And an old merchant to desire access.
If we be seen, the plot is spoil'd. Sister,
Now look you do your part well.
SCENE VIII.
Enter Bannswright, Warehouse, Dorcas.
I've brought him here, according to my function,
To give you both an interview: if you
Be ready, the church and priest are.
That, if you'll wear the price of baronies,
Or live at Cleopatra's rate, can keep you.
I did employ my speaker there, who hath,
I hope, inform'd you with my purpose.
Your speaker then hath err'd; I understood
Him for my woman: if you can like her, sir,
It being, for aught I hear, all one to you,
I've woo'd her for you. But, for myself, could you
Endow me with the stream that ebbs and flows
In waves of gold, I hope you do not think
I'd so much stain my birth, as to be bought
To match into a company. Sir, plainly,
I'm match'd already.
Tell me she'd have me?
That might deceive me; but I did dream waking,
If she were not the party. Madam, pray you,
One word in private.
My brother laid the scene for me; but since
We've chang'd the plot, and 'tis contriv'd my woman
Shall undertake my part. [Aside.
I was mistaken, sir; indeed the lady
Spoke to me for her gentlewoman. How
Do you affect her, sir? you see she is
As handsome as her lady; and, her birth
Not being so high, she will more size with you.
May govern as you list. I'll motion't. Lady,
Pray, pardon our mistake; indeed our errand
Was chiefly to your gentlewoman.
She's one, whose fortune I so much intend;
And yours, sir, are so fair that, though there be
Much disproportion in your age, yet I
Will overrule her, and she shall refer
Herself to be dispos'd by me.
I have provided for you: he is old,
But he has that will make him young, much gold.
Your care, as well as my preferment, I'd
Have more experience of the man I mean
To make my husband. At first sight to marry,
Must argue me of lightness.
Do woo by pictures and ambassadors,
And match in absent ceremonies.
You look for some great portion, sir?
Your virtues are to me a wealthy dowry;
And if you love me, I shall think you bring
More than the Indies.
You'll be against my course of life. I love
Retirement, must have times for my devotion,
Am little us'd to company, and hate
The vanity of visits.
Love you the more.
To go to sea, and leave me: I shall dream
Of nought but storms and pirates; every wind
Will break my sleep.
Is one thing more: I hear you have a nephew
You mean to make your heir; I hope you will
Settle some jointure on me.
In my intents that, to revenge myself,
I take this course. But, to remove your doubts,
I've brought my lawyer with blank deeds:
He shall put in your name; and I, before
We go to church, will seal 'em.
Where is your priest, sir?
The French Church, mistress.
I'll bear a part in the solemnity. [Exeunt.
FOOTNOTES:
[244] i.e., To make some of the lesser necessaries of a theatre, properties being the usual term for them. So Bottom, in the "Midsummer Night's Dream"—
"I will draw a bill of properties."
See a note on this passage.—Steevens.
Mr Steevens, in his note upon "Midsummer Night's Dream," (Malone's Shakespeare, by Boswell, v. 198), says that dresses were not included in the properties of theatres. Maine's authority is to the contrary, if Aurelia's apparel were to be used for the apparel of the actors.—Collier.
[245] Cuerpo is an undress: the Spaniards, from whom we borrowed the word, apply it to a person in a light jacket without his cabot or cloak.—Mr Gifford's note on the "Fatal Dowry," iii. 390. Cuerpo is the body, and in cuerpo means in body clothing.—Collier.
[246] i.e., The gold on my apparel. So in "King Henry V."
"Our gayness and our gilt are all besmerch'd."
See a note on this passage, vi., 128, edit. 1778.—Steevens.
[247] [Omitted in former edit.]
[248] [The christening-fee.] The chrysome was the white cloth thrown over the new-baptized child. This perhaps was the perquisite of the officiating clergyman. The child itself, however, was sometimes called a chrysome. See a note on "King Henry V.," vi., 52, edit. 1778.—Steevens.
[249] i.e., Leopards, animals often introduced into heraldic devices.
[250] [Former edit., vocation.]
[251] [Run into debt. Scores used to be chalked up at taverns. Hence the proverb, "The tapster is undone by chalk!" From being a particular phrase, it became general.]
[252] [The allowance to a kept mistress.]
[253] A biggon was a kind of coif formerly worn by men. It is now only in use for children.
[254] [Granting infant to be the right word, we are perhaps to suppose that illegitimate children were surreptitiously deposited on mercers' counters, occasionally, wrapped up as parcels. Upon their strengths appears to mean upon their credit.]
[255] From Dugdale's "Origines Juridiciales," p. 207, &c., we learn that the office of a Reader at the Middle Temple was held at a great charge to the person who executed it. "His expences," says that author, "during this time of reading, are very great; insomuch, as some have spent above six hundred pounds in two dayes less than a fortnight, which now is the usual time of reading." It appears also that many gentlemen, who were put by their reading, were removed from the Bar-table unto a table called, The Auncients Table; "And it is no disgrace," says the same author, "for any man to be removed hither; for by reason of the excessive chardge of readings, many men of great learning and competent practise, as well as others of less learning, but great estates, have refused to Read, and are here placed." To relieve the gentlemen who undertook this expensive office, it seems to have been usual to call upon the students for their assistance; and this circumstance is alluded to in the text. [The Ancients' Table is the same as the Benchers', and at Gray's Inn the Benchers are still called Ancients.]