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ºn ºversity Library

| 32101

068581592

COLMAN BLUE DEVILS

LIBRARY OF

PRINCETON UNIVERSITY

~--~~~~）;----+---+----__--*））））））

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_

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·

BLUE DEVILs; x

A FAR CE,

I N

O N E

A C T,

-*-*-

By GEORGE

COLMAN, the youngen.

º

—-sº w

FIRST ACTED

2t tije

º

zbeatre 18 opal, Cottiſt (barbett, On the 24th of April, 1798.

Hlondon: Printed by William Burton, Fetter Lane,

For JOHN CAWTHORN, Bookseller to Her Royal Highness the PRINCEss of WALEs, No. 5, CATHERINE STREET, STRAND ; AND JAMES CAwthor N, BRitish LIBRARY, No. 24, cocks PUR street. *

-Q-

1808.

LIBRARY OF

PRINCETON UNIVERSITY

:

**

BLUE DEVILs; rance

A I N

O N E

-

A C T,

-*-*-

By GEORGE COLMAN, the youngen. -*-*w

FIRST ACTED

2t tije

theatre 1Ropal, Cobrut (Barbett, On the 24th of April, 1798.

Hlondon: Printed by William Burton, Fetter Lane,

For JOHN CAWTHORN, Bookseller to Her Royal Highness the PRINCEss of WALEs, No. 5, CATHERINE STREET, STRAND : AND JAMEs cAwthor N, BRitish Library, No. 24, cockspur street.

*

—Q

1808.

ADVERTISEMENT.

The Farce of “Blue Devils” is a loose version (with some alteration, and curtailment,) of a

French Piece, in one act, written by M. Patrat. the title

of which is forgotten by the Translator;

and he has, now, no copy of the original drama in his possession, to ascertain it. *

DRAMATIS PERSONAE. Megrim - - - - - - - - - - Mr. Fawcett. Demisou - - - - - - - - - Mr. MUND EN.

James - - - - - - - - - - Mr. KNIGHT. Bailiff - - - - - - - - - - Mr.SIM Mons, Annette - - - - - - - - - - Mrs. GI BBs.

SCENE---A Hotel, in a French Town.

.

BLUE DEVILS.

SCENE–An Eating Room, in a Hotel. JAMEs, and ANNETTE, discover’d. ,

AND, James?

ANNETTE.

-

do you, really, love me so very dearly, •

JAMES,

w

-

O, for the matter of that, Mademoiselle An

nette, hugely indeed! I don’t know how it comes about, not l; but, morning, noon, nor night, I can ne'er beat you out of my head. ANNETTE.

‘Dear now, that’s, for all the world, as it hap pens to me about you, James. -

JAMES.

-

He he ' What a sweet pretty couple you and I should make, Annette! -

.

ANNETTE.

-

That’s a sure thing; but we must not hope .

to get my father's consent.

He is nt rich, you

know ;---he has given so much credit to the fina folks, who come to his hotel here! -

B I. U E

D EV ILS.

JAMES.

Yes; and the worst of it is, that it is clean out

of fashion, now, for your fine folks to pay. He has been very unlucky, of late, that’s the truth on't. . ANNETTE.

-

-

-

Very;---and, this blessed day, his wine-mer chant threatens to seize his furniture, for the two hundred Houis-d'ors he owes him "

We can’t

expect, James, that he'll think of marrying us, in all his misfortunes.

.

.

.

JAMES.

That’s true indeed! *

*

Heigho!

ANNETTE.

*

-

Besides, you have only been waiter here three' months, You have nothing, James. JAMES.

Nothing at all.

w

ANNETTE.

.

'. And you know nothing to JAMEs.

-

Oh, but I do, though ! ANNETTE.

-

Why, what do you know? - *

JAMES.

-

\

How to love you, Annette. ANNETTE.

That's very well for me, James; but I don’t see how it will do any good to my father. JAMES.

Now that’s a great pity; isn’t it, Annette 2 Well, if we can’t be married yet, why we must do all we can to make ourselves easy, you know.

lf, now, you’d just let me--I don’t know well how to ask you, -

-

What, James *

-

ANNETTE, -

-

BLUE *

D1E W I L S.

JAMES.

-

Just let me have a kiss of your hand. ANNETTE.

.

-

Dear! Would that give you any satisfaction ? JAMES..

-

"

-

Wuld it! Ah ANNETTE.

Lord! why did not you say so before? (Gives her hand.) Poor fool! how happy he is, now! JAMES.

And if I might but be so bold as just, for once, to take a sumack at your lips, Annette ANNETTE.

-

-

-

My lips? Oh, perhaps, that mayn’t be right. I don’t know, though, why you shouldn’t.---My father kisses me, you know, James; so you may be sure it can’t be improper. There, then. . .

[He kisses her. -

Enter DEMIsou. DEMISOU.

Very pretty, upon my soul! and just what I have suspected. Why, you graceless baggage!" have you the impudence to suffer yourself to be kiss'd by a man. ANNETTE. -

Lord, father, why where's the harm: *

DEMISO U.

There’s assurance, now, with the devil to it!

Up---up to your chamber, directly, hussey! I'll talk to you, by and bye: and as for you, my mer

, ry gentleman, I must have a word with you, on the spot.

