ACT III. SCENE I.

_A room in_ TOUCHWOOD _junior’s lodgings_.

_Enter_ TOUCHWOOD _junior and Parson_.

TOUCH. JUN. O sir, if e’er you felt the force of love, Pity it in me! PAR. Yes, though I ne’er was married, sir, I've felt the force of love from good men’s daughters, And some that will be maids yet three years hence. Have you got a license? TOUCH. JUN. Here, ’tis ready, sir. PAR. That’s well. TOUCH. JUN. The ring, and all things perfect; she’ll steal hither. PAR. She shall be welcome, sir; I'll not be long A clapping you together. TOUCH. JUN. O, here she’s come, sir!

_Enter_ MOLL _and_ TOUCHWOOD _senior_.

PAR. What’s he? TOUCH. JUN. My honest brother. TOUCH. SEN. Quick, make haste, sirs! MOLL. You must despatch with all the speed you can, For I shall be miss’d straight; I made hard shift For this small time I have. PAR. Then I'll not linger. Place that ring upon her finger: [TOUCHWOOD _junior puts ring on_ MOLL’S _finger_. This the finger plays the part, Whose master-vein shoots from the heart: Now join hands——

_Enter_ YELLOWHAMMER _and_ SIR W. WHOREHOUND.

YEL. Which I will sever, And so ne’er again meet, never! MOLL. O, we’re betray’d! TOUCH. JUN. Hard fate! SIR WAL. I'm struck with wonder! YEL. Was this the politic fetch, thou mystical baggage, Thou disobedient strumpet!—And were [you] So wise to send for her to such an end? SIR WAL. Now I disclaim the end; you’ll make me mad. YEL. And what are you, sir? TOUCH. JUN. And[64] you cannot see With those two glasses, put on a pair more. YEL. I dream’d of anger still.—Here, take your ring, sir,— [_Taking ring off_ MOLL’S _finger_. Ha! this? life, ’tis the same! abominable! Did not I sell this ring? TOUCH. JUN. I think you did; You receiv’d money for’t. YEL. Heart, hark you, knight; Here’s no[65] inconscionable villany! Set me a-work to make the wedding-ring, And come with an intent to steal my daughter! Did ever run-away match it! SIR WAL. This your brother, sir? TOUCH. SEN. He can tell that as well as I. YEL. The very posy mocks me to my face,— _Love that’s wise Blinds parents' eyes._ I thank your wisdom, sir, for blinding of us; We’ve good hope to recover our sight shortly: In the meantime I will lock up this baggage As carefully as my gold; she shall see As little sun, if a close room or so Can keep her from the light on’t. MOLL. O sweet father, For love’s sake, pity me! YEL. Away! MOLL. Farewell, sir; All content bless thee! and take this for comfort, Though violence keep me, thou canst lose me never, I'm ever thine, although we part for ever. YEL. Ay, we shall part you, minx. [_Exit with_ MOLL. SIR WAL. Your acquaintance, sir, Came very lately, yet it came too soon; I must hereafter know you for no friend, But one that I must shun like pestilence, Or the disease of lust. TOUCH. JUN. Like enough, sir; You ha' ta’en me at the worst time for words That e’er ye pick’d out: faith, do not wrong me, sir. [_Exit with Parson._ TOUCH. SEN. Look after him, and spare not: there he walks That ne’er yet receiv’d baffling:[66] you are blest More than ever I knew; go, take your rest. [_Exit._ SIR WAL. I pardon you, you are both losers. [_Exit._