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+The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Love-Chase, by James Sheridan Knowles,
+Edited by Henry Morley
+
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+
+
+
+Title: The Love-Chase
+
+
+Author: James Sheridan Knowles
+
+Editor: Henry Morley
+
+Release Date: October 8, 2007  [eBook #3539]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII)
+
+
+***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LOVE-CHASE***
+
+
+
+Transcribed from the 1887 Cassell & Co. edition David Price, email
+ccx074@pglaf.org
+
+
+
+
+
+THE HUNCHBACK. {1}
+THE LOVE-CHASE.
+
+
+                                    BY
+                          JAMES SHERIDAN KNOWLES
+
+                       CASSELL & COMPANY, LIMITED:
+                _LONDON_, _PARIS_, _NEW YORK & MELBOURNE_.
+                                  1887.
+
+
+
+
+THE LOVE-CHASE.
+
+
+DRAMATIS PERSONAE
+
+
+(AS ORIGINALLY PERFORMED AT THE HAYMARKET, IN l837.)
+_Sir William Fondlove_, an old      Mr. STRICKLAND.
+ Baronet
+_Waller_, in love with Lydia        Mr. ELTON.
+_Wildrake_, a Sportsman             Mr. WEBSTER.
+_Trueworth_, a Friend of Sir        Mr HEMMINGS.
+ William
+_Neville_, Friend to Waller         Mr. WORRELL.
+_Humphreys_, Friend to Waller       Mr. HUTCHINGS.
+_Lash_                              Mr. ROSS.
+_Chargewell_, a Landlord            Mr. EDWARDS.
+_George_, a Waiter                  Mr. BISHOP.
+_First Lawyer_                      Mr. RAY.
+_Widow Green_                       Mrs. GLOVER.
+_Constance_, Daughter to Sir        Mrs. NISBETT.
+ William Fondlove
+_Lydia_, lady's Maid to Widow       Miss VANDENHOFF.
+ Green
+_Alice_, Housekeeper to Master      Mrs. TAYLEURE.
+ Waller
+_Phoebe_, Maid to Constance          Miss WRIGHTEN.
+_Amelia_                            Miss GALLOT.
+_First Lady_                        Mrs. GALLOT.
+
+
+
+SCENE--LONDON.
+
+
+
+ACT I.
+
+
+SCENE I.--The Lobby of an Inn.
+
+
+[Enter CHARGEWELL, hurriedly.]
+
+_Charg_.  What, hoa there!  Hoa, sirrahs!  More wine!  Are the knaves
+asleep?  Let not our guests cool, or we shall starve the till!  Good
+waiting, more than viands and wine, doth help to make the
+inn!--George!--Richard!--Ralph!--Where are you?
+
+[Enter GEORGE.]
+
+_George_.  Here am I, sir!
+
+_Charg_.  Have you taken in more wine to that company?
+
+_George_.  Yes, sir.
+
+_Charg_.  That's right.  Serve them as quick as they order!  A fair
+company!  I have seen them here before.  Take care they come again.  A
+choice company!  That Master Waller, I hear, is a fine spirit--leads the
+town.  Pay him much duty.  A deep purse, and easy strings.
+
+_George_.  And there is another, sir;--a capital gentleman, though from
+the country.  A gentleman most learned in dogs and horses!  He doth talk
+wondrous edification:--one Master Wildrake.  I wish you could hear him,
+sir.
+
+_Charg_.  Well, well!--attend to them.  Let them not cool o'er the
+liquor, or their calls will grow slack.  Keep feeding the fire while it
+blazes, and the blaze will continue.  Look to it well!
+
+_George_.  I will, sir.
+
+_Charg_.  And be careful, above all, that you please Master Waller.  He
+is a guest worth pleasing.  He is a gentleman.  Free order, quick pay!
+
+_George_.  And such, I'll dare be sworn, is the other.  A man of mighty
+stores of knowledge--most learned in dogs and horses!  Never was I so
+edified by the discourse of mortal man.
+
+[They go out severally.]
+
+
+SCENE II.--A Room.
+
+
+[MASTER WALLER, MASTER WILDRAKE, MASTER TRUEWORTH, MASTER NEVILLE, and
+MASTER HUMPHREYS, sitting round a table.]
+
+_Wal_.  Well, Master Wildrake, speak you of the chase!
+To hear you one doth feel the bounding steed;
+You bring the hounds and game, and all to view--
+All scudding to the jovial huntsman's cheer!
+And yet I pity the poor crowned deer,
+And always fancy 'tis by fortune's spite,
+That lordly head of his, he bears so high--
+Like Virtue, stately in calamity,
+And hunted by the human, worldly hound--
+Is made to fly before the pack, that straight
+Burst into song at prospect of his death.
+You say their cry is harmony; and yet
+The chorus scarce is music to my ear,
+When I bethink me what it sounds to his;
+Nor deem I sweet the note that rings the knell
+Of the once merry forester!
+
+_Nev_.  The same things
+Please us or pain, according to the thought
+We take of them.  Some smile at their own death,
+Which most do shrink from, as beast of prey
+It kills to look upon.  But you, who take
+Such pity of the deer, whence follows it
+You hunt more costly game?--the comely maid,
+To wit, that waits on buxom Widow Green?
+
+_Hum_.  The comely maid!  Such term not half the sum
+Of her rich beauty gives!  Were rule to go
+By loveliness, I knew not in the court,
+Or city, lady might not fitly serve
+That lady serving-maid!
+
+_True_.  Come! your defence?
+Why show you ruth where there's least argument,
+Deny it where there's most?  You will not plead?
+Oh, Master Waller, where we use to hunt
+We think the sport no crime!
+
+_Hum_.  I give you joy,
+You prosper in your chase.
+
+_Wal_.  Not so!  The maid
+In simple honesty I must pronounce
+A miracle of virtue, well as beauty.
+
+_Nev_.  And well do I believe you, Master Waller;
+Those know I who have ventured gift and promise
+But for a minute of her ear--the boon
+Of a poor dozen words spoke through a chink--
+And come off bootless, save the haughty scorn
+That cast their bounties back to them again.
+
+_True_.  That warrants her what Master Waller speaks her.
+Is she so very fair?
+
+_Nev_.  Yes, Master Trueworth;
+And I believe indeed an honest maid:
+But Love's the coin to market with for love,
+And that knows Master Waller.  On pretence
+Of sneaking kindness for gay Widow Green,
+He visits her, for sake of her fair maid!
+To whom a glance or word avails to hint
+His proper errand; and--as glimpses only
+Do only serve to whet the wish to see--
+Awakens interest to hear the tale
+So stintingly that's told.  I know his practice--
+Luck to you, Master Waller!  If you win,
+You merit it, who take the way to win!
+
+_Wal_.  Good Master Neville!
+
+_True_.  I should laugh to see
+The poacher snared!--the maid, for mistress sought,
+Turn out a wife.
+
+_Nev_.  How say you, Master Waller?
+Things quite as strange have fallen!
+
+Wed.  Impossible!
+
+_True_.  Impossible!  Most possible of things--
+If thou'rt in love!  Where merit lies itself,
+What matters it to want the name, which weighed,
+Is not the worth of so much breath as it takes
+To utter it!  If, but from Nature's hand,
+She is all you could expect of gentle blood,
+Face, form, mien, speech; with these, what to belong
+To lady more behoves--thoughts delicate,
+Affections generous, and modesty--
+Perfectionating, brightening crown of all!--
+If she hath these--true titles to thy heart--
+What does she lack that's title to thy hand?
+The name of lady, which is none of these,
+But may belong without?  Thou mightst do worse
+Than marry her.  Thou wouldst, undoing her,
+Yea, by my mother's name, a shameful act
+Most shamefully performed!
+
+_Wal_.  [Starting up and drawing.]  Sir!
+
+_Nev_.  [And the others, interposing.]  Gentlemen!
+
+_True_.  All's right!  Sit down!--I will not draw again.
+A word with you: If--as a man--thou sayest,
+Upon thy honour, I have spoken wrong,
+I'll ask thy pardon!--though I never hold
+Communion with thee more!
+
+_Wal_.  [After a pause, putting up his sword.]
+My sword is sheathed?
+Wilt let me take thy hand?
+
+_True_.  'Tis thine, good sir,
+And faster than before--A fault confessed
+Is a new virtue added to a man!
+Yet let me own some blame was mine.  A truth
+May be too harshly told--but 'tis a theme
+I am tender on--I had a sister, sir,
+You understand me!--'Twas my happiness
+To own her once--I would forget her now!--
+I have forgotten!--I know not if she lives!--
+Things of such strain as we were speaking of,
+Spite of myself, remind me of her!--So!--
+
+_Nev_.  Sit down!  Let's have more wine.
+
+_Wild_.  Not so, good sirs.
+Partaking of your hospitality,
+I have overlooked good friends I came to visit,
+And who have late become sojourners here--
+Old country friends and neighbours, and with whom
+I e'en take up my quarters.  Master Trueworth,
+Bear witness for me.
+
+_True_.  It is even so.
+Sir William Fondlove and his charming daughter.
+
+_Wild_.  Ay, neighbour Constance.  Charming, does he say?
+Yes, neighbour Constance is a charming girl
+To those that do not know her.  If she plies me
+As hard as was her custom in the country,
+I should not wonder though, this very day,
+I seek the home I quitted for a month! [Aside.]
+
+Good even, gentlemen.
+
+_Hum_.  Nay, if you go,
+We all break up, and sally forth together.
+
+_Wal_.  Be it so--Your hand again, good Master Trueworth!
+I am sorry I did pain you.
+
+_True_.  It is thine, sir.
+
+[They go out.]
+
+
+SCENE III.--Sir William Fondlove's House.--A Room.
+
+
+[Enter SIR WILLIAM FONDLOVE.]
+
+_Sir Wil_.  At sixty-two, to be in leading-strings,
+Is an old child--and with a daughter, too!
+Her mother held me ne'er in check so strait
+As she.  I must not go but where she likes,
+Nor see but whom she likes, do anything
+But what she likes!--A slut bare twenty-one!
+Nor minces she commands!  A brigadier
+More coolly doth not give his orders out
+Than she!  Her waiting-maid is aide-de-camp;
+My steward adjutant; my lacqueys serjeants;
+That bring me her high pleasure how I march
+And counter-march--when I'm on duty--when
+I'm off--when suits it not to tell it me
+Herself--"Sir William, thus my mistress says!"
+As saying it were enough--no will of mine
+Consulted!  I will marry.  Must I serve,
+Better a wife, my mistress, than a daughter!
+And yet the vixen says, if I do marry,
+I'll find she'll rule my wife, as well as me!
+
+[Enter TRUEWORTH.]
+
+Ah, Master Trueworth!  Welcome, Master Trueworth!
+
+_True_.  Thanks, sir; I am glad to see you look so well!
+
+_Sir Wil_.  Ah, Master Trueworth, when one turns the hill,
+'Tis rapid going down!  We climb by steps;
+By strides we reach the bottom.  Look at me,
+And guess my age.
+
+_True_.  Turned fifty.
+
+_Sir Wil_.  Ten years more!
+How marvellously well I wear!  I think
+You would not flatter me!--But scan me close,
+And pryingly, as one who seeks a thing
+He means to find--What signs of age dost see?
+
+_True_.  None!
+
+_Sir Wil_.  None about the corners of the eyes?
+Lines that diverge like to the spider's joists,
+Whereon he builds his airy fortalice?
+They call them crow's feet--has the ugly bird
+Been perching there?--Eh?--Well?
+
+_True_.  There's something like,
+But not what one must see, unless he's blind
+Like steeple on a hill!
+
+_Sir Wil_.  [After a pause.]  Your eyes are good!
+I am certainly a wonder for my age;
+I walk as well as ever!  Do I stoop?
+
+_True_.  A plummet from your head would find your heel.
+
+_Sir Wil_.  It is my make--my make, good Master Trueworth;
+I do not study it.  Do you observe
+The hollow in my back?  That's natural.
+As now I stand, so stood I when a child,
+A rosy, chubby boy!--I am youthful to
+A miracle!  My arm is firm as 'twas
+At twenty.  Feel it!
+
+_True_.  [Feeling SIR WILLIAM'S arm.]  It is deal!
+
+_Sir Wil_.  Oak--oak,
+Isn't it, Master Trueworth?  Thou hast known me
+Ten years and upwards.  Thinkest my leg is shrunk?
+
+_True_.  No.
+
+_Sir Wil_.  No! not in the calf?
+
+_True_.  As big a calf
+As ever!
+
+_Sir Wil_.  Thank you, thank you--I believe it!
+When others waste, 'tis growing-time with me!
+I feel it, Master Trueworth!  Vigour, sir,
+In every joint of me--could run!--could leap!
+Why shouldn't I marry?  Knife and fork I play
+Better than many a boy of twenty-five--
+Why shouldn't I marry?  If they come to wine,
+My brace of bottles can I carry home,
+And ne'er a headache.  Death! why shouldn't I marry?
+
+_True_.  I see in nature no impediment.
+
+_Sir Wil_.  Impediment?  She's all appliances!--
+And fortune's with me, too!  The Widow Green
+Gives hints to me.  The pleasant Widow Green
+Whose fortieth year, instead of autumn, brings,
+A second summer in.  Odds bodikins,
+How young she looks!  What life is in her eyes!
+What ease is in her gait!--while, as she walks,
+Her waist, still tapering, takes it pliantly!
+How lollingly she bears her head withal:
+On this side now--now that!  When enters she
+A drawing-room, what worlds of gracious things
+Her curtsey says!--she sinks with such a sway,
+Greeting on either hand the company,
+Then slowly rises to her state again!
+She is the empress of the card-table!
+Her hand and arm!--Gods, did you see her deal--
+With curved and pliant wrist dispense the pack,
+Which, at the touch of her fair fingers fly!
+How soft she speaks--how very soft!  Her voice
+Comes melting from her round and swelling throat,
+Reminding you of sweetest, mellowest things--
+Plums, peaches, apricots, and nectarines--
+Whose bloom is poor to paint her cheeks and lips.
+By Jove, I'll marry!
+
+_True_.  You forget, Sir William,
+I do not know the lady.
+
+_Sir Wil_.  Great your loss.
+By all the gods I'll marry!--but my daughter
+Must needs be married first.  She rules my house;
+Would rule it still, and will not have me wed.
+A clever, handsome, darling, forward minx!
+When I became a widower, the reins
+Her mother dropped she caught,--a hoyden girl;
+Nor, since, would e'er give up; howe'er I strove
+To coax or catch them from her.  One way still
+Or t'other she would keep them--laugh, pout, plead;
+Now vanquish me with water, now with fire;
+Would box my face, and, ere I well could ope
+My mouth to chide her, stop it with a kiss!
+The monkey!  What a plague she's to me!  How
+I love her! how I love the Widow Green!
+
+_True_.  Then marry her!
+
+_Sir Wil_.  I tell thee, first of all
+Must needs my daughter marry.  See I not
+A hope of that; she nought affects the sex:
+Comes suitor after suitor--all in vain.
+Fast as they bow she curtsies, and says, "Nay!"
+Or she, a woman, lacks a woman's heart,
+Or hath a special taste which none can hit.
+
+_True_.  Or taste, perhaps, which is already hit.
+
+_Sir Wil_.  Eh!--how?
+
+_True_.  Remember you no country friend,
+Companion of her walks--her squire to church,
+Her beau whenever she went visiting--
+Before she came to town?
+
+_Sir Wil_.  No!
+
+_True_.  None?--art sure?
+No playmate when she was a girl?
+
+_Sir Wil_.  O! ay!
+That Master Wildrake, I did pray thee go
+And wait for at the inn; but had forgotten.
+Is he come?
+
+_True_.  And in the house.  Some friends that met him,
+As he alighted, laid strong hands upon Him,
+And made him stop for dinner.  We had else
+Been earlier with you.
+
+_Sir Wil_.  Ha!  I am glad he is come.
+
+_True_.  She may be smit with him.
+
+_Sir Wil_.  As cat with dog!
+
+_True_.  He heard her voice as we did mount the stairs,
+And darted straight to join her.
+
+_Sir Wil_.  You shall see
+What wondrous calm and harmony take place,
+When fire meets gunpowder!
+
+_Con_.  [Without.]  Who sent for you?
+What made you come?
+
+_Wild_.  [Without.]  To see the town, not you!  A kiss!
+
+_Con_.  I vow I'll not.
+
+_Wild_.  I swear you shall.
+
+_Con_.  A saucy cub!  I vow, I had as lief
+Your whipper-in had kissed me.
+
+_Sir Wil_.  Do you hear?
+
+_True_.  I do.  Most pleasing discords!
+
+[Enter CONSTANCE and WILDRAKE.]
+
+_Con_.  Father, speak
+To neighbour Wildrake!
+
+_Sir Wil_.  Very glad to see him!
+
+_Wild_.  I thank you, good Sir William!  Give you joy
+Of your good looks!
+
+_Con_.  What, Phoebe!--Phoebe!--Phoebe!
+
+_Sir Wil_.  What wantest thou with thy lap-dog?
+
+_Con_.  Only, sir,
+To welcome neighbour Wildrake!  What a figure
+To show himself in town!
+
+_Sir Wil_.  Wilt hold thy peace?
+
+_Con_.  Yes; if you'll lesson me to hold my laughter!
+Wildrake.
+
+_Wild_.  Well?
+
+_Con_.  Let me walk thee in the Park--
+How they would stare at thee!
+
+_Sir Wil_.  Wilt ne'er give o'er?
+
+_Wild_.  Nay, let her have her way--I heed her not!
+Though to more courteous welcome I have right;
+Although I am neighbour Wildrake!  Reason is reason!
+
+_Con_.  And right is right! so welcome, neighbour Wildrake,
+I am very, very, very glad to see you!
+Come, for a quarter of an hour we'll e'en
+Agree together!  How do your horses, neighbour?
+
+_Wild_.  Pshaw!
+
+_Con_.  And your dogs?
+
+_Wild_.  Pshaw!
+
+_Con_.  Whipper-in and huntsman?
+
+_Sir Wil_.  Converse of things thou knowest to talk about!
+
+_Con_.  And keep him silent, father, when I know
+He cannot talk of any other things?
+How does thy hunter?  What a sorry trick
+He played thee t'other day, to balk his leap
+And throw thee, neighbour!  Did he balk the leap?
+Confess!  You sportsmen never are to blame!
+Say you are fowlers, 'tis your dog's in fault!
+Say you are anglers, 'tis your tackle's wrong;
+Say you are hunters, why the honest horse
+That bears your weight, must bear your blunders too!
+Why, whither go you?
+
+_Wild_.  Anywhere from thee.
+
+_Con_.  With me you mean.
+
+_Wild_.  I mean it not.
+
+_Con_.  You do!
+I'll give you fifty reasons for't--and first,
+Where you go, neighbour, I'll go!
+
+[They go out--WILDRAKE, pettishly--CONSTANCE laughing.]
+
+_Sir Wil_.  Do you mark?
+Much love is there!
+
+_True_.  Indeed, a heap, or none!
+I'd wager on the heap!
+
+_Sir Wil_.  Ay!--Do you think
+These discords, as in the musicians' art,
+Are subtle servitors to harmony?
+That all this war's for peace?  This wrangling but
+A masquerade where love his roguish face
+Conceals beneath an ugly visor!--Well?
+
+_True_.  Your guess and my conceit are not a mile
+Apart.  Unlike to other common flowers,
+The flower of love shews various in the bud;
+'Twill look a thistle, and 'twill blow a rose!
+And with your leave I'll put it to the test;
+Affect myself, for thy fair daughter, love--
+Make him my confidant--dilate to him
+Upon the graces of her heart and mind,
+Feature and form--that well may comment bear--
+Till--like the practised connoisseur, who finds
+A gem of heart out in a household picture
+The unskilled owner held so cheap he grudged
+Renewal of the chipped and tarnished frame,
+But values now as priceless--I arouse him
+Into a quick sense of the worth of that
+Whose merit hitherto, from lack of skill,
+Or dulling habit of acquaintanceship,
+He has not been awake to.
+
+_Con_.  [Without.]  Neighbour Wildrake!
+
+_Sir Wil_.  Hither they come.  I fancy well thy game!
+O to be free to marry Widow Green!
+I'll call her hence anon--then ply him well.
+
+[SIR WILLIAM goes out.]
+
+_Wild_.  [Without.]  Nay, neighbour Constance!
+
+_True_.  He is high in storm.
+
+[Enter WILDRAKE and CONSTANCE.]
+
+_Wild_.  To Lincolnshire, I tell thee.
+
+_Con_.  Lincolnshire!
+What, prithee, takes thee off to Lincolnshire?
+
+_Wild_.  Too great delight in thy fair company.
+
+_True_.  Nay, Master Wildrake, why away so soon?
+You are scarce a day in town!--Extremes like this,
+And starts of purpose, are the signs of love.
+Though immatured as yet.  [Aside.]
+
+_Con_.  He's long enough
+In town!  What should he here?  He's lost in town:
+No man is he for concerts, balls, or routs!
+No game he knows at cards, save rare Pope Joan!
+He ne'er could master dance beyond a jig;
+And as for music, nothing to compare
+To the melodious yelping of a hound,
+Except the braying of his huntsman's horn!
+Ask _him_ to stay in town!
+
+_Sir Wil_.  [Without.]  Hoa, Constance!
+
+_Con_.  Sir!--
+Neighbour, a pleasant ride to Lincolnshire!
+Good-bye!
+
+_Sir Wil_.  [Without.]  Why, Constance!
+
+_Con_.  Coming, sir.  Shake hands!
+Neighbour, good-bye!  Don't look so woe-begone;
+'Tis but a two-days' ride, and thou wilt see
+Rover, and Spot, and Nettle, and the rest
+Of thy dear country friends!
+
+_Sir Wil_.  [Without.]  Constance!  I say.
+
+_Con_.  Anon!--Commend me to the gentle souls,
+And pat them for me!--Will you, neighbour Wildrake?
+
+_Sir Wil_.  [Without.]  Why, Constance!  Constance!
+
+_Con_.  In a moment, sir!
+Good-bye!--I'd cry, dear neighbour--if I could!
+Good-bye!--A pleasant day when next you hunt!
+And, prithee, mind thy horse don't balk his leap!
+Good-bye!--and, after dinner, drink my health!
+"A bumper, sirs, to neighbour Constance!"--Do!--
+And give it with a speech, wherein unfold
+My many graces, more accomplishments,
+And virtues topping either--in a word,
+How I'm the fairest, kindest, best of neighbours!
+
+[They go out severally.--TRUEWORTH trying to pacify WILDRAKE--CONSTANCE
+laughing.]
+
+
+
+ACT II.
+
+
+SCENE I.--A Room in Sir William's House.
+
+
+[Enter TRUEWORTH and WILDRAKE.]
+
+_Wild_.  Nay, Master Trueworth, I must needs be gone!
+She treats me worse and worse!  I am a stock,
+That words have none to pay her.  For her sake
+I quit the town to-day.  I like a jest,
+But hers are jests past bearing.  I am her butt,
+She nothing does but practise on!  A plague!--
+Fly her shafts ever your way?
+
+_True_.  Would they did!
+
+_Wild_.  Art mad?--or wishest she should drive thee so?
+
+_True_.  Thou knowest her not.
+
+_Wild_.  I know not neighbour Constance?
+Then know I not myself, or anything
+Which as myself I know!
+
+_True_.  Heigh ho!
+
+_Wild_.  Heigh ho!
+Why what a burden that for a man's song!
+Would fit a maiden that was sick for love.
+Heigh ho!  Come ride with me to Lincolnshire,
+And turn thy "Heigh ho!" into "hilly ho!"
+
+_True_.  Nay, rather tarry thou in town with me.
+Men sometimes find a friend's hand of avail,
+When useless proves their own.  Wilt lend me thine?
+
+_Wild_.  Or may my horse break down in a steeple-chase!
+
+_True_.  A steeple-chase.  What made thee think of that?
+I'm for the steeple--not to ride a race,
+Only to get there!--nor alone, in sooth,
+But in fair company.
+
+_Wild_.  Thou'rt not in love!
+
+_True_.  Heigh ho!
+
+_Wild_.  Thou wouldst not marry!
+
+_True_.  With your help.
+
+_Wild_.  And whom, I prithee?
+
+_True_.  Gentle Mistress Constance!
+
+_Wild_.  What!--neighbour Constance?--Never did I dream
+That mortal man would fall in love with her.  [Aside.]
+In love with neighbour Constance!--I feel strange
+At thought that she should marry!--[Aside.]  Go to church
+With neighbour Constance!  That's a steeple-chase
+I never thought of.  I feel very strange!
+What seest in neighbour Constance?
+
+_True_.  Lovers' eyes
+See with a vision proper to themselves;
+Yet thousand eyes will vouch what mine affirm.
+First, then, I see in her the mould express
+Of woman--stature, feature, body, limb--
+Breathing the gentle sex we value most,
+When most 'tis at antipodes with ours!
+
+_Wild_.  You mean that neighbour Constance is a woman.
+Why, yes; she is a woman, certainly.
+
+_True_.  So much for person.  Now for her complexion.
+What shall we liken to her dainty skin?
+Her arm, for instance?--
+
+_Wild_.  Snow will match it.
+
+_True_.  Snow!
+It is her arm without the smoothness on't;
+Then is not snow transparent.  'Twill not do.
+
+_Wild_.  A pearl's transparent!
+
+_True_.  So it is, but yet
+Yields not elastic to the thrilled touch!
+I know not what to liken to her arm
+Except her beauteous fellow!  Oh! to be
+The chosen friend of two such neighbours!
+
+_Wild_.  Would
+His tongue would make a halt.  He makes too free
+With neighbour Constance!  Can't he let her arms
+Alone!  I trust their chosen friend
+Will ne'er be he!  I'm vexed.  [Aside.]
+
+_True_.  But graceful things
+Grow doubly graceful in the graceful use!
+Hast marked her ever walk the drawing-room?
+
+_Wild_.  [Snappishly.]  No.
+
+_True_.  No!  Why, where have been your eyes?
+
+_Wild_.  In my head!
+But I begin to doubt if open yet.  [Aside.]
+
+_True_.  Yet that's a trifle to the dance; down which
+She floats as though she were a form of air;
+The ground feels not her foot, or tells not on't;
+Her movements are the painting of the strain,
+Its swell, its fall, its mirth, its tenderness!
+Then is she fifty Constances!--each moment
+Another one, and each, except its fellow,
+Without a peer!  You have danced with her!
+
+_Wild_.  I hate
+To dance!  I can't endure to dance!--Of course
+You have danced with her?
+
+_True_.  I have.
+
+_Wild_.  You have?
+
+_True_.  I have.
+
+_Wild_.  I do abominate to dance!--could carve
+Fiddlers and company!  A dancing man
+To me was ever like a dancing dog!
+Save less to be endured.--Ne'er saw I one
+But I bethought me of the master's whip.
+
+_True_.  A man might bear the whip to dance with her!
+
+_Wild_.  Not if I had the laying of it on!
+
+_True_.  Well; let that pass.  The lady is the theme.
+
+_Wild_.  Yes; make an end of it!--I'm sick of it.  [Aside.]
+
+_True_.  How well she plays the harpsichord and harp!
+How well she sings to them!  Whoe'er would prove
+The power of song, should hear thy neighbour sing,
+Especially a love-song!
