Mar. 'Tis above wonder! Mar. The more pale-spirited you, Wellborn was apt to sell, and needed not That would not be instructed. I swear deeplyThese fine arts, sir, to hook him in. Well. By what? Over. Well thought on. Mar. By my religion. This varlet, Marrall, lives too long, to upbraid me Well. Thy religion! With my close cheat put upon him. Will nor The devil's creed:--but what would you have Nor hunger kill him ? [cold done? Mar. I know not what to think on't. Mar. Had there been but one tree in all the I have used all means; and the last night I caused shire, His host, the tapster, to turn him out of doors; Nor any hope to compass a penny halter, And have been since with all your friends and Before, like you, I had outlived my fortunes, tenants, A withe had served my turn to hang myself. And on the forfeit of your favour, charged them, I am zealous in your cause; pray you hang yourThough a crust of mouldy bread would keep him And presently, as you love your credit. (self, from starving, Well. I thank you. Yet they should not relieve him. This is done, Mar. Will you stay till you die in a ditch, or sir. lice devour you?Over. That was something, Marrall; but thou | Or, if you dare not do the feat yourself, must go further, But that you'll put the state to charge and trouble, And suddenly, Marrall. Is there no purse to be cut, house to be broken, Mar. Where, and when you please, sir. Or market - woman with eggs, that you may Over. I would have thee seek him out, and, if | And so despatch the business? [nuurder, thou canst, Well. Here's variety, Persuade him that 'tis better steal than beg; I must confess; but I'll accept of nono Then, if I prove he has but robb'd a henroost, Of all your gentle offers, I assure you. Not all the world shall save him from the gallows. Mar. Why, have you hope ever to eat again, Do anything to work him to despair ; Or drink? or be the master of three farthings? And 'tis thy masterpiece. If you like not hanging, drown yourself; take Mar. I will do my best, sir. For your reputation. (some course Over. I am now on my main work with the Well. 'Twill not do, dear tempter, Lord Lovell, With all the rhetoric the fiend hath taught you. The gallant-minded, popular Lord Lovell, I am as far as thou art from despair; The minion of the people's love. I hear Nay, I have confidence, which is more than hope, He's come into the country, and my aims are To live, and suddenly, better than ever. To insinuate myself into his knowledge, Mar. Ha! ha! these castles you build in the And then invito him to my house. Will not persuade me or to give, or lond, [air, Mar. I have you: A token to you. This points at niy young mistress. Well. I'll be more kind to thee: Over. Sho must part with Come, thou shalt dine with me. That humble title, and write honourable, Mar. With you! Right honourable, Marrall, my right honourable Well. Nay more, dine gratis. daughter; Mar. Under what hedge, I pray you ? or at If all I have, or o'er shall get, will do it. whose cost? I'll have her well attended; there are ladies Are they padders or abram-menl that are your Of errant knights decay'd, and brought so low, consorts ? That for cast clothes and meat will gladly serve Well. Thou art incredulous: but thou shalt her. dine, And 'tis my glory, though I come from the city, Not alone at her house, but with a gallant lady; To have their issue whom I have undono With me, and with a lady. To kneel to mine as bondslaves. Mar. Lady! what lady? Mar. 'Tis fit state, sir. With the lady of the lake, or queen of fairies ? Over. And therefore, I'll not have a chamber- For I know it must be an enchanted dinner. maid Well. With the Lady Allworth, knave. Mar. Nay, now there's hopo I am entertain'd. Mar. With choice, no doubt, of dog-whips. Why, dost thou ever hope to pass her porter ? Enter WELLBORY. Well. 'Tis not far off, go with me; trust thine own eyes. Mar. See, who's here, sir. Mar. Troth, in my hope, or my assurance Over. Hence, monster! prodigy! rather, Well. Sir, your wife's nephew; To see thee curvet, and mount like a dog in a She and my father tumbled in one belly. blanket, Over. Avoid niy sight! thy breath's infectious, If ever thou presume to pass her threshold, rogue! I will endure thy company. I shun thee as a leprosy, or the plague. Well. Come along then. [Eceunt. Come hither, Marrall--this is the time to work him. [Aside, and Exit. Mar. I warrant you, sir. I padders or abram-men. Padders are larkers about Well. By this light, I think he's mad. the highways, foot-pads; abram-men were impudent Mar. Mad! had you ta'en compassion on your- imposters, who, under the garb and appearance of luYou long since had been mad. (self, natics, wandered about the country, and coinpelled the servants of small families to give them, through fear, Well. You have ta'en a course whatever they demanded.