Untitled - OUDL Home

268 WILLIAM CONGREVE [ACT IV
articles I must this morning have resigned: and this I had
informed you of to-day, but you were gone, before I knew
you had been here.
Ang. How! I thought your love of me had caused this
transport in your soul; which it seems you only counterfeited,
for mercenary ends and sordid interest!
VaL Nay, now you do me wrong; for if any interest was
considered it was yours; since I thought I wanted more than
love to make me worthy of you.
Ang. Then you thought me mercenary.—But how am I
deluded by this interval of sense, to reason with a madman!
Vol. Oh, 'tis barbarous to misunderstand me longer.
Enter JEREMY.
Ang. Oh, here's a reasonable creature—sure he will not
have the impudence to persevere.—Come, Jeremy, acknowledge
your trick, and confess your master's madness counterfeit.
Jer. Counterfeit, madam! I'll maintain him to be as absolutely
and substantially mad as any freeholder in Bethlehem;
nay, he's as mad as any projector, fanatic, chemist,
lover, or poet in Europe.
Vol. Sirrah, you lie! I am not mad.
Ang. Ha! ha! ha! you see he denies it.
Jer. O Lord, madam, did you ever know any madman
mad enough to own it?
Vol. Sot, can't you comprehend?
Ang. Why, he talked very sensible just now.
Jer. Yes, madam, he has intervals; but you see he begins
to look wild again now.
Vol. Why, you thick-skulled rascal, I tell you the farce is
done, and I will be mad no longer. [Beats him.
Ang. Ha! ha! ha! is he mad or no, Jeremy?
Jer. Partly I think—for he does not know his own mind
two hours.—I'm sure I left him just now in the humour
to be mad; and I think I have not found him very quiet at
this present!—[Knocking at the door.] Who's there?
Vol. Go see, you sot.—[Exit JEREMY.] I'm very glad that
I can move your mirth, though not your compassion.
Ang. I did not think you had apprehension enough to
be exceptious: but madmen show themselves most, by overnretending
to a sound understanding; as drunken men do
by over-acting sobriety. I was half-inclining to believe you,