T^testtdebtorftlje^niiJersit^of'QloroittaTheEstateofthelateProfessorA.S.P.'.Toodhouse'Bj6e^AWMmu^J>erie^SECTION IIITHEENGLISHDRAMAFROMITSBEGINNING TOTHEPRESENT DAYGENERALEDITORGEORGEPIERCEBAKERrSOFBSSOKOFDRAMATICIJTKRATOINHAKVAKDUHIVKSSITV>FromPerinin Cornwall;OFAmod Bloody andvn-exampledMurthcrery latcJ; coniii)ittedbya Fatheron hisowneSoniK (*# WitUtilfrttariuifrimthi lijti)itihe InAiguion ofa mcccilefleStcp-aothcr*Tt^etitr wilttitirftiUTtltmtJI viritetedemits. Mugall pcrfoimcdintiic Month ofScptem-LONDONPtiotcdb7.4f.tadatc(aticfoldcaiCi>itCiwiigKCaIfl8HELONDONMERCHANTORTHEHISTORYOFGEORGEBARNWELLANDFATALCURIOSITYBy GEORGELILLOEDITED BYADOLPHUSWILLIAMWARiJ, Litt.D., F.B.A.MASTEROF PETERHOUSECOLLEGECAMBRIDGE, ENGLANDBOSTON, U.S.A., ANDLONDOND. C. HEATH& CO., PUBLISHERSCOPYRIGHT,1906, BY D. C. HEATHftOttALLSIGHTSRESERVED2 EOppin,l3fograpi^rVerylittle is known concerning the personal life ofGeorgeLillo, the authorof the two plays whichare re-(irinted in this volume, andeach ofwhichmaybe said tohave a place of its own in the history of the modemdrama. Hisname is Flemish, and he wasveryprobablya descendantofrefugees whom religious persecutionhaddrivento this country.'Lillo' wasthenameofthe fortthat stood aboveAntwerpon the northern bank of theScheldt."Ontheoccasionofthe marriage, in1734,of the Prin-cess Royalof Great Britain (Anne, daughter of KingGeorge II) to the Prince of Orange (William IV),Lilloproducedamasqueentitled Britannia andBata'via.In this quiteunpretendingand uninteresting production,its twoeponymouspersonagesare introduced as thejointdefenders of freedomagainst Spain and Rome, and it isproclaimedasBritannia's dutytorequiteBatavia, by meansof the match now concluded, for the services of herchampion Liberto (William III).^ Other passages inLillo's writings indicate his probablyinherited hatredof1 I amremindedoftbis circumstancebyMr.G.Edmundson,oneof oorforemostliving authorities onthehistoryandliterature of theNetherlands.Headds:^Motley speaks of the beautiful country house and farmofLillo. Thenamewasprobablythatof theowner, and it is quite possiblethat afamilyofthatnamemayhave beenamong the refugeeswhocameto hngland,after thecaptureofAntwerpby Parma."X Batavia^s guardian.angel, Eliphas,observes;*Fromproud Hispania'sproudandcruel powerI've broughtherhere;AndthePrinceofOrange is saluted as*Theprincely youthInwhom Libcrto'snameMustlive or be extinguished.*viilBtograpljppersecutionandhisill-will towardstheSpanishmonarchy;andit should berememberedthatduringtheperiodofhisliterary activity Spain gradually became once more toEnglishmenthe mostunpopularofforeign powers,' andthat in1 740,whenthe masquewasprinted, shewasoncemoreat warwith England. LjUp'^biblical knowledge,aswpII as hj.; evidentlyRtrOPg''''iS'"'"' '""''"mfTIt,!^'pSfti333y-.flfrmmted for bythe express statement that heapolitical opinionswereno doubtin geiicfiil ugl'Kement with thosewhich at that time pre-vailedamongEnglish Protestantnonconformists.3Lillo is stated to have beenbroughtupa&-ajeweller^andduringaconsiderable part ofhis life appears Whavecarried on this trade in the CityofLondon, where thediamond business is to this daylargely in the hands ofDutchmerchants. WiththeCity his writingsandnotTAt London Mtrchant onlyshow him to have beenfamiliar.4 Whetheror not his success as a playwright,whichwasestablished withgreat rapidityonthe produc-tionofTheLondonMerchantin.-t73i^^terferedwiththesteadyprogressofhis business Im.-,fCmalnsuncertain. Inhislater years, heappears to haveresided at Rotherhithe.Hedied on September 3,,J4!42j_and was buried in thevault of Shoreditch Church. If any reliance is to bet See the bitter reference to religious persecution in ThaLondtn hftr-thant^ 11.65-7;, p. 89,and the tirade against Spain in Fatal Curhiitj^Act1^Sc. I(p. 149).z Severalapt biblical illustrations will be noted in Thi Londfn Mtr-thant. LiUo'sdeepreligioussentimentis welt broughtoutin his ptay ThiChriitian Hire; see Scanderbeg'sprayer,vol. I, p. 149,ed.1775,andcf.thecloseofhisspeech in the openingscene,idim^p.288.{Seethe passageagainst the theory ofRight Divinein ThtChritttanHtrt^ActV,adfin.^ idtm^p.30I.4It is curiousthat in a purely conceived and finely written passage ofThe Christian Hert^ idem.,p. 269,Lillo should haveintroduceda graphicreminiscence of the darkest aspect of the Londonstreets. See also thereferencein TheLondon Aicrc^nr,11.35-47,p.88,to theblackmail leviedbycorrupt London(non-City)magistrates.515iograplivviiplaced on acouplet in Hammond'sPrologue to Lillo'sElmerick,posthumouslyprinted in1 740*Deprestbywant,afflicted bydisease.Dyingbe wrote,anddyingwish'dto please'hemusthavefallenintoorhavebeenovertakenbypecu-niarydifficulties at sometimeprevious to his death. Butthe passagemay be nothing but afictitious appeal admiser'uordiamespeciallyif the statement of the10-graphiaDramaticabeauthentic, that he'died possessedofan estateof^40per annum, besides other effects ofaconsiderable value.' Thesameauthoritydescribeshimasn^..r,,.yt Q-i-TriTOtinurnB69r^TieLondon Merchant, or The HistoryofGeorgeBarn-ivell, was first acted at DruryLaneJunezz,1731,andprinted in thesameyear.__-__ __^^?christian tiero^regularjgge3yin blankvers^wasfirst acte3~ai DruryXanein 17^,and prlnidd Iti tlieI As to Ficlding'8subsequenttribute,in Jastfh Andrtvti, to thiLon-don Mtrchanl,see below,p.xxvii.llBiograplj?ixsameyear,withaLifeofScanderbeg(theheroof theplay),whichmay, ormaynot, be Lillo's. Thistragedy seemstohave givenoffencetothefriendsof Whincop,the authorofthetragedyofScanderbeg(published after his death in1747),asanungenerousplagiarismofhistheme;andtheill-willshowsitselfintheListof DramaticAuthorsprintedwith Whincop's piece, where Lillo is described as 'byprofessionaJeweller,but havingastrong Inclination forPoetry,whichoftentimesis mistakenforGenius.' Lillo'sown play, though untouched by poetic fire, and at theheight of its action hardly equal to an exposition of theconflict in the hero between loveandduty, is somethingmorethanwholesomeand pure. It has a solid ring, andonlybecomes stageywhen it reaches the episode of theSultan's daughter, Hellena.Fatal Curiosity, 'a true Tragedy,' was first acted atthe Little Haymarket in1736,andprinted in1737.Marina, a Play, in three acts, partly in blank verse,and partly in prose,was firstperformedatCoventGardenin1738,and printed in thesame year. It may be sum-marilydescribedas'takenout' of Pericles, PrinceofTyre;but theobscenity is unfortunatelykept in.ArdenofFe'vershanijJ3.n historicalTragedy,' inblankverse,thoughsaid to havebeen written in173^,wasnotpublishedtill longaftertheauthor'sdeath, in1 762. Thisbyno'meanscommendaldeadaptationofapowerfulorigi-nal is interestingbecauseofthespecialassociation,throughjTheLondon Merchant, ofLillo's namewiththedevelop- !-^mentof'domestic tragedy' in our dramatic literature.''XButthe'additions'(Alicia'sattemptatmurder, inLadyMacbeth'smanner, in Act 11,herremorseand Arden's'kindness' in Activ, and his death-scene) may be setdown as little else but interpolations. However, as theadaptation was'finished' byJohnHoadley, Lillocannotbe held altogether responsible for it, orchargeablewiththeauthorshipofits bald tag.Elmerick, or Justice Triumphant, published in1740,islikewiseaposthumoustragedy, but of the regular type,andwholly in blankverse. In this finely conceived andwell-executed drama, justly praised by Fielding, sometracesarerecognisableof amasculineconceptionof virtue,public' and private, whichranges above that acceptedbyhis age. Ismena's Lucretia-like narration shows re-finementoffeeling;andthoughthedictionnowhererisestopoetry, it is devoid neitherofpassionnorofforce.Ofthe entertainment BritanniaandBata'via, printedin1740,mention has already been made. It doesnotappeartohave been performed. Thedramatispersonalare quitedifferent fromthoseofBritannia, or theRoyalLovers, an entertainment given at Goodman's Fieldsfrom February,1734,with a Pastoral Epithalamium, The HappyNuptials,' byCareyintroduced in its lastscene(Genest, iii,433).AcomedybyLillo called TheRegulatorsis stated(ina note to Davies'iLife mtheedi-tion of 181 o) to havebeen'said tobeexisting in manu-script, in1773'ibut it hasneverseenthelight.gintroDucttonThe London Merchant, or TheHistoryofGeorgeBarnwell,whenfirst acted at DruryLaneonJune22,17 31, seems to havebeenannouncedunderthe titleofThe Merchant, or the True HistoryofGeorgeBarn-well. The sub-title in each case clearly shows theauthortohave desired it tobeunderstoodthat his playwas directly founded upon_fact.Conscious oftheinnovationwhich this at thetimeimplied,andas a dra-matistwhohadnot yetmade hiswaywith the public,Lillo seems to have preferred to produce his play onthe stage out of the regular theatrical season. Yet,though the critics exofficiomayhave been conspicuousby their absence from the pit at the first performance,andmay afterwards havedeclined to allow theirjudg-ment to go simply by default," the arch-critic of theeJkminSTwitirsuchirresistibleforce asto^engage all the fac-'ultiesandpowersof thesoul in the causeofvirtue, bystTfling-vice in its first principles. They who~im"agine50ithis tobetoomuchto beattributed to tragedy, mustbestrangers to theenergyof that noble species of poetry.Shakespear,who hasgiven such amazing proofs ofhisgenius, inthat aswell as in comedy, in his Hamlethasthefollowing lines :55Hadbe the motiveandthe cauieforpassionThat Ihave, hewm' ddro-wn the stage withtearsAndclea-ve thegeneralear luitb horridspeech;MakemadthegtHiy, andappalthe free.Confoundtheignorant;andama%eindeed60Thevery facultyofeyes andears.Andfarther, in the samespeech :.I'veheardthatguilty creatures ataplaj\ Have, by the verycunningofthe scene.Been so struck to the soul, thatpresently65ITheyhaveproffaim'dtheir malefactions.Prodigious ! yet strictly just. But I shan't take upyourvaluable time with my remarks;only give me6j rveheard . . .ptaj. 1810,morecorrectly :, . . i havebeard,. . . Thatguiltycreatures sitting at a play.65 JO struii. 