] Will not Miss
Languish
lend an ear to the mild accents of true
love?
love?
Richard Brinsley Sheridan
--Here is the challenge, and I have sent for my dear friend Jack
Absolute to carry it for me.
DAVID
Ay, i' the name of mischief, let him be the messenger. --For my part I
wouldn't lend a hand to it for the best horse in your stable. By the
mass! it don't look like another letter! It is, as I may say, a
designing and malicious-looking letter; and I warrant smells of
gunpowder like a soldier's pouch! --Oons! I wouldn't swear it mayn't go
off!
ACRES
Out, you poltroon! you ha'n't the valour of a grasshopper.
DAVID
Well, I say no more--'twill be sad news, to be sure, at Clod-Hall! but
I ha' done. --How Phillis will howl when she hears of it! --Ay, poor
bitch, she little thinks what shooting her master's going after! And I
warrant old Crop, who has carried your honour, field and road, these
ten years, will curse the hour he was born. [Whimpering. ]
ACRES
It won't do, David--I am determined to fight--so get along you coward,
while I'm in the mind.
[Enter SERVANT. ]
SERVANT
Captain Absolute, sir.
ACRES
Oh! show him up.
[Exit SERVANT. ]
DAVID
Well, Heaven send we be all alive this time to-morrow.
ACRES
What's that? --Don't provoke me, David!
DAVID
Good-bye, master. [Whimpering. ]
ACRES
Get along, you cowardly, dastardly, croaking raven!
[Exit DAVID. ]
[Enter CAPTAIN ABSOLUTE. ]
ABSOLUTE
What's the matter, Bob?
ACRES
A vile, sheep-hearted blockhead! If I hadn't the valour of St. George
and the dragon to boot----
ABSOLUTE
But what did you want with me, Bob?
ACRES
Oh! --There---- [Gives him the challenge. ]
ABSOLUTE
[Aside. ] To Ensign Beverley. --So, what's going on now? --[Aloud. ] Well,
what's this?
ACRES
A challenge!
ABSOLUTE
Indeed! Why, you won't fight him; will you, Bob?
ACRES
Egad, but I will, Jack. Sir Lucius has wrought me to it. He has left me
full of rage--and I'll fight this evening, that so much good passion
mayn't be wasted.
ABSOLUTE
But what have I to do with this?
ACRES
Why, as I think you know something of this fellow, I want you to find
him out for me, and give him this mortal defiance.
ABSOLUTE
Well, give it to me, and trust me he gets it.
ACRES
Thank you, my dear friend, my dear Jack; but it is giving you a great
deal of trouble.
ABSOLUTE
Not in the least--I beg you won't mention it. --No trouble in the world,
I assure you.
ACRES
You are very kind. --What it is to have a friend! --You couldn't be my
second, could you, Jack?
ABSOLUTE
Why no, Bob--not in this affair--it would not be quite so proper.
ACRES
Well, then, I must get my friend Sir Lucius. I shall have your good
wishes, however, Jack?
ABSOLUTE
Whenever he meets you, believe me.
[Re-enter SERVANT. ]
SERVANT
Sir Anthony Absolute is below, inquiring for the captain.
ABSOLUTE
I'll come instantly. ----
[Exit SERVANT. ]
Well, my little hero, success attend you. [Going. ]
ACRES
----Stay--stay, Jack. --If Beverley should ask you what kind of a man
your friend Acres is, do tell him I am a devil of a fellow--will you,
Jack?
ABSOLUTE
To be sure I shall. I'll say you are a determined dog--hey, Bob!
ACRES
Ah, do, do--and if that frightens him, egad, perhaps he mayn't come. So
tell him I generally kill a man a week; will you, Jack?
ABSOLUTE
I will, I will; I'll say you are called in the country Fighting Bob.
ACRES
Right--right--'tis all to prevent mischief; for I don't want to take
his life if I clear my honour.
ABSOLUTE
No! --that's very kind of you.
ACRES
Why, you don't wish me to kill him--do you, Jack?
ABSOLUTE
No, upon my soul, I do not. But a devil of a fellow, hey? [Going. ]
ACRES
True, true--but stay--stay, Jack--you may add, that you never saw me in
such a rage before--a most devouring rage!
ABSOLUTE
I will, I will.
ACRES
Remember, Jack--a determined dog!
ABSOLUTE
Ay, ay, Fighting Bob!
[Exeunt severally. ]
* * * * * * *
Scene II--Mrs. MALAPROP's Lodgings.
[Mrs. MALAPROP and LYDIA. ]
Mrs. MALAPROP
Why, thou perverse one! --tell me what you can object to him? Isn't he a
handsome man? --tell me that. A genteel man? a pretty figure of a man?
