Lear. Or else we shou'd not have half so much trouble with him.
Esop. Why do you, then, make her quit him for me? All the World knows I am neither young, noble, nor rich: And as for my Beauty——Look you, Governor, I'm honest. But when Children cry, they tell 'em Esop's a-coming. Pray, Sir, what is it makes you so earnest to force your Daughter?
Lear. Am I, then, to count for nothing the favour you are in at Court? Father-in-law to the great Esop! What may not I aspire to? My foolish Daughter, perhaps, mayn't be so well pleas'd with it, but we wise Parents usually weigh our Children's Happiness in the Scale of our own Inclinations.
Esop. Well, Governor, let it be your Care, then, to make her consent.
Lear. This Moment, my Lord, I reduce her either to Obedience, or to Dust and Ashes.
[Exit Lear.
Esop. Adieu. Now let in the People who come for Audience.
[Esop sits in his Chair, reading of Papers.
Enter two ordinary Tradesmen.
1 Tra. There he is, Neighbour: Do but look at him.