[PR 3605 M9 fl67 [Copy 1 i fi B JJ I B fl I P Bl bI SI Sll Bl 'J i I i FEZ AND WEJNIYSS^ EDITION. (B^41 OF THE ACTING AMEKICAN THEATRE. THE PETITE COMEDY OF THE OLD MAID; WITH A PORTRAIT OP MRS. FRANCIS, IX THE CUARACTEE OF MISS HARLOW. The Plays carefully corrected from the Prompt books of the PHILADELPHIA THEATRE. By M.. Lopez, Prompter. PUBLISHED BY A. R. POOLE, PHILADELPHIA, M. MUIIDEN, NEW YORK, and P. THOMPSON, WASH- INGTON CITY* FOR THE PROPRIETORS. And to be had of all the principal booksellers in the UJ^ITED STA7ES, Price to Non-Subscribers, Fifty Cents. It iB 1 i pi ill' i IB i IB I f I i g ^i=ti=i i^l3il^gii^t^[=nI^l^t^'I^l=^fei^I^ ^^j!!ti^«i»J»^iMi>iili^tl!)4iii^4ll^^^ PROPOSALS. :^ ^; In presenting to the Public the first Number of the Act- "^i ing- American Theatre, the proprietors feel a pleasure in ^. producing a specimen of American Work, which they trust -=g: will satisfy their patrons, of their determination to set 3! emolument aside. '3 ^^^^ want of a work, in which would be combined the ex- '^' cellence of the most perfect copy, v^ith the manner of its •^: exhibition on the Stage, a desideratum to the profession and ^ an advantage to the public, induced the late Mr. Oxberry ^: to commence his edition, tl\e usefulness of which has been 2 sufficiently tested; had that work been peculiarly adapted to "5: this country, it would have been arrogance in us to have ^ ■^i entered the lists, but it is not : — a comparison of the copy ^ •^' of Oxberry, with the representation on the Stage, will at "^ ^ once show how necessarily the English plays have been -p" ^: Americanized, it is our object to printthem as represented ^ ^i on the American Stage, and the proprietors hope to give .%. 2 general satisfaction on this head. ;fe. "^1 It is intended to embellish each number with a charac- W ^: teristic portrait of some performer on the American boards. ^ ^ The portraits will as far as practicable be executed by Mr. .P" ^: Neagle, and the engraving by Mr. Longacre, both Ameri- -^ ^i cans ; possessing talents which rank them high in public jfe. '^. opinion. .W "^ Each piece will be faithfully printed from its respective £^ •^ official copy in the Library of the Philadelphia Theatre. ig "^i Every exertion will be made to obtain Original American :P ^, Dramas, which will be printed as early as possible. '0r ^. The superintendance of this Publication has been as- ip. ^ signed to M. Lopez, Prompter of the Philadelphia and fe. "^- Baltimore Theatres. ^ wmt 4 'sismmso I ^ A Number v.ill be printed every two weeks, embellish- Ip" ^: ed with a Portrait, in every way equal to the first Number .^ ^; at Thirty-seven and a half cents. ^ ^ Each Number must be paid for on delivery. ^ ^1 The work will be continued if 500 subscribers can be .^ ■^ obtained. ^ >^ Twenty -five proof impressions of each plate will be print- ^ ^ ed, the price of which to subscribers, will be gl, to non- ^ ^! subscribers, §1 50 each. £• ^1i^''lp'^WW'fPW' w wwWW'^'WW Mms, FmANci' Knf^-aved "by J.B.l^caigacre Iro-ni a. Fainting W J.lN eagle. J^onez and ll/emyss' Editi art. • Ir'iibli.-'hcd l.yA.rv.Poole rinladeJplna 1826. CcpL/rt'ijhl-sc'aaed nri-i>nh'n,j tojLuu'. LOPEZ % WEMYSS' EDITION. ACTIXG AMERICAN THEATRE. CONTAINING THE MOST POPULAR PLAYS, AS THET ARE PERFORMED AT THE PHILABELPHM THEATRE; Carefully corrected and published from the Prompt Books ; and accompanied with likenesses of DISTINGUISHED PERFORMERS, IN CHARACTERS, Engraved from Portraits executed for the Work, by- Eminent Artists. "By M., Lopez, Prompter, OF THE PHILADELPHIA AND BALTIMORE THEATRES- PUBLISHED BY A. R. POOLE, CHESNUT STREET, FOR THE PROPRIETORS, And to be had of all the principal booksellers in the U. S. £asteim District of Pennsylvania, to wit .' BE IT REMEMBERED, That on the Third t day of April, in the Fiftieth year of the Inde- |; pendence of the United States of America, A. D. ' 1826, Mathtas Lopez anh Francis C. AVkjitss ^ of the said District, have deposited in this office the Title of a Book, the right whereof they claim as Propri- etors, in the words following-, to wit: "Lopez and Wemyss' Edition. Acting American Theatre, containing the most popu- lar Plays, as they are performed at the Philadelphia Theatre ; carefully corrected and published from the Prompt Books ; and accompanied with likenesses of distinguished Performers, in characters. Engraved from Portraits executed for the work, by eminent artists/' By M. Lopez, Prompter of the Philadelphia and Baltimore Theatres. In Conformity to the Act of the Congress of the United States, entitled, " An Act for the Encouragement of Learning, by securing the Copies of Maps, Charts, and Books, to the Authors and Proprietors of such Copies, during the times therein men- tioned." And also to the Act, entitled, " An Act supplemen- tary to An Act, entitled, " An Act for the Encouragement