University of Virginia Library

ACT III.

The New Church.
The General Assembly sitting.
Moderator.
Brethren, you've heard by sev'ral overtures,
How Poetaster, author of the Douglas,
(Such is the designation he affects),
For many months was absent from his parish;
Which many months he threw away at London
With actors, actresses, and such canaillie,
Hoarding most filthy lucre. Reverend Sirs,
Your sentiments on this behaviour.

Rabula.
Most Reverend Moderator, “rude I am
“In speech and manners: never till this hour
“Stood I in such a presence: yet, dear Sir,
“There's something in my breast which makes me say,
“That Poetaster ne'er will shame the KIRK.”
I grant, 'tis new for a Scotch clergyman
To write a tragedy; but one that's perfect
Is full as new; and such a play is his.
And had he sinn'd, his youth, his modesty
Would plead most powerfully in his behalf.
Let us dismiss him, Sir, and bid him go,
“In peace and safety to his pleasant home.”

Lucius.
Most Reverend Moderator, I am sorry
From Rabula to differ; but far more so
To give my voice for punishing a brother:
And yet to me it seems detestable,
That a Scotch minister, a holy man,
Should thus forego his cloth, and waste his time,
Seeking the bubble reputation,
Even in the player's mouth; and, what is worse,
Seeking an augmentation from the stage.
There was a man whom I remember well,
I will not fay that he was deeply skill'd
In policy ecclesiastical,
Of which we now hear much; yet, as a dove,
Harmless was he, though not as serpents subtle;
An honest man he was, and once our brother:
Gillespie was his name; but, with disgrace,
We did expel him our society,
Because he set his conscience 'gainst the law.
And you will call to mind how Poetaster
At that time thunder'd in your ears DEPOSE.
And is there then no law against the stage?
“Have pity on his youth!” Why, he had none
On poor Gillespie's age. This Poetaster
May earn his bread with pleasure on the stage;
Gillespie could not, would not. 'Tis my thought,
That we should strip of all his holy things
This author of the Douglas.

Moderator.
The question then will be, Depose or Not?
Clerk, call the rolls.

[It carries Depose; upon which Poetaster runs out, and the scene shuts.
Re-enter Poetaster.
Well, I will earn my bread upon the stage;
And in the playhouse sure there is no danger
Of deposition. How pleasant will it be
To act my own performances!

Enter Anna.
O! Poetaster!

Poetaster.
“Speak, I can hear of horror.”

Anna.
“Horror indeed!

Poetaster.
“Lady Tearsheet!

Anna.
“Is yours no more.”
My Lady Tearsheet cannot share your bed
Without your stipend; therefore she just now
To a new lover yields her beauteous limbs.
“O had you seen her last despairing look!
“Upon the brink she stood, and cast her eyes
“Down on the bed; then lifting up her head
“And her white hands to heav'n, seeming to say,
“Why am I forc'd to this? she plung'd herself
“Into the empty couch.”

Poetaster.
“I will not vent
“In vain complaints the passion of my soul.
“Peace in this world I never can enjoy.
Anna, farewel! I am resolv'd t'enlist
Forthwith for the West Indies; there “I'll go
“Straight to the battle, where the man that makes
“Me turn aside, must threaten worse than death.”