-

ANNETTE.

Nay, but, father, now DEMISOU,

Get along, you jade! Troop, and be silent.— Troop, I say.

[Ewit ANNETTE.

BLUE DEV ILS. JAMES.

Now, if you please, Mr. Demisou, just let's talk this here matter over a bit. have to complain on? ,

What can you

DEMISO.U.

*

Complain on, with a plague! Zounds! you dog! how dare you kiss my daughter? /

JAMES.

-

-

Dear, it be such pretty sport! DEMISO.U.

-

Sport, you rascal'JAMES.

-

t

-

Why, now, don’t you think 'tis quite in na ture, as a body may say? DEMISO U.

In nature '

" .

. JAMES.

-

Certainly.

-

You must know, she and I be in

love with one another. DEM ISO U.

In love with one another! -

JAMES.

Ifackins, but we be, though. If things hadn't fallen out so crossly with you, we should have told you so before, But you, d'ye see, being bother'd, about money, and I without a H. in my pocket, we thought it best not to brea our minds to you, till I had made my fortune. Sbobs! if it was but once made, you shouldn’t

be long pester'd with duns, I can tell you. -

-

DEMISO U.

Ha---A very pretty story indeed. But, to settle matters methodically:—Jemmy! JAMES.

Anan? DEM ISOU.

Do you see that door, Jemmy

BLU E -

-

D EV 1 L S . .

James.

-

9

.

-

..

w

-

Why, what a dickens, you don’t think I be blind?

DEMIsou, Look at it well, Jemmy. -

,

-

-

:

JAMES,

What for? DEMISOU,

That you may never come in at it again, you damn’d rascal. w

.

º

-

JAMES,

What? IDEMISO U.

*

,

, From this moment, I bundle you out of the house; and woe betide you if ever you cross the threshold again!

-

JAMES:

-

Why, sure, you ben’t serious. DEMISO U.

-

Yes, sure, but I be, though. JAMES.

º

Pooh, pooh! I can't go, mun. DEMISOU.

-

13

.

Can't you? .JAMES.

v

*

No, to be sure. Miss Annette and I have pro mised to meet one another, every morning, be fore you be up, in this very dining room. Rab bit it ! a pretty job, indeed, if I was to break my

ºl.

Touch my honour, and you touch my

life!

-

-

DEMISOU.

Get out of my house, or l’II kick you, and your honour, to the devil. -

JAMES.

And be you, really, in earnest, then? . B

10.

BLU E

-

D E W I L S.

D EMISOU.

-

Positively. JAMES.

-

Well then, if I must, I–Give me your hand. Heaven bless you! good bye, my dear master Demisou! good bye! DEMISO.U.

-

Aye, aye : your servant, your servant. -

JAMES,

-

Speak a bit of comfort to poor Miss Annette. -

DEMISOU!.

Well, well. JAMES,

-

,

-

Tell her I shall always love her, till death do us part.

º

\

-

DEMISOU..

-

-

Upon my soul, a very pretty commission to give to her father.

-

-

JAMEs.

Heaven bless you! (Going) DEMISOU.

Oh, by the bye, stay; hold; first let me pay you your wages. -

a JAMES.

-

-

No, I thank ye; 1 want no wages, not I. DEMISOU,

No! why not? -

-

JAMES.

-

My heart be a breaking; and, if grief be to kill me, I had rather make you my heir nor an other. You be very welcome. I be sure I can ne'er live long, without Miss Ann-without —Heaven bless you! [Erit. -

DEMISOU.

-

Poor devil! I—pshaw! Damn it, I’m glad he's gone, for I was beginning to grow soft hearted, and make a fool of myself. ~

But, to marry my

BLU E D F v I Ls.

11

girl to a beggar, just when I’m ruin'd myself! If Monsieur Melange, my wine merchant, seizes my goods to day, my credit’s gone, for ever. Hark! I hear a carriage stop. Eh! Here's a guest com

ing up. Let me put a good face on the matter, however.

-

Enter MEGRIM. DEMISOU.

I have the honour to be your most obedient, humble servant.

-

MEGRIM.

(Throwing himself into a chair) What for? DEMISOU.

-

-

Because 'tis my duty, sir. MEGRIM.

Duty! DEMISOU.

-

S.

Yes; and I hope I never fail'd in it yet, sir. May I make bold to ask if you wish for any thing? MEGRIM.

You are plaguy curious. DEMISOU.

*Tis a question I ought to ask. MEGRIM.

Why? DEMISOU.

I am landlord of the hotel, here, -

-

MEGRIM,

Very like.

-

DEMISOU,

And if your lordship— *

*

>

MEGRIM,

I am not a lord. IDEMISOU.

As you have the air of a man B2

BLU E

12

D E W I L S.

MEGRIM.

I am a man. DEMIsou,

I see you are: but I mean a man of fashion, MEGRIM.

I am not a man of fashion. DEMISOU,

Then perhaps you are— MEGRIM.

I am James Megrim, a man of honesty, DEMISOU.

-

Do you stay any time in this country? MEGRIM.

For ever! (emphatically) IDEMISOU.

For ever! I am much obliged to you for com ing to my house. Would you chuse to look at an apartment? MEGRIM.

