by the aides Of seruing men and chambermaides for beyound these Thou neuer saw'st a Woman or I 'le quit you From my imployments Mar. Will you credit this yet On my confidence of their marriage I offer'd Welborne I would giue a crowne now I durst say his worship aside My nagge and twenty pounds Ouer. Did you so I doe Strikes him downe Was this the way to worke him to despaire Or rather to crosse me Mar. Will your worship kill me Ouer. No no but driue the lying spirit out of you Mar. Hee 's gone Ouer. I haue done then now forgetting Your late imaginerie feast and Lady Know my Lord Louell dins with me to morrow Be carefull nought be wanting to receaue him And bid my daughters women trimne her vp Though they paint her so she catch the Lord I le thanke 'em There 's a peece for my late blowes Mar. I must yet suffer But there may be a time aside Ouer. Doe you grumble Mar. No Sir Actus tertii Scena prima Louell Alworth Seruants LOuell Walke the horses downe the hill something in priuate I must impart to Alworth Exeunt serui Alw. O my Lord What sacrifice of reuerence dutie watching Although I could put off the vse of sleepe And euer waite on your commands serue 'em What dangers though in ne're so horri'd shapes Nay death it selfe though I should run to meet it Can I and with a thankefull willingnesse suffer But still the retribution will fall short Of your bounties showr'd vpon me Lou. Louing Youth Till what I purpose be put into act Doe not o're-prize it since you haue trusted me With your soules nearest nay her dearest secret Rest confident 't is in a cabinet lock'd Treachery shall neuer open I haue found you For so much to your face I must professe How er'e you guard your modesty with a blush for 't More zealous in your loue and seruice to me Than I haue beene in my rewards Alw. Still great ones Aboue my merit Lou. Such your Gratitude calls 'em Nor am I of that harsh and rugg'd temper As some Great men are tax'd with who imagine They part from the respect due to their Honours If they vse not all such as follow 'em Without distinction of their births like slaues I am not so condition'd I can make A fitting difference betweene my Foot-boy And a Gentleman by want compell'd to serue me Alw. 'T is thankefully acknowledg'd you haue beene More like a Father to me than a Master Pray you pardon the comparison Lou. I allow it And to giue you assurance I am pleas'd in 't My carriage and demeanor to your Mistrisse Faire Margaret shall truely witnesse for me I can command my passions Alw. 'T is a conquest Few Lords can boast of when they are tempted Oh! Lou. Why do you sigh can you be doubtfull of mee By that faire name I in the warres haue purchas'd And all my actions hitherto vntainted I will not be more true to mine owne Honour Than to my Alworth Alw. As you are the braue Lord Louell Your bare word only giuen is an assurance Of more validity and weight to me Than all the othes bound vp with imprecations Which when they would deceiue most Courtiers practize Yet being a man for sure to stile you more Would rellish of grosse flatterie I am forc'd Against my confidence of your worth and vertues To doubt nay more to feare Lou. So young and iealous Alw. Were you to encounter with a single foe The victorie were certaine 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 oddes Too great for Hercules Lou. Speake your doubts and feares Since you will nourish 'em in plainer language That I may vnderstand 'em Alw. What 's your will Though I lend armes against my felfe prouided They may aduantage you must be obeyed My much lou'd Lord were Margaret only faire The cannon of her more than earthly forme Though mounted high commanding all beneath it And ramn'd with bullets of her sparkeling eyes Of all the bulwarkes that defend your senses Could batter more but that which guards your sight But when the well tun'd accents of her tongue Make musike to you and with numerous sounds Assault your hearing such as if Vlysses Now liu'd againe how ere he stood the Sirens Could not resist the combat must grow doubtfull Betweene your Reason and rebellious Passions Ad this too when you feele her touch and breath Like a soft Westerne wind when it glides o're Arabia creating gummes and spices And in the Van the Nectar of her lippes Which you must tast bring the battalia on Well arm'd and strongly liu'd with her discourse And knowing manners to giue entertainement Hyppolitus himselfe would leaue Diana To follow such a Uenus Lou. Loue hath made you Poeticall Alworth Alw. Grant all these beat off Which if it be in man to doe you 'le doe it Mammon in Sir Giles Ouerreach stepps in With heapes of ill got gold and so much land To make her more remarkable as would tire A Falcons winges in one day to fly ouer O my good Lord these powerfull aydes which would Make a mishapen Negro beautifull Yet are but ornaments to giue her lustre That in her selfe is all perfection must Preuaile for her I here release your trust 'T is happinesse enough for me to serue you And sometimes with chast eyes to looke vpon her Lou. Why shall I sweare Alw. O by no meanes my Lord And wrong not so your iudgement to the world As from your fond indulgence to a boy Your page your seruant to refuse a blessing Diuers Great men are riualls for Lou. Suspend Your iudgement 'till the triall How far is it 'T Ouerreach house Alw. At the most some halfe houres riding You 'le soone be there Eou. And you the sooner freed From your iealous feares Alw. O that I durst but hope it Exeunt Actus tertii Scena secunda Ouerreach Greedie Marrall Overreach Spare for no cost let my Dressers cracke with the weight Of curious viands Greedie Store indeed 's no sore Sir Ouer. That prouerbe fitts your stomacke Master Greedie And let no plate be seene but what 's pure gold Or such whose workemanship exceeds the matter That it is made of let my choicest linnen Perfume the roome and when we wash the water With pretious powders mix'd so please my Lord That he may with enuie wish to bath so euer Mar. 'T wil be very chargeable Ouer. Auant you Drudge Now all my labour'd ends are at the stake I' st a time to thinke of thrift call in my daughter And master Justice since you loue choice dishes And plenty of 'em Greed. As I doe indeed Sir Almost as much as to giue thankes for 'em Ouer. I doe conferre that prouidence with my power Of absolute command to haue abundance To your best care Greed. I 'le punctually discharge it And giue the best directions Now am
