August Wilhelm Iffland

“ With sufficient grounds for real unhappiness, she increases it by imaginary misfortunes. It was my first care to shew her the world as it is; to dispose her mind to bear her part with fortitude. But she dreams of a world, that does not exist; of a husband, as he never will, never dare be——What comfort can she bring to a husband in his misfortunes? What a mother can she be to her children, who meets affliction with tears instead of courage, and who regards the common pleasures of life as scarcely worthy of a smile? ”

“ Mrs. D. I see no happiness, in our daughter's being shut up with such an eternal grumbler.
Mr. D. Oh! but his heart is noble!
Mrs. D. An inconsiderate mind is better than such sour virtue, if indeed it deserves the name.
Mr. D. I own I am disappointed in both of them.
Mrs. D. I fear, my dear Drave, your mode of education has contributed to make them hate each other.
Mr. D. Hate? Philip hate?—Never.——If Lewis does, I am sorry.
Mrs. D. He cannot love such sour behaviour—he does not hate—but he is cold—they have not spoken to each other these three months. ”

“ Does no secret foreboding tell you, that some, merciful angel comes to bring back a deluded heart?—You see, observe nothing? Approach—feel here—feel how my heart beats—repentance, compassion on my unhappy uncle; and perdition, revenge on you!
Counsellor. What? what, Lewis!
Lewis. You are discovered, villain; you and your father are lost for ever.
Counsellor. Surely you will not—why?
Lewis. From frailties you lead me to faults, from faults to crimes—now you would lead me to horrors——I am esteemed a sharer in your villainy; every body despises me: the worst of criminals will blush at my company. ”

“ D. Do I wait for favourable opportunities to love you? Oh, no! in things the most indifferent, I ask myself, will it give pleasure to my Augusta? I close my eyes with prayers for the happiness of my child; and my first thoughts, when I rise, are on the means of gratifying her wishes; while she, for whose sake only I live, waits for opportunities to be good and sincere! ”

“ Philip. Feign tranquillity—cover thy horror with hypocrisy: this scene thou canst not bear. Look—look here, at the marks of the chains upon these hands—here I place him before thee: so will he stand before thee in Heaven, with all those whom thou hast wronged and undone; then before the Almighty Judge will he say, "Thou hast given thy soul to eternal perdition, for the love of gain." ”

“ But what objection can you have? If a marriage cannot take place, must I for that reason avoid your house?
Mr. D. I fear my daughter might forget the duties of a wife, in listening to the flatteries of a lover.
Counsellor. Vain excuses, Mr. Drave; mere pretexts to palliate your hatred.
Mr. D. I have no hatred against you, Sir.
Counsellor. Oh, but I see very clearly you have: but I warrant you——
Mr. D. You are not to my mind—you see I do not attempt to conceal it.
Counsellor. Well, of my passion for Miss Drave I will speak no more—but I am now obliged in honour to frequent your house. ”

“ Drave [leading Augusta to Rose] . Rose, I give you a daughter, who shall console you in your old-age! [To the old man] Good old father, here are your children again.
(PHILIP and LEWIS embrace their uncle.)
Old Man. God's blessings be upon you, my children! Children of my dear Maria in Heaven—support me in your arms, which broke my chains—In them I will expire, with prayers for your happiness, with blessings on thee, Philip, my supporter and guardian angel. ”

“ Mr. D. You give me pleasure; with your talents you cannot fail of success.
Lewis. I flatter myself the more, as for a long while——
Mr. D. What!
Lewis. I will unfold my heart. Be not severe, or you will drive me to despair.
Mr. D. [kindly] . Well; speak.
Lewis [flatteringly] . I beg you to look upon my wishes, not as a guardian, but as a friend, as a father—I—I love—and your consent to a marriage will make me happy.
Mr. D. Brook! [with warmth] you really love the girl, and sincerely?
Lewis. Not to madness, but truly and honourably.
Mr. D. Are you perfectly sincere?
Lewis. Why should you doubt? ”

“ Thus I hope to make reparation for my want of thought, and for the uneasiness I have caused. [Going.
Mrs. D. One moment, Mr. Brook! [She takes the paper and reads it] . You restore all, you say?
Lewis. Yes.
Mrs. D. Our confidence in mankind, which you have destroyed; our honour, of which you have robbed us; our credit, which you have blasted; can you restore these? Can you erase the deep characters of misery from the heart of an afflicted husband? Can you restore a wretched daughter, once more in the bloom of health, to her parents arms? ”

