Here, Sir, if the Play had been my own, I should have complain'd that the Town had its favourite Fools, as well as favourite Wits, and that Comedy or Farce from any other hand wou'd no more go down with them, than their favourites will with true Judges that read, not see 'em.
I should have had indignation enough, perhaps, to've rail'd at the Criticks of all Degrees, and Denominations of Box and Pit, nay, Galleries too, and told 'em that they were so conceited of their own Wit, that they cou'd take no pleasure in hearing that of another, or that Wit in a Play seeming to affront the Parts of the Audience, they suffer'd their Resentment to destroy their Satisfaction. This, and a great many other Satyrical Reflections, which are natural for a Disappointed Poet to make, I shou'd then have vented; but being satisfy'd, that the Reputation of Mrs. BEHN is not affected by the malicious Endeavours of some of my Enemies, I now present it under your Patronage, Sir, to the more competent Judges; Proud of the Opportunity of Offering you an occasion of so agreeable a Province, as the Protection of the unfortunate, and letting the World know how much I am, Sir,
Your Humble Servant,
_CH. GILDON._
THE YOUNGER BROTHER;
or, The Amorous Jilt.
PROLOGUE,
By an unknown Hand.
Spoke by Mr. _Powell_.
As Rivals of each other jealous prove, And both strive which shall gain the Lady's Love, So we for your Affections daily vie: Not an Intriguer in the Gallery (Who squeezes hand of _Phillis_ mask'd, that stood Ogling for Sale, in Velvet Scarf and Hood) Can with more Passion his dear Nymph pursue, Than we to make Diversion fit for you.
Grant we may please, and we've our utmost Aim, 'Tis to your Favour only we lay claim.
In what can we oblige? Cou'd we present you With Mistress young, and safe, it wou'd content you; Then Husbands, weary'd out with Spouse alone, And hen-peck'd Keepers that drudge on with one, I fancy hither wou'd in Crouds resort, As thick as Men for Offices to Court: Who'd stay behind? the Beau above Threescore, Wou'd hobble on, and gape for one bit more; Men of all Stations, from the Nobles, down To grave Sir _Roger_ in his Cap and Gown, Wou'd hither come. But we some time must take, E'er we a Project of such moment make; Since that's laid by, for your Diversion then, We do invite the Brothers of the Pen; The Courtier, Lawyer, Soldier, Player too, Wit n'er had more Encouragement than now; Though free, or Aliens to our Stage, we take 'em, Not kick 'em out, but native Subjects make 'em.
The Ladies too are always welcome here, Let 'em in Writing or in Box appear.
To that fair Sex we are oblig'd to day, Oh! then be kind to a poor Orphan-Play, Whose Parent while she liv'd oblig'd you all; You prais'd her living, and you mourn'd her Fall.
Who cou'd, like her, our softer Passions move, The Life of Humour, and the Soul of Love?
Wit's eldest Sister; thro-out every Line, You might perceive some Female Graces shine.
For poor _Astrea's_ Infant we implore, Let it then live, though she is now no more.
DRAMATIS PERSONae.
MEN.
Prince _Frederick_, Mr. _Verbruggen_.
Sir _Rowland Marteen_, Mr. _Johnson_.
_George Marteen_, Mr. _Powell_.
Mr. _Welborn_, Mr. _Horden_.
Sir _Merlin Marteen_, Mr. _Pinkethman_.
Sir _Morgan Blunder_, Mr. _Bullock_.
Mr. _Twang_, Mr. _Smeaton_.
_Britton_, Mr. _Kent_.
_Philip_.
WOMEN.
_Mirtilla_, Mrs. _Knight_.
_Olivia_, Mrs. _Verbruggen_.
_Teresia_, Mrs. _Temple_.
Lady _Blunder_, Mrs. _Powell_.
Mrs. _Manage_, Mrs. _Willis_.
Lady _Youthley_, Mrs. _Harris_.
_Diana_.
Constable and Watch, Pages, Footmen, Masqueraders, Servants, Rakehells, &c.
ACT I.
SCENE I. A Chamber.
Enter _George Marteen_, in a rich Riding Habit, with his Valet _Britton_.
_Geo._ Were you with Mrs. _Manage_, _Britton_?
_Britt._ Yes, Sir; and she cries as much for her wanting room for you in her House, as she would have done some forty Years ago for a Disappointment of her Lover. But she assures me, the Lodging she has taken for you, is the best in all _Lincolns-Inn-Fields_.
_Geo._ And did you charge her to send _Mirtilla's_ Page to me?
_Britt._ I did, Sir; and he'll be with you instantly.
_Geo._ 'Tis well--Then shall I hear some News of my _Mirtilla_.
[Aside.
_Britton_, haste thee, and get my Equipage in order; a handsome Coach, rich Liveries, and more Footmen: for 'tis Appearance only passes in the World--And d'ye hear, take care none know me by any other Name than that of _Lejere_.
_Britt._ I shall, Sir. [Exit.
_Geo._ I came not from _Paris_ into _England_, as my old Father thinks, to reform into a dull wretched Life in _Wales._ No, I'll rather trust my kind Mistress Fortune, that has still kept me like her Darling, than purchase a younger Brother's narrow Stipend, at the expence of my Pleasure and Happiness.
Enter _Olivia_ in a Page's Habit. She runs and embraces _George_.
_Oliv._ My ever charming Brother!
_Geo._ My best, my dear _Olivia_!
_Oliv._ The same lovely Man still! Thy Gallantry and Beauty's all thy own; _Paris_ could add no Graces to thy Air; nor yet pervert it into Affectation.
_Geo._ Spare me, and tell me how _Mirtilla_ fares.