e to hear
The story of the ring?

_W. Green_. Much--very much.

_Sir Wil_. Think'st we may venture draw our chairs apart
A little more from Master Waller?

_W. Green_. Yes.
He'll bring it to a scene! Dear--dear Sir William,
How much I am obliged to him! A scene!
Gods, we shall have a scene!--Good Master Waller,
Your leave I pray you for a minute, while
Sir William says a word or two to me.--
He durst not trust his tongue for jealousy!--[Aside.]
Now, dear Sir William!

_Sir Wil_. You must promise me
You will not think me vain.

_W. Green_. No fear of that.

_Sir Wil_. Nor given to boast.

_W. Green_. O! dear Sir William!

_Sir Wil_. Nor
A flirt!

_W. Green_. O! who would take you for a flirt?

_Sir Wil_. How very kind you are!

_W. Green_. Go on, Sir William.

_Sir Wil_. Upon my life, I fear you'll think me vain!
I'm covered with confusion at the thought
Of what I've done. 'Twas very, very wrong
To promise you the story of the ring;
Men should not talk of such things.

_W. Green_. Such as what?
As ladies' favours?

_Sir Wil_. 'Pon my life, I feel
As I were like to sink into the earth.

_W. Green_. A lady then it was gave you the ring?

_Sir Wil_. Don't ask me to say yes, but only scan
The inside of the ring.--How much she's moved. [Aside.]

_Wal_. They to each other company enough!
I, company for no one but myself.
I'll take my leave, nor trouble them to pay
The compliments of parting. Lydia! Lydia!

[Goes out.]

_W. Green_. What's here? "Eliza!" So it was a lady!--
How wondrously does Master Waller bear it!
He surely will not hold much longer out.--[Aside.]
Sir William! Nay, look up! What cause to cast
Your eyes upon the ground? What an it were
A lady?

_Sir Wil_. You're not angry?

_W. Green_. No!

_Sir Wil_. She is.
I'll take the tone she speaks in 'gainst the word,
For fifty crowns.--I have not told you all
About the ring; though I would sooner die
Than play the braggart!--yet, as truth is truth,
And told by halves, may from a simple thing,
By misconstruction, to a monster grow,
I'll tell the whole truth!

_W. Green_. Dear Sir William, do!

_Sir Wil_. The lady was a maid, and very young;
Nor there in justice to her must I stop,
But say that she was beautiful as young;
And add to that that she was learned too,
Almost enough to win for her that title,
Our sex, in poor conceit of their own merits,
And narrow spirit of monopoly,
And jeal