Than in the pious sorrow you have shewn Ord. There he touch'd her. (Aside.) Well. That husband, madam, was once in his Almost as low as I; want, debts, and quarrels, A boast in me, though I say I relieved him. I brought him on and off with honour, lady; Fur. Are we not base rogues, That could forget this? Well. I confess you made him (Aside to Servants.) Master of your estate; nor could your friends, for't: For he'd a shape, and to that shape a mind Made up of all parts, either great or noble; Resisted, madam. Lady. 'Tis most true, he had. Well. Nay, all's forgiven, all forgotten, friends; Master Wellborn. [Exeunt all the Serv. [Exit. SCENE L-The Skirts of Lady Allworth's Park. Sir G. He's gone, I warrant thee; this commis- Mar. Your worship has the way on't, and ne'er To squeeze those unthrifts into air; and, yet, Well. For his sake, then, in that I was his friend, For your advantage, the certificate, Lady. For what's past excuse me : I will redeem it. (Offers him her pocket book.) I will not tire your patience with relation To your dear husband's friend,-as well you may, Of a true passion tow'rds me, you would see, When all that's yours were mine, he'd turn my To throw away a little respect upon me. Against his conscience and his knowledge too. Of the poor farmer. Sir G. 'Twas for these good ends I made him a justice: he that bribes his belly Mar. I wonder why, your worship having Sir G. Thou art a fool: In being out of office, I am out of danger; My purposes, let him hang, or damn, I care not; Mar. You are all wisdom. Sir G. I would be worldly wise; for the other That does prescribe us a well govern'd life, Mar. What course take you, With your good patience, to edge in the manor Is a foul blemish. Sir G. I have thought of't, Marrall; (She beckons the Servants, who advance And it shall take. I must have all men sellers, a little.) Respect this gentleman, As 'twere myself. Adieu, dear Master Wellborn: (Going, Wellborn waiting on her.) And I the only purchaser. Mar. 'Tis most fit, sir. Sir G. I'll therefore buy some cottage near his manor; Which done, I'll make my men break ope h's Ride o'er his standing corn; and, in the night, Though he sue in formâ pauperis, in spite Mar. Wellborn was apt to sell, and needed not These fine arts, to hook him in. Sir G. Well thought on; This varlet, Marrall, lives too long, to upbraid me With my close cheat put upon him. Will nor cold Nor hunger kill him? Mar. I know not what to think on't. I've us'd all means; and, the last night, I caus'd His host, the tapster, 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, Yet they should not relieve him. Mar. Will you stay till you die in a ditch? But that you'll put the state to charge and trouble, Sir G. That was something, Marrall; but thou Is there no purse to be cut? house to be broken? must go further, And suddenly, Marrall. Mar. Where and when you please, sir. Sir G. I'd have thee seek him out, and, if thou canst, Persuade him that 'tis better steal than beg: Not all the world shall save him from the gallows. Do anything to work him to despair, And 'tis thy masterpiece. Mar. I'll do my best, sir. Or market-women with eggs that you may murder, And so despatch the business? Well. Here's a variety, I must confess, but I'll accept none Of all your gentle offers, I assure you. Mar. If you like not hanging, drown yourself; 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; Sir G. I'm now on my main work, with the Lord Nay, I have confidence, which is more than hope, Lovell, To live and suddenly, better than ever. Mar. Ha, ha! these castles you build in the air, Will not persuade me or to give or lend A token to you. I knew not how to serve up my lady's dinner. Mar. His pleasure! is it possible? Well. What's thy will? Fur. Marry, sir, I have The roasting of his heart that cheated him, And forces the poor gentleman to these shifts! Some rails and quails, and my lady will'd me ask By fire! for cooks are Persians, and swear by it. Of all the griping and extorting tyrants I ever heard or read of, I ne'er met A match to Sir Giles Overreach. Wat. What will you take To tell him so, fellow Furnace? As my throat