Part 5 (2/2)

I do not hold thy offer competent; Nor do I like th' a.s.surance of thy Land, The t.i.tle is so brangled with thy debts.

OLD MOUNTCHESNEY.

Too good for thee; and, knight, thou knowst it well, I fawnd not on thee for thy goods, not I; Twas thine own motion; that thy wife doth know.

LADY.

Husband, it was so; he lies not in that.

CLARE.

Hold thy chat, queane.

OLD MOUNTCHESNEY.

To which I hearkned willingly, and the rather, Because I was persuaded it proceeded From love thou bor'st to me and to my boy; And gav'st him free access unto thy house, Here he hath not behaved him to thy child, But as befits a gentleman to do: Nor is my poor distressed state so low, That I'll shut up my doors, I warrant thee.

CLARE.

Let it suffice, Mountchensey, I mislike it; Nor think thy son a match fit for my child.

MOUNTCHENSEY.

I tell thee, Clare, his blood is good and clear As the best drop that panteth in thy veins: But for this maid, thy fair and vertuous child, She is no more disparaged by thy baseness Then the most orient and the pretious jewell, Which still retains his l.u.s.tre and his beauty, Although a slave were owner of the same.

CLARE.

She is the last is left me to bestow, And her I mean to dedicate to G.o.d.

MOUNTCHENSEY.

You do, sir?

CLARE.

Sir, sir, I do, she is mine own.

MOUNTCHENSEY.

And pity she is so!

d.a.m.nation dog thee and thy wretched pelf!

[Aside.]

CLARE.

Not thou, Mountchensey, shalt bestow my child.

MOUNTCHENSEY.

Neither shouldst thou bestow her where thou mean'st.

CLARE.

What wilt thou do?

MOUNTCHENSEY.

No matter, let that be; I will do that, perhaps, shall anger thee: Thou hast wrongd my love, and, by G.o.d's blessed Angell, Thou shalt well know it.

CLARE.

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