THE Unnatural Mother THE SCENE in the Kingdom OF SIAM As it is now Acted at the New Theatre in Lincolns-Inn-Fields BY His MAJESTY's Servants Written by a Young Lady LONDON Printed by J. O. for R. Basset at the Mitre in Fleet-street near Temple-Bar 1698. PROLOGUE Spoken by Mr. Verbruggen WHO is 't wou'd be a Poet in our days When e'ery Coxcomb crowns his Head with Bays And stands a sawcy Candidate for Praise The Stage is quite debauch'd for every Day Some new-born Monster 's shown you for a Play Art Magick is for Poetry profest Horses Asses Monkeys and each obscener Beast To which Egyptian Monarch once did bow Vpon our English Stage are worship'd now Fletcher's despis'd your Johnson's out of fashion And Wit 's the only Drug in all the Nation Whilst Scenes Machines and empty Opera's reign And for the Pencil you the Pen disdain Nature is out of count'nance and gives place To beastly Mimickry and vile Grimace A Woman now comes to reform the Stage Who once has stood the Brunt of this unthinking Age Yet shou'd her Pen her Beauty cannot fail But oh she vows she 'l not her Charms unvail Nor shall you know harsh Men at whom you rail Then how you censure this her Play beware Lest thro' the Poetess you wound the Fair But If you 'll go on to dawn good Sence in spight I 'll be reveng'd on you to morrow night In this Side-box she 'll sit I 'll make 't my Task Before you all to strip her of her Mask Oh how your Malice then you will repent And court those Favours which she shall not grant Her Face once seen she cannot want Applause For Wit and Beauty both will plead her Cause Persons Represented MEN. Pechai Second Husband to Callapia Sennorat Father to Munzuffer Munzuffer  Tallapoy A Prophet Cemat Son to Callapia by a former Husband Muto A Country-man Chavo His Son Rulup Servant to Munzuffer A Gentleman WOMEN Callapia Wife to Pechai Bebbemeah Daughter to Pechai by a former Wife Choufera Daughter to Callapia and Sister to Cemat Metam Wife to Muto Sardeah Bebbemeah's Maid Spirits Priests Servants Singers c. SCENE Levo a Province in the Kingdom of SIAM ACT I. Scene Levo a Province in the Kingdom of Siam Enter Bebbemeah weeping and Choufera Chouf HOW can you call me Friend and thus conceal a Grief from me almost distracts you All Night you sigh'd and wept and in your broken Slumbers started and cry'd Oh that fatal Grove Tell me my Bebbemeah I conjure thee by all the Love we ever vow'd each other make me a Sharer in your killing Sorrows Beb. O do not press my yielding Heart to tell the only Secret I e'er hid from you alas you 'l blame my weakness and instead of Pity meet with your Contempt Chouf Is 't possible to think so meanly of Choufera Have we not from our tender Infancy lov'd far beyond the common Ties of Blood in all our harmless Joys been a partaker with each other and can you think I would contemn you in distress Unkind Bebbemeah I will not call you Friend if you can meet with one more faithful to you than Choufera has alwaies been I wish it you going Beb. Stay stay Choufera would you for one Denial throw me from your Breast O do not add that weight to what I already feel I will most faithfully discharge my Heart of that vast load of Grief which almost overwhelms me but you must promise not to chide me I cannot bear your Anger Chouf Pray do not fear it I 'll ease you of half the burden by bearing it my self Beb. You know by what Engagements I am promised by my Father to Munzuffer to which with blind Obedience I gave confent having only indifference for all Mankind but O my dear Choufera I am 〈…〉 longer Mistress of my Heart for yesterday a fatal day I fear 〈…〉 I went to pass the tedious hours your Absence made me think so in the Orange grove where we so oft have been I seated my self by the cool purling Stream a Melancholy seized me I knew not why as a Forerunner of my Woes to come a gentle Slumber crept unawares upon me but long I had not slept when I was wak'd by trampling of a Horse I started up and the first Object presented to my view was a Youth of Heavenly form kneeling at my Feet Chouf Go on my Dearest Beb. 