A Select Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 13Dodsley, Robert
General
A Select Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 13
Dodsley, Robert
English drama
+Ware.+ Look, here they come.
+Plot.+ First then,
Not to afflict you longer, uncle; since
We now are quiet, know all this was my project.
+Ware.+ How!
+Plot.+ Your two ships are richly landed: if
You'll not believe me, here's the sailor who, [_+Cypher+ undisguises._
Transform'd to Cypher, can tell you.
+Cyph.+ 'Tis very true, sir.
I hired this travelling case of one o' th' sailors
That came in one of 'em: they lie at Blackwall.
Troth, I in pity, sir, to Master Plotwell,
Thought it my duty to deceive you.
+Ware.+ Very well, sir;
What, are these masquers too?
+Plot.+ Faith, sir, these [_Exit +Cypher+._
Can change their forms too. They are two friends, [_They undisguise._
Worth threescore thousand pounds, sir, to my use.
+Ware.+ Bannswright and Captain Quartfield!
+Quart.+ Nay, old boy,
Th' hast a good pennyworth on't. The jest is worth
Three parts of four.
+Ban.+ Faith, sir, we hope you'll pay
Tonnage and poundage into th' bargain.
+Ware.+ O, you are a precious rogue! you ha' preferr'd me
To a chaste Lucrece, sirrah!
+Ban.+ Your nephew, sir,
Hath married her with all her faults. They are
New-come from church.
+Ware.+ How!
+Plot.+ Wonder not, sir: you
Were married but in jest. 'Twas no church-form,
But a fine legend out of Rab'lais.
+Sale.+ Troth,
This reverend weed cast off, I'm a lay poet, [_+Salewit+ undisguises._
And cannot marry, unless't be in a play--
In the fifth act or so; and that's almost
Worn out of fashion too.
+Mis. Sea.+ These are the two
That show'd my son. [_Aside._
+Mis. Hol.+ Let's have our money back. [_Aside._
+Plot.+ But, uncle, for the jointure you have made her
I hope you'll not retract. That and three parts
Of your two ships, besides what you will leave
Us at your death, will make a pretty stock
For young beginners.
+Ware.+ Am I o'erreach'd so finely?
+Sea.+ But are you married, sir, in earnest?
+Plot.+ Troth
We have not been abed yet, but may go,
And no law broken.
+Sea.+ Then I must tell you, sir,
Y' have wrong'd me; and I look for satisfaction.
+Plot.+ Why, I beseech you, sir?
+Sea.+ Sir, were not you
Betroth'd once to my daughter?
+Mis. Sea.+ And did not I
And Mistress Holland help to make you sure?
+Plot.+ I do confess it.
+Sea.+ Bear witness, gentlemen, he doth confess it.
+Plot.+ I'll swear it too, sir.
+Sea.+ Why,
Then, have you match'd this woman?
+Plot.+ Why! because
This is your daughter, sir. I'm hers by conquest
For this day's service.
+Sea.+ Is't possible I should
Be out in my own child so?
+Mis. Sea.+ I told you, husband.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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