University of Virginia Library

SCENE II.

—A Room in Sir William Fondlove's House.
Enter Wildrake and Trueworth.
Wild.
You are not angry?

True.
No; I knew the service
I sent you on was one of danger.

Wild.
Thank you.
Most kind you are—And you believe she loves me:
And your own hopes give up to favour mine.
Was ever known such kindness! Much I fear
'Twill cost you.

True.
Never mind! I'll try and bear it.

Wild.
That's right. No use in yielding to a thing
Resolve does wonders! Shun the sight of her—
See other women!—Fifty to be found
As fair as she.

True.
I doubt it.

Wild.
Doubt it not.
Doubt nothing that gives promise of a cure.
Right handsome dames there are in Lancashire,
Whence call'd their women, witches!—witching things!
I know a dozen families in which
You'd meet a courtesy worthy of a bow.
I'll give you letters to them.

True.
Will you?

Wild.
Yes.

True.
The worth of a disinterested friend!

Wild.
O Master Trueworth, deeply I'm your debtor
I own I die for love of neighbour Constance!
And thou to give her up for me! Kind friend!
What won't I do for thee?—Don't pine to death!
I'll find thee fifty ways to cure thy passion,
And make thee heart-whole, if thou'rt so resolved.
Thou shalt be master of my sporting stud,
And go a hunting. If that likes thee not,
Take up thy quarters at my shooting lodge;
There is a cellar to't—make free with it.
I'll thank thee if thou emptiest it. The song
Gives out that wine feeds love—It drowns it, man!
If thou wilt neither hunt nor shoot, try games;
Play at loggats, bowls, fives, dominoes, draughts, cribbage,
Backgammon—special recipes for love!
And you believe, for all the hate she shows,
That neighbour Constance loves me?

True.
'Tis my thought.

Wild.
How shall I find it out?

True.
Affect to love
Another. Say your passion thrives; the day
Is fix'd; and pray her undertake the part
Of bridemaid to your bride. 'Twill bring her out.

Wild.
You think she'll own her passion?

True.
If she loves.

Wild.
I thank thee! I shall try it! Master Trueworth,
What shall I say to thee, to give her up,
And love her so?

True.
Say nothing.

Wild.
Noble friend!
Kind friend! Instruct another man the way
To win thy mistress! Thou'lt not break my heart?
Take my advice, thou shalt not be in love
A month! Frequent the play-house!—Walk the Park!
I'll think of fifty ladies that I know,
Yet can't remember now—enchanting ones!
And then there's Lancashire!—and I have friends
In Berkshire and in Wiltshire, that have swarms
Of daughters! Then my shooting-lodge and stud!
I'll cure thee in a fortnight of thy love!
And now to neighbour Constance—yet almost
I fear accosting her—a hundred times
Have I essay'd to break my mind to her,
But still she stops my mouth with restless scorn!
Howe'er, thy scheme I'll try, and may it thrive!
For I am sick for love of neighbour Constance.
Farewell, dear Master Trueworth! Take my counsel—
Conquer thy passion! Do so! Be a man!

[Goes out.
True.
Feat, easy done, that does not tax ourselves!

Enter Phœbe.
Phœbe.
A letter, sir.

[Goes out.
True.
Good sooth, a roaming one,
And yet slow traveller. This should have reachéd me
In Lombardy.—The hand! Give way, weak seal,
Thy feeble let too strong for my impatience!
Ha! Wrong'd!—Let me contain myself!—Compell'd
To fly the roof that gave her birth!—My sister!
No partner in her flight but her pure honour!
I am again a brother.—Pillow, board,
I know not till I find her.

Enter Waller.
Wal.
Master Trueworth!

True.
Ha! Master Waller! Welcome, Master Waller.

Wal.
Good Master Trueworth, thank you. Finding you
From home, I e'en made bold to follow you,
For I esteem you as a man, and fain
Would benefit by your kind offices.
But let me tell you first, to your reproof,
I am indebted more than e'er I was
To praise of any other! I am come, sir,
To give you evidence I am not one
Who owns advice is right, and acts not on't.

True.
Pray you explain.

Wal.
Will you the bearer be
Of this to one, has cause to thank you, too;
Though I the larger debtor?—Read it, sir.

True.
[Reading the letter.]
“At morn to-morrow I shall make you mine;
Will you accept from me the name of wife,
The name of husband give me in exchange?”

Wal.
How say you, sir?

True.
'Tis boldly—nobly done!

Wal.
If she consents—which affectation 'twere
To say I doubt—bid her prepare for church,
And you shall act the father, sir, to her
You did the brother by.

True.
Right willingly.
Though matter of high moment I defer,
Mind, heart, and soul, are all enlisted in!

Wal.
May I implore you, haste! A time is set!—
How light an act of duty makes the heart!

[They go out together.