209 advocate in his favour, whose heart and mind you have so entire a share in: it is my only portion and my fortune; I cannot but be happy, so long as I have but hopes I may enjoy it; and I must be miserable, should it ever be my ill fate to lose it. This, with eternal wishes for Your Royal Highness's content, happiness, and prosperity, in all humility is presented by Your most obedient, And devoted Servant, THO. OTWAY. VOL. II. A PROLOGUE. To you, great judges in this writing age, With all those humble thoughts, which still have sway'd And aw'd by ev'ry excellence in you, The author sends to beg you would be kind, Satire's th' effect of poetry's disease; Which, sick of a lewd age, she vents for ease, Then shake off fears, and clap your hands for joy. * The Duke of York; who had returned from Brussels, whither he retired to escape the clamours of the Anti-papists. DRAMATIS PERSONÆ. ACASTO, a Nobleman retired from Court, and living privately in the Country. CASTALIO, POLYDORE, his Sons. CHAMONT, a young Soldier of Fortune. PAULINO, Servants in the Family. CORDELIO, Polydore's Page. Chaplain. MONIMIA, the Orphan, left under the Guardianship of old Acasto. SERINA, Acasto's Daughter. FLORELLA, Monimia's Woman. SCENE, Bohemia, THE ORPHAN. ACT I. SCENE I. Enter PAULINO and ERNESTO. Paul. "Tis strange, Ernesto, this severity Should still reign pow'rful in Acasto's mind, To hate the court, where he was bred, and liv'd, All honours heap'd on him that pow'r could give. Ern. 'Tis true, he hither came a private gentleman, But young and brave, and of a family Ancient and noble as the empire holds. The honours he has gain'd are justly his: He purchas'd them in war; thrice has he led An army 'gainst the rebels, and as often Return'd with victory: the world has not .A truer soldier, or a better subject. Paul. It was his virtue at first made me serve him; He is the best of masters, as of friends: I know he has lately been invited thither; Yet still he keeps his stubborn purpose; cries, Ern. Has he not reason? When for what he had Long, hard, and faithful toil, he might have claim'd A huffing, shining, flatt'ring, cringing coward, |