ACT IV.SCENE I.Chester. Before the Citizen’s House.[Enter the Citizen of Chester, and his daughter Elner, andManville.]CITIZEN.In deed, sir, it would do very well if you could intreat yourfather to come hither: but if you think it be too far, I carenot much to take horse and ride to Manchester. I am sure mydaughter is content with either. How sayest thou, Elner, artthou not?ELNER.As you shall think best I must be contented.MANVILLE.Well, Elner, farewell. Only thus much, I pray: make allthings in a readiness, either to serve here, or to carrythither with us.CITIZEN.As for that, sir, take you no care; and so I betake you toyour journey.[Exit Manville.][Enter Valingford.]But soft, what gentleman is this?VALINGFORD.God speed, sir. Might a man crave a word or two with you?CITIZEN.God forbid else, sir; I pray you speak your pleasure.VALINGFORD.The gentleman that parted from you, was he not of Manchester,his father living there of good account?CITIZEN.Yes, marry is he, sir. Why do you ask? Belike you have hadsome acquaintance with him.VALINGFORD.I have been acquainted in times past, but, through his doubledealing, I am growen weary of his company. For, be it spokento you, he hath been acquainted with a poor millers daughter,and diverse times hath promist her marriage. But what withhis delays and flouts he hath brought her into such a takingthat I fear me it will cost her her life.CITIZEN.To be plain with you, sir, his father and I have been of oldacquaintance, and a motion was made between my daughter andhis son, which is now throughly agreed upon, save only theplace appointed for the marriage, whether it shall be kepthere or at Manchester; and for no other occasion he is nowridden.ELNER.What hath he done to you, that you should speak so ill ofthe man?VALINGFORD.Oh, gentlewoman, I cry you mercy: he is your husband thatshall be.ELNER.If I knew this to be true, he should not be my husband werehe never so good: And therefore, good father, I woulddesire you to take the pains to bear this gentleman companyto Manchester, to know whether this be true or no.CITIZEN.Now trust me, gentleman, he deals with me very hardly,knowing how well I meant to him; but I care not much toride to Manchester, to know whether his fathers will be heshould deal with me so badly. Will it please you, sir, togo in? We will presently take horse and away.VALINGFORD.If it please you to go in, I’ll follow you presently.[Exit Elner and her father.]Now shall I be revenged on Manville, and by this means getEm to my wife; and therefore I will straight to her fathersand inform them both of all that is happened.[Exit.]SCENE II.The English Court.[Enter William, the Ambassador of Denmark, Demarch, andother attendants.]WILLIAM.What news with the Denmark Embassador?EMBASSADOR.Marry, thus:The King of Denmark and my SovereignDoth send to know of thee what is the causeThat injuriously, against the law of arms,Thou hast stolen away his only daughter Blaunch,The only stay and comfort of his life.Therefore by meHe willeth thee to send his daughter Blaunch,Or else foorthwith he will levy such an host,As soon shall fetch her in dispite of thee.WILLIAM.Embassador, this answer I return thy King.He willeth me to send his daughter Blaunch,Saying, I conveyed her from the Danish court,That never yet did once as think thereof.As for his menacing and daunting threats,I nill regard him nor his Danish power;For if he come to fetch her foorth my RealmI will provide him such a banquet here,That he shall have small cause to give me thanks.EMBASSADOR.Is this your answer, then?WILLIAM.It is; and so begone.EMBASSADOR.I go; but to your cost.[Exit Embassador.]WILLIAM.Demarch, our subjects, earst levied in civil broils,Muster foorthwith, for to defend the Realm.In hope whereof, that we shall find you true,We freely pardon this thy late offence.DEMARCH.Most humble thanks I render to your grace.[Exeunt.]SCENE III.Manchester. The Mill.[Enter the Miller and Valingford.]MILLER.Alas, gentleman, why should you trouble your self so much,considering the imperfections of my daughter, which is ableto with-draw the love of any man from her, as already ithath done in her first choice. Maister Manville hathforsaken her, and at Chester shall be married to a mansdaughter of no little wealth. But if my daughter knew somuch, it would go very near her heart, I fear me.VALINGFORD.Father miller, such is the entire affection to your daughter,as no misfortune whatsoever can alter. My fellow Mountney,thou seest, gave quickly over; but I, by reason of my goodmeaning, am not so soon to be changed, although I am borneoff with scorns and denial.