Volume Iv Part 25 (1/2)

L. _Kno._ Sure _Lucretia_ merits a Husband of as much worth as your Nephew, Sir.

Sir _Pat._ A better, Madam, for he's the leudest Hector in the Town; he has all the Vices of Youth, Whoring, Swearing, Drinking, d.a.m.ning, Fighting,--and a thousand more, numberless and nameless.

L. _Kno._ Time, Sir, may make him more abstemious.

Sir _Pat._ Oh, never, Madam! 'tis in's Nature, he was born with it, he's given over to Reprobation, 'tis bred i'th' bone,--he's lost.

_Lean._ This is the first good Office that ever he did me.

L. _Kno._ What think you, Sir, if in defiance of your Inurbanity, I take him with all these Faults my self?

Sir _Pat._ How, Madam!

L. _Kno._ Without more Ambages, Sir, I have consider'd your former Desires, and have consented to marry him, notwithstanding your Exprobrations.

Sir _Pat._ May I believe this, Madam? and has your Ladys.h.i.+p that Goodness?--and hast thou, my Boy, so much Wit? Why, this is something now.--Well, he was ever the best and sweetest-natur'd Youth.--Why, what a notable Wag's this? and is it true, my Boy, hah?

_Lean._ Yes, Sir, I had told you so before, had you permitted me to speak.

Sir _Pat._ Well, Madam, he is only fit for your excellent Ladys.h.i.+p, he is the prettiest civillest Lad.--Well, go thy ways; I shall never see the like of thee; no--Ingenuously, the Boy's made for ever; two thousand Pounds a Year, besides Money, Plate and Jewels; made for ever.--Well, Madam, the satisfaction I take in this Alliance, has made me resolve to give him immediately my Writings of all my Land in _Berks.h.i.+re_, five hundred Pounds a year, Madam: and I wou'd have you married this Morning with my Daughter, so one Dinner and one Rejoicing will serve both.

L. _Kno._ That, Sir, we have already agreed upon.

Sir _Pat._ Well, I'll fetch the Writings. Come, _Isabella_, I'll not trust you out of my sight to day.

[Ex. Sir _Pat._ and _Isab._

_Lean._ Well then, Madam, you are resolv'd upon this business of Matrimony.

L. _Kno._ Was it not concluded between us, Sir, this Morning? and at the near approach do you begin to fear?

_Lean._ Nothing, Madam, since I'm convinc'd of your Goodness.

L. _Kno._ You flatter, Sir, this is mere Adulation.

_Lean._ No, I am that wild Extravagant my Uncle render'd me, and cannot live confin'd.

L. _Kno._ To one Woman you mean? I shall not stand with you for a Mistress or two; I hate a dull morose unfas.h.i.+onable Blockhead to my Husband; nor shall I be the first example of a suffering Wife, Sir.

Women were created poor obedient things.

_Lean._ And can you be content to spare me five or six nights in a week?

L. _Kno._ Oh, you're too reasonable.

_Lean._ And for the rest, if I get drunk, perhaps I'll give to you: yet in my drink I'm d.a.m.n'd ill-natur'd too, and may neglect my Duty; perhaps shall be so wicked, to call you cunning, deceitful, jilting, base, and swear you have undone me, swear you have ravish'd from my faithful Heart all that cou'd make it bless'd or happy.

Enter _Lucretia_ weeping.

L. _Kno._ How now, _Lucretia_!