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L. Aim. Upon my word, farmer, you have made an excellent choice-It is a god-daughter of my mother's, madam, who was bred up under her care, and I protest I do not know a more amiable young woman. But are you sure, farmer, that Patty herself is inclinable to this match.

Giles. O yes, my lord I am sartain of that.

489 L. Aim. Perhaps then she desired you to come and ask my consent?

Giles. Why as far as this here, my lord; to be sure, the miller did not care to publish the banns, without making your lordship acquainted-But I hope your honour's not angry with I.

L. Aim. Angry farmer! why should you think so?— what interest have I in it to be angry?

S. Har. And so, honest farmer, you are going to be married to little Patty Fairfield? ́She's an old acquaintance of mine; how long have you and she been sweethearts?

501

Giles. Not a long while, an please your worship. S. Har. Well, her father's a good warm fellow; I suppose you take care that she brings something to make the pot boil?

L. Syc. What does that concern you, Sir Harry? how often must I tell you of meddling in other people's affairs?

509

S. Har. My lord, a penny for your thoughts.
L. Aim. I beg your pardon, Sir Harry; upon my

word, I did not think where I was.

511

Giles. Well then, your honour, I'll make bold to

be taking my leave; I may say you gave consent for Miss Patty and I to go on.

L. Aim. Undoubtedly, farmer, if she approves of it: but are you not afraid that her education has rendered her a little unsuitable for a wife for you ?

L. Syc. Oh my lord, if the girl's handy

519

S. Har. Oh, ay—when a girl's handy— Giles. Handy! Why, saving respect, there's nothing comes amiss to her; she's cute at every varsal kind of thing.

AIR.

Odd's
's my life, search England over,
An you match her in her station,
I'll be bound to fly the nation:
And be sure as well I love her.

Do but feel my heart a beating,
Still her pretty name repeating,
Here's the work 'tis always at,
Pitty, patty, pat, pit, pat.

When she makes the music tinkle,
What on yearth can sweeter be?
Then her little eyes so twinkle,
'Tis a feast to hear and see.

530

SCENE IX.

LORD AIMWORTH, SIR HARRY, LADY SYCAMORE.

S. Har. By dad this is a good merry fellow, is not he in love, with his pitty patty-And so my lord you have given your consent that he shall marry your mother's old housekeeper. Ah, well, I can see————

L. Aim. Nobody doubts, Sir Harry, that you are very clear-sighted.

:

540

S. Har. Yes, yes, let me alone, I know what's what I was a young fellow once myself; and I should have been glad of a tenant, to take a pretty girl off my hands now and then, as well as another.

L. Aim. I protest my dear friend, I don't understand

you.

L. Syc. Nor nobody else-Sir Harry you are going at some beastliness now.

548

S. Har. Who I, my lady? Not I, as I hope to live and breathe; 'tis nothing to us you know, what my lord does before he's married; when I was a bachelor, I was a devil among the wenches, myself; and yet I vow to George, my lord, since I knew my lady Sycamore, and we shall be man and wife eighteen years, if we live till next-Candlemas-day, I never had to do

L. Syc. Sir Harry, come out of the room, I desire. S. Har. Why, what's the matter, my lady, I did not say any harm ?

559

L. Syc. I see what you are driving at, you want to make me faint.

S. Har. I want to make you faint, my lady!

L. Syc. Yes you do—and if you don't come out this instant I shall fall down in the chamber-I beg, my lord, you won't speak to him.-Will you come out, Sir Harry.

S. Har. Nay, but my lady !

L. Syc. No, I will have you out.

568

SCENE X.

LORD AIMWORTH.

This worthy Baronet, and his lady, are certainly a very whimsical couple; however, their daughter is perfectly amiable in every respect: and yet I am sorry I have brought her down here; for can I in honour marry her, while my affections are engaged to another? To what does the pride of condition and the censure of the world force me! Must I then renounce the only person that can make me happy; because, because what? because she's a miller's daughter? Vain pride, and unjust censure! has she not all the graces that education can give her sex; improved by a genius seldom found among the highest? has she not modesty, sweetness of temper, and beauty of person, capable of adorning a rank the most exalted? But it is too late to think of these things now; my hand is

Act 1. promised, my honour engaged: and if it was not so, she has engaged herself; the farmer is a person to her mind, and I have authorized their union by my approbation. 587

AIR.

The mad-man thus, at times, we see,
With seeming reason blest;

His looks, his words, his thoughts are free,
And speak a mind at rest.

But short the calms of ease and sense,

And ah! uncertain too;

While that idea lives from whence

At first his frenzy grew.

595

SCENE XI.

Changes to the prospect of the mill.

Enter RALPH, with MERVIN, in a riding dress, followed by FANNY.

Fan. Ah, pray your honour, try if you have not something to spare for poor Fanny the gipsey.

Ral. I tell you, Fan, the gentleman has no change about him; why the plague will you be so trouble

some ?

600

Fan. Lord what is it to you, if his honour has a

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