'v^Ji^^'^Rj ^^-- ' S *^^Ai M RUNAWAY, COMEDY: . As it is Afted at the THEATRE-ROYAL DRURY-LANE, 1 O N D O N: Printed for the AUTHOR} And Sold by Mr. DODSLE Y, in Pall-Mall ; Mr. BECKET, and Mr. CADELL, in the Strand $ Mr. LONGMAN, in Patr-Norter- Row j and CARNAN and NE WBERY, in Strut's Church- Ysyd, MPCCUCXTI. Cntetets at Stationeyi^afi* T O GARRICK, Efqj SIR, AMIDST the regrets I feel for your quitting the Stage, it is peculiarly gratifying, that a Play of mine clofes your dramatic life It is the higheft pleafure to me, that that Play, from its fuccefs, reflects no difho- riour on your judgement as a Manager. Pofterity will know, thro' a thoufand Channels, that Mr. GARRICK was the ornament of the eighteenth Century, that he pofleffed the friendfhip of thofe whofe Names will be the glory of Englifh Hiftory, that the firft ranks in the kingdom courted his fociety may my fmall voice be heard amongft thofe who will inform it, that Mr. GAR RICK'S Heart was no lefs an honour to him, than his Talents ! Unpatronized by any name> I prefented myfelf to you, obfcure and unknown. You perceived dawning* in my Comedy, which you nourijb'd and improved. With at- tention, and follicitude, you ernbellffid, and prefented it to the world that World, which has emulated your ge- nerofity, arid received it with an applaufe, which fills my heart with moft lively gratitude. I perceive how much of this applaufe I owe to my Sex. The RUNAWAY has a thoufand faults, which, if written by a Man, would have incurred the fevered lafh of Criticifm but the Gallantry of the Englifh Nation is equal to its Wifdom they be- held a Woman tracing with feeble fteps the borders of the Parnaffian Mount pitying her difficulties (for 'tis a thorny path) they gave their hands for her fupport, and placed her high above her level. All this, Sir, and whatever may be its confequences, I owe to you. Had you rejected me, when I prefented my little RUNAWAY, deprefTed by the refufal, and all con- fidence in tnyfclf deftroyed, I fhould never have pre- fumed to dip my pen again, It is now my tafk to con- vince You and the World, that a generous allowance for a young Writer's faults, is the beft encouragement to Ge- nius 'tis a kindly Soil, in which weak Groundlings are noarifli'd, and from which the loftieft Trees draw their flrength, and their beauty. I take my leave of you, Sir, with the warmeft wifhes for your felicity, and Mrs. GARRICK'S 'to whofe tafte^ and follicitudefor me, I am highly indebted. May your recefs from' the Stage be attended with all the bleffings of retirement and eafe and may the world remember, in its moft diftant periods, that 'tis to Mr. GARRICK the Englifh Theatre owes its emancipation from groflhefs, and buffoonery that to Mr. GARRICK'S judgement it is indebted for being the firft Stage in Europe, and to his Talents for being the delight of the nloft enlight- ened and polifh*d age. I am, Sir, your moft devoted, and obedient humble Servant, THE AUTHOR. PROLOGUE. JiPr//fc ^ //* A U T H O R. by MR. B R E R E T O N* OThe fweet profpeft ! what a fine Parterre ! Soft buds, fweet flowers, bright tints, and fcented air ! . [Boxes i A Vale, where critic wit fpontaneous grows ! [Pit. A Hill, which wife and folly never knows ! [Gallery. Let Cits point out green paddocks to their fpoules ; To me, no profpecl: like your crouded houfes If, as juft now, you wear thofe {"miles enchanting; But, when you frown, my heart you fet a panting. Pray then, for pity, do not frown to-night ; I'll bribe but how Oh, now I've hit it right. Secrets are pleafant to each child of Eve ; I've one in ftore, which for your fmiles I'll give. O lift ! a tale it is, not very common ; Our Poet of to-night, in faith's a Woman, A woman, too, untutor'd in the School, Nor Ariftotle knows, nor fcarce a rule By which fine writers fabricate their plays, From fage Menander's, to thefe modern days : How (he could venture here I am aftonifh'd; But 'twas in vain the Mad-cap I admonifti'd ; Told her of fqueaking cat-calis, hifies, groans, Off, offs, and ruthlefs Critics' damning moans. I'm undifmay'd, (he cry'd, critics are Men, And fmile on folly from a Woman's pen: Then 'tis the Ladies' caufe, there I'm fecure; Let him who hides, no foft Nymph endure; Miy he who frowns, be frown'd on by his Goddefs, From Pearls, and Bruffels Point, to Maids in Boddice. Now for a hint o' her intended feaft: 'Tis rural, playful, harmlefs 'tis at leafl; Not over-ftock'd with repartee or wit, Th' here and there ^er^bance there is a hit ; PROLOGfrE, for flie ne'er play'd with bright Apollo's fire, No Mufe invok'd, or heard th' Ao'nian lyre; Her Comic Mufe a little blue-ey'd maid, "With cheeks where innocence and health's difplay'd j Her 'Pol in petticoats a romping Boy, Whofe tafte is trap-ball, and a kite his joy : Her Nurfery the ftudy, where fhe thought, Fram'd fable, incident, furprife and plot. From the furroundino- hints {he caught her plan, r . Length'ning the chain from infancy to man: Tom plagues poor Fan ; (he fobs, but loves him ftill ; Kate aims her wit at both, with roguifh (kill : Our Painter mark'd thofe lines which Nature drewj Her fancy glow'd, and coloured them for you j A Mother's pencil gave the light and fhades, A Mother's eye thro' each foft fcene pervades ; Her Children rofe before her flatter'd view, Hope ftretch'd the canvas, whilft her wifhes drew. We'll nowprefent you drapery and features, And warmly hope, you'll like the pretty creatures ; Then Tom fhall have his kite, and Fan new dollie*, Till time matures them for important follies." * # * The dotted lines in the Play are omitted at the Theatre. EPILOGUE, Written ly D. G A R R I C K, ESQ. Spoken ly Miss YOUNGE, POST hafte from Italy arrives my Lover ! Shall I to you, good Friends, my fears difcover f bnould Foreign modes his Virtues mar, and mangle, And Caro Spofo prove Sir Dingle Dangle ; No (oonerjsin'd than feparatt \ve go, Abroad we never {hall each other know, > At home I mope above he'll pick his teeth below. 3 In fvveet domeftic chat we ne'er (hall mingle, And, wedded tho' I am, {hall fhll Iweftngle. However modifli, 1 deteft this plan : For me, no maukifh creature, weak, and wan; He muil be Englijh, and an Engtijh Man. To Nature, and his Country, falie and blind, Shou'd BeLville dare to tvvift his form and mind, I will difcard him and to Britain true, A Briton chufe and, may be, one of you ! Nay^ don't be frighten'd I am but in jeft j Free Men in Love, or War, {hould ne'er be prefs'd, If you wou'd know my utmoft expectation, 'Tis one unfpoil'd by travel? d Education ; With knowledge, tafte, much kindnefs, and fome whim, Good fenfe to govern me and let me govern him : Great love of me, muft keep his he.rt from roving j Then. 1'Jl forgive him, if he proves too lovino- : -If in thefe times, I {hou'd be blefs'd by Fate With fuch a Phccnlx, fuch a match !efs Mate, I will by kindnefs, and Ibme fmall difcerning, T ake care that Hymen's torch continues burning : At weddings, no\v-a-days, the torch thrown down, Juft makes a fmoke, then ftinks throughout the town? No married Puritan I'll follow pleafure, And ev'n t^c-faihion but in mod'rate meafure; EPILOGUE, of Op'ra extafics partake, Tho' I take fnufF t o keep myfelf awake; Ko rampant Plumes fhall o'er my temples play, Foretelling that my brains will fly away ; Nor from my head {hall ftrange vagaries fprlng, To fhew the foil can teem w>th ev'ry thing ! No fruits* roctSy grtem, {hall fill th~ ample fpace, A kitt-hen-garden^ to adorn my face ! No Rock, iuall there be feen, no Windmill, Fountain, Nor curls like Guns fet round, to guard thr: Mountain O learn, yc Fair, if this fame madnefs iprea. i Not to bold tip) but to keep dour, your heads : Be not mifled by ftrange fantaftic art, But in your drefs let Nature take feme part j Her fkt'1 alone a lafting now'r mfu : es, And beft can ornament/uch charms as yours. PERSONS OF THE DRAMA, MEN. Mr. HARGRAVE GEORGE HAK.GRAVE Mr. DRUMMOND Sir CHA. SEYMOUR, Mr. MORLEY JUSTICE JARVIS Firft Hunter Mr. Yates. Mr. Smith. Mr. Benjley. Mr. Brer eton. Mr. A'tckin. Mr. Par fans. Mr. Palmer. Mr. Banmjler* Lady DINAH BELLA EMILY HARRIET SUSAN WOMEN. Mrs. Hopkins. Mifs Younge. Mrs. Siddons. Mils Hopkins. Mrs. Wrighten. Gentlemen, Hunters, Servants, fcfV. Mr. Hargravis Houfe in the Country. THE RUNAWAY. ACT I. SCENE, * Garden. BELLA and HARRIET. Enter GEORGE. George. OH, for the luxury of night-gown and flippers ! No jaded hack of Parnaflus can be more tired than I am the roads fo dufty, and the fun fo hot 'twould be lefs intolerable riding poft in Africa. Bella. What a wild imagination ! But in the name of Fortune, why are you alone ? What have you done with all the College youths ? This is the firft vacation you ever came home unaccompanied, and I allure you ive are quite difappointed. Geo. Oh, moft unconfcionable Woman ! Never to be fatisfied with conqueft - There's poor Lumley fliot through by your wicked eyes. Bella. A notable victory indeed ! - however, his name ferves to make a figure in the lifts of one'.s conquefts, and fo you may give him juft hope enough to feed his fighs, but not to encourage his prefumption. Geo. Paragon of generofity ! - And what portion of comfort will your Ladyfhip beftow on Egerton and Fil- mer, who ftill hug the chains of the refiftlefs Arabella ? Bella. Upon my word, your catalogue grows in- terefting 'tis worth while now to enquire lor your vouch- er^ - Proofs, George, proofs. B 2 T H E R U N A W A Y, Geo. Why, the firft writes formers in your praife, and' the laf? toafts you till he can't iee. Bella. Oh, excelkn: ! The Dulcinea of one^- and Circe of the other ha! ha! to transform him. into a beaft 1 hope you have better love-tokens for the blufhing Harriet How does Harriet. Fye, Bella you ufe me i Geo. Why, Sifter, you plead guilty. z charge is ejrtiijjfted t But tell me, my fweet i .o is ;his favour'd mortal, of wnom you mean to c; Har. Indeed, Brother, I have no enquiries to make ; but I imagine my Coufm can inform you whom fhe meant. Bella. Oh, doubtlefs but you look fo offended, Harriet, that I dare not venture the enquiry : a(k for Sir Charles Seymour yourfelf. Geo. Seymour ! Hc, ho ! Very fine truly ! [a/ide."] If Seymour be the. man,' my Sifter, fet your heart at reft > he is on the point of marriage, if I am not m'iftaken, with a fine blooming Girl, not more than eighteen. Soft, dove-like eyes pouting lips teeth that were, doubtlefs, made of oriental pearl a neck I want a fimiie now ivory, wax, alabafter ! no; they won't do. Har. [with an air of pique.] One would imagine, Br:v t"her, you were drawing the picture of your own Miftrefs, inftead of Sir Charles's, your colours are fo warm. Geo. A fine Woman, Harriet, gives warmth to all around her She is that univerfal fpirit, about which Philofophers talk ; the true point of attraction that go- verns- Nature, arid controuls the univerfe of Man. Bella. Heiday, George ! Did the charms of Lady Dinah infpire this rhapfody ? Geo. Charms ! What, of that antiquated, fenten- tious, delicate Lady, who Wefc'd us with her long fpeechei at dinner? BeL You muft learn to be more refpeclful in your epithets, Sir; for that fententious, delicate Lady defigna you the honour of becoming your Mother. Go. My Mother! Heaven forefend .you jeftj furely. Bel. You mall judge. ~We met her in our lati vifit to Bath She renewed her acquaintance with you? Father, with whom, in Mrs. Hargrave's life-time, (he Jaa4 been intimate He invited her to return with us, and fire has been here this, month They are frequently A COMEDY. 3 iclofeted together- She has forty thoufand pounds, and is Sifter to an Irifh Peer. Geo. She might have been Grandmother to the Pe3r, by the days (he has numbered But her exceffive propri- ety and decorum overcome me rHow can they agree with my father's vociferation, October, and hounds? Bel. Oh, I allure you, wondroufly well fhe kifles Jowler, takes Ringwood on her lap, and has, more than once, fipp'd out of your Father's tankard. Delicacies, Coufin, are eafily made to give way, when we have cer- tain ends to anfwer. Geo. Very true; and beware of -that period, when de- licacies muff give way tremble at the hour, Bella, when you'll rife from the labours of your toilette with no end in view, but the conqueft of fome Quixote Galant in his grand clima&eric on whom ycu'Jl fquander more en- couraging glances, than all the fighs and ardor of two and twenty .can extort from you now, Bel. Memento wort ! Quite a College compliment c you ought rather to have luppofed that my power will increafe ; and that, like Ninon, I might give myfelf the airs of eighteen at eighty But here's John coming to lijmmon us to coffee. Harriet ! Geo.. Come, Harriet-^-why that pen five air ? Give me your band. H#r. Excufe me I'll only ftep and look at my birds, and follow you inftantly [Exeunt Georpe ar>4 Bella playfully.] " Set your heart at reft, my Sifter." Oh, Brother ! you haverobb'd that heart of reft for ever. Cruel intelligence! Something has long fat heavy in my hofom and now the weight is irrcmoveable Perfidious Seymour ! yet, of what can I accufe him ? He never profefs'd to love me Oh yes, his ardent looks his fighs his confufion his refpeclful attentions, have a thoufand times profefs'd the ftrongeft pallion^ Surely, a man cannot, in honour, be exculpated, who by fuch methods defrauds a Woman of her heart; even tiio' the lyord Love (hould never pafs his lips. Yet I ougSt not to have trufttd ihefe fecming proofs no; I mull only blame my own credulity O partial Nature-! -why have you given us hearts fo replete with tendcrnefs, a.ncj ir i mis fo weak, fo yielding? 4 THERUNAWAY, SCENE, a Garden Parlour. Enter GEORGE and BELLA at the Garden Door. BELLA feating b erf elf at a Tea-table. Bel. Hang this Lady Dinah one's fbrc'd to be fo drefs'd, and To formal ! In the country we fhould be all (hepherds and fhepherdeffes Meadows, ditches, rooks, and court-manners, are the ftrangert combination ! Geo. Hift (he's in the hall, 1 fee I'll go and 'fquire her in. [Exit George, and returns ivith LadyD\nah. Lady D. To you, Sir, who have been fo long con- verfant with the fine manners of the Antients, the frivo- lous cuftom of tea-drinking mud appear ridiculous. Geo. No cuftom can be ridiculous, Madam, that gives us the fociety of the Ladies The young men of thofe days deferve your Ladyfhip's pity, for having never tafted thefe elegant hours. O Lady D. [a/ide.] He is juft what his Father defcribed. Enter Mr. HAR GRAVE. Mr. H. No; Barbary Befs is fpavin'd ; let her be taken care of : I'll have Longfhanks, and fee that he's faddled by five So we fha'n't have you in the hunt to- morrow, George, you muft have more time to {hake off the lazy ruft of Cambridge, I fuppofe. What fort of hours d'ye keep at College? Geoi Oh, Sir, we are frequently up before the Sun, there. Mr- H. Hah ! then 'tis when you ha'n't been in bed all night, I believe. And how do you Hand in other matters ? Have the mufty old Dons tired you with their Greek, and theirGeometry, and their learned Experiments to (hew what air, and fire, and water, are made of? Ha ! ha! ha! Bella. Oh, no, Sir he never ftudied them clofety enough to be tired his Philofophy and mine keep pretty equal pace, I believe. Geo. As ufual, my lively Coufin If you had faid my Philofophy and your Coquetry, I fhould have thought you had meant to compliment me HoWever, Sir, I am not tired of my ftudies though Bella has not exactly hie the reafon. ACOMEDY. 