The Lame Lover E-Book

Samuel Foote

• Herausgeber: Booksell-Verlag
• Kategorie: Poesie und Drama
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2019

Beschreibung

Samuel Foote's "The Lame Lover" is a vibrant and audacious comedy that explores themes of love, deception, and the societal norms of the 18th century. The play is characterized by its witty dialogue and intricate plot, weaving a tapestry of mistaken identities and romantic entanglements. Foote employs elements of farce and satire, reflecting the theatrical innovations of his time, particularly the burgeoning trend towards more irreverent and humorous depictions of social mores. The narrative tension hinges on the titular 'lame lover,' whose physical handicap serves as both a comedic device and a poignant commentary on societal perceptions of disability and desirability. Samuel Foote was a prominent actor and playwright, known for his sharp wit and penchant for scandal. His own experiences with physical disability, having suffered from a limp due to an injury, uniquely positioned him to interrogate the societal attitudes surrounding love and physicality in "The Lame Lover." A contemporary of figures like David Garrick, Foote's work often elicited both admiration and controversy, as he was unafraid to challenge the status quo in his explorations of human relationships. This masterful comedy is essential reading for scholars of 18th-century literature and theatre, as it not only entertains with its humorous twists and lively characters but also invites reflection on the complexities of love and acceptance. Readers seeking a sophisticated blend of humor and social critique will find "The Lame Lover" both enlightening and enjoyable.

Leseprobe

Samuel Foote

The Lame Lover

A Comedy in Three Acts

Published by Good Press, 2022

[email protected]

EAN 4064066137724

Table of Contents

PROLOGUE.

Dramatis Personæ.

THE LAME LOVER.

ACT I.

ACT II.

ACT III.

PROLOGUE.

Table of Contents

Written and Spoken by Mr. Gentleman.

Prologues, like cards of compliment, we find, Most as unmeaning as politely kind; To beg a favour, or to plead excuse, Of both appears to be the gen'ral use.Shall my words, tipt with flattery, prepare A kind exertion of your tend'rest care? Shall I present our Author to your sight, All pale and trembling for his fate this night? Shall I sollicit the most pow'rful arms To aid his cause—the force of beauty's charms? Or tell each critic, his approving taste Must give the sterling stamp, wherever plac'd? This might be done—but so to seek applause Argues a conscious weakness in the cause. No—let the Muse in simple truth appear,Reason and Nature are the judges here: If by their strict and self-describing laws, The sev'ral characters to-night she draws; If from the whole a pleasing piece is made, On the true principles of light and shade; Struck with the harmony of just design, Your eyes—your ears—your hearts, will all combine To grant applause:—but if an erring hand Gross disproportion marks in motley band, If the group'd figures false connexions show, And glaring colours without meaning glow, Your wounded feelings, turn'd a diff'rent way, Will justly damn—th' abortion of a play.As Farquhar has observ'd, our English law, Like a fair spreading oak, the Muse should draw, By Providence design'd, and wisdom made For honesty to thrive beneath its shade; Yet from its boughs some insects shelter find, Dead to each nobler feeling of the mind, Who thrive, alas! too well, and never cease To prey on justice, property, and peace.At such to-night, with otherlegal game, Our vent'rous author takes satiric aim; And brings, he hopes, originals to view, Nor pilfers from th' Old Magpie, nor the New1. But will to Candour chearfully submit; She reigns in boxes, galleries, and pit.

1. Alluding to Mr. Garrick's Prologue to the Jubilee.

Dramatis Personæ.

Table of Contents

MEN.Sir Luke Limp,Mr. Foote.Serjeant Circuit,Mr. Vandermere.Colonel Secret,Mr. Robson.Jack,Mr. Weston.Mr. Woodford,Mr. Knowles.Mr. Fairplay,Mr. Wheeler.First Servant,Mr. Dancer.Second Servant,Mr. Griffiths.WOMEN.Mrs. Circuit,Mrs. Gardner.Charlot,Mrs. Jewell.Mrs. Simper,Mrs. SaundersBetty,Mrs. Read.

