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Con. Nay, if you meet any of those rogues at seasonable hours, you may, by virtue of your of fice, commit him to prison, and then ask him whither he was going.

1 Watch. Why that's as much as my Lord Mayor does.

Con. True, my Lord Mayor can do no more than you, in that point.

2 Watch. But, master constable, what if he should resist us?

Con. Why, if he do resist, you may knock him down, and then bid him staud, and come before the constable. So, now I think you are sufficiently instructed concerning your office: take your stands, you shall hear rogues walking at these seasonable hours, I warrant you; stand close. Enter EUGENIO.

Eug. Now do I take as much care to be apprehended, as others do to escape the watch; I must speak to be overheard, and plainly too, or else these dolts will never conceive me.

Con. Hark, who goes by?

Eug. Oh my conscience, my conscience, the terror of a guilty conscience!

Con. How, conscience talks he of? he's an honest man, I warrant him, let him pass.

2 Watch. Aye, aye, let him pass; good-night, honest gentleman.

Eug. These are wise officers! I must be plainer yet. That gold, that cursed gold, that made me poison him, made me poison Eugenio!

Con. How, made me poison him! he's a knave I warrant him.

3 Watch. Master constable has found him already.

Con. I warrant you a kuave cannot pass me;

go reprehend him, I'll take his excommunication
myself.

1 Watch. Come afore the constable.
2 Watch. Come afore the constable.

Con. Sirrab, sirrah, you would have escaped, would you? no, sirrah, you shall know the king's officers have eyes to hear such rogues as you, Come, sirrah, confess who it was you poisoned. -He looks like a notable rogue.

1 Watch. I do not like his looks.
2 Watch. Nor I.

Con. You would deny it, would you, sirrah? we shall sift you.

Eug. Alas, master constable, I cannot now deny what I have said, you over-heard me; I poisoned Eugenio, son to Lord Polymetes. 1 Watch. O rascal!

2 Watch. My young landlord!

Con. Let him alone, the law shall punish him; but, sirrah, where did you poison him?

Eug. About a day's journey hence; as he was coming home from Athens I met him, and poi

soned him.

Con. But, sirrah, who set you a work? confess, I shall find out the whole nest of these rogues; speak.

Eug. Count Virro hired me to do it.
Con. Oh lying rascal!

1 Watch. Nay, he that will steal will lie.
2 Watch. I'll believe nothing he says.
3 Watch. Belye a man of worship!

4 Watch. A nobleman!

Con. Away with him. I'll hear no more, re mit him to prison. Sirrah, you shall hear of these things to-morrow, where you would be loth to hear them. Come, let's go. [Exeunt.

ACT V.

Enter FRANKLIN, SHALLOW, LUCY, FRANCISCO | To take my daughter even against her will,
in a Parson's habit, and a true Parson other-
wise attired.

Frank. I'll take your council, sir, I'll not be seen in it, but meet you when it is done; you'll marry them?

Franc. Fear not that, sir, I'll do the deed. Frank. I shall rest thankful to you; till then I'll leave you.

Shal. I pray, father, leave us, we know how to behave ourselves alone; methinks, Lucy, we are too many by two yet.

Lucy. You are merry, sir.

Manet FRANKLIN.

[Exeunt.

Now they are sure, or never; poor Francisco, Thou met'st thy match when thou durst undertake To over-reach me with tricks. Where's now your Sumner?

'Fore heaven I cannot but applaud my brain,

And great with child by another; her shame

published,

She cited to the court, and yet bestow her
On such a fortune as rich Shallow is:
Nay, that which is the master-piece of all,
Make him believe 'tis his, though he ne'er touch-
ed her.

If meu ne'er met with crosses in the world,
There were no difference 'twixt the wise and fools.
But I'll go meet them; when 'tis done, I fear
[Exit.

not.

Enter FRANCISCO, Parson, SHALLOW, LUCY., Franc. Nay, fret not now, you had been worse abused

If you had married her; she never loved you.

Lucy. I ever scorned thy folly, and hated thee; though sometimes afore my father I would make an ass of thee.

Shal. Oh women, monstrous women! little does her father know who has married her.

Lucy. Yes, he knows the parson married me, and you can witness that.

Franc. And he shall know the parson will lie with her.

Shal. Well, parson, I will be revenged on all thy coat; I will not plough an acre of ground for you to tythe, I'll rather pasture my neighbours cattle for nothing.

Par. Oh be more charitable, sir; bid God give them joy.

Shal. I care not greatly if I do, he is not the first parson that has taken a gentleman's leavings. Franc. How mean you, sir?

Shal. You guess my meaning. I hope to have good luck to horse-flesh now, she is a parson's wife.

