Act 3 — Scene III.[4083]

Over. She ’s caught! O women!—she neglects my lord, And all her compliments appli’d to Wellborn! The garments of her widowhood laid by, She now appears as glorious as the spring, Her eyes fix’d on him, in the wine she drinks,5 He being her pledge, she sends him burning kisses, And sits on thorns, till she be private with him. She leaves my meat to feed upon his looks, And if in our discourse he be but nam’d, From her a deep sigh follows. And why grieve I10 At this? It makes for me; if she prove his, All that is hers is mine, as I will work him.

Mar. Sir, the whole board is troubled at your rising. Over. No matter, I ’ll excuse it. Prithee, Marrall, Watch an occasion to invite my nephew15 To speak with me in private. Mar. Who? “The rogue The lady scorn’d to look on”? Over. You are a wag.

Mar. See, sir, she’s come, and cannot be without him. L. All. With your favour, sir, after a plenteous dinner, I shall make bold to walk a turn or two,20 In your rare garden. Over. There ’s an arbour too, If your ladyship please to use it. L. All. Come, Master Wellborn. Exeunt Lady Allworth and Wellborn. Over. Grosser and grosser! Now I believe the poet Feign’d not, but was historical, when he wrote Pasiphae was enamour’d of a bull:25 This lady’s lust ’s more monstrous.—My good lord, Enter Lord Lovell, Margaret, and the rest. Excuse my manners. Lov. There needs none, Sir Giles, I may ere long say father, when it pleases My dearest mistress to give warrant to it. Over. She shall seal to it, my lord, and make me happy.30

Marg. My lady is return’d. L. All. Provide my coach, I ’ll instantly away. My thanks, Sir Giles, For my entertainment. Over. ’T is your nobleness To think it such. L. All. I must do vou a further wrong In taking away your honourable guest.35 Lov. I wait on you, madam; farewell, good Sir Giles. L. All. Good Mistress Margaret! Nay, come, Master Wellborn, I must not leave you behind; in sooth, I must not. Over. Rob me not, madam, of all joys at once; Let my nephew stay behind. He shall have my coach,40 And, after some small conference between us, Soon overtake your ladyship. L. All. Stay not long, sir. Lov. This parting kiss: [kisses Margaret] you shall every day hear from me, By my faithful page. All. ’T is a service I am proud of. Exeunt Lord Lovell, Lady Allworth, Allworth, and Marrall. Over. Daughter, to your chamber.— Exit Margaret. —You may wonder, nephew,45 After so long an enmity between us, I should desire your friendship. Well. So I do, sir; ’T is strange to me. Over. But I ’ll make it no wonder; And what is more, unfold my nature to you. We worldly men, when we see friends and kinsmen50 Past hopes sunk in their fortunes, lend no hand To lift ’em up, but rather set our feet Upon their heads, to press ’em to the bottom; As, I must yield,[4084] with you I practis’d it: But, now I see you in a way to rise,55 I can and will assist you. This rich lady (And I am glad of ’t) is enamour’d of you; ’T is too apparent, nephew. Well. No such thing: Compassion rather, sir. Over. Well, in a word,59 Because your stay is short, I ’ll have you seen No more in this base shape; nor shall she say She married you like a beggar, or in debt. Well. (Aside.) He ’ll run into the noose, and save my labour. Over. You have a trunk of rich clothes, not far hence, In pawn; I will redeem ’em; and that no clamour65 May taint your credit for your petty debts, You shall have a thousand pounds to cut ’em off, And go a free man to the wealthy lady. Well. This done, sir, out of love, and no ends else—— Over. As it is, nephew. Well. Binds me still your servant.70 Over. No compliments; you are staid for. Ere you have supp’d You shall hear from me. My coach, knaves, for my nephew. To-morrow I will visit you. Well. Here’s an uncle In a man ’s extremes! How much they do belie you, That say you are hard-hearted! Over. My deeds, nephew,75 Shall speak my love; what men report I weigh not. Exeunt.