'T is impossible to tell you my Surprise and his appear'd to be no less than mine If you 're the Goddess of these Groves said he forgive the rashness of a Stranger who thus presumes to worship but if of mortal race I do conjure you by all the Powers of Love to tell me who you are So soon as recover'd my Amazement I told him I was Daughter to Pechai a private Gentleman who lived far from thence and that with my Father I was going hence next day I see he had Servants waiting at a distance but I entreated him so earnestly not to follow me at last he promis'd me upon his Honour he would not Go go fair Tyrant cried he and boast whoe'er thou art you 've rob'd a hapless Youth of his dear Liberty which all the Beauties of our East could never do before but be assur'd where'er thou goest I 'll find thee out tho' in the remotest corner of the World Chouf And so you parted Beb. Oh no I had no power to leave him with Passion he talk'd on and moving Eloquence enough to warm the Heart of cold Diana Night drew her sable Curtains and forc'd us to a cruel separation I fear for ever the Soul parts from the Body not with more reluctancy than we did from each other nor was I so much Mistress of my self but he alas perceived it I could run on and draw this Story to an endless length at last I homeward went by several turnings that he might not discern which way I took Forgive my dear Choufera my prolixity and pity my misfortune Chouf I do with all my Soul but why did you so carefully conceal the Knowledg who you were Beb. I durst not trust so powerful a Temptation to draw me from my Duty to my Father Chouf He ever promis'd not to force your inclination Beb. And I never to disobey his Will his Goodness to me is the Rock on which I 'm lost and I resolve to sacrifice my Happiness to his Pleasure Chouf You never yet see Munzuffer and 't is possible might not have lik'd him if you had not seen this Stranger Beb. All People speak of him in such high Characters I fear I shall not find out one Excuse that will seem just he 's young has Wit and Sense and beautiful to admiration good-humour'd brave and generous what Objections can there be to these Qualities that will not discover the Prepossession of my Heart to be the only Cause sighs I must obey my Destiny and all I wish is that he may be like my lovely
sure we have no overhearers in this place and I 'm so weary I can go no further Cem. aside So I would have her she may be too strong for me else And do you think this place is very private to her Chouf You see it is an unfrequented Path by the high Grass I do believe no human Ear can reach us Cem. Then this it is Sister I love you nay start not more than a Brother should and must enjoy you Chouf Good Heavens what mean you Brother you are not sure in earnest Cem. Why not in earnest Is it such a Wonder to love a pretty Woman Chouf I 'm sure you jest and tell me so to fright me Cem. If any Crime there be 't is you're the cause your Honour is secure with me Come come my dear Choufera let 's be free I 'll give you a strong Proof how much I love you takes hold of her Chouf Stand off foul Monster what villainous intentions thou art bent upon prophane thy own Blood ravish thy Sister Think think Cemat upon the horrid Deed. Cem. I did not bring you here to rail and am resolv'd if you will not consent to force you Chouf I 'll rend the Skies with shrieks and move some pitying God a Friend to Chastity to come to my assistance and see my Prayers are heard He turns hastily to look behind the while she runs off Cem. Ha! is she gone she shall not escape me so I soon shall overtake her Runs off Enter Sennorat and Munzuffer Sennorat speaks as he enters Let the Coach go softly up the Hill 't is a cool pleasant Morning we 'l walk and overtake it Disperse that Cloud upon thy Brow Munzuffer and look as if thou wert to see thy fair lost Mistress Have not I promis'd I will put no Force upon thy Heart she may be like the Picture which you shew'd me and therefore you may love her Mun. I wish I may Sir to oblige the kindest Father ever Son was bless'd with Chouf within Help help is no one near Mun. Ha! a Womans Voice it sounded this way Art t' gone The Youth is too nimble for me Draws and Exit Sen. But I 'll not stay behind Exit after him Enter Cemat out of breath Cem. Whoe'er they be curse on 'em for coming just the very minute a little longer and I had enjoy'd my Ends and then she would have kept the Secret for her own sake But this is no place to stay in I 'll get home before her and if the silly Slut does tell her Tale why I 'll forswear it Exit Cemat Enter Sennorat and Munzuffer leading Choufera Mun. I 'm sorry the Villain ' scap'd us Sen. Banish your fears Madam you are secure we 'l see you safely home where e'er it be Clouf How shall I return my Thanks to Heaven and you for this deliverance Aside Sure some malevolent Star reign'd at my Birth what I have gain'd by this most timely succour I 've lost another way Oh Bebbemeah a Fate like thine I mourn A Stranger love and for one I know not burn Sen. Compose your Thoughts fair Lady and tell us where 't is we shall wait on you Chouf Since to the mighty Obligation I stand indebted for you yet will add a fresh one which I dare not refuse for fear again of that bold Ravisher from whom you rescued me on yonder Hill at that great House is where I live Sen. At Pechai's 't is thither we are going Mun. aside Sure this is not Bebbemeah Chouf I beg you 