Untitled - OUDL Home

282 WILLIAM CONGREVE [ACT v
enough to hold her, and if she can't drag her anchor along
with her, she'll break her cable, I can tell you that.—Who's
here? the madman?
Enter VALENTINE, SCANDAL, and JEREMY.
Val. No; here's the fool; and, if occasion be, I'll give
it under my hand.
Sir Samp. How now!
Val. Sir, I'm come to acknowledge my errors, and ask
your pardon.
Sir Samp. What, have you found your senses at last then?
in good time, sir.
Val. You were abused, sir, I never was distracted.
Fore. How, not mad! Mr. Scandal?
Scan. No, really, sir; I'm his witness, it was all counterfeit.
Val. I thought I had' reasons.—But it was a poor contrivance;
the effect has shown it such.
Sir Samp. Contrivance! what, to cheat me? to cheat your
father? sirrah, could you hope to prosper?
Val. Indeed, I thought, sir, when the father endeavoured
to undo the son, it was a reasonable return of nature.
Sir Samp. Very good, sir!—Mr. Buckram, arc you ready?
—[To VALENTINE,] Come, sir, will you sign and seal?
Val. If you please, sir; but first I would ask this lady one
question.
Sir Samp. Sir, you must ask me leave first.—That lady!
no, sir; you shall ask that lady no questions, till you have
asked her blessing, sir; that lady is to be my wife.
Val. I have heard as much, sir; but I would have it from
her own mouth.
Sir Samp. That's as much as to say, I lie, sir, and you
don't believe what I say.
Val. Pardon me, sir. But I reflect that I very lately
counterfeited madness; I don't know but the frolic may go
round.
Sir Samp. Come, chuck, satisfy .him, answer him.—
Come, come, Mr. Buckram, the pen and ink.
Buck. Here it is, sir, with the deed; all is ready.
[VALENTINF goes to ANGELICA.
Ang. 'Tis true, you have a great while pretended love to
me; nay, what if you were sincere; still you must pardon