Colman, George, the younger (1762-1836)

The Surrender of Calais; a Play, in Three Acts; By George Colman, the Younger. As Performed at the Theatre Royal, Haymarket. Printed under the Authority of the Managers from the Prompt Book. With Remarks by Mrs. Inchbald

London

Printed for Longman, Hurst, Rees, and Orme [etc.]

1792

"The King of England steels his heart against us"

DE VIENNE.
I thank you, friends.--It grieves me to repay
Your honest love, with tidings, sure, as heavy
As ever messenger was charged withal.
The King of England steels his heart against us.
He does let loose his vengeance; and he wills,--
If we would save our city from the sword,
From wild destruction,--that I straight do send him
Six of my first and best reputed citizens,
Bare headed, tendering the city keys;
And,--'sdeath, I choke!--with vile and loathsome ropes,
Circling their necks, in guise of malefactors,
To suffer instant execution.

[The Citizens appear confounded. A Pause.

Friends,
I do perceive you're troubled:--'tis enough
To pose the stoutest of you. Who among you
Can smother nature's workings, which do prompt
Each, to the last, to struggle for himself?
Yet, were I not objected to, as governor,
There might be found--no matter.--Who so bold,
That, for the welfare of a wretched multitude,
Involved with him, in one great common cause,
Would volunteer it on the scaffold?

Mineral::Steel

Searching "heart" and "steel" in HDIS (Drama)

French Revolution

06/13/2005