No;---I'm well enough here. DEMISOU.

Here! Why this is the dining room: at three o'clock, we shall have about some twenty come to the ordinary. -

MEGRIM.

What is it now * DEMISOU.

t

Past ten.

-

-

MEGRIM.

-

Hum! I have more than four hours good, then. *

-

-

-

DEMISOU.

Yes; but, at two, they’ll be laying the cloth; and people, coming in and out, will disturb you. MEGRIM.

No matter.

º

º

BLUE

DE WILS.

13

-

DEMIsou.

.

Well, tis' but right to tell you of it: and now

you are to do as you like.

-

MEGRIM.

I know it. DEMISOU.

.

At all events, I'll go and give orders to reserve you a bed. -

-

MEGRIM.

That's useless. DEMISO.U.

Why don’t you intend to take a bed here, to night, sir? -

MEGRIM.

I think not. DEMISO.U.

-

I beg pardon; but I thought you said, just now, that you would stay here for ever, and meant to finish your days in this town. MEGRIM.

'

I do mean to finish my days in this town. DEMISOU.

-

-

Oh, then, you intend to lodge somewhere else, I suppose. . . Well! well! But, before you leave

my house, be pleased to make trial of your en tertainment. Is there anything you would be pleased to have now, sir? -

MEGRIM. No. DEMISOU.

When you want anything, you'll find the bell on the table.

-

MEGRIM.

Oh. DEMISOU.

And so I am your obedient, humble servant,

-

BLUE Devils.

J4-

MEGRIM.

Poh! (Erit DEMIsou) An infernal fellow !

his tongue clacks like a mill. I believe I was wrong not to kill myself, yesterday, in that other

inn:---I should have done it more comfortably there than here. (Pulls a pistol from his pocket, and eramines it.) Hold, though;---let me re flect a little :---I am, here, in France; and may it not be supposed, by the people here, that I de

stroy'd myself in this country, because I have committed something which has made me afraid

to stay in my own? Damn it, I must take care of that! It is the pride of a true Englishman to be able to lay his hand upon his heart, and say, “.. I defy our foreign neighbours to charge me with a dishonourable action.”

After all, have

I any reason to kill myself?---Let me see: it is about thirty years since I have been always rich, and always miserable. I tried Love; that made me uneasy, and jealous:---Play; that made me passionate:---Wine ; that made me drunk, and gave me the head-ache. Then I travell’d over Europe; but still I was melancholy. Rus

sia's too cold; Italy’s too hot; Holland's too dull; France is too gay.

In short, I have, al

ways, been in the persuit of pleasure, and have never been able to catch it.

Always, day after

day, the same tedious circle, of getting up, walk ing about, going to dinner, going to bed, and oing to sleep, over and over, and over again --life gets stale. I must, by way of novel

#.

ty, just kill myself, to enliven me. But, for the honour of my country, that it mayn’t be thought I died like a coward, l’ll write łº, all

my reflections. I was right not to kill myself

yesterday, for I should have lost this lucky idea, to-day.--—Landlord'

- Blue Devils.

*

15

Enter DEM1sou. DEMISO.U.

What do you want, my lord? MEGRIM.

Pshaw! none of your Lords.

-

-

DEMISO.U.

-

:

Sir, then. MEGRIM.

-

None of your Sirs, neither. DE MISO U.

º

What am I to say then? MEGRIM.

To say? Why say, “‘What do you want?” short, and blunt.

-

DEMISOU.

*

But that’s not polite.

-

MEGRIM.

No matter.

-

DEMISOU,

Oh, just as you please.---What do you want?

[Gruffy, MEGRIM.

s

That’s right.---Pen, ink, and paper. DEMISO.U.

>

Here it is; but if you would but have stept into another apartment, you would have found a writing table, and every thing proper. MEGRIM.

-

.

Teasing blockhead!---Landlord!

º

.

-

DE MISO.U.

Well?

-

.

.

"

MEGRIM.

I have a writing to draw up, DE MISO U.

A writing ---then I can recommend you a good attorney

BLUE DEVILs.

16

MEGRIM.

An attorney! (in a passion) Master Landlord DEMIS.O.U.;

-

Sir. MEGRIM.

Dome one favour:—Get out. DEMISOU.

-

-

What, you wish to be alone?

-

MEGRIM,

I do.

-

-

DEMISOU.

Oh, very well; I don’t mean to intrude; but as I’m going out, on a little law business, of my

own, I could tell my attorney to attend you. What for? -

MEGRIM , w

DEMISOU,

To draw up your writing. M EGRI M.

I shall draw up my writings myself. D F MISOU,

Only, in these matters, all depends on good counsel; and, in this town you may pick and chuse.

-

MEGRIM.

-

Aye, aye; ’tis just the same thing. DEMISO U.

-

An attorney, you know, sir, in great prac tice, and a cheating one

-

MEGRIM.

'Tis just the same thing. DEMISO U.

-

-

Hum!---That’s what people think of attor nies,

believe, in most countries.

Well, have

it your own way. Sir, I'm your humble servant, M EGRIM.

Very well.

BLUE * : *

~

*

~

DEV1 LS.

17

deMisou.

*

~

The strangest man I ever saw in my life! -

.