5 Lady D. to Mr. H. The Mufes, Sir, fufficiently recompcnce the moil painful afliduities by which we ob- tain their favour Their true lovers are never fatiatetl with the pleasures they beftow thofe, indeed, who court them, like the Toafts of the feafon, becaufe it is the faftiion, are neither warm'd by their beauties, nor pene- trated with their charms but thefe arefaithlefs Knights ; your Son, I dare fay, has enlifted himfelf among their fincereft Votaries, Geo. You do me great honour, Madam, I have no doubt but you are perfectly acquainted with the Mufes. They fhed their favours on a few only but thofe who (hare them muft, like you, be irreiiftible. I'll catch her Lady (hip's ftyle. [afide. Mr. H. \_afide.'] Humph I am glad he likes her. Lady Dinah. You men are fo full of flattery ! la Athens, in Lacedemon, that vice was forages unknown it was then the Athenians were the happiell, and the La- cedemonians the Bella. Oh mercy ! I have burnt my fingers in the moft terrible manner. [Enter Harriet from the Garden.] I wifh the misfortune had happened to her La- dyfhip's tongue. \_afide. Har. Dear Bella, I am quite concerned. Bella. Pho ! I only meant to break in upon her harangue, there's no bearing fo much Wifdom. [Enter Servant. Serv. Mr. Drummond. Enter Mr. DRUMMOND, Mr. D. Btnedicitel ah! my dear Godfon J why, this is an unexpected pleafure -I did not know you Were arrived. Geo. I have had that happinefs only a few hours, Sir, and I was on the point of paying my devoirs to you at die Park. Mr. D. Ungracious Rogue ! a few h^urs, and not been with me yet ! however ftay where you are, flay where you are, George you cannot come under my roof with fafety now, I allure you ; fuch a pair of eyes, fuch a bloom, fuch a fhape ! Ah Girls, Girls ! Har. Dear Mr. Drummond, of what, or whom, are you talking ? You make me quite jealous,. 6 THE RUNAWAY, Mr. D. Oh ! you are all out-done, eclipfed you have no chance with my Incognita Then {he has the' prettieft foot and moves a Grace ! Bel. Teaflng creature ! Mr. D. Pretty Bella ! well, it fhall be fatisfied. Mr. Hargrave, I wait on you, Sir, to requeft an apart- ment for a young Lady of beauty, and honour, who hath put herfelf under my protection. But as I really think my houfe a dangerous fituation for her, confidering that I am fingle, young and handfome, [ftroking bis face] I cannot in confcience expofe her to it. You, being a grave, orderly man, and having a couple of decent, well- behaved young women for a Daughter and Niece ; I think fhe will be more agreeably protected here and this is my bufmefs. Mr. H. A young Lady who hath put herfelf under your protection ! Who is fhe ' Mr. D. Her name {he wifhes to conceal. Mr. H. That's very odd Where did you meet with her? Mr. D. At the houfe of a Widow Tenant of mine, a few miles from hence, where {he had taken refuge from a marriage to which an Uncle would have forced her. She had no companion but the good old Lady, whom I found employed in alliliing her to weep, inftead of confoling her. In fhort, there were reafons to think her fituation highly dangerous, and I prevail'd on her to leave it. Har. And fo your credulity is again taken in, and the air of a weeping Beauty is the trap that caught you? Ha, ha! ha ! Will you never be fickof impolitions ? Mr. D. I don't remember that I was ever impqfed on. Mr. H. No ! don't I know how many people you hive* plagued yourfelf about, who had not a grain of me- rit to deferve it ? -Mr. D. I want merit Mr. Hargrave; yet all the bleffin^s of health and fortune have not been with-held O from me. Mr. H. Aye, aye there's no getting you to hear rea- fon on this fubje&. Mr. D. 'Tis too late to reafon now. The young Lady is at my houfe I have promifed to bring her here, and we muft endeavour to raife the poor Girl's fpirits. She would have fpoil'd the prettieft face in England - beg pardon, Ladies one of the prettieft faces, with weep- ing at the old Widows. ACOMEDY. 7 Bel. An old Widow, a pretty Girl, a Lover, a tyran- nical Uncle 'tis a charming group for the amufement of a village circle. I long to lee this Beauty. Lady D. Her beauty, according to Mr. Drummond, may be confpicuous enough but her pretenfions to birth and honour feem to be a more doubtful matter. Geo. Pardon me, Madam, why fhould we doubt of either ? A Lady in fuch a fittiation has a right to protec- tion ; \to his Father] and I hope, Sir, you will not with- hold yours. Mr. H. Oh, no, to be fure, George. 'Sbud ! refufe protection to a fine Girl ! 'twould be, with you, a crying Sin, I warrant but Mr. Drummond, 1 (hould fuppofe Mr. D. Come, be fatisfied, the weaknefles with which you reproach me, might have induced me to have (hatched her from an alarming fituation without much examination. But, in compliment to your delicacy, I have made proper enquiries. She was placed under the care of Mrs. Carlton by a perfon of credit. She has dif- patched a meflenger to her Uncle, who, I prefume, will be here to-morrow. Har. Pray, Sir, permit us to wait on the Lady, and conduit her here; I am ftrongly interefted for her. Mr. H. 'Tis an odd affair what fay you to it, my Lady? Lady D. As your Family feem defirous to receive her, Sir, 1 am forry to perceive an impropriety in the requeft but I fhould apprehend that any appearance of encourage- ment to young Ladies in dlfo'bedience particularly when accompanied with the glaring indecorum of an elopg- onent Mr. H. Aye, very true 'Sbud, Mr. Drummond, how can you encourage fuch Mr.D Madam, I do not mean to encourage, but to reft ore the Y un g Lady to her family. She feems terrified at the peculiar feverity of h*er Uncle's temper ; fo we'll put ourfelves in form, receive him in full aflembiy, and divide his ange- amongir. us. Your Ladyfhip, I'm fure, muft be happy to render the recovery of the firftfiiifs ftep as eafy as pofiible. Mr. H. Why aye, my Lady there can be no harm in that, you know. Lady D. Very well, Sir if you think fo, I can have no farther objection. Air, H. WelJ then, rfarriet, you may go I think. 8 T H E R U N A..W A Y, Bella. And I with you, Coufin. Mr. D. Come then, my pretty doves I'll efcort you. George, fteel your heart, fteel your heart, you Rogue. [Exeunt. Geo. It is fteel'd, Sir. Mr. H. You need not go, George I want to fpeak to you, Lady D. Blefs me ! what does he intend to fay now? he's going to open the affair to his Son well thefe are the moft aukward moments in a Woman's life but one muft go through it. \_ajide. ~\ I have letters to write, which I'll take this leifure to do, if you'll pardon my abfence, Gentlemen. Mr. H. To be fure, Madam [both bowing. Exit Lady IX] Well, George, how do you like that Lady ? Geo. Extravagantly t Sir, 1 never faw a Lady fo learn'd. Mr. H. Oh, (he's clever (he's an Earl's Sifter too, and a forty thoufand pounder, boy. Geo. That's a fine fortune. Mr. H. Aye, very fine, very fine and then her inte- reft ! fuppofe 1 could prevail with her eh, George if one could keep her in the. family, I fay would not that be a ftroke? Geo. An alliance with fo noble a family, Sir, is cer- tainly a defirable circumftance. Enter Servant. Ser. The Gentlemen are in the fmoaking parlour, Sir. Mr. H. Very well are the pipes and October in rea- dinefs ? Ser. Yes, Sir. [Exit. Mr. H. Well then, we'll talk over the affair to-mor- row what I fuppofe your ftomach is too fqueamim for tobacco and ftrong beer ? you'll find the Juftice, and fome more of your old friends there. Geo. Pardon me, Sir, I made too free with the bottle at dinner, and have felt the effects in my head ever fince I beKeve a turn in the garden is a better recipe than, the fumes of tobacco. Mr. H. WelJ, well, we won't difpute the matter with you now, boy but you know I don't like milkfops. Geo. [failing.] Nor I, Sir. [Buius and exit. ,A COMEDY. 9 Mr. H. Aye, aye, George is a brave Boy Old Eng- land is difgraced by a f'et of whipfters who afFc& to def- .pife the jolly manners of their Anceftois, while they only ferve to (hew us, how greatly manners may be altered without being mended Enter JUSTICE. ''-Sbud, I don't know that we are a bit -wifer, happier, or freater, than we were in good old Befs's days when our 4en of Rank were robuft, and our Women of Faftiion buxom. Jujtice. Aye, aye, a plague -on all -the innovations that tend to produce a race of pretty ftlle'.us inftead of Eng~- lijhmen and puny girls, for the Mothers of Heroes Give me a rofy buxom lafs, with eyes that fparkle like the glaf- fes \vc toaft her in adad-, I'd drink her health till the world danced round like a top But, what a plague, 'Squire, d'ye flay here for? come into t'other room, ar,d i if you have a mind to make wife Speeches there, we can .drink in the mem time, and.//;* what you fay will have a proper efteft. Mr. H. Well, well, I!ll go, but I want to confult ,you 1 have been thinking whether thris Greenwood .-eftate 'Juf. Tufh you know very weii, I can neither con- iider or advife, till I have had my brace I am as dark, Jill the liquor tends its fpirits into my brains, as a lan- tern without its candle (o, if you've any knotty point to propofe, keep it till I'm enlighten'd, Mr. H. Well, .come along, r[ Y. ii again ft one of your Billet-doux, that (he's not within fifty degrees of her who witch'd away my heart. Bel. Witch'd it indeed, if in fix weeks it has not made one excurfion I never knew you fd conftant before. However, I prophefy her charm is broke ; the Divinity who will reign perhaps for another fix weeks is com- ing down the fteps with Harriet but, that her rays may not dazzle your mortal fight, fhelter yourfelf behind the clump, and examine her. [ George goes and returns. Well, how d'ye like her ? Geo. Like her ! -the air is all Ambrofia every hap- py conftellation is in conjunction each bounteous ftar has lent its influence, and Venus guided the event. Bel. Heyday what event? Sure this cannot be your Mafquerade Lady ! Geo. It is, it is fhe is the fweet Thief '(he is my Wood Nymph Oh, I am tranfported ! Bel. And I amazed ! how can it Geo. No matter how whether by chance or witch- craft Now could I apoftrophize Pfhaw away, and at her feet thefe tranfports [Going. Enter Mr* DRUMMOND. Mr. Drum. So, fo, fo, and pray, what's the caufe of thefe tranfports ? Geo. You are the caufe 'tis to you, my dear Mr. Drummond, I am indebted for the happinefs which dawns on me. Mr. Drum. Then, God grant, my dear Boy, the dawn may not deceive th'ee I wifh it to brighten into the faireft day But how have I been inftrumental to all this ? Geo. That Lady I have feen before at a Mafquerade She poflefled herfelf of my heart at once, but I defpair'd of ever beholding her again Pray prefent me [Going. \ Mr. Drum. Hold, George, hold perhaps you'd better never be prefented ; for, tho' you may have put her in pofleffion of your heart, 'tis by no means an evidence, that {he has had the fame complaifance for you Stip- pofe, for inftance, fuch a trifle as hers being engaged. Bella. Oh unconfcionable ! to fancy the galloping imagination of a man in love, capable of fo reafonable a fuppofition ! But, pray have fo much decency, George, to poftpone your entree till you are more compofed, I'll 12 T*'H? E RUNAWAY, ":<, and prepare her for the reception of a ftrangc creature^ that you may appear to advantage. [Exit*- Geo. Advantage ! oh,; I will hope every advantage, from fo fortunate a chance her heart cannot {hall not be engaged and (he (hall be mine Pardon,, my dear Sir, thefe effufions of my joy. Mr. D. I do pardon them 'tis an odd circumftance,= -^Are you acquainted with the Lady's name ? Geo. No one knew her She feemed like an Angel de- fcended to aftonifh her beholders, and vanifh the moment fhe had fixt their hearts Unluckily Mrs. Fitzherbert flopt me, and a jealous coxcomb in her train feized that moment, to hurry her out of the room^ Mr. D'. T"hat misfortune^ perhaps, I can repair. but you feem fo extravagantly difpofed to raptures, that hardly dare tell- you I know fomething of her family. Geo. I am rejoiced for I am convinced you know nothing that will not juftify my paffion. Mr. D. This eagernefs to believe might have been fo fatal, that I tremble for you But you are fortunate flic is the Daughter of a deceafed Major Morley a man, to \vhofe friendfhip, and elegance of manners, I was indebt- ed for happy and rational, hoars, amidft the buftle of a- Camp. Geo. Fortunate indeed !' for then my paflion muft have your fanciion but I thought you had not known Mr. D. I knew her Father's piifture on her arm but her delicacy is fo alarmed at the idea of expoling the name of her Family in fuch a fituation, that fhe would not confent to be introduced here, btit on condition of its being conceal'd. Geo. Charming delicacy ! I will keep her fecret. My only confolation was, that fuch a Woman could not be long concealed, a-nd it would have been the bufinefs of niv life, till I had difcover'd her but your goodnefr, . has brought about the event your goodnefs, to which L . owe more than Mr. D. ' Nay, flop your acknowledgements, and"' don't arrogate to your own merits the afle&ion I have for . you ; for, tranfcendent as without doubt they are, yout- . owe great part of it to cir-cumflances, in which they have very little concern.