Skip to main content
The Plain Dealer

Ay, I'll meet with you, I warrant; but i...

Overview

Character
Gender
Male
Playing Age
Adult
Style
Comedic
Act/Scene
Act Five, Scene Two
Time & Place
The monologue takes place in a London tavern room during the 1670s, immediately following Manly's departure.
Length
Medium
Time Period
Classical
Show Type
Play
Age Guidance
Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)

Context

Text

Ay, I'll meet with you, I warrant; but it shall be at Olivia's. Sure, it cannot be: she denies it so calmly, and with that honest modest assurance, it cannot be true—and he does not use to lie—but belying a woman when she won't be kind, is the only lie a brave man will least scruple. But then the woman in man's clothes, whom he calls a man—well, but by her breasts I know her to be a woman—but then again, his appointment from her, to meet him again to-night! I am distracted more with doubt than jealousy. Well, I have no way to disabuse or revenge myself, but by going home immediately, putting on a riding-suit, and pretending to my wife the same business which carried me out of town last, requires me again to go post to Oxford to-night. Then, if the appointment he boasts of be true, it's sure to hold, and I shall have an opportunity either of clearing her, or revenging myself on both. Perhaps she is his wench, of an old date, and I am his cully, whilst I think him mine; and he has seemed to make his wench rich, only that I might take her off his hands. Or if he has but lately lain with her, he must needs discover by her my treachery to him; which I'm sure he will revenge with my death, and which I must prevent with his, if it were only but for fear of his too just reproaches; for I must confess, I never had till now any excuse but that of interest, for doing ill to him.

William Wycherley, The Plain Dealer. http://www.gutenberg.org/files/55426/55426-h/55426-h.htm#THEPLAINDEALER

Performance Tips

Emotional Beat Breakdown

Related Learning Modules

More Monologues

All monologues are the property and copyright of their owners.

Monologues are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only.