Monologue

Mirabell Monologue from The Way of the World

From The Way of the World by William Congreve

male · defiant · 1:13 min

Very well, now you shall know. Madam, your promise. (LADY: Ay, ay, sir, upon my honour.) Mr. Fainall, it is now time that you should know that your lady, while she was at her own disposal, and before you had by your insinuations wheedled her out of a pretended settlement of the greatest part of her fortune— (FAIN: Sir! Pretended?) Yes, sir. I say that this lady, while a widow, having, it seems, received some cautions respecting your inconstancy and tyranny of temper, which from her own partial opinion and fondness of you she could never have suspected—she did, I say, by the wholesome advice of friends and of sages learned in the laws of this land, deliver this same as her act and deed to me in trust, and to the uses within mentioned. You may read if you please (holding out the parchment), though perhaps what is written on the back may serve your occasions.

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