diff options
Diffstat (limited to 'old')
| -rw-r--r-- | old/3539.txt | 3686 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/3539.zip | bin | 0 -> 47069 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/lvchs10.txt | 3669 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/lvchs10.zip | bin | 0 -> 45797 bytes |
4 files changed, 7355 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/old/3539.txt b/old/3539.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..4ef9e39 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/3539.txt @@ -0,0 +1,3686 @@ +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: + + +{1} Project Gutenberg released the first play, The Hunchback, together +with the introduction to this book, as a separate eText. Neither are +included here.--DP. + + + +***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LOVE-CHASE*** + + +******* This file should be named 3539.txt or 3539.zip ******* + + +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: +http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/3/5/3/3539 + + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +http://www.gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +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 + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS', WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at http://www.gutenberg.org/fundraising/pglaf. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at http://www.gutenberg.org/about/contact + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit http://www.gutenberg.org/fundraising/donate + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. +To donate, please visit: +http://www.gutenberg.org/fundraising/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + http://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. + diff --git a/old/3539.zip b/old/3539.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..756af81 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/3539.zip diff --git a/old/lvchs10.txt b/old/lvchs10.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..e4cb5aa --- /dev/null +++ b/old/lvchs10.txt @@ -0,0 +1,3669 @@ +The Project Gutenberg Etext of The Love-Chase, by James S. Knowles +#2 in our series by James Sheridan Knowles + +Copyright laws are changing all over the world, be sure to check +the laws for your country before redistributing these files!!! + +Please take a look at the important information in this header. +We encourage you to keep this file on your own disk, keeping an +electronic path open for the next readers. + +Please do not remove this. + +This should be the first thing seen when anyone opens the book. +Do not change or edit it without written permission. The words +are carefully chosen to provide users with the information they +need about what they can legally do with the texts. + + +**Welcome To The World of Free Plain Vanilla Electronic Texts** + +**Etexts Readable By Both Humans and By Computers, Since 1971** + +*These Etexts Prepared By Hundreds of Volunteers and Donations* + +Information on contacting Project Gutenberg to get Etexts, and +further information is included below, including for donations. + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a 501(c)(3) +organization with EIN [Employee Identification Number] 64-6221541 + + + +Title: The Love-Chase + +Author: James Sheridan Knowles + +Release Date: November, 2002 [Etext #3539] +[Yes, we are about one year ahead of schedule] +[The actual date this file first posted = 06/01/01] + +Edition: 10 + +Language: English + +The Project Gutenberg Etext of The Love-Chase, by James S. Knowles +*******This file should be named lvchs10.txt or lvchs10.zip****** + +Corrected EDITIONS of our etexts get a new NUMBER, lvchs11.txt +VERSIONS based on separate sources get new LETTER, lvchs10a.txt + +This etext was produced by David Price, email ccx074@coventry.ac.uk, +from the 1887 Cassell & Co. edition. + +Project Gutenberg Etexts are usually created from multiple editions, +all of which are in the Public Domain in the United States, unless a +copyright notice is included. Therefore, we usually do NOT keep any +of these books in compliance with any particular paper edition. + +We are now trying to release all our books one year in advance +of the official release dates, leaving time for better editing. +Please be encouraged to send us error messages even years after +the official publication date. + +Please note: neither this list nor its contents are final till +midnight of the last day of the month of any such announcement. +The official release date of all Project Gutenberg Etexts is at +Midnight, Central Time, of the last day of the stated month. A +preliminary version may often be posted for suggestion, comment +and editing by those who wish to do so. + +Most people start at our sites at: +http://gutenberg.net +http://promo.net/pg + + +Those of you who want to download any Etext before announcement +can surf to them as follows, and just download by date; this is +also a good way to get them instantly upon announcement, as the +indexes our cataloguers produce obviously take a while after an +announcement goes out in the Project Gutenberg Newsletter. + +http://www.ibiblio.org/gutenberg/etext02 +or +ftp://ftp.ibiblio.org/pub/docs/books/gutenberg/etext02 + +Or /etext01, 00, 99, 98, 97, 96, 95, 94, 93, 92, 92, 91 or 90 + +Just search by the first five letters of the filename you want, +as it appears in our Newsletters. + + +Information about Project Gutenberg (one page) + +We produce about two million dollars for each hour we work. The +time it takes us, a rather conservative estimate, is fifty hours +to get any etext selected, entered, proofread, edited, copyright +searched and analyzed, the copyright letters written, etc. This +projected audience is one hundred million readers. If our value +per text is nominally estimated at one dollar then we produce $2 +million dollars per hour this year as we release fifty new Etext +files per month, or 500 more Etexts in 2000 for a total of 3000+ +If they reach just 1-2% of the world's population then the total +should reach over 300 billion Etexts given away by year's end. + +The Goal of Project Gutenberg is to Give Away One Trillion Etext +Files by December 31, 2001. [10,000 x 100,000,000 = 1 Trillion] +This is ten thousand titles each to one hundred million readers, +which is only about 4% of the present number of computer users. + +At our revised rates of production, we will reach only one-third +of that goal by the end of 2001, or about 3,333 Etexts unless we +manage to get some real funding. + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation has been created +to secure a future for Project Gutenberg into the next millennium. + +We need your donations more than ever! + +As of 05/16/01 contributions are only being solicited from people in: +Connecticut, Louisiana, Maine, Missouri, Oklahoma, Colorado, +Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Montana, Nebraska, +South Dakota, Texas, Vermont, Wyoming, South Carolina. + +We have filed in about 45 states now, but these are the only ones +that have responded. + +As the requirements for other states are met, +additions to this list will be made and fund raising +will begin in the additional states. Please feel +free to ask to check the status of your state. + +In answer to various questions we have received on this: + +We are constantly working on finishing the paperwork +to legally request donations in all 50 states. If +your state is not listed and you would like to know +if we have added it since the list you have, just ask. + +While we cannot solicit donations from people in +states where we are not yet registered, we know +of no prohibition against accepting donations +from donors in these states who approach us with +an offer to donate. + + +International donations are accepted, +but we don't know ANYTHING about how +to make them tax-deductible, or +even if they CAN be made deductible, +and don't have the staff to handle it +even if there are ways. + +All donations should be made to: + +Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +PMB 113 +1739 University Ave. +Oxford, MS 38655-4109 + + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a 501(c)(3) +organization with EIN [Employee Identification Number] 64-6221541, +and has been approved as a 501(c)(3) organization by the US Internal +Revenue Service (IRS). Donations are tax-deductible to the maximum +extent permitted by law. As the requirements for other states are met, +additions to this list will be made and fund raising will begin in the +additional states. + +We need your donations more than ever! + +You can get up to date donation information at: + +http://www.gutenberg.net/donation.html + + +*** + +If you can't reach Project Gutenberg, +you can always email directly to: + +Michael S. Hart <hart@pobox.com> + +hart@pobox.com forwards to hart@prairienet.org and archive.org +if your mail bounces from archive.org, I will still see it, if +it bounces from prairienet.org, better resend later on. . . . + +Prof. Hart will answer or forward your message. + +We would prefer to send you information by email. + + +*** + + +Example command-line FTP session: + +ftp ftp.ibiblio.org +login: anonymous +password: your@login +cd pub/docs/books/gutenberg +cd etext90 through etext99 or etext00 through etext02, etc. +dir [to see files] +get or mget [to get files. . .set bin for zip files] +GET GUTINDEX.?? [to get a year's listing of books, e.g., GUTINDEX.99] +GET GUTINDEX.ALL [to get a listing of ALL books] + + +**The Legal Small Print** + + +(Three Pages) + +***START**THE SMALL PRINT!**FOR PUBLIC DOMAIN ETEXTS**START*** +Why is this "Small Print!" statement here? You know: lawyers. +They tell us you might sue us if there is something wrong with +your copy of this etext, even if you got it for free from +someone other than us, and even if what's wrong is not our +fault. So, among other things, this "Small Print!" statement +disclaims most of our liability to you. It also tells you how +you may distribute copies of this etext if you want to. + +*BEFORE!* YOU USE OR READ THIS ETEXT +By using or reading any part of this PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm +etext, you indicate that you understand, agree to and accept +this "Small Print!" statement. If you do not, you can receive +a refund of the money (if any) you paid for this etext by +sending a request within 30 days of receiving it to the person +you got it from. If you received this etext on a physical +medium (such as a disk), you must return it with your request. + +ABOUT PROJECT GUTENBERG-TM ETEXTS +This PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm etext, like most PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm etexts, +is a "public domain" work distributed by Professor Michael S. Hart +through the Project Gutenberg Association (the "Project"). +Among other things, this means that no one owns a United States copyright +on or for this work, so the Project (and you!) can copy and +distribute it in the United States without permission and +without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, set forth +below, apply if you wish to copy and distribute this etext +under the "PROJECT GUTENBERG" trademark. + +Please do not use the "PROJECT GUTENBERG" trademark to market +any commercial products without permission. + +To create these etexts, the Project expends considerable +efforts to identify, transcribe and proofread public domain +works. Despite these