1810,struck so.67jAnn'/.1775,1810,shall not.6EDrticationleavejust to observe, that he seems so firmly perswadedof the povperofawellwrote piece to producethe effect^Ihereascribed to it, as to make Hamletventure his soulon the event, and rather trust that than a messengerfrom theotherworld, tho' it assumed, as heexpresses it,his noble father'sform, and assured him that it washisspirit. "I'll have," says Hamlet, "grounds more75relative ";. . . The Play 's Ibe thing,therein/'//calch thecomcienceof the King.Such playsare the best answers to them whodenythelawfulness ofthe stage.goConsidering the noveltyofthis attempt, I thought itwouldbe expectedfrom me to saysomethingin its ex-cuse;and I was unwilling to lose the opportunityofsayingsomethingoftheusefulness^ofLXragedyjngeneral,and what maybe reasonablyexpected from thefarther gcimprovementofthis excenenfkmdofpoetry.Sir, 11iope~yOTr~will not~tHink I have said too muchof an art, ameanspecimen ofwhich I am ambitiousenough to recommendto your favour and protection.Amind, conscious of superior worth, as much despises90flattery, as it is above it. HadI found inmyselfan in-clination to so contemptible a vice, I should not havechoseSirJOHNEYLESformypatron. Andindeed the't best writ panegyrick, tho' strictly true, must place youfn alight much inferior to that in whichyou have long55beenfix'd bythe loveandesteem of yourfellowcitizensjDEjjtcatton7whose choiceof youfor one oftheirrepresentativesinParliamenthassufficientlydeclaredtheirsense ofyourmerit.Nor hath theknowledgeof yourworthbeenconfinedto theCity.TheProprietorsin theSouth-SealooCompany,in which areincludednumbersofpersons asconsiderablefor their rank,fortune,andunderstanding,asany in theKingdom,gavethegreatestproofof theirconfidence in yourcapacityandprobity,whentheychoseyouSub-Governorof theirCompany,at atimewhen105their affairs were in theutmostconfusion,andtheir pro-perties in thegreatestdanger.NoristheCourtinsensibleofyourimportance.I shall notthereforeattemptyourcharacter,norpretend to addanything to areputationsowell established."Whatever others maythink of aDedicationwhereinthere is somuch said of otherthings,and so little oftheperson towhomit is address' d,I havereason to be-lievethatyouwill themoreeasilypardonit onthatveryaccount."5/ am, SIR,Tourmostobedientbumbleservant,GEORGELILLO.107tfer. O4,Neither.,oJ^-uJ^:PROLOGUE.SpokebyMr.CIBBER,Jun.The TragickMuse,sublime, delights to showPrinces distrest andscenesof royalwoe;In awful'pomp,majestick, to relateThefallofnations orsome heroe"sfate;Thatscepter^dchiefsmayby exampleknow5Thestrangevicissitudeofthings below:IVhatdangerson security attend;Howprideandcruelty in ruin end;HenceProvidencesupream to know,andownHumanityaJdsglory to a throne.oIn ev'ry formerageandforeigntonguefJ{j^'Withnativegrandure thus the. Goddesssung^Uponourstage indeed,withwish'dsuccess,'You'vesometimes seen her inahumblerdressGreatonly in distress.Whenshe complains5/^"Southern's,Rowe's,or Otway'smovingstrains.,Thebrilliant drops thatfallfromeach bright eyeyTheabsentpompwithbrighter jemssupply.Forgiveus then^lf^weattjmjpt tojhow,"tV"^hartless strains, cTtaleofprivatewoe,*o^London'Prentice ruindis our theme.Drawnfromthefam'doldjongjhafbearshisname.Sfoke.07,Spoken. 14ahumbler. O7,anhumbler.^prologue 9Wehopeyourtaste is notso high toscornAmoraltalejesteem!dejr youwereborn;IVhich^foracenfuryofrollingyears,'SHasfill'dathousand-thousandeyes withtears.Ifthoughtlessyouth to warn,andshamethe ageFromvicedestructive,wellbecomesthestage;Ifthis'exampleinnocencesecure'^'-''^-Preventourguilt^'or'byrefectioncure;If Millwood'sdreadfulguiltandsaddespairCommendthevirtueofthegoodandfair;Tho'artbewanting,andournumbers fail.Indulgethlattemptinjustice to thetaleIIQsecure. O4,O7,insure.30Prewnt, O4,O7,1810.Ol, Prevents.31guill. O4,O7,crimes.34th\ O7,the.30DRAMATISPERSONAE.MEN.Thorowgood,(Barnwell,Uncleto George,GeorgeBarnwell,Tnieman,Blunt,[Jailer.John.]Mr. Bridgtvater.Mr. Roberts.Mr. Cibher,Jun.Mr. IV. Mills.Mr. R. IVetherilt.WOMEN.Maria,Mrs.Cihber.Millwood,Mrs.Butler.I-"cy.Mrs.Charke.Officerswith theirAttendants,Keeper,andFootmen.SCENE,London,andanadjacentVillage.'ithirlli.04,Witherhilt;1775,Withcrhile: bothincorrectly.Millwood.So all the editions,andthroughoutthe play.!unl.177sand 1810add: Jailer.John.tr,thtrllt.MiBlu ..//y.iu .u.uauu; jaiici. JOUII.Charki.177sand1810,incorrectly,Clarice.Lucj.07,Lucia.tontion jwetci^antOtt\)tofdBfeotge 'BamtueUAct I.Scene I.yiRoomin TboromgooJ's House.[^Enter] ThorowgooJand Trueman.Trueman. Sir, the packet fromGenoa is ar-riv'd.Givesletters.Thorowgood. Heav'nIje praised,thestormthatthreaten'd ourroyal mistrefs^,piire religion, lib-erty andlaws,is foratimediverted;thehaughtyand revengeful Spaniard, disappointed of theloan on which he depended fromGenoa,mustnowattend the slow return of wealth from hisActI. Scene I. Ofthe editions examined (see Note onTexts)only 1 andO2use the French methodofdividingthe scenes.12tCljE JLonDon spcrcliant[acti.newworld, to supply his empty coffers, "e'er hecanexecute his purpos'd invasion of ourhappy loisland; by which meanstime is gain'd to makesuch preparations onour part as may,Heav'nIconcurring,prevent hismalice,or turnthemedi-tated mischiefon himself.True. Hemust be insensible indeed,whois 'Snot affected when the safety of his country isconcern'd.Sir, mayI knowbywhatmeansifI amtoo bold^Thor^ Yourcuriosityis laudable;and I grat-:ify it with the greater pleasure, because from %othence you may learn how honest merchants,as such,maysometimescontributeto the safetyoftheircountry,astheydoatall timestoitshap-piness;that if hereafteryoushould betemptedto'anyaction that has the appearanceofviceor15meannessin it,upon reflectingon the dignityofy'our profession, youmaywithhonestscornrejecti^liatever is unworthyofit.True. Shou'd Barnwell,or I, who have thebenefit of your example, by our ill conduct 30bringanyimputationon that honourablename,wemustbe left without excuse.Thor. Youcomplement,youngman.(True-man bows respectfully.')Nny, I'm not offended.As the name of merchant never degrades the35ygentleman,sobynomeansdoes it excludehim;scNEi]tlTljeJLonDon^erctjant13^nlytake heed not topurchasethecharacterofcomplaisant at theexpenceofyoursincerity.But to answer yourquestion. tThe bank ofGenoahad agreed, at excessive interest andon 40good security, to advance theKing of Spain asum of money sufficient to equip his vastArmada^;> ofwhichour peerlessElizabeth(morethan in n^methe Motherof her People)beingwell informed, sentWalsingham,her wise and45faithful secretary, to consult the merchantsofthis loyal city,who all agreed to direct theirseveralagentstoinfluence,ifpossible,theGeno-ese to break their contractwith the Spanishcourt."*Tjlsdonfrj the stateandbankofGenoa, 5having maturelyweigh'd andrightlyjudged oftheir true interest,prpfer tl^g^friendshipof the|pipr,phanr^'' >'n.;;^m:ag'd. PurSUC45your proposedreformation,andknowmehere-aTt-er for voi^r frie nd.'Lucy, ihis is ablessing asunhop'dfor asunmerited; butHeaven,thatsnatched usfromnSceneII.]^i)tLonDon^ffcljant93impendingruin,_aure,intendsyou as its instru- 50mentto secure usfrom apostacy.Thor.Withgratitude to imputeyourdeliver-ance _tp Heaven is~just. Many,less virtuously^3ispos'd than Barnwell was,have never fallenl#**in the mannerhe has done;-maynotsuchowe55(]their safety rathertj/rrovidencKthan to them- /^.-'^selves ? ,with pity alid'L'Uilfpassion let usjudge^y

