Philippa. Violetta!

Violetta. Mistress.

Philippa. Alas, what have we done wench?
Violetta. What's the matter, mistress?

Philippa. Run, run, call him again; he must stay, tell him,

Though it be upon's undoing, we're undone else: Your master's clothes, they're known the country over. Violetta. Now by this light that's true, and well remember'd,

But there's no calling of him; he's out of sight now.
Philippa. Oh, what will people think?

Violetta. What can they think, mistress?
The gentleman has the worst on 't: were I he now
I'd make this ten mile forty mile about,

Before I'd ride through any market town with 'em.
Philippa. Will he be careful, think'st?
Violetta. My life for your's, mistress.

Philippa. I shall long mightily to see him again. Violetta. And so shall I, I shall never laugh till [Exeunt.

then.

ACT IV. SCENE I.

Enter RICARDO and SECOND SUITOR at one door, and VALERIA and FIRST SUITOR at another door. Ricardo. It goes well hitherto, my sweet protector. Second Suitor. Aye, and shall still to th' end, my honey:

Wherefore have I enough, but to have't go well, sir? First Suitor. My whole 'state on 't, thou overthrow'st him, widow.

Valeria. I hope well still, sir.

First Suitor. Hope? be certain, wench:

I make no question now,

but thou art mine,

As sure as if I had thee in thy night-geer.
Valeria. By'r lady, that I doubt, sir.
First Suitor. Oh 'tis clear, wench,

By one thing that I mark'd.'

Valeria. What's that, good sweet sir?

First Suitor. A thing that never fail'd me.
Valeria. Good sir, what?

First Suitor. I heard our counsellor speak a word of comfort,

Invita voluntate, ha, that's he, wench,

The word of words, the precious chief, i' faith.

Valeria. Invita voluntate, what's the meaning, sir? First Suitor. Nay there I leave you; but assure you thus much,

I never heard him speak that word i'

my life, But the cause went on 's side, that I mark'd ever. Second Suitor: Do, do, and spare not:

would'st talk with her.

Ricardo. Yes, with your leave and liking.
Second Suitor. Do, my adoption.

My chosen child, and thou hold'st so obedient,

Sure thou wilt live, and cozen all my kindred.

thou

Ricardo. A child's part in your love; that's my ambition, sir.

Second Suitor. Go, and deserve it then please me well now.

I love a wrangling life, boy; there's my delight;
I have no other venery but vexation,

That's all my honey now: smartly now to her.
I have enough, and I will have my humour.
Ricardo. This need not ha' been, widow.
Valeria. You say right, sir.

No, not your treachery, your close conspiracy
Against me for my wealth, need not ha' been neither.
Ricardo. I had you fairly; I scorn treachery

Το

your woman that I never meant to marry, Much more to you whom I reserv'd for wife. Valeria. How! wife?

Ricardo. Aye, wife, wife, widow; be not asham'd on 't,

It's the best calling ever woman came to,

And all your grace, indeed, brag as you list.

Second Suitor. Ha, ha.

Valeria. I grant you, sir; but not to be your wife.

First Suitor. Oh, oh.

Ricardo. Not mine? I think 'tis the best bargain That e'er thou mad'st i' thy life, or ever shall again, When my head's laid; but that's not yet this threescore year.

Let's talk of nearer matters.

Valeria. You're as near,

sir,

As e'er you're like to be, if law can right me. Ricardo. Now, before conscience, you're a wilful housewife.

Valeria. How?

Ricardo. Aye, and I fear you spend my goods lavishly.

Valeria. Your goods?

Ricardo. I shall miss much, I doubt me,
When I come to look over the inventory.

Valeria. I'll give you my word you shall, sir.
Ricardo. Look to't, widow,

A night may come will call you to account for 't.
Valeria. Oh if you had me now, sir, in this heat,
I do but think how you'll be reveng'd on me.

Ricardo. Aye, may I perish else; if I would not get Three children at a birth, an' I could, of thee. First Suitor. Take off your youngster there. Second Suitor. Take off your widow first; He shall have the last word, I pay for 't dearly. To her again, sweet boy, that side's the weaker. I have enough, and I will have my humour. Enter BRANDINO and MARTINO.

Valeria. Oh, brother! see I'm up to th' ears in law here:

Look, copy upon copy."

Brandino. "Twere grief enough, if a man did but hear on 't;

But I'm in pain to see 't.

i. e. plenty upon plenty, a quently used copy, from copia. wrote this portion of the play. manner. C.

sense in which Ben Jonson freHence, we may infer, that he The next scene is in his best

Valeria. What, sore eyes still, brother?

Brandino. Worse and worse, sister: the old woman's water does me no good.

Valeria. Why, it has help'd many, sir.

Brandino. It helps not me, I'm sure.

Martino. Oh, oh.

Valeria. What ails Martino too?

Martino. Oh, oh, the tooth-ach, the tooth-ach! Brandino. Ah poor worm, this he endures for me

now.

There beats not a more mutual pulse of passion
In a kind husband, when his wife breeds child,
Than in Martino; I have mark'd it ever:

He breeds all my pains in 's teeth still; and to quit me,
It is his eye-tooth too.

Martino: Aye, aye, aye, aye.

Valeria. Where did I hear late of a skilful fellow, Good for all kind of maladies? True, true, sir; His flag hangs out in town here, i' th' Cross inn, With admirable cures of all conditions;

It shews him a great travelling and learned empiric. Brandino. We'll both to him, Martino.

Valeria. Hark you, brother,

Perhaps you may prevail, as one indifferent.
First Suitor. Aye, about that, sweet widow.
Valeria. True: speak low, sir.

Brandino. Well, what's the business? say, say,
Valeria. Marry this brother.

Call the young man aside, from the old wolf there,
And whisper in his ear a thousand dollars,

If he will vanish and let fall the suit,

And never put's to no more cost and trouble.

First Suitor. Say me those words, good sir, I'll make

'em worth

A chain of gold to you at your sister's wedding.

Enter VIOLETTA.

Brandino. I shall do much for that.

Valeria. Welcome, sweetheart,

Thou com❜st most happily. I'm bold to send for thee To make a purpose good.

Violetta. I take delight, forsooth,

In any such employment.

First Suitor. Good wench trust me.

Ricardo. How, sir, let fall the suit? 'Life, I'll go naked first.

Brandino. A thousand dollars, sir, think upon them.

Ricardo. Why, they're but a thousand dollars, when they're thought on.

Brandino. A good round sum.

Ricardo. A good round widow's better;
I have been bought

There's meat and money too.

Out of my lands, and yielded, but, sir, scorn
To be bought out of my affection.

Brandino. Why, here's even just my university spirit:

I priz❜d a piece of red deer above gold then.

Rciardo. My patron would be mad, and he should hear on't.

Martino. I pray what's good, sir, for a wicked tooth? Ricardo. Hang'd, drawn, and quartering. Is't a hollow one?

Martino. Aye, 'tis a hollow one.

Ricardo. Then take the powder

Of a burnt warrant, mix'd with oil of felon.

Martino. Why sure you mock me.

Ricardo. "Troth I think I do, sir.

Second Suitor. Come hither, honey; what's the news in whispers ?

Brandino. He will not be bought out.

Valeria. No? That's strange, brother.

Pray take a little pains about this project then,
And try what that effects.

Brandino. I like this better.

Look you, sweet gentles, see what I produce here,
For amity's sake, and peace, to end all controversy.
This gentlewoman, my charge, left by her friends,
Whom for her person and her portion

I could bestow most richly, but in pity
To her affection, which lies bent at you, sir,
I am content to yield to her desire.