The Libertine Page #4

The time has come for you to pay your dues.

People listen to you , Johnny.

lf you took your seat in the Lords,

you could make great speeches

that would influence events.

Anyone can oppose.

lt's fun to be against things.

But there comes a time when you have

to start being for things as well.

Your Majesty.

Mr Etherege.

Take a nibble?

l've had my dinner, thank you, madam.

George!

ls this thy plighted faith?

ls this thy truth?

Oh too unkind!

False and unconstant youth!

- Madam, believe not but my brother's just.

ROCHESTER:
Who's she?

She's Lizzie Barry.

And she just won 't do.

You wrong his honour by this mean distrust.

Well...

That does alleviate my griefs and give

my wearied soul a soft and kind reprieve.

Which ever to forget would be

as hard and as impossible as to reward.

Serving you my happiness secures.

Since equally with yours my hopes are crossed.

Of all but sorry and sad despair.

Lizzie. Lizzie!

On stage.

You must take your bow for the public.

Why do you persist in doing

the opposite of what you are told?

lf girls like you do not do what they are told,

then it is all up with our sex on the stage.

You cannot ignore the advice

of them that know!

Now, acknowledge your audience.

They can kiss my arse.

She's a good f***, but she costs.

She gives a nice gobble,

but she won 't do the full wibbly-wobbly.

- She does it with me.

- She does not!

Mary, if I may say so...

..a statuesque performance.

Bursting with Grecian promise.

Mrs Barry, the work we did beforehand,

did it mean nothing to you?

That is correct, Mr Harris.

Molly, l cannot teach those

who will not be disposed to learn .

- Mr Etherege, how do you do, sir?

- Well, Mr Harris.

- Was not my Lord Rochester in wih you?

- Darted off

Did you care for the play?

The play was well enough.

Most of the acting, too.

Mrs Barry.

She has been dismissed.

l bring word from Mr Betterton .

- l've had such already.

- This is quite another.

You have obtained a reprieve for me.

Yes, madam, but there is a price.

This is your first season on the London stage.

lt is, my lord.

Mrs Barry,

you must acquire the trick

of ignoring those who do not like you .

ln my experience, those who do not like you fall

into two categories, the stupid and the envious.

The stupid will like you in five years' time,

the envious never.

Wih my training you will become the best

the most fascinating actress

on the London stage

l shall come to the theatre tomorrow.

What are you up to, Johnny? She can 't act.

She has neither the cadence of the heroic

nor the posture.

l will wager you 20 guineas she will become

the finest actress on our stage.

This is the prick talking, not the head.

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