[Enter Em to them.]MILLER.Trust me, sir, I know not what to say. My daughter is notto be compelled by me; but here she comes her self: speakto her and spare not, for I never was troubled with lovematters so much before.EM.[Aside.] Good Lord! shall I never be rid of this importunateman? Now must I dissemble blindness again. Once more forthy sake, Manville, thus am I inforced, because I shallcomplete my full resolved mind to thee. Father, where areyou?MILLER.Here, sweet Em. Answer this gentleman, that would so fayneenjoy thy love.EM.Where are you, sir? will you never leave this idle and vainpursuit of love? Is not England stord enough to content you,but you must still trouble the poor contemptible maid ofManchester?VALINGFORD.None can content me but the fair maid of Manchester.EM.I perceive love is vainly described, that, being blindhimself, would have you likewise troubled with a blind wife,having the benefit of your eyes. But neither follow him somuch in folly, but love one in whom you may better delight.VALINGFORD.Father Miller, thy daughter shall have honor by graunting meher love. I am a Gentleman of king Williams Court, and nomean man in king Williams favour.EM.If you be a Lord, sir, as you say, you offer both your selfand me great wrong: yours, as apparent, in limiting yourlove so unorderly, for which you rashly endure reprochement;mine, as open and evident, when, being shut from the vanitiesof this world, you would have me as an open gazing stock toall the world; for lust, not love, leads you into this error.But from the one I will keep me as well as I can, and yieldthe other to none but to my father, as I am bound by duty.VALINGFORD.Why, fair Em, Manville hath forsaken thee, and must atChester be married: which if I speak otherwise than true,let thy father speak what credibly he hath heard.EM.But can it be Manville will deal so unkindly to reward myjustice with such monstrous ungentleness? Have I dissembledfor thy sake, and doest thou now thus requite it? In deedthese many days I have not seen him, which hath made memarvel at his long absence. But, father, are you assuredof the words he spake were concerning Manville?MILLER.In sooth, daughter, now it is foorth I must needs confirmit: Maister Manville hath forsaken thee, and at Chestermust be married to a mans daughter of no little wealth.His own father procures it, and therefore I dare creditit; and do thou believe it, for trust me, daughter, it is so.EM.Then, good father, pardon the injury that I have done toyou, only causing your grief, by over-fond affecting a manso trothless. And you likewise, sir, I pray hold meexcused, a I hope this cause will allow sufficiently forme: My love to Manville, thinking he would requite it,hath made me double with my father and you, and many morebesides, which I will no longer hide from you. Thatinticing speeches should not beguile me, I have made myself deaf to any but to him; and lest any mans personshould please me more than his, I have dissembled the wantof sight: Both which shadows of my irrevocable affectionsI have not spared to confirm before him, my father, and allother amorous soliciters—wherewith not made acquainted, Iperceive my true intent hath wrought mine own sorrow, andseeking by love to be regarded, am cut of with contempt, anddispised.MILLER.Tell me, sweet Em, hast thou but fained all this while forhis love, that hath so descourteously forsaken thee?EM.Credit me, father, I have told you the troth; wherewith Idesire you and Lord Valingford not to be displeased. Forought else I shall say, let my present grief hold me excused.But, may I live to see that ungrateful man justly rewardedfor his treachery, poor Em would think her self not a littlehappy. Favour my departing at this instant; for my troubledthought desires to meditate alone in silence.[Exit Em.]VALINGFORD.Will not Em shew one cheerful look on Valingford?MILLER.Alas, sir, blame her not; you see she hath good cause, beingso handled by this gentleman: And so I’ll leave you, and gocomfort my poor wench as well as I may.[Exit the Miller.]VALINGFORD.Farewell, good father.[Exit Valingford.]
