The knight's not yet apparent.--Marry, here's a forerunner that summons a parle, and saith, he'll be here top and top- gallant presently.

CLARE.

Tis well, good mine host; go down, and see breakfast be provided.

HOST.

Knight, thy breath hath the force of a woman, it takes me down; I am for the baser element of the kitchen: I retire like a valiant soldier, face point blank to the foe-man, or, like a Courtier, that must not shew the Prince his posteriors; vanish to know my canuasadoes, and my interrogatories, for I serve the good Duke of Norfolk.

[Exit.]

CLARE.

How doth my Lady? are you not weary, Madam?

Come hither, I must talk in private with you; My daughter Milliscent must not over-hear.

MILLISCENT.

Aye, whispring; pray G.o.d it tend my good!

Strange fear a.s.sails my heart, usurps my blood.

CLARE.

You know our meeting with the knight Mounchensey Is to a.s.sure our daughter to his heir.

DORCAS.

Tis, without question.

CLARE.

Two tedious winters have past o'er, since first These couple lov'd each other, and in pa.s.sion Glued first their naked hands with youthful moisture-- Just so long, on my knowledge.

DORCAS.

And what of this?

CLARE.

This morning should my daughter lose her name, And to Mounchenseys house convey our arms, Quartered within his scutcheon; th' affiance, made Twist him and her, this morning should be sealed.

DORCAS.

I know it should.

CLARE.

But there are crosses, wife; here's one in Waltham, Another at the Abbey, and the third At Cheston; and tis ominous to pa.s.s Any of these without a pater-noster.

Crosses of love still thwart this marriage, Whilst that we two, like spirits, walk in night About those stony and hard hearted plots.

MILLISCENT.

O G.o.d, what means my father?

CLARE.

For look you, wife, the riotous old knight Hath o'rerun his annual revenue In keeping jolly Christmas all the year: The nostrils of his chimney are still stuft With smoke, more chargeable then Cane-tobacco; His hawks devour his fattest dogs, whilst simple, His leanest curs eat him hounds carrion.

Besides, I heard of late, his younger brother, A Turkey merchant, hath sure suck'de the knight By means of some great losses on the sea, That, you conceive me, before G.o.d all is naught, His seat is weak: thus, each thing rightly scanned, You'll se a flight, wife, shortly of his land.

MILLISCENT.

Treason to my hearts truest sovereign: How soon is love smothered in foggy gain!

DORCAS.

But how shall we prevent this dangerous match?

CLARE.

I have a plot, a trick, and this is it- Under this colour I'll break off the match: I'll tell the knight that now my mind is changd For marrying of my daughter, for I intend To send her unto Cheston Nunry.

MILLISCENT.

O me accurst!

CLARE.

There to become a most religious Nun.

MILLISCENT.

I'll first be buried quick.

CLARE.

To spend her beauty in most private prayers.

MILLISCENT.

I'll sooner be a sinner in forsaking Mother and father.

CLARE.

How dost like my plot?

DORCAS.

Exceeding well; but is it your intent She shall continue there?

CLARE.

Continue there? Ha, ha, that were a jest!

You know a virgin may continue there A twelve month and a day only on trial.

There shall my daughter sojourn some three months, And in mean time I'll compa.s.s a fair match Twixt youthful Jerningham, the l.u.s.ty heir Of Sir Raph Jerningham, dwelling in the forest- I think they'll both come hither with Mounchensey.

DORCAS.

Your care argues the love you bear our child; I will subscribe to any thing you'll have me.

[Exeunt.]

MILLISCENT.

You will subscribe it! good, good, tis well; Love hath two chairs of state, heaven and h.e.l.l.

My dear Mounchensey, thou my death shalt rue, Ere to my heart Milliscent prove untrue.

[Exit.]

SCENE II. The same.

[Enter Blague.]

HOST.