The Modern British Drama: Comedies

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!

Greely. No; though the great Turk came instead of turkies,

To beg my favour, I am inexorable:

Thou hast an ill name; for, except thy musty ale,

That hath destroyed many of the king's liege people,

Thou never had'st in thy house, to stay men's stomachs,

A piece of Suffolk cheese, or gammon of bacon, Or any esculent, as the learned call it,

For their emolument, but sheer drink only.

Well. See all men else discharged; And, since old debts are cleared by a new way, A little bounty will not misbecome me : There is something, honest cook, for thy good breakfasts,

And this, for your respect; take it; 'tis good gold,

And I am able to spare it.

Ord. You are too munificent.
Furn. He was ever so.
Well. Pray you, on before.
3 Cred. Heaven bless you!

Mar. At four o'clock the rest know where to
meet me.

[Exeunt ORDER, FURNACE, AMBLE and Creditors.

Well. Now, Master Marrall, what's the weighty

secret

You promised to impart ?

Mar. Sir, time nor place

Allow me to relate each circumstance;

For which gross fault, I here do damn thy li- This, only, in a word: I know Sir Giles

Well. See him paid-and botch no more.
2 Cred. I ask-no interest, sir.
Well. Such taylors need not;

If their bills are paid in one-and-twenty years,
They are seldom losers.-O, I know thy face;
Thou wert my surgeon; you must tell no tales;
Those days are done; I will pay you in private.
Ord. A royal gentleman!

Furn, Royal as an emperor !

He'll prove a brave master; my good lady knew To choose a man.

Will come upon you for security

For his thousand pounds; which you must not

consent to.

As he grows in heat (as I am sure he will)
Be you but rough, and say, he's in your debt
Ten times the sum upon sale of your land:
I had a hand in't, (I speak it to my shame)
When you were defeated of it.

Well. That's forgiven.

Mar. I shall deserve it: Then urge him to produce

The deed in which you passed it over to him, Which I know he'll have about him to deliver To the lord Lovell, with many other writings, And present monies.I'll instruct you farther,

As I wait on your worship. If I play not my part

To your full content, and your uncle's much vexation, Hang up Jack Marrall.

Well. I rely upon thee.

[Excunt.

SCENE III.-A Chamber in SIR GILES's House.

Enter ALLWORTH and MARGARET. All. Whether to yield the first praise to my lord's

Unequalled temperance, or your constant sweet

ness,

That I yet live, my weak hands fast'ned on
Hope's anchor, spite of all storms of despair,
I yet rest doubtful.

Marg. Give it to lord Lovell ;
For what in him was bounty, in me is duty.
I make but payment of a debt, to which
My vows, in that high office registered,
Are faithful witnesses.

All. '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 rise up no less than a glorious star,

Marg. Yet, and ever.

To me what's title, when content is wanting?
Or wealth raked up together with much care,
And to be kept with more, when the heart
pines,

In being dispossess'd of what it longs for
Beyond the Indian mines? or the smooth brow
Of a pleased 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?

All. But the dangers,
That follow the repulse!

Marg. To me they are nothing:

Let Ailworth love, I cannot be unhappy.
Suppose the worst ; that, in his rage, he kill me;
A tear or two by you dropt 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: or, should he prove
So cruel, as one death would not suffice

His thirst of vengeance, but with lingering tor-
ments,

In mind and body, I must waste to air,
In poverty, joined with banishment ; so you share
In my afflictions, which I dare not wish you,
So high I prize you, I could undergo them
With such a patience, as should look down
With scorn on his worst malice.

All. Heaven avert

Such trials of your true affection to me!
Nor will it unto you, that are all mercy,
Shew so much rigour. But since we must run
Such desperate hazards, let us do our best
To steer between them.

Marg. Lord Lovell is your friend;
And, though but a young actor, second me,
In doing to the life what he has plotted,
Enter OVERREACH.

The end may yet prove happy: now, my All-
worth!

anger.

All. To your letter, and put on a seeming [Aside. Marg. I'll pay my lord all debts due to his title;

And, when with terms not taking from his ho

nour,

He does solicit me, I shall gladly hear him :
But in this peremptory, nay, commanding way,
To appoint a meeting, and without my know-

ledge,

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.