+
+_Wild_.  Does she sing
+Such songs to thee?
+
+_True_.  Oh, yes, and constantly.
+For such I ever ask her.
+
+_Wild_.  Forward minx!  [Aside.]
+Maids should not sing love-songs to gentlemen!
+Think'st neighbour Constance is a girl to love?
+
+_True_.  A girl to love?--Ay, and with all her soul!
+
+_Wild_.  How know you that?
+
+_True_.  I have studied close the sex.
+
+_Wild_.  You town-rakes are the devil for the sex!  [Aside.]
+
+_True_.  Not your most sensitive and serious maid
+I'd always take for deep impressions.  Mind
+The adage of the bow.  The pensive brow
+I have oft seen bright in wedlock, and anon
+O'ercast in widowhood; then, bright again.
+Ere half the season of the weeds was out;
+While, in the airy one, I have known one cloud
+Forerunner of a gloom that ne'er cleared up--
+So would it prove with neighbour Constance.  Not
+On superficial grounds she'll ever love;
+But once she does, the odds are ten to one
+Her first love is her last!
+
+_Wild_.  I wish I ne'er
+Had come to town!  I was a happy man
+Among my dogs and horses.  [Aside.]  Hast thou broke
+Thy passion to her?
+
+_True_.  Never.
+
+_Wild_.  Never?
+
+_True_.  No.
+I hoped you'd act my proxy there.
+
+_Wild_.  I thank you.
+
+_True_.  I knew 'twould be a pleasure to you.
+
+_Wild_.  Yes;
+A pleasure!--an unutterable pleasure!
+
+_True_.  Thank you!  You make my happiness your own.
+
+_Wild_.  I do.
+
+_True_.  I see you do.  Dear Master Wildrake!
+Oh, what a blessing is a friend in need!
+You'll go and court your neighbour for me?
+
+_Wild_.  Yes.
+
+_True_.  And says she "nay" at first, you'll press again?
+
+_Wild_.  Ay, and again!
+
+_True_.  There's one thing I mistrust--yea, most mistrust,
+That of my poor deserts you'll make too much.
+
+_Wild_.  Fear anything but that.
+
+_True_.  'Twere better far
+You slightly spoke of them.
+
+_Wild_.  You think so?
+
+_True_.  Yes.
+Or rather did not speak of them at all.
+
+_Wild_.  You think so?
+
+_True_.  Yes.
+
+_Wild_.  Then I'll not say a word
+About them.
+
+_True_.  Thank you!  A judicious friend
+Is better than a zealous: you are both!
+I see you'll plead my cause as 'twere your own;
+Then stay in town, and win your neighbour for me;
+Make me the envy of a score of men
+That die for her as I do.  Make her mine,
+And when the last "Amen!" declares complete
+The mystic tying of the holy knot,
+And 'fore the priest a blushing wife she stands,
+Be thine the right to claim the second kiss
+She pays for change from maidenhood to wifehood.
+
+[Goes out.]
+
+_Wild_.  Take that thyself!  The first be mine, or none!
+A man in love with neighbour Constance!  Never
+Dreamed I that such a thing could come to pass!
+Such person, such endowments, such a soul!
+I never thought to ask myself before
+If she were man or woman!  Suitors, too,
+Dying for her!  I'll e'en make one among 'em!
+Woo her to go to church along with him,
+And for my pains the privilege to take
+The second kiss?  I'll take the second kiss,
+And first one too--and last!  No man shall touch
+Her lips but me.  I'll massacre the man
+That looks upon her!  Yet what chance have I
+With lovers of the town, whose study 'tis
+To please your lady belles!--who dress, walk, talk,
+To hit their tastes--what chance, a country squire
+Like me?  Yet your true fair, I have heard, prefers
+The man before his coat at any time;
+And such a one may neighbour Constance be.
+I'll show a limb with any of them!  Silks
+I'll wear, nor keep my legs in cases more.
+I'll learn to dance town-dances, and frequent
+Their concerts!  Die away at melting strains,
+Or seem to do so--far the easier thing,
+And as effective quite; leave naught undone
+To conquer neighbour Constance.
+
+[Enter LASH.]
+
+_Lash_.  Sir.
+
+_Wild_.  Well, sir?
+
+_Lash_.  So please you, sir, your horse is at the door.
+
+_Wild_.  Unsaddle him again and put him up.
+And, hark you, get a tailor for me, sir--
+The rarest can be found.
+
+_Lash_.  The man's below, sir,
+That owns the mare your worship thought to buy.
+
+_Wild_.  Tell him I do not want her, sir.
+
+_Lash_.  I vow
+You will not find her like in Lincolnshire.
+
+_Wild_.  Go to!  She's spavined.
+
+_Lash_.  Sir!
+
+_Wild_.  Touched in the wind.
+
+_Lash_.  I trust my master be not touched in the head!
+I vow, a faultless beast!  [Aside.]
+
+_Wild_.  I want her not,
+And that's your answer.  Go to the hosier's, sir,
+And bid him send me samples of his gear,
+Of twenty different kinds.
+
+_Lash_.  I will, sir.--Sir!
+
+_Wild_.  Well, sir.
+
+_Lash_.  Squire Brush's huntsman's here, and says
+His master's kennel is for sale.
+
+_Wild_.  The dogs
+Are only fit for hanging!--
+
+_Lash_.  Finer bred--
+
+_Wild_.  Sirrah, if more to me thou talkest of dogs,
+Horses, or aught that to thy craft belongs,
+Thou mayst go hang for me!--A cordwainer
+Go fetch me straight--the choicest in the town.
+Away, sir!  Do thy errands smart and well
+As thou canst crack thy whip!  [LASH goes out.]
+Dear neighbour Constance,
+I'll give up horses, dogs, and all for thee!
+
+[Goes out.]
+
+
+SCENE II.
+
+
+[Enter WIDOW GREEN and LYDIA.]
+
+_W. Green_.  Lydia, my gloves.  If Master Waller calls,
+I shall be in at three; and say the same
+To old Sir William Fondlove.  Tarry yet!--
+What progress, think you, make I in the heart
+Of fair young Master Waller?  Gods, my girl,
+It is a heart to win and man as well!
+How speed I, think you?  Didst, as I desired,
+Detain him in my absence when he called,
+And, without seeming, sound him touching me?
+
+_Lydia_.  Yes.
+
+_W. Green_.  And effects he me, or not?  How guess you?
+What said he of me?  Looked he balked, or not,
+To find me not at home?  Inquired he when
+I would be back, as much he longed to see me?
+What did he--said he?  Come!--Is he in love,
+Or like to fall into it?  Goes well my game,
+Or shall I have my labour for my pains?
+
+_Lydia_.  I think he is in love.--O poor evasion!
+O to love truth, and yet not dare to speak it!  [Aside.]
+
+_W. Green_.  You think he is in love--I'm sure of it.
+As well have asked you has he eyes and ears,
+And brain and heart to use them?  Maids do throw
+Trick after trick away, but widows know
+To play their cards!  How am I looking, Lydia?
+
+_Lydia_.  E'en as you ever look.
+
+_W. Green_.  Handsome, my girl?
+Eh?  Clear in my complexion?  Eh?--brimful
+Of spirits? not too much of me, nor yet
+Too little?--Eh?--A woman worth a man?
+Look at me, Lydia!  Would you credit, girl,
+I was a scarecrow before marriage?
+
+_Lydia_.  Nay!--
+
+_W. Green_.  Girl, but I tell thee "yea."  That gown of thine--
+And thou art slender--would have hung about me!
+There's something of me now! good sooth, enough!
+Lydia, I'm quite contented with myself;
+I'm just the thing, methinks, a widow should be.
+So, Master Waller, you believe, affects me?
+But, Lydia, not enough to hook the fish;
+To prove the angler's skill, it must be caught;
+And lovers, Lydia, like the angler's prey--
+Which, when he draws it near the landing-place,
+Takes warning and runs out the slender line,
+And with a spring perchance jerks off the hold
+When we do fish for them, and hook, and think
+They are all but in the creel, will make the dart
+That sets them free to roam the flood again!
+
+_Lydia_.  Is't so?
+
+_W. Green_.  Thou'lt find it so, or better luck
+Than many another maid!  Now mark me, Lydia:
+Sir William Fondlove fancies me.  'Tis well!
+I do not fancy him!  What should I do
+With an old man?--Attend upon the gout,
+Or the rheumatics!  Wrap me in the cloud
+Of a darkened chamber--'stead of shining out,
+The sun of balls, and routs, and gala-days!
+But he affects me, Lydia; so he may!
+Now take a lesson from me--Jealousy
+Had better go with open, naked breast,
+Than pin or button with a gem.  Less plague,
+The plague-spot; that doth speedy make an end
+One way or t'other, girl.  Yet, never love
+Was warm without a spice of jealousy.
+Thy lesson now--Sir William Fondlove's rich,
+And riches, though they're paste, yet being many,
+The jewel love we often cast away for.
+I use him but for Master Waller's sake.
+Dost like my policy?
+
+_Lydia_.  You will not chide me?
+
+_W. Green_.  Nay, Lydia, I do like to hear thy thoughts,
+They are such novel things--plants that do thrive
+With country air!  I marvel still they flower,
+And thou so long in town!  Speak freely, girl!
+
+_Lydia_.  I cannot think love thrives by artifice,
+Or can disguise its mood, and show its face.
+I would not hide one portion of my heart
+Where I did give it and did feel 'twas right,
+Nor feign a wish, to mask a wish that was,
+Howe'er to keep it.  For no cause except
+Myself would I be loved.  What were't to me,
+My lover valued me the more, the more
+He saw me comely in another's eyes,
+When his alone the vision I would show
+Becoming to?  I have sought the reason oft,
+They paint Love as a child, and still have thought,
+It was because true love, like infancy,
+Frank, trusting, unobservant of its mood,
+Doth show its wish at once, and means no more!
+
+_W. Green_.  Thou'lt find out better when thy time doth come.
+Now wouldst believe I love not Master Waller?
+I never knew what love was, Lydia;
+That is, as your romances have it.  First,
+I married for a fortune.  Having that,
+And being freed from him that brought it me,
+I marry now, to please my vanity,
+A man that is the fashion.  O the delight
+Of a sensation, and yourself the cause!
+To note the stir of eyes, and ears, and tongues,
+When they do usher Mistress Waller in,
+Late Widow Green, her hand upon the arm
+Of her young, handsome husband!--How my fan
+Will be in requisition--I do feel
+My heart begin to flutter now--my blood
+To mount into my cheek!  My honeymoon
+Will be a month of triumphs!--"Mistress Waller!"
+That name, for which a score of damsels sigh,
+And but the widow had the wit to win!
+Why, it will be the talk of east to west,
+And north and south!--The children loved the man,
+And lost him so--I liked, but there I stopped;
+For what is it to love, but mind and heart
+And soul upon another to depend?
+Depend upon another?  Nothing be
+But what another wills?  Give up the rights
+Of mine own brain and heart?  I thank my stars
+I never came to that extremity.
+
+[Goes out.]
+
+_Lydia_.  She never loved, indeed!  She knows not love,
+Except what's told of it!  She never felt it.
+To stem a torrent, easy, looking at it;
+But once you venture in, you nothing know
+Except the speed with which you're borne away,
+Howe'er you strive to check it.  She suspects not
+Her maid, not she, brings Master Waller hither.
+Nor dare I undeceive her.  Well might she say
+Her young and handsome husband!  Yet his face
+And person are the least of him, and vanish
+When shines his soul out through his open eye!
+He all but says he loves me!  His respect
+Has vanquished me!  He looks the will to speak
+His passion, and the fear that ties his tongue--
+The fear?  He loves not honestly, and yet
+I'll swear he loves--I'll swear he honours me!
+It is but my condition is a bar,
+Denies him give me all.  But knew he me
+As I do know myself!  Whate'er his purpose,
+When next we speak, he shall declare it to me.
+
+[Goes out.]
+
+
+SCENE III.--Sir William Fondlove's.
+
+
+[Enter CONSTANCE, dressed for riding, and PHOEBE.]
+
+_Con_.  Well, Phoebe, would you know me?  Are those locks
+That cluster on my forehead and my cheek,
+Sufficient mask?  Show I what I would seem,
+A lady for the chase?  My darkened brows
+And heightened colour, foreign to my face,
+Do they my face pass off for stranger too?
+What think you?
+
+_Phoebe_.  That he'll ne'er discover you.
+
+_Con_.  Then send him to me.  Say a lady wants
+To speak with him, unless indeed it be
+A man in lady's gear; I look so bold
+And speak so gruff.  Away!  [PHOEBE goes out.]  That I am glad
+He stays in town, I own, but if I am,
+'Tis only for the tricks I'll play upon him,
+And now begin, persuading him his fame
+Hath made me fancy him, and brought me hither
+On visit to his worship.  Soft, his foot!
+_This_ he?  Why, what has metamorphosed him.
+And changed my sportsman to fine gentleman?
+Well he becomes his clothes!  But, check my wonder,
+Lest I forget myself.  Why, what an air
+The fellow hath.  A man to set a cap at!
+
+[Enter WILDRAKE.]
+
+_Wild_.  Kind lady, I attend your fair commands.
+
+_Con_.  My veiled face denies me justice, sir,
+Else would you see a maiden's blushing cheek
+Do penance for her forwardness; too late,
+I own, repented of.  Yet if 'tis true,
+By our own hearts of others we may judge,
+Mine in no peril lies that's shown to you,
+Whose heart, I'm sure, is noble.  Worthy sir,
+Souls attract souls when they're of kindred vein.
+The life that you love, I love.  Well I know,
+'Mongst those who breast the feats of the bold chase,
+You stand without a peer; and for myself
+I dare avow 'mong such, none follows them
+With heartier glee than I do.
+
+_Wild_.  Churl were he
+That would gainsay you, madam.
+
+_Con_.  [Curtseying.]  What delight
+To back the flying steed, that challenges
+The wind for speed!--seems native more of air
+Than earth!--whose burden only lends him fire!--
+Whose soul, in his task, turns labour into sport;
+Who makes your pastime his!  I sit him now!
+He takes away my breath!  He makes me reel!
+I touch not earth--I see not--hear not.  All
+Is ecstasy of motion!
+
+_Wild_.  You are used,
+I see, to the chase.
+
+_Con_.  I am, sir.  Then the leap,
+To see the saucy barrier, and know
+The mettle that can clear it!  Then, your time
+To prove you master of the manege.  Now
+You keep him well together for a space,
+Both horse and rider braced as you were one,
+Scanning the distance--then you give him rein,
+And let him fly at it, and o'er he goes
+Light as a bird on wing.
+
+_Wild_. 'Twere a bold leap,
+I see, that turned you, madam.
+
+_Con_.  [Curtseying.]  Sir, you're good!
+And then the hounds, sir!  Nothing I admire
+Beyond the running of the well-trained pack.
+The training's everything!  Keen on the scent!
+At fault none losing heart!--but all at work!
+None leaving his task to another!--answering
+The watchful huntsman's cautions, check, or cheer.
+As steed his rider's rein!  Away they go
+How close they keep together!  What a pack!
+Nor turn, nor ditch, nor stream divides them--as
+They moved with one intelligence, act, will!
+And then the concert they keep up!--enough
+To make one tenant of the merry wood,
+To list their jocund music!
+
+_Wild_.  You describe
+The huntsman's pastime to the life.
+
+_Con_.  I love it!
+To wood and glen, hamlet and town, it is
+A laughing holiday!  Not a hill-top
+But's then alive!  Footmen with horsemen vie,
+All earth's astir, roused with the revelry
+Of vigour, health, and joy!  Cheer awakes cheer,
+While Echo's mimic tongue, that never tires,
+Keeps up the hearty din!  Each face is then
+Its neighbour's glass--where Gladness sees itself,
+And at the bright reflection grows more glad!
+Breaks into tenfold mirth!--laughs like a child!
+Would make a gift of its heart, it is so free!
+Would scarce accept a kingdom, 'tis so rich!
+Shakes hands with all, and vows it never knew
+That life was life before!
+
+_Wild_.  Nay, every way
+You do fair justice, lady, to the chase;
+But fancies change.
+
+_Con_.  Such fancy is not mine.
+
+_Wild_.  I would it were not mine, for your fair sake.
+I have quite given o'er the chase.
+
+_Con_.  You say not so!
+
+_Wild_.  Forsworn, indeed, the sportsman's life, and grown,
+As you may partly see, town-gentleman.
+I care not now to mount a steed, unless
+To amble 'long the street; no paces mind,
+Except my own, to walk the drawing-room,
+Or in the ball-room to come off with grace;
+No leap for me, to match the light coupe;
+No music like the violin and harp,
+To which the huntsman's dog and horn I find
+Are somewhat coarse and homely minstrelsy:
+Then fields of ill-dressed rustics, you'll confess,
+Are well exchanged for rooms of beaux and belles
+In short, I've ta'en another thought of life--
+Become another man!
+
+_Con_.  The cause, I pray?
+
+_Wild_.  The cause of causes, lady.
+
+_Con_.  He's in love!  [Aside.]
+
+_Wild_.  To you, of women, I would name it last;
+Yet your frank bearing merits like return;
+I, that did hunt the game, am caught myself
+In chase I never dreamed of!
+
+[Goes out.]
+
+_Con_.  He is in love!
+Wildrake's in love!  'Tis that keeps him in town,
+Turns him from sportsman to town-gentleman.
+I never dreamed that he could be in love!
+In love with whom?--I'll find the vixen out!
+What right has she to set her cap at him?
+I warrant me, a forward, artful minx;
+I hate him worse than ever.  I'll do all
+I can to spoil the match.  He'll never marry--
+Sure he will never marry!  He will have
+More sense than that!  My back doth ope and shut--
+My temples throb and shoot--I am cold and hot!
+Were he to marry, there would be an end
+To neighbour Constance--neighbour Wildrake--why,
+I should not know myself!
+
+[Enter TRUEWORTH.]
+
+Dear Master Trueworth,
+What think you!--neighbour Wildrake is in love!
+In love!  Would you believe it, Master Trueworth?
+Ne'er heed my dress and looks, but answer me.
+Knowest thou of any lady he has seen
+That's like to cozen him?
+
+_True_.  I am not sure--
+We talked to-day about the Widow Green!
+
+_Con_.  Her that my father fancies.  Let him wed her!
+Marry her to-morrow--if he will, to-night.
+I can't spare neighbour Wildrake--neighbour Wildrake!
+Although I would not marry him myself,
+I could not hear that other married him!
+Go to my father--'tis a proper match!
+He has my leave!  He's welcome to bring home
+The Widow Green.  I'll give up house and all!
+She would be mad to marry neighbour Wildrake;
+He would wear out her patience--plague her to death,
+As he does me.  She must not marry him!
+
+[They go out.]
+
+
+
+ACT III.
+
+
+SCENE I.--A Room in Widow Green's.
+
+
+[Enter MASTER WALLER, following LYDIA.]
+
+_Wal_.  But thou shalt hear me, gentle Lydia.
+Sweet maiden, thou art frightened at thyself!
+Thy own perfections 'tis that talk to thee.
+Thy beauty rich!--thy richer grace!--thy mind,
+More rich again than that, though richest each!
+Except for these, I had no tongue for thee,
+Eyes for thee!--ears!--had never followed thee!--
+Had never loved thee, Lydia!  Hear me!--
+
+_Lydia_.  Love
+Should seek its match.  No match am I for thee.
+
+_Wal_.  Right!  Love should seek its match; and that is, love
+Or nothing!  Station--fortune--find their match
+In things resembling them.  They are not love!
+Comes love (that subtle essence, without which
+Life were but leaden dulness!--weariness!
+A plodding trudger on a heavy road!)
+Comes it of title-deeds which fools may boast?
+Or coffers vilest hands may hold the keys of?
+Or that ethereal lamp that lights the eyes
+To shed the sparkling lustre o'er the face,
+Gives to the velvet skin its blushing glow,
+And burns as bright beneath the peasant's roof
+As roof of palaced prince?  Yes, Love should seek
+Its match--then give my love its match in thine,
+Its match which in thy gentle breast doth lodge
+So rich--so earthly, heavenly fair and rich,
+As monarchs have no thought of on their thrones,
+Which kingdoms do bear up.
+
+_Lydia_.  Wast thou a monarch,
+Me wouldst thou make thy queen?
+
+_Wal_.  I would.
+
+_Lydia_.  What!  Pass
+A princess by for me?
+
+_Wal_.  I would.
+
+_Lydia_.  Suppose
+Thy subjects would prevent thee?
+
+_Wal_.  Then, in spite
+Of them!
+
+_Lydia_.  Suppose they were too strong for thee?
+
+_Wal_.  Why, then I'd give them up my throne--content
+With that thou'dst yield me in thy gentle breast.
+
+_Lydia_.  Can subjects do what monarchs do?
+
+_Wal_.  Far more!
+Far less!
+
+_Lydia_.  Among those things, where more their power,
+Is marriage one?
+
+_Wal_.  Yes.
+
+_Lydia_.  And no part of love,
+You say, is rank or wealth?
+
+_Wal_.  No part of love.
+
+_Lydia_.  Is marriage part of love?
+
+_Wal_.  At times it is,
+At times is not.  Men love and marry--love
+And marry not.
+
+_Lydia_.  Then have they not the power;
+So must they hapless part with those they love.
+
+_Wal_.  Oh, no! not part!  How could they love and part?
+
+_Lydia_.  How could they love not part, not free to wed?
+
+_Wal_.  Alone in marriage doth not union lie!
+
+_Lydia_.  Alone where hands are free!  O yes--alone!
+Love that is love, bestoweth all it can!
+It is protection, if 'tis anything,
+Which nothing in its object leaves exposed
+Its care can shelter.  Love that's free to wed,
+Not wedding, but profanes the name of love;
+Which is, on high authority to Earth's,
+For Heaven did sit approving at its feast,
+A holy thing!  Why make you love to me?
+Women whose hearts are free, by nature tender,
+Their fancies hit by those they are besought by,
+Do first impressions quickly--deeply take;
+And, balked in their election, have been known
+To droop a whole life through!  Gain for a maid,
+A broken heart!--to barter her young love,
+And find she changed it for a counterfeit!
+
+_Wal_.  If there is truth in man, I love thee!  Hear me!
+In wedlock, families claim property.
+Old notions, which we needs must humour often,
+Bar us to wed where we are forced to love!
+Thou hear'st?
+
+_Lydia_.  I do.
+
+_Wal_.  My family is proud;
+Our ancestor, whose arms we bear, did win
+An earldom by his deeds.  'Tis not enough
+I please myself!  I must please others, who
+Desert in wealth and station only see.
+Thou hear'st?
+
+_Lydia_.  I do.
+
+_Wal_.  I cannot marry thee,
+And must I lose thee?  Do not turn away!
+Without the altar I can honour thee!
+Can cherish thee, nor swear it to the priest;
+For more than life I love thee!
+
+_Lydia_.  Say thou hatest me,
+And I'll believe thee!  Wherein differs love
+From hate, to do the work of hate--destroy?
+Thy ancestor won title to his deeds!
+Was one of them, to teach an honest maid
+The deed of sin--first steal her love, and then
+Her virtue?  If thy family is proud,
+Mine, sir, is worthy! if we are poor, the lack
+Of riches, sir, is not the lack of shame,
+That I should act a part, would raise a blush,
+Nor fear to burn an honest brother's cheek!
+Thou wouldest share a throne with me!  Thou wouldst rob me of
+A throne!--reduce me from dominion to
+Base vassalage!--pull off my crown for me,
+And give my forehead in its place a brand!
+You have insulted me.  To shew you, sir,
+The heart you make so light of, you are beloved--
+But she that tells you so, tells you beside
+She ne'er beholds you more!
+
+[Goes out.]
+
+_Wal_.  Stay, Lydia!--No!
+'Tis vain!  She is in virtue resolute,
+As she is bland and tender in affection.
+She is a miracle, beholding which
+Wonder doth grow on wonder!  What a maid!
+No mood but doth become her--yea, adorn her.
+She turns unsightly anger into beauty!
+Sour scorn grows sweetness, touching her sweet lips!
+And indignation, lighting on her brow,
+Transforms to brightness as the cloud to gold
+That overhangs the sun!  I love her!  Ay!
+And all the throes of serious passion feel
+At thought of losing her!--so my light love,
+Which but her person did at first affect,
+Her soul has metamorphosed--made a thing
+Of solid thoughts and wishes--I must have her!
+
+[Enter WIDOW GREEN, unnoticed SIR WALLER, who continues abstracted.]
+
+_W. Green_.  What!  Master Waller, and contemplative
+Presumptive proof of love!  Of me he thinks!
+Revolves the point "to be or not to be!"
+"To be!" by all the triumphs of my sex!
+There was a sigh!  My life upon't, that sigh,
+If construed, would translate "Dear Widow Green!"
+
+_Wal_.  Enchanting woman!
+
+_W. Green_.  That is I!--most deep
+Abstraction, sure concomitant of love.
+Now, could I see his busy fancy's painting,
+How should I blush to gaze upon myself.
+
+_Wal_.  The matchless form of woman!  The choice calling
+Of the aspiring artist, whose ambition
+Robs Nature to outdo her--the perfections
+Of her rare various workmanship combines
+To aggrandise his art at Nature's cost,
+And make a paragon!
+
+_W. Green_.  Gods! how he draws me!
+Soon as he sees me, at my feet he falls!--
+Good Master Waller!
+
+_Wal_.  Ha!  The Widow Green!
+
+_W. Green_.  He is confounded!  So am I.  O dear!
+How catching is emotion.  He can't speak!
+O beautiful confusion!  Amiable
+Excess of modesty with passion struggling!
+Now comes he to declare himself, but wants
+The courage.  I must help him.--Master Waller!
+
+[Enter SIR WILLIAM FONDLOVE.]
+
+_Sir Wil_.  Dear Widow Green!
+
+_W. Green_.  Sir William Fondlove!
+
+_Wal_.  Thank
+My lucky stars!  [Aside.]
+
+_W. Green_.  I would he had the gout,
+And kept his room!  [Aside.]--You're welcome, dear Sir William!
+'Tis very, very kind of you to call.
+Sir William Fondlove--Master Waller.  Pray
+Be seated, gentlemen.--He shall requite me
+For his untimely visit.  Though the nail
+Be driven home, it may want clinching yet
+To make the hold complete!  For that, I'll use him.--[Aside.]
+You're looking monstrous well, Sir William! and
+No wonder.  You're a mine of happy spirits!
+Some women talk of such and such a style
+Of features in a man.  Give me good humour;
+That lights the homeliest visage up with beauty,
+And makes the face, where beauty is already,
+Quite irresistible!
+
+_Sir Wil_.  That's hitting hard.  [Aside.]
+Dear Widow Green, don't say so!  On my life
+You flatter me.  You almost make me blush.
+
+_W. Green_.  I durst not turn to Master Waller now,
+Nor need I.  I can fancy how he looks!
+I warrant me he scowls on poor Sir William,
+As he could eat him up.  I must improve
+His discontent, and so make sure of him.--[Aside.]
+I flatter you, Sir William!  O, you men!
+You men, that talk so meek, and all the while
+Do know so well your power!  Who would think
+You had a marriageable daughter!  You
+Did marry very young.
