Volume Ii Part 62 (2/2)

[_Exit_.

_Enter_ Jervice.

_Jer_. An't please your Wors.h.i.+p, Supper's almost over, and you are askt for.

Sir _Tim_. They know I never sup; I shall come time enough to bid 'em welcome.

[_Exit_ Jer.

_Dia_. I keep you, Sir, from Supper, and better Company.

Sir _Tim_. Lady, Were I a Glutton, I cou'd be satisfy'd With feeding on those two bright starry Eyes.

_Dia_. You are a Courtier, Sir; we City-Maids do seldom hear such Language; in which you shew your kindness to your Nephew, more than your thoughts of what my Beauty merits.

Sir _Tim_. Lord, Lord, how innocent she is! [_Aside_.] My Nephew, Madam? yes, yes, I cannot chuse but be wondrous kind upon his score.

_Dia_. Nay, he has often told me, you were the best of Uncles, and he deserves your goodness, so hopeful a young Gentleman.

Sir _Tim_. Wou'd I cou'd see't. [_Aside_.

_Dia_. So modest.

Sir _Tim_. Yes, ask my Maids. [_Aside_.

_Dia_. So civil.

Sir _Tim_. Yes, to my Neighbours Wives. [_Aside_.] But so, Madam, I find by this high Commendation of my Nephew, your Ladys.h.i.+p has a very slender opinion of your devoted Servant the while: or else, Madam, with this not disagreeable Face and Shape of mine, six thousand Pound a year, and other Virtues and Commodities that shall be nameless, I see no reason why I shou'd not beget an Heir of my own Body, had I the helping hand of a certain victorious Person in the World, that shall be nameless.

[_Bowing and smirking_.

_Dia_. Meaning me, I am sure; if I shou'd marry him now, and disappoint my dear Inconstant with an Heir of his own begetting, 'twou'd be a most wicked Revenge for past Kindnesses. [_Aside_.

Sir _Tim_. I know your Ladys.h.i.+p is studying now who this victorious Person shou'd be, whom I dare not name: but let it suffice, she is, Madam, within a Mile of an Oak.

_Dia_. No, Sir, I was considering, if what you say be true, How unadvisedly I have lov'd your Nephew, Who swore to me he was to be your Heir.

Sir _Tim_. My Heir, Madam! am I so visibly old to be so desperate?

No, I'm in my years of desires and discretion, And I have thoughts, durst I but utter 'em; But modestly say, Mum--

_Dia_. I took him for the hopefullest Gentleman--

Sir _Tim_. Let him hope on, so will I; and yet, Madam, in consideration of your Love to him, and because he is my Nephew, young, handsome, witty, and so forth, I am content to be so much a Parent to him, as if Heaven please,--to see him fairly hang'd.

_Dia_. How, Sir! [_In amaze_.

Sir _Tim_. He has deserv'd it, Madam: First, for lampooning the Reverend City with its n.o.ble Government, with the Right Honourable Gown-men; libelling some for Feasting, and some for Fasting, some for Cuckolds, and some for Cuckold-makers; charging us with all the seven deadly Sins, the Sins of our Fore-fathers, adding seven score more to the number; the Sins of Forty-One reviv'd again in Eighty-One, with Additions and Amendments; for which, though the Writings were drawn, by which I made him my whole Executor, I will disinherit him. Secondly, Madam, he deserves hanging for seducing, and most feloniously bearing away a young City-Heiress.

_Dia_. Undone, undone! Oh, with what Face can I return again!

What Man of Wealth or Reputation, now Will think me worth the owning!

[_Feigns to weep_.

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