'Tis sure some trick, some reckless jest ;
They brought me here, I know not when-
Am I a wretch? Then why these chains?
I've been with knaves, designing men.
What can love do, when love is bound?
They wished my prize; that prize I had!
How throbs my temples! -swims my head! -
Oh! is it true, that I am mad!

aye,

Canst thou, my girl, forget, for
The holy words thy lover vowed?
He'll ne'er forget that plighted kiss,
As to thy feet he meekly bowed,
Nor who upon that moment stole,

Nor who our meeting hence, forbade. No; how I'll think no more! no more! T'will rouse revenge-t'will make me mad.

How roguishly her lips, they laugh;

Her jetty eyes, how sparkling bright;

None so happy, joyous, gay;

And art thou ever from my sight?

And must thou take my rivals hand?
My only hope, the joy I had-
Ho, jailer! ho! unbar the door!
I will be free-I am not mad!

But hark! who answers to my cries?

My shouts some furious maniac wake,
He comes! he comes! to end my life
Hark! hark! his dungeon gratings break.
Help! help! he 's silent, still as death h;

But he will come - I can not flee!
My brain! my brain! - - it swims! it swims!
I am not mad, nor will I be!

Yes, he! for lo, you! while I speak,
Mark you that skulking villain there?
He comes! he comes! with cunning mien;
But there is vengeance in his air.

Horror! he has a dagger hid!

He seeks my heart, so crushed and sad!
Oh laugh, ye fiends, to see my brain

On fire! "Tis true, I'm mad! I'm mad!

Laugh on, ye fiends, gaze on, and laugh! -
Exult in my captivity;

But still I firmer, truer, swear,

I will be free! I will be free!
Oh had I but that rival here,

Whom my captivity makes glad,
I'd let him know, though not insane,
That I was mad, that I was mad.

Oh! could these thumbs scoop out his eyes,
Oh! could these hands root out his tongue,
I well could bear captivity,

And sing to him whom David sung.
But hush! the jailer comes again;
His earnest wish I have forbade;
But let him come, I'll plead again.
I am not mad! I am not mad!

THE DRUNKARD'S WIFE.

ACT II.

SCENE I. Interior of a neat Cottage-SWEETFORD and EMMA • sitting, C.

Em. To-morrow, William, was our wedding day, Since fourteen years. How time has onward run! It seems to me, the earth, with triple haste,

Performs progressive circles round the sun.

Swee. 'Tis true; each younger year is fleeter still To age, but why complain, when fraught with joy? Our Autumn yields the fruit of happiness,

E'en like the rosy child we lost a year

Ago, too heaven-beautiful to last

A guest, with joy received, with anguish parted.

Autumnal years of life are scarcely days.

Em. Yes; time is passing like the summer cloud, "Borne on upon the pinions of the wind:"

And if, as seated on that fleeting throne,

I view the pleasing scenery, far back,

To that blessed moment you became a man—
Observe the happiness which now surrounds us;
Contrast it with the misery we left;

The happy hours we now enjoy together,
With those of misery, I spent alone -

Then wonder not the fleetness of the one,
The snail-like tardiness which moved the other.
'Tis true, that Charlie's death retarded months,
Which, otherwise, had calmly, fleetly, passed.
That dark oblivion rests with God alone!
But oh, the lengthened days, the endless nights,
Which fill each circle of our early union!
I can not view them with complacency.

Swee. Why lift the sombre curtain of the past,
To view the haggard visages concealed?
I would we had not visioned o'er our lives,
To mar this morning's early happiness.-
I pray to Him, who knows my inmost heart,
Our present happiness may ne'er depart.

Em. With such a soul, I rest self-satisfied,
Thou 'lt never wander from the path of duty;
And think me happy in that blest conceit,
Though sometimes overshadowed by the past.
Swee. It is my golden star, my hope, my life!
Enlivens all my toils-the substance of
My leisure hours; in company, alone,
It is the noble statue of my mind!

The constant spirit of my dreams by night!
The first that gleams upon my waking thoughts,
It points my course. the monarch of my will!
The star which rules my destiny on earth.

Em. And may it ever foil, with godly power, The ceaseless working demon of temptation.

Swee. And if I ever swerve, some demon power

Sécretively enacts hell's vile commands.

I had forgotten the hour-I am to meet Doctor Calmly, and Squire Favor, at Colbee's Saloon. 'Tis so arranged, I am to meet them there I will not now explain-I have both objected and consented-the latter of necessity. Farewell, till I return.

Em. If there, my husband, then remember this, Thy lips are sealed with a temperance kiss.

(Kisses him.) [Exit, c. D.

SCENE II.

COLBEE'S Saloon

COLBEE alone, C.

Col. Yes, I have sworn it, and why hesitate,
And recapitulate determination?