honour I haue said it Enter Marrall Mar. Sir the man of Honors come Newly alighted Ouer. In without reply And doe as I command or thou art lost Exit Marg. Is the lowd musicke I gaue order for Readie to receiue him Mar. 'T is Sir Ouer. Let 'em sound A princely welcome Roughnesse a while leaue me For fawning now a stranger to my nature Must make way for mee Loud musicke Enter Louell Greed. Alw. Mar. Lou. Sir you meete your trouble Ouer. What you are pleas'd to stile so is an honor Aboue my worth and fortunes Alw. Strange so humble Ouer. A iustice of peace my Lord Presents Greedie to him Lou. Your hand good Sir Greed. This is a Lord and some thinke this a fauour But I had rather haue my hand in my dumpling Ouer. Roome for my Lord Lou. I misse Sir your faire daughter To crowne my welcome Ouer. May it please my Lord To taste a glasse of Greeke wine first and suddainely She shall attend my Lord Lou. You 'le be obey'd Sir Exeunt omnes preter Ouer. Ouer. 'T is to my wish assoone as come aske for her Why Megge Megge Ouerreach how teares in your eies Ha! drie 'em quickely or I 'le digge 'em out Is this a time to whimper meete that Greatnesse That flies into thy bosome thinke what 't is For me to say My honorable daughter And thou when I stand bare to say put on Or father you forget your selfe no more But be instructed or expect he comes A blacke-brow'd girle my Lord Enter Louell Greedie Alworth Marrall they salute Lou. As I liue a rare one Alw. Hee 's tooke already I am lost Ouer. That kisse Came twanging off I like it quit the roome The rest off A little bashfull my good Lord but you I hope will teach her boldnesse Lou. I am happy In such a scholler but Ouer. I am past learning And therefore leaue you to your selues remember to his daughter Exit Ouerreach Lou. You see faire Lady your father is sollicitous To haue you change the barren name of Virgin Into a hopefull wife Marg. He hast my Lord Holds no power o're my will Lou. But o're your duty Marg, Which forc'd too much may breake Lou. Bend rather sweetest Thinke of your yeares Marg. Too few to match with yours And choicest fruites too soone plucked rot and wither Lou. Doe you thinke I am old Marg. I am sure I am too young Lou. I can aduance you Marg. To a hill of sorrow Where euery houre I may expect to fall But neuer hope firme footing You are noble I of a low descent how euer rich And tissues match'd with skarlet suite but ill O my good Lord I could say more but that I dare not trust these walls Lou. Pray you trust my eare then Enter Ouer. listning Enter Greed. Ouer. Close at it whispering this is excellent And by their postures a consent on both parts Greed. Sir Giles Sir Giles Ouer. The great fiend stop that clapper Greed. It must ring out Sir when my belly rings noone The back'd meates are run out the rost turn'd powder Ouer. I shall powder you Greed. Beate me to dust I care not In such a cause as this I 'le dye a martyr Ouer. Marry and shall you Barathrum of the shambells strikes him Greed. How strike a Justice of peace 't is pettie treason Edwardi quinto but that you are my friend I could commit you without bayle or maine-prise Ouer. Leaue your balling Sir or I shall commit you Where you shall not dine to day disturbe my Lord When he is in discourse Greed. I' st a time to talke When we should be munching Lou. Ha! I heard some noise Ouer. Mum villaine vanish shall we breake a bargaine Almost made vp Thrust Greedie off Lou. Lady I vnderstand you And rest most happy in your choice beleeue it I 'le be a carefull pilot to direct Your yet vncertaine barke to a port of safety Marg. So shall your Honor saue two liues and bind vs Your slaues for euer Lou. I am in the act rewarded Since it is good how e're you must put on And amorous carriage towards me to delude Your subtle father Marg. I am proue to that Lon. Now breake wee off our conference Sir Giles Where is Sir Giles Enter Overreach and the rest Ouer. My noble Lord and how Does your Lordship find her Lou. Apt Sir Giles and comming And I like her the better Ouer. So doe I too Lou. Yet should we take forts at the first assault T were poore in the defendant I must confirme her With a loue letter or two which I must haue Deliuer'd by my page and you giue way too 't Ouer. With all my soule a towardly Gentleman Your hand good master Alworth know my house Is euer open to you Alw. 