Act 5 — SCENE IX.
Reading edition
Enter Plotwell and Roseclap, with Bannswright and Quartfield disguised.
Ware. O nephew, welcome to my ransom! here My house is made a new erection; gallants Are brought in varied forms. Had I not look'd By providence into that frame, these two Had been convey'd for night-pieces and landskips Into my chaste bride's chamber. Till now, she took And let herself out; now she will be able To hire and buy offenders. Plot. I'll ease you, sir; We two have made a full discovery of her. Rose. She's married to another man, sir. Ware. Good nephew, thou art my blessed angel. Who are these two? Plot. Two that will secure your ships, Sent by the office. Seal you, sir: th' have brought Th' assurance with 'em. Ware. Nephew, thou were't born To be my dear preserver. Plot. It is duty, sir, To help you out with your misfortunes. Gentlemen, Produce your instruments. Uncle, put your seal And write your name here; they will do the like To the other parchment. So, now deliver.
[They subscribe, seal, and deliver interchangeably.
Ware. I do deliver this as my act and deed. Ban., Quart. And we this, as our act and deed. Plot. Pray, gentlemen, Be witness here. Upon a doubtful rumour Of two ships wreck'd, as they return'd from Ormus, My uncle covenants to give three parts To have the fourth secured. And these two here,
[Seathrift, Roseclap, Bright, and Newcut subscribe as witnesses.
As delegates of the office, undertake At that rate to assure them. Uncle, now Call forth the sailor, and send for the priest That married you.
Enter Salewit and Cypher.
Ware. Look, here they come. Plot. First then, Not to afflict you longer, uncle; since We now are quiet, know all this was my project. Ware. How! Plot. Your two ships are richly landed: if You'll not believe me, here's the sailor who, [Cypher undisguises. Transform'd to Cypher, can tell you. Cyph. 'Tis very true, sir. I hired this travelling case of one o' th' sailors That came in one of 'em: they lie at Blackwall. Troth, I in pity, sir, to Master Plotwell, Thought it my duty to deceive you. Ware. Very well, sir; What, are these masquers too? Plot. Faith, sir, these [Exit Cypher. Can change their forms too. They are two friends, [They undisguise. Worth threescore thousand pounds, sir, to my use. Ware. Bannswright and Captain Quartfield! Quart. Nay, old boy, Th' hast a good pennyworth on't. The jest is worth Three parts of four. Ban. Faith, sir, we hope you'll pay Tonnage and poundage into th' bargain. Ware. O, you are a precious rogue! you ha' preferr'd me To a chaste Lucrece, sirrah! Ban. Your nephew, sir, Hath married her with all her faults. They are New-come from church. Ware. How! Plot. Wonder not, sir: you Were married but in jest. 'Twas no church-form, But a fine legend out of Rab'lais. Sale. Troth, This reverend weed cast off, I'm a lay poet, [Salewit undisguises. And cannot marry, unless't be in a play— In the fifth act or so; and that's almost Worn out of fashion too. Mis. Sea. These are the two That show'd my son. [Aside. Mis. Hol. Let's have our money back. [Aside. Plot. But, uncle, for the jointure you have made her I hope you'll not retract. That and three parts Of your two ships, besides what you will leave Us at your death, will make a pretty stock For young beginners. Ware. Am I o'erreach'd so finely? Sea. But are you married, sir, in earnest? Plot. Troth We have not been abed yet, but may go, And no law broken. Sea. Then I must tell you, sir, Y' have wrong'd me; and I look for satisfaction. Plot. Why, I beseech you, sir? Sea. Sir, were not you Betroth'd once to my daughter? Mis. Sea. And did not I And Mistress Holland help to make you sure? Plot. I do confess it. Sea. Bear witness, gentlemen, he doth confess it. Plot. I'll swear it too, sir. Sea. Why, Then, have you match'd this woman? Plot. Why! because This is your daughter, sir. I'm hers by conquest For this day's service. Sea. Is't possible I should Be out in my own child so? Mis. Sea. I told you, husband. Mis. Scr. Surely my spirit gave me it was she; And yet to see, now you have not your wire Nor city ruff on, Mistress Sue, how these Clothes do beguile! In truth, I took you for A gentlewoman. Sea. Here be rare plots indeed! Why, how now, sir, these young heads have outgone us. Was my son o' th' plot too? Plot. Faith, sir, he Is married too. I did strike up a wedding Between him and my sister.
Enter Timothy and Aurelia.
Look, sir! They come without their maidenheads.[262] Sea. Why, this Is better still. Now, sir, you might have ask'd Consent of parents. Tim. Pray forgive me, sir. I thought I had match'd a lady, but she proves—— Sea. Much better, sir: I'd chide you as a fish, But that your choice pleads for you. Tim. Mother, pray Salute my wife, and tell me if one may not Lie with her lips: nay, you too, Mistress Holland, You taught her to make shirts and bone-lace; she's Out of her time now. Mis. Hol. I release her, sir. Ware. I took your sister for a lady, nephew. Plot. I kept her like one, sir. My Temple scores Went to maintain the title out of hope To gain some great match for her; which you see Is come to pass. Ware. Well, Master Seathrift, Things are just fallen out as we contriv'd 'em: I grieve not I'm deceiv'd. Believe me, gentlemen, You all did your parts well; 'twas carried cleanly; And though I could take some things ill of you, Fair mistress, yet 'twas plot, and I forget it. Let's in and make 'em portions. Sea. Lead the way, sir. Ban. Pray stay a little. Ware. More revelations yet? Ban. I all this while have, stood behind the curtain. You have a brother, sir, and you a father. Plot. If he do live, I have. Ban. He in his time Was held the wealthiest merchant on th' Exchange. Ware. 'Tis true, but that his shipwrecks broke him. Ban. And The debt for which he broke I hear you have Compounded. Sea. I am paid it. Ban. Then I thank you. [Bannswright undisguises. Ware. My brother Plotwell! Ban. Son, I wish you joy. Plot. O my bless'd stars! my father! Ban. And to you, fair mistress, Let it not breed repentance that I have, For my security, to 'scape your father, Awhile descended from myself to this Unworthy shape. Now I can cast it off, And be my true self. I have a ship which fame Gave out for lost, but just now landed too, Worth twenty thousand pounds, towards your match. Sea. Better and better still. Ware. Well, what was wanting Unto our joys, and made these nuptials Imperfect, brother, you by your discovery Have fully added.
Enter Cypher.
Cyp. Sir, the two sheriffs are Within, and have both brought their wives. Ware. The feast Intended for my wedding shall be yours. To which I add—May you so love to say, When old, your time was but one marriage-day.