- Gt'o. ' I am contented to hold your eflecm by any , tie- But, dear Sir, the Lady Mr. D. Impatient Rogue ! Well, come, I'll intro- duce you, and may the moment be auificious ! [Exit, A C O M D Y. 13 Ceo, May it ! Oh Love, fweet Tyrant ! I yield my heart to theea willing flave to Love I devote my future life never more fliall I experience the aching void of in- difference, or know one moment unoccupied by thee. [.v;Y. END OF THE FIRST ACT. ACT II. SCENE, a Court before the Houfe. Enter a HUNT. A Flourijh of Hams. Holla ! hollo I ye hrickS) Hargrove, ille, Hie, hoa* Firjl Hztnter. ZOUNDS, 'tis almoft fey en ; [looking at bis watch'} the fcent will be cold let's roufe the lazy rogue fpith a fong* Second Hunt. Aye, a good thought come, begin, SONG. Aroufe, and break the bands ofJJeep ; Blujn-, Idler, blujh, fuch hours to keep. Somnus ! ^vhat blifs can/} thou bejlow^ Equal to that which Hunters hiow 9 Whether the mountains they attain^ Or fwiftly dart atrofs the plain ? Somnus ! what jeys canjl thou beftow, Equal to thofe which Hunters kntnu? i&ark thro' the wood, how our mufic refiunds f fhc hor?is re-ecchoed, morefweet by tht hsunds, Deep-throated and clear ^ Our fpirits they cheer ; 'They give us fuch g/ee, No danger we fee, But fellow with pleafure : 'Tis joy beyond me a jure To be the firjl In at the death at the death, To be, &c. Enter G EORG E from the Houfe. Fir/I Gent. Hah, my young Hercules ! - But now, in this drefs ! don't you hunt with us f * 4 THE RUNAWAY, Geo. Oh, I have only changed liveries, I ufed to that of Adonis but now I ferve his miftrefs Venus. Second Gent. And a moft hazardous fervice you have chofen I would rather fubjedl myfelf to the fate of Ac- teon, than to the caprice and infolence of the handfomeft Coquette in England. Geo. Acleon's fate would be lefs than you'd defervr, if, knowing my Goddefs, you {hould dare profane her With fuch epithets. Second Gent. May I never ftart Pufs, if I believe your Goddefs to be more than a very Woman that is, a being whofe foul is vanity tafte, voluptuoufnefs form, deceitful and manners, unnatural. Geo. Heyday! turn'd Satyrift on the fex at eight and twenty!. What jilting Blowfalind has work'd this miracle ? Second Gent. Faith, I take my copies from higher fchools AmongfttheBlowfalinds there is {till Nature and Honefty but examine our Drawing-roomsj Ope- ras, and Water-drinking places you'll find the firft turn'd fairly out of doors, and the laft exchanged for Af- fedtation and Hypocrify fo henceforward \Jmacking his whip] I abandon all Ladies, but thofe of the woods, and chafe only the harmlefs game, to which my fagacious hounds conduct me. [Exit. Geo. Ha ! ha ! and in a fhort time be fit fociety for your hounds only. Good morning, Sir. Enter Mr. HARGRAVE and tbeJuRice. Mr. H. So, George Come, you'd better mount I'll give you a Lecture upon Air, and the advantages of a good Conftitution, on our Downs, worth all you cou'd hear in a mufty College thefe fifcy years. Geo. I beg, Sir, to be excus'd this morning > td- morrow I'll refume my ufual poft, and lead where you only will venture to follow me. Mr. H. Well we {hall put you to the teft. [Exit* Juftice to Geo. Yes, yes, you're a keen Sportfman- I faw the Game you are in purfuit of, fcudding away to the garden beat the bufhes, and I'll warrant you'll ftart her, and run her down too. 'Third Gent. Egad ! I ftarted a fine young Pufs a few days ago She feem'd fhy, and made her doublings ; but I {ruck to the fcent, and {hou'd infallibly have got her, if that fly poaching rogue, Drummond, had not laid a fpringe in her way. A C O M E D Y. 15 Juflla-. Why, (he's the very Pufs I mean ; he hous'4 her here. [Exit. Third Gent. Oh, ho ! then I fuppofe he only pointed the game for you Sweet Sir, your humble After College commons, a coarfer difh than Pheafant, I think, mioht have gone down. Geo. Your whip, Sir-^your bit wants lafhing. To talk thus of Mr. Drummond, whom you do know, is not more infolent than your profanation of a Lady whom you do not know. Third Gent. ' O! cry you mercy Plague take me ifl quarrel for any wench in England You are heartily welcome to her, Sir, only I hope another time you'll be honeft, and hunt without a ftalking-horfe. [Exit. Geo. Barbarian ! How critically did Mr. Drummond relieve the lovely Girl This brute had difcovered hrr, and fhe would have fuffered every indignity that Igno- rance, fupported by the pride of Fortune, could have' in- flicked, in the garden that's fortunate beyond my ex- pectations 'midft groves and fountains the very ifcene where a lover fhould tell his tale and the fweet confci- oufnefs which beamed in her eyes laft night, flatters me that fhe will not hate me for my tale I'll go in ail the confidence of hope. [Exit. SCENE, the Garden. Enter EMILY. Em. What an heavenly morning ! furely'tis in Eng- land that Summer keeps her court for {he's no where elfe fo lovely. And what a fweet garden this is"! But tell me, my heart is it the brightnefs of the morning, the verdure of the garden, the melody of the birds, that gives thee thefe enchanting fenfations ? Ah, no ! it is that thou haft found thy Lord it is, that I have again feen the Man, who, fince I firft beheld him, has been the only image in my mind. How different from the empty, th? prefuming Baldwin ! yet, I owe him this.obligatiolv if his hateful perfeverance had not forced me from London, J might never have feen, but ortcc, the Man who, that cnce^ poflefs'd himfelf of my tendered wifb.es. Ha .' [parting.'] Enter GEORGE. " Geo. Abroad fo earlv, Madam ! the fine Ladies in X-ondon are yet in their firft fleep. s6 THE RUNAWAY, Em. It would have been impofiible to havercfifted the chearful call of the Hunters, if the morning had been lefs enticing. Geo. Oh, do not imagine yourfelf obliged to the HunU ers, Madam, it was my good Genius I thank her . that infpired them, and did me the favour to lead me here. Em. * If flic ufually influences you to no better purpofe, . her claims to your gratitude are but weak. Geo. ' 'Till lately I thought fo, and fuppofed my-. . felf influenced by the worft Genius that ever fell to the lot of a poor mortal but fhe has entirely retrieved her- . felf in my opinion, and by two or three capital ftrokes has made me forget her unlucky pranks, and believe her one of the beft difpofed Sylphs in all the regions of Fancy. Em. [fruiting.] * You recommend this aerial attend- ant very ftrongly Have you any intention to part from her ? Geo. ' I would willingly exchange her if your Genius would be fo obliging to take a fancy to me - I'll accept her with all my heart and give you mine. Em. ' You wou'd lofe by the exchange. Geo. ' Impoflible! for my quondam friend would fay a thoufand things forme, that ! could not for myfelf fo Ifhould gain your good opinion and that would be well gaintd, whatever I might lofe to attain it. Em. * Your Genius is, at leafr, a gallant one, I per- ceive buf I was on the point of leaving the garden, Sir. 'The Ladies, I imagine, are rifen by this time. Geo. Indeed they are not, but if they fhould thefe are precious moments, which I muft not lofe may I pre- fume to ufe them in telling you how hnppy I am, in the event which placed you in my Father's houfe ? but you have, perhaps, forgot the prefumptuous Tancred, who gave fuch disturbance to the Gentleman honour'd by pro- tecting you, at the Mafquerade ? Em. No, Sir, I remember and, if I don't miftake, you were nearly engaged in a fracas with that Gentleman I was happy, when I obferv'd you ftopt by a mafk, and feized that moment to leave the room. Geo. A moment, Madam, that I have never ceas'd to tegret 'till now but that which I at prefent poffefs, is 3 felicity fo unexpected, and unhop'd for > A C O M E D Y. 17 Em. You forget, Sir, thefe gallantries are out of place here under a mafic* a Shepherd may figh, or an Eafterii Prince amufe himfelf in faying the moft extravagant things but they know there are delicacies to be obferved in real life, quite incompatible with the freedoms of a Mafqueracie. Geo. Whilft you are thus fevefe on mere gallantries, I will venture to hope that a moft tender and refpectful p-afiion will be treated more favourably. m* Sir ! Geo. - 1 comprehend, Madarii, what your delicacy muft feel, and will therefore only add, that from the firft moment I be- held you, my heart has known no other object. You have been theMiftrefs of its Wifhes and you are theMiftrefs of its Fate. Em. (hefttathigly] Indeed, Sir, this declaration, at a time when I muft appear in fo ftrangea light to your family, hurts me greatly I can fcarcely believe you mean it a compliment but, furely, my fituation here ought Geo. I acknowledge, Madam, the confeffion I have dared to make, is premature it is ill timed nothing can excufe it, but the peculiarity of our fituation. When I reflect, that in a few moments your Uncle may arrive, that he may fnatch you from us, and that fuch an opportunity never may be mine again [Enter Mr. Drummond. Mr. D. So, fo, my young ones, have I found you ? 'tis a moft delicious morning but is it ufual with you, Madam, to tafte the air fo early ? Em. Yes, Sir in the Country, at leaft -I feldom mur- der fuch hours in fleep. Mr. D> Aye, 'tis to that practice you are indebted for the rofes in your cheeks What, I fuppofe, you brought the Lady unto the garden, George, to read her a lecture on Ve- getation to explain the nature and caufe of Heat or, perhaps, more abstracted fubjects have engaged > Geo. Stop, dear Sir I affure you I am not abftracted enough to enter on thefe fubjects with fuch an object before roe I found the Lady here, and had fcarcely paid her my morning compliments when you appeared. Mr, D. ' For which you do not thank me, I prefume but come, Madam, you are my ward, 'till 1 have the pleafure of preferring you to your Uncle; and I come to conduct you to brcakfaft. George, you may follow ; but take care you keep yourdiftance. [Exeunt Mr. D. and Emily. Geo. Diftance ! as well might you perfuade the fhadow toforfake its Sun, or erring mortals give up hopes of mercy. i8 T H E R U N A W A Y, With what fweet confidence (he gives her hand to Mr Drummond ! if thefe are the privileges of Age, I'll be young no longer. [ Exit* SCENE, Lady DINAH'S DreJfing-Room. Lady Dinah dreffmg^ Sufan attending. Lady Dinah. Both in the warden and in deep converfa- x* I tion ! Sufan. It appear'd fo, my Lady, as I faw them from the window he looked eagerly in her face; and (lie blufh'd, and feem'd confufed. Lady D. Confufed indeed ! yes, fo the Impertinent af- fected to appear laft night tho' it was evident fhe had neither eyes nor thoughts but for Mr. Hargrave's Son who paid her thofe attentions which, from the prefent habits of life, are paitl to every Woman tho', I think, Mr. George Hargrave ihould be fuperior to thefe modern gallantries. Suf. I dares to fay fhe is fome importer Hufbands in good truth are not fo plenty, that a woman need run away to efcape one. Lady D. I have no doubt of her being a low perfon and as to her prettinefs, 'tis of the kind one fees in wooden Dolls cherry-colour cheeks, and eyes, that from the total abfence of exprefiion might be taken for glafs. Suf. I wonder Mr. Hargrave did not ftand by his own opinion, and let her flay where fhe was; but whatever Mr. Drummond fays is law here". Lady D. Becaufe Mr. Hargrave imagines he'll make his Son his heir but if he does, he'll only fhare with the paupers of the neighbouring villages ; for thefe Mr. Drummond feems to confider his family ; and i am miftaken, if he does n't find it a pretty expeniive one. Suf. Oh, Ma'am, he believes every melancholy tale that'-s told him as a proof of his piety Here's the Bow, my Lady but as he fancies her prettynefs was in danger, he had better have kept her in his own houfe, and flood guard himfelf. Lady D. Aye that employment, or any other that would keep him at home, might be ufeful Want of reft [looting in the glafs] abfolutely transforms me the deteftable Horns, and their noify accompanyment, waked me from the moft delight- ful dream How do I look to-day, Sufan? Suf. Oh, charmingly, my Lady. A C O M E D Y. 14 Lady D. 'Tis a moft provoking circumftance, the colour f my hair fhould be fo foon changed but Mrs. Gibfon's Liquid entirely hides that accident, I believe. Suf. Entirely, my Lady and then, her Bloom, it is im- poffible to diftinguifh from nature. Lady D. You need not fpeak fo loud. In compliance with ..he cuftom of modern times, a woman is forced to keep the ufe of thefe fort of things as fecretly as fhe would an Ille- gitimate Birth. It was not fo among the Antients The Roman Ladies made a point of excelling in Arts of this kind; and the Emprefs Foppea was not alhamed to carry in her train five hundred Affes, in whofe milk fhe bathed every morning for the benefit of her complexion. Suf. Five hundred Afies in one Lady's train! thank Heaven, we have no fucii engrofiing now-a-days our Toafts have all their full fhare. Lady D. Indeed ! Mrs. Safan, [half foiiling"] this wench lias ideas. Pray, what do you think of the young Collegian? Suf. Oh, my Lady, he is the fvveeteft, fmarteft Man I think he is exactly like the picture of your Ladyfhip's Brother, that died when he was eighteen. Lady D. People ufed to fay that Brother, and myfelf, bore a ftrong refemblance. Suf. I dare to fay you did, my Lady ; for there's fomething in the turn of young Mr. Hargrave's face, vaftly like your Ladyfhip's. [laughing btbindher.'] Lady D. Well, Sufan I believe I may truft you I think you can be faithful. Suf. Moft furely, my Lady I would rather die. than be- tray your Ladyfhip. Lady D. Well, then I proteft I hardly know how to ac- knowledge it But Sufan. But what, my Lady ? your Ladyfliip alarms me. Lady D. I too am alarm'd but I know your faith \_Jighs. \ There will foon be a moft intimate and never to be diflblved connexion between me and young Mr. Har- grave. Suf. Young Mr. Hargrave, Madam ! Lady D. Yes, Young Mr. Hargrave, Madam Whafc doft ftretch thy eyes fo widely at, wench ? Mr George Hargrave, I fay, is to be my Hufband I am to be hi* Wife It it paft thy comprehenfton , ? D * lar THE RUNAWAY, Suf. I moft humbly beg your Ladymip's pardon-- ....fc was my furprife the whole houfe concludes your Lady- /hip is to marry Old Mr. Hargrave but, to be fure, the Soii is a mUch more fuitable match for your Ladyfliip. Lady D. Old Mr. Hargrave, indeed ! the whole houfe. is very impertinent in its conclufions Go, and bring the Bergamot hither. [Exit Suf.] I marry Old Mr. Hargrave ! monftrcus abfurdity ! and by fo prepofterous an union to be- come the mother of that fine fellow, his Son! 'twould be infupportable no, Miftrefs Sufan, 'tis Young Mr. Har- grave I am to marry. [Enter Sufan with the Bergamot.]