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postor breaking all ties you ought to keep, and pretending to those you have no right to. The governor never had such a fellow in the whole catalogue of his acquaintance the governor disowns you the governor disclaims you the governor abhors you; and to your utter confusion, here stands the governor to tell you so. Here stands old Curry, who never talked to a rogue without telling him what he thought of him. Inkle. Sir Christopher!-Lost and undone! Med. [Without.] Holo! Young Multiplication! Zounds! I have been peeping in every cranny of the house. Why, young Rule of Three! [Enters from the inn.] Oh, here you are at last-Ah, Sir Christopher! what, are you there! too impatient to wait at home. But here's one that will make you easy, I fancy.

[Tapping INKLE on the shoulder.

Sir C. How came you to know him?
Med. Ha ha! well that's curious enough too.
So you have been talking here, without finding
out each other.

Sir C. No, no; I have found him out with a

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Enter CAMPLEY, NARCISSA, and PATTY.

Med. Campley!

Sir C. Who? Campley;-it's no such thing. Cam. That's my name, indeed, Sir Christopher.

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Nar. I have this moment heard a story of a transaction in the forest, which, I own, would have rendered compliance with your former commands very disagreeable.

Patty. Yes, Sir, I told my mistress he had brought over a hotty-pot gentlewoman.

Sir C. Yes, but he would have left her for you; [To NARCISSA.] and you for his interest; and sold you, perhaps, as he has this poor girl, to me, as a requital for preserving his life. Nar. How!

Enter TRUDGE and WoWSKI.

Trudge. Come along, Wows! take a long, last leave of your poor mistress: throw your pretty ebony arms about her neck.

Wours. No, no;-she not go; you not leave poor Wowski. [Throwing her arms about YARICO. Sir C. Poor girl! a companion, I take it! Trudge. A thing of my own, Sir. I couldn't help following my master's example in the woods Like master, like man, Sir.

Sir C. But you would not sell her, and be hanged to you, you dog, would you?

Trudge. Hang me like a dog, if I would, Sir. Sir C. So say I, to every fellow that breaks an obligation due to the feelings of a man. But, old Medium, what have you to say for your hopeful nephew?

Med. I never speak ill of my friends, Sir Chris

topher.

Sir C. Pshaw!

Inkle. Then let me speak: hear me defend a conduct

Sir C. Defend! Zounds! plead guilty at once -it's the only hope left of obtaining mercy. Inkle. Suppose, old gentleman, you had a son? Sir C. 'Sblood! then I'd make him an honest fellow; and teach him that the feeling heart never Sir C. The devil it is! and how came you, Sir, knows greater pride than when it's employed in to impose upon me, and assume the name of In-giving succour to the unfortunate. I'd teach him kle! A name which every man of honesty ought to be his father's own son to a hair. to be ashamed of.

Inkle. Even so my father tutored me: from inCam. I never did, Sir-Since I sailed from fancy, bending my tender mind, like a young sapEngland with your daughter, my affection has ling, to his will-Interest was the grand prop daily increased: and when I came to explain my-round which he twined my pliant green affections. self to you, by a number of concurring circum- taught me in childhood to repeat old sayingsstances, which I am now partly acquainted with, all tending to his own fixed principles, and the you mistook me for that gentleman. Yet had I first sentence that I ever lisped, was charity be even then been aware of your mistake, I must gins at home. confess, the regard for my own happiness, would have tempted me to let you remain undeceived.

Sir C. And did you, Narcissa, join in-
Nar. How could I, my dear Sir, disobey you?
Patty, Lord, your honour, what young lady
could refuse a captain?

Cam. I am a soldier, Sir Christopher. Love and War is the soldier's motto; though my income is trifling to your intended son-in-law's, still the chance of war has enabled me to support the object of my love above indigence. Her fortune, Sir Christopher, I do not consider myself by any

means entitled to.

Sir C. Sblood! but you must though. Give me your hand, my young Mars, and bless you both together! Thank you, thank you for cheating an old fellow into giving his daughter to a lad of spirit, when he was going to throw her away apon one, in whose breast the mean assion of

Sir C. I shall never like a proverb again, as long as I live.