'T was shut 'till now aside Ouer. Well done well done my honorable daughter Th' art so already know this gentle youth And cherish him my honorable daughter Mar. I shall with my best care Noise within as of a coch Ouer. A Coch Greed. More stops Before we goe to dinner o my gutts Enter Ladie and Welborne Lad. If I find welcome You share in it if not I 'le backe againe Now I know your ends for I come arm'd for all Can be obiected Lou. How the Lady Alworth Ouer. And thus attended Mar. No I am a dolt Louell salutes the Lady the Ladie salutes Margaret The spirit of lyes had entred me Ouer. Peace Patch 'T is more than wonder an astonishment That does possesse me wholly Lou. Noble Lady This is a fauour to preuent my visit The seruice of my life can neuer equall Lad. My Lord I lay'd waite for you and much hop'd You would haue made my poore house your first Inne And therefore doubting that you might forget me Or too long dwell here hauing such ample cause In this vnequall'd beauty for your stay And fearing to trust any but my selfe With the relation of my seruice to you I borrow'd so much from my long restraint And tooke the ayre in person to inuite you Lou. Your bounties are so great they robbe me Madam Of words to giue you thankes Lad. Good Sir Giles Ouerreach salutes him How doest thou Marrall lik'd you my meate so ill You 'le dine no more with me Greed. I will when you please And it like your Ladiship Lad. When you please master Greedie If meat can doe it you shall be satisfied And now my Lord pray take into your knowledge This Gentleman how e're his outsid's course Presents Welborne His inward linings are as fine and faire As any mans wonder not I speake at large And howsoe're his humor carries him To be thus accoutred or what taint soeuer For his wild life hath stucke vpon his fame He may e'relong with boldnesse rancke himselfe With some that haue contemn'd him Sir Giles Ouerreach If I am welcome bid him so Ouer. My nephew He has beene too long a stranger faith you haue Pray let it bee mended Louell
modest And undervalue that which is aboue My title or what euer I call mine I grant were I a Spaniard to marry A widdow might disparage me but being A true borne Englishman I cannot find How it can taint my Honour nay what 's more That which you thinke a blemish is to me The fairest lustre You alreadie Madam Haue giuen sure proofes how dearely you can cherish A Husband that deserues you which confirmes me That if I am not wanting in my care To doe you seruice you 'le be still the same That you were to your Alworth in a word Our yeares our states our births are not vnequall You being descended nobly and alli'd so If then you may be wonne to make me happy But ioyne your lipps to mine and that shall be A solemne contract Lady I were blind to my owne good Should I refuse it yet my Lord receiue me As such a one the studie of whose whole life Shall know no other obiect but to please you Lou. If I returne not with all tendernesse Equall respect to you may I die wretched Lady There needs no protestation my Lord To her that cannot doubt you are welcome Sir Now you looke like your selfe Enter Welborne Welb. And will continue Such in my free acknowledgement that I am Your creature Madam and will neuer hold My life mine owne when you please to command it Lou. It is a thankefulnesse that well becomes you You could not make choice of a better shape To dresse your mind in Lady For me I am happy That my endeuours prosper'd saw you of late Sir Giles your Vncle Welb. I heard of him Madam By his minister Marrall he 's growne into strange passions About his daughter this last night he look'd for Your Lordship at his house but missing you And she not yet appearing his wise-head Is much perplex'd and troubl'd Lou. It may be sweet heart my proiect tooke Enter Ouer. with distracted lookes driuing in Marrall before him Lad. I strongly hope Ouer. Ha! find her Boobie thou huge lumpe of nothing I 'le bore thine eyes out else Welbo. May it please your Lordship For some ends of mine owne but to withdraw A little out of sight though not of hearing You may perhaps haue sport Lou. You shall direct me stepps aside Ouer. I shall sol fa you Rogue Mar. Sir for what cause Doe you vse me thus Ouer. Cause slaue why I am angrie And thou a subiect only fit for beating And so to coole my choler looke to the writing Let but the seale be broke vpon the box That has slepp'd in my cabinet these three yeares I 'le racke thy soule for 't Mar. I may yet crie quittance Though now I suffer and dare not resist aside Ouer. Lady by your leaue did you see my Daughter Lady And the Lord her husband Are they in your house If they are discouer that I may bid 'em ioy And as an entrance to her place of Honour See your Ladyship on her left hand and make courseis When she nodds on you which you must receiue As a speciall fauour Lady When I know Sir Giles Her state requires such ceremony I shall pay it But in the meane time as I am my selfe I giue you to vnderstand I neither know Nor care where her Honour is Ouer. When you once see her Supported and led by the Lord her Husband You 'le be taught better Nephew Welb. Sir Ouer. No more Welb. 'T is all I owe you Welb. Haue your redeem'd ragges Made you thus insolent Welb. Insolent to you in scorne Why what are you Sir vnlesse in your yeares At the best more than myselfe Ouer. His fortune swells him 'T is rancke he 's married Lady This is excellent Ouer. Sir in calme language though I seldome vse it I am familiar with the cause that makes you Beare vp thus brauely there 's a certaine buz Of a stolne marriage do you heare of a stolne marriage In which 't is said there 's some body hath beene coozin'd I name no parties Welb. Well Sir and what followes Ouer. Marry this Since you are peremptory remember Vpon meere hope of your great match I lent you A thousand pounds put me in good security And suddainely my Mortgage or by Statute Of some of your new possessions or I 'le haue you Dragg'd in your lauender robes to the Gaole you know me And therefore do not trifle Welb. Can you be So cruell to your Nephew now hee 's in