EARNEST

THROUGH THE

AGES

VALID THEN AND VALID NOW

Alexis Butler

Gwendolen: The moment Algernon first mentioned to me that he had a friend called Ernest, I knew I was destined to love you. p.1706

Cecily: …but it had always been a girlish dream of mine to love someone whose name was Ernest. p.1723

‘TILL DEATH DO US PART

Jack: Gwendolen, it is a terrible thing for a man to find out suddenly that all his life he has been speaking nothing but the truth. Can you forgive me?

Gwendolen: I can. For I feel that you are sure to change.

Jack: My own one!

Chasuble: Laetitia!

Miss Prism: Frederick! At last!

Algernon: Cecily! At last!

Jack.: Gwendolen! At last!

P 1740

So, Now What?

Gwendolen: I felt there was some slight error, Miss Cardew. The gentleman who is now embracing you is my cousin, Mr. Algernon Moncrieff! Oh!

Cecily: Are you called Algernon?Algernon: I cannot deny it. Cecily: Oh!Gwendolen: Is your name really John?Jack: I could deny it if I liked, I could deny anything if

I liked. But my name certainly is John. It has been John for years.

p.1728

Jack: Oh, before the end of the week I shall have got rid of him. I’ll say he died in Paris of apoplexy. Lots of people die of apoplexy, quite suddenly, don’t they? P.1711

Pants on Fire

Ha..