- Here, fcent that handkerchief, while I write to my agent to prepare matters for the writings. [Exit. Sufan alone, fcent^ ing the handkerchief. Suf. To prepare matters for the writings ! a very fine bufmefs indeed ; and what you'll forely repent of, my good Lady, take my word for it All thofe fcented waters, nor any other waters, will be able to keep up your fpirits this time twelvemonth A *' never to be diffolved connexion" between fifty and twenty-one, ha! ha! ha! I (hall burft with the ridiculous fecret I muft find Jarvis, and give it vent "never to be diffblved connexion !" ha, ha, ha ! SCENE, an Apartment. Enter' GEORGE, HARRIET, and BELLA. Bel. What transformations this Love can make ! You look as grave, George, and fpealc as fententioufly, as an Old-Bailey Fortune-teller. Geo. And is it only to preferve your fpirits, Bella, that you keep your heart fo cold ? Bel. The recipe is certainly not a bad one, if we may judge from the effects of the oppofite element on your fpirits but I advife you, whatever you do, not to aflume an ap- pearance of gravity 'tis the moft dangerous character in the world. Geo. How fo ? Bel. Oh, the advantages you would lofe by it are incon- conceivable. While you can fuftain that of a giddy, thoughtlefs, undefigning, great Boy, all the impertinent and foplifh things you commit will be excus'd laugh'd at nay, if accompanied by a certain manner, they will be applauded but do the fame things with a grave reflecting face, and an important air and you'll be condemn'd, nem. con. A C O M E D Y. 21 Enter Servant. Sirv. Sir Charles Seymour is driving up the avenue, Sir. [Exit. Geo. Is he ? 1 am rejoiced Har. Sir Charles Seymour, Brother? 1 thought you usyefterday he was on the point of marriage. Geo. Well, my dear Harriet, and what then ? Is his being on the point of marriage any reafon why he fliould not be here ? he is even now haftening to pay his devoirs to the Lady ! left him yefterday at a friend's houfe on the road, and he promifed to call on us in his way to-day but I hear him [Exit. Bel. Harriet, you look quite pale 1 had no concep* tionthat Sir Charles was offerieus confequence to you. Har. My dear Bella 1 am afliamed of myfelf I'll go with you to 'your dreffing-room I muft not fee him while I look fo ridiculoufly 1 dread my Brother's raillery. Bel. Come then, hold by me. Deuce take it, what bu- iinefs have women with hearts ? If I could influence the Houfe, handfomemen fhould be (hut out of fociety, 'till they grew harmlefs, by becoming Hufbands. [Exeunt. Enter GEORGE and Sir CHARLES. Geo. Ha ! the birds are flown. Sir Cha. Let us purfue 'em then. Geo. Pho they are not w^rth purfuing Bella's a Co- quette, and Harriet's in love. Sir Ch. Harriet in love ! Geo. Aye, flic's in for't, depend on't but that's nothing, / have intelligence for the man my Incognita's found, he's now in the houfe my beauteous Wood Nymph ! Sir Ch. Mifs Har'grave's heart another's ! Geo. Mifs Hargrave's heart another's why, my Sifter's heart is certainly engaged but how's all this ? Sir Ch. O George ! I love I love your Sifter todiftrac- tion, doat on her. Geo. A pretty time, for the mountain to give up its bur- then truly! Why did you not tell me this before? If your heart had been as open to me, as mine has ever been to you - I might have ferv'd you ; but now Sir Ch. Oh, reproach me not, but pity me I love your Sifter long have lov'd her. Geo. And not intruft your love to me ! You diftruftcd me, Charles, and you'Jl be^r0/>*r/ypuni{h'd. 22 THE R U N A W A Y. Sir Ch. Severely am I punifh'd fool, fool, that I was, thus to have built a fuperftruclure of happinefs for all my life to come, that in one moment diflblves into air I I cannot fee your Sifter I muft leave you. Geo. Indeed, you (hall not leave me, Seymour On what grounds did you build your hopes, that you feem fo greatly difappointed ? Had my Sifter accepted your addrefles ? Sir Cb. No I never prefumed to make her any my fortune was fo fmall, that 1 had no hopes of obtaining your Father's confent and therefore made it a point of honour not to endeavour to gain her aftedlion. Geo. Yes, yes, you took great care. [afide. Sir Ch. But my Uncle's death having removed every caufe of fear on that head, I flatter'd myfelf i had nothing elfe to apprehend. Geo. Courage, my friend, and your difficulties may ra- nifh. 'Tis your humble diftant lovers who have fung t;iro* every age of their fcornful Phillis's You never knew a bold fellow, who could love Women without m.i flaking 'em for Angels, whine about their cruelty. Sir Ch. Do you not tell me your Sifter's heart is engaged ? - Then what have I to ftruggle for ? it was her heart I wifh'd to poflefs. Could Mifs Hargrave be indelicate enough, which I am fure (he could not, to beftow her hand on me without it, I would reject it. Geo. Bravo ! nobly refolved ! keep it up by all means, Come now, I'll introduce you, to one of the fineft Girls you ever favv in your life but remember you are not to fuffer you? heart to be interefted there, for that's my quarry and death to the man who attempts to rob me of my prize ! Sir Cb. Oh, you are very fecure, I aflure you my heart is adamant from this moment. [Exeunt* Tbe Garden. Enter HARGRAVE and a Servant. Mr. Har. Run and tell my Son I want to fpeak to him here dire&ly [exit Serv.] Her forty thoufand pounds will juft enable me to buy the Greenwood Eftate, and to my cer- tain knowledge, that young Rakehelly won't be able to keep jt to his back much longer. We fliall then have more land than any family in the country, and a Borough of our own into the bargain. Humph But fuppofe George fhould not have a mind to marry her now ? Why then, why then as to his mind, when two parties differ, the weaker muft give way the match is for the advancement of your fortune, fays ,1 ; and if it can't fatisfy your mind, you muft teach it what I have always taught you obedience. [Enter A C O M E D Y. * 3 Oh, George, I fent for you into the garden, that we might -have no interruptions ; for, as I was faying, there's au affair of confequence I want to talk to you about. Gea. i am all -attention, Sir. Mr. H. I don't defign that you fhall return to College any more I have other views, which I hope will not be difagree- able to you. You you like Lady Dinah, you fay ? Geo. \befitatingly~} She is a Lady of great erudition, with- out doubt. Mr. H. I don't know what your notions may be of her age ; 1 could wifh her a few years younger, but Geo. Pardon me, Sir, I think there can be no objection to her age ; and the preference her Ladyfhip gives to our fa- mily, is certainly a high compliment. Mr. H. Ho, ho, then you are acquainted already with what I was going to communicate to you 1 am furprifed at that, Geo. Matrimonial negotiations, Sir, are feldom long con- gealed ; 'tis a fubject on which every body is fond of talking the young, in hopes that their turn will come j and thofe who are older Mr. H. By way of giving a fillip to their memories, I fuppofe you mean, George, eh ? well, I am glad you arefo -merry ; I was a little uneafy about what you might think of this affair tho' I never mention'd it in my life but perhaps, Lady Dinah may have hinted it to her woman, and then I fhould not wonder if the whole parifti knew it. However, you have no objection, and that's enough tho' if you had, I tnufl have had my wzy, George. 'Geo. Without doubt, Sir. Mr. H. Have you fpoken to Lady Dinah on the fubiecl ? Gfo. Spolce n - - o, Sir, 1 could not think of addreffing Lady Dinah on fo delicate an affair without your permiffion. Mr. H. Well then, my dear Boy I would have you fpeak to 'her now, and, I think, the fooner the better. .Geo. To be fure, Sir I (hall obey you Mr. H. Well, you have fet my heart at reft 1 am as happy as a Prince I never fixt my mind on any thing in my .life, fo much as I have done on this marriage-^-and it would have gall'd me forely if you had been againft it but you are a good Boy, George, a very good Boy, and I'll go in, and prepare Lady Dinah for your vifit. [Exit. Geo. Why, my dear Father, you are quite elated on the profpet of your nuptials but why muft / make fpeeches to Lady Dinah ? I am totally ignorant of the mode that elderly Gentljner| adopt on fuch occafions. 24 THE RUNAWAY, Enter BELLA. Bel. What, have you been opening your heart to your Father, George ? j Gco. No, faith he has been opening his to me He has been making me the confident of his pafiion for Lady Dinah. Bel, No ! ha, ha, ha is it poflible I what ftyle does he talk in ? is it flames and darts, or efteem and fentiment ? Geo. I don't imagine my good Father thinks of either - her fortune, I prefume, is his obj& ; and I (hall not venturfc to hint an obje&ion ; for contradiction, you know, only lendi him frefh ardor. Where is Seymour and Harriet ? Bel. Your Sifter is in the drawing-room, and Sir Charles I juft now faw in the Orange-walk, with his arms folded thus and his eyes fixt on a fhrub, m the moft pettftrefo ftyle you can conceive Why he has no appearance of a happy youth on the verge of Bridegroomifm. Geo. Ha, ha, ha, ha ! Be!. Why do you laugh ? Geo. At the embarrafment I have thrown the fimpletom into ha, ha, ha ! Bel. What fimpletons ? what embarrafment ? Geo. That you cannot guefs, my fweet Coufin, with all your penetration. Bel. I fhall expire, if you won't let me know it now do pray, George come be pleas'd to tell it me. [curtfeying. Geo. No, no, you look fo pretty while you are coaxing, that I muft muft fee you in that humour a little longer. Bel. That's unkind come tell me this fecret tho' I'll be hang'd if I don't guefs it. Geo. Nay, then I muft tell you ; for if you fliou'd find it out, I (hall lofe the pleafure of obliging you. Seymour and my Sifter doaton one another and I have made each believe, that the other has different engagements. Bel. Oh, I am rejoiced to hear it. Geo. Rrjoic'd ! I affure you, I am highly offended. Bel. At what ? Sir Charles is your friend, and every way an eligible match for your Sifter. Gco. Very true 1 am happy in their attachment, and therefore offended. Sir Charles has been as chary of his fecret, as if I had not deferv'd his confidence. Bel. I believe he never addrefs'd yonr Sifter. Geo. Aye, fo he pretends, he never made love to her* ridiculous fubterfuge ! he ftole into her heart by the help of thofe filent tender observances, which are the fureft battery when there's time to play 'em off" If any man had thus obtain'd my Sifters heart left her a prey to difappoint- A C.O M E D Y. 25 jfhefit, and then faid be meant nothing my fword fhould have taught him, that his ccndudl was not lefs difhonourable, than it' he had knelt at her feet, and fworn a million oaths. Bel. Why, this might he ufeful our, mercy upon us ! if every gfjrl na ^ fuch a fnap-dragon of a Brother, no Beans and very few pretty fellows would venture to come near her pray, when did you form this mifehievous defign ? Gto. Ob, Sir Charles has been heaping up the meafure of his offences fome time 'twould have diverted you to have feen the tricks he play'd to get Harriet's picture At laft he begg'd it, to get the drapery copied for his Sifter's ; and I know 'tis at this moment in his bofom, th"o' he has fworn an, hundred times 'tis ftill at the Painter's. Bel. Ha! I'll fly and tell her the news If I don't miftake, fhe'd rather have her picture there than in the Gal- lery of Beauties at Hampton, [going."] Geo. Sdeath ! flop -Why, are not you angry? fhutout by parchment provifoes from all the flutters of Courtfhipyour- felf you had a right to participate in Harriet's. Bel. Very true j this might be fufficient for me But what pleafure can you have in tormenting two hearts fo at- tach'd to each other ? Ge'o. I do mean to plague *em a little ; and it will be the greateit favour we can do them for they are fuch fentimental people you know that they'll blufb^ and hefitate, and tor- ment each other, fix months before they can come to an ex- planation But, by alarming their jealoufy, they'll betray themielves in as many hours-. Bel. Oh-, cry your mercy ! So there's not one grain of mifchief in all this ; and you carry on the plan in downright charity well, really in that light there is fome reafon Geo. Aye, more reafon than is neceflary to induce you to join in it even tho' there were mifchief fo promife me your aftiftance with a good grace. Rd. Well, I do promife ; for I really think-; Geo. Oh> I'll accept of very flight aflu ranees. BfL A-propos I Here's Harriet I'm juft as angry as you wifli me : leave us, and you fhall have a good account of hen Enter HARRIET. Plar. Brother ! Mr. Druminond, I fancy, wonders at your abfence : he's alone with the Lady Geo. Then he poilefles a privilege.; that half mankind tyould grudge him. [Exit. Bel. Have you feen Sir Charles yet ? M *b THE RUNAWAY, Har. Indeed I have not I confefs I was fo weak-, as 6O retire twice from the drawing-room, becaufe I heard his voic^ tho' 1 was confcious my abfence muft appear odd, and fearful the caufe might be fufpected. Bel. Ah ! pray be careful that you give him in particu- lar no reafon to guefs at that I advifc you to treat*him with the greaceft coldnefs. Har. Moft certainly I (hall, whatever it cofts me It would be the mod cruel mortification, if I thought he would ever fufpc<5t my weaknefs I wonder, Bella, if the Lady whom he is to marry, is fohandfome as George defcribes her. Bfl. Of what confequence is that to you T child ? never think about it ; if you fuffer your mind to be foften'd with, reflections of that fort, you'll never behave with a proper de- gree of fcorn to him. Har. Oh, do not fear it ; I aflure you r I poflefs a vaft deal of fcorn for him. Bel. I am fure you fib, [a/ids.] Well now, by way of example, he is coming this way,. I fee. Har. Is he ? come then, let us go. Bel. Yec, yes, you are quite a Heroine, I perceive Surelyyouv.il! not fly to prove your indifference? Stay and mortify him with an appearance of carelefsnefs and good- humour For inftance : when he appears, look at him with, fuch an unmeaning eye, as one glances over an acquaintance fliabbily drefs'd at Ranelagh and when he fpeaks to you, look another way j. and then, f-uddenly recollecting yourfelf, What is that you were faying, Sir Charles ? I beg pardon, 1 really did not attend then, without minding his anfwer Bella, I was thinking of that fvveet fellow who epen'd the ball with Lady Harriet Did you ever fee fuch eyes ? and then the air with which he dajiced! O Lordf I never ftiall forget him.- Har. You'll find me a bad fcholar, I believs however, I'll go through the interview, if you'll aifift me. Bel. Fear me not. EnttrS'ir CHA.RLES. Sir Cba. Ladies this is rather uaexpe&ed -I hope I don't intrude. Bel. Sir Charles Seymour can never be an unwelcome in- truder. SirCha. Mifs Hargrave I have not had the happinef* of paying my refpects to you fmce I arriv'd I hope you have enjoyed a perfect (hare of health ami fpirits, fince I left Hat- grave-Place, [confufidly.] A C O M E ID Y. 2 7 I never have been better, Sir ; and my fpirits are Seldom fo good as they are now. \_affeft\ng gaiety. ~\ Sir Cha. Your looks indeed, Madam, fpeak you in pof- tfefiion of that happinefs I wifh you [faking] You, Mifs Sydney, are always in fpirits. Bel. In general, Sir I have not wifdom enough to be troubled with reflections to deftroy my repofe. Sir Cha. Do-yeu imagine it then a proof of wifdom to.be unhappy ? 