University of Virginia Library

SCENE III.

Charlotte.

My father, my ever honour'd father, do not break the
heart of your much lov'd, and ever loving, daughter,
in your resentment to a haughty Woman.

Briar.

Did she not treat that daughter with disdain? If I forgive
her, may ev'ry curse I wish'd to fall on her fall on
myself and mine.—If you're desirous of a father's
love, forget young Freeman.

Charlotte.

Impute not to my Freeman a fault that's not his
own: I dare engage, for him and for his father, that
neither gave consent to what she has done: she follow'd,
unknown to them, the dictates of her pride and settled
hate.

Briar.
Then from that pride and settled hate shall grow
Plagues which shall taint her ev'ry hour of life.
How fruitful is an angry mind of thought!
I've now conceiv'd a vengeance that I'll take.

I'll send you forthwith to your uncle; whose care of
you will equal mine: he has a son,

Who long has view'd you with a lover's eye;
Whose honesty and industry will make you
A joyful mother and a happy wife.

Charlotte.
O! name no husband for your child but Freeman:
I have a reason, Sir, which I cou'd give,
That wou'd disarm you of your rage, and change

Your resolution.—Alas! what can I say? If I tell
him of our marriage, it may enrage him more.

(To herself.
Briar.

Absence, my child, is a certain cure for love: the dayly
intercourse of new and different objects will, by degrees,
drive those ideas from your mind which now
perplex you, and, in due course of time, obliterate all
traces of your present love. Believe a father that instructs
you from the experience which himself has had.

Charlotte.

Here comes my advocate; to whom I fly for refuge;
and in whose breast I must repose the secret of our
marriage.

(To herself.