Pat. I beg, my lord, you will suffer me to! be gone: only believe me sensible of all your favours, though unworthy of the smallest. Giles. If his lordship's bonour would be so kind, I would acknowledge the favour as far as in me lay. Sir H. Let me speak-[Takes Lord Aimworth aside] a word or two; in your lord Re-enter PATTY. Lord A. How unworthy?-You merit every thing; my respect, my esteem, my friendship, and my love!-Yes, I repeat, I avow it: your ship's ear. beauty, your modesty, your understanding, has Theo. Well, I do like this gipsy scheme made a conquest of my heart. But what a prodigiously, if we can but put it into execuworld do we live in! that while I own this, tion as happily as we have contrived it. while I own a passion for you, founded on the justest, the noblest basis, I must at the same time confess the fear of that world, its So, my dear Patty, you see I am come to taunts, its reproaches, return your visit very soon; but this is only Pat. Ah, sir, think better of the creature a call en passant-will you be at home after you have raised, than to suppose I ever en- dinner? tertained a hope tending to your dishonour: would that be a return for the favours I have received? I am unfortunate, my lord, but not I criminal. Lord A. Patty, we are both unfortunate: for my own part, I know not what to say to you, or what to propose to myself. Pat. Certainly, madam, whenever you condescend to honour me so far: but it is what cannot expect. Theo. O fie, why not Giles. Your servant, miss Patty. Sir H. Here, you goodman delver, I have Pat. Then, my lord, 'tis mine to act as I done your business; my lord has spoke, and ought; yet while I am honoured with a place your fortune's made: a thousand pounds at in your esteem, imagine me not insensible of present, and better things to come; his lordso high a distinction, or capable of lightly turn-ship says he will be your friend. ing my thoughts towards another. Giles. I do hope, then, miss Pat will make Lord A. How cruel is my situation!-I am all up. here, Patty, to command you to marry the Sir H. Miss Pat, make up; stand out of the man who has given you so much uneasiness. way, I'll make it up. Pat. My lord, I am convinced it is for your credit and my safety it should be so: I hope QUINTETTO.-SIR HARRY SYCAMORE, LORD I have not so ill profited by the lessons of AIMWOrth, Patty, Giles, and THEODOSIA. your noble mother, but I shall be able to do Sir H. The quarrels of lovers, adds me! my duty, wherever I am called to it: this will they're a jest; be my first support; time and reflection will complete the work. AIR. Cease, oh, cease to overwhelm me Enter SIR HARRY SYCAMORE, THEODOSIA, Come hither, ye blockhead, come hither, So now let us leave them together. Lord A. Farewell, then! Giles. [Exit. Theo. Lord A. What's the matter, sir Harry? Pat. For ever! examining the construction of the mill with- Sir H. Why, miss, will you mind when out, for I have some small notion of mechanics, miss Sycamore had like to have been run away with by a gipsy man. Theo. Dear рара, how can you talk so? Did not I tell you it was at my own desire the poor fellow went to show me the canal? Sir H. O! but, my lord, here's a poor fel- SCENE I.-The Portico to LORD AIMWORTE'S low; it seems his mistress has conceived some disgust against him; pray has her father spoke Enter LORD AIMWORTH, SIR HArry, and to you to interpose your authority in his behalf? LADY SYCAMORE. Lady S. A wretch! a vile inconsiderate 791 wretch! coming of such a race as mine; and of horses in all England (but that he did only having an example like me before her! now and then for his amusement)-And he Lord A. I beg, madam, you will not disquiet used to say, my lord, that the female sex were yourself: you are told here, that a gentleman good for nothing but to bring forth children, lately arrived from London has been about and breed disturbances. the place to-day; that he has disguised him- Lord A. The ladies were very little obliged self like a gipsy, came hither, and had some to your ancestor, sir Harry: but for my part, conversation with your daughter; you are I have a more favourable opinioneven told, that there is a design formed for Lady S. [Within] Sir Harry! Sir Harry! their going off together; but possibly there Sir H. You are in the wrong, my may be some mistake in all this. lord: with submission, you are really in the wrong. [Exit. Sir H. Ay but, my lord, the lad tells us the gentleman's name: we have seen the gipsies; and we know she has had a hankering Lady S. Sir