Cutter of Coleman-street/Act 1 Scene 2

by Abraham Cowley

Scene 2.

Truman Senior, Truman Junior.

Trum. Sen.Well, Dick, you know what you swore to me yesterday,
And solemnly.

I ha' been considering, and considering all Night, Dick, for your good, and me-thinks, supposing I were a young man again, and the case my own (for I love to be just in all things) me-thinks 'tis hard for a young man, I say, who has been a Lover so long as you ha' been, to break off on a suddain. Am I in the right or no, Dick? Do you mark me?

Trum. jun.Hard, Sir, 'tis harder much than any death
Prolong'd by Tortures.

Trum. Sen.Why so I thought; and therefore out o' my care for your ease, I have hit upon an Expedient that I think will salve the matter!

Trum. jun.And I will thank you for it more, Sir,
Than for the life you gave me.

Trum. sen.Why! well said, Dick, and I'me glad with all my Heart, I thought upon't; in brief, 'tis this, Dick;
I ha' found out another Mistris for you.

Trum. jun.Another? Heaven forbid, Sir!

Trum. sen.I; Another, Good-man Jack Sawce; marry come up;
Wo'nt one o' my choosing serve your turn, as well
As one o' your own; sure I'me the older man,
Jack Sawce, and should be the Wiser!

Trum. Jun.But Nature, Sir, that's wiser than all Mankind,
Is Mistris in the choice of our affections,
Affections are not rais'd from outward Reasons,
But inward Sympathies.

Trum. sen.Very well, Dick, if you be a dutiful son to me, you shall have a good Estate, and so has she;
There's Sympathy for you now; but I perceive
You'r hankring still after Mrs. Lucy,
Do, do! forswear your self; do, damn your self, and be a beggar too; sure I would never undo my self, by perjury; if I had a mind to go to hell, Cromwel should make me a Lord for't! I, and one of his Councel too, I'de never be damn'd for nothing, for a Whim∣wham in a Coif. But to be short, The person I design for you is Mrs. Tabith Baarebottle, our neighbour the Widow's daughter. What do you start at, Sirra? I, Sirra, Jack an-apes, if you start when your father speaks to you.

Trum. Jun.You did not think her father once I'me sure
A person fit for your Alliance, when he plundred your House in Hartfordshire, and took away the very Hop-poles, pretending they were Arms too.

Trum. sen.He was a very Rogue, that's the Truth on't, as to the business between man and man, but as to God-ward he was always counted an Upright man, and very devout. But that's all one, I'me sure h'as rais'd a fine Estate out o' nothing by his Industry in these Times: An' I had not been a Beast too——— but Heaven's will be done, I could not ha' don't with a good conscience. Well, Dick, I'le go talk with her mother about this matter, and examine fully what her Estate is, for unless it prove a good one, I tell you true, Dick, I'me o' your Opinion, not to marry such a Rogues daughter.

Exit Trum: sen.Trum. Jun.I beseech you, Sir———
It is in vain to speak to him———
Though I to save this Dung-hill an Estate
Have done a Crime like theirs,
Who have abjur'd their King for the same cause,
I will not yet, like them, persue the guilt,
And in thy place, Lucia my lawful Soverain,
Set up a low and scandalous Usurper!

Enter Servant.

Serv.'Tis well the old man's just gone. There's a Gentlewoman without, Sir, desires to speak one word with you.

Trum. Jun.With me? who is't?

Serv.It should be Mrs. Lucia by her voice, Sir, but she's veil'd all over. Will you please to see her, Sir?

Trum.Will I see her, Blockhead? yes; go out and kneel to her
(Exit Serv.)And pray her to come in.