SCENE I.—A Room in Sir William Fondlove’s.
[Sir William seated with two Lawyers.]
Sir Wil. How many words you take to tell few things
Again, again say over what, said once,
Methinks were told enough!
First Lawyer. It is the law,
Which labours at precision.
Sir Wil. Yes; and thrives
Upon uncertainty—and makes it, too,
With all its pains to shun it. I could bind
Myself, methinks, with but the twentieth part
Of all this cordage, sirs.—But every man,
As they say, to his own business. You think
The settlement is handsome?
First Lawyer. Very, sir.
Sir Wil. Then now, sirs, we have done, and take my thanks,
Which, with your charges, I will render you
Again to-morrow.
First Lawyer. Happy nuptials, sir.
[Lawyers go out.]
Sir Wil. Who passes there? Hoa! send my daughter to me,
And Master Wildrake too! I wait for them.
Bold work!—Without her leave to wait upon her,
And ask her go to church!—’Tis taking her
By storm! What else could move her yesterday
But jealousy? What causeth jealousy
But love? She’s mine the moment she receives
Conclusive proof, like this, that heart and soul,
And mind and person, I am all her own!
Heigh ho! These soft alarms are very sweet,
And yet tormenting too! Ha! Master Wildrake,
[Enter Wildrake.]
I am glad you’re ready, for I’m all in arms
To bear the widow off. Come! Don’t be sad;
All must go merrily, you know, to-day!—
She still doth bear him hard, I see! The girl
Affects him not, and Trueworth is at fault,
Though clear it is that he doth die for her. [Aside.]
Well, daughter?—So I see you’re ready too.
[Enter Constance.]
Why, what’s amiss with thee?
Phœbe. [Entering.] The coach is here.
Sir Wil. Come, Wildrake, offer her your arm.
Con. [To Wildrake.] I thank you!
I am not an invalid!—can use my limbs!
He knows not how to make an arm, befits
A lady lean upon.
Sir Wil. Why, teach him, then.
Con. Teach him! Teach Master Wildrake! Teach, indeed!
I taught my dog to beg, because I knew
That he could learn it.
Sir Wil. Peace, thou little shrew!
I’ll have no wrangling on my wedding-day!
Here, take my arm.
Con. I’ll not!—I’ll walk alone!
Live, die alone! I do abominate
The fool and all his sex!
Sir Wil. Again!
Con. I have done.
When do you marry, Master Wildrake? She
Will want a husband goes to church with thee!
[They go out.]