SCALES

This the Mistress? I make bold, And Like a rude intruder, press upon you Sudden, and unawares. Sir, I desire your more familiar love, Whom I shall study hereafter to respect According to your worth and gravity. Mrs. Anne, for so your name was given me. Were it base, But it's much better then I yet deserve, That face alone would make and dignify't; Your Welcome I approve, good sir, a word: Nay, Master Treatwell, you may witness it, We do not trade in secrets. And that's all I can demand. There's no condition you have yet proposed But warrants grant, they are so reasonable. Mistress Anne, it were superfluous to begin a Suit Which hath before been entered; and I know Made known to you ere this; I come not now For motion, but for answer: All those honours Titles, and Dignities conferred on me We likewise do communicate with you. Court Ladies I have often seen and tried, Fair Country Damsels, Virgins of choice beauty, Bred from the City Scarlet, and among these I might have made my choice, but all relinquished To place affection here; what comfort Lady? Why no such thing. Why Ceremony; The gift of Princes, and the pride of States, Regard in the Weal public, and employment Respect, and duty. I am he. Why, I entreat you? I am so. It is confessed. To whom I pray? You trifle with me. Slightall quoth a? if she slight all as she hath slighted me, Shee'le fright hence all her Suitors. I'll take your kindness, He's no good Soldier that at first repulse Will leave the Breach; belike she's fasting now, I'll take her in full stomach. My Rival so dejected? And what's thy Suit? Thou shalt have't See, Master Treatwell, that his name b'inrold Among my other Servants; let my Steward Receiye such notice from you. What fellow's that? And will he serve? Wil't thou depend on me? Thy reason friend? Suffer this? Is he such? O Master Changeable, how is't with your Daughter? This his servant, since entertained by me hath told me all. But Mistress Changeable, why did you call me these? I pray you do. Nay good sir spare your tears, She hath hit us all alike; this her ingeniousness Adds to her beauty, not detracts at all; I love her never the worse, nor any here Whom her discourse hath touched: it's witty frenzy, And no malicious cancor; so I take it: Nay grieve not you good woman, whom ever long I hope to Title Mother; doubt it not, all shall be well. Let not that stick in thy stomach, never couldst thou Light on a more fair and sweet Godmother, To give thee a name; I'll have all friends, let's in, And comfort the sad Gentleman, and after to supper. But is your house so haunted? How long hath it been so? Counsail'd well; there are in town 4. several sorts of Friars, white and black Friars, Grey Friars and crutched Friars. Good Geoffrey find him out, and gently entreat him hither, But acquaint him not with the cause. But ere I question that, of you, fair Mistress, Let me be first resolved; is your Brain yet In a more settled temper? You now have wreathed me with a Crown of Hope's. Acadna ? what's Acadna? Welcome Friar, it's told us thou canst exorcise a spirit, We have employment for thee. Nay gentle Friar. This Gentleman, you know him. His house is haunted by a wicked spirit Which we would have you by your Art remove. To lodge one night within the Chamber, And know of it the cause of its disturbance, Or what might be the will of the deceased, Which known, and being performed, the troubled Ghost Might rest in peace. It's too full of terror; Geoffrey wilt thou? So much for that: But Mistress, what from me, Except you to express my gratitude For this so late a favour? Now as I live, I'll doe't with a full and Plenteous hand if that be all. I must, as did my Mistress late enjoin, Pass in the search of this sad Gentleman, and to His low dejected poverty cast some few pieces. 'Twas her injunction, and doubtless I'll accost him; save you sir. I understood that you were late in want? I came to seek you. Leaving that; I understand you are a Gentleman Nobly derived; but withal, you're poor. Who should buy't? He's mad still, leave him. Stay, first we will debate in friendly terms, Before you grow to outrage. I'll be brief, I understood your state was much Decayed, which in my honour I commiserating, My purpose was in some sort to relieve you; And would you better understand your self, It might appear a noble courtesy. Because it came so free and uncompelled Counsail'd well: there's twenty pieces for you. This saucy fellow usurps upon our patience, Which we'll punish be our strong hand. He braved necessity, and outfaced want, And took my proffered largess in such scorn, As he had been some great Kings Treasurer; My bounty he defied with shaking pockets, The noise whereof deafened and seemed to drown The found of my despised Charity; Some pieces I would willingly have given. Merely refused, And with a haughty and contemplative smile, Instead of grateful thanks, proudly demanded if I would Fell my Lordship. While I could limit patience I forbore, To chastise him with and ungentle hand; But when I found no bounds in his distaste, But that it still exceeded Law and compass, I thought to chastise his ingratitude; And did it with my Sword. Affible, as any courteous maid alive can be, To whom I did discover these proceedings, Which she seemed well to relish. Pray what's that? It is prodigious sure. I have sent To one Friar Bernand, a Religious man, And Tutor to Friar John, to learn from him the depth of This concealment; and see, in happy time Treatwell's returned Ent Treatwell. Will he do't? Then it's desperate? What reason moved him to't? What might he be? My Rival? But he to be received? of all men living I do not love that fellow. Well, I am pleased, Employ your best discretions. Run for the Doctor Geoffrey. Sooth her up, Or she will grow to frenzy. It's best to humour her. Any thing to give her least content. But she intreats in midst of all extremes That you would take the pains to watch with her, No other she'll endure. What assurance can you produce for that? A woman led? They ascend. 'Twere baseness not to follow. But whither They, or but their shadows by Art Magic raised we Cannot yet presume. That can be none but Slightall. What might we Think of't? the Friars prepare for Marriage; but what, he Stands for the Father, whom they beckon to, to give Her hand to Slightall. But this troubles me, the Fury should assume no other Shape but her fair Angel beauty. Much joy unto you, good troth nor I. Thus over reached? Sir you speak nobly; What must be, must be: it is in the will of Heaven, And I am well pleased with it. I hope you'll not imagine't. Would? The Larum's given; For at that watch word still the ruffling noise begins. Now sweeter Music strikes.