British theatre, comprising tragedies, comedies, operas, and farces; with biogr., critical account and notes, by an Englishman [O. Williams].

That could forget this?

Well. I confess you made him

you for't:

[Aside. Mar. Your worship has the way on't, and

ne'er miss

Master of your estate; nor could your friends, To squeeze these unthrifts into air; and yet
Though he brought no wealth with him, blame The chop-fall'n justice did his part, returning
For your advantage the certificate,
Against his conscience and his knowledge too
(With your good favour), to the utter ruin
Of the poor farmer.

For he had a shape, and to that shape a mind
Made up of all parts, either great or noble;
So winning a behaviour, not to be
Resisted, madam.

Lady A. 'Tis most true, he had.

Well. For his sake then, in that I was his
Do not contemn me.
[friend,

Lady A. For what's past excuse me;
I will redeem it. [Offers him her Pocket-book.
Well. Madam, on no terms:

I will not beg nor borrow sixpence of you;
But be supplied elsewhere, or want thus ever.
Only one suit I make: pray give me leave.
[Lady Allworth signs to the Servants to retire.
I will not tire your patience with relation
Of the bad arts my uncle Overreach
Still forg'd, to strip me of my fair possessions;
Nor how he shuts the door upon my want.
Would you but vouchsafe,

To your dead husband's friend, such feigned
As might beget opinion in sir Giles [grace
Of a true passion toward me, you would see
In the mere thought to prey on me again
He'd turn my friend,

Quit all my owings, set me truly forth,
And furnish'd well with gold; which I should use,
I trust, to your no shame, lady, but live
Ever a debtor to your gentleness.
Lady A. What, nothing else?
Well. Nothing, unless you please to charge
your servants

To throw away a little respect upon me,
Lady A. What you demand is yours.
Respect this gentleman as 'twere myself.
[To the Servants.
Adieu, dear master Wellborn;
Pray let me see you with your oft'nest means.
Well. Your honour's servant.

[Kisses her Hand. Exit Lady Allworth.
Now what can be wrought out of such a suit
Is yet in supposition. [Servants bow] Nay,
all's forgotten;
And for a lucky omen to my project,
Shake hands, and end all quarrels in the cellar.
Order. Agreed, agreed.

Fur. Still merry, Mr. Wellborn?
[Exeunt Servants.
Well. Well, faith, a right worthy and a
liberal lady,

Who can at once so kindly meet my purposes,
And brave the flouts of censure, to redeem
Her husband's friend! When by this honest plot
The world believes she means to heal my wants
With her extensive wealth, each noisy creditor
Will be struck mute, and I be left at large
To practise on my uncle Overreach.
Here I may work the measure, to redeem
My mortgag'd fortune, which he stripp'd me of
When youth and dissipation quell'd my reason.
The fancy pleases-if the plot succeed,
Tis a new way to pay old debts indeed. [Exit.

ACT II.

SCENE I-A Landscape.
Enter SIR GILES OVERREACH and MARRALL.
Sir G. He's gone, I warrant thee; this com-
mission crush'd him.

Sir G. Twas for these good ends

I made him a justice. He that bribes his belly,
Is certain to command his soul.

Mar. I wonder

Why, your worship having

The power to put this thin gut in commission,
You are not in't yourself.

Sir G. Thou art a fool;

In being out of office I am out of danger;
Where, if I were a justice, besides the trouble,
I might, or out of wilfulness or error,
Run myself finely into a premunire;
And so become a prey to the informer.
No, I'll have none of't: 'tis enough I keep
Greedy at my devotion: so he serve
My purposes, let him hang, or damn, I care not;
Friendship is but a word.

Mar. You are all wisdom.

Sir G. I would be worldly wise; for the
other wisdom,

That does prescribe us a well-govern'd life,
And to do right to others as ourselves,
I value not an atom.

Mar. What course take you
(With your good patience), to hedge in the

Though he sue forma pauperis, in spite
Of all his thrift and care, he'll grow behind-

hand.

Mar. The best I ever heard. I could adore you.
Sir G. Then, with the favour of my man of law,
will pretend some title; want will force him
To put it to arbitrement; then, if he sell
For half the value, he shall have ready money,
And I possess the land.

Mar. Wellborn was apt to sell, and needed not
These fine arts, sir, to hook him in.
Sir G. Well thought on.
This varlet, Wellborn, lives too long to up-
braid me

With my close cheat put upon him. Will
not cold

Nor hunger kill him?

Mar. I know not what to think on't. I have us'd all means; and the last night I caus'd His host, the tapster, to turn him out of doors; And have been since with all your friends and tenants,

And on the forfeit of your favour, charg'd them, Though a crust of mouldy bread would keep him from starving,

The devil's creed. But what would you have
done?
I had outliv'd my

Mar. Before, like you,
fortunes,

Yet they should not relieve him. This is A withe had serv'd my turn to hang myself. I am zealous in your cause, pray you hang yourself;

done, sir.

