University of Virginia Library

SCENE II.

Mrs. Freeman enters.
Briar.

This unexpected visit, Madam—

Mrs. Freeman.

Is on no slight occasion, neighbour Briar—My
husband has inform'd me of my son's addresses to your
daughter—

Briar.

And you wou'd make us sensible of the great honour
you intend us.

Mrs. Freeman.

An honour that's too great for you or her.

Briar.

Good woman, have a care: be not too presuming.

Mrs. Freeman.

How! is this your language to your landlord's sister?
Have not you and your fore-fathers been, time out of
mind, the vassals of my family?

Briar.
Tenants we've been, and always pay'd our rent,
Tho' we've been poor:—but, Madam, to the purpose;
Whate'er it is, tell it in words as plain
As is the man to whom you speak.

Charlotte.
O! my poor heart, on what a wreck thou'rt thrown!

(To herself.
Mrs. Freeman.

Then plainly my design is this, to tell you that your
thoughts soar much above your low condition. Whate'er
my son's misguided love may be, or whate'er his

father's resolution is, your daughter is no wife for Mrs.
Freeman's son. Look round about you, and you
soon may find a husband for your daughter among the
labouring honest hinds of Kent: or if, my wench, you
chuse a single life, perhaps I may prefer you, when
young Freeman marrys, to be his lady's waitingmaid.

Charlotte.
Whatever is my lot,
Eternal blessings be on Freeman's head.

(She weeps.
Briar.
Waste not a tear my child.—Woman be gone;
Civility to thee wou'd be a crime.
Know that my daughter, cloath'd by nature's hand
With beauty, and adorn'd with modesty
And truth, wou'd grace thy family
With such a picture of the female sex
As never yet it saw.

Mrs. Freeman.
I tell thee, man—

Briar.
I tell thee, woman, I will hear no more.
Yourself was the first cause of my hatred to Freeman's family,
Which encreas'd with time, and now is fix'd,
Fast as the roots of oaks, in Briar's heart:
O! cou'd my imprecations influence heav'n,
Mildews shou'd blast thy corn, a murrain seize
On all thy flocks and herds; but on thyself
What curse wou'd I draw down!
A long old age, deformity, and cramps.
As for my child, she shall this day be sent
Where Freeman's son shall ne'er behold her more.
Away, my ears are deaf to your reply.

(He thrusts her out.