of Learning, by securing the Copies of Maps, Charts, and Books, to the Authors and Proprietors of such Copies during the times therein mentioned," and extending the Benefits thereof to the Arts, of designing, engraving, and etching histot-ical and other ■Ppints," D. CALDWELL. Clerk of the Eastern Ifistrict of Pennsylvania. LOPE.Z AXI> "WEMY8S' EDITION. THE ACTING AMERICAN THEATRE. ' ^ THE OLD MAID, A COMEDY IN TWO ACTS, BY MR. MURPHY. WITH A porthait of MRS FRANCIS, AS MISS HARLOW. The Plays carefully corrected from the Prompt books of the PHILADELPHIA THEATRE. B^ ^l. Lopez, Prompter. PUBLISHED BY A. R. POOLE, CHESNUT STREET, FOR THE PROPRIETORS. And to be had of all the principal booksellers in the UJyiTED STATES. Price to non-subscribers. Fifty cents. vf. q Persons Tiepresented. Mr, Harlow jyfr. Clerimont Captain Cape Serva7it , ^ 1826, Philadelphia, Mr. Darley. Mr, Wemyss. Mr. Jetferson, Mr. Murray. jyirs. Harlo-u) Har* Well, sir, if he has no objection, I can have none. Cleri. He has none, sir; he has given his consent; he desires me to lose no time. I will bring him to pay you a visit; he rejoices in my choice; you shall have it out of his own mouth ; name your hour, and he shall attend you. In the mean time, I feel an at- tachment here ; the lady, sir. Mr. Har. Oh ! you want to see my sister, I will send her to you, sir, this instant; I beg your pardon for leaving you alone. Ha ! ha ! who would have thought of her making a conquest at last. fExit^ R. H.) Cieri. I' Alone. J Sir, your most obedient ; now, Clerimont, now your heart may rest content ; your doubts and fears may all subside, and joy and rap- ture take their place. Miss Harlow shall be mine, she receives my vows ; she approves my passion. CSing-s and dances. J Soft ! here she comes ; her very appearance controuls my wildest hopes, and hushes my proud heart into respect and silent admi- ration. Enter Mrs. Harlow, r. h. s. e. Mrs. Har. Sir, your servant. Cleri. Madam. (Boxvs respectfully .) Mrs, Har. I thought Mr. Harlow was here, sir. Cleri. Madam, he is but just gone. How a sin- gle glance of her eye over-awes me ! (Aside.) Mrs. Har. I wonder he would leave you alone, sir,Xhat is not so polite in his own house. Cleri. My tongue faulters ! I can't speak to her. (Aside.) Mrs. Har. He seems in confusion ; a pretty man too ! that this should be my sister's luck ! (Aside.) Cleri. Madam ! (Embarrassed,) Mrs. Har. I imagine you have been talking to him on the subject of the letter you sent this morning. fActl.) THE OLD MAID. 15 Cleri. Madam, I have presumed to — Mrs, Har. Well, sir, and he has no objection, I hope. Cleri, She hopes ! Heavens bless her for the word. (Aside.) Madam, he has frankly consented, if his sister will do me that honour. Mrs. Har. For his sister, I think I may venture to answer, sir. Cleri. Generous, generous creature ! Mrs. Har. You are sure, sir, of Miss Harlow's admiration, and the whole family hold themselves much obliged to you. Cleri. Madam, it shall be the endeavour of my life to prove deserving of the amiable object I have dared to aspire to. Mrs. Har. Sir, I make no doubt of your sincerity; I have already declared my sentiments ; you know Mr. Harlow's; and if my sister is willing, nothing will be wanting to conclude this business : if no difficulties arise from her, for her temper is uncer- tain; as to my consent, sir, your air, your manner have commanded it. Sir, your most obedient, I'll send my sister to you. (Exit Mrs. Harlow r. h.) Cleri. Madam, ' C Boxving.) I shall endeavour to repay this goodness with excess of gratitude. Oh! she is an angel ! and yet, stupid that I am, I could not give vent to the tenderness I have within. I hear somebody. — Oh, here comes Mrs. Harlow ; what a gloom sits upon her features ! She assumes authority here I find, but I'll endeavour by insinua« tion and respect — Enter Miss Harlow, r.h. Mis^ Har. My sister has told me, sir — Cleri. Ma'am. (Boxving cheerfully.) Miss Har. He is a sweet figure. (Aside.) Cleri. She rather looks like Miss Harlow's grand- mother than her sister in-law. (Aside) 16 THE OLD MAID. (Murphy. J Miss Har. He seems abashed ; his respect is the cause. (Aside.) My sister told me, sir, that you was here ; I beg pardon for making you wait so long. Cleri. Oh, ma'am. (Bozvs.) The gloom disappears from her face, but the lines of ill-nature remain. (Aside.) Miss Har. I see he loves me by his confusion ; I'll cheer him with affability. (Aside.) Sir, the letter you was pleased to send, my sister has seen, and — Cleri. And has assured me that she has no ob- jection. Miss Har. I am glad of that, sir ; I was afraid — Ckri. No, ma'am, she has none ; and Mr. Harlow, 1 have seen him too ; he has honoured me with his consent : now, madam the only doubt remains with you ; may I be permitted to hope — Miss Har. Sir, you appear like a gentleman^ and — Cleri. Madam, believe me, never was love more sincere, more justly founded on esteem, or kindled into higher admiration. Miss Har. Sir, with the rest of the family, I hold myself m.uch obliged to you, and — Cleri. Obliged! 