SUM. God save you all! I think you guess my business; These are to cite to the spiritual court You, Master Shallow, and you, Mistress Luce! Ask not the cause, for 'tis apparent here, A carnal copulation _ante matrimonium_. FRANK. This was a bar unlook'd for. Spiteful Francisco! FRANC. Injurious Franklin, could the laws divine Or humane suffer such an impious act, That thou shouldst take my true and lawful wife, And great with child by me, to give to another, Gulling his poor simplicity? SHAL. Do you mean me, sir? SUM. Gallants, farewell; my writ shall be obey'd? FRANK. Sumner, it shall. [_Exit_ SUMNER. PAR. I'll take my leave, there's nothing now for me to do. [_Exit_ PARSON. FRANC. Farewell, good master parson. FRANK. Francisco, Canst thou say thou ever lov'dst my daughter, And wouldst thou thus disgrace her openly? FRANC. No, I would win her thus; And, did you hold her credit half so dear As I, or her content, you would not thus Take her from me, and thrust her 'gainst her will On this rich fool. SHAL. You are very bold with me, sir. FRANC. Let me have news what happens, dearest Luce. LUCE. Else let me die. [_Exit_ FRANCISCO. FRANK. This was your doing, Luce; it had been impossible he should e'er have known the time so truly else; but I'll take an order next time for your blabbing. SHAL. What's the matter, father? FRANK. We may thank you for it; this was your haste, that will now shame us all; you must be doing afore your time! SHAL. 'Twas but a trick of youth, father. FRANK. And therefore now you must e'en stand in a white sheet for all to gaze at. SHAL. How! I would be loth to wear a surplice now. 'Tis a disgrace the house of the Shallows never knew. FRANK. All the hope is, officers may be bribed; and so they will. 'Twere a hard world for us to live in else. SHAL. You say true, father; if 'twere not for corruption, every poor rascal might have justice as well as one of us, and that were a shame. [_Exeunt_ SHALLOW _and_ LUCE. FRANK. This was a cunning stratagem well-laid; But yet, Francisco, th' hast not won the prize. What should I do? I must not let this cause Proceed to trial in the open court, For then my daughter's oath will cast the child Upon Francisco: no, I have found a better. I will before the next court-day provide Some needy parson, one whose poverty Shall make him fear no canons; he shall marry My daughter to rich Shallow: when 'tis done, Our gold shall make a silence in the court. [_Exit._ _Enter_ PHILOCLES, PSECTAS. PSEC. I must return your answer to my lady; I'll tell her you will come.