The Female Gamester: A Tragedy

ANDREWS. Faint!--very faint!--support me to yon couch. [They seat him on a couch.] I hop'd at length heav'n's goodness had determin'd To give my soul its so long wish'd-for peace.

ANDREWS. What strange disorder runs thro' all this house! It seems more like a place of midnight revelling, Than habitation of a sober family, And every servant in it looks a sp...

CONSTANTIA. Oh sirs!--heav'n grant 'Tis not too late--some sad event, I dread-- [A groan, and then another] They're from the room where Mrs. Andrews sleeps. [CONSTANTIA swoons,...

LUCIA. I but now met him, and methought he shunn'd me. Unusual this from his most gentle nature. But deep distress seem'd on his brow imprinted, And rumours are unkind to him of...

WILSON. This letter just now brought from our friend Andrews, Is superscrib'd to me, and yet most surely, By its contents, it was design'd for you. [Gives him the letter, which...

Mrs. ANDREWS. [Aside.] How I dread these visits! Besides, of late, He hath been more particular than usual; So that it hath become the general notice. [To the Servant.] Withdraw...

Lord BELMOUR. Well, nephew, have you yet consider'd better Of your love-frolick for the merchant's daughter? You may meet numbers through this spacious city With wealth superior...

MARIA. But why these moping, melancholy looks? Each eye observes and marks them now unseemly, Whilst every countenance but your's speaks joy, At the near wedding of our master's...

ANDREWS. And is this surely so? my blood runs chill. Oh! tell me, how, or when I've been thine enemy, That thou could'st calmly mean me all this mischief. I cannot credit it.

JEFFERSON. My actions must at length fall heavy on me, And crush me at a blow: but oh! this passion, This fruitless passion, I've so long indulg'd For this enchanting woman, dri...

MARIA. Know then, her very ill success at play, (Which has of late ev'n all conception pass'd) Hath led her to use means, and such assistance, That she some honourable claims mi...

Lady BELMOUR. But why this gloom on that angelic face? Why not as sprightly as you us'd to be? Surely you'll not conceal the cause from me, Whose wishes for you are sincere as e...

MARIA. Madam, I'm griev'd to see your spirits sinking. But hear me, and I think I can propose A scheme by which it may be so contriv'd, As to retort this charge on your fair cha...

CLERK. O Jefferson! those moments have occasion'd Many and various rumours of your fortune; Wherefore, permit me to rejoice to see you But whence this sudden ghastliness of visa...

Lady BELMOUR. I've chang'd my mind--I will not be at home; yet stay a little--tell her, I shall see her, At lady Meldmay's drawing-room to-night. [He goes off.] 'Tis like, she c...

ANDREWS. What monsters trust will make us when we yield Our reason to its rage, and let it rule! My neighbour! my companion! Oh! the man, Whom I to serve, would have risk'd ever...

MARIA. Your safety only, and a rash resentment (Not dreaming of the fatal consequence) Made me convey the key into his trunk. And Jefferson by note, without his signature, Infor...

ANDREWS. What,--my old faithful steward!--O! impossible. And yet, this finding of the secret key Of the cash-chest, (with which he charg'd my wife) And medals in his trunk--but...

THOMAS. He's in the house; and heaven grant, Maria, He holds his reason: for he rush'd impetuous, With looks as madness wild, into the room, Where I sat tied; when falling on hi...

Lady BELMOUR. What, at this hour?--and yet in truth no wonder, That thus her rest's disturb'd. It would require The wealth of India to support her losses. And were she now posse...