'tis I that am obliged; there is uo merit on my side, it is the consequence of im- pressions made upon my heart, and what heart can resist such beauty, such various graces ! 3Iiss Har. Sir, I am afraid — I wish my sister heard him. (Aside.) Sir, I am afraid you are lavish of your praise j and the short date of your love, sir — Cleri. It will burn with un abating ardour ; the same charms that first inspired it, will forever cherish it, and add new fuel; but I presume you hold this style to try my sincerity; I see that's your aim ; but could you read the feelings of my heart, you would not thus cruelly keep me in suspense. Miss Har. Heavens ! if my sister saw my power over him. (Aside.) A little suspense cannot be (Act 1.) THE OLD MAID. 17 deemed unreasonable ; marriage is an important af- fair, an affair for life, and some caution you will al- low necessary. Cleri. Madam ! (Disconcerted.) Oh, I dread the sourness of her look ! (Aside.) Miss Har, I can't help observing, sir, that you dwell chiefly on articles of external and superficial merit ; whereas, the more valuable qualities of the mind, prudence, good sense, a well regulated con duct — Cleri. Oh, ma'am, I am not inattentive to those matters ; but let me entreat you, madam, to do jus tice to my principles, and believe me a sincere, a generous lover. Miss Har, Sir, I will frankly own, that I have been trying you all this time, and from henceforth all doubts are banished. Cleri. Your words recall me to new life ; I shall forever study to merit this goodness ; but your fair sister, do you think I can depend upon her consent ? May I flatter myself she will not change her mind t Miss Har. My sister cannot be insensible of the honour you do us all, and, sir, as far as I can act with propriety in the affair, I will endeavour to keep them all inclined to favour you. Cleri, Madam. (Bows.) Miss Har. You have an interest in my breast that will be busy for you. Cki'i. I am eternally devoted to you, madam. (Bows.) Miss Har. How modest and yet how expressive he is ! (Aside.) Cleri. Madam, I shall be forever sensible of this extreme condescension, and shall think no pains too- great to prove the gratitude and esteem I bear you. My respects to your sister, ma'am, and pray madam, keep her in my interest j madam, your most obe-- dient — I have managed the motherly lady finely, I think. (Aside.) Madam, ( Bows ^ arul exit \,. s.,) 18 THE OLD MAID. (Murphy.). Miss Har, What will my sister say now? I shall hear no more of her taunts ; a malicious thing ! I fancy she now sees that your giddy flirts are not al- ways the highest beauties ; set her up, indeed ! had she but heard him, the dear man ! What sweet things he said ! and what sweet things he looked — - Enter Mrs. Harlow, r. h. 3Irs. Har. Well, sister ! how ! what does he say ? C Crosses to centre. J 3Iiss Har. Say, sister ! every thing that is charm- ing ; he is the prettiest man — Mrs. Har. Well I I am glad of it ; But all's well that ends well. Miss Har. Envy, sister ! Envy and downright malice ! Oh ! had you heard all the tender things he uttered, and with that extacy too ! that tenderness ! that delight restrained by modesty ! Mrs, Har. I don't know tho' ; there is something odd in it still. Miss Har. Oh ! I don't doubt but you will say so ; but you will find I have beauty enough left to make some noise in the world still. The men, sister, are the best judges of female beauty ; don't concern yourself about it, sister, leave it all to them. Mrs. Har. But only think of a lover you never saw, but once at Ranelagh. 3Iiss Har. Very true ! but even then I saw what work I made in his heart ; Oh! I am in raptures with him, and he is in raptures with me. Enter Mr. Harlow^, r. h.. Mr. Har. So, sister ! how stand matters now ? Miss Har. As I could wish ; I shall no more be a trouble to you : he has declaredhimself in the most warm and vehement manner. Tho' my s\ster has (Ac(l.) THE OLD MAID. 19 her doubts, she is a good friend, she is afraid of my success — Mrs. Har. Pray, sister, don't think so meanly of me — I understand that sneer, ma'am. Mhs Har, And I understand you too, ma'am. Mr, Har. Come, come, I desire we may have no quarrelling; you two are always wrangling; but when you are separated, it is to be hoped you will then be more amicable. Things are now in a fair way ; tho', sister, let me tell you, I am afraid our India friend will think himself ill treated. Mrs. Har. That's what I fear too, that's my reason for speaking. 