thus--beseeching him in such terms as that gentle heart is so well form'd
to dictate, and persuading him with the all-prevailing music of that
tuneful voice, to recall his rigourous intention, nor doom such angelic
goodness and beauty to despair, by persisting to oppose an alliance which
alone can make you blest; and without which, the most faithful of lovers
will be rendered the most wretched one on earth. I shall take a similar
method with my old gentleman, and I think I can insure myself success.

HARRIET. This is all very fine; but--to have the voluntary consent of the
parent one loves,--how infinitely more agreeable! I would not offend mine,
for the world: and yet--

LOVEYET. And yet you will be obliged to offend him, by having me, eigh?

HARRIET. Pshaw;--how strangely you misconstrue my meaning: I was going to
observe, that I expect his obstinacy and pride will prove invincible, in
spite of all the rhetoric you are pleased to ascribe to me.

LOVEYET. Then we will employ a little rhetoric, against which another class
of fathers are not quite so invincible.--Parsons are plenty, you know; and
Gold and Silver are persuasive little words. _Love_ inspires me with the
spirit of prophecy, and tells me I shall soon with propriety call the
loveliest of her sex, mine.

HARRIET. You are very eloquent, Mr. Loveyet: I do not think the subject
merits so many florid speeches.

LOVEYET. Not merit them!--

_'Tis not in human language, to define
Merit so rare, and beauty--so divine!
Then what avails this little praise of mine?_

HARRIET. _Harriet deserves not praise so great as thine._

[_Exeunt._

_End of the Third Act._

ACT IV.

SCENE I. _TRUEMAN'S House._

TRUEMAN [_solus_].

I sincerely lament this unfortunate dispute.--I know Harriet loves that
young fellow, though he has been so long absent; and, therefore, I regret
it; for, to what end do I live but to see her happy!--But I will not give
way to his father;--perhaps he may think better of the matter, for I know
him to be of a placable nature, though passionate;--and yet he seems to be
inflexible in his resolution.

_Enter HUMPHRY._

HUMPHRY. Sarvint, Mr. Schoolmaster;--here's a challenge for you.

[_Gives TRUEMAN the barber's note._

TRUEMAN. A challenge! Surely the old blockhead would not make himself so
ridiculous.

HUMPHRY. Yes, it's