'Bel. One might think fo ; for wife folks are always grave. Har. Then I'll never attempt to be wife henceforward I'll be gaiety itfclf I am determined to devote nv/felf to pleafure, and only live to laugh, Eel, Perhaps you may not always find fubjecls, Coufin, unlefs y^u do as I do laugh at your own abfurdities. Har. Oh, fear not we need net always look at home ; the world abounds with fubje<5ts for mirth, and the men wil-J t>e fo obliging as to furnifh a fufficient number, when every other refource fails. Sir Cha. Mifs Hargrar/e was not always fo feverc. Har. Fye, Sir Charles do not miftake pleafantry for Severity but exuberant fpirits frequently overflow in im- pertinence ; therefore I pardon your thinking that mine do. Sir Cha. impertinence ! Surely, Madaai, you cannot fu-p- pofe I me'ant to Har. Nay, Bella, I appeal to you j did not Sir Charles intimsDe 4bme fuch thing r Bel. Why a I don't know To be fare there was a kind of a diftant intimation tho' perhaps Sir Charles only means that you are aukward ha ! ha ! But confide:, Sir, this charader of Harriet's is but lately affumed and new cbara&ers, like new flays, never fit till they have been worn. Sir Cha. Very well, Ladies ; I will not difpute your right to undedtand my expreffions in what manner you pleafe but I hope you will allow me the fame. and that, when a JLady's eyes fpeak difdain, I may, without offence, trauflote- it into I/tfve, Har. 'Tis an error that men are apt to fall into ; but the eyes talk in an idiom, warm from the heart; and fo (kilful an obfervcr ;.s Sir Charles will not miftake their language. Sir Cha. Are they alike intelligible to all ? Har. So plain, tnat nine ti.nes cut of ten, it leaft, mif- fakes muft be wilful. E 2 28 THE RUNAWAY, Sir Cb. Then pray examine mine, Madam, and by the report you make I lhall judge of your proficiency in their dialect. Bella. Oh I'll examine yours, Sir Charles T am a better judge than Harriet let me fee aye 'tis fo, in one I per- ceive love and jealoufv in the other, hope and a wedding. Now am I not a Prophete^ : Sir Ch. Prove but one in the laft article, and I afk no more of Fate now- will you read ? Madam! Hat: You are fo intirely fatisfied with Bella's tranfiation, Sir, that I will not run the rifk of mortifying you with a dif- ferent conftruction come, Coufin let us return to our company. Bel. [apart] Fye ! that air of pique is enough to ruin all. Sir Ch. Do you not find the garden agreeable, Mifs Har- grave? 1 begin to think it charming. Har. Perfectly agreeable, Sir but the hnppy never fly fociety I wonder to fee you alone. Come, Bella. Bel. Bravo! [Exeunt Bella and Harriet, Sir Cb. Aftonifhing ! What is become of that fweetnefs that dove-like foftnefs, which ftole into my heart, and deceived me into dreams of blifs ? She flies from me, and talks of her company, and returning to her fociety Oh Harriet ! oh my Harriet ! thy fociety is prized by me beyond that of the whole world ; and ftill to poflefs it, With the hope that once glowed in my bofom, would be a blefling for which I would facrificc every other, that Nature or Fortune has bellowed. [Exit, END OF THE SECOND ACT. ACT III. SCENE, Lady DINAH'J Drejjing Room. Lady DINAH end Mr. HAK.GKAVE fating. Mr. Hargrove. I AM furprifed, Madam, at your thinking in this manner when I fpoke to my Son this morning I allure you, he expreft'd a great deal offatisfaction about the affair I der indeed he has not been here. A C O M E D Y. 29 Lady Z>. Now, I could almoft blame you, Mr. Hargrave pardon me but you have certainly been top precipitate- your Son has fcarcely been at home four and twenty hours, and cannot poflibly have received any imprelJIon, or formed an idea of my character. He has been fo much engaged, in- deed, with other perfons, that 1 have had no opportunity of converfins with him ; and how, fo circumftanced, can he have form'd a judgment of his own heart ? Mr. H. Good God ! Madam, he has given the beft proof in the world that he has formed a judgment j for he told me this morning, that the profpeci of the marriage made him very happy. I don't know what other proof a man can give that he knows his own heart and let me tell you, Madam, I have accufionned my children to pay a proper regard to my inclination. Lady D. I am apprehenfive, Sir, that ML George Har- grave's obedience may influence him more than I cou'd wifh-^- and I affure you, I cannot think of uniting myfelf to any man, who does not prefer me for my own fake, without ad- verting to any other confideration. Mr. IL ':!is obedience to me, influence him more than you could wifh ! why really I don't underitand you, my Lady Zounds ! 1 thought (he had been a fenfible Wo- man, [a/ide. Lady D. Not under/land me, Mr. Hargrave ! I have too high an opinion of your good fenfe, to luppofe that 1 am un- intelligible to you. Mr. PL My opinion, Madam, is, that an obedient Son. is likely to make a kind Hufband George is a fine young fel- low as any in England, though 1 his father fay it, and there's hot a woman in the kingdom, who might not be proud to call him her hufband too obedient Lady D. Blels me ! this man has no ideas [a/ids.] You miftake me, Mr. Hargrave j I do not mean to It-Men the merit of obedience in your Son but, 1 confefs, I wifh him to have a more delicate, a more tender motive, for offering his hand to me. Mr. H. Look ye, Madarri you have a great und'er- ftanding, to be fuie and I confefs you talk above my reach but I muft neverthelefs take the liberty to blame your Ladyfhip ; a perfon of your Ladyfhip's experience and, al- low me to fay, your date in the world, mull know that there are occaCons in which we fhould not be too nice. Lady D, Too nice ! Mr. Hargrave fifing. 3 a THE RUNAWAY, Mr. H. Aye too nice, my Lady, a Boy and Girl of fixteen, have time before 'em they may be whimfical, and be off and on, and play at fhilly-fhally as long as they have a mind. But, my Lady, at a certain feafon we muft leave off thefe tricks, or be content to go to the grave old Bate and \Jhriigging his Jhoukiers* Lady D. I am utterly aftonifhed, Mr. Hargrave -you furely mean to offend me you infult me. Mr. H. No by no means 1 would not offend your Ladyfhip for the world 1 have the higheft refpecl for you, and fhall rejoice to call you my Daughter if you are not fo, it will be your own fault ^for George, i am fure, is ready the moment you will give your confent The writings fhall. be drawn when you think proper, and the marriage confum- mated without delay. Lady D. Well, Sir I really do not know what to fay when Mr. Ggorge Hargrave fhall imagine it a proper period to talk to me on the fubjecl: I I Mr. H. Well, well, Madam I allow this is atonic on which a Lady does not chufe to explain herfelft>ut to the prin- cipal 1 waited on your Ladyflhip only to inform you that I had talked to my Son concerning the affair, and to incline you, when he waits on you, to give him a favourable hearing. Lady D. Mr. Hargrave a perfon of your Son's merit is entitled to a proper attention from any Woman he fcridrefTes. Mr* H. There now we are right again 1 was fearful that you had not liked my Boy and that your difficulties arofe from that quarter but fmce you like George, 'tis all very well, very well. Lady D. Mr. Hargrave ! 1 am furprifed at your con- ceiving fo unjuft an idea Mr. George Hargrave is, as you have faid, a match for any woman, whatever be her rank. Mr. H. My dear Lady Dinah I am quite happy to hear you fay fo 1 am fure George loves you odds bcrbs, I hear him on the flairs- I'll go and fend him to you this moment, and he (hall tell you fo himfelf you'll.furely believe him. [Exit. Lady D. Mr. Hargrave, Mr. Hargrave blefs me, what an impetuous obftinate old Man what can I do ? 1 am in an exceedingly indelicate fituation he will tell his Son that I am waiting here in expectation of a declaration of love from him Sure never woman was in fo aukward an embarras I wijh the Son poflefled a iittle of the Father's impetuofity > this would not then have happened. A C O M E D Y. & Enter GEORGE. do. Your Ladyfhip's mod obedient fervant. Lady D. S i -- r feurtfeying confufedly] Gro. My Father permits me, Madam, to make my ac- knowledgments to jour Ladyfhip, for the honour you defigrt our Family. Lady D. I muft confefs, Sir, this interview is fomewhat unexpected it is indeed quite premature 1 was not prepared for it, and I am really in great confufion. Geo. I am fenfible, Madam, a viftt of this kind to a Lady of your delicacy muft be a little diftreffing but I intreat you to be cornpofed 1 hope you will have no reafon to regret a refolution which myfelf, and the reft of the family, have fo much caufe to rejoice in and I aflfure your Ladyfhip, every thing on my part, that can contribute to your felicity, your lhall always command. Lady D. You are very polite. Sir We have had fo little* opportunity of converting, Mr. Hargrave, that I am afraid you exprefs rather your Father's fentiments than your own. It is impofiible, indeed, from fo fhort a knowledge, that you can have formed any fentiments of me yourfelf. Geo. Pardon me, Madam, my fentiments for you are full of refpet and I am convinced your qualities will excite the veneration of all who have the honour of being connected with you. My Father could hardly have done it better, \_afide.~] Lady D. Why, this young Man has certainly been taught to make love by his Tutor at College, \afide. } Geo. I am concerned this vifit feema fo embarraffing to your Ladyfliip I certainly {hould have deferr'd it, from an apprehenfion of its being difagreeable, but, in obedience to my Father, I Lady D. Then it is to your Father, Sir, that I am in- debted for the favour of feeing you. Geo. By no means, Madam it would certainty have been my inclination to have waited on your Ladyfhip, but my Father's wifhes induced me to haften, it. Lady D. Really \ a pretty extraordinary confeffion ! [afule-. ] I think it neceftary to affure you, Sir, that that this af- fair has been brought thus forward by Mr. Hargrave and tjje propofals he made, in which it was evident, his ivbole heart was concern'd, were quite unexpected, Geo. I have not the leaft doubt of it, Madam, nor am I at all furprifed at my Father's earneftnefs, on a fubjeft fo in- tereftmg What can (he mean by apologizing to me: [aftd< J 32 THE RUNAWAY, Lady D. It would certainly have been proper, Sir, to hav6 allowed you time to have formed a judgment yourfelf, on a point which coucerns you fo highly. Geo. The time has been quite fuffitient, Madam -I highly- approve the fteps my Father has taken but if I did not, the re I peel: I bear to his determination would certainly have pre- vented my oppofing them. I muft end this extraordinary vifit [ajide.~\ Shall I have the honour of conducting your Ladymip to the Company? Lady D. N -- o, Sir I have fome orders to give my" Woman, I'll rejoin the Ladies in a few minutes. Geo. Then I'll wifti yourLadyfhip a good morning. \_Ex Lady D. Amazement ! why, what a vifit from a Lover ! Is this the language in which men ufually talk to wo- men, with whom they are on the point of marriage ? Refpect ! Veneration ! Obedience to my Father ! And fhall 1 have the honour of conducting your Ladyfhip to the Compa- ny ? A pretty Lover- like requeft truly! But this cold- nefs to me proceeds from a caufe I now underftand This morning, what fire was there in his eyes ! what animation, in his countenance ! whenever he addrefs'd himfelf to that creature Mr. Drummond brought here ? Wo ceivable and when the creature pretended to blufh, and made a reluctant effort to withdraw it my Youth, fo full of veneration and refpect forme, refuted to reiign it till the creature had given him a gracious fmile of reconcilia- tion Heavens! they are coming this way fure they do not perceive me See there! Nay, if you will come here. [Goes behind afi)rub.~\ Enter EMILY, followed by GEORGE. Em. I entreat you, Sir, not to perfift in following me You'll force me to appeal to Mr. Drummond for protec- tion. Geo. You need no protection, Madam, that you will not find in my refpect But you are barbarous to deprive me of converfing with you tis a felicity, I have fo lately tafted, that 'tis no wonder I am greedy of it. Em. If you believe your attentions would not difpleafc me in my proper character ! ought to be offended thaVyou addrefs them to a perion, of whofe name and family you are ignorant. Geo. Can a name deprive you of that face, that air or rob you of your mind of what then am 1 ignorant ? 'tis thole I addrefs with the mofl paflionate vows of Em. I pofitively will not liften to you However, if the acquaintance fhould place us on a footing, I'll then. 3 S THE RUNAWAY, converfe with you if on my qnvn terms. [Lady 'D.lijJen- ing Aye, or on any terms.] I have no diilike to the eharming freedom of the Englifli manners you fhall be as gallant as you pleafe ; but I give you notice, the inftant you becorrve dangerous, I fhall be grave. Gey. How dangerous Em. Oh, the moment you grow of confequence enough to endanger my heart, I fhall fhut myielf from you but as lo-ng as you continue harmleis, you may play. Geo. This is not to be borne I will not be harmlefs ? I declare open war againft your heart, not in play, but downright earneft. Em. Nay, then, I muft collecl: my forces to oppofe you my heart will Hand a long fiege, depend on it. Geo. If you'll promife it fhall yield at laft, a ten years egc will be 'richly rewarded. tn. Oh, no ; I make no promifes try your forces ; if you fhould poffeis yourfelf of it in fpite of me I can only bewail its captivity. Gey. Your permiffion to take the field is all I can at preient hope ; and thus on my knees, dear charming Crea- ture Lady D. {liftening} There's veneration and refpeft ! Em. Hold, Sir I will be ib generous to tell you, that whenever you kneel I fhall My. \runs out.] Geo. And I'll purfue till my Atalanta confefTes I have won the prize. \_A$ Geo. Is following Emily, Lady D. toxtfs out agaiuji him with an angry reproachful air, and paffei tin.'] GIo. \_afide'] So, there's a look! what a bleffed Mother? in-hw i fliall have ! [Ex:f. Lady D. What! not ftay even to explain to apolor ife follow her before my face oh, Mongers, Furies ! yes, yes, fhe'll yield without the trouble of a ten years Scge fhe can fcarcely hold out ten minutes oh, ye fhall !