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tell her the whole story, and do it with all the art you are master of, that the surprise may not be too great for her.

Vel. It shall be done-But since her honour has seen this apparition, she desires to see you once more, before you encounter it. Sir G. I shall expect her impatiently. For now I can talk to her without being interrupted by that impertinent rogue Tinsel. I hope thou hast not told Abigail any thing of the se

cret.

Vel. Mrs. Abigail is a woman; there are many reasons why she should not be acquainted with it: I shall only mention six

Sir G. Hush, here she comes! O my heart!

Enter LADY and ABIGAIL.

Sir G. [Aside, while VELLUM talks in dumb show to LADY. O that loved woman! How I long to take her in my arms! If I find I am still dear to her memory, it will be a return to life indeed! But I must take care of indulging this tenderness, and put on a behaviour more suitable to my present character.

[Walks at a distance, in a pensive posture, waving his wand.

Lady. [To VELLUM.] This is surprising indeed! So all the servants tell me; they say he knows every thing that has happened in the family.

Abi. [Aside.] A parcel of credulous fools; they first tell him their secrets, and then wonder how he comes to know them.

[Exit VELLUM, exchanging fond looks with ABIGAIL.

Lady. Learned Sir, may I have some conversation with you, before you begin your cere

monies?

Sir G. Speak! but hold-first let me feel your pulse.

Lady. What can you learn from that?

Sir G. I have already learned a secret from

it, that will astonish you.

Lady. Pray what is it?

Lady. Every circumstance to a tittle! Sir G. Then, lady, the wedding night! I saw you in your white satin night-gown: you would not come out of your dressing-room, till Sir George took you out by force. He drew you gently by the hand-You struggled--but he was too strong for you-You blushed; he-

Lady. Oh! stop there! go no farther-He knows every thing. [Aside. Abi. Truly, Mr. Conjuror, I believe you have been a wag in your youth.

Sir G. Mrs. Abigail, you know what your good word cost Sir George; a purse of broad pieces, Mrs. Abigail

Abi. The devil's in him. [Aside.] Pray, Sir, since you have told so far, you should tell my lady that I refused to take them.

Sir G. 'Tis true, child, he was forced to thrust them into your bosom.

Abi. This rogue will mention the thousand pound, if I don't take care. [Aside.] Pray, Sir, though you are a conjuror, methinks you need not be a blab

Lady. Sir, since I have now no reason to doubt of your art, I must beseech you to treat this apparition gently-It has the resemblance of my deceased husband; if there be any undiscovered secret, any thing that troubles his rest, learn it of him.

Sir G. I must to that end be sincerely informed by you, whether your heart be engaged to another. Have not you received the addresses of many lovers since his death?

Lady. I have been obliged to receive more visits than have been agreeable.

Sir G. Was not Tinsel welcome?--I'm afraid to hear an answer to my own question.

Lady. He was well recommended.
Sir G. Racks !

Lay. Of a good family.

Sir G. Tortures!

[Aside.

[Aside.

[Aside.

Lady. Heir to a considerable estate.
Sir G. Death! [Aside.] And you still love

Sir G. You will have a husband within this him?-I'm distracted! half hour.

Abi. [Aside.] I am glad to hear that He must mean Mr. Fantome; I begin to think there's a good deal of truth in his art.

Lady. Alas! I fear you mean I shall see Sir George's apparition a second time.

Sir G. Have courage, you shall see the apparition no more. The husban. I mention shall be as much alive as I am.

Abi. Mr Fantome to be sure. [Aside. Lady. Impossible! I loved my first too well. Sir G. You could not love the first better than you will love the second.

Abi. [Aside] I'll be hanged if my dear steward has not instructed him; he means Mr. Fantome, to be sure: the thousand pound is

our own.

Lady. Alas! you did not know Sir George. Sir G. As well as I do myself--I saw him with you in the red damask room, when he first made love to you; your mother left you together, under pretence of receiving a visit from Mrs. Hawthorn, on her return from London.