[Ewit DEMisou.

-

MEGRIM.

-

Damn this blockhead he plagues me beyond all endurance. Now then for writing. [Sits down.

-

Enter JAMEs. JAMES,

ºf

Master Demisou be just gone out. If I could, now, but take a last leave of poor, dear, Miss

Annette. I’ll go and find her. Poor little heart! she'll cry her sweet pretty eyes out. For my part, I be sure, I never shall bear it. For cer tain, I must die.

-

MEGRIM.

"

Die! (overhearing the last word.) JAMES.

Yes, this be my last day. -

MEGRIM.

e

Is it? Egad, then, I shall have a companion. 'Tis very lucky, I did’nt kill myself yesterday. JAMES.

Well, I’ll go, and - MEGRIM.

-

Hollo! my good friend! be so kind as to stop a minute or two, will you?

-

-

JAMES.

-

What be I to stop for?

w

-

MEGRIM.

I shall have done writing in an instant, and then, we can go together. º

-

-

-

JAMES. v.

~

*

Dang it, I do seeMEGRIM. no necessity for that. -

-

a

Necessity' no, but it will be more agreeable. C

-

-

BLU E

#8

D E V 1 L S.

J AM ES.

Under favour, now, 'twill be more agreeable to I, to go by myself. ME GRIM.

-

Will it? what have you no symptoms of fear, then? no little sort of a tremor?—no kind of— elh 2

*

-

JAMES.

Fear, of what? . MEGRIM.

Why of the—the object you have in view. JAMES.

No, not I; I do love the object too well, to be frighten’d. ,

'

MEGRIM.

(Get;ing up, and taking JAMEs's hand.) Have you, really, then, my good friend—really--reasons for desiring that object 3 JAMES.

Have I?---Thousands;---bushels' MEGRIM.

. So have I. JAMES.

w

You f

-

MEGRIM.

-

Yes. JAMEs.

-

Indeed! I didn’t know that. MEGRIM.

Then I’ll tell it you. I mean to finish the job, in less than half an hour. JAMES.

The devil you do! -

-

M.EGRIM.

Look ye, my good friend; last night, I was within an ace of accomplishing my wishes.

FLU E

19

D E W I L S.

JAMES.

You was 2

a

-

3MEGRIM,

Yes; but I am glad now that I deferr'd it. JAMES,

You be 2 So be I too ! ME GRIM.

-

Certainly; for having both, as you say, the same object in view, why, we may embrace the object together. jAMES.

Together' *MEGRIM.

-

Aye; or I will first, to set you a good exam ple. -

-

JAMES.

-

Zounds, and the devil' I shall choak with

rage! Harkye, me, Mr.--- do you know the per son, you be talking so familiar about? .

MEGRIM.

The person!---Oh he means Death, I suppose. (aside) No; net yet; but I shall very shortly, JAMES.

But I’d have you to know, that I do. MEGRIM.

-

-

You do know the person 2. JAMES.

Yes;---been acquainted, upwards of three months.

-

-

ME GRIM.

A damn'd lying companion, I shall have, by the bye; to tell me he has been dead above a

quarter of a year! Why, friend, 'tis impossible ! -

JAMES.

That may be; but it be very true.

And I

will cram the teeth of him down his throat, who C2

-

-

-

BLU E D Evils,

20

dare to belye her; for she be as ever trod upon the ground.

honest a girl as

MEGRIM.

A girl' who? JAMES.

-

Why, Annette, to be sure. MEGRIM.

A net! what the devil do you mean by a net JAMES.

-

Why, the person you spoke so shamefully of, just now, MEGRIM.

.

Why, zounds, man, do you call death, a net, then 2

-

JAMES,

Death ! -

MEGRIM.

Yes; why, what was it you said, just now, when you came in 2 -

JAMES.

What did I say? why, that if so be I lost my poor, dear, Annette, I should make a die on’t, outright. -

-

MEGRIM.

- Why, then, you---you are not determined, it seems, to kill yourself. JAMES.

To kill myself!---Mercy on me! what for 2 MEGRIM.

-

Why, to put an end to your sufferings, to be SUtre.

JAMES.

-

Pshaw man! you be a laughing at me. It be only cowards that be afraid to face misfortunes. -

MEGRIM.

Cowards ! What do you think, then, that the world would tax a man with cowardice, after his death, who has had the resolution to eh P

BLUE DEVILS,

21

JAMES,

:

Afterwards What a dickens care I, what people do say, when I be dead, and gone. Put

ting the case, that the world ha’ been my enemy, why need I trouble my head about what my ene

#. ºys of me, when I be no longer able to hear III] :

-

MEGRIM.

-

I did very wrong, not to kill myself last night,

I should have escaped the mortification,

of finding a clown wiser than myself, this morn. ing. What is it, then, makes you uneasy: JAMES,

Because, I be in love. MEGRIM.

Does the girl you love—love you, in return?

-

JAMES,

Hugely.

2 x MEGRIM.

You're a happy fellow. . JAMES,

I be a miserable dog. MEGRIM.

-

Impossible!----a man, who loves, and is bes loved--JAMES,

-

Pooh, mun!---there be something else want

ing, beside that, to make I happy. MEGRIM.

