COVET

YOu will provoke me. Suffer what? you're used Too well: if you complain of this, I shall Study to be more harsh. You'll leave this language? Sure the Devil Has entered her ith' likeness of and Eel, Her tongue's so slippery: Minion— Have but patience, isle wed thee to a Knight. This Knight shall do't, or if you Like not him, What say you to Sir Geoffrey Holdfast's son, The famous Scholar? This is the maddest wench: would I were rid of her, She vexes me more than her Portion's worth; But if she stoop not to my Country Knight, Sir Timothy Shallow-wit, or to young Holdfast, (Whom I had rather marry to my daughter) She shall would grazing. Let them enter. Some young heirs, To borrow money upon Mortgages. Save you sir. Good sir no. Whom would you speak with here? I am the party. She is as heaven ma e her. I must desire your name first. Son to sir Geff. Holdfast. Came you from Cambridge lately. Your father writ me word, his son that should Come up to see my Daughter and my Niece, Was a rare scholar, wholly given to's books. I mar'le sir Geff. knowing my aversion From any of these courses, should bring up His son to all of them: nay, write me word, Knowing my love to learning, he had him A scholar purposely: pray sir resolve me, Are you sir Gefferies son? Sir Gefferies son of Epping? Sir, you must pardon me, you're not the man I took you for. Oh by no means, but they cannot be seen Conveniently this morning: another time, At your best leisure, I shall not deny you. Please you walk in, and taste our Beer? There's some deceit in this, perhaps some gallant, Knowing my purpose with Sir Geoffrey Holdfast, Has taken his name upon him: isle dispatch A messenger straight to him: whom have we here? This is he certainly; are you, I pray Sir Gefferies son of Epping? I'm glad to hear it, tother was some varlet, I shall find out and punish: Sir, you're welcome; I guess your business; 'tis about a match, Or with my Niece, or Daughter: which you Like, Shall be at your dispose: if not, your business. How am I blessed, that this rare scholar shall Be matched into my family? Within there; Niece, Daughter, both come hither. Sir, this is my only daughter, this my niece, Pray know them better. Daughter and Niece, this is a gentleman, My care has picked out, as a most fit husband For one of you; which he can soonest fancy, Hear him but speak, and he will put you down Ten Universities, and Jnnes of Court, Jn twenty syllables. Good Mr. Holdfast Speak learnedly to wenches; though J say't, They have both good capacities. How am I ravished! Your pleasure shall prevail, though to say truth, Son Shallow-wit, for son I still shall call you, I never liked a Song, unless the Ballad Oth' famous London Prentice, or the building Of Britain's Burse: for Music, less the Virginals, I never cared for any. Does but cloy The ears, but never fills the purse son. I shall begin To love it better then I have done; 'tis a good boy, A very pretty boy, and isle reward thee. There's a threepence for thee. He shall take it, Indeed he shall; 'tis manners to receive Money from your betters boy: but here's my Niece. Why, have you a Niece Sir Timothy? Clare did you see the gentlewoman? Maudlin, Did there a Gentlewoman arrive here lately, To see my daughter? A very handsome woman, I could love her, Did I but know her portion. Mistress welcome. Whats in that house is yours? Please you declare't. I've been abused, In this Sir Geffreys son the scholar? What means this gentleman? I'll be revenged for this, and if it cost me Half my estate Formal send post, for sir Geoffrey, The whole town shall know of this abuse I'll make you fast enough. Truth I know not, Nor can conjecture, yet I Him to be truly yours, because attired Ith' habit and the phrase of a right Scholar, And for your son, pardon me master Holdfast, I took you for some lewd audacious varlet, That had usurped that title. Good sir Timothy, No striving, they are free for you and for The stain those idle gallants put upon them, It on my credit gentlemen to keep All other suitors off, in hope by that means To obtain them for themselves. Daughter and niece, This hopeful gentleman, and this good knight are By my care provided for your husbands, pray use Them as befits their worth, and take it As a fatherly admonition; either resolve To marry these or none. This is the government the city keeps, How do you liked Sir Geoffrey ? You do well Master's to keep diligent watch, Theres many varlets at these hours commit Disorders in the City: Where the constable? How at a Tavern? This is the fowlst enormity I ever Herd on ith' city, that a Constable, Who ought to see good order kep , should be At these unlawful hours, breeding disorder And in and open Tavern. Good Sir Geoffrey Bear me but company, I'll make the knave A fair example to all men in office, how they Come never a bush: watchmen look well To the charge committed to you: for your Constable, I'll make him kiss the counter, light on Formal. No Sirrah, isle not be Partaker of your riot: this the watch You keep good Mr. Constable? intruth The City's much beholding to your care, And they shall understand it, in a Tavern A fit place for and Officer: but isle send you To one fitter for you to the Counter. Lay hands I charge you, bear him hence, I'll have you all laid fast else. Will you not stir knaves? Where is the Master of the house? isle make This Busy and example. Within, the master of the house, isle have These knaves indicted for this bold contempt, And whipped about the City. Dare you do this sirrah? Sirrah, sirrah, isle make you smoke for this. I'll spend a thousand Pound, but I'll be revenged: a saucy rascal In my own Ward to serve me thus? Who's here? Sir Timothy and your son, I'll lay My life on't they have struck a marriage up Without our knowledge. This qualifies all anger, I forgive them. Would! who are these! Sir Geoffrey we are cheated Abominably, cheated by this Constable, This rascal Busy, these are his daughters. Well you shall not Report me cruel; you have my consent, And blessing with it; neighbour Busy, I'll Be friend with you, and at my entreaty Sir Geoffrey shall be reconciled. Learned, learned young man, How happy am I in thee? Hold your tongue, he's able To perform more by's learning. Still more miraculous. Noble sir Timothy, and your friend both Welcome, this is my niece, & that my daughter, pray Be pleased to know them, Sir honour me to walk, I'de have some private conference with you, The house sir Timothy is at your command. Timothy this abum e must not be thus put up, Did not you say I was your Niece. This rather Should be sir Geff. son, his words and habit Speak him most learned. I'm the person, pray Let me be bold to crave your name.