06.09.2021 Views

Becoming America - An Exploration of American Literature from Precolonial to Post-Revolution, 2018a

Becoming America - An Exploration of American Literature from Precolonial to Post-Revolution, 2018a

Becoming America - An Exploration of American Literature from Precolonial to Post-Revolution, 2018a

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

BECOMING AMERICA<br />

REVOLUTIONARY AND EARLY NATIONAL PERIOD LITERATURE<br />

so embarrassing a situation. I love the person <strong>of</strong> Charlotte, and it is necessary I<br />

should command the fortune <strong>of</strong> Letitia. As <strong>to</strong> Maria!—I doubt not by my sang-froid<br />

behaviour I shall compel her <strong>to</strong> decline the match; but the blame must not fall upon<br />

me. A prudent man, as my lord says, should take all the credit <strong>of</strong> a good action <strong>to</strong><br />

himself, and throw the discredit <strong>of</strong> a bad one upon others. I must break with Maria,<br />

marry Letitia, and as for Charlotte—why, Charlotte must be a companion <strong>to</strong> my<br />

wife.—Here, Jessamy!<br />

Enter JESSAMY.<br />

DIMPLE folds and seals two letters.<br />

DIMPLE<br />

Here, Jessamy, take this letter <strong>to</strong> my love.<br />

[Gives one.]<br />

JESSAMY<br />

To which <strong>of</strong> your honour’s loves?—Oh! [reading] <strong>to</strong> Miss Letitia, your honour’s rich<br />

love.<br />

DIMPLE<br />

<strong>An</strong>d this [delivers another] <strong>to</strong> Miss Charlotte Manly. See that you deliver them<br />

privately.<br />

Yes, your honour. [Going.]<br />

JESSAMY<br />

DIMPLE<br />

Jessamy, who are these strange lodgers that came <strong>to</strong> the house last night?<br />

JESSAMY<br />

Why, the master is a Yankee colonel; I have not seen much <strong>of</strong> him; but the man<br />

is the most unpolished animal your honour ever disgraced your eyes by looking<br />

upon. I have had one <strong>of</strong> the most outre conversations with him!—He really has a<br />

most prodigious eect upon my risibility.<br />

DIMPLE<br />

I ought, according <strong>to</strong> every rule <strong>of</strong> Chestereld, <strong>to</strong> wait on him and insinuate myself<br />

in<strong>to</strong> his good graces.—Jessamy, wait on the colonel with my compliments, and if<br />

he is disengaged I will do myself the honour <strong>of</strong> paying him my respects.—Some<br />

ignorant, unpolished boor—<br />

Page | 609

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!