nd my coach;
My barge, too, for excursion on the Thames:
What drives to Barnet, Hackney, Islington!
What rides to Epping, Hounslow, and Blackheath!
What sails to Greenwich, Woolwich, Fulham, Kew!
I'll set a pattern to your lady wives!

_Clif_. [Aside.] Ay, lady? Trust me, not at my expense.

_Julia_. And what a wardrobe! I'll have change of suits
For every day in the year! and sets for days!
My morning dress, my noon dress, dinner dress,
And evening dress! Then will I show you lace
A foot deep, can I purchase; if not,
I'll specially bespeak it. Diamonds too!
Not buckles, rings, and earrings only--but
Whole necklaces and stomachers of gems!
I'll shine! be sure I will.

_Clif_. [Aside.] Then shine away;
Who covets thee may wear thee;--I'm not he!

_Julia_. And then my title! Soon as I put on
The ring, I'm Lady Clifford. So I take
Precedence of plain mistress, were she e'en
The richest heiress in the land! At town
Or country ball, you'll see me take the lead,
While wives that carry on their backs the wealth
To dower a princess, shall give place to me;--
Will I not profit, think you, by my right?
Be sure I will! marriage shall prove to me
A never-ending pageant. Every day
Shall show how I am spoused! I will be known
For Lady Clifford all the city through,
And fifty miles the country round about.
Wife of Sir Thomas Clifford, baronet--
Not perishable knight--who, when he makes
A lady of me, doubtless must expect
To see me play the part of one.

_Clif_. [Coming forward.] Most true;
But not the part which you design to play.

_Julia_. A listener, sir!

_Clif_. By chance, and not intent,
Your speech was forced upon mine ear, that ne'er
More thankless duty to my heart discharged!
Would for that heart it ne'er had known the sense
Which tells it 'tis a bankrupt, there, where most
It coveted to be rich, and thought it was so!
O Julia, is it you? Could I have set
A coronet upon that stately brow,
Where partial nature hath already bound
A brighter circlet--radiant beauty's own--
I had been proud to see thee proud of it,
So for the donor thou hadst ta'en the gift,
Not for the gift ta'en him. Could I have poured
The wealth of richest Croesus in thy lap,
I had been blest to see thee scatter it,
So I was still thy riches paramount!

_Julia_. Know you me, sir!

_Clif_. I do. On Monday week
We were to wed--and are--so you're content;
The day that weds, wives you to be widowed. Take
The