All. 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,
Though all lords of the land kneeled for my fa-

vour,

I can grant nothing.

Over. I like this obedience.

But whatsoever my lord writes, must, and shall be
Accepted and embraced-[Aside.]-Sweet Mas-
ter Allworth,

You shew yourself a true and faithful servant
To your good lord; he has a jewel of you.
How! frowning, Meg! are these looks to receive
A messenger from my lord? What's this? give
me it.

Marg. A piece of arrogant paper, like the in-
scription.

[OVER. reads the letter. 'Fair mistress, from your servant learn, all joys 'That we can hope for, if deferred, prove toys; Therefore, this instant, and in private, meet

‹ A husband, that will gladly, at your feet,
'Lay down his honours, tendering them to you
With all content, the church being paid her due.'
Over. Is this the arrogant piece of paper? fool!
Will you still be one? In the name of madness,
what

Could his good honour write more to content
you?

Is there aught else to be wished after these two,
That are already offered? Marriage first,
And lawful pleasure after: What would you
more?

Marg. Why, sir, I would be married like your

daughter,

Not hurried away in the night, I know not
whither,

Without all ceremony; no friends invited,
To honour the solemnity.

All. An't please your honour,
(For so before to-morrow I must style you)
My lord desires this privacy, in respect
His honourable kinsmen are far off;
And his desires to have it done, brook not
So long delay as to expect their coming:
And yet he stands resolved, with all due pomp,
As running at the ring, plays, masks, and tilting,
To have his marriage at court celebrated,
When he has brought your honour up to London.
Over. He tells you true; 'tis the fashion, on
my knowledge:

Yet the good lord, to please your peevishness,
Must put it off, forsooth, and lose a night,
In which, perhaps, he might get two boys on thee.
Tempt me no farther; if you do, this goad
Shall prick you to him.

Murg. I could be contented,
Were you but by to do a father's part,
And give me in the church.

Over. So my lord have you,

What do I care who gives you? since my lord
Does propose to be private, I'll not cross him.
I know not, Master Allworth, how my lord

May be provided; and therefore, there's a purse
Of gold: 'twill serve this night's expence: to-

morrow

I'll furnish him with any sums. In the mean time,
Use my ring to my chaplain; he is beneficed
At my manor of Gotham, and called parson
Welldo:

'Tis no matter for a licence; I'll bear him out in't.
Marg. With your favour, sir, what warrant is
your ring?

He may suppose I got that twenty ways
Without your knowledge; and, then, to be re-
fused,

Were such a stain upon me-if you please, sir,
Your presence would do better.

Over. Still perverse!

I say again, I will not cross my lord,
Yet I'll prevent you, too-Paper and ink there.
All. I can furnish you.

Over. I thank you; I can write, then.
[Writes on his book.
All. You may, if you please, leave out the
name of my lord,

In respect he comes disguised, and only write,-
Marry her to this gentleman.

Over. Well advised.

[MARG. kneels. 'Tis done; away-my blessing, girl? thou hast it. Nay, no reply-be gone, good Master Allworth; This shall be the best night's work you ever made.

All. I hope so, sir. [Exeunt ALL. und MARG.
Over. Farewell! Now all's cock sure.
Methinks I hear already knights and ladies
Say, Sir Giles Overreach, how is it with
Your honourable daughter? has her honour
Slept well to-night? or, will her honour please
To accept this monkey, dog, or paroquet?
(This is state in ladies) or my eldest son
To be her page, and wait upon her trencher?—
My ends, my ends are compassed !—then for
Wellborn

And the lands; were he once married to the wi-
dow-

I have him here-I can scarce contain myself,
I am so full of joy! nay, joy all over!

[Brit.

ACT V.

Sir Giles, that's both a lion and a fox

SCENE I-A Chamber in Lady ALLWORTH'S In his proceedings, were a work beyond

House.

Enter LOVELL and Lady.

Lady. By this, you know how strong the mo-
tives were,

That did, my lord, induce me to dispense
A little with my gravity, to advance
The plots and projects of the down-trod Well-

born.

