Sir Ar. Already?

Frank. And more than so, sir, I have promis'd her Free entertainment in her uncle's house

Near Waltham-Abbey, where she may securely
Sojourn, till time and my endeavours work
My father's love and liking.

Sir Ar. Honest Frank!

Frank. I hope, sir, you will think I cannot keep her,

Without a daily charge.

Sir Ar. As for the money,

'Tis all thine own; and though I cannot make thee A present payment, yet thou shalt be sure I will not fail thee.

Frank. But our occasions

Sir Ar. Nay, nay,

Talk not of your occasions; trust my bounty,
It shall not sleep.-Hast married her i' faith, Frank?
'Tis well, 't is passing well;-then, Winnifrede,
Once more thou art an honest woman. Frank,
Thou hast a jewel, love her; she 'll deserve it.
And when to Waltham?

Frank. She is making ready:

Her uncle stays for her.

Sir Ar. Most provident speed.

Frank, I will be thy friend, and such a friend!-
Thou wilt bring her thither?

Frank. Sir, I cannot; newly

My father sent me word I should come to him. Sir Ar. Marry, and do; I know thou hast a wit To handle him.

Frank. I have a suit to you.

Sir Ar. What is it?

Any thing, Frank; command it.
Frank. That you'll please

By letters to assure my father that
I am not married.

Sir Ar. How?

Frank. Some one or other

Hath certainly inform'd him, that I purposed
To marry Winnifrede; on which he threaten'd
To disinherit me :-to prevent it,

Lowly I crave your letters, which he seeing
Will credit; and I hope, ere I return,

On such conditions as I'll frame, his lands
Shall be assured.

Sir Ar. But what is there to quit
My knowledge of the marriage?
Frank. Why you were not

A witness to it.

Sir Ar. I conceive; and then

His land confirm'd, thou wilt acquaint him thoroughly

With all that's past.

Frank. I mean no less.

Sir Ar. Provided

I never was made privy to 't.

Frank. Alas, sir,

Am I a talker?

Sir Ar. Draw thyself the letter,

I'll put my hand to 't. I commend thy policy,
Thou 'rt witty, witty, Frank; nay, nay, 't is fit:
Despatch it.

Frank. I shall write effectually.

[Exit.

Sir Ar. Go thy way, cuckoo!-have I caught the

young man?

One trouble then is freed.

He that will feast

At other's cost, must be a bold-faced guest.—

Enter WINNIFREDE in a riding-suit.

Win, I have heard the news, all now is safe;

The worst is past; thy lip, wench!-[Kisses her.]—I must bid

Farewell, for fashion's sake; but I will visit thee
Suddenly, girl. This was cleanly carried;

Ha! was 't not, Win? But come, wench, tell me, when
Wilt thou appoint a meeting?

Win. What to do?

Sir Ar. Good, good! to con the lesson of our loves, Our secret game.

Win. Oh, blush to speak it further.

As you are a noble gentleman, forget

A sin so monstrous; 't is not gently done,
To open a cured wound: I know you speak
For trial; 'troth, you need not.

Sir Ar. I for trial?

Not I, by this good sunshine!

Win. Can you name

That syllable of good, and yet not tremble
To think to what a foul and black intent
You use it for an oath? Let me resolve you:1
If you appear in any visitation,

That brings not with it pity for the wrongs
Done to abused Thorney, my kind husband;
If you infect mine ear with any breath
That is not thoroughly perfumed with sighs
For former deeds; may I be curs'd e'en in

My prayers, when I vouchsafe to see or hear you. Sir Ar. Wilt thou turn monster now? art not asham'd

After so many months to be honest at last?
Away, away! fie on 't!

Win. My resolution

Is built upon a rock. This very day

Young Thorney vow'd, with oaths not to be doubted,
That never any change of love should cancel
The bonds, in which we are to either bound,
Of lasting truth: and shall I then for my part
Unfile the sacred oath set on record

In Heaven's book? Sir Arthur, do not study
To add to your lascivious lust the sin

Of sacrilege; for if you but endeavour
By any unchaste word to tempt my constancy,
You strive as much as in you lies to ruin
A temple hallow'd to the purity

1 i. e. assure you.

Of holy marriage. I have said enough;
You may believe me.

Sir Ar. Get you to your nunnery,

There freeze in your [cfold cloister: this is fine! Win. Good angels guide me! Sir, you'll give me leave

To weep and pray for your conversion?

Sir Ar. Yes;

Away to Waltham. Out upon your honesty!
Had you no other trick to fool me? well,
You may want money yet.

Win. None that I'll send for

To you, for hire of a damnation.

When I am gone, think on my just complaint;
I was your devil; oh, be you my saint!

[Exit. Sir Ar. Go thy ways; as changeable a baggage As ever cozen'd knight; I'm glad I am rid of her. Honest! marry, hang her! Thorney is my debtor; I thought to have paid him too; but fools have for[Exit.

tune.

SCENE II.

Edmonton.-A Room in CARTER'S House.

Enter Old THORNEY and CArter.

Thor. You offer, master Carter, like a gentleman; I cannot find fault with it, 't is so fair.

Car. No gentleman I, master Thorney; spare the mastership, call me by my name, John Carter.Master is a title neither my father, nor his before him, were acquainted with; honest Hertfordshire yeomen; such a one am I; my word and my deed shall be proved one at all times. I mean to give you no security for the marriage-money.

Thor. How! no security? although it need not so long as you live; yet who is he has surety of his life one hour? Men, the proverb says, are mortal; else, for my part, I distrust you not, were the sum double.

Car. Double, treble, more or less, I tell you, master Thorney, I'll give no security. Bonds and bills are but terriers to catch fools, and keep lazy knaves busy; my security shall be present payment. And we here, about Edmonton, hold present payment as sure as an alderman's bond in London, master Thorney.

Thor. I cry you mercy, sir; I understood you not.

Car. I like young Frank well, so does my Susan too; the girl has a fancy to him, which makes me ready in my purse. There be other suitors within, that make much noise to little purpose. If Frank love Sue, Sue shall have none but Frank: 't is a mannerly girl, master Thorney, though but a homely man's daughter: there have worse faces looked out of black bags, man.

Thor. You speak your mind freely and honestly. I marvel my son comes not; I am sure he will be here some time to-day.

Car. To-day or to-morrow, when he comes he shall be welcome to bread, beer, and beef, yeoman's fare; we have no kickshaws: full dishes, whole bellyfuls. Should I diet three days at one of the slender city-suppers, you might send me to BarberSurgeon's hall the fourth day, to hang up for an anatomy. Here come they that

Enter WARBECK with SUSAN, SOMERTON with KATHE

RINE.

How now, girls! every day play-day with you? Valentine's day, too, all by couples? Thus will young folks do when we are laid in our graves, master Thorney: here's all the care they take. And how do you find the wenches, gentlemen? Win 'em and wear 'em; they shall choose for themselves by my consent.

War. You speak like a kind father. Sue, thou hear'st