A Select Collection of Old English Plays Volume Xi Part 130

POL. Admit him. Now, friend, your business with me.

SER. If you be the Lord Polymetes.

POL. The same.

EUG. My lord, I come from Athens with such news As I daresay is welcome, though unlook'd for; Your son Eugenio lives, whom you so long Thought dead, and mourn'd for.

POL. How? lives!

EUG. Upon my life, my lord, I saw him well Within these few days.

POL. Thanks for thy good news.

Reward him, Roscio. But now, tell me, friend, Hast thou reveal'd this news to any man In Syracuse but me?

EUG. To none, my lord: At every place where I have stay'd in town, Inquiring for your lordship's house, I heard These tragic, but false, news; the contrary I still conceal'd, though knew, intending first Your lordship's ear should drink it.

POL. Worthy friend, I now must thank your wisdom as your love, In this well-carried action; I'll requite it: Meantime, pray use my house, and still continue Your silence in this business. Roscio, make him welcome, And part as little from him as you can, for fear----

ROS. Think it done, my lord.

POL. Leucothoe,[426] come hither.

VIR. Be like yourself, let not a cruel doom Pa.s.s those fair lips, that never were ordain'd To kill, but to revive.

LEU. Neither, my lord, lies in their power to do.

VIR. Yes, sweet, to me, Whom your scorn kills, and pity will revive.

LEU. Pity is show'd to men in misery.

VIR. And so am I, if not reliev'd by you.

LEU. 'Twere pride in me, my lord, to think it so.

VIR. I am your beauty's captive.

LEU. Then, my lord, What greater gift than freedom can I give?

'Tis that that captives most desire, and that You shall command: y' are free from me, my lord.

VIR. Your beauty contradicts that freedom, lady.

POL. Come, n.o.ble count, I must for this time interrupt you; you'll find enough within to talk.

VIR. I'll wait upon your lordship. [_Exeunt._

_Manet_ EUGENIO _solus_.

EUG. Thus in disguise I have discover'd all, And found the cause of my reported death, Which did at first amaze me; but 'tis well: 'Tis to draw on the match between my sister And this rich count: heaven grant it be content As well as fortune to her, but I fear She cannot love his age: how it succeeds I shall perceive, and, whilst unknown I stay, I cannot hurt the project, help I may. [_Exit._

_Enter_ FRANCISCO, SUMNER.[427]

FRANC. This will make good work for you in the spiritual court; Shallow is a rich man.

SUM. Those are the men we look for; there's somewhat to be got: the court has many businesses at this time, but they are little worth; a few waiting-women got with child by servingmen or so, scarce worth citing.

FRANC. Do not their masters get 'em with child sometimes?

SUM. Yes, no doubt; but they have got a trick to put 'em off upon the men, and for a little portion save their own credits; besides, these private marriages are much out of our way, we cannot know when there is a fault.

FRANC. Well, these are no starters; I warrant you, Shallow shall not deny it; and for the wench, she need not confess it, she has a mark that will betray her.

SUM. I thank you, sir, for your good intelligence, I hope 'tis certain.

FRANC. Fear not that. Is your citation ready?

SUM. I have it here.

FRANC. Well, step aside, and come when I call; I hear 'em coming.

[_Exit_ SUMNER.

_Enter_ FRANKLIN, SHALLOW, LUCE, PARSON.

FRANK. Set forward there. Francisco, what make you here?

FRANC. I come to claim my right: parson, take heed.

Thou art the author of adultery, If thou conjoin this couple; she's my wife.

FRANK. Yours, saucebox?

SHAL. Father, I thought she had been mine; I hope I shall not lose her thus.

FRANK. Francisco, Dare not to interrupt us, for I swear Thou shalt endure the law's extremity For thy presumption.

FRANC. Do your worst, I fear not; I was contracted to her.

FRANK. What witness have you?

FRAN. Heaven is my witness, whose impartial eye Saw our contract.

SHAL. What an a.s.s is this to talk of contracting! He that will get a wench must make her bigger, as I have done, and not contract.

FRANC. Sir, you are abus'd.

SHAL. Why so?

FRANC. The wife you go to marry is with child, And by another.

SHAL. A good jest, i' faith! make me believe that!