1 
 
 Roch. [Assuming a serious air.] I must beg your majesty 
 to excuse me this evening — I have an engagement of a 
 grave and important nature. 
 
 Chas. Grave and important ! Thou liest, Rochester ; 
 and whither does this grave engagement take thee % 
 
 Roch. To the tavern of the Grand Admiral in Wap- 
 ping ! 
 
 Chas. I thought it was some such haunt. And the ob- 
 ject of this business 1 
 
 Roch. A young girl, beautiful as an angel, and virtuous 
 as a dragon — about whom, there hangs a mystery that I 
 must investigate. 
 
 Chas. A mysterious beauty ! It is a case for royal scru- 
 tiny — I will investigate it myself. 
 
 Roch. But, my liege — 
 
 Chas. No buts. Provide disguises. We will go toge- 
 ther. [ With mock gravity .] I like to study human nature 
 in all its varieties. There’s something of philosophy in 
 this, — one often gets a useful lesson in the course of a fro- 
 lic. 
 
 Roch. [Aside.] It shall go hard but your majesty shall 
 have one to-night. [Aloud.] Ah, how few, except myself, 
 give your majesty credit for your philosophy! And yet, 
 by many, I am considered the partaker of your majesty’s 
 excesses ; and should any disagreeable adventure be the 
 result — 
 
 Chas, Psha ! I take the consequences on myself. Pro- 
 vide two seamen’s dresses, a purse of gold well filled, and 
 
Scene II.] CHARLES THE SECOND. 13 
 
 arrange everything for nine precisely. Till then, farewell. 
 
 [Exit, L. D. 
 
 Hock. I will attend your majesty. So ! the plot is in 
 train. This night, the lesson. To-morrow, my disgrace. 
 Within eight days, my marriage, and then, at my leisure, 
 to repent and reform. [Exit, r. d. 
 
 Scene II. — Outside of Copp's Tavern, the Grand Admiral. 
 — A vieiv of the Thames and Wrapping. 
 
 Enter Mary from the House, L. in the flat. 
 
 Voices within. Wine ! wine ! house ! — waiter ! — more 
 wine, ho ! Huzza ! huzza ! huzza ! 
 
 Mary. What a noise those sailors make in the bar-room 
 — nothing but singing and laughing and shouting. I should 
 like to take a peep at them — but no — my uncle forbids me 
 to show myself in the public rooms : he scarcely lets me 
 be seen by the guests — he brings me up, more like a young 
 lady than the niece of a tavern keeper — [ Walks about rest- 
 less .] Heigho ! what a tiresome long day ! what shall I do 
 with myself 1 what can be the matter with me 1 I wonder 
 what can keep Mr. Georgini awayl For three days he 
 has not been here to give me a lesson — no matter — [Peev- 
 ishly.] I don’t care — I shall forget all my singing, that’s 
 certain : he was just teaching me such a pretty song, too 
 — all about love. I’ll try it — [Attempts to sing,] — no, I 
 can’t — it’s all out of my head — well, so much the better ! 
 I suppose he is teaching it to some line lady scholar — let 
 him, I don’t care — I don’t believe he’ll find her so apt a 
 scholar. 
 
 SONG. 
 
 Oh ! not when other eyes may read 
 My heart upon my cheek, 
 
 Oh ! not when other ears can hear, 
 
 Dare I of love to speak — 
 
 But when the stars rise from the sea, 
 
 Oh, then I think of thee, dear love ! 
 
 Oh, then I think of thee ! 
 
 When o’er the olives of the dell 
 The silent moonlight falls, 
 
 And when upon the rose, the dew 
 B 
 
14 
 
 CHARLES THE SECOND. 
 
 [Act I. 
 
 Hangs scented coronals, 
 
 And buds close on the chesnut tree, 
 Oh, then I think of thee, dear love ! 
 
 Oh, then I think of thee ! 
 
 Enter Copp from the house-door in 
 
 flat, df (' 
 
 Copp. What, Mary, my little blossom, what cheer? 
 what cheer ? Keep close, my little heart — why do you 
 stir out of port 1 Here be cruisers abroad. 
 
 Mary. Who are those people, uncle, that make such a 
 noise ? 
 
 Copp. Two hearty blades — mad roysterers — -,oons, how 
 they drink ! I was obliged to part company, old cruiser 
 as I am, or they would soon have had me on my beam 
 ends. 
 
 Mary. Are they sailors, uncle ? 
 
 Copp. To be sure they are : who else would fling about 
 money as they do, and treat a whole bar-room ? The tal- 
 lest, in particular, is a very devil. Hollo, Captain Copp, 
 cries he every minute, another bottle to treat my brother 
 tars. 
 
 Mary. By their swaggering about so, they must be very 
 rich. 
 
 Copp. Pho, child, ’tisn’t the deepest laden ships that 
 make the most rolling. 
 
 Mary. But they spend their mon^v so freely. 
 
 Copp. A sure sign that it’s running out. The longest 
 cable must come to an end. He that pays out fastest, will 
 soonest be brought up with a round turn. 
 
 Mary. To what ship do they belong? 
 
 Copp. That’s more than I can say. Suppose they’re a 
 couple of man of war’s men just paid off, who think they’ve 
 a Spanish mine in each pocket — [Shout of laughter from l. 
 in flat door within.] Ah, the jolly tars ! I was just the 
 same at their age. 
 
 Mary. I should like to have a look at them. [ Going up. 
 
 Copp. Avast, there — what, trust thee in the way of two 
 such rovers ? No, no, I recollect too well what it was to 
 get on shore after a long voyage. The first glimpse of a 
 petticoat — whew ! up boarding pikes and grappling irons ! 
 — [Recollecting himself] Ahem — no, no, child, musn’t ven- 
 ture in these latitudes. 
 
 *'•> ' 
 
SCESE II.] CHARLES THE SECOND. 15 
 
 Mary. Ah, my good uncle, you are always so careful of 
 me. 
 
 Copp. And why not 1 What else have I in the whole 
 world to care for, or to care for me 1 Thou art all that’s 
 left to me out of the family fleet— a poor, slight little pin- 
 nace. I’ve seen the rest, one after another, go down ; it 
 shall go hard but I’ll convoy thee safe into port. 
 
 Mary. I fear I give you a great deal of trouble, my dear 
 uncle. 
 
 Coyp. Thou’rt the very best lass in the whole kingdom, 
 and I love thee as I loved thy father, my poor brother Phi- 
 lip ; that’s because you’re his very image. To be sure, 
 you haven’t his jolly nose, and your little mouth is but a 
 fool to his. But then, there are his eyes, and his smile, 
 and the good humoured cut of his face — [Sighing.] — poor 
 Philip ! What !— [ Wiping his eyes.] Psha ! let’s change 
 the subject, because, d’ye see, sensibility and ail that gam- 
 mon, it does me no good — none — so let’s talk of something 
 else. What makes thee so silent of late, my girl 1 I’ve 
 not heard a song from thee these three days ! 
 
 Mary. It’s three days since I’ve seen my music-master. 
 
 Copp. Well, and can’t you sing without him 1 
 
 Mary. Without him I can’t sing well. 
 
 Copp. And what’s become of him 1 
 
 Mary. [Pettishly.] I can’t tell, it’s very tiresome. If he 
 did not mean to come again, he might have said so. 
 
 Copp. Oddsfish, neglect thee — neglect his duty ! I’ll 
 break him on the spot. Thou shalt have another master, 
 my girl. 
 
 Mary. [Eagerly.] Oh, no, on no account; I dare say he 
 is not well, some accident has happened. Besides, there 
 is no other teacher in town equal to him, he sings with such 
 feeling. 
 
 Copp. Ah ! girl, if I had my old messmate, J ack Battlin, 
 here, he’d teach thee to sing. He had a voice — faith, it 
 would make all the bottles dance, and glasses jingle on 
 the table ! Talk of feeling ! Why, when Jack would sit 
 of an evening on the capstan when on watch, and sing 
 about sweethearts and wives, and jolly tars, and true lovers’ 
 knots, and the roaring seas, and all that ; smite my timbers, 
 but it was enough to meit the heart of a grampus. Poor 
 Jack, he taught me the only song I ever knew, it’s a main 
 good one, though — 
 
 9WTO* OOUJESE U BRADY 
 CHESTNUT M»U* MASS. 
 
16 
 
 CHARLES THE SECOND. 
 
 [Act I. 
 
 [ Sings a Stave.] 
 
 In the time of the Rump, 
 
 As old Admiral Trump, 
 
 With his broom swept the chops of the Channel : 
 
 And his crew of Bigbreeches, 
 
 Those Dutch sons of 
 
 Mary. [Putting her hand on his mouth.] Oh, uncle, un- 
 cle, don’t sing that horrible rough song. 
 
 Copp. Rough 1 that’s the beauty of it. It rouses one 
 up, pipes all hands to quarters like a boatswain’s call. Go 
 in, Mary, but go in at the other door : don’t go near the 
 bar : go up to your own room, my dear, and your music- 
 master will come to you presently, never fear. 
 
 [Exit Mary, u/ 
 
 Voice within. [At door in flat,, r. e. l.] Hollo — house! 
 waiter ! Captain Copp ! another bottle, my hearty fellow. 
 
 Copy). There they go again ! 1 can’t stand it any lon- 
 
 ger. I am an old cruiser, and can’t hear an engagement 
 without longing to be in the midst of it. Avast, though, 
 [Stopping short,] these lads are spending too much money. 
 Have a care, friend Copp, don’t sink the sailor in the pub- 
 lican ; don’t let a free-hearted tar ruin himself in thy house 
 — no, no, faith. If they want more wine, they shall have 
 it ; but they shall drink as messmates, not as guests. So 
 have at you, boys ; it’s my turn to treat now. — 
 
 “ In the time of the Rump” 
 
 [Exit into the house, door in flat. 
 
