To second our endeavours.---When I first

Began to play this piece, the sturdy boxers,
(The dancers on the rope expected too)

The increasing crowds, the noise, and women's clamour Oblig'd me to retire before my time.

I, upon this occasion, had recourse

To my old way. I brought it on again.

In the first act I please: meanwhile there spreads
A rumour of the Gladiators: then

The people flock together, riot, roar,

And fight for places. I meanwhile my place
Could not maintain.---To-day there's no disturbance;
All's silence and attention; a clear stage:

'Tis your's to give these games their proper grace1o.
Let not, oh let not the Dramatic art
Fall to a few! Let your authority
Assist and second mine! If I for gain
Ne'er over-rated my abilities,
If I have made it still my only care
To be obedient to your will, oh grant,
That he who hath committed his performance
To my defence, and who hath thrown himself
On your protection, be not given to scorn,
And foul derision of his envious foes!

Admit this plea for my sake, and be silent;
That other poets may not fear to write,
That I too may hereafter find it meet

To play new pieces, bought at my expence".

PER

THE

STEP-MOTHER,

ACT I. SCENE I.

PHILOTIS, SYRA.

Phil. Now, by my troth, a woman of the town Scarce ever finds a faithful lover, Syra. This very Pamphilus, how many times He swore to Bacchis, swore so solemnly, One could not but believe him, that he never Would, in her life-time, marry! See, he's married. Syra. I warn you therefore, and most earnestly Conjure you, to have pity upon none :

But plunder, fleece, and beggar every man

That falls into your pow'r.

Phil. What! spare none?
Syra. None.

For know, there is not one of all your sparks But studies to cajole you with fine speeches, And have his will as cheaply as he can. Should not you then endeavour to fool them? Phil. But to treat all alike is

Syra. What! wrong?

wrong.

To be reveng'd upon your enemies?

Or to snare those who spread their snares for you? ---Alas! why have not I your youth and beauty, Or you my sentiments?

U

SCENE

SCENE II.

Enter PARMENO.

Par. to Scirtus within.] If our old gentleman
Asks for me, tell him I'm this very moment
Gone to the port to seek for Pamphilus.

D'ye understand my meaning, Scirtus? If he asks,
Tell him that; if he should not ask, say nothing;

That this excuse may serve another time.

[comes forward. -But is not that Philotis? Whence comes she?

Philotis! save you!

Phil. Save you, Parmeno!

Syra. Save you, good Parmeno!

Par. And save you, Syra!

---Tell me, Philotis, where have you been gadding,

Taking your pleasure this long time ?

Phil. I've taken

No pleasure, Parmeno, indeed. I went

With a most brutal captain hence to Corinth.

There have I led a wretched life with him,

For two whole years.

Par. Ay, ay, I warrant you

That you have often wish'd to be in Athens;
Often repented of your journey.

Phil. Oh,

'Tis quite impossible to tell how much

I long'd to be at home, how much I long'd
To leave the captain, see you, revel with you,
After the good old fashion, free, and easy.
For there I durst not speak a single word,
But what, and when, the mighty captain pleas'd.

Par.

Par. "Twas cruel in him thus to tie your tongue : At least, I'll warrant, that you thought it so.

Phil. But what's this business, Parmeno? this story
That Bacchis has been telling me within?

I could not have believ'd that Pamphilus
Would in her life-time marry.

Par. Marry truly!

Phil. Why he is married: is not he?
Par. He is.

But I'm afraid 'twill prove a crazy match,

And will not hold together long."

Phil. Heav'n grant it,

So it turn out to Bacchis's advantage!and mor
But how can I believe this, Parmenor did dipoto

Tell me.

Par. It is not fit it should be told.

Enquire no more.

Phil. For fear I should divulge it?
Now heaven so prosper me, as I enquire,
Not for the sake of telling it again,
But to rejoice within myself.

Par. No, no:

Fair words, Philótis, sha'n't prevail on me
To trust my back to your discretion.
Phil. Well;

Don't tell me, Parmeno.---As if you had not

Much rather tell this secret, than I hear it!
Par. She's in the right: I am a blab, 'tis true.
It is my greatest failing.---Give your word,
You'll not reveal it, and I'll tell you.

Phil. Now

You're like yourself again. I give my word.

Speak.