Lady. I am innocent here, and, on my life, I swear My ends are good. Lov. On my soul, so are mine To Margaret; but leave both to the event: To search each other farther; you have shewn Lady. Affected modesty might deny your suit; SCENE II.-A landscape. Enter TAPWELL and FROTH. [Exeunt. And then his information could not hurt us: Who dares but doubt his testimony? Methinks I see thee, Froth, already in a cart, And ay hand hissing (if I 'scape the halter) Froth. Would that were the worst! He owes us, and his custom; there's the hell on't. Tap. He has summoned all his creditors by the drum, And they swarm about him like so many soldiers On the pay day; and has found such a new way To pay his old debts, as, 'tis very likely, He shall be chronicled for it. Froth. He deserves it More than ten pageants. But are you sure his worship Comes this way to my lady's? [A cry within, brave MR WELLBORN! Tap. Yes, I hear him, For of all the scum, that grew rich by my riots, And therefore speak not for them. By your place, You are rather to do me justice; lend me your ear, Forget his turkeys, and call in his licence, Greedy. I am changed on the sudden, In my opinion-Mum! my passion is great! I fry like a burnt marrow-bone-Come nearer, rascal ! And now I view him better, did you e'er see One look so like an arch-knave? his very countenance, Should an understanding judge but look on him, Would hang him, though he were innocent, Tap. and Froth. Worshipful sir! Greedy. No; though the Great Turk came instead of turkies, To beg my favour, I am inexorable : Thou hast an ill-name; for, except thy musty ale, That hath destroyed many of the king's liege people, Thou never hadst in thy house, to stay men's stomachs, A piece of Suffolk cheese, or gammon of bacon, Froth. No mercy? Greedy. Vanish. If I shew any, may my promised oxen gore me ! Tap. Unthankful knaves are ever so rewarded. [Exeunt TAPWELL and FROTH. Well. Speak; what are you? 1 Cred. A decayed vintner, sir, That might have thrived, but that your worship broke me, With trusting you with muscadine and eggs, ings, The deed, in which you passed it over to him, Which I know he'll have about him, to deliver To the lord Lovell, with many other writings, And five pound suppers, with your after-drink-And present monies. I'll instruct you farther, As I wait on your worship. If I play not my part To your full content, and uncle's much vexyour ation, When you lodged upon the bankside. Well. I remember. 1 Cred. I have not been hasty, nor e'er laid to Hang up Jack Marrall. 2d Cred. A taylor once, but now mere botcher. I gave you credit for a suit of cloaths, Which was all my stock; but you failing in pay-Unequalled temperance, or your constant sweet ment, I was removed from the shop-board, and confined Under a stall. Well. See him paid; and botch no more. If their bills are paid in one and twenty years, I will pay you in private. And, since old debts are cleared by a new way, And this for your respect; take it, 'tis good gold, And I am able to spare it. Order. You are too munificent. Furn. He was ever so. ness, I yet rest doubtful. Marg. Give it to lord Lovell; For what in him was bounty, in me is duty. Allw. 'Tis true, my dearcst; Yet, when I call to mind, how many fair ones Make wilful shipwreck of their faiths and oaths To God and man, to fill the arms of greatness; And you, with matchless virtue, thus to hold out, Against the stern authority of a father, And spurn at honour, when it comes to court you; I am so tender of your good, that I can hardly Wish myself that right, you are pleased to do me. Marg. To me, what's title, when content is wanting? Or wealth, when the heart pines In being dispossest of what it longs for? Of a pleased sire, that slaves me to his will? Alla. But the dangers, Marg. To me they are nothing : Let Allworth love, I cannot be unhappy. Alla. Heaven avert nour, He does solicit me, I shall gladly hear him: A priest to tye the knot, can ne'er be undone, Alla. I hope better, good lady. Marg. Hope, sir, what you please: for me, I must take a safe and secure course; I have A father, and, without his full consent, Will you still be one? In the name of madness, what Could his good honour write more to content you? Is there aught else to be wished after these two, Marg. Why, sir, I would be married like your daughter, Not hurried away in the night I know not whither, Allw. An't please your honour, my knowledge: Yet the good lord, to please your peevishness, Marg. I could be contented, Over. So my lord have you, What do I care who gives you? since my lord morrow I'll furnish him with any sums. time, Though all lords of the land kneeled for my fa- Use my ring to my chaplain; he is beneficed At my manor of Gotham, and called parson Welldo: say again, I will not cross my lord, Marg. A piece of arrogant paper, like the in-Yet I'll pervent you, too-Paper and ink there. scription. VOL. II. Allw. I can furnish you. L Over. I thank you, I can write then. [Writes on his book. Allw. You may, if you please, leave out the name of my lord, In respect he comes disguised, and only write, Over. Well advised. [MARGARET kneels. 'Tis done; away-my blessing, girl? thou hast it. Nay, no reply-be gone, good Mr Allworth; This shall be the best night's work you ever made. Allw. I hope so, sir. [Exeunt ALLWORTH and MARGARET. Over. Farewell! Now all's sure. Methinks, I hear already knights and ladies And the lands; were he once married to the widow I have him here-I can scarce contain myself, I am so full of joy! nay, joy all over! ACT V. SCENE I-A chamber in LADY ALLWORTH'S Presented me with this great favour, Sir Giles, that's both a lion and a fox Lov. Despair not, madam : Hard things are compassed oft by easy means. Lady. May be so. The young ones have my warmest wishes. [Exit. I could not but have thought it as a blessing, Lov. You are too modest, And undervalue that, which is above My title, or whatever I call mine. In a word, Lady. I were blind to my own good, Lov. If I return not, with all tenderness, Lady. There needs no protestation, my lord, To her, that cannot doubt-You are welcome, sir. Enter WELLBorn. Now, you look like yourself. Well. And will continue Such in my free acknowledgement, that I am You could not make choice of a better shape Lady. For me, I am happy, That my endeavours prospered. Saw you, of late, Sir Giles, your uncle? Well. I heard of him, madam, By his minister, Marrall: he's grown into strange passions About his daughter. This last night he looked for Your lordship at his house; but, missing you, Lov. O, gentle lady, let them prove kind to Is much perplexed and troubled. me! You've kindly heard-now grant my suit. What say you, lady? Lady. Troth, my lord, My own unworthiness may answer for me; For had you, when I was in my prime, Loo. I hope my project took. Enter OVERREACH, with distracted looks, driving in MARRALL before him. As a special favour. Lady. When I know, sir Giles, Her state requires such ceremony, I shall pay it; The right I bring with me will defend me, But, in the mean time, I give you to understand, I neither know Nor care where her honour is. Over. When you once see her Supported, and led by the lord her husband, Over. No more! Well. 'Tis all I owe you. Over. Have your redeemed rags Made you thus insolent? Well. Insolent to you! [In scorn. Why, what are you, sir, more than myself? Over. His fortune swells him: 'Tis rank, he is married. Lady. This is excellent! And punish his extortion. Lady. You may; but make not The shewing of the deed. Well. This rage is vain, sir; For fighting, fear not, you shall have your hands full Upon the least incitement; and whereas You charge me with a debt of a thousand pounds; Over. Sir, in calm language (though I seldom A debt, that is truly due to me from you, use it), In value ten times more than what you challenge. |