SCENE I.[1167

[_Enter_] KITELY, CASH, DOWNRIGHT.

_Kit._ Thomas, come hither. There lies a note within upon my desk; Here take my key: it is no matter neither.— Where is the boy?

_Cash._ Within, sir, i’ the warehouse.

_Kit._ Let him tell over straight that Spanish gold, 5 And weigh it, with th’ pieces of eight.[1168] Do you See the delivery of those silver stuffs To Master Lucar: tell him, if he will, He shall ha’ the grograns[1169] at the rate I told him, And I will meet him on the Exchange anon. 10

_Cash._ Good, sir. [_Exit._]

_Kit._ Do you see that fellow, brother Downright?

_Dow._ Ay, what of him?

_Kit._ He is a jewel, brother. I took him of a child up at my door, And christ’ned him, gave him mine own name, Thomas: 15 Since bred him at the Hospital;[1170] where proving A toward imp, I call’d him home, and taught him So much, as I have made him my cashier, And giv’n him, who had none, a surname, Cash: And find him in his place so full of faith, 20 That I durst trust my life into his hands.

_Dow._ So would not I in any bastard’s, brother, As it is like he is, although I knew Myself his father. But you said you’d somewhat To tell me, gentle brother: what is’t, what is’t?

_Kit._ Faith, I am very loath to utter it, 25 As fearing it may hurt your patience; But that I know your judgment is of strength, Against the nearness of affection——

_Dow._ What need this circumstance?[1171] Pray you, be direct. 30

_Kit._ I will not say how much I do ascribe Unto your friendship, nor in what regard I hold your love; but let my past behaviour, And usage of your sister, [both][1172] confirm How well I’ve been affected to your—— 35

_Dow._ You are too tedious; come to the matter, the matter.

_Kit._ Then, without further ceremony, thus. My brother Wellbred, sir, I know not how, Of late is much declin’d in what he was, And greatly alter’d in his disposition. 40 When he came first to lodge here in my house, Ne’er trust me if I were not proud of him: Methought he bare himself in such a fashion, So full of man, and sweetness in his carriage, And what was chief, it show’d not borrowed in him, 45 But all he did became him as his own, And seem’d as perfect, proper, and possest, As breath with life, or colour with the blood. But now, his course is so irregular, So loose, affected, and depriv’d of grace, 50 And he himself withal so far fall’n off From that first place, as scarce no note remains, To tell men’s judgments where he lately stood. He’s grown a stranger to all due respect, Forgetful of his friends; and, not content 55 To stale[1173] himself in all societies, He makes my house here common as a mart, A theatre, a public receptacle For giddy humour, and diseased riot; And here, as in a tavern or a stews, 60 He and his wild associates spend their hours, In repetition of lascivious jests, Swear, leap, drink, dance, and revel night by night, Control my servants; and, indeed, what not?

_Dow._ ’Sdeins,[1174] I know not what I should (65) say to him, i’ the whole world! He values me at a crack’d three-farthings, for aught I see. It will never out o’ the flesh that’s bred i’ the bone. I have told him enough, one would think, if that would serve; but counsel to him is as good (70) as a shoulder of mutton to a sick horse. Well! he knows what to trust to, for[1175] George: let him spend, and spend, and domineer, till his heart ache; an he think to be reliev’d by me, when he is got into one o’ your city pounds, the (75) counters, he has the wrong sow by the ear, i’ faith; and claps his dish[1176] at the wrong man’s door. I’ll lay my hand o’ my halfpenny, ere I part with ’t to fetch him out, I’ll assure him.

_Kit._ Nay, good brother, let it not trouble you thus. 80

_Dow._ ’Sdeath! he mads me: I could eat my very spur-leathers for anger! But, why are you so tame? Why do you not speak to him, and tell him how he disquiets your house?

_Kit._ O, there are divers reasons to dissuade, brother. 85 But, would yourself vouchsafe to travail in it (Though but with plain and easy circumstance), It would both come much better to his sense, And savour less of stomach,[1177] or of passion. You are his elder brother, and that title 90 Both gives and warrants you authority, Which, by your presence seconded, must breed A kind of duty in him, and regard; Whereas, if I should intimate the least, It would but add contempt to his neglect, 95 Heap worse on ill, make up a pile of hatred, That in the rearing would come tott’ring down, And in the ruin bury all our love. Nay, more than this, brother; if I should speak, He would be ready, from his heat of humour,[1178] And overflowing of the vapour in him, 101 To blow the ears of his familiars With the false breath of telling what disgraces And low disparagements I had put upon him: Whilst they, sir, to relieve him in the fable,[1179] 105 Make their loose comments upon every word, Gesture, or look, I use; mock me all over, From my flat cap[1180] unto my shining shoes;[1180] And, out of their impetuous rioting phant’sies, Beget some slander that shall dwell with me. 110 And what would that be, think you? Marry, this: They would give out, because my wife is fair, Myself but lately married, and my sister Here sojourning a virgin in my house, That I were jealous!—nay, as sure as death, 115 That they would say; and, how that I had quarrell’d My brother purposely, thereby to find An apt pretext to banish them my house.

_Dow._ Moss, perhaps so; they’re like enough to do it.

_Kit._ Brother, they would, believe it; so should I, 120 Like one of these penurious quack-salvers, But set the bills up[1181] to mine own disgrace, And try experiments upon myself; Lend scorn and envy opportunity To stab my reputation and good name—— 125