The Puritaine Widdow Part 21

SCENE I. An apartment in the Widow's house.

[Enter Moll, and Sir John Penny-dub.]

PENNY.

But I hope you will not serve a Knight so, Gentlewoman, will you? to cas.h.i.+er him, and cast him off at your pleasure? what, do you thiunk I was dubbed for nothing? no, by my faith, Ladies daughter.

MOLL.

Pray, Sir John Pennydub, let it be deferred awhile. I have as big a heart to marry as you can have; but as the Fortune- teller told me--

PENNY.

Pax a'th Fortune-teller! would Derecke had been his fortune seven year ago, to cross my love thus! did he know what case I was in? why, this is able to make a man drown himself in's Father's fish-pond.

MOLL.

And then he told me more-over, Sir John, that the breach of it kept my Father in Purgatory.

PENNY.

In Purgatory? why let him purge out his heart there, what have we to do with that? there's Philistions enow there to cast his water: is that any matter to us? how can he hinder our love? why, let him be hangd now he's dead!--Well, have I rid my post day and night, to bring you merry news of my father's death, and now--

MOLL.

Thy Father's death? is the old Faarmer dead?

PENNY.

As dead as his Barn door, Moll.

MOLL.

And you'll keep your word with me now, Sir John, that I shall have my Coach and my Coach-man?

PENNY.

Aye, faith.

MOLL.

And two white Horses with black Feathers to draw it?

PENNY.

Too.

MOLL.

A guarded Lackey to run befor't, and pied liveries to come tras.h.i.+ng after't.

PENNY.

Thou shalt, Moll.

MOLL.

And to let me have money in my purse to go whether I will.

PENNY.

All this.

MOLL.

Then come what so ere comes on't, we'll be made sure together before the Maids a' the Kitchen.

[Exeunt.]

SCENE II. A room in the Widow's house, with a door at the side, leading to another apartment.

[Enter Widdow, with her eldest Daughter Frances and Frailty.]

WIDOW.

How now? where's my Brother, Sir G.o.dfrey? went he forth this morning?

FRAILTY.

O no, Madame, he's above at break-fast, with, sir reverence, a Conjurer.

WIDOW.

A Conjurer? what manner a fellow is he?

FRAILTY.

Oh, a wondrous rare fellow, Mistress, very strongly made upward, for he goes in a Buff-jerkin: he says he will fetch Sir G.o.dfrey's Chain again, if it hang between heaven and earth.

WIDOW.

What, he will not? then he's an exlent fellow, I warrant.

How happy were that woman to be blest with such a Husband!

a man a cunning! how do's he look, Frailty? very swartly, I warrant, with black beard, scorcht cheeks, and smoky eyebrows.

FRAILTY.

Fooh, he's neither smoke-dried, nor scorcht, nor black, nor nothing. I tell you, Madame, he looks as fair to see to, as one of us; I do not think but if you saw him once, you'd take him to be a Christian.

FRANCES.

So fair, and yet so cunning: that's to be wonderd at, Mother.

[Enter Sir Oliver Muck-hill, and Sir Andrew Tip-staff.]

MUCK.

Bless you, sweet Lady.

TIP.

And you, fair Mistress.

[Exit Frailty.]

WIDOW.

Coades? what do you mean, Gentlemen? fie, did I not give you your answers?

MUCK.

Sweet Lady.