The Works Of John Dryden, Volume 4 (of 18) by John Dryden

J >> John Dryden >> The Works Of John Dryden, Volume 4 (of 18)

Pages:
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27

_Aur._ We shall obey you, madam; but that we may do it with less
regret, we hope you will give these ladies leave to accompany us.

_Soph._ They shall.
And, nieces, for myself, I only ask you
To justify my conduct to the world,
That none may think I have betrayed a trust,
But freed you from a tyranny.

_Lau._ Our duty binds us to acknowledge it.

_Cam._ And our gratitude to witness it.

_Vio._ With a holy and lasting remembrance of your favour.

_Fred._ And it shall be my care, either by reason to bend your uncle's
will, or, by my father's interest, to force your dowry from his hands.

_Ben._ [_To_ AUR.] Pray, sir, let us make haste over these walls
again; these gardens are unlucky to me; I have lost my reputation of
music in one of them, and of wit in the other.

_Aur._ [_To_ LAU.] Now, Laura, you may take your choice betwixt the
two Benito's, and consider whether you had rather he should serenade
you in the garden, or I in bed to-night.

_Lau._ You may be sure I shall give sentence for Benito; for the
effect of your serenading would be to make me pay the music nine
months hence.

_Hip._ [_To_ ASCA.] You see, brother, here's a general gaol-delivery:
there has been a great deal of bustle and disturbance in the cloister
to-night; enough to distract a soul which is given up, like me, to
contemplation: and therefore, if you think fit, I could even be
content to retire, with you, into the world; and, by way of penance,
to marry you; which, as husbands and wives go now, is a greater
mortification than a nunnery.

_Asca._ No, sister; if you love me, keep to your monastery: I'll come
now and then to the grate, and beg you a recreation. But I know myself
so well, that if I had you one twelvemonth in the world, I should run
myself into a cloister, to be rid of you.

_Soph._ Nieces, once more farewell. Adieu, Lucretia:
My wishes and my prayers attend you all.

_Luc._ to _Fred._ I am so fearful,
That, though I gladly run to your embraces,
Yet, venturing in the world a second time,
Methinks I put to sea in a rough storm,
With shipwrecks round about me.

_Fred._ My dear, be kinder to yourself and me,
And let not fear fright back our coming joys;
For we, at length, stand reconciled to fate:
And now to fear, when to such bliss we move,
Were not to doubt our fortune, but our love. [_Exeunt._

EPILOGUE.

Some have expected, from our bills to-day,
To find a satire in our poet's play.
The zealous route from Coleman-street did run,
To see the story of the Friar and Nun;
Or tales, yet more ridiculous to hear,
Vouched by their vicar of ten pounds a-year,--
Of Nuns, who did against temptation pray,
And discipline laid on the pleasant way:
Or that, to please the malice of the town, }
Our poet should in some close cell have shown }
Some sister, playing at content alone: }
This they did hope; the other side did fear;
And both, you see, alike are cozened here.
Some thought the title of our play to blame;
They liked the thing, but yet abhorred the name:
Like modest punks, who all you ask afford,
But, for the world, they would not name that word.
Yet, if you'll credit what I heard him say,
Our poet meant no scandal in his play;
His Nuns are good, which on the stage are shown,
And, sure, behind our scenes you'll look for none.

Footnotes:
1. A common name for a cat, being that by which the representative of
the feline race is distinguished in the History of Reynard the Fox.
See Shakespeare's _Romeo and Juliet._

2. _Stickle._ To interfere.

3. _Rondaches._ Targets or bucklers. These were a part of the
equipment of a serenader. See that of Quevedo's Night Adventurer.

* * * * *

END OF THE FOURTH VOLUME.

EDINBURGH:

Printed by James Ballantyne.

Pages:
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27