Literature Network » William Congreve » The Way of the World » Scene VIII.

Scene VIII.

[To them] WITWOUD from drinking.

MRS. FAINALL
So, is the fray made up that you have left 'em?

WITWOUD
Left 'em? I could stay no longer. I have laughed like ten Christ'nings. I am tipsy with laughing--if I had stayed any longer I should have burst,--I must have been let out and pieced in the sides like an unsized camlet. Yes, yes, the fray is composed; my lady came in like a NOLI PROSEQUI, and stopt the proceedings.

MILLAMANT
What was the dispute?

WITWOUD
That's the jest: there was no dispute. They could neither of 'em speak for rage; and so fell a sputt'ring at one another like two roasting apples.

Literature Network » William Congreve » The Way of the World » Scene VIII.