Lady. This is astonishing.

Sir G. You were a great admirer of a single life for the first half hour; your refusals then grew still fainter and fainter. With what ecstacy did Sir George kiss your hand, when you told him you should always follow the advice of your mamma.

[Aside.

Lady. No, I despise him. I found he had a design upon my fortune; was base, profligate, cowardly, and every thing that could be expected from a man of the vilest principles.

Sir G. I'm recovered.

[Aside.

Abi. Oh. Madam, had you seen how like a scoundrel he looked when he left your ladyship in a swoon! Where have you left my lady? says I. In an elbow-chair, child, says he. And where are ye going? says I. To town, child, says he: for, to tell thee truly, child, says he, I don't care for living under the same roof with the devil.

Sir G. Well, lady, I see nothing in all this that may hinder Sir George's spirit from being at rest.

Lady. If he knows any thing of what passes in my heart, he cannot but be satisfied of that fondness which I bear to his memory. My sorrow for him is always fresh when I think of him. He was the kindest, truest, tenderest— Tears will not let me go on

Sir G. This quite overpowers me-I shall discover myself before my time. [Aside.]Madam, you may now retire, and leave me to myself.

Lady. Success attend you!

Abi. I wish Mr. Fantome gets well off from this old Don-I know he'll be with him immediately. [Exeunt LADY and ABIGAIL.

Enter SIR GEORGE in his own habit.

Fan. Ha! what's that! Sir George Truman. This can be no counterfeit. His dress! his shape! his face! the very wound of which he died! Nay then, 'tis time to decamp! [Runs of.

Sir G. My heart is now at ease; she is the same dear woman I left her-Now for my revenge upon Fantome. I shall cut the ceremonies short. A few words will do his business Now let me seat myself in form-A good easy chair for a conjuror, this! Now for a few mathematical scratches- -a good lucky scrawl that-Faith I think it looks very astrological-These two or three magical pot-hooks about it, make it a complete conjuror's scheme. [Drum beats.] Ha, ha, ha! Sir! are you there? Now must I pore upon

my paper.

Enter FANTOME, beating his drum.

Pr'ythee don't make a noise, I'm busy.[FANTOME beats.] A pretty march! pr'ythee beat that over again. [He beats and advances. SIR G. Rising.] Ha! you're very perfect in the step of a ghost. You stalk it majestically. [FANTOME advances.] How the rogue tares, he acts it to admiration; I'll be hanged if he has not been practising this half bour in Mrs. Abigail's wardrobe. [FANTOME starts, gives a rap upon his drum] Pr'ythee, don't play the fool. [FANTOME beats.] Nay, nay, enough of this, good Mr. Fantome.

Fan. [Aside.] Death! I'm discovered. This jade Abigail has betrayed me.

Sir G. Mr. Fantome, upon the word of an astrologer, your thousand pound bribe will never gain my lady Truman.

Fan. 'Tis plain she has told him all. [Aside. Sir G. Let me advise you to make off as fast as you can, or I plainly perceive by my art, Mr. Ghost will have his bones broke.

Fan. [To SIR G.] Look ye, old gentleman, 1 perceive you have learned this secret from Mrs. Abigail.

Sir G. I have learned it from my art. Fan. Thy art! pr'ythee no more of that.Look ye, I know you are a cheat as much as I And if thou'lt keep my counsel, I'll give thee ten broad pieces.

am.

Sir G. I am not rercenary! Young man, I scorn thy gold.

Fan. I'll make them up twenty.

Sir G. Avaunt! and that quickly, or I'll raise such an apparition as shall

Fan. An apparition, old gentleman! you mistake your man, I'm not to be frightened with bugbears!

Sir G. Let me retire but for a few moments, and I will give thee such a proof of my ait

Fan. Why, if thou hast any hocus pocus tricks to play, why can'st thou not do them here?

Sir G. The raising of a spirit, requires certain secret mysteries to be performed, and words to be muttered in private

Fan. Well, if I see through your trick, will you promise to be my friend?

