The Works of Aphra Behn Volume Iv Part 67

This play, Madam, being left in my hands by the Author to Introduce to the Publick, I thought my self oblig'd to say thus much in its defence, and that it was also a Duty upon me to choose a Patroness proper for it, and the Author having pitcht upon your Name to do Honour to some of her Works, I thought your Protection, could be so usefull to none, as to this, whose owning it may Silence the Malice of its Enemies; Your Wit and Judgment being to be Submitted to in all Cases; Besides your Natural Tenderness and Compa.s.sion for the Unfortunate, gives you in a manner another t.i.tle to it: The Preference which is due to you upon so many Accounts is therefore the Reason of this present Address, for at the Worst, if this Play should be so Unfortunate as not to be thought worthy of your Acceptance; Yet it is certain, that its worth any Man's while to have the Honour of subscribing himself,

Madam, Your Most Obedient Humble, Servant, G. J.

THE WIDOW RANTER:

Or, the History of Bacon in _Virginia_.

PROLOGUE,

By Mr. _Dryden_.

Heaven save ye, Gallants; and this hopeful Age, Y' are welcome to the downfal of the Stage: The Fools have laboured long in their Vocation; And Vice (the Manufacture of the Nation) O'er-stocks the Town so much, and thrives so well, That Fops and Knaves grow Drugs, and will not sell.

In vain our Wares on Theaters are shown, When each has a Plantation of his own.

His Cruse ne'er fails; for whatsoe'er he spends, There's still G.o.d's plenty for himself and Friends.

Shou'd Men be rated by Poetick Rules, Lord, what a Poll would there be rais'd from Fools!

Mean time poor Wit prohibited must lie, As if 'twere made some _French_ Commodity.

Fools you will have, and rais'd at vast expence; And yet as soon as seen, they give offence.

Time was, when none would cry that Oaf was me, But now you strive about your Pedigree: Bauble and Cap no sooner are thrown down, But there's a Muss of more than half the Town.

Each one will challenge a Child's part at least, A sign the Family is well increas'd.

Of Foreign Cattle there's no longer need, When we're supply'd so fast with _English_ Breed, Well! Flourish, Countrymen; drink, swear and roar, Let every free-born Subject keep his Wh.o.r.e; And wandring in the Wilderness about, At end of Forty Years not wear her out.

But when you see these Pictures, let none dare To own beyond a Limb or single share: For where the Punk is common, he's a Sot, Who needs will father what the Parish got.

DRAMATIS PERSONae.

MEN.

_Indian King_ called _Cavernio_, Mr. _Bowman_.

_Bacon_, General of the _English_, Mr. _Williams_.

Colonel _Wellman_, Deputy Governor, Mr. _Freeman_.

Col. _Downright_, a loyal honest Colonel, Mr. _Harris_.

_Hazard_ } Two Friends known to one another Mr. _Alexander_, _Friendly_ } many Years in _England_, Mr. _Powell_.

_Daring_ } Lieutenant Generals to _Bacon_ Mr. _Sandford_, _Fearless_ } Mr. _Cudworth_.

_Dullman_, a Captain, Mr. _Bright_.

_Timorous Cornet_, } Mr. _Underhill_, _Whimsey_, } Justices of the Peace, Mr. _Trefuse_, _Whiff_, } and very great Cowards, Mr. _Bowen_, _Boozer_, } Mr. _Barns_.

_Brag_, a Captain.

_Grubb_, One complain'd of by Capt. _Whiff_, for calling his Wife Wh.o.r.e.

A Pet.i.tioner against _Brag_, Mr. _Blunt_.

Parson _Dunce_, formerly a Farrier, fled from _England_, and Chaplain to the Governour, Mr. _Baker_.

_Jeffery_, Coachman to _Widow Ranter_.

_Cavaro_, an _Indian_, Confidant to the _Indian King_.

_Jack_, a Sea-Boy.

Clerk; Boy; An Officer; Messenger; Seaman; 2nd Seaman; A Highlander.

WOMEN.

_Indian Queen_, call'd _Semernia_, belov'd by _Bacon_, Mrs. _Bracegirdle_.

Madam _Surelove_, belov'd by _Hazard_, Mrs. _Knight_.

Mrs. _Chrisante_, Daughter to Colonel _Downright_, Mrs. _Jordan_.

_Widow Ranter_, in love with _Daring_, Mrs. _Currer_.

Mrs. _Flirt_, a Tapstress, Mrs. _Cory_.

Mrs. _Whimsey_.

Mrs. _Whiff_.

_Jenny_, Maid to _Widow Ranter_.

_Nell_, Maid at the Inn.

_Anaria_, Confidante to the _Indian Queen_.

Maid to Madam _Surelove_.

Priests, Indians, Bailiffs, Soldiers, Rabble, Negroes, with other Attendants.

SCENE, _Virginia_: in _Bacon's_ Camp, _James-Town_ and the surrounding Country.

ACT I.

SCENE I. A Room with several Tables.

Enter _Hazard_ in a travelling Habit, and _Jack_, a Sea-Boy, carrying his Portmantle.

_Haz._ What Town's this, Boy?

_Boy._ _James-Town_, Master.

_Haz._ Take care my Trunk be brought ash.o.r.e to night, and there's for your Pains.

_Boy._ G.o.d bless you, Master.

_Haz._ What do you call this House?

_Boy._ Mrs. _Flirt's_, Master, the best House for Commendation in all _Virginia_.

_Haz._ That's well, has she any handsome Ladies, Sirrah?