LYDIA
[Aside. ] She little thinks whom she is praising! --[Aloud. ] So is
Beverley, ma'am.
Mrs. MALAPROP
No caparisons, miss, if you please. Caparisons don't become a young
woman. No! Captain Absolute is indeed a fine gentleman!
LYDIA
[Aside. ] Ay, the Captain Absolute you have seen.
Mrs. MALAPROP
Then he's so well bred;--so full of alacrity, and adulation! --and has
so much to say for himself:--in such good language, too! His
physiognomy so grammatical! Then his presence is so noble! I protest,
when I saw him, I thought of what Hamlet says in the play:--
"Hesperian curls--the front of Job himself! --
An eye, like March, to threaten at command! --
A station, like Harry Mercury, new----"
Something about kissing--on a hill--however, the similitude struck me
directly.
LYDIA
[Aside. ] How enraged she'll be presently, when she discovers her
mistake!
[Enter SERVANT. ]
SERVANT
Sir Anthony and Captain Absolute are below, ma'am.
Mrs. MALAPROP
Show them up here. ----
[Exit SERVANT. ]
Now, Lydia, I insist on your behaving as becomes a young woman. Show
your good breeding, at least, though you have forgot your duty.
LYDIA
Madam, I have told you my resolution! --I shall not only give him no
encouragement, but I won't even speak to, or look at him. [Flings
herself into a chair, with her face from the door. ]
[Enter Sir ANTHONY ABSOLUTE and CAPTAIN ABSOLUTE. ]
Sir ANTHONY
Here we are, Mrs. Malaprop; come to mitigate the frowns of unrelenting
beauty,--and difficulty enough I had to bring this fellow. --I don't
know what's the matter; but if I had not held him by force, he'd have
given me the slip.
Mrs. MALAPROP
You have infinite trouble, Sir Anthony, in the affair. I am ashamed for
the cause! --[Aside to LYDIA. ] Lydia, Lydia, rise, I beseech you! --pay
your respects!
Sir ANTHONY
I hope, madam, that Miss Languish has reflected on the worth of this
gentleman, and the regard due to her aunt's choice, and my
alliance. --[Aside to CAPTAIN ABSOLUTE. ] Now, Jack, speak to her.
ABSOLUTE
[Aside. ] What the devil shall I do! --[Aside to Sir ANTHONY. ] You see,
sir, she won't even look at me whilst you are here. I knew she
wouldn't! I told you so. Let me entreat you, sir, to leave us together!
[Seems to expostulate with his father. ]
LYDIA
[Aside. ] I wonder I ha'n't heard my aunt exclaim yet! sure she can't
have looked at him! --perhaps the regimentals are alike, and she is
something blind.
Sir ANTHONY
I say, sir, I won't stir a foot yet!
Mrs. MALAPROP
I am sorry to say, Sir Anthony, that my affluence over my niece is very
small. --[Aside to LYDIA. ] Turn round, Lydia: I blush for you!
Sir ANTHONY
May I not flatter myself, that Miss Languish will assign what cause of
dislike she can have to my son! --[Aside to CAPTAIN ABSOLUTE. ] Why don't
you begin, Jack? --Speak, you puppy--speak!
Mrs. MALAPROP
It is impossible, Sir Anthony, she can have any. She will not say she
has. --[Aside to LYDIA. ] Answer, hussy! why don't you answer?
Sir ANTHONY
Then, madam, I trust that a childish and hasty predilection will be no
bar to Jack's happiness. --[Aside to CAPTAIN ABSOLUTE. ] Zounds! sirrah!
why don't you speak?
LYDIA
[Aside. ] I think my lover seems as little inclined to conversation as
myself. --How strangely blind my aunt must be!
ABSOLUTE
Hem! hem! madam--hem! --[Attempts to speak, then returns to Sir
ANTHONY. ] Faith! sir, I am so confounded! --and--so--so--confused! --I
told you I should be so, sir--I knew it. --The--the--tremor of my
passion entirely takes away my presence of mind.
Sir ANTHONY
But it don't take away your voice, fool, does it? --Go up, and speak to
her directly!
[CAPTAIN ABSOLUTE makes signs to Mrs. MALAPROP to leave them together. ]
Mrs. MALAPROP
Sir Anthony, shall we leave them together? --[Aside to LYDIA. ] Ah! you
stubborn little vixen!
Sir ANTHONY
Not yet, ma'am, not yet! --[Aside to CAPTAIN ABSOLUTE. ] What the devil
are you at? unlock your jaws, sirrah, or----
ABSOLUTE
[Aside. ] Now Heaven send she may be too sullen to look round! --I must
disguise my voice. --[Draws near LYDIA, and speaks in a low hoarse
tone.