Sir G. I will-attend and tremble. [Exit. Fan. A very solemn old ass! But I smoke him-he has a mind to raise his price upon me. I could not think this slut would have used me thus. I begin to grow horribly tired of my drum. I wish I was well rid of it. However, I have got this by it, that it has driven off Tinsel for good and all; I sha'n't have the mortification to see my mistress carried off by such a rival. Well, whatever happens, I must stop this old fellow's mouth. I must not be sparing in hush-money. But here he comes.

Sir G. Ha, ha, ha! Fare you well, good Sir George-The enemy has left me master of the field: here are the marks of my victory. This drum will I hang up in my great hall as the trophy of the day."

Enter ABIGAIL; SIR GEORGE stands with his hand before his face, in a musing posture.

Abi. Yonder he is. O' my conscience, he has driven off the conjuror. Mr. Fantome, Mr. Fantome! I give you joy, I give you joy. What do you think of your thousand pounds now? Why does not the man speak? [Pulls him by the sleeve. Sir G. Ha! [Taking his hand from his face. Abi. Oh! 'tis my master!

[Shrieks. Running away, he catches her. Sir G. Good Mrs. Abigail, not so fast. Abi. Are you alive, Sir? He has given my shoulder such a cursed tweak! they must be real fingers; I feel 'em, I'm sure.

Sir G. What dost thou think?

Abi. Think, Sir? think? Troth I don't know what to think. Pray, Sir, how-

Sir G. No questions, good Abigail; thy curiosity shall be satisfied in due time. Where's your lady?

Abi. Oh, I'm so frighted!-and so gladSir G. Where's your lady? I ask you-Abi. Marry, I don't know where I am myself-I can't forbear weeping for joy

Sir G. Your lady? I say, your lady? I must bring you to yourself with one pinch moreAbi. Oh! She has been talking a good while with the steward.

Sir G. Then he has opened the whole story to her. I'm glad he has prepared her. Oh!

here she comes.

Enter LADY followed by VELLUM.

Lady. Where is he? let me fly into his arms! my life! my soul! my husband!

Sir G. Oh! let me catch thee to my heart, dearest of women.

Lady. Are you then still alive, and are you here! I can scarce believe my senses! Now am I happy indeed.

Sir G. My heart is too full to answer thee. Ludy. How could you be so cruel to defer giving me that joy which you knew I must receive from your presence? You have robbed my life of some hours of happiness that ought to have been in it.

Sir G. It was to make our happiness the more sincere and unmixed: There will be now no doubts to dish it. What has been the afflic tion of our lives, has given a variety to them, and will hereafter supply us with a thousand materials to talk of.

Lady. I am now satisfied that it is not in the power of absence to lessen your love towards me.

Sir G. And I am satisfied that it is not in the power of death to destroy that love which makes me the happiest of men.

Lady. Was ever woman so blessed! to find again the darling of her soul, when she thought

him lost for ever! to enter into a kind of second marriage with the only man whom she was ever capable of loving!

Sir G. May it be as happy as our first, I desire no more! Believe me, my dear, I want words to express those transports of joy and tenderness which are every moment rising in my heart whilst I speak to thee.

Enter SERVANTS.

But. Just as the steward told us, lads!— Look you there, if he ben't with my lady already!

Gard. He, he, he! what a joyful night will this be for Madam.

Coach. As I was coming in at the gate, a strange gentleman whisked by me; but he took to his heels, and made away to the George. If I did not see master before me, I should have sworn it had been his honour !

Gard. Hast thou given orders for the bells to be set a ringing?

Coach. Never trouble thy head about that, 'tis done.

Sir G. [To LADY.] My dear, I long as much to tell you my whole story, as you do to hear it. In the mean while I am to look upon this as my wedding-day. I'll have nothing but the voice of mirth and feasting in my house. My poor neighbours and my servants will rejoice with me. My hall shall be free to every one, and let my cellars be thrown open.

