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. OVERREACH. Order, 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: Which your uncle, sir Giles Overreach, observing, 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 Live like an emperor: 'twas I that gave it, For, from the tavern to the tap-house, all, Well. They are well rewarded That beggar themselves to make such rascals rich. Thou viper, thankless viper! But since you are grown forgetful, I will help Your memory, and kick thee into remembrance; Not leave one bone unbroken. Tap. Oh! 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. [They go off into the house. 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 you. Hear me, ungrateful hell-bound! did not I 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, star, By which the load-stone of your folly's guided. And, to confirm this true, what think you of Fair Margaret, the only child and heir Of cormorant Overreach? Dost blush and start, To hear her only named? Blush at your want Of wit and reason. Allw. You are too bitter, sir. Well. Wounds of this nature are not to be cured With balms, but corrosives. I must be plain : Art thou scarce manumized from the porter's lodge, And yet sworn servant to the pantoffle, Allw. Howe'er you have discovered my in tents, You know my aims are lawful; and if ever The queen of flowers, the glory of the spring, The sweetest comfort to our smell, the rose, Sprang from an envious briar, I may infer, There's such disparity in their conditions Between the goddess of my soul, the daughter, And the base churl, her father. Well. Grant this true, As I believe it; canst thou ever hope To enjoy a quiet bed with her, whose father Ruined thy state? Allw. And yours too. Well. I confess it, Allworth. I must tell you as a friend, and freely, That, where impossibilities are apparent, 'Tis indiscretion to nourish hopes. Canst thou imagine (let not self-love blind thee) That sir Giles Overreach (that to make her great In swelling titles, without touch of conscience, Will cut his neighbour's throat, and I hope his own too) Will e'er consent to make her thine? Give o'er, And think of some course suitable to thy rank, And prosper in it. Allw. You have well advised me; But, in the mean time, you, that are so studious Of my affairs, wholly neglect your own. Remember yourself, and in what plight you are. Well. No matter, no matter. Allw. Yes, 'tis much material: You know my fortune, and my means; yet something I can spare from myself, to help your wants. Allw. Nay, be not angry. There's eight pieces, To put you in better fashion. Well. Money from thee? From a boy, a stipendary? one that lives I'll eat my arms first. Howsoe'er blind fortune Allw. A strange humour! [Exeunt severally. SCENE II.—A Chamber in Lady ALLWORTH'S House. Enter ORDER, AMBLE, FURNACE. Order. Set all things right, or, as my name is Order, Whoever misses in his function, For one whole week makes forfeiture of his breakfast, And privilege in the wine cellar. Good master steward. Furn. Let him; I'll be angry. Amble. Why, fellow Furnace, 'tis not twelve o'clock yet, Nor dinner taking up; then 'tis allowed At all hours, and at all places, I'll be angry; And, thus provoked, when I am at my prayers I will be angry. Amble. There was no hurt meant. Furn. I am friends with thee, and yet I will be angry. Order. With whom? Furn. No matter whom : yet, now I think on't, I am angry with my lady. Amble. Heaven forbid, man! Order. What cause has she given thee? I was entertained by her to please her palate, And the fourth part par-boiled, to prepare her | Like virgin parchment, capable of any viands, She keeps her chamber, dines with a panada, By such as pretend to love her; but come Order. Justice Greedy? Inscription, vicious or honourable. I will not force your will, but leave you free Allw. Any form you please I will put on but, might I make my choice, Lady. 'Tis well answered, And I commend your spirit: you had a father, (Blessed be his memory) that some few hours Before the will of Heaven took him from me, Furn. The same, the same. Meat is cast away Did commend you, by the dearest ties upon him: It never thrives. He holds his paradox, If Of perfect love between us, to my charge: With such respect, as if he lived in me. Allw. I have found you, [ALLWORTH knocks, and enters. Most honoured madam, the best mother tome; Order. Our late young master. Furn. Your hand: you have a stomach, a cold bake-meat's ready. This is yet some comfort. Is my lady stirring? Enter the Lady ALLWORTH. Order. Her presence answers for us. And, as I gave directions, if this morning I am indisposed. Order. I shall, madam. Lady. Do, and leave me. And with my utmost strength of care and service, Your bounties showered upon me. Lady. I much hope it. These were your father's words: If e'er my son They do presume they may, with license, prac tise Their lusts and riots, they shall never merit Are the essential parts make up a soldier: [Exeunt ORDER, AMBLE, and FURNACE. Not swearing, dice, or drinking. Nay, stay you, Allworth. Allw. I shall gladly grow here, To wait on your commands. Lady. So soon turned courtier! Alla. Stile not that courtship, madam, which is duty, Purchased on your part. Lady. Well, you shall o'ercome; I'll not contend in words. How is it with Allw. Ever like himself; No scruple lessened in the full weight of ho- He did command me (pardon my presumption), Your ladyship's fair hands. Lady. I am honoured in His favour to me. Does he hold his For the Low Countries? Allw. Constantly, good madam: purpose But he will, in person, first present his service. Lady. And how approve you of his course? you are yet, Allw. There's no syllable You speak, but it is to me an oracle ; Lady. To conclude; Beware ill-company; for often men Are like to those with whom they do converse: born: Not 'cause he's poor; that rather claims your But that he's in his manners so debauched, To have seen him as he is, he had cast him off, Allw. I shall obey in all things. Lady. Follow me to my chamber; you shall To furnish you like my son, and still supplied Allw. I am still your creature. [Exeunt. SCENE II-A hall in Lady ALLWORTH'S House. Enter OVERREACH, GREEDY, ORDER, AMBLE, FURNACE, and MARRALL. Greedy. Not to be seen? Over. Still cloistered up? her reason, I hope, assures her, though she makes herself Close prisoner ever for her husband's loss Twill not recover him. Order. Sir, it is her will; Which we, that are her servants, ought to serve, And not dispute. However, you are nobly wel come : And, if you please to stay, that you may think so, Greedy. Is it of the right race? Amble. How his mouth runs over! Furn. I'll make it run and run. Save your good worship! Greedy. Honest Mr Cook, thy hand; again! How I love thee! Are the good dishes still in being? speak, boy. Furn. If you have a mind to feed, there is a chine Of beef well seasoned. Furn. A pheasant, larded. Greedy. That I might now give thanks for it! Furn. Other kick-shaws. Besides, there came last night, from the forest of Sherwood, The fattest stag I ever cooked. Greedy. A stag, man? Furn. A stag, sir; part of it is prepared for dinner, And baked in puff-paste. Greedy. Puff-paste, too, Sir Giles! A ponderous chine of beef! a pheasant larded! And red deer, too, Sir Giles, and baked in puffpaste! All business set aside, let us give thanks here. Mar. Your worships are to sit on a commission, And if you fail to come, you lose the cause. Greedy. Cause me no causes; I'll prove it, for such a dinner, We may put off a commission; you shall find it Henrici decimo quarto. Over. Fie, Mr Greedy! And I, in thankfulness, will, by your boy, Who have we here? Well. Don't you know me? Over. I did once, but now I will not; Thou art no blood of mine. Avaunt, thou beg gar! E'en as I do malmsey in a morning. [Exeunt OVERREACH, GREEDY, and MARRAL. Amble. Will you out, sir? I wonder how you durst creep in. Amble. Cannot you stay To be served among your fellows from the basket, Only to consume meat and drink, and batten Order. Here comes my lady. Lady. What noise is this? Well. Madam, my designs bear me to you. Well. And though I have met with But ragged entertainment from your grooms here, I hope from you to receive that noble usage, |