Franc. You have lain with her then, sir? Shal. I cannot tell you that, but if you saw a woman with child, without lying with a man, then perhaps I have not.

Lucy. Impudent coxcomb! darest thou say that ever thou layest with me? Did'st thou ever so much as kiss my hand in private?

Shal. These things must not be spoken of in company.

Lucy. Thou knowest I ever hated thee. Shal. But when you were in the good humour, you would tell me another tale.

Lucy. The fool is mad; by heaven, my Francisco, I am wronged. [He discovers himself.

Franc. Then I must change my note. Sirrah, unsay what you have spoken; swear here, before the parson and myself, you never touched her, or I'll cut thy throat; it is Francisco threatens thee.

Shal. I am in a sweet case, what should I do now? Her father thinks I have lain with her; if I deny it, he will have a bout with me; if I say I have, this young rogue will cut my throat.

Franc. Come, will you swear?

Shal. I would I were fairly off, I would lose my wench with all my heart.-I swear.

Franc. So, now thou art free from any imputation that his tongue can stick upon thee. Enter FRANKLIN.

Frank. Well, now I see 'tis done.
Shal. Here's one shall talk with you.
Frank. God give you joy, son Shallow.
Franc. I thank you, father.

Frank. How's this, Francisco, in the parson's habit?

Franc. I have married her, as you bade me, sir; but this was the truer parson of the two, he tied the knot, and this gentleman is our witness.

Frank. I am undone; strumpet, thou hast betrayed thyself to beggary, to shame besides, and that in open court; but take what thou hast sought, hang, beg, and starve, I'll never pity thee. Lucy. Good sir.

Shal. I told you what would come on't.
Fran. How did your wisdom lose her?

Shal. E'en as you see, I was beguiled, and so

were you.

Frank. Francisco, take her; thou seest the portion thou art like to have.

Franc. Tis such a portion as will ever please me; but, for her sake, be not unnatural. Lucy. Do not reject me, father.

Franc. But for the fault that she must answer for, or shame she should endure in court, behold her yet an untouched virgin. Cushion, come forth; here, signior Shallow, take your child unto you, make much of it, it may prove as wise as the father. [He flings the Cushion at him. Frank. This is more strange than t'other; ah, Lucy, wer't thou so subtle to deceive thyself and me? Well, take thy fortune, 'tis thine own choice.

Franc. Sir, we can force no bounty from you, and therefore must rest content with what your pleasure is.

Enter EUPHUES, ALPHONSO.

Alph. Yonder he is, my lord, that's he in the parson's habit; he is thus disguised about the business I told you of. Lysandro, see your noble father.

Euph. Welcome, my long-lost son, from all the

storms

Of frowning fortune that thou hast endured,
Into thy father's arms.

Lucy. Is my Francisco noble?

Frank. Lord Euphues' son! I am amazed. Euph. I hear, Lysandro, that you are married? Franc. Yes, my lord, this is my bride; the daughter and heir of this rich gentleman; 'twas only she, that when my state was nothing, my poor self and parentage unknown, vouchsafed to know; nay, grace me with her love, her constant love.

Euph. Such merit must not be forgot, my son. Daughter, much joy attend upon your choice. Franc. Now, wants but your consent.

To FRANK. Frank. Which, with a willing heart, I do be

stow.

Pardon me, worthy son, I have so long
Been hard to you; 'twas ignorance
Of what you were, and care I took for her.

Franc. Your care needs no apology.

Euph. But now, Lysandro, I must make thee sad Upon thy wedding-day, and let thee know There is no pure and uncompounded joy Lent to mortality: in depth of woe Thou meet'st the knowledge of thy parentage; Thy elder brother Philocles must die; And in his tragedy our name and house Had sunk for ever, had not gracious heaven Sent, as a comfort to my childless age, Thy long-lost self, supporter of the name. Franc. But can there be no means to save his life?

Euph. Alas, there's none; the king has taken

an oath

Never to pardon him; but since, they say,
His majesty repents, and fain would save him.

Franc. Then am I wretched: like a man long
blind,

That comes at last to see the wished-for sun,
But finds it in eclipse; such is my case,
To meet, in this dark woe, my dearest friends.
Euph. Had you not heard this news before,
Lysandro?

Franc. Yes, sir; and did lament,
As for a worthy stranger, but ne'er knew
My sorrow stood engaged by such a tie

As brotherhood. Where may we see him, sir? Euph. This morning he's arraigned: put off that habit you are in, and go along with ine; leave friends here a while.

your

Franc. Farewell, father;

Dear Lucy, till soon, farewell; nought but so sad A chance could make me cloudy now. [Exeunt. Frank. Well, Lucy, thy choice has proved better than we expected; but this cloud of grief has dimmed our mirth, but will, I hope, blow over; Heaven grant it may! And, signior Shallow, though you have missed what my love meant you once, pray be my guest.