“ Augusta. Do you reproach me that?
Philip. I do, and justly. All who are acquainted with you, love and esteem you. You are young and amiable; why then mourn?
Mrs. D. Pardon me, Sir, if I repeat my daughter's words; you should be the last to utter such a reproach.
Philip. Why so?
Mrs. D. Can you ask?
Philip. Yes, Madam; for I cannot believe that you have the same opinion of my character, that is generally entertained.
Mrs. D. Mr. Brook!
Philip. You make no answer. Your opinion is either too favourable, or the contrary.
Mrs. D. Be assured, we esteem you as a man.
Philip. ”

“ Well; suspect me, mistake me, offend me, my heart will be still the same. We are brothers; they should never want reconciliation.
Lewis. But why all this?
Philip [with warmth] . If the moment should ever arrive when your confidence in mankind shall be lost—if unexpected misfortunes, or discordant interests, should cause those who now call themselves your friends to desert you, at that moment remember me; entrust your cares with confidence to my bosom! this heart, which you now reject, will ever rejoice to receive you with the affection of a brother. ”

“ Mr. R. [rises hastily and takes Drave's hand] . Hard is your fate; yet God knows, mine is still more so. I am reduced to nothing.
Mr. D. [softly] . I also shall have little remaining.
Mr. R. My helpless children!
Mr. D. And my poor daughter!
Mr. R. Here our fate is the same. Yet you are only unfortunate; and I—shall be regarded as a villain. You are a sufferer, and I the cause: I cannot bear this thought. Hear me—Brook is still rich.—The preservation of a worthy family, is a duty, and will excuse it—Let us deny the security——you can then pay him half, and he may lose the rest. ”

“ Philip. If, in any profession, for which my talents might qualify me, the best wishes of my heart would be checked by interested connections—my enthusiasm for suffering mankind, opposed by uncharitable selfishness—can you blame me for remaining as I am?
Augusta. Certainly not.
Philip. And now, my ardent zeal for human happiness being mistaken, the best designs of my heart condemned and overthrown by prejudice and self-conceit ”

“ Augusta [with a downcast look] . My dearest father, can you forgive me?
Mr. D. You love. Heaven crown your love with happiness! It is not for that I blame you: love is involuntary.
Augusta. But I did not open my heart to you.
Mr. D. Yes, there you hurt me severely.
Augusta. I love nobody as I do yourself and my mother. Speak, dear mother; how often did the confession of my attachment tremble upon my lips!
Mr. D. And why not avow it?
Augusta. I never had a favourable opportunity.
Mr. D. [hastily] . That is the effect of those unhappy books again——
Mrs. D. Be gentle, my dear Drave. ”

“ Philip. Why not? I cannot lose by it.
Mr. D. You do not know that. A merchant is above all people liable to accidents.
Philip. But, my dear Sir!
Mr. D. My refusal does not proceed from pride. Heaven sent me this trial. Supported by the consciousness of having done my duty, I can bear misfortune; but dare not throw it upon you. If you will assist me, my good friend, help me to arrange my papers. Do you, my wife and Augusta, behave with fortitude; your courage will console me.——Look at me, Brook. Do I appear dejected? Do not I seem rather to be upheld by an unknown, sacred power? ”

“ Counsellor. Is not that better than an abandoned life?
Lewis. How? Could I ever drive her to that?
Counsellor. You are like a baby; if you have not playthings, you cry.
Lewis. But dam'me, 'tis downright baseness!
Counsellor [laughing] . Fantastical nonsense! Things have different sides: that which in common life, you call honesty, is bungler's work in politics.
Lewis [looking sharply at him] . So!
Counsellor. Apropos—the accounts of Drave's guardianship are brought; there we shall discover his impositions.
Lewis. I don't mind him; but Augusta, and her mother——No, that shall not be. ”

“ Drave's.
Enter Mr. DRAVE and PHILIP BROOK.
Mr. D. Indeed, Brook, I must confess your inactivity vexes me.
Philip. You mistake for inactivity, a mere external forbearance.
Mr. D. It is easier to complain of mankind, than to act for their welfare. The first is the part of a gloomy, discontented mind; the latter, the virtue of a good citizen, and should be yours.
Philip. Now then I will speak. By my affection for my guiltless and injured uncle, it shall be mine. I am bound, as his relation, to rescue him from captivity. The rights of humanity are injured in his person. ”

