Theod. My dear Patty-See, Farmer, you have thrown her into tears-Pray, be comforted. Giles. Let her go out of 'em then. Enter MERVIN. [Exit. Theod. You are a pretty gentleman, are not you, to suffer a lady to be at rendezvous before you? Mervin. Difficulties, my dear, and dangersNone of the company had two suits of apparel; so I was obliged to purchase a rag of one, and a tatter from another, at the expense of ten times the sum they would fetch at the paper mill. Theod. Well, where are they? Meroin. Here, in this bundle-and though I say it, a very decent habiliment, if you have art enough to stick the parts together :-I've been watching till the coast was clear, to bring them to you. Theod. Let me see-I'll slip into this closet and equip myself-All here is in such confusion, there will be no notice taken. Mervin. Do so; I'll take care nobody shall interrupt you in the progress of your metamorphosis.[She goes in.]—and, if you are not tedious, we may walk off without being interrupted by any one. Theod. [Within.] Ha! ha! ha!-what a concourse of atoms are here! though, as I live, they are a great deal better than I expected. Mervin. Well, pray make haste, and don't imagine yourself at your toilet now, where mode prescribes two hours, for what reason would scarce allow three minutes. Theod. [Within.] Have patience; the outward garment is on already; and, I'll assure you, a very good stuff, only a little the worse for the mending. Mervin. Imagine it embroidery, and consider it your wedding-suit.-Come, how far are you got? Theod. [Within.] Stay, you don't consider, there's some contrivance necessary.-Here goes the apron, flounced and furbelowed, with a witness!-Alas, alas, it has no strings! what shall I do? Come, no matter, a couple of pins will serve- -And now the cap-oh, mercy! here's a hole in the crown of it large enough to thrust my head through. Mervin. That you'll hide with your straw hat; or, if you should not- -What, not ready yet? Theod. Only one minute moree-Yes, now the work's accomplished. [Enters from the Closet. AIR. Who'll buy good luck, who'll buy, who'll buy Through the village, through the town, Young and old, and grave and gay, Enter FAIRFIELD and GILES. Fair. As to the past, Farmer, 'tis past; I bear no malice for any thing thou hast said. Giles. Why, Master Fairfield, you do know I had a great regard for Miss Patty; but when I came to consider all in all, I finds as how it is not advisable to change my condition yet awhile. Fair. Friend Giles, thou art in the right; marriage is a serious point, and can't be considered too warily. -Ha! who have we here?-Shall I never keep my F house clear of these vermin?-Look to the goods there, and give me a horsewhip-by the Lord Harry, I'll make an example!-Come here, Lady Lightfingers, let me see what thou hast stolen ! Mervin. Hold, miller! hold! Fair. Oh, gracious goodness! sure, I know this face -Miss-young Madam Sycamore-Mercy heart, here's a disguise! Theod. Discovered! Mervin. Miller! let me speak to you! Giles. Ill fortune-Miss! I think there be nothing but crosses and misfortunes of one kind or other. [Exit. Fair. Money to me, sir !—not for the world! you want no friends but what you have already-Lack-a day, lack-a day, see how luckily I came in! I believe you are the gentleman to whom I am charged to give this, on the part of my Lord Aimworth-Bless you, dear sir, go up to his honour with my young lady— There is a chaise waiting at the door, to carry youI and my daughter will take another way. [Exit. Mervin. Pr'ythee read this letter, and tell me what you think of it. Theod. Heavens ! 'tis a letter from Lord Aimworth! we are betrayed! Mervin. By what means I know not. Theod. I am so frightened and flurried, that I have scarce strength enough to read it. Mervin. Well, what do you think of it?-shall we go to the castle? Theod. By all means-and in this very trim; to show what we are capable of doing, if my father and mother had not come to reason.-But, perhaps, the difficulties being removed, may lessen your penchant ; you men are such unaccountable mortals!-Do you love me well enough to marry me, without making a frolic of it? Who, upon the oozy beach, Can count the num'rous sands that lie? Transparent orb that studs the sky? As their multitude betray, And frustrate all attempts to tell ; How much I love, I love so well. Theod. But hark you, Mervin, will you take after my father, and be a very husband now?-Or don't you think I shall take after my mother, and be a commanding wife? Mervin. Oh, I'll trust you. Theod. But you may pay for your confidence. Enter GILES. [Exeunt. Giles. Master Fairfield and Miss Patty, it seems, are gone to the castle too; where, by what I larns from Ralph in the mill, my lord has promised to get her a husband among the servants. Now, set in case the wind sits in that corner, I have been thinking with myself who the plague it can be there are no unmarried men in the family that I do know of, excepting little Bob, the postillion; and Master Jonathan, the butler; and he's a matter of sixty or seventy years old. I'll be shot if it beant little Bob!-Icod, I'll take the way to the castle, as well as the rest; for I'd fain see how the nail do drive. It is well I had wit enough to discern things, and a friend to advise with, or else she would have fallen to my lot.-But I have got a surfeit of going a courting, and burn me, if I won't live a bachelor! for, when all comes to all, I see nothing but ill blood and quarrels among folk when they are married. AIR. Then hey for a frolicsome life! Had we been together buckled, 'Twould have proved a fine affair: Dogs would have bark'd at the cuckold, And boys, pointing, cried-" Look there." [Exit. SCENE IV. A grand Apartment in LORD AIMWORTH'S House, opening to a View of the Garden. Enter LORD AIMWORTH, FAIRFIELD, PATTY, and RALPH. Lord A. Thus, Master Fairfield, I hope I have fully satisfied you, with regard to the falsity of the imputation thrown upon your daughter and me Fair. My lord, I am very well content; pray do not give yourself the trouble of saying any more. Ralph. No, my lord, you need not say any more. |