] Will not Miss Languish lend an ear to the mild accents of true
love? Will not----
Sir ANTHONY
What the devil ails the fellow? why don't you speak out? --not stand
croaking like a frog in a quinsy!
ABSOLUTE
The--the--excess of my awe, and my--my--my modesty, quite choke me!
Sir ANTHONY
Ah! your modesty again! --I'll tell you what, Jack; if you don't speak
out directly, and glibly too, I shall be in such a rage! --Mrs.
Malaprop, I wish the lady would favour us with something more than a
side-front.
[Mrs. MALAPROP seems to chide LYDIA. ]
ABSOLUTE
[Aside. ] So all will out, I see! --[Goes up to LYDIA, speaks softly. ] Be
not surprised, my Lydia, suppress all surprise at present.
LYDIA
[Aside. ] Heavens! 'tis Beverley's voice! Sure he can't have imposed on
Sir Anthony too! --[Looks round by degrees, then starts up. ] Is this
possible! --my Beverley! --how can this be? --my Beverley?
ABSOLUTE
[Aside. ] Ah! 'tis all over.
Sir ANTHONY
Beverley! --the devil--Beverley! --What can the girl mean? --this is my
son, Jack Absolute.
Mrs. MALAPROP
For shame, hussy! for shame! your head runs so on that fellow, that you
have him always in your eyes! --beg Captain Absolute's pardon directly.
LYDIA
I see no Captain Absolute, but my loved Beverley!
Sir ANTHONY
Zounds! the girl's mad! --her brain's turned by reading.
Mrs. MALAPROP
O' my conscience, I believe so! --What do you mean by Beverley,
hussy? --You saw Captain Absolute before to-day; there he is--your
husband that shall be.
LYDIA
With all my soul, ma'am--when I refuse my Beverley----
Sir ANTHONY
Oh! she's as mad as Bedlam! --or has this fellow been playing us a
rogue's trick! --Come here, sirrah, who the devil are you?
ABSOLUTE
Faith, sir, I am not quite clear myself; but I'll endeavour to
recollect.
Sir ANTHONY
Are you my son or not? --answer for your mother, you dog, if you won't
for me.
Mrs. MALAPROP
Ay, sir, who are you? O mercy! I begin to suspect! ----
ABSOLUTE
[Aside. ] Ye powers of impudence, befriend me! --[Aloud. ] Sir Anthony,
most assuredly I am your wife's son: and that I sincerely believe
myself to be yours also, I hope my duty has always shown. --Mrs.
Malaprop, I am your most respectful admirer, and shall be proud to add
affectionate nephew. --I need not tell my Lydia, that she sees her
faithful Beverley, who, knowing the singular generosity of her temper,
assumed that name and station, which has proved a test of the most
disinterested love, which he now hopes to enjoy in a more elevated
character.
LYDIA
[Sullenly. ] So! --there will be no elopement after all!
Sir ANTHONY
Upon my soul, Jack, thou art a very impudent fellow! to do you justice,
I think I never saw a piece of more consummate assurance!
ABSOLUTE
Oh, you flatter me, sir--you compliment--'tis my modesty, you know,
sir,--my modesty that has stood in my way.
Sir ANTHONY
Well, I am glad you are not the dull, insensible varlet you pretended
to be, however! --I'm glad you have made a fool of your father, you
dog--I am. So this was your _penitence_, your _duty_ and
_obedience! _--I thought it was damned sudden! --_You never heard their
names before_, not you! --_what, the Languishes of Worcestershire_,
hey? --_if you could please me in the affair it was all you
desired! _--Ah! you dissembling villain! --What! --[Pointing to Lydia]
_She squints, don't she? --a little red-haired girl! _--hey? --Why, you
hypocritical young rascal! --I wonder you ain't ashamed to hold up your
head!
ABSOLUTE
'Tis with difficulty, sir. --I am confused--very much confused, as you
must perceive.
Mrs. MALAPROP
O Lud! Sir Anthony! --a new light breaks in upon me! --hey! --how! what!
captain, did you write the letters then? --What--am I to thank you for
the elegant compilation of _an old weather-beaten she-dragon_--hey! --O
mercy! --was it you that reflected on my parts of speech?
ABSOLUTE
Dear sir! my modesty will be overpowered at last, if you don't assist
me--I shall certainly not be able to stand it!
Sir ANTHONY
Come, come, Mrs. Malaprop, we must forget and forgive;--odds life!
matters have taken so clever a turn all of a sudden, that I could find
in my heart to be so good-humoured! and so gallant! hey! Mrs. Malaprop!