Shal. I thank you, sir, I'll not be strange.

[Exeunt.

Enter KING, NICANOR. King. Nicanor, I would find some privy place, Where I might stand unseen, unknown of any, To hear th' arraignment of young Philocles. Nic. The judges are now entering; please you, sir,

Here to ascend, you may both hear and see.

King. Well, I'll go up;

And, like a jealous husband, hear and see
That, that will strike me dead. Am I a king,
And cannot pardon such a small offence?
I cannot do't, nor am I Cæsar now;
Lust has uncrowned me, and my rash-ta'en oath
Has reft me of a king's prerogative.
Come, come, Nicanor, help me to ascend,
And see that fault that I want power to mend.
[They ascend.
Enter three Judges, VIRRO, POLYMETES, EU-
PHUES, FRANCISCO, LEUCOTHOE, CLERIMONT,
and Roscio.

1 Judge. Bring forth the prisoner; where are
the witnesses?

Poly. Here, my lords; I am the wronged party, and the fact, my man here, besides the officers *that took them, can justify.

2 Judge. That's enough.

Enter PHILOCLES, with a Guard.

Phil. Spare that labour;

I do confess the fact that I am charged with,
And speak as much as my accusers can,
As much as all the witnesses can prove;
'Twas I that stole away the daughter and heir
Of lord Polymetes, which, were't to do again,
Rather than lose her, I again would venture.
This was the fact: your sentence, honoured fa-
thers.

Cler. 'Tis brave and resolute.

1 Judge. A heavy sentence, noble Philocles;
And such a one, as I could wish myself
Off from this place, some other might deliver;
You must die for it, death is your sentence.

Phil. Which I embrace with willingness. Now,

my lord,.

Is your hate glutted yet, or is my life [To POLY.
Too poor a sacrifice to appease the rancour
Of your inveterate malice? If it be, to 12
Invent some scandal, that may after blot
My reputation.-Father, dry your tears,

[To EUPH.
Weep not for me, my death shall leave no stain
Upon your blood, nor blot on your fair name:
The honoured ashes of my ancestors,
May still rest quiet in their tear-wet urns
For any fact of mine; I might have lived,
If heaven had not prevented it, and found
Death for some foul, dishonourable act.
Brother, farewell; no sooner have I found

[TO FRANC.

But I must leave thy wished-for company.
Farewell, my dearest love; live thou still happy;
And may some one of more desert than I,
Be blest in the enjoying what I lose.

I need not wish him happiness that has thee,
For thou wilt bring it; may he prove as good
As thou art worthy!

Leucoth. Dearest Philocles,
There is no room for any man but thee
Within this breast. Oh good my lords,
Be merciful, condemn us both together,
Our faults are both alike; why should the law
Be partial thus, and lay it all on him?

1 Judge. Lady, I would we could as lawfully Save him as you, he should not die for this.

Enter Constable, leading EUGENIO.

How now, who's that you have brought there?
Con. A benefactor, an't please your lordships;
I reprehended him in my watch last night.
Vir. Irus is taken!

2 Judge. What's his offence?

Con. Murder.

Watch. No, Mr Constable, 'twas but poisoning

1 Judge. Philocles, stand to the bar, and an- of a man. swer to such crimes

As shall be here objected against thy life.

Read the indictment.

Con. Go, thou art a fool.

Vir. I am undone for ever, all will out.

3 Judge. What proofs have you against him?

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S Judge. And that's an ill profession, to be a murderer; thou meanest he has confest the fact? Con. Yes, my lord, he cannot deny it.

1 Judge. Did he not name the party, who it was that he had poisoned?

Con. Marry, with reverence be it spoken, it was Eugenio, my lord Polymetes' son. Poly. How's this!

1 Judge. He died long since at Athens. Poly. I cannot tell what I should think of it; This is the man that lately brought me news My son was living.

2 Judge. Fellow, stand to the bar; thou hear'st thy accusation, what can'st thou say? Eug. Ah, my good lord,

I cannot now deny what I have said;
This man o'erheard me, as my bleeding heart
Was making a confession of my crime.

Con. I told him, an't shall please your lordships, the king's officers had eyes to hear such

rascals.

1 Judge. You have been careful in your office, constable;

You may now leave your prisoner.

Con. I'll leave the felon with your lordship. 1 Judge. Farewell, good constable; murder, I see, will out. [Exit Constable.

Why didst thou poison him? Eug. I was poor, and want made me be hired. 2 Judge. Hired, by whom?

Eug. By count Virro; there he stands.

Vir. I do beseech your lordships not to credit what this base fellow speaks; I ain innocent.

1 Judge. I do believe you are; sirrah, speak truth,

You have not long to live.