3Iiss Har. Oh ! never throw away a thought on him. Mr. Clerimont has my heart; and now I think I am settled for life ; sister, I love to plague her ; now I think I am settled for life — for life — for life, my dear sister. Enter Servant, r. h. ^Serv. Dinner is served sir. 3Ir. Har. Very well ! T^^czV Servant, r. h.J Come, sister, I give you joy ; let us in to dinner. Miss Har. Oh, vulgar ! I can't eat ; I must ga and dress my head over again, and do a thousand things ; for I am determined I'll look this afternoon as well as ever I can. f Crosses and Exit r. h.) Mrs. Har. Is not all this amazing, my dear ? Her head is turned. Mr. Har. Well, let it all pass, don't you mind it, don't you say any thing, let her get married if she can ; I am sure I shall rejoice at it. Mrs, Har. And upon my word, my dear, so shall I ; and if I interfere, it is purely out of friendship. Mr. Har. But be advised by me, say no more to her. If the affair goes on, we shall fairly get rid of her : her peevish humours, and her maiden tern- 2Q THE OLD MAID. {Murphy,} per, are become insupportable. Come, let us in to dinner ; if Mr. Clerimont marries her, which in- deed, will be odd enough, we shall then enjoy a little peace and quiet. {Exeunt r. h^^ SND OF ACT I. rAct2,J THE OLD MAID, 21 ACT II. SCENE 1.—^ room at Mr, Harlow's. Enter Servant and Capt. Cape, l. h. Seri). Yes, sir, my master is at home ; he has just done dinner, sir. Cape. Very well then -, tell him I would speak a word with him. Serv. I beg pardon, sir; I am but a stranger in the family — who shall I say ? Cape, Captain Cape, tell him, and be damn'd to you. Serv. Yes, sir. f£xit^ r. h.j Cape. I can hardly believe my own eyes ; s'deathj I am almost inclined to think this letter, signed with Miss Harlow's name, a mere forgery by some enemy, to drive me into an excess of passion, and so injure us both j I don't know what to say to it— Ejiter Mr. Harlow, r. h. Cape. Sir, I have waited on you about an extra- ordinary affair ; I can't comprehend it, sir. Here is a letter with your sister's name ; Look at it, sir, is that her hand writing ? Mr. Har. Yes, sir, I take it to be her writing. Cape. And do you know the contents ? Mr. Har. I can't say I have read it ; but — Cape. But you know the purport of it \ Mr. Har. Partly. Cape. You do i and is not it base treatment, sir ? is it not unwarrantable ? can you justify her? Mr. Har. For my part, I leave women to manage their own affairs j I am not fond of intermeddling. 22 THE OLD MAID. (Murphy,) Cape. But, sir, let me ask you ; was not every- thing agreed upon ? are not the writings now in lawyers' hands ? was not next week fixed for our wedding ? Mr, Har, I understood it so. Cape. Very well then, and see how she treats me; she writes me here, in a contemptuous manner, "that "she recalls her promise ; it was rashly given ; she *'has thought better of it ; she will listen to me no "more ; she is going to dispose of herself to a gen- "tleman with whom she can be happy for life ; and, " I desire to see you no more, sir ;" There, that's free and easy, is not it ? what do you say to that ? Mr. Har, Why really, sir, it is not my affair ; I have nothing to say to it. Cape. Nothing to say to it ! Sir, I imagined I was dealing with people of honour. Mr. Har, You have been dealing with a woman, and you know — Cape. Yes, I know ; I know the treachery of the sex ; who is this gentleman, pray ? Mr, Har. His name is Clerimont ; thev have fixed the affair among themselves, and amongst them be it for me. Cape. Very fine ! mighty fine ! Is Miss Harlow at home, sir ? Mr, Har. She is ; and here she comes too. Cape. Very well! let me hear it from herself; that's all ; I desire to hear her speak for herself. Mr. Har, With all my heart. I'll leave you to- gether ; you know, captain, I was never fond of being concerned in those things. (Ex'it^ r. h.) Enter Miss Harlow, r. h. s. e. Miss Har. Capt. Cape, this is mighty odd; I thought, sir, 1 desired — Cape. Madam, I acknowledge the receipt of your etter, and, madam, the usage is so extraordinary, Act 2.) THE OLD MAID. 23 that I hold myself excusable if I refuse to comply with the terms you impose upon me. Miss liar. Sir, I really wonder what you can mean. Cape. Mistake me not, madam ; I am not come to whimper or to whine, and to make a puppy of myself again : madam that is all blown over. Miss Har. AVell then, there is no harm done, and you will survive this I hope. Cape. Survive it ! Miss Har. Yes; you won't grow desperate I hope. Suppose you were to order somebody to take care of you, because you know fits of despair are sudden, and you may rashly do yourself a mischief; don't do any such thing, I beg you won't. Cape. This insult, madam ! Do myself a mischief! Madam, don't flatter yourself that it is in your power to make me unhappy; it is not vexation brings me hither, I assure you. Miss Har. Then let vexation take you away ; we were never designed for one another. Cape. My amazement brings me hither ; amaze- ment that any woman can behave — but I don't want to upbraid ; I only come to ask — for I can hardly as yet believe it ; I only come to ask if I am to credit this pretty epistle ? Miss Har. Every syllable ; therefore take your answer, sir, and truce with your importunity. Cape. Very well, ma'am, your humble servant, madam; I promise you ma'am, I can repay this scorn with scorn — with tenfold scorn, madam, such as this treatment deserves — that's all — I say no more : your servant ma'am ; but let me ask you, is this a just return for all the attendance I have paid you these three years past ? Miss Har. Perfectly just, sir ; three years ! How could you be a dangler so long ? I told you what it would come to; can yo think that raising a woivtan's expectation, and tiring her out of allpatience, is the way to make sure of her at last ? you ought to have 24 THE OLD MAID. {Murphy.) been a brisker lover, you ought indeed, sir. I am now contracted to another, and so there is an end of every thing between us. Cape. Very well, madam — and yet I cant bear to to be despised by her ; and can you. Miss Harlow, can you find it in your heart to treat me with this disdain ? have you no compassion ? Miss Har. No, positively none, sir, none, none. Cape. Your own Captain Cape, whom you-— - Miss Har. Whom I despise. Cape. Whom you have so often encouraged to adore you. Miss Har, Pray, sir, don't touch my hand ; I am now the property of another. Cape. Can't you still break off with him ? Miss Har. No sir, I can't; I won't; I love him, and sir, if you are a man of honour, you will speak to me no more ; desist, sir, for if you don't, my brother shall tell you of it, sir, and to-morrow, Mr. Clerimont shall tell you of it. Cape. Mr. Clerimont, madam, shall fight me, for daring — 3Iiss Har. And must I fight you too, most noble, valiant captain ? Cape. Laughed at too ! 3Iiss Har. W^hat a passion you are in ! I can't bear to see a man in such a passion — Oh ! I have a happy riddance of you — the violence of your tem- per is dreadful — I won't stay a moment longer with you — vou frighten me — you have your answer, and so your servant sir. (Exit r. h.) Cape. Ay ! she is gone off like a fury, and the furies catch her, say I— I will never put up with this — I will find out tbis Mr. Cier?' ont, ^nd he shall be accountable to me — Mr. HariOw too shall be accountable to me. Act 2.) THE OLD MAID. 25 Enter Mr. and Mrs. Harlow, r. h. Cape. Mr. Harlow, I am used very ill here, sir, by all of you, and sir, let me tell you — Mr. Har. Nay ; don't be angry with me, sir ; I was not to marry you — Cape. But sir, I can't help being angry ; I must be angry ; and let me tell you, you don't behave like a gentleman. Mrs. Har. How can Mr. Harlow help it, sir, if my sister—^ Mr. Har. You are too warm ; you are indeed, sir; let us both talk of this matter over a bottle. Cape. No, sir ; no bottle ; over a cannon if you will. ^ Mrs. Har. Mercy on me, sir ; I beg you won't talk in that terrible manner — you frighten me, sir. Mr. Har. Be you quiet, my dear ; Capt. Cape, I beg you will just step into that room with me ; and if, in the dispatching one bottle, I don't acquit my- self of all sinister dealing, why then — come, come, be a little moderate j you shall step with me ; I'll take it as a favour — come, come, you must — Cape. I always found you a gentleman, Mr. Har- low, and so with all my heart ; I don't care if I do talk the matter over with you. Mr. Har. Sir I am obliged to you ; I'll shew you the way. ^ ^ f Exeunt c. D.) Mrs. Har. It is just as I foresaw ; my sister was sure of him, and now is she going to break off for a young man, that will despise her in a little time ; I wish she would have Capt. Cape. Enter Miss Harlow, r. h. Jliss Har. Is he gone, sister ? 3Irs. Har. No : and here is the deuce and all to do; he is lor fighting every body ; upon my word 26 THE OLD MAID. fil/^/r/^/ie/J you are wrong ; you don't behave genteelly in the affair. Miss Har. Genteelly ! I like that notion prodigi- ously ; an't I going to marry genteelly ? Mrs. Har. Well, follow your own inclinations ; I won't intermeddle any more, I promise you ; I'll step into the parlour, and see what they are about. (Exit CD.) Miss Har. As you please, ma'am ; I see plainly the ill-natured thing can't bear my success — Heavens ! here comes Mr. Clerimont. Enter Mr. Clerimont, l. h. jlftss Har, You are earlier than I expected, sir. Cleri. I have flown, madam, upon the wings of love ; I have seen my uncle, and he will be here within this half hour ; every thing succeeds to my wishes with him ; I hope there is no alteration here, madam, since I saw you — Miss Har. Nothing that signifies, sir. Cleri. You alarm me ; Mr. Harlow has not changed his mind, I hope. 3liss Har. No, sir, he continues in the same mind. Cleri. And your sister — I tremble with