The Love-Chase | Page 6

girl to love?--Ay, and with all her soul!
Wild. How know you that?
True. I have studied close the sex.
Wild. You town-rakes are the devil for the sex! [Aside.]
True. Not your most sensitive and serious maid I'd always take for deep
impressions. Mind The adage of the bow. The pensive brow I have oft
seen bright in wedlock, and anon O'ercast in widowhood; then, bright
again. Ere half the season of the weeds was out; While, in the airy one,
I have known one cloud Forerunner of a gloom that ne'er cleared up -
So would it prove with neighbour Constance. Not On superficial
grounds she'll ever love; But once she does, the odds are ten to one Her
first love is her last!
Wild. I wish I ne'er Had come to town! I was a happy man Among my
dogs and horses. [Aside.] Hast thou broke Thy passion to her?
True. Never.
Wild. Never?
True. No. I hoped you'd act my proxy there.

Wild. I thank you.
True. I knew 'twould be a pleasure to you.
Wild. Yes; A pleasure!--an unutterable pleasure!
True. Thank you! You make my happiness your own.
Wild. I do.
True. I see you do. Dear Master Wildrake! Oh, what a blessing is a
friend in need! You'll go and court your neighbour for me?
Wild. Yes.
True. And says she "nay" at first, you'll press again?
Wild. Ay, and again!
True. There's one thing I mistrust--yea, most mistrust, That of my poor
deserts you'll make too much.
Wild. Fear anything but that.
True. 'Twere better far You slightly spoke of them.
Wild. You think so?
True. Yes. Or rather did not speak of them at all.
Wild. You think so?
True. Yes.
Wild. Then I'll not say a word About them.
True. Thank you! A judicious friend Is better than a zealous: you are
both! I see you'll plead my cause as 'twere your own; Then stay in town,
and win your neighbour for me; Make me the envy of a score of men

That die for her as I do. Make her mine, And when the last "Amen!"
declares complete The mystic tying of the holy knot, And 'fore the
priest a blushing wife she stands, Be thine the right to claim the second
kiss She pays for change from maidenhood to wifehood.
[Goes out.]
Wild. Take that thyself! The first be mine, or none! A man in love with
neighbour Constance! Never Dreamed I that such a thing could come to
pass! Such person, such endowments, such a soul! I never thought to
ask myself before If she were man or woman! Suitors, too, Dying for
her! I'll e'en make one among 'em! Woo her to go to church along with
him, And for my pains the privilege to take The second kiss? I'll take
the second kiss, And first one too--and last! No man shall touch Her
lips but me. I'll massacre the man That looks upon her! Yet what
chance have I With lovers of the town, whose study 'tis To please your
lady belles!--who dress, walk, talk, To hit their tastes--what chance, a
country squire Like me? Yet your true fair, I have heard, prefers The
man before his coat at any time; And such a one may neighbour
Constance be. I'll show a limb with any of them! Silks I'll wear, nor
keep my legs in cases more. I'll learn to dance town-dances, and
frequent Their concerts! Die away at melting strains, Or seem to do
so--far the easier thing, And as effective quite; leave naught undone To
conquer neighbour Constance.
[Enter LASH.]
Lash. Sir.
Wild. Well, sir?
Lash. So please you, sir, your horse is at the door.
Wild. Unsaddle him again and put him up. And, hark you, get a tailor
for me, sir - The rarest can be found.
Lash. The man's below, sir, That owns the mare your worship thought
to buy.

Wild. Tell him I do not want her, sir.
Lash. I vow You will not find her like in Lincolnshire.
Wild. Go to! She's spavined.
Lash. Sir!
Wild. Touched in the wind.
Lash. I trust my master be not touched in the head! I vow, a faultless
beast! [Aside.]
Wild. I want her not, And that's your answer. Go to the hosier's, sir,
And bid him send me samples of his gear, Of twenty different kinds.
Lash. I will, sir.--Sir!
Wild. Well, sir.
Lash. Squire Brush's huntsman's here, and says His master's kennel is
for sale.
Wild. The dogs Are only fit for hanging! -
Lash. Finer bred -
Wild. Sirrah, if more to me thou talkest of dogs, Horses, or aught that
to thy craft belongs, Thou mayst go hang for me!--A cordwainer Go
fetch me straight--the choicest in the town. Away,