Face. Let us see them. Where's the money? Sub. Here. Face. The brethren's money, this. Drugger's and Dapper's in this, Mammon's ten pounds: eight score before. Sub. Here i' the trunk, And the bolts of lawn. Face. Is Drugger's damask there? Face. Give me the keys. Dol. Why you the keys? Sub. No matter, Dol; because We shall not open them, before he comes. Face. 'Tis true, you shall not open them, indeed; Nor have them forth. Do you see? Not forth, Dol. Both he, and she, be satisfied: for here Here will be officers presently; bethink you Sub. You are a precious fiend! [Outside. Face. Dol, I am sorry for thee i'faith. But, Love. What do you mean, my masters? Cheaters, bawds, conjurers. Offi. Or we'll break it open. Love. What warrant have you? Offi. Warrant enough, sir, doubt not. Offi. Yes, two or three for failing. And I will open it straight. Face. Off with your ruff, and cloak then; be Sur. Down with the door. Hold, gentlemen! what means this violence? Kas. Doxey, my suster? Ana. Locusts of the foul pit. purses. Trib. Prophane as Bell and the Dragon. Ana. Worse than the grashoppers, or the lice of Egypt. Love. Good gentlemen, hear me. ficers, And cannot stay this violence? Offi. Keep the peace. Are you of Love. Gentlemen, what is the matter! Whom do you seek? Mam. The chymical cozener. Sur. And the captain pander. Ana. Scorpions and caterpillars. Offi. One after another, gentlemen, I charge you. By virtue of my staff. Ana. They are the vessels It somewhat 'mazed me; till my man here, fear-I ing My more displeasure, told me had done To a doctor, and a captain; who, what they are, [They enter. Here, I Mam. Are they gone? The empty walls worse than I left them, smoked, Kas. Aye, that's my suster. I'll go thump her. Love. And should ha' married a Spanish count, but he, When he came to't, neglected her so grossly, Good faith, now, she does blame you extremely, and says You swore, and told her, you had taken the pains Could prime his powder, and give fire, and hit, Mam. No. cannot tell. It may be they should. What then? Love. What a great loss in hope have you sustained! Mam. Not I, the commonwealth has. I will go mount a turnip-cart, and preach The end o' the world, within these two months, Surly, what! in a dream? Sur. Must I needs cheat myself, With that same foolish vice of honesty! Come, let us go, and hearken out the rogues. That Face I'll mark for mine, if I e'er meet him. [Exeunt. Face. If you get off the angry child, now, sir A little indulgent to that servant's wit, Got off from Subtle, Surly, Mammon, Dol, And help his fortune, though with some small Hot Ananias, Dapper, Drugger, all With whom I traded; yet I put myself [Exeunt omnes. GREEDY, a hungry justice of peace. TAPWELL, an ale-house-keeper. Three creditors. WOMEN. LADY ALLWORTH, a rich widow. MARGARET, Overreach's daughter. MARRALL, a term-driver, a creature of SIR GILES FROTH, Tapwell's wife. Tap. What I was, sir, it skills not; What you are, is apparent. Now for a farewell: Since you talk of father, in my hope it will torment you, I'll briefly tell your story. Your dead father, rum ; And stood fair to be custos rotulorum ; Bare the whole sway of the shire; kept a good house; Relieved the poor, and so forth; but he dying, Well. Slave, stop! or I shall lose myself. You cannot be out of your way. Tap. But to my story; I shall proceed, sir: You were then a lord of acres, the prime gallant, And I your under-butler: note the change now. You had a merry time of't. Hawks and hounds; With choice of running horses: mistresses, And other such extravagancies; Which your uncle, sir Giles Overreach, observing, Resolving not to lose so fair an opportunity, On foolish mortgages, statutes, and bonds, For awhile supplied your lavishness, and then left you. Well. Some curate has penned this invective, mongrel, And you have studied it. Tap. I have not done yet. Your lands gone, and your credit not worth a token, You grew the common borrower; no man 'scaped Your paper pellets, from the gentleman to the groom; While I, honest Tim Tapwell, with a little stock, Some forty pounds or so, bought a small cottage; Humbled myself to marriage with my Froth here; Gave entertainment Well. Yes, to whores and pickpockets. I gleaned from them hath made me in my parish Well. Thus, you dog-bolt And thus Tap. Cry out for help! Well. Stir, and thou diest: For if they grumble, I revoke my pardon. Froth. This comes of your prating, husband; you presumed On your ambling wit, and must use your glib tongue, Though you are beaten lame for it. Tap. Patience, Froth; all! [They go off into the house. Well. Sent for to your mother? Allw. My lady, Frank, my patroness! my She's such a mourner for my father's death, And, in her love to him, so favours me, That I cannot pay too much observance to her. There are few such stepdames. Well. Tis a noble widow, And keeps her reputation pure, and clear To envy or detraction. Pr'ythee, tell me ; Allw. Even the best of the shire, Frank, sence; Yet she's so far from sullenness and pride, [Beats him. That I dare undertake you shall meet from her Your potent prince, the constable, shall not save While I give you good counsel. I am bound to it; Thy father was my friend; and that affection I bore to him, in right descends to thee: Thou art a handsome and a hopeful youth, |