doubt and fear ; she does not surely recede from the sentiments she flattered me with. Miss Har. Why there, indeed, I can't say much, she — Cleri. How ' Miss Har. She — I don't know what to make of her. Cleri. Oh ! I am on the rack ; in pity do not tor- ture me. 3f7ss Har. How tremblingly solicitous he is. Oh! I have made a sure conquest. (Aside.) Why, she, sir— Cleri. Ay, ( Disconcerted, J (Act 2.) THE OLD MAID. 27 Miss Har. She does not "seem entirely to approve- C/eri. You kill me M-ith despair. Miss Har. Oh ! he is deeply smitten. (Aside.) She thinks another match would suit better. Cleri. Another match ! Miss Har. Yes, another ; an India captain, who has made his proposals ^ but I shall take care to see him dismissed. Cleri. Will you ? Miss Har, I promise you I will ; tho' he runs much in m)' sister's head, and she has taken pains to bring my other relations over to her opinion. Cleri, Oh ! cruel, cruel ! I could not have ex- p.ected that from her j but has she fixed her heart upon a match with this other gentleman ? Miss Har. Why, truly I think she has \ but my will in this affair must be, and shall be consulted. Cleri. And so it ought, ma'am ; your long acquaintance with the world, madam — Miss Har. Long acquaintance, sir ! I have but a few years experience only. Cleri. That is, your good sense, ma'am ; oh ! con- found my tongue ! how that slipt from me. (Aside.) Your good sense, your early good sense — and— and — inclination should be consulted. Miss Har. And they shall, sir ; hark ! I hear hef j I'll tell you what, I'll leave you this opportunity to speak to her once more, and try to win her over by persuasion ; it will make things easy if you can ; I am gone, sir. (Curtsies affectedly and exit., r. h.) Cleri. The happiness of my life will be owing to you, madam. The woman is really better natured than I thought she was j she comes, the lovely tyrant comes. Enter Mrs. Harlow, c. d. f. Cleri. She triumphs in her cruelty, and I am ruined. (Aside.) 28 THE OLD MAID. (Murphy.) Mrs. Har. You seem afflicted, sir; I hope no misfortune — Cler'i. The severest misfortune ! You have broke my heart. Mrs. Har. I break your heart, sir ? Cleri. Yes, cruel fair, yoU' — you have undone me. Mrs. Har. You amaze me, sir, pray how can I — Clei'i. The gentleman from India, madam ; I have heard it all ; you can give him a preference ; you can blast my hopes, my fond delighted hopes, which you yourself had cherished. Mrs. Har. The gentleman is a very good sort of man. Cleri. Oh ! she loves him, I see. (Aside.) Madam, I percefve my doom is fixed, and fixed by you. Mrs. Har. How have I fixed your doom ? If I speak favourably of Capt. Cape, he deserves it, sir. Cleri. Oh, Heavens ! I cannot bear this. (Aside.) Mrs. Har. I believe there is nobody that knows the gentleman, but will give him his due praise — Cleri. Love ! love ! love ! f Aside.) Mrs. Har, And besides, his claim is in fact prior to yours. Cleri. And must love b-e governed, like the busi« ness of mechanics, by the laws of tyrant custom I Can you think so, Madam ? Mrs. Har. Why, Sir, you know I am not in love. Cleri. Oh ! cruel ! no, madam, I see you are not. Mrs. Har. And really now, sir, reasonably speak- ing, my sister is for treating captain Cape very ill — He has been dancing attendance here these three years. Cleri. Yet that you knew, when you were pleased to fan the rising flame, that matchless beauty had kindled in my heart. 3Irs. Har. Matchless beauty! ha ! ha! I cannot but laugh at that. (Aside. J Cleri. Laugh, madam, if you will, triumph, if you will ; I am resigned to my fate, since you will have it so. (Act 2.) THE OLD MAID. ^9 3f)'s. Har. I have it so ! you seem to frighten yourself without cause : if I speak favourably of any body else, sir, what then \ 1 am not to marry him, you know. Cleri. An't you ? Mrs. Har. I ! no, truly, thank Heaven ! Cleri. She revives me. (Aside.) Mrs. Har. That must be as my sister pleases. Cleri. Must it? 3Irs. Har. Must it ? to be sure it must. Cleri, And may I hope some interest in your heart ? Mrs. Har. My heart, sir ! I don't understand you ! Why, it has been given away long ago. Cleri. 1 pray you do not tyrannize me thus with alternate doubts and fears ; if you will but bless me with the least kind return. 3Irs. Har. Kind return ! what, would you have me fall in love with you I Cleri. It will be generous to him who adores you. Mrs. Har. Adore me ! Cleri, Even to idolatry. 