Sir Luc. Oh, faith, I'll quiet your conscience!

Enter FAG.

[Exit, humming a tune.

Fag. So, so, ma'am! I humbly beg pardon.

Lucy. O Lud! now, Mr. Fag - you flurry one so. Fag. Come, come, Lucy, here's no one by - so a little less simplicity, with a grain or two more sincerity, if you 5 please. You play false with us, madam-I saw you give the baronet a letter. My master shall know this and if he don't call him out, I will.

Lucy. Ha ha! ha! you gentlemen's gentlemen are so hasty. That letter was from Mrs. Malaprop, simple- 10 She is taken with Sir Lucius's address.

ton.

I

Fag. How! what tastes some people have! — Why, suppose I have walked by her window a hundred times. But what says our young lady? any message to my master? Lucy. Sad news, Mr. Fag. A worse rival than 15 Acres! Sir Anthony Absolute has proposed his son. Fag. What, Captain Absolute?

Fag. Ha ha! ha! very good, faith. Good bye, Lucy, I must away with this news.

Lucy. Well, you may laugh- but it is true, I assure you. (Going.) But, Mr. Fag, tell your master not to be cast down by this.

Fag. Oh, he'll be so disconsolate!

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Lucy. And charge him not to think of quarrelling with 25 young Absolute.

Fag. Never fear! never fear!

Lucy. Be sure-bid him keep up his spirits.

ACT III.

SCENE I. THE NORTH PARADE.

Enter CAPTAIN ABSOLUTE.

Abs. 'Tis just as Fag told me, indeed. Whimsical enough, faith! My father wants to force me to marry the very girl I am plotting to run away with! He must not know of my connection with her yet awhile. He has 5 too summary a method of proceeding in these matters. However, I'll read my recantation instantly. My conversion is something sudden, indeed but I can assure him it is very sincere. So, so here he comes. He looks plaguy gruff. [Steps aside.

Enter SIR ANTHONY ABSOLUTE.

ΙΟ Sir Anth. No. I'll die sooner than forgive him. Die, did I say? I'll live these fifty years to plague him. At our last meeting, his impudence had almost put me out of temper. An obstinate, passionate, self-willed boy! Who can he take after? This is my return for getting him 15 before all his brothers and sisters! for putting him, at twelve years old, into a marching regiment, and allowing him fifty pounds a year, besides his pay, ever since! But I have done with him; he's anybody's son for me. I never will see him more, never never

never.

Abs. (Aside, coming forward.) Now for a penitential face.

Sir Anth. Fellow, get out of my way!

Abs. Sir, you see a penitent before you.

Sir Anth. I see an impudent scoundrel before me. Abs. A sincere penitent. I am come, sir, to acknowledge my error, and to submit entirely to your will. Sir Anth. What's that?

5

Abs. I have been revolving, and reflecting, and considering on your past goodness, and kindness, and con- 10 descension to me.

Sir Anth. Well, sir?

Abs. I have been likewise weighing and balancing what you were pleased to mention concerning duty, and obedience, and authority.

Sir Anth. Well, puppy?

Abs. Why then, sir, the result of my reflections is a resolution to sacrifice every inclination of my own to your satisfaction.

Sir Anth. Why now talk sense you

absolute sense

I never heard anything more sensible in my life. Confound you! you shall be Jack again.

Abs. I am happy in the appellation.

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Sir Anth. Why then, Jack, my dear Jack, I will now inform you who the lady really is. Nothing but your 25 passion and violence, you silly fellow, prevented my telling you at first. Prepare, Jack, for wonder and rapture prepare. What think you of Miss Lydia Languish?

Abs. Languish! What, the Languishes of Worcestershire?

Sir Anth. Worcestershire! no. Did you never meet

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