efforts, the Project's etexts and any +medium they may be on may contain "Defects". Among other +things, Defects may take the form of incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other +intellectual property infringement, a defective or damaged +disk or other etext medium, a computer virus, or computer +codes that damage or cannot be read by your equipment. + +LIMITED WARRANTY; DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES +But for the "Right of Replacement or Refund" described below, +[1] Michael Hart and the Foundation (and any other party you may +receive this etext from as a PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm etext) disclaims +all liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including +legal fees, and [2] YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE OR +UNDER STRICT LIABILITY, OR FOR BREACH OF WARRANTY OR CONTRACT, +INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE +OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE +POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. + +If you discover a Defect in this etext within 90 days of +receiving it, you can receive a refund of the money (if any) +you paid for it by sending an explanatory note within that +time to the person you received it from. If you received it +on a physical medium, you must return it with your note, and +such person may choose to alternatively give you a replacement +copy. If you received it electronically, such person may +choose to alternatively give you a second opportunity to +receive it electronically. + +THIS ETEXT IS OTHERWISE PROVIDED TO YOU "AS-IS". NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, ARE MADE TO YOU AS +TO THE ETEXT OR ANY MEDIUM IT MAY BE ON, INCLUDING BUT NOT +LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A +PARTICULAR PURPOSE. + +Some states do not allow disclaimers of implied warranties or +the exclusion or limitation of consequential damages, so the +above disclaimers and exclusions may not apply to you, and you +may have other legal rights. + +INDEMNITY +You will indemnify and hold Michael Hart, the Foundation, +and its trustees and agents, and any volunteers associated +with the production and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm +texts harmless, from all liability, cost and expense, including +legal fees, that arise directly or indirectly from any of the +following that you do or cause: [1] distribution of this etext, +[2] alteration, modification, or addition to the etext, +or [3] any Defect. + +DISTRIBUTION UNDER "PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm" +You may distribute copies of this etext electronically, or by +disk, book or any other medium if you either delete this +"Small Print!" and all other references to Project Gutenberg, +or: + +[1] Only give exact copies of it. Among other things, this + requires that you do not remove, alter or modify the + etext or this "small print!" statement. You may however, + if you wish, distribute this etext in machine readable + binary, compressed, mark-up, or proprietary form, + including any form resulting from conversion by word + processing or hypertext software, but only so long as + *EITHER*: + + [*] The etext, when displayed, is clearly readable, and + does *not* contain characters other than those + intended by the author of the work, although tilde + (~), asterisk (*) and underline (_) characters may + be used to convey punctuation intended by the + author, and additional characters may be used to + indicate hypertext links; OR + + [*] The etext may be readily converted by the reader at + no expense into plain ASCII, EBCDIC or equivalent + form by the program that displays the etext (as is + the case, for instance, with most word processors); + OR + + [*] You provide, or agree to also provide on request at + no additional cost, fee or expense, a copy of the + etext in its original plain ASCII form (or in EBCDIC + or other equivalent proprietary form). + +[2] Honor the etext refund and replacement provisions of this + "Small Print!" statement. + +[3] Pay a trademark license fee to the Foundation of 20% of the + gross profits you derive calculated using the method you + already use to calculate your applicable taxes. If you + don't derive profits, no royalty is due. Royalties are + payable to "Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation" + the 60 days following each date you prepare (or were + legally required to prepare) your annual (or equivalent + periodic) tax return. Please contact us beforehand to + let us know your plans and to work out the details. + +WHAT IF YOU *WANT* TO SEND MONEY EVEN IF YOU DON'T HAVE TO? +Project Gutenberg is dedicated to increasing the number of +public domain and licensed works that can be freely distributed +in machine readable form. + +The Project gratefully accepts contributions of money, time, +public domain materials, or royalty free copyright licenses. +Money should be paid to the: +"Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +If you are interested in contributing scanning equipment or +software or other items, please contact Michael Hart at: +hart@pobox.com + +*END THE SMALL PRINT! FOR PUBLIC DOMAIN ETEXTS*Ver.05/20/01*END* +[Portions of this header are copyright (C) 2001 by Michael S. Hart +and may be reprinted only when these Etexts are free of all fees.] +[Project Gutenberg is a TradeMark and may not be used in any sales +of Project Gutenberg Etexts or other materials be they hardware or +software or any other related product without express permission.] + + + + + +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 + diff --git a/old/lvchs10.zip b/old/lvchs10.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..7e90e3c --- /dev/null +++ b/old/lvchs10.zip |