MISTRESS FLOWER

Marry and shall, kind Gentleman, my forth rance sayest thou? Yes Anthony, assure thy self, for by the more therly care that I bear to my daughter, it hath been a desire that long hath lodged within my careful breast, to match his with thy well-deserving self; and to this end have I sent for my daughter, and charged my servants, that presently up on her repair hither from her Mistress's, that she enter this private walk, where, and with whom, I will so work, that doubt it not, deer son, but she shall be thine. A thousand crowns for you to make the match, pretty heart, how love can work! by Gods blessed mother, I vow she shall be thine, if I have any interest in my daughter; Flower smiles reading the Letter, they snatch the Letter from each other. but stay, whom have I espied? my husband likewise reading of a Letter, and in so good and humour, isle lay my life, good Gentleman he hath also wrought with him for his good will; and for I long to know the truth thereof, my sudden purpose shall experience it. Whats here husband? She reads privately, and frowns. a Letter from master Ferdinand, to entreat a marriage with your daughter. If she respect her mother's favour, 'Tis Anthony shall be her love. Even so husband. In this you shall not bridle me I swear. You teach me husband, what your wife should say, I think her life is dearest unto me, Though you forget the long extremity And pain which I endured, when forth this womb With much ado she did enjoy the life she now does breathe, And shall I now suffer her destruction? A fig for your conceits, in this I know there can be none that: Say he be his father's eldest son, and a Merchant of good wealth, yet my deer Anthony's as rich as he: What though his portion was but small at first, His industry hath now increased his talon; And he that knoweth the getting of a penny, Will fear to spend, she shall have him, if any. 'Tis your own impatience, you may choose. By this. And may I never live (so God me help) If ever she be wed to Ferdinand. Fret on, good husband, I will have my will. All's one for that, I know my daughters mind if I but say the word. Why now old Flower speaks Like himself. No daughter, 'tis thine Anthony. Anthony is rich, yet is not so old. Anthony's more gracious, if more may be. Anthony more wise, then Girl desire to prove him. He is deceived, 'tis in thine Anthony. If but ruled by me. If she tend to thee. Fiddle, I wonder that he stays so long, Thou toldst me Anthony would follow thee. Fiddle, are all things ordered well within? Here, take my keys, bid Susan take enough. Master Golding, a word I pray sir, You know my daughter Phillis, do you not? She is a star I tell you. I tell you sir upon the sudden now, There came and odd conceit into my head, Are you a bachelor? And are you not promised? Well, do you hear sir? if you will be pleased To wed my daughter Phillis, you shall have her. Alls one for that, she will be ruled by me: Disdain her not because I proffer her, I tell you sir, Merchant's of great account Have sought her love, and Gentlemen of worth, Have humbly sued to me in that behalf: To say the truth, I promised her to one, But I am crossd and thwarted by my husband, Who means to marry his unto another: Now sir, to cry but quittance for his guile, I offer her to you; if you accept her, I'll make her dowry richer by a pair Of hundred pounds than else it should have been. Nay, nay, defer no time if you will have her, I'll search my coffers for another hundred. Now Husband. I'faith she shall not. No. His will! A fig for your conceit; yet for because, I know I shall prevent him of the match, That he intends, henceforth I will dissemble. Well master Flower, because it shall be said, And for kind master Berry may report The humble loyalty I bear to you, Such as a wife should do unto her husband. I am content to yield to your desires, Protesting, while I live, I never more Will speak that Anthony may marry her. Husband, I do. Indeed forsooth I do. Jest on old Flower, be cross, and do thy worst, Work the best means thou canst, yet while I live I swear she never shall wed Ferdinand. No that she shall not. That Frank should marry her, I have sworn he shall, And since this falls so right, isle not disclose, That I did mean so much; but now I'll yield, That it may seem my true humility: Husband, because hereafter you may say, And think me loving, loyal, and submiss, I am content, Frank shall have my consent. What, is he gone? and in so hight a chafe? Well let him go, I needs not question why, For well I wot his suit is cold, t'must die. Daughter, I gather by thy pleasant smiles, Thy mother hath more interest in thy love, Than discontented Flower thy aged father. And so did you to me, and now 'tis passed, Your brother Frank hath both our free consents. Live ever then my deer deer daughter Phillis, Let me embrace thee in a mother's arms; Thus, thus and thus isle ever hug my daughter, Him hence thou sendest with frowns, me hence with laughter, Come Phillis, let us in. I'll have it closely done without his knowledge; Is it a match? Now may we see the folly of old age, Governed by spleen, and overweening rage. If love thy mother, love thine Anthony.