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Show 20 The Beaux Stratagem. Money, my Friends difown'd me, and now my Neceffity brings me to what you fee. Cher. Then take m y hand promife to marry m e before you fleep, and Til make you Mafter of two thoufand Pounds. Arch. H o w ! Cher. T w o thoufand Pound that I have this Minute in my own Cuftody; fo throw off your Livery this Inftant, and I'll go find a Parfon. Arch. W h a t laid you ? A Parfon! Cher. W h a t ! D o you fcruple ? Arch. Scruple ! No, no, but - two thoufand Pound, you fay? Cher. And better. Arch. 'Sdeath, what fhall I do? But heark'e, Child, what need you make me Mafter of your felf and Money, when you may have the fame Pleafure out of me, and ftill keep your Fortune in your hands. Cher. Then you won't marry me? Arch. I wou'd marry you, but Cher. O fweet Sir, I'm your humble Sen-ant, you're fairly caught; wou'd you perfuade m e that any Gentleman who cou'd bear the Scandal of wearing a Livery, wou'd refufe two thoufand Pound let the Condition be what it wou'd no, no, Sir, but I hope you'll pardon the Freedom I have taken, fince it was only to inform m y felf of the Refpect that \ ought to pay you. (Going. Arch. Fairly bit, by Jupiter hold, hold, and have you actually two thoufand Pounds. G)cr. Sir, I have m y Secrets as well as you when you pleafe to be more open, I fhall be more free, and be afTur'd that I have Difcoveries that will match yours, be what they will- In the mean while be fatisfy'd that no Difcovery I make fhall ever hurt you, but beware of m y Father. > Arch. So - we're like to have as many Adventures in cur Inn, as Don Quixote had in his let m e fee two thoufand Pounds! If the Wench wcu'd promife to die xvhen the Money were fpent, I gad, one wou'd marry her; but the Fortune may go off in a Year or two, and the Wife may live Lord knows how long ! Then an In-keep-er's Daughter; ay, that's the Devil--there m y Pride brings ineoff. Fo) |
