English drama -- 17th century; Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616 -- Spurious and doubtful works
DELIA.
It will do very well with both of you.
FRANCES.
But, Tom, must I go as I do now when I am married?
CIVET.
No, Frances, I’ll have thee go like a Citizen
In a garded gown, and a French-hood.
FRANCES.
By my troth, that will be excellent indeed.
DELIA.
Brother, maintain your wife to your estate:
Apparel you yourself like to your father,
And let her go like to your ancient mother.
He sparing got his wealth, left it to you;
Brother, take heed of pride, it soon bids thrift adieu.
CIVET.
So as my father and my mother went! that’s a jest
indeed: why she went in a fringed gown, a single
ruffle, and a white cap; and my father in a mocado
coat, a pair of red satin sleeves, and a canvas back.
DELIA.
And yet his wealth was all as much as yours,
CIVET.
My estate, my estate, I thank God, is forty pound a
year, in good leases and tenements, besides twenty
mark a year at cuckolds-haven, and that comes to us
all by inheritance.
DELIA.
That may, indeed, tis very fitly plied.
I know not how it comes, but so it falls out,
That those whose fathers have died wondrous rich,
And took no pleasure but to gather wealth,
Thinking of little that they leave behind
For them, they hope, will be of their like mind,—
But it falls out contrary: forty years sparing
Is scarce three seven years spending,—never caring
What will ensue, when all their coin is gone,
And all too late, then thrift is thought upon:
Oft have I heard, that pride and riot kissed,
And then repentence cries, ‘for had I wist.’
CIVET.
You say well, sister Delia, you say well: but I mean
to live within my bounds: for look you, I have set
down my rest thus far, but to maintain my wife in her
French-hood, and her coach, keep a couple of geldings,
and a brace of gray hounds, and this is all I’ll do.
DELIA.
And you’ll do this with forty pound a year?
CIVET.
Aye, and a better penny, sister.
FRANCES.
Sister, you forget that at cuckolds-haven.
CIVET.
By my troth, well remembered, Frances;
I’ll give thee that to buy thee pins.
DELIA.
Keep you the rest for points: alas the day.
Fools shall have wealth, tho all the world say nay:
Come, brother, will you in? dinner stays for us.
CIVET.
Aye, good sister, with all my heart.
FRANCES.
Aye, by my troth, Tom, for I have a good stomach.
CIVET.
And I the like, sweet Frances. No, sister, do not think
I’ll go beyond my bounds.
DELIA.
God grant you may not.
[Exit Omnes.]
SCENE II. London. The street before young
Flowerdale’s house.
[Enter young Flowerdale and his father, with foils in
their hands.]
FLOWERDALE.
Sirrah Kit, tarry thou there, I have spied Sir Lancelot,
and old Weathercock coming this way; they are hard at
hand. I will by no means be spoken withal.
FATHER.
I’ll warrant you; go, get you in.
[Enter Lancelot and Weathercock.]
LANCELOT.
Now, my honest friend, thou doest belong to Master
Flowerdale.
FATHER.
I do, sir.
LANCELOT.
Is he within, my good fellow?
FATHER.
No, sir, he is not within.
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