Bel. O, bliss unutterable! brother, father, friend, and you, the author of this general joy O'Fla. Blessing of St. Patrick upon us all! 'tis a night of wonderful and surprising ups and downs: I wish we were all fairly set down to supper, and there was an end on't. Stock. Hold for a moment! I have yet one word to interpose-Entitled by my friendship to a voice in your disposal, I have approved your match; there yet remains a father's consent to be obtained. Bel. Have I a father? Stock. You have a father.-Compose yourselfyou have a father, who observes, who knows, who loves you. Bel. Keep me no longer in suspense; my heart is softened for the affecting discovery, and nature fits me to receive his blessing. Stock. I am your father. Bel. My father! Do I live? Bel. It is too much-my happiness overpowers me-to gain a friend, and find a father, is too much : I blush to think how little I deserve you. [They embrace. Dud. See, children, how many new relations spring from this night's unforeseen events, to endear us to each other. O'Fla. O' my conscience, I think we shall be all related by and by. Stock. How happily has this evening concluded, and yet, how threatening was its approach!-Let us repair to the supper room, where I will unfold to you every circumstance of my mysterious story.-Yes, Belcour, I have watched you with a patient, but inquiring, eye, and I have discovered, through the veil of some irregularities, a heart beaming with benevolence, and animated nature, fallible indeed, but not incorrigible; and your election of this excellent young lady, makes me glory in acknowledging you to be my son. Bel. I thank you, and in my turn, glory in the father I have gained. Sensibly impressed with gratitude for such extraordinary dispensations, I beseech you, amiable Louisa, for the time to come, whenever you perceive me deviating into error or offence, bring only to my mind the Providence of this night, and I will turn to reason, and obey. THE END. |