University of Virginia Library

Scæn. 3.

Enter Roger.
Rog.
Want whil'st I have, or heare my pockets chide?
While his are silent? there's no justice in't:
And if he doe while my Exchequor lasts,
May I be held a Proverbe made to cast
In every false Groomes teeth?

Vsu.
Is this the day?

Scri.
It is.

Vsu.
Art sure?

Scri.
Upon my—

Usu.
What? thy faith?

Scri.
Upon my Eares 'tis true.

Usu.
I will not trust to heare-say, let thine eyes
Proclaime what's written in this Almanack,
If this be the set Day.

Scri.
Quindecem Michaelis, certainely the same.

Usu.
If't be not tendred then 'twixt Sun and Sun,
The Morgage is my owne.

Scri.
If you have the conscience to take the forfeit.

Use.
Conscience? what in that is wanting he shall find
Made good in Law.

Enter Slightall Gallant, and his Page with Mony-baggs.
Sl.
I see the Divell yet is good to some,
Though it repents me of the Bargaine seal'd,
Yet am I glad and proud of my supply;
Which the more precious is, being infinite,
Not capable of end; for Mammons treasure,
A prodigall hand may wast, but ne're consume.

Rog.
What sudden change is this? doe my eyes mock me,
Or must I call him Master?

Sl.
Roger? a hand; I know thou art in want, as one some
Weekes that hath bin out of service, take that gold
And spend it freely, when thou want'st here's more.

Rog.
And you are both in cash and sence likewise?

Sl.
Why man, 'tis want of mony makes men mad,
For that disease here's Physicke: honest Hodge,
Goe thou and summon all my Creditors,
Leave not a man to whom I owe, uncall'd,
And pay them to the utmost they demand;
Be so farre from bating of the Principall,
As pay them all arrerages; 'tis our will
And doe thou see't perform'd.

Rog.
From whence came this sir?

Sl.
What's that to thee? have we not here to doe't?
Those Debts that reckoned were meere desperate
First see discharg'd, unlesse some certaine Morgage tyed to a day.

Usu.
What Schreich-owles voice was that?

Sl.
Monsieur Damnation? what, are you so neere?
I know you sir, a Thousand pounds and th'use,
Tender the summe, there's gold, and bring me backe
The Morgage of my Mannour.

Usu.
I'me undone then: no hast good
Master Slightall, why to morrow,
Or the next day will serve, some fortnight hence,
Nay, were't a moneth, I could forbeare the money.

Sl.
Quindecem Michaelis, you remember that,
I prethee see this man first satisfied,
And doe't without delay: if he deny
The tender of't Ile have it done in Court;
With such we must not dally quicke, good Hodge:
That once dispach'd, affaires of greater consequence
Attend thy trust and care.

Rog.
Come, will you walke sir?

Usu.
If needs I will, we Usurers are like women
Who conceive with great pleasure, and are delivered
With great paine; so we get our wealth with infinite joy.
And part with the least of it with infinite torment.

Sl.
To any man that can but shew my hand,
Or witnesse where I have but pass'd my word,
Pay ready downe, about it, and returne.

Rog.
And have we liv'd to see the golden age once more?
Now Geffrey, if I meete you I dare affront you boldly.

Exeunt. Manet Slightall.
Sl.
How want dejects, and plenty cherishes?
What a new change perceive I in my selfe?
Yet not so much in habite as in heart!
The sight of gold hath shooke off all those dumps,
Whose Leaden weights were hung upon my soule,
To keepe it downe from mounting; and I now
Finde in my selfe a free and dexterous spirit,
Uncapeable of cloudy Melancholy.

Ent. Lo. Treatwell, & Geffery.
Lo.
I must, as did my Mistris late enjoyne,
Passe in the search of this sad Gentleman, and to
His low dejected poverty cast some few peeces.

Tre.
If his pockets lining suite but to the out-side
Of his Cloaths, he hath small need of them.

Gef.
What, growne so brave? he hath sure lighted on some cheate?

Lo.
'Twas her injunction, and doubtlesse
Ile accost him; save you sir.

Sl.
I would be so, but 'tis not you can doe't.

Lo.
I understood that you were late in want?

Sl.
Not of a Wife; but for your Lord ships curtesie
I had had one too many, thanke you for it.

Lo.
I came to seeke you.

Sl.
For another? no,
Now much good doe't you with the thing you have,
I have no more to part with.

Lo.
Leaving that; I understand you are a Gentleman
Nobly derived; but withall, y'are poore.

Sl.
You will not sell your Lordship?

Lo.
Who should buy't?