SCENE I.Chester. Before the Citizen’s House.[Enter the Citizen of Chester, and his daughter Elner, andManville.]
CITIZEN.In deed, sir, it would do very well if you could intreat yourfather to come hither: but if you think it be too far, I carenot much to take horse and ride to Manchester. I am sure mydaughter is content with either. How sayest thou, Elner, artthou not?ELNER.As you shall think best I must be contented.MANVILLE.Well, Elner, farewell. Only thus much, I pray: make allthings in a readiness, either to serve here, or to carrythither with us.CITIZEN.As for that, sir, take you no care; and so I betake you toyour journey.[Exit Manville.][Enter Valingford.]But soft, what gentleman is this?VALINGFORD.God speed, sir. Might a man crave a word or two with you?CITIZEN.God forbid else, sir; I pray you speak your pleasure.VALINGFORD.The gentleman that parted from you, was he not of Manchester,his father living there of good account?CITIZEN.Yes, marry is he, sir. Why do you ask? Belike you have hadsome acquaintance with him.VALINGFORD.I have been acquainted in times past, but, through his doubledealing, I am growen weary of his company. For, be it spokento you, he hath been acquainted with a poor millers daughter,and diverse times hath promist her marriage. But what withhis delays and flouts he hath brought her into such a takingthat I fear me it will cost her her life.CITIZEN.To be plain with you, sir, his father and I have been of oldacquaintance, and a motion was made between my daughter andhis son, which is now throughly agreed upon, save only theplace appointed for the marriage, whether it shall be kepthere or at Manchester; and for no other occasion he is nowridden.ELNER.What hath he done to you, that you should speak so ill ofthe man?VALINGFORD.Oh, gentlewoman, I cry you mercy: he is your husband thatshall be.ELNER.If I knew this to be true, he should not be my husband werehe never so good: And therefore, good father, I woulddesire you to take the pains to bear this gentleman companyto Manchester, to know whether this be true or no.CITIZEN.Now trust me, gentleman, he deals with me very hardly,knowing how well I meant to him; but I care not much toride to Manchester, to know whether his fathers will be heshould deal with me so badly. Will it please you, sir, togo in? We will presently take horse and away.VALINGFORD.If it please you to go in, I’ll follow you presently.[Exit Elner and her father.]Now shall I be revenged on Manville, and by this means getEm to my wife; and therefore I will straight to her fathersand inform them both of all that is happened.[Exit.]
SCENE II.The English Court.[Enter William, the Ambassador of Denmark, Demarch, andother attendants.]
WILLIAM.What news with the Denmark Embassador?EMBASSADOR.Marry, thus:The King of Denmark and my SovereignDoth send to know of thee what is the causeThat injuriously, against the law of arms,Thou hast stolen away his only daughter Blaunch,The only stay and comfort of his life.Therefore by meHe willeth thee to send his daughter Blaunch,Or else foorthwith he will levy such an host,As soon shall fetch her in dispite of thee.WILLIAM.Embassador, this answer I return thy King.He willeth me to send his daughter Blaunch,Saying, I conveyed her from the Danish court,That never yet did once as think thereof.As for his menacing and daunting threats,I nill regard him nor his Danish power;For if he come to fetch her foorth my RealmI will provide him such a banquet here,That he shall have small cause to give me thanks.EMBASSADOR.Is this your answer, then?WILLIAM.It is; and so begone.EMBASSADOR.I go; but to your cost.[Exit Embassador.]WILLIAM.Demarch, our subjects, earst levied in civil broils,Muster foorthwith, for to defend the Realm.In hope whereof, that we shall find you true,We freely pardon this thy late offence.DEMARCH.Most humble thanks I render to your grace.[Exeunt.]
SCENE III.Manchester. The Mill.[Enter the Miller and Valingford.]
