Scene IV.

The Way of the World

by William Congreve

SIR WILFULL, MILLAMANT.

SIR WILFULL WITWOUD
Nay, nay, cousin. I have forgot my
gloves. What d'ye do? 'Sheart, a has locked the door indeed, I
think.--Nay, cousin Fainall, open the door. Pshaw, what a vixen
trick is this? Nay, now a has seen me too.--Cousin, I made bold to
pass through as it were--I think this door's enchanted.

MILLAMANT
[repeating]:-

I prithee spare me, gentle boy, Press me no more for that slight
toy.

SIR WILFULL WITWOUD
Anan? Cousin, your servant.

MILLAMANT
That foolish trifle of a heart - Sir Wilfull!

SIR WILFULL WITWOUD
Yes--your servant. No offence, I hope,
cousin?

MILLAMANT
[repeating]:-

I swear it will not do its part, Though thou dost thine,
employ'st thy power and art.

Natural, easy Suckling!

SIR WILFULL WITWOUD
Anan? Suckling? No such suckling
neither, cousin, nor stripling: I thank heaven I'm no minor.

MILLAMANT
Ah, rustic, ruder than Gothic.

SIR WILFULL WITWOUD
Well, well, I shall understand your
lingo one of these days, cousin; in the meanwhile I must answer in
plain English.

MILLAMANT
Have you any business with me, Sir Wilfull?

SIR WILFULL WITWOUD
Not at present, cousin. Yes, I made
bold to see, to come and know if that how you were disposed to fetch
a walk this evening; if so be that I might not be troublesome, I
would have sought a walk with you.

MILLAMANT
A walk? What then?

SIR WILFULL WITWOUD
Nay, nothing. Only for the walk's sake,
that's all.

MILLAMANT
I nauseate walking: 'tis a country diversion; I
loathe the country and everything that relates to it.

SIR WILFULL WITWOUD
Indeed! Hah! Look ye, look ye, you do?
Nay, 'tis like you may. Here are choice of pastimes here in town,
as plays and the like, that must be confessed indeed -

MILLAMANT
Ah, L'ETOURDI! I hate the town too.

SIR WILFULL WITWOUD
Dear heart, that's much. Hah! that you
should hate 'em both! Hah! 'tis like you may! There are some can't
relish the town, and others can't away with the country, 'tis like
you may be one of those, cousin.

MILLAMANT
Ha, ha, ha! Yes, 'tis like I may. You have
nothing further to say to me?

SIR WILFULL WITWOUD
Not at present, cousin. 'Tis like when
I have an opportunity to be more private--I may break my mind in some
measure- -I conjecture you partly guess. However, that's as time
shall try. But spare to speak and spare to speed, as they say.

MILLAMANT
If it is of no great importance, Sir Wilfull, you
will oblige me to leave me: I have just now a little business.

SIR WILFULL WITWOUD
Enough, enough, cousin. Yes, yes, all a
case. When you're disposed, when you're disposed. Now's as well as
another time; and another time as well as now. All's one for that.
Yes, yes; if your concerns call you, there's no haste: it will keep
cold as they say. Cousin, your servant. I think this door's
locked.

MILLAMANT
You may go this way, sir.

SIR WILFULL WITWOUD
Your servant; then with your leave I'll
return to my company.

MILLAMANT
Ay, ay; ha, ha, ha!

Like Phoebus sung the no less am'rous boy.