The Love-chase - LightNovelsOnl.com
You're reading novel online at LightNovelsOnl.com. Please use the follow button to get notifications about your favorite novels and its latest chapters so you can come back anytime and won't miss anything.
_Wild_. How shall I find it out?
_True_. Affect to love Another. Say your pa.s.sion 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 pa.s.sion?
_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_. n.o.ble 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 Lancas.h.i.+re!--and I have friends In Berks.h.i.+re and in Wilts.h.i.+re, 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 pa.s.sion! 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--n.o.bly 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 s.e.x, 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!