 Scene III. — A Room in Copy’s House. — Stairs, l. s. e. — 
 Two large uiindows in flat, with shutters closed. 
 
 Enter Mary, fc, a>. \ • . 
 
 Mary. How provoking this absence of Mr. Georgini ! 
 It would be serving him right to let my uncle discharge 
 him : but then I should like just to learn that song he is 
 teaching me — hark ! — How my heart beats ! Hark ! I’ll 
 wager it’s Georgini — I have a gift of knowing people be- 
 fore I see them — my heart whispers me — ' 
 
 Enter Edward, as Georgini, l. d. 
 
 So, sir, you are come at last, are you ? I had supposed 
 
CHARLES THE SECOND. 
 
 Scene III.J 
 
 17 
 
 you did not intend to come any more, and was about to 
 look out for another teacher. 
 
 Edw. Pardon me for my absence — you have no idea 
 what I have suffered. 
 
 Mary. [ With anxiety .] Suffered ! — Have you been ill, 
 then % 9 
 
 Edw. Very ill— ^ 
 
 Mary. Indeed ! and whatwas' yoiTr complaint % 
 
 Edw. [, Smiling ,] The not seeing you. 
 
 Mary. [Half piqued, half pleased.} Mighty fine, sir ; it 
 is a complaint that you might have cured in a moment. — I 
 have been angry, sir — very angry at your neglect — don’t 
 smile, sir — I won’t be laughed at — 
 
 Edw. Laugh at you ! — Can you suspect me of such a 
 thing 1 — I do but smile from the pleasure of seeing you 
 again — nothing but circumstances that I could not control, 
 caused my absence. 
 
 Mary. [ Softening .] Well, it’s very provoking to be inter- 
 rupted in one’s lessons, just in the middle of anew song— 
 I’ll warrant you’ve been teaching it all over town. 
 
 Edw. Indeed, I teach it to no one but yourself — for no 
 one else can do it such justice. 
 
 Mary. [Smiling. ] Nay, now you are flattering — have 
 you brought it with you 1 
 
 Edw. Here it is — if you please, we will sing it at once. 
 
 Mary. Yes — but — but — don’t look so steadily at me 
 while I sing — it puts me out ; and then — and then— I don’t 
 know what I’m singing. 
 
 Edw. What ! — have you fear of me, then 1 
 
 Mary. Oh ! yes ; I fear that I may not please you. 
 
 Edw. [Apart.} Amiable innocence ! for the world would 
 I not betray thee. 
 
 DUETTO. 
 
 Mary. Love one day essayed to gain 
 
 Entrance into Beauty’s bower, 
 
 Many a toil, and many a chain, 
 
 Guarded round the precious flower. 
 
 Edw. But Love laid aside his bow, 
 
 Y eiled his wing, hid his dart, 
 
 Entered more than Beauty’s bower, 
 
 Entered also Beauty’s heart. 
 
18 
 
 CHARLES THE SECOND. 
 
 [Act I. 
 
 Mary. Hence was the sweet lesson learnt, 
 
 Fond hearts never should despair, 
 
 Kept with truth, and led by hope, 
 
 What is there Love may not dare ? 
 
 Enter Copp, a little gay, l. d. 
 
 ♦ 
 
 Copp. Aha ! impstej;, crotchet and quaver ! so you’ve 
 come at last, have you 1 What the deuce did you stay 
 away for, and let my little girl get out of tune ! 
 
 Edw. Oh ! I have explained all, sir, and made my 
 peace. 
 
 Copp. [Crosses, c.] Ah, she’s a forgiving little baggage, 
 and amazing fond of music — why, she’s always on the look- 
 out for you an hour before the time. 
 
 Mary. Never mind, uncle. Are your strange compa- 
 nions here still ] 
 
 Copp. Here still 1 ay, and likely to stay here — ha ! ha? 
 ha ! — no getting rid of them ; they're a couple of devils, 
 of right down merry devils, ha ! ha ! ha ! They’ve flus- 
 tered me a little, i’faith. 
 
 Edw. You seem to have a great deal of company in the 
 house, sir ; I’ll take my leave. 
 
 Cojyp. You shall take no such thing — you shall take tea 
 with us, my little semibreve, and we’ll have a lesson of 
 music, too. Oddsfish ! you shall give me a lesson — I am 
 confoundedly out of practice, and can’t turn my old song 
 for the life of me. [Begins.] “ In the time of the Rump” — 
 
 Mary. Never mind the song now, uncle, we must have 
 tea first, and Mr. Georgini will help me make it. 
 
 Copp. Ay, faith, and we’ll add a bowl of punch and a 
 flask of old Madeira to make a set out--my two mess-mates 
 in the other room are to be of the party. 
 
 Mary. What, those wild sailors who have been keeping 
 the house in an uproar 1 
 
 Copp. To be sure — they’re good lads, though they have 
 a little of the devil in them. They asked to clink the cup 
 with me, and you know I can’t well refuse, by trade, to 
 clink the cup with any one. In troth, they had put me in 
 such rare good humour — ha ! ha ! ha ! — that I could not 
 refuse them for the life of me. 
 
 Mary. But they are such a couple of harebrains — 
 
 Copp. Oh ! don’t be afraid — they are rough, but good- 
 natured — sailor-like: besides, am not I always within hail I 
 
CHARLES THE SECOND. 
 
 19 
 
 ScEtfE III.J 
 
 One of them, I see, is heaving in sight already. Come 
 with me, my girl, and help to prepare the punch and get 
 the tea — you, my king of crotchets, will stay and receive 
 our guests — make yourself at home. — [ Sings as he goes, | 
 “ In the time of the Rump” — [ Exit with Mary, r. up stairs. 
 
 Edw. Here’s a transformation ! from a court page be- 
 hold me master of ceremonies at a Wapping tavern ! 
 [Starta.] Good heaven ! whom have we here I The Earl 
 of Rochester in that rude garb ! 
 
 Enter Rochester, laughing. 
 
 Roch. Ha ! ha ! ha ! The shouts of those jolly fellows 
 began to turn my brain — his majesty is in fine humour to 
 get into a scrape ; and if he does, to make his difficulties 
 more perplexing, I have secured his purse, so that he can- 
 not bribe his way out of them — Hey ! Edward I 
 
 Edw. [ Confused .] My lord Rochester — 
 
 Roch. Silence, you rogue ! I am no lord here, no Ro- 
 chester. I am a seaman — my name Tom Taffrel. The 
 king, my messmate, is Jack Mizen. 
 
 Edw. The king with you ! — [Aside.] I see it all — he’s 
 after Mary — ah ! I am lost. 
 
 Roch. Don’t be alarmed, friend Georgini ; none but the 
 most innocent motives have brought us here. 
 
 Edw. Innocent motives bring you and the king at night 
 to a tavern in Wapping, where there is a beautiful girl 1 
 Ah ! my lord, my lord — 
 
 Roch. Nay, to convince you that you have nothing to 
 fear, I permit you to remain with us — [Aside.] He may 
 assist my scheme — [Aloud. J You must play off your cha- 
 racter of music-master upon the king. 
 
 Edw. Impossible ! His majesty will recognise my fea- 
 tures. 
 
 Roch. Psha ! you have not been a page a month ; he 
 probably has not seen your face three times. But take 
 care how you act ; the least indiscretion on your part — 
 
 Edw. Ah ! my lord, I am too much interested in keep- 
 ing the secret. 
 
 Roch. That is not all. In whatever situation the king 
 may find himself, whatever chagrin he may suffer, I forbid 
 you to assist him in the slightest manner. You are to see 
 in him only the sailor, Jack Mizen. 
 
20 
 
 CHARLES THE SECOND. 
 
 Act I. 
 
 Echo. Should his majesty chance to incur any danger, 
 my lord, I can never be passive. In such case, I have but 
 one course. 
 
 Rock. There can be no danger — I shall myself watch 
 over his safety. 
 
 Edw. That decides me — I think I apprehend the object, 
 and will obey your lordship. 
 
 Chas. [ Without.] Yo, ho ! Messmate! 
 
 Rock: The king approaches — Silence ! let each resume 
 his part. 
 
 Enter Charles, l. 
 
 Chas. Yo, ho ! Well, messmate, shall we soon see this 
 marvellous beauty ? 
 
 Edw. [Apart.] So — this is his majesty’s innocent mo- 
 tive ! 
 
 Rock. Peace, friend Jack, here’s one of her admirers — 
 her music-master — 
 
 Chas. Ah ! you teach the young lady music, do you 'l 
 [ Looking earnestly at him.] Zounds ! how like he is to the 
 page you gave me lately ! 
 
 Edw. [Apart.] Ah ! my face strikes him. 
 
 Roch. Hum — I can’t say I see much resemblance. He 
 is taller than Edward, and older, and the expression of his 
 countenance is not the same. 
 
 Chas. No, no, not altogether, but there is a something — 
 
 Roch. Why, to tell the truth, the page had a wild fellow 
 for a father — and, your majesty knows, likenesses are 
 stamped at random about the world sometimes. 
 
 Chas. [Laughing.] I understand — duplicate impressions 
 — like enough. 
 
 Staircase, r. s. e. — Enter Mary and Servant with Tea . — 
 
 They put the tea-things in order. — Tea-kettle boiling . — 
 
 Exit Servant. 
 
 Mary. [To Servant.] Set the table in this room. 
 
 Chas. [To Rochester.] By heaven, she’s a divinity ! 
 
 Edw. [Low to Rochester.] What does he say 1 
 
 Roch. [ To Edw. ] That your divinity is a devilish fine girl. 
 