Inkle. As I grew up, he'd prove-and by example- -were I in want, I might even starve. for what the world cared for their neighbours: why then should I care for the world! men now lived for themselves. These were his doctrines: then, Sir, what would you say, should I, in spite of habit, precept, education, fly into my father's face, and spurn his counsels ?

Sir C. Say! why, that you were a damned honest, undutiful fellow. O curse such principles! principles, which destroy all confidence between man and man-Principles, which none but a rogue could instil, and none but a rogue could imbibe-Principles

Inkie. Which I renounce.
Sir C. Eh!

Inkle. Renounce entirely. Ill-founded precep

too long has steeled my breast-but still 'tis vul- | Nar. nerable this trial was too much--Nature, against habit combating within me, has penetrated to my heart; a heart, I own, long callous to the feelings of sensibility; but now it bleeds—and bleeds for my poor Yarico. Oh, let me clasp her to it, while 'tis glowing, and mingle tears of love and penitence. [Embracing her.

Trudge. [Capering about.] Wows, give me a kiss! [Wowski goes to TRUDGE. Yar. Yar. And shall we shall we be happy? Inkle. Ay; ever, ever, Yarico.

Yar. I knew we should-and yet I feared -but shall I still watch over you? Oh! love, you surely gave your Yarico such pain, only to make her feel this happiness the greater.

Wows. [Going to YARICO.] Oh Wowski so happy! and yet I think I not glad neither. Trudge. Eh, Wows! How!-why not? Wows. 'Cause I can't help cry

Sir C. Then, if that's the case

-curse me,

if I think I'm very glad either. What the plague's the matter with my eyes?--Young man, your hand-I am now proud and happy to shake it.

Med. Well, Sir Christopher, what do you say to my hopeful nephew now?

Sir C. Say! why, confound the fellow, I say, that is ungenerous enough to remember the bad action of a man who has virtue left in his heart to repent it.-As for you, my good fellow, [To TRUDGE.] I must, with your master's permission, employ you myself.

Trudge. O rare!

-Bless your honour!

Wows! you'll be lady, you jade, to a governor's

factotum.

Wows. Iss-I Lady Jactotum.

Wows.

Since thus each anxious care
Is vanished into empty air,
Ah! how can I forbear

To join the jocund dance?
To and fro, couples go,
On the light fantastic toe,
While with glee, merrily,

The rosy hours advance.

When first the swelling sea
Hither bore my love and me,
What then my fate would be,
Little did I think-
Doom'd to know care and wo,
Happy still is Yarico;

Since her love will constant prove,
And nobly scorn to shrink.

Whilst all around rejoice,
Pipe and tabor raise the voice,
It can't be Wowski's choice,

Whilst Trudge 's, to be dumb.
No, no, dey blithe and gay,
Shall like massy, missy play,
Dance and sing, hey ding, ding,

Strike fiddle and beat drum.

Trudge. 'Sbobs! now I'm fixed for life, My fortune's fair, though black's my wife,

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Who fears domestic strife

Who cares now a sous!

Merry cheer my dingy dear

Shall find with her Factotum here, Night and day, I'll frisk and play About the house with Wows.

Love's convert here behold.
Banish'd now my thirst of gold
Bless'd in these arms to fold
My gentle Yarico.

Hence all care, all doubt and fear,
Love and joy each want shall cheer,
Happy night, pure delight,

Shall make our bosoms glow.

Let Patty say a word

A chambermaid may sure be heardSure men are grown absurd,

Thus taking black for white; To hug and kiss a dingy miss, Will hardly suit an age like this, Unless, here, some friends appear, Who like this wedding night.

MAHOME T,

THE IMPOSTOR:

A TRAGEDY,

IN FIVE ACTS.

BY THE REV. MR. MILLER.

REMARKS.

