The Gamester (1753) Part 5

_Bates._ No matter for manners and looks: do You supply them with money, and they are gentlemen by profession. The pa.s.sion of gaming casts such a mist before the eyes, that the n.o.bleman shall be surrounded with sharpers, and imagine himself in the best company.

_Stu._ There's that Williams too: it was He, I suppose, that called at Beverley's with the note this morning. What directions did you give him?

_Bates._ To knock loud, and be clamorous. Did not you see him?

_Stu._ No. The fool sneaked off with Jarvis. Had he appeared within-doors, as directed, the note had been discharged. I waited there on purpose. I want the women to think well of me; for Lewson's grown suspicious; he told me so himself.

_Bates._ What answer did you make him?

_Stu._ A short one. That I would see him soon, for farther explanation.

_Bates._ We must take care of him. But what have we to do with Beverley? Dawson and the rest are wondering at you.

_Stu._ Why let them wonder. I have designs above Their narrow reach.

They see me lend him money; and they stare at me. But they are fools. I want him to believe me beggared by him.

_Bates._ And what then?

_Stu._ Ay, there's the question; but no matter. At night you may know more. He waits for me at Wilson's. I told the women where to find him.

_Bates._ To what purpose?

_Stu._ To save suspicion. It looked friendly; and they thanked me.

Old Jarvis was dispatched to him.

_Bates._ And may intreat him home.

_Stu._ No; he experts money from me: but I'll have none. His wife's jewels must go. Women are easy creatures, and refuse nothing where they love. Follow me to Wilson's; but besure he sees you not. You are a man of character, you know; of prudence and discretion. Wait for me in an outer room; I shall have business for you presently.

Come, Sir.

Let drudging fools by honesty grow great; The shorter road to riches is deceit.

[_Exeunt._

ACT II.

_SCENE a gaming house, with a table, box, dice, &c._

_BEVERLEY is discovered sitting._

_Beverley_. Why, what a world is this! The slave that digs for gold, receives his daily pittance, and sleeps contented; while those, for whom he labours, convert their good to mischief; making abundance the means of want. O shame! shame! Had fortune given me but a little, that little had been still my own. But plenty leads to waste; and shallow streams maintain their currents, while swelling rivers beat down their banks, and leave their channels empty. What had I to do with play? I wanted nothing. My wishes and my means were equal. The poor followed me with blessings; love scattered roses on my pillow, and morning waked me to delight.--O, bitter thought! that leads to what I was, by what I am! I would forget both--Who's there?

SCENE II.

_Enter a WAITER._

_Wait._ A gentleman, Sir, enquires for you.

_Bev._ He might have used less ceremony. Stukely I suppose?

_Wait._ No, Sir; a stranger.

_Bev._ Well, shew him in. (_Exit Waiter._) A messenger from Stukely then. From Him that has undone me! Yet all in friends.h.i.+p; and now he lends me from his little, to bring back fortune to me.

SCENE III.

_Enter JARVIS._

Jarvis! Why this intrusion?--Your absence had been kinder.

_Jar._ I came in duty, Sir. If it be troublesome--

_Bev._ It is. I would be private; hid even from myself. Who sent you hither?

_Jar._ One that would persuade you home again. My mistress is not well; her tears told me so.

_Bev._ Go with thy duty there then. But does she weep? I am to blame to let her weep. Prithee begone; I have no business for thee.

_Jar._ Yes, Sir; to lead you from this place. I am your servant still. Your prosperous fortune blessed my old age. If That has left you, I must not leave you.

_Bev._ Not leave me! Recall past time then; or through this sea of storms and darkness, shew me a star to guide me. But what can'st Thou?

_Jar._ The little that I can, I will. You have been generous to me.

I would not offend you, Sir--but--

_Bev._ No. Think'st thou I'd ruin Thee too? I have enough of shame already. My wife! my wife! Would'st thou believe it, Jarvis? I have not seen her all this long night; I, who have loved her so, that every hour of abscence seemed as a gap in life. But other bonds have held me. O! I have played the boy; dropping my counters in the stream, and reaching to redeem them, have lost Myself. Why wilt Thou follow misery? Or if thou wilt, go to thy mistress--She has no guilt to sting her, and therefore may be comforted.

_Jar._ For pity's sake, Sir! I have no heart to see this change.

_Bev._ Nor I to bear it. How speaks the world of me, Jarvis?

_Jar._ As of a good man dead. Of one, who walking in a dream, fell down a precipice. The world is sorry for you.

_Bev._ Ay, and pities me. Says it not so? But I was born to infamy.

I'll tell thee what it says. It calls me villain; a treacherous husband; a cruel father; a false brother; one lost to nature and her charities--Or to say all in one short word, it calls me--Gamester.

Go to thy mistress; I'll see her presently.

_Jar._ And why not now? Rude people press upon her; loud, bawling creditors; wretches, who know no pity. I met one at the door; he would have seen my mistress--I wanted means of present payment, so promised it to-morrow. But others may be pressing; and she has grief enough already. Your absence hangs too heavy on her.

_Bev._ Tell her I'll come then. I have a moment's business. But what hast Thou to do with My distresses? Thy honesty has left thee poor; and age wants comfort. Keep what thou hast for cordials; left between thee and the grave, misery steal in. I have a friend shall counsel me--This is that friend.

SCENE IV.