The Female Gamester: A Tragedy Part 7

He shuns all company, neglects his food, And wanders often, as would one insane.

Mrs. ANDREWS. Astonishment!

MARIA. He cannot quit the house His 'prenticeship has full two years expir'd, And twice he hath prepar'd him for the Indies.

I know the inmost secrets of his soul: Besides, of late, he's often much intoxicated, Who was before the paragon of temperance.

Do but consent to let me call him hither; One look from you will banish every fear, Unlock each chest, and lay its stores before you.

Mrs. ANDREWS. Stop! at your peril stop! the very thought Chills my whole blood--I'd perish first in want.

MARIA. Then you must quit your honourable friends, And live for ever in forlorn obscurity.

But pardon me, if I've been too officious.

Mrs. ANDREWS. My present calls require at least a thousand: For though my fund be not quite exhausted, Fortune hath made me bankrupt yet to numbers.

'Tis true, that many are far more my debtors, Yet are not all like me in payment punctual.

But I will instant haste to lady Belmour, My faithful counsel in the time of trouble.

MARIA. As I could wish.

Mrs. ANDREWS. Then for awhile withdraw. [MARIA goes off.]

How dreadful now, is ev'n a moment's privacy!

How different from those happy hours of innocence, When my sweet little ones were prattling round me, With a fond husband and a tender father, Pouring his blessings upon them and me!

But now I can no more endure to see them, Than I can bear to look into myself.

How often hath he said, "One hour's remorse Outweighs whole years of transitory joys!"

How true he spoke! but wherefore these reflections?

When every mischief hath been done already, And cannot be recall'd!

Re-enter MARIA.

MARIA. Madam, the coach.

Mrs. ANDREWS. Be not you absent; I shall soon return, And may have business of some moment with you.

MARIA. I fear we have too much on hand already. [Aside.] [They go off.]

SCENE III.

Another room in Mr. ANDREWS's house.

JEFFERSON alone.

JEFFERSON. My actions must at length fall heavy on me, And crush me at a blow: but oh! this pa.s.sion, This fruitless pa.s.sion, I've so long indulg'd For this enchanting woman, drives me on, Alas! from one transgression to another, And I deceive myself.--Ha! here's Maria.

Wou'd I cou'd shun her! as of late her visits Have been more frequent than occasions warrant.

Yet much she hath profess'd herself my friend, And my heart's secret won.

Enter MARIA.

MARIA. I disturb you.

JEFFERSON. Why to speak truly, I had just now sought Some private intercourse with mine own heart.

MARIA. Of late, I think you use too much of that.

But if you knew from whom I am a messenger, I also think, I should not be unwelcome.

But I'll withdraw.

JEFFERSON. No, speak your business quickly.

MARIA. Alas! my poor mistress!

JEFFERSON. What of her? speak------

MARIA. Fortune has been of late to adverse to her, And she's become indebted to such numbers, I fear she can no more appear in publick, But must retire, unless your goodness serves her.

She often speaks with grat.i.tude of Jefferson: Did you but see in what distress she languishes, You'd hazard worlds to minister relief.

JEFFERSON. Full well you know, how I'm inclin'd to serve her; But her demands encrease with my compliance, And I have injur'd much the best of masters.

I know no other banker cou'd support it.

MARIA. Most happy youth! there does not live another, Of whom my mistress would have sought these favours.

O! cou'd I venture, I could say much more.-- Thus far however, I'll be bold to utter; That were our worthy master gone to rest, (And all observe he's every day declining) You are the only man her heart would choose.-- But I have gone too far.

JEFFERSON. Transporting sounds!

My soul is all attention!--Pray proceed.

MARIA. I cannot--O! I must not.

JEFFERSON. Why?

MARIA. Her honour.

JEFFERSON. Say, are you truly serious in this matter?

Or, but amusing me with idle hopes?

MARIA. Pray have you ever found me such a trifler?

JEFFERSON. I cannot say I have, and yet----

MARIA. Yet, what?

JEFFERSON. Her virtue!

MARIA. Why you are virtuous, yet cannot avoid This pa.s.sion for the loveliest of women: Nor may she be insensible to you.

No youth more wins our s.e.x's admiration.

Among the rest, the beauteous, gentle Lucia, In secret languishes: it is too plain: Though ev'ry art be practis'd to conceal it.

JEFFERSON. Forbear this now. None prize her virtues more: Nor am I to her outward charms insensible.

But when the heart is to one object wedded, No lure can win it thence.------You flatter me?

MARIA. I don't.--You under-prize yourself.--View this.--