Nor shall I e'er repent, although I suffer

In some few men's opinions for't, the action;
For he that ventured all for my dear husband,
Might justly claim an obligation from me,
Το

pay him such a courtesy; which had I Coyly, or over-curiously denied,

It might have argued me of little love
To the deceased.

Lop. What you intended, madam,

For the poor gentleman, hath found good success;
For, as I understand, his debts are paid,
And he once more furnished for fair employ-
ment;

But all the arts that I have used to raise
The fortunes of your joy and mine, young All-
worth,

Stand yet in supposition, though I hope well:
For the young lovers are in wit more pregnant
Than their years can promise; and for their de-
sires,

On my knowledge they are equal.

Lady. As my wishes

Are with yours, my lord; yet give me leave to

fear

The building, though well grounded. To deceive

The strongest undertakers; not the trial
Of two weak innocents.

Lov. Despair not, madam:

Hard things are compassed oft by easy means:
And judgment, being a gift derived from Heaven,
Though sometimes lodged i' th' hearts of worldly

The young ones have my warmest wishes.
Lov. O, gentle lady, let them kind to
You've kindly heard-now grant my
suit.
What say you, lady?

Lady. Troth, my lord,

me!

My own unworthiness may answer for me;
For had you, when I was in my prime,
My virgin flower uncropt, presented me
With this great favour, looking on my lowness,
Not in a glass of self-love, but of truth,
I could not but have thought it as a blessing,
Far, far beyond my merit.

Lov. You are too modest,

| And undervalue that which is above
My title, or whatever I call mine.
I grant, were I a Spaniard, to marry
A widow might disparage me; but being
A true-born Englishman, I cannot find
How it can taint my honour: nay, what's more,
That which you think a blemish, is to me

The fairest lustre. You already, madam,
Have given sure proofs how dearly you can cherish
A husband that deserves you; which confirms me,
That, if I am not wanting in my care
To do you service, you'll be still the same
That you were to your Allworth: in a word,
Our years, our states, our births, are not unequal,
You being descended nobly, and allied so.
If, then, you may be won to make me happy,
But join your hand to mine, and that shall be
A solemn contract.

Lady. 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.
Lon. If I return not, with all tenderness,
Equal respect to you, may I die wretched!

Lady. 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 command it.
Lov. It is a thankfulness that well becomes
you;

You could not make choice of a better shape
To dress your mind in.

Lady. For me, I am happy

Over. 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 them joy;
And, as an entrance to her place of honour,
See your ladyship on her left hand, and make
curt'sies

When she nods on you; which you must receive
As a special favour.

Lady. When I know, Sir Giles,

Her state requires such ceremony, I shall pay it ;
But, in the mean time,

I give you to understand, I neither know
Nor care where her honour is.

Over. When you once see her
Supported, and led by the lord her husband,
You'll be taught better-Nephew!
Well. Well.

Over. No more!

Well. 'Tis all I owe you.

Over. Have your redeemed rags Made you thus insolent?

Well. Insolent to you!

[In scorn.

Why, what are you, sir, unless in your years, At the best, more than myself?

Over. His fortune swells him:

'Tis rank; he is married.

Lady. This is excellent!

Over. Sir, in calm language, (though I seldom use it,)

That my endeavours prospered. Saw you, of late, I am familiar with the cause that makes you 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 looked for
Your lordship at his house; but, missing you,
And she not yet appearing, his wise head
Is much perplexed and troubled.

Lov. It may be,

Sweetheart, my project took.

Lady. I strongly hope.

Bear up thus bravely; there's a certain buz
Of a stolen marriage; do you hear? of a stolen

marriage;

In which, 'tis said, there's somebody hath been cozened.

remember,

Upon mere hope of your great match, I lent you
A thousand pounds. Put me in good security,

Over. [Within.] Ha! find her, booby; thou huge And suddenly, by mortgage or by statute,

lump of nothing,

I'll bore thine eyes out else.

Well. May it please your lordship,

For some ends of my own, but to withdraw

A little out of sight, though not of hearing; You may, perhaps, have sport.

Lov. You shall direct me.

[Steps aside.

Enter OVERREACH, with distracted looks, driv ing in MARRALL before him.