+
+_Sir Wil_.  A boy!--a boy!
+Who knew not his own mind.
+
+_W. Green_.  Your daughter's twenty.
+Come, you at least were twenty when you married;
+That makes you forty.
+
+_Sir Wil_.  O dear!  Widow Green.
+
+_W. Green_.  Not forty?
+
+_Sir Wil_.  You do quite embarrass me!
+I own I have the feelings of a boy,
+The freshness and the glow of spring-time, yet,--
+The relish yet for my young schooldays' sports;
+Could whip a top--could shoot at taw--could play
+At prison-bars and leapfrog--so I might--
+Not with a limb, perhaps, as supple, but
+With quite as supple will.  Yet I confess
+To more than forty!
+
+_W. Green_.  Do you say so?  Well,
+I'll never guess a man's age by his looks
+Again.--Poor Master Waller!  He must writhe
+To hear I think Sir William is so young.
+I'll turn his visit yet to more account.--[Aside.]
+A handsome ring, Sir William, that you wear!
+
+_Sir Wil_.  Pray look at it.
+
+_W. Green_.  The mention of a ring
+Will take away his breath.
+
+_Wal_.  She must be mine
+Whate'er her terms!  [Aside.]
+
+_W. Green_.  I'll steal a look at him!
+
+_Wal_.  What! though it be the ring?--the marriage ring?
+If that she sticks at, she deserves to wear it
+Oh, the debate which love and prudence hold!  [Aside.]
+
+_W. Green_.  How highly he is wrought upon!  His hands
+Are clenched!--I warrant me his frame doth shake!
+Poor Master Waller!  I have filled his heart
+Brimful with passion for me.  The delight
+Of proving thus my power!
+
+_Sir Wil_.  Dear Widow Green!--
+She hears not!  How the ring hath set her thinking!
+I'll try and make her jealous.  [Aside.]--Widow Green!
+
+_W. Green_.  Sir William Fondlove!
+
+_Sir Wil_.  Would you think that ring
+Could tell a story?
+
+_W. Green_.  Could it?  Ah, Sir William,
+I fear you are a rogue.
+
+_Sir Wil_.  O no!
+
+_W. Green_.  You are!
+
+_Sir Wil_.  No, on my honour!  Would you like to hear
+The story of the ring?
+
+_W. Green_.  Much--very much.
+
+_Sir Wil_.  Think'st we may venture draw our chairs apart
+A little more from Master Waller?
+
+_W. Green_.  Yes.
+He'll bring it to a scene!  Dear--dear Sir William,
+How much I am obliged to him!  A scene!
+Gods, we shall have a scene!--Good Master Waller,
+Your leave I pray you for a minute, while
+Sir William says a word or two to me.--
+He durst not trust his tongue for jealousy!--[Aside.]
+Now, dear Sir William!
+
+_Sir Wil_.  You must promise me
+You will not think me vain.
+
+_W. Green_.  No fear of that.
+
+_Sir Wil_.  Nor given to boast.
+
+_W. Green_.  O! dear Sir William!
+
+_Sir Wil_.  Nor
+A flirt!
+
+_W. Green_.  O! who would take you for a flirt?
+
+_Sir Wil_.  How very kind you are!
+
+_W. Green_.  Go on, Sir William.
+
+_Sir Wil_.  Upon my life, I fear you'll think me vain!
+I'm covered with confusion at the thought
+Of what I've done.  'Twas very, very wrong
+To promise you the story of the ring;
+Men should not talk of such things.
+
+_W. Green_.  Such as what?
+As ladies' favours?
+
+_Sir Wil_.  'Pon my life, I feel
+As I were like to sink into the earth.
+
+_W. Green_.  A lady then it was gave you the ring?
+
+_Sir Wil_.  Don't ask me to say yes, but only scan
+The inside of the ring.--How much she's moved.  [Aside.]
+
+_Wal_.  They to each other company enough!
+I, company for no one but myself.
+I'll take my leave, nor trouble them to pay
+The compliments of parting.  Lydia!  Lydia!
+
+[Goes out.]
+
+_W. Green_.  What's here?  "Eliza!"  So it was a lady!--
+How wondrously does Master Waller bear it!
+He surely will not hold much longer out.--[Aside.]
+Sir William!  Nay, look up!  What cause to cast
+Your eyes upon the ground?  What an it were
+A lady?
+
+_Sir Wil_.  You're not angry?
+
+_W. Green_.  No!
+
+_Sir Wil_.  She is.
+I'll take the tone she speaks in 'gainst the word,
+For fifty crowns.--I have not told you all
+About the ring; though I would sooner die
+Than play the braggart!--yet, as truth is truth,
+And told by halves, may from a simple thing,
+By misconstruction, to a monster grow,
+I'll tell the whole truth!
+
+_W. Green_.  Dear Sir William, do!
+
+_Sir Wil_.  The lady was a maid, and very young;
+Nor there in justice to her must I stop,
+But say that she was beautiful as young;
+And add to that that she was learned too,
+Almost enough to win for her that title,
+Our sex, in poor conceit of their own merits,
+And narrow spirit of monopoly,
+And jealousy, which gallantry eschews,
+Do give to women who assert their right
+To minds as well as we.
+
+_W. Green_.  What! a blue-stocking?
+
+_Sir Wil_.  I see--she'll come to calling names at last.--[Aside.]
+I should offend myself to quote the term.
+But, to return, for yet I have not done;
+And further yet may go, then progress on
+That she was young, that she was beautiful.
+A wit and learned are naught to what's to come--
+She had a heart!--
+
+_W. Green_.  [Who during SIR WILLIAM'S speech has turned gradually.]
+What, Master Waller gone!  [Aside.]
+
+_Sir Wil_.  I say she had a heart--
+
+_W. Green_.  [Starting up--SIR WILLIAM also.]  A plague upon her!
+
+_Sir Wil_.  I knew she would break out!  [Aside.]
+
+_W. Green_.  Here, take the ring.  It has ruined me!
+
+_Sir Wil_.  I vow thou hast no cause
+For anger!
+
+_W. Green_.  Have I not?  I am undone,
+And all about that bauble of a ring.
+
+_Sir Wil_.  You're right, it is a bauble.
+
+_W. Green_.  And the minx
+That gave it thee!
+
+_Sir Wil_.  You're right, she was a minx.
+I knew she'd come to calling names at last.  [Aside.]
+
+_W. Green_.  Sir William Fondlove, leave me.
+
+_Sir Wil_.  Widow Green!--
+
+_W. Green_.  You have undone me, sir!
+
+_Sir Wil_.  Don't say so!  Don't!
+It was a girl--a child gave me the ring!
+
+_W. Green_.  Do you hear me, sir?  I bade you leave me.
+
+_Sir Wil_.  If
+I thought you were so jealous--
+
+_W. Green_.  Jealous, sir!
+Sir William! quit my house.
+
+_Sir Wil_.  A little girl
+To make you jealous!
+
+W.  Green.  Sir, you'll drive me mad!
+
+_Sir Wil_.  A child, a perfect child, not ten years old!
+
+_W. Green_.  Sir, I would be alone, sir!
+
+_Sir Wil_.  Young enough
+To dandle still her doll!
+
+_W. Green_.  Sir William Fondlove!
+
+_Sir Wil_.  Dear Widow Green!
+
+_W. Green_.  I hate you, sir!  Detest you!  Never wish
+To see you more!  You have ruined me!  Undone me!
+A blighted life I wear, and all through you!
+The fairest hopes that ever woman nourished,
+You've cankered in the very blowing! bloom
+And sweet destroyed, and nothing left me, but
+The melancholy stem.
+
+_Sir Wil_.  And all about
+A little slut I gave a rattle to!--
+Would pester me for gingerbread and comfits!--
+A little roguish feigning!  A love-trick
+I played to prove your love!
+
+_W. Green_.  Sir William Fondlove!
+If of my own house you'll not suffer me
+To be the mistress, I will leave it to you!
+
+_Sir Wil_.  Dear Widow Green!  The ring--
+
+_W. Green_.  Confound the ring,
+The donor of it, thee, and everything!
+
+[Goes out.]
+
+_Sir Wil_.  She is over head and ears in love with me!
+She's mad with love!  There's love and all its signs!
+She's jealous of me unto very death!
+Poor Widow Green!  I warrant she is now
+In tears!  I think I hear her sob!  Poor thing!
+Sir William!  Oh, Sir William!  You have raised
+A furious tempest!  Set your wits to work
+To turn it to a calm.  No question that
+She loves me!  None then that she'll take me!  So
+I'll have the marriage settlements made out
+To-morrow, and a special licence got,
+And marry her the next day!  I will make
+Quick work of it, and take her by surprise!
+Who but a widower a widow's match?
+What could she see with else but partial eyes
+To guess me only forty?  I'm a wonder!
+What shall I pass for in my wedding suit?
+I vow I am a puzzle to myself,
+As well as all the world besides.  Odd's life!
+To win the heart of buxom Widow Green!
+
+[Goes out.]
+
+[WIDOW GREEN re-enters with LYDIA.]
+
+_W. Green_.  At last the dotard's gone!  Fly, Lydia, fly,
+This letter bear to Master Waller straight;
+Quick, quick, or I'm undone!  He is abused,
+And I must undeceive him--own my love,
+And heart and hand at his disposal lay.
+Answer me not, my girl--obey me!  Fly.
+
+[Goes out.]
+
+_Lydia_.  Untowardly it falls!--I had resolved
+This hour to tell her I must quit her service!
+Go to his house!  I will not disobey
+Her last commands!--I'll leave it at the door,
+And as it closes on me think I take
+One more adieu of him!  Hard destiny!
+
+[Goes out.]
+
+
+SCENE II.--A Room in Sir William's.
+
+
+[Enter CONSTANCE.]
+
+_Con_.  The booby!  He must fall in love, indeed!
+And now he's naught but sentimental looks
+And sentences, pronounced 'twixt breath and voice!
+And attitudes of tender languishment!
+Nor can I get from him the name of her
+Hath turned him from a stock into a fool.
+He hems and haws, now titters, now looks grave!
+Begins to speak and halts! takes off his eyes
+To fall in contemplation on a chair,
+A table, or the ceiling, wall, or floor!
+I'll plague him worse and worse!  O, here he comes!
+
+[Enter WILDRAKE.]
+
+_Wild_.  Despite her spiteful usage I'm resolved
+To tell her now.  Dear neighbour Constance!
+
+_Con_.  Fool!
+Accost me like a lady, sir!  I hate
+The name of neighbour!
+
+_Wild_.  Mistress Constance, then--
+I'll call thee that.
+
+_Con_.  Don't call me anything!
+I hate to hear thee speak--to look at thee,
+To dwell in the same house with thee!
+
+_Wild_.  In what
+Have I offended?
+
+_Con_.  What!--I hate an ape!
+
+_Wild_.  An ape!
+
+_Con_.  Who bade thee ape the gentleman?
+And put on dress that don't belong to thee?
+Go! change thee with thy whipper-in or huntsman,
+And none will doubt thou wearest thy own clothes.
+
+_Wild_.  A pretty pass!  Mocked for the very dress
+I bought to pleasure her!  Untoward things
+Are women!  [Aside.  Walks backwards and forwards.]
+
+_Con_.  Do you call that walking?  Pray
+What makes you twist your body so, and take
+Such pains to turn your toes out?  If you'd walk,
+Walk thus!  Walk like a man, as I do now!
+
+[Walking]
+
+Is yours the way a gentleman should walk?
+You neither walk like man nor gentleman!
+I'll show you how you walk.  [Mimicking him.]
+Do you call that walking?
+
+_Wild_.  My thanks, for a drill-sergeant twice a day
+For her sake!  [Aside.]
+
+_Con_.  Now, of all things in the world,
+What made you dance last night?
+
+_Wild_.  What made me dance?
+
+_Con_.  Right!  It was anything but dancing!  Steps
+That never came from dancing-school--nor English,
+Nor Scotch, nor Irish!  You must try to cut,
+And how you did it!  [Cuts.]  That's the way to cut!
+And then your chasse!  Thus you went, and thus.
+
+[Mimicking him.]
+
+As though you had been playing at hop, step,
+And jump!--and yet you looked so monstrous pleased,
+And played the simpleton with such a grace,
+Taking their tittering for compliment!
+I could have boxed you soundly for't.  Ten times
+Denied I that I knew you.
+
+_Wild_.  Twenty guineas
+Were better in the gutter thrown than gone
+To fee a dancing-master!  [Aside.]
+
+_Con_.  And you're grown
+An amateur in music!--What fine air
+Was that you praised last night?--"The Widow Jones!"
+A country jig they turned into a song.
+You asked "If it had come from Italy?"
+The lady blushed and held her peace, and then
+You blushed and said, "Perhaps it came from France!"
+And then when blushed the lady more, nor spoke,
+You said, "At least it came from Germany!"
+The air was English!--a true English air;
+A downright English air!--a common air;
+Old as "When Good King Arthur."  Not a square,
+Court, alley, street, or lane about the town,
+In which it is not whistled, played, or sung!
+But you must have it come from Italy,
+Or Germany, or France.  Go home!  Go home!
+To Lincolnshire, and mind thy dog and horn!
+You'll never do for town!  "The Widow Jones"
+To come from Italy!  Stay not in town,
+Or you'll be married to the Widow Jones,
+Since you've forsworn, you say, the Widow Green!
+And morn and night they'll din your ears with her!
+"Well met, dear Master Wildrake.  A fine day!
+Pray, can you tell whence came the Widow Jones?"
+They love a jest in town!  To Lincolnshire!
+You'll never do for town!  To Lincolnshire;
+"The Widow Jones" to come from Italy!
+
+[Goes out.]
+
+_Wild_.  Confound the Widow Jones!  'Tis true!  The air
+Well as the huntsman's triple mort I know,
+But knew not then indeed, 'twas so disguised
+With shakes and flourishes, outlandish things,
+That mar, not grace, an honest English song!
+Howe'er, the mischief's done! and as for her,
+She is either into hate or madness fallen.
+If madness, would she had her wits again,
+Or I my heart!  If hate, my love's undone;
+I'll give her up.  I'll e'en to Master Trueworth,
+Confess my treason--own my punishment--
+Take horse, and back again to Lincolnshire!
+
+[Goes out.]
+
+_Con_.  [Returning.]  Not here!  I trust I have not gone too far!
+If he should quit the house!  Go out of town!
+Poor neighbour Wildrake!  Little does he owe me!
+From childhood I've been used to plague him thus.
+Why would he fall in love, and spoil it all!
+I feel as I could cry!  He has no right
+To marry any one!  What wants he with
+A wife?  Has he not plague enough in me?
+Would he be plagued with anybody else?
+Ever since I have lived in town I have felt
+The want of neighbour Wildrake!  Not a soul
+Besides I care to quarrel with; and now
+He goes and gives himself to another!  What!
+Am I in love with neighbour Wildrake?  No.
+I only would not have him marry--marry?
+Sooner I'd have him dead than have him marry!
+
+
+
+ACT IV.
+
+
+SCENE I.--A Room in Master Waller's House.
+
+
+[Enter ALICE, hastily.]
+
+_Alice_.  [Speaking to the outside.]  Fly, Stephen, to the door! your
+rapier! quick!--
+Our master is beset, because of one
+Whose part he takes, a maid, whom lawless men
+Would lawlessly entreat!  In what a world
+We live!--How do I shake!--with what address
+[Looking out of window.]
+He lays about him, and his other arm
+Engaged, in charge of her whom he defends!
+A damsel worth a broil!--Now, Stephen, now!
+Take off the odds, brave lad, and turn the scale!
+I would I were a swordsman!  How he makes
+His rapier fly!--Well done!--O Heaven, there's blood.
+But on the side that's wrong!--Well done, good Stephen!
+Pray Heaven no life be ta'en!--Lay on, brave lad!
+He has marked his man again.  Good lad--Well done,
+I pray no mischief come!--Press on him, Stephen!
+Now gives he ground.--Follow thy advantage up!
+Allow no pause for breaths!--Hit him again!
+Forbid it end in death!--Lounge home, good Stephen!
+How fast he now retreats!--That spring, I'll swear,
+Was answer to thy point!--Well fenced!--Well fenced!
+Now Heaven forefend it end in death!--He flies!
+And from his comrade, the same moment, hath
+Our master jerked his sword--The day is ours!
+Quick may they get a surgeon for their wounds,
+And I, a cordial for my fluttered spirits:
+I vow, I'm nigh to swoon!
+
+_Wal_.  [Without.]  Hoa!  Alice!  Hoa!
+Open the door!  Quick, Alice!  Quick!
+
+_Alice_.  Anon!
+Young joints take no thought of aged ones,
+But ever think them as supple as themselves.
+
+_Wal_.  Alice!
+
+_Alice_.  [Opening the door.]  I'm here!--A mercy!--
+Is she dead?
+
+[Enter MASTER WALLER, bearing LYDIA, fainting.]
+
+_Wal_.  No, she but faints.--A chair!--Quick, Alice, quick!
+Water to bathe her temples.
+
+[ALICE goes out.]
+
+Such a turn
+Kind fortune never do me.  Shall I kiss
+To life these frozen lips?--No!--of her plight
+'Twere base to take advantage.
+
+[ALICE returns, &c.]
+
+All is well,
+The blood returns.
+
+_Alice_.  How wondrous fair she is!
+
+_Wal_.  Thou think'st her so?--No wonder then should I.
+How say you?--Wondrous fair?  [Aside.]
+
+_Alice_.  Yes; wondrous fair!
+Harm never come to her!  So sweet a thing
+'Twere pity were abused!
+
+_Wal_.  You think her fair?
+
+_Alice_.  Ay, marry!  Half so fair were more than match
+For fairest she e'er saw mine eyes before!
+And what a form!  A foot and instep there!
+Vouchers of symmetry!  A little foot
+And rising instep, from an ankle arching,
+A palm, and that a little one, might span.
+
+_Wal_.  Who taught thee thus?
+
+_Alice_.  Why who, but her, taught thee?
+Thy mother!--Heaven rest her!--Thy good mother!
+She could read men and women by their hands
+And feet!--And here's a hand!--A fairy palm!
+Fingers that taper to the pinky tips,
+With nails of rose, like shells of such a hue,
+Berimmed with pearl, you pick up on the shore!
+Save these the gloss and tint do wear without.
+
+_Wal_.  Why, how thou talk'st!
+
+_Alice_.  Did I not tell thee thus
+Thy mother used to talk?  Such hand and foot,
+She would say, in man or woman vouched for nature
+High tempered!--Still for sentiment refined;
+Affection tender; apprehension quick--
+Degrees beyond the generality!
+There is a marriage finger!  Curse the hand
+Would balk it of a ring!
+
+_Wal_.  She's quite restored,
+Leave us!--Why cast'st thou that uneasy look?
+Why linger'st thou?  I'm not alone with her.
+My honour's with her too.  I would not wrong her.
+
+_Alice_.  And if thou wouldst, thou'rt not thy mother's son.
+
+[Goes out.]
+
+_Wal_.  You are better?
+
+_Lydia_.  Much!--much!
+
+_Wal_.  Know you him who durst
+Attempt this violence in open day?
+It seemed as he would force thee to his coach,
+I saw attending.
+
+_Lydia_.  Take this letter, sir,
+And send the answer--I must needs be gone.
+
+_Wal_.  [Throwing the letter away.]  I read no letter!
+Tell me, what of him
+I saw offend thee?
+
+_Lydia_.  He hath often met me,
+And by design I think, upon the street,
+And tried to win mine ear, which ne'er he got
+Save only by enforcement.  Presents--gifts--
+Of jewels and of gold to wild amount,
+To win an audience, hath he proffered me;
+Until, methought, my silence--for my lips
+Disdained reply were question was a wrong--
+Had wearied him.  Oh, sir, whate'er of life
+Remains to me I had foregone, ere proved
+The horror of this hour!--and you it is
+That have protected me?
+
+_Wal_.  Oh, speak not on't!
+
+_Lydia_.  You that have saved me from mine enemy--
+
+_Wal_.  I pray you to forget it.
+
+_Lydia_.  From a foe
+More dire than he that putteth life in peril--
+
+_Wal_.  Sweet Lydia, I beseech you spare me.
+
+_Lydia_.  No!
+I will not spare you.--You have brought me to safety,
+You whom I fear worse than that baleful foe.
+
+[Rises to go.]
+
+_Wal_.  [Kneeling and snatching her hand.]  Lydia!
+
+_Lydia_.  Now, make thy bounty perfect.  Drop
+My hand.  That posture which dishonours thee,
+Quit!--for 'tis shame on shame to show respect
+Where we do feel disdain.  Throw ope thy gate
+And let me pass, and never seek with me,
+By look, or speech, or aught, communion more!
+
+_Wal_.  Thou saidst thou lovedst me?
+
+_Lydia_.  Yes! when I believed
+My tongue did take of thee its last adieu,
+And now that I do know it--for be sure
+It never bids adieu to thee again--
+Again, I tell it thee!  Release me, sir!
+Rise!--and no hindrance to my will oppose.
+That would be free to go.
+
+_Wal_.  I cannot lose thee!
+
+_Lydia_.  Thou canst not have me!
+
+_Wal_.  No!
+
+_Lydia_.  Thou canst not.  I
+Repeat it.--Yet I'm thine--thine every way,
+Except where honour fences!--Honour, sir,
+Not property of gentle blood alone;
+Of gentle blood not always property!
+Thou'lt not obey me.  Still enforcest me!
+Oh, what a contradiction is a man!
+What in another he one moment spurns,
+The next--he does himself complacently!
+
+_Wal_.  Wouldst have me lose the hand that holds my life?
+
+_Lydia_.  Hear me and keep it, if thou art a man!
+I love thee--for thy benefit would give
+The labour of that hand!--wear out my feet
+Rack the invention of my mind!--the powers
+Of my heart in one volition gather up!
+My life expend, and think no more I gave
+Than he who wins a priceless gem for thanks!
+For such goodwill canst thou return me wrong?
+
+_Wal_.  Yet, for awhile, I cannot let thee go.
+Propound for me an oath that I'll not wrong thee!
+An oath, which, if I break it, will entail
+Forfeit of earth and heaven.  I'll take it--so
+Thou stay'st one hour with me.
+
+_Lydia_.  No!--Not one moment!
+Unhand me, or I shriek!--I know the summons
+Will pierce into the street, and set me free!
+I stand in peril while I'm near thee!  She
+Who knows her danger, and delays escape,
+Hath but herself to thank, whate'er befalls!
+Sir, I may have a woman's weakness, but
+I have a woman's resolution, too,
+And that's a woman's strength!
+One moment more!--
+
+_Wal_.  Lo!  Thou art free to go!
+
+[Rises and throws himself distractedly into a chair.]
+
+[LYDIA approaches the door--her pace slackens--she pauses with her hand
+upon the lock--turns, and looks earnestly on WALLER.]
+
+_Lydia_.  I have a word
+To say to thee; if by thy mother's honour,
+Thou swear'st to me thou wilt not quit thy seat.
+
+_Wal_.  I swear as thou propound'st to me.
+
+_Lydia_.  [After a pause, bursting into tears.]  Oh, why--
+Why have you used me thus?  See what you've done!
+Essayed to light a guilty passion up,
+And kindled in its stead a holy one!
+For I do love thee!  Know'st thou not the wish
+To find desert doth bring it oft to sight
+Where yet it is not? so, for substance, passes
+What only is a phantasm of our minds!
+I feared thy love was guilty--yet my wish
+To find it honest, stronger than my fear,
+My fear with fatal triumph overthrew!
+Now hope and fear give up to certainty,
+And I must fly thee--yet must love thee still!
+
+_Wal_.  Lydia! by all--
+
+_Lydia_.  I pray you hear me out!
+Was 't right? was 't generous? was 't pitiful?
+One way or other I might be undone:
+To love with sin--or love without a hope!
+
+_Wal_.  Yet hear me, Lydia!--
+
+_Lydia_.  Stop!  I'm undone!
+A maid without a heart--robbed of the soil,
+Wherein life's hopes and wishes root and spring,
+And thou the foe that did me so much hate,
+And vowed me so much love!--but I forgive thee!
+Yea, I do bless thee!
+
+[Rushing up and sinking at his feet.]
+
+Recollect thy oath!--
+Or in thy heart lodged never germ of honour,
+But 'tis a desert all!
+
+[She kisses his hand--presses it to her heart, and kisses it again.]
+
+Farewell then to thee!
+
+[Rises.]
+
+Mayst thou be happy.  [Going.]
+
+_Wal_.  Wouldst ensure the thing
+Thou wishest?
+
+[She moves towards the door with a gesture that prohibits further
+converse.]
+
+Stop!  [She continues to move on.]
+Oh, sternly resolute!  [She still moves.]
+I mean thee honour!
+
+[She stops and turns towards him.]
+
+Thou dost meditate--
+I know it--flight.  Give me some pause for thought,
+But to confirm a mind almost made up.
+If in an hour thou hearest not from me, then
+Think me a friend far better lost than won!
+Wilt thou do this?
+
+_Lydia_.  I will.
+
+_Wal_.  An hour decides.
+
+[They go out severalty.]
+
+
+SCENE II.--A Room in Sir William Fondlove's House.
+
+
+[Enter WILDRAKE and TRUEWORTH.]
+
+_Wild_.  You are not angry?
+
+_True_.  No; I knew the service
+I sent you on was one of danger.
+
+_Wild_.  Thank you.
+Most kind you are--And you believe she loves me:
+And your own hopes give up to favour mine.
+Was ever known such kindness!  Much I fear
+'Twill cost you.
+
+_True_.  Never mind!  I'll try and bear it.
+
+_Wild_.  That's right.  No use in yielding to a thing.
+Resolve does wonders!  Shun the sight of her--
+See other women!--Fifty to be found
+As fair as she.
+
+_True_.  I doubt it.
+
+_Wild_.  Doubt it not.
+Doubt nothing that gives promise of a care.
+Right handsome dames there are in Lancashire,
+Whence called their women, witches!--witching things!
+I know a dozen families in which
+You'd meet a courtesy worthy of a bow.
+I'll give you letters to them.
+
+_True_.  Will you?
+
+_Wild_.  Yes.
+
+_True_.  The worth of a disinterested friend!
+
+_Wild_.  O Master Trueworth, deeply I'm your debtor
+I own I die for love of neighbour Constance!
+And thou to give her up for me!  Kind friend!
+What won't I do for thee?--Don't pine to death;
+I'll find thee fifty ways to cure thy passion,
+And make thee heart-whole, if thou'rt so resolved.
+Thou shalt be master of my sporting stud,
+And go a hunting.  If that likes thee not,
+Take up thy quarters at my shooting-lodge;
+There is a cellar to 't--make free with it.
+I'll thank thee if thou emptiest it.  The song
+Gives out that wine feeds love--It drowns it, man!
+If thou wilt neither hunt nor shoot, try games;
+Play at loggats, bowls, fives, dominoes, draughts, cribbage,
+Backgammon--special recipes for love!
+And you believe, for all the hate she shows,
+That neighbour Constance loves me?
+
+_True_.  'Tis my thought.
+
+_Wild_.  How shall I find it out?
+
+_True_.  Affect to love
+Another.  Say your passion thrives; the day
+Is fixed; and pray her undertake the part
+Of bridemaid to your bride.  'Twill bring her out.
