Our present example is pure tragedy of the most ambitious kind, and is, perhaps, a little in advance of the taste of a Music-hall audience of the present day. When the fusion between the Theatres and the Music Halls is complete—when Miss Bessie Bellwood sings "What Cheer, 'Ria?" at the Lyceum, and Mr. Henry Irving gives his compressed version of Hamlet at the Trocadero; when there is a general levelling-up of culture, and removal of prejudice—then, and not till then, will this powerful little play meet with the appreciation which is its due. The main idea is suggested by the Misses Taylor's well-known poem, The Pin, though the dramatist has gone further than the poetess in working out the notion of Nemesis.

THE FATAL PIN.

A TRAGEDY.

Dramatis PersonÆ.

Scene.—Emily's Boudoir, sumptuously furnished with a screen and sofa, c. Door, r., leading to Emily's Bed-chamber. Door, l. Emily discovered in loose wrapper, and reclining in uncomfortable position on sofa.

Emily (dreamily). This day do I become the envied bride
Of Peter, justly surnamed Paragon;
And much I wonder what in me he found
(He, who Perfection so personifies)
That he could condescend an eye to cast
On faulty feather-headed Emily!
How solemn is the stillness all around me!

[A loud bang is heard behind screen.

Methought I heard the dropping of a pin!—
Perhaps I should arise and search for it....
Yet why, on second thoughts, disturb myself,
Since I am, by my settlements, to have
A handsome sum allowed for pin-money?
Nay, since thou claim'st thy freedom, little pin,
I lack the heart to keep thee prisoner.
Go, then, and join the great majority
Of fallen, vagrant, unregarded pinhood—
My bliss is too supreme at such an hour
To heed such infidelities as thine.

[Falls into a happy reverie.

Enter First and Second Bridesmaids.

First and Second Bridesmaids. What, how now, Emily—not yet attired?
Nay, haste, for Peter will be here anon!

[They hurry her off by r. door, just as Peter Paragon enters l. in bridal array. N.B.—The exigencies of the Drama are responsible for his making his appearance here, instead of waiting, as is more usual, at the church.

Peter (meditatively). The golden sands of my celibacy
Are running low—soon falls the final grain!
Yet, even now, the glass I would not turn.
My Emily is not without her faults
"Was not without them," I should rather say,
For during ten idyllic years of courtship,

By precept and example I have striven
To mould her to a helpmate fit for me.
Now, thank the Gods, my labours are complete.
She stands redeemed from all her giddiness!

[Here he steps upon the pin, and utters an exclamation.

Ha! What is this? I'm wounded ... agony!
With what a darting pain my foot's transfixed!
I'll summon help (with calm courage)—yet, stay, I would not dim
This nuptial day by any sombre cloud.
I'll bear this stroke alone—and now to probe
The full extent of my calamity.

[Seats himself on sofa in such a position as to be concealed by the screen from all but the audience, and proceeds to remove his boot.

Ye powers of Perfidy, it is a pin!
I must know more of this—for it is meet
Such criminal neglect should be exposed.
Severe shall be that house-maid's punishment
Who's proved to be responsible for this!—
But soft, I hear a step.

[Enter First and Second Bridesmaids, who hunt diligently upon the carpet without observing Peter's presence.

Emily's Voice (within). Oh, search, I pray you.
It must be there—my own ears heard it fall!

[Peter betrays growing uneasiness.

The Bridesmaids. Indeed, we fail to see it anywhere!

Emily (entering distractedly in bridal costume, with a large rent in her train).
You have no eyes, I tell you, let me help.
It must be found, or I am all undone!
In vain my cushion I have cut in two
'Twas void of all but stuffing ... Gracious Heavens,
To think that all my future bliss depends
On the evasive malice of a pin!

[Peter behind screen, starts violently.

Peter (aside). A pin! what dire misgivings wring my heart!

[Hops forward with a cold dignity, holding one foot in his hand.

You seem in some excitement, Emily?

Emily (wildly). You, Peter!... tell me—have you found a pin?

