Love. This is downright raillery, Lappet, to make me up a fortune out of the expenses she won't put me to.But there is another thing that disturbs me. You know this girl is young, and young people generally love one another's company; it would ill agree with a person of my temper to keep an assembly for all the young rakes, and flaunting girls in town. Lap. Ah, Sir, how little do you know of her! This is another particularity that I had to tell you of;-she has a most terrible aversion to young people, and loves none but persons of your years. I would advise you, above all things, to take care not to appear too young. She insists on sixty at least. She says that fifty-six years are not able to content her. Love. This humour is a little strange, methinks. Lap. She carries it further, Sir, than can be imagined. She has in her chamber several pictures; but, what do you think they are? None of your smockfaced yourg fellows, your Adonises, your Parises, and your Apolloes: No, Sir, you see nothing there, but your handsome figures of Saturn, king Priam, old Nestor, and good father Anchises upon his son's shoulders. Love. Admirable! This is more than I could have hoped; to say the truth, had I been a woman, I should never have loved young fellows. Lap. I believe you: pretty sort of stuff, indeed, to be in love with your young fellows! Pretty masters, indeed, with their fine complexions, and their fine feathers! Love. And do you really think me pretty tolerable ? Lap. Tolerable! You are ravishing: If your picture was drawn by a good hand, Sir, it would be invaluable! Turn about a little, if you please—there, what can be more charming? Let me see you walk-there's a person for you; tall, straight, free and degagee: Why, Sir, you have no fault about you. Love. Not many-hem-hem—not many, I thank Heaven; only a few rheumatic pains now and then, and a small catarrh that seizes me sometimes. Lap. Ah, Sir, that's nothing; your catarrh sits very well upon you, and you cough with a very good grace. Love. But tell me, what does Mariana say of my per &son? Lap. She has a particular pleasure in talking of it; and I assure you, Sir, I have not been backward, on all such occasions, to blazon forth your merit, and to make her sensible how advantageous a match you will be to her? Love. You did very well, and I am obliged to you. Lap. But, Sir, I have a small favour to ask of you;-I have a lawsuit depending, which I am on the very brink of losing, for want of a little money; [He looks gravely] and you could easily procure my success, if you had the least friendship for me.-You can't imagine, Sir, the pleasure she takes in talking of you: [He looks pleased] Ah! How you will delight her, how your venerable mien will charm her! She will never be able to withstand you. But indeed, Sir, this lawsuit will be a terrible consequence to me: [He looks grave again] I am ruined if I lose it; which a very small matter might prevent-ah! Sir, had you but seen the raptures with which she heard me talk of you. [He resumes his gaiety] How pleasure sparkled in her eyes at the recital of your good qualities! In short, to discover a secret to you, which I promised to conceal, I have worked up her imagination till she is downright impatient of having the match concluded. Love. Lappet, you have acted a very friendly part; and I own that I have all the obligations in the world to you. * Lap. I beg you would give me this little assistance, Sir: [He looks serious] It will set me on my feet, and I shall be eternally obliged to you. 1 1 Love. Farewell; I'll go and finish my despatches. Lap. I assure you, Sir, you could never assist me in a greater necessity. Love. I must give some orders about a particular affair. Lap. I would not importune you, Sir, if I was not forced by the last extremity. 1 Love. I expect the tailor, about turning my coat :t:-don't you think this coat will look well enough turned, and with new buttons, for a wedding suit? Lap. For pity's sake, Sir, don't. refuse me this small favour: I shall be undone, indeed, Sir. If it were but so small a matter as ten pounds, Sir གས་ Love. I think I hear the tailor's voice. Lap. If it were but five pounds, Sir; but three pounds, Sir; nay, Sir, a single guinea would be of service for a day or two. [As he offers to go out on either side, he intercepts him.] Love. I must go, I can't stay- -hark, there! Somebody calls me I am very much obliged to you, indeed; I am very much obliged to you. [Exit. Lap. Go to the devil, like a covetous good for nothing villain as you are. Ramilie is in the right; however, I shall not quit the affair; for though I get nothing out of him, I am sure of my reward from the other side. VL-Cardinal Wolsey and Cromwell. Wol. FAREWELL, a long farewell to all my greatness! This is the state of man; to-day he puts forth The tender leaves of hope; to-morrow blossoms, And bears his blushing honours thick upon him; The third day comes a frost, a killing frost, And when he thinks, good easy man, full surely His greatness is a ripening, nips his shootAnd then he falls, as I do. I have ventured, Like little wanton boys that swim on bladders, These many summers in a sea of glory; But far beyond my depth; my high blown pride At length broke under me; and now has left me, Weary and old with service, to the mercy Of a rude stream that must forever hide me. Vain pomp and glory of the world, I hate ye! I feel my heart new open'd. Oh, how wretched Is that poor man that hangs on princes' favours! There is, betwixt that smile he would aspire to, That sweet regard of princes, and his ruin, More pangs and fears than war or women have; And when he falls, he falls like Lucifer, Never to hope again. Why, how now, Cromwell? [Enter Cromwell. Crom. I have no power to speak, Sir. At my misfortunes? Can thy spirit wonder Crom. How does your Grace? Wol. Why, well ; Never so truly happy, my good Cromwell. I know myself now, and I feel within me. A peace above all earthly dignities; A still and quiet conscience. The king has eas'd me, Dde These ruined pillars, out of pity taken Crom. I'm glad your Grace has made that right use of it. T'endure more miseries, and greater far, Crom. The heaviest and the worst I Is your displeasure with the king. Wol. God bless him! Crom. The next is, that Sir Thomas More is chosen. Lord Chancellor in your place. Wol. That's somewhat sudden But he's a learned man. May he continue Crom. That Cranmer is return'd with welcome; Crom. Last, that the lady Anne, Whom the king hath in secrecy long married, # Wol. There was the weight that pulled me down: 0 Cromwell! The king has gone beyond me; all my glories No sun shall ever usher forth my honours, Or gild again the noble troops that waited (I know his noble nature) not to let Thy hopeful service perish too. Good Cromwell; Neglect him not; make use now and provide Crom. Oh, my lord! Must I then leave you? Must I needs forego Wol. Cromwell-I did not think to shed a tear In all my miseries-but thou hast forc'd me, Out of thy honest truth, to play the womanLet's dry our eyes; and thus far hear me, Cromwell; And, when I am forgotten, as I shall be, And sleep in dull cold marble, where no mention Of me must more be heard-say then I taught thee: Say, Wolsey, that once rode the waves of glory, And sounded all the depths and shoals of honour, Found thee away, out of his wreck, to rise in; A sure and safe one, though thy master miss'd it. Mark but my fall, and that which ruined me. Cromwell, I charge thee, fling away ambition : By that sin fell the angels; how can man, then, (Though the image of his Maker) hope to win by't? Love thyself last; cherish those hearts that wait thee: Corruption wins not more than honesty. Still in thy right hand carry gentle peace, To silence envious tongues. Be just and fear not. Let all the ends thou aim'st at be thy country's, There take an inventory of all I have; To the last penny, 'tis the king's. My robe, -I dare now call my own. Oh, Cromwell, Cromwell! Crom. Good Sir, have patience. Wol. So I have. Farewell The hopes of court! My hopes in heaven do dwell. |