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LESTER.

Percy, pray let him rest. His sword doth lie
Resting in its scabbard! He only dares
To draw defiance from his trembling throat!
SIR WILLIAM (draws).

Defend thyself!

LESTER.

'T were pity that your manners with your steel

(Fights one set, and disarms Sir William at commencement of second.)

Do not agree.

Thy life is mine. Sir William, go thy way,
And learn from me-forbearance.

(Retires flat.)

PERCY (presenting sword to Sir William).

Good evening, Sir William Stanton.

SIR WILLIAM.

We shall meet again-(to Percy).

PERCY.

(Exit Sir William L. H.

In that case, practise well at cunning fence,
And bring more tempered metal to the game.
LESTER (eagerly.)

Percy,-Sir William Stanton is the man
Whom Master Grimes has sworn shall marry
Iola. Faugh! the thing is too absurd:

My little finger would supplant him there.

Ay, less than that.

PERCY.

'Tis time you should assume your soft disguise.

It is.

LESTER.

The weary day falls fainting from the heaven;
Night ope's her starry eyes-more dear to me
Than all the radiance of the burning sun.

PERCY.

But how in the affair wilt thou proceed?

LESTER.

To-morrow night I throw off my disguise;
And, having sued for pardon at her feet,
I do propose (if she object not to it)

That she should dress herself in Margaret's clothes,
And follow me unto the beach; where you
Must have a boat in waiting-one most fit
To battle the wild waves-for we shall steer
For London.

I'll truly play my part.

PERCY.

LESTER.

Then hover o'er me spirits of the air!
My guardian angel, spread thy shining wings,
And, like a fire cloud, stand between my love
And all her enemies. Now let us hence!

(Exeunt R. H.)

SCENE II-A desolate part of the coast by the Wash. Violent Storm.
Thunder and Lightning. Voices answer.

Enter Three or Four Smugglers, R. and L.

Hoy-ye-hoy-hoy!

FIRST SMUGGLER.

SECOND SMUGGLER.

A little more and she 'll be on the beach.

THIRD SMUGGLER.

The sea runs uncommon high. Ho-hoy there!

FIRST SMUGGLER.

So does yer tongue;-if thee doant be quiet
The officers will hear you.

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Pshaw they be always found when their service be not required. There a'nt a man among 'em who would n't send his brother to the deuce for a few angels.

SECOND SMUGGLER.

Loike enuff: angels are great composers.

-I wonder Master Grimes be not landed yet.

(Noise outside.) Old Blazeaway's just come ashore! What a lucky man he be! He makes inkimmin clean runs ! Got all the silk, and brandy, and lace, safe as a Briton! He comes. Enter GRIMES (speaks to Smugglers).

Here, fellows, see to those barrels-be quick;

Roll them gently along the beach.

This was (Exit first Smuggler.)

Most fearful work! You, sirrah, tell Staggers

(Exit second Smuggler.)

I shall change my dress at his house! You

(Exit third Smuggler.)

To Sir William Stanton-say I shall be there anon.
My return will startle them, or I mistake.

If that does not, these smuggled laces will!

SCENE III-An old-fashioned sitting-room in the house of Grimes. Iola is seated on a sofa with Margaret-both are working. Sir William Stanton is leaning over the back of a chair-hat in his hand. Thunder, at

intervals, throughout this Scene.

SIR WILLIAM.

'Tis not that I expect you'd bear that love,
That all-absorbing, blinding, fatal love,
Which, as a tempest o'er the heart of youth,

Sweeps reason as the lightest down before it!

But yet, my sweetest life, you might transfer
Affection and esteem to one whose life
Is most entirely yours!-who worships you,
Adores!

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I see you're obstinate! Some trumpery fool
Has ploughed up your heart, and planted there
His madness! That young gallant, this morn,
With perfumed hair, and smooth, and beardless chin,
Loosed to the vulgar air your beauteous name!
'Tis he!-you know it well! Ay! you MAY blush!
'Tis HE-NAY, start not THUS! 'Tis he-'T IS he!
The burning truth LIES Scarlet on your cheeks!
'Tis he who's struck his talons in your heart,
And borne it off a prize!

IOLA.

Sir William Stanton! what is it you mean?
What young gallant hast ever seen with me ?
It is a fiction, sir! But worthy one
Who is so truly gallant as thyself!

SIR WILLIAM.

Madam, 't is well :-by contract thou art mine;
And if by fair means you do not consent,
I have your father's word, and shall his aid,
To force you to the altar!

IOLA (with most determined eagerness).
By force then, be it. I am young-but firm!
Think not this weakness is the effect of fear.
Oh! that the young gallant of whom you spoke

E

(Pause.)

(Sobs.)

Were near me now! Oh! that he did live!

He would defend me, Margaret !

SIR WILLIAM (retiring).

Madam, I take my leave;

Weigh well my words-for on the morrow morn

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Were you a child of mine, I could no better !

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The gipsy said, last night, I ne'er should wed
Sir William Stanton!

MARGARET.

A little, foolish, prating, funny thing!
Sometimes I think her voice is very queer!

IOLA.

Thou shalt not play me off! Wilt save me?

MARGARET.

It is your father's will! You must consent!

IOLA (starting up-laying one hand on Margaret's shoulder and fastening her eye on her).

I never never will! I tell thee, Margaret,

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