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23 D WILLIAM CoNGREVE [ACT n
you think: your words must contradict your thoughts; but
your actions may contradict your words. So, when I ask
you, if you can love me, you must say no, but you must
love me too. If I tell you you are handsome, you must deny
it, and say I flatter you. But you must think yourself more
charming than I speak you: and like me, for the beauty
which I say you have, as much as if I had it myself. If I ask
you to kiss me, you must be angry, but you must not
refuse me. If I ask you for more, you must be more angry,
—but more complying; and as soon as ever I make you.
say you'll cry out, you must be sure to hold your tongue.
Prue. D Lord, I swear this is pure!—I like it better than
our old-fashioned country way of speaking one's mind;—
and must not you lie too?
Tat. Hum!—Yes; but you must believe I speak truth.
Prue. D Gemini! well, I always had a great mind to
tell lies: but they frighted me, and said it was a sin.
Tat. Well, my pretty creature; will you make me happy
by giving me a kiss?
Prue. No, indeed; I'm angry at you.
[Runs and fosses him.
Tat. Hold, hold, that's pretty well;—but you should not
have given it me, but have suffered me to have taken it.
Prue. Well, we'll do't again.
Tat. With all my heart.—Now then, my little angel!
[Kisses her.
Prue. Pish I
Tat. That's right—again, my charmer! [Kisses her again.
Prue. D fy! nay, now I can't abide you.
Tat. Admirable! that was as well as if you had been born
and bred in Covent Garden. And won't you show me,
pretty miss, where your bed-chamber is?
Prue. No, indeed, won't I; but I'll run there and hide
myself from you behind the curtains.
Tat. I'll follow you.
Prue. Ah, but I'll hold the door with both hands, and
be angry;—and you shall push me down before you come in.
Tat. No, I'll come in first, and push you down afterwards.
Prue. Will you? then I'll be more angry, and more
complying.
Tat. Then I'll make you cry out.
Prue. Oh, but you shan't; for I'll hold my tongue.