He did command me, pardon my presumption,

As his unworthy deputy, to kiss

Your ladyship's fair hands.

L. All. I am honoured in

His favour to me.

Does he hold his purpose

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For the Low Countries?

All. Constantly, good madam ;

But he will in person first present his service.

L. All. And how approve you of his course? you are yet

Like virgin parchment, capable of any

Inscription, vicious or honourable.

I will not force your will, but leave you free
To your own election.

All. Any form you please,

I will put on; but, might I make my choice,
With humble emulation I would follow
The path my lord marks to me,

L. All. 'Tis well answered,

And I commend your spirit; you had a father,
Blessed be his memory! that some few hours
Before the will of Heaven took him from me,
Who did commend you, by the dearest ties
Of perfect love between us, to my charge;
And, therefore, what I speak, you are bound to hear
With such respect as if he lived in me.

He was my husband, and howe'er you are not
Son of my womb, you may be of my love,
Provided you deserve it.

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All. I have found you,

Most honoured madam, the best mother to me;
And, with my utmost strengths of care and service,
Will labour that you never may repent

Your bounties showered upon me.

L. All. I much hope it.

These were your father's words: "If e'er my son
Follow the war, tell him it is a school

Where all the principles tending to honour
Are taught, if truly followed: but for such
As repair thither as a place in which

They do presume they may with license practise
Their lusts and riots, they shall never merit
The noble name of soldiers. To dare boldly,
In a fair cause, and for their country's safety,
To run upon the cannon's mouth undaunted;
To obey their leaders, and shun mutinies;
To bear with patience the winter's cold
And summer's scorching heat, and not to faint,
When plenty of provision fails, with hunger;
Are the essential parts make up a soldier,
Not swearing, dice, or drinking."

All. There's no syllable

You speak, but is to me an oracle,
Which but to doubt were impious.

L. All. To conclude:

Beware ill company, for often men

Are like to those with whom they do converse;

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140

And, from one man I warn you, and that's Wellborn:
Not 'cause he's poor, that rather claims your pity;
But that he's in his manners so debauched,

And hath to vicious courses sold himself.
"Tis true, your father loved him, while he was
Worthy the loving; but if he had lived

To have seen him as he is, he had cast him off,
As you must do.

All. I shall obey in all things.

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~L. All. Follow me to my chamber, you shall have gold To furnish you like my son, and still supplied,

As I hear from you.

All. I am still your creature.

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[Exeunt.

SCENE III

A Hall in the same.

Enter Overreach, Greedy, Order, Amble, Furnace,
Watchall, and Marrall.

Greedy. Not to be seen!

Over. Still cloistered up! Her reason,

I hope, assures her, though she make herself
Close prisoner ever for her husband's loss,

'Twill not recover him.

Ord. Sir, it is her will,

Which we,
that are her servants, ought to serve,
And not dispute: howe'er, you are nobly welcome;
And, if you please to stay, that you may think so,
There came, not six days since, from Hull, a pipe 10
Of rich Canary, which shall spend itself

For my lady's honour.

Greedy. Is it of the right race?

Ord. Yes, Master Greedy.

Amb. How his mouth runs o'er !

Furn. I'll make it run, and run.

ship!

Save your good wor

Greedy. Honest Master Cook, thy hand; again: how I love thee!

Are the good dishes still in being? speak, boy.

Furn. If you have a mind to feed, there is a chine

Of beef, well seasoned.

Greedy. Good!

Furn. A pheasant, larded.

Greedy. That I might now give thanks for't!

Furn. Other kickshaws.

20

Besides, there came last night, from the forest of
Sherwood,

The fattest stag I ever cooked.

Greedy. A stag, man!

Furn. A stag, sir; part of it prepared for dinner,

And baked in puff-paste.

Greedy. Puff-paste too! Sir Giles,

A ponderous chine of beef! a pheasant larded!

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And red deer too, Sir Giles, and baked in puff-paste! All business set aside, let us give thanks here. Furn. How the lean skeleton's rapt !

Over. You know we cannot.

Mar. Your worships are to sit on a commission,
And if you fail to come, you lose the cause.
Greedy. Cause me no causes.

dinner,

I'll prove't, for such

We may put off a commission: you shall find it
Henrici decimo quarto.

Over. Fie, Master Greedy!

Will you lose me a thousand pounds for a dinner?
No more, for shame! we must forget the belly
When we think of profit.

Greedy. Well, you shall o'er-rule me ;

I could e'en cry now.-Do you hear, Master Cook,
Send but a corner of that immortal pasty,

And I, in thankfulness, will, by your boy,

Send you a brace of three-pences.

Furn. Will you be so prodigal ?

Enter Wellborn.

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50

Over. Remember me to your lady. Who have we here?

Well. You know me.

Over. I did once, but now I will not;

Thou art no blood of mine. Avaunt, thou beggar !

If ever thou presume to own me more,

I'll have thee caged and whipped.