And think of some course suitable to thy rank,
And prosper in it.

Allw. You have well advis'd 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. (L. c.) Yes, 'tis much material:

[Crosses to R.

You know my fortune, and my means; yet something I can spare from myself to help your wants.

Well. (R. C.) How's this? Allm. Nay, be not angry. Well. Money from thee? From a boy? one that lives

At the devotion of a stepmother,

And the uncertain favour of a lord?

[Offers him money.

I'll eat my arms first. Howsoe'er blind Fortune
Hath spent the utmost of her malice on me,
Though I am rudely thrust out of an alehouse,
And thus accoutred-know not where to eat,
Or drink, or sleep, but underneath this canopy-
Although I thank thee, I disdain thy offer.
No-as I, in my madness, broke my state,
Without th' assistance of another's brain,
In my right wits, I'll piece it; at the worst,
Die thus, and be forgotten.

Allw. Fare thee well.

[Exeunt ALLWORTH, L. WELLBORN, R.

SCENE II-A Hall in Lady Allworth's House.— Table, and four Chairs.

AMBLE, ORDER, FURNACE, and WATCHALL, discovered, in a line across the Stage.

Ord. (c.) Set all things right; or, as my name is
Order,

And by this staff of office, that commands you,
This chain and double ruff, symbols of power,

Whoever misses in his function,

For one whole week makes forfeiture of his breakfast, And privilege in the wine-cellar.

Wat. (L.) You are merry,

Good master Steward.

B

Fur. (L.C.) Let him; I'll be angry.

Amb. (R.) Why, fellow Furnace, 'tis not twelve o'clock yet,

Nor dinner taken up; then, 'tis allow'd,

Cooks, by their places, may be choleric.

Fur. You think you've spoken wisely, goodman Amble,

My lady's go-before.

Ord. Nay, nay, no wrangling.

Fur. Twit me with the authority of the kitchen!
At all hours, and at all places, I'll be angry:
And, thus provok'd, when I am at my prayers
I will be angry.

Amb. There was no hurt meant.

[Crosses to FURNACE, and shakes hands. Fur. (L. c.) I'm friends with thee; and yet I will be

angry.

Wat. (L.) With whom?

Fur. (c.) No matter whom: yet, now I think on't, I'm angry with my lady.

Amb. (R.) Heaven forbid, man!

Ord. What cause has she given thee?
Fur. Cause enough, master Steward,

I was entertain'd by her to please her palate.
And, till she forswore eating, I perform'd it.
Now, since our master, noble Allworth, died,

Though I crack my brains to find out tempting sauces,
When I am three parts roasted,

And the fourth part parboil'd, to prepare her viands,
She keeps her chamber, dines with a panada,
Or water-gruel, my sweat never thought on.
Ord. But your art is seen in the dining-room.
Fur. By whom?

By such as pretend love to her; but come
To feed upon her. Yet, of all the harpies
That do devour her, I am out of charity
With none so much as the thin-gutted squire

That's stolen into commission.

Ord. Justice Greedy?

Fur. The same, the same. Meat's cast away upon

him;

It never thrives. He holds this paradox;

Who eats not well, can ne'er do justice well:

His stomach's as insatiate as the grave.

Wat. One knocks.

[A knocking without, L.

[Exit WATCHALL, L.

Ord. Our late young master.

Enter WATCHALL and ALLWORTH, L. and salutes them alternately.

Wat. Welcome, sir.

Fur. You're welcome:

[ALLW. crosses to FUR.

[ALLW. crosses to ORD.

If you've a stomach, a cold bake-meat's ready.

Ord. His father's picture in little. [Crosses to AMB.
Amb. We are all your servants.
Allw. At once my thanks to all.

This is yet some comfort. Is my lady
Ord. Her presence answers for us.

[Crosses to R. stirring ? [Retire up on R.

Enter LADY ALLWORTH, ABIGAIL, and TABITHA, R. Lady A. Sort those silks well.

I'll take the air alone :

[Exeunt TABITHA and ABIGAIL, R.

And, as I gave directions, if this morning

I'm visited by any, entertain 'em

As heretofore: but say, in my excuse,

I'm indispos'd.

Ord. We shall, madam.

Lady A. (R.) Do, and leave me.

