 | Riches : Or, The Wife And Brother |  |
SCENE I.
The Counting-house.Enter Luke, hastily.
Luke.
'Twas no phantastic object, but a truth,
A real truth, no dream! I did not slumber,
And could wake ever with a brooding eye
To gaze upon't! It did endure the touch;
I saw and felt it: yet what I beheld,
And handled oft, did so transcend belief,
I faintly could give credit to my senses.
What art thou—shall I call thee Chance or Fortune?
Thou dumb magician, that without a charm
Did'st make mine entrance easy, to possess
What wise men wish, and toil their lives in vain for?
The Sybil's golden bough, the great elixir,
Imagin'd only by the alchemist,
Compar'd with thee are shadows, thou the substance
And guardian of felicity! No marvel
My brother priz'd thee: thou'st an owner now,
Who can still better estimate thy worth.
In every corner of that sacred room
Silver is heap'd in bags, as if unworthy
To hold an equal rank with the bright gold
That boasts pre-eminence: but when mine eyes
Had made discovery of the caskets, kept
Under a double safety, and they open'd,
Each sparkling diamond from itself shot forth
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And ropes of oriental pearl—These seen, I could not
But hold cheap gold itself.—Then, in a coffer,
Lay deeds of gift, bonds, and securities,
And, above all, what gladden'd me to see,
A manor, fast bound in a skin of parchment,
The wax continuing hard, the acres melting,
Pawn'd to my brother. There is scarce a shire
In Wales or England, where my monies are not
Lent out at usury; the certain hook
To draw in more.—I am sublim'd! gross earth
Supports me not!—I walk on air!—Who's that?
Enter Holdfast.
Keep off!—you shall not touch it!—Oh, 'tis you!
I knew you not at first.—Well, honest Holdfast!
What is't you want with me?
Holdfast.
There are some here
Who do enquire for you; your needy debtors,
Risk, Venture, Penury.
Luke.
What brings them here?
Holdfast.
I do suppose they've heard of what has happen'd,
And come to practice on your lib'ral temper.
Luke.
How well they guess me! Shew them straightway in.
Holdfast
(aside).
Plague on such gen'rous doings! I see beggary
Already knocking at the door.—You may enter—
But use a conscience; do not work upon
A tender-hearted gentleman too much:
'Twill shew like charity in you.
[Exit Holdfast.
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Luke.
Welcome, friends:
I know your hearts and wishes; you are glad
You've chang'd your creditor.
Venture.
Heav'n bless you, Sir.
Luke.
What is your bus'ness?
Venture.
Were your brother living,
I ne'er had hazarded to speak it, Sir;
But now the pow'r is in your worship's hand,
I am assur'd as soon as ask'd 'tis granted.
Luke.
I see you know me.—Well?
Venture.
The kind forbearance
Of my great debt, by your means, worthy Sir,
Hath rais'd my sunk estate. I have two ships,
Which I long since thought lost, above my hopes
Return'd from Portugal, and richly laden.
Luke.
Where are they?
Venture.
At Gravesend.
Luke.
And what their names?
Venture.
Happy Return and Plenty.
Luke.
Good names both.
At Gravesend, say you?
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Aye, at Gravesend, Sir.
Luke.
I'm glad to hear on't.
Venture.
Heav'n reward your worship!
Now might I have your license, as I know
With willingness I shall, to make the best
Of the commodities, tho' you have execution
'Gainst me and all I have, I shall be able
To pay off what I owe to all the world,
And leave myself a competence.
Luke.
Enough—
I'll take good care of you. I am right glad
Your ships are safe arrived.—Well, Master Risk?
Risk.
You know my mortgage is foreclos'd; you may
By law seize on my lands and ruin me.
Sir John had done it, Sir, had you not sway'd him
Now, Sir, I crave of you but three weeks patience:
By an uncle's death I have means left to pay all.
Luke.
That's fortunate; for, if I recollect,
Your land's not mortgag'd for a third of it's value.
Risk.
No more, good Sir.
Luke.
Leave it to me, I'm not,
As well you know, a creditor like my brother.
Well, Master Penury, what is your state?
Penury.
Just as it was, good Sir; the worse my luck!
What I ow'd I owe, but can pay nothing to you
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And your sweet nature, Sir, embolden me
To crave a favour from you.
Luke.
What is it?
Penury.
That you'd be pleas'd in charity to intrust me
With another hundred pounds.
Luke.
How would you use it?
Penury.
There is a sailor, Sir, arriv'd from India,
Who brings a certain rare commodity,
Of which, for ready money, I could make.
Such gain, as would rebuild my shatter'd fortune.
This way, Sir, if you please—There is his name,
And the particulars I wish to deal for.
[Gives Luke a paper, which he reads, and puts in his pocket.
Luke.
I'm glad you spoke of it. The thing is done.
Make no more words on't.—Well, my worthy friends,
I take it kind of you you came to me.
Pray ye have some refreshment now you're here.
I am call'd out for some half-hour or so;
When I return, we'll settle every thing.
[Exit Luke.
Risk.
Blessings go with you!
Penury.
Heav'n preserve you, Sir!
Venture.
Happy were London, if there were but three such!
[Exeunt.
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