The Man Of The World (1792) by Charles Macklin

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_Lord Lum_. But, Egerton, I have slipt from the company for a few moments,
on purpose to have a little chat with you. Rodolpha tells me she fancies
there is a kind of demur on your side, about your marriage with her.

_Sir Per_. A demur! how so, my lord?

_Lord Lum_. Why, as I was drinking my coffee with the women just now, I
desired they would fix the wedding night, and the etiquette of the
ceremony; upon which the girl burst into a loud laugh, telling me she
supposed I was joking, for that Mr. Egerton had never yet given her a
single glance or hint upon the subject.

_Sir Per_. My lord, I have been just now talking to him about his shyness
to the lady.

_Enter_ TOMLINS..

_Tom_. Counsellor Plausible is come, sir, and serjeant Eitherside.

_Sir Per_. Why then we can settle the business this very evening, my lord.

_Lord Lum_. As well as in seven years: and, to make the way as short as
possible, pray, Mr. Tomlins, present your master's compliments and mine to
Lady Rodolpha, and let her ladyship know we wish to speak with her
directly: [_Exit_ Tomlins.]--He shall attack her this instant, Sir
Pertinax.

_Sir Per_. Ay! this is doing business effectually, my lord.

_Lord Lum_. O! I will pit them in a moment, Sir Pertinax,--that will bring
them into the heat of the action at once, and save a great deal of
awkwardness on both sides. O! here your dulcinea comes, sir.

_Enter Lady_ RODOLPHA, _singing, a music paper in her hand._

_Lady Rod_. I have been learning this air of Constantia: I protest, her
touch on the harpsichord is quite brilliant, and really her voice not
amiss. Weel, Sir Pertinax, I attend your commands, and yours, my paternal
lord. [_Lady_ Rod. _curtsies very low; my lord bows very low, and answers
in the same tone and manner._]

_Lord Lum_. Why, then, my filial lady, we are to inform you that the
commission for your ladyship and this enamoured cavalier, commanding you
to serve your country, jointly and inseparably, in the honourable and
forlorn hope of matrimony, is to be signed this very evening.

_Lady Rod_. This evening, my lord!

_Lord Lum_. This evening, my lady. Come, Sir Pertinax, let us leave them
to settle their liveries, wedding-suits, carriages, and all their amorous
equipage, for the nuptial campaign.

_Sir Per_. Ha, ha, ha! excellent! excellent! weel, I vow, my lord, you are
a great officer:--this is as guid a manoeuvre to bring on a rapid
engagement as the ablest general of them aw could have started.

_Lord Lum_. Ay, ay! leave them together; they'll soon come to a right
understanding, I warrant you, or the needle and loadstone have lost their
sympathy. [_Exit Lord_ Lum. _and Sir_ Per.

[_Lady_ Rodolpha _stands at that side of the Stage, where they went off,
in amazement:_ Egerton _is at the opposite side, who, after some anxious
emotion, settles into a deep reflection:--this part of the scene must be
managed by a nice whispering tone of self-conversation mutually observed
by the Lovers._]

_Lady Rod_. [_Aside._] Why, this is downright tyranny! it has quite dampt
my spirits; and my betrothed, yonder, seems planet-struck too, I think.

_Eger_. [_Aside._] A whimsical situation, mine!

_Lady Rod_. [_Aside._] Ha, ha, ha! methinks we look like a couple of
cautious generals, that are obliged to take the field, but neither of us
seems willing to come till action.

_Eger_. [_Aside._] I protest, I know not how to address her.

_Lady Rod_. [_Aside._] He will nai advance, I see: what am I to do in this
affair? guid traith, I will even do, as I suppose many brave heroes have
done before me,--clap a guid face upon the matter, and so conceal an
aching heart under a swaggering countenance.
[_As she advances, she points at him, and smothers a laugh; but when she
speaks to him, the tone must be_ loud, _and rude on the word_ Sir.]
_Sir_, as we have,--by the commands of our guid fathers, a business of
some little consequence to transact,--I hope you will excuse my taking the
liberty of recommending a chair till you, for the repose of your body--in
the embarrassed deliberation of your perturbed spirits.

