WINCOTT

Gentlemen, welcome, but what need I use A word so common, unto such to whom My house was never private; I expect You should not look for such a needles phrase, Especially you Master Geraldine, Your Father is my neighbour, and I know you, Even from the Cradle, then I loved your Infancy, And since your riper growth bettered by travel; My wife and you, in youth were play-fellows, And nor now be strangers; as I take it, Not above two years different in your Age. I would have you Think this your home, free as your Father's house, And to command it, as the Master on it; Call boldly here, and entertain your friends, As in your own possessions, when I see't, I'll say you love me truly, not till then; O what a happiness your Father hath, Far above me, one to inherit after him, Where I (Heaven knows) am childless. And what more pleasure to and old men ear, That never drew, save his own Countries air, Then hear such things related. I do exceed him In years, I must confess, Yet he much older Then I in his experience. Put him too't, Do Sister, you shall find him (make no doubt) Most pregnant in his answer. I would wife It were no worse, upon condition, They had my helping hand and purse to boot, With both in ample measure; o this Gentleman, I love, nay almost dote on. In these arms then, O had my youth been blessed with such a son, To have made my estate to my name hereditary, I should have gone contented to my graven, As to my bed; to death, as to my sleep; But Heaven hath will in all things, once more welcome, And you sir, for your friends sake. Now sir, the news with you. This fellows my best clock, He still strikes true to dinner. You take us unprovided Gentlemen, Yet something you shall find and we would rather Give you the entertain of household guests, Then compliment of strangers, I pray enter. And what's this Dalavill? Thou hast spoke, That which not only crowns his true desert, But now instates him, in my better thoughts, Making his Worth, unquestioned. But I could rather, for her own sake, wish Young Geraldine would fix his thoughts that way, And she towards him; In such Affinity, Trust me, I would not use a sparing hand. Such a Harvest, I should not be the ungladdest man to see, Of all thy sisters friends: Now, whence come you? And where, I pray thee, are all these Revels kept? A fearful Massacre. Did they not send for Surgeons? Where grew the quarrel first? And where was all this havoc kept? Belike then, 'twas a Massacre of meat, not as I apprehended? Enough, enough, your wit hath played too long upon our pa tience; Wife, it grieves me much both for the young and old man, the one, Graces his head with care, endures the parching heat and biting cold, The terrors of the Lands, and fears at Sea in travel, only to gain Some competent estate to leave his son; While all that Merchandise, through Gulfs, Cross-tides, Pitats and Storms, he brings so far; the other Here Shipwracks in the Harbour. Youare pleasant, Oendemen, what Might be the Subject of your pleasant sport, It promises some pleasure? Master Geraldine, if there be any thing can please my Ear, With pleasant sounds, your Tongue must be the Instrument, On which the Sring must strike. Speak, good Sir. And vnthrist Youth, his Father now at Sea. Be thou still dumb, 'tis-hee that I would hear. But what was the conclusion? Thanks Master Geraldine, for this discourse, Intruth it hath much pleased me, but the night Begins to grow fast on us, for your parts, You are all young, and you may fit up late, My eyes begin to summon m e to sleep, And nothing's more offensive unto Age, Then to watch long and late. We are bound to you, kind Master Geraldine, For this great entertainment; Troath your cost Hath much exceeded common neighbourhood: You have feasted us Like Princes. Y'aue Master Geraldine, Fair walks and gardens, I have praised them, Both to my Wife and Sister. See Master Geraldine, How bold we are, especially these Ladies Play little better then the thieves with you, For they have robbed your Garden. Now to horse, But one thing ere we partly, I must entreat; In which my Wife will be joint suitor with me, My Sister too. That he Which brought us hither, may but bring us home; Your much respected Son. 'Twere no manners In us to urge it further, we will leave you, With promise Sir, that he shall in my will, Not be the last remembered. I wonder whence this strangeness should proceed, Or wherein I, or any of my house, Should be the occasion of the least distaste; Now, as I wish him well, it troubles me; But now the time grows on, from his own mouth To be resolved; And I hope satisfied: Sir, as I live, of all my friends to me Most wishedly, you are welcome: Take that Chair, I this: Nay, I int eat no compliment; Attend—Fill wine. I first salute you thus. Now give us leave. Both are granted. What might then be The cause of this constraint, in thus absenting Your self from such as love you? How can these, in any way be questioned? As Heaven is true, I know't. And I of all acquit you: This your absence, With which my love most caucll'd; Orators In your behalf. Had such things passed betwixt you, Not threats nor chidings could have driven you hence: It pleads in your behalf, and speaks in hers; And arms me with a double confidence, Both of your friendship, and her loyalty: I am happy in you both, and only doubtful Which of you two does most impart my love: You shall not hence to night. You are in your lodging. My conjuration shall dispense with that; You may be up as early as you please; But hence to night you shall not. This night, of purpose, I have parted beds, Feigning my self not well, to give you meeting; Nor can be ought suspected by my Wife, I have kept all so private: Now it's late, I'll steal up to my rest, But howsoever, Let's not be strange in our writing, that way daily We may confer without the least suspect, In spite of all such base calumnious tongues; So, Now goodnight sweet friend Y'aue entertained me with a strange discourse Of your men knavish wit, but I rejoice, That in your safe return, all ends so well: Most welcome you, and you, and indeed all; To whom I am bound, that at so short a warning, Thus friendly, you will deign to visit me. But see Gentlemen, these whom we most expected, come at length; This I proclaim the master of the Feast, In which to express the bounty of my love, I'll show my self no niggard. I Like that greeting: Nay, enter Gentlemen; Dinner perhaps Is not yet ready, but the time we stay, Weel find some fresh discourse to spend away. What was he clamoured so loud, To mingle with our mirth this terror And affright? How? Support her, and by all means possible Provide for her deer safety. Woman, look up. If she misfare, I am a man more wretched in her lose, Then had I forfeited life and estate; She was so good a creature. Dead? My fear is beyond pardon, Dalavill Hath played the villain, but for Geraldine, He hath been each way Noble—Love him still, My peace already I have made with Heaven; O be not you at war with me; My Honour Is in your hands to punish, or preserve; I am now Confessed, and only Geraldine Hath wrought on me this unexpected good; The Ink I write with, I wish had been my blood, To witness me Repentance—Dalavill? Where's he? Go seek him out. The Wills of Dead folk should be still obeyed; How ever false to me, I'll not reueale't; Where Heaven forgives, I pardon Gentlemen, I know you all commiserate my lose; I little thought this Feast should have been turned Into a Funeral; What's the news of him? All our ill lucks go with him, farewell he; But all my best of wishes wait on you, As my chief Friend; This meeting that was made Only to take of you a parting leave, Shall now be made a Marriage of our Love, Which none save only Death shall separate. The Lands that I have left, You lend me for the short space of my life; As soon as Heaven calls me, they call you Lord; First feast, and after Mourn; We'll Like some Gallants That Bury thrifty Father's, think't no sin, To wear Blacks without, but other Thoughts within. And in this, By trusting him to me, of whom your self May have both use and pleasure, you're as kind As moneyed men, that might make benefit Of what they are possessed, yet to their friends In needs, will lend it gratis. That for outward show; But what in him have you observed else, To make him better known? However speak, I pray; For my sake doo't?