Two devils that are occasions to enforce
A shameful end. My plots aim but to keep
My father's love.

Win. And that will be as difficult
To be preserv'd, when he shall understand
How you are married, as it will be now,
Should you confess it to him.

Frank. Fathers are

Won by degrees, not bluntly, as our masters
Or wronged friends are; and besides I'll use
Such dutiful and ready means, that ere

He can have notice of what's past, th' inheritance
To which I am born heir, shall be assured;
That done, why let him know it: if he like it not,
Yet he shall have no power in him left
To cross the thriving of it.

Win. You who had

The conquest of my maiden-love, may easily Conquer the fears of my distrust. And whither Must I be hurried?

Frank. Prithee do not use

A word so much unsuitable to the constant
Affections of thy husband: thou shalt live
Near Waltham-Abbey, with thy uncle Selman ;
I have acquainted him with all at large:
He'll use thee kindly; thou shalt want no pleasures,
Nor any other fit supplies whatever
Thou canst in heart desire.

Win. All these are nothing
Without your company.

Frank. Which thou shalt have Once every month at least.

Win. Once every month! Is this to have an husband? Frank. Perhaps oftener; That's as occasion serves.

Win. Ay, ay; in case

No other beauty tempt your eye, whom you
Like better, I may chance to be remember'd,
And see you now and then. Faith; I did hope
You'd not have us'd me so: 'tis but my fortune.
And yet, if not for my sake, have some pity
Upon the child I go with; that's your own:
And 'less you'll be a cruel-hearted father,
You cannot but remember that.

Heaven knows, how

Frank. To quit which fear at once,
As by the ceremony late perform'd,

I plighted thee a faith, as free from challenge,
As any double thought; once more, in hearing
Of Heaven and thee, I vow that never henceforth
Disgrace, reproof, lawless affections, threats,
Or what can be suggested 'gainst our marriage,
Shall cause me falsify that bridal oath

That binds me thine. And, Winnifrede, whenever
The wanton heats of youth, by subtle baits
Of beauty, or what woman's art can practise,
Draw me from only loving thee, let Heaven
Inflict upon my life some fearful ruin!
I hope thou dost believe me.

'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, 'tis 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? Anything, 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

Sir Ar. I for trial?

Not I, by this good sun-shine!
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:
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 of lust; may I be curs'd
Even in my prayers, when I vouchsafe

To see or hear you! I will change my life,
From a loose whore to a repentant wife.

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

Sir Ar. Draw thyself the letter,

I'll put my hand to't. I commend thy policy, Thou'rt witty, witty, Frank; nay, nay, 'tis fit: Dispatch 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?

Win. Then were my happiness,
That I in heart repent I did not bring him
The dower of a virginity. Sir, forgive me ;

I have been much to blame: had not my laundress

Given way to your immoderate waste of virtue,
You had not with such eagerness pursued
The error of your goodness.

Sir Ar. Dear, dear Win,

I hug this art of thine; it shows how cleanly
Thou canst beguile, in case occasion serve
To practise; it becomes thee: now we share
Free scope enough, without controul or fear.
To interchange our pleasures; we will surfeit

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

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

Sir Ar. Get you to your nunnery,

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

me leave

Car. No gentleman I, master Thorney; spare the mastership, call me by my name, John Carter. Master is a title my father, nor his before him, were acquainted with; honest Hertfordshire yeomen; such an 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.

not.

Thor. I cry you mercy, sir, I understood you

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 shoe? Win 'em and wear 'em; they shall choose for themselves by my consent.

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

The liberty that's granted thee; what sayest thou? Wilt thou be mine?

Sus. Your what, sir? I dare swear

Never your wife.

War. Canst thou be so unkind,

Considering how dearly I affect thee, Nay, dote on thy perfections?

Sus. You are studied,

Too scholar-like, in words I understand not.

I am too coarse for such a gallant's love
As you are.

War. By the honour of gentility

Sus. Good sir, no swearing; yea and nay with us Prevail above all oaths you can invent.

War. By this white hand of thine-
Sus. Take a false oath !

Fie, fie! flatter the wise; fools not regard it,
And one of these am I.

War. Dost thou despise me?

Car. Let them talk on, master Thorney; I know Sue's mind. The fly may buzz about the candle, he shall but singe his wings when all's done; Frank, Frank is he has her heart.

Som. But shall I live in hope, Kate?
Kath. Better so,

Than be a desperate man.

Som. Perhaps thou think'st it is thy portion I level at: wert thou as poor in fortunes As thou art rich in goodness, I would rather Be suitor for the dower of thy virtues, Than twice thy father's whole estate; and, prithee, Be thou resolv'd so.

As worthily in loving thee sincerely,
As thou art worthy to be so beloved.

Kath. I shall find time to try you.
Som. Do, Kate, do;

And when I fail, may all my joys forsake me!

Car. Warbeck and Sue are at it still. I laugh to myself, master Thorney, to see how earnestly be beats the bush, while the bird is flown into another's bosom. A very unthrift, master Thorney; one of the country roaring-lads; we have such as well as the city, and as arrant rake-hells as they are, though not so nimble at their prizes of wit. Sue knows the rascal to an hair's-breadth, and will fit him accordingly.

Thor. What is the other gentleman ?

A

Car. One Somerton; the honester man of the two, by five pound in every stone-weight. civil fellow; he has a fine convenient estate of land in West-ham, by Essex: master Ranges, that dwells by Enfield, sent him hither. He likes Kate well; 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 captains,
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:
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.

Enter FRANK.

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.

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 Is full on't. [country 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
Possess'd of this untruth,-to quit all scruple
Please you peruse this letter; 'tis to you.
Thor. From whom?

Frank. Sir Arthur Clarington, my master.
Thor. Well, sir.

[Reads.