Over. I shall sol fa you, rogue!
Mar. Sir, for what cause

Do you use me thus?

Over. 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 it.

Mar. I may yet cry quittance;

Of some of your new possessions, or I'll have

Well. And beg after;

Mean you not so?

Over. My thoughts are mine, and free.
Shall I have security?

Well. No, indeed, you shall not:

Nor bond, nor bill, nor bare acknowledgment:

Though now I suffer, and dare not resist. [Aside. | Your great looks fright not me.

Enter AMBLE, ORDER, and FURNACE. Lady. Help, murder! murder!

Well. Let him come on,

With all his wrongs and injuries about him, Armed with his cut-throat practices to guard him, The right that I bring with me will defend me, And punish his extortion.

Over. That I had thee
But single in the field!

Lady. You may; but make not
My house your quarrelling scene.
Over. Were it in a church,
By heaven and hell, I'll do it!
Mar. Now, put him to

The shewing of the deed.

Well. This rage is vain, sir;

For fighting, fear not, you shall have your hands full

Upon the least incitement; and, whereas
You charge me with a debt of a thousand pounds,
If there be law (howe'er you have no conscience)
Either restore my land, or I'll recover
A debt, that is truly due to me from you,
In value ten times more than what you challenge.
Over. I in thy debt! oh impudence! Did I
not purchase

The land left by thy father? that rich land,
That had continued in Wellborn's name
Twenty descents; which, like a riotous fool,

Enter Servant, with a box.

Thou didst make sale of? Is not here inclosed The deed, that does confirm it mine?

Any such land; I grant, for a year or two,
You had it in trust; which, if you do discharge,
Surrendering the possession, you shall ease
Yourself and me of chargeable suits in law;
Which, if you prove not honest (as I doubt it)
Must of necessity follow.

Lady. In my judgment,
He does advise you well.

Over. Good, good! conspire

With your new husband, lady; second him
In his dishonest practices; but, when
This manor is extended to my use,

But neither wax nor words. How? thunderstruck!

Not a syllable to insult with? My wise uncle,
Is this your precious evidence, this that makes
Your interest clear?

Over. I am o'erwhelmed with wonder!
What prodigy is this? What subtle devil
Hath razed out the inscription? the wax
Turned into dust!-the rest of my deeds whole
As when they were deliver'd, and this only
Made nothing! Do you deal with witches, rascal?
There's a statute for you, which will bring
Your neck in a hempen circle; yes, there is;
And now, 'tis better thought; for, cheater, know
This juggling shall not save you.

Well. To save thee,

Would beggar the stock of Over. Marrall.

Mar. Sir.

mercy.

Over. Tho' the witnesses are dead,

Your testimony

[Flattering him.

Help with an oath or two; and for thy master,
Thy liberal master, my good honest servant,
I know you will swear any thing to dash
This cunning sleight: besides, I know thou art
A public notary, and such stands in law
For a dozen witnesses; the deed being drawn too
By thee, my careful Marrall, and delivered
When thou wert present, will make good my
title.

Wilt thou not swear this?

Mar. I! no, I assure you.
I have a conscience, not seared
I know no deeds.

Over. Wilt thou betray me?
Mar. Keep him

up like yours;

From using of his hands, I'll use my tongue
To his no little torment.

Over. Mine own varlet

Rebel against me?

Mar. Yes, and uncase you too.

The ideot; the patch; the slave; the booby; The property, fit only to be beaten

For your morning exercise; your football, or The unprofitable lump of flesh, your drudge, Can now anatomize you, and lay open

All your black plots, level with the earth Your hill of pride-and with these gabions guarded,

Unload my great artillery, and shake,

You'll speak in an humbler key, and suc for fa- Nay, pulverize the walls you think defend you.

Lady. How he foams at the mouth with rage! Well. To him again.

Over. O, that I had thee in my gripe! I would tear thee

Joint after joint!

Mar. I know you are a tearer.

But I'll have first your fangs pared off, and then
Come nearer to you; when I have discovered,
And made it good before the judge, what ways
And devilish practices you used to cozen with
An army of whole families, who yet live,
And but enrolled for soldiers, were able
To take in Dunkirk.

« Предишна Напред »

Книги