Chapter 8

_Enter_ Wellborn _and_ Marall.

_Wellb._ I think I am in a good way.

_Mar._ Good sir, the best way; The certain best way.

_Wellb._ There are casualties That men are subject to.

_Mar._ You are above 'em: As you are already worshipful, I hope, ere long, you will increase in worship, And be right worshipful.

_Wellb._ Pr'thee do not flout me, What I shall be, I shall be. Is't for your ease, You keep your hat off.

_Mar._ Ease, and it like your worship! I hope Jack Marall shall not live so long, To prove himself such an unmannerly beast, Though it hail hazel nuts, as to be covered, When your worship's present.

_Wellb._ Is not this a true rogue, [_Aside._ That out of mere hope of a future coz'nage Can turn thus suddenly? 'tis rank already.

_Mar._ I know your worship's wise, and needs no counsel: Yet if in my desire to do you service, I humbly offer my advice (but still Under correction), I hope I shall not Incur your high displeasure.

_Wellb._ No; speak freely.

_Mar._ Then in my judgment, sir, my simple judgment, (Still with your worship's favour) I could wish you A better habit, for this cannot be But much distasteful to the noble lady That loves you: I have twenty pounds here, Which, out of my true love, I presently Lay down at your worship's feet; 'twill serve to buy you A riding suit.

_Wellb._ But Where's the horse?

_Mar._ My gelding Is at your service: nay, you shall ride me, Before your worship shall be put to the trouble To walk a-foot. Alas! when you are lord Of this lady's manor (as I know you will be), You may with the lease of glebe land, Requite your vassal.

_Wellb._ I thank thy love; but must make no use of it. What's twenty pounds?

_Mar._ 'Tis all that I can make, sir.

_Wellb._ Dost thou think, though I want clothes, I could not have 'em, For one word to my lady?

_Mar._ As I know not that--

_Wellb._ Come, I'll tell thee a secret, and so leave thee. I'll not give her the advantage, tho' she be A gallant-minded lady, after we are married To hit me in the teeth, and say she was forc'd To buy my wedding clothes, Or took me with a plain suit, and an ambling nag, No, I'll be furnish'd something like myself. And so farewell; for thy suit touching the glebe land, When it is mine, 'tis thine.

_Mar._ I thank your worship. [_Exit_ Wellborn. How was I cozen'd in the calculation Of this man's fortune! my master cozen'd too, Whose pupil I am in the art of undoing men; For that is our profession. Well, well, Mr. Wellborn, You are of a sweet nature, and fit again to be cheated: Which, if the fates please, when you are possess'd Of the land and lady, you, sans question, shall be. I'll presently think of the means.

[_Walks by, musing._

_Enter_ Sir Giles Overreach.

_Sir G._ Sirrah, take my horse; I'll walk to get me an appetite. 'Tis but a mile; And exercise will keep me from being pursy. Ha! Marall! is he conjuring? Perhaps The knave has wrought the prodigal to do Some outrage on himself, and now he feels Compunction in his conscience for't: no matter, So it be done. Marall!

_Mar._ Sir!

_Sir G._ How succeed we In our plot on Wellborn?

_Mar._ Never better, sir.

_Sir G._ Has he hang'd, or drown'd himself?

_Mar._ No sir, he lives, Lives once more to be made a prey to you: And greater prey than ever.

_Sir G._ Art thou in thy wits? If thou art, reveal this miracle, and briefly.

_Mar._ A lady, sir, has fall'n in love with him.

_Sir G._ With him! What lady?

_Mar._ The rich Lady Allworth.

_Sir G._ Thou dolt! how darst thou speak this?

_Mar._ I speak true; And I do so but once a year: unless It be to you, sir. We din'd with her ladyship: I thank his worship.

_Sir G._ His worship!

_Mar._ As I live, sir, I din'd with him, at the great lady's table, Simple as I stand here; and saw when she kiss'd him; And, at his request, welcom'd me too.

_Sir G._ Why, thou rascal, To tell me these impossibilities: Dine at her table! and kiss him! Impudent varlet! Have not I myself, To whom great countesses' doors have oft flown open, Ten times attempted, since her husband's death, In vain to see her, tho' I came--a suitor? And yet your good solicitorship, and rogue Wellborn, Were brought into her presence, feasted with her. But that I know thee a dog that cannot blush, This most incredible lie would call up one into Thy cheeks.

_Mar._ Shall I not trust my eyes, sir? Or taste? I feel her good cheer in my belly.

_Sir G._ You shall feel me, if you give not over, sirrah! Recover your brains again, and be no more gull'd With a beggar's plot, assisted by the aids Of serving men; and chambermaids; for, beyond these, Thou never saw'st a woman; or, I'll quit you From my employments.

_Mar._ Will you credit this, yet? On my confidence of their marriage, I offered Wellborn (I would give a crown now, I durst say his worship [_Aside._ My nag, and twenty pounds.

_Sir G._ Did you so? [_Strikes him down._ Was this the way to work him to despair, Or rather to cross me?

_Mar._ Will your worship kill me?

_Sir G._ No, no; but drive the lying spirit out of you.

_Mar._ He's gone.

_Sir G._ I have done, then. Now forgetting Your late imaginary feast and lady, Know, my Lord Lovell dines with me tomorrow: Be careful, not be wanting to receive him; And bid my daughter's women trim her up, Tho' they paint her, so she catch the lord, I'll thank 'em. There's a piece for my late blows.

_Mar._ I must yet suffer: But there may be a time-- [_Aside._

_Sir G._ Do you grumble?

_Mar._ O no, sir. [_Exeunt._

ACT. III.