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as they call it; did you intend to keep the trade going, and advertise fruit-trees and flowering shrubs, to be had at Meadows's nursery?

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Haw. No, Sir William, I apprehend the young gentleman designed to lay by the profession; for he has quitted the habit already.

Y. Mea. "I am so astonished to see you here, Sir, that I don't know what to say; but I assure you, if you had not come, I should have returned home to you directly. Pray, Sir, how did you find me out?

* 321 Sir Will. No matter, Tom, no matter: it was partly by accident, as a body may say; but what does that signify-tell me, boy, how stands your stomach towards matrimony; do you think you could digest a wife now?

Y. Mea. Pray, Sir, don't mention it: I shall always behave myself as a dutiful son ought; I will never marry without your consent, and I hope you won't force me to do it against my own.

33°

Sir Will. Is not this mighty provoking, master Hawthorn? Why, sirrah, did you ever see the lady I designed for you?

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Y. Mea. Sir, I don't doubt the lady's merit; but at present, I am not disposed ond based od Haw. Nay, but young gentleman, fair and softly, you should pay some repect to your father in this 1951 m2 M Y

matter.

Sir Will. Respect, master Hawthorn! I tell you he shall marry her, or I'll disinherit him! there's once.

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Look you Tom, not to make any more words of the matter, I have brought the lady here with me, and I'll see you contracted before we part; or you shall delve and plant cucumbers as long as you live.

Y. Mea. Have you brought the lady here, Sir? I am sorry for it.

Sir Will. Why sorry? what then you won't marry her? we'll see that! Pray, master Hawthorn, conduct the fair one in.Ay, Sir, you may fret, and dance about, trot at the rate of fifteen miles an hour, if you please, but marry whip me, I'm resolv'd.

352

SCENE VIII.

Sir WILLIAM MEADOWS, HAWTHORN, YOUNG MEADOWS, ROSSETTA.

Haw. Here is the lady, Sir William.

Sir Will. Come in, madam, but turn your face from him-he would not marry you because he had › not seen you: but I'll let him know my choice shall be his, and he shall consent to marry you before he sees you, or not an acre of estate-Pray, Sir, walk this way of 1

359

Y. Mea. Sir, I cannot help thinking your conduct a little extraordinary; but since you urge me so closely, I must tell you my affections are engaged.

Sir Will. How, Tom, how!

Y. Mea. I was determined, Sir, to have got the better of my inclination, and never have done a thing which I knew would be disagreeable to you.

Sir Will. And pray, Sir, who are your affections engaged to? Let me know that.

Y. Mea. To a person, Sir, whose rank and fortune may be no recommendations to her: but whose charms and accomplishments entitle her to a monarch. I am sorry, Sir, it's impossible for me to comply with your commands, and I hope you will not be offended if I quit your presence.

Sir Will. Not I,*not in the least: go about your business.

Y. Mea. Sir, I obey.

Haw. Now, madam, is the time.

[Rossetta advances, Young Meadows turns round and

sees her.]

AIR.

Ros. "When we see a lover languish,

"And his truth and honour prove, "Ah! how sweet to heal his anguish, "And repay him love for love."

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380

Sir Will. Well, Tom, will you go away from me

now?

Haw. Perhaps, Sir William, your son does not like the lady; and if so, pray don't put a force upon his inclination.

Y. Mea. You need not have taken this method, Sir, to let me see you are acquainted with my folly, whatever my inclinations are.

Sir Will. Well, but Tom, suppose I give my consent to your marrying this young woman?

Y.. Mea, Your consent, Sir?

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"Ros. Come, Sir William, we have carried the jest "far enough; I see your son is in a kind of embar"rassment, and I don't wonder at it; but this letter, "which I received from him a few days before I left "my father's house, will, I apprehend, expound the "riddle. He cannot be surprised that I ran away "from a gentleman who expressed so much dislike "to me; and what has happened, since chance has "brought us together in masquerade, there is no oc"casion for me to inform him of."

"Y. Mea." What is all this? Pray don't make a jest of me.

Sir Will. May I never do an ill turn, Tom, if it is not truth; this is my friend's daughter.

Y. Mea. Sir!

Ros. Even so; 'tis very true indeed. In short, you have not been a more whimsical gentleman than I have a gentlewoman; but you see we are designed for one another 'tis plain. 411

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Y. Mea. I know not, Madam, what I either hear or see; a thousand things are crowding on my imagination; while, like one just awakened from a dream, I doubt which is reality, which delusion.

Sir Will. Well then, Tom, come into the air a bit, and recover yourself.

Y. Mea. Nay, dear Sir, have a little patience; do you give her to me?

Sir Will. Give her to you! ay, that I do, and my blessing into the bargain.

421 Y. Mea. Then, Sir, I am the happiest man în the world; I enquire no farther; here I fix the utmost limits of my hopes and happiness.

Y. Mea.

Ros.

Y. Mea.

Ros.

AIR.

All I wish in her obtaining,
Fortune can no more impart:
Let my eyes, my thoughts explaining,
Speak the feelings of my heart.
Joy and pleasure never ceasing,

Love with length of years increasing. 430
my heart and hand surrender,

Together. Thus

Here my faith and truth I plight ;
Constant still, and kind, and tender,

May our flames burn ever bright.

Haw. Give you joy, Sir; and you," fair ladyAnd, under favour, I'll salute you too, if there's no fear of jealousy.

r. Mea. And may I believe this Pr'ythee tell me, dear Rossetta.

439

Ros. Step into the house and I'll tell you every thing-I must intreat the good offices of Sir William

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