Untitled - OUDL Home

SCENE iv] THE OLD BACHELOR 87
the world that I like.—Oh Lord, walk this way!—I sec a
couple, I'll give you their history.
[Exeunt BELINDA and SHARPEN.
Vain. I find, madam, the formality of the law must be
observed, though the penalty of it dispensed with; and an
offender must plead to his arraignment, though he has his
pardon in his pocket.
Aram. I'm amazed! This insolence exceeds t'other;—
whoever has encouraged you to this assurance, presuming
upon the easiness of my temper, has much deceived you,
and so you shall find.
Vain. [Aside.] Heyday! which way now? here's a fine
doubling!
Aram. Base man! was it not enough to affront me with
your saucy passion!
Vain. You have given that passion a much kinder epithet
than saucy in another place.
Aram. Another place! Some villainous design to blast
my honour. But though thou hadst all the treachery and
malice of thy sex, thou canst not lay a blemish on my fame:
no, I have not erred in one favourable thought of mankind.
How time might have deceived me in you I know not; my
opinion was but young, and your early baseness has prevented
its growing to a wrong belief. Unworthy and ungrateful!
begone, and never see me more!
Vain. Did I dream! or do I dream! shall I believe my
eyes or ears! the vision is here still.—Your passion, madam,
will admit of no farther reasoning; but here's a silent witness
of your acquaintance.
\Ta1(cs out the letter, and offers it: she snatches it,
and throws it away.
Aram. There's poison in everything you touch!—blisters
will follow—
Vain. That tongue, which denies what the hands have
done.
Aram. Still mystically senseless and impudent. I find I
must leave the place.
Vain. No, madam, I'm gone.—[Aside.] She knows her
name's to it, which she will be unwilling to expose to the
censure of the first finder. [Exit.
Aram. Woman's obstinacy made me blind to what
woman's curiosity now tempts me to see.
[Ta\es up the letter and exit.