Lord L. You are a right kind father. To think me such. How do you like this seat It is well wooded, and well water'd; the acres Fertile and rich; would it not serve for change, To entertain your friends in a summer's progress? What thinks my noble lord? Lord L. 'Tis a wholesome air, |Right honourable; and 'tis a powerful charm, Makes me insensible of remorse or pity, Or the least sting of conscience. Lord L. I admire The toughness of your nature. My lord, and for my daughter, I am marble; In spending what my industry hath compass'd. And well built; and she that's mistress of it My haste commands me hence in one word Worthy the large revenue. Sir G. She the mistress? It may be so for a time; but let my lord Say only that he but like it, and would have it, I say ere long 'tis his. Lord L. Impossible. Sir G. You do conclude too fast, not knowing_me, therefore, Is it a match, my lord? Lord L. I hope that is past doubt now. Sir G. Then rest secure; not the hate of all mankind here, Nor fear of what can fall on me bereafter, Shall make me study aught but your advancement One story higher. An earl! if gold can do it Dispute not my religiou, nor my faith, Nor the engines that I work by. 'Tis not alone Wellborn's (As by her dotage on him I know they will be) Shall soon be mine. But point out any man's In all the shire, and say they lie convenient And useful for your lordship, and once more I say aloud, they are yours. Lord L. I dare not own What's by unjust and cruel means extorted: Sir G. You run, my lord, no hazard; And curses of whole families, made wretched By these practices? Sir G. Yes as rocks are When foamy billows split themselves against Their flinty ribs; or as the moon is mov'd, When wolves, with hunger pin'd, howl at her brightness. I am of a solid temper, and like these Steer on a constant course: morrow. [Exit Lord L. He's gone; I wonder how the earth can bear Such a portent! I, that have liv'd a soldier, Enter LADY ALLWORTH. Lord L. No, good madam; sooner, Since this bold, bad man, sir Giles Overreach, Lady A. I ne'er press'd, my lord, My good lord, if I may use my freedom, Lord L. You lessen else Lady A. I dare then say thus: Make sordid wealth the object and sole end Lady A. This, my lord: I allow The heir of sir Giles Overreach, Margaret, A maid well qualified, and the richest match Our northern part can boast of; yet she cannot, And undone orphans wash with tears my With all that she brings with her, fill their Nay, when my ears are pierc'd with widow's cries, threshold, mouths, I only think what 'tis to have my daughter That never will forget who was her father; Wellborn's Or that my husband Allworth's lands, and| And then his information could not hurt us: But now he is right worshipful again, (How wrung from both needs no repetition) Who dares but doubt his testimony? Were real motives, that more work'd your lordship To join your families, than her form And 'tis my resolution ne'er to wed Tap. Undone, undone; methinks Froth. Would that were the worst! With the rich Margaret, Overreach's daughter. He owes us, and his custom; there's the plaLady A. I am glad to hear this. [Aside. Why then, my lord, pretend you marriage to her? Dissimulation but ties false knots gue on't. the drum, Tap. He has summon'd all his creditors by And they swarm about him like so many soldiers On that straight line, by which you hitherto On the pay-day; and has found out such a Have measur'd all your actions. Lord L. I make answer, And aptly, with a question. Wherefore have Lady A. I am innocent here, and on my life I swear My ends are good. Lord L. Ou my soul, so are mine To Margaret; but leave both to the event: And since this friendly privacy doth serve But as an offer'd means unto ourselves To search each other further; you have shown Your care of me, I my respect to you. Deny me not, but still in chaste words, madam, An afternoon's discourse. Lady A. Affected modesty might deny your suit, But such your honour, I accept it, lord. Lord L. My heart thanks you. [Exeunt. But now he's his uncle's darling, and has got Froth. He may prove merciful. Enter WELLBORN in a rich Habit, GREEDY, MARRALL, AMBLE, ORDER, FURNACE, and three Creditors. TAPWELL. kneeling delivers in his Bill of Debt. Well. How's this! petitioned too? Mar. When your worship's married, You may be [Aside] I know not what I hope to see you. Well. Then look thou for advancement. Your worship's bailiff, is the mark I shoot at. These needy followers, and for my admittance Well. Fear him not. Just. G. Who, Tapwell? I remember thy wife brought me, Last new year's tide, a couple of fat turkeys. Tap. And