Peter (with deadly calm). Unhappy girl—I have! (To Bridesmaids.) Withdraw awhile,
And should we need you, we will summon you.

[Exeunt Bridesmaids; Emily and Peter stand facing each other for some moments in dead silence.

The pin is found—for I have trodden on it,
And may, for aught I know, be lamed for life.
Speak, Emily, what is that maid's desert
Whose carelessness has led to this mishap?

Emily (in the desperate hope of shielding herself).
Why, should the fault he traced to any maid,
Instant dismissal shall be her reward,
With a month's wages paid in lieu of notice!

Peter (with a passionless severity).
From your own lips I judge you, Emily.
Did they not own just now that you had heard
The falling of a pin—yet heeded not?
Behold the outcome of your negligence!

[Extends his injured foot.

Emily. Oh, let me kiss the place and make it well!

Peter (coldly withdrawing foot). Keep your caresses till I ask for them.
My wound goes deeper than you wot of yet,
And by that disregarded pin is pricked
The iridescent bubble of Illusion!

Emily (slowly). Indeed, I do not wholly comprehend.

Peter. Have patience and I will be plainer yet.
Mine is a complex nature, Emily;
Magnanimous, but still methodical.
An injury I freely can forgive,
Forget it (striking his chest), never! She who leaves about
Pins on the floor to pierce a lover's foot,
Will surely plant a thorn within the side
Of him whose fate it is to be her husband!

Emily (dragging herself towards him on her knees). Have pity on me, Peter; I was mad!

Peter (with emotion). How can I choose but pity thee, poor soul,
Who, for the sake of temporary ease,
Hast forfeited the bliss that had been thine!
You could not stoop to pick a pin up. Why?
Because, forsooth, 'twas but a paltry pin!
Yet, duly husbanded, that self-same pin
Had served you to secure your gaping train,
Your self-respect—and Me.

Emily (wailing). What have I done?

Peter. I will not now reproach you, Emily,
Nor would I dwell upon my wounded sole,
The pain of which increases momently.
I part from you in friendship, and in proof,
That fated instrument I leave with you

[Presenting her with the pin, which she accepts mechanically.

Which the frail link between us twain has severed.
I can dispense with it, for in my cuff

[Shows her his coat-cuff, in which a row of pins'-heads is perceptible.

I carry others 'gainst a time of need.
My poor success in life I trace to this
That never yet I passed a pin unheeded.

Emily. And is that all you have to say to me?

Peter. I think so—save that I shall wish you well,
And pray that henceforth you may bear in mind
What vast importance lies in seeming trifles.

Emily (with a pale smile). Peter, your lesson is already learned,
For precious has this pin become for me,
Since by its aid I gain oblivion—thus! [Stabs herself.

Peter (coldly.) Nay, these are histrionics, Emily.

[Assists her to sofa.

Emily. I'd skill enough to find a vital spot.
Do not withdraw it yet—my time is short,
And I have much to say before I die.
(Faintly.) Be gentle with my rabbits when I'm gone;
Give my canary chickweed now and then.
... I think there is no more—ah, one last word—
(Earnestly)—Warn them they must not cut our wedding-cake,
And then the pastrycook may take it back!

Peter (deeply moved). Would you had shown this thoughtfulness before! [Kneels by the sofa.

Emily. 'Tis now too late, and clearly do I see
That I was never worthy of you, Peter.

Peter (gently). 'Tis not for me to contradict you now.
You did your best to be so, Emily!

Emily. A blessing on you for those generous words!
Now tell me, Peter, how is your poor foot?

Peter. The agony decidedly abates,
And I can almost bear a boot again.

Emily. Then I die happy!... Kiss me, Peter ... ah!

[Dies.

Peter. In peace she passed away. I'm glad of that,
Although that peace was purchased by a lie.
I shall not bear a boot for many days!
Thus ends our wedding morn, and she, poor child,
Has paid the penalty of heedlessness!

[Curtain falls, whereupon, unless Mr. Punch is greatly mistaken, there will not be a dry eye in the house.