LOVE FOR LOVE

A monologue from Act III, Scene i

by: William Congreve

TATTLE: I have given some temptation that has not been resisted. My witnesses are not present-----but I confess I have had favours from persons-----I can show letters, lockets, pictures, and rings, and if there be occasion for witnesses, I can summon the maids at the chocolate-houses, all the porters of the Pall-Mall and Covent Garden, the door-keepers at the play-house, the drawers at Locket's, Pontack's, the Rummer, Spring Garden; my own landlady and valet du chambre; all who shall make oath that I receive more letters than the Secretary's Office; and that I have more vizor-masks to enquire for me, than ever went to see the Hermaphrodite, or the Naked Prince. And it is notorious, that in a country church, once, an enquiry being made, who I was, it was answer'd, I was the famous Tattle, who had ruin'd so many women. The next Sunday all the old women kept their daughters at home, and the parson had not half his congregation. He would have brought me into the Spiritual Court, but I was reveng'd upon him, for he had a handsome daughter whom I initiated into the Science. But I repented it afterwards, for it was talk'd of in town-----and a Lady of quality that shall be nameless, in a raging fit of jealousy, came down in her coach and six horses, and expos'd herself upon my account; Gad, I was sorry for it with all my heart--you know whom I mean? I hope you don't know whom I mean. For Heaven's sake, if you do guess, say nothing. Pox on't, now I could bite off my tongue.

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