>oth fuffer for this 1 will go this inftant I will do fame-, thing. . [Exit. Enter SUSAW. St'fan. Hah, my good Lady, is it fo ? ha, ha, ha \ I muft fee ir' I can't make myfelf ufeful here. A Lady, who like my n/iftrefs gives way to her molt unbridled paflions, is the only c>ne worth being ferved by a girl of fpirit and intrigue. I')l follow, and aid your Lady (hip with my counfel before you> ACOMEDY, 3* have time to cool [me, give the poor thing its bauble. Har. Well, take it, Sir fince you had no {hare in this brilliant contrivance. Sir C/3. [taking the pi fluTe] Eternal hie/Tings on that hand \ Har. You, George, are never fo happy, as in exerciftng. your wit, at my expence. A COMEDY. Ges. And you, Harriet, never fo heartily forgave me in your Life, and therefore Sir Ch. Hold, George I cannot bear Mifs Hargrave's fuffering in this manner ; I will take on myfelf thetranfport- ing office of defending her this hour, Madam, I {hall for ever remember with gratitude, and will endeavour to deferve it, by a life devoted to your happinefs. Bel. Come, Harriet I muft take you away, that Sir Charles may bring down his raptures to the ftandard of com- mon mortals at prefent, 1 fee his in the clouds Har. 'Tis merciful to relieve me. [Jtixeunt Harriet and Bella. Sir Ch. Charming Mifs Sydney I'll never quarrel with your vivacity again. But why have I been made to fuffer thus ? Geo. Becaufe you did not tell me why you wanted my Sifter's pidlure but I have taken a friendly vengeance ; my plot has told you more of my Sifter's heart in a few hours, than all your fighs and humility, wou'd have obtained in as many months. Sir Ch. For which I thank you and my prefrnt happinefs receives a brighter glow from this illufion of miiery I'll fly and pour out my joy and gratitude, at the feet of my charming Harriet. [. a ' !1 g' Enter Bella. Bel. Oh, ftay, ftay we may wane your affiftance. Here's your Father coming, George. Ycur repartee to Lady Dinah at dinner, fpoilt her digeftion and fhe's been repre- fentingyou that's all. Geo. I hope fhe reprefented her fneer too, which fuffufed with tears the lovelieft eyes in the world. Could I do lefa than fupport h r r againft the ill-humour of that antiquated pedant r By Jupiter, I'll draw her in colours to my Father, that (hall make him fhrink from the fate he is preparing for himfejf. Enttr HARGRAVE. Mr. H. Why, George, how's this ? Dy'e know what you've done? you've affronted L*dy Dinah. Geo. I did not defign to affront her, Sir I only meant ta ponvince her that fhe fhou'd not infult the amiable young La. Oh, Coufm, for once forget your fprightlinefs I cannot bear it Seymour, what am I to do ? Sir Ch. My dear George, I pity you from my foul but 1 know not what advice to give you. Be!. Well, thenferioufly I think ha, ha, ha! but 'tis impoffible to be ferious - 1 am aftoniili'd you are not more ftruck with your Father's tender cares for you. Geo. Have you no mercy, Bella ? Lei. You have none upon yourfelf, or inftead of ftandin j here with that countenance fitrijle y you wou'd be with Mr. Drummond. Geo. He is, indeed, my only refcurce I'll fly to him this inftant, and if it fails me I am the moft miferable man on earth. [Exit. Sir Cba. What can induce Mr. Hargrave to facrifice fuch a fellow as George, to a Lady Dinah ? - Prepofterous ! Bel. Her rank and fortune and 1 dread the lengths t> which his obftinacy may carry htm ; he has no more refpe$ for the divinity of Love, than for that of the ./Egyptian Apis Let us find Harriet, and tell her the ftrange ftory ; (lie is not the only perfon, I fear, to whom it will be painful. Sir Ch. Is it poffible that Lady Dinah, in the depth of her wifdom, can imagine fuch an union proper ? Bel. Be merciful - -Love has forc'd Heroes to forget their valour, and Philofophers their fyftems no wonder hs fhou'd make a Woman forget her wrinkles. [Exeunt, SCENE, the Garden. Enter JARVJS and SUSAN. Jar. Egad, tis a fervice of danger. Suf. Danger! fure you've no qualms ' Jar. No, no, child no qualms the refolution with which I could go thro' an affair of this fort, would in another hemifphere make my fortune 'but hang it, in thefe cold northern regions there's no room for a man of genius to (bike a bold ftroke the foftering plains of Afia, for fuch talents as mne Suf. Now I think England's a very pretty foil. Jar. Why, aye, if one could be fure of keepin;> clear of a dozen ill-bred fellows, who decide on the condu6r of a man of fpirit at the Old Bailey, then indeed we ne^i not care ; for an air of Ton, and a carriage, on whatever /firings. it moves, introduces one to the beft'circles -- But jet us confider our bottom - this c*irl v.-as plac'd under the care o. So, Mr. Haro-rave. A C O M E D Y. 51 Mr, H. So, Mr. Drummond what,'I guefs your bu- Cnefs. Mr. D. I fuppofe you do, and I hope you are prepared to hear me with temper. Mr. H. You'll talk to no purpofe, for I am fixed, and therefore the temper will fignify nothing. Mr. D. Strange infatuation ! why muft George be facrificed to your ambition ? furely, it may be gratified without tying him to your Lady Dinah. Mr. H. How? Mr. D. By marrying her yourfelf which, till noxv, I fuppofed to have been your defign and that wou'd have been fuificiently prepofterous. Mr. H. What ! make me a fecond time the flave of hyfterics, longing*?, and vapours ! no, no, I've got my neck out of the noofe catch it there again if you can what, her Ladyfbip is not youthful enough for George, I fuppofe ? Mr. D. True but a more forcible objection is the dif- proportion in their minds it wou'd not be lefs reafon- able to expeft a new element to be produced between earth and fire, than that felicity fhou'd be the 'refult of fuch a marriage. Mr. ff. Pfha, pfha what, do you fuppofe the whole world has the fame idle notions about love and conftancy, and ftufF, that you have ? D'ye think, if George was to become a widower at five and twenty, hid whine all his life for the lot's of his deary ? Mr. D. Not if his deary, as you call her, fhould be a Lady Dinah ; and if you marry him with no other view than to procure him a happy widowhood, I admire the election you have made but, if me fhou'd be like my loft love my fainted Harriet my oh! Hargrave Mr. H. ' Come, come, I am very forry I have moved you fo I did not mean to afFeft you come, give m& your hand 'fbud, if a man has any thing to do with one of you felloes with your fine feelings, he muft be as cau- tious as if he was carrying a candle in a gunpowder t barrel, Mr. D. 'Tis over, my friend but when lean hear my Harriet named, without giving my heart a fond re- gret for what I have loft reproach me for then, I lhall deferve it. Mr. H. Well, well it fhall be your own way but come, let rr,e convince you that you are wrong in this bufinefs* 'sbud ! I tell you it has been the ftudy of my life to make George a great man I brought Lady 'Dinah here with' no 5 2 THE RUNAWAY, other deftgn and now, when I thought the matter brought to bear when Lady Dinah had consented and my Son, as[ fuppofed, eager for the wedding why ! 'tis all a flam ! Mr. D. My good friend the motives, from which you vvou'd facrifice your Son's happinefs, appear to me fo weak. Mr, H. Weak! why, I fell you, I have provided as wife for George, who will make him, perhaps, one of the firft men in the kingdom. Mr. D. That is, flic would make him a. Court Dangler, an attendant on Minifters levees one whole ambition is to be foftered with the cameleon food of fmiles and nods, and who would .receive a familiar fqueeze with as much rapture as the plaudits of a nation oh fhame to transform an independent Englifh Gentleman into iuch a being ! Mr. H. Well, to cut the argument fhort the bar- gain is itruck, and George fhali marry Lady Dinah, or never have an acre of my land, that's all. Mr. D. And he fhall never poifefs a rood of mine, if he' does, \walk~ing a$Hnt\ Mr. H \_afide\ There, I thought twou'd come to this : what a fhame it is for a man to be lo obftinatc ! but hold faith, if fo, I may lofc more than I get by the bargain " he'il flick to his word. Enter JUSTICE. Juf. I am very much furprized, Mr. Drummond Sir that 1 can't be left alone in the difcharge of my magif- terial duties, but muft be continually thwarted by you. Mr. D. This interruption, Mr. Juftice, is ill-timed,, and rather out of rule 1 cou'd wifh you had chofen ano- ther opportunity. Juf. No opportunity like the prefent no time like the prefent, Sir vou've caufe, indeed, to be difplcas'd with" my not obfeiving rules, when .you are continually break- ing the laws. Mr.D. Ha, ha, ha ! let us hear what hen-rooft robbery have you to lay to my charge now ? Jnf. Aye, Sir, you may think to turn it off with a joke,- if you pleafe but for all that, I can prove you to be a bad member of lex iety, for voxi counteract the wiie do- figns of our legislators, and obftruft the operations ofjui- tice yes, Sir, you do. Mr. H. Don't be fo warm what is this affair ? 7^/7 Why, the poacher, whom we committed laft night, A C O M E D Y. S3 Mr. Drummond has releafed, and given money to his family How can we expeft a due observance of our laws,; when rafcals find encouragement for breaking them ? Shall Lords and Commons in their wifdom alfemble in Par- ment, to make la\vs about hates and partridges, only to be laughed at? Oh, 'tis abominable! Mr. H* Very true ; and let me tell you, Mr. Drum - moncl, it is very extraordinary that you will be conti- nually Mr. D. Peace, ye men of juftice I have all the re- gard to the laws of my country, which it is the duty and intereft of every member of fociety to poffefs If the man had been a poacher, he fhou'd riot have been protected by me -the poor fellow found the hare in his garden, whick fhe had considerably injured. Mr. H. Ho, ho what, the ralcal juftifies himfelf ! art unqualified man gives realbns for deftroying a hare ! Zounds, if a gang of ruffians fhou'd burn my houfe, wou'J you expect me to hear their reafons ? Juf. Ah, there it works Sufan's my own [a fide.} there can be no rrfafons if he had found her in his houfe, in hii bedchamber in his bed, and offer'd to touch her I'd pro- fecute him for poaching. Mr. D. Oh, blufh. to *vo\v fuch principles ! Mr. H. ' Look'ee, Mr. Drummond, though yon go- vern George with your whimfical notions, you fha'n't me. I forefee how it will be as foon as I'm gone my fences will be cut clown my meadows turned into common my corn-fields laid open my woods at the mercy of every man who carries an axe and, oh this is noble, this i-s great! Mr. D. Indeed, 'tis ridiculous. M". H. ' I'll take care that my property fha'n't fall a fa- crince to fuch whimfies I'll tye it up, I warrant me and fo, juftice, come along, [going.] Mr. D. We were talking o-n a fubjeft, Mr. Hargrave, of more importance, at prefent, than this ; and, 1 beg "you'll hear me farther. Mr. H. Enough has been faid already, Mr. Drummond, or if not, I'll give you one anfwer for all 1 fhall never think myfelf obliged to ftudy the humour of a man, who thinks in fuch oppofition to me ; I have a humour of my own, which I am determined to gratify, in feeing George a great man He fhall marry Lady Dinah in tvro days' i all the fine reafoning in the world, you will fee, 'has 54 THE RUNAWAY, lets ftrengtk than my refolution 'Sbud, if I can't have the willing obedience of a Son, L'll enjoy the prerogatives of a Father Come along, Juftice. [Exit. "Juf. D'ye hear with what a fine Jinn tone he fpeaks ? This was only a political ftroke, to reftore the balance of power. Mr. D. Why don't you follow, Sir? [Exit Juftice.] My fon fhall be a great Man ! To fuch a vanity as this, how- many have been facrificed ! He {hall be great The happi- nefs of love, the felicities that flow from a fuitable union, his heart (hall be a ftranger to but he fhall convey my name^ declc'd with titles, to pofterity, though, to purchafe thefe diftin&ions, he lives a wretch This is the filent language of the heart, which we hold up to ourfelves as the voice of Reafon and Prudence. Enter EMILY. Mifs Morley ! Why this penfive air ? Em. I am a little diftrefs'd, Sir the delicacy of the mo- tive which induced you to place me here, I am perfectly fen- fible of yet Mr. D. Yet what, my dear Child ? Em. Do not think me capricious, if I intreat you to take me back to your own houfe, till my uncle arrives I cannot think of remaining here. Mr. D. Then 'tis as I hoped [a/ide.] What can have difgufted you ? Come, be frank ; confider me as a friend, to whom you may fafely open your heart. Em. Your goodnels, Sir, is exceflive Shall I confefs the Lady who will foon have moft right here, treats me unkindly. .Mr. D. That you can't wonder at Be aflured, I will effectually defend you from her infuhs But do you not pity poor George, for the fate his father defigns him : Em. Yes ^1 do pity him. Mr. D. If I dared, I would go ftill further I would hope, that, as his happinefs depends on you Em. Sir ! Mr. D. Let me not alarm you lam acquain tedwith his paflion, and wifh to know that 'tis not difpleafing to you. Em. So circumftanced, Sir what can I fay ? He is defined to be thehufband cf another. Mr. D. It is enough I bind myfelf to you from this moment, and promife to effect your happinefs, if within the compafs of my abilities or fortune. But, that I may know mv taik favour me with the key to your Uncle's cha- A C O M E D Y. 55 Em. My Uncle pofTeffes a heart, Sir, that would do him honour, if he would be guided' by it but unhappily he has conceived an opinion that his temper is too flexible that he is too eafi!y oerfuaded and the confequence is he'll never be perfuaded at all. Mr. D, I am forry to hear that -a man who is obftinate from f:tcb a mittake. muft be in the moft incurable ftage of the d'iforder. However, we'll attack this man of might his flexibility Hull be befieged, and if it won't capitulate, we'll undermine it. Em. Ah, Sir ! my Uncle is in a ftate of mind ill prepared for yielding He returned from Spain with eager pleafure to his native country ; but the difguft he has conceiv'd for the alteration of manners during his abfence, has given him an impatience that you will hardly be able to combat. M . D. Take courage let me now lead you back to your young companions I am obliged to be abfent a {hort time but I'll watch over you, and, if poffible, lead you to happinefs. [Exit Drummond leading Emily. Enter JUSTICE. [tipfy~\ Juf. ' Where the devil does my clerk flay with Burn ! But I know I'm right yes, yes, 'tis a clear cafe. By the ftatute /I'tino Prlmo Caroli Secundum obtaining goods on falfe pretences, felony, with beneh't hum with benefit. Now obtaining entrance into houfes, upon falfe preten- ces, muft be worfe I have no doubt but it amounts to a burglary, and that I {hall be authorized to commit Ho 1 here they are ! where is my clerk and Burn ? [Exit. Enter Mr. HARGRAVE and Lady DINAH. Mr. H. Aye, aye, here's a pretty bufmefs bringing this Girl into my houfe now is the confequence of Mr. Drum- mond's