 | The Witch of Edmonton |  |
SCÆN. 2.
Enter Old Thorney, and Old Carter.O. Thor.
You offer Mr. Carter, like a Gentleman,
I cannot finde fault with it, 'tis so fair.
O. Cart.
No Gentleman, I, Mr. Thorney; spare the Mastership,
call me by my name, John Carter; Master is a title my Father, not
his before him, were acquainted with. Honest Hertforshire Yeomen,
such an one am I; my word and my deed shall be proved one
at all times. I mean to give you no security for the Marriage-money.
O. Thor.
How? no security? although it need not, so long as
you live; yet who is he has surety of his life one hour? Men,
the Proverb says, are mortal: else, for my part, I distrust you not,
were the sum double.
O. Cart.
Double, trebble, more or less; I tell you, Mr. Thorney,
I'll give no security. Bonds and Bills are but Tarriers to
catch Fools, and keep lazy Knaves busie; my security shall be present
payment. And we here, about Edmonton, hold present payment
as sure as an Alderman's Bond in London, Mr. Thorney.
O. Thor.
I cry you mercy, Sir, I understood you not.
O. Cart.
I like young Frank well, so does my Susan too. The
Girl has a fancy to him, which makes me ready in my Purse. There
be other Suitors within, that make much noise to little purpose. If
Frank love Sue, Sue shall have none but Frank. 'Tis a mannerly
Girl, Mr. Thorney, though but an homely man's Daughter.
There have worse Faces look'd out of black Bags, Man.
O. Thor.
You speak your minde freely and honestly. I marvel
my Son comes not: I am sure he will be here sometime to
day.
To day or to morrow, when he comes he shall be welcome
to Bread, Beer and Beef, Yoeman's fare; we have no Kickshaws:
full Dishes, whole belly-fulls. Should I diet three days at
one of the slender City-Suppers, you might send me to Barber-Surgeons
Hall the fourth day, to hang up for an Anatomy.—Here
come they that—
How now Girls? every day play-day with you?
Valentine's day too, all by couples? Thus will young folks do when
we are laid in our Graves, Mr. Thorney. Here's all the care they
take. And how do you finde the VVenches, Gentlemen? have
they any minde to a loose Gown and a strait Shooe? VVin 'em,
and wear 'em. They shall chuse for themselves by my consent.
Warb.
You speak like a kinde Father. Sue, thou hearest
the liberty that's granted thee. VVhat sayest thou? wilt thou
be mine?
Sus.
Your what, Sir? I dare swear, never your wife.
Warb.
Canst thou be so unkinde? considering how dearly I affect
thee; nay, dote on thy perfections.
Sus.
You are studied too Scholar-like in words: I understand
not. I am too course for such a Gallants love as you are.
Warb.
By the honour of Gentility.
Sus.
Good Sir, no swearing: yea and nay with us
Prevails above all oathes you can invent.
Warb.
By this white hand of thine.
Sus.
Take a false oath?
Fie, fie, flatter the wise: fools not regard it; and one of these
am I.
Warb.
Dost thou despise me?
O. Cart.
Let 'em talk on, Mr. Thorney. I know Sue's minde.
The Flye may buz about the Candle, he shall but singe his VVings
when all's done. Frank, Frank is he has her heart.
Som.
But shall I live in hope, Kate?
Kat.
Better so, then be a desperate man.
Som.
Perhaps thou thinkst it is thy Portion
I level at: wert thou as poor in Fortunes,
As thou art rich in Goodness; I would rather
Be Suitor for the Dower of thy Vertues,
Then twice thy Father's whole Estate; and prithee
Be thou resolved so.
Mr. Somerton, it is an easie labour to deceive
A Maid that will believe Mens subtil promises:
Yet I conceive of you as worthily
As I presume you do deserve.
Som.
Which is
As worthily in loving thee sincerely,
As thou art worthy to be so belov'd.
Kat.
I shall finde time to try you.
Som.
Do, Kate, do:
And when I fail, may all my joys forsake me.
O. Cart.
Warbeck and Sue are at it still. I laugh to my self, Mr.