Mrs. MALAPROP
Well, Sir Anthony, since you desire it, we will not anticipate the
past! --so mind, young people--our retrospection will be all to the
future.
Sir ANTHONY
Come, we must leave them together; Mrs. Malaprop, they long to fly into
each other's arms, I warrant! --Jack--isn't the cheek as I said, hey? --
and the eye, you rogue! --and the lip--hey? Come, Mrs. Malaprop, we'll
not disturb their tenderness--theirs is the time of life for
happiness! --_Youth's the season made for joy_--[Sings. ]--hey! --Odds
life! I'm in such spirits,--I don't know what I could not do! --Permit
me, ma'am--[Gives his hand to Mrs. MALAPROP. ] Tol-de-rol--'gad, I
should like to have a little fooling myself--Tol-de-rol! de-rol.
[Exit, singing and handing Mrs. MALAPROP. --LYDIA sits sullenly in her
chair. ]
ABSOLUTE
[Aside. ] So much thought bodes me no good. --[Aloud. ] So grave, Lydia!
LYDIA
Sir!
ABSOLUTE
[Aside. ] So! --egad! I thought as much! --that damned monosyllable has
froze me! --[Aloud. ] What, Lydia, now that we are as happy in our
friends' consent, as in our mutual vows----
LYDIA
[Peevishly. ] Friends' consent indeed!
ABSOLUTE
Come, come, we must lay aside some of our romance--a little wealth and
comfort may be endured after all. And for your fortune, the lawyers
shall make such settlements as----
LYDIA
Lawyers! I hate lawyers!
ABSOLUTE
Nay, then, we will not wait for their lingering forms, but instantly
procure the licence, and----
LYDIA
The licence! --I hate licence!
ABSOLUTE
Oh my love! be not so unkind! --thus let me entreat---- [Kneeling. ]
LYDIA
Psha! --what signifies kneeling, when you know I must have you?
ABSOLUTE
[Rising. ] Nay, madam, there shall be no constraint upon your
inclinations, I promise you. --If I have lost your heart--I resign the
rest--[Aside. ] 'Gad, I must try what a little spirit will do.
LYDIA
[Rising. ] Then, sir, let me tell you, the interest you had there was
acquired by a mean, unmanly imposition, and deserves the punishment of
fraud. --What, you have been treating me like a child! --humouring my
romance! and laughing, I suppose, at your success!
ABSOLUTE
You wrong me, Lydia, you wrong me--only hear----
LYDIA
So, while I fondly imagined we were deceiving my relations, and
flattered myself that I should outwit and incense them all--behold my
hopes are to be crushed at once, by my aunt's consent and
approbation--and I am myself the only dupe at last! --[Walking about in
a heat. ] But here, sir, here is the picture--Beverley's picture!
[taking a miniature from her bosom] which I have worn, night and day,
in spite of threats and entreaties! --There, sir [Flings it to him. ];
and be assured I throw the original from my heart as easily.
ABSOLUTE
Nay, nay, ma'am, we will not differ as to that. --Here [taking out a
picture], here is Miss Lydia Languish. --What a difference! --ay, there
is the heavenly assenting smile that first gave soul and spirit to my
hopes! --those are the lips which sealed a vow, as yet scarce dry in
Cupid's calendar! and there the half-resentful blush, that would have
checked the ardour of my thanks! --Well, all that's past! --all over
indeed! --There, madam--in beauty, that copy is not equal to you, but in
my mind its merit over the original, in being still the same, is
such--that--I cannot find in my heart to part with it. [Puts it up
again. ]
LYDIA
[Softening. ] 'Tis your own doing, sir--I, I, I suppose you are
perfectly satisfied.
ABSOLUTE
O, most certainly--sure, now, this is much better than being in
love! --ha! ha! ha! --there's some spirit in this! --What signifies
breaking some scores of solemn promises:--all that's of no consequence,
you know. To be sure people will say, that miss don't know her own
mind--but never mind that! Or, perhaps, they may be ill-natured enough
to hint, that the gentleman grew tired of the lady and forsook her--but
don't let that fret you.
LYDIA
There is no bearing his insolence. [Bursts into tears. ]
[Re-enter Mrs. MALAPROP and Sir ANTHONY ABSOLUTE. ]
Mrs. MALAPROP
Come, we must interrupt your billing and cooing awhile.
LYDIA
This is worse than your treachery and deceit, you base ingrate!
[Sobbing. ]
Sir ANTHONY
What the devil's the matter now? --Zounds! Mrs. Malaprop, this is the
oddest billing and cooing I ever heard! --but what the deuce is the
meaning of it? --I am quite astonished!
