THE JEALOUS WIFE. ACT I. Scene I.-A Room in Oakly's House. Noise heard within. Mrs. Oak. [Within.] Don't tell me I know it is so— It's monstrous, and I will not bear it. Oak. [Within.] But, my dear! Mrs. Oak. Nay, nay, &c. [Squabbling within. Enter MRS. OAKLY, with a Letter, OAKLY following. Mrs. Oak. Say what you will, Mr. Oakly, you shall never persuade me, but this is some filthy intrigue of yours. Oak. I can assure you, my love Mrs. Oak. Your love!-Don't I know your-Tell me, I say, this instant, every circumstance relating to this letter. Oak. How can I tell you, when you will not so much as let me see it? Mrs. Oak. Look you, Mr. Oakly, this usage is not to be borne. You take a pleasure in abusing my tenderness, and soft disposition.-To be perpetually running over the whole town, nay, the whole kingdom too, in pursuit of your amours!-Did not I discover, that you was great with mademoiselle, my own woman?-Did not you contract a shameful familiarity with Mrs. Freeman ?— Did not I detect your intrigue with Lady Wealthy?— Was not you— Oak. Oons! madam, the Grand Turk himself has not half so many mistresses-You throw me out of all patience Do I know any body but our common friends?—Am I visited by any body, that does not visit you? Do I ever go out, unless you go with me?—And am I not as constantly by your side, as if I was tied to your apron-strings? Mrs. Oak. Go, go, you are a false man-Have not I found you out a thousand times? And have not I this moment a letter in my hand, which convinces me of your baseness?-Let me know the whole affair, or I will Oak. Let you know? Let me know what you would have of me-——————— -You stop my letter before it comes to my hands, and then expect that I should know the contents of it! Mrs. Oak. Heaven be praised, I stopped it!—I suspected some of these doings for some time past-But the letter informs me who she is, and I'll be revenged on her sufficiently. Oh, you base man, you! Oak. I beg, my dear, that you would moderate your passion!-Show me the letter, and I'll convince you of my innocence. Mrs. Oak. Innocence !-Abominable !-Innocence ! But I am not to be made such a fool-I am convinced of your perfidy, and very sure that——— Oak. 'Sdeath and fire! your passion hurries you out of your senses- -Will you hear me? Mrs. Oak. No, you are a base man: and I will not hear you. Oak. Why then, my dear, since you will neither talk reasonably yourself, nor listen to reason from me, I shall take my leave till you are in a better humour. So, your servant! [Going. Mrs. Oak. Ay, go, you cruel man! -Go to your mistresses, and leave your poor wife to her miseries. -How unfortunate a woman am I!-I could die with vexation [Throwing herself into a chair. Oak. There it is-Now dare not I stir a step further -If I offer to go, she is in one of her fits in an instant -Never sure was woman at once of so violent and so delicate a constitution! What shall I say to sooth her? Nay, never make thyself so uneasy, my dear-Come, come, you know I love you. Mrs. Oak. I know you hate me; and that your unkindness and barbarity will be the death of me. [Whining. Oak. Do not vex yourself at this rate-I love you most passionately-Indeed I do―This must be some mistake. Mrs. Oak. Oh, I am an unhappy woman! [Weeping. Oak. Dry up thy tears, my love, and be comforted! You will find that I am not to blame in this matter -Come, let me see this letter- -Nay, you shall not deny me. [Taking the letter. Mrs. Oak. There! take it, you know the hand, I am sure. Oak. [Reading.] To Charles Oakly, Esq.-Hand! 'Tis a clerk-like hand, a good round text! and was certainly never penned by a fair lady. Mrs. Oak. Ay, laugh at me, do! Oak. Forgive me, my love, I did not mean to laugh at thee-But what says the letter!--[Reading.] Daughter eloped-you must be privy to it-scandalousdishonourable-satisfaction-revenge-um, um, um- Mrs. Oak. [Rising.] Well, sir—you see I have detected you--Tell me this instant where she is concealed. |