-GIFFORD. Between you 2 lady of the lake-a prominent character in Morte To make me so. d'Arthur, and other old romances. AN. When I have given you reasons for my ACT II.-SCENE II. late harshness, You'll pardon and excuse me; for, believe me, A Room in LADY ALLWORTH's House. Though now I part abruptly, in my service Enter ALLWORTH, Waiting-toman, Chamber- I will deserve it. Mar. Service! with a vengeance ! maid, ORDER, AMBLE, FURNACE, and WATCHALL. Well. I am satisfied: farewell, Tom. Re-enter AMBLE. Amb. You are happily encounter'd; I yet never Besides, being now another's, not mine own, Presented one so welcome as, I know, Howe'er I much desire to enjoy you longer, You will be to my lady: My duty suffers, if, to please myself, Mar. This is some vision; I should neglect my lord. Or, sure, these men are mad to worship a dungWoman. Pray you do me the favour It cannot be a truth. [bill; To put these few quince-cakes into your pocket; Well. Be still a pagan, They are of mine own preserving. An unbelieving infidel; be so, miscreant, Cham. And this marmalade; And meditate on blankets, and on dog-chips! 'Tis comfortable for your stomach. Re-enter FURNACE. Furn. I am glad you are come; until I know Cham. You are still before me. I move the your pleasure, same suit, sir. I knew not how to serve up my lady's dinner. [ALLWORTH kisses them severally. Mar. His pleasure! is it possible? Furn. How greedy these chamberers are of a Well. What's thy will? beardless chin! Furn. Marry, sir, I have some grouse, and I think the tits will ravish him. turkey chicken, All. My service Some rails and quails, and my lady will'd me ask To both. you Woman. Ours waits on you. What kind of sauces best affect your palate, Cham. And shall do ever. That I may use my utmost skill to please it. Ord. You are my lady's charge, be therefore Mar. The devil's enter'd this cook: sauce for That you sustain your parts. (careful his palate! Woman. We can bear, I warrant you. That, on my knowledge, for almost this twelve[Exeunt Waiting-woman and Chambermaid. month, Furn. Here, drink it off; the ingredients are Durst wish but cheeseparings and brown bread cordial, on Sundays. (Asid. And this the true elixir; it hath boil'd Well. That way I like them best. Since midnight for you. 'Tis the quintessence Furn. It shall be done, sir. Of five cocks of the game, ten dozen of sparrows, Well. What think you of the hedge we shall dine Knuckles of veal, potato-roots, and marrow, Shall we feed gratis? [under! Coral and ambergris: were you two years older, Pray you make me not mad. Mar. I know not what to think; Re-enter ORDER. Ord. This place becomes you not; You may ride on the strength of this till to Pray you walk, sir, to the dining-room. morrow morning. Well. I am well here, All. Your courtesies overwhelm me: I much Till her ladyship quits her chamber. grieve Mar. Well here, say you? To part from such true friends; and yet find 'Tis a rare change! but yesterday you thought comfort. Yourself well in a barn, wrapp'd up in pease My attendance on my honourable lord, straw. Whose resolution holds to visit my lady, Re-enter Waiting-woman and Chambermaid. Will speedily bring me back. (Knocking within. Exit WATCHALL. Woman. Oh! sir, you are wish'd for. Mar. [within.) Dar’st thou venture further? Cham. My lady dreamt, sir, of you. Well. Twithin.] Yes, yes, and knock again. Woman. And the first command she gave, Ord. 'Tis he; disperse! after she rose, Amb. Perform it bravely. Was (her devotions done) to give her notice Furn. I know my cue, ne'er doubt me. When you approach'd here. [Exeunt all but ALLWORTH. Cham. Which is done, on my virtue. Mar. I shall be converted; I begin to grow Re-enter WATCHALL, ceremoniously introducing Into a new belief, which saints, nor angels, WELLBORX and Marrall. Could have won me to have faith in. Watch. Beast that I was, to make you stay! Woman. Sir, my lady! most welcome; You were long since expected. Enter LADY ALLWORTH. Well. Say so much L. All. I come to meet you, and languish'd till To my friend, I pray you. I saw you. Watch. For your sake, I will, sir. This first kiss is for form; I allow a second Mar. For his sake! To such a friend. [Kisses WELLBORN. Well. Mum; this is nothing. Mar. To such a friend! Heaven bless me! Mar. More than ever Well. I am wholly yours: yet, madan, if you I would have believed, though I had found it in please my primer. To grace this gentleman with a salute 443 Mar. Salute me at his bidding! Furn. What of him, man? Well. I shall receive it Amb. The knave thinks still he's at the cook's As a most high favour. shop in Ram Alley, L. All. Sir, you may command me. Where the clerks divide, and the elder is to Furn. Is this all ? Drank to him for fashion sake, or to please As I live, he rises, and takes up a dish And pledges her in white broth! The rest of his tribe. To sit at your steward's board. Amb. And when I brought him wine, L. All. You are too modest: He leaves his stool, and, after a leg