Peggy. Ay, dear, dear bud; but I can't do't very well. Moody. I wish you could not at all. Peggy. But what should I write for? Moody. I'll have you write a letter to this young man. Peggy. O Lord, to the young gentleman a letter? Peggy. Lord, you do but jeer; sure you jest. Moody. I am not so merry. Come, sit down, and write as 1 bid you. Peggy. What, do you think I am a fool? Moody. She's afraid I would not dictate my love to him, therefore she's unwilling. [Aside] But you had best begin. Peggy. Indeed and indeed but I won't, so I won't. Moody. Why? Peggy. Because he's in town. You may send for him here, if you will. Moody. Very well, you would have him brought to you? Is it come to this? I say take the pen and ink, and write, or you'll provoke me. Peggy. Lord, what do you make a fool of me for?Don't I know that letters are never writ but from the country to London, and from London into the country? Now he's in town, and I'm in town too; therefore I can't write to him, you know. Moody. So, I'm glad it's no worse; she is innocent enough yet. [Aside] Yes, you may, when your husband bids, write letters to people that are in town. Peggy. O, may I so? then I am satisfied. Moody. Come, begin—Sir [Dictates. Peggy. Shan't I say dear sir? You know one says always something more than bare, sir, up in a corner. Moody. Write as I bid you, or I will write something with this penknife in your face. Peggy. Sir [Writes. Moody. Though I suffered last night your nauceous, loath'd kisses and embraces- -Write! Peggy. Nay, why should I say so? you know I told you he had a sweet breath. Moody. Write! Moody. Write, I say. Peggy. Well then. Peggy, Let me put out loath'd. [Writes. Moody. Let me see what you have writ. [Reads] Though I suffered last night your kisses and embraces -Thou impudent creature, where is nauseous and loath'd? Peggy. I can't abide to write such filthy words. Moody. Once more write as I'd have you, or I will spoil your writing with this; I will stab out those eyes that cause my mischief. [Holds up the Penknife. Peggy. O Lord, I will. [Writes. Moody. So-so-let's see now:- --though I suffered last night your nauseous loath'd kisses and embraces-yet I would not have you presume that you go on shall ever repeat them Peggy. I have writ it. -So Moody. O then-1 then conceal'd knowledge, to avoid your insolencies Peggy. To avoid Moody. Your insolencies Peggy. Your insolencies. [Peggy writes. [Writes. Moody. The same reason, now I am out of your hands Peggy. So [Writes. Moody. Makes me own to you my unfortunate-though innocent frolic, in being in boy's clothes. [Peggy writes. Peggy. So Moody. That you may for evermore▬▬▬ Moody. Evermore cease to pursue her who hates and detests you Peggy. So-. [Peggy writes. [Sighs. Moody. What do you sigh for?- -detests you-as much as she loves her husband and her honour Peggy. I vow, husband, he'll ne'er believe I should write such a letter. [Writes. Moody. What, he'd expect a kinder one from you? Come, now your name only. D Peggy. What, shan't I say—your most faithful humble servant till death? Moody. No, tormenting fiend. [Peggy writes]. Her style, find, would be very soft. [Aside] Come, wrap it up now, whilst I go fetch wax and a candle, and write on the outside-For Mr. Belville. [Exit. Peggy. [Writes] For Mr. Belville.-So-I am glad -Hark, I hear a noise. he is gone Moody. [Within] Well, well, but can't you call again--Well, walk in then. Peggy. [Goes to the Door] I'fack there's folks with him Moody. [Within] Very well—if he must see me, I'll come to him. Peggy. That's pure; now I may think a littleWhy should I send dear Mr. Belville such a letter?Can one have no shift? ah, a London woman would have had a hundred presently.- Stay--what if I should write a letter, and wrap it up like this, and write upon it too?