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108 WILLIAM CONGREVE [ACT v
Vain. That deserves a fool with a better title.—Pray use
her as my relation, or you shall hear on't.
Bluffe. [To LUCY.] What! are you a woman of quality
too, spouse?
Set. And my relation: pray let her be respected accordingly.—Well,
honest Lucy, fare thee well. I think you and
I have been playfellows off and on any time this seven years.
Lucy. Hold your prating!—I'm thinking what vocation
I shall follow while my spouse is planting laurels in the
wars.
Bluff e. No more wars, spouse, no more wars!—while I
plant laurels for my head abroad, I may find the branches
sprout at home.
Heart. Bellmour, I approve thy mirth, and thank thee;
and I cannot in gratitude (for I see which way thou art
going) see thee fall into the same snare out of which thou
hast delivered me.
Bell. I thank thee, George, for thy good intention; hut
there is a fatality in marriage—for I find I'm resolute.
Heart. Then good counsel will be thrown away upon you.
—For my part, I have once escaped, and when I wed
again, may she be ugly as an old bawd.
Vain. Ill-natured as an old maid—
Bell, Wanton as a young widow—
Sharp, And jealous as a barren wife.
Heart. Agreed.
Bell. Well, 'midst of these dreadful denunciations, and
notwithstanding the warning and example before me, I
commit myself to lasting durance.
Belin. Prisoner, make much of your fetters.
[ Git/ing her hand.
Bell. Frank, will you keep us in countenance?
Vain. May I presume to hope so great a blessing?
Aram. We had better take the advantage of a little of
our friends' experience first.
Bell. [Aside.] O' my conscience she dares not consent,
for fear he should recant.—[Aloud.] Well, we shall have
your company to church in the morning; may be it may
get you an appetite to see us fall to before ye.—Setter, did
not you tell me—
Set. They're at the door, I'll call 'em in.