'd leave me in the Orange-grove at the entrance to the Park and to conceal the meeting me in this unlucky place I have some Reasons for it are fit you should not know at present Sen. Fear it not Lady we 'l do as you desire Chouf aside Who can these be but 't is most lucky I shall know at least who 't is has conquer'd me Sen. Conduct the Lady to the Coach Munzuffer Chouf aside Ha! Munzuffer this is Bebbemeah's fugitive Lover return'd oh if she see him with my Eyes what will become of poor unhappy Choufera Exeunt omnes Scene the Second Pechai 's House Enter Pechai Callapia Bebbemeah a Gentleman Pech Munzuffer return'd to his Father say you art t' sure on 't Gen. Yes Sir I see him I had just deliver'd your Letter to Sennorat who sigh'd and almost wept and cried Ungracious Boy thou hast broke thy Father's Heart but strait a general Joy ran through the House and nothing but Murzuffer's Name repeated He ask'd in haste distrustful of his Joy what meant those Acclamations before he could be answer'd his Son was at his Feet imploring his Forgiveness which he soon obtain'd He bid me say he 'd send Munzuffer to beg your Mediation to his injur'd Mistress and come himself to obtain from fair Bebbemeah a Pardon for his Son I just arrived with these happy tidings they will not be long after me This Letter Sir he charged me with to you and this to fair Bebbemeah Exit Gent. Pechai reads the Letter with signs of Joy Bebbemeah puts hers in her Pocket unopened Pech Now my Bebbemeah prepare to receive the noble young Munzuffer Beb. kneels Thus low I kneel for Pardon if I offend in what I have to say I beg you would not give me to this man who has shew'd such scorn and has so much despised me Call I cannot now but join with her I think her Request is just Pech Madam I know from whence your Advice proceeds Rise my Child remember what I alway promis'd you be satisfied till you see him Beb. O where is my Choufera that I may ease my overcharg'd Heart into her friendly Bosom Exit Bebb. Enter Gentleman Gent. My Lord Sennorat is arriv'd Pech Conduct him in Callapia pray withdraw for a few minutes Exit Call Enter Sennorat and Munzuffer Pechai meets ' em Pech Welcome most noble Sennorat and you brave Youth Sen. I 'm come my Lord with my offending Son to entreat a Pardon for him Pech smiling He 'l find I hope he has no need of any if what you writ be so Sen. Most certainly know you this Picture Shews a Picture Pech I do Who waits there Enter a Gentleman Desire my Wife to bring her Daughters in Mun. aside Who can express the Torment I am in the Wretch who lies extended on a rack is more at ease than I am Enter Callapia Bebbemeah and Choufera Mun. Ha! what do I see by all the Powers of Love the very very same how shall I hide my Transports Beb. aside to Chouf 'T is he my dear Choufera the lovely charming Stranger I see in the Orange grove I am all Joys O help me to conceal ' em Chouf aside And I am all Despair unlucky miserable Choufera Pech gives him Beb. Here Munzuffer take her to your Wishes I 'm not so much a stranger to both your Hearts to doubt the Present is not acceptable To Senn. We will withdraw my Lord if you
outragious Come Bebbemeah thou art my Charge Beb. Such Grief as mine admits no lookers on pray Sir give me leave to retire to my Chamber Senn. I must not leave you to such Grief fair Mourner I 'll wait on you Exeunt Scene shuts on the Body Cemat comes forward Cem. So he 's safe enough O excellent Woman fit only to be the Mother of Cemat As he goes off enter Callapia and calls him Call Hist Cemat come back Pechai's dead do'st know it Cem. I do I stood conceal'd and see your Grief I almost thought it real you counterfeited rarely Call Now Cemat I will pretend such an unbounded Grief that like our Indian Wives who burn themselves in the Pile which consumes their Husbands Bodies so I will feign to do 't will take off suspicion Cem. You may safely venture to attempt it you know 't is not the Custom of our happier Siameses and 't will not be permitted you Call But you however shall to Choufera and tell her my intention and beg her to be earnest with Sennorat to prevent it Cem. You need not doubt Choufera will be sure to do her part her love to you will prompt her quickly to undertake it as soon as I have told her I 'll instantly about it Exit Cem. Call sola With Caution I must act I have a mighty Game to play before Munzuffer will be mine if Bebbemeah dies her Fortune comes to me by Contract of my Marriage with Pechai but let her live for my Cemat I have enough I hope to dazle the young Eyes of my dear lovely Charmer and move his Father to consider my Fortune in value far exceeding hers to be the better Match for his brave Son I had a Prince when I was young who was my private Lover from whose