Harry, my dear, why will you put in your word, when you hear others speaking I protest, my lord, I'm in such confusion, I know not what to say: I can hardly support myself. Lord A. This gentleman, it seems, is at a little inn at the bottom of the bill. Enter FAIRField. Lord A. How now, master Fairfield, what brings you here? for your bounty to me and my daughter this Fair. I am come, my lord, to thank you morning, and most humbly to entreat your lordship to receive it at our hands again. Lord A. Ay-why, what's the matter? Sir H. I wish it was possible to have a file Fair. I don't know, my lord: it seems your of musketeers, my lord; I could head them generosity to my poor girl has been noised myself, being in the militia; and we would go about the neighbourhood; and some evil-minded and seize him directly. Lord A. Softly, my dear sir; let us proceed that was to marry her, that you never would people have put it into the young man's head with a little less violence in this matter, I be-have made her a present so much above her seech you. We should first see the young deserts and expectations, if it had not been lady-Where is miss Sycamore, madam? upon some naughty account: now, my lord, Lady S. Really, my lord, I don't know; II am a poor man 'tis true, and a mean one; saw her go into the garden about a quarter but I and my father, and my father's father, of an hour ago, from our chamber window. have lived tenants upon your lordship's estate, Sir H. Into the garden! perhaps she has got where we have always been known for honest an inkling of our being informed of this affair, men; and it shall never be said, that Fairfield, and is gone to throw herself into the pond. the miller, became rich in his old days, by the Despair, my lord, makes girls do terrible things. wages of his child's shame. Twas but the Wednesday before we left Lon- Lord A. What then, master Fairfield, do don, that I saw, taken out of Rosamond's- you believepond, in St. James's Park, as likely a young woman as ever you would desire to set your when I consider the sum, it is too much for Fair. No, my lord, no, heaven forbid: but eyes on, in a new callimancoe petticoat, and us; it is indeed, my lord, and enough to make a pair of silver buckles in her shoes., bad folks talk: besides, my poor girl is greatly Lord A. I hope there is no danger of any alter'd; she us'd to be the life of every place such fatal accident happening at present; but she came into; but since her being at home, will you oblige me, sir Harry? I have seen nothing from her but sadness and walery eyes. Sir H. Surely, my lord Lord A. Will you commit the whole direction of this affair to my prudence? Sir H. My dear, you hear what his lordship says. Lord A. The farmer then refuses to marry Patty, notwithstanding their late reconciliation? Fuir. Yes, my lord, he does indeed; and has made a wicked noise, and used us in a Lady S. Indeed, my lord, I am so much very base manner: I did not think farmer asham'd, I don't know what to answer; the Giles would have been so ready to believe fault of my daughtersuch a thing of us. Lord A. Well, master Fairfield, I will not Lord A. Don't mention it, madam; the fault has been mine, who have been innocently the press on you a donation, the rejection of which occasion of a young lady's transgressing a does you so much credit; you may take my point of duty and decorum, which otherwise word, however, that your fears upon this ocshe would never have violated. But if you, casion are entirely groundless: but this is not and sir Harry, will walk in and repose your-enough; as I have been the means of losing selves, I hope to settle every thing to the ge- your daughter one husband, it is but just I neral satisfaction. should get her another; and, since the farmer Lady S. Come in, sir Harry. [Exit. is so scrupulous, there is a young man in the Lord A. I am sure, my good friend, had I house here, whom I have some influence over, nown that I was doing a violence to miss and I dare say he will be less squeamish. Sycamore's inclinations, in the happiness I Fair. To be sure, my lord, you have, in roposed to myselfSir H. My lord, 'tis all a case-My grand-mine as you think all honest ways, a right to dispose of me and ather, by the mother's side, was a very sen- Lord A. Go then immediately, and bring ible man-he was elected knight of the shire Patty hither; I shall not be easy till I have n five successive parliaments, and died high given you entire satisfaction. But, stay and heriff of his county-a man of fine parts, fine take a letter, which I am stepping into my alents, and one of the most curiousest docker study to write: I'll order a chaise to be got proper. ready, that you may go back and forward pretending you were struck blind by thunder with greater expedition. [Exit Fairfield. and lightning. AIR. Let me fly-hence, tyrant fashion! SCENE II.