University of Virginia Library

SCEN. IV.

Lord Stanly, Charlot.
L. Stanly.
Sir, by the noble Richmond's strict commands
I am to leave this Letter in your hands.
You are intirely happy in his grace;
I find you there possess an envyed place.

Charlot.
I may presume, that for so poor a thing,
As Charlot, Envy cannot find a sting.

L. Stanly.
Your Person I confess, should alwaies prove
The subject not of envy, but of love:
Nature does court you; and her Favourite
Is for a Prince his kindness ever fit.

Charlot.
My Lord, you quite mistake me; I was worse,
Then nothing, till my Essence from that Source
Of goodness was deriv'd: From him I own
Being, and Happiness. So the kind Sun
Smiles on a Clod of Earth after a showre,
And then prefers that Dirt into a Flower.

L. Stanly.
Your Person, and your Gratitude both shew
Your Patron just, when he is kind to you:
I find, the Royal Princess too does seem
To give you the same place in her esteem.

Charlot.
She does her gracious countenance afford
To a flight Toy sent to her from my Lord.

L. Stanly.
But in this jealous Court what Industry
Has thus preserv'd you from each watchful spy?

Charlot.
Their bus'ness is above, I keep below:
Besides French Pages are the Fashion now.
But pray, my noble Lord, what numbers join
Of French Nobless to favour our Design?

L. Stanly.
I durst not publick in their Camp appear,
But of a Breton Lord much Fame I hear;
[Charlot starts.]
He's Chandew call'd. What's this? somthing I find
By your chang'd face, has discompos'd your mind.

Charlot.
My Lord, I hope you will not think it strange,
That in my troubled breast you see this change:
Impressions, such as these, are often wrought,
When absent Friends and Country fill our thought.
Such fits will quickly vanish. But I fear,
That our attendance we too long forbear.

L. Stanly.
Charlot, 'tis well advis'd; Pray, shew the way.
Exeunt L. Stanly and Charlot.
Enter again Charlot reading the Letter.

My Charlot, I beg the continuance of thy kindness, in being the
faithful Interpreter and Promoter of my Passion to our adored Princess.—

Charlot shuts the Letter suddenly.

Charlot.
Dear Paper! I to thee this Homage pay,
[kisses the Letter]
Though I in thy contents already find
A Warrant for my execution sign'd;
Which I must serve upon my self, and be
The instrument of my own Destinie.
Though I am thus condemn'd, yet I not grudge
To kiss the Sentence, and adore the Judge,
I only pray, my Punishment may be
Kept secret, and exempt from infamie:
Alas! my hopes are vain; for how can I
Conceal a Daughter from a Fathers eye?
My Fault's too great for Pardon, I allow;
Yet I as great a Penance undergo:
Since I assist my Rival to possess
That, which possest, destroys my Happiness.
Grant, Heaven! at least, that I may part from hence
As clear in Honour, as in Innocence.
[Exit Charlot.