English drama -- Early modern and Elizabethan, 1500-1600; Heywood, Thomas, approximately 1574-1641
Susan.
I was not born a beggar, though his extremes
Enforce this language from me: I protest
No fortune of mine own could lead my tongue
To this base key. I do beseech you, uncle,
For the name’s sake, for Christianity,
Nay, for God’s sake, to pity his distress:
He is denied the freedom of the prison,
And in the hole is laid with men condemned;
Plenty he hath of nothing but of irons,
And it remains in you to free him thence.
Old Mountford.
Money I cannot spare; men should take heed;
He lost my kindred when he fell to need. [_Exit_.
Susan.
Gold is but earth, thou earth enough shalt have,
When thou hast once took measure of thy grave.
You know me, Master Sandy, and my suit.
Sandy.
I knew you, lady, when the old man lived;
I knew you ere your brother sold his land;
Then you sung well, played sweetly on the lute;
But now I neither know you nor your suit. [_Exit_.
Susan.
You, Master Roder, was my brother’s tenant,
Rent free he placed you in that wealthy farm,
Of which you are possessed.
Roder.
True, he did;
And have I not there dwelt still for his sake?
I have some business now; but, without doubt,
They that have hurled him in will help him out. [_Exit_.
Susan.
Cold comfort still: what say you, cousin Tidy?
Tidy.
I say this comes of roysting, swaggering.
Call me not cousin: each man for himself.
Some men are born to mirth, and some to sorrow.
I am no cousin unto them that borrow. [_Exit_.
Susan.
O charity! why art thou fled to heaven,
And left all things upon this earth uneven?
Their scoffing answers I will ne’er return;
But to myself his grief in silence mourn.
_Enter_ Sir Francis Acton _and_ Malby.
Sir Francis Acton.
She is poor, I’ll therefore tempt her with this gold.
Go, Malby, in my name deliver it,
And I will stay thy answer.
Malby.
Fair mistress, as I understand, your grief
Doth grow from want, so I have here in store
A means to furnish you, a bag of gold,
Which to your hands I freely tender you.
Susan.
I thank you, Heavens! I thank you, gentle sir:
God make me able to requite this favour!
Malby.
This gold Sir Francis Acton sends by me,
And prays you----
Susan.
Acton! O God! that name I am born to curse:
Hence, bawd! hence, broker! see, I spurn his gold;
My honour never shall for gain be sold.
Sir Francis Acton.
Stay, lady, stay.
Susan.
From you I’ll posting hie,
Even as the doves from feathered eagles fly. [_Exit_.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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