ACT IV

SCENE I

A Room in Lady Allworth's House.

Enter Lord Lovell and Allworth.

Lov. 'Tis well; give me my cloak; I now discharge you From further service: mind your own affairs,

I hope they will prove successful.

All. What is blest

With your good wish, my lord, cannot but prosper.
Let aftertimes report, and to your honour,

How much I stand engaged, for I want language
To speak my debt; yet if a tear or two

Of joy, for your much goodness, can supply
My tongue's defects, I could-

Lov. Nay, do not melt :

This ceremonial thanks to me's superfluous.

Over. [within.] Is my lord stirring?

Lov. 'Tis he! oh, here's your letter: let him in.

Enter Overreach, Greedy, and Marrall.

Over. A good day to my lord!

IO

Lov. You are an early riser,

Sir Giles.

Over. And reason, to attend your lordship.
Lov. And you, too, Master Greedy, up so soon!
Greedy. In troth, my lord, after the sun is up,
I cannot sleep, for I have a foolish stomach
That croaks for breakfast.

favour,

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With your lordship's

I have a serious question to demand

Of my worthy friend Sir Giles.

Lov. Pray you use your pleasure.

Greedy. How far, Sir Giles, and pray you answer me
Upon your credit, hold you it to be

From your manor-house, to this of my Lady's All-
worth's?

Over. Why, some four mile.

Greedy. How! four mile, good Sir Giles

Upon your reputation, think better ;

For if you do abate but one half-quarter
Of five, you do yourself the greatest wrong

That can be in the world; for four miles riding
Could not have raised so huge an appetite

As I feel gnawing on me.

Mar. Whether you ride,

Or go afoot, you are that way still provided,
An it please your worship.

Over. How now, sirrah? prating

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40

Before my lord! no difference! Go to my nephew,

See all his debts discharged, and help his worship

To fit on his rich suit.

Mar. I may fit you too.

Tossed like a dog still!

Lov. I have writ this morning

[Aside, and exit.

A few lines to my mistress, your fair daughter. Over. 'Twill fire her, for she's wholly yours already :Sweet Master Allworth, take my ring; twill carry you To her presence, I dare warrant you; and there plead

For my good lord, if you shall find occasion.

That done, pray ride to Nottingham, get a licence,
Still by this token. I'll have it dispatched,

And suddenly, my lord, that I may say,

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My honourable, nay, right honourable daughter. Greedy. Take my advice, young gentleman, get your breakfast;

'Tis unwholesome to ride fasting: I'll eat with you, And eat to purpose.

Over. Some Fury's in that gut:

Hungry again! did you not devour, this morning, 60
A shield of brawn, and a barrel of Colchester
oysters ?

Greedy. Why, that was, sir, only to scour my stomach,
A kind of a preparative. Come, gentleman,

I will not have you feed like the hangman or
Flushing,

Alone, while I am here.

Lov. Haste your return.

All. I will not fail, my lord.

Greedy. Nor I, to line

My Christmas coffer. [Exeunt Greedy and Allworth. Over. To my wish: we are private.

I come not to make offer with my daughter

A certain portion, that were poor and trivial :
In one word, I pronounce all that is mine,

In lands or leases, ready coin or goods,

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With her, my lord, comes to you; nor shall you have

One motive to induce you to believe

I live too long, since every year I'll add

Something unto the heap, which shall be yours too. Lov. You are a right kind father.

Over. You shall have reason

To think me such. How do you like this seat?
It is well wooded, and well watered, the acres
Fertile and rich; would it not serve for change,
To entertain your friends in a summer progress?
What thinks my noble lord?

Lov. 'Tis a wholesome air,

And well-built pile; and she that's mistress of it,
Worthy the large revenue.

Over. She the mistress!

It may be so for a time: but let my lord
Say only that he likes it, and would have it,
I say, ere long 'tis his.

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90

Lov. Impossible.

Over. You do conclude too fast, not knowing me,

Nor the engines that I work by 'Tis not alone
The Lady Allworth's lands, for those once Well-
born's,

(As by her dotage on him I know they will be,)
Shall soon be mine; but point out any man's
In all the shire, and say they lie convenient,
And useful for your lordship, and once more
I say aloud, they are yours.

Lov. I dare not own

What's by unjust and cruel means extorted;
My fame and credit are more dear to me,
Than so to expose them to be censured by
The public voice.

Over. You run, my lord, no hazard.

Your reputation shall stand as fair,
In all good men's opinions, as now;

Nor can my actions, though condemned for ill,
Cast any foul aspersion upon yours.
For, though I do contemn report myself
As a mere sound, I still will be so tender

Of what concerns you, in all points of honour,
That the immaculate whiteness of your fame,
Nor your unquestioned integrity,

Shall e'er be sullied with one taint or spot
That may
take from your innocence and candour.
All my ambition is to have my daughter

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