"Yes," said Lord Oldborough, "_now_ I am happy--_now_, I also, Mr.
Percy, may be proud of a son--I too shall know the pleasures of domestic life. Now I am happy!" repeated he,
"And, pleased, resigned To tender pa.s.sions all his mighty mind."
_March 26th, 1813._
END OF PATRONAGE.
COMIC DRAMAS.
LOVE AND LAW
A DRAMA.
IN THREE ACTS.
DRAMATIS PERSONae
MEN.
MR. CARVER, of Bob"s Fort . . _A Justice of the Peace in Ireland._ OLD MATTHEW McBRIDE . . . . _A rich Farmer._ PHILIP McBRIDE . . . . . _His Son._ RANDAL ROONEY . . . . . _Son of the Widow Catherine Rooney --a Lover of Honor McBride._ MR. GERALD O"BLANEY . . . . _A Distiller._ PATRICK c.o.xE . . . . . _Clerk to Gerald O"Blaney._
WOMEN.
MRS. CARVER . . . . . _Wife of Mr. Carver._ MISS BLOOMSBURY . . . . . _A fine London Waiting-maid of Mrs. Carver"s._ MRS. CATHERINE ROONEY, _commonly called_ CATTY ROONEY . . . . _A Widow--Mother of Randal Rooney._ HONOR McBRIDE . . . . . . _Daughter of Matthew McBride, and Sister of Philip McBride._
A Justice"s Clerk--a Constable--Witnesses--and two Footmen.
LOVE AND LAW
ACT I.
SCENE I.
_A Cottage.--A Table--Breakfast._
_HONOR McBRIDE, alone._
_Honor._ Phil!--(_calls_)--Phil, dear! come out.
_Phil._--(_answers from within_) Wait till I draw on my boots!
_Honor._ Oh, I may give it up: he"s full of his new boots--and singing, see!
_Enter PHIL McBRIDE, dressed in the height of the Irish buck-farmer fashion, singing,_
"Oh the boy of Ball"navogue!
Oh the dasher! oh the rogue!
He"s the thing! and he"s the pride Of town and country, Phil McBride-- All the talk of shoe and brogue!
Oh the boy of Ball"navogue!"
There"s a song to the praise and glory of your--of your brother, Honor!
And who made it, do you think, girl?
_Honor._ Miss Caroline Flaherty, no doubt. But, dear Phil, I"ve a favour to ask of you.
_Phil._ And welcome! What? But first, see! isn"t there an elegant pair of boots, that fits a leg like wax?--There"s what"ll plase Car"line Flaherty, I"ll engage. But what ails you, Honor?--you look as if your own heart was like to break. Are not you for the fair to-day?--and why not?
_Honor._ Oh! rasons. (_Aside_) Now I can"t speak.
_Phil._ Speak on, for I"m dumb and all ear--speak up, dear--no fear of the father"s coming out, for he"s leaving his _bird_ (i.e. beard) in the bason, and that"s a work of time with him.--Tell all to your own Phil.
_Honor._ Why then I won"t go to the fair--because--better keep myself to myself, out of the way of meeting them that mightn"t be too plasing to my father.
_Phil._ And might be too plasing to somebody else--Honor McBride.
_Honor._ Oh, Phil, dear! But only promise me, brother, dearest, if you would this day meet any of the Rooneys--
_Phil._ That means Randal Rooney.
_Honor._ No, it was his mother Catty was in my head.
_Phil._ A bitterer scould never was!--nor a bigger lawyer in petticoats, which is an abomination.
_Honor._ "Tis not pritty, I grant; but her heart"s good, if her temper would give it fair play. But will you promise me, Phil, whatever she says--you won"t let her provoke you this day.
_Phil._ How in the name of wonder will I hinder her to give me provocation? and when the spirit of the McBrides is up--
_Honor._ But don"t lift a hand.