fine feelings he will never take my advice but I'll fhew him who is beft qualified to fift into an affair of this fort and yet I am a little puzzled a ftroller Lady. D. Jt is, doubtlefs, a ftrange ftory, Mr. Hargrave and I beg that you will yourfelf queftion my fervant con- cerning it. Mr. H. Why, what can fhe mean what can her defiel ; 'tis a falfe ftory if it had been true aye, then indeed if it had been true- but 111 go borne and confult Burn, and you fhall know what he fays. Egad, it won't be amils to get out of this Morlev's way. [Afide. [Exit Jujllce. Geo. Surely fhe mud have been privy to this Icandulnus plot but 'tis no matter my fate is at its crifis. Mr. Mor- ley's arrival fixes it. At this moment my fortitude for- fakes me, and I tremble to meet the Man, on whole caprice depends, the value of my exiftence. END OF THE FOURTH ACT. I a 60 THE, RUNAWAY, ACT V. SCENE, an Apartment. Enter Mr. MOR.LEY and EMILY, MOR LEY. A Pretty freak indeed ! a pretty freak, in return for th$ care and folicitude with which I have watch'd over you 1 have broke with'thc Do&or for his thare in this ro- mantic affair. E;n. I am much concerned, Sir, that companion to my fituation fbrnjld have led that worthy Man to take any ftep that you can think unpardonable but when he found he cou'd not move my refolution, he thought it nis duty 'to ac- commodate me with a retreat amongft perfons of reputation. Mir Retreat \ fo, whilft I was condemning my fweet innocent Niece for ftubbornnefs, wilfulncfs, and ingratitude. {he was only gone to a retreat to fit under elms, liftcn to the cawing of rooks, and carve her melancholy ftory on the young bark Oh, Emily, Emiiy ! you ought to be made re- pent of this retreat, as you call it, as long as you live. Em. Indeed. Sir, I do repent. Mor. What's that? repent! my dear Emily, I am rejoiced to hear you fay fo I knew you was always a good Girl on the, whole corne, it fha'n't be a misfortune to you I'll make Baldwin fwear, before the ceremony, that he'll never reproach Em. Sir, I muft not deceive you my repentance does not concern Mr. Baldwin he is pardon me, Sir my fentiments wi?h regard to him, are, if poflible, ftrengthen'd. Mor. Are they fo, Miftrefs? then farewell to humouring? finceyour fentiments are fo ftrong, your refolution cannot be weak 'twill enable you to bear this dreaded fate with heroifm. Em. I am glad you can be fo fpnrtive with my unhap- pirsefs, Sir where youjeft with mifery, you always defign to lefien it. Mor. Aye, that won't do the eafinefs of my tem- per. Girl, has been myp.reat misfortune. I never made a . miftake in trade in my life, never, but have been and liften'd to advice, till I have been half ruined but be refolute now for your fake. A C O M E D y. Em. Surely, Sir- Mor. Aye, aye I imderftand that fpeaking face there ; is not a line in it, but calls me Monfter however, Madam, after your retreat, you can never expect to be the wife of another fo (hap Baldwin while you can. Em. On, Sir, allow me to live fmgle, I have no wifh for the married irate fince he to whom my heart is devoted nvift be the hufband of another. Mor. No wifh for the married ftate ! ha, ha, ha ! why, 'tis the ultimate wiih of every woman's heart you all want Hu (bands, from your doll to your fpeclacles. Em. The perfon with whom one enters into fo important an union fhou'd be at leaft agreeable, or Mir. What an age this is ! Why, hufTey, in the days of your great Grand-mother, a Girl on the point of marriage had never dared to lock above her lover's beard and would have been a wife a week before (he cou'd have told the co- lour of her hufband's ev p s But, now, a Girl of eighteen will ftare hei .-jitor confidently in the face, and, after five minutes converfation, give an account of every feature and peculiarity, from his brow to his buckle But pray, Madam, what is itin ' ; a!dvvia now, that fo particularly h,its your fancy ? Em. His pe f in is ungraceful, his manner afluming, and, his mind cHV'nina:e. Mor. Ve;y true and is not this the defcription of all the young men of the age? but he h s five thoufand a year, that's pot quite fo common a circumftance. Come, take the pencil agiin, lay on coarfer colours, or you won't convince me th,c picture's a bad one considering the times. Em. Hah ! how different is Mr. Hargrave ! if I could \irge his merit [ajide] You have heard my objections fo often, Sir, that the repetition can have no weight but, furelv, 1 may urge my happinefs. Mar. By all means, it dial! be confider'd, therefore John, order my carriage up, we are going directly tho' you don't deferve it the very moment we reach Grofvenor-ftrect, yoii ihall be tied fad to Baldwin, who is now waiting there with the parfon at his elbow and we'll this moment {rep into the carriage, and away as briildy, as if Cupid was our coachman come now, don't put on that melancholy air 'tis only to turn the tables fancy that I hate Baldwin chat you are driving to Scotland, and I purfuing you why the horfes will move Ib fiowly, you'll be ready to fwear they don't gallop jibove thre= rood an hour. Em. I entreat you, dear Sir, (lay, at Icafl, till to-mor- TOW.- Oh 3 where is Mr. Drummond I \_nfule. TH E RUN A W A Y, Not a moment. Em. You have not yet feen Mr. Drummond, to whom I am fo much oblig'd. Mor. I have made enquiries, nnd have heard a very extra- ordinary character of Mr. Drummond j we can make him ac- knowledgments by letter- and yourrny fend him gloves. I know your defign, you hope he will be able to talk me out of my refolution and, perhaps, I may be a littleafraid of it rayfelf,-! and fo, to avoid that danger, we'll go directly. Em. 'Tis fo late, Sir, and the night is dark. Yet why fhould I wifli to ftay here ? Mor. No more trifling conduct me to the family, that we may take leave. If you complain of this as an a& of ty- ranny be comforted, Child, 'tis the laft you'll experience from me my authority will expire with the night, and to- morrow morning, I ihiill be my dear Niece Baldwin's, mod humble fervant. , Exeunt. Enter GEORCE and Sir CHARLES. Geo. What, refufe me your afiiftance in fuch an hour-*- talk to me of prudence in a moment when I muft be mad, if I am human ! yes, be prudent, Sir, be prudent, the man vrho can be difcreet when his friend's happinefs is at flake, may gain the approbation of his own heart, but mine renounces him- Where can Mr. Drummond be ? Sir Cb. I am at your command in every thing 1 afk you only to reflect. Geo. Yes, I do reflect, that in a few hours fhe will be Irre-r coverably another's loft to me forever unfeeling brute ! to facrtfke fuch a Woman to a man whom {he defpilea ! Sir Cb. What then is your refolution ? Gta. There is but one way fhe hangs on the point of a precipice, from which, if I do not fnatch her in an inftant, nothing can retrieve her. We will follow the carriage on horfeback ; let your chaife attend us with our fervants I'll force her from this tyrant Uncle, carry her inftantly to Dover, and in a few hours, breathe out my foul at her feet in fwest Security in France. Sir Ch, Conquering your plan is an impromptu, I admire its confiftency but, my dear George, have you weighed all its confequences. ? your Father Geo. Will perhaps difinhcrit me be it fo I have fix- hundred a year independent of his will and fix hundred a year in France with Emily Morly kingdoms ! empires- ! fjaradife ! A C O M . E D Y. 63 Sir Ch. But are you certain fhe will partake it with you ? Geo. No but fuppofing the worft. I (hall, at leaft, - have had the happinefs to preferve her from a fate fhe dreads for the red 1 will truft to time and my ardent paffion. Sir Ch. Pity the days of chivalry are over, or what ap- plaufe might'ft thou not expect advent' rous Knight ! Geo. Come, we hnve not a moment to lofe let us get * our people ready to follow, the inftant the carriage lets oat. A;'r Ch. But, George George I'll not accompany you a ftep, after the Lady's in your protection for if your Father ihou'd furmile that I have any hand in the enhvement^ \ can hope for no fuccefs, when I afk him for my charming Harriet. Geo. Agreed let me have your chaife, and leave me. to my fortune I will not endanger your happinefs this key will let you in nt the garden-door you may give fifty reafons for your (hort abfence. Now, Cupid, Venus, Jove and Juno, leap into your chariots, and defccnd to our affiftarrce. [Exeunt Sir Charles and George, Enter Lady DiNAH. Lady D. She's gone, and my alarms are at an end 'tis plain I had never the lead foundation for my fears what pafs'd in the garden was mere gallantry, and the effects of her art ; he fufferedher Uncle to carry her off with an indifference that transports me. How weak have I been, to allow my ere- dulity to be impofed on by their fugneftions, and my temper ruffled at a time when 'twas of fo much importance to me to have been ferene ! Enter SusAN. Sufan. Oh, my L'ady, file's gone the delightful obfrr- aacy of the old Uncle It is well Air. Drummond was not here I was afraid Lady D. Your joy wears a very familiar afpe& I know ihe's gone. Sufan, I beg pardon, my Lady I thought I might con-* gratulate your Ladyfhip on her being carried off I was terrf- kly afraid Lady D. Yes, you have had moft extraordinary fears on the occafion. You ought to have known, that the man whom I had receiv'd as my Lover, could never have felt any thing like a ferious paflion for fuch a girl as that. Suf. So, fo, fo ! how foon otir fpirits are got tip f [ajin'e.~^ 1 am fure, my Lady, 'twas not I who occaftoned the inter- view in the garden to-day, that ft> enraged you, and con- firmed your fears you was ready enough then to believe all thai was faid a^ainft her. 64 T H E R U N A W A Y. Lady D. How dare you reproach me with the errors whicfi you led me into r 'twas your fears I was goverri'd by, and not my own j and your ridiculous plot was as abfurd as your fears. Suf. As to the plot, my Lady, I am fure 'twas a good one, and would have fent her packing, if the Uncle hadn't come 'twasn't our fault he came We have had the fame trouble, and fervice is no inheritance, and I hope your Ladyfliip will confider- Lady D. How dare you think of a reward for fuch conduct ? -If you obtain my pardon, you ought to be highly gratified ' leave me, Infolent, this moment. Suf. [muttering.] Ha ! and dare you ufe me in this man- ner ? 1 am glad you have betrayed yourfelf in time, when I can take a fevere revenge ? [a/ide.] [Ex. Suf. Lady D. I have gone too far Now muft I court my fervant, to forget the refentment which her impertinence oc- cafioned .Well, 'tis but for a fhort time the marriage over, and I have done with her *I muft retire to my apart! * ment, to recover my compofure : perhaps he'll vifit me there * but not to talk of veneration and refpecl again Oh ! I'll * torment him for that. Nothing gives a Woman fo fine an * opportunity of plaguing her Lover, as an affectation offjea- * loufy : if fhe feels it, (he's his Slave ; but, whilft fhe affects . it his Tyrant- [Exit. Enter BLLA and HARRIET. Har. How very unfortunate, that Mr. Drummond is ab- fent ! he would have oppofed the reafoning of Lady Dinab, and prevented their departure Sure, never any thing was fo cruel. Be/. Oh, there's no bearing it Your Father is quite a manageable being, compared to this odd, provoking mortalj \vhofe imagined flexibility baffles art, reafon, and every thing. Har. Never fhall I forget the look, wild, yet compofed agonized tho' calm, which fhe gave me, as her Uncle led her out. Her Lover muft pollefs ftrange fentiments, to refolve to marry her, in fpite of her averfion. Bel. Sentiments ! my dear why he's a modern fine Gen-^ tleman ; there is nothing he's fo much afraid of as a fond Wife If I was Mifs Moiley, I'd affect a moft formidable fond- nefs, and ten to one but fhe'd get rid of him. Har. I wonder where Sir Charles is he pafs'd me in the hall, and faid in a hafty manner, he muft tear himfelf from nie for half an hour. Bel. 1 wonder rather where your Brother is but the heart of a womari in kve, is as unnatural as the oftrich's j it A C O M E D Y. 65 is no longer alive to any fentiment but one, and the tendered connexions are abforbed in its paflion. Har. I hope it is not in your own heart, you find thi* picture of love. Enter Sir CHARLES. Bel. Oh here's one of our truants, but where's th other ? poor George, I fuppole, is binding his brow with willows. Sir Ch. That's not George's flyle in love he has too much fpirit to crofs his arms, and talk to his fhadow, when, he may employ his hours to more advantage at the feet of a fair Lady. Bel. What do you mean ? Har. Yv here is my Brother ? Sir Ch. On the road to France. Both. France ! Sir Ch. Unlefs Mr. Morley has as much Valour as ob ftinacy for George has purfued him, and, by this time, I dare fwcar has gained porTcffion of his Niece. Bel. Oh ! how i doat on his Knight-eiTantry ! com- mend me to a lover, who, inilead of patiently iubmitting to the circumftances that feparate him from the objeft of hit paffion, boldly takes the reins of Fortune in his own handi, and governs the accidents which he can't avoid, Har. How can you praifc fuch a daring conduct ? I tremble for the confequences ! Sir Ch. What confequences, Madam, can he dread^ who matches the woman he loves from the arms of the mart file hates ? Enter Servant. Ser. My Mafter, Sir, is returned the Lady fainted ia the chaife, and he has carried her to Mr. Drummond's. Ch. The devil ! is he at home ? Ser. No, Sir and Mr. Morley is come back too he drove thro' the gates this minute. Bel. Nay, then George will lofe her at laft he was a fool for not purfuinghis route. Sir Ch. He has no chance now, but thro' Mr. Drum- mond ; and what can he hope ? Mr. Drummond has only vealbn on his fide, and the paffions of three to combat. Bel. Ay, here he comes and Mr. Hargrave, as loud as his huntfman. Har. Let us fly to the parlour, and then we can fen4 intelligence of what pafles to George, [Exeunt* Jv 66 THE RUNAWAY, Enter Mr. MORLEY and Mr. HARGRAVE. Mr. M. Yes, yes, 'tis fa& matter of fa&, upon my ho- nour Your Son was the perfon who took her out of the coach. Mr. ^H. Sir. it is impoffible! ha, ha, ha! my Son! \vhy, he's under engagements that wou'd make it madnefs. . Mr. M. Then, Sir, you may depend upon it, the fit is on him now, for he clapt Emily into a chaife, whilft an impudent -puppy faften'd on, me egad ! twenty years ago I'd have given him fauce to his Cornifh hug I could not.difcern his face but t'other I'll fwear to. Mr. H. George ! look for George there ! I'll con- vince you, Sir, inflnntly ha, ha ! Enter HARRIET. Mr. H. Where's George ? liar. Sir, my Brother is at Mr. Drummond's. - Mr. H. There ! I knew it could not be him, though you would not be perfuaded. Mr. M. What a plague ! you can't perfuade me out of my fenfes Your Son, 1 aver, took her out of the coach with her own confent, no doubt, and on an honourable de- fign, without doubt Sir, I give you joy of your daughter. Mr. H. If it is on an honourable de'fign, they may live on their honour, or ftarve with it not a {ingle fous fhall they have of me but I won't yet believe my George cou'd be fuch a fool. Mr. M. Fool! Sir The man who loves Emily gives no fuch proof of folly neither but fhe fhall be punifhed for hers 'twas a concerted affair, I fee it plainly, all agreed upon but fhe fhall repent. . Mr. H. Your refentment, Sir, is extraordinary I muft tell you that my Son's anceftry, or the eftate to which he is heir if he has not forfeited by his diiobedience, are not objefts for the contempt of any man. Mr. M. Very likely, Sir, but they are objects to which I fhall never be reconciled W T hat ! have I been toiling thefe thirty years in Spain, to make my Niece a match for any man in England to have her fortune fet- tled by an adventure in a poft-chaife, an evening's frolick for a young fpark, who had nothing to do but pufh the old fellow into a corner, and whifk off with the girl ? Sir, if there was not another man in the kingdom, your Son fhou'd not have my confent to marry Emily- Mr. H. And if there was not another woman in England, I'd fuffer fhe name of Hargravc to be annihilated, rather than he fhould be hufband to your Niece. \_Hargrave and &lulty walk aid ut the Stage difordcred.