vast Bounty I rais'd a most invaluable Treasure which I most carefully conceal'd from Pechai's Knowledge and likewise my first Husband in whose days it was this I will shew to Sennorat and his most charming Son But something I must do with Bebbemeah to ruine her in the good Opinion of both the Son and the Father but I will try all Arts to win him first by fair and gentle means They 're both coming this way now for my Handkercher and Tears again Enter Sennorat and Munzuffer Call I had just sent for you my Lord to let you know my Resolution 's fix'd to expire in the Pile whose flames are to consume the dear dead Body of my much-lov'd Lord. Senn. I cannot but commend the Piety to your departed Husband but 't is not a Custom here that will be countenanc'd therefore you must forbear the Thoughts and live to be a Comfort to your Children Call Alas what 's Life to me now he is gone the only Comfort of it I have that to leave my Son and Daughter beside the Provision already made most largely will provide for them and make 'em always happy which I 'll entâ—â—st you with to see it equally dispos'd to both Draw in that Chest calls at the Door Servant draws in a Chest and exit she opens the Chest Senn. Prodigious this is a mass would enrich an Emperor whence came this Madam Call 'T was given to my Father by our late King of Siam for a private Service he did him who left it all to me Senn. If you resolve to die I will with Justice see your Will perform'd Choufera I will take into my Care your Son 's a Man I hear and will not like a Guardian Call I beg my Lord you 'd see the Rites prepar'd I have a greater business takes up all my Thoughts Exit Call Enter Bebbemeah and Choufera Beb. I come my Lord with my afflicted Sister to beg you 'd save her Mother from the hard Death we hear she 'as doom'd her self Senn. I do design fair Ladies to prevent it but she 's so bent upon it I fear there 's no prevailing with her to lay the Thoughts aside let her to satisfie her Melancholy Humour appear in all the solemn Pomp us'd on such occasions and in the sight of all the lookers on I 'll interpose and save her Chouf May you be ever blest in all you wish for this kind Pity Aside Would I might die for her and loose this miserable Load of Life I bear Exeunt Enter Callapia Call This I have overheard most luckily thus far Success has crown'd my Designs The Brave that dare may always happy be Laugh at the Fates and baffle Destiny The End of the Second ACT. ACT III. Scene draws discovers the Body of Pechai laid on a Pile of Wood Callapia dress'd in white seated at the feet of Pechai's Body with a Garland of Flowers on her Head Sennorat Munzuffer Cemat at a distance Bebbemeah and Choufera in mourning Veils six Priests and two Women Two Priests and two Women sing the following Song First Priest HEnce you infernal Spirits come not near This sacred Pile let those pure Ashes rest His spotless Soul to the great God's most dear Ascend through these bright Flames up to the Blest Second Priest O Vespa place this Vrn safe from the reach Of the black Serpent of the House of Smoak Let his most pious Life Example teach The God of thousand Gods we thus invoke Chorus together Great Tanagoopoo hear our Prayer These Ashes take into thy Care Keep the foul Dragon in his Den The Enemy of Gods and Men. First Woman Thou that to Virgin-Prayers an Ear dost lend Sacred Amida Goddess of our Vow To thy chaste Care these Ashes we commend Thy Favour to our just Request allow Second Woman To Paradise his holy Soul convey What happy Spirits on the Good do wait Where the bright Sun makes an eternal Day Blessed for ever from the reach of Fate They all walk round the Pile singing this Chorus together and set fire to the pile with Torches which they have in their Hands all the time Ascend ye Flames up to the Skies We with it send our Prayers and Cries Great Tanagoopoo bow thine Ear Vouchsafe our Pray'rs and Tears to hear Chouf O save her save her from the raging Flames Senn. takes Call up by the Hand It is enough Callapia you have show'd your Kindness to your Husband surpassing far the common Love of Wives I must not let you die Call Will you not let me go to Paradise most barbarous Man She endeavours to break from him they all gather about her and hold her the Scene shuts behind them on the Pile Senn. Conduct her to her Chamber and there let 's labour all to give her quiet Exeunt all but Cemat who comes forward Cem. Ha ha ha you need not take such care of her she has out-done the very Original of Dissimulation I could e'en hug my self to see our thriving Plots go on so fast Are they coming They must not see me Absconds Enter Sennorat and Munzuffer Senn. She 's so immoderate in her Grief all Reasoning is in vain Munz. A little time will wear