And stood the enemy's violent charge undaunted, Enter LADY ALLWORTH, M. D.-advances, R. Lov. (L.) No, good madam; For your own sake, I'm glad you came no sooner : And read this morning such a devilish matins, Lady A. (R.) I ne'er press'd my lord, So loud and vehement he was, partaker Of his tempting offers. But, my good lord, if I may use my freedom, Lov. You lessen else Your favour to me. Lady A. I dare, then, say thus: Make sordid wealth the object and sole end But what infer you from it? Lady A. This, my lord: I allow the heir of Sir Giles Overreach, Margaret, Or that my husband Allworth's lands, and Wellborn's Lov. I do, good madam, And long since have consider'd it. And 'tis my resolution ne'er to wed With the rich Margaret, Overreach's daughter. Why then, my lord, pretend you marriage to her? On that straight line, by which you hitherto Lov. I make answer, And aptly, with a question. Wherefore have you, Ludy A. I'm innocent here; and, on my life, I swear, My ends are good. Lov. So, on my soul, are mine To Margaret: And, since this friendly privacy does serve As a fair offer'd means unto ourselves To search each other further-you having shewn Deny me not, I dare not yet say more, An afternoon's discourse. Lady A. Affected coyness might deny your suit; But, such your honour, frankness shall become me, And bid my tongue avow my honest heart: I shall attend your lordship. Lov. My heart thanks you. [Exeunt LOVELL, L. LADY ALLWORTH, M. D. SCENE II.-A Village. Enter FROTH and TAPWELL, from the House, L. S. E. Tap. (L.C.) Undone, undone! This was your counsel, Froth. Froth. (L.) Mine! I defy thee: did not master He has marr'd all, I am sure-strictly command us, Tap. (R. C.) 'Tis true: But now, he's his uncle's darling; and has got At his commandment to do any thing. Froth. (L. C.) He may prove merciful. Tap. Troth, we do not deserve it at his hands. Froth. Then, he knows all the passages of our house; As the receiving of stolen goods, and so forth. When he was rogue Wellborn, no man would believe him; And then his information could not hurt us: If I 'scape the halter, with the letter R Froth. 'Would that were the worst! That were but nine days' wonder. As for credit, Tap. He has summon'd all his ereditors by the drum ; "Tis said, he has found such a new way To pay his old debts, as, 'tis very likely, Froth. But are you sure his worship Comes this way to my lady's ?~[Drum-and cry without of, L. U. E.]-Brave Master Wellborn! Tap. Hark, I hear him. Froth. Be ready with your petition, and present it To his good grace. [Drum-and cry again, L. v. E. Enter GREEDY, WELLBORN in a rich habit, MARRALL-VINTNER, TAILOR, with other CreditorsORDER, FURNACE, and AMBLE, L.-U. E.-TAPWELL and FROTH, kneeling, deliver a Petition. Well. (c.) How's this? petition'd too! Mar. (L. c.) When your worship's married, Your worship's bailiff, is the mark I shoot at. Mar. Pray you, sir, dispatch These needy followers: and for my admittance, Provided you'll defend me from Sir Giles, Well. Fear not Sir Giles. [WELL. and MAR. retire up on L. c. and converse apart. Gree. [Bringing TAP. and FROTH to centre.] Who? Tapwell-I remember; thy wife brought me, Last new year's tide, a couple of fat turkies. Tap. (c.) And shall do, every Christmas, let your worship But stand my friend now. Gree. How! with Master Wellborn? I can do any thing with him, on such terms. [WELL. advances L. See you this honest couple? [To WELL.] They're good souls As ever drew out spigot. Have they not And the bribe he promis'd. You are cozen'd in 'em ; For, of all the scum that grew rich by my riots, This, for a most unthankful knave, and this, For a base quean and thief, have worst deserv'd me; Forget his turkies, and call in his license, [Goes a little up, and converses with MARRALl. Gree. (L. c.) I'm chang'd o'the sudden in my opinion.-Mum. Come near; [To TAP. and FROTH.] nearer, rascal! One look so like an arch knave? his very countenance, Tap. and Froth. Worshipful sir Gree. No; though the great Turk came, instead of turkies, To beg my favour, I'm inexorable. Thou'st an ill name: I here do damn thy licence, Forbidding thee ever to tap or draw; For instantly I will, in mine own person, Froth. (R.) No mercy? Gree. Vanish! If I show any, may my promis'd venison choke me! [Crosses behind, and exit with FROTH into the House. Well. (c.) On, Master Greedy: I'll be with you at dinner. Gree. (R.c.) For heaven's sake, don't stay long; "Tis almost ready. [Exit GREEDY, R. Well. (c.) Speak: what are you? Vint. [Comes down.] A decay'd vintner, sir, That might have thriv'd but that your worship broke me, With trusting you with muscadine and eggs, And five-pound suppers, with your after-drinkings, When you lodg'd upon the Bankside. Well. I remember. Vint. I've not been hasty, nor e'er laid to arrest you; And therefore, sir Well. Thou art an honest fellow: I'll set thee up again: [VINTNER goes up centre.]— [To MAR.] See his bill paid. [TAILOR advances L.] What are you? Tai. A tailor once, but now mere botcher. I was remov'd from the shop-board, and confin'd Well. See him paid: [To MARRALL, who is in c. a little up.] and botch no more. Tai. I ask no interest, sir. Well. Such tailors need not; If their bills are paid in one and twenty years, They're seldom losers. See these men discharg'd. And, since old debts are clear'd by a new way, There's something for you all. [Throws a purse to the Creditors. All the Creditors. Brave Master Wellborn! [Drums and shouts.-Exeunt Creditors, L. U. E. |