University of Virginia Library

ACT III.

SCENE I.

Gubbins's House.
Gubbins and Moore.
Moore.
Oh, Sir! here's been a most confounded Rout—
Mauxy's in Hold, and you must bring her out.
As she and I, like Turtles of a feather,
Were cooing in the Wilderness together,
My Lady came with Possé Comitatus,
And sent poor Mauxalinda to the Gate-house.

Gub.
Why, 'tis a thing no Wife alive can bear,
To have another in her Husband share.

Moore.
Sir, with her spotless Virtue you're too free,
For Mauxalinda's still a Maid, for me:
Our Meeting was mere Accident and Chance;
What you think Courtship, was but Complaisance.
O joyful Tidings! I am still secure,
Gubbins aside.
And Mauxalinda is a Virgin pure.
[To Moore.
I cannot bear she should a Prisoner be—
I'll tear the Jail down, but I'll set her free.

[Exit.
Moore
solus.
AIR.

[Exit.

SCENE II.

A Prison.
Mauxalinda
in Chains.
AIR.
O piercing Anguish!
O cruel Destiny!
Here must I languish
For Loss of Liberty.

[Enter Lady Moore.
So, Madam,—How d'ye like your stately Lodging?
Is not this better than in Desarts dodging?
I hope you're fixt so well, you ne'er will roam;
We're sure to find you always now at Home.

Maux.
Madam, I see through all your saucy Sneer—
You may provoke my Scorn, but not my Fear.

Lady.
Your boasted Courage I'm resolv'd to try.
Behold this Dagger, and prepare to die.

[Draws a Dagger.
DUETTO.
Maux.

Lady.

[Enter Gubbins with Jailor and Guards.
Daughter, forbear, and let your Fury cease;
For know I'm come poor Mauxy to release.
To Jailor.]
Here's her Discharge, Sir, from a Justice o' Peace.

Lady.
My Father too my Foe! Patience is vain.

Gub.
Marg'ry thy Pride, I think, has turn'd thy Brain.

Lady.
I'll be reveng'd—

Gub.
—Nay, if she makes a Riot,
[To Jailor.
Jailor, secure her, 'till she grows more quiet.

[Ex. Gub. Maux. &c.
Lady Moore
sola.
AIR.

Exit Lady.

SCENE III.

Gubbins's House.
Mauxalinda and Gubbins.
Maux.
This wond'rous Goodness how can I repay!

Gub.
[Chucking her under the Chin.
AIR.

[Lady Moore over-hearing.
Lady.
This am'rous Scene is sure past all Belief,
And moves my Laughter in the midst of Grief.

Maux.
[Aside.
[Turns to Gubbins, and sings.
AIR.

[They Embrace.
[To them Lady Moore.
Lady.
Why Father, what d'ye mean?

Gub.
—What's that to you?
I'm old enough to know what 'tis I do.

Lady.
To have more Wit, you're old enough, 'tis true,
And she has Wit enough to Cuckold you.

Gub.
Audacious Hussy! don't my Rage provoke.

Lady.
I'm sure she only takes you for a Cloak.

Maux.
How, Madam Pert! I'll make you know hereafter,
That I'm your Father's Wife, and you're my Daughter.

Lady.
Vain Wretch!—You Mother to my Lady Moore!

Gub.
Daughter, this Usage is not to be bore.

Lady.
Why sure you can't so great a Bubble be!—
But none so blind as those who will not see.
By Moore deserted, desp'rate was her Case;
She thought you fittest to supply his Place.
Enter Moore.
O joyful Sight! my Mauxalinda freed!
Thanks noble Gubbins for this gen'rous Deed:
O let me clasp thee to my Arms.

[Runs to embrace her.
[Gubbins interposing.
Gub.
—Not so—
She's now My Mauxalinda, you must know.

Moore.
What can this mean? Is't possible!

Maux.
—'Tis true.
Harrass'd and plagu'd betwixt your Wife and you,
Rather than I'd incur the Old Maid's Curse,
I've taken Him for better and for worse.

[Lady comes up to Moore.
Lady.
How can you bear the Loss of one so dear?

Moore.
My Plague! my Bane! my Evil Genius here!

Lady.
Why don't it put its Finger in its Eye,
And, like a Baby, for its Play-thing cry?

Moore.
Fly, thou detested Object, fly my Sight!

Lady.
I come, Sir, to demand you as my Right.

Moore.
Of me you shall have nothing but the Name.

Lady.
Has then a Wife no Marriage-Rites to claim?
No Nuptial Kindness?—

Moore.
—Not one single Kiss.

Lady.
Barbarian, did'st thou marry me for this?

Moore.
With Hopes of Bliss, I took thee to my Arms;
But your curst Tongue has blasted all your Charms;
Henceforth no Husband hope to find of me,
'Till you more gentle and submissive be.
Beneath one Roof, with each a sep'rate Bed,
We'll live polite—and wish each other dead.

[Lady aside.
Lady.
A lonely Life in sep'rate Beds to lead,—
Cruel Decree; better be dead indeed.
But this I have deserv'd; and find too late,
Iv'e brought upon my self this Stroke of Fate.
[To Moore.
O, Sir! your Looks, your Words have riv'd my Heart—
No other Way to punish, but to part?—
See at your Feet, your Pardon I implore;
I never will provoke your Anger more.

Moore.
What Farce is this?—

Lady.
AIR.

Moore.
Come to my Arms, thou Treasure of my Life,
Henceforth my best belov'd, and dearest Wife.

Lady.
Duty has left me yet another Task,
Which is a double Pardon here to ask.

[Turning to Gubbins and Mauxalinda.
Gub.
You have it Child: Maux, As witness this Embrace.

[They embrace.
Moore.
Methinks I see a Smile in ev'ry Face.

[Maux., Moore.]
DUETTO.
Oh happy Transformation!
O sweet Reconciliation!
O joyous blest Event!

Moore.
And now, my Marg'ry, may'st thou ever be
[Embracing Lady Moore.
As kind to Moore, as he is fond of thee.

Maux.
I wish you Joy, Sir! May she ever be
As true to you—as you have been to me.

[Aside.
Gub.
Why now all's right.—Call all the Country in;
Keep Open-House, and let the Sports begin,

[An Entertainment of Dancing; afterwards Moore comes forward.
Moore.
Henceforth let Discord and Dissention cease,
While we all live in Harmony and Peace.

Gub.
And have of Wealth and Children great Increase.

CHORUS.
Strain your Voices, crack your Strings;
He sings best, who loudest sings.
Blow your Cheeks of Sound away,
This most Glorious Holiday.

CHORUS OF CHORUSSES.
BRAVO!
BRAVISSIMO!
CARO!
CARISSIMO!
A—H!
DOLCE!
BELLA!
VIVA!
E N C O R E!
Da Capo.