you every day, and weep while the receipt was operating? TONY. Ecod! you had reafon to weep, for you have been dofing me ever fince I was born. I have gone through every receipt in the complete housewife ten times over; and you have thoughts of courfing me through Quincy next spring. But, ecod! I tell you, I'll not be made a fool of no longer. Mrs. HARDCASTLE. Wasn't it all for your good, viper? Wasn't it all for your good? TONY. I wish you'd let me and my good alone then.. Snubbing this way when I'm in fpirits. If I'm to have any good, let it come of itfelf; not to keep dinging it, dinging it into one fo. Mrs. HARDCASTLE. That's falfe; I never see you when you're in fpirits. No, Tony, you then go to the alehouse or kennel. I'm never to be delighted with your agreeable, wild notes, unfeeling monster! TONY. Ecod mamma, your own notes are the wildeft of the two. Mrs. HARDCASTLE. Was ever the like? But I fee he wants to break my heart, I fee he does.. HAST HASTINGS. Dear madam, permit me to lecture the young gentleman a little. I'm certain I can perfuade him to his duty. Mrs. HARDCASTLE. Well! I muft retire. Come, Conftance, my love. You fee, Mr. Haftings, the wretchedness of my fituation: was ever poor woman fo plagued with a dear, fweet, pretty, provoking, undutiful boy. [Exeunt Mrs. Hardcastle and Mifs Neville. HASTINGS, TONY. TONY, finging. "There was a young man riding by, and fain "would have his will. Rang do didlo dee.”. Don't mind her. Let her cry. It's the comfort of her heart. I have feen her and fifter cry over a book for an hour together, and they faid, they liked the book the better the more it made them cry. HASTINGS. Then you're no friend to the ladies, I find, my pretty young gentleman ? That's as I find 'um. TONY. HASTINGS. Not to her of your mother's chufing, I dare anfwer? And yet she appears to me a pretty well-tempered girl. TONY. TONY. That's because you don't know her as well as I. Ecod! I know every inch about her; and there's not a more bitter cantanckerous toad in all chriftendom. HASTINGS. (Afide) Pretty encouragement this for a lover! ΤΟΝΥ. I have seen her fince the height of that. She has as many tricks as a hare in a thicket, or a colt the first day's breaking. HASTINGS. To me she appears fenfible and filent! TONY. Aye, before company. But when she's with her play-mate she's as loud as a hog in a gate. HASTINGS. But there is a meek modesty about her that charms me. TONY. Yes, but curb her never fo little, fhe kicks up, and you're flung in a ditch. HASTINGS. Well, but you must allow her a little beauty. -Yes, you must allow her fome beauty. TONY. Bandbox! She's all a made up thing, mum. Ah! could you but fee Bet Bouncer of these parts, you you might then talk of beauty. Ecod, fhe has two eyes as black as floes, and cheeks as broad and red as a pulpit cufhion. She'd make two of she. HASTINGS. Well, what fay you to a friend that would take this bitter bargain off your hands ? Anon. TONY. HASTINGS. Would you thank him that would take Mifs Neville, and leave you to happiness and your dear Betfy? TONY. Aye; but where is there fuch a friend, for who would take her? HASTINGS. I am he. If you but affift me, I'll engage to whip her off to France, and you fhall never hear more of her. TONY. Affift you! Ecod I will, to the last drop of my blood. I'll clap a pair of horses to your chaise that fhall trundle you off in a twinkling, and may be get you a part of her fortin befide, in jewels, that you little dream of. HASTINGS. My dear 'fquire, this looks like a lad of spirit. TONY. |