Page:A Series of Plays on the Passions Volume 1.pdf/221

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
THE TRYAL: A COMEDY.
219

to this kind of amusement, you will find it a very expensive one.

Roy. Bless you, my good sir, I am the most peaceable creature in the world, but I will suffer no man to impose upon me.

With. (smiling.) But you suffer the women sometimes to do so, do you not?

Humph. No, nor the women neither, sir; for it was but t'other day that he prosecuted widow Gibson, for letting her chickens feed amongst his corn, and it was given in his honour's favour, as in right it should have been.

With. (archly.) And who was adjudged to pay the expences of court, Mr. Humphry?

Humph. Ay, to be sure, his honour was obliged to pay that.

With. (archly.) But the widow paid swingingly for it, I suppose.

Humph. Nay 'faith, after all, they but fined her in a sixpence; yet that always shew'd, you know, that she was in the wrong.

With. To be sure, Mr. Humphry, and the sixpence would indemnify your master for the costs of suit.

Humph. Nay, as a body may say, he might as well have let her alone, for any great matter he made of it that way; but it was very wrong in her, you know, sir, to let her hens go amongst his honour's corn, when she knew very well, she was too poor to make up the loss to his honour.

With. Say no more about it, my good Hum-