A Select Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 11
General
A Select Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 11
English drama
EUG. Thus in disguise I have discover'd all,
And found the cause of my reported death,
Which did at first amaze me; but 'tis well:
'Tis to draw on the match between my sister
And this rich count: heaven grant it be content
As well as fortune to her, but I fear
She cannot love his age: how it succeeds
I shall perceive, and, whilst unknown I stay,
I cannot hurt the project, help I may. [_Exit._
_Enter_ FRANCISCO, SUMNER.[427]
FRANC. This will make good work for you in the spiritual court; Shallow
is a rich man.
SUM. Those are the men we look for; there's somewhat to be got: the
court has many businesses at this time, but they are little worth; a few
waiting-women got with child by servingmen or so, scarce worth citing.
FRANC. Do not their masters get 'em with child sometimes?
SUM. Yes, no doubt; but they have got a trick to put 'em off upon the
men, and for a little portion save their own credits; besides, these
private marriages are much out of our way, we cannot know when there is
a fault.
FRANC. Well, these are no starters; I warrant you, Shallow shall not
deny it; and for the wench, she need not confess it, she has a mark
that will betray her.
SUM. I thank you, sir, for your good intelligence, I hope 'tis certain.
FRANC. Fear not that. Is your citation ready?
SUM. I have it here.
FRANC. Well, step aside, and come when I call; I hear 'em coming.
[_Exit_ SUMNER.
_Enter_ FRANKLIN, SHALLOW, LUCE, PARSON.
FRANK. Set forward there. Francisco, what make you here?
FRANC. I come to claim my right: parson, take heed.
Thou art the author of adultery,
If thou conjoin this couple; she's my wife.
FRANK. Yours, saucebox?
SHAL. Father, I thought she had been mine; I hope
I shall not lose her thus.
FRANK. Francisco,
Dare not to interrupt us, for I swear
Thou shalt endure the law's extremity
For thy presumption.
FRANC. Do your worst, I fear not; I was contracted to her.
FRANK. What witness have you?
FRAN. Heaven is my witness, whose impartial eye
Saw our contract.
SHAL. What an ass is this to talk of contracting! He that will get a
wench must make her bigger, as I have done, and not contract.
FRANC. Sir, you are abus'd.
SHAL. Why so?
FRANC. The wife you go to marry is with child,
And by another.
SHAL. A good jest, i' faith! make me believe that!
FRANC. How comes this fool possess'd? he never touch'd her,
I dare swear.
FRANK. No more, Francisco, as you will answer it.
Parson, set forward there.
FRANC. Stay.
If this will not suffice, Sumner, come forth.
FRANK. A sumner! we are all betray'd.
_Enter_ SUMNER.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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