The Works of Charles and Mary Lamb Volume IV Part 64

FLINT I guess what is pa.s.sing in your mind, Mr. Davenport; but you have behaved upon the whole so like a man of honour, that it will give me pleasure, if you will visit at my house for the future; but _(smiling)_ not clandestinely, Marian.

MARIAN Hush, father.

FLINT I own I had prejudices against gentry. But I have met with so much candour and kindness among my betters this day--from this gentleman in particular--_(turning to the Justice)_--that I begin to think of leaving off business, and setting up for a gentleman myself.

JUSTICE You have the feelings of one.

FLINT Marian will not object to it.

JUSTICE But _(turning to Miss Flyn)_ what motive could induce this lady to take so much disgrace upon herself, when a word's explanation might have relieved her?

MISS FLYN This gentleman _(turning to Pendulous)_ can explain.

PENDULOUS The devil!

MISS FLYN This gentleman, I repeat it, whose backwardness in concluding a long and honourable suit from a mistaken delicacy--

PENDULOUS How!

MISS FLYN Drove me upon the expedient of involving myself in the same disagreeable embarra.s.sments with himself, in the hope that a more perfect sympathy might subsist between us for the future.

PENDULOUS I see it--I see it all.

JUSTICE (_To Pendulous._) You were then tried at York?

PENDULOUS I was--CAST--

JUSTICE Condemned--

PENDULOUS EXECUTED.

JUSTICE How?

PENDULOUS CUT DOWN and CAME TO LIFE AGAIN. False delicacy, adieu! The true sort, which this lady has manifested--by an expedient which at first sight might seem a little unpromising, has cured me of the other. We are now on even terms.

MISS FLYN And may--

PENDULOUS Marry,--I know it was your word.

MISS FLYN And make a very quiet--

PENDULOUS Exemplary--

MISS FLYN Agreeing pair of--

PENDULOUS ACQUITTED FELONS.

FLINT And let the prejudiced against our profession acknowledge, that a money-lender may have the heart of a father; and that in the casket, whose loss grieved him so sorely, he valued nothing so dear as _(turning to Marian)_ one poor domestic jewel.

THE WIFE'S TRIAL; OR, THE INTRUDING WIDOW

A DRAMATIC POEM

_Founded on Mr. Crabbe's Tale of "The Confidant."_

(1827)

CHARACTERS

MR. SELBY,--a Wilts.h.i.+re Gentleman_.

KATHERINE, _Wife to Selby_.

LUCY, _Sister to Selby_.

MRS. FRAMPTON, _a Widow_.

SERVANTS.

SCENE.--_At Mr. Selby's house, or in the grounds adjacent_.

SCENE--_A Library_.

MR. SELBY, KATHERINE.

SELBY Do not too far mistake me, gentlest wife; I meant to chide your virtues, not yourself, And those too with allowance. I have not Been blest by thy fair side with five white years Of smooth and even wedlock, now to touch With any strain of harshness on a string Hath yielded me such music. 'Twas the quality Of a too grateful nature in my Katherine, That to the lame performance of some vows, And common courtesies of man to wife, Attributing too much, hath sometimes seem'd To esteem in favours, what in that blest union Are but reciprocal and trivial dues, As fairly yours as mine: 'twas this I thought Gently to reprehend.

KATHERINE In friends.h.i.+p's barter The riches we exchange should hold some level, And corresponding worth. Jewels for toys Demand some thanks thrown in. You took me, sir, To that blest haven of my peace, your bosom, An orphan founder'd in the world's black storm.

Poor, you have made me rich; from lonely maiden, Your cherish'd and your full-accompanied wife.

SELBY But to divert the subject: Kate too fond, I would not wrest your meanings; else that word Accompanied, and full-accompanied too, Might raise a doubt in some men, that their wives Haply did think their company too long; And over-company, we know by proof, Is worse than no attendance.

KATHERINE I must guess, You speak this of the Widow--