Lady M. I don't doubt it, though I so lately forgave him: but, as the poet says, his sex is all deceit. Read Pamela, child, and resist temptation. Jen. Yes, Madam, I will. Col. Why, I tell you, my Lady, it was all a joke. Jen. No, Sir, it was no joke, you made me a proffer of money, so you did, whereby I told you, you had a lady of your own, and that though she was old, you had no right to despise her. 170 Lady M. And how dare you, mistress, make use of my name? Is it for such trollops as you to talk of persons of distinction behind their backs? Jen. Why, Madam, I only said you was in years. Lady M. Sir John Flowerdale shall be inform'd of your impertinence, and you shall be turned out of the family; I see you are a confident creature, and I believe you are no better than you should be. Jen. I scorn your words, Madam. Lady M. Get out of the room; how dare you stay in this room to talk impudently to me? 181 Jen. Very well, Madam, I shall let my Lady know how you have us'd me? but, I shan't be turn'd out of my place, Madam, nor at a loss, if I am; and you are angry with every one that won't say you are young, I believe, there is very few you will keep friends with. if AIR. I wonder, I'm sure, why this fuss should be made; And tho', to their shames, Some ladies call names, I know better how to behave. Times are not so bad, If occasion I had, Nor my character such I need starve on't. And, for going away, I don't want to stay, And so I'm your Ladyship's servant. 190 200 SCENE IV. Colonel OLDBOY, Lady MARY, Mr. JESSAMY. Mr. Jes. What is the matter here? Lady M. I will have a separate maintenance, I will, indeed. Only a new instance of your father's infidelity, my dear. Then with such low wretches, farmer's daughters, and servant wenches: but any thing with a cap on, 'tis all the same to him. Mr. Jes. Upon my word, Sir, I am sorry to tell you, that those practices very ill suit the character which you ought to endeavor to support in the world. Lady M. Is this a recompence for my love and regard; I, who have been tender and faithful as a turtle dove? Mr. Jes. A man of your birth and distinction should, methinks, have views of a higher nature, than such low, such vulgar libertinism. Lady M. Consider my birth and family too, Lady Mary Jessamy might have had the best matches in England. Mr. Jes. Then, Sir, your grey hairs. 220 Lady M. I, that have brought you so many lovely, sweet babes. Mr. Jes. Nay, Sir, it is a reflection on me. Mr. Jes. Indeed, Sir, I blush for you. Col. 'Sdeath and fire, you little effeminate puppy, do you know who you talk to ?—And you, Madam, do you know who I am!-Get up to your chamber, or zounds I'll make such a Lady M. Ah! my dear, come away from him. 230 SCENE V. Colonel OLDBOY, Mr. JESSAMY, a Servant. Col. Am I to be tutor'd and call'd to an account? How now, you scoundrel, what do you want? Serv. A letter, Sir. Col. A letter, from whom, sirrah? Serv. The gentleman's servant, aʼn't please your honour, that left this, just now, in the post-chaise-the gentleman my young lady went away with. Col. Your young lady, sirrah-Your young lady went away with no gentleman, you dog-What gentleman! What young lady, sirrah! 240 Mr. Jes. There is some mystery in this-With your leave, Sir, I'll open the letter: I believe it contains no secrets. , Col. What are you going to do, you jackanapes? shan't you open a letter of mine-Dy-Diana-Somebody call my daughter to me there-" To John Old"boy, Esq.-Sir, I have loved your daughter a great "while secretly-Consenting to our marriage Mr. Jes. So, so. Col. You villainbrought me here? -you dog, what is it you have 231 Serv. Please your honour, if you'll have patience, I'll tell your honour-As I told your honour before, the gentleman's servant that went off just now in the post-chaise, came to the gate, and left it after his master was gone. I saw my young lady go into the chaise with the gentleman. Mr. Jes. A very fine joke indeed; pray, Colonel, do you generally write letters to yourself? why, this is your own hand. 260 Col. Call all the servants in the house, let horses be saddled directly every one take a different road. Serv. Why, your honour, Dick said it was by your own orders. Col. My orders! you rascal? I thought he was going to run away with another gentleman's daughter -Dy-Diana Oldboy. Mr. Jes. Don't waste your lungs to no purpose, Sir, your daughter is half a dozen miles off by this time. Col. Sirrah, you have been bribed to further the scheme of a pick-pocket here. 271 Mr. Jes. Besides, the matter is entirely of your own contriving, as well as the letter and spirit of this elegant epistle. 278 prodigiously glad he!-it will be a Col. You are a coxcomb, and I'll disinherit you; the letter is none of my writing, it was writ by the devil, and the devil contrived it. Diana, Margaret, my Lady Mary, William, JohnMr. Jes. I am very glad of this, of it, upon my honour-he! he jest this hundred years. (bells ring violently on both sides.) What's the matter now? O! her Ladyship has heard of it, and is at her bell; and the Colonel answers her. A pretty duet; but a little too much upon the fortè methinks: it would be a diverting thing now, to stand unseen at the old gentleman's elbow. AIR. Hist, soft; let's hear how matters go; Oh, horrid! how the savage swears. H 290 |