Racine: Phaedra

SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER 447
Hardcastle. While I thought concealing your age, boy, was
likely to conduce to your improvement, I concurred with
your mother's desire to keep it secret. But since I find she
turns it to a wrong use, I must now declare, you have been
of age these three months.
Tony. Of age ! Am I of age, father ?
Hardcastle. Above three months.
Tony. Then you'll see the first use I'll make of my liberty.
[Taking Miss Neznlle's hand.] Witness all men by these
presents, that I, Anthony Lumpkin, Esquire, of blank
place, refuse you, Constantia Neville, spinster, of no place
at all, for my true and lawful wife. So Constance Neville
may marry whom she pleases, and Tony Lumpkin is his
own man again
Sir Charles. O brave 'Squire
Hastings. My worthy friend
Mrs. Hardcastle. My undutiful oflFspring!
Marlow. Joy, my dear George, I give you joy, sincerely. And
could I prevail upon my little tyrant here to be less arbi-
trary, I should be the happiest man alive, if you would re-
turn me the favor.
Hastings [to Miss Hardcastle]. Come, madam, you are now
driven to the very last scene of all your contrivances. I
know you like him, I'm sure he loves you, and you must and
shall have him.
Hardcastle [joining their hands']. And I say so, too. And,
Mr. Marlow, if she makes as good a wife as she has a
daughter, I don't believe youHl ever repent your bargain.
So now to supper, to-morrow we shall gather all the poor
of the parish about us, and the Mistakes of the Night shall
be crowned with a merry morning. So, boy, take her ; and
as you have been mistaken in the mistress, my wish is, that
you may never be mistaken in the wife.
Classics. Vol. 36—