_Eger_. [_Greatly embarrassed._] Madam, I beg your pardon. [_Hands her a
chair, then one for himself._] Please to sit, madam. [_They sit down with
great ceremony: she sits down first. He sits at a distance from her. They
are silent for some time. He coughs, hems, and adjusts himself. She
mimicks him._]

_Lady Rod_. [_Aside._] Aha! he's resolved not to come too near till me, I
think.

_Eger_. [_Aside._] A pleasant interview, this--hem, hem!

_Lady Rod_. [_Aside, mimicks him to herself._] Hem! he will not open the
congress, I see.--Then I will.--[_very loud._] _Come, sir_, when will you
begin?

_Eger_. [_Greatly surprised._] Begin! what, madam?

_Lady Rod_. To make love till me.

_Eger_. Love, madam!

_Lady Rod_. Ay, love, sir.--Why, you have never said a word till me on
the subject,--nor cast a single glance at me,--nor heaved one tender
sigh,--nor even secretly squeezed my loof:--now, sir, thof our fathers are
so tyrannical as to dispose of us without the consent of our hearts;--yet
you, sir, I hope, have more humanity than to think of marrying me without
administering some of the preliminaries, usual on those occasions:--if not
till my understanding and sentiments, yet till the vanity of my sex, at
least, I hope you will pay some little tribute of ceremony and adulation:
that, I think, I have a right to expect.

_Eger_. Madam, I own your reproach is just:--I shall therefore no longer
disguise my sentiments, but fairly let you know my heart.

_Lady Rod_. [_Starts up, and runs to him._] That's right,--that is right,
cousin;--honourably and affectionately right;--that is what I like of aw
things in my swain.--Ay, ay, cousin--open your mind frankly till me, as a
true lover shou'd.--But sit you down--sit you down again: I shall return
your frankness and your passion, cousin, with a melting tenderness, equal
till the amorous enthusiasm of an ancient heroine.

_Eger_. Madam, if you will hear me----

_Lady Rod_. But, remember, you must begin with fervency,--and a most
rapturous vehemency:--for you are to consider, cousin, that our match is
nai to arise fra the union of hearts, and a long decorum of ceremonious
courtship;--but is instantly to start at once--out of necessity, or mere
accident;--ha, ha, ha! like a match in an ancient romance,--where you ken,
cousin,--the knight and the damsel are mutually smitten and dying for each
other at first sight,--or by an amorous sympathy before they exchange a
single glance.

_Eger_. Dear madam, you entirely mistake----

_Lady Rod_. And our fathers,--ha, ha, ha! our fathers are to be the dark
magicians that are to fascinate our hearts and conjure us together,
whether we will or not.

_Eger_. Ridiculous!

_Lady Rod_. So now, cousin, with the true romantic enthusiasm,--you are to
suppose me the lady of the enchanted castle, and you--ha, ha, ha! you are
to be the knight of the sorrowful countenance--ha, ha, ha! and, upon
honour--you look the character admirably;--ha, ha, ha!

_Eger_. Rude trifling creature!

_Lady Rod_. Come, sir,--why do you nai begin to ravish me with your
valour, your vows, your knight errantry, and your amorous phrenzy.--Nay,
nay, nay! guin you do nai begin at once, the lady of the enchanted castle
will vanish in a twinkling.

_Eger_. Lady Rodolpha, I know your talent for raillery well;--but at
present, in my case, there is a kind of cruelty in it.

_Lady Rod_. Raillery! upon honour, cousin, you mistake me quite and
clean.--I am serious--very serious;--ay, and I have cause to be serious;--
nay, I will submit my case even till yourself. [_Whines_.] Can any poor
lassy be in a more lamentable condition, than to be sent four hundred
miles, by the command of a positive grandmother, to marry a man, who I
find has no more affection for me,--than if I had been his wife these
seven years.

_Eger_. Madam, I am extremely sorry----

_Lady Rod_. [_Cries and sobs_.] But it is vary weel, cousin.--I see your
unkindness and aversion plain enough,--and, sir, I must tell you fairly,
you are the ainly man that ever slighted my person,--or that drew tears
fra these een.--But--it is vary weel--it's vary weel--I will return till
Scotland to-morrow morning, and let my grandmother know how I have been
affronted by your slights, your contempts, and your aversions.

