University of Virginia Library

SCENE II.

—Widow Green's Dressing-room.
Widow Green discovered at her Toilet, attended by Amelia, Waller's Letter to Lydia in her hand.
W. Green.
O bond of destiny!—Fair bond, that seal'st
My fate in happiness!—I'll read thee yet
Again—although thou'rt written on my heart.
But here he laid his hand, inditing thee!
And this the tracing of his fingers! So
I read thee, that could rhyme thee, as my prayers!
“At morn to-morrow I will make you mine.
Will you accept from me the name of wife—
The name of husband give me in exchange?”
The traitress! to break ope my billet-doux,
And take the envelope!—But I forgive her,
Seeing she left the rich contents behind!
Amelia, give this feather more a slope,
That it sit droopingly. I would look all
Dissolvement, nought about me to bespeak
Boldness! I would appear a timid bride,
Trembling upon the verge of wifehood, as
I ne'er before had stood there! That will do.
O dear!—How agitated am I—Don't
I look so? I have found a secret out,—
Nothing in women strikes a man so much
As to look interesting! Hang this cheek
Of mine! 'Tis too saucy; what a pity
To have a colour of one's own!—Amelia!
Could you contrive, dear girl, to bleach my cheek,
How I would thank you! I could give it then
What tint I chose, and that should be the hectic
Which speaks a heart in delicate commotion!
I am much too florid! Stick a rose in my hair,
The brightest you can find, 'twill help, my girl,
Subdue my rebel colour—Nay, the rose
Loses complexion, not my cheek! Exchange it
For a carnation. That's the flower, Amelia!
You clearly see it triumphs o'er my cheek.
Are you content with me?

Amelia.
I am, my lady.

W. Green.
And whither, think you, has the hussy gone,
Whose place you fill so well?—Into the country?
Or fancy you she stops in town?

Amelia.
I can't
Conjecture.

W. Green.
Shame upon her!—Leave her place
Without a moment's warning!—with a man too!
Seem'd he a gentleman that took her hence?

Amelia.
He did.

W. Green.
You never saw him here before?

Amelia.
Never.

W. Green.
Not lounging on the other side
Of the street, and reconnoitering the windows?

Amelia.
Never.

W. Green.
'Twas plann'd by letter. Notes, you know,
Have often come to her—But I forgive her,
Since this advice she chanced to leave behind
Of gentle Master Waller's wishes, which
I bless myself in blessing!—Gods, a knock!
'Tis he! Show in those friends who are so kind
To act my bridemaids for me on this brief
And agitating notice! [Amelia goes out.]
Yes, I look
A bride sufficiently! And this the hand
That gives away my liberty again!
Upon my life it is a pretty hand,
A delicate and sentimental hand!
No lotion equals gloves; no woman knows
The use of them that does not sleep in them!
My neck hath kept its colour wondrously!
Well; after all it is no miracle
That I should win the heart of a young man.
My bridemaids come!—O dear!

Enter two Ladies.
First Lady.
How do you, love? A kind good morning to you! Little dear,
How much you are affected! Why we thought
You ne'er would summon us.

W. Green.
One takes, you know,
When one is flurried, twice the time to dress.
My dears, has either of you salts? I thank you!
They are excellent; the virtue 's gone from mine,
Nor thought I of renewing them.—Indeed,
I'm unprovided, quite, for this affair.

First Lady.
I think the bridegroom 's come!

W. Green.
Don't say so! How
You've made my heart jump!

First Lady.
As you sent for us,
A new-launch'd carriage drove up to the door;
The servants all in favours.

W. Green.
'Pon my life,
I never shall get through it; lend me your hand.
[Half rises, and throws herself back on her chair again.
I must sit down again! There came just now
A feeling like to swooning over me.
I am sure before 'tis over I shall make
A fool of myself! I vow I thought not half
So much of my first wedding-day! I'll make
An effort! Let me lean upon your arm,
And give me yours, my dear. Amelia, mind
Keep near me with the smelling-bottle.

Servant.
[Entering.]
Madam,
The bridegroom 's come.

[Goes out.
W. Green.
The brute has knock'd me down!
To bolt it out so! I had started less
If he had fired a cannon at my ear.
How shall I ever manage to hold up
Till all is done! I shake from head to foot!
You can excuse me, can't you?—Pity me!
One may feel queer upon one's wedding-day.

[They go out.