[Enter WILDRAKE and TRUEWORTH.]
_Wild_. You are not angry?
_True_. No; I knew the service
I sent you on was one of danger.
_Wild_. Thank you.
Most kind you are--And you believe she loves me:
And your own hopes give up to favour mine.
Was ever known such kindness! Much I fear
'Twill cost you.
_True_. Never mind! I'll try and bear it.
_Wild_. That's right. No use in yielding to a thing.
Resolve does wonders! Shun the sight of her--
See other women!--Fifty to be found
As fair as she.
_True_. I doubt it.
_Wild_. Doubt it not.
Doubt nothing that gives promise of a care.
Right handsome dames there are in Lancashire,
Whence called their women, witches!--witching things!
I know a dozen families in which
You'd meet a courtesy worthy of a bow.
I'll give you letters to them.
_True_. Will you?
_Wild_. Yes.
_True_. The worth of a disinterested friend!
_Wild_. O Master Trueworth, deeply I'm your debtor!
I own I die for love of neighbour Constance!
And thou to give her up for me! Kind friend!
What won't I do for thee?--Don't pine to death;
I'll find thee fifty ways to cure thy passion,
And make thee heart-whole, if thou'rt so resolved.
Thou shalt be master of my sporting stud,
And go a hunting. If that likes thee not,
Take up thy quarters at my shooting-lodge;
There is a cellar to 't--make free with it.
I'll thank thee if thou emptiest it. The song
Gives out that wine feeds love--It drowns it, man!
If thou wilt neither hunt nor shoot, try games;
Play at loggats, bowls, fives, dominoes, draughts, cribbage,
Backgammon--special recipes for love!
And you believe, for all the hate she shows,
That neighbour Constance loves me?
_True_. 'Tis my thought.
_Wild_. How shall I find it out?
_True_. Affect to love
Another. Say your passion thrives; the day
Is fixed; and pray her undertake the part
Of bridemaid to your bride. 'Twill bring her out.
_Wild_. You think she'll own her passion?
_True_. If she loves.
_Wild_. I thank thee! I will try it! Master Trueworth,
What shall I say to thee, to give her up,
And love her so?
_True_. Say nothing.
_Wild_. Noble friend!
Kind friend! Instruct another man the way
To win thy mistress! Thou'lt not break my heart?
Take my advice, thou shalt not be in love
A month! Frequent the playhouse!--walk the Park!
I'll think of fifty ladies that I know,
Yet can't remember now--enchanting ones!
And then there's Lancashire!--and I have friends
In Berkshire and in Wiltshire, that have swarms
Of daughters! Then my shooting-lodge and stud!
I'll cure thee in a fortnight of thy love!
And now to neighbour Constance--yet almost
I fear accosting her--a hundred times
Have I essayed to break my mind to her,
But still she stops my mouth with restless scorn!
Howe'er, thy scheme I'll try, and may it thrive!
For I am sick for love of neighbour Constance.
Farewell, dear Master Trueworth! Take my counsel--
Conquer thy passion! Do so! Be a man!
[Goes out.]
_True_. Feat easy done that does not tax ourselves!
[Enter Phoebe.]
_Phoebe_. A letter, sir.
[Goes out.]
_True_. Good sooth, a roaming one,
And yet slow traveller. This should have reached me
In Lombardy.--The hand! Give way, weak seal,
Thy feeble let too strong for my impatience!
Ha! Wronged!--Let me contain myself!--Compelled
To fly the roof that gave her birth!--My sister!
No partner in her flight but her pure honour!
I am again a brother. Pillow, board,
I know not till I find her.
[Enter WALLER.]
_Wal_. Master Trueworth!
_True_. Ha! Master Waller! Welcome, Master Waller.
_Wal_. Good Master Trueworth, thank you. Finding you
From home, I e'en made bold to follow you,
For I esteem you as a man, and fain
Would benefit by your kind offices.
But let me tell you first, to your reproof,
I am indebted more than e'er I was
To praise of any other! I am come, sir,
To give you evidence I am not one
Who owns advice is right, and acts not on't.
_True_. Pray you explain.
_Wal_. Will you the bearer be
Of this to one has cause to thank you, too,
Though I the larger debtor?--Read it, sir.
_True_. [Reading the letter.] "At morn to-morrow I will make you mine;
Will you accept from me the name of wife--
The name of husband give me in exchange?"
_Wal_. How say you, sir?
_True_. 'Tis boldly--nobly done!
_Wal_. If she consents--which affectation 'twere
To say I doubt--bid her prepare for church,
And you shall act the father, sir, to her
You did the brother by.
_True_. Right willingly,
Though matter of high moment I defer,
Mind, heart, and soul, are all enlisted in!
_Wal_. May I implore you, haste! A time is set!--
How light an act of duty makes the heart!
[They go out together.]