_Gripe._ Nay, speak to her gently; if you won't, I will. _Lucy._ Thank you, sir. _Gripe._ Pretty innocent! there is, I see, one left of her age; what hap have I! Sweet little gentlewoman, come sit down by me. _Lucy._ I am better bred, I hope, sir. _Gripe._ You must sit down by me. _Lucy._ I'd rather stand, if you please. _Gripe._ To please me, you must sit, sweetest. _Lucy._ Not before my godmother, sure. _Gripe._ Wonderment of innocence! _Mrs. Joyn._ A poor bashful girl, sir: I'm sorry she is not better taught. _Gripe._ I am glad she is not taught; I'll teach her myself. _Lucy._ Are you a dancing-master then, sir? But if I should be dull, and not move as you would have me, you would not beat me, sir, I hope? _Gripe._ Beat thee, honeysuckle! I'll use thee thus, and thus, and thus. [_Kisses her._] Ah, Mrs. Joyner, prithee go fetch our treat now. _Mrs. Joyn._ A treat of a groat! I will not wag. _Gripe._ Why don't you go? Here, take more money, and fetch what you will; take here, half-a-crown. _Mrs. Joyn._ What will half-a-crown do? _Gripe._ Take a crown then, an angel, a piece;[43]--begone! _Mrs. Joyn._ A treat only will not serve my turn; I must buy the poor wretch there some toys. _Gripe._ What toys? what? speak quickly. _Mrs. Joyn._ Pendants, necklaces, fans, ribbons, points, laces, stockings, gloves-- _Gripe._ Hold, hold! before it comes to a gown. _Mrs. Joyn._ Well remembered, sir; indeed she wants a gown, for she has but that one to her back. For your own sake you should give her a new gown, for variety of dresses rouses desire, and makes an old mistress seem every day a new one. _Gripe._ For that reason she shall have no new gown; for I am naturally constant, and as I am still the same, I love she should be still the same. But here, take half a piece for the other things. _Mrs. Joyn._ Half a piece!-- _Gripe._ Prithee, begone!--take t'other piece then--two pieces--three pieces--five! here, 'tis all I have. _Mrs. Joyn._ I must have the broad-seal ring too, or l stir not. _Gripe._ Insatiable woman! will you have that too! Prithee spare me that, 'twas my grandfather's. _Mrs. Joyn._ That's false, he had ne'er a coat.--So! now I go; this is but a violent fit, and will not hold. [_Aside._ _Lucy._ Oh! whither do you go, godmother? will you leave me alone? _Mrs. Joyn._ The gentleman will not hurt you; you may venture yourself with him alone. _Lucy._ I think I may, godmother.--[_Exit_ Mrs. JOYNER.] What! will you lock me in, sir? don't lock me in, sir. [GRIPE, _fumbling at the door, locks it._ _Gripe._ 'Tis a private lesson, I must teach you, fair. _Lucy._ I don't see your fiddle, sir; where is your little kit? _Gripe._ I'll show it thee presently, sweetest.--[_Sets a chair against the door._]--Necessity, mother of invention!--Come, my dearest. [_Takes her in his arms._ _Lucy._ What do you mean, sir? don't hurt me, sir, will you--Oh! oh! you will kill me! Murder! murder!--Oh! oh!--help! help! oh!