GOLDSWORTH

I Herd your Niece, Sir, was not well, you should encourage her to take the air some times. IT may prove inconvenient for Her health, does she not languish for a husband? Take heed oth' green disease No, but we have clients daily That visit their affections; and while We are speaking, here is one. He is a stranger to me, But Master Gerard that holds conference with him, Maintains some correspondence with my daughters: Pray let's observe. Kind Master Gerard. Pray enter. His wisdom must be welcome: there's a Knight With Lordship's, but no manors, one that has But newly cast his country skin, came up To see the fashions of the Town, has crept Into a Knighthood which he paid for heartily And in his best clothes is suspected for A Gentleman. Have you acquainted her, How much you mean to honour us, how far Have you engaged her liking? How Sir? It argues your discretion; I have seen worse in a beard, Did you so? Not I, Sir. Which of e'm? They are both within. You mean to marry her. You are witty; I hope Sir, you will give me leave (as They say) to deliberate, for after your example, I would Do nothing rashly, I will not give you my consent in Hast Sir. And his father had not left him more land than brain, His worship had been but a poor fool. My wife is passionate and affects this Knight For's title, but I hope my daughter will Submit to my election: how now: A Gentleman? Some fresh Inamorato. And you Sir. Not I Sir. I have two: It'll become my care to provide him good ones. I know you not. They are not to be let out Sir by lease, Or yearly rend. Nor to lie with them? After the Spanish fashion— A far off. You should do well to furnish him with and oration, a spoonful of Aganippe's well, and a little of your Salt, would season, if not pickle him. Do so. I'll not oppose you Sir, and you can win their opi nion. He deserves to enjoy you. Chrisolina, You see what store of servants ye attract, Plenty of lovers but I hope you will Be ruled, and take my counsel: which of all And be plain wi'mee, hold you best opinion of? No no, tell me. Which, which Gentleman? Master Gerard ? You might have used less haste in your election, Or first acquainted me, you shall do well To keep possession of your heart awhile; But I'll consider; send your sister to me: What say you daughter to Sir Gervace ? I Like this well, be obedient. You do not love him? Would you marry him? How's this? Both in love with the same man? my care will be To a great purpose, this is very strange; Send your sister to me; come hither, come hither, You are not yet contracted to that Gentleman. Very good when your wedding clothes come home, pray give me leave to pay for they, and the din ner too. I say nothing of a portion, go after your sister: hum, this is very pretty, faith, let me be bold to ask you a question Sir. Which of my daughters do you love best? As you're a Gentleman the truth, if you affect either, it Is quickly answered. How, do you love none of they both, they are we ry well rewarded. You'd not have two wives against the Statute? This is stranger. Than all the rest, but do you love e'm both? What will become o'this? I'st possible? My daughter will be mad if this humour Hold, and I am little better while I think on't: I'll to e'm again. Exit. What another suitor? I were best lock up my daughters, they'll be smothered with Gentlemen: Sir Gervace you are a welcome man. But in my opinion you were quickly daunted. Your verses have a tune belike Master Caperwit, before you read, pray tell me, Have your verses any adjectives? But for all that, Those words would found more full, me thinks, that are not So larded, and if I might counsel you, You should compose a Sonnet clean without e'm: A row of stately Substantives, would march Like Switzers, and bear all the field before e'm; Carry their weight, show fair Like Deeds enrolled, Not Writs, that are first made, and after filled. Thence first came up the title of blank verse, You know Sir, what blank signifies? when the sense First framed, is tied with Adjectives Like points, And could not hold together without wedges: Hang't 'tis pedantic, vulgar Poetry, Let children when they versify, stick here, And there these piddling words for want of matter: Poets write Masculine numbers. And will be grateful, My daughter will affect it much the better, And 'twill be honour, if she be the first, To whom so choice a Poem is presented. I wish you well Sir. Exit What is the matter? You cannot help it. No matter, let her come, it were not civil Sir to deny your self. Madame, you needs plead no excuse for that, Command your freedom here: Daughters, my Lady Would have some private conference, We are your humble servants. Your Lady Bird is Coached, and she hath took Sir Gervace with her. Their legs do just In the same boot. Why do you laugh? What humor's this? You have a merry spleen, I know not what He thinks, but if he mean to retrieve the Lady Bird. Pray let me know, whence springs this sudden mirth; I will laugh wi'yee. 'Tis well your doublet's slashed The Poet's mad indeed, farewell Democritus. Ex. And I have sent to Sir John Woodhamores, They may be with his Niece. We have been too indulgent. Have patience wife, They are not lost for ever. It does trouble me. They were not used to walk abroad without A servant, to wait on they. What hast found they yet? Heigh day! Precious, precious thieves! Eugenias gone, lets have they cried together. We shall keep no virgins ith town shortly. Welcome Sir John. Not here. Ours have been absent ever since the morning. Nor can we study what's become on they Our servants have inquired in every place. Of our acquaintance. A servant of your Nieces; You did perhaps desire it private. I will engage my life they are all together. I am confident, lets in to supper, and expect the best. What news with him? How? That does concern my daughters? No it will befit them to come to us. Who are all these? Is he worse for marrying of my child? nay, then my Blessing on you both, my son and daughter. Master Gerard? nay and it be no worse I care not to my heart. Lets all together. I am your humble servant, This Gerard is a Gentleman of handsome parts, And they say fortuned, diligent in's courtship: But it concerns me to be careful in Disposing of my children. You're charitable. How Sir? But what assurance can he give me, wife, That he is able to get children? For that's a thing material; I would not Willingly sacrifice my daughter to And Eunuch, and such a one may that Knight be, For ought I know. You should be a purse-taker, by your enquiry After their money, they have a round portion, Sir. A cipher. Nothing. I hope you have no mind to marry. Do y'heare Sir, a fine humorist: if they marry with My consent, I can make figures, which added to Their ciphers, may make up 2000 pound apiece: what Is your name? Y'ave a dancing Name, I do not think, but you Write all the Coranto's. They read nothing else. Of your own composition? They are entering. A Gentleman, that would endear himself. Ravish Ladies Sir? that's a dangerous matter. How Sir? This Gentleman dares fight. You do not know his disposition. But you are content to take him for your bridegroom, I mean Master Gerard. Your mother calls: so, so, do you hear? Aurelia, do you love that Gentleman? I hope she will lay some felony to his charge. A fine Dialogue: