Part 20 (2/2)

_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.

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