Um! that's not quite fo good

As th' other two; that fomebody elfe, is me : (Now you fhall fee how he'll abuse me here

To mine own face.) Why fomebody elfe, good brother? Shape.

The rich gout rot his bones; an hungry, old, Hard griping citizen, that only feeds

On heirs and orphans goods, they say must have it :

One that ne'er had the wisdom to be honest;

And 's therefore knave, 'caufe 'tis the eafier art.

I know he hath not given half the worth on't. 'Tis a meer cheat.

Credulous.

'Slid, brother, thou haft paid him

To th' utmoft, though he hath not paid thy mafter.
Now is my wit up too: This land, I fee,

Will make men thrive i' th' brain.

Whoe'er he be, I'd give him fomewhat more
Into the bargain: a bafe thin-jaw'd fneakfbill,
Thus to work gallants out of all. It grieves me
That my poor tenement too goes into th' fale.

Credulous.

What have I done? Now, wit, deliver me !
If he know I am he, he'll cut my throat;
I never fhall enjoy it.

Sure it was

Your master's feeking, friend; he would ne'er elfe
Have had to do with it; he that bought it is
A very honest man;. and if you please him

Will deal with you. I may speak a word
In your behalf: "Twon't be the worse for

Shape.

I'm going, fir, unto him; do you know Where I may find him?

Credulous.

you.

Faith, I'm the fame; I try'd

What metal thou was't made of: I perceive

Thou wilt not flinch for th' wetting

My bailiff there, perhaps.

An't please your worship!

Shape.

66

; thou may'ft be

It was my mafter's feeking; you would ne'er
Have had to do with 't elfe. He fent me to you
For the last hundred pound, by the fame token,
That you invited him to th' eating-house.

Credulous.

(O this fimplicity! He does not know

Yet what an ordinary means.) I was now coming
To have paid it in.

Shape.

I'll fave your worship that

Labour, an't please you: Let me now begin

My bailiff-fhip.

66 · flinch for th" wetting.] An allufion to the effects of water on cloth ill woven.

S.

I thank

Why then

Credulous.

I'll stay till he returns; 'twill be by dinner.

Shape.

to fend it; if by chance
your worship may

Credulous.

'Snigs, and that's confiderable.

Here, here, make hafte with it; but ere thou goest,
Tell me, is't a pretty thing?

O' my corporal oath,

Shape.

A very pretty thing. Befides the house,
Orchards, and gardens, fome two hundred acres
Of land that beareth as good country corn;

God give you luck on't!

Right, as I did say,

Credulous.

Ev'n word by word. But pr'ythee ftay a little ;
What meadow-ground's there? Pafture in proportion?
Shape.

As you would wifh, fir. I'm in hafte.

Nay, bailiff,

Credulous.

But one word more, and I have done; What place
Is there to dry wet linen in ?

O twenty,

Shape.

To hang up clothes, or any thing you please;

Your worship cannot want line-room. God be wi'you !

Credulous.

But this once, and

Credulous.

Little think'ft thee, how diligent thou art To little purpose. 'Snigs, I pity him:

3

[Exit Shape.

What hafte he makes to cheat himself! poor fool!
Now I am safe, the wretch must pardon me
For his poor tenement; all's mine. I'll fow
One ground or other every month with pease:
And fo I will have green ones all the year.
Thefe yeomen have no policy i' th' world.

[Exit.

PRAY

SCENE III.

Prifcilla, Meanwell.
Prifcilla.

AY y' entertain yourself a while, until
I give my mistress notice of your presence.
I'd leave a book with you, but that I fee
You are a gentleman: perhaps you'll find
Some pretty stories in the hangings there.
Meanwell.

Thank you, fweetheart.

(A very proper man !)

Prifcilla.

If't lie in me to do you any pleasure,

Pray you, fir, ufe me; you fhall find me ready.

Meanwell.

[Exit Prifcilla.

I make no doubt of that: These implements, Thefe chamber-properties are fuch ripe things,

They'll fall with the leaft touch. From twelve to twenty They think that others are to fue to them;

When once they've pass'd these limits, they make bold. I cannot fay to woo, that's fomething modeft,

But alk downright themselves.

Leave us, Prifcilla,

Enter Mrs. Jane.
Jane.

And wait without a while,

Meanwell.

Meanwell.

Fair mistress, pardon

The boldness of a ftranger, who uncivilly.
Thus interrupts your better thoughts.

May I

Demand your business?

Under favour thus:

Jane.

Meanwell.

Not to use farther circumftance, fair virgin,
(And yet lefs fair, 'caufe virgin) you are one
That are the thought, the care, the aim, the ftrife,
I should not err if I fhould fay the madness,
Of all young men; all fighs, all folded arms,
All o'ercaft looks, all broken fleeps are ow'd
Only to you.

I'm forry I fhould be

Jane.

A trouble unto any If I could
Afford the remedy as well as now

I do your grief, affure yourself that cure
Shall be the birth of my next action.

Meanwell.

That cure is my requeft. If that this were Mine own fuit, I had us'd no circumstance. Young mafter Credulous, a proper man

(For fure he fhall be rich) one whom the whole Lift of our city-virgins doat on

Conceive the reft, I know.

you

He is very much,

But fure you will not grant

If you thus prefume

Jane.

That I am hard, you only ask denial;

Your expectation's crofs'd, except you fail.

Meanwell.