ABSOLUTE
Ask the lady, sir.
Mrs.
Absolute to carry it for me.
DAVID
Ay, i' the name of mischief, let him be the messenger. --For my part I
wouldn't lend a hand to it for the best horse in your stable. By the
mass! it don't look like another letter! It is, as I may say, a
designing and malicious-looking letter; and I warrant smells of
gunpowder like a soldier's pouch! --Oons! I wouldn't swear it mayn't go
off!
ACRES
Out, you poltroon! you ha'n't the valour of a grasshopper.
DAVID
Well, I say no more--'twill be sad news, to be sure, at Clod-Hall! but
I ha' done. --How Phillis will howl when she hears of it! --Ay, poor
bitch, she little thinks what shooting her master's going after! And I
warrant old Crop, who has carried your honour, field and road, these
ten years, will curse the hour he was born. [Whimpering. ]
ACRES
It won't do, David--I am determined to fight--so get along you coward,
while I'm in the mind.
[Enter SERVANT. ]
SERVANT
Captain Absolute, sir.
ACRES
Oh! show him up.
[Exit SERVANT. ]
DAVID
Well, Heaven send we be all alive this time to-morrow.
ACRES
What's that? --Don't provoke me, David!
DAVID
Good-bye, master. [Whimpering. ]
ACRES
Get along, you cowardly, dastardly, croaking raven!
[Exit DAVID. ]
[Enter CAPTAIN ABSOLUTE. ]
ABSOLUTE
What's the matter, Bob?
ACRES
A vile, sheep-hearted blockhead! If I hadn't the valour of St. George
and the dragon to boot----
ABSOLUTE
But what did you want with me, Bob?
ACRES
Oh! --There---- [Gives him the challenge. ]
ABSOLUTE
[Aside. ] To Ensign Beverley. --So, what's going on now? --[Aloud. ] Well,
what's this?
ACRES
A challenge!
ABSOLUTE
Indeed! Why, you won't fight him; will you, Bob?
ACRES
Egad, but I will, Jack. Sir Lucius has wrought me to it. He has left me
full of rage--and I'll fight this evening, that so much good passion
mayn't be wasted.
ABSOLUTE
But what have I to do with this?
ACRES
Why, as I think you know something of this fellow, I want you to find
him out for me, and give him this mortal defiance.
ABSOLUTE
Well, give it to me, and trust me he gets it.
ACRES
Thank you, my dear friend, my dear Jack; but it is giving you a great
deal of trouble.
ABSOLUTE
Not in the least--I beg you won't mention it. --No trouble in the world,
I assure you.
ACRES
You are very kind. --What it is to have a friend! --You couldn't be my
second, could you, Jack?
ABSOLUTE
Why no, Bob--not in this affair--it would not be quite so proper.
ACRES
Well, then, I must get my friend Sir Lucius. I shall have your good
wishes, however, Jack?
ABSOLUTE
Whenever he meets you, believe me.
[Re-enter SERVANT. ]
SERVANT
Sir Anthony Absolute is below, inquiring for the captain.
ABSOLUTE
I'll come instantly. ----
[Exit SERVANT. ]
Well, my little hero, success attend you. [Going. ]
ACRES
----Stay--stay, Jack. --If Beverley should ask you what kind of a man
your friend Acres is, do tell him I am a devil of a fellow--will you,
Jack?
ABSOLUTE
To be sure I shall. I'll say you are a determined dog--hey, Bob!
ACRES
Ah, do, do--and if that frightens him, egad, perhaps he mayn't come. So
tell him I generally kill a man a week; will you, Jack?
ABSOLUTE
I will, I will; I'll say you are called in the country Fighting Bob.
ACRES
Right--right--'tis all to prevent mischief; for I don't want to take
his life if I clear my honour.
ABSOLUTE
No! --that's very kind of you.
ACRES
Why, you don't wish me to kill him--do you, Jack?
ABSOLUTE
No, upon my soul, I do not. But a devil of a fellow, hey? [Going. ]
ACRES
True, true--but stay--stay, Jack--you may add, that you never saw me in
such a rage before--a most devouring rage!
ABSOLUTE
I will, I will.
ACRES
Remember, Jack--a determined dog!
ABSOLUTE
Ay, ay, Fighting Bob!
[Exeunt severally. ]
* * * * * * *
Scene II--Mrs. MALAPROP's Lodgings.
[Mrs. MALAPROP and LYDIA. ]
Mrs. MALAPROP
Why, thou perverse one! --tell me what you can object to him? Isn't he a
handsome man? --tell me that. A genteel man? a pretty figure of a man?