*bear a little longer the pains that attend thisgotransitory life, and cease from pain for ever.l^Scene III.Barnwell.Barnwell. I find a powerwithin thal-beaKmysoul above the fearsofdpath .andvspigntofconscious shameand guilt, gives mea taste ofpleasure morethan mortal.68 this contagious. Oi, his contagious. O4corrects.I Ifnd. O4, O7, prefix : Perhaps I shall.Vfi.\UISceneV.]^\)tJLOltDOnS^CtCljant97SceneIV.Tohim TruemanandKeeper.Keeper. Sir, there's the prisoner.\_Exit.']..:^"^IScene V.Barnwelland Trueman.Barnwell. Truemanmyfriend,whom I sowisht to see ! Yet nowhe'shereI darenot lookuponhim. ^W7eps.\Trueman. OhBarnwell! Barnwell!""Barn. Mercy, Mercy, gracious Heaven ! 5Fordeath, but not for this, was I prepared.True. What have I sufFer'd since I sawyou\,Vlast ! Whatpain has absence given me!Butoh! to see thee thus !Barn. I know it is dreadful! I feel the an- 10guish of thy generous soulbut IwaaJjQin. tomurderall wholove me.^^^Jboth~''!veep'1rue.1camenottoreproachyou;1 tliougntto bring you comfort. But I'm deceiv'd, forIIhavenone' to give.1cametoshare thysorrow,15Ibut cannotbearmyown.^Barn. Mysense of^uil_t indeed you cannotfknow'tiswhatthegoodandinnocent,likeyou, wl^WI can ne'er conceive. But other griefs at presentII have none,but what I feel fo r you! In your201 6-wai I, O4also.O7, I was. 8 has.O4,O7, hath.98 ^\)tJLonDon spricIjant[actv.\4sorrow I readyou love me still. But yet me-(^^thinks 'tis strange, when I consider what I am.True. No more of that ! I can remembernothingbutthyvirtues,thyhonest,tenderfriend-ship,ourformer happystate,and present misery. i$O,had you trusted me when first the fairseducertemptedyou, all might have been pre-vented.Barn. Alas,thouknow'st notwhata wretchI've been ! Breach of friendship was my first30and least offence. So farwasI lost togoodness,so devoted to the author of myruin, that, hadshe insisted on mymurdering thee, I think Ishou'd havedone it.True. Prithee, aggravate thy faults nomore!35Barn. I think Ishou'd ! Thus, good andgenerous as you are, Ishou'd have murder'dvou!True. Wehavenotyet embrac'd,andmaybeinterrupted. Cometomyarms !^40^^Barn. Never,never willItaste suchjoyson/\ earth; never will I so sooth myjust remorse!Are those honest arms and faithful bosom fitto embrace and to support a murderer? Theseiron fetters onlyshall clasp,and flinty pavement45bear me (throwinghimself on theground)eventhese toogood for such a bloody monster.True. Shall Ifbrtunqseverthose whomfriend-X.^o*^SceneV.]tBift ILonDoix^tTcljant99shipjoin'd? Thy miseries cannot lay theesolow,but lovewill find thee. (Liesdown byhim.) 5Upon thisruggedcoucHthenlet us lie;forwellit suits our most deplorablecondition.Herewill we offer to stern calamity, this earththealtar, andourselves the sacrifice ! Ourmutualgroans shall ecchotoeach otherthro'thedreary55vault.Oursighs shall numberthe momentsasthey pass, andmingling tearscommunicatesuchanguish as wordswerenevermadeto express.Barti. Thenbe it so! Sinceyou proposeanintercourseofwoe,pour all yourgriefs into my60breast,andinexchangetakemine! (Embracine.)Where's now the anguish thatyou promisd?You've taken mine, and make me no return.Sure,peaceandcomfortdwellwithinthesearms,yandsorrow can't approachmewhile I'm here[.4$This too is the work of Heaven, who,havingbefore spoke peaceandpardonfome, nowsendstlieti m eonflfffl it.glake. Like !JOIIi e-Uf-rii eloy that overflowsmybreast!.True.1 do,1 do. AlmightyPower,howhave 7050Lies down by him.O4, O7, omit this direction and thesentence from upon to condition,53this earth.O4, O7, this place.66 Hca-ven,-who.O4,O7, Heaven,which.70-71ho-whaveyoumade,O4also.O7,howhastthoumade.lootIPtieJLonfionapecctjant[actv.Scene VI.To them. Keeper.Keeper. Sir!Trueman. I come.[^Exit Keeper."]Scene VII.Barnwelland Trueman.Barnwell. Mustyouleave me ? Deathwoulds oon have parted us for ever.~Trueman. mycarnwell,there'syetanothertask behind; again your heart must bleed forothers woes.SBarn. Tomeetand paitwith you,I thoughtwas all I had to do on earth ! What is theremore for meto door suffer?True. I dread to tell thee;yet it must beknown!MarialoBarn. Ourmaster's fair and virtuous daugh-ter ?True. Thesame.Barn. Nomisfortune,Ihope,hasreach'dthatlovely maid ! Preserve her.Heaven,fromevery15ill, toshowmankindthatgoodnessis yourcare !True. Thy, thy misfortunes, my unhappyfriend, have reach'd her. Whateveryou and Ihave felt,andmore,ifmorebepossible,shefeelsforyou./ xoscineviii.]tK))t iLonOonspfrcljantloiBarn, (aside), I know he doth abhor a lie,and wouldnottriflewith hisdyingfriend. Thisis, indeed, the bitterness ofdeath !True. You must remember, for we all ob-serv'd it,forsometimepast,aheavymelancholy25weigh'dher down. Disconsolatesheseem'd,andpin'd and languish'd from a causeunknown;till, hearing of your dreadful fate,the longstifled flame blaz'd out. She wept,shewrungher hands, and tore her hair, and, in the trans-30port ofher grief, discover'd her ownlost state,whilst snelamented yours.Barn. Will all the pain I feel restore thyease, lovely unhappy maid? (TVeeping.) Whydidn't you let medie and neverknow it ?35True. It was impossible; she makes nosecret ofher passion for you, and is determin'd /tose^ vou e'er you die.She Waits for me to|introduce her.[;://.]'Scene VIII.Barmaell.Barnwell. Vain, busy thoughts, be still!Whatavails it to think on what I might havebeen.'I nowamwhat I've mademyself.32ivhilu,O4also. O7, 1810, while.35dUn't.O4,O7,did younot.I02tE'lftLonUon^etc\)Bnt[actv.Scene IX.To him, TruemanandMarta.Trueman.Madam,reluctant Ileadyoutothisdismal scene. This is the seat of misery andguilt. Here awful justice reserves her publickvictims. Thisis theentrancetoshamefuldeath.Maria. Tothis sad place, then,noimproperguest,theabandon'd,lost Mariabringsdespairand see the subject and the cause of all thisworldof woe!Silent and ipotionless he stands,as if his soul had quitted her abode, and thelifeless formalone wasleft behindyet that soperfect that beauty and death, ever at enmity,nowseem united there.Barnwell. I groan, butmurmur not.JustHeaven, I, amyourownjdowithmewhatyouplease.MaiWhyare your streaming eyes still fix'dbelow,as tho' thoud'stgivethe greedyearth thysorrows,and robmeof mydue?Werehappi-ness within yourpower,you should bestow itwhereyoupleas)d^; but in yourmisery I mustloand will partakg'!Barn.Uh! say not so, but fly, abhor, andleave metomyfate ! Considerwhatyou arehow vastyour fortune, and how bright yourfameJhave pity on youryouth, your beauty.sciNiix.]tiriieILonDonSI9crcl)ant 103andunequalled virtue,for which so manynoblepeers havesigh'd invain! Blesswithyour charmssomehonourablelord ! Adornwithyourbeauty,andbyyour exampleimprove,theEnglishcourt,thatjustly claims such merit :so shall Iquickly30be to you as though Ihad neverbeen.Ma.When I forget you, I must be so in^deed. Reason, choice, virtue, all forbid it. Letwomen,like Millwood, if there be more suchwomen, smile in prosperity, and in adversity35forsake! Be i t the pride ofvirtue tor^air. ortopartake, tffe rii|n such havemade."Vrue. Lovely, iii-tated maid !Was thereeversuchgenerous distressbefore? Howmustthis pierce his grateful heart,and aggravate his 4woes?Barn. E'erI knewguiltor shamewhenfor-tune smiled, andwhenmyyouthful hopeswereatthehighestifthentohaverais'd mythoughtsto you,had been presumption in me,never to45have been pardon'd : think howmuch beneathyour selfyou condescend,to regardmenow!Ma. Let her blush,who,professinglove,in-vades the freedom of your sex's choice, andmeanlysues in hopesof areturn ! Yourinevit-50Yable fate hath render'd hopTTifl^ossible as vain.dt.W^lThen,whyshou'd I fear to avowa passion sojust and so disinterested?34there be, O4also. O7, thereare.A104 WitllonUon^ttc\)ant[actv.True. If anyshou'dtakeoccasion,fromMill-wood's crimes, to libel the best and fairest part55ofthe creation,here let them see their error!Themosldistanthopes ofsuch a tenderpassionfrom so bright a maid might add to the happi-nessofthe most happy,and makethe greatestproud. Yet here'tislavish'd in vain :tho' by 60the rich present, the generous donor is undone,heonwhomit isbestow'd receives no benefit.Barn. Sothe aromatick spices of the East,whichall the living covet andesteem, are, withunavailingkindness,wastedonthe dead.65Ma. Yes,fruitless is mylove,andunavailingallmysighs and,tears. Cantheysavetheefromapproachingd6athfrr.m g^|rh a dp^[h? O,terrible idea!\Vhat is Tier misery anddistress,whosees the first last object of herlove, for70whom alone she'dlivefor whom she'd die athousand,thousanddeaths, if it were possibleexpiring in herarms? Yet she is happy,whencompar'dtome, Weremillionsof worldsmine,I'dgladlygive them in exchangefor hercon-75dition.Themostconsummatewoe islight tomine. The last of curses toother miserablemaids is all I ask; and that's deny'dme.True.Timeand reflectioncure all ills.Ma.All but this;hisdreadfulcatastrophego78Iask. O4,O7,insert :for myrelief.sOTX.]'^\)tJLottfionspcrcljant105vi rtueherself abhors. Togive a holidaytosuburbslaves, andpassingentertain thesavageherd,who,elbowingeach other forasight,pur-sueand pressupon him like his fate!Amindwithpiety-andresolutionarm'd maysmile ongjdeath. Butpjiblickignominy,everlasting shame,^shame,thedeath ofsoulsto die athousand\times, anTyetsurviveevendeath it self,inneverdyinginfamyisthis to beendured?Can I,who live in him,and must,each hour ofmy50devotedlife, feel^thesewoesrenew'd,can Iendure this? /True.Grief hasimpair'd her spirits;shepants as in the agonies ofdeath.Barn.Preserveher. Heaven,andrestore her95peace;norlet herdeath beaddedto mycrime1(Belltolls.)1 amsummon'dtomyfate^~Scene X.Tothem. Keeper.Keeper. Theofficersattend you, sir. Mrs.Millwood isalreadysummon'd.Barnwell.Tell 'em, I'm ready.And now,.^^.,|ejwmyfriend,farewell !(Embracing.)Supportand93has impair'd. O4,O7, has so impair'd.96crime. O4,O7, 1810,crimes.1 Theofficers. . . sir.O4,O7,place sir first.Mrs. O4,O7,omit.Iio6XE^ciLonaonsprrcljant[actv.comfort the best you can this mourningfair. 5No more! Forget not to pray for me!(Turningto Maria.),'V/ou\dyou, bright excel-lence, permitmethe"^ honourof achasteembrace,the last happiness this world cou'd give weremine.