Lap. Ah, Sir, that's nothing; your catarrh sits very well upon you, and you cough with a very good grace. Love. But tell me, What does Marianna say of my person? Lap. She has a particular pleasure in talking of it; and I assure you, Sir, I have not been backward, on all such occasions, to blazon forth your merit, and to make her sensible how advantageous a match you will be to her? Love. You did very well, and I anı obliged to you. Lap. But, Sir, I have a small favor to ask of you;I have a law-suit depending, which I am on the very brink of losing, for want of a little money; (He looks gravely] and you can easily procure my success, if you had the least friendship for me.-You can't imagine, Sir, the pleasure she takes in talking of you: [He looks pleased.] Ah! how you will delight her, how your venerable mien will charm her! She will never be able to withstand you. But indeed, Sir, this lawsuit will be a terrible consequence to me; [He looks grave again.] I am ruined if I lose it; which a very small matter might prevent-Ah! Sir, had you but seen the raptures with which she heard me talk of you. (He resumes his gaiety.] How pleasure sparkled in her eyes at the recital of your good qualities! In short, to discover a secret to you, which I promised to conceal, I have worked up her imagination till she is downright impatient of having the match concluded. Love. Lappet, you have acted a very friendly part and I own that I have all the obligations in the world te you. Lap. I beg you would give me this little assistance, Sir; [He looks serious) It will set me on my feet, and I shall be eternally obliged to you. Love. Farewell; I'll go and finish my dispatches. Lap. I assure you, Sir, you could never assist me in greater necessity. Love. I must give some orders about a particular af fair. Lap. I would not importune you, Sir, if I was not forced by the last extremity. Love. I expect the tailor, about turning my coat ;don't you think this coat will look well enough turned, and with new buttons, for a wedding suit? Lup. For pity's sake, Sir, don't refuse me this small favor: I shall be undone, indeed, Sir. If it were but so small a matter as ten pounds, Sir Love. I think I hear the tailor's voice. Lap. If it were but five pounds, Sir; but three pounds, Sir; nay, Sir, a single guinea would be of service for a day or two. [As he offers to go out on cither side, she intercepts him.] Love. I must go, I can't stay-hark there! Somebody calls me-I am very much obliged to you, indeed; I am very much obliged to you. Lap. Go to the devil, like a covetous good for nothing villain as you are. Ramile is in the right; however, I shall not quit the affair; for though I get nothing out of him, I am sure of my reward from the other side. VI.-Cardinal Wolsey and Cromwell. HENRY VIII. Wol. FAREWELL, a long farewell to all my greatness This is the state of man; to day he puts forth The tender leaves of hope; to-morrow blossoms, And bears his blushing honors thick upon him; The third day comes a frost, a killing frost, And when he thinks, good easy man, full surely His greatness is a ripening, nips his shootAnd then he falls, as I do. I have ventur'd, Like little wanton boys that swim on bladders, These many summers in a sea of glory; But far beyond my depth; my high blown pride At length broke under ine; and now has left me, Weary and old with service, to the mercy Of a rude stream that must forever hide me. Vain pomp and glory of the world, I hate ye! I feel my heart new open'd. Oh, how wretched Is that poor man that hangs on princes' favors ! There is, betwixt that smile he would aapire to, That sweet regard of princes and his ruin, More pangs and fears than war or women have; And when he falls, he falls like Lucifer, Never to hope again. Why, how now Cromwell? [Enter Cromwell Crom. I have no power to speak, Sir. Wol. What, amaz'd At my misfortunes? Can thy spirit wonder Crom. How does your grace ? Never so truly happy, my good Cromwell. : A still and quiet conscience. The king has cur'd me, A load' would sink a navy, too much honor. Crom. I'm glad your Grace has made that right use of it. Wol. I hope I have: I'm able, now, methinks, Out of a fortitude of soul I feel, T' endure more miseries, and greater far, Than my weak hearted enemies dare offer. Crom, The heaviest and the worst Is your displeasure with the king. Crom. The next is, that Sir Thomas Moore is cho sen Lord Chancellor in your place. Wol. That's somewhat sudden But he's a learned man. May he continue Long in his highness' favor, and do justice, For truth's sake and his conscience; that his bones, Crom. That Cranmer is return'd with welcome; Crom. Last, that the Lady Anne, Whom the king hath in secrecy long married, Only about her coronation. Wol. There was the weight that pull'd me down: The king has gone beyond me; all my glories No sun shall ever usher forth my honors, Thy hopeful service perish too. Good Cromwell; Crom. Oh, my lord! Must I then leave you ? Must I needs forego Wol. Cromwell-I did not think to shed a tear GG (Though the image of his maker) hope to win by't? Love thyself last; cherish those hearts that wait thee : Corruption wins not more than honesty. Still in thy right hand carry gentle peace, To silence envious tongues. Be just and fear not, Let all the ends thou aim'st at be thy country's, Thy God's and truth's; then if thou fall'st, O Cromwell, Thou fall'st a blessed martyr. And pri'thee lead me in Serve the king There take an inventory of all I have; To the last penny, 'tis the king's. My robe, I dare now call my own. Oh, Cromwell, Cromwell! I serv'd my king-he would not in mine age Wol. So I have. Farewell The hopes of court! My hopes in heaven do dwell. VII. Sir Charles and Lady Racket. THREE WEEKS AFTER MARRIAGE. Lady R. O LA! I'm quite fatigued---I can hardly move-Why don't you help me, you barbarous man? Sir C. There-take my arm Lady R. But I won't be laughed at I don't love you. Sir C. Don't you? Lady R. No. Dear me! This glove! Why don't you help me off with my glove? Pshaw! You awkward thing; let it alone; you an't fit to be about me. Reach me a chair-you have no compassion for me I am so glad to sit down-Why do you drag me to routs ?You know I hate 'em. Sir C. Oh! There's no existing, no breathing, unless one does as other people of fashion do. Lady R. But I'm out of humor-I lost all my money. Sir C. How much? Lady R. Three hundred. Sir C. Never fret for that---I don't value three hun dred pounds to contribute to your happiness. |