LYDIA
[Aside. ] She little thinks whom she is praising! --[Aloud. ] So is
Beverley, ma'am.
Mrs. MALAPROP
No caparisons, miss, if you please. Caparisons don't become a young
woman. No! Captain Absolute is indeed a fine gentleman!
LYDIA
[Aside. ] Ay, the Captain Absolute you have seen.
Mrs. MALAPROP
Then he's so well bred;--so full of alacrity, and adulation! --and has
so much to say for himself:--in such good language, too! His
physiognomy so grammatical! Then his presence is so noble! I protest,
when I saw him, I thought of what Hamlet says in the play:--
"Hesperian curls--the front of Job himself! --
An eye, like March, to threaten at command! --
A station, like Harry Mercury, new----"
Something about kissing--on a hill--however, the similitude struck me
directly.
LYDIA
[Aside. ] How enraged she'll be presently, when she discovers her
mistake!
[Enter SERVANT. ]
SERVANT
Sir Anthony and Captain Absolute are below, ma'am.
Mrs. MALAPROP
Show them up here. ----
[Exit SERVANT. ]
Now, Lydia, I insist on your behaving as becomes a young woman. Show
your good breeding, at least, though you have forgot your duty.
LYDIA
Madam, I have told you my resolution! --I shall not only give him no
encouragement, but I won't even speak to, or look at him. [Flings
herself into a chair, with her face from the door. ]
[Enter Sir ANTHONY ABSOLUTE and CAPTAIN ABSOLUTE. ]
Sir ANTHONY
Here we are, Mrs. Malaprop; come to mitigate the frowns of unrelenting
beauty,--and difficulty enough I had to bring this fellow. --I don't
know what's the matter; but if I had not held him by force, he'd have
given me the slip.
Mrs. MALAPROP
You have infinite trouble, Sir Anthony, in the affair. I am ashamed for
the cause! --[Aside to LYDIA. ] Lydia, Lydia, rise, I beseech you! --pay
your respects!
Sir ANTHONY
I hope, madam, that Miss Languish has reflected on the worth of this
gentleman, and the regard due to her aunt's choice, and my
alliance. --[Aside to CAPTAIN ABSOLUTE. ] Now, Jack, speak to her.
ABSOLUTE
[Aside. ] What the devil shall I do! --[Aside to Sir ANTHONY. ] You see,
sir, she won't even look at me whilst you are here. I knew she
wouldn't! I told you so. Let me entreat you, sir, to leave us together!
[Seems to expostulate with his father. ]
LYDIA
[Aside. ] I wonder I ha'n't heard my aunt exclaim yet! sure she can't
have looked at him! --perhaps the regimentals are alike, and she is
something blind.
Sir ANTHONY
I say, sir, I won't stir a foot yet!
Mrs. MALAPROP
I am sorry to say, Sir Anthony, that my affluence over my niece is very
small. --[Aside to LYDIA. ] Turn round, Lydia: I blush for you!
Sir ANTHONY
May I not flatter myself, that Miss Languish will assign what cause of
dislike she can have to my son! --[Aside to CAPTAIN ABSOLUTE. ] Why don't
you begin, Jack? --Speak, you puppy--speak!
Mrs. MALAPROP
It is impossible, Sir Anthony, she can have any. She will not say she
has. --[Aside to LYDIA. ] Answer, hussy! why don't you answer?
Sir ANTHONY
Then, madam, I trust that a childish and hasty predilection will be no
bar to Jack's happiness. --[Aside to CAPTAIN ABSOLUTE. ] Zounds! sirrah!
why don't you speak?
LYDIA
[Aside. ] I think my lover seems as little inclined to conversation as
myself. --How strangely blind my aunt must be!
ABSOLUTE
Hem! hem! madam--hem! --[Attempts to speak, then returns to Sir
ANTHONY. ] Faith! sir, I am so confounded! --and--so--so--confused! --I
told you I should be so, sir--I knew it. --The--the--tremor of my
passion entirely takes away my presence of mind.
Sir ANTHONY
But it don't take away your voice, fool, does it? --Go up, and speak to
her directly!
[CAPTAIN ABSOLUTE makes signs to Mrs. MALAPROP to leave them together. ]
Mrs. MALAPROP
Sir Anthony, shall we leave them together? --[Aside to LYDIA. ] Ah! you
stubborn little vixen!
Sir ANTHONY
Not yet, ma'am, not yet! --[Aside to CAPTAIN ABSOLUTE. ] What the devil
are you at? unlock your jaws, sirrah, or----
ABSOLUTE
[Aside. ] Now Heaven send she may be too sullen to look round! --I must
disguise my voice. --[Draws near LYDIA, and speaks in a low hoarse
tone.
