Part 22 (1/2)

_As Played at Bellegarde, in the April of 1750_

”_This pa.s.sion is in honest minds the strongest incentive that can move the soul of man to laudable accomplishments. Is a man just? Let him fall in love and grow generous. It immediately makes the good which is in him s.h.i.+ne forth in new excellencies, and the ill vanish away without the pain of contrition, but with a sudden amendment of heart._”

DRAMATIS PERSONae

DUKE OF ORMSKISK.

DUC DE PUYSANGE, a true Frenchman, a pert, railing fribble, but at bottom a man of parts.

MARQUIS DE SOYECOURT, a brisk, conceited rake, and distant cousin to de Puysange.

CAZAIO, captain of brigands.

DOM MICHEL FReGOSE, a lewd, rascally friar.

GUITON, steward to de Puysange.

PAWSEY, Ormskirk's man.

ACHON, a knave.

MICHAULT, another knave.

d.u.c.h.eSSE DE PUYSANGE.

CLAIRE, sister to de Puysange, a woman of beauty and resolution, of a literal humor.

ATTENDANTS, BRIGANDS, and DRAGOONS; and, in the Proem, LORD HUMPHREY DEGGE and LADY MARIAN HELEIGH.

SCENE

First at Dover, thence s.h.i.+fting to Bellegarde-en-Poictesme and the adjacent country.

IN THE SECOND APRIL

_PROEM:--More Properly an Apologue, and Treats of the Fallibility of Soap_

The Duke of Ormskirk left Halvergate on the following day, after partic.i.p.ation in two dialogues, which I abridge.

Said the Duke to Lord Humphrey Degge:

”You have been favored, sir, vastly beyond your deserts. I acquiesce, since Fate is proverbially a lady, and to dissent were in consequence ungallant.

Shortly I shall find you more employment, at Dover, whither I am now going to gull my old opponent and dear friend, Gaston de Puysange, in the matter of this new compact between France and England. I shall look for you at Dover, then, in three days' time.”

”And in vain, my Lord Duke,” said the other.

Now Ormskirk raised one eyebrow, after a fas.h.i.+on that he had.