Abbildungen der Seite
PDF
EPUB

Sir Geo. Ha! my incognita-upon a woman, madam.

Miran. They are the worst things you can deal in, and damage the soonest; your very breath destroys 'em, and I fear you'll never see your return, Sir George, ha, ha !

Sir Geo. Were they more brittle than china, and dropped to pieces with a touch, every atom of her I have ventur'd at, if she is but mistress of thy wit, ballances ten times the sum.-Pr’ythee, let me see thy face.

Miran. By no means; that may spoil your opinion of my sense

Sir Geo. Rather confirm it, madam.

Patch. So rob the lady of your gallantry, sir.

Sir Geo. No child, a dish of chocolate in the morning never spoils my dinner: the other lady I design a set meal; so there's no danger.—

Miran. Matrimony! ha, ha, ha! what crimes have you committed against the god of Love, that he should revenge 'em so severely, to stamp husband on your forehead?

Sir Geo. For my folly, in having so often met you here without pursuing the laws of Nature and exercising her command- But I resolve ere we part now to know who you are, where you live, what kind of flesh and blood your face is; therefore unmask, and and don't put me to the trouble of doing it for you.

Miran. My face is the same flesh and blood with

C

my hand, Sir George, which if you'll be so rude to provoke

Sir Geo. You'll apply it to my cheek—the ladies' favours are always welcome, but I must have that cloud withdrawn. [Taking hold of her.] Remember you are in the Park, child; and what a terrible thing would it be to lose this pretty white hand?

Miran. And how will it sound in a chocolate house that Sir George Airy rudely pulled off a lady's mask, when he had given her his honour that he never would, directly or indirectly, endeavour to know her till she gave him leave?

"Patch. I wish we were safe out."

Sir. Geo. But if that lady thinks fit to pursue and meet me at every turn, like some troubled spirit, shall I be blam'd if I inquire into the reality? I would have nothing dissatisfied in a female shape.

Miran. What shall I do?

[Pauses. Sir Geo. Ay, pr'ythee consider, for thou shalt find me very much at thy service.

Patch. Suppose, sir, the lady should be in love with you?

Sir Geo. Oh I'll return the obligation in a mo.

ment.

Patch. And marry her?

Sir Geo. Ha, ha, ha! that's not the way to love her, child.

Miran. If he discovers me I shall die

[blocks in formation]

Which

[Pauses.

Sir Geo. Well, madam

Miran. I have it-Sir George, 'tis fit you should allow something; if you'll excuse my face, and turn your back, (if you look upon me I shall sink, even mask'd as I am) I will confess why I have engag'd et you so often, who I am, and where I live.

Sir Geo. Well, to shew you I'm a man of honour, I accept the conditions: let me but once know those, and the face won't be long a secret to me.

Patch. What mean you, madam!

Miran. To get off.

Sir Geo. 'Tis something indecent to turn one's back upon a lady; but you command and I obey. [Turns his back.] Come, madam, begin

Miran. First, then, it was my unhappy lot to see you at Paris [Draws back a little way, and speaks.] at a ball upon a birthday; your shape and air charm'd my eyes, your wit and complaisance my soul, and from that fatal night I lov'd you. [Drawing back.

And when you left the place grief seiz'd me so,
Nor rest my heart nor sleep my eyes could know,
Last I resolv'd a hazardous point to try,
And quit the place in search of liberty."

[Exit.

Sir Geo. Excellent-I hope she's handsome-Well, now madam, to the two other things, your name, and where you live- -I am a gentleman, and this confession will not be lost upon me-Nay, pr'ythee don't weep, but go on, for I find my heart melts in thy behalf-Speak quickly, or I shall turn about- -Not

yet-Poor lady! she expects I should comfor and to do her justice she has said enough courage me. [Turns about.] Ha! gone! the jilted! Why, what a tale has she invented-of balls, and birthdays!-Egad I'd give ten guin know who the gipsy is—A curse of my follyserve to lose her. What woman can forgive that turns his back!

The bold and resolute in love and war

To conquer take the right and swiftest way;
The boldest lover soonest gains the fair,
As courage makes the rudest force obey:
Take no denial and the dames adore ye;
Closely pursue them and they fall before ye.

ACT II. SCENE I.

Enter Sir FRANCIS GRIPE and MIRANDA.

Ha, ha, ha, ha!

Sir Francis.

Miran. Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha! Oh, I shall die laughing-the most romantick adventure-Ha, ha! What does the odious young fop mean? Al dred pieces to talk ten minutes with me! ha, ha, ha,

Sir Fran. And I am to be by too, there's the j adad if it had been in private I should not have c to trust the young dog.

[ocr errors]

Miran. Indeed and indeed but you might, GardyNow methinks there's nobody handsomer than you : so neat, so clean, so good-humour'd, and so loving—

Sir Fran. Pretty rogue, pretty rogue! and so thou shalt find me, if thou dost prefer thy Gardy before these caperers of the age: thou shalt outshine the queen's box on an opera night; thou shalt be the envy of the ring, (for I will carry thee to Hyde-Park) and thy equipage shall surpass the-what d'ye call 'em ambassador's.

Miran. Nay, I am sure the discreet part of my sex will envy me more for the inside furniture, when you are in it, than my outside equipage.

Sir Fran. A cunning baggage i'faith thou art, and a wise one too! and to shew thee that thou hast not chose amiss, I'll this moment disinherit my son and settle my whole estate upon thee.

Miran. There's an old rogue now. [Aside.] No, Gardy, I would not have your name be so black in the world-Yow know my father's will runs that I am not to possess my estate, without your consent, till I am five-and-twenty; you shall only abate the odd seven years, and make me mistress of my estate today, and I'll make you master of my person to-morrow.

Sir Fran. Humph! that may not be safe-No, Chargy, I'll settle it upon thee for pinmoney, and that will be every bit as well thou know'st.

Miran. Unconscionable old wretch! bribe me with my own money!-Which way shall I get out of his hands.

[Aside.

« ZurückWeiter »