Aye?---And what---what is wanting, my good fellow, to make you happy? (kindly.) .

JAMES.

Why, possession, to be sure. -

MEGRIM.

Why don't you take her, then? -

JAMEs.

,

Her father do trundle I out of doors, because I be poor,

BLU E

82

L E W I L S,

MEGRIM.

-

Poor!----And is that all? JAMES.

Ifackins, and that be enough. MEGRIM.

How much money, would be enough, to ob tain the girl?

-

JAMES.

\

Oh, it be a large'sum!----I might as soon look to be made a king, as to get it. It be two hun dred louis-d'ors.

.

MEGRIM.

-

. . ..

And that would make you happy?

-

JAMES.

Happy!---I do verily think, 'twould make me

jump out of myskin, for joy. . MEGh IM.

-

And your mistress happy too? JAMES.

Pshaw!---there be a question ---How should I be so, if Annette was’nt happy too? MEGRIM.

Stay a minute; (pulling out his pocket book) I give you---stay---aye, here they are---I make you a present of two hundred louis d'ors. JAMES,

What! MEGRIM.

-

-

They are good notes:---amy banking-house, here, will discount them. JAMES.

I—I— -

-

M. E.G.R.I.M.

What’s the matter? -

JAMES.

Heaven prosper you !—I

be so—so over glad,

I—I---I don’t know, whether I should throw

myself at your feet---

-

B L U E - E) E W H L S.

23

-

MEGRIM.

*

Pshaw!---that's wrong. JAMES.

t

Or into your arms. M EGRIM.

w

That's right. (They embrace J. JAMES.

-

I do owe you my life. MEGRIM.

-

Pish!---that’s nothing. . -

JAMES.

-

I do owe you my happiness. ,

-

M EGRIM.

-

i.

Aye, that’s every thing. JAMES.

Without you, I had lost Annette. I were go ing, in despair, to enlist in the sea service. MEGRIMI.

Indeed! JAMES.

-

Yes;—I would have risk'd my life, boldly. -

-

MEGRIM.

That's a fine lad. JAMES.

And if I had faced the brave Englishmen—MEGRIM.

How, you dog!---the Englishmen? JAMES.

Eh!---Oh---What, you be one?----I see---I see

---I be ruin’d---Take back the money---It be no longer mine, I suppose. .

-

MEGRIM.

Harkye, my good fellow. Let a man, of any nation, under the sun, attack the glory and li berty of Old England, and he is my enemy:---let his distress call for my assistance, and he be comes my countryman. Away, and make your self happy. -

BLUE Devi Ls.

#3

JAMES.

-

-

[Erit JAMEs,

Heaven bless you! . MEGRIMIs.

I was quite right, not to kill myself, yester day: I should have lost the pleasure, to-day, of doing a charitable action. Enter ANNETTE, ANNETTE.

-

Sure, I heard James's voice ---I don’t see him here, neither. *

-

MEGRIM.

Eh!---That's a pretty, little creature!

What

are you looking for, Mademoiselle? ANNETTE.

-

Monsieur!---Oh dear!---I beg pardon for in truding.

-

M EGRIM.

No, no, you don't intrude at all.----She's very pretty.

-

ANNETTE.

-

I beg pardon, indeed, sir, for----Sir, your ser vant. (going.) MEGRIM.

Stay---stay a minute. Come here, my dear. ANNETTE. -

Sir? MEGRIM.

-

Why, you tremble, child; you look flurried. ANNETTE.

So I am, sir. *

*

M EGRIM.

Aye! and for what? ANNETTE.

Oh, I must not tell that, sir. MEGRIM.

Nay, nay, let me hear the---

-

*

*

,

•

BLUE DEVILs.

25

ANNETTE.

-

º

Dear! my heartbeats, like anything! MEGRIM.

-

Poor little heart!---and what is it makes it beat so *

-

.

-

ANNETTE.

Ah, sir! MEGRIM.

-

Well?

e

ANNETTE.

-

Indeed, sir, I am so sincere---

º

MEGRIM.

Are you?---That's an extraordinary thing in a woman, my dear. ANNETTE.

-

-

-

So sincere, sir, that I don’t know how to dis guise any thing in the world. MEGRIM.

-

Well, well---there’s no harm in that, child;

on the contrary, the quality is a good one. ANNETTE.

-

And so, sir, in coming here to see, sir---to Sée---

-

MEGRIM.

Well---out with it. ANNETTE,

-

To see him— MEGRIM.

Well, him— -

ANNETTE.

-

Him that I love, sir. (curtseying) -

-

MEGRIM.

Zounds! she loves me!---(aside) ANNETTE.

-

I could not keep a command of myself, sir--ld so---that’s all, sir. 1)

)

BLU E

26

D E W I L S.

MEGRIM.

And is this true, child? *

ANNETTE.

-

Too true, sir, --'tis that makes me so unhappy. MEGRIM.

Why should it make you unhappy? ANNETTE.

t

Why?---Only think of being in love, at my age, sir!

-

-

MEGRIM.

-

Pray, then, how old are you, my dear?. ANNETTE.

-

... I shall be eighteen, sir, come next Friday fortnight.

-

MEGR IM.