I have invented ways and means, progressing,
To prostrate honest Sweetford in the ditch
Ringleader of a swollen temperance faction,
To check my income, slur my occupation,
As I of one more secret, deeper plotted,
Whose every feature is to me propitious.
"T is true, he merits fond allegiance;
And keeps his oath of total abstinence,
More sacred than rural lover's vow

Rejected suitors work most mickle woes;
My hate in this no less contention shows.

Enter Doctor CALMLY, L.

Doc. Exactly so-he follows my prescriptions- confiding patient made every arrangement with Mr. Sweetford, to meet him here! Here, Mr. Colbee, and no mistake-le's have some brandy. In oath as strenuous as his temperance vows, and, I think, a little stronger, if our scheme triumph. He objected vehemently to the place of meeting, when I mentioned your abode; but that dislike was easily removed, by sundry excuses. He finally gave consent, but, mind, with great importunity. Well, really, Colbee, this brandy is good. [Takes another glass.

Col. But there's his wife to prattle in his ear; she's the greatest obstacle at hand. 'Tis now three years since he shadowed my door, and, if she get knowledge of his proffered engagements, 't will be three more.

Doc. Exactly so, Mr. Colbee, your fears are like a woman's, greatest when the object is nearest at hand. I understand she said, but yesterday, "she would adventure him in any place-she knew he would never drink again!" Besides, our business has the air of speculation, for which she would drive him here, even if she knew he would drink you dry. She loves the shining scales. She's a very she miser. I know her, Colbee.

Col. You know her, Doctor, no doubt! All right! I believe you are the family physician? What were their situation years ago? What is it now? Precisely what her occupation would procure; and such her character, she must love the bottle. I half believe the stagnation of my business has found a channel into her pocket.

66

Doc. Exactly so-they love to fill a Christian moral station to the world; but show me that candid individual, who even doubts these anxious sisters of the Church love unlawful company, and wine. And since they can have both the Christian fools, God bless thy soul," the company of stall-fed divines and lecturers, with sacramental wines, they die for virtue, in the weak eyes of the world, and live behind the scene. He comes I will invite him to a glass of whatever harmless drink he pleases. The day is sultry, and, no doubt, he will accept the invitation. I've told what drugs will work upon him best, to discommode his noddle.

Col. I have a bottle of your recipe, for every like occasionfear not, one of his morals need but enter here-his exit must be on the backs of friends. I'm often troubled with such logs about my floor.

Enter SQUIRE, L.

Ah, the Square-you 're here in time-take a glass.

Squire, (drinks.) As near as the hot weather will allow. Doctor, I have made the paper out-the papers I have made out, Doctor, except the blanks, which you excepted; and they shall be filled according to the success of our plans.

Enter SWEETFord, L.

Mr. Sweetford, good afternoon!-good afternoon, Mr. Sweetford!-happy to see you, Mr. Sweetford!

Doc. Exactly so! Most gratified to see you, Mr. Sweetfordwe almost thought you had forgotten the hour.

Col. Yes; Mr. Sweetford, most happy to see you here! Is your family well-your wife and daughter?

Swee. Quite well, I thank you. Well, Squire, where is your friend - the gentleman, Doctor, you 're to meet?

Squire. Not yet arrived, Mr. Sweetford!-not yet arrived!expect him every moment!-momentarily looking for the gentleman! Sit down, and make yourself at home, Mr. Sweetford, the day is very warm.

Swee. Excessively, the thermometer stands ninety in the shade we must have rain soon!

Doc. Exactly so!-it will be welcomed by us all-vegetation is suffering. Come, Mr. Sweetford, take a glass of Cronk before business I believe you do not take anything stronger now-a-days! There was a time

--

Swee. Enlightened by the experience of three years, in using water as a total beverage, I am abundantly satisfied, it is the only one suitable to the constitution of man. He never manufactured aught so cooling, for the heat of summer; warming and invigorating, in winter; and what more valuable for its medicinal properties? What the gentle shower is to the scorching earth, the cooling fountain to the parched and exhausted body; give it me, before your Cronks, your ades, your spirits, whose every glass only calls for the company of another. There was a time, and you remember well, when I imagined their use necessary. What were the pictures of my visage then? What were the movements of my frame? Contrast them, in your mind, with my present aspect-my countenance, then, swollen and disfigured; my body agitated with decrepid tremor. Since that sad stage of my existence, three years have elapsed, and the youth which has returned upon my brow, is three times three.

Squire. So it is!-'t is so!-I joy in your reform but Doctor Cronk is excellent-you temperance folks are great in its applause!

Col. And as I have no water palatable, my ice entirely out, and Doctor Cronk both pure and cool, you'll take a glass! I'll get a bottle from below.

Swee. Well, well; as I am very thirsty, and your water Doc. Exactly so!-that's right-take a bottle! — I'll take some too! [They both drink Cronk.

-

How goes it, Mr. Sweetford-is it not refreshing?
Swee. Good-excellent. Another glass-I'm excessively

thirsty! Thank you, Doctor-it refreshes me.

Col. What is it Square-your old glass?

Squire, Yes; certainly! Certainly, yes! Here's health to all,