Thorney, to see how earnestly he beats the Bush, while the Bird is
flown into anothers bosom. A very unthrift, Mr. Thorney; one
of the Country roaring Lads: we have such as well as the City,
and as arrant Rake-hells as they are, though not so nimble at their
prizes of wit. Sue knows the Raskal to an hairs breadth, and will
fit him accordingly.
O. Thor.
What is the other Gentleman?
O. Cart.
One Somerton, the honester man of the two, by 5 l.
in every stone-weight. A civil Fellow. He has a fine convenient Estate
of land in West-ham by Essex. M. Ranges that dwells by Enfield,
sent him hither. He likes Kate well. I may tell you, I think she likes
him as well. If they agree, I'll not hinder the match for my part.
But that Warbeck is such another ---. I use him kindly for Mr.
Somerton's sake: for he came hither first as a Companion of his.
Honest men, Mr. Thorney, may fall into Knaves company, now and
then.
Warb.
Three hundred a yeer Joynture, Sue.
Sus.
Where lies it, by Sea or by Land? I think by Sea.
Warb.
Do I look like a Captain?
Sus.
Not a whit, Sir.
Should all that use the Seas be reckon'd Captains,
There's not a Ship should have a Scullion in her
To keep her clean.
Warb.
Do you scorn me, Mrs. Susan?
Am I a subject to be jeer'd at?
Sus.
Neither
Am I a property for you to use
As stale to your fond wanton loose discourse.
Pray Sir be civil.
Warb.
VVilt be angry, VVasp?
O. Cart.
God-a-mercy,
Sue.
She'll firk him on my life, if he
fumble with her.
Mr. Francis Thorney, you are welcome indeed.
Knight, Sir Arthur Clarington, your Master?
Frank.
In health this morning. Sir, my duty.
O. Thor.
Now
You come as I could wish.
Warb.
Frank Thorney, ha!
Sus.
You must excuse me.
Frank.
Vertuous. Mrs. Susan.
Kinde Mrs. Katherine. Gentlemen, to both
Salutes them.
Good time o'th' day.
Som.
The like to you.
Warb.
'Tis he.
A word, Friend. On my life, this is the Man
Stands fair in crossing Susan's love to me.
Som.
I think no less, Be wise, and take no notice on't.
He that can win her, best deserves her.
Warb.
Marry
A Servingman? mew.
Som.
Prethee Friend no more.
O. Cart.
Gentlemen all, there's within a slight Dinner ready, if
you please to taste of it: Mr. Thorney, Mr. Francis, Mr. Somerton.
VVhy Girls? what, Huswives, will you spend all your forenoon
in tittle-tattles? away: It's well yfaith. VVill you go in,
Gentlemen?
O. Thor.
VVe'll follow presently: my Son and I
Have a few words of business.
O. Cart
At your pleasure.
Ex. the rest.
O. Thor.
I think you guess the reason, Frank, for which
I sent for you.
Frank.
Yes, Sir.
O. Thor.
I need not tell you
VVith what a labyrinth of dangers dayly
The best part of my whole Estate's encumbred:
Nor have I any Clew to winde it out,
But what occasion proffers me. VVherein
If you should faulter, I shall have the shame,
And you the loss. On these two points relie
Our happiness or ruine. If you marry
VVith wealthy Carter's Daughter, there's a Portion
VVill free my Land: all which I'will instate
Upon the marriage to you. Otherwise,
I must be of necessity enforc'd
To make a present sale of all: and yet,
For ought I know, live in as poor distress,
Or worse, then now I do. You hear the sum:
I told you thus before. Have you considered on't?
Frank.
I have, Sir. And however I could wish
To enjoy the benefit of single Freedom,
To undergo the burthen of that care
That Marriage brings with it; Yet to secure
And settle the continuance of your Credit,
I humbly yield to be directed by you
In all commands.
O. Thor.
You have already us'd
Such thriving protestations to the Maid.
That she is wholly yours. And speak the truth,
You love her, do you not?
Frank.
'Twere pity, Sir,
I should deceive her.
O. Thor.
Better y'had been unborn.
