The Double-Dealer: A Comedy

[_To him_] LADY FROTH.

BRISK [_Sings_, _walking about_.] 'I'm sick with love,' ha, ha, ha, 'prithee, come cure me. I'm sick with,' etc. O ye powers! O my Lady Froth, my Lady Froth, my Lady Froth! Heigho! Break heart; gods, I thank you. [_Stands musing with his arms across_.]

Lady Froth. O heavens, Mr. Brisk! What's the matter?

Brisk. My Lady Froth! Your ladyship's most humble servant. The matter, madam? Nothing, madam, nothing at all, egad. I was fallen into the most agreeable amusement in the whole province of contemplation: that's all--(I'll seem to conceal my passion, and that will look like respect.) [_Aside_.]

Lady Froth. Bless me, why did you call out upon me so loud?

Brisk. O Lord, I, madam! I beseech your ladyship--when?

Lady Froth. Just now as I came in, bless me, why, don't you know it?

Brisk. Not I, let me perish. But did I? Strange! I confess your ladyship was in my thoughts; and I was in a sort of dream that did in a manner represent a very pleasing object to my imagination, but--but did I indeed?--To see how love and murder will out. But did I really name my Lady Froth?

Lady Froth. Three times aloud, as I love letters. But did you talk of love? O Parnassus! Who would have thought Mr. Brisk could have been in love, ha, ha, ha. O heavens, I thought you could have no mistress but the Nine Muses.

Brisk. No more I have, egad, for I adore 'em all in your ladyship. Let me perish, I don't know whether to be splenetic, or airy upon't; the deuce take me if I can tell whether I am glad or sorry that your ladyship has made the discovery.

Lady Froth. O be merry by all means. Prince Volscius in love! Ha, ha, ha.

Brisk. O barbarous, to turn me into ridicule! Yet, ha, ha, ha. The deuce take me, I can't help laughing myself, ha, ha, ha; yet by heavens, I have a violent passion for your ladyship, seriously.

Lady Froth. Seriously? Ha, ha, ha.

Brisk. Seriously, ha, ha, ha. Gad I have, for all I laugh.

Lady Froth. Ha, ha, ha! What d'ye think I laugh at? Ha, ha, ha.

Brisk. Me, egad, ha, ha.

Lady Froth. No, the deuce take me if I don't laugh at myself; for hang me if I have not a violent passion for Mr. Brisk, ha, ha, ha.

Brisk. Seriously?

Lady Froth. Seriously, ha, ha, ha.

Brisk. That's well enough; let me perish, ha, ha, ha. O miraculous; what a happy discovery. Ah my dear charming Lady Froth!

Lady Froth. Oh my adored Mr. Brisk! [_Embrace_.]