VOLTAIRE'S celebrated tragedy of this name is the prototype of the present production, which was first acted at Drury Lane Theatre in 1744. Dr. John Hoadly is said to have assisted the author; who was in so declining a state while completing his work, that he died during the first run of success it experienced; and his widow was complimented by a benefit-night, in addition to the usual remuneration of the author: when (not withstanding some disputes between the theatre and the town, in the style of modern O. P. disturbances; she cleared upwards of one hundred pounds; at that time considered a handsome sum on such an occasion.

In 1753 this play, through some passages which were applied to party purposes, caused a disturbance; which ended in Mr. Sheridan's abdication of his managerial throne, and the shutting up of his theatre, in Smock Alley, Dublin. It was revived in London, at Drury Lane, in 1765.

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He power through France his charming fumbers bore;

But France was deaf-for all her priests were

sore.

On English ground she makes a firmer stand, And hopes to suffer by no hostile hand; No clergy here usurp the free-born mind, Ordain'd to teach, and not enslave mankind; Religion here bids persecution cease; Without, all order-and within, all peace; Truth guards her happy pale with watchful

care,

And frauds, though pious, find no entrance there. Religion, to be sacred, must be free;

Men will suspect-where bigots keep the key; Hooded and train'd like hawks th' enthusiasts fly,

And the priests' victims in their pounces die; Like whelps born blind, by mother-church they're bred,

Nor wake to sight, to know themselves misled; Murder's the game-and to the sport unpress'd,

Proud of the sin, and in the duty bless'd,
The layman's but the blood-hound of the priest.
Whoe'er thou art that dar'st such themes ad-

vance,

To priest-rid Spain repair, or slavish France;
For Judas' hire there do the devil's task,
And trick up slavery in religion's mask.
England still free no surer means requires
To sink their sottish souls, and damp their mar-
tial fires.

Britons! these numbers to yourselves you owe; Voltaire hath strength to shoot in Shakspeare's bow;

Fame led him at his Hypocrene to drink,
And taught to write with nature as to think;
With English freedom English wit he knew,
And from the inexhausted stream profusely
drew;

Cherish the noble bard yourselves have made,
Nor let the frauds of France steal all our trade.
Now of each prize the winner has the wearing,
E'en send our English stage a privateering;
With your commission we'll our sails unfold,
And from their loads of dross import some gold.

ACT I.

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Who, singled out by a community
To guard their rights, shall, for a grasp of ore
Or paltry office, sell them to the foe!

Pha. Each honest citizen, I grant is thine, And, grateful for thy boundless blessings on them, Would serve thee with their lives; but the approach

Of this usurper to their very walls,
Strikes them with such a dread, that even these
Implore thee to accept his proffer'd peace.

Alc. Oh, people lost to wisdom, as to glory!
Go, bring in pomp, and serve upon your knees
This idol, that will crush you with its weight.
Mark, I abjure him! by his savage hand
My wife and children perish'd, whilst in ven-
geance

I carried carnage to his very tent;
Transfix'd to earth his only son, and wore
His trappings, as a trophy of my conquest.
This torch of enmity, thus lighted 'twixt us,
The hand of time itself can ne'er extinguish.
Pha. Extinguish not, but smother for a while
Its fatal flame, and greatly sacrifice
Thy private sufferings to the public welfare.
Alc. My wife and children lost, my country's

now

My family.

Pha. Then let not that be lost.
Alc. Pharon, desist.

Pha. My noble lord, I cannot,

Must not desist, will not, since you're possess'd
Of means to bring this insolent invader

SCENE I-An Apartment in the Temple of To any terms you'll claim.

Mecca.

Enter ALCANOR and PHARON.

Alc. Pharon, no more-shall I
Fall prostrate to an arrogant impostor,
Homage, in Mecca, one I banish'd thence,
And incense the delusions of a rebel?
No! blast Alcanor, righteous Heaven, if e'er
This hand, yet free and uncontaminate,
Shall league with fraud, or adulate a tyrant!
Pha. August and sacred chief of Ishmael's
senate,

This zeal of thine, paternal as it is,
Is fatal now our impotent resistance
Controls not Mahomet's unbounded progress,
But, without weak'ning, irritates the tyrant.
When once a citizen, you well condemn'd him
As an obscure, seditious innovator;

Alc. What means?

