Selected quad for the lemma: england_n
Text snippets containing the quad
|
ID |
Title |
Author |
Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) |
STC |
Words |
Pages |
|
A27303
|
The luckey chance, or, An alderman's bargain a comedy as is acted by their Majesty's servants / by Mrs. A. Behn.
|
Behn, Aphra, 1640-1689.
|
1687
(1687)
|
Wing B1744; ESTC R23614
|
58,912
|
83
|
THE Luckey Chance OR AN ALDERMAN'S Bargain A COMEDY As it is Acted by their MAJESTY'S Servants Written by M rs A. BEHN This may be Printed April 23. 1686. R. P. LONDON Printed by R. H. for W. Canning at his Shop in Vine-Court Middle-Temple 1687. To the Right Honourable Laurence Lord Hyde Earl of Rochester one of his Majesty's most Honourable Privy Council Lord High Treasurer of England and Knight of the Noble Order of the Garter My Lord WHen I consider how Ancient and Honourable a Date Plays have born how they have been the peculiar Care of the most Illustrious Persons of Greece and Rome who strove as much to out doe each other in Magnificence when by Turns they manag'd the great Business of the Stage as if they had contended for the Victory of the Vniverse I say my Lord when I consider this I with the greater Assurance most humbly address this Comedy to your Lordship since by Right of Antient Custom the Patronage of Plays belong'd only to the great Men and chieâ—…est Magistrates Cardinal Richelieâ—… that great and wise Statesman said That there was no surer Testimony to be given of the flourishing Greatness of a Stars than publick Pleasures and Divertisements for they are says â—…e the Schools of Vertue where Vice is alâ—…ays either 〈◊〉 or disdain'd They are seoret Instruitions to the People in things that 't is impossible to insinuate into them any other Way 'T is Example that prevails above Reason or Divinâ—… Pâ—…cepts Philosophy not understood by the 〈◊〉 't is Example alone that inspires Morality and best establishes Verine I have my self known a Man whom neither Conscience nor Religion câ—…'d perswade to Loyalty who with beholding in our Theatre a Modern Politician set forth in all his Colours was converted renounc'd his Opinion and quitted the Party The Abbot of Aubignac to shew that Plays have been ever held most important to the very Political Part of Government says The Phylosophy of Greece and the Majesty and Wisdom of the Romans did equally concern their Great Men in making them Venerable Noble and Magnificent Venerable by their Consecration to their Gods Noble by being govern'd by their chiefest Men and their Magnificency was from the publick Treasury and the liberal Contributions of their Noble Men. It being undeniable then that Plays and publick Diversions were thought by the Greatest and Wisest of States one of the most essential Parts of good Government and in which so many great Persons were interested suffer me to beg your Lordships Patronage for this little Endeavour and believe it not below the Grandure of your Birth and State the Illustrious Places you so justly hold in the Kingdom nor your Illustrious Relation to tâ—…e greatest Monarch of the World to afford it the Glory of your Protection since it is the Product of a Heart and Pen that always faithfully serv'd that Royal Cause to which your Lordship is by many Tyes so firmly fixt It approaches you with that absolute Veneration that all the World is oblig'd to pay you and has no other Design than to express my sense of those excellent Vertues that make your Lordship so truly admir'd and lov'd Amongst which we find those two so rare in a Great Man and a Statesman those of Gracious Speech and easie Access and I believe none were ever sent from your Presence dissatisfied You have an Art to please even when you deny and something in your Look and Voice has an Air so greatly good it recompences even for Disappointment and we never leave your Lordship but with Blessings It is no less our Admiration to behold with what Serenity and perfect Conduct that great Part of the Nations Business is carry'd on by one single Person who having to do with so vast Numbers of Men of all Qualitys Interests and Humours nevertheless all are well satisfi'd and none complain of Oppression but all is done with Gentleness and Silence as if like the first Creator you cou'd finish all by a Word You have my Lord a Judgment so pierâ—…g and solid a Wisdom so quick and clear and a Fortitude so truly Noble that those Fatigues of State that wou'd even sink a