GRACE

Cousin what would these gentlemen? Very likely, Pray gentlemen your business. Is not sir your Cloak new turned, the aged three piled velvet Was not your grandams petticoat this jerkin Made by your grandsire at his first translation From Clown to Gentleman, and since reserved And heir long to the family, and this sword The parish weapon? Nor can we Spin our own smocks out of the flax which grows Behind your Dovehouse, no. nor carded the wool Must make us petticoats things (to say truth) Not worth the taking up. Yes, at Christenings, where the good Wives, stead of burned Wine and Comfets, Drink healths to the memory of all christian souls In Ale, scarce three hours old: eat cakes more tough Then glew or farthing gingerbread: then talk Of the last Blazing Star, or some new monster: Then drink, and cry heaven bless us from the Spaniard, While the learned Vicars wife expounds the Ballad Of'twas a Ladies daughter in Paris properly, And so breaks up the wise assembly. I Like his Clar , Or none shall be my husband. Enter Thorowgood. This is the pedant My father brought to mock us, good thine stuff, Get thee home to thy parish, And instruct Thy people wholesome Doctrine, for us, We have no zeal to learn. Cousin, cousin, you will not leave me thus? I pray let me go sir. Sir, I hope my own Too forward zeal, in tendering you my love, Will not in your good thoughts beget and ill Opinion of my modesty. Since I have Disclosed my affection to you, (although love Oft times admits no reason) isle endeavour To satisfy your question: the first cause Moved me to love you, was my father. Sir, you asked, A question of me, and will not permit Me give a civil answer; as I said, My father— Never fear me. You see your strength upon me. 'Tis some good one, Pray let me hear it. Some such creature but to your project. Very well; but now This the design is useless. Sir Timothy, You have much graced me by the sweet acquaintance Of this good gentlewoman. Pray Cousin know her; She's worthy your endearment. Cousin we are basely betrayed. For my own partly, And I dare say as much too for my cousin, Their memories are as distant from our hearts, As civil honesty from theirs. So then you are sped: This gentleman's my comely spouse that must be, It fitting Cousin Clare ert be a bargain, They know on what conditions they do cast Themselves away upon us. Nor expect, To get a good word from us in a twelve month, Hourly revilings and perpetual noises Shall be as favours taken that we would Vouchsafe to spend in such regardless trifles, We'll be as proud as ere our mother's were, When she was Lady Majoresse, and you humble, As her trim hench-boyes: whatsoever servants You kept before, although they were your grandsires, You shall turn off and limmit your attendants, As 'tis the city fashion to a woman Butler, that shall not dare without our license, To let you have a penny pot of sack To give a frugal entertainment, to Your visiting friends. You'll confess this Before the Priest and witnesses. When our portions Shall be consumed in Pothecaries Bills, Or giving Doctors fees; or at best use, Serve but to purchase Sack; or be as tribute Paid toth' three Kings; or piously bestowed Upon Jerusalem. And that you, whom I Even at the first view loved, and fixed my heart on: Should not alone contemn me, but with these Abuses wound my fame, torments my soul Beyond the strength of patience, heaven forgive you. Your pardon Sir, and blessing. Pray hear me. Intends to match me to Sir Timothy Shallow-wit, a creature only fit for scorn; Which to prevent, and taken with the fullness Of your true worth, I rather choose to cast My reputation on your noble pity, Than stand the desperate hazard of my ruin. Your reason Shall govern my obedience. And if you chance, as fools will oft be Peeping to spy us coup king, with respective silence, You shall depart, not daring to bedew Your eyes with tears for grief that you are cuckolds, Nor to exalt your honours above your neighbours, But big with joy triumph that you have wives That are in so much credit, as to have Persons of quality, take the pains to get your Heirs to your large revenues. Heyday, this is some Fortuneteller. J shall not Envy my Cosens happiness.