The Comedies of William Congreve: Volume 1 [of 2]Congreve, William
General
The Comedies of William Congreve: Volume 1 [of 2]
Congreve, William
Comedy plays
CYNT. He does not indeed affect either pertness or formality; for which
I like him. Here he comes.
LADY FROTH. And my lord with him. Pray observe the difference.
SCENE II.
[_To them_] LORD FROTH, MELLEFONT, _and_ BRISK.
CYNT. Impertinent creature! I could almost be angry with her now.
[_Aside_.]
LADY FROTH. My lord, I have been telling Cynthia how much I have been in
love with you; I swear I have; I'm not ashamed to own it now. Ah! it
makes my heart leap, I vow I sigh when I think on't. My dear lord! Ha,
ha, ha, do you remember, my lord? [_Squeezes him by the hand_, _looks
kindly on him_, _sighs_, _and then laughs out_.]
LORD FROTH. Pleasant creature! perfectly well, ah! that look, ay, there
it is; who could resist? 'twas so my heart was made a captive first, and
ever since t'has been in love with happy slavery.
LADY FROTH. Oh, that tongue, that dear deceitful tongue! that charming
softness in your mien and your expression, and then your bow! Good my
lord, bow as you did when I gave you my picture; here, suppose this my
picture. [_Gives him a pocket-glass_.] Pray mind, my lord; ah! he bows
charmingly; nay, my lord, you shan't kiss it so much; I shall grow
jealous, I vow now. [_He bows profoundly low_, _then kisses the glass_.]
LORD FROTH. I saw myself there, and kissed it for your sake.
LADY FROTH. Ah! Gallantry to the last degree. Mr. Brisk, you're a
judge; was ever anything so well bred as my lord?
BRISK. Never anything, but your ladyship; let me perish.
LADY FROTH. Oh, prettily turned again; let me die, but you have a great
deal of wit. Mr. Mellefont, don't you think Mr. Brisk has a world of
wit?
MEL. O yes, madam.
BRISK. O dear, madam--
LADY FROTH. An infinite deal!
BRISK. O heav'ns, madam--
LADY FROTH. More wit than anybody.
BRISK. I'm everlastingly your humble servant, deuce take me, madam.
LORD FROTH. Don't you think us a happy couple?
CYNT. I vow, my lord, I think you the happiest couple in the world, for
you're not only happy in one another, and when you are together, but
happy in yourselves, and by yourselves.
LORD FROTH. I hope Mellefont will make a good husband too.
CYNT. 'Tis my interest to believe he will, my Lord.
LORD FROTH. D'ye think he'll love you as well as I do my wife? I'm
afraid not.
CYNT. I believe he'll love me better.
LORD FROTH. Heav'ns! that can never be. But why do you think so?
CYNT. Because he has not so much reason to be fond of himself.
LORD FROTH. Oh, your humble servant for that, dear madam. Well,
Mellefont, you'll be a happy creature.
MEL. Ay, my lord, I shall have the same reason for my happiness that
your lordship has, I shall think myself happy.
LORD FROTH. Ah, that's all.
BRISK. [_To_ LADY FROTH.] Your ladyship is in the right; but, i'gad,
I'm wholly turned into satire. I confess I write but seldom, but when I
do--keen iambics, i'gad. But my lord was telling me your ladyship has
made an essay toward an heroic poem.
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