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. 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 Do but feel my heart a beating, When she makes the music tinkle, 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, His looks, his words, his thoughts are free, 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 |