NURSE.
How say you by that, mistress? He'll do anything for your sake.
LELIA.
Thanks, gentle love:
But, lest my father should suspect—
Whose jealous head with more than Argus' eyes
Doth measure ev'ry gesture that I use—
I'll in, and leave you here alone.
Adieu, sweet friend, until we meet again.
Come, nurse, follow me.
[Exeunt LELIA and NURSE.
SOPHOS.
Farewell, my love, fair fortune be thy guide!
Now, Sophos, now bethink thyself, how thou
May'st win her father's will to knit this happy knot.
Alas! thy state is poor, thy friends are few.
And fear forbids to tell my fate to friends:[145]
Well, I'll try my fortunes;
And find out some convenient time,
When as her father's leisure best shall serve
To confer with him about fair Lelia's love.
[Exit SOPHOS.
Enter GRIPE, old PLOD-ALL, CHURMS, and WILL CRICKET.
GRIPE. Neighbour Plod-all and Master Churms, y'are welcome to my house. What news in the country, neighbour? You are a good husband; you ha' done sowing barley, I am sure?
PLOD-ALL.
Yes, sir, an't please you, a fortnight since.
GRIPE.
Master Churms, what say my debtors? can you get any money of them yet?
CHURMS. Not yet, sir; I doubt they are scarce able to pay. You must e'en forbear them awhile; they'll exclaim on you else.
GRIPE.
Let them exclaim, and hang, and starve, and beg. Let me ha' my money.