University of Virginia Library

Scen. 4.

Enter Bracheus.
Bra.
Good day Cleobulus:
You do my field a grace to take the ayr in't:

Cleob.
Oh! are you come? D'ye hear? you have a Daughter.

Bra.
I hope I have.

Cleob.
A fair one too.

Bra.
She's a pretty Sun-burnt wench.

Cleob.
What Portion will you give with her?

Bra.
Why Sir, she has a Portion.


21

Cleob.
Say y' so?
Pray let me know the sum, happ'ly I may
Graft her in a Family of Honor Sir.

Brach.
Excuse me then, good Sir, if I appear
Too great a praiser of my own, she has
An honest minde, and that some men accompt.
A Portion Sir, it is not found in all
Her Sex, if stories may be credited:
She's young, and in my eyes fair, I dare yet
Believe 'em, she's handsome, and she can
Pray too, and spend not all the morn to dress her.

Cleob.
's this all her Portion?

Brach.
If I do like the man would be her Husband,
I can give Acres too, and many Flocks
Of sheep.

Cleob.
And will that make her in your judgement
A fitting match for my Philaritus?

Brach.
I do not say it will.

Cleob.
Why then is she in love with him?

Brach.
Why? is Philaritus in love with Arismena?

Cleob.
I, and not without your knowledge too, you have
By base temptations and devises wrought him
To affect her; but I'le cross all your plots.

Brach.
Have I contriv'd the ruine of your Son,
And basely wrought him to affect my Daughter?
I tell you Sir, I wisht both good to you and him,
But know I scorn as much your Son
Should marry with Arismena, as you
Can hate Philaritus for loving her.

Cleob.
Out Beggar, know that if my Son Philaritus
Doth marry Arismena, I will throw him
Quite from my blessing, from my state, from all,
And smile to see the ruine of you all.

Cleobulus offers to go forth.
Bra.
Pray stay, and hear what I resolve, if my
Daughter do marry, nay but entertain
A good thought of your Son, rich as you are,
I'le turn her out of doors without my blessing,
And not relieve her, though at point to starve.

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I fear you not, nor your estate, I shall
Live in despite of your so generous blood,
Yes, and live honestly, which you rich men do not.
Get off my ground.

Cleob.
So, so, your goodly ground.
Exit Cleobulus.

Bra.
I'm vext, but he shall finde e're I ha done,
My Daughter is too good for his proud Son.

Exit.