He'll use thee kindly; thou shalt want no plea

Win. All these are nothing

Without your company.

Frank. Which thou shalt have Once every month at least.

Win. Once every month!
Is this to have an husband?
Frank. Perhaps oftener;
That's as occasion serves.
Win. Ay, ay; in case

No other beauty tempt your eye, whom you
Like better, I may chance to be remember'd,
And see you now and then. Faith! I did hope
You'd not have us'd me so: 'tis but my fortune.
And yet, if not for my sake, have some pity
Upon the child I go with; that's
your own:
And 'less you'll be a cruel-hearted father,
You cannot but remember that.

Heaven knows, how—

Frank. To quit which fear at once,

As by the ceremony late perform'd,

I plighted thee a faith, as free from challenge,
As
any double thought; once more, in hearing
Of Heaven and thee, I vow that never henceforth
Disgrace, reproof, lawless affections, threats,
Or what can be suggested 'gainst our marriage,
Shall cause me falsify that bridal oath

That binds me thine. And, Winnifrede, whenever

The wanton heats of youth, by subtle baits
Of beauty, or what woman's art can practise,
Draw me from only loving thee, let Heaven
Inflict upon my life some fearful ruin!
I hope thou dost believe me.

Win. Swear no more;

I am confirm'd, and will resolve to do
What you think most behoveful for us.
Frank. Thus then;

Make thyself ready; at the furthest house
Upon the green, without the town, your uncle
Expects you. For a little time, farewell!
Win. Sweet,

We shall meet again as soon as thou canst pos

sibly?

Frank. We shall. One kiss-away!

[Exit WIN.

Enter Sir ARTHUR CLARINGTON.

Sir Ar. Frank Thorney!

Frank. Here, sir.

Sir Ar. Alone? then must I tell thee in plain

terms,

Thou hast wrong'd thy master's house basely and

lewdly.

Frank. Your house, sir?

Sir Ar. Yes, sir: if the nimble devil
That wanton'd in your blood, rebell'd against
All rules of honest duty, you might, sir,

Have found out some more fitting place than here,

To have built a stews in. All the country whispers
How shamefully thou hast undone a maid,
Approv'd for modest life, for civil carriage,
Till thy prevailing perjuries enticed her
To forfeit shame. Will you be honest yet,
Make her amends and marry her?

Frank. So, sir,

I might bring both myself and her to beggary; And that would be a shame worse than the other.

Sir Ar. You should have thought on this before,

́and then

Your reason would have oversway'd the passion
Of your unruly lust. But that you may
Be left without excuse, to salve the infamy
Of my disgraced house, and 'cause you are
A gentleman, and both of you my servants,
I'll make the maid a portion.

Frank. So you promised me

Before, in case I married her. I know
Sir Arthur Clarington deserves the credit
Report hath lent him; and presume you are
A debtor to your promise: but upon
What certainty shall I resolve? Excuse me,
For being somewhat rude.

Sir Ar. It is but reason.

Well, Frank, what think'st thou of two hundred pounds,

And a continual friend?

Frank. Though my poor fortunes Might happily prefer me to a choice Of a far greater portion; yet to right

A wronged maid, and to preserve your favour,
I am content to accept your proffer.

Sir Ar. Art thou?

Frank. Sir, we shall every day have need to employ

The use of what you please to give.

Sir Ar. Thou shalt have it.
Frank. Then I claim

Your promise.-We are man and wife.
Sir Ar. Already?

Frank. And more than so, [sir,] I have promis'd her

Free entertainment in her uncle's house

Near Waltham-Abbey, where she may securely
Sojourn, till time and my endeavours work
My father's love and liking.

Sir Ar. Honest Frank!

Frank. I hope, sir, you will think I cannot keep her,

Without a daily charge.

Sir Ar. As for the money,

'Tis all thine own; and though I cannot make thee

A present payment, yet thou shalt be sure
I will not fail thee.

Frank. But our occasions——

Sir Ar. Nay, nay,

Talk not of your occasions; trust my bounty,

It shall not sleep.-Hast married her i'faith,

Frank?

'Tis well, 'tis passing well!-then, Winnifrede,

Once more thou art an honest woman.

Frank,

Thou hast a jewel, love her; she'll deserve it.

And when to Waltham?

Frank. She is making ready;

Her uncle stays for her.

Sir Ar. Most provident speed.

Frank, I will be [thy] friend, and such a friend!

Thou wilt bring her thither?

Frank. Sir, I cannot; newly

My father sent me word I should come to him.
Sir Ar. Marry, and do; I know thou hast a wit
To handle him.

Frank. I have a suit to you.

Sir Ar. What is it?

Any thing, Frank; command it.
Frank. That you'll please

By letters to assure my father, that

I am not married.

Sir Ar. How?

Frank. Some one or other

Hath certainly inform'd him, that I purposed
To marry Winnifrede; on which he threaten'd
To disinherit me :-to prevent it,

Lowly I crave your letters, which he seeing
Will credit; and I hope, ere I return,

On such conditions as I'll frame, his lands
Shall be assured.

Sir Ar. But what is there to quit3

My knowledge of the marriage?

3 But what is there to quit, &c.] The old copy reads that, which the context shows to be a misprint.