spect to the judgment of mama, and less to your own, than you ought to do.

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S. Har. Well, but Dossy, don't you see how your mama loves me; if my finger does but ache, she's like a bewitched woman; and, if I was to die, I don't believe she would outlive the burying of me: nay she has told me as much herself.

The. Her fondness indeed is very extraordinary. S. Har. Besides, could you give up the prospect of being a countess, and mistress of this fine place? The. Yes, truly could I.

AIR.

With the man that I love, was I destin'd to dwell,
On a mountain, a moor, in a cot, in a cell,
Retreats the most barren, most desert, would be
More pleasing than courts or a palace to me.

Let the vain and the venal, in wedlock aspire
To what folly esteems, and the vulgar admire;

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I yield them the bliss, where their wishes are placed, 370 Insensible creatures! 'tis all they can taste.

SCENE VII.

SIR HARRY, THEODOSIA, LADY SYCAMORE.

L. Syc. Sir Harry, where are you?

S. Har. Here, my lamb.

L. Syc. I am just come from looking over his lordship's family trinkets.Well, Miss Sycamore, you are a happy creature, to have diamonds, equipage, title, all the blessings of life pour'd thus upon you at once.

The. Blessings, madam! Do you think then I am such a wretch as to place my felicity in the possession such trumpery.

of any

380

L. Syc. Upon my word, Miss, you have a very disdainful manner of expressing yourself; I believe there are very few young women of fashion, who would think any sacrifice they could make too much for them. Did you ever hear the like of her, Sir Harry ? S. Har. Why, my dear, I have just been talking to her in the same strain, but whatever she has got in her head

388

L. Syc. Oh, it is Mr. Mervin, her gentleman of Bucklersbury.-Fye, Miss, marry a cit! Where is your pride, your vanity; have you nothing of the person of distinction about you?

S. Har. Well, but my lady, you know I am a piece of a cit myself, as I may say, for my great-grandfather was a dry-salter.

The. And yet, madam, you condescended to marry my papa.

397

L. Syc. Well, if I did miss, I had but five thousand pounds to my portion, and Sir Harry knows I was past eight and thirty, before I would listen to him.

S. Har. Nay, Dossy, that's true, your mama own'd eight and thirty, before we were married: but by the la, my dear, you were a lovely angel; and by candle

light nobody would have taken you for above five and twenty.

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L. Syc. Sir Harry, you remember the last time I was at my lord duke's.

S. Har. Yes, my love, it was the very day your little bitch Minxey pupt.

L. Syc. And pray what did the whole family say; my lord John, and my lord Thomas, and my lady Duchess in particular? Cousin, says her Grace to me— for she always called me cousin—

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The. Well, but madam, to cut this matter short at once, my father has a great regard for Mr. Mervin, and would consent to our union with all his heart. L. Syc. Do you say so, Sir Harry ?

S. Har. Who, I, love!

L. Syc. Then all my care and prudence are come to nothing.

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S. Har. Well, but stay my lady-Dossy, you are always making mischief.

The. Ah! my dear sweet

L. Syc. Do miss, that's right, coax

The. No, madam, I am not capable of any such

meanness.

L. Syc. 'Tis very civil of you to contradict me how

ever.

S. Har. Eh! what's that-hands off Dossy, don't

come near me.

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AIR.

Why how now miss pert,
Do you think to divert

My anger by fawning and stroking?
Would you make me a fool

Your play-thing, your tool?
Was ever young minx so provoking?
Get out of my sight,

'Twould be serving you right,

To lay a sound dose of the lash on ;

Contradict your mama,

I've a mind by the la!

But I won't put myself in a passion.

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SCENE VIII.

SIR HARRY, LADY SYCAMORE, LORD AIMWORTH, GILES.

L. Aim. Come farmer, you may come in, there are none here but friends.—Sir Harry, your servant.

S. Har. My lord, I kiss your lordship's hands-I hope he did not overhear us squabbling-" I have ‹ been chattering here with my wife and daughter, 66 my lord-We have been examining your lord"ship's pictures.

66

449

L. Aim. "I flatter myself, then her ladyship found something to entertain her;

"them counted tolerable."

there are a few of

-Well now, master

Giles what is it you have got to say to me? If I can do you any service, this company will give you leave to speak.

Giles. I thank your lordship, I has not got a great deal to say; I do come to your lordship about a little business, if you'll please to give me the hearing. 458 L. Aim. Certainly, only let me know what it is.

Giles. Why an please you my lord, being left alone, as I may say, feyther dead, and all the business upon my own hands, I do think of settling and taking a wife, and am come to ax your honour's consent.

L. Aim. My consent, farmer! if that be necessary, you have it with all my heart-I hope you have taken care to make a prudent choice.

Giles. Why I do hope so, my lord.

L. Aim. Well, and who is the happy fair one? Does she live in my house?

469 Giles. No, my lord, she does not live in your house, but she's a parson of your acquaintance.

L. Aim. Of my acquaintance!

Giles. No offence, I hope your honour.

L. Aim. None in the least: but how is she an acquaintance of mine ?

Giles. Your lordship do know Miller Fairfield?
L. Aim. Well-

Giles. And Patty Fairfield, his daughter, my lord?
L. Aim. Ay is it her you think of marrying?

Giles. Why, if so be as your lordship has no objection; to be sure we will do nothing without your consent and approbation.

D

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