Spirit of less Magnitude is by yours accomplish't without Toil or any Appearance of that harsh and crabbed Austerity that is usually put on by the bâ—…isy Great You my Lord support the Globe as if you did not feel its Weight nor so much as seem to bend beneath it Your Zeal for the Glorious Monarch you love and serve makes all things a Pleasure that advance his Interest which is so absolutely your Care You are my Lord by your generous Candor your unbyast Justice your Sweetness Affability and Condescending Goodness those never-failing Marks of Greatness above that Envy which reigns in Courts and is aim'd at the most elevated Fortunes and Noblest Favourites of Princes And when they consider your Lordship with all the Abilitys and Wisdom of a great Counsellor your unblemisht Vertue your unshaken Loyalty your constant Industry for the Publick Good how all things under your Part of Sway have been refin'd and purg'd from those Grossnesses Frauds Briberys and Grievances beneath which so many of his Majestys Subjects groan'd when we see Merit establish't and prefer'd and Vice discourag'd it imposes Silence on Malice it self and compells em to bless his Majesty's Choice of such a Pillar of the State such a Patron of Vertue Long may your Lordship live to remain in this most Honourable Station that his Majesty may be serv'd with an entire Fidelity and the Nation be render'd perfectly Happy Since from such Heads and Hearts the Monarch reaps his Glory and the Kingdom receives its Safety and Tranquility This is the unfeign'd Prayer of My Lord Your Lordships most Humble And most Obedient Servant A. Behn PREFACE THe little Obligation I have to some of the witty Sparks and Poets of the Town has put me on a Vindication of this Comedy from those Censures that Malice and ill Nature have thrown upon it tho in vain The Poets I heartily excuse since there is a sort of Self-Interest in their Malice which I shou'd rather call a witty Way they have in this Age of Railing at every thing they find with pain successful and never to shew good Nature and speak well of any thing but when they are sure 't is damn'd then they afford it that worse Scandal their Pity And nothing makes them so through-stitcht an Enemy as a full Third Day that 's Crime enough to load it with all manner of Infamy and when they can no other way prevail with the Town they charge it with the old never failing Scandal That 't is not fit for the Ladys As if if it were as they falsly give it out the Ladys were oblig'd to hear Indecencys only from their Pens and Plays and some of them have ventur'd to treat 'em as Coursely as 't was possible without the least Reproach from them and in some
and take away our Wives So so my Cap Francis Bel. And do you think this Marriage lawful Sir Sir Feeb. Lawful it shall be when I 've had Livery and Seisin of her Body and that shall be presently Rogue quick besides this Belmour dares as well be hang'd as come into England Bel. If he gets his Pardon Sir Sir Feeb. Pardon no no I have took care for that for I have you must know got his Pardon already Bel. How Sir got his Pardon that 's some amends for robbing him of his Wife Sir Feeb. Hold honest Francis what dost think 't was in Kindness to him no you Fool I got his Pardon my self that no body else should have it so that if he gets any Body to speak to his Majesty for it his Majesty crys he has granted it but for want of my Appearance he 's defunct trust up hang'd Francis Bel. This is the most excellent Revenge I ever heard of Sir Feeb. Ay I learnt it of a great Politician of our Times Bel. But have you got his Pardon Sir Feeb. I 've don 't I 've don 't Pox on him it cost me five hundred pounds tho here 't is my Solicitor brought it me this Evening Gives it him Bel. This was a lucky Hit and if it scape me let me be hang'd by a Trick indeed Sir Feeb. So put it into my Cabinet safe Francis safe Bel. Safe I 'll warrant you Sir Sir Feeb. My Gown quick quick t'other Sleeve man so now my Night-Cap well I 'll in throw open my Gown to fright away the Women and jump into her Arms. Exit Sir Feeble Bel. He 's gone quickly Oh Love inspire me Enter a Footman Foot Sir my Master Sir Cautious Fulbank left his Watch on the little Parlor-Table to Night and bid me call for 't Bel. Hah the Bridegroom has it Sir who is just gone to Bed it shall be sent him in the Morning Fooâ—… 'T is â—…ery well Sir your Servant Exit Footman Bel. Let me see here is the Watch I took it