(^She enclines toward him;they embrace^ ibExaltedgoodness! O turnyoureyesfromearth,andme,to Heaven,wherevirtue, like yours, iseverheard. Pray for the peace ofmydepartingsoul!Earlymyrace ofwickedness began,andsoonhas reach'd the summet. E'er nature has15finish'd herwork,andstamp'dmemanjustatthe timethat others begin to straymycourseis finish'd. Tho'shortmyspan oflife,andfewmydays, yet, countmycrimes for years,and Ihave liv'dwholeages.Justiceand mercyare in 20Heaventhe same: its utmost severity is mercyto the whole, therebyto cure man's folly andpresumption,which elsewou'd rendereven in-finitemercyvain and ineffectual. Thu^i^^tic^i n compassion tomankind^c\\\^offTwrcfrh lilfc15me^byone such example to secure thousandsfrom ruturd I'Uill.15loon has reach*d^O4also. O7,soon I reach'd.20-1I Justiceand mercyarein Heaven thesame. In1775thesewordsare transposed to the end of Barnwell's speech, afterfromfuture ruin.O4, O7, print "Justice . . . ineffectual after Tbutjustice. . . ruin.SceneXI.]tEiftiloviiionS0trc\)mt107Ifanyyouths likeyou^infuturetimesShall mournmyfate, tho'heabhormycrimes;Ortendermaid,likeyou,mytaleshallhear,30Jndto mysorrowsgiveaptxingtear;Toeachsuchmeltingeye,d^throbbingheart.WouldgraciousHeaventhisbenefit impartNevertoknowmyguilt,norfeelmypain:")Thenmustyouown,yououghtnottocomplain,-I3ji>tnceyounorweep,norshallIdie,invain.J\^Exeunt.'^[SceneXI.ThePlaceofExecution.Thegallows andladdersatthefartherendofthestage.Acrowdofspectators.BluntandLucy.Lucy.Heavens!whata throng!Blunt.Howterribleisdeath,whenthuspre-pard !^Lucy.Supportthem,Heaven; thouonlycansupportthem;allotherT^svain.,Ojflcer{within).Makewaythere;makeway,andgivetheprisonersroom!Ltuy/Theyarehere;observethemwell!HowhumbleandcomposedyoungBarnwells^'^ms!ButMillwoodlookswild,ruffledwith^lassion,confoundedandamazed./1yfndthese, Idoubt, are those that make'em so.)O"f**\\{.\M*^(Pointing to the Boxes.)Written by Collty Ghher^ Eitj.Qjadds : Poet Laureate, andomitsandipoke by Mrs. Other. TheYalecopyofO4lacks thelast seven lines ofthe playandthe Epilogue, butthey probably fol-lowed Oi.Spoke. O7, spoken. 1 hofieUis. O7,hapless.CSpilogue 113'Tis very well, enjoy the jest ! Butyou, \Fine, powder'dsparksnay,I'm told 'tis true>Yourhappy spouses canmakecuckolds too.)'5"Twixtyou andthem, thediff'rencethisperhaps^The cit's asham'dwhene'er his duck he traps;Butyou,whenMadam'stripping, let herfall.Cock upyour hats,andtake noshameat all.What,if somefavour'dpoet Icou'dmeet,^Whoselove wou'dlay his lawrels atmyfeet?No;paintedpassion reallove abhors:Hisfamewou'd prove the suitofcreditors.Not to detainyou, then, with longerpause, \In short,myheart to this conclusiondraws: >^SIyieldit to the handthat's loudest inapplause.)l^otesJtoCi^elonDonjHercl^antDedication. SirJohnEyles,Baronet. Thisworthywas a most suitable choice for the dedication of The LondonMerchant. His uncle,John,was Lord Mayorof London in thelast year ofJames II, and was knighted by that sovereign.Hisfather, Francis, was created a baronet by George I, and was anEast India Director. SirJohn,thesecond baronet,wasa memberofthe last Parliamentof ^ueenAnne, and ofthe first andsecondParliamentsofGeorgeI;in the first and second of George II herepresented the City of London. In1727he was Lord Mayor,andafterwards becameAlderman ofBridge-ward Without,'com-monlycalled Fatherofthe city.* In1739hewasappointed Post-master-General. His youngest brother,Joseph, knightedbyGeorge I, waslikewiseanAldermanand a memberof the Houseof Commons. {TheEnglish Baronetage^ vol. iv,1741.)3,I. as Mr.Dryden has somewheresaid. It maybetakenas improbablethat Drydenanywhere makesuseofpreciselythis expression. But in his Discourse concerning the Original andProgressofSatire(1693)hequotes'our master Aristotle' as say-ing that*the most perfect workof Poetry is Tragedy*jand heargues in thesame sense in the EssayofDramatic Poesy.37- theendoftragedy. The referenceof course is tothe Aristotelian theoryofthe catharsis^ or purgingofthe passions,though it maybedoubted whether Lillo understood the natureofthepurificationof thepassionspity andterrorwhichAristotlehad in view,4.3^-33- Thestrongcontrast betweenaTamer-lane and a Bajazet. Probably Lillo was thinking less ofMarlowe's Tamburlaine the Great, than of Rowe's Tamerlane(1 702),in whichthe contrast inquestionwasintended to illustratethat between William III and LouisXIV.438-39.Thesentimentsand examplesofaCato,Addison's Cato had been produced in1713,and still held thestage.0ottsto ^})tILonDonspcrc^ant 1155,54.inhisHamlet. Actii, Sc. i.7,105-106. at a timewhen theiraSairswere intheutmostconfusion. This musthavebeenshortlyafter thebursting of the*South-Sea Bubble' in 1720.7,108-109.attemptyourcharacter: attempt to drawa characterofyou.Prologue,spoke byMr.Cibber,Jun.See Introduc-tion.8,16. In Southern's, Rowe'sorOtway'smovingstrains. Sec Introduction.9,i6.a thousand-thousandeyes. Cf. Elmerict, ActII, adJin. :*Athousandthousand deathsare in thethought.*Secalso The Tempat^ Actiii, Sc. i, adJin.11,7. theloanon whichhedependedfromGenoa.See Introduction.12, 35-36. the nameof merchantneverdegradesthegentleman. This was the feeling of Englishmenin thesixteenthandseventeenth centuries, whentheyoungersonsofgoodhouses often wentinto trade.15,19. dispense with myabsence. The young ladymeans:*dispense withmypresence.'18,2-3.Alittlemorered. The practice of 'rouging,'though lesscommonin the Eliiabethanage than in that ofGeorgeII,wasnot unknownto the former. See Hamlet'staunttoOphelia^Ham/eiy Act in, Sc.2):*I have heard of your paintings too,well enough';whereSteevens compares the satire onthese aids tobeautyin Drayton'sMooncalf.19,30. theSpaniardsintheNewWorld. SeePres-cott's Historyof tie ConquestofPeru, bk. iv, chap. 6 :'Pizarrodelivered up the conquered races to his brutal soldiery. . . thetowns and villages were given upto pillage;the wretchednativeswere parcelled out like slaves, to toil for their conquerorsin themines,' etc.31,16-17. whileyet in Heaven,boreall hisfutureHellabouthim. Anapparentlyoriginal,and a profoundlycon-ceived, refinement upon the thoughtwhich in IVlarlowe'sDoctof-fauitui, Sc.3,in reply to the question ofFaustus:*Howcomesit thenthatyouarcoutofbell \'116^ttsto l)EiLontion^crcljantMephistophilis expresses in the line, of which there are manyanaloga:^Whythis i bell,noram I outofit/35,91. nowmust standonterms: nowI must standonterms.35,104-105. the glorious sun . . . once stopp'dhisrapidcourse,and oncewentback. Joshua,%,13,and haiah, xxxvlll, 8.35,io8.theseadivided.Exodus, xiv, 21.36,iii-iiz.menunhurt havewalk'damidstcon-sumingflames.Daniel, in,25.36,112-113.neveryetdidtime,oncepast,return.This commonplace recalls the ocular demonstration furnished byFriar Bacon's Brazen Head in FriarBacon andFriar Bungay,Sc. XI, that*Timeis,**Timewas,' and*Time is past,* arc asthree tickingsofa watch, or three beats ofa pulse.37,4(Sc. IV). prevented: anticipated.^Ss ^S-Forhim:Forhe(elliptically).67,II.Whenstrong reflections hold the mirrornear. The ill-chosen word'reflections ' can here only mean*thoughts.'70,54.Therichmanthus, etc. St. Luke, xvi,27-28.70,56. The fool, his own soul lost, etc.St. Luke,III, 20.71,7. Falsely to accuse ourselves: that we thoaldWiselyaccuse ourselves,76,5. Where shall I hide me? whither shall Ifly, etc. Cf. Fsalmcxxxix,7sqq.; and also Revelation,vi,16,and Hosea, x, 8. All these passages were possibly in Marlowe'smindwhenhewrotethe first part of Faustus' final speech in DoC'tor Faustus.79,2(Sc.XII). Cannot: canstnot. Cf. atthebeginningof Sc. XI,ActV(1.4),of thisplay ;'Thouonlycansupportthem.'80,7. this :this is. Several Shakespearean illustrations ofthis common Elizabethan contraction are cited in Abbott'sShake-speareanGrammar,80, 13. Bewarn'd, ye youths, etc. This is an ex-pansionof the tag at theendofthe old Ballad. SeeAppendixA.iPotestto Wi}tLonDonS^ercliant11782, 19. credit.In the wider sense of 'honour, reputa-tion.'88,35-36. suburb-magistrates.See SirJ.FitzjamesStephen'sHistoryoftheCriminal Laivof Engiandyvol. 1 (ch. vii),pp.229-31:*Throughouta greatpart of theeighteenthcenturythe businessofmagistrates inthat part of LondonwhichwasnotincludedintheCity waa carried on by magistrateswhowere paid almost entirelyby fees. What the fees precisely were, and by what law theirexaction wasjustified, I amnot able to say, noris it worthwhiletoenquire. . . .*Writingin1754(in the Introduction to Ymyoumalofayoyage to Lishort)^Henry Fielding says of his career asa magis-trate : "Bycomposing instead of inflaming the quarrels ofportersand beggars {which I blush when I say has not beeii universallypractised), andby refusing to take a shilling from amanwhomostundoubtedly wouldnothavehad another left, Ireduced an incomeof about ;^5oo a year of the dirtiest moneyupon earth to littlemore than^300,a considerable proportion of which remainedwithmyclerk;and indeed, ifthe wholehaddone so, as it ought,hewould be but ill paid for sitting almost sixteen hours in thetwenty-fourin themostunwholesomeas well asnauseous air intheuniverse, andwhichhas in his case corrupted a good constitutionwithoutcontaminating his morals."*Heobserves in a foot-note :*'Apredecessor of mineused toboast thathemade;^i,ooo a year in hia office, but howhe didthis (ifindeedhedid it) is tomea secret.** . . .*. . , Menof genius are exceptionseverywhere,buta magis-trate oughtat least to be, as in thesedayshe is, a gentleman andamanofhonour. It was not so in the last century in London.Acharacteristic account of the "trading justices" was given totheCommittee (ofthe Houseof Commons) of 1816, byTowns-end, a well-knownBowStreet runner, whoat that timehad beenin the police thirty-four yearsor more, /. e. since 1782 :**Atthattime, beforethe Police Bill took place at all, itwasa trading busi-ness. . . . Theplanused to be to issue outwarrants,andtake upall the poor devils in the street, and then there wasthe bailing ofthem . . . which the magistrates hadjand taking up . . .118/potcfi to l)c iLonDonspercljantgtrU. . . . Theysent none to gaol;the bailing of themwas somuchbetter."