-Ay, but then my guardian would see't -I don't know what to do--But yet y'vads I'll try, so I will for I will not send this letter to poor Mr. Belville, come what will on't. [Writes, and repeats what she writes]-Dear, dear, dear, sweet Mr. Belville -so-My guardian would have me send you a base, rude better, but I won't--so-and would have me say I hate you but I won't--there--for I'm sure if you and I were in the country at cards together-so-I could not help treading on your toe under the tableso pray keep at home, for 1 shall be with you as soon as I can-so no more at present from one who am, deur, dear, poor dear Mr. Belville, your loving friend till death do us part, MARGARET THRIFT.-So-now wrap it up just like t'other-so-now write-For Mr. Belville. But, oh! what shall I do with it? for here comes my guardian. [Puts it in her Bosom. Re-enter MOODY, with a Candle and Sealing-wax. Moody. I have been detained by a sparkish coxcomb, who pretended to visit me; but I fear 'twas to my wife. [Aside] What, have you done? Peggy. Ay, ay, bud, just now. Moody. Let's see't; what d'ye tremble for? [He opens and reads the first Letter. Peggy. So, I had been finely serv'd if I had giv'n him this. [Aside. Moody. Come, where's the wax and seal? Peggy. Lord, what shall I do? [Aside] Pray let me see't. Lord, you think I cannot seal a letter; I will do't, so I will. [Snatches the Letter from him, changes it for the other, seals it, and delivers it to him. Moody. Nay, I believe you will learn that and other things too, which would not have you. Peggy. So, han't I done it curiously? I think I have -there's my letter going to Mr. Belville, since he'll needs have me send letters to folks. [Aside. Moody. "Tis very well; but I warrant you would not have it go now? Peggy. Yes, indeed, but I would, bud, now. Moody. Well, you are a good girl then. Come, let me lock you up in your chamber till be sure you come not within three strides of the wincome back; and dow when I am gone, for I have a spy in the street. [Puts her into the Chamber] At least 'tis fit she thinks so; if we do not cheat women, they'll cheat us.-Now I have secur'd all within, I'll deal with the foe without, with false intelligence. [Exit. SCENE III. BELVILLE's Lodgings. Enter Lucy and BELVILLE. Lucy. I run great risks, to be sure, to serve the young lady and you, sir; but I know you are a gentleman of honour, and would scorn to betray a friend who means you well, and is above being mercenary. Bel. As you are not mercenary, Mrs. Lucy, I ought to be the more generous; give me leave to present you with this trifle; [Gives her a Ring] not as a reward for your services, but as a small token of friendship. Lucy. Though I scorn to be bribed in any cause, yet I am proud to accept it as a mark of your regard, and as such shall keep it for your sake-and now to busi ness. Bel. But has the dear creature resolved? Lucy. Has she why she will run away and marry you, in spite of your teeth, the first moment she can break prison; so you, in your turn, must take care not to have your qualms: I have known several bold gentlemen not able to draw their swords, when a challenge has come too quick upon 'em. Bel. I assure you, Mrs. Lucy, that I am no bully in love; and Miss Peggy will meet with her match, come when she will. Lucy. Ay, so you all say; but talking does no busiStay at home till you hear from us. ness. Bel Blessings on thee, Lucy, for the thought. Moody. [Without] But I must and will see him, let bin have what company he will. Lucy. As I hope to be married, Mr. Belville, I hear Mr. Moody's voice. Where shall I hide myself?—if he sees me we are all undone. Bel. This is our cursed luck again. What the devil can he want here? Get into this closet till he is gone. [Puts Lucy into the Closet] Don't you stir, Lucy. I must put the best ce upon the matter. Now for it. [Takes a Book, and reads.' 1 Enter MOODY. Moody. You will excuse me, sir, for breaking through forms, and your servant's entreaties, to have the honour --but you are alone, sir-your fellow told me below, that you were with company. Bel. Yes, sir, the best company. [Shows his Book] When I converse with my betters, I choose to have 'em alone. Moody. And I chose to interrupt your conversation! the business of my errand must plead my excuse. Bel. You shall be always welcome to me; but you seem ruffled, sir. What brings you hither, and so seemingly out of humour? |