 | A Hint to Husbands |  |
SCENE II.
—The street.Sir Charles Le Brun meeting Dogherty.
SIR CHARLES.
Well met, friend Timothy! what news with you?
DOGHERTY.
There now! to see how thoughts will sometimes jump,
And justle one another in by jerks.
Just as I met your honour, I was thinking
What I should say, if any body ask'd me
What news, friend Timothy?
SIR CHARLES.
Well, let us hear
What you will say.
DOGHERTY.
Long life to your kind honour!
It is good news if you are well in health.
51
Which the poor have in common with the rich.
SIR CHARLES.
You serve the Lady Transit, I believe?—
Pray, my good fellow, is she now in Town?
DOGHERTY.
Troth, sir, to say where any lady is,
When she is out of sight, is above me.
SIR CHARLES.
But you can tell me if she was in Town
When last you saw her.
DOGHERTY.
As I cannot speak
To time and place correctly to your question,
I humbly beg to waive it altogether.
SIR CHARLES.
You're dumb; but wine will make a dumb man speak.
Will you accept a trifle to procure it?
DOGHERTY.
Sweet sir, most thankfully. Good wine's a jewel,
And whisky punch, and whisky its ownself
In its own naked innocence and beauty,
As we enjoy it in our blessed nation;
All these are harmless wholesome recreations.
SIR CHARLES.
Take this,—and now direct me to your lady.
DOGHERTY.
Ah, noble sir, I hope I'm better taught
Than to lose any time in seeking out
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And when I've done that handsomely, good chance
If I am able to direct myself.
Good day to your good honour! Ah! a guinea!
[Exit.
SIR CHARLES.
The murrain light upon that Irish pagan!
He has fobb'd me of my guinea, and gone off.
But see! as sure as can be, 'tis the youngster
That came to London with the Lady Transit.
Trevor
enters.
Sir, your most humble servant! With your leave
A few words, if your business is not pressing.
TREVOR.
Sir Charles Le Brun?
SIR CHARLES.
The same—at your command.
I think I saw you with the Lady Transit?
TREVOR.
'Tis very possible.
SIR CHARLES.
You live, perhaps,
In this part of the town?
TREVOR.
Yes, with my uncle.
SIR CHARLES.
And who is he?
TREVOR.
My mother's father's son.
SIR CHARLES.
That does not edify.
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I'm sorry for it.
If in the way of business you wou'd know him,
You'll trace him by the firm of Gallishoff
As readily as you can find the Bank.
If your inquiry only tends to ask
Where Lady Transit may be visited,
I have the honour to inform you, sir,
That lady can receive no visitors.
[Exit.
SIR CHARLES
alone.
If she receives me, I shall little care
How few besides may visit her. These citizens
Give full instruction on their corner houses
To lead us to their execrable shops,
But not one finger-post that points to love.
[Exit.
| A Hint to Husbands | |