shall do every Christmas, let your worship But stand my friend now. Just. G. How! with Mr. Wellborn? I can do any thing with him, on such terms- Well. I o'erheard you, And the bribe he promis'd; you are cozen'd in 'em; For of all the scum that grew rich by my riots, of This for a most unthankful knave, and this For a base woman, have the worst deserv'd; And therefore speak not for them. By your place, When he was rogue Wellborn, no man would You are rather to do me justice; lend me As the receiving of stolen goods. believe him; your ear, Forget his turkeys, and call in his license, And, at the next fair, I'll give you a yoke of oxen Worth all his poultry. Just. G. I am changed on the sudden In my opinion-Mum! my passion is great! I fry like a burnt marrowbone. [Aside] 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. Froth. Worshipful sir. Just. G. No; though the great Turk came instead of turkeys. To beg my favour, I am inexorable : As he grows in heat (as I am sure he will), Mar. I shall deserve then-urge him to produce The deed in which you pass'd it over to him, Which I know he'll have about him, to deliver Thou hast an ill name; I here do damn thy To the lord Lovell, with many other writings, licence, Forbidding thee ever to tap or draw; And therefore, sir Well. Thou art an honest fellow: 2 Cred. A tailor once, but now mere botcher. I gave you credit for a suit of clothes, Which was all my stock; but you failing in payment, I was remov'd from the shop-board, and confined Under a stall. Well. See him paid; and botch no more. 2 Cred. I ask no interest, sir. Well, Such tailors need not; If their bills are paid in one-and-twenty years, They are seldom losers-See these men discharg'd; And since old debts are clear'd by a new way, A little bounty will not misbecome me; There's something, honest cook, for thy good breakfasts, And this for your respect; take't, 'tis good gold, And I am able to spare it. Order. You are too munificent. Fur. He was ever so. Well. Pray you on before, I'll attend you at dinner. And present monies. I'll instruct you further, [Exeunt SCENE III-A Chamber in SIR GILES OVERREACH'S House. Enter ALLWORTH and MARGARET. Allo. Whether to yield the first praise to my lord's Unequall'd temperance, or your constant I sweetness, yet rest doubtful. Marg. Give it to lord Lovell; For what in him was bounty, in me's duty. I make but payment of a debt, to which My vows, in that high office register'd, Are faithful witnesses. Allw. 'Tis true, my dearest; 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; am so tender of your good, that I can hardly Wish myself that right you are pleas'd to do me. Marg. To me what's title, when content is wanting? And wealth I Of a pleas'd sire, that slaves me to his will? And so his ravenous humour may be feasted By my obedience, and he see me great, Leaves to my soul nor faculties nor power To make her own election. Allw. But the dangers That follow the repulse. Marg. To me they are nothing: Let Allworth love, I cannot be unhappy, Suppose the worst, that in his rage he kill me, A tear or two by you dropp'd on my hearse, In sorrow for my fate, will call back life So far as but to say, that I die yours; I then shall rest in peace. Allw. Heaven avert Such trials of your true affection to me! Just. G. For heav'n's sake don't stay long; Nor will it unto you, that are all mercy, It is almost ready. [Exit. Show so much rigour. But since we must run Such desperate hazards, let us do our best Mar. At four o'clock, the rest know where to meet me. To steer between 'em. [Exeunt all but Wellborn and Marrall. Marg. Lord Lovell is your friend; Well. Now, Mr. Marrall, what's the weighty And though but a young actor, second me [secret In doing to the life what he has plotted. You promis'd to impart? anger. Marg. I could be contented Enter SIR GILES OVERREACH. The end may yet prove happy. Now, my Were you but by to do a father's part, Allworth. And give me in the church. [Apart to Allworth, Sir G. So my lord have you, Allo. To your letter, and put on a seeming What do I care who gives you? since my lord [Apart. Does propose to be private, I'll not cross him. Marg. I'll pay my lord all debts due to his title; I know not, Mr. Allworth, how my lord And when with terms not taking from his honour, May be provided, and therefore there's a purse He does solicit me, I shall gladly hear him; Of gold; 'twill serve this night's expense; toBut in this peremptory, nay, commanding way, To fix a time and place without my knowledge; A priest to tie the knot can ne'er be undone Till death unloose it, is a confidence In his lordship that will deceive him. Allw. 