Sir A. Why don't you begin, Jack? Zounds! sirrah! why don't you speak?
[Aside to him.
Capt. A. Hem! hem! Madam—hem! [Captain Absolute attempts to speak, then returns to Sir Anthony.] 'Faith! sir, I am so confounded!—and so—so confused! I told you I should be so, sir,—I knew it. The—the tremor of my passion entirely takes away my presence of mind.
Sir A. But it don't take away your voice, does it? Go up, and speak to her directly!
Capt. A. [draws near Lydia]. [Aside.] Now heaven send she may be too sullen to look round! I must disguise my voice.—Will not Miss Languish lend an ear to the mild accents of true love? Will not—
Sir A. Why don't you speak out?—not stand croaking like a frog in a quinsey!
Capt. A. The—the—excess of my awe, and my—my modesty quite choke me!
Sir A. Ah! your modesty again! Mrs. Malaprop, I wish the lady would favor us with something more than a side-front.
[Mrs. Malaprop seems to chide Lydia.
Capt. A. So! all will out, I see! [Goes up to Lydia, speaks softly.] Be not surprised, my Lydia, suppress all surprise at present.