Act 5 — [Scene I.][2915]

Susan. Brother, why have you trick’d[2916] me like a bride, Bought me this gay attire, these ornaments? Forget you our estate, our poverty? Sir C. Call me not brother, but imagine me Some barbarous outlaw, or uncivil kern;[2917]5 For if thou shutt’st thine eye, and only hear’st The words that I shall utter, thou shalt judge me Some staring ruffian, not thy brother Charles. Oh, sister!—— Susan. Oh, brother! what doth this strange language mean?10 Sir C. Dost love me, sister? Wouldst thou see me live A bankrupt beggar in the world’s disgrace, And die indebted to mine enemies? Wouldst thou behold me stand like a huge beam In the world’s eye, a bye-word and a scorn?15 It lies in thee of these to acquit me free, And all my debt I may outstrip by thee. Susan. By me? Why, I have nothing, nothing left; I owe even for the clothes upon my back; I am not worth—— Sir C. O sister, say not so!20 It lies in you my downcast state to raise; To make me stand on even points with the world. Come, sister, you are rich; indeed you are, And in your power you have, without delay Acton’s five hundred pounds back to repay.25 Susan. Till now I had thought you lov’d me. By my honour (Which I have kept as spotless as the moon), I ne’er was mistress of that single doit[2918] Which I reserv’d not to supply your wants; And do you think that I would hoard from you?30 Now, by my hopes in Heaven, knew I the means To buy you from the slavery of your debts (Especially from Acton, whom I hate), I would redeem it with my life or blood!34 Sir C. I challenge it, and, kindred set apart, Thus, ruffian-like, I lay siege to thy heart. What do I owe to Acton? Susan. Why, some five hundred pounds; towards which, I swear, In all the world I have not one denier.[2919] Sir C. It will not prove so. Sister, now resolve[2920] me:40 What do you think (and speak your conscience) Would Acton give, might he enjoy your bed? Susan. He would not shrink to spend a thousand pound To give the Mountfords’ name so deep a wound. Sir C. A thousand pound! I but five hundred owe:45 Grant him your bed; he’s paid with interest so. Susan. Oh, brother! Sir C. Oh, sister! only this one way, With that rich jewel you my debts may pay. In speaking this my cold heart shakes with shame; Nor do I woo you in a brother’s name,50 But in a stranger’s. Shall I die in debt To Acton, my grand foe, and you still wear The precious jewel that he holds so dear? Susan. My honour I esteem as dear and precious As my redemption. Sir C. I esteem you, sister,55 As dear, for so dear prizing it. Susan. Will Charles Have me cut off my hands, and send them Acton? Rip up my breast, and with my bleeding heart Present him as a token? Sir C. Neither, sister; But hear me in my strange assertion!60 Thy honour and my soul are equal in my regard; Nor will thy brother Charles survive thy shame. His kindness, like a burden, hath surcharg’d me, And under his good deeds I stooping go, Not with an upright soul. Had I remain’d65 In prison still, there doubtless I had died. Then, unto him that freed me from that prison, Still do I owe this life. What mov’d my foe To enfranchise me? ’T was, sister, for your love; With full five hundred pounds he bought your love;—70 And shall he not enjoy it? Shall the weight Of all this heavy burden lean on me, And will not you bear part? You did partake The joy of my release; will you not stand In joint-bond bound to satisfy the debt?75 Shall I be only charg’d? Susan. But that I know These arguments come from an honour’d mind, As in your most extremity of need Scorning to stand in debt to one you hate,— Nay, rather would engage your unsustain’d honour,80 Than to be held ingrate,—I should condemn you. I see your resolution, and assent; So Charles will have me, and I am content. Sir C. For this I trick’d[2921] you up. Susan. But here ’s a knife, To save mine honour, shall slice out my life.85 Sir C. I know thou pleasest me a thousand times More in that resolution than thy grant.— Observe her love; to soothe it to my suit, Her honour she will hazard, though not lose; To bring me out of debt, her rigorous hand90 Will pierce her heart,—O wonder!—that will choose, Rather than stain her blood, her life to lose. Come, you sad sister to a woful brother, This is the gate. I ’ll bear him such a present, Such an acquittance for the knight to seal,95 As will amaze his senses, and surprise With admiration all his fantasies.

Susan. Before his unchaste thoughts shall seize on me, ’T is here shall my imprison’d soul set free. Sir F. How! Mountford with his sister, hand in hand!100 What miracle’s afoot? Mal. It is a sight Begets in me much admiration.[2922] Sir C. Stand not amaz’d to see me thus attended! Acton, I owe thee money, and, being unable To bring thee the full sum in ready coin,105 Lo! for thy more assurance, here’s a pawn,— My sister, my dear sister, whose chaste honour I prize above a million. Here! Nay, take her; She’s worth your money, man; do not forsake her. Sir F. I would he were in earnest!110 Susan. Impute it not to my immodesty. My brother, being rich in nothing else But in his interest that he hath in me, According to his poverty hath brought you114 Me, all his store; whom, howsoe’er you prize, As forfeit to your hand, he values highly, And would not sell, but to acquit your debt, For any emperor’s ransom. Sir F. Stern heart, relent, Thy former cruelty at length repent! Was ever known, in any former age,120 Such honourable, wrested courtesy? Lands, honours, life, and all the world forego, Rather than stand engag’d to such a foe! Sir C. Acton, she is too poor to be thy bride, And I too much oppos’d to be thy brother.125 There, take her to thee; if thou hast the heart To seize her as a rape, or lustful prey; To blur our house, that never yet was stain’d; To murder her that never meant thee harm; To kill me now, whom once thou sav’dst from death:—130 Do them at once; on her all these rely, And perish with her spotless chastity. Sir F. You overcome me in your love, Sir Charles. I cannot be so cruel to a lady I love so dearly. Since you have not spar’d135 To engage your reputation to the world, Your sister’s honour, which you prize so dear, Nay, all the comforts which you hold on earth, To grow out of my debt, being your foe,— Your honour’d thoughts, lo! thus I recompense. Your metamorphos’d foe receives your gift141 In satisfaction of all former wrongs. This jewel I will wear here in my heart; And where before I thought her, for her wants, Too base to be my bride, to end all strife,145 I seal you my dear brother, her my wife. Susan. You still exceed us. I will yield to fate, And learn to love, where I till now did hate. Sir C. With that enchantment you have charm’d my soul And made me rich even in those very words!150 I pay no debt, but am indebted more; Rich in your love, I never can be poor. Sir F. All’s mine is yours; we are alike in state; Let’s knit in love what was oppos’d in hate! Come, for our nuptials we will straight provide, Blest only in our brother and fair bride.156 [Exeunt.]