 Chas. [To Rochester ] Amuse this confounded singing- 
 master. I wish to have a duo with his mistress. He’ll 
 only mar music. 
 
CHARLES THE SECOND. 
 
 21 
 
 Scene III.] 
 
 Roch. } To Edward, with an air of great business. \ My 
 good Mr. Georgini, I have something particular to say to 
 you — [Drawing him to a corner .] His majesty [suppressing 
 a laugh,] fancies that' you are uncomfortable, and requests 
 me to amuse you. 
 
 Edw. Yes, that he may have Mary all to himself — ■ 
 
 [Drawing near her . 
 
 Roch. [Draining him bach.] Come, don’t be childish. 
 What, you pretend to follow my lessons, and want com- 
 plaisance ! [Charles has been making advances to Mary, who 
 appears at first a little shy. 
 
 Chas. Do let me assist you, my pretty lass. 
 
 Mary. Don’t trouble yourself, sir ; Mr. Georgini is to 
 help me make tea. 
 
 Edw. [Breaking from Rochester . — Crosses to Mary.] I 
 am here, madam — what can I do to help you ? 
 
 Chas. [Puts the kettle, as if accidentally, against his hand 
 
 dryly.] Take care, young man, you may scald your fin- 
 gers. 
 
 Roch. [Draioing Edward back, and speaking low.] Why, 
 what a plague, boy, are you doing % 
 
 [ Charles continues to assist Mary, mingling little gal- 
 lantries, and blundering in attempts to assist. 
 
 Edw. [Aside, and struggling with Rochester.] I shall go 
 mad ! 
 
 Mary. Oh, dear sir, you’re so kind, you quite pmt me 
 out — [Laughing. \ — hey ! — you have taken my hand instead 
 of the teapot. I will not say you are awkward, sir, but 
 really, you have the oddest manner of assisting — nay — let 
 go my hand, I beg. 
 
 Chas. By Heaven, it is a beautiful one ! 
 
 Mary. Nay, nay — pray, sir. [Withdrawing her hand with 
 smiling confusion. — Apart.] Upon my word, I don’t see any 
 thing so very rude in these people. 
 
 Edw. [Endeavoring to get away from Rochester.] Let me 
 go, I entreat you ; I can stand this no longer. 
 
 Roch. [Holding him, and suppressing a laugh.] Psha ! 
 man, if you think to marry, or rise in the world, you must 
 learn to be deaf and blind upon occasion. 
 
 Chas. [In rather an under-tone to Mary. ] And how is it 
 possible so pretty a lass should not be married ? 
 
22 CHARLES THE SECOND. [Act I. 
 
 Mary . Married — bless me ! I never thought of such a 
 thing. 
 
 Chas. No ! never 1 and yet surrounded by lovers 1 
 
 Mary. Lovers ! I haven’t one, sir. 
 
 Chas. Indeed ! and what is that young man, fidgetting 
 yonder 1 
 
 Mary. He 1 — he is my singing-master, sir. 
 
 Chas. And he sings to some purpose, I’ll warrant, 
 
 Mary. Delightfully. 
 
 Chas. And gives you a love-song now and then ? 
 
 Mary. Oh, often, often ! 
 
 Chas. I thought so — he has it in his countenance. 
 
 Edw. [To Rochester .J You must let me go — you see I 
 am wanted. 
 
 Roch. Upon my word, they are getting on amazingly 
 well without you. 
 
 Chas. [To Mary.] And so you are fond of music, my 
 pretty lass 1 
 
 Mary. Oh, I love it of all things ! 
 
 Chas. A pretty hand to beat time with. 
 
 [Taking her hand. 
 
 Mary. [ Withdrawing it.] Sir — 
 
 Chas. And as pretty a little mouth to warble a love-song. 
 I warrant, there come none but sweet notes from' these 
 lips. [Offers to hiss her. 
 
 Mary. [Resisting.] Sir, give over — let me go, sir. Mr. 
 Georgini — help, help ! 
 
 [Edward bursts from Rochester, who is laughing. At 
 this moment, 
 
 Enter Copp from Stairs, r. s. e., with punch. 
 
 Copy. Avast there, messmate ! what the devil, yard-arm 
 and yard-arm with my niece ? 
 
 [Charles desists, a little confused — Edward approaches 
 Mary. 
 
 Mary. [Flurried.] I am glad you are come, uncle — this 
 rude stranger 
 
 Copp. [Taking her arm, he puts her over to R.] Thunder 
 and lightning — what ! insult Captain Copp’s niece in his 
 own house ! Fire and furies ! 
 
 Chas. [Pretending to be a little gay.] I insult your niece, 
 
Scene III.] 
 
 CHARLES THE SECOND. 
 
 23 
 
 messmate 1 Since when has an honest tar’s kissing a pret- 
 ty girl been considered an insult 'l As to the young wo- 
 man, if ehe takes offence at a piece of sailor civility, why, 
 I ask pardon, that’s all. 
 
 Copp. [ Softened .] Oh, as to a piece of civility, d’ye see, 
 that alters the case ; but, guns and blunderbusses ! if any 
 one should dare — 
 
 Rock. [Crosses to Copp.\ Come, come, uncle Copp, what 
 a plague ! you were a youngster once, and a frolicsome 
 one, I’ll warrant. I see it in your eye — what — didst ever 
 think it a crime to kiss a pretty girl in a civil way 1 
 
 Copp. No, no, in a civil way, no, certainly ; I can make 
 allowance when a lad, and a lass, and a bottle, come pretty 
 near each other — oddsfish— ■ you say right, at your age, I 
 was a rattler myself. Come, Mary, [ Crosses , r,] no harm 
 done. [ Mary goes up to table.] Come, lads, take your 
 seats — [ They scat themselves. Edward attempts to place 
 himself by Mary. Charles interferes, and takes the place ; 
 ke then tries to sit on the chair on her left hand, which Ro- 
 chester perceiving, prevents, by sitting there himself — Edward 
 sits in the chair on the left, next Rochester .] Come, my girl, 
 pour out the tea — I’ll fill out the punch, and we’ll have a 
 time of it, i’faith — Come, I’ll give you a jolly song to be- 
 gin with — [Sings. 
 
 “ In the time of the Rump, 
 
 As old Admiral Trump” — 
 
 Mary. [Apart.] That odious song ! — come, uncle, never 
 mind the song, take a cup of tea — [ Offering one. 
 
 Copp. What, drown my song and myself in warm wa- 
 ter 1 ha ! ha ! no, faith — not while there’s a drop in the 
 punch bowl. [Mary helps Edward and Rochester, omitting 
 Charles. 
 
 Chas. [Low to Mary.] Am I then excluded ? 
 
 Mary. [Looking down.] I thought punch would be more 
 to your liking, sir. 
 
 Chas. Then punch be it— -Come, clink with me, neigh- 
 bour Copp — clink with me, ray boy. 
 
 Copp. Oh ! I’m not proud, I’ll clink with anybody — 
 that’s to say, mind ye, when the liquor is good, and there’s 
 a good fellow in the case. 
 
 Chas. [Rising.] Well, here goes — To the health of Ma- 
 ry, the fair maid of Wapping. 
 
24 
 
 CHARLES THE SECOND. 
 
 [Act I. 
 
 Copp. With all my heart, here’s to her health— the dar- 
 ling child — Oh ! messmate, there you touch a soft corner 
 of my heai’t — did you but know how I love this little girl. 
 Psha ! I’m a foolish old fellow, and when I have got 
 punch, and sensibility, and all that on board — Come, let’s 
 talk of something else. 
 
 Mary. My dear uncle ! 
 
 Chas. I don’t wonder at your loving her, I can’t help 
 feeling a kind of admiration for her myself — 
 
 [ Offering to take her hand. 
 
 Copp. Softly, shipmate, no grappling — admire at a dis- 
 tance as much as you please, but hands off. Come, my 
 lads, a merry song — I love to sing when I drink. [Shrags. 
 In the time of the Rump, 
 
 As old Admiral Trump — 
 
 Mary. Not that song, my dear uncle, I entreat — 
 
 Copy. Ah, I recollect — ha ! ha ! my poor song ; ha ! 
 ha ! — well, well, since you don’t like me to sing, sing it for 
 me yourself, Mary. [ Significantly .] I dare say your master 
 has some pretty love-song for you. 
 
 Edw. Oh, yes — I have brought one of the latest in vogue 
 — one by the most fashionable poet of the day — the Earl 
 of Rochester. 
 
 Copp. Rochester 1 fire and fury — roast Rochester ! a 
 rascally rogue ! Rochester, the devil take Rochester, and 
 his song, too ! 
 
 Chas. Bravo ! Captain Copp — another broadside, old 
 boy. 
 
 Roch. Why, what the deuce, neighbor — has your pow- 
 der magazine taken fire I Why, what has Rochester done 
 to you to occasion such a terrible explosion ? 
 
 Copp>. What’s that to you ? What have you to do with 
 my family secrets % Rochester ! His very name makes 
 my blood boil — 
 
 Mary. My dear uncle, be calm. You promised never 
 to speak on this subject. 
 
 Roch. Why, what connexion can there be between you 
 and Rochester % * 
 
 Copp. No matter, he has been put to the proof, that’s 
 enough. [To Mary. ] Don’t be uneasy — I’ll say no more 
 about it, my girl. You know me — when I say mum, that’s 
 enough. 
 
CHARLES THE SECOND. 
 
 25 
 
 Scene III.J 
 
 Chas. [Rising.] This affair seems serious — I must have 
 an explanation. [ With an air of authority .] It is my plea- 
 sure — [Coming forward , r. 
 