The way to rise was this the courtesie You did me in pure loue and no ends else Ouer. End me no ends ingage the whole estate And force your Spouse to signe it you shall haue Three or foure thousand more to rore and swagger And reuell in bawdy tauernes Welb. And begge after Meane you not so Ouer. My thoughts are mine and free Shall I haue security Welb. No indeed you shall not Nor bond nor bill nor bare acknowledgement Your great looks fright not me Ouer. But my deeds shall Outbrau'd They both draw the seruants enter Lady Helpe murther murther Welb. Let him come on With all his wrongs and iniuries about him Arm'd with his cut-throate practises to guard him The right that I bring with me will defend me And punish his extortion Ouer. That I had thee But single in the field Lady You may but make not My house your quarrelling Scene Ouer. Were 't in a Church By heauen and hell I 'le do 't Mar. Now put him to The shewing of the deed Welb. This rage is vaine Sir For fighting feare not you shall haue your hands full Vpon the least incitement and whereas You charge me with a debt of a thousand pounds If there be law how e're you haue no conscience Either restore my land or I 'le recouer A debt that 's truely due to me from you In value ten times more than what you challenge Ouer. I in thy debt O impudence did I not purchase The land left by thy father that rich land That had continued in Welbornes name Twenty descents which like a riotous foole Thou did'st make sale of is not here inclos'd The deed that does confirme it mine Mar. Now now Welb. I doe acknowledge none I ne're pass'd o're Any such land I grant for a yeare or two You had it in trust which if you doe discharge Surrendring the possession you shall ease Your selfe and me of chargeable suits in law Which is you proue not honest as I doubt it Must of necessity follow Lady In my iudgement He does aduise you well Ouer. Good Good conspire With your new Husband Lady second him In his dishonest practises but when This Mannor is extended to my vse You 'le speake in an humbler key and sue for fauour Lady Neuer do not hope it Welb. Let despaire first sease me Ouer. Yet to shut up thy mouth and make thee giue Thy selfe the lye the lowd lye I draw out The precious euidence if thou canst forsweare Thy hand and seale and make a forfeit of Thy
eares to the pillory see here 's that will make My interrest cleare Ha! Opens the box Lady A faire skinne of parchment Welb. Indented I confesse and labells too But neither wax nor words How thunder-strooke Not a syllable to insult with my wise Vncle Is this your precious euidence is this that makes Your interest cleare Ouer. I am o'rewhelm'd with wonder What prodigie is this what subtle diuell Hath raz'd out the inscription the wax Turn'd into dust the rest of my deedes whole As when they were deliuer'd and this onely Made nothing doe you deale with witches Raskall There is a statute for you which will bring Your necke in a hempen circle yes there is And now 't is better thought for Cheater know This iuggling shall not saue you Welb. To saue thee would begger the stocke of mercy Ouer. Marrall Mar. Sir Ouer. flattering him Though the witnesses are dead your testimony Helpe with an oath or two and for thy master Thy liberall master my good honest seruant I know you will sweare any thing to dash This cunning slight besides I know thou art A publike notarie and such stand in law For a dozen witnesses the deed being drawne too By thee my carefull Marrall and deliuer'd When thou wert present will make good my title Wilt thou not sweare this Mar. I no I assure you I haue a conscience not sear'd vp like yours I know no deeds Ouer. Wilt thou betray me Mar. Keepe him From vsing of his hands I 'le vse my tongue To his no little torment Ouer. Mine owne Varlet Rebell against me Mar. Yes and vncase you too The Ideot the Patch the Slaue the Boobie The propertie fit only to be beaten For your morning exercise your Footeball or Th' vnprofitable lumpe of flesh your Drudge Can now anatomize you and lay open All your blacke plotts and leuell with the earth Your hill of pride and with these gabions guarded Vnloade my great artillerie and shake Nay pulverize the walls you thinke defend you Lady How he foames at the mouth with rage Walb. To him againe Ouer. O that I had thee in my gripe I would teare thee Ioint after ioint Mar. I know you are a tearer But I 'le haue first your fangs par'd off and then Come nearer to you when I haue discouer'd And made it good before the Iudge what wayes And diuelish practises you vs'd to coozen With an armie of whole families who yet live And but enrol'd for souldiers were able To take in Dunkerke Welb. All will come out Lady The better Ouer. But that I will liue Rogue to torture thee And make thee wish and kneele in vaine to dye These swords that keepe thee from me should fix here Although they made my body but one wound But I would reach thee Lou. Heauens hand is in this One Ban-dogge worrie the other aside Ouer. I play the foole And make my anger but ridiculous There will be a time and place there will be cowards When you shall feele what I dare do Welb. I thinke so You dare do any ill yet want true valour To be honest and repent Ouer. They are words I know not Nor e're will learne Patience the beggers vertue Enter Greedie and person Will-doe Shall find no harbour here after these stormes At length a calme appeares Welcome most welcome There 's comfort in thy lookes is the deed done Is my daughter married say but so my Chaplaine And I am tame Will-doe Married yes I assure you Ouer. Then vanish all sad thoughts there 's more gold for thee My