-A Village. Ralph. What do you want with me, eh? Fan. Lord, I never knowed such a man as you are, since I com'd into the world; a body can't speak to you, but you falls straightways into a passion: I followed you up from the house, only you run so, there was no such a thing as overtaking you, and I have been waiting there at the back door ever so long. Fan. Pray don't be angry, Ralph. Ralph. Yes, but I will though: spread your cobwebs to catch flies; I am an old wasp, and don't value them a button. AIR. When you meet a tender creature, But if one you meet that's frow-ard, 'Tis to mend her ne'er the wit: Heart alive, you're fairly quit. [Exit. Ralph. Well, and now you may go and Fan. I wish I had a draught of water. I wait at the fore door, if you like it: but I forewarn you and your gang not to keep lurk-don't know what's come over me; I bave no ing about our mill any longer; for if you do, more strength than a babe: a straw would I'll send the constable after you, and have fling me down. He has a heart as hard as you, every mother's skin, clapt into the county any parish officer; I don't doubt now but he gaol: you are such a pack of thieves, one can't would stand by and see me whipt himself; hang so much as a rag to dry for you: it was and we shall all be whipt, and all through my but the other day that a couple of them came means-The devil run away with the gentleinto our kitchen to beg a handful of dirty flour, man, and his twenty guineas too, for leading to make them cakes, and before the wench me astray: if I had known Ralph would have could turn about, they had whipped off three taken it so, I would have hanged myself before I would have said a word-but I thought brass candlesticks and a pot-lid. he had no more gall than a pigeon. Fan. Well, sure it was not I. Ralph. Then you know, that old rascal that you call father, the last time I catch'd him laying snares for the hares, I told him I'd inform the gamekeeper, and I'll expose all Fan. Ah, dear Ralph, don't be angry with me. Ralph. Yes, I will be angry with you-what do you come nigh me for?-You shan't touch me- -There's the skirt of my coat, and if you do but lay a finger on it, my lord's bailiff is here in the court, and I'll call him and give you to him. Fan. If you'll forgive me, I'll go down on my knees. old AIR. O! what a simpleton was I, To make my bed at such a rate! Now lay thee down, vain fool, and cry, Thy truelove seeks another mate. No tears, alack, Will call him back, No tender words his heart allure; My tongue through spite- Enter GILES, followed by PATTY and THEODOSIA. Ralph.. I tell you I won't-No, no, follow your gentleman; or go live upon your fare, crows and polecats, and sheep that die Giles. Why, what the plague's the matter of the rot; pick the dead fowl off the dunghills, and quench your thirst at the next ditch, with you? What do you scold at me for? I 'tis the fittest liquor to wash down such dain-am sure I did not say an uncivil word as ! ties-skulking about from barn to barn, and do know of: I'll be judged by the young lady lying upon wet straw, on commons, and in if I did. green lanes-go and be whipt from parish to parish, as you used to be. Fan. How can you talk so unkind? Pat. 'Tis very well, farmer; all I desire is, that you will leave the house: you see my father is not at home at present; when he is Ralph. And see whether you will get what if you have any thing to say, you know where will keep you as I did, by telling of fortunes, to come. Giles. Enough said; I don't want to stay among the young farmers wives, to make be- in the house, not I; and I don't much care lieve you are a breeding, with the Lord Al-if I had never come into it. and coming with pillows under your apron, Theo. For shame, farmer! Down on your tell how soon it may be your own case. You knees, and beg miss Fairfield's pardon for the know I am acquainted with all your tricks-outrage you have been guilty of mighty bless you, sweet mistress, you cannot and how you turn up the whites of your eyes, Giles. Beg pardon, miss, for what?-Icod, that's well enough; why I am my own master, and equip myself-All here is in such conben't I?