 Copp. [Rising and coming forward .] Your pleasure, 
 quotha— and who the devil are you ? You are a pleasant 
 blade. [Sturdily.] But it’s not my pleasure, look ye. 
 
 Chas. [Recollecting himself.] I mean to say, that I feel a 
 deep interest in your welfare. 
 
 Copp. [Gruffly.] Thank ye, thank’e, — but I am not used 
 to such warm friends on such short acquaintance. [Apart.] 
 I wonder is it myself, or my niece, this chap has fallen in 
 love with at first sight ! 
 
 Chas. (c.) [Apart to Rochester.] I am curious to know 
 what charge they have against you. 
 
 Roch. (l. c.) [Apart to Charles.] And so am I, and I’ll 
 make this old buccaneer speak plain, before we leave him. 
 
 Chas. You have misunderstood me, friend Copp, I am 
 no defender of Rochester. I know him to be a sad fellow. 
 
 Copp. (r. c.) As destitute of feeling as a stock-fish. 
 
 Edw. (l.) He is a great genius, however. 
 
 Copp. He is an evil genius, I know. 
 
 Edw. He has a very clear head — 
 
 Copp. But a very black heart. 
 
 Roch. This Rochester is a sad light-headed fellow, that’s 
 notorious; but will you have the goodness, my blunt Cap- 
 tain Copp, to mention one heartless act of his I 
 
 Copp. [Loudly.] Ay, that 1 will. Is it not a burning 
 shame — 
 
 Mary, (r.) My dear uncle, you forget your promise. 
 
 Copp. Let me alone, girl, let me alone — you’ve nothing 
 to fear ; I have you under convoy. 
 
 Roch. Out with it, what is his crime 1 
 
 Copp. Crime ! Is it not a burning shame, I say, to dis- 
 claim his own niece — to keep from her every stiver of her 
 little fortune, and leave her to pass her days in a tavern, 
 when she has a right to inhabit a palace ? 
 
 Edw. [Eagerly.] What do I hear I 
 
 Roch. What, and is this young woman the niece 1 — 
 How can that be 1 
 
 Copp. Simply enough. Her father, Philip Copland, 
 married a sister of Lord Rochester. 
 
 Roch. [Apart.] Philip Copland is indeed the name. 
 
26 CHARLES THE SECOND. J _ [Act I. 
 
 C/ias. This is most singular. And this Philip Copland 
 was your brother 1 
 
 Copp. Ay, but worth a dozen of me — a steady man, an 
 able officer, an ornament of the regular navy. I was al- 
 ways a wild dog, and never took to learning — ran away 
 from school — shipped myself on board a privateer. In 
 time, I became a captain, and returned from my last cruize 
 just in time to receive poor Philip’s last breath — his sand 
 was almost run out. ‘ Brother,’ said he, ‘ I feel that my 
 cruising is over ; but there’s my little girl. Take care of 
 her for my sake, and never bother the Rochesters again.' 
 — ‘ Brother,’ said I, ‘ it’s a bargain ; tip us your fist on it, 
 and die in peace, like a good Christian.’ He grasped my 
 hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. I would have shook his, 
 but it grew cold in mine, and poor Philip was no more ! 
 
 [ With great feeling. 
 
 Mary. My dear uncle — 
 
 [Laying her hand on his shoulder. 
 
 Copp. [ Rousing himself. J But the girl was left, the girl 
 was left; [Embracing her] and — [ Talcing her arm under 
 his,] — and I’ll keep my word to my poor brother, and take 
 care of her as long as I have breath in my body. 
 
 Chas. Well, brother Tom, what do you think of all this 1 
 
 Roch. It touches me to the soul. 
 
 Chas. And so you took home the child 1 
 
 Mary. Oh ! yes : and my uncle’s bounty and kindness 
 have taken care of his poor girl ever since. 
 
 Copp. Oh ! you should have seen what a little thing it 
 was, — a little chubby-faced thing of four years old, no high- 
 er than that table. Now she’s a grown girl. 
 
 Chas. And you have given her a good education, it ap- 
 pears 1 
 
 Copp. And why not 1 What tho’ I’m a dunce, that’s 
 no reason that Mary Copland should be a fool. Her father 
 was a man of parts. 
 
 Chas. And you have given up your voyages for her ? 
 
 Copp. To be sure. Could I have a child running after 
 me about deck ] I sold my ship, and bought this tavern, 
 where I receive none but good fellows, who drink, and 
 smoke, and talk to me of voyages and battles all day long. 
 
 Chas. But ambition might have induced you — 
 
 Copp. Ambition ! you don’t know me ; my only ambi- 
 
CHARLES THE SECOND. 
 
 27 
 
 Scene III.] 
 
 tion is to marry my niece to some honest citizen, and give 
 her a dower of one thousand pounds, with as much more, 
 when old Captain Copp takes his longjiap. 
 
 Rock. [ Apart .] Generous fellow ! [Aloud.] Let me ad- 
 vise you to apply to the Earl of Rochester. 
 
 Edw. Oh ! yes, he will provide an honourable match for 
 your niece. 
 
 Mary, [Piqued.] Much obliged, Mr. Georgini, but no- 
 body asked your advice. 
 
 Copp, Apply to him ! — no— no — I’ll have nothing to do 
 with the Rochesters. 
 
 Chas. But why not apply to the king himself 1 
 
 Copp. Oddsfish ! they say he is not much better — he’s a 
 wild devil, a great friend of Rochester— and birds of a fea- 
 ther, you know — 
 
 Chas. [Apart.] Now comes my turn. 
 
 Rock. True enough, Captain Copp ; they say he is a ro- 
 ver — rambles about at night — frolics in taverns. 
 
 Copp. Well, let him cruise, so he does not cruise into 
 my waters. He’s a desperate rogue among the petticoats, 
 they say — well, I like a merry heart, wherever it beats. 
 Charley has some good points : oh, dam’me, I like Charley ; 
 and if I could but give him a piece of my mind — 
 
 Chas. What would it be, friend Copp ? 
 
 Copp. To keep more in port, anchor himself at home, 
 and turn that fellow, Rochester, adrift— there might then be 
 some hopes of him. But, come, ’tis getting late — now, 
 friends, it’s time to turn out, and turn in — these are late 
 hours for the Grand Admiral — come, a parting cup. [To 
 Mary.] See that the fires are out, my girl, and all hands 
 ready for bed. 
 
 Mary. I will, but no more drinking, uncle. [ Going , L. 
 
 Copp. Well, well— no more — only one parting cup. 
 
 Mary. Only one — recollect, you have promised — no 
 more. [Exit, l. d. 
 
 Copp. Only this last drop. Come, my lads, this farewell 
 cup, and then you must push your boats. 
 
 Roch. Now to execute my plan. [Making signs that the 
 King will pay .] Hist, Captain Copp ! 
 
 [ Whispers while Charles is drinking . 
 
 Copp. Ay, ay, all right. [Goes up to r. of table and mis. 
 
 Roch. I Low to Edward.] Follow rne quietly — I’ve some- 
 
28 
 
 CHARLES THE SECOND. 
 
 [Act I. 
 
 thing to say to you. [Apart, and chuckling as he goes out.} 
 Now, brother Jack, I think you’ll soon find yourself among 
 the breakers ! - [Exit, followed hy Edward , l. d. 
 
 Copp. Now, messmate, let’s square accounts — [ Handing 
 a paper,] here’s a note of your expenses — you see I charge 
 nothing for the last two bottles — nor for the tea-table — 
 that’s my treat. 
 
 Chas. [ Looking over the paper.] Um ! wine — punch- — 
 wine — punch — total, five pounds ten — a mere trifle ! 
 
 [Rises. 
 
 Copp. [Coming down.] Do you call that a trifle ] — Gad, 
 messmate, you must have made good prizes in your last 
 cruise — or you’ve high wages, mayhap. 
 
 Chas. [Laughing.] Ay, ay, I’m pretty well paid — Here, 
 Tom Taffrel, pay Copp’s bill, and let’s be off. [Looking 
 round.} Hey — where is he 1 
 
 Copp. Oh ! he went off in a great hurry — he said he 
 had to be aboard ship, but that you would pay the bill. 
 
 [Goes up to table again. 
 
 Chas. With all my heart. [Apart. ] It’s odd that he should 
 leave me alone — my raillery has galled him. Poor Roches- 
 ter, [Laughing,] how ill some people take a joke ! [Feel- 
 ing in his pockets.] Five pounds ten, you say 1 
 
 Copp. Just so — five pounds ten. 
 
 Chas. [Searching in all his pockets.} Well ! this is the 
 oddest thing — I am certain I had my purse. 
 
 Copp. [Apart.] My neighbour seems rather in a quan- 
 dary. 
 
 Chas. [Feeling more eagerly.] Some one has picked my 
 pocket. 
 
 Copp. Avast there, friend — none but honest people fre- 
 quent the Grand Admiral. 
 
 Chas. All I know, is, that one of these honest people 
 must have taken my purse. 
 
 Copp. Come, come, messmate — I am too old a cruiser 
 to he taken in by so shallow a manoeuvre — I understand 
 all this — your companion makes sail — you pretend to have 
 been robbed — it’s all a cursed privateering trick — clear as 
 day. 
 
 Chas. Friend Copp — if you will wait till to-morrow, I’ll 
 pay you double the sum. 
 
 Copp. Double the sum ! — thunder and lightning ! what 
 
Scene III.] 
 
 CHARLES THE SECOND. 
 
 29 
 
 do you take me for ? — Look ye, neighbour, to an honest 
 tar in distress, my house and purse are open — to a jolly 
 tar who wants a caper, and has no coin at hand, drink to- 
 day and pay to-morrow is the word — but to a sharking 
 land lubber, that hoists the colours of a gallant cruiser, to 
 play off the tricks of a pirate, old Copp will show him his 
 match any day. 
 