up to keep for him but his sending has inspir'd me with a slidden Stratagem that will do better than Force to secure the poor trembling Leticia who I am sure is dying with her Fears Exit Bel. SCENE changes to the Bedchamber Leticia in an Undressing by the VVomen at the Table Enter to them Sir Feeble Fainwou'd Sir Feâ—… WHat 's here what 's here the prating Women still Ods bobs what not in Bed yet for shame of Love Leticia Let. For shame of Modesty Sir you wou'd not have me go to Bed before all this Company Sir Feeb. What the Women why they must see you laid 't is the Fashion Let. What with a Man I wou'd not for the World Oh Belmouâ—… where art thou with all thy promis'd Aid Dy. Nay Madam we shou'd see you laid indeed Let. First in my Grave Diana Sir Feeb. Ods bobs here 's a Compact amongst the Women High Treason against the Bridegroom therefore Ladies withdraw or adod Ill lock you all in Throws open his Gown they run all away he locks the Door So so now we 're alone Letioia off with this foolish Modesty and Night-Gown and slide into my Arms She runs from him H'e ' my little Puskin what fly me my Coy Daphne He pursues her Knocking Hah who 's that knocks who 's there Bel. 'T is I Sir 't is I open the Door presently Sir Feeb. Why what 's the matter is the House o-fire Bel. Worse Sir worse He opens the Door Belmour enters with the Watch in his hand Let. 'T is Belmour's Voyce Bel. Oh Sir do you know this Watch Sir Fâ—…b This Watch. Bel. Ayâ—… Sir this Watch Sir Feeb. This Watch why prethee why dost tell me of a Watch 〈◊〉 Sir Fulbank's Watch what then what a Pox dost trouble me with Watches Offers to put him out he returns Bel. 'T is indeed his Watch Shâ—… and by this Token he has sent for you to come immediately to his House Sir Sir Feeb. What a Devil art Mad Francis or is his Worship Mad or does he think me Mad go prethee tell him I 'll come to him to Morrow Goes to put him out Bel. To Morrow Sir why all our Throats may be cut before to Morrow Sir Feeb. What sayst thou Throats cut Bel. Why the City 's up in Arms Sir and all the Aldermen are met at Guild-Hall some damnable Plot Sir Sir Feeb. Hah Plot the Aldermen met at Guild-Hall hum why let 'em meet Vll not lose this Night to save the Nation Let. Wou'd you to bed Sir when the weighty Affairs of State require your Presence Sir Feeb. Hum met at Guild hall my Cloaths my Gown again Francis I 'll out out what upon my Wedding night no I 'll in Putting on his Gown pausing pulls it off again Let. For shame Sir shall the Reverend Council of the City debate without you Sir Feeb. Ay that 's true that 's true come truss again Francis truss again yet now I think on 't Francis prethee run thee to the Hall and tell 'em 't is my Wedding-Night d' ye see Francis and let fome body give my Voice for Bel. What Sir Sir Feeb. Adod I cannot tell up in Arms say you why let 'em sight Dog fight Bean mun I 'll to Bed go Let. And shall his Majesty's Service and his Safety lie unregarded for a slight Woman Sir Sir Feeb. Hum his Majesty come hast Francis I 'll away and call Ralph and the Footmen and bid 'em Arm each man shoulder his Musket and advance his Pike and bring my Artillery Implements quick and let 's away Pupsey bâ—…u'y Pupsey I 'll bring it a fine thing yet before Morning it may be let 's away I shall grow fond and forget the Business of the Nation come follow me Francis Exit Sir Feeble Belmour runs to Leticia Bel. Now my Leticia if thouâ—…e'r didst love If ever thou design'st to make me blest Without delay sly this Adulterous Bed Sir Feeb. Why Francis where are you â—…nave Sir Feeb. within Bel. I must be gone lest he suspect us I 'll loose him and return to thee immediately get thy self ready Let. I will not fail my Love Exit Belmour Old man forgive me thou the Agressor art Who rudely forc'd the Hand without the Heart She cannot from the Paths of Honour rave Whose Guide's Religion and whose End is Love Exit Scene changes to a wash-House or out-House Enter with Dark-lanthorn Bredwel disguis'd like a Devil leading Gayman Bred. Stay here till I give notice of your coming Exit Bredwel leaves his Dark-lanthorn Gay Kind Light a little of your Aid now must I be peeping tho my Curiosity should lose me all hah Zouns what 's here a Hovel or a Hog-sty hum see the Wickedness of Man that I should find no time to Swear in but just when I 'm in the Devils Clutches Enter Pert as an old Woman with a Staff Old Woman Good Even to you fair Sir Gay Ha desend me