University of Virginia Library

SCENE II.

Lady Traffic's Apartment.
Lady Traffic, Maria and Eliza discovered, in poor habits, each at a spinning-wheel.
Lady Traffic.
(rising.)
I cannot compass it—my hands, unus'd
To labour, are unable to perform
The servile task impos'd on me. Good Heav'n!
Am I reduced to this! I, who so lately
Scarce spoke my will before it was obey'd,
To be so suddenly reduc'd, brought lower
Than a poor menial!—I shall go distracted!
And can ye patiently endure such sufferance?

Maria.
How can we otherwise? Those days are past,
When, by th' indulgence of a tender father,
We had no other care than how to spend
Our time in pleasure, and no other thought
Than to invent new means of happiness.

Eliza.
Alas! we knew not then how blest we were;
We ne'er conceiv'd, when fortune smil'd on us,
How soon we should experience a reverse.
Oh, my dear father! what a loss was thine!

Lady Traffic.
I charge you touch not on that string; it jars,
And to my very heart conveys a pang,
Sharp as a viper's tooth. Oh! it was I,
Senseless, inhuman woman! I, who drove him
To act this desperation on himself,
Compell'd that hand, that never was extended
Tow'rds me but in affection, thus to arm
Against his precious life! Oh, mercy, mercy!
(kneels.)
Forgive me, righteous Heav'n!

Maria.
Dear madam, rise;
Give o'er this unavailing sorrow.

Lady Traffic.
No!
Conscience will speak. 'Twas I, my children, did it—
I struck the blow, I robb'd you of your father!

Eliza.
You judge indeed too hardly of yourself.

Lady Traffic.
Ah! could I now implore his blest forgiveness,
Fall prostrate at his feet, confess my fault,
And call him to be witness of the change
Wrought on my stubborn heart! That is denied me;
But what remains within my pow'r I'll do.
I'll cast far from me that offensive pride,
Those rebel inclinations that undid us;
To the low level of our humble fortunes
I will reduce myself, and by contrition
Atone for what is past. And can you pardon
My treatment of the youths who sought your hands?

Maria.
Alas! why will you still invent new cause
For vain regret? Let us not talk of them.
Sister, how goes your task? What, sigh? Take courage;
Mine, as you see, advances. We must now
Learn how to be industrious. We have need on't.

Enter Holdfast.
Holdfast.
I have it in command from master Luke,
To tell you that your dinner is prepar'd.

Lady Traffic.
Tell him, we feel his kind attention tow'rds us,
But wish not to attend his festive board,
While yet our sorrow's fresh. We should prefer
Some small collation in our private chamber.

Holdfast.
That's fortunate; for such is his intent.
In the next room there is your table spread,
And your collation waits you.

Lady Traffic.
Little now
Will serve us.

Holdfast.
That is fortunate again.
What he allows you will not breed a surfeit.
Three slices from a wholesome household loaf,
With water wherewithal to wash it down,
Is what his bounty sends you.

[Exit.
Lady Traffic.
Come, my poor girls! I could not hope for better,
For I have not deserv'd it. But for you—

Maria.
Let not a thought for us increase your anguish.
Whate'er your fortunes are, we'll share in them.

Lady Traffic.
Sweet girl! I've not deserv'd this kindness from you:
You know not how it sooths my anguish'd heart
And strengthens it to bear this weight of woe.
If you can thus forget my treatment of you,
We will sustain adversity together,
And patiently submit, 'till pitying Heav'n
Compassionate our sufferings!

[Exeunt.