Frank. Why, you were not

A witness to it.

Sir Ar. I conceive; and then

His land confirm'd, thou wilt acquaint him tho

Sir Ar. Draw thyself the letter,

I'll put my hand to't. I commend thy policy, Thou'rt witty, witty, Frank; nay, nay, 'tis fit: Dispatch it.

Frank. I shall write effectually.

[Exit.

Sir Ar. Go thy way, cuckoo!-have I caught the young man?

One trouble then is freed. He that will feast
At other's cost, must be a bold-faced guest.-

Enter WINNIFREDE in a riding-suit.

Win, I have heard the news, all now is safe; The worst is past: thy lip, wench! (kisses her.) I must bid

Farewell, for fashion's sake; but I will visit

thee

Suddenly, girl. This was cleanly carried;
Ha! was't not, Win?

Win. Then were my happiness,"

That I in heart repent I did not bring him
The dower of a virginity. Sir, forgive me;

I have been much to blame: had not my laundress

Given

way to

your immoderate waste of virtue, You had not with such eagerness pursued

The error of your goodness.

Sir Ar. Dear, dear Win,

I hug this art of thine; it shows how cleanly
Thou canst beguile, in case occasion serve
To practise; it becomes thee: now we share
Free scope enough, without controul or fear,
To interchange our pleasures; we will surfeit
In our embraces, wench. Come, tell me, when
Wilt thou appoint a meeting?

Win. What to do?

Sir Ar. Good, good! to con the lesson of our loves,

Our secret game.

Win. Oh, blush to speak it further.

As you are a noble gentleman, forget
A sin so monstrous; 'tis not gently done,
To open a cured wound: I know you speak
For trial; 'troth, you need not.

Sir Ar. I for trial?

Not I, by this good sun-shine!
Win. Can you name

4 Win. Then were my happiness, &c.] I can do nothing with this speech, which, in several parts of it, appears little better than mere jargon. The "laundress," and the "immoderate waste of virtue" of Sir Arthur are either fragments of lost lines, or ridiculous corruptions of the original; perhaps both.

That syllable of good, and yet not tremble
To think to what a foul and black intent
You use it for an oath? Let me resolve you :5
If you appear in any visitation,

That brings not with it pity for the wrongs
Done to abused Thorney, my kind husband;
If you infect mine ear with any breath
That is not thoroughly perfumed with sighs
For former deeds of lust; may I be curs'd
Even in my prayers, when I vouchsafe
To see or hear you! I will change my life,
From a loose whore to a repentant wife.

Sir Ar. Wilt thou turn monster now? art not
asham'd

After so many months to be honest at last?
Away, away! fie on't!

Win. My resolution

Is built upon a rock. This very day

Young Thorney vow'd, with oaths not to be

doubted,

That never any change of love should cancel

The bonds in which we are to either bound,

Of lasting truth and shall I then for my part
Unfile the sacred oath set on record

In Heaven's book?" Sir Arthur, do not study

› Let me resolve you :] i. e. assure you: the word occurs in a similar sense, p. 459.

6 Unfile the sacred oath set on record

In Heaven's book.] This expression smacks a little too much of the writer's profession; yet this must be termed a beautiful scene, and a very happy opening of the plot, and some of the chief characters.

To add to your lascivious lust, the sin
Of sacrilege; for if you but endeavour

By any unchaste word to tempt my constancy,
You strive as much as in you lies to ruin
A temple hallow'd to the purity

Of holy marriage. I have said enough;
You may believe me.

Sir Ar. Get you to your nunnery,

There freeze in your old cloister: this is fine! Win. Good angels guide me! Sir, you'll give me leave

To

weep and pray for your conversion?

Sir Ar. Yes;

Away to Waltham. Pox upon your honesty!
Had you no other trick to fool me? well,
You may want money yet.

Win. None that I'll send for

To you, for hire of a damnation.

When I am gone, think on my just complaint;
I was your devil; oh, be you my saint!

[Exit. Sir Ar. Go thy ways; as changeable a bag

gage

As ever cozen'd knight; I'm glad I am rid of her. Honest! marry hang her! Thorney is my debtor; I thought to have paid him too; but fools have fortune. [Exit.

SCENE II.--Edmonton.

House.

A Room in CARTER'S

Enter Old THORNEY and CARTER.

Thor. You offer, master Carter, like a gentleman; I cannot find fault with it, 'tis so fair.

Car. No gentleman I, master Thorney; spare the mastership, call me by my name, John Carter. Master is a title my father, nor his before him, were acquainted with; honest Hertfordshire yeomen; such an one am I; my word and my deed shall be proved one at all times. I mean to give you no security for the marriage-money.

Thor. How! no security? although it need not so long as you live; yet who is he has surety of his life one hour? Men, the proverb says, are mortal; else, for my part, I distrust you not, were the sum double.

Car. Double, treble, more or less, I tell you, master Thorney, I'll give no security. Bonds and bills are but terriers to catch fools, and keep lazy knaves busy; my security shall be present payment. And we here, about Edmonton, hold present payment as sure as an alderman's bond in London, master Thorney.