Music. Enter Sir John Worldly, who meets the parson, and entertains him; Count Frederick, Bellafront, Strange, Katherine, Lucida with willow; Pendant, Sir Innocent Ninny, Lady Ninny, Mrs Wagtail, Sir Abraham melancholy. W. P.[28] walk gravely afore all softly on. Scudmore stands before, and a boy sings to the tuned music.
The Song.
They that for worldly wealth do wed,
That buy and sell the marriage-bed,
That come not warm'd with the true fire,
Resolv'd to keep this vow entire,
Too soon find discontent:
Too soon shall they repent.
But, Hymen, these are no such lovers,
Which thy burning torch discovers.
Though they live, then, many a year,
Let each day as new appear
As this first; and delights
Make of all bridal nights.
Iö, Hymen! give consent
Bless'd are the marriages that ne'er repent.
C. Fred. How now! who's this?
Pen. Young Scudmore.
Omnes. 'Tis young Scudmore!
Scud. Canst thou this holy church enter a bride, And not a corse, meeting these eyes of mine?
Bel. Yes, by my troth: what are your eyes to me,
But grey ones, as they are to everybody.
[To the rest.] The gentleman I do a little know:
He's frantic, sure! Forward, a' God's name, there!
Luc. Sister, this is not well, and will be worse.
Scud. O, hold thy thunder fast!