SIR OLIVER.Aye--I know--there are a set of malicious prating prudent Gossips both male and Female, who murder characters to kill time, and will rob a young Fellow of his good name before He has years to know the value of it...but I am not to be prejudiced against my nephew by such I promise you! No! no--if Charles has done nothing false or mean, I shall compound for his extravagance.
ROWLEY.Then my life on't, you will reclaim him.Ah, Sir, it gives me new vigour to find that your heart is not turned against him--and that the son of my good old master has one friend however left--SIR OLIVER.What! shall I forget Master Rowley--when I was at his house myself--egad my Brother and I were neither of us very prudent youths--and yet I believe you have not seen many better men than your old master was[.]
ROWLEY.'Tis this Reflection gives me assurance that Charles may yet be a credit to his Family--but here comes Sir Peter----SIR OLIVER.Egad so He does--mercy on me--He's greatly altered--and seems to have a settled married look--one may read Husband in his Face at this Distance.--Enter SIR PETER
SIR PETER.Ha! Sir Oliver--my old Friend--welcome to England--a thousand Times!
SIR OLIVER.Thank you--thank you--Sir Peter--and Efaith I am as glad to find you well[,] believe me--SIR PETER.Ah! 'tis a long time since we met--sixteen year I doubt Sir Oliver--and many a cross accident in the Time--SIR OLIVER.Aye I have had my share--but, what[!] I find you are married--hey my old Boy--well--well it can't be help'd--and so I wish you joy with all my heart--SIR PETER.Thank you--thanks Sir Oliver.--Yes, I have entered into the happy state but we'll not talk of that now.
SIR OLIVER.True true Sir Peter old Friends shouldn't begin on grievances at first meeting.No, no--ROWLEY.Take care pray Sir----
SIR OLIVER.Well--so one of my nephews I find is a wild Rogue--hey?
SIR PETER.Wild!--oh! my old Friend--I grieve for your disappointment there--He's a lost young man indeed--however his Brother will make you amends; Joseph is indeed what a youth should be--everybody in the world speaks well of him--SIR OLIVER.I am sorry to hear it--he has too good a character to be an honest Fellow.Everybody speaks well of him! Psha! then He has bow'd as low to Knaves and Fools as to the honest dignity of Virtue.
SIR PETER.What Sir Oliver do you blame him for not making Enemies?
SIR OLIVER.Yes--if He has merit enough to deserve them.
SIR PETER.Well--well--you'll be convinced when you know him--'tis edification to hear him converse--he professes the noblest Sentiments.
SIR OLIVER.Ah plague on his Sentiments--if he salutes me with a scrap sentence of morality in his mouth I shall be sick directly--but however don't mistake me Sir Peter I don't mean to defend Charles's Errors--but before I form my judgment of either of them, I intend to make a trial of their Hearts--and my Friend Rowley and I have planned something for the Purpose.
ROWLEY.And Sir Peter shall own he has been for once mistaken.
SIR PETER.My life on Joseph's Honour----SIR OLIVER.Well come give us a bottle of good wine--and we'll drink the Lads' Healths and tell you our scheme.
SIR PETER.Alons [Allons], then----
SIR OLIVER.But don't Sir Peter be so severe against your old Friend's son.
SIR PETER.'Tis his Vices and Follies have made me his Enemy.--ROWLEY.Come--come--Sir Peter consider how early He was left to his own guidance.
SIR OLIVER.Odds my Life--I am not sorry that He has run out of the course a little--for my Part, I hate to see dry Prudence clinging to the green juices of youth--'tis like ivy round a sapling and spoils the growth of the Tree.
END OF THE SECOND ACT
