Glen Collection of printed music > Printed text > Composite volume > Works of Mrs Davys

The Self -Rival. y
Ma. As you fay, an old Woman married to a
young Man is a moft ridiculous Sight, as witnefs
poor Lady Would-be-young, who when fhe was a
Widow of Fifty-Five, muft needs marry Squire
Lufty of Five and Twenty; he is now turned
of Thirty, and fhe upwards of Threefcore, yet
would fain be thought as young as he, appears in
publick drefs'd in blufh-colour'd Satin, and as airy as
one of Sixteen, tho' her Head noddles like a piece of
German Clock- Work, and her feeble Legs will
fcarce bear the Weight of her tottering Body.
Fal. For which Reafons, if you intend to marry
at all, do it while you are young; befide, you will
then avoid the odious Name of old Maid, which you
fee me labour under.
Mz.Were I fure to behave myfelf as well under that
Denomination as you do, I would live (ingle on pur-
pofe, for I have often thought you have brought a
new Character on the Stage of Life, and you are
certainly thefirft good-natur'd oldMaid I everfaw.
[a Knocking at the Door yery hard]
Fal. So fo, here comes the Colonel, I think he
beats a Point of War inftead of a Parley ; but I'll
go take a Walk in the Garden, and leave you toge-
ther.
Ma. I am refolv'd I won't be left alone with the
filthy Fellow ; if you go, I'll go too.
Fal. You'll meet with a Repulfe and be beaten
back again, fo you had as good ftand your Ground.
[Exeunt Ambo.
Re-enter Maria* the Colonel after her.
Col. Nay Madam, why do you run away ?
Ma. Becaufe, Colonel, I know 'tis an unfpeaka-
blePleaiure to you to purfue a flying Enemy.
Col. True Child, but I woii'd not put you into
that Number, — I would
Ma, What \vWd you ? I'll fwear you are one of
B 4 the