Part 18 (2/2)

_W. Green_. 'Pon my life, I never shall get through it; lend me your hand.

[Half rises, and throws herself back on her chair again.]

I must sit down again! There came just now A feeling like to swooning over me.

I am sure before 'tis over I shall make A fool of myself! I vow I thought not half So much of my first wedding-day! I'll make An effort. Let me lean upon your arm, And give me yours, my dear. Amelia, mind Keep near me with the smelling-bottle.

_Servant_. [Entering.] Madam, The bridegroom's come.

[Goes out.]

_W. Green_. The brute has knocked me down!

To bolt it out so! I had started less If he had fired a cannon at my ear.

How shall I ever manage to hold up Till all is done! I'm tremor head to foot.

You can excuse me, can't you?--Pity me!

One may feel queer upon one's wedding-day.

[They go out.]

SCENE THE LAST.--A Drawing-room.

[Enter Servants, showing in SIR WILLIAM FONDLOVE, CONSTANCE, and MASTER WILDRAKE--Servants go out again.]

_Sir Wil_. [Aside to WILDRAKE.] Good Master Wildrake, look more cheerfully!--Come, You do not honour to my wedding-day.

How brisk am I! My body moves on springs!

My stature gives no inch I throw away; My supple joints play free and sportfully; I'm every atom what a man should be.

_Wild_. I pray you pardon me, Sir William!

_Sir Wil_. Smile, then, And talk and rally me! I did expect, Ere half an hour had pa.s.sed, you would have put me A dozen times to the blush. Without such things, A bridegroom knows not his own wedding-day.

I see! Her looks are glossary to thine, She flouts thee still, I marvel not at thee; There's thunder in that cloud! I would to-day It would disperse, and gather in the morning.

I fear me much thou know'st not how to woo.

I'll give thee a lesson. Ever there's a way, But knows one how to take it? Twenty men Have courted Widow Green. Who has her now?

I sent to advertise her that to-day I meant to marry her. She wouldn't open My note. And gave I up? I took the way To make her love me! I did send, again To pray her leave my daughter should be bridemaid.

That letter too came back? Did I give up?

I took the way to make her love me! Yet, Again I sent to ask what church she chose To marry at; my note came back again; And did I yet give up? I took the way To make her love me! All the while I found She was preparing for the wedding. Take A hint from me! She comes! My fluttering heart Gives note the empress of its realms is near.

Now, Master Wildrake, mark and learn from me How it behoves a bridegroom play his part.

[Enter WIDOW GREEN, supported by her Bridemaids, and followed by AMELIA.]

_W. Green_. I cannot raise my eyes--they cannot bear The beams of his, which, like the sun's, I feel Are on me, though I see them not enlightening The heaven of his young face; nor dare I scan The brightness of his form, which symmetry And youth and beauty in enriching vie.

He kneels to me! Now grows my breathing thick, As though I did await a seraph's voice, Too rich for mortal ear.

_Sir Wil_. My gentle bride!

_W. Green_. Who's that! who speaks to me?

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