may visit you; for since my honour is not wronged, I can forgive your folly. WIFE. I shall show you, sir, that I am a woman of spirit, and not to be governed by my husband.-I shall have vapours and fits, (these they say are infallible), and if these won't do, let me see who dares carry me into the country against my will: I will swear the peace against them. GOODWILL. Oh! oh! that ever I should beget a daughter! THOMAS. Here, John! JOHN [enters]. An't please your worship. THOMAS. Let all my things be packed up again in the coach they came in;-and send Betty here this instant with your mistress's riding dress.- -Come, madam, you must strip yourself of your puppet-show dress, as I will of mine; they will make you ridiculous in the country, where there is still something of Old England remaining. Come, no words, no delay; by Heaven! if you but affect to loiter, I will send orders with you to lock you up, and allow you only the bare necessaries of life. You shall know I'm your husband, and will be obeyed. WIFE [crying]. And must I go into the country by my self? Shall I not have a husband, or a lord, or any body? -If I must go, won't you go with me? THOMAS. Can you expect it? Can you ask me after what hath happened? WIFE. What I did, was only to be a fine lady, and what they told me other fine ladies do, and I should never have thought of in the country; but if you will forgive me, I will never attempt to be more than a plain gentlewoman again. THOMAS. Well, and as a plain gentlewoman you shall have pleasure some fine ladies may envy. Come, dry your eyes; my own folly, not yours, is to blame; and that I am only angry with. WIFE. And will you go with me then, Tommy? THOMAS. Aуy, my dear, and stay with thee too; I desire no more to be in this town, than to have thee here. GOODWILL. Henceforth I will know no degree, no difference between men, but what the standards of honour and virtue create the noblest birth without these is but splendid infamy; and a footman with these qualities, is a man of honour. SONG. WIFE. Welcome again, ye rural plains; Innocent nymphs and virtuous swains: CHORUS. All is idle pomp and noise; THE WEDDING-DAY. A COMEDY, As it is Acted at the THEATRE-ROYAL IN DRURY-LANE, By His MAIESTY's Servants. By HENRY FIELDING, Efq;. LONDON, Printed for A. MILLAR, oppofite to Catharine Street in the Strand. MDCCXLIII. |