GODDARD

Come daughter we must learn to shake of pomp, To leave the state that carest beseemed a Knight And gentleman of no mean dissent, To undertake this homely millers trade: Thus must we mask to save our wr ed lives, Threatened by Conquest of this hapless Isle: Whose sad invasions by the Conqueror, Have made a number such as we subject Their gentle necks unto their stubborn yoke, Of drudging labour and base peasantry. Sir Thomas Godard now old Goddard is Goddard the miller of fair Manchester. Why should not I content me with this state? As good Sir Edmund Trofferd did the f isle. And thou sweet Em must stoop to high estate. To join with mine that thus we may protect Our harmless lives, which led in greater port Would be and envious object to our foes, That seek to root all Britain's Gentry From bearing countenance against their tyranny. Thanks my deer Daughter: these thy Pleasant words Transfer my soul into a second heaven: And in thy settled mind, my joys consist, My state revived and I in former plighted. Although our outward pomp be thus abased, And thralde to drudging, stay less of the world, Let us retain those honourable minds Thar lately governed our superior state. Wherein true gentry is the only mean That makes us differ from base millers born: Though we expect no knightly delicates, Nor thirst in soul for former sovereignty. Yet may our minds as highly scorn to stoop To base desires of vulgars worldlynes, As if we were in our precedent way. And lovely daughter, since thy youthful years Must needs admit as young affections: And that sweet love unpartial perceives Her dainty subjects through every partly, In chief receive these lessons from my lips. The true discoverers of a Virgins endue Now requisite, now that I know thy mind Something enclynde to favour Manuils suit, A gentleman, thy Lover in protest: And that thou mayest not be by love deceived, But try his meaning fit for thy desert, In pursuit of all amorous desires, Regard thine honour. Let not vehement sighs Nor earnest vows importing fervent love, Render thee subject to the wrath of lust: For that transformed to former sweet delight, Will bring thy body and thy soul to shame. Chaste thoughts and modest conversations Of proof to keep out all enchanting vows, Vain sighs, forced tears, and pitiful aspects, Are they that make deformed Ladies fair, Poor wretch, and such enticing men, That seek of all but only present grace, Shall in perseverance of a Virgins endue Prefer the most refusers to the choice Of such a soul as yielded what they thought. But hoe: where is Trotter? How now Trotter? why complainest thou so. Content thee Trotter, I will go pacify them. Ah well said Trotter, teach her to play the good huswife And thou shalt have her to thy wife, if thou canst get her good will. I tell you sir, it is no little grief to me, You should so hardly conseit of my daughter, Whose honest report, though I say it, Was never blotted with any title of defamation. As for those gentlemen, I never saw in them Any evil intreaty. But should they have proffered it? Her chaste mind hath proof enough to prevent it. Trotter, call Em, now they are here together, I'll have this matter thoroughly debated. Exit Trotter. Gentlemen as you are strangers to me, Yet by the way of courtesy you shall demand Any reasonable thing at my hands. Marry God for bid, I have sent for her, in deed She hath kept her chamber this three days. It were no little grief to me if it should be so? Gentlemen I fear your words are two true: See where Trotter comes leading of her. What ails my Em, not blind I hope? Tell me sweet Em how came this blindness. Thy eyes are lovely to look on, And yet have they lost the benefit of their sighed. What a grief is this to thy poor father? Trotter led her in, the utter overthrown Of poor Goddardes joy and only solace. Alas gentleman, why should you trouble your self so much Considering the imperfections of my daughter Which is able to withdraw the love of any man from her, As already it hath done in her first choice. Master Manuile hath foraken her, And at Chester shall be married to a men daughter of no little wealth. But if my daughter knew so much: It would go very near her heart I fear me. Trust me sir I know not what to say, My daughter is not to be compelled by me, But here she comes herself: speak to her and spare not: For I never was troubled with love matters so much before. Here sweet Em, answer this gentleman That would so fain enjoy thy love. In sooth daughter, now it is forth, I must needs confirm it. Master Manuile hath forsaken thee, And at Chester must be married To a men daughter of no little wealth. His own father procures it, And therefore I dare credit it, And do thou believe it, For trust me daughter it is so. Tell me sweet Em hast thou but feigned all this while for his love, That hath so descourteously forsaken thee. Alas sir, blame her not, you see she hath good cause, being so handled by this gentleman: And so I'll leave you, and go comfort my poor wench As well as I may. Exit the Miller. And longer let not Goddard live a day, Then he in honour loves his sovereign. Goddard and all that he hath, Does rest at the pleasure of your Majesty.