Richard Steele Edited, with an Introduction and Notes by G. A. Aitken

_Isab._ What anxiety do I feel for this poor creature! What will be the end of her? Such a languishing unreserved passion for a man that at last must certainly leave or ruin her...

Critic objects, among other things, to the use of the word "bagatelle." And then Sullen turns to the merits of the play--the characters, the visiting scene, the incidents, all f...

_Ind._ Will you persuade me there can be an ill design in supporting me in the condition of a woman of quality? attended, dressed, and lodged like one; in my appearance abroad a...

_Tip._ Brother Gubbin, as I signified to you in my last, bearing date September 13th, my niece has a thousand pounds per annum, and because I have found you a plain-dealing man...

_Y. Book._ For ever, sir, for ever; my father has given me leave to come to town, and I don't question but will let my return be in my own choice. But Jack, you know we were tal...

_Vict._ I fancy the men who are always for showing their valour are like the women who are always talking of their chastity, because they are conscious of their defect in it.

_L. Ha._ Why, then I find this Mr. Trim is a perfect general; but I assure you, sir, I'll never allow you an hero, who could leave your mistress behind you. You should have brok...

_Sir Har._ No, no, sir, I know better; they shall go down into the country, and live with me, not touch a farthing of money; but, having all things necessary provided, they shal...

_Sir J. Bev._ Well, Humphry, you know I have been a kind master to you; I have used you, for the ingenuous nature I observed in you from the beginning, more like an humble frien...

_O. Book._[53] I sent for him from Oxford with that design. He came to town but yesterday; and, if a father can judge, he brings from a college the mien and air of a court. I lo...

_L. Ha._ Nay, good sage sister, you may as well talk to me [_Looking at herself as she speaks_], as sit staring at a book, which I know you can't attend. Good Dr. Lucas[22] may...

_Bev. Jun._ These moral writers practise virtue after death. This charming vision of Mirza![125] Such an author consulted in a morning sets the spirit for the vicissitudes of th...

_Fain._ I am very civil and very distant; if she smiles or speaks, I bow and gaze at her; then throw down my eyes, as if oppressed by fear of offence, then steal a look again ti...

_Wid._ That's right. [_Reading names._] Lady Riggle, Lady Formal--Oh! that Riggle, a pert ogler, an indiscreet silly thing, who is really known by no man, yet for her carriage,...

_Ld. H._ Now, indeed, I am utterly undone; but to expect an evil softens the weight of it when it happens, and pain no more than pleasure is in reality so great as in expectatio...

_Bev._ What's the fool in such a fright for? I don't suppose you did. What I would know is, whether Mr. Myrtle shows any suspicion, or asked you any questions, to lead you to sa...

_Y. Book._ Some baubles. But my choice was so distracted among the pretty merchants and their dealers, I knew not where to run first. One little, lisping rogue--"Ribbandths, glo...

_Aunt._ Oh, my dear, a private wedding is much better; your mother had such a bustle at hers, with feasting and fooling. Besides, they did not go to bed till two in the morning.

_Y. Book._ Well said, Jack. Let me see any of your sparks besides myself keep such an equipage. I don't question but in a little time I shall be a finer fop than the town has ye...

_Sir J. Bev._ Give me leave, however, Mr. Sealand, as we are upon a treaty for uniting our families, to mention only the business of an ancient house. Genealogy and descent are...

_Mrs. Cler._ O fie; don't believe I'll think on't. It is impossible he should be good for anything--The English are so saucy with their liberty--I'll have all my lower servants...

_Fain._ This is the place, the hour, the lucky minute. Now am I rubbing up my memory, to recollect all you said to me when you first ruined me, that I may attack her right.

_Cam._ I assure you, it moderates the swell of joy that I am in, to think of your difficulties. I hope my felicity is previous to yours; my Lady Harriot gives her service to you...

_2nd Sol._ I grant it; you know I have an antipathy to the French--I hate to see the dogs. Look you here, gentlemen, I was shot quite through the body, look you.

_Wid._ Tell the rascal from me he shall romp with the footmen no more. No; I'll send the rogue in a frock to learn Latin among the dirty boys that come to good, I will. But 'tis...

_Love._ I come for her sake! No; should she write, beseech, kneel to me, I think I ne'er should value her more. No, I'll be no longer her tool, her jest; she shall not dally wit...

_Myrt._ I think we have of late changed complexions. You, who used to be much the graver man, are now all air in your behaviour.--But the cause of my concern may, for aught I kn...

_Niece._ Oh, Clerimont! Clerimont! To be struck at first sight! I'm ashamed of my weakness; I find in myself all the symptoms of a raging amour. I love solitude, I grow pale, I...

_Myrt._ I have not seen you, cousin Cimberton, since you were ten years old; and as it is incumbent on you to keep up our name and family, I shall, upon very reasonable terms, j...

_Trim._ Ay, gentlemen, she has free egress and regress, and you know the French are the best-bred people in the world--she'll be assistant. But, 'faith, I have one scruple that...

_Storm._ I apprehend, sir, by Mr. Turnkey, the gentleman there with a broken nose, that you're brought in for murder. I honour you, sir; I don't question but 'twas done like a g...

_Lett._ 'Tis a most sad thing, one dare not light a large candle except company's coming in, and I scarce can see to read this piteous story. Well, in all these distresses and m...

_Tru._ She knows no moderation in her good fortune; she has, out of impatience to see herself in her weeds, ordered her mantua woman to stitch up anything immediately. You may h...

_Phil._ But you must leave me alone with him, for he can't make me a present, nor I so handsomely take anything from him before you; it would not be decent.

_Vict._ This was, indeed, Betty, a very diverting accident, that I should be employed to write to her lover. Now, I can't but think how angry my cousin Pen is. She frets, I warr...

_Lat._ How quietly he rests! Oh that I could, By watching him, hanging thus over him, And, feeling all his care, protract his sleep! Oh, sleep! thou sweetest gift of Heaven to m...

_Young Book._ This Roebuck has almost done my business. Rigby's an honest fellow, and would not poison us. The wine had good-humour, mirth, and joy in it. My blood beats high an...

_Humph._ I am, indeed, of that opinion; for there is no artifice, nothing concealed, in our family, which ought in justice to be known. I need not desire you, sir, to treat the...

_Sab._ Why, my lord, you can't in conscience put me off so. I must do according to my orders, cut you up, and embalm you, except you'll come down a little deeper than you talk o...

_Love._ Mankind is infinitely beholden to this noble styptic, that could produce such wonderful effects so suddenly. But though my wound was very slight, I'm weak by the effusio...

_Wid._ Mr. Trusty, you have, I do assure you, the same place and power in the management of my Lord Brumpton's estate, as in his life-time. (I am reduced to a necessity of trust...

_Trim._ March up, march up. Now we are near the citadel, and halt only to give the necessary orders for the engagement. Ha! Clump, Clump! When we come to Lord Brumpton's door, a...