doubts and feares are in the titles drown'd Of my right honorable my right honorable daughter Greed. Here will I be feasting at least for a month I am prouided emptie gutts croke no more You shall be stuff'd like baggepipes not with wind But bearing dishes Ouer. Instantly be here Whispring to Will-doe To my wish to my wish now you that plot against me And hop'd to trippe my heeles vp that contemn'd me Loud musicke Thinke on 't and tremble they come I heare the musicke A lane there for my Lord Welb. This sodaine heate May yet be cool'd Sir Ouer. Make way there for my Lord Enter Alworth and Margaret Marg. Sir first your pardon then your blessing with Your full allowance of the choice I haue made As euer you could make vse of your reason kneeling Grow not in passion since you may as well Call backe the day that 's past as vntie the knot Which is too strongly fasten'd not to dwell Too long on words this 's my Husband Ouer. How Alw. So I assure you all the rites of marriage With euery circumstance are past alas Sir Although I am no Lord but a Lords page Your daughter and my lou'd wife mournes not for it And for Right honourable sonne in Law you may say Your dutifull daughter Ouer. Diuell are they married Will-doe Doe a fathers part and say heau'n giue 'em ioy Ouer. Confusion and ruine speake speake quickly Or thou art dead Will-doe They are married Ouer. Thou had'st better Haue made a contract with the King of fiends Than these my braine turnes Will-doe Why this rage to me Is not this your letter Sir and these the words Marry her to this Gentleman Ouer. It cannot Nor will I e're beleeue it's death I will not That I that in all passages I touch'd At worldly profit haue not left a print Where I haue trod for the most curious search To trace my footstepps should be gu'lld by children Baffull'd and fool'd and all my hopes and labours Defeated and made void Welb. As it appeares You are so my graue Vncle Ouer. Village Nurses Reuenge their wrongs with curses I 'le not wast A syllable but thus I take the life Which wretched I gaue to thee Offers to kill Margaret Lou. Hold for your owne sake Though charity to your daughter hath quite left you Will you do an act though in your hopes lost here Can leaue no hope for peace or rest hereafter Consider at the best you are but a man And cannot so create your aimes but that They may be cross'd Ouer. Lord thus I spit at thee And at thy counsaile and againe desire thee And as thou art a souldier if thy valour Dares shew it selfe where multitude and example Lead not the way le ts quit the house and change Six words in priuate Lou. I am ready Lad. Stay Sir Contest with one distracted Welb. You 'le grow like him Should you answer his vaine challenge Ouer. Are you pale Borrow his help though Hercules call it oddes I 'le stand against both as I am hem'd in thus Since like Libian-Lyon in the toyle My fury cannot reach the coward hunters And only spends it selfe I 'le quit the place Alone I can do nothing but I haue seruants And friends to second me and if I make not This house a heape of ashes by my wrongs What I haue spoke I will make good or lean'd One throat vncut if it
Greedie vp so soone Greed. In troth my Lord after the Sun is vp I cannot sleep for I haue a foolish stomacke That croakes for breakefast With your Lordships fauour I haue a serious question to demand Of my worthy friend Sir Giles Lou. Pray you vse your pleasure Greed. How far Sir Giles and pray you answer me Vpon your credit hold you it to be From your Mannor house to this of my Lady Alworths Ouer. Why some foure mile Greed. How foure mile good Sir Giles Vpon your reputation thinke better For if you doe abate but one halfe quarter Of fiue you doe yourselfe the greatest wrong That can be in the world for foure miles riding Could not haue rais'd so huge an appetite As I feele gnawing on me Mar. Whither you ride Or goe a foote you are that way still prouided And it please your Worship Ouer. How now Sirra prating Before my Lord no difference go to my Nephew See all his debts discharg'd and help his Worship To fit on his rich suite Mar. I may fit you too Toss'd like a dogge still Exit Marrall Lou. I haue writt this morning A few lines to my mistresse your faire daughter Ouer. 'T will fire her for shee 's wholy yours already Sweet master Alworth take my ring 't will carry you To her presence I dare warrant you and there pleade For my good Lord if you shall find occasion That done pray ride to Nottingham get a licence Still by this token I 'le haue it dispatch'd And suddainely my Lord that I may say My honorable nay right honorable daughter Greed. Take my aduice young Gentleman get your breakefast 'T is vnholsome to ride fasting I 'le eate with you And eate to purpose Ouer. Some Furies in that gut Hungry againe did you not deuoure this morning A shield of Brawne and a barrell of Colchester oysters Greed. Why that was Sir only to scoure my stomacke A kind of a preparatiue Come Gentleman I will not haue you feed like the Hangman of Vllushing Alone while I am here Lou. Hast your returne Alw. I will not faile my Lord Greed. Nor I to line My Christmas coffer Exeunt Greedy and Alworth Ouer. To my wish we are priuate I come not to make offer with my daughter A certaine portion that were poore and triuiall In one word I pronounce all that is mine In lands or leases ready coine or goods With her my Lord comes to you nor shall you haue One motiue to induce you to beleeue I liue too long since euery yeare I 'le add Something vnto the heape which shall be yours too Lou. You are a right kind father Ouer. You shall haue reason To thinke me such how doe you like this seate It is well wooded and well water'd the Acres Fertile and rich would it not serue for change To entertaine your friends in a Sommer progresse What thinkes my noble Lord Lou. 