The Love-chase Part 20

[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 a.s.sure thee.

_Lydia_. [To WIDOW GREEN.] Madam, pardon me My double character, for honesty, No other end a.s.sumed--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.