Scene III.

Love for Love

by William Congreve

VALENTINE, SCANDAL.

VALENTINE
By this, Scandal, you may see what it is to be
great; secretaries of state, presidents of the council, and generals
of an army lead just such a life as I do; have just such crowds of
visitants in a morning, all soliciting of past promises; which are
but a civiller sort of duns, that lay claim to voluntary debts.

SCANDAL
And you, like a true great man, having engaged their
attendance, and promised more than ever you intended to perform, are
more perplexed to find evasions than you would be to invent the
honest means of keeping your word, and gratifying your creditors.

VALENTINE
Scandal, learn to spare your friends, and do not
provoke your enemies; this liberty of your tongue will one day bring
a confinement on your body, my friend.