] Will not Miss Languish lend an ear to the mild accents of true
love? Will not----
Sir ANTHONY
What the devil ails the fellow? why don't you speak out? --not stand
croaking like a frog in a quinsy!
ABSOLUTE
The--the--excess of my awe, and my--my--my modesty, quite choke me!
Sir ANTHONY
Ah! your modesty again! --I'll tell you what, Jack; if you don't speak
out directly, and glibly too, I shall be in such a rage! --Mrs.
Malaprop, I wish the lady would favour us with something more than a
side-front.
[Mrs. MALAPROP seems to chide LYDIA. ]
ABSOLUTE
[Aside. ] So all will out, I see! --[Goes up to LYDIA, speaks softly. ] Be
not surprised, my Lydia, suppress all surprise at present.
LYDIA
[Aside. ] Heavens! 'tis Beverley's voice! Sure he can't have imposed on
Sir Anthony too! --[Looks round by degrees, then starts up. ] Is this
possible! --my Beverley! --how can this be? --my Beverley?
ABSOLUTE
[Aside. ] Ah! 'tis all over.
Sir ANTHONY
Beverley! --the devil--Beverley! --What can the girl mean? --this is my
son, Jack Absolute.
Mrs. MALAPROP
For shame, hussy! for shame! your head runs so on that fellow, that you
have him always in your eyes! --beg Captain Absolute's pardon directly.
LYDIA
I see no Captain Absolute, but my loved Beverley!
Sir ANTHONY
Zounds! the girl's mad! --her brain's turned by reading.
Mrs. MALAPROP
O' my conscience, I believe so! --What do you mean by Beverley,
hussy? --You saw Captain Absolute before to-day; there he is--your
husband that shall be.
LYDIA
With all my soul, ma'am--when I refuse my Beverley----
Sir ANTHONY
Oh! she's as mad as Bedlam! --or has this fellow been playing us a
rogue's trick! --Come here, sirrah, who the devil are you?
ABSOLUTE
Faith, sir, I am not quite clear myself; but I'll endeavour to
recollect.
Sir ANTHONY
Are you my son or not? --answer for your mother, you dog, if you won't
for me.
Mrs. MALAPROP
Ay, sir, who are you? O mercy! I begin to suspect! ----
ABSOLUTE
[Aside. ] Ye powers of impudence, befriend me! --[Aloud. ] Sir Anthony,
most assuredly I am your wife's son: and that I sincerely believe
myself to be yours also, I hope my duty has always shown. --Mrs.
Malaprop, I am your most respectful admirer, and shall be proud to add
affectionate nephew. --I need not tell my Lydia, that she sees her
faithful Beverley, who, knowing the singular generosity of her temper,
assumed that name and station, which has proved a test of the most
disinterested love, which he now hopes to enjoy in a more elevated
character.
LYDIA
[Sullenly. ] So! --there will be no elopement after all!
Sir ANTHONY
Upon my soul, Jack, thou art a very impudent fellow! to do you justice,
I think I never saw a piece of more consummate assurance!
ABSOLUTE
Oh, you flatter me, sir--you compliment--'tis my modesty, you know,
sir,--my modesty that has stood in my way.
Sir ANTHONY
Well, I am glad you are not the dull, insensible varlet you pretended
to be, however! --I'm glad you have made a fool of your father, you
dog--I am. So this was your _penitence_, your _duty_ and
_obedience! _--I thought it was damned sudden! --_You never heard their
names before_, not you! --_what, the Languishes of Worcestershire_,
hey? --_if you could please me in the affair it was all you
desired! _--Ah! you dissembling villain! --What! --[Pointing to Lydia]
_She squints, don't she? --a little red-haired girl! _--hey? --Why, you
hypocritical young rascal! --I wonder you ain't ashamed to hold up your
head!
ABSOLUTE
'Tis with difficulty, sir. --I am confused--very much confused, as you
must perceive.
Mrs. MALAPROP
O Lud! Sir Anthony! --a new light breaks in upon me! --hey! --how! what!
captain, did you write the letters then? --What--am I to thank you for
the elegant compilation of _an old weather-beaten she-dragon_--hey! --O
mercy! --was it you that reflected on my parts of speech?
ABSOLUTE
Dear sir! my modesty will be overpowered at last, if you don't assist
me--I shall certainly not be able to stand it!
Sir ANTHONY
Come, come, Mrs. Malaprop, we must forget and forgive;--odds life!
matters have taken so clever a turn all of a sudden, that I could find
in my heart to be so good-humoured! and so gallant! hey! Mrs. Malaprop!