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, morrow I'll furnish him with any sums. In the mean time, 'Tis no matter for a licence, I'll bear him out in't. Marg. With your favour, sir, what warrant is your ring? Though all lords of the land kneel'd for my He may suppose I got that twenty ways favour, I can grant nothing. Sir G. I like this obedience. But whatsoever my lord writes, must and shall be Accepted and embrac'd. [Aside]-Sweet Mr. You show yourself a true and faithful servant Marg. A piece of arrogant paper, like th' [Sir Giles reads the Letter. Fair mistress, from your servant learn, all joys That we can hope for, if deferr'd, prove Therefore this instant, and in private meet With all content, the church being paid her due. Is this the arrogant piece of paper? fool! Will you still be one? In the name of mad-| ness, what Could his good honour write more to con- Is there aught else to be wish'd after these two Marg. Why, sir, I would be married like Not hurried away i'th night kuow not whither, Allo. An't please your Sir G. He tells you true; 'tis the fashion, Yet the good lord, to please your peevishness, Without your knowledge; and then to be refus'd -if you please, I say again, I will not cross my lord; Sir G. I thank you; I can write then. [Writes. Allw. You may, if you please, leave out the name of my lord, In respect he would be private, and only write, Marry her to this gentleman. Sir G. Well advis'd; [Margaret kneels. [Exeunt Allworth and Margaret. My ends, my ends are compass'd!—Then for And the lands; were he once married to the I have him here-I can scarce contain myself, Than their years can promise; and for their desires, On my knowledge, they are equal. Lord L. Despair not, madam; Hard things are compass'd oft by easy means. Lady A. May he be so. The young ones have my warmest wishes. Lord L. O, gentle lady, let 'em prove kind to me; Lady A. I were blind to my own good, Should I refuse it; yet, my lord, receive me As such a one, the study of whose whole life Shall know no other object but to please you. Lord L. If I return not, with all tenderness, Equal respect to you, may I die wretched! Lady A. 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 acknowledgment, that I am Your creature, madam, and will never hold My life mine own, when you please to demand it. Lord L. It is a thankfulness that well becomes you. Lady A. For me, I am happy, That my endeavours prosper'd. 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 look'd for Lord L. I hope my project took. Sir G. [Without] Ha! find her, booby! thou huge lump of nothing! I'll bore thine eyes out else. Well. May it please your lordship, For some ends of mine own, but to withdraw A little out of sight, though not of hearing, You may perhaps have sport. Lord L. You shall direct me. [Steps aside. Enter SIR GILES OVERREACH, with distracted looks, driving in MARRALL. Sir G. Idiot! booby! Mar. Sir, for what cause Do you use me thus? Sir G. Cause, slave? why I am angry, And thou a subject only fit for beating; And so to cool my choler. Look to the writing; Let but the seal be broke upon the box, That has slept in my cabinet these three years, I'll rack thy soul for't. Mar. I may yet cry quittance, Though now I suffer, and dare not resist. [Aside. Sir G. Lady, by your leave, did you see my daughter, lady? And the lord her husband? Are they in your house? If they are, discover, that I may bid 'em joy; And, as an entrance to her place of honour, See your ladyship on her left hand, and make court'sies When she nods on you; which you must receive As a special favour. Lady A. When I know, sir Giles, Her state requires such ceremony, I shall pay it; But in the mean time give you to understand, I neither know Nor care where her honour is. Sir G. When you once see her Supported, and led by the lord her husband, You'll be taught better.-Nephew! Well. Well! Sir G. No more? Well. 'Tis all I owe you. Sir G. Have your redeemed rags Made you thus insolent? Well. Insolent to you! [In Scorn Why, what are you, sir, more than myself Sir G. His fortune swells him; 'Tis rank; he's married. Aside [Aside. Lady A. This is excellent. Sir G. Sir, in calm language (though I sel dom use it), I am familiar with the cause that makes you Bear up thus bravely; there's a certain buz Of a stol'n marriage; do you hear? of a stoln marriage; In which 'tis said there's somebody hath been cozen'd. Iname no parties. [Lady Allworth turns away Well. Well, sir, what follows? Sir G. Marry, this: since you are peremp tory, remember, Upon mere hope of your great match, I len |
