The Gamester (1753)

_Enter BEVERLEY._

Look to the door there! (_In a seeming fright._)--My friend!--I thought of other visitors.

_Bev._ No: these shall guard you from them. (_Offering notes_) Take them, and use them cautiously. The world deals hardly by us.

_Stu._ And shall I leave you destitute? No: Your wants are greatest. Another climate may treat me kinder. The shelter of to-night takes me from this.

_Bev._ Let these be your support then. Yet is there need of parting? I may have means again; we'll share them, and live wisely.

_Stu._ No. I should tempt you on. Habit is nature in me; ruin can't cure it. Even now I would be gaming. Taught by experience as I am, and knowing this poor sum is all that's left us, I am for venturing still. And say I am to blame; yet will this little supply our wants? No; we must put it out to usury. Whether 'tis madness in me, or some resistless impulse of good fortune, I yet am ignorant; but--

_Bev._ Take it, and succeed then. I'll try no more.

_Stu._ 'Tis surely impulse; it pleads so strongly--But You are cold--we'll e'en part here then. And for this last reserve, keep it for better uses; I'll have none on't. I thank you though, and will seek fortune singly--One thing I had forgot--

_Bev._ What is it?

_Stu._ Perhaps, 'twere best forgotten. But I am open in my nature, and zealous for the honour of my friend--Lewson speaks freely of you.

_Bev._ Of You I know he does.

_Stu._ I can forgive him for't; but for my friend I'm angry.

_Bev._ What says he of me?

_Stu._ That Charlotte's fortune is embezzled. He talks on't loudly.

_Bev._ He shall be silenced then--How heard you of it?

_Stu._ From many. He questioned Bates about it. You must account with him, he says.

_Bev._ Or He with Me--and soon too.

_Stu._ Speak mildly to him. Cautions are best.

_Bev._ I'll think on't--But whither go you?

_Stu._ From poverty and prisons--No matter whither. If fortune changes you may hear from me.

_Bev._ May these be prosperous then. (_Offering the notes, which he refuses_) Nay, they are yours; I have sworn it, and will have nothing. Take them and use them.

_Stu._ Singly I will not. My cares are for my friend; for his lost fortune, and ruined family. All separate interests I disclaim. Together we have fallen; together we must rise. My heart, my honour, both will have it so.

_Bev._ I am weary of being fooled.

_Stu._ And so am I. Here let us part then. These bodings of good-fortune shall be stifled; I'll call them folly, and forget them. This one embrace, and then farewel. [_Offering to embrace._

_Bev._ No; stay a moment--How my poor heart's distracted! I have these bodings too; but whether caught from You, or prompted by my good or evil genius, I know not--The trial shall determine--And yet, my wife--

_Stu._ Ay, ay, she'll chide.

_Bev._ No; My chidings are all here. [_Pointing to his heart._

_Stu._ I'll not persuade you.

_Bev._ I _am_ persuaded; by reason too; the strongest reason--necessity. Oh! could I once regain the height I have fallen from, heaven should forsake me in my latest hour, if I again mixed in these scenes, or sacrificed the husband's peace, his joy and best affections to avarice and infamy!

_Stu._ I have resolved like You; and since our motives are so honest, why should we fear success?

_Bev._ Come on then. Where shall we meet?

_Stu_, At Wilson's--Yet if it hurts you, leave me: I have misled you often.

_Bev._ We have misled each other--But come! Fortune is fickle, and may be tired with plaguing us. There let us rest our hopes.

_Stu._ Yet think a little.

_Bev._ I cannot--Thinking but distracts me.

_When desperation leads, all thoughts are vain;_ _Reason would lose, what rashness may obtain._

[_Exeunt._

Scene Iii. __BEVERLEY'S_ lodgings. Enter Mrs. BEVERLEY, and CHARLOTTE._

_Char._ 'Twas all a scheme, a mean one; unworthy of my brother.

_Mrs. Bev._ No, I am sure it was not. Stukely is honest too; I know he is. This madness has undone them both.

_Char._ My brother irrecoverably. You are too spiritless a wife--A mournful tale, mixt with a few kind words, will steal away your soul. The world's too subtle for such goodness. Had I been by, he should have asked your life sooner than those jewels.

_Mrs. Bev._ He should have had it then. (_Warmly_) I live but to oblige him. She who can love, and is beloved like Me, will do as much. Men have done more for mistresses, and women for a base deluder. And shall a wife do less? Your chidings hurt me, Charlotte.

_Char._ And come too late; they might have saved you else. How could he use you so?

_Mrs. Bev._ 'Twas friendship did it. His heart was breaking for a friend.

_Char._ The friend that has betrayed him.

_Mrs. Bev._ Prithee don't think so.

_Char._ To-morrow he accounts with Me.

_Mrs. Bev._ And fairly: I will not doubt it.

_Char._ Unless a friend has wanted--I have no patience--Sister! sister! we are bound to curse this friend.

_Mrs. Bev._ My Beverley speaks nobly of him.

_Char._ And Lewson truly--But I displease you with this talk--To-morrow will instruct us.

_Mrs. Bev._ Stay till it comes then. I would not think so hardly.

_Char._ Nor I, but from conviction. Yet we have hope of better days. My uncle is infirm, and of an age that threatens hourly. Or if he lives, You never have offended him; and for distresses so unmerited, he will have pity.

_Mrs. Bev._ I know it, and am chearful. We have no more to lose; and for what's gone, if it brings prudence home, the purchase is well made.

_Char._ My Lewson will be kind too. While he and I have life and means, You shall divide with us--And see, he's here.