Enter PATTY. Patty. Now comes the trial: no, my sentence is already pronounced, and I will meet my fate with prudence and resolution. Lord A. Who's there? Lord A. Patty Fairfield! Patty. I humbly beg pardon, my lord, for pressing so abruptly into your presence, but I am come by my father's commands, to thank your lordship for all your favours. Lord A. Favours, Patty! what favours? I have done you none:-But why this metamorphosis? I protest, if you had not spoke, I should not have known you: I never saw you wear such clothes as these in my mother's lifetime. Patty. No, my lord; it was her ladyship's pleasure I should wear better, and, therefore, I obeyed; but it is now my duty to dress in a manner more suitable to my station and future prospects in life. Lord A. I am afraid, Patty, you are too humble -come, sit down-nay, I will have it so. What is it I have been told to-day, Patty? It seems, you are going to be married ? Patty. Yes, my lord. Lord A. Well, and don't you think you could have made a better choice than Farmer Giles? I should imagine your person, your accomplishments, might have entitled you to look higher. Patty. Your lordship is pleased to overrate my little merit: the education I received in your family does not entitle me to forget my origin; and the farmer is my equal. Lord A. In what respect? the degrees of rank and fortune, my dear Patty, are arbitrary distinctions, unworthy the regard of those who consider justly: the true standard of equality is seated in the mind; those who think nobly, are noble. Patty. The farmer, my lord, is a very honest man. Lord A. The farmer is an ill-bred, illiterate booby; and what happiness can you propose to yourself in such a society?-Then, as to his person, I am sure -But, perhaps, Patty, you like him? and, if so, I am doing a wrong thing. Patty. I hope, my lord, he has not incurred your displeasure Lord A. That's of no signification.-Could I find as many good qualities in him as you do, perhaps But 'tis enough; he's a fellow I don't like; and, as you have a regard for him, I would have you advise him to provide himself with another farm. Patty. My lord, I am very unfortunate. Lord A. She loves him, 'tis plain :-come, Patty, don't cry I would not willingly do any thing to make you uneasy.-Have you seen Miss Sycamore yet?—I suppose you know she and I are going to be married? Patty. So, I hear, my lord. both happy! -Heaven make you Lord A. Thank you, Patty: I hope we shall be happy. Patty. Upon my knees, upon my knees, I pray it! may every earthly bliss attend you! may your days prove an uninterrupted course of delightful tranquillity and your mutual friendship, confidence, and love, end but with your lives! Lord A. Rise, Patty, rise; say no more: I suppose you'll wait upon Miss Sycamore before you go away-at present, I have a little business- -As I said, Patty, don't afflict yourself: I have been somewhat hasty with regard to the farmer; but since I see how deeply you are interested in his affairs, I may possibly alter my designs with regard to him-You know-you know, Patty, your marriage with him is no concern of mine-I only speak. AIR. My passion, in vain I attempt to dissemble; By how many cruel ideas tormented! My blood's in a ferment; it freezes, it burns: This moment I wish what, the next, is repented; While love, rage, and jealousy, rack me by turns. Enter GILES. [Exit. Giles, Miss Pat-Odd rabbit it, I thought his ho nour was here; and, I wish I may die, if my heart did not jump into my mouth-Come, come down in all haste, there's such rig below as you never knew in your born days.-There's as good as forty of the tenants, men and maidens, have got upon the lawn, before the castle, with pipers and garlands, just for all the world as tho'f it was Mayday; and the quality's looking at them out of the windows-'Tis as true as any thing-on account of my lord's coming home with his new lady. Patty. Well, and what then? Giles. Why, I was thinking, if so be as you would come down, as we might take a dance together: little Sal, farmer Harrow's daughter, of the Green, would fain have had me for a partner: but I said as how I'd go for one I liked better-one that I'd make a partner for life. Patty. Did you say so? Giles. Yes, and she was struck all of a heap-she had not a word to throw to a dog-for Sal and I kept company once, for a little bit. It Patty. Farmer, I am going to say something to you, and I desire you'll listen to it attentively. seems, you think of our being married together? Giles. Think? why, I think of nothing else; it's all over the place, mun, as how you are to be my spouse; and you would not believe what game folks make of me! Patty. Shall I talk to you like a friend, Farmer ? -You and I never were designed for one another; and I am morally certain we should not be happy. Giles. Oh, as for that matter, I never has no words with nobody. Patty. Shall I speak plainer to you then ?—I don't like you. Giles. No! that's very odd! Patty. On the contrary, you are disagreeable to me. Giles. Am I? Patty. Yes, of all things-I deal with you sincerely. Giles. Why, I thought, Miss Pat, the affair between you and I was all fixed and settled. Patty. Well, let this undeceive you-Be assured, we shall never be man and wife. No offer shall persuade, no command force me.-You know my mind; make your advantage of it. AIR. Was I sure a life to lead Wretched as the vilest slave, Ere yield my hand so coolly, [Exit. Giles. Here's a turn!-I don't know what to make of it-she's gone mad, that's for sartin; wit and learning have cracked her brain-Poor soul! poor soul! It is often the case of those who have too much of them-Lord, Lord, how sorry I be !-But hold, she says I baint to her mind-mayn't all this be the effect of moodish coyness, to do like the gentlewomen, because she was bred among them? And, I have heard say, they will be upon their vixen tricks, till they go into the very church with a man. AIR. When a maid, in way of marriage, Thof, mayhap, she likes him mainly, Lest the folks should think her bold. But the parson comes in sight, 'Tis a different story quite, And she quickly buckles too. [Exit. |