Lovers Vows | Page 5

of mirth or sadness: I have endeavoured to attach the attention and sympathy of the audience by whimsical insinuations, rather than coarse abruptness--the same woman, I conceive, whom the author drew, with the self-same sentiments, but with manners adapted to the English rather than the German taste; and if the favour in which this character is held by the audience, together with every sentence and incident which I have presumed to introduce in the play, may be offered as the criterion of my skill, I am sufficiently rewarded for the task I have performed.
In stating the foregoing circumstances relating to this production, I hope not to be suspected of arrogating to my own exertions only, the popularity which has attended "The Child of Love," under the title of "Lovers' Vows,"--the exertions of every performer engaged in the play deservedly claim a share in its success; and I must sincerely thank them for the high importance of their aid.

PROLOGUE.
WRITTEN BY JOHN TAYLOR, ESQ.
SPOKEN BY Mr. MURRAY.
POETS have oft' declared, in doleful strain, That o'er dramatic tracks they beat in vain, Hopeless that novelty will spring to sight; For life and nature are exhausted quite. Though plaints like these have rung from age to age, Too kind are writers to desert the stage; And if they, fruitless, search for unknown prey, At least they dress _old game a novel way_; But such lamentings should be heard no more, For modern taste turns Nature out of door; Who ne'er again her former sway will boast, Till, to complete her works, she starts a ghost. If such the mode, what can we hope to-night, Who rashly dare approach without a sprite? No dreadful cavern, no midnight scream, No rosin flames, nor e'en one flitting gleam. Nought of the charms so potent to invite The monstrous charms of terrible delight. Our present theme the German Muse supplies, But rather aims to soften than surprise. Yet, with her woes she strives some smiles to blend, Intent as well to cheer as to amend: On her own native soil she knows the art To charm the fancy, and to touch the heart. If, then, she mirth and pathos can express, Though less engaging in an English dress, Let her from British hearts no peril fear, But, as a STRANGER*, find a welcome here.
* Hamlet. ========= DRAMATIS PERSONAE.
MEN.
BARON WILDENHAIM. . . . . Mr. Murray. COUNT CASSEL. . . . . . . Mr. Knight. ANHALT. . . . . . . . . . Mr. H. Johnston. FREDERICK . . . . . . . . Mr. Pope. VERDUN the BUTLER . . . . Mr. Munden. LANDLORD. . . . . . . . . Mr. Thompson. COTTAGER. . . . . . . . . Mr. Davenport. FARMER. . . . . . . . . . Mr. Rees. COUNTRYMAN. . . . . . . . Mr. Dyke. Huntsmen, Servants, &c.
WOMEN.
AGATHA FRIBURG. . . . . . Mrs. Johnson. AMELIA WILDENHAIM . . . . Mrs. H. Johnston. COTTAGER'S WIFE . . . . . Mrs. Davenport. COUNTRY GIRL. . . . . . . Miss Leserve.
SCENE, Germany--Time of representation one day.

========= LOVERS' VOWS
ACT I.
SCENE I. A high road, a town at a distance--A small inn on one side of the road--A cottage on the other.
The LANDLORD of the inn leads AGATHA by the hand out of his house.
LANDLORD. No, no! no room for you any longer--It is the fair to-day in the next village; as great a fair as any in the German dominions. The country people with their wives and children take up every corner we have.
AGATHA. You will turn a poor sick woman out of doors who has spent her last farthing in your house.
LANDLORD. For that very reason; because she has spent her last farthing.
AGATHA. I can work.
LANDLORD. You can hardly move your hands.
AGATHA. My strength will come again.
LANDLORD. Then you may come again.
AGATHA. What am I to do? Where shall I go?
LANDLORD. It is fine weather--you may go any where.
AGATHA. Who will give me a morsel of bread to satisfy my hunger?
LANDLORD. Sick people eat but little.
AGATHA. Hard, unfeeling man, have pity.
LANDLORD. When times are hard, pity is too expensive for a poor man. Ask alms of the different people that go by.
AGATHA. Beg! I would rather starve.
LANDLORD. You may beg and starve too. What a fine lady you are! Many an honest woman has been obliged to beg. Why should not you? [Agatha sits down upon a large stone under a tree.] For instance, here comes somebody; and I will teach you how to begin. [A Countryman, with working tools, crosses the road.] Good day, neighbour Nicholas.
COUNTRYMAN. Good day. [Stops.]
LANDLORD. Won't you give a trifle to this poor woman? [Countryman takes no notice, but walks off.] That would