'T is a wholesome aire And well built pile and she that 's mistresse of it Worthy the large reuennue Ouer. 'Shee the mistresse It may be so for a time but let my Lord Say only that he likes it and would haue it I say e're long 't is his Lou. Impossible Ouer. You doe conclude too fast not knowing me Nor the engines that I worke by 't is not alone The Lady Alworths Lands for those once Welbornes As by her dotage on him I know they will be Shall soone be mine but point out any mans In all the Shire and say they lie conuenient And vsefull for your Lordship and once more I say aloud They are yours Lou. I dare not owne What 's by vniust and cruell meanes extorted My fame and credit are more deare to me Than so to expose 'em to be censur'd by The publike voice Ouer. You run my Lord no hazard Your reputation shall stand as faire In all good mens opinions as now Nor can my actions though condemn'd for ill Cast any foule aspersion vpon yours For though I doe contemne report my selfe As a meere sound I still will be so tender Of what concernes you in all points of Honour That the immaculate whitenesse of your Fame Nor your vnquestion'd integrity Shall e're be sullied with one taint or spot That may take from your innocence and candor All my ambition is to haue my daughter Right honorable which my Lord can make her And might I liue to dance vpon my knee A young Lord Louell borne by her vnto you I write nil vltra to my proudest hopes As for possessions and annuall rents Equiualent to maintaine you in the port Your noble birth and present state requires I doe remoue that burthen from your shoulders And take it on mine owne for though I tithe The Country to supply your riotous wast The scourge of prodigalls want shall neuer find you Lou. Are you not frighted with the imprecations And curses of whole families made wretched By your sinister practises Ouer. Yes as rocks are When foamie billowes split themselues against Their flinty ribbes or as the Moone is mou'd When wolues with hunger pin'd howle at her brightnesse I am of a solid temper and like these Steere on a constant course with mine owne sword If call'd into the field I can make that right Which fearefull enemies murmur'd at as wrong Now for these other pidling complaints Breath'd out in bitternesse as when they call me Extortioner Tyrant Cormorant or Intruder On my poore Neighbours right or grand incloser Of what was common to my priuate vse Nay when my cares are pierc'd with Widdowes cries And vndon Orphants wash with teares my threshold I only thinke what 't is to haue my daughter Right honorable and 't is a powerfull charme Makes me insensible of remorse or pitty Or the least sting of Conscience Lou. I admire The toughnesse of your nature Ouer. 'T is for you My Lord and for my daughter I am marble Nay more more if you will haue my character In little I enioy more true delight In my arriuall to my wealth these darke And crooked wayes than you shall e're take pleasure In spending what my industry hath compass'd My hast commands me hence In one word therefore Is it a Match Lou. I hope that is past doubt now Ouer. Then rest secure not the hate of all mankind here Nor feare of what can fall on me hereafter Shall make me studie ought but your aduancement One story higher An Earle if gold can do it Dispute not my religion nor my faith Though I am borne thus headlong by my will You may make choice of what beleefe you please To me they are equall so my Lord good morrow Exit Lou. Hee 's gone I wonder how the Earth can beare Such a portent I that haue liu'd a Souldier And stood the enemies violent charge vndaunted To heare this blasphemous beast a 'm bath'd all ouer In a cold sweat yet like a mountaine he Confirm'd in Atheisticall assertions Is no more shaken than Olimpus is When angry
Boreas loades his double head With suddaine drifts of snow Enter Amble Lady Woman Lad. Saue you my Lord Disturbe I not your priuacie Lou. No good Madam For your owne sake I am glad you came no sooner Since this bold bad man Sir Giles Ouerreach Made such a plaine discouerie of himselfe And read this morning such a diuellish Matins That I should thinke it a sinne next to his But to repeat it Lad. I ne're press'd my Lord On others priuacies yet against my will Walking for health sake in the gallerie Adioyning to your lodgings I was made So vehement and loud he was partaker Of his tempting offers Lad. Please you to command Your seruants hence and I shall gladly heare Your wiser counsell Lad. 'T is my Lord a womans But true and hearty wait in the next roome But be within call yet not so neere to force me To whisper my intents Amb. We are taught better By you good Madam Wom. And well know our distance Lad. Doe so and talke not't will become your breeding Exeunt Amble and Woman Now my good Lord if I may vse my freedome As to an honour'd friend Lou. You lessen else Your fauour to me Lad. I dare then say thus As you are Noble how e're common men Make sordid wealth the obiect and sole end Of their industrious aimes 't will not agree With those of eminent blood who are ingag'd More to prefer their Honours than to increase The State left to 'em by their Ancestours To study large additions to their fortunes And quite neglect their births though I must grant Riches well got to be a vsefull Seruant But a bad Master Lou. Madam 't is confessed But what infer you from it Lad. This my Lord That as all wrongs though thrust into one scale Slide of themselues