 | He Wou'd if He Cou'd ; Or, An Old Fool worse than Any |  |
8
SCENE VI.
Changes to a Street; on one Side, the Old Lady's House; on the other Side, Goosecap's. Goosecap enters with the Old Lady.Goose.
In short, this, madam, is my plan;
Would you a husband, I'm your man:
You are not handsome, nor yet young,
But on that theme I hold my tongue;
And, if you take me, you shall find
I'll prove a help-mate true and kind.
O. Lady.
Are you in earnest, Sir?
Goose.
In troth.
O. Lady.
Nay, I'll believe, without your oath;
And, since you make so fair an offer,
I will not vainly slight the proffer:
I am not over young, 'tis true;
And, let me say, no more are you;
And, if I have no charms to spare,
Your beauty, Sir, is nothing rare.
Goose.
Men's years and features are no matter;
And mine may pass, or some folks flatter.
Say, will you have me, ay or no?
O. Lady.
I will, Sir; I have told you so.
Goose.
Then, madam, yield to my request;
Yonder's my house; few words are best,
When folks are fix'd in their design.
Come with me there to day, and dine;
A bit of mutton, en famille,
And afterwards we'll sign and seal.
9
But, are you not too much in haste?
Goose.
Why should we time in courtship waste?
O. Lady.
Nay, as you please; but then, I must
Step in, my head-dress to adjust.
Goose.
I'll wait your coming, madam, here;
But let me lead you, pray.
O. Lady.
O dear!
You gentlemen are so polite!
But, pray, no farther stir;
You shan't, I vow; you shame me quite;
Your humble servant, Sir.
But, pray, no farther stir;
You shan't, I vow; you shame me quite;
Your humble servant, Sir.
But, Mister Goosecap, hark'e;
Pray, did I rightly mark you?
To-morrow did you say,
Should be your wedding-day?
Pray, did I rightly mark you?
To-morrow did you say,
Should be your wedding-day?
Well, let it if you will;
In all that's just and right,
You'll find me day and night,
Your most obedient still.
In all that's just and right,
You'll find me day and night,
Your most obedient still.
| He Wou'd if He Cou'd ; Or, An Old Fool worse than Any | |