The Harlot's Progress, The Rake's Progress Part 6

_Scene 12^{th}_

_Red Blinds waved Sometimes Quick Down then rais'd again._ Watchmens Rattles heard, all bustle & noise at a little Distance. Enter some _Loosers_ with _Characters of Suspicious look_--they produce Pistols to the Chagrin'd _Loosers_.--The _Loosers_ take the Pistols.--Tune--"Let us take the Road."--They go off. Enter _watchmen_ with Rattles. _Beadle_, _Mob_ with Fire Engine (_Covent Garden or Hadley._) Furniture carried across from the Gaming Room. Enter _Fire Men_.--Hose & Pipe conveyed across. Variety of _Characters_ alarmed by Fire. _A Boy_ carries a Feather-bed across--he falls down--Some _Characters_ fall on it. NB: Confusion kept up as long as Necessary.

_Scene 13^{th}_

_Rake_--is inhumanly dragg'd off by Bailiffs P.S.

_Wife_ follows in great Agitation.

_Enter Ballad-Singer_

A Ballad Ent.i.tled & Call'd--"The Rake's Progress"--

_Ballad. Tune "The Race-Horse."_

See the Ma.s.sy Chests Open'd, with Riches replete, Plate, Jewels, & Rent-Rolls an ample Estate; Bonds, Mortgages, Leases long buried are found, Lawyers Servants & Tradesmen Attending around: While with heart quite 'Elated, cheeks glowing with health, Discarding his love, gazing pleas'd at his wealth, Resolv'd each dull thought in gay pleasure to drown, The Libertine Rakewell--first starts on the Town.

(2.)

His Levee attended by Bully & Sot (Plighted vows to his fair Rustic Charmer forgot) Poets, Dancers, Musicians, his Mansion Resort; Boxers--Jockies, & Huntsmen, his patronage Court.

And now, in a Brothel, mid nymphs void of Fame, Whom depravity's Render'd long Callous to Shame He squanders his Fortune to infamy meet And the Libertine Rakewell's the Dupe of Deceit.

(3.)

Now poverty Steals on her victim apace And the gripe of Stern Law calls up dread in his Face, 'Till resolv'd to retrieve by his wants basely led [?]

He for Riches consents to deformity wed; Then hurries to gaming to drive away thought, Where Soon's dissipated the Wealth that she brought For by Sharpers Surrounded--Each planning his Fall The Libertine Rakewell's depriv'd of his all.

(4.)

And now in each feature we penury trace, No longer health in his once blooming face, Reproach in a Prison's dread gloom must he bear, While discord & want drive the wretch to despair; 'Till of life fully Sated, pale, meagre, oppress'd, By Friends.h.i.+p forsaken, All h.e.l.l in his breast; By Suicides aid from the world he retires And the Libertine Rakewell unpitied Expires. (_Exit_)

_Scene 14^{th}_

_Chymist_--Discover'd. _Tune "Welcome, Brother Debtor."_ Enter _Goaler_ O.P. Introducing _Rake_ & _Old Wife_ He Sits P.S.

Enter _Men & Women Prisoners-OP._--_All Sing_.

Welcome, Welcome, Brother Debtor To this poor but merry place; Where No Bailiff--Dun--or Setter, Dares to shew his frightful face.

But, kind Sir, as you're a Stranger Down your Garnish you must pay, Or your Coat will be in Danger You must either Strip or pay.

_Rake_ Strips his Coat off & turns out his Breeches Pockets;--At this Period _Financer_ drops his paper; it is picked up by another _Prisoner_, who holds it so to Read that the audience may Read also.

"Scheme to Pay the National Debt."--

During the above Business--They all Sing--

Ne'er repine at your Confinement For your Children or your Wife Wisdom lies in true Resignment, Thro' the various Scenes of life; Every Island is a prison Strongly guarded by the Sea Kings & Princes for that Reason Prisoners are as well as we.

Tune continues; but is Slower & Slower, till render'd as Dismal as possible. _Rake_ takes a Pistol from his Pocket, which only the Audience observe--he in great agitation of Mind goes off, & the Report of a Pistol is heard--at which they all stand aghast.--Pause awhile.--

_Enter Virtue._

_Recitative._

Thus does the baneful influence of Vice Onward to sure destruction man Entice; In time be warn'd--Hope liberty to see Benevolence & Pity'll set you free.

_Chorus of Prisoners._

This let the Captive's Supplication be, May Virtue & Benevolence soon set us free, May we taste smiling liberty & tread her happy plain Where Virtue & Benevolence in Concord reign.

_Recitative. Virtue._

Then Vice discard & follow Virtue's train View her Retreat & join her Sacred Strain.

_Scene Changes._

_Scene 15^{th}_

Cloud Descends: _Liberty_ seated in the Center, with her Attributes; on her left hand a Vacant Seat which Virtue ascends, on her Right hand Benevolence, over whose head is a _Medalion_ of _The King_--over that of _Virtue_ one of the _Queen_.

_Aerial Chorus._

Tho' Beauty & wealth may Unite, To dispell from each Bosom dull care 'Tis in vain to expect true delight, Unless Virtue's a Resident there.

_Recitative. Virtue._

By Heav'n approv'd--by Liberty caress'd, The Truly Virtuous are the truly bless'd.

_Full Chorus._

This let the Captives &c--

Finish.