Sir G. That was something, Marrall; but thou must go further, And suddenly, Marrall.

Mar. Where and when you please, sir. Sir G. I would have the seek him out; and, if thou canst,

Persuade him that 'tis better steal than beg:
Then, if I prove he has but roob'd a henroost,
Not all the world shall save him from the gallows.
Do any thing to work him to despair,
And 'tis thy masterpiece.

Mar. I will do my best, sir.

Sir G. I am now on my main work with
the lord Lovell,

The gallant-minded, popular lord Lovell,
The minion of the people's love. I hear
He's come into the country; and my aims are
To insinuate myself into his knowledge,
And then invite him to my house.

Mar. I have you.

This points at my young mistress.
Sir G. She must part with

That humble title, and write honourable;

And presently, as you love your credit.
Well. I thank you.

Mar. Will you stay till you die in a ditch?
Or, if you dare not do the fate yourself,
But that you'll put the state to charge and
trouble,

Is there no purse to be cut? house to be broken? Or market-woman with eggs that you may murder,

And so dispatch the business?
Well. Here's variety,

I must confess; but I'll accept of none
Of all your gentle offers, I assure you.
Mar. If you like not hanging, drown your-
self; take some course

For your reputation.

Well. Twill not do, dear tempter, With all the rhetoric the fiend hath taught you; I am as far as thou art from despair.

Nay, I have confidence, which is more than hope, To live, and suddenly, better than ever.

Mar. Ha, ha! these castles you build in the air

Right honourable, Marrall; my right honour-Will not persuade me or to give or lend

able daughter,

If all I have, or e'er shall get, will do it.
I will have her well attended; there are ladies
Of errant knights decay'd, and brought so low,
That for cast clothes and meat will gladly
serve her;

And 'tis my glory, though I come from the city,
To have their issue, whom I have undone,`
To kneel to mine as bond slaves.

Mar. 'Tis fit state, sir.

Sir G. And therefore I'll not have a chambermaid

That ties her shoes, or any meaner office, But such whose fathers were right worshipful. 'Tis a rich man's pride! there having ever been More than a feud, a strange antipathy Between us and true gentry.

Enter Wellborn.

Mar. See! who's here, sir.

Sir G. Hence! monster! prodigy! Well. Call me what you will, I am your Your sister's son. [nephew, sir, Sir G. Avoid my sight; thy breath's infectious, rogue!

I shun thee as a leprosy, or the plague. Come hither, Marrall, this is the time to work him.

[Apart to Marrall, and exit,

Mar. I warrant you, sir.
Well. By this light, I think he's mad.
Mar. Mad! had you took compassion
yourself,

You long since had been mad.

Well. You have took a course,

A token to you.

Well. I'll be more kind to thee. Come, thou shalt dine with me. Mar. With you?

Well. Nay more, dine gratis. Mar. Under what hedge, I pray you? or at whose cost?

Are they padders, or gipsies, that are your

consorts?

Between you and my venerable uncle, To make me so.

Allw. Your courtesies overwhelm me; I much

grieve

Mar. The more pale-spirited you,

To part from such true friends, and yet I find Pray you walk, sir, to the dining-room.

comfort;

My attendance on my honourable lord

Will speedily bring me back

[Knocking at the Gate.

Well, I am well here,

Till her ladyship quits her chamber.
Mar. Well here, say you?

straw.

'Tis a rare change! but yesterday you thought Mar. [Within] Dar'st thou venture further? Yourself well in a barn, wrapp'd up in pease Well. [Within] Yes, yes, and knock again. Order. Tis he; disperse. Amble. Perform it bravely.

Exit.

Fur. I know my cue; ne'er doubt me. [Exit.

Order. Sir, my lady.

[Aside [Exit.

Enter LADY ALLWORTH.
Lady A. I come to meet you, and languish'd
till I saw you.

This first kiss for form; I allow a second,
As token of my friendship.

Well. I am wholly yours; yet, madam, if
you please

[Exit. To grace this gentleman with a saluteMar. Salute me at his bidding!

[Aside.

I would have believed, though I had found it

in my primmer.

[Aside.

Allo. When I have given you reasons for
late harshness,
You'll pardon and excuse me; for, believe me,
Though now I part abruptly, in my service
I will deserve it.

Mar. Service! with a vengeance! [Aside.
Well. I am satisfied; farewell, Tom.
Allw. All joy stay with you.

Re-enter AMBLE.

[Exit.

