English drama -- Early modern and Elizabethan, 1500-1600
_Arm_. Enough, kinde brother; we assure us so,
Else would we seeke another friend abroade,
To do our willes and dying Testament.
Nature and love will have a double care
To bring him up with carefull diligence,
As best beseemes one of such parentage.
_Fall_. Assure your selfe, the safest course I can,
Shall be provided for your little sonne,--
He shall be sent unto the King of Heaven. [_To the people_.
_Sostr_. Feare not, good brother, and my loving sister,
But we will have as tender care of him
As if he were our owne ten thousand times:
God will be father of the fatherlesse,
And keepe him from all care and wretchednesse.
_Allenso_. Unckle and Aunt take comfort, I will see
My little coozen have no injurie.
_Pan_. _Ar_. We thanke you all, come let the Will be read,
_Fall_.--If it were seald, I would you both were dead.
_Scrive_. Then give attention, I will read the Will.
_Reade the Will.
In the name of God. Amen.--I, &c_.
_Pan_. Thus, if my Sonne miscarry, my deare brother,
You and your sonne shall then enjoy the land
And all the goods which he should have possess'd.
_Fall_. If he miscarry, brother! God forbid!
God blesse mine Nephew, that thine eyes may see
Thy childrens children with prosperity!
I had rather see the little urchin hang'd [_To the people_.
Then he should live and I forgoe the land.
_Ar_. Thankes, gentle brother; husband seale the will.
_Pand_. Give me a Pen and Inke first to subscribe;
I write so ill through very feeblenesse,
That I can scarcely know this hand for mine,
But that you all can witnesse that it is.
_Scri_. Give me the seale: I pray, sir, take it of.
This you deliver for your latest will,
And do confirme it for your Testament?
_Pand_. With all my hart; here, brother, keepe my Will,
And I referre me to the will of God,
Praying him deale as well with you and yours,
As you no doubt will deale with my poore child.
Come, my _Pertillo_, let me blesse thee, boy,
And lay my halfe-dead hand upon thy head.
God graunt those days that are cut off in me,
With ioy and peace may multiply in thee.
Be slowe to wrath, obey thy Unckle still,
Submit thy selfe unto Gods holy will,
In deede and word see thou be ever true;
So brother, childe, and kinsfolkes, all adue. [_He dyeth_.
_Per_. Ah my deere Mother, is my father dead?
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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