University of Virginia Library

SCENE IV.

Zachariades's Lodgings.
Enter Zachariades and Tinderella.
Tind.
Why, look you, Zachariades! 'tis vain
To talk to me—my children shall not starve.

Zach.
I prithee, woman, hold thy peace—no more!

Tind.
I will not peace, while I have breath to speak.
Oh, that my tongue were in the thunder's mouth!
Then would I rattle thee with such a peal,
Thou shouldst comply, or never shouldst have rest.

Zach.
Nor have I now, or ever shall.

Tind.
Oh, shame!
There's not a meeker-temper'd woman breathes
Than Tinderella—all the parish knows.
But 'tis enough to make a parson swear,
To see a man run headlong into gaol
And starve his children, and as good a wife
(Tho' I declare it) as man ever had.

Zach.
As good a wife?—ay, and as gentle too!

Tind.
Ay, gentle too!—What, I suppose you'd have
Some meek insipid thing, with folded arms,
Would stand or curt'sy, and say yes, or no,
As you would have her: No, i'faith not I!
I do my duty, you should think on yours.

Zach.
Why, what the devil ails the woman now?
Is not three shillings better far, thou fool,
Than half-a-crown a-day?

Tind.
What's half-a-crown,
Or what three shillings, if you go to gaol?
Who will maintain your wife and children then?

Zach.
Each friendly box will yield a weekly aid.

Tind.
But what if you should be confin'd for years?
The box would soon be tir'd. See, hither come
Your masters with a warrant.

Enter Hagglestonon and Regniades.
Zach.
Let them come!

Hag.
Well, Zachariades, to you we come,
As to a man whose regularity
Has long been known. Say, wherefore would you lose
Your reputation thus, to join with those
Whom gentle usage never can restrain?

Reg.
Why will you mingle with such men, whose acts
Are all against the law?

Zach.
Why should not I,
As well as others, have my wages rais'd?
My work is good as theirs.

Hag.
Suppose it is,
You know the price is fix'd; what is your due
Is duely paid. Whoe'er offends the law
Will feel, too late, the weight of all its pains.

Tind.
Did not I say so?

Zach.
Woman, hold your peace!

Tind.
No, I will not!—Sirs, give me leave to speak—

Hag.
Hold; let me speak.—We now are come as friends,
Out of regard to your known worth, to save you
From all its penalties; for, be assur'd,
Whoe'er is ta'en will most severely suffer.

Zach.
I shall not, more than others.

Tind.
Yes, you will.

Reg.
Ay, that you will: consider well, your wife,
Your children.

Tind.
Think on that! your children, wife!

Zach.
What would you have me do?—If I comply,
The Flints will strait molest; nor wife, nor child,
Nor e'en myself, were safe.

Reg.
Oh, never fear
Those lawless rascals: We will safe protect
Both you, and all the rest that with you join.

Enter Timotheus.
Tim.
Oh, Zachariades!

Zach.
Well, what's the matter!

Tim.
Poor Philippomenos is almost dead!
Ere he arriv'd at home, a cold fit seiz'd,
And cruel vomits shatter'd all his frame.

Zach.
Whence could it come?

Tim.
I know not; but he fears
Some foul play shewn, when late he drank with you
And with Bernardo. I must run for help.

[Exit.
Zach.
Foul play! we all drank; it cannot be.

Tind.
Yes, on my life it can.
These are your Flints, your heroes; these the friends
You only trust; and when you are in gaol,
They'll poison you, to save their pension'd box.

Zach.
Ay, that may be.

Reg.
You see what faithless men
You are engag'd with: Now consider well,
If peace, or safety, e'er can harbour there.

Zach.
My very worthy, and approv'd good masters,
With pleasure, to my duty I return;
And so would more, did not their fears prevent:
But since you promise us your firm support,
I'll seek the others, and consult them strait.

Hag.
Continue firm, and doubt not our support.

[Exe.