Be witness here. Upon a doubtful rumour
Of two ships wreck'd, as they return'd from Ormus,
My uncle covenants to give three parts
To have the fourth secured. And these two here,
[Seathrift, Roseclap, Bright, and Newcut subscribe as witnesses.
Enter Salewit and Cypher.
Not to afflict you longer, uncle; since
We now are quiet, know all this was my project.
You'll not believe me, here's the sailor who, [Cypher undisguises.
Transform'd to Cypher, can tell you.
I hired this travelling case of one o' th' sailors
That came in one of 'em: they lie at Blackwall.
Troth, I in pity, sir, to Master Plotwell,
Thought it my duty to deceive you.
What, are these masquers too?
Can change their forms too. They are two friends, [They undisguise.
Worth threescore thousand pounds, sir, to my use.
Th' hast a good pennyworth on't. The jest is worth
Three parts of four.
Tonnage and poundage into th' bargain.
To a chaste Lucrece, sirrah!
Were married but in jest. 'Twas no church-form,
But a fine legend out of Rab'lais.
This reverend weed cast off, I'm a lay poet, [Salewit undisguises.
And cannot marry, unless't be in a play—
In the fifth act or so; and that's almost
Worn out of fashion too.
That show'd my son. [Aside.
I hope you'll not retract. That and three parts
Of your two ships, besides what you will leave
Us at your death, will make a pretty stock
For young beginners.
We have not been abed yet, but may go,
And no law broken.
Y' have wrong'd me; and I look for satisfaction.
Betroth'd once to my daughter?
And Mistress Holland help to make you sure?
Then, have you match'd this woman?
This is your daughter, sir. I'm hers by conquest
For this day's service.
Be out in my own child so?
And yet to see, now you have not your wire
Nor city ruff on, Mistress Sue, how these
Clothes do beguile! In truth, I took you for
A gentlewoman.
Why, how now, sir, these young heads have outgone us.
Was my son o' th' plot too?
Is married too. I did strike up a wedding
Between him and my sister.
Enter Timothy and Aurelia.
They come without their maidenheads.[262]
Is better still. Now, sir, you might have ask'd
Consent of parents.
I thought I had match'd a lady, but she proves——
Salute my wife, and tell me if one may not
Lie with her lips: nay, you too, Mistress Holland,
You taught her to make shirts and bone-lace; she's
Out of her time now.
Went to maintain the title out of hope
To gain some great match for her; which you see
Is come to pass.
Things are just fallen out as we contriv'd 'em:
I grieve not I'm deceiv'd. Believe me, gentlemen,
You all did your parts well; 'twas carried cleanly;
And though I could take some things ill of you,
Fair mistress, yet 'twas plot, and I forget it.
Let's in and make 'em portions.
You have a brother, sir, and you a father.
Was held the wealthiest merchant on th' Exchange.
The debt for which he broke I hear you have
Compounded.
Let it not breed repentance that I have,
For my security, to 'scape your father,
Awhile descended from myself to this
Unworthy shape. Now I can cast it off,
And be my true self. I have a ship which fame
Gave out for lost, but just now landed too,
Worth twenty thousand pounds, towards your match.
Unto our joys, and made these nuptials
Imperfect, brother, you by your discovery
Have fully added.
Enter Cypher.
Within, and have both brought their wives.
Intended for my wedding shall be yours.
When old, your time was but one marriage-day.
FOOTNOTES:
[256] Dr Warburton observes (note to "Henry IV.," Part I., act ii. sc. 4) that in the persecutions of the Protestants in Flanders under Philip II. those who came over into England on that occasion brought with them the woollen manufactory. These being Calvinists were joined by those of the same persuasion from other countries, and amongst the rest from Geneva.
[257] Rosemary was anciently supposed to strengthen the memory, and was therefore distributed at marriages and funerals. See a note on "Hamlet," x. 355, edit. 1778.
[258] [Old copies, ach.]
[259] The stately step and pompous manner, used by the prologue-speakers of the times, are still retained in delivering the few lines used as a prologue in "Hamlet." These particularities seem to have been delivered traditionally to the present race of actors from their brethren in the seventeenth century.
[260] See a note on "Timon of Athens," edit. 1778, viii. 409.—Steevens.
[261] See [Randolph's Works, by Hazlitt, i. 209.] Aretine's pictures, there mentioned, were in fact Aretine's pictures of postures here alluded to.—Collier.
[262] In the old copies the name of Penelope (i.e., Aurelia) is placed before this line, but it seems to belong to Plotwell, and to be a continuation of what he has just before said.—Collier.