THE LAME LOVER.

Table of Contents

ACT I.

Table of Contents

Enter Serjeant CircuitandCharlot.

CHARLOT.

I tell you, Sir, his love to me is all a pretence: it is amazing that you, who are so acute, so quick in discerning on other occasions, should be so blind upon this.

SERJEANT.

But where are your proofs, Charlot? What signifies your opening matters which your evidence cannot support?

CHARLOT.

Surely, Sir, strong circumstances in every court should have weight.

SERJEANT.

So they have collaterally, child, that is by way as it were of corroboration, or where matters are doubtful; then indeed, as Plowden wisely observes "Les circonstances ajout beaucoup depoids aux faits."—You understand me?

CHARLOT.

Not perfectly well.

SERJEANT.

Then to explain by case in point; A, we will suppose, my dear, robs B of a watch upon Hounslow heath—dy'e mind, child?

CHARLOT.

I do, Sir.

SERJEANT.

A, is taken up and indicted; B swears positively to the identity of A.—Dy'e observe?

CHARLOT.

Attentively.

SERJEANT.

Then what does me A, but sets up the alibi C, to defeat the affidavit of B.—You take me.

CHARLOT.

Clearly.

SERJEANT.

So far you see then the ballance is even.

CHARLOT.

True.

SERJEANT.

But then to turn the scale, child, against A, in favour of B, they produce the circumstance D, viz. B's watch found in the pocket of A; upon which, the testimony of C being contradicted by B,—no, by D,—why then A, that is to say C,—no D,—joining B, they convict C,—no, no, A,—against the affidavit of C.—So this being pretty clear, child, I leave the application to you.

CHARLOT.

Very obliging, Sir. But suppose now, Sir, it should appear that the attention of Sir Luke Limp is directed to some other object, would not that induce you to—

SERJEANT.

Other object! Where?

CHARLOT.

In this very house.

SERJEANT.

Here! why the girl is non compos; there's nobody here, child, but a parcel of Abigals.

CHARLOT.

No, Sir?

SERJEANT.

No.

CHARLOT.

Yes, Sir, one person else.

SERJEANT.

Who is that?

CHARLOT.

But remember, Sir, my accusation is confined to Sir Luke.

SERJEANT.

Well, well.

CHARLOT.

Suppose then, Sir, those powerful charms which made a conquest of you, may have extended their empire over the heart of Sir Luke?

SERJEANT.

Why, hussy, you don't hint at your mother-in-law?

CHARLOT.

Indeed, Sir, but I do.

SERJEANT.

Ay; why this is point blank treason against my sovereign authority: but can you, Charlot, bring proof of any overt acts?

CHARLOT.

Overt acts!

SERJEANT.

Ay; that is any declaration by writing, or even word of mouth is sufficient; then let 'em demur if they dare.

CHARLOT.

I can't say that, Sir; but another organ has been pretty explicit.

SERJEANT.

Which?

CHARLOT.

In those cases a very infallible one—the eye.

SERJEANT.

Pshaw! nonsense and stuff.—The eye!—The eye has no authority in a court of law.

CHARLOT.

Perhaps not, Sir, but it is a decisive evidence in a court of love.

SERJEANT.

Hark you, hussy, why you would not file an information against the virtue of madam your mother; you would not insinuate that she has been guilty of crim. con.?

CHARLOT.

Sir, you mistake me; it is not the lady, but the gentleman I am about to impeach.

SERJEANT.

Have a care, Charlot! I see on what ground your action is founded—jealousy.

CHARLOT.

You were never more deceiv'd in your life; for it is impossible, my dear Sir, that jealousy can subsist without love.

SERJEANT.

Well.

CHARLOT.

And from that passion (thank heaven) I am pretty free at present.

SERJEANT.

Indeed!

CHARLOT.

A sweet object to excite tender desires!

SERJEANT.

And why not, hussy?

CHARLOT.