Suppose him poor! Wealth makes no certain happiness to hope, Nor poverty its loss. I've anger'd you, But cannot chide myself, because my nature Does not revolt at homage of a being In whom no virtue starves. Ah! that were guardianship, Becoming the dear sister of a mother, Who, when she left her hapless child to earth, Ne'er dream'd of such remembrance, in the future, Of what beseem'd the past. But you shall never! I am your guardian, in the place of mother, And I will turn you naked from these doors If you but dare- CLARICE. And, if the humble Clarice might presume, There were no fitter husband! From the Fates I do entreat no happier destiny Than but to share, o'er all that wealth may proffer, The beggary that he brings! MRS. He has the audacity to think of you In marriage-he would heir my property - The miserable beggar! who, but lately- CLARICE. So, you dare Avow a passion for that beggarly Maurice, Whom I've forbid the house! CLARICE. Oh! you are ignorant, And innocent seeming as the babe unborn, If tongue and face could speak for secret conscience, That harbors what it should not.
Ay, you would dare me in another fashion, But you have met your match and now I tell you, Clarice Delancy, 'tis in vain you struggle- CLARICE. A beggar, That fain would be a chooser!-So, Miss! Enter Clarice. That you may summon her- For we must lose no time-I take my leave. Oh, never fear me- I'll summon her the moment you are gone, And she shall know- WARREN. See you to her, While I take care of him. I shall use the moments, 'Twixt this and then, in labors which must profit, Or fortune grows perverse. No matter! Be ignorant of the mischief till it's over, And we enjoy its fruits! Meanwhile, be busy,- Pursue the plan you purpose, and to-morrow, We shall know farther. A little time,-but keep them separate,- And we shall conquer her -ay, conquer him too, For I've a little snare within whose meshes His feet are sure to fall. He darks these doors no more! The girl, already, Has orders to deny him. And keep my worthy cousin from her presence. But show her Some little glimpse of the danger in her path,- Shame and starvation- MRS. I will! I've treated her too tenderly! WARREN. She needs it- Has no sufficient notion of her duty, And- MRS. Nay, wait till I am gone, Then use your best severity. But, wait and see,- You shall behold- WARREN. I have a will too, which shall master her! Is she not mine?-my sister's child?-a beggar, That breathes but by my charity! I'll teach her, And she shall learn the lesson set for her, Or I will turn her naked into the streets, As pennyless as she came. She's a pupil With will enough of her own to vex a master! MRS. She shall repent it-she shall disavow it, Or she shall know!-I'll teach her!- WARREN. Ay, has she! Something farther- She does not scruple to avow her passion For my most worthy cousin, Norman Maurice. It is not well! 'Tis ill! She has refused me! MRS. Jervas and Robert Warren discovered-the latter entering hastily and with discomposure. SCENE-First, in Philadelphia afterwards, in Missouri. WIDOW PRESSLEY, a client of Maurice KATE PRESSLEY, her grand-daughter. CLARICE DELANCY, her niece, afterwards wife to Maurice. BROOKS, MAJOR SAVAGE, a friend of Blasinghame. RICHARD OSBORNE, an attorney and creature of Warren.
NORMAN MAURICE OR, THE MAN OF THE PEOPLE.