Norman, now call'd Le Mesnil, instructed of all, Goes back, though it's getting quite late for a call, Hangs his hat and his cloak on a peg in the hall, And tells the proud Countess it's useless to smother The fact any longer—he knows she's his Mother! His Pa's wedded Spouse,— She questions his νουϛ, And threatens to have him turn'd out of the house.— He still perseveres, Till, in spite of her fears, She admits he's the son she had cast off for years, And he gives her the papers "all blister'd with tears," When Ashdale, who chances his nose in to poke, Takes his hat and his cloak, Just as if in a joke, Determined to put in his wheel a new spoke, And slips off thus disguised, when he sees by the dial it 'tis time for the rendezvous fixed with Miss Violet.— —Captain Norman, who, after all, feels rather sore At his mother's reserve, vows to see her no more, Rings the bell for the servant to open the door, And leaves his Mamma in a fit on the floor.
[ACT V.]
Now comes the catastrophe!—Ashdale, who's wrapt in The cloak, with the hat and the plume of the Captain, Leads Violet down through the grounds to the chapel Where Gaussen's conceal'd—he springs forward to grapple The man he's erroneously led to suppose Captain Norman himself by the cut of his clothes. In the midst of their strife, And just as the knife Of the Pirate is raised to deprive him of life, The Captain comes forward, drawn there by the squeals Of the Lady, and, knocking Giles head over heels, Fractures his "nob," Saves the hangman a job, And executes justice most strictly, the rather, 'Twas the spot where that rascal had murder'd his father. Then in comes the mother, Who, finding one brother Had the instant before saved the life of the other, Explains the whole case. Ashdale puts a good face On the matter; and, since he's obliged to give place, Yields his coronet up with a pretty good grace; Norman vows he won't have it—the kinsmen embrace,— And the Captain, the first in this generous race, To remove every handle For gossip and scandal, Sets the whole of the papers alight with the candle; An arrangement takes place—on the very same night, all Is settled and done, and the points the most vital Are, N. takes the personals;—A., in requital, Keeps the whole real property, Mansion, and Title.— V. falls to the share of the Captain, and tries a Sea-voyage, as a Bride, in the "Royal Eliza."— Both are pleased with the part they acquire as joint heirs, And old Maurice Beevor is bundled down stairs!
Moral.
The public, perhaps, with the drama might quarrel If deprived of all epilogue, prologue, and moral; This may serve for all three then:—
"Young Ladies of property, Let Lady A.'s history serve as a stopper t'ye; Don't wed with low people beneath your degree, And if you've a baby, don't send it to sea!
"Young Noblemen! shun every thing like a brawl; And be sure when you dine out, or go to a ball, Don't take the best hat that you find in the hall, And leave one in it's stead that's worth nothing at all! "Old Knights, don't give bribes!—above all, never urge a man To steal people's things, or to stick an old Clergyman!
"And you, ye Sea-Captains! who've nothing to do But to run round the world, fight, and drink till all's blue, And tell us tough yarns, and then swear they are true, Reflect, notwithstanding your sea-faring life, That you can't get on well long, without you've a wife; So get one at once, treat her kindly and gently, Write a nautical novel,—and send it to Bentley!"