Am. Marry, that I know not; I wish I did. Brass. Why then here's Mr. Gripe has it, and swears 'tis his wife's. Gripe. And so I do, sirrah-Look here, mistress, do you pretend this is yours? Am. Not for the round world I would not say it; I only kept it to do madam a small courtesy, that's all. Clar. Ah, Flippanta, all will out now. [Aside to Flippanta. Gripe. Courtesy ! what courtesy ? Am. A little money only, that madam had present need of: please to pay me that, and I demand no more. Brass. So, here's fresh game: I have started a new hare, I find. [Aside. Gripe. How, forsooth! is this true? [To Clarissa. Clar. You are in a humour at present, love, to believe any thing; so I won't take the pains to contradict it. Brass. This damned necklace will spoil all our af. fairs: this is Dick's luck again. [Aside. Gripe. Are you not ashamed of these ways? Do you see how you are exposed before your best friends here? Don't you blush at it? Clar. I do blush, my dear-but 'tis for you-that here it should appear to the world, you keep me so bare of money, I'm forced to pawn my jewels. Gripe. Impudent housewife ! [Raising his hand to strike her. Clar. Softly, chicken; you might have prevented all this, by giving me the two hundred and fifty pounds you sent to Araminta e'en now. Brass. You see, sir, I delivered your note: how I have been abused to-day! Gripe. I am betrayed-Jades on both sides, I see [Aside. that. Mon. But, madam, madam, is this true that I hear? Have you taken a present of two hundred and fifty pounds? Pray what were you to return for these pounds, madam, ha ? Ara. Nothing, my dear: I only took them to reimburse you of about the same sum you sent to Clarissa. Mon. Hum, hum, hum. Gripe. How, gentlewoman, did you receive money from him? Clar. Oh, my dear, it was only in jest; I knew you'd give it again to his wife. Am. But amongst all this bustle, I don't hear a word of my hundred pounds. Is it madam will pay me, or master ? Gripe. I pay? The devil shall pay. Clar. Look you, my dear: malice apart, pay Mrs. Amlet her money, and I'll forgive you the wrong you intended my bed with Araminta. Am not I a good wife, now? Gripe. I burst with rage, and will get rid of this noose, though I tuck myself up in another. Mon. Nay, pray, e'en tuck me up with you. [Exeunt Moneytrap and Gripe. Clar. and Ara. B'ye, dearies. Enter DICK. Cor. Look, look, Flippanta, here's the colonel come at last. Dick. Ladies, I ask your pardon, I have stayed so long, but Am. Ah, rogue's face, have I got thee I old Goodfor-nought? Sirrah, sirrah, do you think to amuse me with your marriages, and your great fortunes ? Thou hast played me a rare prank, o' my conscience. Why, you ungracious rascal, what do you think will be the end of all this? Now Heaven forgive me, but I have a great mind to hang thee for't. Cor. She talks to him very familiarly, Flippanta. Flip. So methinks, by my faith. Brass. Now the rogue's star is making an end of him. Dick. What shall I do with her? [Aside. Am. Do but look at him, my dames; he has the countenance of a cherubim, but he's a rogue in his heart. Clar. What is the meaning of all this, Mrs. Amlet ?. Am. The meaning, good lack!-Why, this all-tobe-powdered rascal here is my son, an't please you. Ha, graceless-Now I'll make you own your mother, vermin. Clar. What, the colonel your son? Am. 'Tis Dick, madam, that rogue Dick, I have so often told you of, with tears trickling down cheeks. Ara. The woman's mad, it can never be. my old Am. Speak, rogue, am I not thy mother, ha? Did I not bring thee forth? Say then? Dick. What will you have me say? You had a mind to ruin me, and you have done it: would you do any more? Clar. Then, sir, you are son to good Mrs. Amlet ? Ara. And have had the assurance to put upon us all this while? Flip. And the confidence to think of marrying Corinna ? Brass. And the impudence to hire me for your servant, who am as well born as yourself? Clar. Indeed I think he should be corrected. Ara. Indeed, I think, he deserves to be cudgelled. Am. Good lack-a-day, good lack-a-day! there's no need to be so smart upon him, neither: if he is not a gentleman, he's a gentleman's fellow. Come hither, Dick, they sha'n't run thee down, neither: cock up thy hat, Dick, and tell them, though Mrs. Amlet is thy mother, she can make thee amends, with ten thousand good pounds to buy thee some lands, and build thee a house in the midst on't. Omnes. How! Clar. Ten thousand pounds, Mrs. Amlet? Am. Yes, forsooth, though I should lose the hundred you pawned your necklace for. Tell them of that, Dick. Cor. Look you, Flippanta, I can hold no longer, and I hate to see the young man abused. And so, sir, if you please, I'm your friend and servant, and what's mine is yours; and when our estates are put together, I don't doubt but we shall do as well as the best of them. Dick. Sayest thou so, my little queen? Why then, if dear mother will give us her blessing, the parson shall give us a tack: we'll get her a score of grandchildren, and a merry house we'll make her. [They kneel to Mrs. Amlet. -the pretty pair, the pretty pair!-Rise, my chickens, rise, rise, and face the proudest of them. And if madam does not deign to give her consent, a fig for her, DickWhy, how now? Am. Ah-ha, ha, ha, ha Clar. Pray, Mrs. Amlet, don't be in a passion; the girl is my husband's girl, and if you can have his con sent, upon my word you shall have mine, for any thing that belongs to him. Flip. Then all's peace again, but we have been more lucky than wise. Ara. And I suppose, for us, Clarissa, we are to go on with our dears, as we used to do. |