3Irs. Har. What can he mean ? I thought my sister was the object of your adoration. Cleri. Your sister, ma'am ! I shall ever respect her as my friend on this occasion, but love^— no, no, she is no object for that. Mrs. Har. No ! Cleri. She may have been handsome in her time, but that has been all over long ago. 3Irs. Har. Well ! this is charming ; I wish she heard him now, with her new-fangled airs. (Aside.) But let me understand you sir; adore me ! Cleri. You ! you ! and only you ! by this fair hand. (Kisses it.) xllrs. Har. And was that your drift in coming hither ? Ckrix What else could induce me ? c2 50 THE OLD MAID. {Murphij.) Mrs. Har. And introduced yourself here, to have 4%n opportunity of speaking to me ? Cleri. My angel ! don't torment me thus. Mrs. Har. Angel ! and pray, sir, what do you suppose Mr. Harlow will say to this ? Clerk. Oh! ma'am, he! he approves my passion. Mrs. Har. Does he really ? I must speak to him about that. Cleri. Do so, ma'am, you will find I am a man of more honour than to deceive you. Mrs. Har. Well ! it will be whimsical if he does — and my sister too, this will be a charming dis- covery lor her. (Aside.) Ha ! ha ! well ! really, sir, this is mighty odd. I'll speak to Mr. Harlow alDOut this matter this very moment. (Going-.) Cleri. Oh ! you will find it all true — and ' may I then flatter myself — 3Irs. Har. Oh ! to be sure ; such an honourable project ; I'll step to him this moment, and then, sis- ter, I shall make such a piece of work for you. Cleri. Very well, ma'am, see Mr. Harlow imme- diately, he will confirm it to you; — fExit Mrs. Harlow, c. d. f.) — while there is life there is hope — such matchless beautv ! Efiter Miss Harlow, r. h. Miss Har. I beg your pardon, sir, for leaving you all this time ; well, what says m.y sister ? Cleri. She has given me some glimmering hopes. 3I2SS Har. Well, don't be uneasy about her ; it shall be as I please. Chri. But with her own free consent it would be better ; however, to you I am bound by every tie, and thus let me seal a vow. f Kisses her hand. J Miss Har. He certainly is a very passionate lover -—Lord! he is ready to eat my hand up with kisses — I wish my sister saw this. C Aside. J Hush ! I ^ear Capt. Cape's voice 5 the hideous Tramontane ' (Act 2.) THE OLD MAID. 31 he is coming this way ; I would not see him again for the world ; I'll withdraw a moment, sir; you'll excuse me, Mr. ClQrimont.f He kisses her hand and she curtsies very-lozv. J Your servant, sir. Oh! he is a charming man. f Curtsies, and exit, r. h.) Enter Capt. Cape, c. d. f. (comes down l. h.^ Cape. There she goes, the perfidious! sir, I under- stand your name is Clerimont. Cleri. At your service, sir. Cape. Then, sir, draw this moment. Cleri. Draw, sir ! for what? Cape. No evasion, sir. Cleri. Explain the cause. Cape. The cause is too plain ; your making love to that lady who went out there this moment. Cleri. That lady ! not I, upon my honour, sir. Cape. No shuffling, sir, draw. Cleri. Sir, I can repel an injury like this ; but your quarrel is groundless ; and, sir, if ever I made love to that lady, I will lay my bosom naked to your sword. That lady ! I resign all manner of preten- sion to her. Cape. You resign her, sir. Cleri. Entirely. Cape. Then I am pacified, f Puts up his szvord.J Cleri. Upon my word, sir, I never so much as thought of the lady. Enter Mr. Harlow, c. d. f. Mr, liar. So, sir, fine doings you have been car- rying on here. Clert. Sir ! Mr. Har. You have been making love to my wife I find. Cleri* Upon my word, Mr, Harlow - 35 THE OLD MAID. (Murphy,) Mr. Har. You have behaved in a very base man- ner, and I insist upon satisfaction; draw sir. (draws.) Cleri. This is the strangest accident ! I assure you, sir, only give me leave — Mr. Har. I will not give you leave ; I insist— Cape. (Crosses to centre.) Nay, nay, Mr. Harlow, this is neither time or place ; and besides, hear the gentleman ; 1 have been over-hasty, and he has satished me, only hear him. Mr. Har. Sir, 1 will believe my own wife ; come on, sir. Cleri. I assure you, Mr. Harlow, I came into this house upon honourable principles — induced, sir, by my regard for Miss Harlow. Cape. For Miss Harlow ! zoons, draw. Cleri. Again ! this is downright mildness ; two tipon me at once, you will murder me between you. Mr. Har. f Crosses to Centre.) There is one too many upon him, sure enough and so, captam put up. Cape. Resign your pretensions to Miss Harlow. Cleri. Resign ;kiss Hai.o ! not for the universe — in her cause I can be as ready as any bravo of ye all. fDrazvs his szvord.) Mr. Har. For Heaven's sake, Capt. Cape, do moderate your anger, this is neither time or place ; I have been too rash myself ; I beg you'll be pacified. C He puts up.) iVlr. Cleiimont, sheath your sword. Cleri, I obey, sir. (Puts up his sword.) Mr. Har. Capt. Cape, how can you \ you promised me you would let thinjrs take their course; if my sister will marry the gentleman, how is he to blame ? Cape. Very well, sir, I have done ; she is a worth- less woman, that's all. Cleri. A worthless woman, sir ! Cape. Ay ! wortniess. Cleri < j3amnation ! draw, sir ! (Draws his sword.) Mr. Har. i^ay, nay, vlr. Clerimont; everything was settled between us in the other room-— recollect CAct2.) THE OLD MAID. 33 yourself, do, I beg you will ; Oh ! here come the ladies. Ejiter Mrs. and Miss Harlow, r. h. 3Iiss Har. Now, sister, you shall see I have com- pleted my conquest. Cleri. Now then I am happy indeed ; my lovely, charming bride, thus let me snatch you to my heart, and thus, and thus. (Embraces Mrs. Harlow.) Mr, Har. Zoons ! before my face. C Pushing him away.j Cleri. Pry'thee, indulge my transport ; my life, my angel ! 