+
+_Wild_.  You think she'll own her passion?
+
+_True_.  If she loves.
+
+_Wild_.  I thank thee!  I will try it!  Master Trueworth,
+What shall I say to thee, to give her up,
+And love her so?
+
+_True_.  Say nothing.
+
+_Wild_.  Noble friend!
+Kind friend!  Instruct another man the way
+To win thy mistress!  Thou'lt not break my heart?
+Take my advice, thou shalt not be in love
+A month!  Frequent the playhouse!--walk the Park!
+I'll think of fifty ladies that I know,
+Yet can't remember now--enchanting ones!
+And then there's Lancashire!--and I have friends
+In Berkshire and in Wiltshire, that have swarms
+Of daughters!  Then my shooting-lodge and stud!
+I'll cure thee in a fortnight of thy love!
+And now to neighbour Constance--yet almost
+I fear accosting her--a hundred times
+Have I essayed to break my mind to her,
+But still she stops my mouth with restless scorn!
+Howe'er, thy scheme I'll try, and may it thrive!
+For I am sick for love of neighbour Constance.
+Farewell, dear Master Trueworth!  Take my counsel--
+Conquer thy passion!  Do so!  Be a man!
+
+[Goes out.]
+
+_True_.  Feat easy done that does not tax ourselves!
+
+[Enter Phoebe.]
+
+_Phoebe_.  A letter, sir.
+
+[Goes out.]
+
+_True_.  Good sooth, a roaming one,
+And yet slow traveller.  This should have reached me
+In Lombardy.--The hand!  Give way, weak seal,
+Thy feeble let too strong for my impatience!
+Ha!  Wronged!--Let me contain myself!--Compelled
+To fly the roof that gave her birth!--My sister!
+No partner in her flight but her pure honour!
+I am again a brother.  Pillow, board,
+I know not till I find her.
+
+[Enter WALLER.]
+
+_Wal_.  Master Trueworth!
+
+_True_.  Ha!  Master Waller!  Welcome, Master Waller.
+
+_Wal_.  Good Master Trueworth, thank you.  Finding you
+From home, I e'en made bold to follow you,
+For I esteem you as a man, and fain
+Would benefit by your kind offices.
+But let me tell you first, to your reproof,
+I am indebted more than e'er I was
+To praise of any other!  I am come, sir,
+To give you evidence I am not one
+Who owns advice is right, and acts not on't.
+
+_True_.  Pray you explain.
+
+_Wal_.  Will you the bearer be
+Of this to one has cause to thank you, too,
+Though I the larger debtor?--Read it, sir.
+
+_True_.  [Reading the letter.]  "At morn to-morrow I will make you mine;
+Will you accept from me the name of wife--
+The name of husband give me in exchange?"
+
+_Wal_.  How say you, sir?
+
+_True_.  'Tis boldly--nobly done!
+
+_Wal_.  If she consents--which affectation 'twere
+To say I doubt--bid her prepare for church,
+And you shall act the father, sir, to her
+You did the brother by.
+
+_True_.  Right willingly,
+Though matter of high moment I defer,
+Mind, heart, and soul, are all enlisted in!
+
+_Wal_.  May I implore you, haste!  A time is set!--
+How light an act of duty makes the heart!
+
+[They go out together.]
+
+
+SCENE III.--Another Chamber in Sir William's house.
+
+
+[CONSTANCE discovered.]
+
+_Con_.  I'll pine to death for no man!  Wise it were,
+Indeed, to die for neighbour Wildrake--No!--
+I know the duty of a woman, better--
+What fits a maid of spirit!  I am out
+Of patience with myself, to cast a thought
+Away upon him.  Hang him!  Lovers cost
+Nought but the pains of luring.  I'll get fifty,
+And break the heart of every one of them!
+I will!  I'll be the champion of my sex,
+And take revenge on shallow, fickle man,
+Who gives his heart to fools, and slights the worth
+Of proper women!  I suppose she's handsome!
+My face 'gainst hers, at hazard of mine eyes!
+A maid of mind!  I'll talk her to a stand,
+Or tie my tongue for life!  A maid of soul!
+An artful, managing, dissembling one!
+Or she had never caught.  Him!--he's no man
+To fall in love himself, or long ago
+I warrant he had fall'n in love with me!
+I hate the fool--I do!  Ha, here he comes.
+What brings him hither?  Let me dry my eyes;
+He must not see I have been crying.  Hang him,
+I have much to do, indeed, to cry for him!
+
+[Enter WILDRAKE]
+
+_Wild_.  Your servant, neighbour Constance.
+
+_Con_.  Servant, sir!
+Now what, I wonder, comes the fool to say,
+Makes him look so important?
+
+_Wild_.  Neighbour Constance,
+I am a happy man.
+
+_Con_.  What makes you so?
+
+_Wild_.  A thriving suit.
+
+_Con_.  In Chancery?
+
+_Wild_.  Oh, no!
+In love.
+
+_Con_.  Oh, true!  You are in love!  Go on!
+
+_Wild_.  Well, as I said, my suit's a thriving one.
+
+_Con_.  You mean you are beloved again!--I don't
+Believe it.
+
+_Wild_.  I can give you proof.
+
+_Con_.  What proof?
+Love letters?  She's a shameless maid
+To write them!  Can she spell?  Ay, I suppose
+With prompting of a dictionary!
+
+_Wild_.  Nay
+Without one.
+
+_Con_.  I will lay you ten to one
+She cannot spell!  How know you she can spell?
+You cannot spell yourself!  You write command
+With a single M-C-O-M-A-N-D:
+Yours to Co-mand.
+
+_Wild_.  I did not say she wrote
+Love letters to me.
+
+_Con_.  Then she suffers you to press
+Her hand, perhaps?
+
+_Wild_.  She does.
+
+_Con_.  Does she press yours?
+
+_Wild_.  She does.--It goes on swimmingly!  [Aside.]
+
+_Con_.  She does!
+She is no modest woman!  I'll be bound,
+Your arm the madam suffers round her waist?
+
+_Wild_.  She does!
+
+_Con_.  She does!  Outrageous forwardness!
+Does she let you kiss her?
+
+_Wild_.  Yes.
+
+_Con_.  She should be--
+
+_Wild_.  What?
+
+_Con_.  What you got thrice your share of when at school,
+And yet not half your due!  A brazen face!
+More could not grant a maid about to wed.
+
+_Wild_.  She is so.
+
+_Con_.  What?
+
+_Wild_.  How swimmingly it goes!  [Aside.]
+
+_Con_.  [With suppressed impatience.]  Are you about to marry, neighbour
+Wildrake?
+Are you about to marry?
+
+_Wild_.  Excellent.  [Aside.]
+
+_Con_.  [Breaking out.]  Why don't you answer me?
+
+_Wild_.  I am.
+
+_Con_.  You are--
+I tell you what, sir--You're a fool!
+
+_Wild_.  For what?
+
+_Con_.  You are not fit to marry.  Do not know
+Enough of the world, sir!  Have no more experience,
+Thought, judgment, than a schoolboy!  Have no mind
+Of your own!--your wife will make a fool of you,
+Will jilt you, break your heart!  I wish she may
+I do!  You have no more business with a wife;
+Than I have!  Do you mean to say, indeed,
+You are about to marry?
+
+_Wild_.  Yes, indeed.
+
+_Con_.  And when?
+
+_Wild_.  I'll say to-morrow!  [Aside.]
+
+_Con_.  When, I say?
+
+_Wild_.  To-morrow.
+
+_Con_.  Thank you: much beholden to you!
+You've told me on't in time!  I'm very much
+Beholden to you, neighbour Wildrake!
+And, I pray you, at what hour?
+
+_Wild_.  That we have left
+For you to name.
+
+_Con_.  For me!
+
+_Wild_.  For you.
+
+_Con_.  Indeed.
+You're very bountiful!  I should not wonder
+Meant you I should be bridemaid to the lady?
+
+_Wild_.  'Tis just the thing I mean!
+
+_Con_.  [Furiously.]  The thing you mean!
+Now pray you, neighbour, tell me that again,
+And think before you speak; for much I doubt
+You know what you are saying.  Do you mean
+To ask me to be bridemaid?
+
+_Wild_.  Even so.
+
+_Con_.  Bridemaid?
+
+_Wild_.  Ay, bridemaid!--It is coming fast
+Unto a head.  [Aside.]
+
+_Con_.  And 'tis for me you wait
+To fix the day?  It shall be doomsday, then!
+
+_Wild_.  Be doomsday?
+
+_Con_.  Doomsday!
+
+_Wild_.  Wherefore doomsday?
+
+_Con_.  Wherefore!--[Boxes him.]
+Go ask your bride, and give her that from me.
+Look, neighbour Wildrake! you may think this strange,
+But don't misconstrue it!  For you are vain, sir!
+And may put down for love what comes from hate.
+I should not wonder, thought you I was jealous;
+But I'm not jealous, sir!--would scorn to be so
+Where it was worth my while--I pray henceforth
+We may be strangers, sir--you will oblige me
+By going out of town.  I should not like
+To meet you on the street, sir.  Marry, sir!
+Marry to-day!  The sooner, sir, the better!
+And may you find you have made a bargain, sir.
+As for the lady!--much I wish her joy.
+I pray you send me no bridecake, sir!
+Nor gloves--If you do, I'll give them to my maid!
+Or throw them into the kennel--or the fire.
+I am your most obedient servant, sir!
+
+[Goes out.]
+
+_Wild_.  She is a riddle, solve her he who can!
+
+[Goes out.]
+
+
+
+ACT V.
+
+
+SCENE I.--A Room in Sir William Fondlove's.
+
+
+[SIR WILLIAM seated with two Lawyers.]
+
+_Sir Wil_.  How many words you take to tell few things
+Again, again say over what, said once,
+Methinks were told enough!
+
+_First Lawyer_.  It is the law,
+Which labours at precision.
+
+_Sir Wil_.  Yes; and thrives
+Upon uncertainty--and makes it, too,
+With all its pains to shun it.  I could bind
+Myself, methinks, with but the twentieth part
+Of all this cordage, sirs.--But every man,
+As they say, to his own business.  You think
+The settlement is handsome?
+
+_First Lawyer_.  Very, sir.
+
+_Sir Wil_.  Then now, sirs, we have done, and take my thanks,
+Which, with your charges, I will render you
+Again to-morrow.
+
+_First Lawyer_.  Happy nuptials, sir.
+
+[Lawyers go out.]
+
+_Sir Wil_.  Who passes there?  Hoa! send my daughter to me,
+And Master Wildrake too!  I wait for them.
+Bold work!--Without her leave to wait upon her,
+And ask her go to church!--'Tis taking her
+By storm!  What else could move her yesterday
+But jealousy?  What causeth jealousy
+But love?  She's mine the moment she receives
+Conclusive proof, like this, that heart and soul,
+And mind and person, I am all her own!
+Heigh ho!  These soft alarms are very sweet,
+And yet tormenting too!  Ha!  Master Wildrake,
+
+[Enter WILDRAKE.]
+
+I am glad you're ready, for I'm all in arms
+To bear the widow off.  Come!  Don't be sad;
+All must go merrily, you know, to-day!--
+She still doth bear him hard, I see!  The girl
+Affects him not, and Trueworth is at fault,
+Though clear it is that he doth die for her.  [Aside.]
+Well, daughter?--So I see you're ready too.
+
+[Enter CONSTANCE.]
+
+Why, what's amiss with thee?
+
+_Phoebe_.  [Entering.]  The coach is here.
+
+_Sir Wil_.  Come, Wildrake, offer her your arm.
+
+_Con_.  [To WILDRAKE.]  I thank you!
+I am not an invalid!--can use my limbs!
+He knows not how to make an arm, befits
+A lady lean upon.
+
+_Sir Wil_.  Why, teach him, then.
+
+_Con_.  Teach him!  Teach Master Wildrake!  Teach, indeed!
+I taught my dog to beg, because I knew
+That he could learn it.
+
+_Sir Wil_.  Peace, thou little shrew!
+I'll have no wrangling on my wedding-day!
+Here, take my arm.
+
+_Con_.  I'll not!--I'll walk alone!
+Live, die alone!  I do abominate
+The fool and all his sex!
+
+_Sir Wil_.  Again!
+
+_Con_.  I have done.
+When do you marry, Master Wildrake?  She
+Will want a husband goes to church with thee!
+
+[They go out.]
+
+
+SCENE II.--Widow Green's Dressing-room.
+
+
+[WIDOW GREEN discovered at her Toilet, attended by AMELIA, WALLER'S
+Letter to LYDIA in her hand.]
+
+_W. Green_.  Oh, bond of destiny!--Fair bond, that seal'st
+My fate in happiness!  I'll read thee yet
+Again--although thou'rt written on my heart.
+But here his hand, indicting thee, did lie!
+And this the tracing of his fingers!  So
+I read thee that could rhyme thee, as my prayers!
+"At morn to-morrow I will make you mine.
+Will you accept from me the name of wife--
+The name of husband give me in exchange?"
+The traitress! to break ope my billet-doux,
+And take the envelope!--But I forgive her,
+Since she did leave the rich contents behind.
+Amelia, give this feather more a slope,
+That it sit droopingly.  I would look all
+Dissolvement, nought about me to bespeak
+Boldness!  I would appear a timid bride,
+Trembling upon the verge of wifehood, as
+I ne'er before had stood there!  That will do.
+Oh dear!--How I am agitated--don't
+I look so?  I have found a secret out,--
+Nothing in woman strikes a man so much
+As to look interesting!  Hang this cheek
+Of mine!  It is too saucy; what a pity
+To have a colour of one's own!--Amelia!
+Could you contrive, dear girl, to bleach my cheek,
+How I would thank you!  I could give it then
+What tint I chose, and that should be the hectic
+Bespeaks a heart in delicate commotion.
+I am much too florid!  Stick a rose in my hair,
+The brightest you can find, 'twill help, my girl,
+Subdue my rebel colour--Nay, the rose
+Doth lose complexion, not my cheek!  Exchange it
+For a carnation.  That's the flower, Amelia!
+You see how it doth triumph o'er my cheek.
+Are you content with me?
+
+_Amelia_.  I am, my lady.
+
+_W. Green_.  And whither think you has the hussy gone,
+Whose place you fill so well?--Into the country?
+Or fancy you she stops in town?
+
+_Amelia_.  I can't
+Conjecture.
+
+_W. Green_.  Shame upon her!--Leave her place
+Without a moment's warning!--with a man, too!
+Seemed he a gentleman that took her hence?
+
+_Amelia_.  He did.
+
+_W. Green_.  You never saw him hero before?
+
+_Amelia_.  Never.
+
+_W. Green_.  Not lounging on the other side
+Of the street, and reconnoitring the windows?
+
+_Amelia_.  Never.
+
+_W. Green_. 'Twas planned by letter.  Notes, you know,
+Have often come to her--But I forgive her,
+Since this advice she chanced to leave behind
+Of gentle Master Waller's wishes, which
+I bless myself in blessing!--Gods, a knock!
+'Tis he!  Show in those ladies are so kind
+To act my bridemaids for me on this brief
+And agitating notice.
+
+[AMELIA goes out.]
+
+Yes, I look
+A bride sufficiently!  And this the hand
+That gives away my liberty again.
+Upon my life it is a pretty hand,
+A delicate and sentimental hand!
+No lotion equals gloves; no woman knows
+The use of them that does not sleep in them!
+My neck hath kept its colour wondrously!
+Well; after all it is no miracle
+That I should win the heart of a young man.
+My bridemaids come!--Oh dear!
+
+[Enter two Ladies.]
+
+First Lady.  How do you, love?  A good morning to you--Poor dear,
+How much you are affected!  Why we thought
+You ne'er would summon us.
+
+_W. Green_.  One takes, you know,
+When one is flurried, twice the time to dress.
+My dears, has either of you salts?  I thank you!
+They are excellent; the virtue's gone from mine,
+Nor thought I of renewing them--Indeed,
+I'm unprovided, quite, for this affair.
+
+_First Lady_.  I think the bridegroom's come!
+
+_W. Green_.  Don't say so!  How
+You've made my heart jump!
+
+_First Lady_.  As you sent for us,
+A new-launched carriage drove up to the door;
+The servants all in favours.
+
+_W. Green_.  'Pon my life,
+I never shall get through it; lend me your hand.
+
+[Half rises, and throws herself back on her chair again.]
+
+I must sit down again!  There came just now
+A feeling like to swooning over me.
+I am sure before 'tis over I shall make
+A fool of myself!  I vow I thought not half
+So much of my first wedding-day!  I'll make
+An effort.  Let me lean upon your arm,
+And give me yours, my dear.  Amelia, mind
+Keep near me with the smelling-bottle.
+
+_Servant_.  [Entering.]  Madam,
+The bridegroom's come.
+
+[Goes out.]
+
+_W. Green_.  The brute has knocked me down!
+To bolt it out so!  I had started less
+If he had fired a cannon at my ear.
+How shall I ever manage to hold up
+Till all is done!  I'm tremor head to foot.
+You can excuse me, can't you?--Pity me!
+One may feel queer upon one's wedding-day.
+
+[They go out.]
+
+
+SCENE THE LAST.--A Drawing-room.
+
+
+[Enter Servants, showing in SIR WILLIAM FONDLOVE, CONSTANCE, and MASTER
+WILDRAKE--Servants go out again.]
+
+_Sir Wil_.  [Aside to WILDRAKE.]  Good Master Wildrake, look more
+cheerfully!--Come,
+You do not honour to my wedding-day.
+How brisk am I!  My body moves on springs!
+My stature gives no inch I throw away;
+My supple joints play free and sportfully;
+I'm every atom what a man should be.
+
+_Wild_.  I pray you pardon me, Sir William!
+
+_Sir Wil_.  Smile, then,
+And talk and rally me!  I did expect,
+Ere half an hour had passed, you would have put me
+A dozen times to the blush.  Without such things,
+A bridegroom knows not his own wedding-day.
+I see!  Her looks are glossary to thine,
+She flouts thee still, I marvel not at thee;
+There's thunder in that cloud!  I would to-day
+It would disperse, and gather in the morning.
+I fear me much thou know'st not how to woo.
+I'll give thee a lesson.  Ever there's a way,
+But knows one how to take it?  Twenty men
+Have courted Widow Green.  Who has her now?
+I sent to advertise her that to-day
+I meant to marry her.  She wouldn't open
+My note.  And gave I up?  I took the way
+To make her love me!  I did send, again
+To pray her leave my daughter should be bridemaid.
+That letter too came back?  Did I give up?
+I took the way to make her love me!  Yet,
+Again I sent to ask what church she chose
+To marry at; my note came back again;
+And did I yet give up?  I took the way
+To make her love me!  All the while I found
+She was preparing for the wedding.  Take
+A hint from me!  She comes!  My fluttering heart
+Gives note the empress of its realms is near.
+Now, Master Wildrake, mark and learn from me
+How it behoves a bridegroom play his part.
+
+[Enter WIDOW GREEN, supported by her Bridemaids, and followed by AMELIA.]
+
+_W. Green_.  I cannot raise my eyes--they cannot bear
+The beams of his, which, like the sun's, I feel
+Are on me, though I see them not enlightening
+The heaven of his young face; nor dare I scan
+The brightness of his form, which symmetry
+And youth and beauty in enriching vie.
+He kneels to me!  Now grows my breathing thick,
+As though I did await a seraph's voice,
+Too rich for mortal ear.
+
+_Sir Wil_.  My gentle bride!
+
+_W. Green_.  Who's that! who speaks to me?
+
+_Sir Wil_.  These transports check.
+Lo, an example to mankind I set
+Of amorous emprise; and who should thrive
+In love, if not Love's soldier, who doth press
+The doubtful siege, and will not own repulse.
+Lo, here I tender thee my fealty,
+To live thy duteous slave.  My queen thou art,
+In frowns or smiles, to give me life or death.
+Oh, deign look down upon me!  In thy face
+Alone I look on day; it is my sun
+Most bright; the which denied, no sun doth rise.
+Shine out upon me, my divinity!
+My gentle Widow Green!  My wife to be;
+My love, my life, my drooping, blushing bride!
+
+_W. Green_.  Sir William Fondlove, you're a fool!
+
+_Sir Wil_.  A fool!
+
+_W. Green_.  Why come you hither, sir, in trim like this?
+Or rather why at all?
+
+_Sir Wil_.  Why come I hither?
+To marry thee!
+
+_W. Green_.  The man will drive me mad!
+Sir William Fondlove, I'm but forty, sir,
+And you are sixty, seventy, if a day;
+At least you look it, sir.  I marry you!
+When did a woman wed her grandfather?
+
+_Sir Wil_.  Her brain is turned!
+
+_W. Green_.  You're in your dotage, sir,
+And yet a boy in vanity!  But know
+Yourself from me; you are old and ugly, sir.
+
+_Sir Wil_.  Do you deny you are in love with me?
+
+_W. Green_.  In love with thee!
+
+_Sir Wil_.  That you are jealous of me?
+
+_W. Green_.  Jealous!
+
+_Sir Wil_.  To very lunacy.
+
+_W. Green_.  To hear him!
+
+_Sir Wil_.  Do you forget what happened yesterday?
+
+_W. Green_.  Sir William Fondlove!--
+
+_Sir Wil_.  Widow Green, fair play!--
+Are you not laughing?  Is it not a jest?
+Do you believe me seventy to a day?
+Do I look it?  Am I old and ugly?  Why,
+Why do I see those favours in the hall,
+These ladies dressed as bridemaids, thee as bride,
+Unless to marry me?
+
+[Knock.]
+
+_W. Green_.  He is coming, sir,
+Shall answer you for me!
+
+[Enter WALLER, with Gentlemen as Bridemen.]
+
+_Wal_.  Where is she?  What!
+All that bespeaks the day, except the fair
+That's queen of it?  Most kind of you to grace
+My nuptials so!  But that I render you
+My thanks in full, make full my happiness,
+And tell me where's my bride?
+
+_W. Green_.  She's here.
+
+_Wal_.  Where?
+
+_W. Green_.  Here,
+Fair Master Waller!
+
+_Wal_.  Lady, do not mock me.
+
+_W. Green_.  Mock thee!  My heart is stranger to such mood,
+'Tis serious tenderness and duty all.
+I pray you mock not me, for I do strive
+With fears and soft emotions that require
+Support.  Take not away my little strength,
+And leave me at the mercy of a feather.
+I am thy bride!  If 'tis thy happiness
+To think me so, believe it, and be rich
+To thy most boundless wishes!  Master Waller,
+I am thy waiting bride, the Widow Green!
+
+_Wal_.  Lady, no widow is the bride I seek,
+But one the church has never given yet
+The nuptial blessing to!
+
+_W. Green_.  What mean you, sir?
+Why come a bridegroom here, if not to me
+You sued to be your bride?  Is this your hand, sir?  [Showing letter.]
+
+_Wal_.  It is, addressed to your fair waiting-maid.
+
+_W. Green_.  My waiting-maid!  The laugh is passing round,
+And now the turn is yours, sir.  She is gone!
+Eloped! run off! and with the gentleman
+That brought your billet-doux.
+
+_Wal_.  Is Trueworth false?
+He must be false.  What madness tempted me
+To trust him with such audience as I knew
+Must sense, and mind, and soul of man entrance,
+And leave him but the power to feel its spell!
+Of his own lesson he would profit take,
+And plead at once an honourable love,
+Supplanting mine, less pure, reformed too late!
+And if he did, what merit I, except
+To lose the maid I would have wrongly won;
+And, had I rightly prized her, now had worn!
+I get but my deservings!
+
+[Enter TRUEWORTH, leading in LYDIA, richly dressed, and veiled front head
+to foot.]
+
+Master Trueworth,
+Though for thy treachery thou hast excuse,
+Thou must account for it; so much I lose!
+Sir, you have wronged me to amount beyond
+Acres, and gold, and life, which makes them rich.
+And compensation I demand of you,
+Such as a man expects, and none but one
+That's less than man refuses!  Where's the maid
+You falsely did abstract?
+
+_True_.  I took her hence,
+But not by guile, nor yet enforcement, sir;
+But of her free will, knowing what she did.
+That, as I found, I cannot give her back,
+I own her state is changed, but in her place
+This maid I offer you, her image far
+As feature, form, complexion, nature go!
+Resemblance halting, only there, where thou
+Thyself didst pause, condition, for this maid
+Is gently born and generously bred.
+Lo! for your fair loss, fair equivalent!
+
+_Wal_.  Show me another sun, another earth
+I can inherit, as this Sun and Earth;
+As thou didst take the maid, the maid herself
+Give back! herself, her sole equivalent!
+
+_True_.  Her sole equivalent I offer you!
+My sister, sir, long counted lost, now found,
+Who fled her home unwelcome bands to 'scape,
+Which a half-father would have forced upon her,
+Taking advantage of her brother's absence
+Away on travel in a distant land!
+Returned, I missed her; of the cause received
+Invention, coward, false and criminating!
+And gave her up for lost; but happily
+Did find her yesterday--Behold her, sir!
+
+[Removes veil.]
+
+_Wal_.  Lydia!
+
+_W. Green_.  My waiting-maid!
+
+_Wal_.  Thy sister, Trueworth!
+Art thou fit brother to this virtuous maid?
+
+_True_.  [Giving LYDIA to WALLER.]  Let this assure thee.
+
+_Lydia_.  [To WIDOW GREEN.]  Madam, pardon me
+My double character, for honesty,
+No other end assumed--and my concealment
+Of Master Waller's love.  In all things else
+I trust I may believe you hold me blameless;
+At least, I'll say for you, I should be so,
+For it was pastime, madam, not a task,
+To wait upon you!  Little you exacted,
+And ever made the most of what I did
+In mere obedience to you!
+
+_W. Green_.  Give me your hand,
+No love without a little roguery.
+If you do play the mistress well as maid,
+You will hear off the bell!  There never was
+A better girl!--I have made myself a fool.
+I am undone, if goes the news abroad.
+My wedding dress I donned for no effect
+Except to put it off!  I must be married.
+I'm a lost woman, if another day
+I go without a husband!--What a sight
+He looks by Master Waller!--Yet he is physic
+I die without, so needs must gulp it down.
+I'll swallow him with what good grace I can,
+Sir William Fondlove!
+
+_Sir Wil_.  Widow Green!
+
+_W. Green_.  I own
+I have been rude to you.  Thou dost not look
+So old by thirty, forty, years as I
+Did say.  Thou'rt far from ugly--very far!
+And as I said, Sir William, once before,
+Thou art a kind and right good-humoured man:
+I was but angry with you!  Why, I'll tell you
+At more convenient season--and you know
+An angry woman heeds not what she says,
+And will say anything!
+
+_Sir Wil_.  I were unworthy
+The name of man, if an apology
+So gracious came off profitless, and from
+A lady!  Will you take me, Widow Green?
+
+_W. Green_.  Hem!  [Curtsies.]
+
+_True_.  [To WILDRAKE.]  Master Wildrake dressed to go to church!
+She has acknowledged, then, she loves thee?--No?
+Give me thy hand, I'll lead thee up to her.
+
+_Wild_.  'Sdeath! what are you about?  You know her not.
+She'll brain thee!
+
+_True_.  Fear not: come along with me.
+Fair Mistress Constance!
+
+_Con_.  Well, sir!
