Let fortune smile or frown? Love will befriend us; 510 SCENE X. FANNY, RALPH. Fan. What a dear kind soul he is-Here comes Ralph-I can tell him, unless he makes me his lawful wife, as he has often said he would, the devil a word more shall he speak to me. Ral. So, Fan, where's the gentleman ? Fan. How should I know where he is; what do you ask me for? 520 Ral. There's no harm in putting a civil question, be there? Why you look as cross and ill-naturedFan. Well, mayhap I do-and mayhap I have where-withal for it. Ral. Why, has the gentleman offered any thing uncivil? Ecod, I'd try a bout as soon as look at him. Fan. He offer-no-he's a gentleman every inch of him; but you are sensible, Ralph, you have been promising me, a great while, this, and that, and t'other; and, when all comes to all, I don't see but you are like the rest of them. Ral. Why, what is it I have promised? 531 Fan. To marry me in the church, you have, a hundred times. Ral. Well, and mayhap I will, if you'll have patience. Fan. Patience! me no patience; you may do it now if you please. Ral. Well, but suppose I don't please? I tell you, Fan, you're a fool, and want to quarrel with your bread and butter; I have had anger enow from feyther already upon your account, and you want me to come by more. As I said, if you have patience, mayhap things may fall out, and mayhap not. Fan. With all my heart, then; and now I know your mind, you may go hang yourself. Ral. Ay, ay. Fan. Yes, you may-who cares for you ? Ral. Well, and who cares for you, an you go to that? 550 Fan. A menial feller-Go mind your mill and your drudgery; I don't think you worthy to wipe my shoes-feller. Ral. Nay, but Fan, keep a civil tongue in your head odds flesh! I would fain know what fly bites all of a sudden now. Fan. Marry come up, the best gentlemen's sons in the country have made me proffers; and if one is a miss, be a miss to a gentleman, I say, that will give one fine clothes, and take one to see the show, and put money in one's pocket. 561 Ral. Whu, whu-[Hits him a slap.] What's that for ? Fan. What do you whistle for, then? Do you think I am a dog? Ral. Never from me, Fan, if I have not a mind to give you, with this switch in my hand here, as good a lacing Fan. Touch me, if you dare: touch me, and I'll swear my life against you. 570 Ral. A murrain! with her damn'd little fist as hard as she could draw. Fan. Well, it's good enough for you; I'm not necessitated to take up with the impudence of such a low-lived monkey as you are.A gentleman's my friend, and I can have twenty guineas in my hand, all as good as this is. Ral. Belike from this Londoner, eh? Fan. Yes, from him-so you may take your promise of marriage; I don't value it that— [spits] and if you speak to me, I'll slap your chops again. 581 AIR. Lord, sir, you seem mighty uneasy; I warrant I shall not run crazy, 589 SCENE XI. RALPH. Indeed! Now I'll be judg'd by any soul living in the world, if ever there was a viler piece of treachery than this here; there is no such thing as a true friend upon the face of the globe, and so I have said a hundred times! A couple of base deceitful-after all my love and kindness shewn! Well, I'll be revenged; see an I be'nt-Marster Marvint, that's his name, an he do not sham it: he has come here and disguised unself; whereof 'tis contrary to law so to do: besides, I do partly know why he did it; and I'll fish out the whole conjuration, and go up to the castle and tell every syllable; a shan't carry a wench from me, were he twenty times the mon he is, and twenty times to that again; and moreover than so, the first time I meet un, I'll knock un down, tho'f 'twas before my lord himself; and he may capias me for it afterwards an he wull. 606 AIR. As they count me such a ninny, So to let them rule the roast; I'll bet any one a guinea They have scor'd without their host. But if I don't shew them in lieu of it, To be sure yon sly cajoler Thought the work as good as done, But if I don't shew him in lieu of it, 611 620 SCENE XII. Changes to a room in the mill; two chairs, with a table and a tankard of beer. FAIRFIELD, GILES. Fai. In short, farmer, I don't know what to say to thee. I have spoken to her all I can; but I think children were born to pull the grey hairs of their parents to the grave with sorrow. Giles. Nay, master Fairfield, don't take on about it: belike Miss Pat has another love: and if so, in Heaven's name be't: what's one man's meat, as the saying is, is another man's poison; and, tho'f some might find me well enough to their fancy, set in case I don't suit her's, why there's no harm done. 630 |