University of Virginia Library

SCENE III.

—Apartment at Stephen Foster's.
Enter Mrs. Foster and Mrs. Stephen Foster, R.
Mrs. Steph.
(C.)
Sister, there's no way to make sorrow light
But in the noble bearing; be content,
Blows given from Heav'n are our due punishment.
All shipwrecks are not drownings: you see buildings
Made fairer from their ruins; he that I married,
The brother to your husband, laid, you know,
On the same bed of misery: yet now
He's rank'd with the best citizens.

Mrs. F.
(C.)
Oh, you
Were born to wealth and happiness, but I
To want and scorn.

Mrs. Steph.
Nay, hush this useless grief,
And I will move my husband.
Enter Clown, L.
Now, your business?—

Clown.
(L.)

Marry, mistress, there are two creatures
below would speak with you—

Mrs. Steph.

What are they?—learn their titles—

Clown.

That I have already, the one is a thing that
was pluck'd into the world by the head and shoulders to
be wonder'd at, and 'tis called a Knight—the other is a
coach horse of the same overridden race, and that's a
foolish gentleman.

Mrs. Steph.
O, they're my debtors, Speedwell and Lambskin.
Go call them in.
[Exit Clown, L.
And you, my gentle sister,
Comfort yourself and my imprisoned brother,
What good I can, I'll do for him—be bold.

Mrs. F.

May heavenly blessings guard you—Never
woman was vex'd as I am still.

[Exit Mrs. Foster, R.
Re-enter Clown, L.
Clown.

They are coming up, mistress, and my master
with them.

Enter Stephen, Robert, Lambskin, and Sir Godfrey, L.
Steph.
(C.)
So, sirs, you cannot pay the whole, you say.
What present money do you come to offer?

Sir God.
(L.)

I can put down about two hundred
pounds.

Lambs.
(L.)

So can I too, and take up seven times as
much—if I knew where to get it—but that's my lamentable
case. If you strip me any nearer, you shall strip skin and
all, I promise you.

Mrs. Steph.
(C.)

We'll sheer no sheep so close— [To

Steph.]
Good sweetheart, say—shall it be put to me?—

Steph.
Do as you please.
In all thy deeds thou'rt govern'd by good stars;
Therefore, if thou cry'st peace—why peace be with them.
E'en order it as thou wilt.

Mrs. Steph.
I thank you, sir.
All your two thousand pounds then we will quit
For your two hundred each—pay to my coz
The money, and receive your cancell'd bonds.

Both.
Now Heav'n be with you, lady—

Steph.
Cousin [To Rob.]
go.
Receive their money—and sirrah [To Clown.]
make them drink—

Rob.
Follow me, gentlemen.

[Exeunt Robert, Sir Godfrey and Lambskin, L.
Clown.
(L.)

I'll make 'em drink if they will—They
shall empty their purses, and I'll fill their stomachs.
Marry, an' that will be no easy task with the Knight;
but as for the lean gentleman, it's a question whether he
hath a stomach to fill.—Heav'n send he pass not the doghouse!
Jowler hath a keen nose for carrion!—

[Exit Clown, L.
Steph.
How now, sweet wife—what art thou musing on?

Mrs. Steph.
I must come wooing to you, sir.

Steph.
For what?—

Mrs. Steph.
For your poor brother, sir,—O 'tis unmeet,
For souls framed by one square to grow uneven;
'Tis like a war 'mongst the great lights of Heaven,
One cannot lose his beauty, but the other
Suffers eclipse.

Steph.
Thy songs are angel tunes,
And on thy wings I'll fly with thee to Heaven.
Thou speak'st as I would have thee, dearest wife!—
His debts I've justly weigh'd and found them light,
But I of purpose keep aloof to try
My kinsman, Robert, whom I spied but now
Hovering about the grate whare his poor father
With piteous voice ask'd charity.—I chid,
And rail'd against the boy—but my heart leap'd
To see such goodness in a son—I'll wager
That the four hundred pounds paid by these fellows
Will by our coz be given to his father.

Mrs. Steph.
Troth, would it might!

Enter Brown, L.
Brown.
Where's Master Stephen Foster?—
Oh, you are here, sir, you must hence with speed—
The city officers stay at Guildhall,
And need your aid, as sheriff, to make order—
Touching the entertainment of the King,
Who will to-morrow dine with the new Mayor
On his return from Westminster.

Steph.
I thank you—
Come—to the Guildhall.—Wife, look to our kinsman.—
Let me know all his steps, but do not hinder him,
If he relieve his father—Sir, have with you.—

[Exeunt Mrs. Foster, R. Stephen and Brown, L.