University of Virginia Library

Scena. V.

Enter Ware-house. Baneswright.
Ware-h.
Madam Aurelia is her name?

Ban.
Her father
Was, Sir, an Irish Baron, that undid
Himselfe by house-keeping.

War.
As for her birth
I could wish it were meaner. As many Knights
And Justices of peace as have been of
The Family are reckoned into th'portion;
She'l still be naming of her Ancestors,
Aske Jointure by the Heralds booke, and I
That have no Coat, nor can show azure Lions,
In Fields of Argent, shall be scornd; she'l think
Her Honour wrongd to match a man that hath
No Scutcheons but them of his Company,
Which once a yeare doe serve to trim a Lighter
To Westminster and back againe.

Ban.
You are
Mistaken, Sir. This Lady as she is
Descended of a great house, so she hath
No Dowrie but her Armes. She can bring only
Some Libbards heads, or strange beasts, which you knowe
Being but Beasts, let them derive themselves
From Monsters in the Globe, and lineally
Proceed from Hercules labours, they will never
Advance her to a husband equall to
Her selfe in birth, that can give Beasts too. She
Aimes only to match one that can maintaine
Her some way to her state. She is possest
What streames of gold you flow in, Sir,

Ware-h.
But can she
Affect my age?

Banes.
I askt her that; and told her
You were about some threescore, Sr, and ten;
But were as lusty as one of twenty, (or
An aged Eunuch)

Ware-h.
And what replyed shee?

Bans.
shee,
Like a true Lucrece, answerd it was fit
For them to Marry by the Church booke, who
Came there to coole themselves; But to a Mind
Chast and indued with vertue, age did turne
Love into Reverence.

Br.
Or Sr Reverence.

New.
Prythe observe.

Ware-h.
Is shee so vertuous then?

Banes.
'Tis all the fault shee has, she will out-pray
A Preacher at St Antlins; and divides
The day in exercise; I did commend
A great Precifian to her for her woman.
Who tells me that her Lady makes her quilt
Her smocks before for kneeling.

Ware-h.
Excellent Creature!

Banes.
Then, Sir, she is so modest.

Ware-h.
Too.

Banes.
The least
Obscene word shames her, a lascivious Figure
Makes her doe pennance; and she maintaines the Law
Which forbids fornication, doth extend
To kissing too.

Ware-h.
I thinke the time an age
Till the solemnity be past.

Banes.
I have
Prepared her, Sr, and have so set you out!
Besides, I told her how you had cast of
Your Nephew, and to leave no doubt that you
Would ere be reconcil'd, before she went
To Church would settle your estate on her,
And on the Heyres of her begotten.

Ware-h.
To make all sure,
Wee'l call upon my Lawyer by the way,
And take him with us.

Banes.
you must be married, Sr,
At the French Church, J have bespoke the Priest;
One that will joyne you i'th right Geneva forme,
Without a licence.

Ware-h.
But may a man
Wed in a strange tongue?

Banes.
I have brought together
Some in Italian, Sr, the Language doth
Not change the substance of the Match; you know
No licence will be granted, all the Offices
Are before-hand bribed by your Nephew.

Ware-h.
Well,
Lets to the Lady straight, to crosse him, I
Would marry an Arabian, and be at charge
To keepe one to interpret, or be married
In China Language, or the tongue thats spoke
Exit Ware. and Banes.
By the great Cham.

Br.
Now Newcut, you perceive
My divination's true, this fellow did
Portend a wedding.

New.
Plague oth' prognostication.
Who'd thinke that Madam were the Partye?

Br.
Oh Sr,
Shee'l call this wit to wed his baggs, and lye
With some Platonick servant.

New.
What if we
Before we goe to Plotwell, went to her
And striv'd to disswade her?

Br.
Lets make hast,
They'l be before us else.

Exeunt.