~\ A C O M E D Y. 67 Enter Mr. DRUMMOND. Mr. D. Gone ! her Uncle arrived, and the amiabl firl gone What infatuation, Mr. Hargrave, cou'd ren- er you Ib blind to the happinefs that awaited your fa- mily ? I'll follow this obdurate man where's George ? look for George there he fhall hear reafon. Mr. H. There, Sir that's the perfon to whom you muft addrefs your complaints. Mr. D. Unfortunate ! I have made difcovcries, that muft have fhaken even your prejudices [to Mr. Hargrove] but this Uncle ! furely, my dear Harriet, you might have prevailed. Har. Sir, this gentleman is Mr. Morley Mr. Drummond, Sir. Mr. D. Hah ! I beg pardon, Sir, I am rejoiced to fee you ; I underftood you were gone. Mr. M. I was gone, Sir ; but I was robb'd of my Niece on the road file was taken out of my coach, and carried off which forced me to return. Mr. D. Carried off! Mr. H. Aye, Sir, carried off by George, whom you have trained to luch a knowledge of his duty. Mr. Af. Stopt on the King's highway, Sir, by the fiery youth, and my Niece dragg'd from my fide. Mr. D. Admirable ! Mr. H. What's this right too ? By heaven, it is not to be borne. Mr. D. Where are they ? Har. At your houfe, Sir Mr. M. What a country am I fallen into ! can a per- fon of your age and character approve of fo rafh and da- ring . Mr. H. Let George do what he will he's fure of his approbation. Mr. D, Gentlemen if you are fure Mifs Morley is at my houfe, I am patience itfelf fhe is too rich a prize to be gained without fome warfare. Mr. M. Sir, I am refolved to <- Enter Lady DINAH. [Exit HARRIET frighten 1 d~\ . Lady D. So, Mr Hargrave ! fo, Sir ! what, your Sou jthis new infult deprives me of utterance but your.Son what is the reafon of this complicated outrage ? Mr. H. My dear Lady Dinah, I am as much enraged as you can be but he fhall fulfill his engagements de- pend on it, he fhall. 68 THE RUNAWAY, Mr. M. Engagements ! what the young Gentlcinciil was engaged too ! a very fine youth ! upon my word. Lady D. \to Mr. Hargravi\ Your honour is concern'd, Sir and if I was fure he was drawn in by the girl's art, and that he was convinced of the impropriety Mr. M. Drawn in by the girl's art ! whatever cauf I may have to be offended with my Niece's con-] aft, Madam, no perfon fhall fpeak of her with contempt in my prefence I prefume, this gentleman's fon was engaged to your daugh- ter, but that's not a fufficient reafon for Lady D. Daughter! impertinent! No, Sir, 'twa to me that he was engaged and, but for the arts of your Niece Mr, M. To you ! A matrimonial negociatfo* be- tween that young Fellow and you ! Nay then, 'for* George, I don't wonder at your ill temper A difap- pointment in love at your time of life muft be the devil. Lady D. Mr. Hargrave, do you fuffer me to be thus infulted ? Mr. H. Why, my Lady, we muft bear fomething from this Gentleman the miftakc we made about his Niecs, was a very ugly bufinefs. Mr. D. 1 entreat you, Madam, to retire from a Fa- mily, to whom, if you fuffer me to explain myielf Lady D. What new infolence is this ? Mr. D. I would fpare you, my Lady, but you will not fpare yourfelf Blufh then, whilft I accufe you of enter- ing into a bafe league with your Servants, to blaft the re- putation of an amiable young Lady, and drive her from the protection of Mr. Margrave's family. Mr. H. What ! a league with her Servants ? [afida.] Lady D. And how dare you accufe me of this Ant I to anfwer for the conduct of my fervant? ? Mr. D. The villainy of your fervants is the confequencef of thofe principles with which you have poifon'd their minds. Robb'd of their religion, they were left without fupport againft temptations to which you. Madam, have felt, Philofophy oppofes its fhield in vain. Lady D. I feel his fuperiority to my inmoft foul but he fhall not fee his triumph [a(ide\ Is \\ your virtue which prompts you to load me with injuries, to induce Mr. Hargrave to break through every tie of honour through the mofl facred engagements ! Mr. D. ' I hare juft heard thefe terms, nearly as much proftituted by your fervants, who reproach you with not keening your engagements to them. A C O M E D Y. (* Lady D. Ha ! Am I then betrayed ? \_afide *"\ Enter GEORGE, leading EMILY. Gto. Mifs Morley, Sir, commanded me to lead her to you I cannot afk you to pardon a rafhnefs, of which I do not repent. Mr. H. Then 1 fhall make you, I fancy. Mr. M. Hah did you really wifh to return to me ? Em. I left Mr. Drummond's, Sir, the moment I knew you were here. Mr. M. That's a good girl I'll remember it. Come, child, the coach is at the door, and we muft make fpeed to retrieve our loft time. But have a care, young Gentleman, tho* I have pardon'd your extravagance once, a fecond attempt fliall find me prepared for your reception. Geo. If Mifs Morley confents to go with you, Sir, you have no fecond attempt to fear. But fince this moment is the crifis of our fate, thus I entreat you [kneeling] you, to whom I have fworn eternal love, to become my wife. Confent, my charming Emily, and every moment of my future life fhall thank you. Mr. M. So, fo, fo ! p Mr. H. What, without my leave ? > [All together. Lady D. Amazing \ 3 Em. At fuch a moment as this, meanly to difguife my fentiments would be unworthy of the woman, to whom you offer fuch a facrifice obtain the confent of thofe who have a right to difpofe of us, and I'll give you my hand at the altar. Mr. M. That you will not, my frank Madam fo no more ceremony, but away, [feizing her arm, and going off". J Mr. D. And will you go, impenetrable man I have tlifcovered, Sir, that your Niece is the daughter of Major Morley, who was one of the earlieft friends of my youth He would not have borne the diftrefs fhe now endures I will be a father to his orphan Emily, and enfure the fe- licity of two children, on the point of being facriflced to the ambition and avarice of thofe, on whole hearts Nature has graven duties, which they wilfully mifpel. Lady D. What, Sir, are you not content with the infultj you haveoifer'd to me and Mr. Hargrave, but you muft inter- fere with this Gentleman in the difpofal of his Niece ! Mr. M. What right have you, Sir, to difpofe of our Chil- dren ? Mr. H. Aye, very true, you don't know how fco value tht authority of a parent. ?o THE RUNAWAY, Drum. Miftaken Men ! into what an abyfs of rnifery perhaps of guilt, wou'd you plunge them ! they claim from you happinefs, and you with-hoid it they fhall receive it from me. I will fettle the jointur'd land of my Harriet on Mifs Morley, and George fhall now partake that fortune to which I have already made him heir. Mr. H. Ay, there's no flopping him what can thefe fervants have told him, that makes him fo warm ? Egad, I'll hear their tale. [Exit, impercelved by Lady Dinah. Mr. M. Why, Sir, this is extraordinary frtendfhip indeed ! fettle jointur'd lands-'^lam glad Brother Tom had prudence enough to form fuch a connection, 'twas feldom he minded the main chance Honour and a greafy knapfack, running about after ragged colours, inftead Mr. D. Sir, / have ferved, and Hove the profeflion. The army is not more the fchool of honour than of philofophy A true foldier is a citizen of the world ; he coniiders every man of honour as his brother, and the urbanity of his heart gains his Country fubjeffs, whilft his fword only vanquiflies her foes. Mr. M. Nay, if you have all this Romance, I don't wonder at your propofal however, tho' your jointure lands might have been neceffary for Major Morly's Daughter My Niece, Sir, if fhe marries with my confent, (hall be obliged to no man for a fortune. Lady D. The infolence of making me witnefs to this is infupportable Is this you, Sir, who this very morning paid your vows to me ? Geo. Pardon, Madarn, the error of this morning; I imagi- ned myfelf paying my devoirs to a Lady who was to become my Mother. Lady D. Your Mother! Sir Your Mother ! Mr. Hargrave ha, where is Mr. Hargrave ? Enter Mr. HARGRAVE. Mr. H. I am here, my Lady and have juft heard a tale of fo atrocious a nature from your fervants that I wou'd not, for half my eftate, fuch an affair fhou'd have happen'd in my family. Lady D. And can you believe the malicious tale ? .Mr. //. Indeed I do. Lady D. Mr. Drummond's arts have then fucceeded. Mr. H. Tour arts have not fucceeded, my Lady, and you have no chance for a hufband now, I believe, unlefs you prevail on George to run off \vith_y0a. Lady D. Infolent wretches ! order my chaife, I will not flay another moment beneath this roof when perfccs of my A C O M E D Y. , 7z rank, thus condefcend to mix with Plebeians like the Phoe- nix, which fometimes appears within the ken of common birds, they are ftared at, jeered and hooted, till they are forced to af- cend again to their proper region, to efcape the flouts of* ignorance and envy. [Exit. Mr. M. Well faid, a rare fpirit, faith, I fee T.adies of quali- ty have their privileges too. [yy Lady D. goes off, Geo. fixes his eye on his Father, and points after her. ] Mr. H. \_catchfng George'* band.~\ My dear Boy, I believe we were wrong here and I am heartily glad we have efcaped but Lfuppofe you'll forget it when I tell you I have no ob- jection to your endeavouring to prevail on this gentleman Geo. Nothing, dear Sir, can prevent my feeling the moft un- bounded gratitude for the permiffion now may 1 hope, Sir Mr. M. Hope, Sir ! Upon my word I don't know what to fay, you have foinehow contrived to carry matters to fuch. a length that afking my confent is become a matter of form. Mr. H. Upon my foul, I begin to find out, that in fome cafes one's children fhould lead. Come, Sir, do keep me in countenance, that I mayn't think I yielded toofoon. Mr. D. Your confent, Sir, is all we want, to become a very joyous circle let us prevail on you to permit your be- loved. Emily to receive the addrefTes of my Qodfon, and you will many happy years hence recol!et his boldnefs on the road, as the molt fortunate rencounter of your life : you fhall come and live amongft us, and we'll reconcile you to your native country : notwithftanding our ideas of the degeneracy of the times, we fhall find room enough to at virtuoufly, and to enjoy in England, more fecurely than in any other coun- try in the world, the rewards of Virtue. Mr. M. Sir, I like you promife me your friendfhip and you {hall difpofe of my Niece. Mr. D . I nccept the condition with pleafure. Mr. M. There it is now, this is always the way per- funded our of every refolution a perfect proverb for flexibility. Geo. Oh, Sir, permit me Mr. M. Nay, no extacies Emily diflikes you now you've got me on your fide. What fay you ? [to Er/i.] don't you begin to feel your ufual reluctance? Em. The proof I have given of my fentiments, Sir, ad- mits of no difguife or, if difguife were neceffary, I could not aflume it. Geo. Enchanting franknefs ! my heart, my life mufl thank you for this goodnefs. But what (hall 1 fay to-you [ta Drummond~\ to you, Sir, to whom I already owe more than Mr. D. To me you owe nothing the heart, George, mult have fume attachments - Mine has for many years been. 72 THE RUNAWAY, center'd in you If I have 'ftruggled for your happinefs 'twas to gratify myfelf. Geo. Oh, Sir ! why will you continually give me fuch feelings, and yet refufe them utterance? Seymour, behold the happiell of men ! Sir Cba. May your blifs, my dear George, be as perma- nent as 'tis great. [To Hargrove] Allow me, Sir, to feize this propitious moment to a(k your confent to a fecond union Permit me to entreat Mifs Hargrave for her hand, and I'll prove George a vain boafter, when he calls himfelf the hap- pieft of men. Har. Why, Sir Charles, you have chofcn a very lucky moment but there's no moment in which I fhould not have heard this requeft with pleafure. Why, Harriet if we may believe your eyes, you are not very angry with Sir Charles for this requeft. Har. A requeft, Sir, which gives you fo much pleafure ought not to give your Harriet pain, Bel. Lord ! you look, fo infulting with your happinefs, and fecm to think I make fuch an aukward figure amongft you but here [taking a letter from her pocket] this informs me . that a certain perlon^ Geo. Of the name of Belville Bel. Be quiet- is landed at Dover, and potting here * with all the iaucy confidence our engagements infpire him with. Mr. D, Say you fo?. Then we'll have the three wed'? c'ings celebrated on the fame day. Bel. Oh mercy ! 1 won't hear of it^ Love, onft might manage that perhaps but honour^ o/;ry, ~ 'tis firange the Ladies had never intereft enough to get this ungallant form mended. Mr. D. The marriage vow, my dear Bella, was wifely framed for common apprehenfions Love teaches a train of duties that no vow can reach that refined minds only can perceive but which they pay with the moft delighted atten- tion. You are now encering on this ftate may You and You [ to Bella., /ignifrantly] and \ ;u [to the audience] poiHTs the iilifsful envied lot of Married Lovers! FINIS. iff? University of California SOUTHERN REGIONAL LIBRARY FACILITY 405 Hilgard Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90024-1388 Return this material to the library from which it was borrowed. o^.-.'yuv. * BOUND UV H.EDSALL.