_Eger_. If you are serious, madam, your distress gives me a deep
concern;--but affection is not in our power; and when you know that my
heart is irrecoverably given to another woman, I think, your understanding
and good nature will not only pardon my past coldness and neglect of
you,--but forgive me when I tell you, I never can have that honour which
is intended me,--by a connection with your ladyship.

_Lady Rod_. [_Starting up_.] How, sir!--are you serious?

_Eger_. [_Rises_.] Madam, I am too deeply interested, both as a man of
honour and a lover, to act otherwise with you on so tender a subject.

_Lady Rod_. And so you persist in slighting me?

_Eger_. I beg your pardon, madam; but I must be explicit, and at once
declare--that I never can give my hand where I cannot give my heart.

_Lady Rod_. [_In great anger_.] Why then, sir, I must tell you, that your
declaration is sic an affront as nai woman of spirit can, or ought to
bear:--and here I make a solemn vow, never to pardon it, but on one
condition.

_Eger_. If that condition be in my power, madam----

_Lady Rod_. [_Snaps him up_.] Sir, it is in your power.

_Eger_. Then, madam, you may command me.

_Lady Rod_. [_With a firm peremptory command_]. Why then, sir, the
condition is this;--you must here give me your honour,--that nai
importunity,--command,--or menace of your father,--in fine, that nai
consideration whatever,--shall induce you to take me, Rodolpha
Lumbercourt, to be your wedded wife.

_Eger_. Madam, I most solemnly promise, I never will.

_Lady Rod_. And I, sir, most solemnly, and sincerely [_Curtsies._] thank
you--for [_Curtsies._] your resolution, and your agreeable aversion--ha,
ha, ha! for you have made me as happy as a poor wretch, reprieved in the
vary instant of intended execution.

_Eger_. Pray, madam, how am I to understand all this?

_Lady Rod._[_With frankness, and, a reverse of manners_.] Why, sir, your
frankness and sincerity demand the same behaviour on my side;--therefore,
without farther disguise or ambiguity, know, sir, that I myself [_With a
deep sigh_.] am as deeply smitten with a certain swain, as I understand
you are with your Constantia.

_Eger_. Indeed, madam!

_Lady Rod_. [_With an amiable, soft, tender sincerity_.] O! sir,
notwithstanding aw my shew of courage and mirth,--here I stand--as errant
a trembling Thisbe, as ever sighed or mourned for her Pyramus,--and, sir,
aw my extravagant levity and ridiculous behaviour in your presence now,
and ever since _your_ father prevailed upon _mine_ to consent till this
match, has been a premeditated scheme to provoke your gravity and guid
sense intill a cordial disgust, and a positive refusal.

_Eger_. Madam, you have contrived and executed your scheme most happily.

_Lady Rod_. Then, since Cupid has thus luckily disposed of you till your
Constantia, and me till my swain, we have nothing to think of now, sir,
but to contrive how to reduce the inordinate passions of our parents
intill a temper of prudence and humanity.

_Eger_. Most willingly I consent to your proposal.----But, with your
leave, madam, if I may presume so far;--'pray, who is your lover?

_Lady Rod_. Why, in that too I shall surprise you perhaps more than
ever.--In the first place--he is a beggar--and in disgrace with an
unforgiving father;--and in the next place,--he is [_Curtsies._] your ain
brother.

_Eger_. Is it possible?

_Lady Rod_. A most amorous truth, sir;--that is, as far as a woman can
answer for her ain heart. [_in a laughing gaiety_.] So you see, cousin
Charles, thof I you'd nai mingle affections with _you_--I have nai ganged
out of the family.

_Eger_. [_A polite rapture, frank_.] Madam, give me leave to congratulate
myself upon your affection,--you cou'd not have placed it on a worthier
object; and, whatever is to be our chance in this lottery of our parents,
be assured that my fortune shall be devoted to your happiness and his.

_Lady Rod_. Generous, indeed, cousin--but not a whit nobler, I assure you,
than your brother Sandy believes of you.--And, be assured, sir, that we
shall both remember it, while the heart feels, or the memory retains a
sense of gratitude.--But now, sir, let me ask one question:--Pray, how is
your mother affected in this business?