-

That's a very ellarming age, indeed! ANNETTE.

e

And to love without hope, you know, sir! ME6;RIM.

-

r

-

Nay, nay, child, I did not say that. ANNETTE.

-

-

'Tis not the less true, though, I assure you, sir. MEGRIM.

An amiable creature, like you, can never be without hope. .

ANNETTE.

-

Dear, now sir, you flatter me. , MEGRIM.

I never stoop'd to flatter any body, in my life, child.---But, tell me, now, sincerely, is not this all a joke? -

ANNETTE.

-

º

No, indeed, and upon my word, sir. -

MEGR.I.M.

It is very astonishing!---But I believe it, since

you say it. Oh James Megrim, James Megrim ;

BTL U E

ºr

D F W I L S.

who would have thought this, at your time of

iife

And, how came you to fall in love, so sud

denly, my dear? "

-

.

ANNETTE.

-

La, sir, sure it does not, take such a deal of

time, to fall in love. The first sight of my James, did so set my heart a beating. MEGRIM.

-

Of James!

-

ANNETTE.

-

H’m sure, sir, without James, I should never be able to live.

-

-

MEGRIM.

Then you have heard the name? ANNETTE.

Heard it!---Aye, sure, and from his own, very mouth.

-

,

-

MEGRIM.

Ha---she listen’d then, when I told my name, Poor soul! how deeply she

to the landlord.

is smitten' And what was it, that struckyouso forcibly, my dear? º

-

ANNETTE.

Oh, every thing.

-

MEGRIM.

Indeed!

-

ANNETTE.

-

First, his figure, sir.

-

*

MEGRIM.

You think it interesting, perhaps? ANNETTE.

Aye, that it is, indeed, sir. MEGRIM.

(Bowing) Very handsome, upon my word, ANNETTE.

O, very handsome, indeed, sir! then his eyes,

do look so languishing! D2

-

.

.

BLU E D E VILS.

28

MEGRIM.

Nay, come, come--- damn it, not so very lan

guishing neither. ANNETTE.

-

O, indeed, but they do, though ! MEGRIM.

-

How blind is a girl, in love, at eighteen' for my part, I never saw any thing, so particularly striking in my eyes, now ! - ANNETTE.

*

-

-

Then, he has so much honesty---so much frankness, sir. MEGRIM.

-

Aye, aye, aye---for frankness, he has enough of that, I grant you. -

*

-

ANNETTE.

-

-

*

And, I’ll be sworn, upon a book, he has the best heart, in the world, sir. -

MEGRIM.

It is not a heart inclined to do ill, I believe, my dear. ANNETTE. .

.

No, that I’m sure, it is not, sir. MEGRIM.

-

But how came you to know that, child? . ANNETTE.

La, sir, the smallest trifles, in the world, can shew that.

-

MEGRIM.

-

Why, that's very true; trifles often marka man’s character. *

-

-

.

-

-

ANNETTE.

-

-

And, then, his talk is so agreeable, and so pleasant. MEGRIM.

Oh, you are too good--you are, upon my soul!

-

* .

.

BLUE DEvils. -

29

-

ANNETTE.

-

No indeed—indeed, sir!—Tho’ I’m in love, I do but speak justice. MEGRIM.

a

Oh! she's over head and ears!—a plain case. ANNETTE.

But, to be obliged, to give him up, after all ! MEGRIM.

Give him up!—but why should you give him up? -

ANNETTE.

-

Ah, James!---you are going to leave me!---

going to-day, perhaps, or to-morrow! Heigho! MEGRIM.

-

-

Nay, nay, be composed, child. Dry your tears; a man of honour, can never abuse the power he has obtained over the heart of an in nocent young creature. There are no obstacles

in a case like this, that may not be surmounted. ANNETTE.

-

Ah, sir!---there spoke the very soul of him I love. But, sure enough, there is an obstacle, and a sad one, too. MEGRIM.

What is the obstacle 2 ANNETTE.

-

Want of money. MEGRIM.

Pooh! a trifle. ANNETTE.

And, then my father. MEGRIM.

I'll engage that he shall consent to the union. ANNETTE.

º

Dear!-- can it be? -

MEGRIM.

-

You are lovely, amiable, and have the ten

B LU E

30

D E W I L S.

derest heart! 'tis in my power, to give you hap piness, and your James shall marry you. -

ANNETTE.

-

Shall he dear, sir! then, I shall be bound to Hove you for ever, and ever. -

ME GRIM,

And will you? *

ANNETTE.

With all my heart, and soul, I will. MEGRIM.

-

-

So much love will not be ill requited,

Where shall I find your father? -

-

-

ANNETTE.

.

He is the landlord of this hotel, sir. MEGRIM.

What! the man, whose tongue is going from morning to night? -

ANNETTE.

My poor father, does love to talk a little, sir, that’s a sure thing. MEGRIM.

-

Well, then, now ’tis my turn to talk to him. I will make the proposal, pay down all the mo ney, that's wanted, on the nail, and— ANNETTE.

Hark!---I hear my father coming— *

ME GRIM.

Then, leave me alone with him a little! adieu!

my sweet girl, adieu! • ANNETTE.

*

Heaven bless you, sir! Ah, James! what hap.

piness do I now prepareforyou. [Erit ANNETTE. -

MEGRIM.

