English drama (Comedy); English drama -- 17th century
_Mrs. Pinch._ [_Aside._] O jeminy! is that he that was in love with me?
I am glad on't, I vow, for he's a curious fine gentleman, and I love
him already, too.--[_To_ PINCHWIFE.] Is this he, bud?
_Pinch._ Come away, come away. [_To his_ Wife.
_Horn._ Why, what haste are you in? why won't you let me talk with him?
_Pinch._ Because you'll debauch him; he's yet young and innocent, and I
would not have him debauched for anything in the world.--[_Aside._] How
she gazes on him! the devil!
_Horn._ Harcourt, Dorilant, look you here, this is the likeness of that
dowdy he told us of, his wife; did you ever see a lovelier creature?
The rogue has reason to be jealous of his wife, since she is like him,
for she would make all that see her in love with her.
_Har._ And, as I remember now, she is as like him here as can be.
_Dor._ She is indeed very pretty, if she be like him.
_Horn._ Very pretty? a very pretty commendation!--she is a glorious
creature, beautiful beyond all things I ever beheld.
_Pinch._ So, so.
_Har._ More beautiful than a poet's first mistress of imagination.
_Horn._ Or another man's last mistress of flesh and blood.
_Mrs. Pinch._ Nay, now you jeer, sir; pray don't jeer me.
_Pinch._ Come, come.--[_Aside._] By Heavens, she'll discover herself!
_Horn._ I speak of your sister, sir.
_Pinch._ Ay, but saying she was handsome, if like him, made him
blush.--[_Aside._] I am upon a rack!
_Horn._ Methinks he is so handsome he should not be a man.
_Pinch._ [_Aside._] O, there 'tis out! he has discovered her! I am not
able to suffer any longer.--[_To his_ Wife.] Come, come away, I say.
_Horn._ Nay, by your leave, sir, he shall not go yet.--[_Aside to
them._] Harcourt, Dorilant, let us torment this jealous rogue a little.
_Har. Dor._ How?
_Horn._ I'll show you.
_Pinch._ Come, pray let him go, I cannot stay fooling any longer; I
tell you his sister stays supper for us.
_Horn._ Does she? Come then, we'll all go to sup with he and thee.
_Pinch._ No, now I think on't, having stayed so long for us, I warrant
she's gone to bed.--[_Aside._] I wish she and I were well out of their
hands.--[_To his_ Wife.] Come, I must rise early to-morrow, come.
_Horn._ Well then, if she be gone to bed, I wish her and you a good
night. But pray, young gentleman, present my humble service to her.
_Mrs. Pinch._ Thank you heartily, sir.
_Pinch._ [_Aside._] 'Sdeath, she will discover herself yet in spite of
me--[_Aloud._] He is something more civil to you, for your kindness to
his sister, than I am, it seems.
_Horn._ Tell her, dear sweet little gentleman, for all your brother
there, that you have revived the love I had for her at first sight in
the playhouse.
_Mrs. Pinch._ But did you love her indeed, and indeed?
_Pinch._ [_Aside._] So, so.--[_Aloud._] Away, I say.
_Horn._ Nay, stay.--Yes, indeed, and indeed, pray do you tell her so,
and give her this kiss from me. [_Kisses her._
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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