+
+_Wild_.  [To TRUEWORTH.]  Mind!
+
+_True_.  Don't fear.
+Love you not neighbour Wildrake?
+
+_Con_.  Love, sir?
+
+_True_.  Yes,
+You do.
+
+_Con_.  He loves another, sir, he does!
+I hate him.  We were children, sir, together
+For fifteen years and more; there never came
+The day we did not quarrel, make it up,
+Quarrel again, and make it up again:
+Were never neighbours more like neighbours, sir.
+Since he became a man, and I a woman,
+It still has been the same; nor eared I ever
+To give a frown to any other, sir.
+And now to come and tell me he's in love,
+And ask me to be bridemaid to his bride!
+How durst he do it, sir!--To fall in love!
+Methinks at least he might have asked my leave,
+Nor had I wondered had he asked myself, sir!
+
+_Wild_.  Then give thyself to me!
+
+_Con_.  How! what!
+
+_Wild_.  Be mine,
+Thou art the only maid thy neighbour loves.
+
+_Con_.  Art serious, neighbour Wildrake?
+
+_Wild_.  In the church
+I'll answer thee, if thou wilt take me; though
+I neither dress, nor walk, nor dance, nor know
+"The Widow Jones" from an Italian, French,
+Or German air.
+
+_Con_.  No more of that.--My hand.
+
+_Wild_.  Givest it as free as thou didst yesterday?
+
+_Con_.  [Affecting to strike him.]  Nay!
+
+_Wild_.  I will thank it, give it how thou wilt.
+
+_W. Green_.  A triple wedding!  May the Widow Green
+Obtain brief hearing e'er she quits the scene,
+The Love-Chase to your kindness to commend
+In favour of an old, now absent, friend!
+
+
+
+
+Footnotes:
+
+
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+with the introduction to this book, as a separate eText.  Neither are
+included here.--DP.
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+The Project Gutenberg Etext of The Love-Chase, by James S. Knowles
+#2 in our series by James Sheridan Knowles
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+Title: The Love-Chase
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+Author: James Sheridan Knowles
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+This etext was produced by David Price, email ccx074@coventry.ac.uk,
+from the 1887 Cassell & Co. edition.
+
+
+
+
+
+THE LOVE-CHASE
+
+by James Sheridan Knowles
+
+
+
+
+DRAMATIS PERSONAE
+(AS ORIGINALLY PERFORMED AT THE HAYMARKET, IN l837.)
+
+
+
+Sir William Fondlove, an old Baronet
+  Mr. Strickland.
+Waller, in love with Lydia
+  Mr. Elton.
+Wildrake, a Sportsman
+  Mr. Webster.
+Trueworth, a Friend of Sir William
+  Mr Hemmings.
+Neville, Friend to Waller
+  Mr. Worrell.
+Humphreys, Friend to Waller
+  Mr. Hutchings.
+Lash
+  Mr. Ross.
+Chargewell, a Landlord
+  Mr. Edwards.
+George, a Waiter
+  Mr. Bishop.
+First Lawyer
+  Mr. Ray.
+Widow Green
+  Mrs. Glover.
+Constance, Daughter to Sir William Fondlove
+  Mrs. Nisbett.
+Lydia, lady's Maid to Widow Green
+  Miss Vandenhoff.
+Alice, Housekeeper to Master Waller
+  Mrs. Tayleure.
+Phoebe, Maid to Constance,
+  Miss Wrighten.
+Amelia
+  Miss Gallot.
+First Lady
+  Mrs. Gallot.
+
+
+
+SCENE--LONDON.
+
+
+
+ACT I.
+
+
+
+SCENE I.--The Lobby of an Inn.
+
+
+[Enter CHARGEWELL, hurriedly.]
+
+Charg.  What, hoa there!  Hoa, sirrahs!  More wine!  Are the knaves
+asleep?  Let not our guests cool, or we shall starve the till!  Good
+waiting, more than viands and wine, doth help to make the inn!--
+George!--Richard!--Ralph!--Where are you?
+
+[Enter GEORGE.]
+
+George.  Here am I, sir!
+
+Charg.  Have you taken in more wine to that company?
+
+George.  Yes, sir.
+
+Charg.  That's right.  Serve them as quick as they order!  A fair
+company!  I have seen them here before.  Take care they come again.
+A choice company!  That Master Waller, I hear, is a fine spirit--
+leads the town.  Pay him much duty.  A deep purse, and easy strings.
+
+George.  And there is another, sir;--a capital gentleman, though
+from the country.  A gentleman most learned in dogs and horses!  He
+doth talk wondrous edification: --one Master Wildrake.  I wish you
+could hear him, sir.
+
+Charg.  Well, well!--attend to them.  Let them not cool o'er the
+liquor, or their calls will grow slack.  Keep feeding the fire while
+it blazes, and the blaze will continue.  Look to it well!
+
+George.  I will, sir.
+
+Charg.  And be careful, above all, that you please Master Waller.
+He is a guest worth pleasing.  He is a gentleman.  Free order, quick
+pay!
+
+George.  And such, I'll dare be sworn, is the other.  A man of
+mighty stores of knowledge--most learned in dogs and horses!  Never
+was I so edified by the discourse of mortal man.
+
+[They go out severally.]
+
+
+SCENE II.--A Room.
+
+
+[MASTER WALLER, MASTER WILDRAKE, MASTER TRUEWORTH, MASTER NEVILLE,
+and MASTER HUMPHREYS, sitting round a table.]
+
+Wal.  Well, Master Wildrake, speak you of the chase!
+To hear you one doth feel the bounding steed;
+You bring the hounds and game, and all to view -
+All scudding to the jovial huntsman's cheer!
+And yet I pity the poor crowned deer,
+And always fancy 'tis by fortune's spite,
+That lordly head of his, he bears so high -
+Like Virtue, stately in calamity,
+And hunted by the human, worldly hound -
+Is made to fly before the pack, that straight
+Burst into song at prospect of his death.
+You say their cry is harmony; and yet
+The chorus scarce is music to my ear,
+When I bethink me what it sounds to his;
+Nor deem I sweet the note that rings the knell
+Of the once merry forester!
+
+Nev.  The same things
+Please us or pain, according to the thought
+We take of them.  Some smile at their own death,
+Which most do shrink from, as beast of prey
+It kills to look upon.  But you, who take
+Such pity of the deer, whence follows it
+You hunt more costly game?--the comely maid,
+To wit, that waits on buxom Widow Green?
+
+Hum.  The comely maid!  Such term not half the sum
+Of her rich beauty gives!  Were rule to go
+By loveliness, I knew not in the court,
+Or city, lady might not fitly serve
+That lady serving-maid!
+
+True.  Come! your defence?
+Why show you ruth where there's least argument,
+Deny it where there's most?  You will not plead?
+Oh, Master Waller, where we use to hunt
+We think the sport no crime!
+
+Hum.  I give you joy,
+You prosper in your chase.
+
+Wal.  Not so!  The maid
+In simple honesty I must pronounce
+A miracle of virtue, well as beauty.
+
+Nev.  And well do I believe you, Master Waller;
+Those know I who have ventured gift and promise
+But for a minute of her ear--the boon
+Of a poor dozen words spoke through a chink -
+And come off bootless, save the haughty scorn
+That cast their bounties back to them again.
+
+True.  That warrants her what Master Waller speaks her.
+Is she so very fair?
+
+Nev.  Yes, Master Trueworth;
+And I believe indeed an honest maid:
+But Love's the coin to market with for love,
+And that knows Master Waller.  On pretence
+Of sneaking kindness for gay Widow Green,
+He visits her, for sake of her fair maid!
+To whom a glance or word avails to hint
+His proper errand; and--as glimpses only
+Do only serve to whet the wish to see -
+Awakens interest to hear the tale
+So stintingly that's told.  I know his practice -
+Luck to you, Master Waller!  If you win,
+You merit it, who take the way to win!
+
+Wal.  Good Master Neville!
+
+True.  I should laugh to see
+The poacher snared!--the maid, for mistress sought,
+Turn out a wife.
+
+Nev.  How say you, Master Waller?
+Things quite as strange have fallen!
+
+Wed.  Impossible!
+
+True.  Impossible!  Most possible of things -
+If thou'rt in love!  Where merit lies itself,
+What matters it to want the name, which weighed,
+Is not the worth of so much breath as it takes
+To utter it!  If, but from Nature's hand,
+She is all you could expect of gentle blood,
+Face, form, mien, speech; with these, what to belong
+To lady more behoves--thoughts delicate,
+Affections generous, and modesty -
+Perfectionating, brightening crown of all! -
+If she hath these--true titles to thy heart -
+What does she lack that's title to thy hand?
+The name of lady, which is none of these,
+But may belong without?  Thou mightst do worse
+Than marry her.  Thou wouldst, undoing her,
+Yea, by my mother's name, a shameful act
+Most shamefully performed!
+
+Wal.  [Starting up and drawing.]  Sir!
+
+Nev.  [And the others, interposing.]  Gentlemen!
+
+True.  All's right!  Sit down!--I will not draw again.
+A word with you:  If--as a man--thou sayest,
+Upon thy honour, I have spoken wrong,
+I'll ask thy pardon!--though I never hold
+Communion with thee more!
+
+Wal.  [After a pause, putting up his sword.]
+My sword is sheathed?
+Wilt let me take thy hand?
+
+True.  'Tis thine, good sir,
+And faster than before--A fault confessed
+Is a new virtue added to a man!
+Yet let me own some blame was mine.  A truth
+May be too harshly told--but 'tis a theme
+I am tender on--I had a sister, sir,
+You understand me!--'Twas my happiness
+To own her once--I would forget her now! -
+I have forgotten!--I know not if she lives! -
+Things of such strain as we were speaking of,
+Spite of myself, remind me of her!--So! -
+
+Nev.  Sit down!  Let's have more wine.
+
+Wild.  Not so, good sirs.
+Partaking of your hospitality,
+I have overlooked good friends I came to visit,
+And who have late become sojourners here -
+Old country friends and neighbours, and with whom
+I e'en take up my quarters.  Master Trueworth,
+Bear witness for me.
+
+True.  It is even so.
+Sir William Fondlove and his charming daughter.
+
+Wild.  Ay, neighbour Constance.  Charming, does he say?
+Yes, neighbour Constance is a charming girl
+To those that do not know her.  If she plies me
+As hard as was her custom in the country,
+I should not wonder though, this very day,
+I seek the home I quitted for a month! [Aside.]
+
+Good even, gentlemen.
+
+Hum.  Nay, if you go,
+We all break up, and sally forth together.
+
+Wal.  Be it so--Your hand again, good Master Trueworth!
+I am sorry I did pain you.
+
+True.  It is thine, sir.
+
+[They go out.]
+
+
+SCENE III.--Sir William Fondlove's House.--A Room.
+
+
+[Enter SIR WILLIAM FONDLOVE.]
+
+Sir Wil.  At sixty-two, to be in leading-strings,
+Is an old child--and with a daughter, too!
+Her mother held me ne'er in check so strait
+As she.  I must not go but where she likes,
+Nor see but whom she likes, do anything
+But what she likes!--A slut bare twenty-one!
+Nor minces she commands!  A brigadier
+More coolly doth not give his orders out
+Than she!  Her waiting-maid is aide-de-camp;
+My steward adjutant; my lacqueys serjeants;
+That bring me her high pleasure how I march
+And counter-march--when I'm on duty--when
+I'm off--when suits it not to tell it me
+Herself--"Sir William, thus my mistress says!"
+As saying it were enough--no will of mine
+Consulted!  I will marry.  Must I serve,
+Better a wife, my mistress, than a daughter!
+And yet the vixen says, if I do marry,
+I'll find she'll rule my wife, as well as me!
+
+[Enter TRUEWORTH.]
+
+Ah, Master Trueworth!  Welcome, Master Trueworth!
+
+True.  Thanks, sir; I am glad to see you look so well!
+
+Sir Wil.  Ah, Master Trueworth, when one turns the hill,
+'Tis rapid going down!  We climb by steps;
+By strides we reach the bottom.  Look at me,
+And guess my age.
+
+True.  Turned fifty.
+
+Sir Wil.  Ten years more!
+How marvellously well I wear!  I think
+You would not flatter me!--But scan me close,
+And pryingly, as one who seeks a thing
+He means to find--What signs of age dost see?
+
+True.  None!
+
+Sir Wil.  None about the corners of the eyes?
+Lines that diverge like to the spider's joists,
+Whereon he builds his airy fortalice?
+They call them crow's feet--has the ugly bird
+Been perching there?--Eh?--Well?
+
+True.  There's something like,
+But not what one must see, unless he's blind
+Like steeple on a hill!
+
+Sir Wil.  [After a pause.]  Your eyes are good!
+I am certainly a wonder for my age;
+I walk as well as ever!  Do I stoop?
+
+True.  A plummet from your head would find your heel.
+
+Sir Wil.  It is my make--my make, good Master Trueworth;
+I do not study it.  Do you observe
+The hollow in my back?  That's natural.
+As now I stand, so stood I when a child,
+A rosy, chubby boy!--I am youthful to
+A miracle!  My arm is firm as 'twas
+At twenty.  Feel it!
+
+True.  [Feeling SIR WILLIAM'S arm.]  It is deal!
+
+Sir Wil.  Oak--oak,
+Isn't it, Master Trueworth?  Thou hast known me
+Ten years and upwards.  Thinkest my leg is shrunk?
+
+True.  No.
+
+Sir Wil.  No! not in the calf?
+
+True.  As big a calf
+As ever!
+
+Sir Wil.  Thank you, thank you--I believe it!
+When others waste, 'tis growing-time with me!
+I feel it, Master Trueworth!  Vigour, sir,
+In every joint of me--could run!--could leap!
+Why shouldn't I marry?  Knife and fork I play
+Better than many a boy of twenty-five -
+Why shouldn't I marry?  If they come to wine,
+My brace of bottles can I carry home,
+And ne'er a headache.  Death! why shouldn't I marry?
+
+True.  I see in nature no impediment.
+
+Sir Wil.  Impediment?  She's all appliances! -
+And fortune's with me, too!  The Widow Green
+Gives hints to me.  The pleasant Widow Green
+Whose fortieth year, instead of autumn, brings,
+A second summer in.  Odds bodikins,
+How young she looks!  What life is in her eyes!
+What ease is in her gait!--while, as she walks,
+Her waist, still tapering, takes it pliantly!
+How lollingly she bears her head withal:
+On this side now--now that!  When enters she
+A drawing-room, what worlds of gracious things
+Her curtsey says!--she sinks with such a sway,
+Greeting on either hand the company,
+Then slowly rises to her state again!
+She is the empress of the card-table!
+Her hand and arm!--Gods, did you see her deal -
+With curved and pliant wrist dispense the pack,
+Which, at the touch of her fair fingers fly!
+How soft she speaks--how very soft!  Her voice
+Comes melting from her round and swelling throat,
+Reminding you of sweetest, mellowest things -
+Plums, peaches, apricots, and nectarines -
+Whose bloom is poor to paint her cheeks and lips.
+By Jove, I'll marry!
+
+True.  You forget, Sir William,
+I do not know the lady.
+
+Sir Wil.  Great your loss.
+By all the gods I'll marry!--but my daughter
+Must needs be married first.  She rules my house;
+Would rule it still, and will not have me wed.
+A clever, handsome, darling, forward minx!
+When I became a widower, the reins
+Her mother dropped she caught,--a hoyden girl;
+Nor, since, would e'er give up; howe'er I strove
+To coax or catch them from her.  One way still
+Or t'other she would keep them--laugh, pout, plead;
+Now vanquish me with water, now with fire;
+Would box my face, and, ere I well could ope
+My mouth to chide her, stop it with a kiss!
+The monkey!  What a plague she's to me!  How
+I love her! how I love the Widow Green!
+
+True.  Then marry her!
+
+Sir Wil.  I tell thee, first of all
+Must needs my daughter marry.  See I not
+A hope of that; she nought affects the sex:
+Comes suitor after suitor--all in vain.
+Fast as they bow she curtsies, and says, "Nay!"
+Or she, a woman, lacks a woman's heart,
+Or hath a special taste which none can hit.
+
+True.  Or taste, perhaps, which is already hit.
+
+Sir Wil.  Eh!--how?
+
+True.  Remember you no country friend,
+Companion of her walks--her squire to church,
+Her beau whenever she went visiting -
+Before she came to town?
+
+Sir Wil.  No!
+
+True.  None?--art sure?
+No playmate when she was a girl?
+
+Sir Wil.  O! ay!
+That Master Wildrake, I did pray thee go
+And wait for at the inn; but had forgotten.
+Is he come?
+
+True.  And in the house.  Some friends that met him,
+As he alighted, laid strong hands upon Him,
+And made him stop for dinner.  We had else
+Been earlier with you.
+
+Sir Wil.  Ha!  I am glad he is come.
+
+True.  She may be smit with him.
+
+Sir Wil.  As cat with dog!
+
+True.  He heard her voice as we did mount the stairs,
+And darted straight to join her.
+
+Sir Wil.  You shall see
+What wondrous calm and harmony take place,
+When fire meets gunpowder!
+
+Con.  [Without.]  Who sent for you?
+What made you come?
+
+Wild.  [Without.]  To see the town, not you!  A kiss!
+
+Con.  I vow I'll not.
+
+Wild.  I swear you shall.
+
+Con.  A saucy cub!  I vow, I had as lief
+Your whipper-in had kissed me.
+
+Sir Wil.  Do you hear?
+
+True.  I do.  Most pleasing discords!
+
+[Enter CONSTANCE and WILDRAKE.]
+
+Con.  Father, speak
+To neighbour Wildrake!
+
+Sir Wil.  Very glad to see him!
+
+Wild.  I thank you, good Sir William!  Give you joy
+Of your good looks!
+
+Con.  What, Phoebe!--Phoebe!--Phoebe!
+
+Sir Wil.  What wantest thou with thy lap-dog?
+
+Con.  Only, sir,
+To welcome neighbour Wildrake!  What a figure
+To show himself in town!
+
+Sir Wil.  Wilt hold thy peace?
+
+Con.  Yes; if you'll lesson me to hold my laughter!
+Wildrake.
+
+Wild.  Well?
+
+Con.  Let me walk thee in the Park -
+How they would stare at thee!
+
+Sir Wil.  Wilt ne'er give o'er?
+
+Wild.  Nay, let her have her way--I heed her not!
+Though to more courteous welcome I have right;
+Although I am neighbour Wildrake!  Reason is reason!
+
+Con.  And right is right! so welcome, neighbour Wildrake,
+I am very, very, very glad to see you!
+Come, for a quarter of an hour we'll e'en
+Agree together!  How do your horses, neighbour?
+
+Wild.  Pshaw!
+
+Con.  And your dogs?
+
+Wild.  Pshaw!
+
+Con.  Whipper-in and huntsman?
+
+Sir Wil.  Converse of things thou knowest to talk about!
+
+Con.  And keep him silent, father, when I know
+He cannot talk of any other things?
+How does thy hunter?  What a sorry trick
+He played thee t'other day, to balk his leap
+And throw thee, neighbour!  Did he balk the leap?
+Confess!  You sportsmen never are to blame!
+Say you are fowlers, 'tis your dog's in fault!
+Say you are anglers, 'tis your tackle's wrong;
+Say you are hunters, why the honest horse
+That bears your weight, must bear your blunders too!
+Why, whither go you?
+
+Wild.  Anywhere from thee.
+
+Con.  With me you mean.
+
+Wild.  I mean it not.
+
+Con.  You do!
+I'll give you fifty reasons for't--and first,
+Where you go, neighbour, I'll go!
+
+[They go out--WILDRAKE, pettishly--CONSTANCE laughing.]
+
+Sir Wil.  Do you mark?
+Much love is there!
+
+True.  Indeed, a heap, or none!
+I'd wager on the heap!
+
+Sir Wil.  Ay!--Do you think
+These discords, as in the musicians' art,
+Are subtle servitors to harmony?
+That all this war's for peace?  This wrangling but
+A masquerade where love his roguish face
+Conceals beneath an ugly visor!--Well?
+
+True.  Your guess and my conceit are not a mile
+Apart.  Unlike to other common flowers,
+The flower of love shews various in the bud;
+'Twill look a thistle, and 'twill blow a rose!
+And with your leave I'll put it to the test;
+Affect myself, for thy fair daughter, love -
+Make him my confidant--dilate to him
+Upon the graces of her heart and mind,
+Feature and form--that well may comment bear -
+Till--like the practised connoisseur, who finds
+A gem of heart out in a household picture
+The unskilled owner held so cheap he grudged
+Renewal of the chipped and tarnished frame,
+But values now as priceless--I arouse him
+Into a quick sense of the worth of that
+Whose merit hitherto, from lack of skill,
+Or dulling habit of acquaintanceship,
+He has not been awake to.
+
+Con.  [Without.]  Neighbour Wildrake!
+
+Sir Wil.  Hither they come.  I fancy well thy game!
+O to be free to marry Widow Green!
+I'll call her hence anon--then ply him well.
+
+[SIR WILLIAM goes out.]
+
+Wild.  [Without.]  Nay, neighbour Constance!
+
+True.  He is high in storm.
+
+[Enter WILDRAKE and CONSTANCE.]
+
+Wild.  To Lincolnshire, I tell thee.
+
+Con.  Lincolnshire!
+What, prithee, takes thee off to Lincolnshire?
+
+Wild.  Too great delight in thy fair company.
+
+True.  Nay, Master Wildrake, why away so soon?
+You are scarce a day in town!--Extremes like this,
+And starts of purpose, are the signs of love.
+Though immatured as yet.  [Aside.]
+
+Con.  He's long enough
+In town!  What should he here?  He's lost in town:
+No man is he for concerts, balls, or routs!
+No game he knows at cards, save rare Pope Joan!
+He ne'er could master dance beyond a jig;
+And as for music, nothing to compare
+To the melodious yelping of a hound,
+Except the braying of his huntsman's horn!
+Ask HIM to stay in town!
+
+Sir Wil.  [Without.]  Hoa, Constance!
+
+Con.  Sir! -
+Neighbour, a pleasant ride to Lincolnshire!
+Good-bye!
+
+Sir Wil.  [Without.]  Why, Constance!
+
+Con.  Coming, sir.  Shake hands!
+Neighbour, good-bye!  Don't look so woe-begone;
+'Tis but a two-days' ride, and thou wilt see
+Rover, and Spot, and Nettle, and the rest
+Of thy dear country friends!
+
+Sir Wil.  [Without.]  Constance!  I say.
+
+Con.  Anon!--Commend me to the gentle souls,
+And pat them for me!--Will you, neighbour Wildrake?
+
+Sir Wil.  [Without.]  Why, Constance!  Constance!
+
+Con.  In a moment, sir!
+Good-bye!--I'd cry, dear neighbour--if I could!
+Good-bye!--A pleasant day when next you hunt!
+And, prithee, mind thy horse don't balk his leap!
+Good-bye!--and, after dinner, drink my health!
+"A bumper, sirs, to neighbour Constance!"--Do! -
+And give it with a speech, wherein unfold
+My many graces, more accomplishments,
+And virtues topping either--in a word,
+How I'm the fairest, kindest, best of neighbours!
+
+[They go out severally.--TRUEWORTH trying to pacify WILDRAKE--
+CONSTANCE laughing.]
+
+
+
+ACT II.
+
+
+
+SCENE I.--A Room in Sir William's House.
+
+
+[Enter TRUEWORTH and WILDRAKE.]
+
+Wild.  Nay, Master Trueworth, I must needs be gone!
+She treats me worse and worse!  I am a stock,
+That words have none to pay her.  For her sake
+I quit the town to-day.  I like a jest,
+But hers are jests past bearing.  I am her butt,
+She nothing does but practise on!  A plague! -
+Fly her shafts ever your way?
+
+True.  Would they did!
+
+Wild.  Art mad?--or wishest she should drive thee so?
+
+True.  Thou knowest her not.
+
+Wild.  I know not neighbour Constance?
+Then know I not myself, or anything
+Which as myself I know!
+
+True.  Heigh ho!
+
+Wild.  Heigh ho!
+Why what a burden that for a man's song!
+Would fit a maiden that was sick for love.
+Heigh ho!  Come ride with me to Lincolnshire,
+And turn thy "Heigh ho!" into "hilly ho!"
+
+True.  Nay, rather tarry thou in town with me.
+Men sometimes find a friend's hand of avail,
+When useless proves their own.  Wilt lend me thine?
+
+Wild.  Or may my horse break down in a steeple-chase!
+
+True.  A steeple-chase.  What made thee think of that?
+I'm for the steeple--not to ride a race,
+Only to get there!--nor alone, in sooth,
+But in fair company.
+
+Wild.  Thou'rt not in love!
+
+True.  Heigh ho!
+
+Wild.  Thou wouldst not marry!
+
+True.  With your help.
+
+Wild.  And whom, I prithee?
+
+True.  Gentle Mistress Constance!
+
+Wild.  What!--neighbour Constance?--Never did I dream
+That mortal man would fall in love with her.  [Aside.]
+In love with neighbour Constance!--I feel strange
+At thought that she should marry!--[Aside.]  Go to church
+With neighbour Constance!  That's a steeple-chase
+I never thought of.  I feel very strange!
+What seest in neighbour Constance?
+
+True.  Lovers' eyes
+See with a vision proper to themselves;
+Yet thousand eyes will vouch what mine affirm.
+First, then, I see in her the mould express
+Of woman--stature, feature, body, limb -
+Breathing the gentle sex we value most,
+When most 'tis at antipodes with ours!
+
+Wild.  You mean that neighbour Constance is a woman.
+Why, yes; she is a woman, certainly.
+
+True.  So much for person.  Now for her complexion.
+What shall we liken to her dainty skin?
+Her arm, for instance? -
+
+Wild.  Snow will match it.
+
+True.  Snow!
+It is her arm without the smoothness on't;
+Then is not snow transparent.  'Twill not do.
+
+Wild.  A pearl's transparent!
+
+True.  So it is, but yet
+Yields not elastic to the thrilled touch!
+I know not what to liken to her arm
+Except her beauteous fellow!  Oh! to be
+The chosen friend of two such neighbours!
+
+Wild.  Would
+His tongue would make a halt.  He makes too free
+With neighbour Constance!  Can't he let her arms
+Alone!  I trust their chosen friend
+Will ne'er be he!  I'm vexed.  [Aside.]
+
+True.  But graceful things
+Grow doubly graceful in the graceful use!
+Hast marked her ever walk the drawing-room?
+
+Wild.  [Snappishly.]  No.
+
+True.  No!  Why, where have been your eyes?
+
+Wild.  In my head!
+But I begin to doubt if open yet.  [Aside.]
+
+True.  Yet that's a trifle to the dance; down which
+She floats as though she were a form of air;
+The ground feels not her foot, or tells not on't;
+Her movements are the painting of the strain,
+Its swell, its fall, its mirth, its tenderness!
+Then is she fifty Constances!--each moment
+Another one, and each, except its fellow,
+Without a peer!  You have danced with her!
+
+Wild.  I hate
+To dance!  I can't endure to dance!--Of course
+You have danced with her?
+
+True.  I have.
+
+Wild.  You have?
+
+True.  I have.
+
+Wild.  I do abominate to dance!--could carve
+Fiddlers and company!  A dancing man
+To me was ever like a dancing dog!