Pha. Palmira,

That blooming fair, the flower of all his camp,
By thee borne off in our last skirmish with him,
Seems the divine ambassadors of peace,
Sent to procure our safety. Mahomet

Has, by his heralds, thrice possessed her ransom,
And bade us fix the price.

Alc. I know it, Pharon:

And wouldst thou then restore this noble treasure
To that barbarian,

And render beauty the reward of rapine?
Nav, smile not, friend.

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Pha. My noble chief, each masterpiece of Clains right o'er me of parent, prince, and pro

nature

Commands involuntary homage from us.

Alc. I own, a tenderness unfelt before,
A sympathetic grief, with ardent wishes

To make her happy, fill'd my widow'd bosom:
I dread her being in that monster's power,
And burn to have her hate him, like myself.
'Twas on this hour, I, at her modest suit,
Promised her audience in my own pavilion.
Pharon, go thou mean while, and see the senate
Assembled straight-I'll sound them as I ought.
[Exeunt severally.

SCENE II-A Room of State.

PALMIRA discovered.

Pal. What means this boding terror that usurps,

dominion o'er my heart?

In spite of me,
Oh, holy prophet!
Shall I ne'er more attend thy sacred lessons?
Oh, Zaphna! much-loved youth! I feel for thee
As for myself-But hold, my final audit
Is now at hand-I tremble for th' event!
Here comes my judge-Now liberty, or bondage!
Enter ALCANOR.

Alc. Palmira, whence those tears? trust me,
fair maid,

Thou art not fall'n into barbarians' hands:
What Mecca can afford of pomp or pleasure,
To call attention from misfortune's lap,
Demand, and share it.

Pal. No, my generous victor!

My suit's for nothing Mecca can afford;

phet.

Alc. Of parent, prince, and prophet! Heavens

that robber

Who, a scaped felon, emulates a throne,
And, scoffer at all faiths, proclaims a new one!
Pal. Oh cease, my lord! this blasphemous
abuse

On one, whom millions, with myself, adore,
Does violence to my ear! such black profaneness
'Gainst Heaven's interpreter, blots out remem-
brance

Of favours past, and nought succeeds but horror!
Alc. Oh, superstition! thy pernicious rigours,
Inflexible to reason, truth, and nature,

Banish humanity the gentlest breast!
Palmira, I lament to see thee plunged
So deep in error!

Pal. Do you then reject

My just petition? can Alcanor's goodness
Be deaf to suffering virtue?
Name but the ransom,

And Mahomet will treble what you ask.
Alc. There is no ransom Mahomet can offer,
Proportion'd to the prize.

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Ale. Mirvan, that vile apostate!
Pha. In one hand

He holds a scymitar, the other bears

An olive branch, which to our chiefs he waves

Prisoner these two long months beneath your An emblem of his suit-a martial youth,

roof,

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My whole of future happiness depends:
Have pity then;

Pity, Alcanor, one who 's torn from all
That's dear or venerable to her soul;
Restore me then, restore me to my country;
Restore me to my father, prince, and prophet.

Alc. Is slavery dear then? is fraud venerable?
What country? a tumultuous, wandering camp!

Pal. My country, Sir, is not a single spot
Of such a mould, or fix'd to such a clime;
No, 'tis the social circle of my friends,
The loved community in which I'm link'd,
And in whose welfare all my wishes centre.
Alc. Excellent maid! Then Mecca be thy
country.

Robb'd of my children, would Palmira deign
To let me call her child, the toil I took,

To make her destiny propitious to her,
Would lighten the rough burden of my own:
But no-you scorn my country and my laws.
Pal. Can I be yours, when not my own?
your bounties

Claim and share my gratitude; but Mahomet

Zaphna by name, attends him for our hostage.
Pal. Zaphna! mysterious Heaven!
Pha. Mirvan advances

[Aside

This way, my lord, to render you his charge.
Alc. Palmira, thou retire-Pharon, be present
[Exit PALMIRA

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