Richard Brinsley Sheridan (1751–1816). The School for Scandal.
The Harvard Classics. 1909–14. |
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| Act Fourth |
| | | Scene II |
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Another room in the same | 1 |
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Enter SIR OLIVER SURFACE and MOSES | 2 |
| Mos. Well, sir, I think, as Sir Peter said, you have seen Mr. Charles in high glory; ’tis great pity he’s so extravagant. | 3 |
| Sir Oliv. True, but he would not sell my picture. | 4 |
| Mos. And loves wine and women so much | 5 |
| Sir Oliv. But he would not sell my picture. | 6 |
| Mos. And games so deep. | 7 |
| Sir Oliv. But he would not sell my picture. Oh, here’s Rowley. | 8 |
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Enter ROWLEY | 9 |
| Row. So, Sir Oliver, I find you have made a purchase— | 10 |
| Sir Oliv. Yes, yes, our young rake has parted with his ancestors like old tapestry. | 11 |
| Row. And here has he commissioned me to redeliver you part of the purchase money—I mean, though, in your necessitous character of Old Stanley. | 12 |
| Mos. Ah! there is the pity of all; he is so damned charitable. | 13 |
| Row. And I left a hosier and two tailors in the hall, who, I’m sure, won’t be paid, and this hundred would satisfy them. | 14 |
| Sir Oliv. Well, well, I’ll pay his debts, and his benevolence too. But now I am no more a broker, and you shall introduce me to the elder brother as old Stanley. | 15 |
| Row. Not yet awhile; Sir Peter, I know, means to call there about this time. | 16 |
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Enter TRIP | 17 |
| Trip. Oh, gentlemen, I beg pardon for not showing you out; this way—Moses, a word. [Exit with MOSES. | 18 |
| Sir Oliv. There’s a fellow for you! Would you believe it, that puppy intercepted the Jew on our coming, and wanted to raise money before he got to his master! | 19 |
| Row. Indeed! | 20 |
| Sir Oliv. Yes, they are now planning an annuity business. Ah, Master Rowley, in my days servants were content with the follies of their masters, when they were worn a little threadbare; but now they have their vices, like their birthday clothes, with the gloss on. [Exeunt. | 21 |
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