*These scandals led to the statute,32Geo.3,c.53,whichauthorised theestablishment of seven public offices in Middlesexand one in Surrey, to each of which threejustices were attached.Thefees were to be paid by a receiver. . . . Thejustices wereto be paid bya salary of;^400apiece. This experiment provedhighly successful.* . . .Asto the generally opprc^rious force attaching to the epithet'suburb,' cf. tnfra, p.216.88,37-38. as the unhospitable natives of Corn-wall dobyshipwreck.Cf. Fatal Curiosity^Act1 (Sc. Ill,11.2-13):^. . , savage men,who,moreremorsclcBs,Preyonahipwrcck'dwretches,andspoil andmurdertboteWhomfatal tempestsanddevouringwaves," etc. . . .Seealso Introduction to Fatal Curiosity.9095-From your destruction raise a noblername.Gain a higher glory (for their sex) by destroying you(men).93,59.learnus : teach us.95,41. dailydies, /Corinthiam^ XV,31.96,65. fromwhencethere's no return.Cf. Hamlet^Actin,Sc. I :'Theundiscover'dcountry,fromwhosebournNotraveller returns.'98,39.Wehave not yet embrac'd*etc.This an-swer, says Diderot(^La Lettre de Barncvelt^see Introduction),*is to meof incomparablebeauty. ... I advise anyone who isnotdeeply affected by thesewordsto let Deucalionor Pyrrhacasthimbehindthemfor he is madeofstone.'102. Truemanand Maria. Diderot comments on thisscene as ioWovi^i^Entretiensur LeFi/s Naturel):*Propriety ! Pro-priety ! I am tired of the word. The woman whom Barnwellloves enters, distracted, into his prison. The two lovers embrace,and fall to the ground.' And he continues that here, as in theagony of Philoctetes, sympathy is assured by absolute truth tonature.jl5otr0to ^l)tILonUonspcrcliant119102,3.reserves;detains. The*press-yard' in New-gate, with the press-room below for cases which it was deemednecessary to separate from the rest, became a thing of the pastsoon after the description of it In the Sketches by Bo^i in a paper{^AVisit to Ne'wgate) ofextraordinary graphic power.103,29-30. improvetheEnglishcourt,thatjustlyclaims such merit.This supplication is hardly less odd ifapplied to the court of Queen Caroline, than if supposed to referto that of5^ueen Elizabeth.103,47.condescendto.Descendin order to.104,63-64. Sothe aromaticspicesoftheEast,etc.Thesimile maypossibly havebeen suggestedbySt."John^xix,39.lO^j 82. suburb-slaves. It must be remembered that*suburban respectability'Is a conception of modern growth. Inthe Elizabethan age, and for sometime afterwards, thesuburbs ofLondon were, like those of fortified towns, regarded as theabodeofthe lowest classes andthehaunts of the dissolute. See Nares,s. 1/.106,20-21.Justice and mercyare inHeaventhesame.Cf. TheMerchantofVenice^ Act iv, Sc. i :*Earthly powerdoththenshowllkest God's,Whenmercyseasonsjustice.'109,44-45.Chains, darkness, wheels, racks,sharp stinging scorpions, etc. Cf. again the final sceneinDoctor Faustus, and thedoomedsinner's cry;*Addersandserpents,let mebreatheawhile !*110, 78. Sure, 'tis the worst of torments, etc.*Andin hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seethAbrahamafar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.' St. Luke^xvij23.Epilogue. Written byCoUeyGibber, Esq., andSpoke byMrs.Gibber.Thefirst Mrs.Theophilus Clbberwas, as has been noted in the Introductioriy the original representa-tive ofMaria.112,8. cockM up in cue:with his hat cocked overhis pigtail (^queue). Mr.Ashton quotes from the Spectator^ No.319:'I observed afterwards that the Variety of Cocks intowhichhemoulded his Hat, not a little contributed to his Impo-sitions upoome.*120jptotesto l)eilonDonspcrcljant112,9.the tawneyJew.'Tawney' (yellow), as anepithet of derision, referring to theyellow capor bonnet,thepieceof costume obligatory uponJews.In Barton Booth's acting copyof TheMerchantofVenice, there is appended to the line'ForBuffcrance is thebadgeofall ourtribe'the stage-direction ;*Showinghis yellow cap.'113, 23.His flamewould prove the suitofcred-itors:his passion wouldproveto be not moredistntereited thanthesuit ofa creditor.appenDijcTHEBALLADOFGEORGEBARNWELL'THEFIRSTPARTAllyouthsoffeirEnglandThatdwellboth far and near,Regardmystory that Itell,Andtomysonggive ear.ALondonlad I was,Amerchant'sprenticebound;MynameGeorgeBarnwell;thatdid spendMymastermanyapound.Takeheedofharlots then,Andtheir enticingtrains;Forbythat means IhavebeenbroughtTohangalive in chains.AsI upona dayWaswalkingthrough thestreet.Aboutmymaster's business,Awanton I did meet.I Reprinted,slightly re-punctuated, and corrected, from vol. vmf,appease(see New English Dictionary), rmyhere. ProfessorSkeat thinks,beheldtomean^unconcerned.'130ppcnDi]t:I do defie theefrommyheart,Andscorn thy filthy deed.""Is this the friendshipthatYoudid tomeprotest?Is this thegreat affectionwhichYou80 tomeexprest?Nowfie onsubtleshrews !Thebest is, I mayspeedToget a lodgingany whereFormoneyin myneed.Falsewoman, nowfarewell;Whilsttwentypounddoth last,Myanchor in someother havenWithfreedomI will cast."Whenshe perceivedby this,I hadstore of moneythere,'Stay George," quoth she,"thou art tooquick;Whyman,I didbutjeer:Dostthinkfor all myspeech,ThatI wouldlet theego}Faith, no," said she,"myloveto theeI-wiss is morethanso.""Youscomea prentice boy,I heard youjust nowswear;WhereforeI will not troubleyou";"Nay, George, harkin thine earjSlppmnivThouahalt not go to-night,Whatchancesoe'rebefall;But,man, we'll havea bed for thee,Orelse thedevil takeall."131So I, by wiles bewitchtAndsnar'dwith fancy still.Hadthennopowerto get'away,Orto withstand her will.Forwineonwine I call'd.Andcheerupongood cheer;Andnothing in the world I thoughtForSarah'slove toodear.Whilst in hercompany,I hadsuchmerriment,All, all too little I did think.ThatI uponherspent.f Afig for careandthought!Whenall mygold is gone,Infeith, mygirl, wewill havemore.WhoeverI light upon.Myfather's rich;whythenShouldI wantstore ofgold ?**'Nay, withafather,sure," quothshe,"Asonmaywellmakebold.""I'vea sister richlywed;I'll robherere I'll want."" Naythen," quoth Sarah,"theymaywellConsiderof your scant.'*I gtt. ThisisChild'semeadatioafor'put,*132SLppmHif"Nay, I an unclehave;AtLudlowhedoth dwell;Heis a grazier, which in wealtkDothall the rest eicell.Ere I will live in lack,Andhavenocoyn for thee,1*11robhis house, andmurderhim.""Whyshouldyounot?"quothshe.**WasI a man, ere IWouldlive in poorestate,Onfether, friendsand all mykin,Iwouldmytalons grate.Forwithoutmoney,George,Aman is but a beast;Butbringingmoney, thou shaltbeAlwaysmywelcomeguest.Forshould' St thou bepursued,Withtwenty huesand cryes,Andwitha warrantsearched forWithArgus' hundred eyes,Yetherethou shalt be safe;Suchprivywayesthere be,Thatif they soughtan hundredyears.Theycouldnot find outthee."Andsocarousingboth,Theirpleasures to content,George Barnwell had in little spaceHismoneywhollyspent.appenfltj;33Whichdone,toLudlowstraight~\Hedidprovide togo,Torob hiswealthyuncletherejHisminionwould it so.AndoncehethoughttotakeHisfether by theway,Butthat he fear'dhis master hadTookorderforhis stay.'UntohisunclethenHerodewithmightandmain.WhowithawelcomeandgoodcheerDidBarnwellentertain.Onefortnight'sspace hestayed,Until itchancedso.Hisunclewith hiscattle didUntoamarket go.Hiskinsmanrodewithhim,Wherehedid seerightplain.Greatstore ofmoneyhe hadtook;When,cominghomeagain,Suddenwithin awood,Hestruckhis uncledown,Andbeat his brains out ofhis head;Sosore hecrackt his crown.Then,seizingfourscorepound,ToLondonstraight he hyed,IForfloppingndapprehendinghima< hisfather't. Percy.134 ^ppenDirAndunto Sarah Millwood allThecruellfact descrycd.'**Tush, 'tis nomatter, George,SowethemoneyhaveTohavegoodcheer injolly sort.Anddeck us fine and brave.'*Thuslived in filthy sort,Until their store wasgone:Whenmeans to get themanymore,I-wispoor Georgehadnone.Thereforein railing sort,Shethrust himoutofdoor:Whichkthejust rewardofthose,Whospend upon a whore.**Odomenot disgraceIn thismyneed," quoth he;Shecalled himthiefandmurderer,Withall thespightmightbe.Tothe constable she sent,Tohavehimapprehended;Andshewedhowfar, ineachdegree,Hehad thelaws offended.WhenBarnwellsawherdrift.Tosea hegotstraightway;Wherefearandsting ofconscienceContinuallyonhimlay.t Dttcrjudyfor therhyme'stake,insteadof^described.*appcnuir135Untothe lord mayorthen,Hedid a letter write;Inwhich hisownand Sarah's faultHedid at large recite.Wherebyshe seized was,Andthen to Ludlowsent :Whereshe wasjudg'd, condemn'dandhang'd,Formurderincontinent.Theredyed this gallant quean,Such washer greatest gains;Formurderin Polonia^WasBarnwell hang'd in chains.Lo! here's the end ofyouthThatafter harlots haunt,Whoin the spoil ofothermenAboutthe streetsdoflaunt.1 Thiiisaftrange variation oftheordinarytermination ofthe story;norwasPoland at thetime to whichthe ballad belongsaipeciallyappro-priatelocalitytowhichto assign thecommissionof amelodramaticcrime.THETEXTThe text of Fatal Curiosity is printed from the first and onlyoctavoedition,1737.TheBritish Museumcontainsacopyofthisoctavo with MS. annotations, but they are largely arbitrary, some-times worthless, and may as a group be disregarded. The princi-ples explained as guiding the preparation of The London Merchanthavebeenfollowedwiththis text. ThevariantsarethoseofGeorgeColman's revision of1783,and of the two collective editions ofDavies, in1775and 1810.ifatalmioMtvFATALCURIOSITY.A T RUETRAGEDYOFTHREEACTS.At it uAAedat tieNEWTHEATREI N THEHJT-MJRKET.By Mr.LILLO.LONDON:PrimedforJohnGrayat the Crofs-KeysinthePoultrynearCheaffide. Mdccxxxvii.