第 9 节
作者:
古诗乐 更新:2024-11-30 11:15 字数:9322
known from nature。
32
… Page 33…
THE DOUBLE…DEALERA COMEDY
Why will mankind be fools; and be deceived; And why are friends'
and lovers' oaths believed; When each; who searches strictly his own mind;
May so much fraud and power of baseness find?
33
… Page 34…
THE DOUBLE…DEALERA COMEDY
ACT III。
SCENE I。
LORD TOUCHWOOD and LADY TOUCHWOOD。
LADY TOUCH。 My lord; can you blame my brother Plyant if he
refuse his daughter upon this provocation? The contract's void by this
unheard…of impiety。
LORD TOUCH。 I don't believe it true; he has better principles。 Pho;
'tis nonsense。 Come; come; I know my Lady Plyant has a large eye; and
would centre everything in her own circle; 'tis not the first time she has
mistaken respect for love; and made Sir Paul jealous of the civility of an
undesigning person; the better to bespeak his security in her unfeigned
pleasures。
LADY TOUCH。 You censure hardly; my lord; my sister's honour is
very well known。
LORD TOUCH。 Yes; I believe I know some that have been
familiarly acquainted with it。 This is a little trick wrought by some
pitiful contriver; envious of my nephew's merit。
LADY TOUCH。 Nay; my lord; it may be so; and I hope it will be
found so。 But that will require some time; for in such a case as this;
demonstration is necessary。
LORD TOUCH。 There should have been demonstration of the
contrary too; before it had been believed。
LADY TOUCH。 So I suppose there was。
LORD TOUCH。 How? Where? When?
LADY TOUCH。 That I can't tell; nay; I don't say there was。 I am
willing to believe as favourably of my nephew as I can。
LORD TOUCH。 I don't know that。 'Half aside。'
LADY TOUCH。 How? Don't you believe that; say you; my lord?
LORD TOUCH。 No; I don't say so。 I confess I am troubled to find
34
… Page 35…
THE DOUBLE…DEALERA COMEDY
you so cold in his defence。
LADY TOUCH。 His defence! Bless me; would you have me
defend an ill thing?
LORD TOUCH。 You believe it; then?
LADY TOUCH。 I don't know; I am very unwilling to speak my
thoughts in anything that may be to my cousin's disadvantage: besides; I
find; my lord; you are prepared to receive an ill impression from any
opinion of mine which is not consenting with your own。 But; since I am
like to be suspected in the end; and 'tis a pain any longer to dissemble; I
own it to you; in short I do believe it; nay; and can believe anything worse;
if it were laid to his charge。 Don't ask me my reasons; my lord; for they are
not fit to be told you。
LORD TOUCH。 I'm amazed: there must be something more than
ordinary in this。 'Aside。' Not fit to be told me; madam? You can have
no interests wherein I am not concerned; and consequently the same
reasons ought to be convincing to me; which create your satisfaction or
disquiet。
LADY TOUCH。 But those which cause my disquiet I am willing to
have remote from your hearing。 Good my lord; don't press me。
LORD TOUCH。 Don't oblige me to press you。
LADY TOUCH。 Whatever it was; 'tis past。 And that is better to be
unknown which cannot be prevented; therefore let me beg you to rest
satisfied。
LORD TOUCH。 When you have told me; I will。
LADY TOUCH。 You won't。
LORD TOUCH。 By my life; my dear; I will。
LADY TOUCH。 What if you can't?
LORD TOUCH。 How? Then I must know; nay; I will。 No more
trifling。 I charge you tell me。 By all our mutual peace to come; upon
your duty …
LADY TOUCH。 Nay; my lord; you need say no more; to make me
lay my heart before you; but don't be thus transported; compose yourself。
It is not of concern to make you lose one minute's temper。 'Tis not;
indeed; my dear。 Nay; by this kiss you shan't be angry。 O Lord; I wish I
35
… Page 36…
THE DOUBLE…DEALERA COMEDY
had not told you anything。 Indeed; my lord; you have frighted me。 Nay;
look pleased; I'll tell you。
LORD TOUCH。 Well; well。
LADY TOUCH。 Nay; but will you be calm? Indeed it's nothing but
…
LORD TOUCH。 But what?
LADY TOUCH。 But will you promise me not to be angry? Nay;
you mustnot to be angry with Mellefont? I dare swear he's sorry; and
were it to do again; would not …
LORD TOUCH。 Sorry for what? 'Death; you rack me with delay。
LADY TOUCH。 Nay; no great matter; onlywell; I have your
promise。 Pho; why nothing; only your nephew had a mind to amuse
himself sometimes with a little gallantry towards me。 Nay; I can't think
he meant anything seriously; but methought it looked oddly。
LORD TOUCH。 Confusion and hell; what do I hear?
LADY TOUCH。 Or; may be; he thought he was not enough akin to
me; upon your account; and had a mind to create a nearer relation on his
own; a lover you know; my lord。 Ha; ha; ha。 Well; but that's all。 Now
you have it; well remember your promise; my lord; and don't take any
notice of it to him。
LORD TOUCH。 No; no; no。 Damnation!
LADY TOUCH。 Nay; I swear you must not。 A little harmless mirth;
only misplaced; that's all。 But if it were more; 'tis over now; and all's
well。 For my part I have forgot it; and so has he; I hope; for I have not
heard anything from him these two days。
LORD TOUCH。 These two days! Is it so fresh? Unnatural villain!
Death; I'll have him stripped and turned naked out of my doors this
moment; and let him rot and perish; incestuous brute!
LADY TOUCH。 Oh; for heav'n's sake; my lord; you'll ruin me if you
take such public notice of it; it will be a town talk。 Consider your own
and my honour; nay; I told you you would not be satisfied when you knew
it。
LORD TOUCH。 Before I've done I will be satisfied。 Ungrateful
monster! how long?
36
… Page 37…
THE DOUBLE…DEALERA COMEDY
LADY TOUCH。 Lord; I don't know; I wish my lips had grown
together when I told you。 Almost a twelvemonth。 Nay; I won't tell you
any more till you are yourself。 Pray; my lord; don't let the company see
you in this disorder。 Yet; I confess; I can't blame you; for I think I was
never so surprised in my life。 Who would have thought my nephew
could have so misconstrued my kindness? But will you go into your
closet; and recover your temper。 I'll make an excuse of sudden business
to the company; and come to you。 Pray; good; dear my lord; let me beg
you do now。 I'll come immediately and tell you all; will you; my lord?
LORD TOUCH。 I willI am mute with wonder。
LADY TOUCH。 Well; but go now; here's somebody coming。
LORD TOUCH。 Well; I go。 You won't stay? for I would hear more
of this。
LADY TOUCH。 I follow instantly。 So。
SCENE II。
LADY TOUCHWOOD; MASKWELL。
MASK。 This was a masterpiece; and did not need my help; though I
stood ready for a cue to come in and confirm all; had there been occasion。
LADY TOUCH。 Have you seen Mellefont?
MASK。 I have; and am to meet him here about this time。
LADY TOUCH。 How does he bear his disappointment?
MASK。 Secure in my assistance; he seemed not much afflicted; but
rather laughed at the shallow artifi