"Giles. Ay, and fun”—There's as good as forty of the tenants, men and maidens, have got upon the lawn before the castle, with pipers and garlands; just for all the world as tho'f it was May-day; and the quality's looking at them out of the windows-'Tis as true as any thing; on account of my lord's coming home with his new lady-" Look here, I have brought << a string of flowers along with me." Pat. Well, and what then? 133 Giles. Why I was thinking, if so be as you would come down, as we might take a dance together: little Sal, farmer Harrow's daughter, of the Green, would fain have had me for a partner; but I said as how I'd go for one I liked better, one that I'd make a partner for life. Pat. Did you say so ? 140 Giles. Yes, and she was struck all of a heap-she had not a word to throw to a dog-for Sal and I kept company once for a little bit. Pat. Farmer, I am going to say something to you, and I desire you will listen to it attentively. It seems you think of our being married together. Giles. Think! why I think of nothing else; it's all over the place mun, as how you are to be my spouse; and you would not believe what game folks make of me. 151 Pat. Shall I talk to you like a friend, farmer—— You and I were never designed for one another; and I am morally certain we should not be happy. Giles. Oh! as for that matter, I never has no words with nobody. Pat. Shall I speak plainer to you then-I don't like you. Giles. No! Pat. On the contrary, you are disagreeable to me Giles. Am I! 161 Pat. Yes, of all things: I deal with you sincerely. Giles. Why, I thought, Miss Pat, the affair between you and I was all fix'd and settled. Pat. Well, let this undeceive you-Be assured we shall never be man and wife. No offer shall persuade, no command force me.e.-You know my mind, make your advantage of it. AIR. Was I sure a life to lead, Wretched as the vilest slave, Every hardship would I brave; Ere yield my hand so coolly, Wealth with others success will insure you, Where your wit and your person may please; Take to them your love, I conjure you, And in mercy set me at ease. 170 180 SCENE IV. GILES. Here's a turn! I don't know what to make of it: she's gone mad, that's for sartin; wit and learning have crack'd her brain-Poor soul, poor soulIt is often the case of those who have too much of them.-Lord, Lord, how sorry I be-But hold, she says I baint to her mind-mayn't all this be the effect of modish coyness, to do like the gentlewomen, because she was bred among them? And I have heard say, they will be upon their vixen tricks, till they go into the very church with a man. Icod there's nothing more likelier; for it is the cry of one and all, that she's the moral of a lady in every thing: and our farmer's daughters, for the matter of that, tho'f they have nothing to boast of but a scrap of red ribbon about their hats, will have as many turnings and windings as a hare, before one can lay a fast hold of them. There can no harm come of speaking with master Fairfield, however.-Odd rabbit it, how plaguy tart she was-I am half vext with myself now that I let her go off so. 200 AIR. When a maid, in way of marriage, Let 'un do the best he can, She's so shame-fac'd in her carriage, Tho'f mayhap she likes him mainly, Lest the folks should think her bold. But the parson comes in sight, Gives the word to bill and coo; 'Tis a different story quite, And she quickly buckles too. 230 SCENE V. Changes to a view of Lord AIMWORTH's house, and improvements; a seat under a tree, and part of the garden wall, with a Chinese pavilion over it; several country people appear dancing, others looking on; among whom are, MERVIN, disguised, RALPH, FANNY, and a number of gipsies. After the dancers go off, THEODOSIA and PATTY enter through a gate supposed to have a connection with the principal building. The. Well then, my dear Patty, you will run away from us but why in such a hurry, I have a thousand things to say to you? Pat. I shall do myself the honour to pay my duty to you some other time, madam; at present I really find myself a little indisposed. 219 The. Nay, I would by no means lay you under any restraint. But methinks the entertainment we have just been taking part of, should have put you into better spirits: I am not in an over-merry mood myself, yet, I swear, I could not look on the diversion of those honest folks, without feeling a certain gaieté de 226 cœur. Pat. Why, indeed, madam, it had one circumstance attending it, which is often wanting to more polite amusements; that of seeming to give undissembled satisfaction to those who were engaged in it. The. Oh, infinite, infinite! to see the chearful, healthy looking creatures, toil with such a good will ! To me there were more genuine charms in their aukward stumping and jumping about, their rude measures, and homespun finery, than in all the dress, splendor, and studied graces, of a birth-night ball room. 237 Pat. 'Tis a very uncommon declaration to be made by a fine lady, madam: but certainly, however the artful delicacies of high life may dazzle and surprize, nature has particular attractions, even in a cottage, her most unadorned state, which seldom fail to affect us, tho' we can scarce give a reason for it. The. But you know, Patty, I was always a distracted admirer of the country; no damsel in romance was ever fonder of groves and purling streams: had |