University of Virginia Library

SCENE VII.

Freeman senr.
Ungenerous Dame, look backward to the Day
In which I first engag'd my Love to you,
And say if you can call to Mind a Moment
In which I ever cross'd your Purposes.
Your Beautys, whose Attraction once was great,
Have suffer'd not but by the Hand of Time:
Care never prey'd upon your rosy Cheeks;
Nor have your Eyes e'er met an angry Brow
From me till now: all your Inclinings I
Have always with a lib'ral Heart indulg'd:
Say, is it therefore kind, or honourable,
Thus to proclaim an open War with me,
To fight against my Will in an Affair
On which depends our Son's Felicity?

Mrs. Freeman.
The Honour of my Family's concern'd:
Why shou'd my Blood contaminate itself,
By mixing with so low and vile a Race,
If I am able to prevent the Evil?

Freeman senr.
That Pride, unsocial and unmeaning Pride,
Shou'd thus survive the Mem'ry of your Love!
Presume to talk of Family no more;
That has been bandy'd in my Ear too long:
Our Currents, which have thirty Years been join'd,
Make but one Stream in him. Have you forgot
That your Son's Case was once your own? If you
Forget, I'll wake that Nature in your Breast
Which you shou'd ne'er have suffer'd to have sleep'd.

Mrs. Freeman.
I never saw this Rage in him before.
[To herself.
I can receive Rebuke, or hear Advice,
If you deliver it with a softer Voice.

Freeman senr.
You've been unus'd to my Rebuke, and deaf,
Deaf as the Adder, to your Husband's Voice,
When he advis'd you; therefore when the Peace,
The Interest, of my Family's concern'd,
I must not, as in slight Affairs I've done,
Suffer your Pride and Humours to direct,
Where Honour and where Wisdom shou'd preside.

Mrs. Freeman.
I see my Error, (nor too late I hope,)
And earnestly repent my late Misdoings.
Your former Lenity and Tenderness
Convince me of your Goodness and your Love:
If you'll forget, or if you can forgive,
All my pass'd Conduct which has giv'n you Pain,
My ev'ry Hour to come shall all be pass'd
In humble Resignation to your Will,
And in Submission, an unfeign'd Submission,
To your superior Wisdom and your Pow'r.

Freeman senr.
Divested of your Pride, and cloath'd with Truth,
And with the Saint's Attire Humility,
You are as lovely to my Eyes as when
I led you blushing to the bridal Bed.
Wou'd Woman learn what is her lovely'st Dress,
She wou'd not wish to make Admirers gaze
At the rich Tissue, or the Di'mond's Blaze:
In humble Beauty cloath'd, her best Attire,
She'd either keep alive, or wake, Desire.

[They go.