or two, Most humbly thanks my worship. Ord. Risen already! Amb. I shall be chid. MARRALL Furn. My lady frowns. L. All. Your arm, Master Wellborn : L. All. You wait well! [To AMBLE. Nay, keep us company. [To MARRALL Let me have no more of this; I observed your Mar. I was ne'er so graced. jeering: AMBLE, MARRALL, Waiting-woman, To sit at my table, be he ne'er so mean, When I am present, is not your companion. Ord. So! we have play'd our parts, and are Ord. Nay, she'll preserve what's due to her. come off well; Furn. This refreshing L. All. [TO WELLBORN.) You are master Of your own will. I know so much of manners, Furn. Would I had As not to enquire your purposes; in a word, To me you are ever welcome, as to a house [Aside to MARRALL. Of all the griping and extorting tyrants Mar. With reverence, sir, I ever heard or read of, I no'er met An it like your worship. A match to Sir Giles Overreach, Well. Trouble yourself no further, Watch. What will you take Dear madam; my heart's full of zeal and service, To tell him so, fellow Furnace ? However in my language I am sparing. Fur. Just as much Come, Master Marrall. As my throat is worth, for that would be the Mar. I attend your worship. price on't. [Exeunt WELLBORN and MARRALL. To have a usurer that starves himself, L. All. I see in your looks you are sorry, and And wears a cloak of one and twenty years you know me Order and Furnace, come with me; I must give Ord. What you please. Furn. We are ready. [Exeunt. ACT II.-SCENE III. Enter WELLBORN, and MARRALL bareheaded. him. Well. I think I am in a good way. Such a spirit to dare, and power to do, were Mar. Good! sir; the best way, never The certain best way. Lodged so unluckily. Well. There are casualties That men are subject to. Mar. You are above them; And as you are already worshipful, Ord. Contain thyself, man. I hope ere long you will increase in worship Furn. Or make us partakers And be right worshipful. Of your sudden mirth. Well. Prythee do not flout me: What I shall be, I shall be. Is't for your caso Mar. Ease! an it like your worship! I hope Jack Marrall shall not live so long, ill men, To prove himself such an unmannerly beast, Enter OVEKREACH, spai isg is c Suraat riilis When your worship's présent. Orer. Sirsah, take my borse. Well. Is not this a true rigde, 17] waik to get me ad appetits ; 'tis bata mile, That, out of mere hope of a future eranaze, Ani ererciz will keep me from being pursey. Can turn thus suddebiy? tis rank already. Ha! Marrail! is be objaring? Farüsps Aside. The kuare has wrought the prodigal to do Mar. I know your worship's wise, and needs Some outrage on himself, and now be seeis no counsel: Compunction in his conscience fort: so maiter, Yet if, in iny desire to do you service, So it be done. Marrail ! I bumbly offer my advice (but still Mar. Sir. Uoder correction). I hope i shall not Orer. How succeed we Incur your high displeasure. In our plot on Wellborn ? Wel. No; speak freely. Mar. Never better, sir. Mar. Then, in my judgment, sir, my simple Orer. Has he hang'd or drown'd himseli? judgment Mar. No, sir, be lises: (Still with your worship’s favour), I could wish Lives once more to be made a prey io you, you A greater prey than ever. A better habit, for this cannot be Over. Art thou in thy wits? But much distasteful to the noble lady If thou art, reveal this miracle, and brieis. (I say no more) that loves you: for, this morning, Mar. A lady, sir, is fall'o in love with him. To me, and I am but a swine to her, Over. With him! what lady? Before the assurance of her wealth perfumed you, Mar. The rich Lady Allworth. You savour'd not of amber, Over. Thou dolt! bow dar'st thou speak this? Well. I do now then! Mar. I speak truth. Mar. This your batoon hath got a touch of And I do so but once a year, unless it. It be to you, sir: we dined with hier ladyslip [Kisses the end of his cudgel . I thank his worship. Yet, if you please, for change, I liave twenty Over. His worship! pounds here, Mar. As I live, sir, Which, out of my true love, I'll presently I dined with him, at the great lady's table, Lay down at your worship's feet; 'twill serve to Simple as I stand here; and saw when she kissa buy you him, A riding-suit. And would, at his request, have kiss'd me too; Well. But where's the horse ? But I was not so audacious as some youbs are, Mar. My gelding That dare do anything, be it ue'er so absurd, Is at your service: nay, you shall ride me, And sad after performance. Beforo your worship shall be put to the trouble Over. Why, thou rascal! To walk afoot. Alas! when you are lord To tell me these impossibilities. Of this lady's manor, as I know you will be, Dine at her table! and kiss him! or thee! You may with the lease of glebe land, call'd Impudent varlet, have not I myself, Knaye's-acre, To whom great countesses' doors have oft fler A place I would manure, requito your vassal. open, Well. I thank thy love, but