Volume Xi Part 68 (1/2)

GERA. Nay, I prythee, be not thus unseasonable: Without thee we are nothing.

W. RASH. By my troth, and I think so too. You love one another in the way of matrimony, do you not?

GERA. What else, man?

W. RASH. What else, man? Why, 'tis a question to be asked; for I can a.s.sure you, there is another kind of love. But come, follow me; I must be your good angel still: 'tis in this brain how to prevent my father and his brace of beagles; you shall none of you be bid to-night: follow but my direction, if I bring you not, _To have and to hold, for better for worse_, let me be held an eunuch in wit, and one that was never father to a good jest.

GERT. We'll be instructed by you.

W. RASH. Well, if you be, it will be your own another day.

Come, follow me.

[SPENDALL _meets them, and they look strangely upon him, and go off_.

SPEND. How ruthless men are to adversity!

My acquaintance scarce will know me; when we meet, They cannot stay to talk, they must be gone, And shake me by the hand as if I burnt them.

A man must trust unto himself, I see; For if he once but halt in his estate, Friends.h.i.+p will prove but broken crutches to him.

Well, I will lean to none of them, but stand Free of myself: and if I had a spirit Daring to act what I am prompted to, I might thrust out into the world again, Full-blossom'd, with a sweet and golden spring.

It was an argument of love in her To fetch me out of prison; and this night She clasp'd my hand in hers, as who should say, Thou art my purchase, and I hold thee thus.

The worst is but repulse, if I attempt it.

I am resolv'd: my genius whispers to me, Go on, and win her; thou art young and active, Which she is apt to catch at; for there's nought That's more unsteadfast than a woman's thought. [_Exit._

_Enter_ SIR LIONEL, WILL RASH, SCATTERGOOD, BUBBLE, WIDOW, GERTRUDE, JOYCE, PHILLIS, _and_ SERVANT.

SIR LIONEL. Here's ill-lodging, widow; but you must know, If we had better, we'd afford it you.

WID. The lodging, sir, might serve better guests.

SIR LIONEL. Not better, widow, nor yet welcomer: But we will leave you to it and the rest.

Phillis, pray let your mistress not want anything.

Once more, good night; I'll leave a kiss with you, As earnest of a better gift to-morrow.

Sirrah, a light.

WID. Good rest to all.

BUB. _Et tu quoque_, forsooth.

SCAT. G.o.d give you good night, forsooth, And send you an early resurrection.

WID. Good night to both.

SIR LIONEL. Come, come away, each bird unto his nest; To-morrow night's a time of little rest.

[_Exeunt. Manent_ WIDOW _and_ PHILLIS.

WID. Here, untie: soft, let it alone; I have no disposition to sleep yet: Give me a book, and leave me for a while, Some half-hour hence look in to me.

PHIL. I shall, forsooth. [_Exit_ PHILLIS.

_Enter_ SPENDALL.