University of Virginia Library

SCENE II.

Enter Hylas, and Thomas.
Hyl.
I heard the doors clap; now, and't be thy will, wench.
By th'Mass she comes; you are surely met fair Gentlewoman,
I take it, Mistress Doll Sebastians Daughter.

Thom.
I take right, Sir; Hylas, are you ferretting?
I'll fit you with a penny-worth presently.

Hyl.
How dare you walk so late, sweet, so weak guarded?

Thom.
'Faith Sir, I do no harm, nor none I look for,
Yet I am glad I have met so good a Gentleman,
Against all chances; for though I never knew ye,
Yet I have heard much good spoke of ye.

Hyl.
Hark ye,
What if a man should kiss ye?

Thom.
That's no harm, Sir;
'Pray God he 'scapes my Beard, there lies the mischief.

Hyl.
Her lips are monstrous rugged, but that surely
Is but the sharpness of the weather; hark ye once once more,
And in your ear, sweet Mistress, for ye are so,
And ever shall be from this hour: I have vow'd it.

Enter Sebastian, and Launcelot.
Seb.
Why, that's my daughter, Rogue, dost thou not see her
Kissing that fellow there, there in that corner?

Laun.
Kissing?

Seb.
Now, now, now they agree o'th' match too.

Thom.
Nay then you love me not.

Hyl.
By this white hand, Doll.

Thom.
I must confess I have long desir'd your sight, Sir.

Laun.
Why, there's the Boots still, Sir.

Seb.
Hang Boots, Sir,
Why, they'll wear Breeches too.

Thom.
Dishonest me?
Not for the World.

Seb.
Why, now they kiss again, there
I knew 'twas she, and that her crafty stealing
Out the back way must needs have such a meaning.

Laun.
I am at my small wits ends.

Thom.
If ye mean honourably.

Laun.
Did she ne'r beat ye before, Sir?

Seb.
Why dost thou follow me?
Thou Rascal, Slave, hast thou not twice abus'd me?
Hast thou not spoil'd the Boy? by thine own Covenant,
Wouldst thou not now be hang'd?

Laun.
I think I would, Sir,
But you are so impatient; does not this shew, Sir,
(I do beseech ye speak, and speak with judgment,
And let the case be equally consider'd)
Far braver in your Daughter? in a Son now,
'Tis nothing, of no mark; every man does it,
But to beget a Daughter, a man maiden,
That reaches at these high exploits, is admirable;
Nay, she goes far beyond him; for when durst he,
But when he was drunk, do any thing to speak of?
This is Sebastian truly.

Seb.
Thou sayest right, Launce,
And there's my hand once more.

Thom.
Not without Marriage.

Seb.
Didst thou hear that?

Laun.
I think she spoke of Marriage.

Seb.
And he shall marry her, for it seems she likes him,
And their first Boy shall be my heir.

Laun.
I, marry,
Now ye go right to work.

Thom.
Fye, fie, Sir,
Now I have promis'd ye this night to marry,
Would ye be so intemperate? are ye a Gentleman?

Hyl.
I have no maw to marriage, yet this Rascal
Tempts me extreamly: will ye marry presently?

Thom.
Get you afore, and stay me at the Chapel,
Close by the Nunnery, there you shall find a night Priest,
Little Sir Hugh, and he can say the Matrimony
Over without Book, for we must have no company,
Nor light, for fear my Father know, which must not yet be;
And then to morrow night.

Hyl.
Nothing to night, Sweet?

Thom.
No, not a bit, I am sent of business,
About my dowry, Sweet, do not spoil all now,
'Tis of much haste: I can scarce stay the marriage,
Now if you love me, get you gone.

Hyl.
You'll follow?

Thom.
Within this hour, my sweet Chick.

Hyl.
Kiss.

Thom.
A Rope kiss ye,
Come, come, I stand o' thorns.

Hyl.
Methinks her mouth still
Is monstrous rough, but they have ways to mend it,
Farewel.

Thom.
Farewel, I'll fit ye with a wife, Sir.

Seb.
Come, follow close, I'll see the end she aims at,
And if he be a handsome fellow, Launcelot,
Fiat, 'tis done, and all my state is setled.

[Exeunt.