The Gamester by Centlivre Susanna

Author:Centlivre, Susanna
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: fiction, drama
Publisher: Distributed Proofreaders Canada
Published: 1761-11-17T00:00:00+00:00

Hect. The Marquis of Hazard, Sir.—

Val. The Marquis of Hazard, what wants he!

Enter the Marquis of Hazard.

Marq. Do you hear; do you wait with my Chair at the Corner of the Street, for I would be incognito.

Hect. What does he pretend to?

Marq. I presume, Sir, your name is Valere.

Val. I don't remember I ever had any other, Sir.

Marq. Sir I should take it as an extraordinary Favour, if you'll be pleas'd to command the Absence of your Valet de Chambre.

Val. Be gone.

[Exit Hector.

Marq. Now, Sir, do you know who I am?

Val. I think, Sir, I never had the Honour of your Acquaintance.

Marq. Allons Courage, push him home, he seems daunted already; [Aside.] Sir, I have made the Tour of Europe, and have had the Respect paid to me in all Courts that became my Quality;——In Spain I kept Company with none but Arch-Dukes, in France with Princes of the Blood,——and since I have been here, I have had the Honour to sup or dine with most of the great People at Court.

Val. Why so hot, Sir?

Marq. And, Sir, my Person is not more known than my Valour——I have fought a Hundred Duels, and never fail'd to kill or wound,——without receiving the least Hurt myself.

Val. You had very good Luck, truly Sir,——What does the Blockhead aim at? [Aside.]

Marq. Sir, Fortune owes my Life Protection, for Sake of the noble Race from which I sprung——my Father's Grandfather's great Grandfather was Viceroy of Naples.

Val. Oh! One may see that in your Air, Sir.

Marq. Now, Sir, there is a certain Lady that has a Passion for my Person, not that I am in Love with her: Only Gratitude,——and I am inform'd by her Woman, that you make your Addresses there; now, Sir, I suffer no Man beneath my Quality, to mix his Pretensions with mine.

Val. The Lady's Name, Sir?

Marq. The Lady Wealthy.

Val. You are misinform'd upon my Word, Sir; that Lady is at your Service for me.

Marq. That Declaration comes not from your Heart——your Encomiums on Angelica last Night, serv'd only to conceal your Love from me.

Val. So far from that, I did not know you till you had left the Room.

Marq. Sir, I say you must not pretend to vie with Quality.

Val. I know the Distance Fortune has put between us, Sir.

Marq. Then pray observe it, Sir;——don't think every Fellow we condescend to play with, fit Companions for us Men of Quality.

Val. [Cocking his Hat.] Fellow, Sir——

[Laying his Hand on his Sword.

Marq. Yes, Fellow, Sir.——He has a Heart, I find, I'll moderate my Passion. [Aside.]

Val. You will have it then, I see. [Draws.]

Marq. No, upon my Word, Sir, I was in Jest all the while.

Val. But I am in earnest, Sir,—and therefore draw——What, does the Courage of your royal Ancestors, Vice-Roys of Naples, fail you?

Marq. Sir, I made a Vow never to kill another Man,——and therefore pray put up, you have given me as much Satisfaction as I desired,——I thirst for no Revenge.

Val. Sir, I am not to be trifled with, the Wine is drawn, and you shall drink.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.