Page:A Series of Plays on the Passions Volume 3.pdf/291

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Page. (aloud.) Murrain take thee and thy love too! thou hast no more spirit in thee than a worm.

Bar. Bravo, Boy! thou hast enough of it, I see; and I'll put a stand of colours into thy hand as soon as thou art strong enough to carry them. Thou art my boy now; I will protect thee.

Page. I thank you, Baron.—And my sister; will you protect her too?

Bar. Yes, Child; both of you.

Page. Refuse him then, Nina: hast thou no more pride about thee?

Nina. Alas! I should, have more pride: I know l should; but I have been sadly humbled.

Page. Thou'lt be still more so if thou art his wife, trust me! for he'll despise thee, and cow thee, and make thee a poor slave to his will. Thou'lt tremble at every glance of his eye, and every turn of his humoursome fancy.—He'll treat thee like a very

Vald. Stop, spiteful wretch! I'll cherish and protect her, and turn every word thou hast uttered to a manifest and abominable falsehood.—Give me thy hand, Nina; thou really lovest me; no one will do it but thee; and I shall have need of somebody to love me.

Omnes. Well said, Count! this is done like a man!

Ant. (to Page.) Faith, Boy! those sharp words of thine were worth a store of gentle persuasion. Thou hast woo'd for thy sister in a spell-like fashion as witches say their prayers backwards.