-

Thank you, my angel, a thousand times

thank you!---1 was quite right not to kill my self yesterday.---If I had, I could never have been married to-day.

B LU E

D E W I L S.

34

Enter DEMisou. DEMISOU.

-

Ruin'd, past redemption' that tartar of a wine merchant, is coming directly to seize my

goods.---How to prevent their carrying off, I :

MEGRIM.

*~ *

(Sitting down) Hark ye, master landlord.--A word with you, if you please. DEMISOU.

Your commands, sir? MEGRIM.

An extraordinary circumstance, has happen'd in your house, you must know. DEMISOU,

-

(Aside) Ha!---then, the Bailiffs are come,

and are got here before me. M. E.G.R.I.M.,

You did not expect, I believe, what I have just learnt? -

DE MISOU,

Ah, dear, sir!---there's no mincing the matter. I knew it all, but, too well, before f went out. MEGRIM.

-

Did you?---Then she has broke the business to

her father already, it seems. (Aside.) DEMISOU.

-

-

I’m heartily sorry---heartily sorry, indeed, sir, for putting you to all the inconvenience, and

trouble, this unlucky affair must give you. MEGRIM.

Oh, it gives me no trouble at all!---On the

contrary, friend, I am glad it has happen'd--I am, upon my soul! DEMISOU.

(Boeing.) Upon my soul, sir, I’m very much obliged to you!---I can't very well see, though,

--

-

B L U E D F. v I L S.

$2

why, my misfortune should make you so mighty happy.

-

MEGRIM.

Misfortune!---pooh! 'tis no misfortune, at all, friend. DEMISOU. • ,

-

-

. I beg your pardon, though; for, I’m sure, ’tis none of my fault. MEGRIM.

Well, well, I don’t believe it is. DEMISOU.

-

I am sure, I have done everything, in my pow er, to avoid the disgrace. MEGRIM.

-

Pshaw!---there's no disgrace in the question: nobody knows any thing about it, but your daughter, and I.

-

DEMISO.U.

-

-

Aye----the more her folly for disclosing it. M EGRIM.

Folly! 'twas her destiny---poor thing, she could not help it. DEMisou.

Aye---and what will be the consequence? *

-

MEGRIM

Why, what will be the consequence? DEMISOU.

Only my ruin—that’s all. -

MEGRIM.

No such thing, I tell you. DEMISO U.

-

A babbling baggage!—after I had begg'd and pray’d her to be silent— MEGRIM.

Pooh! pooh!---you are wrong.

You should

let the poor dear girl, follow her own inclina tions.

13 L U E

D Ev 1 L S.

33

DEMISOU.

-

-

What, when the poor dear girl does a damn'd deal of mischief?

-

MEGRIM.

I see no mischief, now, not I. DEM ISOU.

The devil you don't!---Why, shall not I lose my credit?

-

MEGRIM. Zounds!. How? DEMISOU.

How?----Why, don’t you think my neigh bours would talk of the carrying off? MEGRIM.

Carrying off?---impossible!---My friend, you don’t know rae: my nature would never permit such a thing. DEMISOU.

What!---and will you have the goodness, sir, to---

MEGRIM.

-

Yes, yes; to be sure, I will:---and I now ask

your consent, to conclude the whole business directly. DBMIsou. .

-

My dear sir!---this is such a kindness---I'm sure I---I don’t know how to thank you---in deed, I don’t:---but the money, that I want, is--MEGHIM.

Oh, damn the money! I don’t mind that.

'Tis always my way to give, and never to take. DEMISO U.

You have made me the happiest man in the world.

Odso

very nick.

here’s the bailiff, come in the

(aside.)

-

34

BLU E

D E W I L S.

Enter BAILIFF.

There, friend---there's the gentleman, that will settle with you. MEGRIM.

What does this fellow want? DEMISOU.

He comes on the business we have been talk

ing about. MEGRIM.

Oh, then, he is a notary. BAILIFF.

A notary ! Enter ANNETTE. ANNETTE.

(apart to MEGRIM.) Have you spoke to my father, sir?

-

MEGRIM.

All settled:---he consents. -

ANNETTE.

Dear, I’m so happy! MEGR.I.M.

And there's the man.

(pointing to the BAILIFF. ANNETTE.

What man? MEGRIM.

To finish the business. ANNETTE.

-

I don’t understand.

-

-

DEMISO.U.

-

. Now, sir, if you will have the goodness to settle

-

MEGRIM.

Oh, with all my heart.

B L U E

D E W I L S.

35

BAILIFF.

Here are the papers, then. MEGRIM.

-

(taking them.) Why, this is not a contract, BAILIFF.

-

No, 'tis a bond. MEGRIM.

A bond' but we want a contract. DEMISO.U.

A contract? what, would you have it done, then, in that mode 2

-

MEGRIM.

-

-

Eh Why, surely, you would not have it done in any other. -

DEMISOU.

-

-

Oh, just as you think proper; but I thought that my simple acknowledgment— MEGRIM.

Well, well, if your daughter consents to it, in that way, 'tis the same to me. DEMISO.U.

-

Why, what does her consent signify? MEGRIM.

4

A great deal. Do you think I would do any thing by force?

