Chapter 5

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 passion, This fruitless passion, 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 gratitude 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 passion for the loveliest of women: Nor may she be insensible to you. No youth more wins our sex'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.--

JEFFERSON. View what? [Eagerly]

MARIA. It is a locket with her precious hair, Which she has sent by me. Refuse it not.

JEFFERSON. Refuse it!--O! whilst life exists I'll wear it, Close to that heart which is for ever hers. I am all ecstacy, delicious woman! [He kisses it.]

MARIA. [Aside.] A lucky hit, and works as I could wish.

JEFFERSON. Gratefully thank her for the precious token.

MARIA. And now as to her present exigencies?

JEFFERSON. To what may they amount?

MARIA. About a thousand.

JEFFERSON. 'Tis quite impossible.

MARIA. Less will not do.

JEFFERSON. Besides the mischief I have done my master, I stand myself upon the verge of ruin.

MARIA. Were you to see her, you'd not lose a moment In this last act, so be yourself the messenger.

JEFFERSON. First, tell her then, that she shall be supply'd, Let the event be fatal as it may.

MARIA. Most gen'rous youth! she shall know all your goodness. [She goes off.]

JEFFERSON. How quickly every resolution vanishes! And how am I now chang'd from what I was!

Like some weak skiff, that for a while had stood Safe on the tranquil bosom of the flood; Until at length, the mountain torrents sweep Its faint resistance headlong to the deep, Where in large gulps the foamy brine it drinks, And in the dread abyss for ever sinks. [Exit.]