Should all that use the seas be reckon'd cap tains, There's not a ship should have a scullion in her To keep her clean. War. Do you scorn me, mistress Susan? Am I a subject to be jeer'd at? Enter FRANK. Car. Master Francis Thorney, you are welcome indeed; your father expected your coming. How does the right worshipful knight, Sir Arthur Clarington, your master? Frank. In health this morning. Sir, my duty. Thor. Now You come as I could wish. War. Frank Thorney? ha! Frank. Virtuous mistress Susan. [Aside. Kind mistress Katherine. [Kisses them. Gentlemen, to both Good time o' th' day. Som. The like to you. War. 'Tis he: A word, friend. (Aside to Soм.) On my life, this is the man Stands fair in crossing Susan's love to me. Som. I think no less; be wise and take no notice on't; He that can win her, best deserves her. War. Marry A serving man? mew! Som. Prithee, friend, no more. Car. Gentlemen all, there's within a slight dinner ready, if you please to taste of it. Master Thorney, master Francis, master Somerton !Why, girls! what, huswives! will you spend all your forenoon in tittle-tattles? away; it's well, I'faith. Will you go in, gentlemen? Thor. We'll follow presently; my son and I Have a few words of business. Car. At your pleasure. [Exeunt all but THORNEY and FRANK. Thor. I think you guess the reason, Frank, for which I sent for you. Frank. Yes, sir. Thor. I need not tell you With what a labyrinth of dangers daily The best part of my whole estate's encumber'd; But what occasion proffers me; wherein, With wealthy Carter's daughter, there's a portion I must be of necessity enforced To make a present sale of all; and yet, I told you thus before; have you consider'd on't? I humbly yield to be directed by you Thor. You have already used Such thriving protestations to the maid, That she is wholly your's; and speak the truth, You love her, do you not? Frank. Twere pity, sir, I should deceive her. Thor. Better you had been unborn. It were a wrong not to be righted. It were and you will marry her? I do intend it. Thor. Oh, thou art a villain! A devil like a man! Wherein have I Thor. To thee, Son of my curse. monster! Speak truth and blush, thou Hast thou not married Winnifrede, a maid Was fellow-servant with thee? Frank. Some swift spirit Has blown this news abroad; I must outface it. [Aside. Thor. Do you study for excuse? why all the country Is full on't. VOL. II. Frank. With your license, 'tis not charitable, To be o'ersway'd with credulous conceit Are privileged to think and talk at pleasure. Frank. What do you take me for? an atheist? One that nor hopes the blessedness of life Hereafter, neither fears the vengeance due To such as make the marriage-bed an inn? Am I become so insensible of losing The glory of creation's work, my soul? Oh, I have lived too long! Thor. Thou hast, dissembler. Dar'st thou perséver yet, and pull down wrath Frank. Sir, though mine innocence Needs not a stronger witness than the clearness Thor. From whom? Frank. Sir Arthur Clarington, my master. Thor. Well, sir. Frank. On every side I am distracted; Am waded deeper into mischief Than virtue can avoid; but on I must: [Reads. Fate leads me; I will follow.*-(Aside.) There you read Fate leads me; I will follow.] With the usual inconsist What may confirm you. Thor. Yes, and wonder at it. Forgive me, Frank; credulity abus'd me. Frank. Alas! I knew Your rage and grief proceeded from your love Thor. My good son, I'll bear with many faults in thee hereafter; Frank. The peace is soon concluded. Re-enter Old CARTER and SUSAN. Car. Why, master Thorney, do you mean to talk out your dinner? the company attends your coming. What must it be, master Frank? or son Frank? I am plain Dunstable.* Thor. Son, brother, if your daughter like to have it so. Frank. I dare be confident, she is not alter'd From what I left her at our parting last : Are you, fair maid? ency of those who seek to smother their conscience by plunging deeper into guilt, Frank observes, just below, that the fate which here "leads him on," pursues him!-GIFFORD. * I am plain Dunstable.] i. e. Blunt and honest. The proverb is of very ancient date, and is not even yet quite worn out; only, as Sir Hugh says, the phrase is a little variations: for, with the usual propensity of our countrymen to assist the memory by alliteration, a man like Carter is now Downright Dunstable.-GIFFORD. "As plain as Dunstable road" occurs among the Proverbs of Bedfordshire, given by Fuller in his Worthies; and hence, no doubt, the application of the phrase to plain and honest people. |