Sl.
Why he that askes the question, I, my Lord;
If you will walke by Land I'me your first man,
Ile bid as faire as any.

Lo.
He's mad still, leave him.

Gef.
A Bankerupt idle fellow brave your Lordship?
Beate him to's wits, or let me kicke him for you.

Sl.
Ha, what's that? who, Geffery Codpeice, Iohn Boe Peepe,
Is't you that prate so freely? my young Iudas,
Have you conspir'd against me?

Gef.
Endure this?

Lo.
Stay, first we will debate in friendly tearmes,
Before you grow to out-rage.

Sl.
Done most Lordly; your tongue will grace you
Better than your Sword, 'tis the most Noble fashion.

Lo.
I'le be briefe, I understood your state was much
Decay'd, which in my honour I commiserating,
My purpose was in some sort to relieve you;
And would you better understand your selfe,
It might appeare a noble courtesie,
Because it came so free and uncompell'd

Sl.
Such as one Neighbour to another doth
To get his wife with Child, a courtesie, and so it fitly may
Be call'd because it brings him to his Knees.

Tre.
Still, still misprision; might I advise you, proffer
What you purpose, and if refus'd, so leave him.

Lo.
Counsail'd well: there's twenty pieces for you.

Sl.
For a wife? Her Ladyship is yours for nought already,
And should I sell her twice?

Lo.
This saucy fellow usurpes upon our patience,
Which we'le punish be our strong hand.

Sl.
A punisher, my Lord? what beg the Beadles Office?

Gef.
Dash out's braines.

Sl.
I doubt his Lordships warrant is not currant, therefore Ile not obey.

As they strive to oppresse him, Ent. Rog. They 2. beate of the other 3.
Rog.
Sir, all's dispatcht, but by my faith I lye,
Here's something here to doe.
Why Godamercy Master, I perceive
Your spirits not all spent.

Sl.
Thankes to thy Sword, or I had bin oppress'd else.

Rog.
But how differ'd you? to be assail'd by such a shamefull odds.

Sl.
They scoff'd at my supposed poverty,
And my great Lord forsooth, as I had begg'd,
Would have bestowed his guerdon on my want,
Which taking in foule scorne, the valiant sir
Assail'd me at these base advantages:
But hast thou done as I enjoyn'd?

Rog.
Most carefully; all's to the full dispatch'd.

Sl.
If with the Divell. I could dispence as well,
I should have ease within.

Rog.
Ha, sirra Geffrey, I
Thinke you plaid at leape Frog?

Di.
You are sad sir?

Enter the Divell, and claps Slightall on the shoulder.
Sl.
Doe not demand thy debt before the day;
Thy forfeit is not due yet.

Di.
No such thing; the businesse that I come to treat with thee
Is of another nature.

Rog.
Sir, what's he?

Sl.
To hot for thy acquaintance, doe not aske,
Attend me to my Chamber, whether anon, I will not faile to come.

Rog.
Too hot, and why? he may be honest, but he hath the
Countenance of an old subtle knave; well, Ile attend you.

Ex.
Sl.
Now what to me?

Di.
Have I not kept my word?

Sl.
Thou hast.

Di.
Stor'd thee with all the suppliments
Mans use can aske.

Sl.
It cannot be deny'd.

Di.
Nay, was not I assistant in this quarrell, prompting thy
Man to come to thy release, just at the instant danger:

Sl.
His approach was fortunate and happy.

Di.
Then speake freely,
Did'st ever in thy life time meete a friend,
Whose word, assured trust, and constancy
Could ranke with mine in all things?

Sl.
Never any; but what may this inferre?

Di.
Proofe of thy gratitude, or to be term'd unthankefull.

Sl.
Speake wherein.

Di.
Wilt thou in meere
Requitall of so many, doe to me one faire Office?

Sl.
First propose it, and then expect an answer.

Di.
There's a house haunted with a she spirit, one of my
Servants, and Kitchin maides in Hell, employ'd by me
For some knowne causes, who hath play'd such prankes there
No man's so bold dares lodge within the roome,
This bed would I have thee to undertake.

Sl.
To send me to Hell before my day? your plot is too apparant.

Di.
Still amisse; have not I power o're al my creatures there
To limit and command them? art not thou
One of our house by Indenture? though to them
Shee appear'd gastly, horrid, and deform'd,
To thee she shall seeme faire and beautifull,
No whit inferiour to that Græcian Queene,
That launcht 12000. Ships from Aulis Gulfe,
And brought them to the fatall siege of Troy.

Sl.
Make but this good, Ile do't.

Di.
And so confirme thee
A Minyon to the mighty Belzebub,
And great in our blacke Kingdome.

Exeunt.