Next Door Neighbours: A Comedy; In Three ActsInchbald, Mrs.
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Next Door Neighbours: A Comedy; In Three Acts
Inchbald, Mrs.
English drama (Comedy)
LORD HAZARD.
Not only name it, Sir George, but shortly I hope to return the
kindness; and, if I do but live----
SIR GEORGE. [_To the company._
Permit me to conduct you to the next apartment.
LADY CAROLINE.
Most willingly, Sir George. I was the first who arrived; which proves
my eagerness to dance.
SIR GEORGE. [_Aside to her._
But let me hope, passion for dancing was not the only one, that caused
your impatience.
[_As the company move towards the ball-room_, Mr. LUCRE
_and_ LORD HAZARD _come forward_.
MR. LUCRE.
Oh! there never was such a man in the world as the master of this
house; there never was such a friendly, generous, noble heart; he has
the best heart in the world, and the best taste in dress.
[_The company Exeunt, and the music is heard to begin._
SCENE II. _An Apartment, which denotes the Poverty of the
Inhabitants._ HENRY _and_ ELEANOR _discovered_.
ELEANOR.
It is very late and very cold too, brother; and yet we have neither of
us heart to bid each other good night.
HENRY.
No--beds were made for rest.
ELEANOR.
And that noise of carriages and link-boys at Sir George
Splendorville's, next door, would keep us awake, if our sorrows did
not.
HENRY.
The poor have still more to complain of, when chance throws them thus
near the rich,--it forces upon their minds a comparison might drive
them to despair, if--
ELEANOR.
--If they should not have good sense enough to reflect, that all this
bustle and show of pleasure, may fall very short of happiness; as all
the distress _we_ feel, has not yet, thank Heaven, reached to misery.
HENRY.
What do you call it then?
ELEANOR.
A trial; sent to make us patient.
HENRY.
It may make you so, but cannot me. Good morning to you. [_Going._
ELEANOR.
Nay, it is night yet. Where are you going?
HENRY.
I don't know.--To take a walk.--The streets are not more uncomfortable
than this place, and scarcely colder.
ELEANOR.
Oh, my dear brother! I cannot express half the uneasiness I feel when
you part from me, though but for the shortest space.
HENRY.
Why?
ELEANOR.
Because I know your temper; you are impatient under adversity; you
rashly think providence is unkind; and you would snatch those favours,
which are only valuable when bestowed.
HENRY.
What do you mean?
ELEANOR.
Nay, do not be angry; but every time you go out into this tempting
town, where superfluous riches continually meet the eye of the poor, I
tremble lest you should forfeit your honesty for that, which Heaven
decreed should not belong to you.
HENRY.
And if I did, you would despise and desert me?
ELEANOR.
No: not desert you; for I am convinced you would only take, to bring
to me; but this is to assure you, I do not want for any thing.
HENRY.
Not want?--Nor does my father?
ELEANOR.
Scarcely, while we visit him. Every time he sees us we make him happy;
but he would never behold us again if we behaved unworthy of him.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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