Mrs. MALAPROP
Well, Sir Anthony, since you desire it, we will not anticipate the
past! --so mind, young people--our retrospection will be all to the
future.
Sir ANTHONY
Come, we must leave them together; Mrs. Malaprop, they long to fly into
each other's arms, I warrant! --Jack--isn't the cheek as I said, hey? --
and the eye, you rogue! --and the lip--hey? Come, Mrs. Malaprop, we'll
not disturb their tenderness--theirs is the time of life for
happiness! --_Youth's the season made for joy_--[Sings. ]--hey! --Odds
life! I'm in such spirits,--I don't know what I could not do! --Permit
me, ma'am--[Gives his hand to Mrs. MALAPROP. ] Tol-de-rol--'gad, I
should like to have a little fooling myself--Tol-de-rol! de-rol.
[Exit, singing and handing Mrs. MALAPROP. --LYDIA sits sullenly in her
chair. ]
ABSOLUTE
[Aside. ] So much thought bodes me no good. --[Aloud. ] So grave, Lydia!
LYDIA
Sir!
ABSOLUTE
[Aside. ] So! --egad! I thought as much! --that damned monosyllable has
froze me! --[Aloud. ] What, Lydia, now that we are as happy in our
friends' consent, as in our mutual vows----
LYDIA
[Peevishly. ] Friends' consent indeed!
ABSOLUTE
Come, come, we must lay aside some of our romance--a little wealth and
comfort may be endured after all. And for your fortune, the lawyers
shall make such settlements as----
LYDIA
Lawyers! I hate lawyers!
ABSOLUTE
Nay, then, we will not wait for their lingering forms, but instantly
procure the licence, and----
LYDIA
The licence! --I hate licence!
ABSOLUTE
Oh my love! be not so unkind! --thus let me entreat---- [Kneeling. ]
LYDIA
Psha! --what signifies kneeling, when you know I must have you?
ABSOLUTE
[Rising. ] Nay, madam, there shall be no constraint upon your
inclinations, I promise you. --If I have lost your heart--I resign the
rest--[Aside. ] 'Gad, I must try what a little spirit will do.
LYDIA
[Rising. ] Then, sir, let me tell you, the interest you had there was
acquired by a mean, unmanly imposition, and deserves the punishment of
fraud. --What, you have been treating me like a child! --humouring my
romance! and laughing, I suppose, at your success!
ABSOLUTE
You wrong me, Lydia, you wrong me--only hear----
LYDIA
So, while I fondly imagined we were deceiving my relations, and
flattered myself that I should outwit and incense them all--behold my
hopes are to be crushed at once, by my aunt's consent and
approbation--and I am myself the only dupe at last! --[Walking about in
a heat. ] But here, sir, here is the picture--Beverley's picture!
[taking a miniature from her bosom] which I have worn, night and day,
in spite of threats and entreaties! --There, sir [Flings it to him. ];
and be assured I throw the original from my heart as easily.
ABSOLUTE
Nay, nay, ma'am, we will not differ as to that. --Here [taking out a
picture], here is Miss Lydia Languish. --What a difference! --ay, there
is the heavenly assenting smile that first gave soul and spirit to my
hopes! --those are the lips which sealed a vow, as yet scarce dry in
Cupid's calendar! and there the half-resentful blush, that would have
checked the ardour of my thanks! --Well, all that's past! --all over
indeed! --There, madam--in beauty, that copy is not equal to you, but in
my mind its merit over the original, in being still the same, is
such--that--I cannot find in my heart to part with it. [Puts it up
again. ]
LYDIA
[Softening. ] 'Tis your own doing, sir--I, I, I suppose you are
perfectly satisfied.
ABSOLUTE
O, most certainly--sure, now, this is much better than being in
love! --ha! ha! ha! --there's some spirit in this! --What signifies
breaking some scores of solemn promises:--all that's of no consequence,
you know. To be sure people will say, that miss don't know her own
mind--but never mind that! Or, perhaps, they may be ill-natured enough
to hint, that the gentleman grew tired of the lady and forsook her--but
don't let that fret you.
LYDIA
There is no bearing his insolence. [Bursts into tears. ]
[Re-enter Mrs. MALAPROP and Sir ANTHONY ABSOLUTE. ]
Mrs. MALAPROP
Come, we must interrupt your billing and cooing awhile.
LYDIA
This is worse than your treachery and deceit, you base ingrate!
[Sobbing. ]
Sir ANTHONY
What the devil's the matter now? --Zounds! Mrs. Malaprop, this is the
oddest billing and cooing I ever heard! --but what the deuce is the
meaning of it? --I am quite astonished!
ABSOLUTE
Ask the lady, sir.
Mrs.
