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happened

You see my situation; and, as you are kind enough to consider it yourself, I hope you will

excuse it to your son.

Lady M. Sir John Flowerdale, how do you do? You see we have obey'd your summons; and I have the pleasure to assure you that my son yielded to my entreaties with very little disagreement: in short, if I may speak metaphorically, he is content to stand candidate again, notwithstanding his late repulse, when he hopes for an unanimous election.

Col. Well, but, my Lady, you may save your rhetoric; for the borough is disposed of to a worthier member.

Mr. Jes. What do you say, Sir?

SCENE XIII.

Sir JOHN FLOWERDALE, Lady MARY OLDBOY, Mr. JESSAMY, Colonel OLDBOY, LIONEL, CLARISSA, JENNY.

Sir John. Here are my son and daughter.

Lady M. Is this pretty, Sir John ?

Sir John. Believe me, Madam, it is not for want of a just sense of Mr. Jessamy's merit, that this affair has gone off on any side: but the heart is a delicate thing; and after it has once felt, if the object is meritorious, the impression is not easily effac'd; it would therefore have been an injury to him, to have given him in appearance what another in reality posI iij

sessed.

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Mr. Jes. Upon my honour, upon my soul, Sir John, I am not in the least offended at this contre temps— Pray, Lady Mary, say no more about it.

Col. Tol, lol, lol, lol.

Sir John. But, my dear Colonel, I am afraid, after all, this affair is taken amiss by you; yes, I see you are angry on your son's account; but let me repeat it, I have a very high opinion of his merit. 661

Col. Ay! that's more than I have. Taken amiss! I don't take any thing amiss; I never was in better spirits, or more pleased in my life.

Sir John. Come, you are uneasy at something, Colonel.

Col. Me! Gad I am not uneasy-Are you a justice of peace? Then you could give me a warrant, cou'dn't you? You must know, Sir John, a little accident has happen'd in my family since I saw you last, you and I may shake hands-Daughters, Sir, daughters! Your's has snapt at a young fellow without your approbation; and how do you think mine has serv'd me this morning?-only run away with the scoundrel I brought to dinner here yesterday.

Sir John. I am excessively concerned.

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Col. Now I'm not a bit concern'd-No, damn me, am glad it has happened; yet, thus far, I'll confess, I should be sorry that either of them would come in my way, because a man's temper may sometimes get the better of him, and I believe I should be tempted to break her neck, and blow his brains out.

Clar. But pray, Sir, explain this affair.

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Col. I can explain it no farther-Dy, my daughter Dy, has run away from us.

SCENE XIV.

Sir JOHN FLOWERDALE, Colonel OLDBOY, Lady MARY OLDBOY, Mr. JESSAMY, CLARISSA, LIONEL, JENNY, Diana, HarMAN, JENKINS. Dian. No, my dear papa, I am not run away; and upon my knees, I entreat your pardon for the folly I have committed; but, let it be some alleviation, that duty, and affection, were too strong to suffer me to carry it to extremity: and, if you knew the agony I have been in, since I saw you lastLady. M. How's this?

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Har. Sir, I restore your daughter to you; whose fault, as far as it goes, I must also take upon myself; we have been known to each other for some time; as Lady Richly, your sister, in London, can acquaint you-

me;

Col. Dy, come here-Now, you rascal, where's your sword; if you are a gentleman, you shall fight if you are a scrub, I'll horse-whip you-Draw, Sirrah-Shut the door there, don't let him escape. Har. Sir, don't imagine I want to escape; I am extremely sorry for what has happened, but am ready to give you any satisfaction you think proper.

Col. Follow me into the garden then-Zounds! I have no sword about me-Sir John Flowerdale-lend

us a case of pistols, or a couple of guns; and, come and see fair play.

Clar. My dear papa!

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Dian. Sir John Flowerdale-O my indiscretion— we came here, Sir, to beg your mediation in our fa

vour.

Lady. M. Mr. Oldboy, if you attempt to fight, I shall expire.

Sir John. Pray, Colonel, let me speak a word to you in private.

Col. Slugs and a saw-pit

Mr. Jes. Why, Miss Dy, you are a perfect heroine for a romance- -And, pray who is this courteous knight?

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Lady M. O Sir, you that I thought such a pretty behav'd gentleman!

Mr. Jes. What business are you of, friend;

Har. My chief trade, Sir, is plain dealing; and, as that is a commodity you have no reason to be very fond of, I would not advise you to purchase any of it by impertinence.

Col. And is this what you would advise me to ?

Sir John. It is, indeed, my dear old friend; as things are situated, there is in my opinion, no other prudent method of proceeding; and it is the method I would adopt myself, was I in your case.

Col. Why, I believe you are in the right of itsay what you will for me then.

Sir John. Well! young people, I have been able to use a few arguments, which have softened my

neighbour here; and in some measure pacified his resentment. I find, Sir, you are a gentleman by your connections ?

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Har. Sir, till it is found that my character and family will bear the strictest scrutiny, I desire no favour-And for fortune

Col. Oh! rot your fortune, I don't mind that-I know you are a gentleman, or Dick Rantum would not have recommended you. And so, Dy, kiss and friends.

Mr. Jes. What, Sir, have you no more to say to the man who has used you so ill?

Col. Us'd me ill!-That's as I take it-he has done a mettled thing; and, perhaps, I like him the better for it; it's long before you would have spirit enough to run away with a wench-Harman give me your hand; let's hear no more of this now- Sir John Flowerdale, what say you? shall we spend the day together, and dedicate it to love and harmony? Sir John. With all my heart.

Col. Then take off my great coat.

AIR.

Lion. Come then, all ye social pow'rs,
Shed your influence o'er us,
Crown with bliss the present hours,
And lighten those before us.
May the just, the gen'rous kind,
Still see that you regard’em;
And Lionels for ever find,

Clarissas to reward 'em.

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