+Save less to be endured.--Ne'er saw I one
+But I bethought me of the master's whip.
+
+True.  A man might bear the whip to dance with her!
+
+Wild.  Not if I had the laying of it on!
+
+True.  Well; let that pass.  The lady is the theme.
+
+Wild.  Yes; make an end of it!--I'm sick of it.  [Aside.]
+
+True.  How well she plays the harpsichord and harp!
+How well she sings to them!  Whoe'er would prove
+The power of song, should hear thy neighbour sing,
+Especially a love-song!
+
+Wild.  Does she sing
+Such songs to thee?
+
+True.  Oh, yes, and constantly.
+For such I ever ask her.
+
+Wild.  Forward minx!  [Aside.]
+Maids should not sing love-songs to gentlemen!
+Think'st neighbour Constance is a girl to love?
+
+True.  A girl to love?--Ay, and with all her soul!
+
+Wild.  How know you that?
+
+True.  I have studied close the sex.
+
+Wild.  You town-rakes are the devil for the sex!  [Aside.]
+
+True.  Not your most sensitive and serious maid
+I'd always take for deep impressions.  Mind
+The adage of the bow.  The pensive brow
+I have oft seen bright in wedlock, and anon
+O'ercast in widowhood; then, bright again.
+Ere half the season of the weeds was out;
+While, in the airy one, I have known one cloud
+Forerunner of a gloom that ne'er cleared up -
+So would it prove with neighbour Constance.  Not
+On superficial grounds she'll ever love;
+But once she does, the odds are ten to one
+Her first love is her last!
+
+Wild.  I wish I ne'er
+Had come to town!  I was a happy man
+Among my dogs and horses.  [Aside.]  Hast thou broke
+Thy passion to her?
+
+True.  Never.
+
+Wild.  Never?
+
+True.  No.
+I hoped you'd act my proxy there.
+
+Wild.  I thank you.
+
+True.  I knew 'twould be a pleasure to you.
+
+Wild.  Yes;
+A pleasure!--an unutterable pleasure!
+
+True.  Thank you!  You make my happiness your own.
+
+Wild.  I do.
+
+True.  I see you do.  Dear Master Wildrake!
+Oh, what a blessing is a friend in need!
+You'll go and court your neighbour for me?
+
+Wild.  Yes.
+
+True.  And says she "nay" at first, you'll press again?
+
+Wild.  Ay, and again!
+
+True.  There's one thing I mistrust--yea, most mistrust,
+That of my poor deserts you'll make too much.
+
+Wild.  Fear anything but that.
+
+True.  'Twere better far
+You slightly spoke of them.
+
+Wild.  You think so?
+
+True.  Yes.
+Or rather did not speak of them at all.
+
+Wild.  You think so?
+
+True.  Yes.
+
+Wild.  Then I'll not say a word
+About them.
+
+True.  Thank you!  A judicious friend
+Is better than a zealous:  you are both!
+I see you'll plead my cause as 'twere your own;
+Then stay in town, and win your neighbour for me;
+Make me the envy of a score of men
+That die for her as I do.  Make her mine,
+And when the last "Amen!" declares complete
+The mystic tying of the holy knot,
+And 'fore the priest a blushing wife she stands,
+Be thine the right to claim the second kiss
+She pays for change from maidenhood to wifehood.
+
+[Goes out.]
+
+Wild.  Take that thyself!  The first be mine, or none!
+A man in love with neighbour Constance!  Never
+Dreamed I that such a thing could come to pass!
+Such person, such endowments, such a soul!
+I never thought to ask myself before
+If she were man or woman!  Suitors, too,
+Dying for her!  I'll e'en make one among 'em!
+Woo her to go to church along with him,
+And for my pains the privilege to take
+The second kiss?  I'll take the second kiss,
+And first one too--and last!  No man shall touch
+Her lips but me.  I'll massacre the man
+That looks upon her!  Yet what chance have I
+With lovers of the town, whose study 'tis
+To please your lady belles!--who dress, walk, talk,
+To hit their tastes--what chance, a country squire
+Like me?  Yet your true fair, I have heard, prefers
+The man before his coat at any time;
+And such a one may neighbour Constance be.
+I'll show a limb with any of them!  Silks
+I'll wear, nor keep my legs in cases more.
+I'll learn to dance town-dances, and frequent
+Their concerts!  Die away at melting strains,
+Or seem to do so--far the easier thing,
+And as effective quite; leave naught undone
+To conquer neighbour Constance.
+
+[Enter LASH.]
+
+Lash.  Sir.
+
+Wild.  Well, sir?
+
+Lash.  So please you, sir, your horse is at the door.
+
+Wild.  Unsaddle him again and put him up.
+And, hark you, get a tailor for me, sir -
+The rarest can be found.
+
+Lash.  The man's below, sir,
+That owns the mare your worship thought to buy.
+
+Wild.  Tell him I do not want her, sir.
+
+Lash.  I vow
+You will not find her like in Lincolnshire.
+
+Wild.  Go to!  She's spavined.
+
+Lash.  Sir!
+
+Wild.  Touched in the wind.
+
+Lash.  I trust my master be not touched in the head!
+I vow, a faultless beast!  [Aside.]
+
+Wild.  I want her not,
+And that's your answer.  Go to the hosier's, sir,
+And bid him send me samples of his gear,
+Of twenty different kinds.
+
+Lash.  I will, sir.--Sir!
+
+Wild.  Well, sir.
+
+Lash.  Squire Brush's huntsman's here, and says
+His master's kennel is for sale.
+
+Wild.  The dogs
+Are only fit for hanging! -
+
+Lash.  Finer bred -
+
+Wild.  Sirrah, if more to me thou talkest of dogs,
+Horses, or aught that to thy craft belongs,
+Thou mayst go hang for me!--A cordwainer
+Go fetch me straight--the choicest in the town.
+Away, sir!  Do thy errands smart and well
+As thou canst crack thy whip!  [LASH goes out.]
+Dear neighbour Constance,
+I'll give up horses, dogs, and all for thee!
+
+[Goes out.]
+
+
+SCENE II.
+
+
+[Enter WIDOW GREEN and LYDIA.]
+
+W. Green.  Lydia, my gloves.  If Master Waller calls,
+I shall be in at three; and say the same
+To old Sir William Fondlove.  Tarry yet! -
+What progress, think you, make I in the heart
+Of fair young Master Waller?  Gods, my girl,
+It is a heart to win and man as well!
+How speed I, think you?  Didst, as I desired,
+Detain him in my absence when he called,
+And, without seeming, sound him touching me?
+
+Lydia.  Yes.
+
+W. Green.  And effects he me, or not?  How guess you?
+What said he of me?  Looked he balked, or not,
+To find me not at home?  Inquired he when
+I would be back, as much he longed to see me?
+What did he--said he?  Come!--Is he in love,
+Or like to fall into it?  Goes well my game,
+Or shall I have my labour for my pains?
+
+Lydia.  I think he is in love.--O poor evasion!
+O to love truth, and yet not dare to speak it!  [Aside.]
+
+W. Green.  You think he is in love--I'm sure of it.
+As well have asked you has he eyes and ears,
+And brain and heart to use them?  Maids do throw
+Trick after trick away, but widows know
+To play their cards!  How am I looking, Lydia?
+
+Lydia.  E'en as you ever look.
+
+W. Green.  Handsome, my girl?
+Eh?  Clear in my complexion?  Eh?--brimful
+Of spirits? not too much of me, nor yet
+Too little?--Eh?--A woman worth a man?
+Look at me, Lydia!  Would you credit, girl,
+I was a scarecrow before marriage?
+
+Lydia.  Nay! -
+
+W. Green.  Girl, but I tell thee "yea."  That gown of thine -
+And thou art slender--would have hung about me!
+There's something of me now! good sooth, enough!
+Lydia, I'm quite contented with myself;
+I'm just the thing, methinks, a widow should be.
+So, Master Waller, you believe, affects me?
+But, Lydia, not enough to hook the fish;
+To prove the angler's skill, it must be caught;
+And lovers, Lydia, like the angler's prey -
+Which, when he draws it near the landing-place,
+Takes warning and runs out the slender line,
+And with a spring perchance jerks off the hold
+When we do fish for them, and hook, and think
+They are all but in the creel, will make the dart
+That sets them free to roam the flood again!
+
+Lydia.  Is't so?
+
+W. Green.  Thou'lt find it so, or better luck
+Than many another maid!  Now mark me, Lydia:
+Sir William Fondlove fancies me.  'Tis well!
+I do not fancy him!  What should I do
+With an old man?--Attend upon the gout,
+Or the rheumatics!  Wrap me in the cloud
+Of a darkened chamber--'stead of shining out,
+The sun of balls, and routs, and gala-days!
+But he affects me, Lydia; so he may!
+Now take a lesson from me--Jealousy
+Had better go with open, naked breast,
+Than pin or button with a gem.  Less plague,
+The plague-spot; that doth speedy make an end
+One way or t'other, girl.  Yet, never love
+Was warm without a spice of jealousy.
+Thy lesson now--Sir William Fondlove's rich,
+And riches, though they're paste, yet being many,
+The jewel love we often cast away for.
+I use him but for Master Waller's sake.
+Dost like my policy?
+
+Lydia.  You will not chide me?
+
+W. Green.  Nay, Lydia, I do like to hear thy thoughts,
+They are such novel things--plants that do thrive
+With country air!  I marvel still they flower,
+And thou so long in town!  Speak freely, girl!
+
+Lydia.  I cannot think love thrives by artifice,
+Or can disguise its mood, and show its face.
+I would not hide one portion of my heart
+Where I did give it and did feel 'twas right,
+Nor feign a wish, to mask a wish that was,
+Howe'er to keep it.  For no cause except
+Myself would I be loved.  What were't to me,
+My lover valued me the more, the more
+He saw me comely in another's eyes,
+When his alone the vision I would show
+Becoming to?  I have sought the reason oft,
+They paint Love as a child, and still have thought,
+It was because true love, like infancy,
+Frank, trusting, unobservant of its mood,
+Doth show its wish at once, and means no more!
+
+W. Green.  Thou'lt find out better when thy time doth come.
+Now wouldst believe I love not Master Waller?
+I never knew what love was, Lydia;
+That is, as your romances have it.  First,
+I married for a fortune.  Having that,
+And being freed from him that brought it me,
+I marry now, to please my vanity,
+A man that is the fashion.  O the delight
+Of a sensation, and yourself the cause!
+To note the stir of eyes, and ears, and tongues,
+When they do usher Mistress Waller in,
+Late Widow Green, her hand upon the arm
+Of her young, handsome husband!--How my fan
+Will be in requisition--I do feel
+My heart begin to flutter now--my blood
+To mount into my cheek!  My honeymoon
+Will be a month of triumphs!--"Mistress Waller!"
+That name, for which a score of damsels sigh,
+And but the widow had the wit to win!
+Why, it will be the talk of east to west,
+And north and south!--The children loved the man,
+And lost him so--I liked, but there I stopped;
+For what is it to love, but mind and heart
+And soul upon another to depend?
+Depend upon another?  Nothing be
+But what another wills?  Give up the rights
+Of mine own brain and heart?  I thank my stars
+I never came to that extremity.
+
+[Goes out.]
+
+Lydia.  She never loved, indeed!  She knows not love,
+Except what's told of it!  She never felt it.
+To stem a torrent, easy, looking at it;
+But once you venture in, you nothing know
+Except the speed with which you're borne away,
+Howe'er you strive to check it.  She suspects not
+Her maid, not she, brings Master Waller hither.
+Nor dare I undeceive her.  Well might she say
+Her young and handsome husband!  Yet his face
+And person are the least of him, and vanish
+When shines his soul out through his open eye!
+He all but says he loves me!  His respect
+Has vanquished me!  He looks the will to speak
+His passion, and the fear that ties his tongue -
+The fear?  He loves not honestly, and yet
+I'll swear he loves--I'll swear he honours me!
+It is but my condition is a bar,
+Denies him give me all.  But knew he me
+As I do know myself!  Whate'er his purpose,
+When next we speak, he shall declare it to me.
+
+[Goes out.]
+
+
+SCENE III.--Sir William Fondlove's.
+
+
+[Enter CONSTANCE, dressed for riding, and PHOEBE.]
+
+Con.  Well, Phoebe, would you know me?  Are those locks
+That cluster on my forehead and my cheek,
+Sufficient mask?  Show I what I would seem,
+A lady for the chase?  My darkened brows
+And heightened colour, foreign to my face,
+Do they my face pass off for stranger too?
+What think you?
+
+Phoebe.  That he'll ne'er discover you.
+
+Con.  Then send him to me.  Say a lady wants
+To speak with him, unless indeed it be
+A man in lady's gear; I look so bold
+And speak so gruff.  Away!  [PHOEBE goes out.]  That I am glad
+He stays in town, I own, but if I am,
+'Tis only for the tricks I'll play upon him,
+And now begin, persuading him his fame
+Hath made me fancy him, and brought me hither
+On visit to his worship.  Soft, his foot!
+THIS he?  Why, what has metamorphosed him.
+And changed my sportsman to fine gentleman?
+Well he becomes his clothes!  But, check my wonder,
+Lest I forget myself.  Why, what an air
+The fellow hath.  A man to set a cap at!
+
+[Enter WILDRAKE.]
+
+Wild.  Kind lady, I attend your fair commands.
+
+Con.  My veiled face denies me justice, sir,
+Else would you see a maiden's blushing cheek
+Do penance for her forwardness; too late,
+I own, repented of.  Yet if 'tis true,
+By our own hearts of others we may judge,
+Mine in no peril lies that's shown to you,
+Whose heart, I'm sure, is noble.  Worthy sir,
+Souls attract souls when they're of kindred vein.
+The life that you love, I love.  Well I know,
+'Mongst those who breast the feats of the bold chase,
+You stand without a peer; and for myself
+I dare avow 'mong such, none follows them
+With heartier glee than I do.
+
+Wild.  Churl were he
+That would gainsay you, madam.
+
+Con.  [Curtseying.]  What delight
+To back the flying steed, that challenges
+The wind for speed!--seems native more of air
+Than earth!--whose burden only lends him fire! -
+Whose soul, in his task, turns labour into sport;
+Who makes your pastime his!  I sit him now!
+He takes away my breath!  He makes me reel!
+I touch not earth--I see not--hear not.  All
+Is ecstasy of motion!
+
+Wild.  You are used,
+I see, to the chase.
+
+Con.  I am, sir.  Then the leap,
+To see the saucy barrier, and know
+The mettle that can clear it!  Then, your time
+To prove you master of the manege.  Now
+You keep him well together for a space,
+Both horse and rider braced as you were one,
+Scanning the distance--then you give him rein,
+And let him fly at it, and o'er he goes
+Light as a bird on wing.
+
+Wild. 'Twere a bold leap,
+I see, that turned you, madam.
+
+Con.  [Curtseying.]  Sir, you're good!
+And then the hounds, sir!  Nothing I admire
+Beyond the running of the well-trained pack.
+The training's everything!  Keen on the scent!
+At fault none losing heart!--but all at work!
+None leaving his task to another!--answering
+The watchful huntsman's cautions, check, or cheer.
+As steed his rider's rein!  Away they go
+How close they keep together!  What a pack!
+Nor turn, nor ditch, nor stream divides them--as
+They moved with one intelligence, act, will!
+And then the concert they keep up!--enough
+To make one tenant of the merry wood,
+To list their jocund music!
+
+Wild.  You describe
+The huntsman's pastime to the life.
+
+Con.  I love it!
+To wood and glen, hamlet and town, it is
+A laughing holiday!  Not a hill-top
+But's then alive!  Footmen with horsemen vie,
+All earth's astir, roused with the revelry
+Of vigour, health, and joy!  Cheer awakes cheer,
+While Echo's mimic tongue, that never tires,
+Keeps up the hearty din!  Each face is then
+Its neighbour's glass--where Gladness sees itself,
+And at the bright reflection grows more glad!
+Breaks into tenfold mirth!--laughs like a child!
+Would make a gift of its heart, it is so free!
+Would scarce accept a kingdom, 'tis so rich!
+Shakes hands with all, and vows it never knew
+That life was life before!
+
+Wild.  Nay, every way
+You do fair justice, lady, to the chase;
+But fancies change.
+
+Con.  Such fancy is not mine.
+
+Wild.  I would it were not mine, for your fair sake.
+I have quite given o'er the chase.
+
+Con.  You say not so!
+
+Wild.  Forsworn, indeed, the sportsman's life, and grown,
+As you may partly see, town-gentleman.
+I care not now to mount a steed, unless
+To amble 'long the street; no paces mind,
+Except my own, to walk the drawing-room,
+Or in the ball-room to come off with grace;
+No leap for me, to match the light coupe;
+No music like the violin and harp,
+To which the huntsman's dog and horn I find
+Are somewhat coarse and homely minstrelsy:
+Then fields of ill-dressed rustics, you'll confess,
+Are well exchanged for rooms of beaux and belles
+In short, I've ta'en another thought of life -
+Become another man!
+
+Con.  The cause, I pray?
+
+Wild.  The cause of causes, lady.
+
+Con.  He's in love!  [Aside.]
+
+Wild.  To you, of women, I would name it last;
+Yet your frank bearing merits like return;
+I, that did hunt the game, am caught myself
+In chase I never dreamed of!
+
+[Goes out.]
+
+Con.  He is in love!
+Wildrake's in love!  'Tis that keeps him in town,
+Turns him from sportsman to town-gentleman.
+I never dreamed that he could be in love!
+In love with whom?--I'll find the vixen out!
+What right has she to set her cap at him?
+I warrant me, a forward, artful minx;
+I hate him worse than ever.  I'll do all
+I can to spoil the match.  He'll never marry -
+Sure he will never marry!  He will have
+More sense than that!  My back doth ope and shut -
+My temples throb and shoot--I am cold and hot!
+Were he to marry, there would be an end
+To neighbour Constance--neighbour Wildrake--why,
+I should not know myself!
+
+[Enter TRUEWORTH.]
+
+Dear Master Trueworth,
+What think you!--neighbour Wildrake is in love!
+In love!  Would you believe it, Master Trueworth?
+Ne'er heed my dress and looks, but answer me.
+Knowest thou of any lady he has seen
+That's like to cozen him?
+
+True.  I am not sure -
+We talked to-day about the Widow Green!
+
+Con.  Her that my father fancies.  Let him wed her!
+Marry her to-morrow--if he will, to-night.
+I can't spare neighbour Wildrake--neighbour Wildrake!
+Although I would not marry him myself,
+I could not hear that other married him!
+Go to my father--'tis a proper match!
+He has my leave!  He's welcome to bring home
+The Widow Green.  I'll give up house and all!
+She would be mad to marry neighbour Wildrake;
+He would wear out her patience--plague her to death,
+As he does me.  She must not marry him!
+
+[They go out.]
+
+
+
+ACT III.
+
+
+
+SCENE I.--A Room in Widow Green's.
+
+
+[Enter MASTER WALLER, following LYDIA.]
+
+Wal.  But thou shalt hear me, gentle Lydia.
+Sweet maiden, thou art frightened at thyself!
+Thy own perfections 'tis that talk to thee.
+Thy beauty rich!--thy richer grace!--thy mind,
+More rich again than that, though richest each!
+Except for these, I had no tongue for thee,
+Eyes for thee!--ears!--had never followed thee! -
+Had never loved thee, Lydia!  Hear me! -
+
+Lydia.  Love
+Should seek its match.  No match am I for thee.
+
+Wal.  Right!  Love should seek its match; and that is, love
+Or nothing!  Station--fortune--find their match
+In things resembling them.  They are not love!
+Comes love (that subtle essence, without which
+Life were but leaden dulness!--weariness!
+A plodding trudger on a heavy road!)
+Comes it of title-deeds which fools may boast?
+Or coffers vilest hands may hold the keys of?
+Or that ethereal lamp that lights the eyes
+To shed the sparkling lustre o'er the face,
+Gives to the velvet skin its blushing glow,
+And burns as bright beneath the peasant's roof
+As roof of palaced prince?  Yes, Love should seek
+Its match--then give my love its match in thine,
+Its match which in thy gentle breast doth lodge
+So rich--so earthly, heavenly fair and rich,
+As monarchs have no thought of on their thrones,
+Which kingdoms do bear up.
+
+Lydia.  Wast thou a monarch,
+Me wouldst thou make thy queen?
+
+Wal.  I would.
+
+Lydia.  What!  Pass
+A princess by for me?
+
+Wal.  I would.
+
+Lydia.  Suppose
+Thy subjects would prevent thee?
+
+Wal.  Then, in spite
+Of them!
+
+Lydia.  Suppose they were too strong for thee?
+
+Wal.  Why, then I'd give them up my throne--content
+With that thou'dst yield me in thy gentle breast.
+
+Lydia.  Can subjects do what monarchs do?
+
+Wal.  Far more!
+Far less!
+
+Lydia.  Among those things, where more their power,
+Is marriage one?
+
+Wal.  Yes.
+
+Lydia.  And no part of love,
+You say, is rank or wealth?
+
+Wal.  No part of love.
+
+Lydia.  Is marriage part of love?
+
+Wal.  At times it is,
+At times is not.  Men love and marry--love
+And marry not.
+
+Lydia.  Then have they not the power;
+So must they hapless part with those they love.
+
+Wal.  Oh, no! not part!  How could they love and part?
+
+Lydia.  How could they love not part, not free to wed?
+
+Wal.  Alone in marriage doth not union lie!
+
+Lydia.  Alone where hands are free!  O yes--alone!
+Love that is love, bestoweth all it can!
+It is protection, if 'tis anything,
+Which nothing in its object leaves exposed
+Its care can shelter.  Love that's free to wed,
+Not wedding, but profanes the name of love;
+Which is, on high authority to Earth's,
+For Heaven did sit approving at its feast,
+A holy thing!  Why make you love to me?
+Women whose hearts are free, by nature tender,
+Their fancies hit by those they are besought by,
+Do first impressions quickly--deeply take;
+And, balked in their election, have been known
+To droop a whole life through!  Gain for a maid,
+A broken heart!--to barter her young love,
+And find she changed it for a counterfeit!
+
+Wal.  If there is truth in man, I love thee!  Hear me!
+In wedlock, families claim property.
+Old notions, which we needs must humour often,
+Bar us to wed where we are forced to love!
+Thou hear'st?
+
+Lydia.  I do.
+
+Wal.  My family is proud;
+Our ancestor, whose arms we bear, did win
+An earldom by his deeds.  'Tis not enough
+I please myself!  I must please others, who
+Desert in wealth and station only see.
+Thou hear'st?
+
+Lydia.  I do.
+
+Wal.  I cannot marry thee,
+And must I lose thee?  Do not turn away!
+Without the altar I can honour thee!
+Can cherish thee, nor swear it to the priest;
+For more than life I love thee!
+
+Lydia.  Say thou hatest me,
+And I'll believe thee!  Wherein differs love
+From hate, to do the work of hate--destroy?
+Thy ancestor won title to his deeds!
+Was one of them, to teach an honest maid
+The deed of sin--first steal her love, and then
+Her virtue?  If thy family is proud,
+Mine, sir, is worthy! if we are poor, the lack
+Of riches, sir, is not the lack of shame,
+That I should act a part, would raise a blush,
+Nor fear to burn an honest brother's cheek!
+Thou wouldest share a throne with me!  Thou wouldst rob me of
+A throne!--reduce me from dominion to
+Base vassalage!--pull off my crown for me,
+And give my forehead in its place a brand!
+You have insulted me.  To shew you, sir,
+The heart you make so light of, you are beloved -
+But she that tells you so, tells you beside
+She ne'er beholds you more!
+
+[Goes out.]
+
+Wal.  Stay, Lydia!--No!
+'Tis vain!  She is in virtue resolute,
+As she is bland and tender in affection.
+She is a miracle, beholding which
+Wonder doth grow on wonder!  What a maid!
+No mood but doth become her--yea, adorn her.
+She turns unsightly anger into beauty!
+Sour scorn grows sweetness, touching her sweet lips!
+And indignation, lighting on her brow,
+Transforms to brightness as the cloud to gold
+That overhangs the sun!  I love her!  Ay!
+And all the throes of serious passion feel
+At thought of losing her!--so my light love,
+Which but her person did at first affect,
+Her soul has metamorphosed--made a thing
+Of solid thoughts and wishes--I must have her!
+
+[Enter WIDOW GREEN, unnoticed SIR WALLER, who continues abstracted.]
+
+W. Green.  What!  Master Waller, and contemplative
+Presumptive proof of love!  Of me he thinks!
+Revolves the point "to be or not to be!"
+"To be!" by all the triumphs of my sex!
+There was a sigh!  My life upon't, that sigh,
+If construed, would translate "Dear Widow Green!"
+
+Wal.  Enchanting woman!
+
+W. Green.  That is I!--most deep
+Abstraction, sure concomitant of love.
+Now, could I see his busy fancy's painting,
+How should I blush to gaze upon myself.
+
+Wal.  The matchless form of woman!  The choice calling
+Of the aspiring artist, whose ambition
+Robs Nature to outdo her--the perfections
+Of her rare various workmanship combines
+To aggrandise his art at Nature's cost,
+And make a paragon!
+
+W. Green.  Gods! how he draws me!
+Soon as he sees me, at my feet he falls! -
+Good Master Waller!
+
+Wal.  Ha!  The Widow Green!
+
+W. Green.  He is confounded!  So am I.  O dear!
+How catching is emotion.  He can't speak!
+O beautiful confusion!  Amiable
+Excess of modesty with passion struggling!
+Now comes he to declare himself, but wants
+The courage.  I must help him.--Master Waller!
+
+[Enter SIR WILLIAM FONDLOVE.]
+
+Sir Wil.  Dear Widow Green!
+
+W. Green.  Sir William Fondlove!
+
+Wal.  Thank
+My lucky stars!  [Aside.]
+
+W. Green.  I would he had the gout,
+And kept his room!  [Aside.]--You're welcome, dear Sir William!
+'Tis very, very kind of you to call.
+Sir William Fondlove--Master Waller.  Pray
+Be seated, gentlemen.--He shall requite me
+For his untimely visit.  Though the nail
+Be driven home, it may want clinching yet
+To make the hold complete!  For that, I'll use him.--[Aside.]
+You're looking monstrous well, Sir William! and
+No wonder.  You're a mine of happy spirits!
+Some women talk of such and such a style
+Of features in a man.  Give me good humour;
+That lights the homeliest visage up with beauty,
+And makes the face, where beauty is already,
+Quite irresistible!
+
+Sir Wil.  That's hitting hard.  [Aside.]
+Dear Widow Green, don't say so!  On my life
+You flatter me.  You almost make me blush.
+
+W. Green.  I durst not turn to Master Waller now,
+Nor need I.  I can fancy how he looks!
+I warrant me he scowls on poor Sir William,
+As he could eat him up.  I must improve
+His discontent, and so make sure of him.--[Aside.]
+I flatter you, Sir William!  O, you men!
+You men, that talk so meek, and all the while
+Do know so well your power!  Who would think
+You had a marriageable daughter!  You
+Did marry very young.
+
+Sir Wil.  A boy!--a boy!
+Who knew not his own mind.
+
+W. Green.  Your daughter's twenty.
