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256 WILLIAM CONGREVE [ACT Iv<br />
how dost thou do? let me feel thy pulse.—Oh, pretty well<br />
now, Val; body o' me, I was sorry to see thee indisposed!<br />
but I'm glad thou art better, honest Val.<br />
Val. I thank you, sir.<br />
Scan. Miracle! the monster grows loving. [Aside.<br />
Sir Samp. Let me feel thy hand again, Val; it does not<br />
shake—I believe thou canst write, Val; ha, boy, thou canst<br />
write thy name, Val?—Jeremy, step and overtake Mr.<br />
Buckram, bid him make haste back with the conveyance!<br />
quick! quick! [Whispers to JEREMY, who goes out.<br />
Scan. [ Aside.^ That ever I should suspect such a heathen<br />
of any remorse!<br />
Sir Samp. Dost thou know this paper, Val? I know<br />
thou'rt honest, and wilt perform articles.<br />
[Shows him the paper, but holds it out of his reach.<br />
Val. Pray, let me see it, sir. You hold it so far off, that I<br />
can't tell whether I know it or no.<br />
Sir Samp. See it, boy? ay, ay, why thou dost see it—'tis<br />
thy own hand, Vally. Why, let me see, I can read it as plain<br />
as can be; look you here—[Reads.] "The conditions of this<br />
obligation"—look you, as plain as can be, so it begins—and<br />
then at the bottom—"As witness my hand, Valentine<br />
Legend," in great letters; why, 'tis as plain as the nose in<br />
one's face; what, are my eyes better than thine? I believe I<br />
can read it farther off yet—let me see.<br />
[Stretches out his arm as far as he can.<br />
Val. Will you please to let me hold it, sir?<br />
Sir Samp. Let thee hold it, sayest thou?—ay, with all my<br />
heart.—What matter is it who holds it? what need anybody<br />
hold it?—I'll put it in my pocket, Val, and then nobody<br />
need hold it.—[Puts the paper in his pocket.] There, Val,<br />
it's safe enough, boy—but thou shalt have it as soon as thou<br />
hast set thy hand to another paper, little Val.<br />
Re-enter JEREMY and BUCKRAM.<br />
Vol. What, is my bad genius here again! Oh, no, it is<br />
the lawyer with his itching palm; -and he's come to be<br />
scratched—my nails are not long enough—let me have a<br />
pair of red-hot tongs, quickly! quickly! and you shall see me<br />
act St. Dunstan, and lead the devil by the nose.<br />
Buck. O Lord, let me be gone! I'll not venture mvself<br />
with a madman. [Exit.<br />
Val. Ha! ha! ha! you need not run so fast, honesty will
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