The Love-Chase [4]
well may comment bear - Till--like the practised connoisseur, who finds A gem of heart out in a household picture The unskilled owner held so cheap he grudged Renewal of the chipped and tarnished frame, But values now as priceless--I arouse him Into a quick sense of the worth of that Whose merit hitherto, from lack of skill, Or dulling habit of acquaintanceship, He has not been awake to.
Con. [Without.] Neighbour Wildrake!
Sir Wil. Hither they come. I fancy well thy game! O to be free to marry Widow Green! I'll call her hence anon--then ply him well.
[SIR WILLIAM goes out.]
Wild. [Without.] Nay, neighbour Constance!
True. He is high in storm.
[Enter WILDRAKE and CONSTANCE.]
Wild. To Lincolnshire, I tell thee.
Con. Lincolnshire! What, prithee, takes thee off to Lincolnshire?
Wild. Too great delight in thy fair company.
True. Nay, Master Wildrake, why away so soon? You are scarce a day in town!--Extremes like this, And starts of purpose, are the signs of love. Though immatured as yet. [Aside.]
Con. He's long enough In town! What should he here? He's lost in town: No man is he for concerts, balls, or routs! No game he knows at cards, save rare Pope Joan! He ne'er could master dance beyond a jig; And as for music, nothing to compare To the melodious yelping of a hound, Except the braying of his huntsman's horn! Ask HIM to stay in town!
Sir Wil. [Without.] Hoa, Constance!
Con. Sir! - Neighbour, a pleasant ride to Lincolnshire! Good-bye!
Sir Wil. [Without.] Why, Constance!
Con. Coming, sir. Shake hands! Neighbour, good-bye! Don't look so woe-begone; 'Tis but a two-days' ride, and thou wilt see Rover, and Spot, and Nettle, and the rest Of thy dear country friends!
Sir Wil. [Without.] Constance! I say.
Con. Anon!--Commend me to the gentle souls, And pat them for me!--Will you, neighbour Wildrake?
Sir Wil. [Without.] Why, Constance! Constance!
Con. In a moment, sir! Good-bye!--I'd cry, dear neighbour--if I could! Good-bye!--A pleasant day when next you hunt! And, prithee, mind thy horse don't balk his leap! Good-bye!--and, after dinner, drink my health! "A bumper, sirs, to neighbour Constance!"--Do! - And give it with a speech, wherein unfold My many graces, more accomplishments, And virtues topping either--in a word, How I'm the fairest, kindest, best of neighbours!
[They go out severally.--TRUEWORTH trying to pacify WILDRAKE-- CONSTANCE laughing.]
ACT II.
SCENE I.--A Room in Sir William's House.
[Enter TRUEWORTH and WILDRAKE.]
Wild. Nay, Master Trueworth, I must needs be gone! She treats me worse and worse! I am a stock, That words have none to pay her. For her sake I quit the town to-day. I like a jest, But hers are jests past bearing. I am her butt, She nothing does but practise on! A plague! - Fly her shafts ever your way?
True. Would they did!
Wild. Art mad?--or wishest she should drive thee so?
True. Thou knowest her not.
Wild. I know not neighbour Constance? Then know I not myself, or anything Which as myself I know!
True. Heigh ho!
Wild. Heigh ho! Why what a burden that for a man's song! Would fit a maiden that was sick for love. Heigh ho! Come ride with me to Lincolnshire, And turn thy "Heigh ho!" into "hilly ho!"
True. Nay, rather tarry thou in town with me. Men sometimes find a friend's hand of avail, When useless proves their own. Wilt lend me thine?
Wild. Or may my horse break down in a steeple-chase!
True. A steeple-chase. What made thee think of that? I'm for the steeple--not to ride a race, Only to get there!--nor alone, in sooth, But in fair company.
Wild. Thou'rt not in love!
True. Heigh ho!
Wild. Thou wouldst not marry!
True. With your help.
Wild. And whom, I prithee?
True. Gentle Mistress Constance!