_Eger_. She knows of my passion, and will, I am sure, be a friend to the
common cause.

_Lady Rod_. Ah! that's lucky. Our first step then must be to take her
advice upon our conduct, so as to keep our fathers in the dark till we can
hit off some measure that will wind them about till our ain purpose, and
the common interest of our ain passion.

_Eger_. You are very right, madam, for, should my father suspect my
brother's affection for your ladyship, or mine for Constantia, there is no
guessing what wou'd be the consequence.--His whole happiness depends upon
this bargain with my lord; for it gives him the possession of three
boroughs, and those, madam, are much dearer to him than the happiness of
his children. I am sorry to say it, but, to gratify his political rage, he
wou'd sacrifice every social tie, that is dear to friend or family.
[_Exeunt._

END OF THE THIRD ACT.

_ACT IV. SCENE I_.

_Enter Sir_ PERTINAX, _and Counsellor_ PLAUSIBLE.

_Sir Per_. No, no.--Come away, Counsellor Plausible;--come away,
I say;--let them chew upon it.--Why, counsellor, did you ever see so
impertinent, so meddling, and so obstinate a blockhead, as that Serjeant
Eitherside? Confound the fellow--he has put me out of aw temper.

_Plaus_. He is very positive, indeed, Sir Pertinax,--and no doubt was
intemperate and rude. But, Sir Pertinax, I wou'd not break off the match
notwithstanding; for certainly, even without the boroughs, it is an
advantageous bargain both to you and your son.

_Sir Per_. But, zounds! Plausible, do you think I will give up the
nomination till three boroughs?--Why I wou'd rather give him twenty, nay
thirty thousand pounds in any other part of the bargain:--especially at
this juncture, when votes are likely to become so valuable.--Why, man, if
a certain affair comes on, they will rise above five hundred per cent.

_Plaus_. You judge very rightly, Sir Pertinax;--but what shall we do in
this case? for Mr. Serjeant insists that you positively agreed to my
lord's having the nomination to the three boroughs during his own life.

_Sir Per_. Why yes,--in the first sketch of the agreement, I believe I did
consent:--but at that time, man, my lord's affairs did not appear to be
half so desperate, as I now find they turn out.--Sir, he must acquiesce in
whatever I demand, for I have got him intill sic an a hobble that he
cannot----

_Plaus_. No doubt, Sir Pertinax, you have him absolutely in your power.

_Sir Per_. Vary weel:--And ought rial a man to make his vantage of it?

_Plaus_. No doubt you ought;--no manner of doubt.--But, Sir Pertinax,
there is a secret spring in this business, that you do not seem to
perceive;--and which, I am afraid, governs the matter respecting these
boroughs.

_Sir Per_. What spring do you mean, counsellor?

_Plaus_. Why this Serjeant Eitherside,--I have some reason to think that
my lord is tied down by some means or other to bring the serjeant in, the
very first vacancy, for one of these boroughs;--now that, I believe, is
the sole motive why the serjeant is so strenuous that my lord should keep
the boroughs in his own power;--fearing that you might reject him for some
man of your own.

_Sir Per_. Odswunds and death! Plausible, you are clever,--devilish
clever.--By the blood, you have hit upon the vary string that has made aw
thjs discord.--Oh! I see it,--I see it now.--But hauld--hauld--bide a wee
bit--a wee bit, man;--I have a thought come intill my head--yes--I think,
Plausible, that with a little twist in our negotiation that this vary
string, properly tuned, may be still made to produce the vary harmony we
wish for.--Yes, yes! I have it: this serjeant, I see, understands
business--and, if I am not. mistaken, knows how to take a hint.

_Plaus_. O! nobody better, Sir Pertinax.

_Sir Per_. Why then, Plausible, the short road is always the best with sic
a man.--You. must even come up till his mark at once, and assure him from
me--that I will secure him a seat for one of these vary boroughs.

_Plaus_. O! that will do, Sir Pertinax--that will do, I'll answer for't.

_Sir Per_. And further--I beg you will let him know that I think myself
obliged to consider him in this affair, as acting for me as weel as for my
lord,--as a common friend till baith:--and for the services he has already
done us, make my special compliments till him--and pray let this amicable
bit of paper be my faithful advocate to convince him of what my gratitude
further intends for his great [_Gives him a bank-bill._] equity in
adjusting this agreement betwixt my lord and me.

