University of Virginia Library

Scen. 2.

Enter old Mr. Harding, his two sonnes William and John, his Wife Anne, as newly come fram the Wedding.
old Hard.

So things are as they should be, we have attained the height
of solace and true joy, sweet Nau no, sooner married but a Mother of
this my hopeful Issue, cheer thoughts, for what I want in youth I wil supply
in true affection, and what age doth scant me in sprightly vigour, Ile
make good in wealth.

Anne:

Sir, you well know I was not easily wonne, and therefore
not soon changed; advisedly, not rashly did I venter on your love. My
young unsetled thoughts from their long travels have late attained unto
their journeys end, and they are now at rest.

old Hard.

Here they have found a harbour to retire to.

Wil:

'Twould become you to use my Father here respectively: you
see how he receives you almost dowerless.

Joh.

'True, where he out of his own abilities might have commanded
Widdows richer farre, I, and perhaps each way as beautiful.

Anne:

Upbraid me not, I do confess he might, nor was this match
my seeking: If it hath pleased your father for some virtues known in
me, to grace me with his free election: Me-thinks it worse becomes you
being sonnes to blame a Fathers pleasure; howsoever better my self I
cannot if he thought me

Worthy his bed I see small reason you
Should wrong me to him that my state best knew.

old Hard.

Naus, I am pleased they shall be satisfied; and boyes I tell
you, though you be my sonnes, you much forget your duty to a Mother
whom I hold worthy to be called my Wife; no more of this I charg
you.

Wil:
Sir, we have done.

old Hard:
No child to her, can be to me no Son.

Joh.
I am pleased, here my spleen dyes,
Suddenly fallen as it did quickly rise.

old Hard:

This is the end I aim'd at, were my eldest present among us
much I had my height of wishes.

Enter Clown.
Clow.

I have been there, Sir.

old Hard.

And foundest thou my Son Philip?

Clow:

When you had given him me in charge, I had of him great care
I have took of him great care, and I have took him napping, as you
know who took his Mare: I found your son Philip like a Cocksparrow
billing: if I had stayed but a little longer, I might have taken him and
his hen treading, I know not whether it be St. Valentines day or no, but
I am sure they are coupled.

old Hard.

How coupled dost thou mean?

Clow:

I see them one and one, and that you know makes two, and
two makes a couple, and they well coupled, may in time make a third
between 'em; I do not think but tis like to be a match.

old Hard:

I vow if e'r he match into that family, the Kindred being
all begger'd, that forc'd union shall make a firm divorce 'twixt him and
mine.

Enter Philip and Susan.
Clow:

Here they are, Sir, coram nobis, you will find it a plain case if
the matter be well searcht; I have spoke but what I have seen; and now
let every one answer for themselves.

old Hard:

What means these hands?

Phil.

Nothing Sir, save a meer interchange of hearts and souls doubly
made fast by vows.

old Hard:

'Twixt her and thee!

Phil:

So, and no otherwise.

old Hard:

Yet thou hast time to pause, and to repeat but after this no
limit to consider; cast her off, or henceforth I disclaim thee for my
Son.

Phil:

Yet I shall ever hold you for my father.

old Hard:

Then shew in this thy duty, quite forsake her, and be restored
into my family.

Phil:

O Sir she is a virgin chaste and fair, unto whose bed I am by
oath engaged; that power above that heard the contract pass, both
heard, approved, and still records the same: Oh Sir I am of years, oft
have you wisht to see me well bestowed, and now's the time your wish
hath took effect. It was your prayer that heaven would send me a good
Wife, and lo in her they have shewed their bounty.

old Hard:
Thou thy baseness, take one that's of my chusing.

Phil:
Do men use by other hearts and eyes their wives to chuse?

old Hard:
She's poor.

Phil:
Yet virtuous.

old Hard:
Virtue, a sweet dower.

Phil:
Yet that when Mammon fails retains her power.

old Hard:
Possest of virtue then thou need ought else.

Phil:
Riches may waste by fire, by sea, by stealth,
But water, fire, nor theft can virtue waste,
When all else fails us that alone shall last.

old Hard:
Go to Cheapside with virtue in your purse,
And cheapen Plate, or to the Shambles hye,
And see what meat with virtue you can buy.

Will virtue make the pot seeth, or the Jack turn a spit laden? tell me,
will your Landlord at quarter day take virtue for his rent? will your
Wives virtue yeeld you ten i'th hundred? a good stock would do all
this: Come, come Son, Ile find thee a rich match and turn her off.

Wil:

Faith doe brother, the onely way to thrive is to be ruled by my
Father.

John:

Do you think I being but the youngest, would marry under the
degree of a Gentlewoman, and that without my fathers consent too?

Phil:

I wish you may not, but withall advise you to make a conscience
how you break a vow: And Sir, for you, with pardon, I could trace
you even in that path in which I stnnd condemned: This Gentlewoman
my beauteous Mother-in-law, whose virtues I both honour, and admire,
whom in no kind I envy, I presume you married not for riches; for if so,
Where is that wealthy Dower she brought along? being your self example
blame me not to make a father my strict president.

In viewing me bear but your self in mind,
And prove to her, as I to this like kind.

Anne:

The Gentleman speaks well, pray let me mediate between you
a reconcilement.

Wil:

Good Sir do.

Joh:

Since 'tis my Mothers pleasure to take't well, wee'l be joynt suitors
with her.

Clow.

And I too good Master.

old Hard:

the boy's inflexible, and I obdure, he cannot be more saucy
to object that which I would not hear then I perverse, in yeelding to a
knave so obstinate.

Sus.

He is your Son, and of your blood the first; brand him not
with a name so odious, you cannot write your self a Gentleman, but
leave him of that name inheritor, though you have power to take away
his means, deprive him both your blessing and your love,

Which methinks in a Father should seem strange,
His state, you may his blood you cannot change.

Old Hard.

Bated on all sides: have I been thus long a Father and
a Master to direct, to be at these years pupil'd by a girle? a beggar,
one that all the welth she has, bears on her back, and shall I suffer this?
whilest these that ought to arm me with just rage, preach to me patience;
Ile endure no more, come leave them sweet wife, gentle sonnes
away.

Exeunt.
Phil.

Ile have thee yet though all the world say nay.

Clow.

Now which of these parties shall I cleave to and follow: well
now I remember my self Ile shew my self a true Citizen and stick to the
stronger side.

Exit.