[Price One Shilling.]SOURCESThestory onwhich Fatal Curiosity is founded appeared in ablack-letter quarto of i6l8, entitled NcwafromPerinin Corn'wallof amost Bloodyand un-exampled Murther'very lately com-mittedbya FatheronhisoivneSonne[ivho ivas latelyreturnedfromthe Indyes) at the Instigationof a mercilesse Step-mother. Togetherwith their Severalmost 'wretched endeSy being allperformedin theMonthofSeptember last. Anno i6i8. The story reappeared inW.Sanderson'sCompleat Historyof the LivesandReignsof AlaryS^eenofScotland, andofher Son and SuccessorJames, London,1656,andwasreprinted from this bookin a folio of1681 entitledAnnalsof the ReignsofKingJamesand King Charlesthe First.Bothof happymemory. Thoughpublishedanonymously,theAnnalsare usuallyknownas Frankland^sAnnals. George Colmancitesthestory from theAnnals in his Postscript to his version ofthe play,1782. For theoriginal, Frankland'saccount,anda list of analoga,seeAppendix,p. 219.PROLOGUEWritten byHenryFeilding,Esq.;SpokenbyMr.RobertsThe TragicMusehas longforgot topleaseWithShakespear'snature,or withFletcher'sease.Nopassionmov'd,thro"fivelongacts yousit.Charm'dwith thepoet'slanguage,or hiswit;Finethingsaresaid,no matterwhencetheyfall :5Eachsinglecharactermightspeakthem all.Butfromthismodernfashionableway.To-night,ourauthorbegsyourleaveto stray.Nofustian herorageshereto-night;Noarmiesfall, tofixatyrant'sright:,0Fromlowerlifewedrawourscene'sdistressLetnotyourequalsmoveyourpityless !Virtuedistrestin humblestatesupport;Northink sheneverliveswithoutthecourt.Tho' to ourscenesno royalrobesbelong,15Andtho' our littlestageasyet be youngThrowbothyourscornandprejudiceaside;Letus withfavour, not contemptbetry'd;142prologueThro' thefirstacts akindattention lendThegrowingscene shallforceyou to attend;aoShallcatchthe eyesofevery tenderfair.Andmakethemcharm their loverswitha tear.Thelover, too, bypity shallimpartHistenderpassion to hisfairone's heart:Thebreastwhich others' anguish cannot move,25Wasne'er the seatoffriendship, oroflove.[PROLOGUEWritten by George Colman1782Spoken byMr.PalmerLongsince,beneath this humble roof, thisplay,Wroughtby true English genius,sawthe day;Forthfrom this humble roof it scarce hasstray'd;In prouder theatres 'twas neverplay'd.Thereyou havegap'danddoz'd o'ermanya^piecePatch'd up from France^orstol'n fromRomeor Greece,Ormade of shreds from Shaiespear'sgoldenfleece.Therescholars, simplenature cast aside.Havetrick'd their heroesout in classic pride;Nosceneswheregenuine passion runs towaste, 10But all hedg'd in byshrubsofmoderntaste;Eachtragedy laid out like garden grounds :Onecircling gravel marks its narrowbounds.Lillo'splantations wereofforest growth,Shakespear's the same, great Nature's hand inboth!IS144 prologueGivemea tale the passions to controul,Whosehghtest wordmayharrow up the soul;Amagic potion, ofcharm'd drugs commixt,Where pleasure courts, andhorror comes be-twixt !Such are thescenes thatwe this night re-newScenes that your fathers were well pleas'd toview.Once wehalfpaus'd, and, while cold fearspre-vail,Strove with faint strokes to soften down thetale;Butsoon, attir'd in all its native woes.TheShadeofLillo to our fancy rose.'Check thyweak Hand,' it said, orseem'd tosay,'Norofits manlyvigour robmyplay!'FromBritish annals I the story drew,'AndBritish heartsshall feel, and hear it too.'Pity shall movetheir souls, in spite ofrules,' Andterror takes nolesson from the schools.'Speakto their bosoms;to their feelings trust:'You'll find their sentencegenerous and just!']DRAMATIS PERSONSMENOld Wilmot,Young IVilmotyEustace,Randal,Mr. Roberts.Mr.Davies.Mr. Woodhurn.Mr. Blakes.WOMENAgnes,wife to Old Wilmot, Mrs. Charke.Chariot, Missfones.Maria, Miss Karver.Visiters,MenandWomen.Scene,Penryn in Cornwall.fatal Cutfojjiti?ActI.Scene i.ARoom in ffilmot'sHouse.OldWilmotalone.\OldWilmot^ Thedayis far advanced;thechearful sunPursues with vigour his repeatedcourse;Nolabourless'ning, nornotime decayingHis strength or splendor. Evermorethe same,Fromage to age his influence sustainsDependent worlds,bestowsbothlifeandmotionOnthe dull mass that form their dusky orbs,Chears them with heat, and gilds themwith hisbrightness.Yetman,of jarringelementscomposed,Who posts from change to change, from thefirst hourOfhis frail being till his dissolution,Enjoys the sad prerogative abovehim,Tothink,and to bewretched in. What is lifeTohim that's born to die,orwhat that wisdom3Unning.1783, ^lessens. decaying.1783,decays.148ifatalCurtosfit^[acti.Whose perfection ends in knowing we knownothing!Meercontradiction alla tragick farce,Tedioustho' short, andwithout art elab'rate;Ridiculously sadEnter Randal.Wherehast been, Randal?Randal. Not out ofPenryn, sir; but to thestrand.Tohearwhat news from Falmouth since thestormOfwind last night.O. Wilm. It wasadreadful one.Rand. Somefound it so. Anoble ship fromIndiaEnt'ring in the harbour,runuponarock,Andtherewas lost.O.fVilm, What came of those onboardher?Rand. Some few are saved, but much thegreater part,'Tis thought, are perished.O.Wilm. TheyarepastthefearOffuture tempests, or a wreckon shore;Thosewhoescaped are still exposed to both.Rand. But I've heard news,much strangerthan this ship-wrack2950But Vveheardneivi . . . 1undtntandnoriddlei.1783omits.sciNiI.]iFatalCuciosftt^149Here in Cornwall, The brave Sir WalterRaleigh,3Beingarrived at PlymouthfromGuianaAmostunhappy voyagehasbeen betray'dBybase Sir Lewis Stukeley, his own kinsman,Andseiz'd on by an order from the court;And'tis reported hemustlose his head, 35Tosatisfy the Spaniards.O.Wilm. Notunlikely:His martial geniusdoes not suit the times.There's nowno insolence that Spain can offerBut,to the shameofthis pacifick reign,PoorEngland must submit to!Gallantman! 40Posterity perhapsmaydo theejustice,And praise thycourage, learning and integrity.Whenthou'rt past hearing; thysuccessful ene-mies,Muchsooner paid,have their reward in hand.Andknowforwhattheylabour'd.Suchevents4SMust,questionless, excite all thinkingmen.Tolove and practise virtue !Rand. Nay, 'tis certain,Thatvirtue ne'erappears so like itself.Sotruly bright and great, as whenopprest.O.Wilm. I understand noriddles.Where'syour mistress?5Rand. I sawherpass theHigh-street t' wardsthe minster.15ifatalCutiogit^[acti.O.Wilm. She'sgoneto visit Chariot.Shedoth well.In the soft bosomofthat gentlemaidTheredwells moregoodnessthan the rigid raceOfmoral pedants e'er believ'd or taught.55Withwhatamazingconstancyand truthDothshe sustain the absence ofourson,Whommorethan life she loves;howshun forhim,Whomweshallne'erseemore,therichandgreat.Whoownher charmsmorethansupplythe want60Ofshining heaps,and sigh to makeherhappy!Sinceourmisfortuneswehave foundno friend,Nonewhoregarded ourdistress, but her;Andshe, bywhatIhaveobserved oflate.Is tired, or exhaustedcurst condition,65Tolive a burden to oneonly friend.Andblast heryouth with our contagious woe!Who that had reason, soul, or sense, wouldbear itAmomentlonger!\^Aside.'\ Then,this hon-est wretch !Imustdismisshim;whyshouldI detain, 70Agrateful,gen'rousyouth to perish withme?His service mayprocurehim bread elsewhere,Tho'Ihavenoneto give him.Prithee,Ran-dal !Howlonghastthoubeenwith me?IlliciNii.]iFatalCuriosity15^Rand.Fifteen years.I wasa very child,when first youtookme,75Towait uponyourson,mydearyoungmaster.I oft have wish'd I'd gone to India withhim;Tho'you,desponding,givehimo'er for lost.OldWilmotwipes his eyes.I amtoblamethis talk revives yoursorrowForhis absence.O. Wilm. Howcan that be reviv'd 80Whichnever died?Rand. Thewholeof myintentWasto confessyourbounty, that suppliedTheloss ofbothmyparents; I waslongTheobject ofyourcharitable care.KO, Wilm. Nomoreofthat ! Thou'stserved*melonger since85Withoutreward; so that account is balanced,OrratherI'mthy debtor : I rememberWhenpoverty began to showher faceWithinthese walls,and all myother servants,Like pamper'dvermin from a falling house,90Retreated with the plunderthey had gain'd.Andleft me,too indulgent and remissForsuch ungrateful wretches to be crush'dBeneaththe ruin theyhadhelpedto makeThat you, more good than wise, refused toleave me.9580 Ho-wcan that.1 783,Thatcannot.152 ifatalCuriosity[acti.Rand. Nay, I beseechyou, sir!O. Wilm.Withmydistress.In perfectcontradiction tothe world,Thylove, respect,and diligence increased.Now,all the recompencewithinmypowerIs to discharge thee, Randal,frommyhard,looUnprofitable service.Rand.Heaven forbid!Shall I forsakeyou in yourworst necessity?Believe me, sir, myhonest soulabhorsThebarb'rous thought.O.Wilm.What! can'st thou feed on air?I have not left wherewithto purchase food'oSForonemealmore.Rand.Ratherthan leaveyouthus,I'll begmybread andlive onothersbounty,While I serve you.O. Wilm. \aside'\ . Down,downmyswell-ingheart.Orburst in silence ! 'Tisthy cruel fateInsultstheeby his kindness. Heis innocentnoOfall the pain it gives thee.Gothy ways !Iwill nomoresuppress thy youthful hopesOfrising in the world.Rand.'Tis true;I'myoung,Andnevertried myfortune, ormygenius.Whichmayperhapsfindoutsomehappymeans,"SAsyetunthought of, to supplyyourwants.sciNii.]iFatalCurioBitt^153O. IVibn. Thoutortur'st me: I hate all ob-ligationsWhichI can ne'er returnandwhoart thou,ThatI shou'd stoop to take'emfromthyhand?Care for thy self, but takenothought forme!120I will not want thee; trouble menomore!Rand. Be not offended, sir, and I will go.I ne'er repined at yourcommandsbeforejBut,heaven'smywitness, I obeyyounowWithstrongreluctanceand a heavyheart. 