Plays of William E. Henley and R.L. Stevenson   By: William Ernest Henley (1849-1903)

In a rare fit of editorial prerogative, I have added Henley's poem "Invictus" as a prefatory note. . .Michael S. Hart

INVICTUS

Out of the night that covers me, Black as the pit from pole to pole, I thank whatever gods may be for my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance I have not winced nor cried aloud. Under the bludgeonings of chance My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears Looms but the Horror of the shade, And yet the menace of the years Finds and shall find me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate, How charged with punishments the scroll, I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul.

The Plays of W. E. Henley and R. L. Stevenson

Contents

Deacon Brodie Beau Austin Admiral Guinea Robert Macaire

Play: DEACON BRODIE OR THE DOUBLE LIFE. A MELODRAMA IN FIVE ACTS AND EIGHT TABLEAUX

PERSONS REPRESENTED

WILLIAM BRODIE, Deacon of the Wrights, Housebreaker and Master Carpenter. OLD BRODIE, the Deacon's Father. WILLIAM LAWSON, Procurator Fiscal, the Deacon's Uncle. ANDREW AINSLIE, } HUMPHREY MOORE } Robbers in the Deacon's gang. GEORGE SMITH, } C APTAIN RIVERS, an English Highwayman. HUNT, a Bow Street Runner. A DOCTOR. WALTER LESLIE. MARY BRODIE, the Deacon's Sister. JEAN WATT, the Deacon's Mistress. VAGABONDS, OFFICERS OF THE WATCH, MEN SERVANTS.

The Scene is laid in Edinburgh. The Time is towards the close of the Eighteenth Century. The Action, some fifty hours long, begins at eight p.m. on Saturday and ends before midnight on Monday.

NOTE. PASSAGES SUGGESTED FOR OMISSION IN REPRESENTATION ARE ENCLOSED IN SQUARE BRACKETS, THUS [ ].

SYNOPSIS OF ACTS AND TABLEAUX

ACT I. TABLEAU I. The Double Life. TABLEAU II. Hunt the Runner. TABLEAU III. Mother Clarke's. ACT II. TABLEAU IV. Evil and Good. ACT III. TABLEAU V. King's Evidence. TABLEAU VI. Unmasked. ACT IV. TABLEAU VII. The Robbery. ACT V. TABLEAU VIII. The Open Door.

LONDON: PRINCE'S THEATRE 2D JULY 1884

DEACON BRODIE, MR. E. J. HENLEY. WALTER LESLIE, MR. CHARLES CARTWRIGHT. WILLIAM LAWSON, MR. JOHN MACLEAN. ANDREW AINSLIE, MR. FRED DESMOND. HUMPHREY MOORE, MR. EDMUND GRACE. GEORGE SMITH, MR. JULIAN CROSS. HUNT, MR. HUBERT AKHURST. OLD BRODIE, MR. A. KNIGHT. CAPTAIN RIVERS, MR. BRANDON THOMAS. MARY BRODIE, MISS LIZZIE WILLIAMS. JEAN WATT, MISS MINNIE BELL.

MONTREAL 26TH SEPTEMBER 1887

DEACON BRODIE, MR. E. J. HENLEY. WALTER LESLIE, MR. GRAHAM STEWART. WILLIAM LAWSON, MR. EDMUND LYONS. ANDREW AINSLIE, MR. FRED DESMOND. HUMPHREY MOORE, MR. EDMUND GRACE. GEORGE SMITH, MR. HORATIO SAKER. HUNT, MR. HENRY VERNON. CAPTAIN RIVERS, MR. BRUCE PHILIPS. MARY BRODIE, MISS ANNIE ROBE. JEAN WATT, MISS CARRIE COOTE.

ACT I.

TABLEAU I. THE DOUBLE LIFE.

The Stage represents a room in the Deacon's house, furnished partly as a sitting , partly as a bed room, in the style of an easy burgess of about 1780. C., a door; L. C., a second and smaller door; R. C., practicable window; L., alcove, supposed to contain bed; at the back, a clothes press and a corner cupboard containing bottles, etc. MARY BRODIE at needlework; OLD BRODIE, a paralytic, in wheeled chair, at the fireside, L.

SCENE I

To these LESLIE, C.

LESLIE. May I come in, Mary?

MARY. Why not?

LESLIE. I scarce knew where to find you.

MARY. The dad and I must have a corner, must we not? So when my brother's friends are in the parlour he allows us to sit in his room. 'Tis a great favour, I can tell you; the place is sacred.

LESLIE. Are you sure that 'sacred' is strong enough?

MARY. You are satirical!

LESLIE. I? And with regard to the Deacon? Believe me, I am not so ill advised. You have trained me well, and I feel by him as solemnly as a true born Brodie.