He surely will not hold much longer out.--[Aside.]

Sir William! Nay, look up! What cause to cast Your eyes upon the ground? What an it were A lady?

Sir Wil. You're not angry?

W. Green. No!

Sir Wil. She is.

I'll take the tone she speaks in 'gainst the word, For fifty crowns.--I have not told you all About the ring; though I would sooner die Than play the braggart!--yet, as truth is truth, And told by halves, may from a simple thing, By misconstruction, to a monster grow, I'll tell the whole truth!

W. Green. Dear Sir William, do!

Sir Wil. The lady was a maid, and very young;Nor there in justice to her must I stop, But say that she was beautiful as young;And add to that that she was learned too, Almost enough to win for her that title, Our sex, in poor conceit of their own merits, And narrow spirit of monopoly, And jealousy, which gallantry eschews, Do give to women who assert their right To minds as well as we.

W. Green. What! a blue-stocking?

Sir Wil. I see--she'll come to calling names at last.--[Aside.]

I should offend myself to quote the term.

But, to return, for yet I have not done;

And further yet may go, then progress on That she was young, that she was beautiful.

A wit and learned are naught to what's to come -She had a heart! - W. Green. [Who during SIR WILLIAM'S speech has turned gradually.]

What, Master Waller gone! [Aside.]

Sir Wil. I say she had a heart - W. Green. [Starting up--SIR WILLIAM also.] A plague upon her!

Sir Wil. I knew she would break out! [Aside.]

W. Green. Here, take the ring. It has ruined me!

Sir Wil. I vow thou hast no cause For anger!

W. Green. Have I not? I am undone, And all about that bauble of a ring.

Sir Wil. You're right, it is a bauble.

W. Green. And the minx That gave it thee!

Sir Wil. You're right, she was a minx.

I knew she'd come to calling names at last. [Aside.]

W. Green. Sir William Fondlove, leave me.

Sir Wil. Widow Green! - W. Green. You have undone me, sir!

Sir Wil. Don't say so! Don't!

It was a girl--a child gave me the ring!

W. Green. Do you hear me, sir? I bade you leave me.

Sir Wil. If I thought you were so jealous - W. Green. Jealous, sir!

Sir William! quit my house.

Sir Wil. A little girl To make you jealous!

W. Green. Sir, you'll drive me mad!

Sir Wil. A child, a perfect child, not ten years old!

W. Green. Sir, I would be alone, sir!

Sir Wil. Young enough To dandle still her doll!

W. Green. Sir William Fondlove!

Sir Wil. Dear Widow Green!

W. Green. I hate you, sir! Detest you! Never wish To see you more! You have ruined me! Undone me!

A blighted life I wear, and all through you!

The fairest hopes that ever woman nourished, You've cankered in the very blowing! bloom And sweet destroyed, and nothing left me, but The melancholy stem.

Sir Wil. And all about A little slut I gave a rattle to! -Would pester me for gingerbread and comfits! -A little roguish feigning! A love-trick I played to prove your love!

W. Green. Sir William Fondlove!

If of my own house you'll not suffer me To be the mistress, I will leave it to you!

Sir Wil. Dear Widow Green! The ring - W. Green. Confound the ring, The donor of it, thee, and everything!

[Goes out.]

Sir Wil. She is over head and ears in love with me!

She's mad with love! There's love and all its signs!

She's jealous of me unto very death!

Poor Widow Green! I warrant she is now In tears! I think I hear her sob! Poor thing!

Sir William! Oh, Sir William! You have raised A furious tempest! Set your wits to work To turn it to a calm. No question that She loves me! None then that she'll take me! So I'll have the marriage settlements made out To-morrow, and a special licence got, And marry her the next day! I will make Quick work of it, and take her by surprise!

Who but a widower a widow's match?

What could she see with else but partial eyes To guess me only forty? I'm a wonder!

What shall I pass for in my wedding suit?

I vow I am a puzzle to myself, As well as all the world besides. Odd's life!

To win the heart of buxom Widow Green!

[Goes out.]

[WIDOW GREEN re-enters with LYDIA.]

W. Green. At last the dotard's gone! Fly, Lydia, fly, This letter bear to Master Waller straight;Quick, quick, or I'm undone! He is abused, And I must undeceive him--own my love, And heart and hand at his disposal lay.

Answer me not, my girl--obey me! Fly.

[Goes out.]

Lydia. Untowardly it falls!--I had resolved This hour to tell her I must quit her service!

Go to his house! I will not disobey Her last commands!--I'll leave it at the door, And as it closes on me think I take One more adieu of him! Hard destiny!

[Goes out.]