Fris. Lord, Lord, how shall poor Frisco reward your rich tidings, gentlemen? I am yours till Shrove-Tuesday, for then change I my copy, and look like nothing but red-herring-cobs and stock-fish; yet I'll do somewhat for you in the meantime. My master is abroad, and my young mistresses at home: if you can do any good on them, before the Frenchman come, why so. Ah! gentlemen, do not suffer a litter of languages to spring up amongst us. I must to the walk in Paul's, you to the vestry. Gentlemen, as to myself and so forth. [Exit Frisco.
Har. Fools tell the truth, men say, and so may he.
Wenches, we come now; love our conduct be!
Ned, knock at the door.—But soft, forbear!
Enter Laurentia, Marina, and Mathea.
The cloud breaks up, and our three suns appear.
To this I fly. Shine bright, my life's sole stay,
And make grief's night a glorious summer's day.
Mar. Gentlemen, how welcome you are here,
Guess by our looks, for other means by fear
Prevented is. Our father's quick return
Forbids the welcome else we would have done.
Wal. Mathea, how these faithful thoughts obey—
Math. No more, sweet love, I know what thou wouldst say.
You say you love me, so I wish you still:
Love hath love's hire, being balanc'd with good-will.
But say; come you to us, or come you rather
To pawn more lands for money to our father?
I know 'tis so; i' God's name, spend at large:
What, man, our marriage-day will all discharge.
Our father (by his leave) must pardon us.
Age save of age of nothing can discuss;
But in our loves the proverb we'll fulfil—
Women and maids must always have their will.
Heigh. Say thou as much, and add life to this corse.
Laur. Yourself and your good news do more enforce.
How these have set forth love by all their wit;
I swear in heart, I more than double it.
Sisters, be glad, for he hath made it plain,
The means to get our schoolmaster again,[492]
But, gentlemen, for this time cease our loves;
This open street perhaps suspicion moves.
Fain we would stay, bid you walk in more rather,
But that we fear the coming of our father.
Go to th' Exchange, crave gold as you intend:
Pisaro scrapes for us; for us you spend.
We say farewell more sadlier, be bold.
Than would my greedy father to his gold:
We here, you there; ask gold, and gold you shall:
We'll pay the interest and the principal. [Exeunt Sisters.
Wal. That's my good girls, and I'll pay you for all.