+Come, you at least were twenty when you married;
+That makes you forty.
+
+Sir Wil.  O dear!  Widow Green.
+
+W. Green.  Not forty?
+
+Sir Wil.  You do quite embarrass me!
+I own I have the feelings of a boy,
+The freshness and the glow of spring-time, yet, -
+The relish yet for my young schooldays' sports;
+Could whip a top--could shoot at taw--could play
+At prison-bars and leapfrog--so I might -
+Not with a limb, perhaps, as supple, but
+With quite as supple will.  Yet I confess
+To more than forty!
+
+W. Green.  Do you say so?  Well,
+I'll never guess a man's age by his looks
+Again.--Poor Master Waller!  He must writhe
+To hear I think Sir William is so young.
+I'll turn his visit yet to more account.--[Aside.]
+A handsome ring, Sir William, that you wear!
+
+Sir Wil.  Pray look at it.
+
+W. Green.  The mention of a ring
+Will take away his breath.
+
+Wal.  She must be mine
+Whate'er her terms!  [Aside.]
+
+W. Green.  I'll steal a look at him!
+
+Wal.  What! though it be the ring?--the marriage ring?
+If that she sticks at, she deserves to wear it
+Oh, the debate which love and prudence hold!  [Aside.]
+
+W. Green.  How highly he is wrought upon!  His hands
+Are clenched!--I warrant me his frame doth shake!
+Poor Master Waller!  I have filled his heart
+Brimful with passion for me.  The delight
+Of proving thus my power!
+
+Sir Wil.  Dear Widow Green! -
+She hears not!  How the ring hath set her thinking!
+I'll try and make her jealous.  [Aside.]--Widow Green!
+
+W. Green.  Sir William Fondlove!
+
+Sir Wil.  Would you think that ring
+Could tell a story?
+
+W. Green.  Could it?  Ah, Sir William,
+I fear you are a rogue.
+
+Sir Wil.  O no!
+
+W. Green.  You are!
+
+Sir Wil.  No, on my honour!  Would you like to hear
+The story of the ring?
+
+W. Green.  Much--very much.
+
+Sir Wil.  Think'st we may venture draw our chairs apart
+A little more from Master Waller?
+
+W. Green.  Yes.
+He'll bring it to a scene!  Dear--dear Sir William,
+How much I am obliged to him!  A scene!
+Gods, we shall have a scene!--Good Master Waller,
+Your leave I pray you for a minute, while
+Sir William says a word or two to me. -
+He durst not trust his tongue for jealousy!--[Aside.]
+Now, dear Sir William!
+
+Sir Wil.  You must promise me
+You will not think me vain.
+
+W. Green.  No fear of that.
+
+Sir Wil.  Nor given to boast.
+
+W. Green.  O! dear Sir William!
+
+Sir Wil.  Nor
+A flirt!
+
+W. Green.  O! who would take you for a flirt?
+
+Sir Wil.  How very kind you are!
+
+W. Green.  Go on, Sir William.
+
+Sir Wil.  Upon my life, I fear you'll think me vain!
+I'm covered with confusion at the thought
+Of what I've done.  'Twas very, very wrong
+To promise you the story of the ring;
+Men should not talk of such things.
+
+W. Green.  Such as what?
+As ladies' favours?
+
+Sir Wil.  'Pon my life, I feel
+As I were like to sink into the earth.
+
+W. Green.  A lady then it was gave you the ring?
+
+Sir Wil.  Don't ask me to say yes, but only scan
+The inside of the ring.--How much she's moved.  [Aside.]
+
+Wal.  They to each other company enough!
+I, company for no one but myself.
+I'll take my leave, nor trouble them to pay
+The compliments of parting.  Lydia!  Lydia!
+
+[Goes out.]
+
+W. Green.  What's here?  "Eliza!"  So it was a lady! -
+How wondrously does Master Waller bear it!
+He surely will not hold much longer out.--[Aside.]
+Sir William!  Nay, look up!  What cause to cast
+Your eyes upon the ground?  What an it were
+A lady?
+
+Sir Wil.  You're not angry?
+
+W. Green.  No!
+
+Sir Wil.  She is.
+I'll take the tone she speaks in 'gainst the word,
+For fifty crowns.--I have not told you all
+About the ring; though I would sooner die
+Than play the braggart!--yet, as truth is truth,
+And told by halves, may from a simple thing,
+By misconstruction, to a monster grow,
+I'll tell the whole truth!
+
+W. Green.  Dear Sir William, do!
+
+Sir Wil.  The lady was a maid, and very young;
+Nor there in justice to her must I stop,
+But say that she was beautiful as young;
+And add to that that she was learned too,
+Almost enough to win for her that title,
+Our sex, in poor conceit of their own merits,
+And narrow spirit of monopoly,
+And jealousy, which gallantry eschews,
+Do give to women who assert their right
+To minds as well as we.
+
+W. Green.  What! a blue-stocking?
+
+Sir Wil.  I see--she'll come to calling names at last.--[Aside.]
+I should offend myself to quote the term.
+But, to return, for yet I have not done;
+And further yet may go, then progress on
+That she was young, that she was beautiful.
+A wit and learned are naught to what's to come -
+She had a heart! -
+
+W. Green.  [Who during SIR WILLIAM'S speech has turned gradually.]
+What, Master Waller gone!  [Aside.]
+
+Sir Wil.  I say she had a heart -
+
+W. Green.  [Starting up--SIR WILLIAM also.]  A plague upon her!
+
+Sir Wil.  I knew she would break out!  [Aside.]
+
+W. Green.  Here, take the ring.  It has ruined me!
+
+Sir Wil.  I vow thou hast no cause
+For anger!
+
+W. Green.  Have I not?  I am undone,
+And all about that bauble of a ring.
+
+Sir Wil.  You're right, it is a bauble.
+
+W. Green.  And the minx
+That gave it thee!
+
+Sir Wil.  You're right, she was a minx.
+I knew she'd come to calling names at last.  [Aside.]
+
+W. Green.  Sir William Fondlove, leave me.
+
+Sir Wil.  Widow Green! -
+
+W. Green.  You have undone me, sir!
+
+Sir Wil.  Don't say so!  Don't!
+It was a girl--a child gave me the ring!
+
+W. Green.  Do you hear me, sir?  I bade you leave me.
+
+Sir Wil.  If
+I thought you were so jealous -
+
+W. Green.  Jealous, sir!
+Sir William! quit my house.
+
+Sir Wil.  A little girl
+To make you jealous!
+
+W.  Green.  Sir, you'll drive me mad!
+
+Sir Wil.  A child, a perfect child, not ten years old!
+
+W. Green.  Sir, I would be alone, sir!
+
+Sir Wil.  Young enough
+To dandle still her doll!
+
+W. Green.  Sir William Fondlove!
+
+Sir Wil.  Dear Widow Green!
+
+W. Green.  I hate you, sir!  Detest you!  Never wish
+To see you more!  You have ruined me!  Undone me!
+A blighted life I wear, and all through you!
+The fairest hopes that ever woman nourished,
+You've cankered in the very blowing! bloom
+And sweet destroyed, and nothing left me, but
+The melancholy stem.
+
+Sir Wil.  And all about
+A little slut I gave a rattle to! -
+Would pester me for gingerbread and comfits! -
+A little roguish feigning!  A love-trick
+I played to prove your love!
+
+W. Green.  Sir William Fondlove!
+If of my own house you'll not suffer me
+To be the mistress, I will leave it to you!
+
+Sir Wil.  Dear Widow Green!  The ring -
+
+W. Green.  Confound the ring,
+The donor of it, thee, and everything!
+
+[Goes out.]
+
+Sir Wil.  She is over head and ears in love with me!
+She's mad with love!  There's love and all its signs!
+She's jealous of me unto very death!
+Poor Widow Green!  I warrant she is now
+In tears!  I think I hear her sob!  Poor thing!
+Sir William!  Oh, Sir William!  You have raised
+A furious tempest!  Set your wits to work
+To turn it to a calm.  No question that
+She loves me!  None then that she'll take me!  So
+I'll have the marriage settlements made out
+To-morrow, and a special licence got,
+And marry her the next day!  I will make
+Quick work of it, and take her by surprise!
+Who but a widower a widow's match?
+What could she see with else but partial eyes
+To guess me only forty?  I'm a wonder!
+What shall I pass for in my wedding suit?
+I vow I am a puzzle to myself,
+As well as all the world besides.  Odd's life!
+To win the heart of buxom Widow Green!
+
+[Goes out.]
+
+[WIDOW GREEN re-enters with LYDIA.]
+
+W. Green.  At last the dotard's gone!  Fly, Lydia, fly,
+This letter bear to Master Waller straight;
+Quick, quick, or I'm undone!  He is abused,
+And I must undeceive him--own my love,
+And heart and hand at his disposal lay.
+Answer me not, my girl--obey me!  Fly.
+
+[Goes out.]
+
+Lydia.  Untowardly it falls!--I had resolved
+This hour to tell her I must quit her service!
+Go to his house!  I will not disobey
+Her last commands!--I'll leave it at the door,
+And as it closes on me think I take
+One more adieu of him!  Hard destiny!
+
+[Goes out.]
+
+
+SCENE II.--A Room in Sir William's.
+
+
+[Enter CONSTANCE.]
+
+Con.  The booby!  He must fall in love, indeed!
+And now he's naught but sentimental looks
+And sentences, pronounced 'twixt breath and voice!
+And attitudes of tender languishment!
+Nor can I get from him the name of her
+Hath turned him from a stock into a fool.
+He hems and haws, now titters, now looks grave!
+Begins to speak and halts! takes off his eyes
+To fall in contemplation on a chair,
+A table, or the ceiling, wall, or floor!
+I'll plague him worse and worse!  O, here he comes!
+
+[Enter WILDRAKE.]
+
+Wild.  Despite her spiteful usage I'm resolved
+To tell her now.  Dear neighbour Constance!
+
+Con.  Fool!
+Accost me like a lady, sir!  I hate
+The name of neighbour!
+
+Wild.  Mistress Constance, then -
+I'll call thee that.
+
+Con.  Don't call me anything!
+I hate to hear thee speak--to look at thee,
+To dwell in the same house with thee!
+
+Wild.  In what
+Have I offended?
+
+Con.  What!--I hate an ape!
+
+Wild.  An ape!
+
+Con.  Who bade thee ape the gentleman?
+And put on dress that don't belong to thee?
+Go! change thee with thy whipper-in or huntsman,
+And none will doubt thou wearest thy own clothes.
+
+Wild.  A pretty pass!  Mocked for the very dress
+I bought to pleasure her!  Untoward things
+Are women!  [Aside.  Walks backwards and forwards.]
+
+Con.  Do you call that walking?  Pray
+What makes you twist your body so, and take
+Such pains to turn your toes out?  If you'd walk,
+Walk thus!  Walk like a man, as I do now!
+
+[Walking]
+
+Is yours the way a gentleman should walk?
+You neither walk like man nor gentleman!
+I'll show you how you walk.  [Mimicking him.]
+Do you call that walking?
+
+Wild.  My thanks, for a drill-sergeant twice a day
+For her sake!  [Aside.]
+
+Con.  Now, of all things in the world,
+What made you dance last night?
+
+Wild.  What made me dance?
+
+Con.  Right!  It was anything but dancing!  Steps
+That never came from dancing-school--nor English,
+Nor Scotch, nor Irish!  You must try to cut,
+And how you did it!  [Cuts.]  That's the way to cut!
+And then your chasse!  Thus you went, and thus.
+
+[Mimicking him.]
+
+As though you had been playing at hop, step,
+And jump!--and yet you looked so monstrous pleased,
+And played the simpleton with such a grace,
+Taking their tittering for compliment!
+I could have boxed you soundly for't.  Ten times
+Denied I that I knew you.
+
+Wild.  Twenty guineas
+Were better in the gutter thrown than gone
+To fee a dancing-master!  [Aside.]
+
+Con.  And you're grown
+An amateur in music!--What fine air
+Was that you praised last night?--"The Widow Jones!"
+A country jig they turned into a song.
+You asked "If it had come from Italy?"
+The lady blushed and held her peace, and then
+You blushed and said, "Perhaps it came from France!"
+And then when blushed the lady more, nor spoke,
+You said, "At least it came from Germany!"
+The air was English!--a true English air;
+A downright English air!--a common air;
+Old as "When Good King Arthur."  Not a square,
+Court, alley, street, or lane about the town,
+In which it is not whistled, played, or sung!
+But you must have it come from Italy,
+Or Germany, or France.  Go home!  Go home!
+To Lincolnshire, and mind thy dog and horn!
+You'll never do for town!  "The Widow Jones"
+To come from Italy!  Stay not in town,
+Or you'll be married to the Widow Jones,
+Since you've forsworn, you say, the Widow Green!
+And morn and night they'll din your ears with her!
+"Well met, dear Master Wildrake.  A fine day!
+Pray, can you tell whence came the Widow Jones?"
+They love a jest in town!  To Lincolnshire!
+You'll never do for town!  To Lincolnshire;
+"The Widow Jones" to come from Italy!
+
+[Goes out.]
+
+Wild.  Confound the Widow Jones!  'Tis true!  The air
+Well as the huntsman's triple mort I know,
+But knew not then indeed, 'twas so disguised
+With shakes and flourishes, outlandish things,
+That mar, not grace, an honest English song!
+Howe'er, the mischief's done! and as for her,
+She is either into hate or madness fallen.
+If madness, would she had her wits again,
+Or I my heart!  If hate, my love's undone;
+I'll give her up.  I'll e'en to Master Trueworth,
+Confess my treason--own my punishment -
+Take horse, and back again to Lincolnshire!
+
+[Goes out.]
+
+Con.  [Returning.]  Not here!  I trust I have not gone too far!
+If he should quit the house!  Go out of town!
+Poor neighbour Wildrake!  Little does he owe me!
+From childhood I've been used to plague him thus.
+Why would he fall in love, and spoil it all!
+I feel as I could cry!  He has no right
+To marry any one!  What wants he with
+A wife?  Has he not plague enough in me?
+Would he be plagued with anybody else?
+Ever since I have lived in town I have felt
+The want of neighbour Wildrake!  Not a soul
+Besides I care to quarrel with; and now
+He goes and gives himself to another!  What!
+Am I in love with neighbour Wildrake?  No.
+I only would not have him marry--marry?
+Sooner I'd have him dead than have him marry!
+
+
+
+ACT IV.
+
+
+
+SCENE I.--A Room in Master Waller's House.
+
+
+[Enter ALICE, hastily.]
+
+Alice.  [Speaking to the outside.]  Fly, Stephen, to the door! your
+rapier! quick! -
+Our master is beset, because of one
+Whose part he takes, a maid, whom lawless men
+Would lawlessly entreat!  In what a world
+We live!--How do I shake!--with what address
+[Looking out of window.]
+He lays about him, and his other arm
+Engaged, in charge of her whom he defends!
+A damsel worth a broil!--Now, Stephen, now!
+Take off the odds, brave lad, and turn the scale!
+I would I were a swordsman!  How he makes
+His rapier fly!--Well done!--O Heaven, there's blood.
+But on the side that's wrong!--Well done, good Stephen!
+Pray Heaven no life be ta'en!--Lay on, brave lad!
+He has marked his man again.  Good lad--Well done,
+I pray no mischief come!--Press on him, Stephen!
+Now gives he ground.--Follow thy advantage up!
+Allow no pause for breaths!--Hit him again!
+Forbid it end in death!--Lounge home, good Stephen!
+How fast he now retreats!--That spring, I'll swear,
+Was answer to thy point!--Well fenced!--Well fenced!
+Now Heaven forefend it end in death!--He flies!
+And from his comrade, the same moment, hath
+Our master jerked his sword--The day is ours!
+Quick may they get a surgeon for their wounds,
+And I, a cordial for my fluttered spirits:
+I vow, I'm nigh to swoon!
+
+Wal.  [Without.]  Hoa!  Alice!  Hoa!
+Open the door!  Quick, Alice!  Quick!
+
+Alice.  Anon!
+Young joints take no thought of aged ones,
+But ever think them as supple as themselves.
+
+Wal.  Alice!
+
+Alice.  [Opening the door.]  I'm here!--A mercy! -
+Is she dead?
+
+[Enter MASTER WALLER, bearing LYDIA, fainting.]
+
+Wal.  No, she but faints.--A chair!--Quick, Alice, quick!
+Water to bathe her temples.
+
+[ALICE goes out.]
+
+Such a turn
+Kind fortune never do me.  Shall I kiss
+To life these frozen lips?--No!--of her plight
+'Twere base to take advantage.
+
+[ALICE returns, &c.]
+
+All is well,
+The blood returns.
+
+Alice.  How wondrous fair she is!
+
+Wal.  Thou think'st her so?--No wonder then should I.
+How say you?--Wondrous fair?  [Aside.]
+
+Alice.  Yes; wondrous fair!
+Harm never come to her!  So sweet a thing
+'Twere pity were abused!
+
+Wal.  You think her fair?
+
+Alice.  Ay, marry!  Half so fair were more than match
+For fairest she e'er saw mine eyes before!
+And what a form!  A foot and instep there!
+Vouchers of symmetry!  A little foot
+And rising instep, from an ankle arching,
+A palm, and that a little one, might span.
+
+Wal.  Who taught thee thus?
+
+Alice.  Why who, but her, taught thee?
+Thy mother!--Heaven rest her!--Thy good mother!
+She could read men and women by their hands
+And feet!--And here's a hand!--A fairy palm!
+Fingers that taper to the pinky tips,
+With nails of rose, like shells of such a hue,
+Berimmed with pearl, you pick up on the shore!
+Save these the gloss and tint do wear without.
+
+Wal.  Why, how thou talk'st!
+
+Alice.  Did I not tell thee thus
+Thy mother used to talk?  Such hand and foot,
+She would say, in man or woman vouched for nature
+High tempered!--Still for sentiment refined;
+Affection tender; apprehension quick -
+Degrees beyond the generality!
+There is a marriage finger!  Curse the hand
+Would balk it of a ring!
+
+Wal.  She's quite restored,
+Leave us!--Why cast'st thou that uneasy look?
+Why linger'st thou?  I'm not alone with her.
+My honour's with her too.  I would not wrong her.
+
+Alice.  And if thou wouldst, thou'rt not thy mother's son.
+
+[Goes out.]
+
+Wal.  You are better?
+
+Lydia.  Much!--much!
+
+Wal.  Know you him who durst
+Attempt this violence in open day?
+It seemed as he would force thee to his coach,
+I saw attending.
+
+Lydia.  Take this letter, sir,
+And send the answer--I must needs be gone.
+
+Wal.  [Throwing the letter away.]  I read no letter!
+Tell me, what of him
+I saw offend thee?
+
+Lydia.  He hath often met me,
+And by design I think, upon the street,
+And tried to win mine ear, which ne'er he got
+Save only by enforcement.  Presents--gifts -
+Of jewels and of gold to wild amount,
+To win an audience, hath he proffered me;
+Until, methought, my silence--for my lips
+Disdained reply were question was a wrong -
+Had wearied him.  Oh, sir, whate'er of life
+Remains to me I had foregone, ere proved
+The horror of this hour!--and you it is
+That have protected me?
+
+Wal.  Oh, speak not on't!
+
+Lydia.  You that have saved me from mine enemy -
+
+Wal.  I pray you to forget it.
+
+Lydia.  From a foe
+More dire than he that putteth life in peril -
+
+Wal.  Sweet Lydia, I beseech you spare me.
+
+Lydia.  No!
+I will not spare you.--You have brought me to safety,
+You whom I fear worse than that baleful foe.
+
+[Rises to go.]
+
+Wal.  [Kneeling and snatching her hand.]  Lydia!
+
+Lydia.  Now, make thy bounty perfect.  Drop
+My hand.  That posture which dishonours thee,
+Quit!--for 'tis shame on shame to show respect
+Where we do feel disdain.  Throw ope thy gate
+And let me pass, and never seek with me,
+By look, or speech, or aught, communion more!
+
+Wal.  Thou saidst thou lovedst me?
+
+Lydia.  Yes! when I believed
+My tongue did take of thee its last adieu,
+And now that I do know it--for be sure
+It never bids adieu to thee again -
+Again, I tell it thee!  Release me, sir!
+Rise!--and no hindrance to my will oppose.
+That would be free to go.
+
+Wal.  I cannot lose thee!
+
+Lydia.  Thou canst not have me!
+
+Wal.  No!
+
+Lydia.  Thou canst not.  I
+Repeat it.--Yet I'm thine--thine every way,
+Except where honour fences!--Honour, sir,
+Not property of gentle blood alone;
+Of gentle blood not always property!
+Thou'lt not obey me.  Still enforcest me!
+Oh, what a contradiction is a man!
+What in another he one moment spurns,
+The next--he does himself complacently!
+
+Wal.  Wouldst have me lose the hand that holds my life?
+
+Lydia.  Hear me and keep it, if thou art a man!
+I love thee--for thy benefit would give
+The labour of that hand!--wear out my feet
+Rack the invention of my mind!--the powers
+Of my heart in one volition gather up!
+My life expend, and think no more I gave
+Than he who wins a priceless gem for thanks!
+For such goodwill canst thou return me wrong?
+
+Wal.  Yet, for awhile, I cannot let thee go.
+Propound for me an oath that I'll not wrong thee!
+An oath, which, if I break it, will entail
+Forfeit of earth and heaven.  I'll take it--so
+Thou stay'st one hour with me.
+
+Lydia.  No!--Not one moment!
+Unhand me, or I shriek!--I know the summons
+Will pierce into the street, and set me free!
+I stand in peril while I'm near thee!  She
+Who knows her danger, and delays escape,
+Hath but herself to thank, whate'er befalls!
+Sir, I may have a woman's weakness, but
+I have a woman's resolution, too,
+And that's a woman's strength!
+One moment more! -
+
+Wal.  Lo!  Thou art free to go!
+
+[Rises and throws himself distractedly into a chair.]
+
+[LYDIA approaches the door--her pace slackens--she pauses with her
+hand upon the lock--turns, and looks earnestly on WALLER.]
+
+Lydia.  I have a word
+To say to thee; if by thy mother's honour,
+Thou swear'st to me thou wilt not quit thy seat.
+
+Wal.  I swear as thou propound'st to me.
+
+Lydia.  [After a pause, bursting into tears.]  Oh, why -
+Why have you used me thus?  See what you've done!
+Essayed to light a guilty passion up,
+And kindled in its stead a holy one!
+For I do love thee!  Know'st thou not the wish
+To find desert doth bring it oft to sight
+Where yet it is not? so, for substance, passes
+What only is a phantasm of our minds!
+I feared thy love was guilty--yet my wish
+To find it honest, stronger than my fear,
+My fear with fatal triumph overthrew!
+Now hope and fear give up to certainty,
+And I must fly thee--yet must love thee still!
+
+Wal.  Lydia! by all -
+
+Lydia.  I pray you hear me out!
+Was 't right? was 't generous? was 't pitiful?
+One way or other I might be undone:
+To love with sin--or love without a hope!
+
+Wal.  Yet hear me, Lydia! -
+
+Lydia.  Stop!  I'm undone!
+A maid without a heart--robbed of the soil,
+Wherein life's hopes and wishes root and spring,
+And thou the foe that did me so much hate,
+And vowed me so much love!--but I forgive thee!
+Yea, I do bless thee!
+
+[Rushing up and sinking at his feet.]
+
+Recollect thy oath! -
+Or in thy heart lodged never germ of honour,
+But 'tis a desert all!
+
+[She kisses his hand--presses it to her heart, and kisses it again.]
+
+Farewell then to thee!
+
+[Rises.]
+
+Mayst thou be happy.  [Going.]
+
+Wal.  Wouldst ensure the thing
+Thou wishest?
+
+[She moves towards the door with a gesture that prohibits further
+converse.]
+
+Stop!  [She continues to move on.]
+Oh, sternly resolute!  [She still moves.]
+I mean thee honour!
+
+[She stops and turns towards him.]
+
+Thou dost meditate -
+I know it--flight.  Give me some pause for thought,
+But to confirm a mind almost made up.
+If in an hour thou hearest not from me, then
+Think me a friend far better lost than won!
+Wilt thou do this?
+
+Lydia.  I will.
+
+Wal.  An hour decides.
+
+[They go out severalty.]
+
+
+SCENE II.--A Room in Sir William Fondlove's House.
+
+
+[Enter WILDRAKE and TRUEWORTH.]
+
+Wild.  You are not angry?
+
+True.  No; I knew the service
+I sent you on was one of danger.
+
+Wild.  Thank you.
+Most kind you are--And you believe she loves me:
+And your own hopes give up to favour mine.
+Was ever known such kindness!  Much I fear
+'Twill cost you.
+
+True.  Never mind!  I'll try and bear it.
+
+Wild.  That's right.  No use in yielding to a thing.
+Resolve does wonders!  Shun the sight of her -
+See other women!--Fifty to be found
+As fair as she.
+
+True.  I doubt it.
+
+Wild.  Doubt it not.
+Doubt nothing that gives promise of a care.
+Right handsome dames there are in Lancashire,
+Whence called their women, witches!--witching things!
+I know a dozen families in which
+You'd meet a courtesy worthy of a bow.
+I'll give you letters to them.
+
+True.  Will you?
+
+Wild.  Yes.
+
+True.  The worth of a disinterested friend!
+
+Wild.  O Master Trueworth, deeply I'm your debtor
+I own I die for love of neighbour Constance!
+And thou to give her up for me!  Kind friend!
+What won't I do for thee?--Don't pine to death;
+I'll find thee fifty ways to cure thy passion,
+And make thee heart-whole, if thou'rt so resolved.
+Thou shalt be master of my sporting stud,
+And go a hunting.  If that likes thee not,
+Take up thy quarters at my shooting-lodge;
+There is a cellar to 't--make free with it.
+I'll thank thee if thou emptiest it.  The song
+Gives out that wine feeds love--It drowns it, man!
+If thou wilt neither hunt nor shoot, try games;
+Play at loggats, bowls, fives, dominoes, draughts, cribbage,
+Backgammon--special recipes for love!
+And you believe, for all the hate she shows,
+That neighbour Constance loves me?
+
+True.  'Tis my thought.
+
+Wild.  How shall I find it out?
+
+True.  Affect to love
+Another.  Say your passion thrives; the day
+Is fixed; and pray her undertake the part
+Of bridemaid to your bride.  'Twill bring her out.
+
+Wild.  You think she'll own her passion?
+
+True.  If she loves.
+
+Wild.  I thank thee!  I will try it!  Master Trueworth,
+What shall I say to thee, to give her up,
+And love her so?
+
+True.  Say nothing.
+
+Wild.  Noble friend!
+Kind friend!  Instruct another man the way
+To win thy mistress!  Thou'lt not break my heart?
+Take my advice, thou shalt not be in love
+A month!  Frequent the playhouse!--walk the Park!
+I'll think of fifty ladies that I know,
+Yet can't remember now--enchanting ones!
+And then there's Lancashire!--and I have friends
+In Berkshire and in Wiltshire, that have swarms
+Of daughters!  Then my shooting-lodge and stud!
+I'll cure thee in a fortnight of thy love!
+And now to neighbour Constance--yet almost
+I fear accosting her--a hundred times
+Have I essayed to break my mind to her,
+But still she stops my mouth with restless scorn!