Wild. What!--neighbour Constance?--Never did I dream That mortal man would fall in love with her. [Aside.] In love with neighbour Constance!--I feel strange At thought that she should marry!--[Aside.] Go to church With neighbour
Con. [Without.] Neighbour Wildrake!
Sir Wil. Hither they come. I fancy well thy game! O to be free to marry Widow Green! I'll call her hence anon--then ply him well.
[SIR WILLIAM goes out.]
Wild. [Without.] Nay, neighbour Constance!
True. He is high in storm.
[Enter WILDRAKE and CONSTANCE.]
Wild. To Lincolnshire, I tell thee.
Con. Lincolnshire! What, prithee, takes thee off to Lincolnshire?
Wild. Too great delight in thy fair company.
True. Nay, Master Wildrake, why away so soon? You are scarce a day in town!--Extremes like this, And starts of purpose, are the signs of love. Though immatured as yet. [Aside.]
Con. He's long enough In town! What should he here? He's lost in town: No man is he for concerts, balls, or routs! No game he knows at cards, save rare Pope Joan! He ne'er could master dance beyond a jig; And as for music, nothing to compare To the melodious yelping of a hound, Except the braying of his huntsman's horn! Ask HIM to stay in town!
Sir Wil. [Without.] Hoa, Constance!
Con. Sir! - Neighbour, a pleasant ride to Lincolnshire! Good-bye!
Sir Wil. [Without.] Why, Constance!
Con. Coming, sir. Shake hands! Neighbour, good-bye! Don't look so woe-begone; 'Tis but a two-days' ride, and thou wilt see Rover, and Spot, and Nettle, and the rest Of thy dear country friends!
Sir Wil. [Without.] Constance! I say.
Con. Anon!--Commend me to the gentle souls, And pat them for me!--Will you, neighbour Wildrake?
Sir Wil. [Without.] Why, Constance! Constance!
Con. In a moment, sir! Good-bye!--I'd cry, dear neighbour--if I could! Good-bye!--A pleasant day when next you hunt! And, prithee, mind thy horse don't balk his leap! Good-bye!--and, after dinner, drink my health! "A bumper, sirs, to neighbour Constance!"--Do! - And give it with a speech, wherein unfold My many graces, more accomplishments, And virtues topping either--in a word, How I'm the fairest, kindest, best of neighbours!
[They go out severally.--TRUEWORTH trying to pacify WILDRAKE-- CONSTANCE laughing.]
ACT II.
SCENE I.--A Room in Sir William's House.
[Enter TRUEWORTH and WILDRAKE.]
Wild. Nay, Master Trueworth, I must needs be gone! She treats me worse and worse! I am a stock, That words have none to pay her. For her sake I quit the town to-day. I like a jest, But hers are jests past bearing. I am her butt, She nothing does but practise on! A plague! - Fly her shafts ever your way?
True. Would they did!
Wild. Art mad?--or wishest she should drive thee so?
True. Thou knowest her not.
Wild. I know not neighbour Constance? Then know I not myself, or anything Which as myself I know!
True. Heigh ho!
Wild. Heigh ho! Why what a burden that for a man's song! Would fit a maiden that was sick for love. Heigh ho! Come ride with me to Lincolnshire, And turn thy "Heigh ho!" into "hilly ho!"
True. Nay, rather tarry thou in town with me. Men sometimes find a friend's hand of avail, When useless proves their own. Wilt lend me thine?
Wild. Or may my horse break down in a steeple-chase!
True. A steeple-chase. What made thee think of that? I'm for the steeple--not to ride a race, Only to get there!--nor alone, in sooth, But in fair company.
Wild. Thou'rt not in love!
True. Heigh ho!
Wild. Thou wouldst not marry!
True. With your help.
Wild. And whom, I prithee?
True. Gentle Mistress Constance!
Wild. What!--neighbour Constance?--Never did I dream That mortal man would fall in love with her. [Aside.] In love with neighbour Constance!--I feel strange At thought that she should marry!--[Aside.] Go to church With neighbour