But. Ah! bless your honour; may you never die again!

Coach. The same good man that ever he

was!

Gard. Whurra!

Sir G. Vellum, thou hast done me much service to-day. I know thou lovest Abigail, but she's disappointed in a fortune. I'll make it up to both of you. I'll give thee a thousand pound with her. It is not fit there should be one sad heart in my house to-night.

Lady. What you do for Abigail, I know is meant as a compliment to me. This is a new instance of your love.

Abi. Mr. Vellum, you are a well-spoken man: pray do you thank my master and my

lady.

Sir G. Vellum, I hope you are not displeased with the gift I make you.

Vel. The gift is twofold. I receive from you A virtuous partner, and a portion too; For which, in humble wise, I thank the donors; [ho-nours. And so we bid good-night to both your

EPILOGUE.

TO-NIGHT, the poet's advocate I stand; And he deserves the favour at my hand, Who in my equipage their cause debating, Has placed two lovers, and a third in waiting: If both the first should from their duty swerve, There's one behind the wainscot in reserve. In his next play, if I would take this trouble, He promised me to make the number double: In troth 'twas spoke like an obliging creature, For though 'tis simple, yet it shows good-na

ture.

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Whether, in strictness, you should laugh or no ;
But turn upon the ladies in the pit,
And if they redden, you are sure 'tis wit.

Protect him then, ye fair ones; for the fair
Of all conditions are his equal care.
He draws a widow, who, of blameless carriage,
True to her jointure, hates a second marriage;
And, to improve a virtuous wife's delights,
Out of one man contrives two wedding-nights;
Nay, to oblige the sex in every state,
A nymph of five and forty finds a mate.
Too long has marriage, in this tasteless

age,

With ill-bred raillery supplied the stage:
No little scribbler is of wit so bare,
But has his fling at the poor wedded pair.
Our author deals not in conceits so stale:
For, should the examples of his play prevail,
No man need blush, though true to marriage-
Nor be a jest, though he should love his

Vows,

spouse.

Thus has he done you British consorts right; Whose husbands, should they pry like mine to-night,

Would never find you in your conduct slipping, Though they turn'd conjurors to take you tripping.

9 D

THE RECRUITING OFFICER:

A COMEDY,

IN FIVE ACTS.

BY GEORGE FARQUHAR.

REMARKS.

FARQUHAR, in his good-humoured dedication of this play To all friends round the Wrekin,' informs us that ⚫it took its rise from some little turns of humour which he met with almost within the shade of that famous hill ;" and it bears internal marks of this local and personal origin. It is natural, easy, lively, flowing; written without any effort, and producing no very great effect-at least in the mere perusal. The characters, incidents, dialogue, and grouping are, such as he might very well be supposed to have taken from real life; and to have transferred to the comic stage, with more felicity and fidelity than expense of thought.

The Recruiting Officer is not equal, in the exhibition of wit, invention, or character, to the Beaur' Stratagem; nor in the romantic interest of the story, to the Inconstant ; nor in the power of single scenes to the two parts of the Trip to the Jubilee; but there are sufficient indications of all these excellencies interspersed throughout; the streaks and glittering veins of the precious ore every where striking the eye, if not the solid ingots and massy wedges of pure gold, :

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Him fate had warn'd to shun the Trojan blows, Him Greece required-against the Trojan foes.

All their recruiting arts were needful here,
To raise this great, this timorous volunteer.
Ulysses well could talk-he stirs, he warms
The warlike youth-he listens to the charms
Of plunders, fine laced coats, and glittering

arms.

Ulysses caught the young aspiring boy,
And listed him who wrought the fate of Troy.
Thus by recruiting was bold Hector slain;
Recruiting thus fair Helen did regain.
If for one Helen such prodigious things
Were acted, that they even listed kings;
If for one Helen's artful, vicious charms,

sand people may lie in it together and never feel one another.

Cost. My wife and I would do well to lie in't. But do folk sleep sound in this same bed of honour?