“ Thou art a distinguished villain—Thou hast raised thyself by complicated knavery, from the dust, to exalted power. Thy soul was the price, and thou hast paid it.—Under the mask of religion thou hast been the scourge of many a noble and honest heart.—Now, behold me!—Without blood, without intrigue, armed only with a just cause, I have levelled thee with thy original dust. ”

“ Drave had great reason to be provoked.
Augusta. Forgive, forgive—Destroy my happiness, my hopes—only my father——
Philip. Look at her; behold the anguish of death on her countenance; look at her, and speak.
Chancellor. Mr. Brook, do not interfere where you have no concern.
Philip. No concern! I love her. Her father is my guardian. I speak as a son, and warn you that your cruelty and chicanery——
Chancellor. And I, young man, warn you that this language——
Philip. You shall hear the language of outraged humanity. Suffering innocence calls for a defender ”

“ Enter LEWIS BROOK.
Mr. D. But here comes somebody you must speak to [going up to the door—returns and steps between the two brothers] . The last words of your father on his death-bed were, "Live united like brothers." [Exit. Drave.
Lewis [rather at a loss] . I am glad, indeed, I am happily surprised——
Philip. Happily surprised? I thank you, brother.
Lewis [with feigned interest] . Undoubtedly; it is long since we have met each other.
Philip. It is. [A pause] . Do we live like brothers?
Lewis. Indeed, if all is not right, you are in fault; you require too much.
Philip. Require too much? ”

“ D. Come to my arms, most injured sufferer! my Augusta will not desert you.——Oh, I am happy—I am rich; highly blessed——Come—we will bear our misfortunes together—will share our sufferings and our comforts, even to the last morsel of bread. ”

“ Nature has given her a generous heart, sensible to the miseries of mankind.—It was enough; but not for you; and so you have suffered the noblest feelings of an excellent disposition to be perverted by the overstrained and effeminate sensibility of frivolous affectation. ”

“ Brook—Chairs, my son——an unexpected honour indeed!
Philip. My Lord, I wish to speak to you in private.
Chancellor. Most willingly. [Looks significantly at his son—exit Counsellor] . What can I do for you?
Philip. My Lord, I ask your assistance to save an honest man from ruin.
Chancellor. What assistance? for whom? speak, my dear Sir!
Philip. Mr. Drave is the person I mean—whatever you may do for him, I shall consider as a favour——
Chancellor. So, so! Mr. Drave the merchant—But you speak of ruin—why so?
Philip. ”

“ Old Man [mildly] . But he will come back? [looking at them] or is he dead? [Tenderly] Oh, if he be dead, he is happy, and I will not interrupt his peace.
Enter LEWIS hastily, kisses Mrs. DRAVE's hand.
Lewis. Too true, Madam, too true.—What had become of me but for your advice?—You are my good angel, Augusta; you will rather pity than hate me. [Perceiving the Old Man] What Old man is that?
Mrs. D. Somebody in distress, I fear—he wants to see my husband.
Lewis [giving him a purse] . There, my friend, take that.
Old Man. I do not want money.
Lewis [hastily] . Well, well, but pray go. ”

“ Augusta. Who loves only one, and, if deceived, can never love another?
Lewis. Why, indeed, true love holds for ever, and is not dependant upon circumstances. A man may be obliged to marry against his inclination, to make his fortune: but this is a cold prudential bargain, with which love has nothing to do. True love is ever the same ”

“ A perverted mind may misinterpret his actions. Kindnesses bestowed on the ungrateful will one day have their reward.—A man like my Drave can lay his hand on his heart, and look with hope to the day when he shall appear before his Almighty Judge; he can, amidst all his losses, despise such a wretched thing as this— [She tears the paper in two, and drops it on the ground] .
Lewis. I am astonished. Mr. Drave gave security? ”

“ Stop; where are you going?
Mr. R. Where an honest man is sacrificed by villains.
Clerk. A few words, Madam, if you please.
Mrs. D. Let me go, Sir! do not rob my suffering husband of his only comfort—let me go. ”

“ Drave's.
Mrs. DRAVE and AUGUSTA.
Mrs. D. I know not how to act. My husband suffers, and I am too much affected myself, to be able to afford him consolation—Oh, this Brook! who would have thought him so mean?
Augusta. Do not mention him, dear mother.
Mrs. D. To accuse your father of having made a false inventory! 'Tis an unheard-of baseness—and your father behaves with such fortitude and composure—gives up all he is worth, and——Hush! who is coming? ”