Act 2 — SCENE VI.

Bright. Save you, Captain Quartfield, and my brave wit, My man of Helicon. Salute this gentleman, He is a city wit. New. A corporation went to the bringing of him forth. Quart. I embrace him. Sale. And so do I. Tim. You are a poet, sir, And can make verses, I hear? Sale. Sir, I am A servant to the Muses. Tim. I have made Some speeches, sir, in verse, which have been spoke By a green Robin Goodfellow from Cheapside conduit,[216] To my father's company, and mean this afternoon To make an epithalamium upon my wedding. A lady fell in love with me this morning: Ask Master Francis here. Plot. Heart! you spoil all. Did not I charge you to be silent? Tim. That's true; I had forgot. You are a captain, sir? Quart. I have seen service, sir. Tim. Captain, I love Men of the sword and buff; and if need were, I can roar too, and hope to swear in time, Do you see, captain? Plot. Nay, captain, we have brought you A gentleman of valour, who has been In Moorfields often: marry, it has been To 'squire his sisters, and demolish custards At Pimlico.[217] [Timothy walks aside. Quart. Afore me, Master Plotwell; I never hop'd to see you in silk again. Sale. I look'd the next Lord Mayor's day to see you o' th' livery, Or one o' th' bachelor whifflers.[218] Quart. What, is your uncle dead? Plot. He may in time: he's gone To sea this morning, captain; and I am come Into your order again. But hark you, captain, What think you of a fish now? Quart. Mad wags, mad wags. Bright. By Heaven, it's true. Here we have brought one with us. New. Rich Seathrift's son: he'll make a rare sea-monster. Quart. And shall's be merry, i' faith? Bright. Salewit shall make a song upon him. New. And Roseclap's boy shall sing it. Sale. We have the properties of the last fish.[219] Quart. And if I At dinner do not give him sea enough, And afterwards, if I and Salewit do not Show him much better than he that shows the Tombs, Let me be turned into a sword-fish myself. Plot. A natural change for a captain! How now, Roseclap, Pensive, and cursing the long vacation? Thou look'st as if thou mean'st to break shortly. Rose. Ask the captain why I am sad? Quart. Faith, gentlemen, I disciplin'd him for his rudeness. Plot. Why, these Are judgments, Roseclap, for dear reckonings. Tim. Art thou the half-crown fellow of the house? Rose. Sir, I do keep the ordinary. Tim. Let's have wine enough; I mean to drink a health to a lady. Plot. Still Will you betray your fortune? One of them Will go and tell her who you are, and spoil The marriage. Tim. No; peace! Gentlemen, if you'll Go in, we'll follow. Rose. Please you enter, dinner Shall straight be set upon the board. Bright. We'll expect you. Come, gentlemen.

Tim. But, Master Francis, was that The business, why she call'd you back? Plot. Believe it; Your mother's smock shin'd at your birth, or else You wear some charm about you. Tim. Not I, truly. Plot. It cannot be she should so strangely doat Upon you else. 'Slight! had you stay'd, I think She would have woo'd you herself. Tim. Now I remember, One read my fortune once, and told my father, That I should match a lady. Plot. How things fall out! Tim. And did she ask you who I was? Plot. I told her you were a young knight. Tim. Good. Plot. Scarce come to th' years of your discretion yet. Tim. Good still. Plot. And that a great man Did mean to beg you[220]——for his daughter. Tim. Most rare: this afternoon's the time. Plot. Faith, she Looks you should use a little courtship first; That done, let me alone to have the priest In readiness. Tim. But were I not best ask my friends' consent? Plot. How! Friends' consent? that's fit For none but farmers' sons and milkmaids. You shall not Debase your judgment. She takes you for a wit, And you shall match her like one. Tim. Then I will. Plot. But no more words to th' gallants. Tim. Do you think I am a sieve, and cannot hold?

Rose. Gentlemen, the company are sat. Tim. It shall be yours. Plot. Nay, sir, your fortune claims precedency. [Exeunt.