 Chas. A land lubber 1 
 
 Copp. Ay, a land lubber. D’ye think I can’t see through 
 you and your shallow sailor phrases 1 Who the devil are 
 you ? — none of the captains know you — what ship do you 
 belong to I 
 
 Chas. What ship ] why, to— to — [Apart. J what the deuce 
 shall I say l 
 
 Copp. A pretty sailor, truly — not know the name of his 
 ship — a downright swindler — a barefaced, impudent swin- 
 dler — comes into my house, kicks up a bobbery, puts eve- 
 ry thing in an uproar — treats all the guests — touzles my 
 niece — and then wants to make off without paying. 
 
 Chas. [Apart. ] How shall I get out of this cursed 
 scrape 1 — Oh, happy thought, my watch— [Aloud.} hearkee, 
 Captain Copp — if I haven’t money, may be this will do as 
 well — what say you to my watch as pledge 1 
 
 Copp. [ Taking the watch.] Let me see it — um — large 
 diamonds. [Shaking his head. 
 
 Chas. [Gayly.] Well — that’s worth your five pounds ten 
 —hey 1 
 
 Copp. Um — I don’t know that : — if the diamonds are 
 false, it is not worth so much — if real, none but a great 
 lord could own it — [ Turning quick to him, J — how did you 
 come by this watch ? 
 
 Chas. It’s my own. 
 
 Copp. Your own ! A common sailor own a watch set 
 with large diamonds ! I’ll tell you what, messmate, it’s 
 my opinion as how you stole this watch. 
 
 Chas. Stole it ? — Give back my watch, fellow, or I’ll — 
 
 Copp. Softly, my lad, keep cool, or I’ll have you laid by 
 the heels in a twinkling. [ Crosses, l. 
 
 Chas. [Apart.] What a bull-dog ! Well, sir, what do 
 you intend to do ? 
 
 Copp. Lock you up here for the present, and have you 
 lodged in limbo immediately. 
 
30 
 
 CHARLES THE SECOND. 
 
 [Act I. 
 
 Chas. Will you not listen to reason ? 
 
 Copp- [Going.] Yes, through the key-hole ! [From the 
 door. J You shall have news of me presently, my fine fellow. 
 
 [Exit, L. 
 
 Chas. Was ever monarch in such a predicament ? — a 
 prisoner in a tavern. What is to be done ? — This Copp 
 seems a man of probity ; suppose I avow myself to him I 
 Um ! will he credit me, and will he keep the matter se- 
 cret ? This sturdy veteran may be an old cruiser under 
 the Commonwealth : if so, what have I not to apprehend I 
 Alone, unarmed, at midnight. [Shaking his head,] Charles ! 
 Charles ! wilt thou never learn wisdom 1 [A noise of un- 
 locking the door , l.] Hark ! some one comes. 
 
 Q / 
 
 Enter Edward and Mary, l. d. armed. 
 
 Mary. Place yourselves outside and guard the passages. 
 
 Chas. They are placing sentinels. 
 
 Edw. [Apart.] The earl has given me my lesson : no 
 flinching. 
 
 Mary. I am afraid to go near him. I wish my uncle 
 had not set us this task. [Mary is armed with an old cutlass , 
 Edward with a long rusty pistol or carhine. 
 
 Edw. Be not afraid, I am here to defend you. 
 
 Chas. [Advancing .] What ! my pretty Mary in arms ? 
 
 Mary. Ah, don’t come near me ! What a ferocious ruf- 
 fian it is ! 
 
 Chas. [ Gallantly. { Was that delicate hand made to grasp 
 so rude a weapon ? 
 
 Edw. [Low to Mary.] Don’t let him touch your hand, 
 or you are lost. 
 
 Mary. [Dratving hack.] He does not look so very fero- 
 cious, neither. Fie, sir, fie ! what, steal the jewels of the 
 crown ? 
 
 Chas. Is it, then, known already ? 
 
 Mary . Yes, indeed, all is known. My uncle took the 
 watch to our neighbour, the jeweller, who knew it instant- 
 ly. It belongs to his royal majesty himself. 
 
 Chas. Confusion ! 
 
 Edw. [Low to Mary.] You hear he confesses. — [Aloud.] 
 Well, Captain Copp will be here presently with the ma- 
 gistrate. Here will be a fine piece of work. All Wapping 
 is in an uproar. 
 
Scene III.] CHARLES THE SECOND. 31 
 
 Chas. [Eagerly. ] My friends, it is of the highest impor- 
 tance that I should escape before they come. 
 
 Mary. I have not a doubt of it. Oh ! you culpiit ! 
 
 C/ias. [With insinuation.} And would Mary, the pretty 
 Mary, see me dragged to prison ] I won’t believe it. 
 That sweet face bespeaks a gentle heart. 
 
 Mary. Poor creature ! I can’t but pity him. 
 
 Chas. [ With gallantry .] I never saw a pretty woman 
 yet, thatAvould not help a poor fellow in distress. [Apart.} 
 She yields. But I need other bribes for my gentleman. 
 I have it — my ring. [Aloud.} Assist me to escape, and 
 take this ring as a pledge of what I will do. It is of great 
 value. 
 
 Mary. What a beautiful diamond ring ! How it spar- 
 kles ! Don’t touch it, Georgini, it’s a stolen ring. 
 
 Edw. And for that very reason, I take it. We can re- 
 turn both together to the right owner. 
 
 Mary. [Apart to Edward.} He certainly 'has something 
 genteel in his air. This unfortunate man may, perhaps, 
 belong to decent people. 
 
 Chas. I do indeed ; my family is considered very res- 
 pectable. Ah, bless that sweet face ! I knew a hard heart 
 could not belong to it. ’ ’ [Examines the room. 
 
 Edw. [Apart. J Egad, I must get him off, or he’ll win his 
 pretty jailor, culprit as she thinks him. 
 
 Mary. [Taking Edward apart.} What will they do with 
 him 1 
 
 Edw. [Carelessly.} Hum — why, they’ll hang him, of 
 course ? 
 
 Mary. I would not have his death upon my mind for 
 the whole world. [Earnestly. 
 
 Chas. [ Who has been traversing the apartment uneasily , 
 and eyeing them occasionally .] Will this consultation never 
 end ! I dread the arrival of the officers. 
 
 Mary. [Aloud.} Let us assist him to escape ! 
 
 Chas. Thanks, my generous girl : there’s nothing like a 
 petticoat in time of trouble. 
 
 Edw. How shall we get him off] the door is guarded. 
 
 Chas. Ay, but the window. 
 
 Edw. [Eagerly.} No, not the window, you may hurt 
 yourself. * 
 
 Chas. [Surprised.] You are very considerate, my friebd. 
 
32 CHARLES THE SECOND. [Act I. 
 
 Mary. Oh ! it is not very high, and opens into a lane 
 that leads to the river. 
 
 Chas. [Opening the window.] Psha ! it’s nothing; with 
 your assistance, I shall be on the ground in an instant. 
 
 Mary. It is, perhaps, very wrong in me to let you es- 
 cape ; but I beg you to listen to a word of advice. 
 
 Chas. Oh, yes, I hear you. 
 
 Mary. It is on condition that you change your course of 
 life. 
 
 Chas. Yes, yes, I’ll change it, I warrant you. 
 
 Mary. And not drink, nor rove about this way at night. 
 
 Chas. Not for the world. 
 
 Mary. And steal ,no more, for it will bring you to a 
 shameful end. 
 
 Chas. [Getting out of the window, assisted by Mary.] 
 An excellent sermon ! But I must steal — one kiss to im- 
 press it on my memory ! 
 
 Edw. Did he steal a kiss, Mary ? 
 
 Mary. Oh, yes, he did indeed. 
 
 Edw. Stop thief ! stop thief ! 
 
 Chas. [Descending outside.] Tell uncle Copp to put it in 
 the bill. 
 
 Edw. I hear them coming. [Looking out of the window.] 
 He’s safe down — he’s off — [Apart.] Now I’m easy. 
 
 Mary. But what shall we say to my uncle ? 
 
 Edw. I’ll manage that ; only say as I say, and fear no- 
 thing. Stop thief! stop thief! [To Mary.] Cry out as I 
 do. 
 
 Mary. [Feebly.] Stop the thief ! stop the thief ! I can’t. 
 
 Enter Copp, icith a double-barrelled gun, followed by two 
 
 Servants, l. d. 
 
 Copp. Hollo — what the devil’s to pay here ? 
 
 Edw. The culprit has jumped out of the window. 
 
 Mary. Oh, yes, out of the window ! 
 
 Copp. Thunder and lightning ! why didn’t you stop 
 him 1 
 
 Edw. I was too far off. The young lady attempted, but 
 he kissed her, and leaped out like a greyhound 
 
 Copp. Fire and furies ! kissed her 1 
 
 Mary. Yes, uncle, but he didn’t hurt me. 
 
 Edw. And he said you might put it in the bill. 
 
Scene L] 
 
 CHARLES THE SECOND, 
 
 33 
 
 ***Copp. Guns and blunderbusses ! this is running up an 
 account with a vengeance. [Looking out of the window .J I 
 see something in the offing ; we may overhaul him yet. 
 Come along, all hands to the chase ! Get to your room, 
 Mary, there’s no knowing what might happen, if this pirate 
 should fall foul of you again. Come along — -away with 
 you all — divide at the street door — scour the three pas- 
 sages — I’ll show him what it is to come in the way of an 
 old cruiser ! [Bustle — Copp fires off his gun out of the win- 
 dow, after Charles. — Exeunt Mary, r. The rest, l. — Cur- 
 tain falls. 
 
