George Colman - The Surrender of Calais

George Colman

A Play, in Three Acts

Published by Good Press, 2021

EAN 4064066188795

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 ORNE,
PATERNOSTER ROW.

WILLIAM SAVAGE, PRINTER,
LONDON

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In this drama are comprised tragedy, comedy, opera, and some degree of farceyet so happily is the variety blended, that one scene never diminishes the interest of another, but they all combine to produce a most valuable composition.

In the rank of excellence, the tragic parts are to be accounted foremost; and, among these, the original and admirable character of Eustache de St. Pierre stands first.

Other characters, of the author's invention, are likewise so prominent, that Edward, our renowned conqueror of Calais, is made, perhaps, the least interesting, as well as the least amiable, warrior in this whole dramatic field of glory: and yet, such is the equitable, the unbiassed judgment of the vanquished, they profess a just, a noble, an heroic reverence, for the bravery, and other qualities, of their triumphant enemies.

The exception to this general rule of patriotic courage in the French, is most skilfully displayed in one short speech, by a feeble and fearful citizen of the besieged town; in whom extreme terror of the besiegers is so naturally converted into malignant abhorrence, that the man who, in all Calais, is most ready to die for his king and country, is, by the aid of certain political logic from this alarmist, openly accused of disloyalty, because he will not slander, as well as fight, his foe. This speech, with some others, no less founded on the true disposition of lordly man, subdued by the humiliation of fear, would falsely implythat the play of "The Surrender of Calais" was of a later date than fifteen or sixteen years past, before which period the author must have had much less knowledge of the influence of apprehension in the time of war, than experience, or rather observation, has since had the means to bestow upon him.

It may be said, that Mr. Colman gave the virtues of justice and benignity to the valiant part of the French, merely as instruments to resound the praise of the English.Whatever were the author's views, the virtues remain the same, and honour the possessors of them, even more than their eulogiums can do honour to the British.

In the first act, the weak, mournful huzza, wrung from the throats of the half-famished soldiers, and that military subordination exhibited between Ribaumont and La Gloire, upon the pronunciation of the word march, are happy stage occurrences, in which the reader's fancy will not perhaps delight, for want of the performer's tones and action.But there are other scenes so independent of the mimic art, that acting can rarely improve themSuch is the scene in the Hall, the delivery of the keys, the farewell between the father and the son, with others equally impressive. But the highest panegyric that can be pronounced on this play isthat "The Surrender of Calais" is considered, by every critic, as the very best of all the author's numerous and successful productions.

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SCENECalais, and its Outskirts.

THE SURRENDER OF CALAIS.

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A View of Calais, the Sea, and the English Camp.

Enter Ribaumont and La Gloire .

Ribau. Thus far in safety. All is hush. Our subtle air of France quickens not the temperament of the enemy. These phlegmatic English snore out the night, in as gross heaviness as when their senses stagnate in their own native fogs, where stupor lies like lead upon them,which the muddy rogues call sleep. We have nearly passed the entrenchments;the day breaks.La Gloire!

La Gloire. My commander!

Ribau. Where did you direct our mariners to meet us, with the boat?

La Gloire. Marry, I told them to meet us with the boat at the sea shore.

Ribau. Vague booby! at what point?

La Gloire. That's the point I was coming to, my lord! and, if a certain jutting out of land, in the shape of a white cliff, with brown furze on its top, like a bushy head of hair over a pale face, stand where it did

Ribau. East of the town:I have mark'd it.

La Gloire. Look you there, now! what I have hunted after, a whole day, to fix upon, hath he noted without labour. Oh, the capacious heads of your great officers!No wonder they are so careful of them in battle; and thrust forward the pitiful pates of the privates, to be mowed off like a parcel of daisies.But there lies the spotand there will the mariners come. We are now within ear-shot; and, when they are there, they will whistle.

Ribau. And, till they give the signal, here, if there be aught of safety to be picked from danger, is the least dangerous spot to tarry for them. We are here full early.

La Gloire. I would we were not here at all. This same scheme of victualling a town, blockaded by the enemy, is a service for which I have little appetite.

Ribau. Think, La Gloire, on the distress of our countrymenthe inhabitants perishing with hunger.

La Gloire. Truly, my lord, it doth move the bowels of my compassion. Yet, consider your riskconsider your rank! The gallant Count Ribaumont, flower of chivalry, cream of the French army, and commander of his regiment, turned cook to the corporation of Calais!carving his way to glory, through stubble-rumped capons, unskinned mutton, raw veal, and vegetables!and, perhaps, my lord, just before we are able to serve up the meat to the town, in comes a raw-boned Englishman, and runs his spit through your body!