+Howe'er, thy scheme I'll try, and may it thrive!
+For I am sick for love of neighbour Constance.
+Farewell, dear Master Trueworth!  Take my counsel -
+Conquer thy passion!  Do so!  Be a man!
+
+[Goes out.]
+
+True.  Feat easy done that does not tax ourselves!
+
+[Enter Phoebe.]
+
+Phoebe.  A letter, sir.
+
+[Goes out.]
+
+True.  Good sooth, a roaming one,
+And yet slow traveller.  This should have reached me
+In Lombardy.--The hand!  Give way, weak seal,
+Thy feeble let too strong for my impatience!
+Ha!  Wronged!--Let me contain myself!--Compelled
+To fly the roof that gave her birth!--My sister!
+No partner in her flight but her pure honour!
+I am again a brother.  Pillow, board,
+I know not till I find her.
+
+[Enter WALLER.]
+
+Wal.  Master Trueworth!
+
+True.  Ha!  Master Waller!  Welcome, Master Waller.
+
+Wal.  Good Master Trueworth, thank you.  Finding you
+From home, I e'en made bold to follow you,
+For I esteem you as a man, and fain
+Would benefit by your kind offices.
+But let me tell you first, to your reproof,
+I am indebted more than e'er I was
+To praise of any other!  I am come, sir,
+To give you evidence I am not one
+Who owns advice is right, and acts not on't.
+
+True.  Pray you explain.
+
+Wal.  Will you the bearer be
+Of this to one has cause to thank you, too,
+Though I the larger debtor?--Read it, sir.
+
+True.  [Reading the letter.]  "At morn to-morrow I will make you
+mine;
+Will you accept from me the name of wife -
+The name of husband give me in exchange?"
+
+Wal.  How say you, sir?
+
+True.  'Tis boldly--nobly done!
+
+Wal.  If she consents--which affectation 'twere
+To say I doubt--bid her prepare for church,
+And you shall act the father, sir, to her
+You did the brother by.
+
+True.  Right willingly,
+Though matter of high moment I defer,
+Mind, heart, and soul, are all enlisted in!
+
+Wal.  May I implore you, haste!  A time is set! -
+How light an act of duty makes the heart!
+
+[They go out together.]
+
+
+SCENE III.--Another Chamber in Sir William's house.
+
+
+[CONSTANCE discovered.]
+
+Con.  I'll pine to death for no man!  Wise it were,
+Indeed, to die for neighbour Wildrake--No! -
+I know the duty of a woman, better -
+What fits a maid of spirit!  I am out
+Of patience with myself, to cast a thought
+Away upon him.  Hang him!  Lovers cost
+Nought but the pains of luring.  I'll get fifty,
+And break the heart of every one of them!
+I will!  I'll be the champion of my sex,
+And take revenge on shallow, fickle man,
+Who gives his heart to fools, and slights the worth
+Of proper women!  I suppose she's handsome!
+My face 'gainst hers, at hazard of mine eyes!
+A maid of mind!  I'll talk her to a stand,
+Or tie my tongue for life!  A maid of soul!
+An artful, managing, dissembling one!
+Or she had never caught.  Him!--he's no man
+To fall in love himself, or long ago
+I warrant he had fall'n in love with me!
+I hate the fool--I do!  Ha, here he comes.
+What brings him hither?  Let me dry my eyes;
+He must not see I have been crying.  Hang him,
+I have much to do, indeed, to cry for him!
+
+[Enter WILDRAKE]
+
+Wild.  Your servant, neighbour Constance.
+
+Con.  Servant, sir!
+Now what, I wonder, comes the fool to say,
+Makes him look so important?
+
+Wild.  Neighbour Constance,
+I am a happy man.
+
+Con.  What makes you so?
+
+Wild.  A thriving suit.
+
+Con.  In Chancery?
+
+Wild.  Oh, no!
+In love.
+
+Con.  Oh, true!  You are in love!  Go on!
+
+Wild.  Well, as I said, my suit's a thriving one.
+
+Con.  You mean you are beloved again!--I don't
+Believe it.
+
+Wild.  I can give you proof.
+
+Con.  What proof?
+Love letters?  She's a shameless maid
+To write them!  Can she spell?  Ay, I suppose
+With prompting of a dictionary!
+
+Wild.  Nay
+Without one.
+
+Con.  I will lay you ten to one
+She cannot spell!  How know you she can spell?
+You cannot spell yourself!  You write command
+With a single M-C-O-M-A-N-D:
+Yours to Co-mand.
+
+Wild.  I did not say she wrote
+Love letters to me.
+
+Con.  Then she suffers you to press
+Her hand, perhaps?
+
+Wild.  She does.
+
+Con.  Does she press yours?
+
+Wild.  She does.--It goes on swimmingly!  [Aside.]
+
+Con.  She does!
+She is no modest woman!  I'll be bound,
+Your arm the madam suffers round her waist?
+
+Wild.  She does!
+
+Con.  She does!  Outrageous forwardness!
+Does she let you kiss her?
+
+Wild.  Yes.
+
+Con.  She should be -
+
+Wild.  What?
+
+Con.  What you got thrice your share of when at school,
+And yet not half your due!  A brazen face!
+More could not grant a maid about to wed.
+
+Wild.  She is so.
+
+Con.  What?
+
+Wild.  How swimmingly it goes!  [Aside.]
+
+Con.  [With suppressed impatience.]  Are you about to marry,
+neighbour Wildrake?
+Are you about to marry?
+
+Wild.  Excellent.  [Aside.]
+
+Con.  [Breaking out.]  Why don't you answer me?
+
+Wild.  I am.
+
+Con.  You are -
+I tell you what, sir--You're a fool!
+
+Wild.  For what?
+
+Con.  You are not fit to marry.  Do not know
+Enough of the world, sir!  Have no more experience,
+Thought, judgment, than a schoolboy!  Have no mind
+Of your own!--your wife will make a fool of you,
+Will jilt you, break your heart!  I wish she may
+I do!  You have no more business with a wife;
+Than I have!  Do you mean to say, indeed,
+You are about to marry?
+
+Wild.  Yes, indeed.
+
+Con.  And when?
+
+Wild.  I'll say to-morrow!  [Aside.]
+
+Con.  When, I say?
+
+Wild.  To-morrow.
+
+Con.  Thank you:  much beholden to you!
+You've told me on't in time!  I'm very much
+Beholden to you, neighbour Wildrake!
+And, I pray you, at what hour?
+
+Wild.  That we have left
+For you to name.
+
+Con.  For me!
+
+Wild.  For you.
+
+Con.  Indeed.
+You're very bountiful!  I should not wonder
+Meant you I should be bridemaid to the lady?
+
+Wild.  'Tis just the thing I mean!
+
+Con.  [Furiously.]  The thing you mean!
+Now pray you, neighbour, tell me that again,
+And think before you speak; for much I doubt
+You know what you are saying.  Do you mean
+To ask me to be bridemaid?
+
+Wild.  Even so.
+
+Con.  Bridemaid?
+
+Wild.  Ay, bridemaid!--It is coming fast
+Unto a head.  [Aside.]
+
+Con.  And 'tis for me you wait
+To fix the day?  It shall be doomsday, then!
+
+Wild.  Be doomsday?
+
+Con.  Doomsday!
+
+Wild.  Wherefore doomsday?
+
+Con.  Wherefore!--[Boxes him.]
+Go ask your bride, and give her that from me.
+Look, neighbour Wildrake! you may think this strange,
+But don't misconstrue it!  For you are vain, sir!
+And may put down for love what comes from hate.
+I should not wonder, thought you I was jealous;
+But I'm not jealous, sir!--would scorn to be so
+Where it was worth my while--I pray henceforth
+We may be strangers, sir--you will oblige me
+By going out of town.  I should not like
+To meet you on the street, sir.  Marry, sir!
+Marry to-day!  The sooner, sir, the better!
+And may you find you have made a bargain, sir.
+As for the lady!--much I wish her joy.
+I pray you send me no bridecake, sir!
+Nor gloves--If you do, I'll give them to my maid!
+Or throw them into the kennel--or the fire.
+I am your most obedient servant, sir!
+
+[Goes out.]
+
+Wild.  She is a riddle, solve her he who can!
+
+[Goes out.]
+
+
+
+ACT V.
+
+
+
+SCENE I.--A Room in Sir William Fondlove's.
+
+
+[SIR WILLIAM seated with two Lawyers.]
+
+Sir Wil.  How many words you take to tell few things
+Again, again say over what, said once,
+Methinks were told enough!
+
+First Lawyer.  It is the law,
+Which labours at precision.
+
+Sir Wil.  Yes; and thrives
+Upon uncertainty--and makes it, too,
+With all its pains to shun it.  I could bind
+Myself, methinks, with but the twentieth part
+Of all this cordage, sirs.--But every man,
+As they say, to his own business.  You think
+The settlement is handsome?
+
+First Lawyer.  Very, sir.
+
+Sir Wil.  Then now, sirs, we have done, and take my thanks,
+Which, with your charges, I will render you
+Again to-morrow.
+
+First Lawyer.  Happy nuptials, sir.
+
+[Lawyers go out.]
+
+Sir Wil.  Who passes there?  Hoa! send my daughter to me,
+And Master Wildrake too!  I wait for them.
+Bold work!--Without her leave to wait upon her,
+And ask her go to church!--'Tis taking her
+By storm!  What else could move her yesterday
+But jealousy?  What causeth jealousy
+But love?  She's mine the moment she receives
+Conclusive proof, like this, that heart and soul,
+And mind and person, I am all her own!
+Heigh ho!  These soft alarms are very sweet,
+And yet tormenting too!  Ha!  Master Wildrake,
+
+[Enter WILDRAKE.]
+
+I am glad you're ready, for I'm all in arms
+To bear the widow off.  Come!  Don't be sad;
+All must go merrily, you know, to-day! -
+She still doth bear him hard, I see!  The girl
+Affects him not, and Trueworth is at fault,
+Though clear it is that he doth die for her.  [Aside.]
+Well, daughter?--So I see you're ready too.
+
+[Enter CONSTANCE.]
+
+Why, what's amiss with thee?
+
+Phoebe.  [Entering.]  The coach is here.
+
+Sir Wil.  Come, Wildrake, offer her your arm.
+
+Con.  [To WILDRAKE.]  I thank you!
+I am not an invalid!--can use my limbs!
+He knows not how to make an arm, befits
+A lady lean upon.
+
+Sir Wil.  Why, teach him, then.
+
+Con.  Teach him!  Teach Master Wildrake!  Teach, indeed!
+I taught my dog to beg, because I knew
+That he could learn it.
+
+Sir Wil.  Peace, thou little shrew!
+I'll have no wrangling on my wedding-day!
+Here, take my arm.
+
+Con.  I'll not!--I'll walk alone!
+Live, die alone!  I do abominate
+The fool and all his sex!
+
+Sir Wil.  Again!
+
+Con.  I have done.
+When do you marry, Master Wildrake?  She
+Will want a husband goes to church with thee!
+
+[They go out.]
+
+
+SCENE II.--Widow Green's Dressing-room.
+
+
+[WIDOW GREEN discovered at her Toilet, attended by AMELIA, WALLER'S
+Letter to LYDIA in her hand.]
+
+W. Green.  Oh, bond of destiny!--Fair bond, that seal'st
+My fate in happiness!  I'll read thee yet
+Again--although thou'rt written on my heart.
+But here his hand, indicting thee, did lie!
+And this the tracing of his fingers!  So
+I read thee that could rhyme thee, as my prayers!
+"At morn to-morrow I will make you mine.
+Will you accept from me the name of wife -
+The name of husband give me in exchange?"
+The traitress! to break ope my billet-doux,
+And take the envelope!--But I forgive her,
+Since she did leave the rich contents behind.
+Amelia, give this feather more a slope,
+That it sit droopingly.  I would look all
+Dissolvement, nought about me to bespeak
+Boldness!  I would appear a timid bride,
+Trembling upon the verge of wifehood, as
+I ne'er before had stood there!  That will do.
+Oh dear!--How I am agitated--don't
+I look so?  I have found a secret out, -
+Nothing in woman strikes a man so much
+As to look interesting!  Hang this cheek
+Of mine!  It is too saucy; what a pity
+To have a colour of one's own!--Amelia!
+Could you contrive, dear girl, to bleach my cheek,
+How I would thank you!  I could give it then
+What tint I chose, and that should be the hectic
+Bespeaks a heart in delicate commotion.
+I am much too florid!  Stick a rose in my hair,
+The brightest you can find, 'twill help, my girl,
+Subdue my rebel colour--Nay, the rose
+Doth lose complexion, not my cheek!  Exchange it
+For a carnation.  That's the flower, Amelia!
+You see how it doth triumph o'er my cheek.
+Are you content with me?
+
+Amelia.  I am, my lady.
+
+W. Green.  And whither think you has the hussy gone,
+Whose place you fill so well?--Into the country?
+Or fancy you she stops in town?
+
+Amelia.  I can't
+Conjecture.
+
+W. Green.  Shame upon her!--Leave her place
+Without a moment's warning!--with a man, too!
+Seemed he a gentleman that took her hence?
+
+Amelia.  He did.
+
+W. Green.  You never saw him hero before?
+
+Amelia.  Never.
+
+W. Green.  Not lounging on the other side
+Of the street, and reconnoitring the windows?
+
+Amelia.  Never.
+
+W. Green. 'Twas planned by letter.  Notes, you know,
+Have often come to her--But I forgive her,
+Since this advice she chanced to leave behind
+Of gentle Master Waller's wishes, which
+I bless myself in blessing!--Gods, a knock!
+'Tis he!  Show in those ladies are so kind
+To act my bridemaids for me on this brief
+And agitating notice.
+
+[AMELIA goes out.]
+
+Yes, I look
+A bride sufficiently!  And this the hand
+That gives away my liberty again.
+Upon my life it is a pretty hand,
+A delicate and sentimental hand!
+No lotion equals gloves; no woman knows
+The use of them that does not sleep in them!
+My neck hath kept its colour wondrously!
+Well; after all it is no miracle
+That I should win the heart of a young man.
+My bridemaids come!--Oh dear!
+
+[Enter two Ladies.]
+
+First Lady.  How do you, love?  A good morning to you--Poor dear,
+How much you are affected!  Why we thought
+You ne'er would summon us.
+
+W. Green.  One takes, you know,
+When one is flurried, twice the time to dress.
+My dears, has either of you salts?  I thank you!
+They are excellent; the virtue's gone from mine,
+Nor thought I of renewing them--Indeed,
+I'm unprovided, quite, for this affair.
+
+First Lady.  I think the bridegroom's come!
+
+W. Green.  Don't say so!  How
+You've made my heart jump!
+
+First Lady.  As you sent for us,
+A new-launched carriage drove up to the door;
+The servants all in favours.
+
+W. Green.  'Pon my life,
+I never shall get through it; lend me your hand.
+
+[Half rises, and throws herself back on her chair again.]
+
+I must sit down again!  There came just now
+A feeling like to swooning over me.
+I am sure before 'tis over I shall make
+A fool of myself!  I vow I thought not half
+So much of my first wedding-day!  I'll make
+An effort.  Let me lean upon your arm,
+And give me yours, my dear.  Amelia, mind
+Keep near me with the smelling-bottle.
+
+Servant.  [Entering.]  Madam,
+The bridegroom's come.
+
+[Goes out.]
+
+W. Green.  The brute has knocked me down!
+To bolt it out so!  I had started less
+If he had fired a cannon at my ear.
+How shall I ever manage to hold up
+Till all is done!  I'm tremor head to foot.
+You can excuse me, can't you?--Pity me!
+One may feel queer upon one's wedding-day.
+
+[They go out.]
+
+
+SCENE THE LAST.--A Drawing-room.
+
+
+[Enter Servants, showing in SIR WILLIAM FONDLOVE, CONSTANCE, and
+MASTER WILDRAKE--Servants go out again.]
+
+Sir Wil.  [Aside to WILDRAKE.]  Good Master Wildrake, look more
+cheerfully!--Come,
+You do not honour to my wedding-day.
+How brisk am I!  My body moves on springs!
+My stature gives no inch I throw away;
+My supple joints play free and sportfully;
+I'm every atom what a man should be.
+
+Wild.  I pray you pardon me, Sir William!
+
+Sir Wil.  Smile, then,
+And talk and rally me!  I did expect,
+Ere half an hour had passed, you would have put me
+A dozen times to the blush.  Without such things,
+A bridegroom knows not his own wedding-day.
+I see!  Her looks are glossary to thine,
+She flouts thee still, I marvel not at thee;
+There's thunder in that cloud!  I would to-day
+It would disperse, and gather in the morning.
+I fear me much thou know'st not how to woo.
+I'll give thee a lesson.  Ever there's a way,
+But knows one how to take it?  Twenty men
+Have courted Widow Green.  Who has her now?
+I sent to advertise her that to-day
+I meant to marry her.  She wouldn't open
+My note.  And gave I up?  I took the way
+To make her love me!  I did send, again
+To pray her leave my daughter should be bridemaid.
+That letter too came back?  Did I give up?
+I took the way to make her love me!  Yet,
+Again I sent to ask what church she chose
+To marry at; my note came back again;
+And did I yet give up?  I took the way
+To make her love me!  All the while I found
+She was preparing for the wedding.  Take
+A hint from me!  She comes!  My fluttering heart
+Gives note the empress of its realms is near.
+Now, Master Wildrake, mark and learn from me
+How it behoves a bridegroom play his part.
+
+[Enter WIDOW GREEN, supported by her Bridemaids, and followed by
+AMELIA.]
+
+W. Green.  I cannot raise my eyes--they cannot bear
+The beams of his, which, like the sun's, I feel
+Are on me, though I see them not enlightening
+The heaven of his young face; nor dare I scan
+The brightness of his form, which symmetry
+And youth and beauty in enriching vie.
+He kneels to me!  Now grows my breathing thick,
+As though I did await a seraph's voice,
+Too rich for mortal ear.
+
+Sir Wil.  My gentle bride!
+
+W. Green.  Who's that! who speaks to me?
+
+Sir Wil.  These transports check.
+Lo, an example to mankind I set
+Of amorous emprise; and who should thrive
+In love, if not Love's soldier, who doth press
+The doubtful siege, and will not own repulse.
+Lo, here I tender thee my fealty,
+To live thy duteous slave.  My queen thou art,
+In frowns or smiles, to give me life or death.
+Oh, deign look down upon me!  In thy face
+Alone I look on day; it is my sun
+Most bright; the which denied, no sun doth rise.
+Shine out upon me, my divinity!
+My gentle Widow Green!  My wife to be;
+My love, my life, my drooping, blushing bride!
+
+W. Green.  Sir William Fondlove, you're a fool!
+
+Sir Wil.  A fool!
+
+W. Green.  Why come you hither, sir, in trim like this?
+Or rather why at all?
+
+Sir Wil.  Why come I hither?
+To marry thee!
+
+W. Green.  The man will drive me mad!
+Sir William Fondlove, I'm but forty, sir,
+And you are sixty, seventy, if a day;
+At least you look it, sir.  I marry you!
+When did a woman wed her grandfather?
+
+Sir Wil.  Her brain is turned!
+
+W. Green.  You're in your dotage, sir,
+And yet a boy in vanity!  But know
+Yourself from me; you are old and ugly, sir.
+
+Sir Wil.  Do you deny you are in love with me?
+
+W. Green.  In love with thee!
+
+Sir Wil.  That you are jealous of me?
+
+W. Green.  Jealous!
+
+Sir Wil.  To very lunacy.
+
+W. Green.  To hear him!
+
+Sir Wil.  Do you forget what happened yesterday?
+
+W. Green.  Sir William Fondlove! -
+
+Sir Wil.  Widow Green, fair play! -
+Are you not laughing?  Is it not a jest?
+Do you believe me seventy to a day?
+Do I look it?  Am I old and ugly?  Why,
+Why do I see those favours in the hall,
+These ladies dressed as bridemaids, thee as bride,
+Unless to marry me?
+
+[Knock.]
+
+W. Green.  He is coming, sir,
+Shall answer you for me!
+
+[Enter WALLER, with Gentlemen as Bridemen.]
+
+Wal.  Where is she?  What!
+All that bespeaks the day, except the fair
+That's queen of it?  Most kind of you to grace
+My nuptials so!  But that I render you
+My thanks in full, make full my happiness,
+And tell me where's my bride?
+
+W. Green.  She's here.
+
+Wal.  Where?
+
+W. Green.  Here,
+Fair Master Waller!
+
+Wal.  Lady, do not mock me.
+
+W. Green.  Mock thee!  My heart is stranger to such mood,
+'Tis serious tenderness and duty all.
+I pray you mock not me, for I do strive
+With fears and soft emotions that require
+Support.  Take not away my little strength,
+And leave me at the mercy of a feather.
+I am thy bride!  If 'tis thy happiness
+To think me so, believe it, and be rich
+To thy most boundless wishes!  Master Waller,
+I am thy waiting bride, the Widow Green!
+
+Wal.  Lady, no widow is the bride I seek,
+But one the church has never given yet
+The nuptial blessing to!
+
+W. Green.  What mean you, sir?
+Why come a bridegroom here, if not to me
+You sued to be your bride?  Is this your hand, sir?  [Showing
+letter.]
+
+Wal.  It is, addressed to your fair waiting-maid.
+
+W. Green.  My waiting-maid!  The laugh is passing round,
+And now the turn is yours, sir.  She is gone!
+Eloped! run off! and with the gentleman
+That brought your billet-doux.
+
+Wal.  Is Trueworth false?
+He must be false.  What madness tempted me
+To trust him with such audience as I knew
+Must sense, and mind, and soul of man entrance,
+And leave him but the power to feel its spell!
+Of his own lesson he would profit take,
+And plead at once an honourable love,
+Supplanting mine, less pure, reformed too late!
+And if he did, what merit I, except
+To lose the maid I would have wrongly won;
+And, had I rightly prized her, now had worn!
+I get but my deservings!
+
+[Enter TRUEWORTH, leading in LYDIA, richly dressed, and veiled front
+head to foot.]
+
+Master Trueworth,
+Though for thy treachery thou hast excuse,
+Thou must account for it; so much I lose!
+Sir, you have wronged me to amount beyond
+Acres, and gold, and life, which makes them rich.
+And compensation I demand of you,
+Such as a man expects, and none but one
+That's less than man refuses!  Where's the maid
+You falsely did abstract?
+
+True.  I took her hence,
+But not by guile, nor yet enforcement, sir;
+But of her free will, knowing what she did.
+That, as I found, I cannot give her back,
+I own her state is changed, but in her place
+This maid I offer you, her image far
+As feature, form, complexion, nature go!
+Resemblance halting, only there, where thou
+Thyself didst pause, condition, for this maid
+Is gently born and generously bred.
+Lo! for your fair loss, fair equivalent!
+
+Wal.  Show me another sun, another earth
+I can inherit, as this Sun and Earth;
+As thou didst take the maid, the maid herself
+Give back! herself, her sole equivalent!
+
+True.  Her sole equivalent I offer you!
+My sister, sir, long counted lost, now found,
+Who fled her home unwelcome bands to 'scape,
+Which a half-father would have forced upon her,
+Taking advantage of her brother's absence
+Away on travel in a distant land!
+Returned, I missed her; of the cause received
+Invention, coward, false and criminating!
+And gave her up for lost; but happily
+Did find her yesterday--Behold her, sir!
+
+[Removes veil.]
+
+Wal.  Lydia!
+
+W. Green.  My waiting-maid!
+
+Wal.  Thy sister, Trueworth!
+Art thou fit brother to this virtuous maid?
+
+True.  [Giving LYDIA to WALLER.]  Let this assure thee.
+
+Lydia.  [To WIDOW GREEN.]  Madam, pardon me
+My double character, for honesty,
+No other end assumed--and my concealment
+Of Master Waller's love.  In all things else
+I trust I may believe you hold me blameless;
+At least, I'll say for you, I should be so,
+For it was pastime, madam, not a task,
+To wait upon you!  Little you exacted,
+And ever made the most of what I did
+In mere obedience to you!
+
+W. Green.  Give me your hand,
+No love without a little roguery.
+If you do play the mistress well as maid,
+You will hear off the bell!  There never was
+A better girl!--I have made myself a fool.
+I am undone, if goes the news abroad.
+My wedding dress I donned for no effect
+Except to put it off!  I must be married.
+I'm a lost woman, if another day
+I go without a husband!--What a sight
+He looks by Master Waller!--Yet he is physic
+I die without, so needs must gulp it down.
+I'll swallow him with what good grace I can,
+Sir William Fondlove!
+
+Sir Wil.  Widow Green!
+
+W. Green.  I own
+I have been rude to you.  Thou dost not look
+So old by thirty, forty, years as I
+Did say.  Thou'rt far from ugly--very far!
+And as I said, Sir William, once before,
+Thou art a kind and right good-humoured man:
+I was but angry with you!  Why, I'll tell you
+At more convenient season--and you know
+An angry woman heeds not what she says,
+And will say anything!
+
+Sir Wil.  I were unworthy
+The name of man, if an apology
+So gracious came off profitless, and from
+A lady!  Will you take me, Widow Green?
+
+W. Green.  Hem!  [Curtsies.]
+
+True.  [To WILDRAKE.]  Master Wildrake dressed to go to church!
+She has acknowledged, then, she loves thee?--No?
+Give me thy hand, I'll lead thee up to her.
+
+Wild.  'Sdeath! what are you about?  You know her not.
+She'll brain thee!
+
+True.  Fear not:  come along with me.
+Fair Mistress Constance!
+
+Con.  Well, sir!
+
+Wild.  [To TRUEWORTH.]  Mind!
+
+True.  Don't fear.
+Love you not neighbour Wildrake?
+
+Con.  Love, sir?
+
+True.  Yes,
+You do.
+
+Con.  He loves another, sir, he does!
+I hate him.  We were children, sir, together
+For fifteen years and more; there never came
+The day we did not quarrel, make it up,
+Quarrel again, and make it up again:
+Were never neighbours more like neighbours, sir.
+Since he became a man, and I a woman,
+It still has been the same; nor eared I ever
+To give a frown to any other, sir.
+And now to come and tell me he's in love,
+And ask me to be bridemaid to his bride!
+How durst he do it, sir!--To fall in love!
+Methinks at least he might have asked my leave,
+Nor had I wondered had he asked myself, sir!
+
+Wild.  Then give thyself to me!
+
+Con.  How! what!
+
+Wild.  Be mine,
+Thou art the only maid thy neighbour loves.
+
+Con.  Art serious, neighbour Wildrake?
+
+Wild.  In the church
+I'll answer thee, if thou wilt take me; though
+I neither dress, nor walk, nor dance, nor know
+"The Widow Jones" from an Italian, French,
+Or German air.
+
+Con.  No more of that.--My hand.
+
+Wild.  Givest it as free as thou didst yesterday?
+
+Con.  [Affecting to strike him.]  Nay!
+
+Wild.  I will thank it, give it how thou wilt.
+
+W. Green.  A triple wedding!  May the Widow Green
+Obtain brief hearing e'er she quits the scene,
+The Love-Chase to your kindness to commend
+In favour of an old, now absent, friend!
+
+
+
+
+
+End of The Project Gutenberg Etext of The Love-Chase, by James S. Knowles
+
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