off when right fills the other And cannot bide the triall so all wealth I meane if ill acquir'd cemented to Honor By vertuous wayes atchieu'd and brauely purchas'd Is but as rubbage powr'd into a riuer How e're intended to make good the bancke Rendring the water that was pure before Polluted and vnholsome I allow The heire of Sir Giles Ouerreach Margaret A maide well qualified and the richest match Our North part can make boast of yet she cannot With all that she brings with her fill their mouthes That neuer will forget who was her father Or that my husband Alworths lands and Welbornes How wrunge from both needs now no repetition Were reall motiue that more work'd your Lordship To ioyne your families than her forme and vertues You may conceaue the rest Lou. I doe sweet Madam And long since haue consider'd it I know The summe of all that makes a iust man happy Consists in the well choosing of his wife And there well to discharge it does require Equality of yeares of birth of fortune For beauty being poore and not cried vp By birth or wealth can truely mixe with neither And wealth where there 's such difference in yeares And faire descent must make the yoke vneasie But I come neerer Lad. Pray you doe my Lord Lou. Were Ouerreach stat's thrice centupl'd his daughter Millions of degrees much fairer than she is How e're might vrge presidents to excuse me I would not so adulterate my blood By marrying Margaret and so leaue my issue Made vp of seuerall peeces one part skarlet And the other London-blew In my owne tombe I will interre my name first Lad. I am glad to heare this aside Why then my Lord pretend you marriage to her Dissimulation but tyes false knots On that straite line by which you hitherto Haue measur'd all your actions Lou. I make answer And aptly with a question Wherefore haue you That since your Husbands death haue liu'd a strict And chaste Nuns life on the suddaine giu'n your selfe To visits and entertainments thinke you Madam 'T is not growge publike conference or the fauours Which you too prodigally haue throwne on Welborne Being too reseru'd before incurre not censure Lad. I am innocent heere and on my life I sweare My ends are good Lou. On my soule so are mine To Margaret but leaue both to the euent And since this friendly priuacie does serue But as an offer'd meanes vnto our selues To search each other farther you hauing showne Your care of mee I my respect to you Denie me not but still in chaste words Madam An after-noones discourse Lad. So I shall heare you Actus quarti Scena secunda Tapwell Froth Apwell Vndone vndone this was your counsaile Froth Froth Mine I defie thee did not master Marrall He has marr'd all I am sure strictly command vs On paine of Sir Giles Ouerreach displeasure To turne the Gentleman out of dores Tapw. 'T is true But now hee 's his Vncles darling and has got Master Iustice Greedy since he fill'd his belly At his commandement to doe any thing Woe woe to vs Froth He may proue mercifull Tap. Troth we do not deserue it at his hands Though he knew all the passages of our house As the receiuing of stolne goods and bawdrie When he was rogue Welborne no man would beleeue him And then his information could not hurt vs But now he is right Worshipfull againe Who dares but doubt his testimonie me thinkes I see thee Froth already in a cart For a close Bawde thine eyes cu'n pelted out With durt and rotten egges and my hand hissing If I scape the halter with the letter R. Printed vpon it Froth Would that were the worst That were but nine dayes wonder as for credit We haue none to lose but we shall lose the money He owes vs and his custome there 's the hell on 't Tap. He has summon'd all his Creditours by the drum And they swarme about him like so many souldiers On the pay day and has found out such a new way To pay his old debts as 't is very likely He shall be chronicl'd for it Froth He deserues it More than ten Pageants But are you sure his Worship Comes this way to my Ladies A cry within braue Master Welborne Tapw. Yes I heare him Froth Be ready with your petition and present it To his good Grace Enter Welb. in a rich habit Greed. Ord. Furn. three Creditors Tapw. kneeling deliuers his bill of debt Welb. How 's this petition'd too But note what miracles the payment of A little trash and a rich suite of clothes Can worke vpon these Rascalls I shall be I thinke prince Welborne Mar. When your Worships married You may be I know what I hope to see you Welb. Then looke thou for aduancement Mar. To be knowne Your Worships Bayliffe is the marke I shoot at Welb. And thou shalt hit it Mar. Pray you Sir dispatch These needie followers and for my admittance Prouided you 'l defend me from Sir Giles This interim Tapwell and Froth flattering bribing iustice Greedy Whose seruice I am weary of I 'le say something You shall giue thankes for Welb. Feare me not Sir Giles Greed. Who
