_Lear._ I hope your Lordship won't be concern'd at what this prattling Wench bleats out: my Daughter will be govern'd. She's bred up to Obedience. There may be some small Difficulty in weaning her from her young Lover: But 'twon't be the first time she has been wean'd from a Breast, my Lord. _Esop._ Does she love him fondly, Sir? _Lear._ Foolishly, my Lord. _Esop._ And he her? _Lear._ The same. _Esop._ Is he young? _Lear._ Yes, and vigorous. _Esop._ Rich? _Lear._ So, so. _Esop._ Well-born? _Lear._ He has good Blood in his Veins. _Esop._ Has he Wit? _Lear._ He had, before he was in Love. _Esop._ And handsome with all this? _Lear._ Or else we shou'd not have half so much trouble with him. _Esop._ Why do you, then, make her quit him for me? All the World knows I am neither young, noble, nor rich: And as for my Beauty----Look you, Governor, I'm honest. But when Children cry, they tell 'em _Esop_'s a-coming. Pray, Sir, what is it makes you so earnest to force your Daughter? _Lear._ Am I, then, to count for nothing the favour you are in at Court? Father-in-law to the great _Esop_! What may not I aspire to? My foolish Daughter, perhaps, mayn't be so well pleas'd with it, but we wise Parents usually weigh our Children's Happiness in the Scale of our own Inclinations. _Esop._ Well, Governor, let it be your Care, then, to make her consent. _Lear._ This Moment, my Lord, I reduce her either to Obedience, or to Dust and Ashes. [_Exit ~Lear~._ _Esop._ Adieu. Now let in the People who come for Audience. [_~Esop~ sits in his Chair, reading of Papers._ _Enter two ordinary Tradesmen._ _1 Tra._ There he is, Neighbour: Do but look at him. _2 Tra._ Aye; one may know him: He's well mark'd. But do'st hear me? What Title must we give him? for if we fail in that point, d'ye see me, we shall never get our Business done. Courtiers love Titles almost as well as they do Money, and that's a bold Word now. _1 Tra._ Why, I think we had best call him, his Grandeur. _2 Tra._ That will do; thou hast hit on't. Hold still, let me speak. May it please your Grandeur---- _Esop._ There I interrupt you, Friend; I have a weak Body that will ne'er be able to bear that Title. _2 Tra._ D'ye hear that, Neighbour? What shall we call him now? _1 Tra._ Why, call him, call him, his Excellency; try what that will do. _2 Tra._ May it please your Excellency---- _Esop._ Excellency's a long Word, it takes up too much time in Business: Tell me what you'd have in few Words. _2 Tra._ Neighbour, this Man will never give Ten thousand Pounds to be made a Lord. But what shall I say to him now? He puts me quite out of my play. _1 Tra._ Why e'en talk to him as we do to one another. _2 Tra._ Shall I? Why, so I will, then. Hem! Neighbour, we want a new Governor, Neighbour. _Esop._ A new Governor, Friend? _2 Tra._ Aye, Friend.