University of Virginia Library

Scene. V.

Mere-craft. Fitz-dottrel. Pit-fal. Ever-ill. Plvtarchvs.
[Mer.]
Bvt what ha' you done i'your Dependance, since?

Fit.
O, it goes on, I met your Cousin, the Master—

Mer.
You did not acquaint him, Sr?

Fit.
Faith, but I did, Sr.
And vpon better thought, not without reason!
He being chiefe Officer, might ha'tane it ill, else,
As a Contempt against his Place, and that
In time Sir, ha' drawne on another Dependance.
No, I did finde him in good terms, and ready
To doe me any seruice.

Mer.
So he said, to you?
But Sr, you do not know him.

Fit.
VVhy, I presum'd
Because this bus'nesse of my wiues, requir'd mee,
I could not ha' done better: And hee told
Me, that he would goe presently to your Councell,
A Knight, here, i'the Lane—

Mer.
Yes, Iustice Either-side.

Fit.
And get the Feoffment drawne, with a letter of Atturney,
For liuerie and seisen!

Mer.
That I knowe's the course.
But Sir, you meane not to make him Feoffee?

Fit.
Nay, that I'll pause on!

Mer.
How now little Pit-fall

Pit.
Your Cousin Master Euer-ill, would come in—
But he would know if Master Manly were heere.

Mere-craft whispers against him.
Mer.
No, tell him, if he were, I ha'made his peace!
Hee's one, Sir, has no State, and a man knowes not,
How such a trust may tempt him.

Fit.
I conceiue you.

Eve.
Sr. this same deed is done here.

Mer.
Pretty Plutarchus?
Art thou come with it? and has Sir Paul view'd it?

Plv.
His hand is to the draught.

Mer.
VVill you step in, Sr.
And read it?

Fit.
Yes.

Eve.
I pray you a word wi'you.
Eueril whispers against Mere-craft.
Sir Paul Eitherside will'd mee gi' you caution,
VVhom you did make Feoffee: for 'tis the trust
O'your whole State: and though my Cousin heere
Be a worthy Gentleman, yet his valour has
At the tall board bin question'd; and we hold
Any man so impeach'd, of doubtfull honesty!
I will not iustifie this; but giue it you
To make your profit of it: if you vtter it,
I can forsweare it!

Fit.
I beleeue you, and thanke you, Sir.