_Plaus_. Ha, ha, ha!--upon my word, Sir Pertinax, this is noble.--Ay, ay!
this is an eloquent bit of paper indeed.

_Sir Per_. Maister Plausible, in aw human dealings the most effectual
method is that of ganging at once till the vary bottom of a man's
heart:--for if we expect that men shou'd serve us,--we must first win
their affections by serving them.--O! here they baith come.

_Enter Lord_ LUMBERCOURT, _and Serjeant_ EITHERSIDE.

_Lord Lum_. My dear Sir Pertinax, what could provoke you to break off this
business so abruptly? you are really wrong in the point,--and if you will
give yourself time to recollect, you will find that my having the
nomination to the boroughs for my life was a preliminary article;--I
appeal to Mr. Serjeant Eitherside here, whether I did not always
understand it so.

_Serj._I assure you, Sir Pertinax, that in all his lordship's conversation
with me upon this business, and in his positive instructions,--both he and
I always understood the nomination to be in my lord, durante vita.

_ SirPer_. Why, then my lord, to shorten the dispute, aw that I can say in
answer till your lordship is--that there has been a total mistake betwixt
us in that point,--and therefore the treaty must end here. I give it up.--
O! I wash my hands of it for ever.

_Plaus_. Well, but gentlemen, gentlemen, a little patience.--Sure this
mistake, some how or other, may be rectified.--Pr'ythee, Mr. Serjeant, let
you and I step into the next room by ourselves, and reconsider the clause
relative to the boroughs, and try if we cannot hit upon a medium that will
be agreeable to both parties.

_Serj._ [_With great warmth_.] Mr. Plausible, I have considered the clause
fully;--am entirely master of the question;--my lord cannot give up the
point.--It is unkind and unreasonable to expect it.

_Plaus._ Nay, Mr. Serjeant, I beg you will not misunderstand me. Do not
think I want his lordship to give up any point without an equivalent.--Sir
Pertinax, will you permit Mr. Serjeant and me to retire a few moments to
reconsider this point?

_Sir Per_. With aw my heart, Maister Plausible; any thing to oblige his
lordship--any thing to accomodate his lordship--any thing.

_Plaus._ What say you, my lord?

_Lord Lum_ Nay, I submit it entirely to you and Mr. Serjeant.

_Plaus._ Come, Mr. Serjeant, let us retire.

_Lord Lum_. Ay, ay,--go, Mr. Serjeant, and hear what Mr. Plausible has to
say.

_Serj_. Nay, I'll wait on Mr. Plausible, my lord, with all my heart; but I
am sure I cannot suggest the shadow of a reason for altering my present
opinion: impossible--impossible.

_Plaus_. Well, well, Mr. Serjeant, do not be positive. I am sure, reason,
and your client's conveniency, will always make you alter your opinion.

_Serj_. Ay, ay--reason, and my client's conveniency, Mr. Plausible, will
always controul my opinion, depend upon it: ay, ay! there you are right.
Sir, I attend you. [_Exeunt Lawyers._

_Sir Per_. I am sorry, my lord, extremely sorry indeed, that this mistake
has happened.

_Lord Lum_. Upon my honour, and so am I, Sir Pertinax.

_Sir Per_. But come now, after aw, your lordship must allow you have been
in the wrong: come, my dear lord, you must allow me that now.

_Lord Lum_. How so, my dear Sir Pertinax?

_Sir Per_. Not about the boroughs, my lord, for those I do no mind of a
bawbee;--but about your distrust of my friendship.--Why, do you think
now--I appeal till your ain breast, my lord--do you think, I say, that I
should ever have slighted your lordship's nomination till these boroughs.

_Lord Lum_. Why, really, I do not think you would, Sir Pertinax, but one
must be directed by one's lawyer, you know.

_Sir Per_. Hah! my lord, lawyers are a dangerous species of animals to
have any dependance upon: they are always starting punctilios and
difficulties among friends. Why, my dear lord, it is their interest that
aw mankind should be at variance: for disagreement is the vary manure with
which they enrich and fatten the land of litigation; and as they find that
that constantly promotes the best crop, depend upon it, they will always
be sure to lay it on as thick as they can.

