ousy, which gallantry eschews,
Do give to women who assert their right
To minds as well as we.

_W. Green_. What! a blue-stocking?

_Sir Wil_. I see--she'll come to calling names at last.--[Aside.]
I should offend myself to quote the term.
But, to return, for yet I have not done;
And further yet may go, then progress on
That she was young, that she was beautiful.
A wit and learned are naught to what's to come--
She had a heart!--

_W. Green_. [Who during SIR WILLIAM'S speech has turned gradually.]
What, Master Waller gone! [Aside.]

_Sir Wil_. I say she had a heart--

_W. Green_. [Starting up--SIR WILLIAM also.] A plague upon her!

_Sir Wil_. I knew she would break out! [Aside.]

_W. Green_. Here, take the ring. It has ruined me!

_Sir Wil_. I vow thou hast no cause
For anger!

_W. Green_. Have I not? I am undone,
And all about that bauble of a ring.

_Sir Wil_. You're right, it is a bauble.

_W. Green_. And the minx
That gave it thee!

_Sir Wil_. You're right, she was a minx.
I knew she'd come to calling names at last. [Aside.]

_W. Green_. Sir William Fondlove, leave me.

_Sir Wil_. Widow Green!--

_W. Green_. You have undone me, sir!

_Sir Wil_. Don't say so! Don't!
It was a girl--a child gave me the ring!

_W. Green_. Do you hear me, sir? I bade you leave me.

_Sir Wil_. If
I thought you were so jealous--

_W. Green_. Jealous, sir!
Sir William! quit my house.

_Sir Wil_. A little girl
To make you jealous!

W. Green. Sir, you'll drive me mad!

_Sir Wil_. A child, a perfect child, not ten years old!

_W. Green_. Sir, I would be alone, sir!

_Sir Wil_. Young enough
To dandle still her doll!

_W. Green_. Sir William Fondlove!

_Sir Wil_. Dear Widow Green!

_W. Green_. I hate you, sir! Detest you! Never wish
To see you more! You have ruined me! Undone me!
A blighted life I wear, and all through you!
The fairest hopes that ever woman nourished,
You've cankered in the very blowing! bloom
And sweet destroyed, and nothing left me, but
The melancholy stem.

_Sir Wil_. And all about
A little slut I gave a rattle to!--
Would pester me for gingerbread and comfits!--
A little roguish feigning! A love-trick
I played to prove your love!

_W. Green_. Sir William Fondlove!
If of my own house you'll not suffer me
To be the mistress, I will leave it to you!

_Sir Wil_. Dear Widow Green! The ring--

_W. Green_. Confound the ring,
The do