 END OP ACT I. 
 
 ACT II. 
 
 Scene I . — The Royal Palace. 
 
 Enter Edward, r., in his habit, as a Page , 
 
 Edw. I’ve had a hard scramble of it to get here and 
 dress in time. The king must arrive presently, though 
 my light heels have given me a good start of him. Ha ! 
 ha! ha! I cannot help laughing, [Sd's,] though I do it 
 with fear and trembling, to think of the confounded prank 
 that mad wag, Rochester, has played off upon majesty. 
 [Noise without.) Hark ! a noise in the king’s private stair- 
 case. Softly, then, softly ! [Seats himself in an arm-chair 
 at the door of the King's chamber, and pretends to 
 sleep. 
 
 Enter Charles from flat, his dress in disorder. 
 
 Chas. Confound the city ! what a journey it is ! 
 
 Edw. [Aside . ] Especially to foot passengers. 
 
 Chas. I began to think I should never find the palace. 
 [Sitting down.) Phew ! I shall not forget this night in a 
 hurry. Forced to escape like a thief — to risk my neck 
 from a window — hunted about the streets by that old buc- 
 caneer and his crew ! Egad ! I fancy I can hear old 
 
34 CHARLES THE SECOND. £ACf II. 
 
 Copp’s voice, even now, like a huntsman giving the view- 
 halloo, as I doubled about the mazes of Wapping. 
 
 Edwi [Aside, and suppressing a laugh. \ A royal hunt, 
 truly ! 
 
 Chas. Well, thank fortune, I am safe home at last, and 
 seen by nobody but my confidential valet. 
 
 Edw. [Aside;] And the most discreet of pages. 
 
 Chas. [Seeing Edvjard.] So, the page already in waiting. 
 The more I look at him, the more he reminds me of that 
 knowing young blade who gives the pretty Mary lessons 
 in love and music. Deuce take him ! he is exactly in the 
 door- way of my chamber. So, so ! Lady Clara coming ! 
 Oh, then, all’s over ! [Retires up a little . 
 
 Enter Lady Clara, r„, and goes to Edward, l, 
 
 Eady C. What ! asleep at this hour, Edward ? 
 
 Edw. I beg your pardon, my lady — I am waiting hi^ 
 majesty’s rising. [Removes chairs. 
 
 Lady C. You will come and let the queen know when 
 the king is visible. [Perceives Charles .] Heavens ! your 
 majesty in this dress 1 
 
 Chas. Good morning, Lady Clara. [Aside.] I wish I 
 may die' if I know how to turn the matter off. ' 
 
 Lady C. I ask your majesty’s pardon ; but really, I can- 
 not help laughing — So odd a dress ! 
 
 Chas. [Affecting an unembarrassed air,] What ! it amuses 
 you, ha! ha! My regular morning dress, I assure you. I 
 have taken a Whim for gardening lately, and every morn- 
 ing, by day-light, I am on the terrace, planting, transplant- 
 ing, and training. Oh ! you should see how busy I am, 
 particularly among the roses. 
 
 Lady C. I have no doubt your majesty has an eye for 
 every fresh one that blows. But how quiet you have 
 been in these pursuits ! 
 
 Chas. One does not want all the world to know of one’s 
 caprices. 
 
 Ladp C. How can your majesty call such an innocent 
 occupation by such a name 1 How happy the nation whose 
 Sovereign has a taste so pure and simple. 
 
 Chas. But what has procured me the pleasure of seeing 
 your ladyship so early. 
 
 Lady C. The queen, sire, knowing how deeply you were 
 
CHARLES THE SECOND. 
 
 35 
 
 Scene I.J 
 
 immersed in affairs of state last night — 
 
 Chas. Why, yes, in truth, I had a busy night of it. 
 
 Lady C. She sent me to enquire how your majesty had 
 slept. 
 
 Chas. Very restless — very restless — I tumbled and tos- 
 sed about sadly. 
 
 Lady C. Ah ! why does not your majesty take more 
 care of yourself] You devote yourself too much to your 
 people. This night-work will be too much for you. 
 
 Chas. Why, yes, if it were often as severe as last night. 
 
 Lady C. Indeed, your majesty must give up these mid- 
 night labours to your ministers. 
 
 Chas. [Apart. J To my ministers, ha ! ha ! Egad ! I 
 should like to see old Clarendon and Ormond hob-a-nob- 
 bing with uncle Copp, struggling for kisses with Maryland 
 scouring the lanes of Wapping at full speed. [Aloud.] 
 Well, my Lady Clara, have you anything further to com- 
 municate ] 
 
 Lady C. Might I presume, I have a favour to request of 
 your majesty. An author, in whose cause I take a warm 
 interest, has offended a person high in power, and is threa- 
 tened with a prosecution. 
 
 Chas. The blockhead ! let him write against me only, 
 and they’ll never trouble him. 
 
 Lady C. His pardon depends upon your majesty — 
 would you but deign to sign it I 
 
 Chas. [Talcing paper.] Lady Clara, you look amazingly 
 well this morning — I can refuse you nothing. [ Signs the 
 paper.] And now to make my toilette. [ Crosses, L. — Aside.] 
 Safe at last ! she suspects nothing. [Exit, l. 
 
 Lady C. [Smiling.] He thinks he has deceived me. 
 Oh, these men, these men ! how they will impose upon us 
 easy, simple, knowing women ! [To Edward.] A person 
 from the city, with a young girl, desires to speak with his 
 majesty — you will permit them to await him here. I will 
 myself conduct them. [Exit. 
 
 Edw. [Alone.] This should be Captain Copp ; in his 
 blunt honesty, he determined to bring the watch himself 
 to the king. But why his niece T No doubt, to let her 
 have a sight of the palace. Here they come, sure enough. 
 Now for another puzzle about my physiognomy. 
 
 [Retires up a little, l. s. e. 
 
36 
 
 CHARLES THE SECOND. 
 
 [Act II. 
 
 Enter Copp and Mary, at the bach-door flat, the two Beef- 
 eaters oppose their entrance. 
 
 Copp. Oddsfish ! I never knew such a piece of work 
 to get into a house before. If that good-looking gentle- 
 woman had not seen us from the window, and taken our 
 part, hang me if I don’t think they would have turned us 
 adrift. 
 
 Edw. [Apart.] So ! I suspect Lady Clara is in the plot. 
 
 [Retires, l. u. e. 
 
 Mary. What beautiful rooms ! 
 
 Copp. Gingerbread finery ! I would not change the 
 bar-room of the grand Admiral for the best of them. But 
 what a bother to give a watch back to the right owner ! 
 Why, there’s no finding the king in his own house. Now, 
 for my part, I always stand on the threshold, and if any 
 one comes, there’s my hand. Tip us your bone, says I, and 
 make yourself welcome. That’s what I call acting like a 
 king of good fellows. 
 
 Mary. Oh, uncle, I have always heard say that the king 
 is very kind and affable ; and, I dare say, when you hand 
 him back his watch, he will behave with generosity. 
 
 Copp. Generosity ! Why, dost think, girl, I’d take a 
 reward! No, no! They say Charley’s not overstocked 
 with the shiners : I want none of them. To be sure, he 
 may do the civil thing — he may ask us to stay, and take 
 pot-luck, perhaps. 
 
 Mary. Pot-luck, uncle ! 
 
 Copp. Ay, in a friendly way, d’ye see 1 And I don’t 
 care if I did, if it were only to see how royalty messed 
 But where the deuce is the king to be found 1 Oh ! yon- 
 der is a fine gimcrack young gentleman, who, perhaps, can 
 tell us — I’ll hail him. Yo-ho ! messmate 1 
 
 [Exit, hallooing after Edward, L. s. E. 
 
 Mary. What a beautiful place this is ! But, without 
 content, grandeur is not to be envied. The humble and 
 the good, may be as happy in a cottage as a palace. 
 
 AIR. 
 
 Not in the pictured halls, 
 
 Not amid marble walls 
 Will young Love dwell 
 
Scene I.] n CHARLES THE SECOND. 37 
 
 Love’s home’s the heart alone, 
 
 That heart, too, all his own, 
 
 Else, Love, farewell ! 
 
 Enter Copp, l. u. e., pulling Edward, who tries to hide his 
 
 face. 
 
 Copp. Come along, young man — don’t be so bashful — 
 you needn’t mind us. 
 
 Edw. [Aside.] Let me put on a steady face — [Aloud.] 
 You come to speak to his majesty 1 
 
 Mary. Yes, sir, we come — [Apart.] Dear uncle, those 
 features — how my heart beats ! 
 
 Copp. [Supporting her.] Why, what ails thee, my girl 1 
 
 Edw. Is anything the matter with the young lady 1 Let 
 me assist her 'l 
 
 Copp. Thank’ee, thank’ee, [Putting up his elbow,] young 
 gentleman. But, by your leave, if you please. 
 
 Mari/. Did you ever see such a resemblance, uncle ? 
 
 Copp. [Looking at Edward.] Oddsfish ! he is like, in- 
 deed ! But it can’t be him ! 
 
 Mary. I like Mr. Georgini’s face better — it is more ani- 
 mated. 
 
 Copp. Don’t talk to me of that Georgini. Didst not tell 
 me, he took a ring of that land-pirate 1 And then to dis- 
 appear so suddenly. 
 
 Mary. How can you suspect him, uncle 1 The most 
 honourable, the most upright ! I dare say he only took it 
 to keep it for the right owner. 
 
 Edw. [Apart.] Dear, confiding Mary ! 
 
 Copp. That ring should not have remained in his hand 
 a single moment. It may bring suspicion on my house — 
 on my character. Fire and fury ! if I catch him — 
 
 Mary. No swearing in the king’s palace. 
 
