Then drop, at last, but in unwilling ears, surprise. Pertness. Vexation. This saving counsel, "Keep your piece nine years.” Advising. A virgin tragedy; an orphan muse.” If I dislike it, "Furies! death, and rage!" If I approve, "Commend it to the stage." a Offence. b Cringing. Threatening. Surprise. Anger. Comfort, Fir'd, that the house reject him, "'S death, I'll Anger. print it, And shame the fools-Your int'rest, sir, with Lintot." Cringing. "Lintot (dull rogue!) will think your price too Excuse. much." "Not, sir, if you revise it and retouch." All my demurs but double his attacks. At last he whispers, "Do; and we go snacks.” Glad of a quarrel, straight I clap the door. Sir, let me see you and your works no more.” 1 Alluding to Horace's "Nonumque premetur in annum." 2 Pitholeon. The name of a foolish ancient poet. 8" Curl invites," &c. Mr. Pope was, it seems, ill used by Curl, a bookseller, by the writer of a journal or newspaper, and by a parson much bemused in beer." Cringing. Vexation. Wheedling. Offence. Dismissing with anger. Respect. Humility. Anxiety. Respect. XIX. POLITE CONVERSATION. The scene between Mr. Bevil and Indiana, in which she endeavours to find out whether he has any other regard for her than that of rational esteem, or Platonic love.-Steele. Bevil.-Madam, your most obedient. How do you do to-day? I am afraid you wished me gone last night before I went. But you were partly to blame. For who could leave you in the agreeable humour you were in? Indiana. If you were pleased, sir, we were both pleased; for your company, which is always agreeable, was more peculiarly so last night. Bev.--My company, madam! You rally. I said very little. Ind. Too little you always say, sir, for my improvement and for my credit; by the same token, that I am afraid you gave me an opportunity of saying too much last night; and unfortunately, when a woman is in the talking vein she wants nothing so much as to have leave to expose herself. Bev.-I hope, madam, I shall always have the sense to give you leave to expose yourself, as you call it, without interruption. [Bowing respectfully.] Ind.--If I had your talents, sir, or your power, to make my actions speak for me, I might be silent, and yet pretend to somewhat more than being agreeable. But as it is Bev. Really, madam, I know of none of my actions that deserve your attention. If I might be rain of any thing, it is, that I have understanding enough to mark you out, madam, from all your sex as the inost deserving object of my esteem. Ind. [Aside.]-A cold word! Though I cannot claim even his esteem. [To him.] Did I think, sir, that your esteem for me proceeded from any thing in me, and not altogether from your own generosity, I should be in danger of forfeiting it. Bev.-How so, madam? Ind. What do you think, sir, would be so likely to puff up a weak woman's vanity as the esteem of a man of understanding? Esteem is the result of cool reason; the voluntary tribute paid to inward worth. Who, then, would not be proud of the esteem of a person of sense, which is always unbiassed; whilst love is often the effect of weakness. [Looking hard at Bevil, who casts down his eyes respectfully.] Esteem arises from a higher source, the substantial merit of the mind. Bev. True, madam; and great minds only can command it. [Bowing respectfully.] The utmost pleasure and pride of my life, madam, is, that I endeavour to esteem you as-I ought. Ind. [Aside.]-As he ought! Still more perplex- Apprehening! He neither saves nor hills my hope. I will sion. try him a little farther. [To him.] Now, I think Questioning. on it, I must beg your opinion, sir, on a point which created a debate between my aunt and me, just before you came in. She would needs have it, that no man ever does any extraordinary kindness for a woman but from selfish views. Bev.-Well, madam, I cannot say, but I am in Respect. the main, of her opinion, if she means by selfish views what some understand by the phrase; that is, his own pleasure; the highest pleasure human nature is capable of, that of being conscious that from his superfluity, an innocent and virtuous spirit, a person whom he thinks one of the prime ornaments of the creation, is raised above the temptations and sorrows of life; the pleasure of seeing satisfaction, health, and gladness brighten in the countenance of one he values above all mankind. What a man bestows in H such a way, may, I think, be said, in one sense, to be laid out with a selfish view as much as if he spent it in what is called the pleasures of the world; with this difference, that he shows a better taste in expense. Nor should I think this any such extraordinary matter of heroism in a man of an easy fortune. Every gentleman ought to be capable of this, and I doubt not but many are. For I hope there are many who take more delight in reflection than sensation-in Sudden re- thinking than in eating. But what am I doing? [Pulls out his watch hastily.] My hour with Mr. Myrtle is come.-Madam, I must take my leave abruptly; but if you please, will do myself the pleasure of waiting on you in the afternoon. Till when, madam, your most obedient.-[Exit.] collection. Complai sance. Anger. Complai sance XX.-ANGER-RECONCILIATION. The scene between Mr. Bevil and Mr. Myrtle.-Steele. Bevil. Sir, I am extremely obliged to you for this honour. Myrtle.--The time and place, our long acquaintance, and many other circumstances which affect me on this occasion, oblige me, without ceremony or conference, to desire that you will comply with the request in my letter, of which you have already acknowledged the receipt. Bev. Sir, I have received a letter from you in a very unusual style. But as I am conscious of the integrity of my behaviour with respect to you, and intend that every thing in this matter shall be your own seeking, I shall understand nothing but what you are pleased to confirm face to face. You are therefore to take it for granted, that I have forgotten the contents of your epistle. Myrt. Your cool behaviour, Mr. Bevil, is agree- Anger. able to the unworthy use you have made of my simplicity and frankness to you. And I see your moderation tends to your own advantage, not mine; to your own safety, not to justice for the wrongs you have done your friend. Bev.-My own safety, Mr. Myrtle? Myrt. Your own safety, Mr. Bevil. Offence. Reproof. Bev. Mr. Myrtle, there is no disguising any Displeasure. longer, that I understand what you would force me to. You know my principle upon that point; and Firmness. you have often heard me express my disapprobation of the savage manner of deciding quarrels, which tyrannical custom has introduced, to the breach of all laws, both divine and human. Myrt.-Mr. Bevil, Mr. Bevil! It would be a Reproachgood first principle in those who have so tender a ing. conscience that way, to have as much abhorrence at doing injuries as Bev.-As what? [Turns away abruptly.] Myrt. As fear of answering them. Irritating. Bev. Mr. Myrtle, I have no fear of answering Self-vindiany injury I have done you; because I have meant cation. you none; for the truth of which I am ready to appeal to any indifferent person, even of your own choosing. But I own I am afraid of doing a wicked Seriousness. action, I mean of shedding your blood, or giving you an opportunity of shedding mine, cold. I am not afraid of you, Mr. Myrtle; but I own I am afraid Pious veneof Him who gave me this life in trust, on other conditions, and with other designs, than that I should hazard, or throw it away, because a rush inconsiderate man is pleased to be offended, without knowing whether he is injured or not. No-I will not, Courage. for your, or any man's humour, commit a known crime-a crime which I cannot repair, or which may, ration. |