125Farewel,myworthymaster!Going.O. IVilm. Farewelstay !Asthou art yet a stranger to the world.Ofwhich, alas ! I've had too much experi-ence,I shou'd, methinks,beforewepart, bestowAlittle counselon thee. Drythy eyes.130If thou weep'st thus, I shall proceed no far-ther.Dostthou aspire to greatness or to wealth,Quitbooksandthe unprofitable searchOfwisdomthere, and studyhuman-kind!Noscience will avail thee withoutthat;'35But, that obtain'd,thou need'st notanyother.This will instruct theeto concealthy views.Andwearthe face ofprobity andhonour,'Till thou hast gain'd thy end,which must beever154 iFatalCurio0tt^[acti.Thyownadvantage, at thatman'sexpense 140Whoshall beweakenough to think thee hon-est.Rand. Youmockme,sure !O. Wilm.I neverwasmoreserious.Rand. Why shouldyou counselwhat youscorned to practise?O.Wilm. Because thatfoolishscornhasbeenmyruin.I've been an idiot, but would have theewiser,145And treat mankind as they wouldtreat thee,RandalAstheydeserve,and I've been treatedby 'em.Thou'stseen bymeand thosewhonowdespiseme.Howmenoffortune fall andbeggars rise :Shunmyexample,treasureupmyprecepts; 150Theworld'sbeforetheebea knaveandpros-per!{After alongpause.)What,artthoudumb?Rand.Amazementties mytongue.Whereareyourformer principles}O.Wilm.Nomatter;Suppose I have renounced'em! I havepas-sions.Andlove thee still ; thereforewouldhave theethink,155I Theworld is all a sceneofdeep deceit,sciNEn.iifatalCurio0it?15sAndhewhodeals with mankind on the squareIshis ownbubble,andundoes himself.Exit.Rand. Is this the man I thought sowiseandjust?What,teach and counsel meto be avillain !i6oSure, griefhas madehim frantick,or somefiendAssum'd his shapeI shall suspectmysenses!High-minded hewas ever, and improvident.But pitiful andgenerous to a fault:Pleasure heloved,but honourwas his idol. 165Ofatal change! Ohorrid transformation!Soa majestic templesunkto ruin.Becomesthe loathsome shelter andabode ; /Oflurking serpents, toads, and beasts ofprey; /And scaly dragons hiss, and lions roar,170IWherewisdomtaughtandmusickcharm'd be-\fore.Exit.i Scene II.IAParlour in Chariot's House.Enter ChariotandMaria.Chariot. What terror and amazement mustthey feelWhodie byship-wrack !Maria. 'Tis a dreadfulthought!158undoes himself.1783adds :Farewell,andmarkmycounsel,boy IRand. Amazement!15^iFatalCuriosity(AcrtChar. Ay;is it not, Maria? Todescend,Livingandconscious, to that watrytomb!Alas ! hadwenosorrows ofourown,sThefrequent instancesofotherswoeMustgive a gen'rous minda worldofpain.But,you forget, you promisedmeto sing.The*chearfulnessand I have longbeenstrang-ers.Harmonioussoundsare still delightful to me.loThere is in melodya secret charmThat flatters, while it adds to, mydisquiet.Andmakesthedeepestsadnessthe mostpleasing.There's, sure,nopassion in thehumansoulBut finds its food in musick.I wou'dhear15Thesongcomposedby that unhappymaid.Whosefaithful lover scaped a thousand perilsFromrocks,and sands,and the devouring deep,And,after all, being arrived at home.Passinganarrowbrook,wasdrownedthere, oAndperished in hersight.SONG.Alar. Cease, cease, heart-easingtears}Adieu, you flattring fears.Whichse'ven longtediousyearsTaughtmeto bearI *STearsareforlighterluoes;Fearnosuchdangerknotxis.AsfateremorselessshonjusEndlessdespair.II-I3There i$ in melody . . . muttpleating.1783omitl.scineu.]iFatalCurtofitit^ 157Dearcauseofallmypain,30Onthe ivide, stormymainThouluastpresernjedin 'vain,Tho'' stilladoredjHad"St thoudiedthere, unseen.Myblastedeyes hadbeen35Sa'vedfromthe horrid" st sceneMaide'erdeplored!Chariotfindsa letter.Char.What's this? Aletter superscribedtome?Nonecouldconvey it here butyou, Maria.Ungen'rous,cruel maid,to usemethus;40Tojoin with flatt'ring mento breakmypeace,Andpersecutemeto the last retreat!Mar.Whyshould itbreak yourpeacetohearthe sighsOfhonourable love,andknowth' effectsOfyour resistless charms? This letter is45Char. No matter whencereturn it backunopen'd!Ihaveno love,nocharmsbut formyWilmot,Norwouldhaveany.Mar.Strange infatuation!Whyshouldyouwaste the flower ofyour daysIn fruitless expectation? Wilmot'sdead 50Or,living, dead to you.48-50Strange infatuation . . . fruitleit txptcttaien.1783omits; adding after-wouldhaveany:'AlaaI'is8 iFatalCuriosity[acti.Char. I'll not despair.Patience shall cherish hope, nor wrong hishonourByunjust suspicion. I knowhis truth.Andwill preservemyown. But,to preventAll future vain, officious importunity.Know,thou incessant foe of myrepose:Whetherhe sleeps, secure frommortal cares.In the deepbosomofthe boist'rous main.Or,tost with tempests, still endures its rage;Whetherhis weary pilgrimageby landHas foundan end,andhenowrests in peaceIn earth's coldwomb,orwanderso'erher face;Be it mylot to waste in pininggriefTheremnantof mydays for his knownloss.Orlive, as now,uncertain and in doubtNosecond choice shall violatemyvows.High heaven, which heard thenfi, and abhorsthe perjured.Canwitness,they weremadewithout reserve.Neverto be retracted, ne'er dissolvedByaccidents orabsence,timeordeath.Mar. I know, and long have known, myhonest zeal58-65In thedeip bosom . . . andin doubt.1783omits.71-73Itnotv, andlong . . .for flatfry. 17830111113,andreadfi theensuing passage as follows :AnddidyourvowsobligeyoutosupportHishaughty parents,to yourutter ruin.Wellmayyouweepto thinkonwhatyou Vedone.Sceneh.]jfatalCuriogit? 159Toserveyougives offence. Butbeoffended:This is notime for flatt'ry. DidyourvowsObligeyou to support his gloomy, proud.Impatient parents, toyourutter ruin, 75I^_You well may weep to think on what you've^mdone.Char. Iweepto think thatI can donomoreFortheir support. Whatwill becomeof'em.Thehoary,helpless, miserable pair!I_^Mar. Then all these tears,this sorrow is forIPthem? goChar. Taughtbyafflictions,Ihavelearn'd tobearMuchgreater ills than poverty with patience.Whenluxuryand ostentation's banish'd.Thecalls ofnature are but few;andthoseThesehands, not used to labour, maysupply, isBut whenI think on what myfriendsmustsuffer.Myspirits fail, andI'mo'erwhelm'd with grief.kmtMar. WhatI wou'd blameyou forcemetoIfadmire.Andmourn foryou, as youlament for them.Yourpatience,constancy,and resignation 90Merit a better fate.Char. So pridewould tell me,76 Tou loellmay.1783,Wellmayyou.80-87Thenall ihae tears. . . withgrief. 17830111113.88 Iwou dblame.1783,I can't praise.Ii6oifatalCuriostt^[acti.Andvain self-love; butIbelievethemnot;And,ifby wanting pleasureIhavegainedHumility,I'm richer formyloss.Mar. You have the heavenly art, still toimprove95Yourmindbyallevents.But herecomesone,Whose pride seems to increase with her mis-fortunes.Enter Agnes.Herfaded dress, unfashionably fine,As ill conceals herpoverty as thatStrain'd complaisance her haughty, swellingheart.locTho'perishing with want,so far from asking.Shene'erreceives a favourunconpelled,And,while she ruins, scorns to be obliged.Shewantsmegone,and I abhorher sight.Ex\it\ Mar\_ui\.Char, This visit's kind.Agnes. Y&^else wouldthink it so.lo;Those who would once have thought them-selves muchhonouredBythe least favour, tho' 'twere but a look,Icould haveshownthem, nowrefusetoseeme.104She ivanti me gone^ and Iabhor her sight.1 783reads,instead of this line : Let me depart, I know slie loves me not.In1783EnterAgnes is placed afterExitMaria; instead ofbeforeHer faded. In 1810the stage-direction after /abhorher sight is :[Aside. Exit.sciNiiL]iFatalCuriosityi6i'Tis miseryenoughto be reducedTothelow level ofthecommonherd,"oWho,born to begg'ry,envy all abovethem;But 'tis the curseofcurses to endureTheinsolent contemptofthosewescorn.Char. Byscorning,weprovokethemto con-tempt.Andthus offend,andsuffer in ourturns."sWemusthavepatience.Jgn.No, I scorn themyet.Butthere's noendofsuff 'ring;whocan sayTheirsorrowsarecompleat? Mywretchedhus-band.Tiredwithourwoesand hopeless ofrelief.Growssick oflifeChar. MaygraciousHeavensupporthim!120Agn. And,urged by indignation and despair,Wouldplunge into eternity at onceBy foul self-murder. His fixed love for me.Whomhewould fainpersuade to sharehis fate,Andtake the same,uncertain, dreadful course, 115Alonewithholds his handChar.Andmay it ever!Jgn.I'veknownwithhimthetwo extremesoflife,120 May . . . him. jig".1783omits.123 Byfoul self-murder. 