But is your love so steady that you mean,
Nay, more, desire to make her your Wife?
Frank.
Else, Sir,
It were a wrong not to be righted.
O. Thor.
True,
It were: and you will marry her?
Frank.
Heaven prosper it:
I do intend it.
O. Thor.
O thou art a Villain!
A Devil like a Man. VVherein have I
Offended all the Powers so much, to be
Father to such a graceless godless Son?
Frank.
To me, Sir, this? O my cleft heart!
O. Thor.
To thee,
Son of my curse. Speak truth, and blush, thou monster,
Hast thou not married Winnifride? a Maid
Was fellow-servant with thee.
Fra.
Some swift spirit
Has blown this news abroad. I must out-face it.
O. Thor.
D'you study for excuse? why all the country
Is full on't.
Fra.
With your license, 'tis not charitable,
I am sure it is not fatherly, so much
To be o'resway'd with credulous conceit
Of meer impossibilities. But Fathers
Are priviledg'd to think and talk at pleasure.
O. Thor.
Why canst thou yet deny thou hast no wife?
Frank.
What do you take me for? an Atheist?
One that nor hopes the blessedness of life
Hereafter, neither fears the vengeance due
To such as make the Marriage-bed an Inne,
VVhich Travellers day and night,
After a toylsome lodging leave at pleasure?
Am I become so insensible of losing
The glory of Creations work? My soul!
O. Thor.
Thou hast, dissembler;
Darest thou persevere yet? and pull down wrath
As hot as flames of hell, to strike thee quick
Into the Grave of horror? I believe thee not.
Get from my sight.
Fran.
Sir, though mine innocence
Needs not a stronger witness then the cleerness
Of an unperish'd conscience; yet for that
I was enform'd, how mainly you had been
Possess'd of this untruth, To quit all scruple
Please you peruse this Letter: 'tis to you.
O. Thor.
From whom?
Fran.
Sir Arthur Clarington my Master.
O. Thor.
Well, Sir.
Fran.
On every side I am distracted: Am waded deeper into
mischief, then vertue can avoid. But on I must: Fate leads me:
I will follow. There you read what may confirm you.
O. Thor.
Yes, and wonder at it. Forgive me, Frank. Credulity
abus'd me. My tears express my joy: and I am sorry I injur'd innocence.
Frank.
Alas! I knew your rage and grief proceeded from your
love to me: so I conceiv'd it.
O. Thor.
My good Son, I'll bear with many faults in thee hereafter.
Bear thou with mine.
Frank.
The peace is soon concluded.
Enter Old Carter.
O. Cart.
VVhy Mr. Thorney, d'ye mean to talk out your dinner?
the Company attends your coming. What must it be, Mr.
Frank, or Son Frank? I am plain Dunstable.
O. Thor.
Son, Brother, if your Daughter like to have it so.
Frank.
I dare be confident, she's not alter'd
From what I left her at our parting last:
Are you, fair Maid?
Sus.
You took too sure possession
Of an engaged heart.
Frank.
Which now I challenge.
O. Cart.
Marry and much good may it do thee, Son. Take her
to thee. Get me a brace of Boys at a burthen, Frank. The nursing
shall not stand thee in a pennyworth of Milk. Reach her
home and spare not. VVhen's the day?
O. Thor.
To morrow, if you please. To use ceremony
Of charge and custome, were to little purpose:
O. Cart.
O good motion. VVe'll e'en have an houshold Dinner;
and let the Fiddlers go scrape. Let the Bride and Bridegroom
dance at night together: no matter for the Guests. To morrow,
Sue, to morrow. Shall's to Dinner now?
O. Thor.
VVe are on all sides pleas'd, I hope.
Sus.
Pray Heaven I may deserve the blessing sent me.
Now my heart is settled.
Frank.
So is mine.
O. Cart.
Your Marriage-money shall be receiv'd before your
VVedding-shooes can be pull'd on. Blessing on you both.
Frank.
No Man can hide his shame from Heaven that views him.
In vain he flees, whose destiny pursues him.
Exeunt Omnes.
| The Witch of Edmonton | |