He Wou'd if He Cou'd ; Or, An Old Fool worse than Any | ||
17
SCENE III.
Betty, Goosecap.Goose.
So, mistress Betty, are you there?
I really wonder how you dare
Look in my face; have you forgot?
Say, were you mad, bewitch'd, or what,
That you behav'd so ill just now?
Answer me.
Betty.
Sir, I don't know how;
My silence may explain my terror;
I can but blush, and own my error.
Goose.
It really was a horrid shame.
Betty.
No doubt, Sir, I was much to blame;
But cannot you the cause unriddle?
Goose.
What cause?
Betty.
Love, jealousy.
Goose.
A fiddle!
Betty.
My conduct might be out of season;
But passion quite o'erpower'd my reason.
Goose.
You should have kept it more confin'd;
Howe'er, her ladyship's so kind,
She pard'ns the slights were thrown upon her;
And, shortly, I expect the honour,
To have her company within;
We quickly too shall be a-kin;
The happy words, to have and hold,
One flesh will make us.
Betty.
Sir, I'm told,
You're pleas'd that I should go away.
Goose.
No, Betty, you are free to stay
18
Betty.
That's enough.
Goose.
She faints! here, take a pinch of snuff:
A glass of water!
Betty.
There's no need.
Your hand, Sir, pray.
Goose.
She's ill, indeed;
But, if she sees I'm touch'd, she'll make
Advantage of it.
Betty.
Thus, I take
My last farewell; a tear, a sigh,
You must permit.
Goose.
(Half crying.)
Betty, good bye.
Betty.
I go to die, with grief o'erladen;
If you my grave should chance to see,
Look on't, and say, here lies a maiden,
Who died, alas! for love of me.
If you my grave should chance to see,
Look on't, and say, here lies a maiden,
Who died, alas! for love of me.
Tears force their way; forgive my sobbing;
I scarce have power my words to speak;
If I stay longer, sure, with throbbing,
My heart will here before you break.
I scarce have power my words to speak;
If I stay longer, sure, with throbbing,
My heart will here before you break.
Aha! old codger, is it so?
He squeez'd my hand, the sign I know;
He still is fast within my pen.
What silly animals are men!
He squeez'd my hand, the sign I know;
He still is fast within my pen.
What silly animals are men!
He Wou'd if He Cou'd ; Or, An Old Fool worse than Any | ||