University of Virginia Library

Scena secunda.

Tapwell. Froth.
Tapwell.
Vndone, vndone! this was your counsaile, Froth.

Froth.
Mine! I defie thee, did not master Marrall
(He has marr'd all I am sure) strictly command vs
(On paine of Sir Giles Ouerreach displeasure)
To turne the Gentleman out of dores?

Tapw.
'Tis true
But now hee's his Vncles darling, and has got
Master Iustice Greedy (since he fill'd his belly)
At his commandement, to doe any thing;
Woe, woe to vs.

Froth.
He may proue mercifull.

Tap.
Troth, we do not deserue it at his hands:
Though he knew all the passages of our house;
As the receiuing of stolne goods, and bawdrie
When he was rogue Welborne, no man would beleeue him,
And then his information could not hurt vs.
But now he is right Worshipfull againe,
Who dares but doubt his testimonie? me thinkes
I see thee Froth already in a cart
For a close Bawde, thine eyes eu'n pelted out
With durt, and rotten egges, and my hand hissing
(If I scape the halter) with the letter R.
Printed vpon it.

Froth.
Would that were the worst:
That were but nine dayes wonder, as for credit
We haue none to lose; but we shall lose the money
He owes vs and his custome, there's the hell on't.

Tap.
He has summon'd all his Creditours by the drum,
And they swarme about him like so many souldiers
On the pay day, and has found out such a new way
To pay his old debts, as 'tis very likely
He shall be chronicl'd for it.

Froth.
He deserues it
More than ten Pageants. But are you sure his Worship
Comes this way to my Ladies?

A cry within, braue Master Welborne.
Tapw.
Yes I heare him.

Froth.
Be ready with your petition and present it
To his good Grace.

Enter Welb. in a rich habit, Greed. Ord. Furn. three Creditors: Tapw. kneeling deliuers his bill of debt.
Welb.
How's this! petition'd too?
But note what miracles, the payment of
A little trash, and a rich suite of clothes
Can worke vpon these Rascalls. I shall be
I thinke prince Welborne.

Mar.
When your Worships married
You may be, I know what I hope to see you.

Welb.
Then looke thou for aduancement.

Mar.
To be knowne
Your Worships Bayliffe is the marke I shoot at.

Welb.
And thou shalt hit it.

Mar.
Pray you Sir dispatch
These needie followers, and for my admittance
Prouided you'l defend me from Sir Giles.
This interim, Tapwell and Froth flattering & bribing iustice Greedy.
Whose seruice I am weary of I'le say something
You shall giue thankes for.

Welb.
Feare me not Sir Giles

Greed.
Who? Tapwell? I remember thy wife brought me
Last new yeares tide, a couple of fat turkies.

Tapw.
And shall doe euery Christmas, let your Worship
But stand my friend now.

Greed.
How? with master Welborne?
I can doe any thing with him, on such termes;
See you this honest couple: they are good soules
As euer drew out fosset, haue they not
A payre of honest faces?

Welb.
I o're heard you,
And the bribe he promis'd, you are cousend in 'em,
For of all the scumme that grew rich by my riots
This for a most vnthankefull knaue, and this
For a base bawde, and whore, haue worst deseru'd me,
And therefore speake not for 'em, by your place
You are rather to do me iustice; lend me your eare,
Forget his Turkies, and call in his Licence,
And at the next Faire, I'le giue you a yoke of Oxen
Worth all his Poultry.

Greed.
I am chang'd on the suddaine
In my opinion! come neere; neerer Rascall.
And now I view him better; did you e're see
One looke so like an arch-knaue? his very countenance,
Should an vnderstanding iudge but looke vpon him,
Would hang him, though he were innocent.

Tap., Froth.
Worshipfull Sir.

Greed.
No though the great Turke came insteed of Turkies,
To begge any fauour, I am inexorable:
Thou hast an ill name: besides thy musty Ale
That hath destroy'd many of the Kings leige people
Thou neuer hadst in thy house to stay mens stomackes
A peece of Suffolke cheese, or Gammon of Bacon,
Or any esculent, as the learned call it,
For their emolument, but sheere drinke only.
For which grosse fault, I heere doe damne thy licence,
Forbidding thee euer to tap, or draw.
For instantly, I will in mine owne person
Command the Constable to pull downe thy Signe;
And doe it before I eate.

Froth.
No mercie?

Greed.
Vanish.
If I shew any, may my promis'd Oxen gore me.

Tapw.
Vnthankefull knaues are euer so rewarded

Exeunt Greedie, Tapwell. Froth.
Welb.
Speake; what are you?

1. Creditor.
A decay'd Vintner Sir,
That might haue thriued, but that your worship broke me
With trusting you with Muskadine and Egges,
And fiue pound Suppers, with your after drinkings,
When you lodg'd vpon the Banckside.

Welb.
Remember.

1. Cred.
I haue not beene hasty, nor e're layd to arrest you.
And therefore Sir—

Welb.
Thou art an honest fellow:
I'le set thee vp againe, see his bill pay'd,
What are you?

2. Cred.
A Taylor once, but now meere Botcher.
I gaue you credit for a suite of clothes,
Which was all my stocke, but you failing in payment,
I was remou'd from the Shop-boord, and confin'd
Vnder a Stall.

Welb.
See him pay'd, and botch no more.

2. Cred.
I aske no interest Sir.

Welb.
Such Taylors need not,
If their bills are pay'd in one and twenty yeare
They are seldome losers. O, I know thy face
Thou were't my Surgeon: you must tell no tales.
Those dayes are done. Iwill pay you in priuate.

Ord.
A royall Gentleman.

Furn.
Royall as an Emperour!
He'le proue a braue master, my good Lady knew
To choose a man.

Welb.
See all men else discharg'd
And since Old debts are clear'd by a new way,
A little bountie, will not misbecome mee;
There's something honest Cooke for thy good breakefasts,
And this for your respect, take't, 'tis good gold
And I able to spare it.

Ord.
You are too munificent.

Furn.
Hee was euer so.

Welb.
Pray you on before.

3. Cred.
Heauen blesse you.

Mar.
At foure a clocke the rest know where to meet me

Exeunt Ord. Furn. Furn. Credit.
Welb.
Now master Marrall, what's the weightie secret
You promis'd to impart?

Mar.
Sir, time, nor place
Allow me to relate each circumstance;
This only in a word: I know Sir Giles
Will come vpon you for security
For his thousand pounds, which you must not consent to
As he growes in heat, as I am sure hee will,
Be you but rough, and say Hee's in your debt
Ten times the summe, vpon sale of your land,
I had a hand in't (I speake it to my shame)
When you were defeated of it.

Welb.
That's forgiuen.

Mar.
I shall deserue't then; vrge him to produce
The deed in which you pass'd it ouer to him,
Which I know Hee'le haue about him to deliuer
To the Lord Louell, with many other writings,
And present moneys, I'le instruct you further,
As I waite on your Worship, if I play not my price
To your full content, and your Vncles much vexation,
Hang vp Jacke Marrall.

Welb.
I relie vpon thee.

Exeunt.