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The False Friend ; or, Assassin of the Rocks

A New Melo Dramatic Ballet of Action
  
  
  

 1. 
 2. 
SCENE II.
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43

SCENE II.

Entrance to a handsome Park, appertaining to Howard's Mansion—a seat encircling a tree, on which Julia's name is engraved.
Enter Mandeville, musing and intimating that he doats on Julia to madness—appears impatient for some one's arrival—Fitzhugh, his Steward, enters, of whom he eagerly enquires what success?
RECITATIVE—FITZHUGH. (shaking his head.)
Ah, sir! on artifice we always cann't relye!
Plots, even shipwrecks wo'n't serve you, nor I!
No, tho' false lights our wish did near attain—
She righted, and our villainies prov'd vain!
Your Friend (Rival I mean) and mine (I fear)
Will reach us sooner than we wish them here!

Mandeville can scarce contain his rage at this disappointment, but, perceiving Julia approaching, commands Fitzhugh to retire, who goes off muttering to himself.
Fitz.
Dog-fish! old shark! how Surge did storm and lour!
But zounds! I'll trounce him if e'er in my power.

Exit.

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Mandeville, watching the motions of Julia, conceals himself behind the tree—Julia enters (followed by the Boy) perusing Horatio's letter, which she kisses with rapture—Boy retires—Mandeville comes forward racked by jealousy and vexation, he cautiously approaches her—she starts—he bows and delicately takes her hand, which she withdrawing, presents the letter, intimating his Friend for whom it is designed is momentarily expected—shouts without announce his arrival, which as highly delight her, as they confound and abash him—but, perceiving Horatio approach, he summons up all his courage and hypocrisy, meets him with every appearance of the warmest friendship, and congratulates both on their approaching happiness—her Father enters, embraces Horatio, who with Julia kneels for his blessing, which he affectionately bestows; and Mandeville, endeavouring to conceal his jealous perturbation, hypocritically appears to participate in their happiness, by joining their hands, at the same time strongly marking (aside)
the determined hatred he bears him.
SURGE enters hastily with ALICE.
Surge.
Well pull'd, my girl, well pulled—four knots an hour,
Is (to Julia)
bless your sweet ladyship—your sarvent sir!



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Surlily salutes Mandeville—Horatio informs Julia, &c. he had preserved his life—Julia offers him her purse—he refuses.
RECITATIVE.
Surge.
No, madam, no! Surge would himself disdain,
If he proved true, but for the love of gain!
I lost a cutlash in the squall—that's gone—
And if his Honour would but—zounds! he has flown!
Exit Horatio, rapidly, into the House, followed by Julia.
How Mandeville eyes me! (his Steward enters and whispers)

what (old Shark) you're come!
The Fury Fire-ship, and the Sulphur Bomb!
But I say, Alice—who knows?—you soon may be
Prefar'd to be Head-maid to our sweet Lady;
To strut the quarter deck, here sport parades—

Alice.
La! Married Women ca'n't be Ladies Maids!

Horatio and Julia joyfully return, Julia bearing a handsome Cutlas, which she presents Surge, and with which he seems much pleased, draws it, on the blade appears inscribed, “the Reward of Fidelity,” —he kisses it—Julia, &c. are retiring.
RECITATIVE—SURGE.
Heaven's bless you, madam! blessings on you both!
But stop, and please you hear a Seaman's oath!


46

SOLEMN OATH.

By England's glory and my King I swear
In Peace or War my Captain's Guard to prove!
His safety shall be to my Heart as dear
As is my Country, Liberty, and Love!
And if this oath I break, may vengeance shed
It's curses dire on Will's devoted head!

The various characters, concerned, during this, express appropriate feelings;—an enlivening march is heard without, and all exeunt, Surge excepted.
RECITATIVE—SURGE.
This is a gift!—I somehow feels quite gay,
And yet I ca'n't help dashing off the spray!
(Wiping his eyes.)
Avast! no drops must stain this blade! no! no!
But the red drops of an inveterate Foe!
Well, I do'n't know how 'tis—some how or other
I ne'er lost one friend, but I found another!

SEA SONG—SURGE.

[1.]

To boast what one's born too, is nonsense and pother,
'Tis Providence sure takes in tow great or small;
As to luck as I never knew Father or Mother,
It was good luck, I think, I was e'er born at all!
As to how when first launch'd, (for I had no relation!)
I picked up my crumbs, deuce a bit can tell I!

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But this I've since learn'd, that whatever one's station,
If a ball's born to hit you, 'twill never pass bye!
So d'ye see I sings cheerly howe'er the winds blow,
Pull away, and be jolly boys, yeo, hay, ye ho!

2.

I've ta'en cruises many, in squalls and fair weather!
Been loving on shore boys, and dauntless at sea;
Made my mind up to take rough and smooth both together,
Set sail fair or foul, for 'twas all one to me!
I'm proud but of this, 'tis whoe'er tells my story,
Ca'n't call to his duty, one truer than I;
And conquer, or fall, in the moment of glory,
If a ball's born to hit one, 'twill never pass bye.
So d'ye see, &c.

RE-ENTER ALICE.
Alice.
La! it's all settled! William!

Surge.
—What d'ye say?

Alice.
The wedding's to take place this very day!
The Parson's come—

Surge.
—Our chaplain, girl, or who?

Alice.
Pray ca'n't one Parson marry more than two?

Surge.
Aye girl, a dozen, give him but his swing—

Alice.
I dreamt last night about a wedding ring!
And such a crowd of folks to chapel flocking!

Surge.
And zounds! I dreamt how well they threw the stocking!
Mayhap now we mought realize the scene,
And of yon cabin become king and queen!


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DUET—SURGE AND ALICE.
Surge.
On board man of war,
I fought like a tar,
And nobly am paid for my labour;
But bless'd now on shore,
With the girl I adore,
I jig it to pipe and to tabor!
When rolling at Sea,
'Twas all one to me,
How rigg'd, or what birth in my swipes I was nabbing!
But at home full of cash,
I'll roll quite the dash,
And swig to the sweet little queen of my cabbin!
Yeo ho! hey down derry!
Her eyes sparkle merry!
I'm king, she the queen of our neat little cabbin!

Alice.
So dearly I love,
Should you leave me, and prove
Falsehearted, 'twould wound beyond bearing!

Surge.
Me leave! if I do—
I'll be da—

Alice.
—No, no, no—
Believe you, I can without swearing!

Surge.
But avast, Matey? sha'n't
We some company want,
On long Winter nights? I'm palaver no dab in!

Alice.
I guess what you mean,
When we're crown'd king and queen,
You'd wish a young prince should be rear'd in our cabbin.


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Both.
Yeo ho! hey down derry!
With eyes sparkling merry,
A young heart of Oak for our neat little cabbin.