 Copp. That’s true ; I should not swear. But, that old 
 Captain Copp, whom everybody knows to be honest, 
 should have such tricks played in his house. Thunder 
 and lightning ! 
 
 Mary. My dear uncle ! 
 
 Copp. Well, well, true, no swearing. But what keeps 
 the king so long 1 
 
 Edw. I think I hear him. Step into that apartment — a 
 lady will introduce you. 
 
38 
 
 CHARLES THE SECOND. 
 
 [Act II. 
 
 Gopp. Ah ! the same that I saw at the window — very 
 well. But I say, Mister, don’t keep me waiting. Just 
 hint to the king, that I’ve no time to lose. Tell him there’s 
 a launch at Wapping to-day — busy times at the Grand 
 Admiral. 
 
 Mary. Let us retire, uncle. I dare say we shall be sent 
 for in good time. 
 
 Copy. Very well, very well. But do think of the Grand 
 Admiral — all aback for want of me. If the king loses his 
 watch again, the devil take me — Oh ! I forgot — I mustn’t 
 swear in the king’s palace. j Exit with Mary, r. 
 
 Edw. This will be a whimsical court presentation, tru- 
 ly ! His majesty’s perplexities are not yet over. 
 
 Enter Charles in his riding dress, r. 
 
 Chas. Has Rochester appeared ! 
 
 Edw. Not yet, sire. 
 
 Chas. [Apart\ What could be his motive for the cruel 
 trick he played me % 
 
 Edw. Your majesty asked for Lord Rochester ; here he 
 comes with Lady Clara. [Retires up, r. 
 
 Enter Rochester and Lady Clara, r. 
 
 Roch. May I venture to ask if your majesty has passed 
 a comfortable night 1 
 
 Chas. Indifferent, my lord — [Low to him]- — Traitor ! 
 
 Lady C. [Smiling.] I understood his lordship had assist- 
 ed your majesty in your labours. 
 
 Roch. Not throughout, my lady. An accident obliged 
 me to leave his majesty in rather a moment of perplexity. 
 
 Chas. [Angrily. J Yes, his lordship left the whole weight 
 of — business — upon my shoulders. 
 
 Roch. I doubt not your majesty got through with your 
 usual address. 
 
 Chas. [Apart.] Perfidious varlet ! [Aloud.] My lord, 
 you will please to present yourself in my study at two o’- 
 clock. I have something particular to say to you. 
 
 Roch. Deign to dispense with my attendance, sire. I 
 quit London in a few moments for my estate, as I mention- 
 ed yesterday. I am a great offender. It is time to exile 
 myself from court, and turn hermit. 
 
 Chas. [Harshly.] I approve the project ; but will take 
 the liberty of choosing your hermitage myself. 
 
Scene LJ CHARLES the SECOND. 39 
 
 Roch. [Low to Lady Clara?] The king is furious against 
 me. 
 
 Lady C. Courage, my lord, all will end well. 
 
 Copy. [ Without.] What the devil is the meaning of this 1 
 Am I to be kept here all day 1 
 
 Chas , What uproar is that ? 
 
 Lady C . Oh ! two persons whom I met this morning, 
 seeking to speak with his majesty on some personal con- 
 cern. As I know him to be so accessible to the people, 
 I undertook to present them. 
 
 Chas. Just now, it is impossible. 
 
 Lady C, I am very sorry, especially on the young girl’s 
 account. 
 
 Chas. A young girl, did you say 1 
 
 Lady C. Beautiful as an angel ! 
 
 Chas. Oh ! since you take such interest in her, Lady 
 Clara— [To Edward ,] — Show them in. [Retires up. 
 
 Enter Copp and Mary, r. 
 
 Edw. [Preceding them. ] Come in — his majesty consents 
 to hear you. 
 
 Copp. I’m taken all aback- — my courage begins to fail 
 me. 
 
 Mary. What have you to fear, my dear uncle % 
 
 [Keeps her eyes modestlr) cast down. 
 
 Copp. Fear! it isn’t fear, look ye. But, somehow, I 
 never fell in with a king before in all my cruisings. 
 
 Chas. [Apart.] Copp and his niece ! here’s a pretty 
 rencontre. [Summoning up dignity. 
 
 Copp. Well, I suppose I must begin. Oddsfish ! I had 
 it all settled in my head, and now, the deuce a word can 
 I muster up. 
 
 Mary. Come, uncle, courage ! I never saw you so cast 
 down before. 
 
 Chas. [Apart.] I hope he will not recognize me. 
 
 “ Rock. [Low to Lady Clara.] Is not my niece a pretty 
 “ lass 1 
 
 “ Lady C i She is, indeed, my lord ; you may be proud 
 “ of her. 
 
 Copp. Well, then, what 1 had to say is this. [Low.] 
 Hey, Mary, what is it I had to say ? 
 
 Mary. Relate simply What passed. 
 
40 CHARLES THE SECOND. f Act I!. 
 
 Copp. Right, my girl, right. But oddsfish ! I feel so 
 queer, I’ll be hanged if I can look him in the face. 
 
 Mary. It would not be respectful to stare at his majesty. 
 
 [Keeps her eyes modestly cast down. 
 
 Chas. What is your name, my good friend 1 [To Copp. 
 
 Copp. Copp, at your service ; that is to say, Copland, 
 or Captain Copp, as they call me. And here’s Mary, my 
 niece, who, though I say it, is one of the best girls. 
 
 [ While talking, he looks down and fumbles with his cap. 
 
 Mary. But that’s not the point, uncle. 
 
 Copp. Eh ! true, very true, always keep to the point, 
 like a good helmsman. First and foremost, then, you must 
 know, my lord — when I say my lord, I mean your majesty. 
 
 Chas. [Apart.] Egad, he’s as much puzzled as I was, 
 to give an account of myself. 
 
 Copp. [Still looking down.] In finis — you must know, 
 prima, then, that I command, that is to say, I keep the 
 Grand Admiral, as honest a tavern as your majesty would 
 wish to set your foot in — none but good company ever 
 frequent it, excepting when a rogue or so drops in, in dis- 
 guise — last night, for instance, a couple of ’scape gallows 
 knaves, saving your majesty’s presence — Ah ! if I could 
 only lay eyes on them again — I should know ’em, where- 
 ever I saw ^m — one in particular had a confounded hang- 
 ing look — a man about the height of — [Eyeing Rochester, 
 stops short.] Mary ! Mary ! if there isn’t one of the very 
 rogues ! 
 
 Mary. My dear uncle, hush, for heaven’s sake ! [Apart. J 
 That wine is still in his head. 
 
 Chas. [Apart.] Rochester’s face seems to puzzle him. 
 
 Copp. I’ll say no more ; for the more I look — [Low to 
 Mary,] dash my buttons, if it isn’t himself. 
 
 Mary. Hush, I entreat you — I will speak for you — 
 [ Takes his place, her eyes still modestly cast down.] My un- 
 cle has thought it his duty to inform your majesty, that 
 two strangers came to his house last night, and after call- 
 ing for a great deal of wine, were unable to pay, and went 
 off, leaving a valuable watch in pledge, which has proved 
 to belong to your majesty. [Rochester and Lady Clara in 
 bye-play express great delight at the manner of Mary. 
 
 Copp. [Apart, rubbing his hands.] Oh ! bless her ! she 
 talks like a book. 
 
Scene I.] CHARLES THE SECOND. 41 
 
 “ Roch. [To Lady Clara.] Does not my niece tell her 
 “ little story with clearness and simplicity. 
 
 “ Lady C. Charmingly ! she has quite won my heart. 
 
 Mary. My uncle being an honest man, has brought the 
 watcfi to your majesty. 
 
 Copp. Yes, by St. George, and here it is. The shar- 
 pers, to be sure, have run off with five pounds ten of my 
 money, but that’s neither here nor there. I don’t say that, 
 because I expect you to pay it, you know. In short, with- 
 out more palaver, [ Crosses to Charles, and gives it,] here’s 
 the watch — [Glancing at the King, stops short, and gives a 
 long whistle, whew! [Treads softly back — Low to Mary.] 
 Smite my timbers ! if it ben’t the other rogue ! 
 
 Mary. What ails you, uncle ? surely, you are losing 
 your senses to speak thus of his majesty ! 
 
 Copp. [Low to her. j Majesty, or no majesty, I’ll put my 
 hand in the fire on’t he’s the other. 
 
 Chas. The watch is certainly mine. 
 
 Lady C. Your majesty's 1 
 
 [Smiling significantly at Rochester. 
 
 Roch. [Affecting astonishment. ] Your majesty’s watch ! 
 
 Chas. Even so ; and I might have lost it, but for this 
 man’s honesty. I shall be more on my guard in future. 
 
 [Looking sternly at Rochester. 
 
 Mary. [Looking at Charles and Rochester .] The voice 
 and the face are astonishingly alike. But it is impossi- 
 ble. 
 
 Copp. [Rapping his forehead .] I have it — I see how it 
 
 is. [Low to Mary.] We’ve made a pretty kettle of fish of 
 
 it. The king, you know, is said to cruise at night under 
 false colours. 
 
 Mary. Mercy on me ! what will become of us 1 
 
 Copp. [To Mary.] Let me alone ; I see it’s all a mas- 
 querade frolic. [Suppressing a laugh.] I’ll settle it all. 
 [ Aloud.] Your majesty will not be angry with my little fool 
 of a niece. The two strangers might be very worthy peo- 
 ple : many a man has a gallows look, and is an honest fel- 
 low for all that. The truth is, they were a brace of merry 
 wags. Besides, if I had known for certain, I wouldn’t for 
 the world — ha ! ha ! — because, d’ye see — honour bright — 
 mum ! [Turning to Mary. ] Come, I think I’ve got you pret- 
 ty well out of this scrape, hey 1 
 
42 CHARLES THE SECOND. [Act II. 
 
 Lady C, I am of your opinion, Captain Copp. They 
 were two sad madcaps. 
 