1783inserts between this and Hisfixed:Char. GraciousHeav'nsupporthim.1 62iFatalCuriogit^[acii.Thehighest happiness and deepest woe,Withall the sharp and bitter aggravationsOfsuch a vast transition. Such a fall13cIn the decline oflife ! I haveas quick,Asexquisite a sense ofpain as he,Andwou'ddoany thing but die,to end itButtheremycourage fails. Death is the worstThat fate can bring, and cuts ofFev'ryhope.3SChar. Wemustnotchuse,but strive to bearourlotWithoutreproach or guilt. Butby oneactOfdesperation,wemayoverthrowThemerit we'vebeen raising all ourdays;And lose our whole reward. And now, me-thinks,4oNowmorethan ever,wehave cause to fear.Andbe uponourguard. The hand ofHeavenSpreads clouds on clouds o'er our benightedheads,And,wrapt in darkness, doubles ourdistress.I had,the night last past, repeated twice, 45Astrangeand awful dream. I would notyieldTofearful superstition, nordespiseTheadmonitionofa friendly powerThatwishedmygood.137one act.1783,onerash act.142144Thehandof Hea'ven . . . doubkiourdiitress.1783omits.SceneII.]i?atalCUHOStt^ 163Agn. I've certain plagues enough.Without the help of dreams, to make mewretched.'5Char. I wou'd not stake my happiness ordutyOntheir uncertain credit, noron aughtBut reason,and theknowndecrees of Heaven.Yet dreams have sometimes shewn events tocome,Andmayexcite to vigilance andcare, '55Insomeimportant hour, when allourweaknessShall be attacked,and all ourstrength be need-ful,Toshunthegulphthatgapes for ourdestruction.Andfly from guilt and everlasting ruin.Myvision maybe such,and sent to warn us, 160Nowweare tried by multiplied afflictions.Tomarkeach motionofourswelling hearts.Andnotattempt to extricate ourselves,Andseek deliveranceby forbidden ways;Butkeepourhopesand innocence entire, 165'Till we're dismist, tojoin the happydeadIn that bless'd world,where transitorypain,Andfrail, imperfect virtue, is rewardedWithendless pleasure andconsummatejoyOrheaven relieves us here.156159Insomeimportant . . . everlasting ruin.1783omits.165Butkeep.1783,Tokeep.167-170In that hless'd . . . relieves us here.1783omits.y164i?atal CuriosfitpIacti.Agn. Well;pray, proceed ! iYou've rais'd mycuriosity at least.Char. Methought, I sate, in a dark winter'snight.Mygarments thin,myheadand bosombare.Onthe wide summitofa barren mountain.Defenceless and exposed, in that high region, iToall the cruel rigors ofthe season.The sharp bleak winds pierced thro'myshiv'r-ing frame.Andstorms ofhail, and sleet, and driving rainsBeatwith impetuous fury onmyhead,Drench'dmychill'd limbs,and pour'd a delugeround me. i:Ononehand,evergentle patience sate.Onwhosecalmbosom I reclin'd myhead,Andon the other, silent contemplation.Atlength, to myunclosed andwatchful eyes.Thatlonghad roll'd in darkness, and oft raisedilTheirchearless orbs towards the starless sky.And sought for light in vain, the dawn ap-peared;And I beheld a man,an utter stranger.Butofa graceful andexalted mein,170pray,proceed! ForthU1783reads: Toyourdream !171You've rais'd. . . at least.1783omits.173Mygarments . . . hosom hare.1783omits.I7ij-I76 Defenceless . . . season.1783omits.185187andoftraised. . in -vain, the.1783omits.Scene II.]ifatalCudostts165Whopress'd witheager transportto embraceme.190I shunn'd his arms; but, at somewords hespoke,WhichI havenowforgot, I turn'd again;But he was gone; andoh, transportingsight !Yourson,mydearest Wilmot, fill'd his place.Jgn. IfI regarded dreams, I shouldexpect195Some fair event fromyours; I have heard no-thingThatshould alarmyou yet.Char. Butwhat's to come,Tho' moreobscure, is terrible indeed.Methought,weparted soon, and, whenIsoughthim.Youand his fatheryes, youbothwerethere200Strove to conceal himfrom me;I pursuedYou withmycries, and call'd on Heaven andearthTojudgemywrongs,and forceyou to revealWhereyouhadhid mylove,mylife, myWil-mot!Agn, Unless you mean t'affront me, sparethe rest!105'Tisjust as likely Wilmotshould return,Aswebecomeyour foes.196-197 Ihaveheard . . . you yet,1783omits.102 Tou wiihmy cries.1783inserts'both'after Tou.i66iFatalCuciofiiit^[actlChar. Farbe such rudenessFrom Chariot's thoughts ! But,when I heardyouname"Self-murder," it reviv'd the frightful imageOfsuch a dreadful scene.Jgn. Youwill persist !21Char, Excuse me; I have done. Being adream,Ithought, indeed, it cou'd not give ofFence.Jgn. Not, when the matter of it is offen-sive !Youcou'd not think so,hadyouthoughtat all;But I take nothing ill from theeadieu;21I've tarried longer than I first intended.Andmypoorhusbandmourns the while alone.Exit Agnes.Char. She's gone abruptly, and, I fear, dis-pleas'd.Theleast appearanceofadvice orcautionSets her impatient temperin a flame.iiWhengrief, that well mighthumble,swells ourpride.Andpride increasing, aggravates ourgrief.Thetempest must prevail 'till weare lost.208 From Chariot' i thought!!1783,FromChariot's breast!209-210 thefrightfulimageOfsucha dreadful icene.1737and 18 10 run this into one line.213Noty ivhen. The editions interpunctuate Notivhen.SceneHI.]jfatalCUtiOglt^167I^^When Heaven,incensed, proclaims unequal^PwarWithguilty earth,andsends its shafts fromfar,2*5Nobolt descends to strike, noflame to burnThe humble shrubs that in low valleysmourn;Whilemountain pines, whoselofty headsas-pireTofan the storm,andwavein fields offire,Andstubborn oaks that yield not to its force, 130Are burnt, o'erthrown, or shiver'd in itscourse.Scene III.The TownandPortof Penryn.Voung WilmotandEustace in Indian habits.YoungWilmot. Welcome,myfriend,to Pen-ryn;here we're safe.Eustace. Then, we're deliver'd twice : firstfrom the sea.And then from savage men, who, more re-morseless,11\IVhen Heaven^ etc. The remainderof this speech,givenin1775and 1810, is omitted in1783 jbut after 'tillweare lost,the line 13 tllere added:Heavengranta fairer issue to hersorrows!i68ifatalCuriosity[acti.Prey on shipwreclc'dwretches, and spoilandmurderthoseWhomfatal tempests and devouringwaves.In all their fury spar'd.T. fVilm.It is a scandal,Tho'malice mustacquit the better sort,Therude unpolisht people here inCornwallHavelonglaid under,and with toomuch jus-tice.Cou'doursuperiors find somehappymeansTomend it, they wouldgain immortalhonour;For 'tis an evil grownalmost invet'rate.Andasks a bold and skilful hand to cure.Eust. Yourtreasure's safe,I hope.T. Wilm. 'Tis here, thankHeaven!Being in jewels,whenI sawourdanger,I hid it in mybosom.Eust.I observedyou.And wonder how you could commandyourthoughts.In such a timeofterrorandconfusion.Y. Wilm. Mythoughtswerethen at homeOEngland! England!Thouseat ofplenty, liberty and health.Withtransport I behold thy verdantfields,e,fatal.1783,feU.lo-ii Cou' dour. , . honour.1783omit9.12 invet'rate.1737,inv'teratc.scinehi.]iFatalCuriosity 169Thylofty mountains richwith useful ore,Thy numerous herds, thy flocks, and windingstreams!Aftera longand tedious absence, Eustace,Withwhatdelight webreathe our native air, 25Andtread thegenial soil that bore us first!'Tissaid,theworldis ev'rywiseman'scountry;Yet, after having view'd its various nations,I'mweakenough still to prefermyownToall I've seen beside. Yousmile,myfriend,30And think, perhaps,'tis instinct morethan rea-son?Why,be it so ! Instinct preceded reasonIn the wisest ofus all, andmaysometimesBemuchthe better guide. But,be it either,I mustconfess that even death itself35Appeared to mewith twice its native horrors,Whenapprehended in a foreign land.Death is, nodoubt, in ev'ry place the same;Yetobservation mustconvince us, mostmen.Whohave it in their power,chuseto expire 40Wherethey first drew their breath.Eust. Believe me,Wilmot!YourgravereflectionswerenotwhatIsmil'dat;Iowntheir truth. Thatwe'rereturn'd toEng-land33In the iviiestof us all.1783,Ev'n in the wisestmen.39Yet obiervation must convince us^ most men.1783,Yetnature casts a look towardshome,and most.17iFatalCuriosity(acti.Affordsmeall the pleasureyoucan feelMerelyon that account;yet I mustthinkAwarmerpassion givesyou all this transport.Youhave not wander'd, anxious and impatient,Fromclime to clime,andcompast sea and landTopurchasewealth, only to spendyourdaysIn idle pompandluxury at home.I knowthee better : thou art braveandwise,Andmusthavenobleraims.T. IVilm. OEustace! Eustace!Thouknowest,for I've confest to thee, I love;But,having neverseen the charmingmaid.Thoucanstnotknowthefiercenessof myflame.Myhopes and fears, like the tempestuousseasThatwehave past,nowmountmeto theskies.Nowhurlmedownfromthatstupendousheight,Anddrive meto thecenter. DidyouknowHowmuchdependson this inportant hour,Youwou'dnot be surprized to see methus.Thesinkingfortuneofourancient house.Whichtimeandvarious accidents had wasted.Compelled me youngtoleave mynativecountry.Myweepingparents,andmylovely Chariot,Whoruled, and must for everrulemyfate.45yet Imust think,1783begins a line with these words,andcontinues : a warmer passion moves you;Thinking of that Ismiled.45-52Merelyon that . . . nobleraims.1783omits.53knowest,1737,1775. 1783, 1810,know'st.sciNEin.]ifatalCuriosity 171How I've improv'd,by care and honest com-merce,Mylittle stock,youare in part a witness.'Tis nowseven tedious years,since I set forth:Andas th'uncertain courseof myaffairs 7Boremefrom place to place, I quickly lostThemeansofcorresponding withmyfriends.O! shou'd my Chariot, doubtful of mytruth.Orin despaireverto see memore,Havegivenherself tosomemorehappylover 75Distraction's in the thought !or shou'd myparents,Grieved for myabsenceand opprest with want.Havesunkbeneath their burden,and expired,While I too late was flying to relieve them:Theendofall mylongand wearytravels,8Thehope,that madesuccess itselfa blessing,Beingdefeatedand for ever lost.Whatwerethe riches ofthe world tome?Eust. The wretch whofearsallthatis possible.Mustsuffer morethan hewhofeels the worst 8$Amancan feel wholives exemptfrom fear.Awomanmaybe false, and friends are mortal;Andyet, youraged parents maybe living.Andyour fair mistress constant.67-71 H 8vo. Fatal Curiosity. The Modern British Drama^vol. II.1817,izmo. FatalCuriosity. WithrcmarksbyMrs.Inch-bald.1824.8vo. Fatal Curiosity. The British Drama, vol. i.1826.8vo. FatalCuriosity. The London Stage^ vol. in.1832.8vo. Fatal Curiosity. Illustrated. The BritishDrama, vol. i. Also 1864,and Phila.1853.XLWORKSBIOGRAPHICAL ANDCRITICAL( Setalso thememoirsandcritical materialprefixedto the Texts enu-meratedunder/,andnotes to Introductions.)1747.List of all the English Dkamatic Poets. Printedwith T.Whincop'sScanderbeg;p. 258.1753.Lives orthe PoetsorGreatBritainandIreland.By Mr. [Theophilus] Cibber,and other Hands. Vol. v,pp.338-340: Mr. George Lillo.1781.Philological lN