-

-

DEMISOU,

.

Well, but, sir, in paying ,

-

MEGR IM.

(with indignation) In paying? BAILIFF.

Aye, aye; the gentleman don’t understand: but that’s our method, here.—But there—

there's the bill, and there's the receipt. MEGRIM.

Receipt for what? BAILIFF,

For the two hundred Louis d'ors, E 2

-

B L U E D E v I L S.

36

MEGRIM.

-

-

Why, what the plague! am I to pay two hun dred Louis d’ors, for your daughter? DEMISOU.

-

For my daughter? Zounds! no,-'tis for me, *

MEGRIM.

|

For you ? Go to the devil! -

DEMISOU.

Why, did’nt you say that— MEGRIM.

To be sure, I did say: I said that your daugh ter had fallen in love with me; that she would

have me, and, that I was willing to take her, ANNETTE.

Dear ! what, l: MEGRIM.

Yes; you told me so, yourself. ANNETTE.

º

Mercy! • DE MISO.U.

Damn me, if ever you told me a word of it. You said, you would pay the two hundred Louis d’ors, that I owed, MEGRIM.

Then this is not the notary, after all, with the contract of marriage? DEMISO.U.

I understand nothing about marriage, not I. MEGRIM.

Why, I tell you that I’ll marry your daughter. DEMISOU.

-

You! -

MEGRIM.

Yes; and settle on her all I am worth. DEM1sou.

My dear sir! W hy this is a luckier hit than

-

-

,

B L U E - DEW 1 LS.

37

-

the other! I only ask’d for a sum, to prevent the seizure of my goods. MEGRIM,

-

Of your goods Oh, you shall have that in a minute. How much have I to pay, friend? BAILIFF,

Nothing at all, sir, you have paid me already. MEGRIM.

I paid you! PAILIFF.

Yes; you sent me the money an hour ago; and , I'm come to give you up the papers. MEGRIM.

Why, damme, you’re mad. BAILIFF.

Mad MEGRIM,

I never sent you a farthing. *

BAILIFF.

I have received it, for all that, DEMISOU.

And who brought it to you? BAILIFF.

-

Your waiter. DEMISOU,

My waiter! *

-

ANNETTE,

He!---Dear, how glad I am! BAILIFF.

Well, well---there are all the writings. Settle it, among yourselves;---I have business. Your

[Erit BAILIFF,

Servant. DEMISOU.

-

-

Why, what’s the meaning of all this? MEGRIM.

I don’t understand.

,\

BLU E

38

10 E VI L S.

DEMISOU.

Nor I. ANNETTE.

Nor I. Enter JAMEs.

Ah! my good, kind friend! - JAMES.

My dear Annette! MEGRIM.

Zounds! these two look mighty languishing at one another. -

-

DE MISO.U.

Is it you, then, that have done me this piece of service 3 (to JAMEs.) JAMES.

-

-

Why, I have had the good luck to give you a

helping hand, as a body may say. DEMISO.U.

And where did you get the money? JAMES.

-

That kind gentleman, there, gave it to I. (pointing to MEGRIM.) I know’d no better use for it than getting you out of misfortune. IDEMISO U.

-

My good fellow!---|---I don’t know what re turn I can make you. -

J AM ES.

Ah! the return be in your power, if you please. (pointing to ANNETTE.)

-

MEGRIM.

Oh! the devil! .JAMES.

-

This lind gentleman did promise to speak a good word for me. JAMES.

What, is this she, then, that.--- ?

Blue Devils.

39

.J.AMES.

Aye. MEGRIM.

I’m sorry for it. JAMES.

Be you? MEGRIM.

You can’t have her. JAMES.

No!

Why? MEGRIM.,

-

She’s in love with me. ANNETTE.

Il MEGRIM.

Yes. Did not you tell me, that your heart beat like any thing; and that you were in love? ANNETTE.

Yes, with him.

(pointing to JAMEs.) MEGRIM.

With him? ANNETTE.

Aye, sure:---Who should it be, but my own, poor James?

-

MEGRIM.

James!---Zounds! the same name!----I was wrong, not to kill myself, last night: I should

not have made such an ass of myself, to-day. JAMES.

-

Nay, then, I see how it be----I must lose An nette, at last;---it be my duty, to give up to my benefactor. Heaven bless you, Annette; and may you be as happy as I be unfortunate! (going. MEGRIM.

Stay, stay, stay, my friend!----I can’t find in my heart to do a cruel action. Take her;---you

AO

BLU E

-

D E W T L S.

shall not want a marriage portion:---and, in giving happiness to others, I begin to find the best method of securing my own. JAMEs and ANNETTE.

Ah! sir! M EGRIM.

No thanks;---I rather owe them to you. ALL,

You! MEGRIM.

-

Indeed, I do, my good friends. I have, hi

therto, been sick of life, because I experienced nothing but its disgusts. You have now taught me to relish its pleasures. After seaching, far and wide, I, at length, know where to find them;

and I, now, discover, that the greatest, and urest pleasure, a rich man can enjoy, is assist ing his poorer fellow creatures, and catching all

opportunities of doing a BENEvoleNT Action.

t

===

Printed by W. Burton, 82, Fetter Lane,

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