-If I have no mind to marry, there's fusion, there will no notice be taken. no harm in that, I hope: 'tis only changing Mer. Do so; I'll take care nobody shall inhands. This morning she would not have me, terrupt you in the progress of your metamorand now I won't have she. phosis [She goes in]-and if you are not Pat. Have you!-Heavens and earth! I tedious, we may walk off without being seen would prefer a state of beggary a thousand by any one. times beyond any thing I could enjoy with Theo. [Within] Ha, ha, ha!-What a conyou and be assured, if ever I was seemingly course of atoms are here! though, as I live, consenting to such a sacrifice, nothing should they are a great deal better than I expected. have compelled me to it but the cruelty of my Mer. Well, pray make haste; and don't situation. imagine yourself at your toilette now, where mode prescribes two hours for what reason would scarce allow three minutes. Giles. O, as for that I believes you; but you see the gudgeon would not bite, as I told you a bit agone, you know: we farmers never love to reap what we don't sow. Theo. Have patience; the outward garment is on already; and I'll assure you a very good Pat. You brutish fellow, how dare you talk-stuff, only a little the worse for the mending. Giles. So, now she's in her tantrums agin, Mer. Imagine it embroidery, and consider and all for no manner of yearthly thing. it is your wedding-suit.-Come, how far have Pat. But be assured my lord will punish you got? you severely for daring to make free with his name. Giles. Who made free with it? Did I ever mention my lord? 'Tis a cursed lie. Theo. Bless me, farmer! Giles. Why it is, miss-and I'll make her prove her words-Then what does she mean by being punished? I am not afraid of nobody, nor beholding to nobody, that I know of; while I pays my rent, my money, I believe, is as good as another's: 1) 'egad, if it goes there, I think there be those deserve to be punished more than I. Pat. Was there ever so unfortunate a creature, pursued as I am by distresses and vexations? Theo. My dear Patty-See, farmer, you have thrown her into tears. Giles. Why then let her cry. Theo. Pray be comforted. AIR.-PATTY. Theo. Stay; you don't consider there's some contrivance necessary.-Here goes the apron, flounced and furbelow'd with a witness-Alas! alas! it has no strings! what shall I do? Come, no matter; a couple of pins will serve- - And now the cap-oh, mercy! here's a hole in the crown of it large enough to thrust my head through. Mer. That you'll hide with your straw hat; or if you should not-What, not ready yet? Theo. One minute more-Yes, now the work's accomplish'd. [She comes out of the Closet disguised. Re-enter GILES, with FAIRField. yet awhile. Oh leave me, in pity! The falsehood I scorn; it is not advisable to change my condition Re-enter THEODOSIA, with MERVIN. Theo. You are a preity gentleman, are not you, to suffer a lady to be at a rendezvous before you? Mer. Difficulties, my dear, and dangersNone of the company had two suits of apparel; so I was obliged to purchase a rag of one, and a tatter from another, at the expense of ten times the sum they would fetch at the paper-mill. Fair. Friend Giles, thou art in the right; marriage is a serious point, and can't be considered too warily.-Ha, who have we here? -Shall I never keep my house clear of these vermin?-Look to the goods there, and give me a horsewhip-by the lord Harry, I'll make. an example-Come here, lady Lightfingers, let me see what thou hast stolen. Mer. Hold, miller, hold! Fair. O gracious goodness! sure I know this face-miss-young madam SycamoreMercy heart, here's a disguise! Theo. Discover'd! Mer. Miller, let me speak to you. Giles. I fortune-miss! I think there be nothing but crosses and misfortunes of one kind or other. Fair. Money to me, sir! not for the world; Theo. Well, where are they? you want no friends but what you have alMer. Here, in this bundle- and though I ready-Lack-a-day, lack-a-day, see how luckily say it, a very decent habiliment, if you have I came in; I believe you are the gentleman to art enough to stick the parts together: I've whom I am charged to give this, on the part been watching till the coast was clear to bring of my lord Aimworth Bless you, dear sir, them to you.. Theo. Let me see-I'll slip into this 1) Symptoms of English liberty. go up to his honour with my young ladycloset there is a chaise waiting at the door to carry you-I and my daughter will take another way. [Exit. Mer. Pr'ythee read this letter, and tell me think of it. Fair. My lord, I am very well content; pray do not