University of Virginia Library

The fourth Scene.

To them Squirell. After him Raven.
Squi.

By the description he makes of you a gentleman below
enquires for you. I was not curious to aske your name, but I
know his.

The.

My cosin Raven!

Squi.

The same sir.

The.

Pray' direct him to us.

Squi.

What's your wine sir?

The.

When he comes.

Squi.

This is sure some hide-bound student, that proportions
his expence by his pension; and wencheth at Tottenham court
for stewed prunes and cheescakes. Hee's not acquainted with
the generous way, and I shall have the lesse scruple to cosin
him.

Exit.
The.
Be not so clowdy sweet; our sun of joy
May shine at full, and cleere those dusky mists;
Obscure it for a season. Welcome Cosin
Unto our expectation.

Rav.
The wine boy.

within.
Anon anon sir: by and by.

The.
Cosin the news? how go matters?

Rav.
The tempest's layd, but they are scatter'd by it.
Some to the Tower; to Pancrace others run.
Noise fils the roomes within, and in the street
The rabble is convented; where a jury
Of wide mouth'd oyster wives, to whom the foreman
A one legg'd ballad singer opens tunably
The merry case, not onely do acquit you,
But prayse the act; and sweare a ballad of it
Would out sell all the libells ever yet
M. P. subscrib'd to.

The.
'Tis an act indeed
Drawer enters with wive and Exit.
Deserves reproach

Rav.
Deserves a Chronicle
A legend of delight. Which when 'tis read
By the learn'd youth of Hogsden after supper,
Shall cause such laughter 'mongst th'attentive family,
That cheap-side wives shall curse the noise, for sowring
The market womens creame and buttermilke.

The.
Y'are very pleasant Cousin. Some mans jelousy.
Would soone interpret it to be but scorn.
What you intend it—

Rav.
Cosin it is my zeale
Makes me thus light and ayery; yet rather
Then my behaviour should give way unto
The least suspition, I'le put on a shape
Of like dejectednesse, as seems to cloath
Your melancholick Bride; But how 'twould show
Th'occasion makes it doubtfull. If shee'l weep
Upon her wedding day, let it not be
But that shee apprehends th'ensuing night
Brings on her joyfull feares. Cosin lets drink
A health to the effect: a jolly boy
Will follow feare not.

Drinkes
Bri.
Yet the cause is hindred.
Pray' let your counsailes in our danger be
Movers unto more serious thoughts and actions.
Our peace is not yet settled; and we doubt
What the successe may be which our proceedings
Are destin'd to.

Rav.
Successe! the best that time,
And th'application of endeavours can
Crown your desires with. Yet I must confesse
Your parents storme, and threaten death if law
By any trick can urge it. But the old man
Seems to forgive you; onely his intent
Is to dispose his state some other way
Then leave the least part yours. Which to comply for
With any least submission I should rather
Banish my self his fight, and cancelling
All th'obligations of indebted duty,
Scorn to be flatter'd into payment of it.
Cosin be rul'd by me; confirme yourself
In this possession. You may find delights
Enjoying one another though restrain'd
A generall liberty. Get into the Country
Remote enough, but where you may receive
Weekly intelligence and meanes from me;
Which I'l supply you with in a proportion
For moderate expence. As things grow ripe
I can informe you. As it hath been ever,
It shall be still my care to do you offices
(For mine own ends.)

The.
You have my deerest cosin
Given large testimony of your love;
Requitall must be studied. But for this
You have advis'd to, a quite different course
Is here resolv'd on, and my vow hath seal'd it.
I must returne to labor a consent
From those I have so wrong'd; which if deny'd me,
I never must enjoy what I desire
Above my self.

Rav.
Consent! 'twould soone be had,
If I prevent it not.
A noise within.
What noise is that?
Perhaps some that pursue you; hide your selves;
Her's an inner roome.

Puts them into another roome.