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252 WILLIAM CONGREVE [ACT iv
Ang. How d'ye mean, mad?
Jer. Why, faith, madam, he's mad for want of his wits,
just as he was poor for want of money; his head is e'en as
light as his pockets; and anybody that has a mind to a
bad bargain, can't do better than to beg him for his estate.
Ang. If you speak truth, your endeavouring at wit is very
unseasonable.
Scan. [Aside.] She's concerned, and loves him.
Ang. Mr. Scandal, you cannot think me guilty of so much
inhumanity, as not to be concerned for a man I must own
myself obliged to; pray tell me the truth.
Scan. Faith, madam, I wish telling a lie would mend the
matter. But this is no new effect of an unsuccessful passion.
Ang. [Aside.] I know not what to think.—Yet I should
be veaed to have a trick put upon me.—[Aloud.] May I
not see him?
Scan. I'm afraid the physician is not willing you should
see him yet.—Jeremy, go in and inquire.
[Exit JEREMY.
Ang. [Aside.] Ha! I saw him wink and smile—I fancy
'tis a trick—I'll try.—[Aloud.] I would disguise to all the
world a failing which I must own to you.—I fear my happiness
depends upon the recovery of Valentine. Therefore
I conjure you, as you are his friend, and as you have compassion
upon one fearful of affliction, to tell me what I am
to hope for.—I cannot speak—but you may tell me, for you
know what I would ask.
Scan. [Aside.] So, this is pretty plain.—[Aloud.] Be not
too much concerned, madam, I hope his condition is not
desperate: an acknowledgment of love from you, perhaps,
may work a cure; as the fear of your aversion occasioned his
distemper.
Ang. [ Aside.] Say you so? nay, then I'm convinced; and
if I don't play trick for trick, may I never taste the pleasure
of revenge!—[Aloud.] Acknowledgment of love! I find you
have mistaken my compassion, and think me guilty of a
weakness I'm a stranger to. But I have too much sincerity
to deceive you, and too much charity to suffer him to be
deluded with vain hopes. Good-nature and humanity oblige
me to be concerned for him; but to love is neither in my
power nor inclination; and if he can't be cured without I
suck the poison from his wounds, I'm afraid he won't recover
his senses till I lose mine.