_Y. Mir._ No, sir, I have studied to despise it; my reading was not to make me rich, but happy, sir.
_Old Mir._ There he has me again, now! But, sir, did not I marry to oblige you?
_Y. Mir._ To oblige me, sir! in what respect, pray?
_Old Mir._ Why, to bring you into the world, sir; wa'n't that an obligation?
_Y. Mir._ And, because I would have it still an obligation, I avoid marriage.
_Y. Mir._ Because I would not curse the hour I was born.
_Old Mir._ Lookye, friend, you may persuade me out of my designs, but I'll command you out of yours; and, though you may convince my reason that you are in the right, yet there is an old attendant of sixty-three, called positiveness, which you, nor all the wits in Italy, shall ever be able to shake: so, sir, you're a wit, and I'm a father: you may talk, but I'll be obeyed.
_Y. Mir._ This it is to have the son a finer gentleman than the father; they first give us breeding, that they don't understand; then they turn us out of doors, because we are wiser than themselves. But I'm a little aforehand with the old gentleman. [_Aside._] Sir, you have been pleased to settle a thousand pound sterling a year upon me; in return of which, I have a very great honour for you and your family, and shall take care that your only and beloved son shall do nothing to make him hate his father, or to hang himself. So, dear sir, I'm your very humble servant. [_Runs off._
_Old Mir._ Here, sirrah! rogue! Bob! villain!
_Dug._ Ah, sir! 'tis but what he deserves.
_Old Mir._ 'Tis false, sir! he don't deserve it: what have you to say against my boy, sir?
_Dug._ I shall only repeat your own words.
_Old Mir._ What have you to do with my words? I have swallowed my words already; I have eaten them up.--I say, that Bob's an honest fellow, and who dares deny it?
_Bis._ That dare I, sir:--I say, that your son is a wild, foppish, whimsical, impertinent coxcomb; and, were I abused, as this gentleman's sister is, I would make it an Italian quarrel, and poison the whole family.
_Dug._ Come, sir, 'tis no time for trifling: my sister is abused; you are made sensible of the affront, and your honour is concerned to see her redressed.
_Old Mir._ Lookye, Mr. Dugard, good words go farthest. I will do your sister justice, but it must be after my own rate; nobody must abuse my son but myself; for, although Robin be a sad dog, yet he's nobody's puppy but my own.