doing to the life what he has plotted The end may yet proue happy now my Alworth Enter Ouerreach Alw. To your letter and put on a seeming anger Marg. I 'le pay my Lord all debts due to his title And when with termes not taking from his Honour He does sollicite me I shall gladly heare him But in this peremptory nay commanding way 'Tappoint T appoint a meeting and without my knowledge A Priest to tye the knot can ne're be vndone 'Till death vnloose it is a confidence In his Lordship will deceiue him Alw. I hope better Good Lady Marg. Hope Sir what you please for me I must take a safe and secure course I haue A father and without his full consent Though all Lords of the land kneel'd for my fauour I can grant nothing Ouer. I like this obedience But whatsoeuer my Lord writes must and shall bee Accepted and embrac'd Sweet master Alworth You shew your selfe a true and faithfull seruant To your good Lord he has a iewell of you How frowning Meg are these lookes to receiue A messenger from my Lord what 's this giue me it Marg. A peece of arrogant paper like th' inscriptions Ouer. Ouerreach read the letter Faire mistrisse from your seruant learne all ioyes That we can hope for if deferr'd proue toyes Therefore this instant and in priuate meete A Husband that will gladly at your feet Lay downe his Honours tendring them to you With all content the Church being payd her due Is this the arrogant peece of paper Foole Will you still be one in the name of madnesse what Could his good Honour write more to content you Is there ought else to be wisht after these two That are already offer'd Marriage first And lawfull pleasure after what would you more Marg. Why Sir I would be married like your daughter Not hurried away i' th night I know not whither Without all ceremonie no friends inuited To honour the sollemnity Alw. An 't please your Honour For so before to morrow I must stile you My Lord desire this priuacie in respect His honourable kinsmen are far off And his desires to haue it done brooke not So long delay as to expect their comming And yet He stands resolu'd with all due pompe As running at the ring playes masques and tilting To haue his marriage at Court celebrated When he has brought your Honour vp to London Ouer. He tells you true 't is the fashion on my knowledge Yet the good Lord to please your peeuishnes Must put it off forsooth and lose a night In which perhaps he might get two boyes on thee Tempt me no farther if you do this good Shall pricke you to him Marg. I could be contented Were you but by to do a fathers part And giue me in the Church Ouer. So my Lord haue you What do I care who giues you since my Lord Does purpose to be priuate I 'le not crosse him I know not master Alworth how my Lord May be prouided and therefore there 's a purse Of gold 't will serue this nights expence to morrow I 'le furnish him with any summes in the meane time Vse my ring to my Chaplaine he is benefic'd At my Mannor of Gotam and call'd parson Will-doe 'T is no matter for a licence I 'le beare him out in 't Marg. With your fauour Sir what warrant is your ring He may suppose I got that twenty wayes Without your knowledge and then to be refus'd We 're such a staine vpon me if you pleas'd Sir Your presence would do better Ouer. Still peruerse I say againe I will not crosse my Lord Yet I 'le preuent you too Paper and incke there Alw. I can furnish you Ouer. I thanke you I can write then Writes on his booke Alw. You may if you please put out the name of my Lord In respect he comes disguis'd and only write Marry her to this Gentleman Ouer. Well aduis'd Margaret kneeles 'T is done away my blessing Girle thou hast it Nay no reply begone good master Alworth This shall be the best nights worke you euer made Alw. I hope so Sir Exeunt Alworth and Margaret Ouer. Farewell now all 's cocke-sure Me thinkes I heare already Knights and Ladies Say Sir Giles Ouerreach 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 Paraquit This is state in Ladies or my eldest sonne To be her page and wait vpon her trencher My ends my ends are compass'd then for Welborne And the lands were he once married to the widdow I haue him here I can scarce containe my selfe I am so full of ioy nay ioy all ouer Exit the end of the fourth Act. Actus quinti Scena quinta Louell Lady Amble LAdy By this you know how strong the motiues were That did my Lord induce me to dispence A little with my grauity to aduance In personating some few fauours to him The plots and proiects of the downe-trod Welborne Nor shall I e're repent although I suffer In some few mens opinions for 't the action For he that ventur'd all for my deare Husband Might rustly claime an obligation from me To pay him such a courtesse which had I Coiley or ouer-curiously denied It might haue argu'd me of little loue To the deceas'd Lou. What you intended Madam For the poore Gentleman hath found good successe For as I vnderstand his debts are pay'd And he once more furnish'd for faire imployment But all the arts that I haue vs'd to raise The fortunes of your loy and mine young Alworth Stand yet in supposition though I hope well For the young louers are in wit more pregnant Than their yeares can promise and for their desires On my knowledge they are equall Lady As my wishes Are with yours my Lord yet giue me leaue to feare The building though well grounded to deceiue Sir Giles that 's both a Lyon and a Fox In his proceedings were a worke beyond The strongest vndertakers not the triall Of two weake innocents Lou. Despaire not Madam Hard things are compass'd oft by easie meanes And iudgement being a gift deriu'd from heauen Though sometimes lodg'd it 'h hearts of worldly men That ne're consider from whom they receiue it Forsakes such as abuse the giuer of it Which is the reason that the politicke And cunning Statesman that beleeues he fathomes The counsels of all Kingdomes on the earth Is by simplicity oft ouerreach Lady May he be so yet in his name to expresse it Is a good O men Lou. May it to my selfe Proue so good Lady in my suite to you What thinke you of the motion Lady Troth my Lord My owne vnworthinesse may answer for me For had you when that I was in my prime My virgin-flower vncropp'd presented me With this great fauour looking on my lownesse Not in a glasse of selfe-loue but of truth I could not but haue thought it as a blessing Far far beyond my merit Lou. You are too