The Love-Chase | Page 3

perching there?--Eh?--Well?
True. There's something like, But not what one must see, unless he's
blind Like steeple on a hill!
Sir Wil. [After a pause.] Your eyes are good! I am certainly a wonder
for my age; I walk as well as ever! Do I stoop?
True. A plummet from your head would find your heel.
Sir Wil. It is my make--my make, good Master Trueworth; I do not
study it. Do you observe The hollow in my back? That's natural. As
now I stand, so stood I when a child, A rosy, chubby boy!--I am
youthful to A miracle! My arm is firm as 'twas At twenty. Feel it!
True. [Feeling SIR WILLIAM'S arm.] It is deal!
Sir Wil. Oak--oak, Isn't it, Master Trueworth? Thou hast known me
Ten years and upwards. Thinkest my leg is shrunk?
True. No.

Sir Wil. No! not in the calf?
True. As big a calf As ever!
Sir Wil. Thank you, thank you--I believe it! When others waste, 'tis
growing-time with me! I feel it, Master Trueworth! Vigour, sir, In
every joint of me--could run!--could leap! Why shouldn't I marry?
Knife and fork I play Better than many a boy of twenty-five - Why
shouldn't I marry? If they come to wine, My brace of bottles can I carry
home, And ne'er a headache. Death! why shouldn't I marry?
True. I see in nature no impediment.
Sir Wil. Impediment? She's all appliances! - And fortune's with me, too!
The Widow Green Gives hints to me. The pleasant Widow Green
Whose fortieth year, instead of autumn, brings, A second summer in.
Odds bodikins, How young she looks! What life is in her eyes! What
ease is in her gait!--while, as she walks, Her waist, still tapering, takes
it pliantly! How lollingly she bears her head withal: On this side
now--now that! When enters she A drawing-room, what worlds of
gracious things Her curtsey says!--she sinks with such a sway, Greeting
on either hand the company, Then slowly rises to her state again! She is
the empress of the card-table! Her hand and arm!--Gods, did you see
her deal - With curved and pliant wrist dispense the pack, Which, at the
touch of her fair fingers fly! How soft she speaks--how very soft! Her
voice Comes melting from her round and swelling throat, Reminding
you of sweetest, mellowest things - Plums, peaches, apricots, and
nectarines - Whose bloom is poor to paint her cheeks and lips. By Jove,
I'll marry!
True. You forget, Sir William, I do not know the lady.
Sir Wil. Great your loss. By all the gods I'll marry!--but my daughter
Must needs be married first. She rules my house; Would rule it still,
and will not have me wed. A clever, handsome, darling, forward minx!
When I became a widower, the reins Her mother dropped she
caught,--a hoyden girl; Nor, since, would e'er give up; howe'er I strove
To coax or catch them from her. One way still Or t'other she would

keep them--laugh, pout, plead; Now vanquish me with water, now with
fire; Would box my face, and, ere I well could ope My mouth to chide
her, stop it with a kiss! The monkey! What a plague she's to me! How I
love her! how I love the Widow Green!
True. Then marry her!
Sir Wil. I tell thee, first of all Must needs my daughter marry. See I not
A hope of that; she nought affects the sex: Comes suitor after suitor--all
in vain. Fast as they bow she curtsies, and says, "Nay!" Or she, a
woman, lacks a woman's heart, Or hath a special taste which none can
hit.
True. Or taste, perhaps, which is already hit.
Sir Wil. Eh!--how?
True. Remember you no country friend, Companion of her walks--her
squire to church, Her beau whenever she went visiting - Before she
came to town?
Sir Wil. No!
True. None?--art sure? No playmate when she was a girl?
Sir Wil. O! ay! That Master Wildrake, I did pray thee go And wait for
at the inn; but had forgotten. Is he come?
True. And in the house. Some friends that met him, As he alighted, laid
strong hands upon Him, And made him stop for dinner. We had else
Been earlier with you.
Sir Wil. Ha! I am glad he is come.
True. She may be smit with him.
Sir Wil. As cat with dog!
True. He heard her voice as we did mount the stairs, And darted

straight to join her.
Sir Wil. You shall see What wondrous calm and harmony take place,
When fire meets gunpowder!
Con. [Without.] Who sent for you? What made you come?
Wild. [Without.] To see the town, not you! A kiss!
Con. I vow I'll not.
Wild. I swear you shall.
Con. A