[Exeunt WATCHALL, FURNACE, ORDER, and
AMBLE, L.

Nay, stay you, Allworth.-Tell me, how is't with
Your noble master?

Allw. (L. c.) Ever like himself;

No scruple lessen'd in the full weight of honour.
He did command me-pardon my presumption-
As his unworthy deputy, to kiss

Your ladyship's fair hands.

Lady A. I'm honour'd in

His favour to me. Does he hold his purpose
For the low countries?

Allw. Constantly, good madam;

But will, in person, first present his service.

Lady A. And how approve you of his course? you're yet,

Like virgin parchment, capable of any

Inscription, vicious or honourable:

I will not force your will, but leave you free
To your own election.

Allw. Any form you please

I will put on: but-might I make my choice

With humble emulation, I would follow
The path my lord marks to me.

Lady A. "Tis well answer'd;

And I commend your spirit: your father, Allworth,
My ever-honour'd husband, some few hours
Before the will of heaven took him from me,
Did commend you, e'en by the dearest ties
Of perfect love between us, to my charge:
And, therefore, when I speak, you are bound to hear
With such respect, as if he liv'd in me.

Allw. I have found you,

Most honour'd madam, more than a mother to me;
And, with my utmost strength of care and service,
Will labour that you may never repent

Your bounties shower'd upon me.

Lady A. I much hope it.

These were your father's words :-If e'er my son
Follow the war, tell him, it is a school
Where all the principles tending to honour
Are taught, if truly follow'd: but for such
As repair thither, as a place in which

They do presume they may with license practice
Their lawless riots, they shall never merit
The noble name of soldiers.

To obey their leaders, and shun mutinies :
To bear with patience the winter's cold,"
And summer's scorching heat;

To dare boldly

In a fair cause; and, for their country's sake,
To run upon the cannon's mouth undaunted;
These are the essential parts make up a soldier;
Not swearing, dice, or drinking.

Allw. There's no syllable

You speak, but is to me an oracle.

Lady A. To conclude:

Beware ill company; for, often, men

Are like to those with whom they do converse;

And from one man I warn you, and that's Wellborn :
Not, 'cause he's poor, that rather claims your pity:
But that he's in his manners so deprav'd,

And hath in vicious courses lost himself.
'Tis true, your father lov'd him, while he was
Worthy the loving; but, if he had liv'd

To've known him as he is, he had cast him off,
As you must do.

Somebody comes. This way:

[Noise without, L.

Follow me to my chamber: you shall have gold
To furnish you like my son, and still supplied

As I hear from you.

Allw. I am still bound to you.

[Exeunt, R.

Enter ORDER, WATCHALL, SIR GILES OVERREACH, MARRALL, GREEDY, FURNACE, and AMBLE, L.MARRALL goes behind to R.

Gree. (L.) Not to be seen!

Sir G. (c.) Still cloister'd up! Her reason,
I hope, assures her, though she make herself
Close prisoner ever for her husband's loss,
"Twill not recover him.

Ord. (R. c.) Sir, 'tis her will;

Which we, that are her servants, ought to serve,
And not dispute: howe'er, you're nobly welcome;
And, if you please to stay, that you may think so,
There came, not six day's since, from Hull, a pipe
Of rich Canary, which shall spend itself

For my lady's honour.

Gree. (L. C.) Is it of the right race?

[SIR G. and MAR. converse apart up Stage.

Ord. Yes, Master Greedy.

Amb. How his mouth runs o'er !

Fur. [Comes down L.] I'll make it run and run.

Save your good worship!

Gree. Honest master Cook, thy hand; again: how I love thee!

Are the good dishes still in being? speak, boy.

Fur. If you've a mind to feed, there is a chine Of beef well season'd.

Gree, Good.

Fur. A pheasant larded.

Gree. That I might now give thanks for't!

Fur. Besides, there came last night, from the forest

of Sherwood,

The fattest stag I ever cook'd.

Gree. A stag, man?

Fur. A stag, sir; part of it prepar'd for dinner, And bak'd in puff-paste.

Gree. Puff-paste too! Sir Giles,

A ponderous chine of beef! a pheasant larded!

And red deer, too, Sir Giles, and bak'd in puff-paste!

All business set aside, let us give thanks here.
Sir G. [Advancing, c.] You know, we cannot.