Lady. I am innocent here, and, on my life, I swear My ends are good. Lov. On my soul, so are mine To Margaret; but leave both to the event: To search each other farther; you have shewn Lady. Affected modesty might deny your suit; SCENE II.-A landscape. Enter TAPWELL and FROTH. [Exeunt. Tap. Undone! undone! this was your counsel, Froth. Froth. Mine! I defy thee: did not Master Marrall (He has marred all, I am sure) strictly command us (On pain of Sir Giles Overreach's displeasure) To turn the gentleman out of doors? Tap. 'Tis true; But now he's his uncle's darling, and has got Froth. He may prove merciful. Tap. Troth, we do not deserve it at his hands: Though he knew all the passages of our house, As the receiving of stolen goods, When he was rogue Wellborn, no man would believe him, And then his information could not hurt us: Who dares but doubt his testimony? Methinks And my hand hissing (if I 'scape the halter) Froth. Would that were the worst! More than ten pageants. But are you sure his worship Comes this way to my lady's? And the bribe he promised; you are cozened in them; For of all the scum, that grew rich by my riots, And therefore speak not for them. By your place, You are rather to do me justice; lend me your ear, Forget his turkeys, and call in his licence, Greedy. I am changed on the sudden, And now I view him better, did you e'er see tenance, [A cry within, brave MR WELLBORN! Should an understanding judge but look on him, Tap. Yes, I hear him. Would hang him, though he were innocent, Tap. and Froth. Worshipful sir! Well. Pray you, on before; Greedy. No; though the Great Turk came I'll attend you at dinner.. instead of turkies, To beg my favour, I am inexorable: Greedy. For Heaven's sake don't stay long; It is almost ready. [Exit GREEDY. Mar. At four o'clock the rest know where to 1 Cred. I have not been hasty, nor e'er laid to Hang up Jack Marrall. 2d Cred. A taylor once, but now mere botcher. I gave you credit for a suit of cloaths, Well. I rely upon thee. [Exeunt. Which was all my stock; but you failing in pay-Unequalled temperance, or your constant sweet I was removed from the shop-board, and con- I yet rest doubtful. fined Under a stall. Well. See him paid; and botch no more. If their bills are paid in one and twenty years, I will pay you in private. And, since old debts are cleared by a new way, And this for your respect; take it, 'tis good gold, And I am able to spare it. Order. You are too munificent. Furn. He was ever so. 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 Allw. 'Tis true, my dearest; Yet, when I call to mind, how many fair ones you; I am so tender of your good, that I can hardly Wish myself that right, you are pleased to do me. Marg. To me, what's title, when content is wanting? Or wealth, when the heart pines In being dispossest of what it longs for? Of a pleased sire, that slaves me to his will? Alla. But the dangers, Marg. To me they are nothing: Let Allworth love, I cannot be unhappy. Alla. Heaven avert Such trials of your true affection to me! Marg. Lord Lovell is your friend; Enter OVERREACH. Could his good honour write more to content you? Is there aught else to be wished after these two, Marg. Why, sir, I would be married like your daughter, Not hurried away in the night I know not whither, Allw. An't please your honour, For so before to-morrow I must stile you, The end may yet prove happy: now, my All-And yet he stands resolved, with all due pomp, worth! nour, He does solicit me, I shall gladly hear him: A priest to tye the knot, can ne'er be undone, Alle. 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, To have his marriage at court celebrated, my knowledge: Yet the good lord, to please your peevishness, Marg. I could be contented, Over. So my lord have you, What do I care who gives you? since my lord morrow I'll furnish him with any sums. In the mean time, Though all lords of the land kneeled for my fa- 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 I say again, I will not cross my lord, you. L Over. I thank you, I can write then. [Writes on his book. Allw. You may, if you please, leave out the name of my lord, In respect he comes disguised, and only write, Over. Well advised. [MARGARET kneels. 'Tis done; away—my blessing, girl? thou hast it. Nay, no reply-be gone, good Mr Allworth; This shall be the best night's work you ever made. Alla. I hope so, sir. [Exeunt ALLWORth and MargareT. Over. Farewell! Now all's sure. Methinks, I hear already knights and ladies And the lands; were he once married to the widow I have him here-I can scarce contain myself, ACT V. SCENE I-A chamber in LADY ALLWORTH'S Presented me with this great favour, house. Enter LOVELL and LADY. Lady. By this, you know how strong the motives were, That did, my lord, induce me to dispense born. I could not but have thought it as a blessing, Lov. You are too modest, And undervalue that, which is above My title, or whatever I call mine. In a word, Lov. 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 Stand yet in supposition, though I hope well. On my knowledge they equal. Lady. Though my wishes Are with yours, my lord, yet give me leave to fear The building, though well grounded. To deceive Sir Giles, that's both a lion and a fox Lov. Despair not, madam : Hard things are compassed oft by easy means. The cunning statesman, that believes he fathoms Lady. May be so. The young ones have my warmest wishes. 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. Lov. 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 acknowledgement, that I am Your creature, madam, and will never hold My life mine own, when you please to demand it. Lov. It is a thankfulness, that well becomes for Your lordship at his house; but, missing you, Lov. O, gentle lady, let them prove kind to Is much perplexed and troubled. me! You've kindly heard-now grant my suit. What say you, lady? Lady. Troth, my lord, My own unworthiness may answer for me; For had you, when I was in my prime, Lov. I hope my project took. Enter OVERREACH, with distracted looks, driving in MARRALL before him. 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. Over. I shall sol fa you, rogue! Mar. Sir, for what cause Do you use me thus? [Steps aside. 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; Though now I suffer, and dare not resist. [Aside. 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; curt'sies When she nods on you; which you must re ceive As a special favour. Lady. When I know, sir Giles, him; Her state requires such ceremony, I shall pay it; The right I bring with me will defend me, 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! And punish his extortion. Lady. You may; but make not The shewing of the deed. Well. This rage is vain, sir; For fighting, fear not, you shall have hands your full A debt, that is truly due to me from you, 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? Mar. Now, now. Well. I do acknowledge none; I ne'er passed o'er Such land; I grant, for a year or two, |