_Lord Lum_. Come, come, my dear Sir Pertinax, you must not be angry with
the serjeant for his insisting so warmly on this point--for those
boroughs, you know, are my sheet anchor.

_Sir Per_. I know it, my lord,--and, as an instance of my promptness to
study, and of my acquiescence till your lordship's inclination, as I see
that this Serjeant Eitherside wishes you weel and you him, I think now he
would be as guid a man to be returned for one of those boroughs as could
be pitched upon--and as such, I humbly recommend him till your lordship's
consideration.

_Lord Lum_. Why, my dear Sir Pertinax, to tell you the truth, I have
already promised him. He must be in for one of them, and that is one
reason why I insisted so strenuously: he must be in.

_Sir Per_. And why not? odswunds! why not? is nai your word a fiat? and
will it nai be always so till me? are ye nai my friend--my patron--and are
we nai, by this match of our children, to be united intill one interest?

_Lord Lum_. So I understand it, I own, Sir Pertinax.

_Sir Per_. My lord, it can nai be otherwise: then, for Heaven's sake, as
your lordship and I can have but one interest for the future, let us have
nai mair words about these paltry boroughs, but conclude the agreement
just as it stands; otherwise there must be new writings drawn, new
consultations of lawyers, new objections and delays will arise,--creditors
will be impatient and impertinent, so that we shall nai finish the Lord
knows when.

_Lord Lum_. You are right, you are right: say no more, Mac, say no more.
Split the lawyers--you judge the point better than all Westminster-hall
could. It shall stand as it is: yes, you shall settle it your own way: for
your interest and mine are the same, I see plainly.

_Sir Per_. No doubt of it, my lord.

_Lord Lum_. O! here the lawyers come.

_Enter Counsellor_ PLAUSIBLE _and Serjeant_ EITHERSIDE.

_Lord Lum_. So, gentlemen--well, what have you done? how are your opinions
now?

_Serj_. My lord, Mr. Plausible has convinced me--fully convinced me.

_Plaus_. Yes, my lord, I have convinced him; I have laid such arguments
before Mr. Serjeant as were irresistible.

_Serj_. He has indeed, my lord: besides, as Sir Pertinax gives his honour
that your lordship's nomination shall be sacredly observed, why, upon a
nearer review of the whole matter, I think it will be the wiser measure to
conclude the agreement just as it is drawn.

_Lord Lum_. I am very glad you think so, Mr. Serjeant, because that is my
opinion too: so, my dear Eitherside, do you and Plausible dispatch the
business now as soon as possible.

_Serj_. My lord, every thing will be ready in less than an hour. Come,
Mr. Plausible, let us go and fill up the blanks, and put the last hand to
the writings on our part.

_Plaus_. I attend you, Mr. Serjeant. [_Exeunt Lawyers_.

_Lord Lum_. And while the lawyers are preparing the writings, Sir
Pertinax, I will go and saunter with the women.

_Sir Per_. Do, do, my lord: and I will come till you presently.

_Lord Lum_. Very well, my dear Mac, I shall expect you.
[_Exit singing, 'Sons of care,' &c._

_Sir Per_. So! a little flattery mixt with the finesse of a gilded promise
on one side, and a quantum sufficit of the aurum palpabile on the other,
have at last made me the happiest father in Great-Britain. Hah! my
heart expands itself, as it were thro' every part of my whole body, at
the completion of this business, and feels nothing but dignity and
elevation.--Hauld! hauld! bide a wee! bide a wee! I have but one little
matter mair in this affair to adjust, and then, Sir Pertinax, you may
dictate till Fortune herself, and send her to govern fools, while you shew
and convince the world that wise men always govern her. Wha's there?
[_Enter Footman._]--Tell my son Egerton, I would speak with him here in
the library. [_Exit Footman_]--Now I have settled the grand point with my
lord, this, I think, is the proper juncture to feel the political pulse of
my spark, and, once for aw, to set it to the exact measure that I would
have it constantly beat. [_Enter_ Egerton.]--Come hither, Charles.

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