SCENE IX.
Enter Plotwell and Roseclap, with Bannswright and Quartfield disguised.
Ware. O nephew, welcome to my ransom! here
My house is made a new erection; gallants
Are brought in varied forms. Had I not look'd
By providence into that frame, these two
Had been convey'd for night-pieces and landskips
Into my chaste bride's chamber. Till now, she took
And let herself out; now she will be able
To hire and buy offenders.
Plot. I'll ease you, sir;
We two have made a full discovery of her.
Rose. She's married to another man, sir.
Ware. Good nephew, thou art my blessed angel.
Who are these two?
Plot. Two that will secure your ships,
Sent by the office. Seal you, sir: th' have brought
Th' assurance with 'em.
Ware. Nephew, thou were't born
To be my dear preserver.
Plot. It is duty, sir,
To help you out with your misfortunes. Gentlemen,
Produce your instruments. Uncle, put your seal
And write your name here; they will do the like
To the other parchment. So, now deliver.
[They subscribe, seal, and deliver interchangeably.
Ware. I do deliver this as my act and deed.
Ban., Quart. And we this, as our act and deed.
Plot. Pray, gentlemen,
Be witness here. Upon a doubtful rumour
Of two ships wreck'd, as they return'd from Ormus,
My uncle covenants to give three parts
To have the fourth secured. And these two here,
[Seathrift, Roseclap, Bright, and Newcut subscribe as witnesses.
As delegates of the office, undertake
At that rate to assure them. Uncle, now
Call forth the sailor, and send for the priest
That married you.
Enter Salewit and Cypher.
Ware. Look, here they come.
Plot. First then,
Not to afflict you longer, uncle; since
We now are quiet, know all this was my project.
Ware. How!
Plot. Your two ships are richly landed: if
You'll not believe me, here's the sailor who, [Cypher undisguises.
Transform'd to Cypher, can tell you.
Cyph. 'Tis very true, sir.
I hired this travelling case of one o' th' sailors
That came in one of 'em: they lie at Blackwall.
Troth, I in pity, sir, to Master Plotwell,
Thought it my duty to deceive you.
Ware. Very well, sir;
What, are these masquers too?
Plot. Faith, sir, these [Exit Cypher.
Can change their forms too. They are two friends, [They undisguise.
Worth threescore thousand pounds, sir, to my use.
Ware. Bannswright and Captain Quartfield!
Quart. Nay, old boy,
Th' hast a good pennyworth on't. The jest is worth
Three parts of four.
Ban. Faith, sir, we hope you'll pay
Tonnage and poundage into th' bargain.
Ware. O, you are a precious rogue! you ha' preferr'd me
To a chaste Lucrece, sirrah!
Ban. Your nephew, sir,
Hath married her with all her faults. They are
New-come from church.
Ware. How!
Plot. Wonder not, sir: you
Were married but in jest. 'Twas no church-form,
But a fine legend out of Rab'lais.
Sale. Troth,
This reverend weed cast off, I'm a lay poet, [Salewit undisguises.
And cannot marry, unless't be in a play—
In the fifth act or so; and that's almost
Worn out of fashion too.
Mis. Sea. These are the two
That show'd my son. [Aside.
Mis. Hol. Let's have our money back. [Aside.
Plot. But, uncle, for the jointure you have made her
I hope you'll not retract. That and three parts
Of your two ships, besides what you will leave
Us at your death, will make a pretty stock
For young beginners.
Ware. Am I o'erreach'd so finely?
Sea. But are you married, sir, in earnest?
Plot. Troth
We have not been abed yet, but may go,
And no law broken.
Sea. Then I must tell you, sir,
Y' have wrong'd me; and I look for satisfaction.
Plot. Why, I beseech you, sir?
Sea. Sir, were not you
Betroth'd once to my daughter?
Mis. Sea. And did not I
And Mistress Holland help to make you sure?
Plot. I do confess it.
Sea. Bear witness, gentlemen, he doth confess it.
Sea. Why,
Then, have you match'd this woman?
Plot. Why! because
This is your daughter, sir. I'm hers by conquest
For this day's service.
Sea. Is't possible I should
Be out in my own child so?
Mis. Sea. I told you, husband.
Mis. Scr. Surely my spirit gave me it was she;
And yet to see, now you have not your wire
Nor city ruff on, Mistress Sue, how these
Clothes do beguile! In truth, I took you for
A gentlewoman.
Sea. Here be rare plots indeed!
Why, how now, sir, these young heads have outgone us.
Was my son o' th' plot too?
Plot. Faith, sir, he
Is married too. I did strike up a wedding
Between him and my sister.
Enter Timothy and Aurelia.
Look, sir!
They come without their maidenheads.[262]
Sea. Why, this
Is better still. Now, sir, you might have ask'd
Consent of parents.
Tim. Pray forgive me, sir.
I thought I had match'd a lady, but she proves——
Sea. Much better, sir: I'd chide you as a fish,
But that your choice pleads for you.
Tim. Mother, pray
Salute my wife, and tell me if one may not
Lie with her lips: nay, you too, Mistress Holland,
You taught her to make shirts and bone-lace; she's
Out of her time now.
Mis. Hol. I release her, sir.
Ware. I took your sister for a lady, nephew.
Plot. I kept her like one, sir. My Temple scores
Went to maintain the title out of hope
To gain some great match for her; which you see
Is come to pass.
Ware. Well, Master Seathrift,
Things are just fallen out as we contriv'd 'em:
I grieve not I'm deceiv'd. Believe me, gentlemen,
You all did your parts well; 'twas carried cleanly;
And though I could take some things ill of you,
Fair mistress, yet 'twas plot, and I forget it.
Let's in and make 'em portions.
Sea. Lead the way, sir.
Ban. Pray stay a little.
Ware. More revelations yet?
Ban. I all this while have, stood behind the curtain.
You have a brother, sir, and you a father.
Plot. If he do live, I have.
Ban. He in his time
Was held the wealthiest merchant on th' Exchange.
Ware. 'Tis true, but that his shipwrecks broke him.
Ban. And
The debt for which he broke I hear you have
Compounded.
Sea. I am paid it.
Ban. Then I thank you. [Bannswright undisguises.
Ban. Son, I wish you joy.
Plot. O my bless'd stars! my father!
Ban. And to you, fair mistress,
Let it not breed repentance that I have,
For my security, to 'scape your father,
Awhile descended from myself to this
Unworthy shape. Now I can cast it off,
And be my true self. I have a ship which fame
Gave out for lost, but just now landed too,
Worth twenty thousand pounds, towards your match.
Sea. Better and better still.
Ware. Well, what was wanting
Unto our joys, and made these nuptials
Imperfect, brother, you by your discovery
Have fully added.
Enter Cypher.
Cyp. Sir, the two sheriffs are
Within, and have both brought their wives.
Ware. The feast
Intended for my wedding shall be yours.
To which I add—May you so love to say,
When old, your time was but one marriage-day.