An unbelieving infidel; be so, miscreant!
And meditate on blankets, and on dog-whips.
[To Marrall.
Re-enter FURNACE.
Fur. I am glad you are come; until I know
your pleasure,

I knew not how to serve up my lady's dinner.
Mar. His pleasure! is it possible? [Aside.
Well. What's thy will?
Fur. Marry, sir, I have some grouse and
turkey-chicken,

Some rails and quails; and my lady will'd me
to ask you

What kind of sauces best affect your palate,
That I may use my utmost skill to please it.
Mar. The devil's enter'd this cook: sauce
for his palate,

Well. I shall receive it

As a most high favour.

[Aside.

Lady A. Sir, your friends are welcome to me.
Well. Run backward from a lady! and such
a lady?
Mar. To kiss her foot, is to poor me a favour
am unworthy of [Offers to kiss her Foot
Lady A. Nay, pray you rise;

And since you are so humble, I'll exalt you;
You shall dine with me to-day at mine own table.
Mar. Your ladyship's table? I am not good
enough

To sit at your steward's board.
Lady A. You are too modest;

II will not be denied.

The roasting of his heart that cheated him,
And forces the poor gentleman to these shifts.
By fire! (for cooks are Persians, and swear by it)
Of all the griping and extorting tyrants
I ever heard or read of, I never met
A match to sir Giles Overreach.
Order. What will you take

To tell him so, fellow Furnace?
Fur. Just as much

As my throat is worth, for that would be the
price on't.

To have a usurer that starves himself, That on my knowledge, for almost this twelve-To grow rich, is too common:

month,

Durst wish but cheese-parings and brown bread on Sundays.

Well. That way I like them best.

Fur. It shall be done, sir.

But this sir Giles feeds high, keeps many servants,

[Aside. Rich in his habit; vast in his expenses;

Yet he to admiration still increases [Exit. In wealth and lordships.

Well. What think you of the hedge we Order. He frights men out of their estates;

Re-enter AMBLE.

Amble. Ha! ha! I shall burst.

Order. Contain thyself, man. Fur. Or make us partakers Of your sudden mirth.

Amble. Ha, ha! my lady has got

Such a guest at her table; this term-driver, Marrall,

This snip of an attorney.

Fur. What of him, man?

Amble. The knave feeds so slovenly!
Fur. Is this all?
Amble. My lady

Drank to him for fashion's sake, or to please
Mr. Wellborn.

As I live, he rises and takes up a dish,

In which there were some remnants of a boil'd capon,

And pledges her in white broth.

Fur. Nay, 'tis like

The rest of his tribe.

Amble. And when I brought him wine, He leaves his chair, and after a leg or two Most humbly thanks my worship! my worship! Order. Risen already! Fur. My lady frowns. Amble. I shall be chid.

Though it hail hazel nuts, as to be covered When your worship's present.

Well. Is not this a true rogue, That out of mere hope of a future coz'nage Can turn thus suddenly? 'tis rank already. [Aside

Mar. I know your worship's wise, and needs no counsel;

Yet if in my desire to do you service,
I humbly offer my advice (but still
Under correction), I hope I shall not
Incur your high displeasure..
Well. No; speak freely.

Mar. Then in my judgment, sir, my simple judgment

(Still with your worship's favour), I could wish you

A better habit, for this cannot be
But much distasteful to the noble lady
That loves you. I have twenty pounds here,
Which out of my true love, I presently
Lay at your worship's feet; 'twill serve to buy you
A riding suit.

Well. But where's the horse?

Mar. My gelding

Is at your service: nay, you shall ride me, Before your worship shall be put to the trouble To walk afoot. Alas! when you are lord

Re-enter LADY ALLWORTH, WELLBORN, and Of this lady's manor (as I know you will be),

MARRALL.

Lady A. Your are master

Of your own will. I know so much of manners
As not to inquire your purposes; in a word,
To me you are ever welcome, as to a house
That is your own.
[To Wellborn.

Well. Mark that.
Mar. With reverence, sir,
And it like your worship.

Well. Trouble yourself no further,
Dear madam; my heart's full of zeal and service,
However in my language I am sparing.
Come, Mr. Marrall.

Mar. I attend your worship.

[Exeunt Wellborn, Marrall, and Amble. Lady A. I see in your looks you are sorry, and you know me An easy mistress: be merry! I have forgot all. Order and Furnace come with me; I must give you

Further directions.

Order. What you please.
Fur. We are ready.

[Exeunt.

SCENE III.-The Country. Enter WELLBORN and MARRALL. Well. I think I am in a good way. Mar. Good sir! the best way;

The certain best way.

Well. There are casualties
That men are subject to.

Is't for your ease your keep your hat off?
Mar. Ease, and it like your worship!
I hope Jack Marrall shall not live so long,
To prove himself such an unmannerly beast,

You may with the lease of glebe, land call'd Knave's-acre,

A place I would manure, requite your vassal. Well. I thank thy love; but must make no use of it.

