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Than in the pious sorrow you have shewn
For your late noble husband.

Ord. There he touch'd her.

(Aside.)

Well. That husband, madam, was once in his
fortune

Almost as low as I; want, debts, and quarrels,
Lay heavy on him: let it not be thought

A boast in me, though I say I relieved him.
"Twas I that gave him fashion; mine the sword
That did on all occasions second his;

I brought him on and off with honour, lady;
And when, in all men's judgments he was sunk,
And, in his own hopes, not to be buoy'd up,
I stepp't unto him, took him by the hand,
And set him upright.

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,
Tho' he brought no wealth with him, blame you

for't:

For he'd 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. 'Tis most true, he had.

Well. Nay, all's forgiven, all forgotten, friends;
And, for a lucky omen to my project,
Shake hands, and end'all quarrels in the cellar.
All the Servants. Agreed, agreed!
Still merry,

Master Wellborn.

[Exeunt all the Serv.
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, thus left at large
To practise on my uncle Overreach,
May work, perhaps, the measure to redeem
My mortgag'd fortune, which he stripp'd me of,
When headlong dissipatlon quell'd my reason.
The fancy pleases: if the plot succeed,
"Tis a New Way to Pay Old Debts, indeed.
ACT II.

[Exit.

SCENE L-The Skirts of Lady Allworth's Park.
Enter SIR GILES and MARRALL.

Sir G. He's gone, I warrant thee; this commis-
sion crush'd him.

Mar. Your worship has the way on't, and ne'er
miss

To squeeze those unthrifts into air; and, yet,
The chap-fall'n justice did his part, returning,

Well. For his sake, then, in that I was his friend, For your advantage, the certificate,
Do not contemn me.

Lady. 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.
One only suit I make: pray, give me leave.
(Lady Allworth signs to the Servants, who
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 now shuts door upon my want.
Would you but vouchsafe

To your dear husband's friend,-as well you may,
Your honour still let free,-but such feign'd grace,
As might beget opinion in Sir Giles

Of a true passion tow'rds me, you would see,
In the mere thought to prey on me again,

When all that's yours were mine, he'd turn my

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To throw away a little respect upon me.
Lady. All you demand is yours.

Against his conscience and his knowledge too.
To the utter ruin

Of the poor farmer.

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 præmunire,
And so become a prey to the informer.
No, I'll have none on'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 edge in the manor
Of your neighbour, Mr. Frugal? As 'tis said,
He will not sell, nor borrow, nor exchange;
And his land lying in the midst of your many lord-
ships,

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:
Pray let me see you with your oftenest means:
I am ever bound to you.

(Going, Wellborn waiting on her.)
Ord. What means this, I trow?
Fur. Mischief to us, if he has malice in him.
Well. Your honour's servant. (Kisses her hand.)
[Exit Lady Allworth.
All the Servants. (To Wellbora.) Ah! sweet sir-

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
fences,

Ride o'er his standing corn; and, in the night,
Set fire to his barns, or break his cattle's legs:
These trespasses draw on suits, and suits expenses,
Which I can spare, but will soon beggar him.
When I have harried him thus two or three year,

Though he sue in formâ pauperis, in spite
Of all his thrift and care, he'll grow behindhand.
Mar. The best I ever heard! I could adore you.
Sir G. Then, with the favour of my man of law,
I 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 his land.

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.

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Mar. Will you stay till you die in a ditch?
Or, if you dare not do the feat yourself,

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:
Then, if I prove he has but robb'd a hen roost,

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,

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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.

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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

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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.

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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?
Fur. Just as much

As my throat is worth; for that would be the price

on't.

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Enter AMBLE.
Amb. Ha, ha! I shall burst.
Ord. Contain thyself, man.
Fur. Or make us partakers

Of your sudden mirth.

Amb. Ha, ha! my lady has got

That, out of mere hope of a future coz'nage,
Can turn thus suddenly? 'tis rank already,
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

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.
Well. No; speak freely.

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

(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

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Enter LADY ALLWORTH, WELLBORN, and
MARRALL.

Lady. You attend us well!

Let me have no more of this; I observ'd your leer-
ing:

Sir, I will have you know, whom I think worthy
To sit at my table,

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,
As not to inquire your purposes; in a word,
To me you are ever welcome, as to a house
That is your own.

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.
Before your worship shall be put to the trouble
To walk afoot. Alas! when you are lord

Of this lady's manor, (as I know you will be,)
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 will make no use of
it.

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
thee.

I'll not give her the advantage, though she be,
A gallant-minded lady, after we're 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 Knave's
Acre,

(To Marrall.) When it is mine, 'tis thine.

Dear madam, my heart's full of zeal and service;
However in my language I am sparing.
Come, Master Marrall.

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.
Order and Amble, come with me: I must give you
Further directions.

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You are of a sweet nature, and fit again to be
cheated;

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

(Walks by, musing.)
Enter SIR GILES, speaking as he enters.
Sir G. Sirrah, take my horse,
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 on 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,
A greater prey than ever.

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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!
Impudent varlet! have not I myself,

Ten times attempted, since her husband's death,
In vain, to see her, though I came a suitor?

And yet your good solicitorship, and rogue 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;

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

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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,
Can I, and with a thankful willingness, suffer;
But still the retribution will fall short
Of your bounties shower'd upon me.
Lov. Nay, good youth,

Till what I purpose be put into act.

Do not o'erprize it. Since you've trusted 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.

Allw. Still great ones,

Above my merit.

You have been

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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,
And all my actions, hitherto untainted,

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

All. Were you to encounter with a single foe,
The victory were certain; but to stand
The charge of two such potent enemies,
At once assaulting you, as wealth and beauty,
And those, too, seconded with power, is odds
Too great for Hercules.

Lov. Speak your doubts and fears,

Since you will nourish 'em, in plainer language,
That may understand 'em.

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,
Make music to you, and with numerous sounds,
Assault your hearing,

Hippolytus himself would leave Diana,
To follow such a Venus.

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,)
Mammon, in Sir Giles Overreach, steps in
With heaps of ill-got gold, and as much land
As would tire

Though they paint her, so she catch the lord, I'll A falcon's wings, in one day to fly over.

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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?

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