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don't afflict yourself: I have been somewhat hasty with regard to the farmer; but since I see how deeply you are interested in his affairs, I may possibly alter my designs with regard to him-You know— You know, Patty, your marriage with him is no concern of mine-I only speak

AIR.

My passion in vain I attempt to dissemble;

I 11

Th' endeavour to hide it, but makes it appear: Enraptur'd I gaze, when I touch her I tremble, And speak to and hear her, with falt'ring and fear.

By how many cruel ideas tormented!

My blood's in a ferment; it freezes, it burns : This moment I wish, what the next is repented; While love, rage, and jealousy, rack me by turns. 119

SCENE III.

PATTY, GILES.

Giles. Miss Pat-Odd rabbit it, I thought his honour was here; and I wish I may die if my heart did not jump into my mouth-Come, come down in all haste, there's such rig below as you never knew in your born days.

"Pat. Rig!

"Giles. Ay, and fun"-There's as good as forty of the tenants, men and maidens, have got upon the lawn before the castle, with pipers and garlands; just for all the world as tho'f it was May-day; and the quality's looking at them out of the windows--'Tis as true as any thing; on account of my lord's coming home with his new lady-" Look here, I have brought "a string of flowers along with me.”

Pat. Well, and what then?

133

Giles. Why I was thinking, if so be as you would come down, as we might take a dance together: little Sal, farmer Harrow's daughter, of the Green, would fain have had me for a partner; but I said as how I'd go for one I liked better, one that I'd make a partner for life.

Pat. Did you say so?

140

Giles. Yes, and she was struck all of a heap-she had not a word to throw to a dog-for Sal and I kept company once for a little bit.

Pat. Farmer, I am going to say something to you, and I desire you will listen to it attentively. It seems you think of our being married together.

Giles. Think! why I think of nothing else; it's all over the place mun, as how you are to be my spouse ; and you would not believe what game folks make of

me.

151

Pat. Shall I talk to you like a friend, farmerYou and I were never designed for one another; and I am morally certain we should not be happy.

Giles. Oh! as for that matter, I never has no words with nobody.

Pat. Shall I speak plainer to you then-I don't

like you.

Giles. No!

Pat. On the contrary, you are disagreeable to

me

Giles. Am I!

161

Pat. Yes, of all things: I deal with you sincerely. Giles. Why, I thought, Miss Pat, the affair between you and I was all fix'd and settled.

Pat. Well, let this undeceive you-Be assured we shall never be man and wife. No offer shall persuade, no command force me.-You know my mind, make your advantage of it.

AIR.

Was I sure a life to lead,

Wretched as the vilest slave,

Every hardship would I brave;
Rudest toil, severest need;

Ere yield my hand so coolly,
To the man who never, truly,
Could my heart in keeping have.

Wealth with others success will insure you,

Where your wit and your person may please ;

Take to them your love, I conjure you,

And in mercy set me at ease.

170

180

SCENE IV.

GILES.

Here's a turn! I don't know what to make of it: she's gone mad, that's for sartin; wit and learning have crack'd her brain-Poor soul, poor soulIt is often the case of those who have too much of them.-Lord, Lord, how sorry I be—But hold, she says I baint to her mind-mayn't all this be the effect of modish coyness, to do like the gentlewomen, because she was bred among them? And I have heard say, they will be upon their vixen tricks, till they go into the very church with a man. Icod there's nothing more likelier; for it is the cry of one and all, that she's the moral of a lady in every thing: and our farmer's daughters, for the matter of that, tho'f they have nothing to boast of but a scrap of red ribbon about their hats, will have as many turnings and windings as a hare, before one can lay a fast hold of them. There can no harm come of speaking with master Fairfield, however.-Odd rabbit it, how plaguy tart she was-I am half vext with myself now that I let off so.

her go

200

AIR.

When a maid, in way of marriage,

First is courted by a man,

Let 'un do the best he can,

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Changes to a view of Lord AIMWORTH's house, and improvements; a seat under a tree, and part of the garden wall, with a Chinese pavilion over it; several country people appear dancing, others looking on; among whom are, MERVIN, disguised, RALPH, FANNY, and a number of gipsies. After the dancers go off, THEODOSIA and PATTY enter through a gate supposed to have a connection with the principal building.

The. Well then, my dear Patty, you will run away from us but why in such a hurry, I have a thousand things to say to you?

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