CECILY

Algernon, posing as the wicked "Ernest," has just proposed. Cecily informs him — with perfect composure — that she accepted him months ago, in her imagination, and has the diary, the ring, and the letters to prove it.

1:06ComedicTeens–20sIntermediate

The speech150 words · 3 beats

0:00 / 1:06

Off-book

You silly boy! Of course. Why, we have been engaged for the last three months. Yes, it will be exactly three months on Thursday.

Well, ever since dear Uncle Jack first confessed to us that he had a younger brother who was very wicked and bad, you of course have formed the chief topic of conversation between myself and Miss Prism. And of course a man who is much talked about is always very attractive. One feels there must be something in him, after all. I daresay it was foolish of me, but I fell in love with you, Ernest.

On the 14th of February last, worn out by your entire ignorance of my existence, I determined to end the matter one way or the other, and after a long struggle with myself I accepted you under this dear old tree here. The next day I bought this little ring in your name, and this is the little bangle with the true lover's knot I promised you always to wear.turn

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Speaking to: Algernon, who believes he has just proposed for the first time.
What just happened: Cecily has long romanticized Uncle Jack's fictional wicked brother "Ernest." Now a real "Ernest" has appeared and proposed.
Objective: To bring her real fiancé gently up to speed on the elaborate romance she has already conducted entirely without him.
The turn: Dreamy invention resolves into brisk fact — "the next day I bought this little ring in your name" — the fantasy fully documented.
Watch out for: Total sincerity. Cecily is not joking; she means every word, and the comedy dies the instant she winks at the audience.

Full work: The Importance of Being Earnest New to the vocabulary? What’s a beat? →

More from The Importance of Being Earnest2

ALGERNON1:02A young man with no income and complete confidence.GWENDOLEN1:06A fashionable young woman who has decided, on principle, to love a man named Ernest. She treats her own whims as immovable moral law and delivers absurdity with total conviction.

CECILY

The Importance of Being Earnest · Oscar Wilde · 1:06 · 150 words

You silly boy! Of course. Why, we have been engaged for the last three months. Yes, it will be exactly three months on Thursday. Well, ever since dear Uncle Jack first confessed to us that he had a younger brother who was very wicked and bad, you of course have formed the chief topic of conversation between myself and Miss Prism. And of course a man who is much talked about is always very attractive. One feels there must be something in him, after all. I daresay it was foolish of me, but I fell in love with you, Ernest. On the 14th of February last, worn out by your entire ignorance of my existence, I determined to end the matter one way or the other, and after a long struggle with myself I accepted you under this dear old tree here. The next day I bought this little ring in your name, and this is the little bangle with the true lover's knot I promised you always to wear.

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