Thor. I cry you mercy, sir, I understood you not.

Car. I like. young Frank well, so does my Susan too; the girl has a fancy to him, which makes me ready in my purse. There be other suitors within, that make much noise to little purpose. If Frank love Sue, Sue shall have none but Frank : 'tis a mannerly girl, master Thorney, though but an homely man's daughter; there have worse faces looked out of black bags, man. Thor: You speak your mind freely and honestly.

. I marvel my son comes not; I am sure he will be here some time to-day.

Car. To-day or to-morrow, when he comes he shall be welcome to bread, beer, and beef, yeoman's fare; we have no kickshaws : full dishes, whole belly-fulls. Should I diet three days at one of the slender city-suppers, you might send me to Barber-Surgeon's hall the fourth day, to hang up for an anatomy.--Here come they that

Enter WARBECK with SUSAN, SOMERTON with

KATHERINE.

How now, girls! every day play-day with you? Valentine's day, too, all by couples? Thus will young folks. do when we are laid in our graves, master Thorney; here's all the care they take. And how do you find the wenches, gentlemen ? have they any mind to a loose gown and a strait shoe? Win 'em and wear 'em; they shall choose for themselves by my consent. War. You speak like a kind father. Sue, thou

hear'st The liberty that's granted thee; what sayest thou? Wilt thou be mine?

Sus. Your what, sir?" I dare swear Never your wife.

War. Canst thou be so unkind,
Considering how dearly I affect thee,
Nay, dote on thy perfections ?

Sus. You are studied,
Too scholar-like, in words I understand noţ.
I am too coarse for such a gallant's love
As you are.

War. By the honour of gentility-
Sus. Good sir, no swearing; yea and

nay

with

Prevail above all oaths you can invent.

War. By this white hand of thine-

Sus. Take a false oath!
Fie, fie! flatter the wise; fools not regard it,
And one of these am I.

War. Dost thou despise me?

Car. Let them talk on, master Thorney; I know Sue's mind. The fly may buzz about the candle, he shall but singe his wings when all's done; Frank, Frank is he has her heart.

Som. But shall I live in hope, Kate ?

Kath. Better so,
Than be a desperate man.

Som. Perhaps thou think'st it is thy portion I level at: wert thou as poor in fortunes As thou art rich in goodness, I would rather Be suitor for the dower of thy virtues, Than twice thy father's whole estate; and, pri

thee,
Be thou resolv'd so.

Kath. Master Somerton,
It is an easy labour to deceive
A maid that will believe men's subtle promises ;
Yet I conceive of you as worthily
As I presume you to deserve.

Som. Which is,
As worthily in loving thee sincerely,
As thou art worthy to be so beloved.

Kath. I shall find time to try you.

Som. Do, Kate, do;
And when I fail, may all my joys forsake me!

Car. Warbeck and Sue are at it still. I laugh to myself, master Thorney, to see how earnestly he beats the bush, while the bird is flown into another's bosom. A very unthrift, master Thorney; one of the country roaring-lads : we have such as well as the city, and as arrant rake-hells as they are, though not so nimble at their prizes of wit. Sue knows the rascal to an hair's-breadth, and will fit him accordingly.

Thor. What is the other gentleman?

Car. One Somerton; the honester man of the two, by five pound in every stone-weight. A civil fellow; he has a fine convenient estate of land in West-ham, by Essex: master Ranges, that dwells by Enfield, sent him hither. He likes Kate well; I may tell you, I think she likes him as well:

I if they agree, I'll not hinder the match for my part. But that Warbeck is such another--I use him kindly for master Somerton's sake; for he came hither first as a companion of his : honest men, master Thorney, may fall into knaves' company now and then.

War. Three hundred a year jointure, Sue.

Sus. Where lies it!
By sea or land ? I think by sea.

War. Do I look like a captain ?

Sus. Not a whit, sir. Should all that use the seas be reckon'd cap

tains, There's not a ship should have a scullion in her To keep her clean.

War. Do you scorn me, mistress Susan?
Am I a subject to be jeer'd at?

Sus. Neither
Am I a property for you to use
As stale to your fond wanton loose discourse :
Pray, sir, be civil. -

War. Wilt be angry, wasp?

Car: God-a-mercy, Sue! she'll firk him on my life, if he fumble with her.

? As stale to your fond wanton loose discourse :) i. e, as a pretence, a stalking-horse, under cover or which you may vent your licentious language, &c. Be civil, in the next line, means, - assume the manners of decent, cultivated society.

Enter FRANK.

Master Francis Thorney, you are welcome indeed; your father expected your coming. How does the right worshipful knight, Sir Arthur Clarington, your master?

Frank. In health this morning. Sir, my duty.

Thor. Now
You come as I could wish.
War. Frank Thorney ? ha!

[Aside. Sus. You must excuse me.

Frank. Virtuous mistress Susan. Kind mistress Katherine.

[Kisses them.

Gentlemen, to both Good time o'th' day.

Som. The like to you.

War. 'Tis he: A word, friend. (Aside to Som.) On my life, this

is the man Stands fair in crossing Susan's love to me. Som. I think no less; be wise and take no notice

on't;
He that can win her, best deserves her.

War. Marry
A serving man? mew!

Som. Prithee, friend, no more.

Car. Gentlemen all, there's within a slight dinner ready, if you please to taste of it. Master Thorney, master Francis, master Somerton ! Why, girls! what, huswives! will you spend all