 Chas. They merit harsher titles, Lady Clara. One of 
 them has been already punished, the other shall be pre- 
 sently. [Makes a sign to Edward , who brings forward a 
 chair , c.j Captain Copp, I am aware of all that passed at 
 your house. [Site. 
 
 Copp. Ah ! your majesty knows, that he who cracks a 
 joke must not complain if he should chance to pinch his 
 fingers. 
 
 Chas. True, Captain. But was there not question of 
 one Rochester % 
 
 Copp . [Aside.} Zounds ! that’s his friend. This is bring- 
 ing one to close quarters. Why, craving your majesty’s 
 pardon, I did let slip some hard truths about him. 
 
 Roch. And do you know him of whom you spoke so 
 bluntly ? 
 
 Copp. Not I, thank heaven ! But I only said what eve- 
 rybody says ; and what everybody says, you know, must 
 be true. 
 
 Chas. Spoken like an oracle ; and did not you say that 
 this pretty lass was his niece ? 
 
 Copp. Ay, as to that matter, I’ll stick to that, proof in 
 hand. Make a reverence, Mary, and no thanks to Roches- 
 ter for the relationship. 
 
 Chas. I will take care that he shall make a suitable pro- 
 vision for his niece, or provide her an honourable husband. 
 
 Roch. I can assure your majesty, you only anticipated 
 his intentions. 
 
 Copp. Avast there ! I don’t give up my girl. 
 
 Roch. But you will choose a match suited to her noble 
 family 1 
 
 Copp. I’ll choose for her an honest man ; but no ranti- 
 cumscout companion to suit that Earl of Rochester you 
 talk of — [ Chuckling and winking .] To tell the truth between 
 friends, and all in confidence, I had a match in my eye, a 
 young music-master. Nay, don’t blush, girl, I knew there 
 was a sneaking kindness in the case. 
 
 Chas. I oppose that match. That young man received 
 a ring last night, but has not had the honesty, like Captain 
 Copp, to seek the owner. 
 
 [Mary involuntarily springs forward to defend Edward 
 
Scene I.] CHARLES THE SECOND. 43 
 
 against the charge, which Lady Clara and Rochester 
 observe and smile at. 
 
 Copp. Oddsfish ! that’s true enough ; he has absconded 
 with the ring. 
 
 Mary. [Earnestly.] I am a witness that the ring was 
 freely given, and I’ll pledge my life that he will bring it 
 back. 
 
 “ Lady C. [Aside to Rochester.] Your niece is a brave 
 “ girl ; but I see she has no longer a heart. 
 
 Edw. [Advancing.] He only waited a suitable moment 
 to return it to your majesty. [Kneels and presents it. 
 
 Chas. How! Edward! — The resemblance is no longer 
 a wonder. 
 
 Copp. What, little crotchet and quaver ! Aha ! ha ! ha ! 
 there’s witchcraft in all this. 
 
 Mary. Oh, heavens ! Georgini a gentleman ! But my 
 heart knew it. [ Copp and Mary go up the Stage. 
 
 Chas. It is in vain, Lady Clara, to attempt concealment. 
 Behold the heroes of the adventure. 
 
 [Rises — Edward removes chairs. 
 
 Lady C. Pardon me, sire, I knew it all along — I was in 
 the plot. 
 
 Chas. How 1 
 
 Lady C. Her majesty, the queen, was at the head of it. 
 If the Earl be guilty, it is we who induced him, and should 
 undergo the punishment. 
 
 Chas. I understand the whole. But the treachery ot 
 this Earl I cannot forgive. He shall not obtain my pardon. 
 
 Lady G. [Producing a paper.] It is already obtained. 
 Your majesty, over merciful, has signed it. 
 
 Chas. What ! he, too, is the author for whom you have 
 interested yourself. Ha ! ha ! ha ! fairly taken in at all 
 points. Rochester, thou hast conquered. [Rochester kneels 
 — Charles and Lady Clara retire up — Copp and Mary 
 come down. 
 
 Copp. [Passionately.] Thunder and lightning ! this man 
 Rochester ! come along, girl, come along ! 
 
 *Roch. Hold, Captain Copp. That I am Rochester, ’tis 
 true — a wild fellow, no doubt, since every body says so. 
 But there is one crime that I will not take to my charge, 
 
 * This and the following paragraph are not in the original text. 
 
44 
 
 CHARLES THE SECOND. 
 
 fAcT II. 
 
 for ’tis a sin against beauty — I am not the Rochester who 
 deserted the pretty Mary : he was my predecessor, and is 
 dead. 
 
 Copp. Dead ! gone to his long home ! Well, may Hea- 
 ven deal kindlier with him, than he did with this little girl. 
 
 Chas. What say you, Captain Copp 1 What say you, 
 my Lord of Rochester ? Must we not find a husband for 
 our niece 1 
 
 Copp. Fair and softly, your majesty — craving your ma- 
 jesty’s pardon, I can’t give up my right over my little girl. 
 This lord is an uncle — I can’t gainsay it ; but he’s a new- 
 found uncle. For my part, I have bred her, and fed her, 
 and been her uncle all her life, haven’t I, Mary I 
 
 Chas. You are right, Captain — you alone ought to dis- 
 pose of her. But I hope to propose a match that shall 
 please all parties. What think you of my page — the mu- 
 sic-master, who brought back the ring 1 
 
 Copp. Your majesty has fathomed my own wishes. 
 
 Rock. And mine. 
 
 Edw. And mine. [Approaching Mary. 
 
 Mary. And — [Extending her hand] — and mine. 
 
 Copp. So, here we are, all safe in port, after last night’s 
 squall. Oddsfish ! I feel so merry, my girl’s provided for 
 — I have nothing now to care for — I’ll keep open house at 
 the Grand Admiral — I’ll set all my liquor a-tap — I’ll drown 
 all Wapping in wine and strong beer — I’ll have an illumi- 
 nation — I’ll make a bonfire of the Grand Admiral — I’ll 
 sing, “ In the time of the Rump” — 
 
 [Mary runs down and, stops him. 
 
 Chas. Captain Copp, I recollect that I am your debtor 
 — five pounds ten : accept this watch as a mark of my es- 
 teem. This ring I reserve for the lovely Mary. [Putting 
 it on her finger .] And now, [Beckoning all the characters 
 to the front with an air of mystery ,] let me particularly en- 
 join on all present, the most profound secresy in regard to 
 our whimsical adventures at Wapping. 
 
 Copp. [ Clapping his finger to his lip.] Honour bright ! 
 — Mum J 
 
 THE END. 
 
\ 
 
 Just Published, 103 Pages, 5 
 
 THE CONDI 
 
 HEALTH AND 
 
 WITH PRACTICAL DIR 
 PRESERVATION AN 
 
 BY ROBERT 
 
 editor op “ chambers’s 
 
 WITH NOTES 
 
 This excellent 1 
 is from the pen c 
 gentleman who 
 sense have e v 
 fellow men, 
 was neve 
 instanc 
 brou^ 
 and 
 wo 
 
 OF EDINF 
 
 BY THE ATT 
 
 cij 
 
 a' 
 
 a 
 
 / 
 
 
 / 
 
 
44 
 
 CHARLES 7 
 
 ON ETIQUETTE! 
 
 for ’tis a sin against beauty- 
 deserted the pretty Mary : hi 
 
 de r' r> ii E R S : 
 
 Copp . Dead ! gone to his h 
 ven deal kindlier with him, th ok, 
 
 Chas. What say you, Cap in <1 
 
 my Lord of Rochester ? Mi]l0S aflQ GCIltlCIIlCn « 
 our niece 1 
 
 Copp. Fair and softly, youTAiNiNQ 
 
 jesty’s pardon, I can’t give ur cnriPTY 
 
 This lord is an uncle — I can’titS OF rOLI I C oUulC I ij 
 
 found uncle. For my part, 1 ml 
 and been her uncle all her life, 
 
 Chas. You are right, Captain- P & MATRIMONY, 
 
 pose of her. Lut I hope to prcL 
 please all parties. What think yoi 
 sic-master, who brought back the ring 
 Copp. Your majesty has fathomed my 
 Rock. And mine. 
 
 Edw. And mine. [Apyroa 
 
 Mary. And— [Extending her hand]— and w 
 
 Copp. So, here we ai’e, all sale m port, alter * f 
 
 squall. Oddsfish ! I feel so merry, my girl’s proV?® bot ^ in 
 — 1 have nothing now to care foi’ — I’ll keep open hoi 1S 
 the Grand Admiral — I’ll set all my liquor a-tap — I’ll drimuch 
 all Wapping in wine and strong beer — I’ll have an illui 
 nation — I’ll make a bonfire of the Grand Admiral — lA g }, 
 sing, “ In the time of the Rump” — 
 
 [Mary runs down and* stops him. 
 Chas. Captain Copp, 1 recollect that I am your debtor 
 — five pounds ten : accept this watch as a mark of my es- 
 teem. This ring I reserve for the lovely Mary. [Putting 
 it on her finger .] And now, [Beckoning all the characters 
 to the front with an air of mystery ,] let me particularly en- 
 join on all present, the most profound secresy in regard to 
 our whimsical adventures at Wapping. 
 
 Copp. [ Clapping his finger to his lf.\ Honour bright ! 
 —Mum! ( - 
 
 n- 
 
 •>- 
 
 THE END. 
 
s Vi 
 
 
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 t 
 
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Date Due 
 
 
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