What's twenty pounds?

Mar. 'Tis all that I can make, sir.
Well. Dost thou think, though I want clothes,
I could not have 'em

For one word to my lady?

Mar. As I know not thatWell. Come, I'll tell thee a secret, and so leave thee.

I'll not give her the advantage, though she be
A gallant-minded lady, after we are married,
To hit me in the teeth, and say she was forc'd
To buy my wedding-clothes;

No, I'll be furnish'd something like myself.
And so farewell; for thy suit, touching Kna-
ve's-acre,
When it is mine, 'tis thine.

[Exit.

Mar. I thank your worship.
How was I cozen'd in the calculation
Of this man's fortune! my master cozen'd too,
Whose pupil I am in the art of undoing men;
For that is our profession. Well, well, Mr.
Wellborn,
You are of a sweet nature, and fit again to
be cheated:

Which, if the fates please, when you are possess'd
Ofthe land and lady, you sans question shall be.
I'll presently think of the means.
[Walks about, musing.

Enter SIR GILES OVERReach.

Sir G. Sirrah, order my carriage round; I'll walk to get me an appetite. "Tis but a mile, And exercise will keep me from being pursy. Ha! Marrall! is he conjuring? Perhaps The knave has wrought the prodigal to do Some outrage on himself, and now he feels Compunction in his conscience for't; no matter, So it be done. Marrall! Marrall!

Mar. Sir.

Sir G. How succeed we

In our plot on Wellborn?
Mar. Never better, sir.

Sir G. Has he hang'd or drown'd himself?
Mar. No, sir, he lives;

Lives once more to be made a prey to you;
And greater prey than ever.

Sir G. Art thou in thy wits?

If thou art, reveal this miracle, and briefly.
Mar. A lady, sir, is fall'n in love with him.
Sir G. With him? What lady?.

Mar. The rich lady Allworth.

SCENE I. The same.

Enter LORD LOVELL and ALLWORTH. Lord L. Drive the carriage down the hill; something in private

I must impart to Allworth.
Allw. O, my lord!

What danger, though in ne'er so horrid shapes,
Nay death itself, though I should run to meet it,

Sir G. Thou dolt, how dar'st thou speak this? Can I, and with a thankful willingness suffer; Mar. I speak truth;

flown open,

But still the retribution will fall short
Of your bounties shower'd upon me.
Lord L. Nay, good youth,

Till what I purpose be put into act,
Do not o'er-prize it; since you have trust-

ed me

With your soul's nearest, nay, her dearest
secret,

Rest confident, 'tis in a cabinet lock'd
Treachery shall never open. I have found you
More zealous in your love and service to me,
Than I have been in my rewards.

Allo. Still great ones,

Above my merit. You have been
More like a father to me than a master.
Pray you pardon the comparison.
Lord L. I allow it;

Ten times attempted, since her husband's death,
In vain to see her, though I came a suitor? And give you assurance I'm pleas'd in't,
And yet your good solicitorship, and rogue, My carriage and demeanour to your mistress,
Fair Margaret, shall truly witness for me,
can command my passion.
Allw. 'Tis a conquest

Wellborn,

Were brought into her presence, feasted with her.
But that I know thee a dog that cannot blush,
This most incredible lie would call up one
On thy buttermilk cheeks.

Mar. Shall I not trust my eyes, sir?
Or taste? I feel her good cheer in my belly.
Sir G. You shall feel me, if you give not
over, sirrah;

Recover your brains again, and be no more
gull'd

With a beggar's plot, assisted by the aids
Of serving men and chambermaids (for beyond]

these,

Few lords can boast of when they are temp

ted.-Oh!

By that fair name I in the wars have purchas'd,
And all my actions hitherto untainted,

will not be more true to mine own honour, Than to thee, Allworth.

Allw. Were you to encounter with a single foe,

The victory were certain: but to stand

Thou never saw'st a woman), or I'll quit you The charge of two such potent enemies, From my employments.

Mar. Will you credit this yet?

At once assaulting you, as wealth and beauty,
And those two seconded with power, is odds

On my confidence of their marriage, I offered Too great for Hercules.

Wellborn

(I would give a crown now, I durst worship)

say his [Aside.

My nag, and twenty pounds.
Sir G. Did you so, idiot? [Strikes him down.
Was this the way to work him to despair,
Or rather to cross me?

Mar. Will your worship kill me?

Lord L. Speak your doubts and fears, Since you will nourish 'em, in plainer language, That I may understand 'em.

Allw. What's your will,

Though I lend arms against myself (provided
They may advantage you) must be obey'd
My much-lov'd lord, were Margaret only fair,
You might command your passion;

Sir G. No, no; but drive the lying spirit But when you feel her touch, cr hear her talk!

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