give yourself the trouble of say what Mer. By what means I know not. Ralph. No, my lord, you need not say any more. Fair. Hold your tongue, sirrab. Lord A. I am sorry, Patty, you have had Sir, It is with the greatest concern I this mortification. --- find that I have been unhappily the occa Pat. I am sorry, my lord, you have been sion of giving some uneasiness to you and troubled about it. miss Sycamore: be assur'd, had I been ap- Fair. Well, come, children, we will not prised of your prior pretensions, and the take up his honour's time any longer; let us young lady's disposition in your favour, I be going towards home-Heaven prosper your should have been the last person to inter- lordship; the prayers of me and my family rupt your felicity. I beg, sir, you will do shall always attend you. me the favour to come up to my house, Lord A. Miller, come back-Patty, staywhere I have already so far settled mat- Fair. Has your lordship any thing further ters, as to be able to assure you, that every to command us? Theo. By all means: and in this very trim; to show what we are capable of doing, if my father and mother had not come to reason. Lord A. Why yes, master Fairfield, I have word or two still to say to you-In short, though you are satisfied in this affair, I am not; and you seem to forget the promise I made you, that, since I had been the means of losing your daughter one husband, I would find her another. [Exeunt Mervin and Theodosia. Giles. So, there goes a couple! Icod, I beFair. Your bonour is to do as you please. lieve old Nick has got among the people in Lord A. What say you, Patty, will you these parts. This is as queer a thing as ever accept of a husband of my choosing? I heard of.-Master Fairfield and miss Patty, Pat. My lord, I have no determination; it seems, are gone to the castle too; where, you are the best judge how I ought to act; by what I larns from Ralph in the mill, my whatever you command, I shall obey. lord has promised to get her a husband among Lord A. Then, Palty, there is but one per the servants. Now set in case the wind sets son I can offer you-and I wish, for your in that corner, I have been thinking with my- sake, he was more deserving-Take me self who the plague it can be: there are no unmarried men in the family, that I do know Lord A. From this moment our interes! of, excepting little Bob, the postillion, and are one, as our hearts; and no earthly power master Jonathan, the butler, and he's a mat- shall ever divide us. Pat. Sir! ter of sixty or seventy years old. I'll be shot Fair. O the gracious! Patty-my lordif it beant little Bob.-Icod, I'll take the way Did I hear right?-You, sir, you marry a to the castle as well as the rest; for I'd fain child of mine! see how the nail do drive. It is well I had Lord A. Yes, my honest old man, in me wit enough to discern things, and a friend to you behold the husband designed for your advise with, or else she would have fallen to daughter; and I am happy, that by standing my lot. But I have got a surfeit of going a in the place of fortune, who has alone been courting; and burn me if I won't live a ba- wanting to her, I shall he able to set her chelor; for when all comes to all, I see no- merit in a light where its lustre will be renthing but ill blood and quarrels among folk dered conspicuous. that are maaried. AIR. Then hey for a frolicsome life! Plague on it, men are but asses, 'Twould have prov'd a fine affair: Fair. But good, noble sir, pray consider, don't go to put upon1) a silly old man: my daughter is unworthy-Patty, child, why don't you speak? Pal. What can I say, father? what answer to such unlook'd-for, such unmerited, such unbounded generosity? Ralph. Down on your knees, and fall a crying. [Ralph is checked by Fairfield, and they go up the Stage. Pat. Yes, sir, as my father says, consider [Exit-your noble friends, your relations-It must not, cannot be SCENE IV. A grand Apartment in LORD AIMWORTH'S House, opening to a View of the Garden. Enter LORD AIMWORTH, FAIRFIELD, PATTY, and RALPH. Lord A. Thus, master Fairfield, I hope I have fully satisfied you with regard to the falsity of the imputation thrown upon your daughter and me Lord A. It must and shall-Friends! rela tions! from henceforth I have none, that will not acknowledge you; and I am sure, when they become acquainted with your perfections, they will rather admire the justice of my choice, than wonder at its singularity. DUETT.-LORD AIMWORTH and PATTY. Lord A. My life, my joy, my blessing, 1) To take advantage, to deceive. |