MILLER.Alas, gentleman, why should you trouble your self so much,considering the imperfections of my daughter, which is ableto with-draw the love of any man from her, as already ithath done in her first choice. Maister Manville hathforsaken her, and at Chester shall be married to a mansdaughter of no little wealth. But if my daughter knew somuch, it would go very near her heart, I fear me.VALINGFORD.Father miller, such is the entire affection to your daughter,as no misfortune whatsoever can alter. My fellow Mountney,thou seest, gave quickly over; but I, by reason of my goodmeaning, am not so soon to be changed, although I am borneoff with scorns and denial.[Enter Em to them.]MILLER.Trust me, sir, I know not what to say. My daughter is notto be compelled by me; but here she comes her self: speakto her and spare not, for I never was troubled with lovematters so much before.EM.[Aside.] Good Lord! shall I never be rid of this importunateman? Now must I dissemble blindness again. Once more forthy sake, Manville, thus am I inforced, because I shallcomplete my full resolved mind to thee. Father, where areyou?MILLER.Here, sweet Em. Answer this gentleman, that would so fayneenjoy thy love.EM.Where are you, sir? will you never leave this idle and vainpursuit of love? Is not England stord enough to content you,but you must still trouble the poor contemptible maid ofManchester?VALINGFORD.None can content me but the fair maid of Manchester.EM.I perceive love is vainly described, that, being blindhimself, would have you likewise troubled with a blind wife,having the benefit of your eyes. But neither follow him somuch in folly, but love one in whom you may better delight.VALINGFORD.Father Miller, thy daughter shall have honor by graunting meher love. I am a Gentleman of king Williams Court, and nomean man in king Williams favour.EM.If you be a Lord, sir, as you say, you offer both your selfand me great wrong: yours, as apparent, in limiting yourlove so unorderly, for which you rashly endure reprochement;mine, as open and evident, when, being shut from the vanitiesof this world, you would have me as an open gazing stock toall the world; for lust, not love, leads you into this error.But from the one I will keep me as well as I can, and yieldthe other to none but to my father, as I am bound by duty.VALINGFORD.Why, fair Em, Manville hath forsaken thee, and must atChester be married: which if I speak otherwise than true,let thy father speak what credibly he hath heard.EM.But can it be Manville will deal so unkindly to reward myjustice with such monstrous ungentleness? Have I dissembledfor thy sake, and doest thou now thus requite it? In deedthese many days I have not seen him, which hath made memarvel at his long absence. But, father, are you assuredof the words he spake were concerning Manville?MILLER.In sooth, daughter, now it is foorth I must needs confirmit: Maister Manville hath forsaken thee, and at Chestermust be married to a mans daughter of no little wealth.His own father procures it, and therefore I dare creditit; and do thou believe it, for trust me, daughter, it is so.EM.Then, good father, pardon the injury that I have done toyou, only causing your grief, by over-fond affecting a manso trothless. And you likewise, sir, I pray hold meexcused, a I hope this cause will allow sufficiently forme: My love to Manville, thinking he would requite it,hath made me double with my father and you, and many morebesides, which I will no longer hide from you. Thatinticing speeches should not beguile me, I have made myself deaf to any but to him; and lest any mans personshould please me more than his, I have dissembled the wantof sight: Both which shadows of my irrevocable affectionsI have not spared to confirm before him, my father, and allother amorous soliciters—wherewith not made acquainted, Iperceive my true intent hath wrought mine own sorrow, andseeking by love to be regarded, am cut of with contempt, anddispised.MILLER.Tell me, sweet Em, hast thou but fained all this while forhis love, that hath so descourteously forsaken thee?EM.Credit me, father, I have told you the troth; wherewith Idesire you and Lord Valingford not to be displeased. Forought else I shall say, let my present grief hold me excused.But, may I live to see that ungrateful man justly rewardedfor his treachery, poor Em would think her self not a littlehappy. Favour my departing at this instant; for my troubledthought desires to meditate alone in silence.[Exit Em.]VALINGFORD.Will not Em shew one cheerful look on Valingford?MILLER.Alas, sir, blame her not; you see she hath good cause, beingso handled by this gentleman: And so I’ll leave you, and gocomfort my poor wench as well as I may.[Exit the Miller.]VALINGFORD.Farewell, good father.[Exit Valingford.]