FRAN. We are undone. BEARD. Now Jove forfend![371] FRAN. This fellow has no land; and which is worse, He has no credit. BEARD. How! are we outstripp'd? Blown up by wit of man? Let us be gone Home again, home again: our market now is done. FRAN. That were too great a scandal. THROAT. Most true! Better to wed another, than to return With scandal and defame: wed me a man, Whose wealth may reconcile your mother's love. And make the action lawful. BEARD. But where's the man? I like your counsel, could you show the man. THROAT. Myself am he, might I but dare aspire Unto so high a fortune. BEARD. Mistress, take the man: Shall we be baffled with fair promises. Or shall we trudge like beggars back again? No, take this wise and virtuous man Who, should he lose his legs, his arms, his ears, His nose, and all his other members, Yet if his tongue be left, 'twill get his living. Take me this man. THROAT. Thanks, gentle Master Beard. FRAN. 'Tis impossible; this night he means to wed me. THROAT. If not by law, we will with pow'r prevent it, So you but give consent. FRAN. Let's hear the means. THROAT. I'll muster up my friends, and thus I cast it:[372] Whilst they are busy, you and I will hence Directly to a chapel, where a priest Shall knit the nuptial knot, ere they pursue us. BEARD. O rare invention! I will act my part; He owes me thirteen pound, I say no more, But there be catchpoles [_Aside_]; speak, is't a match?[373] FRAN. I give my liking. THROAT. Dash! DASH. Sir. THROAT. Get your sword, [_Exeunt_ FRANCES _and_ BEARD. And me my buckler: nay, you shall know We are _Tam Marti quam Mercurio_. Bring my cloak: you shall thither: I'll for friends. Worship and wealth the lawyer's state attends. Dash, we must bear some brain[374] to Saint John's Street, Go, run, fly: and afar off inquire, If that the Lady Sommerfield be there, If there, know what news; and meet me straight At the Mitre door,[375] in Fleet Street. Away! "To get rich wives, men must not use delay." FOOTNOTES: [351] The edition of this play in 1636 omits the word _wench_, and therefore it was not found in the last reprint under the care of Mr Reed. It is now inserted from the copy of 1611.--_Collier._ [352] Terms of the chase. _Mussers_ are hiding-holes, or lurking-places; from the Fr. _musser_, to hide, conceal, &c. [353] _i.e._, As brave a man. [354] [Edits., Q, the letter having been written probably by the transcriber of the play for press to save trouble. A Q is a farthing in the old college books.] [355] I imagine an allusion is here intended to the _buff_ coats of the Serjeants belonging to the Counter. See p. 330.