ACT III. SCENE I.

A room in Touchwood junior’s lodgings.

Enter Touchwood junior and Parson.

Touch. jun. O sir, if e’er you felt the force of love,

Pity it in me!

Par. Yes, though I ne’er was married, sir,

I've felt the force of love from good men’s daughters,

And some that will be maids yet three years hence.

Have you got a license?

Touch. jun. Here, ’tis ready, sir.

Par. That’s well.

Touch. jun. The ring, and all things perfect; she’ll steal hither.

Par. She shall be welcome, sir; I'll not be long

A clapping you together.

Touch. jun. O, here she’s come, sir!

Enter Moll and Touchwood senior.

Par. What’s he?

Touch. jun. My honest brother.

Touch. sen. Quick, make haste, sirs!

Moll. You must despatch with all the speed you can,

For I shall be miss’d straight; I made hard shift

For this small time I have.

Par. Then I'll not linger.

Place that ring upon her finger:

[Touchwood junior puts ring on Moll’s finger.

This the finger plays the part,

Whose master-vein shoots from the heart:

Now join hands——

Enter Yellowhammer and Sir W. Whorehound.

Yel. Which I will sever,

And so ne’er again meet, never!

43Moll. O, we’re betray’d!

Touch. jun. Hard fate!

Sir Wal. I'm struck with wonder!

Yel. Was this the politic fetch, thou mystical baggage,

Thou disobedient strumpet!—And were [you]

So wise to send for her to such an end?

Sir Wal. Now I disclaim the end; you’ll make me mad.

Yel. And what are you, sir?

Touch. jun. And^[64] you cannot see

With those two glasses, put on a pair more.

Yel. I dream’d of anger still.—Here, take your ring, sir,—

[Taking ring off Moll’s finger.

Ha! this? life, ’tis the same! abominable!

Did not I sell this ring?

Touch. jun. I think you did;

You receiv’d money for’t.

Yel. Heart, hark you, knight;

Here’s no^[65] inconscionable villany!

Set me a-work to make the wedding-ring,

And come with an intent to steal my daughter!

Did ever run-away match it!

Sir Wal. This your brother, sir?

Touch. sen. He can tell that as well as I.

Yel. The very posy mocks me to my face,—

Love that’s wise

Blinds parents' eyes.

I thank your wisdom, sir, for blinding of us;

We’ve good hope to recover our sight shortly:

In the meantime I will lock up this baggage

As carefully as my gold; she shall see

As little sun, if a close room or so

Can keep her from the light on’t.

44Moll. O sweet father,

For love’s sake, pity me!

Yel. Away!

Moll. Farewell, sir;

All content bless thee! and take this for comfort,

Though violence keep me, thou canst lose me never,

I'm ever thine, although we part for ever.

Yel. Ay, we shall part you, minx. [Exit with Moll.

Sir Wal. Your acquaintance, sir,

Came very lately, yet it came too soon;

I must hereafter know you for no friend,

But one that I must shun like pestilence,

Or the disease of lust.

Touch. jun. Like enough, sir;

You ha' ta’en me at the worst time for words

That e’er ye pick’d out: faith, do not wrong me, sir.

[Exit with Parson.

Touch. sen. Look after him, and spare not: there he walks

That ne’er yet receiv’d baffling:^[66] you are blest

More than ever I knew; go, take your rest. [Exit.

Sir Wal. I pardon you, you are both losers. [Exit.