Grief will do little now, Sir,
Draw it to your comfort, Friend, and as I counsel ye,
An honest man, but such men live not always:
Who are about him?
_Lop_.
Many, now he is passing,
That would pretend to his love, yes, and some Gentlemen
That would fain counsel him, and be of his Kindred;
Rich men can want no Heirs, Sir.
_Bar_.
They do ill,
Indeed they do, to trouble him; very ill, Sir.
But we shall take a care.
_Enter_ Diego, _in a Bed_, Milanes, Arsenio, _and_ Parishioners.
_Lop_.
Will ye come near, Sir?
'Pray ye bring him out; now ye may see in what state:
Give him fresh Air.
_Bar_.
I am sorry, Neighbour _Diego_,
To find ye in so weak a state.
_Die_.
Ye are welcome,
But I am fleeting, Sir.
_Bar_.
Me-thinks he looks well,
His colour fresh, and strong, his eyes are chearful.
_Lop_.
A glimmering before death, 'tis nothing else, Sir,
Do you see how he fumbles with the Sheet? do ye note that?
_Die_.
My learned Sir, 'pray ye sit: I am bold to send for ye,
To take a care of what I leave.
_Lop_.
Do ye hear that?
_Ars_.
Play the Knave finely.
_Die_.
So I will, I warrant ye,
And carefully.
_Bar_.
'Pray ye do not trouble him,
You see he's weak and has a wandring fancy.
_Die_.
My honest Neighbours, weep not, I must leave ye,
I cannot always bear ye company,
We must drop still, there is no remedy:
'Pray ye Master Curate, will ye write my Testament,
And write it largely it may be remembred,
And be witness to my Legacies, good Gentlemen;
Your Worship I do make my full Executor,
You are a man of wit and understanding:
Give me a cup of Wine to raise my Spirits,
For I speak low: I would before these Neighbours
Have ye to swear, Sir, that you will see it executed,
And what I give let equally be rendred
For my souls health.
_Bar_.
I vow it truly, Neighbours,
Let not that trouble ye, before all these,
Once more I give my Oath.
_Die_.
Then set me higher,
And pray ye come near me all.
_Lop_.
We are ready for ye.
_Mil_.
Now spur the Ass, and get our friend time.
_Die_.
First then,
After I have given my body to the worms,
(For they must be serv'd first, they are seldom cozen'd.)
_Lop_.
Remember your Parish, Neighbour.
_Die_.
You speak truly,
I do remember it, a lewd vile Parish,
And pray it may be mended: To the poor of it,
(Which is to all the Parish) I give nothing,
For nothing, unto nothing, is most natural,
Yet leave as much space, as will build an Hospital,
Their Children may pray for me.
_Bar_.
What do you give to it?
_Die_.
Set down two thousand Duckets.
_Bar_.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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