2 Judge. Why, then, against you both do I pro

nounce

Sentence of death.

Ambo. The law is just.

Poly. Wretch that I am, is my dissembled grief Turned to true sorrow? Were my acted tears But prophecies of my ensuing woe, And is he truly dead? Oh pardon me, Dear ghost of my Eugenio, 'twas my fault That called this hasty vengeance from the gods, And shortened thus thy life; for whilst with tricks I sought to fasten wealth upon our house, I brought a cannibal to be the grave Of me and mine! base, bloody, murderous count! Vir. Vile cozener! cheating lord! dissembler ! 1 Judge. Peace! stop the mouth of malediction there,

This is no place to rail in.

Euph. Ye just powers,

That to the quality of inan's offence
Shape your correcting rods, and punish there
Where he has sinned! did not my bleeding heart
Bear such a heavy share in this day's woe,

I could, with a free soul, applaud your justice.
Poly. Lord Euphucs, and Philocles, forgive me;
To make amends, I know's impossible,
For what my malice wrought; but I would fain
Do somewhat that might testify my grief
And true repentance.

Eug. That is what I looked for.

Euph. You're kind too late, my lord; had you

been thus

When need required, y' had saved yourself and

me,

Our hapless sons; but if your grief be true,
I can forgive you heartily.
Phil. And I.

Eug. Now comes iny cue. My lord Polymetes,

Eug. Please it your lordship, I may relate the Under correction, let me ask one question.

manner,

3 Judge. Do.

Eug. Eugenio was alive, when first the news Was spread in Syracuse that he was dead; Which false report, count Virro crediting, Became an earnest suitor to his sister, Thinking her heir; but finding afterwards Her brother lived, and coming home, Not a day's journey hence, he sent me to him, And, with a promise of five hundred crowns, Hired me to poison him: that this is true, Here's his own hand to witness it against him, Please it your lordships to peruse the writing, 1 Judge. This is his hand.

2 Judge. Sure as I live, I have seen warrants from him with just these characters.

3 Judge. Besides, methinks this fellow's tale is likely.

Poly. 'Tis too true.

This fellow's sudden going from my house
Put me into a fear.

1 Judge. Count Virro, stand to the bar;
What can you say to clear you of this murder?
Vir. Nothing, iny lords, I must confess the fact.
VOL. I.

Poly. What question? speak.

Eug. If this young lord should live, would you bestow your daughter willingly upon him? would you, my lord?

Poly. As willingly as I would breathe myself. Eug. Then dry all your eyes,

There's no man here shall have a cause to weep. Your life is saved, Leucothoë is no heir, [To PHIL. Her brother lives; and that clears you, count Virro,

Of your supposed murder,

All. How! lives?

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Her portion shall be double what I meant it.
Phil. I thank your lordship.
Poly. Brother Euphues,

I hope all emnity is now forgot
Betwixt our houses.

Euph. Let it be ever so, I do embrace your
love.

Vir. Well, my life is saved yet, though my wench be lost.

God give you joy!

Phil. Thanks, good my lord.

King. Thanks, good Philocles.

But where's the man, whose happy presence
brought

All this unlooked for sport? where is Eugenio?
Eug. Here, my dread liege.
King. Welcome to Syracuse.

Welcome Eugenio; pr'ythee ask some boon,
That may requite the good that thou hast done.
Eug. I thank your majesty; what I have done
Needs no requital: but I have a suit
Unto lord Euphues; please it your majesty

1 Judge. How suddenly this tragic scene is To be to him an intercessor for me,

changed,

And turned to comedy!

2 Judge. 'Tis very strange.
Poly. Let us conclude within.
King. Stay, and take my joy with

you.

[The King speaks from above. Euph. His majesty is coming down, let us at

tend.

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I make no question but I shall obtain.

King. What is it? speak; it shall be granted thee.

Eug. That it would please him to bestow on

me

His niece, the fair and virtuous lady, Leda.

Euph. With all my heart; I know 'twill please
her well:

I have often heard her praise Eugenio.
It shall be done within.

King. Then here all strife ends.
I'll be your guest myself to-day, and help
To solemnize this double marriage.

Poly. Your royal presence shall much honour

us.

King. Then lead away; the happy knot you tie, Concludes in love two houses' enmity.

THE EPILOGUE.

Her higher yet; and from your pleased hands give
A dowry, that will make her truly live.

OUR Heir is fallen from her inheritance;
But has obtained her love: you may advance

EDITION.

The Heire, a Comedie, as it was acted by the Company of the Revels, 1620. Written by T. M. The second impression. London, printed by Augustine Mathewes for Thomas Jones; and are to be sold at his shop in S. Dunstans Church-yard, in Fleet-street. 1633. 4to.

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