Serg. K. Sound! ay, so sound that they never wake.

Cost. Wauns! I wish again that my wife lay there.

Serg. K. Say you so! then I find, brotherCost. Brother! hold there, friend; I am no kindred to you that I know of yet.-Look ye, sergeant, no coaxing, no wheedling, d'ye see -if I have a mind to list, why so-if not, why 'tis not so--therefore take your cap and your brothership back again, for I am not disposed

Half the transported world was found in at this present writing.-No coaxing, no

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SCENE 1.-The Market-Place-Drum beats the Grenadier's march.

Enter SERGEANT KITE, followed by THOMAS APPLETREE, COSTAR PEARMAIN, and the Mob.

Serg. K. If any gentlemen, soldiers or others have a mind to serve his majesty, and pull down the French king; if any 'prentices have severe masters, any children have undutiful parents, if any servants have too little wages, or any husband too much wife, let them repair to the noble Sergeant Kite, at the sign of the Raven, in this good town of Shrewsbury, and they shall receive present relief and entertainment. [Drums beat.] Gentlemen, I don't beat my drums here to insnare or inveigle any man; for you must know, Gentlemen, that I am a man of honour: besides, I don't beat up for common soldiers; no, I list only grenadiers, grenadiers, gentlemen. Pray, gentlemen, observe this cap, this is the cap of honour it dubs a man a gentleman in the drawing of a trigger, and he that has the good fortune to be born six feet high was born to be a great man-Sir, will you give me leave to try this cap upon your head? [To COST.

Cost. Is there no harm in't? Wont the cap list me?

Serg. K. No, no, no more than I can. Come, let me see how it becomes you.

Cost. Are you sure there be no conjuration in it? No gunpowder plot upon me?

Serg. K. No, no, friend; don't fear, man. Cost. My mind misgives me plaguily.-Let me see it-[Going to put it on.] It smells woundily of sweat and brimstone. Smell, Tummas.

Tho. Ay, wauns does it.

Cost. Pray, sergeant, what writing is this upon the face of it?

Serg. K. The crown, or the bed of honour. Cost. Pray now, what may be that same bed of honour?

Serg. K. Oh! a mighty large bed! bigger by half than the great bed at Ware-ten thou

brothering me, faith!

Serg. K. I coax! I wheedle! I'm above it, Sir: I have served twenty campaigns-but, Sir, you talk well, and I must own that you are a man every inch of you; a pretty, young, sprightly fellow! I love a fellow with a spirit; but I scorn to coax; 'tis base! though I must say that never in my life have I seen a man better built. How firm and strong he treads! he steps like a castle! but 1 scorn to wheedle any man- -Come, honest lad! will you take share of a pot?

Cost. Nay, for that matter I'll spend my penny with the best he that wears a head, that is begging your pardon, Sir, and in a fair way.

Serg. K. Give me your hand then; and now, gentlemen, I have no more to say than thishere's a purse of gold, and there is a tub of humming ale at my quarters 'tis the king's money and the king's drink-he's a generous men, you wont refuse the king's health. king and loves his subjects-1 hope, gentle

All Mob. No, no, no.

and the honour of Shropshire. Serg. K. Huzza then! huzza for the king

All Mob. Huzza! Serg. K. Beat Drum.

[Exeunt shouting, drum beating a Grenadier's march.

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Serg. K. Welcome to Shrewsbury, noble captain! from the banks of the Danube to the Severn side, noble captain! you're welcome.

Capt. P. A very elegant reception indeed, Mr. Kite. I find you are fairly entered into your recruiting strain-Pray what success?

Serg. K. I've been here a week, and I've recruited five.

Capt. P. Five! pray what are they?

Serg. K. I have listed the strong man of Kent, the king of the gipsies, a Scotch pedlar, a scoundrel attorney and a Welch parson.

Capt. P. An attorney! wert thou mad? list a lawyer! discharge him, discharge him, this minute.

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