It still has been the same; nor cared I ever
To give a frown to any other.

And now to come and tell me he's in love,

And ask me to be bridemaid to his bride!
How durst he do it!-To fall in love!
Methinks at least he might have ask'd my leave,
Nor had I wonder'd had he ask'd myseli!
Wild. Then give thyself to me!

Con. How! what!

Wild. Be mine;

Thou art the only maid thy neighbour loves.
Con. Art serious, neighbour Wildrake?
Wild. In the church

I'll answer thee, if thou wilt take me; though
I neither dress, nor walk, nor dance, nor know
"The Widow Jones" from an Italian, French,
Or German air.

Con. No more of that.-My hand.

Wild. Givest it as free as thou didst yesterday? Con. [Affecting to strike him.] Nay!

Wild. I will thank thee, give it how thou wilt.

SCENE FROM "THE RIVALS."

BY RICHARD Brinsley Sheridan,

CAPT. ABSOLUTE. SIR ANTHONY ABSOLUTE.

Capt. Absolute. Sir, I am delighted to see you here; looking so well! your sudden arrival at Bath made. me apprehensive for your health.

Sir Anthony. Very apprehensive, I dare say, Jack. What, you are recruiting here, hey?

Abs. Yes, sir, I am on duty.

Sir Anth. Well, Jack, I am glad to see you, though I did not expect it, for I was going to write to you on a little matter of business.-Jack, I have been considering that I grow old and infirm, and shall probably not trouble you long.

Abs. Pardon me, sir, I never saw you look more strong and hearty; and I pray frequently that you may continue so.

Sir Anth. I hope your prayers may be heard, with all my heart. Well then, Jack, I have been considering that I am so strong and hearty, I may continue to plague you a long time. Now, Jack, I am sensible that the income of your commission, and what I have hitherto allowed you, is but a small pittance for a lad of your spirit.

Abs. Sir, you are very good.

Sir Anth. And it is my wish, while yet I live, to have my boy make some figure in the world. I have

resolved, therefore, to fix you at once in a noble independence.

Abs. Sir, your kindness overpowers me-such generosity makes the gratitude of reason more lively than the sensations even of filial affection.

Sir Anth. I am glad you are so sensible of my attention-and you shall be master of a large estate in a few weeks.

Abs. Let my future life, sir, speak my gratitude; I cannot express the sense I have of your munificence. Yet, sir, I presume you would not wish me to quit the army?

Sir Anth. Oh, that shall be as your wife chooses. Abs. My wife, sir!

Sir Anth. Ay, ay, settle that between you-settle that between you.

Abs. A wife, sir, did you say?

Sir Anth. Ay, a wife-why, did not I mention her before?

Abs. Not a word of her, sir.

Sir Anth. Odd so-I mustn't forget her though. Yes, Jack, the independence I was talking of is by a marriage the fortune is saddled with a wife-but I suppose that makes no difference.

Abs. Sir! sir!-you amaze me!

Sir Anth. Why, what the devil's the matter with the fool? Just now you were all gratitude and duty. Abs. I was, sir,—you talked to me of independence and a fortune, but not a word of a wife.

Sir Anth. Why, what difference does that make? Odds life, sir! if you have the estate, you must take it with the live stock on it, as it stands.

Abs. If my happiness is to be the price, I must beg leave to decline the purchase.-Pray, sir, who is the lady?

Sir Anth. What's that to you, sir?-Come, give me your promise to love, and to marry her directly. Abs. Sure, sir, this is not very reasonable, to summon my affections for a lady I know nothing of!

Sir Anth. I am sure, sir, 't is more unreasonable in you to object to a lady you know nothing of!

Abs. Then, sir, I must tell you plainly that my inclinations are fixed on another-my heart is engaged to an angel.

Sir Anth. Then pray let it send an excuse. It is very sorry-but business prevents its waiting on her. Abs. But my vows are pledged to her.

Sir Anth. Let her foreclose, Jack; let her foreclose; they are not worth redeeming; besides, you have the angel's vows in exchange, I suppose; so there can be no loss there.

Abs. You must excuse me, sir, if I tell you, once for all, that in this point I cannot obey you.

Sir Anth. Hark'ee, Jack ;-I have heard you for some time with patience-I have been cool-quite cool; but take care-you know I am compliance itself when I am not thwarted ;-no one more easily led-when I have my own way;-but don't put me in a frenzy.

Abs. Sir, I must repeat it-in this I cannot obey

you.

Sir Anth. Now curse me! if ever I call you Jack again while I live!

Abs. Nay, sir, but hear me.

Sir Anth. Sir, I won't hear a word-not a word! not one word! so give me your promise by a nod— and I'll tell you what, Jack—I mean you dog-if you don't, by――

Abs. What, sir, promise to link myself to some mass of ugliness! to

Sir Anth. Zounds! sirrah! the lady shall be as ugly as I choose: she shall have a hump on each shoulder; she shall be as crooked as the crescent ; her one eye shall roll like the bull's in Cox's Museum; she shall have a skin like a mummy, and the beard of a Jew-she shall be all this, sirrah! yet I will make you ogle her all day, and sit up all night to write sonnets on her beauty.

Abs. This is reason and moderation indeed!

Sir Anth. None of your sneering, puppy! no grinning, jackanapes!

Abs. Indeed, sir, I never was in a worse humour for mirth in my life.

Sir Anth. 'Tis false, sir. I know you are laughing in your sleeve; I know you'll grin when I am gone, sirrah!

Abs. Sir, I hope I know my duty better.

Sir Anth. None of your passion, sir! none of your violence, if you please!-It won't do with me, I promise you.

Abs. Indeed, sir, I never was cooler in my life.

Sir Anth. 'T is a confounded lie!-I know you are in a passion in your heart; I know you are, you hypocritical young dog! but it won't do.

Abs. Nay, sir, upon my word

Sir Anth. So you will fly out! can't you be cool