SCENA V.

Enter two young Merchants.

1 Mer. Well met Sir, you are for this lusty wedding.

2 Mer. I am so, so are you I take it.

1 Mer. Yes, And it much glads me, that to doe him service Who is the honour of our trade, and lustre, We meet thus happily.

2 Mer. He's a noble fellow, And well becomes a bride of such a beauty.

1 Mer. She is passing fair indeed, long may their loves Continue like their youths, in spring of sweetness, All the young Merchants will be here No doubt on't, For he that comes not to attend this wedding, The curse of a most blind one fall upon him, A loud wife, and a lazie: here's Vanlock.

Enter Vanlock and Francis.

Vanl. Well overtaken Gentlemen: save ye.

1 Mer. The same to you sir; save ye fair Mistris Francis, I would this happy night might make you blush too.

Vanl. She dreams apace.

Fran. That's but a drowsie fortune.

3 Mer. Nay take us with ye too; we come to that end, I am sure ye are for the wedding.

Vanl. Hand and heart man: And what their feet can doe, I could have tript it Before this whorson gout.

Enter Clause.

Clau. Bless ye Masters.

Vanl. Clause? how now Clause? thou art come to see thy Master, (And a good master he is to all poor people) In all his joy, 'tis honestly done of thee.

Clau. Long may he live sir, but my business now is If you would please to doe it, and to him too.

Enter Goswin.

Vanl. He's here himself.

Gos. Stand at the door my friends? I pray walk in: welcom fair Mistris Francis, See what the house affords, there's a young Lady Will bid you welcom.

Vanl. We joy your happiness. [Exeunt.

Gos. I hope it will be so: Clause nobly welcom, My honest, my best friend, I have been carefull To see thy monys—

Clau. Sir, that brought not me, Do you know this Ring again?

Gos. Thou hadst it of me.

Cla. And do you well remember yet, the boun you gave me Upon the return of this?

Gos. Yes, and I grant it, Be it what it will: ask what thou canst, I'le do it; Within my power.

Cla. Ye are not married yet?

Gos. No.

Cla. Faith I shall ask you that that will disturb ye, But I must put ye to your promise.

Gos. Do, And if I faint and flinch in't—

Cla. Well said Master, And yet it grieves me too: and yet it must be.

Gos. Prethee distrust me not.

Cla. You must not marry, That's part of the power you gave me: which to make up, You must presently depart, and follow me.

Gos. Not marry, Clause?

Cla. Not if you keep your promise, And give me power to ask.

Gos. Pre'thee think better, I will obey, by Heaven.

Cla. I have thought the best, Sir

Gos. Give me thy reason, do'st thou fear her honesty?

Cla. Chaste as the ice, for any thing I know, Sir.

Gos. Why should'st thou light on that then? to what purpose?

Cla. I must not now discover.

Gos. Must not marry? Shall I break now when my poor heart is pawn'd? When all the preparation?

Cla. Now or never.

Gos. Come, 'tis not that thou would'st: thou do'st but fright me.

Cla. Upon my soul it is, Sir, and I bind ye.

Gos. Clause, can'st thou be so cruel?

Cla. You may break, Sir, But never more in my thoughts appear honest.

Gos. Did'st ever see her?

Cla. No.

Gos. She is such a thing, O Clause, she is such a wonder, such a mirror, For beauty, and fair vertue, Europe has not: Why hast thou made me happy, to undo me? But look upon her; then if thy heart relent not, I'le quit her presently: who waits there?

Ser. [within] Sir.

Gos. Bid my fair love come hither, and the Company. Prethee be good unto me; take a mans heart And look upon her truly: take a friends heart And feel what misery must follow this.

Cla. Take you a noble heart and keep your promise; I forsook all I had, to make you happy.

Enter Gertrude, Vandunk, and the rest Merchants.

Can that thing call'd a Woman, stop your goodness?

Gos. Look there she is, deal with me as thou wilt now, Did'st ever see a fairer?

Cla. She is most goodly.

Gos. Pray ye stand still.

Ger. What ails my love?

Gos. Didst thou ever, By the fair light of Heave[n], behold a sweeter? O that thou knew'st but love, or ever felt him, Look well, look narrowly upon her beauties.

1 Mer. Sure h'as some strange design in hand, he starts so.

2 Mer. This Beggar has a strong power over his pleasure.

Gos. View all her body,

Cla. 'Tis exact and excellent.

Gos. Is she a thing then to be lost thus lightly? Her mind is ten times sweeter, ten times nobler, And but to hear her speak, a Paradise, And such a love she bears to me, a chaste love, A vertuous, fair, and fruitful love: 'tis now too I am ready to enjoy it; the Priest ready, Clause, To say the holy words shall make us happy, This is a cruelty beyond mans study, All these are ready, all our joyes are ready, And all the expectation of our friends, 'Twill be her death to do it.

Cla. Let her dye then.

Gos. Thou canst not: 'tis impossible.

Cla. It must be.

Gos. 'Twill kill me too, 'twill murder me: by heaven Clause I'le give thee half I have; come thou shalt save me.

Cla. Then you must go with me: I can stay no longer, If ye be true, and noble.

Gos. Hard heart, I'le follow: Pray ye all go in again, and pray be merry, I have a weighty business, (give my Cloak there,)

Enter Servant (with a Cloak.)

Concerns my life, and state, (make no enquiry,) This present hour befaln me: with the soonest I shall be here again: nay pray go in, Sir, And take them with you, 'tis but a night lost, Gentlemen.

Van. Come, come in, we will not lose our meat yet, Nor our good mirth, he cannot stay long from her, I am sure of that.

Gos. I will not stay; believe, Sir. [Exit.

Gertrude, a word with you.

Ger. Why is this stop, Sir?

Gos. I have no more time left me, but to kiss thee, And tell thee this, I am ever thine: farewel wench. [Exit.

Ger. And is that all your Ceremony? Is this a wedding? Are all my hopes and prayers turn'd to nothing? Well, I will say no more, nor sigh, nor sorrow; Till to thy face I prove thee false. Ah me! [Exit.