3Ir. Har. I desire you will desist, sir. Cleri. Nay, nay, pry'thee be quiet j my charming, charming wife ! Mr, Har. That lady is not your wife. Cleri. How, my wife, not my wife ! Mr. Har. Zoons ! sir, no trifling j that lady is my wife. Cleri. Sir! 3Ir. Har. I say, sir, that lady is my wife ! Cape. Ha ! ha ! I see through this : it is a come- dy of errors, I believe. (Sings. J Cleri. Your wife, sir ! Mr. Har. Yes, my wife ; and there is my sister, if you please to take her. Cleri. Sir ! Mr. Har. Sir, this is the lady whom you have de- sired in marriage. Cleri. Who I, sir ? I beg your pardon, that lady I took to be your wife, f Pointing to Miss Har- low.) and that lady (Pointing to Mrs. Harlow.) I took to be your sister. Cape and Mrs. Har. Ha ! ha! ha ! 31iss Har^ Lord ! lord ! have I been made a fool of all this time ! furies ! torture ! murder ! Cape, Ha ! ha ! my lady fair is taken in, I think. 34 THE OLD MAID. f JT^?/r/;Az/. Mrs. Har. Sister, the men don't see with my eyes, ha ! ha ! (Crosses to her.) Cape. Ha ! ha ! the gentleman is no dangler, ma'am. Mrs. Har. This is a complete conquest my sister has made. 3Iiss Har. I can't bear this ; Sir, I desire I may not be made a jest of — did not you solicit me ? im- portune me ? C/eri. For your interest in that lady, ma'am, whom I took for Miss Harlow ; I beg your pardon if I am mistaken — I hope there is no harm done. Miss. Har. Yes, sir, but there is harm done ; I am made sport of — exposed to derision — Oh ! I cannot bear this, I cannot bear it. C Cries. J Mrs. Har. Don't cry, sister ; some faces preserve their bloom longer than others, you know, ha ! ha ! Cape. Loll toll loll. (Crosses behind to r. h.) Cleri. Since matters have turned so imexpectedly, I beg pardon for my mistake, and sir, I take my leave. (Going., crosses to l. h.) Miss Har. And will you treat me in this manner, sir? will you draw me into such a scrape, and not — Cleri. Ma'am, that gentlemen would cut my throat •—his claim is prior to mine ; and, I dare say, he "will be very glad to be reconciled, madam. Miss Har. You are a base man then, and I reject you. (Crosses to Cape.) Capt. Cape, I see my error, sir, and I resign myself to you. Cape. (r. h.) No, madam, I beg to be excused j I have been a dangler too long ; I ought to have been a brisker lover ; I shall endeavour to survive it, ma'am ; I won't do myself a mischief; and I have my answer — I am off, madam, loll, toll, loll. (Crosses to 'L.n.) Cleri. Madam, I dare say the gentleman will think better of it : Mr. Harlow, I am sorry for all this confusion, and I beg pardon of the whole com- pany for my mistake. Mrs. Harlow, I wish you all CAct2.) THE OLD MAID, 35 happiness, ma'am — Angelic creature ! what a mis- fortune to lose her ! (Bows and exit^ l. h.) Cape. And I will follow his example — Miss Har- low, I wish you all happiness — Angelic creature ! what a misfortune to lose her ! loll, toll, loll. (Exit., L. h) 31iss Har. Oh ! oh ! I can't bear to be treated in this manner — I'll go and hide myself from the world for ever — Oh ! oh ! the men are all savages, barbarians, monsters, and I hate the whole sex— » Oh ! oh ! (Cries bitterly., and exit., R. h ) Mr. Har. Ha ! ha ! very whimsical and ridiculous, Mrs. Har. I cautioned my sister sufficiently about this matter, but vanity got the better of her, and leaves her now a whimsical instance of folly and affectation. FINIS. JXJST PUBXiZSBBD By A, R Poolcy No 66, Chesnut Street. NEW NOVEL. THE HEARTS OF STEEL, an Irish Historical Tale of the last century, by the author of the Wilderaess, O'Halloraa, &C.&C. 2vols. 12mo. 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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 014 155 379 3 The Proprietors in returning' their sincere thanks for the liberal patronage bestowed upon the «' Acting Ame- rican Theatre," have the pleasure to announce to the public, that in order to make the work as complete as possible, they have associated with Mr. Longacre, Mr. Durand, of New-York, by which arrangement they will be able to comply with the terms of the Prospectus, and af- ter the 5th Number, alternately to present an engraving from each Artist. The Acting American ThecUre already published xvith Portraits : No. 1. Wild Oats, - - Mr. Francis. ^* ^^Notog^^^^^^ • }Miss'Kelly. 3. Superstition,- - - -Mrs. Duff. 4. Old Maid, - - Mrs. Francis. 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