The London Prodigal Part 11

ARTICHOKE.

Sir, we have been scouring of our swords and bucklers in your defence.

LANCELOT.

Defence me no defence! let your swords rust, I'll have no fighting: Aye, let blows alone; bid Delia see all things be in readiness against the wedding. We'll have two at once, and that will save charges, Master Weatherc.o.c.k.

ARTICHOKE.

Well, we will do it, sir.

[Exit Omnes.]

ACT III.

SCENE I. A walk before Sir Lancelot's house.

[Enter Civet, Frances, and Delia.]

CIVET.

By my truth, this is good luck, I thank G.o.d for this. In good sooth, I have even my heart's desire: sister Delia, now I may boldly call you so, for your father hath frank and freely given me his daughter Frances.

FRANCES.

Aye, by my troth, Tom; thou hast my good will too, for I thank G.o.d I longed for a husband, and, would I might never stir, for one his name was Tom.

DELIA.

Why, sister, now you have your wish.

CIVET.

You say very true, sister Delia: and I prithee call me nothing but Tom and I'll call thee sweetheart, and Frances: will it not do well, sister Delia?

DELIA.

It will do very well with both of you.

FRANCES.

But, Tom, must I go as I do now when I am married?

CIVET.

No, Frances, I'll have thee go like a Citizen In a garded gown, and a French-hood.

FRANCES.

By my troth, that will be excellent indeed.

DELIA.

Brother, maintain your wife to your estate: Apparel you yourself like to your father, And let her go like to your ancient mother.

He sparing got his wealth, left it to you; Brother, take heed of pride, it soon bids thrift adieu.

CIVET.

So as my father and my mother went! that's a jest indeed: why she went in a fringed gown, a single ruffle, and a white cap; and my father in a mocado coat, a pair of red satin sleeves, and a canvas back.

DELIA.

And yet his wealth was all as much as yours,

CIVET.

My estate, my estate, I thank G.o.d, is forty pound a year, in good leases and tenements, besides twenty mark a year at cuckolds-haven, and that comes to us all by inheritance.

DELIA.

That may, indeed, tis very fitly plied.

I know not how it comes, but so it falls out, That those whose fathers have died wondrous rich, And took no pleasure but to gather wealth, Thinking of little that they leave behind For them, they hope, will be of their like mind,-- But it falls out contrary: forty years sparing Is scarce three seven years spending,--never caring What will ensue, when all their coin is gone, And all too late, then thrift is thought upon: Oft have I heard, that pride and riot kissed, And then repentence cries, 'for had I wist.'

CIVET.

You say well, sister Delia, you say well: but I mean to live within my bounds: for look you, I have set down my rest thus far, but to maintain my wife in her French-hood, and her coach, keep a couple of geldings, and a brace of gray hounds, and this is all I'll do.

DELIA.

And you'll do this with forty pound a year?

CIVET.

Aye, and a better penny, sister.

FRANCES.

Sister, you forget that at cuckolds-haven.

CIVET.

By my troth, well remembered, Frances; I'll give thee that to buy thee pins.

DELIA.

Keep you the rest for points: alas the day.

Fools shall have wealth, tho all the world say nay: Come, brother, will you in? dinner stays for us.

CIVET.

Aye, good sister, with all my heart.

FRANCES.

Aye, by my troth, Tom, for I have a good stomach.

CIVET.

And I the like, sweet Frances. No, sister, do not think I'll go beyond my bounds.

DELIA.

G.o.d grant you may not.

[Exit Omnes.]

SCENE II. London. The street before young Flowerdale's house.

[Enter young Flowerdale and his father, with foils in their hands.]

FLOWERDALE.

Sirrah Kit, tarry thou there, I have spied Sir Lancelot, and old Weatherc.o.c.k coming this way; they are hard at hand. I will by no means be spoken withal.