land in West-ham, by Essex: master Ranges, that dwells by Enfield, sent him hither. He likes Kate well; I may tell you, I think she likes him as well: if they agree, I'll not hinder the match for my part. But that Warbeck is such another——I use him kindly for master Somerton's sake; for he came hither first as a companion of his honest men, master Thorney, may fall into knaves' company now and then.

War. Three hundred a year jointure, Sue.
Sus. Where lies it!

By sea or land? I think by sea.

War. Do I look like a captain?

Sus. Not a whit, sir.

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?

Sus.

Neither

Am I a property for you to use

As stale to your fond wanton loose discourse:7
Pray, sir, be civil.

War. Wilt be angry, wasp?

Car. God-a-mercy, Sue! she'll firk him on my life, if he fumble with her.

7 As stale to your fond wanton loose discourse:] i. e. as a pretence, a stalking-horse, under cover or which you may vent your licentious language, &c. Be civil, in the next line, means,-assume the manners of decent, cultivated society.

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 'tis a mannerly girl, master Thorney, though but an 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 belly-fulls. Should I diet three days at one of the slender city-suppers, you might send me to Barber-Surgeon's hall the fourth day, to hang up for an anatomy.-Here come they that

Enter WARBECK with SUSAN, SOMERTON with
KATHERINE.

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? have they any mind to a loose gown and a strait

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;
Nor have I any clue to wind it out,

But what occasion proffers me; wherein,

If you should falter, I shall have the shame,
And you the loss. On these two points rely
Our happiness or ruin. If you marry

With wealthy Carter's daughter, there's a portion
Will free my land; all which I will instate,
Upon the marriage, to you: otherwise
I must be of necessity enforced

To make a present sale of all; and yet,
For ought I know, live in as poor distress,
Or worse, than now I do; you hear the sum:
I told you thus before; have you consider'd on't?
Frank. I have, sir; and however I could wish
To enjoy the benefit of single freedom,
For that I find no disposition in me
To undergo the burden of that care

That marriage brings with it; yet to secure

And settle the continuance of your credit,
I humbly yield to be directed by you
In all commands.

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.
But is your love so steady that you mean,
Nay more, desire, to make her your wife?
Frank. Else, sir,

It were a wrong not to be righted.
Thor. True,

It were: and you will marry her?
Frank. Heaven prosper it,

I do intend it.

Thor. Oh, thou art a villain!

A devil like a man! Wherein have I
Offended all the powers so much, to be

Father to such a graceless, godless son?

Frank. To me, sir, this! oh, my cleft heart! Thor. To thee,

Son of my curse. Speak truth and blush, thou

monster!

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.

Frank. With your license, 'tis not charitable, I'm sure it is not fatherly, so much

To be o'ersway'd with credulous conceit
Of mere impossibilities; but fathers

Are privileged to think and talk at pleasure. Thor. Why, canst thou yet deny thou hast no wife?

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, Which * * * **

travellers, day and night,

After a toilsome lodging, leave at pleasure?
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 As hot as flames of hell, to strike thee quick Into the grave of horror? I believe thee not; Get from my sight!

Frank. Sir, though mine innocence

Needs not a stronger witness than the clearness
Of an unperish'd conscience; yet for that
I was inform'd, how mainly you had been