is worth; for that would be the price on't. Enter AMBLE. Of your sudden mirth. Amb. Ha, ha! my lady has got That, out of mere hope of a future coz'nage, Yet if, in my desire to do you service, Such a guest at her table! this term-driver Mar- Under correction) I hope I shall not rall, This snip of an attorney! Wat. What of him, man? Amb. The knave feeds so slovenly! Fur. Is this all? Amb. My lady Incur your high displeasure. Mar. Then, in my judgment, sir, my simple (Still with your worship's favour,) I could with you A better habit; for this cannot be Drank to him for fashion's sake, or to please But much distasteful to the noble lady Master Wellborn; As I live, he rises and takes up a dish, That loves you: I have twenty pounds here, In which there were some remnants of a boil'd Which, out of my true love, I'll presently Enter LADY ALLWORTH, WELLBORN, and Lady. You attend us well! Let me have no more of this; I observ'd your leer- Sir, I will have you know, whom I think worthy When I am present, is not your companion. Ord. (Aside) Nay, she'll preserve what's due to her. Lady. (To Wellborn.) You are master Of your own will. I know so much of manners, Well. Mark that. Mar. With reverence. sir. And it like your worship. Well. Trouble yourself no further, Lay down 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. Of this lady's manor, (as I know you will be,) A place I would manure, requite your vassal. Did I want clothes, think'st thou I could not have 'em For one word to my lady? Mar. As I know not that Well. Come, I'll tell thee a secret, and so leave I'll not give her the advantage, though she be, To hit me in the teeth, and say, she was forc'd No. I'll be furnish'd something like myself, (To Marrall.) When it is mine, 'tis thine. Dear madam, my heart's full of zeal and service; Mar. I attend your worship. [Exeunt Watchall, Welborn, and Marrall. Lady. (To the Servants.) I see in your looks you are sorry, and you know me An easy mistress: be merry; I have forgot all. You are of a sweet nature, and fit again to be Which, if the fates please, when you are possess'd (Walks by, musing.) Ha! Marrall! Is he conjuring? Perhaps 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? Lives, once more to be made a prey to you, And would, at his request, have kiss'd me, too. Sir G. Why, thou rascal! To tell me these impossibilities. Dine at her table! and kiss him! or thee! Ten times attempted, since her husband's death, And yet your good solicitorship, and rogue Wellborn, Were brought into her presence-feasted with her! 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 Or I'll quit you From my employments. Mar. Will you credit this yet? On my confidence of their marriage, I offer'd Wellborn (Aside.) I'd give a crown now I durst say his wor ship Sir G. I've done, then. Now, forgetting Your late imaginary feast and lady, Know my Lord Lovell dines with me to-morrow: Be careful nought be wanting to receive him: And bid my daughter's woman trim her up, Nay, death itself, though I should run to meet it, Till what I purpose be put into act. Do not o'erprize it. Since you've trusted me Allw. Still great ones, Above my merit. You have been Allw. 'Tis a conquest Few men can boast of, when they are tempted. Oh! Lov. Why do you sigh? Can you be doubtful of me? By that fair name I in the wars have purchas'd, I will not be more true to mine own honour, All. Were you to encounter with a single foe, Lov. Speak your doubts and fears, Since you will nourish 'em, in plainer language, Allw. My much-lov'd lord, were Margaret only fair, You might command your passion; But, when the well-tun'd accents of her tongue, Hippolytus himself would leave Diana, Lov. Love hath made you Poetical,Allworth. Allw. Grant all these beat off, (Which if it be in man to do, you'll do it,) Though they paint her, so she catch the lord, I'll A falcon's wings, in one day to fly over. I here release your trust: 'Tis happiness enough for me to serve you, And sometimes, with chaste eyes, to look upon her. Lov. Why, shall I swear? All. By no means, my lord, Lov. Suspend Your judgment till the trial. How far is't To Overreach' house? |