must make no use Ten times attempted, since her husband's death, of it; In vain to see her, though I came a suitor? What's twenty pounds ? And yet your good solicitorship, and rogue Mar. "Tis all that I can make, sir. Wellborn, Well. Dost thou think, though I want clothes, Were brought into her presence, feasted with I could not have them, her!For one word to my lady? But that I know thee a dog that cannot blush, Mar. As I know not that! This most incredible lie would call up ODO Well. Come, I will tell thee a secret, and so On thy buttermilk cheeks. leave thee. Mar. Shall I not trust my eyes, sir, I'll not give her the advantage, though she bo Or taste? I feel her good cheer in my belly. A gallant-minded lady, after we are married Orer. You shall feel me, if you give not over, (Thero being no woman, but is sometimes sirrah: froward), Recover your brains again, and be no mora To hit me in the teeth, and say, she was forced gull'd To buy my wedding-clothes, and took me on, With a beggar's plot, assisted by the aids With a plain riding-suit, and an ambling nag. Of serving-inen and chambermaids,-for beyond No, I'll be furnish'd something like myself, these And so farewell: for thy suit touching Knave's- Thou never saw'st a woman,-or I'll quit you acre, From my employments. When it is mine, 'tis thine. [Exit. Mar. Will you credit this yet? Mar. I thank your worship. On my confidence of their marriage, I ofier'l How was I cozen'd in the calculation WellbornOf this man's fortune! my master cozen'd too, I would give a crown now I durst say Its Whose pupil I am in the art of undoing men; worship [ 4 cili For that is our profession! Well, well, Master | My nag, and twenty pounds. Wellborn, Over. Did you so, idiot! You are of a sweet nature, and fit again to be [Stribes kim duke cheated ; Was this the way to work him to despair, Which, if the Fates please, when you are pos Or rather to cross me? sessa Mar. Will your worship kill me? Of the land and lady, you, sans question, shall be, Over. No, no; but drive the lying spirit ost I'n presently think of the means. [Walks by, musing. Mar. He's gone. of you. Over. have done then: now, forgetting Of more validity and weight to me, Your late imaginary feast and lady, Than all the oaths, bound up with imprecations, practise: Against my confidence of your worth and virtues, To doubt, nay more, to fear. Mar. I must yet suffer: Loo. So young, and jealous ! But there may be a time [Aside. All. Were you to encounter with a single foe, Over. Do you grumble ? The victory were certain; but to stand Mar. No, sir. [Exeunt. The charge of two such potent enemies, At ouce assaulting you, as wealth and beauty, Lov. Speak your doubts and fears, Since you will nourish them, in plainer language, That I may understand them. The Country near OVERREACH's House. All. What's your will, Though I lend arms against myself (provided Enter LORD LOVELL, ALLWORTH, and Servants. They may advantage you), must be obey'd. My much-loved lord, were Margaret only fair, Lov. Walk the horses down the hill: some The cannon of her more than earthly form, thing in private Though mounted high, commanding all beneath I must impart to Allworth. it, [Exceunt Servants. And ramm'd with bullets of her sparkling eyes, All. Oh, my lord, Of all the bulwarks that defend your senses sight. Assault your hearing (such as Ulysses, if [he] Could not resist), the combat must grow doubtful Of your bounties shower'd upon me? Between your reason and rebellious passions. Loc. Loving youth; Add this too: when you feel her touch, and breath And in the van, the nectar of her lips, And knowing manners, to give entertainment;- To follow such a Venus. Lov. Love hath made you Above my merit. Poetical, Allworth. All. Grant all these beat off, To make her more remarkable, as would tire Oh my good lord! these powerful aids, which would And a gentleman by want compell’d to serve me. Make a misshapen negro beautiful All. "Tis thankfully acknowledged; you have (Yet are but ornaments to give her lustre, been That in herself is all perfection), must More like a father to me than a master: Prevail for her. I here release your trust; Pray you, pardon the comparison, 'Tis happiness enough for me to serve you, Lov. I allow it; And sometimes, with chaste eyes, to look upon And to give you assurance I am pleased in't, her. My carriage and demeanour to your mistress, Lov. Why, shall I swear? Fair Margaret, shall truly witness for me All. Oh, by no means, my lord; I can command my passions. And wrong not so your judgment to the world, All. 'Tis a conquest As from your food indulgence to a boy, Few lords can boast of when they are tempted Your page, your servant, to refuse a blessing -oh! Divers great men are rivals for. Your judgment till the trial. How far is it All. At the most, some half-hour's riding; Lov. And you the sooner freed All. Oh that I durst but hope it! [Exeunt. |