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,

With seeming reason blest;

His looks, his words, his thoughts are free,
And speak a mind at rest.

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 mind to give me a trifle? Do pray, gentleman, put your hand in your pocket.

Mer. I am almost distracted! Ungrateful Theodosia, to change so suddenly, and write me such a letter! However, I am resolved to have my dismission face to face; this letter may be forced from her by her mother, who I know was never cordially my friend : I could not get a sight of her in London, but here they will be less on their guard; and see her I will, by one means or other. 611

Fan. Then your honour will not extend your charity ?

AIR.

I am young, and I am friendless,
And poor, alas! withal;
Sure my sorrows will be endless;
In vain for help 1 call.
Have some pity in your nature,
To relieve a wretched creature,
Though the gift be ne'er so small.

620

May you, possessing every blessing,
Still inherit Sir, all you merit Sir,
And never know what it is to want;
Sweet heaven, your worship all happiness grant.

SCENE XII.

RALPH, MERVIN.

Ral. Now I'll go and take that money from her and

I have good mind to lick her, so I have.

Mer. Pho, pr'ythee stay where you are.

Ral. Nay, but I hate to see a toad so devilish

greedy.

629

Mer. Well come, she has not got a great deal, and I have thought how she may do me a favour in her

turn.

Ral. Ay, but you may put that out of your head, for I can tell you she won't.

Mer. How so!

Ral. How so, why she's as cunning as the Devil.

Mer. O she is I fancy I understand you. Well,

in that case, friend Ralph

Your name's Ralph, I

think?

639

Ral. Yes, sir, at your service, for want of a better. Mer. I say then, friend Ralph, in that case, we will remit the favor you think of, till the lady is in a more complying humour, and try if she cannot serve me at present in some other capacity - There are a good many gipsies hereabout, are there not?

Ral. Softly-I have a whole gang of them here in our barn; I have kept them about the place these three months, and all on account of she.

Mer. Really.

649

Ral. Yea-but for your life don't say a word of it to any Christian-I am in love with her.

Mer. Indeed!

651

Ral. Feyther is as mad with me about it, as Old Scratch; and I gets the plague and all of anger; but I don't mind that.

Mer. Well, friend Ralph, if you are in love, no doubt you have some influence over your mistress; don't you think you could prevail upon her, and her companions, to supply me with one of their habits, and let me go up with them to-day to my lord Aimworth's.

661

Ral. Why do you want to go a mumming? We never do that here but in the Christmas holidays.

Mer. No matter: manage this for me, and manage it with secresy; and I promise you shall not go unrewarded.

Ral. Oh! as for that sir, I don't look for any thing, I can easily get you a bundle of their rags : but I don't know whether you'll prevail on them to go up to my lord's, because they're afraid of a big dog that's in the yard: but I'll tell you what I can do; I can go up before you and have the dog fastened, for I know his kennel.

673

Mer. That will do very well-By means of this disguise I shall probably get a sight of her; and I leave the rest to love aud fortune.

AIR.

Why quits the merchant, blest with ease,
The pleasures of his native seat,
To tempt the dangers of the seas,
And crimes more perilous than these ;
Midst freezing cold, or scorching heat.
He knows the hardships, knows the pain,
The length of way, but thinks it small;
The sweets of what he hopes to gain,
Undaunted, make him combat all.

SCENE XIII.

PATTY, RALPH, GILES, FANNY.

680

Giles. So his lordship was as willing as the flowers in May and as I was coming along, who shou'd I meet but your father and he bid me run in all

haste and tell you for we were sure you would be

deadly glad.

690

Pat. I know not what business you had to go to my lord's at all, farmer.

Giles. Nay, I only did as I was desired Master Fairfield bid me tell you moreover, as how he wou'd have you go up to my lord out of hand, and thank him.

Ral. So she ought; and take off those cloaths, and put on what's more becoming her station; you know my father spoke to you of that this morning too.