The Widow's Vow Part 1

The Widow's Vow.

by Elizabeth Inchbald.

PROLOGUE,

Written by Mr. HOLCROFT,

Spoken by Mr. BANNISTER, jun.

Prologues, with caustic touch, have often tried To probe your spleen, prove knaves and fools allied; Have twisted words and wit ten thousand ways, To shew that these are most degenerate days!

A different task be ours.--We'll prove that you Are wise and happy. Nay! tho' strange, 'tis true!

First on your _safety_ think! now belles appear By ample bulwarks guarded, front and rear!

Now male and female amble, side by side, Exempt from harm, by breast-works fortify'd!

Here polygons defend Miss Molly's breast!

There horn-works hush the husband's fears to rest By ramparts, daily rais'd, he's freed from cares; If he'll but grant sufficient for repairs.

Our strength thus prov'd, proceed we to disclose How new-made wealth thro' new-made channels flows!

How rich we are, in medal-rust and rare things!

In copper coins, gilt pence and--Queen-Anne-farthings!

How sh.e.l.ls, stuff'd monkies, and Cremonas old, In hand of Auctioneer, are current gold!

He "Going! going!" cries. "The hammer's up!

"This fine antique! this Roman----_caudle-cup!_"

A gem so rare makes connoisseurs turn pale, Fearful, alike, to purchase or to fail!

Hope trembles, starts, from lip to lip rebounds, 'Till down she's knock'd by--Ah!--one thousand pounds!

The envied purchaser, with joy elate, Pays for his prize by--selling his estate!

While _Smirk_, in florid style, words nicely plac'd, Protests theee lot does, _anner_ to his taste! (_Mimicking._)

Yes! sure you're happy! and should rest content, Now landscapes are reduced fifteen per cent: And Claude's and t.i.tian's new-found wonders may By new-made Peers be bought--if new-made Peers can pay.

(_a.s.suming sorrow._)

One thing, indeed, may well your peace invade, p.a.w.nbrokers! threaten you to leave off trade! (_Weeps._)

(_Returning to his former chearful tone._)

All things considered, now, while safety smiles, And wealth inundates thus our Queen of isles; While Vickery head defects so soon repairs, And half unpeoples Greenland of her bears; While exhibitions, galas and reviews, Lisle-street, Vauxhall, the Abbey, Handel, Hughes, Flutes, fiddles, trombos, double-drums, ba.s.soons, Mara, the speaking-figure, fish-balloons, Earth-baths, live-eagles, such as never flew, _L'Hercule du Roy!_ and General Jackoo!

While these create a round of such delight, Sure, we may hope, you will not frown to-night!

While farces numerous as these go down, Our farce may in its turn amuse the town; And, smiling thus on Folly's vast career, Sure not on us, alone, you'll be severe!

ADVERTIs.e.m.e.nT.

The WIDOW's VOW is indebted for the Plot of her Piece, and for the Plot only, to _L'Hereuse Erreur_, a French Comedy of one Act, by M.

PATRAT, but to the Excellence of the English _Performers_ alone is she indebted for its very flattering Success.

DRAMATIS PERSONae.

Don Antonio, Mr. PARSONS.

Marquis, Mr. BANNISTER, jun.

Carlos, Mr. R. PALMER.

Servant, Mr. LYON.

Jerome, Mr. EDWIN.

Countess, Mrs. BATES.

Donna Isabella, Mrs. RILEY.

Inis, Miss BRANCIN.

Ursula, Mrs. EDWIN.

Flora, Mrs. WELLS.

_Scene a Village in Spain._

THE

WIDOW's VOW.

ACT I.

SCENE I.

_A Hall in a Castle._

_Enter_ JEROME _and_ FLORA.

FLORA. I Can't go at present, Mr. Jerome, for I expect my Lady every moment to ring, and if I should be out of the way she will be angry; and as I am but new in her service--

JEROME. She angry! Oh you don't know her yet--When you have been a day or two with her you'll find she is never angry--She is the best tempered creature--and were it not for her aversion to us men, she would not have a fault.

FLORA. Do you consider that as a fault, Mr. Jerome?

JEROME. To be sure I do--For my part, I think she had much better be too fond of us, as the rest of her s.e.x are.