The Scornful Lady   By: John Fletcher (1579-1625)

A COMEDY.

Persons Represented in the Play.

Elder Loveless, a Sutor to the Lady . Young Loveless, a Prodigal . Savil, Steward to Elder Loveless. Lady and ) Martha, ) Two Sisters . Younglove, or Abigal, a waiting Gentlewoman . Welford, a Sutor to the Lady . Sir Roger, Curate to the Lady . (Captain ) (Travailer ) Hangers on to Young Loveless. (Poet ) (Tabaco man ) Wenches . Fidlers . Morecraft, an Usurer . A Rich Widow . Attendants .

Actus primus. Scena prima.

Enter the two Lovelesses, Savil the Steward, and a Page .

Elder Love . Brother, is your last hope past to mollifie Morecrafts heart about your Morgage?

Young Love . Hopelesly past: I have presented the Usurer with a richer draught than ever Cleopatra swallowed; he hath suckt in ten thousand pounds worth of my Land, more than he paid for at a gulp, without Trumpets.

El. Lo . I have as hard a task to perform in this house.

Yo. Lo. Faith mine was to make an Usurer honest, or to lose my Land.

El. Lo. And mine is to perswade a passionate woman, or to leave the Land. Make the boat stay, I fear I shall begin my unfortunate journey this night, though the darkness of the night and the roughness of the waters might easily disswade an unwilling man.

Savil. Sir, your Fathers old friends hold it the sounder course for your body and estate to stay at home and marry, and propagate and govern in our Country, than to Travel and die without issue.

El. Lo. Savil , you shall gain the opinion of a better servant, in seeking to execute, not alter my will, howsoever my intents succeed.

Yo. Lo. Yonder's Mistres Younglove , Brother, the grave rubber of your Mistresses toes.

Enter Mistres Younglove the waiting woman.

El. Lo. Mistres Younglove .

Young. Master Loveless , truly we thought your sails had been hoist: my Mistres is perswaded you are Sea sick ere this.

El. Lo. Loves she her ill taken up resolution so dearly? Didst thou move her from me?

Young . By this light that shines, there's no removing her, if she get a stiffe opinion by the end. I attempted her to day when they say a woman can deny nothing.

El. Lo . What critical minute was that?

Young . When her smock was over her ears: but she was no more pliant than if it hung about her heels.

El. Lo . I prethee deliver my service, and say, I desire to see the dear cause of my banishment; and then for France .

Young . I'le do't: hark hither, is that your Brother?

El. Lo . Yes, have you lost your memory?

Young . As I live he's a pretty fellow. [ Exit.

Yo. Lo . O this is a sweet Brache .

El. Lo . Why she knows not you.

Yo. Lo . No, but she offered me once to know her: to this day she loves youth of Eighteen; she heard a tale how Cupid struck her in love with a great Lord in the Tilt yard, but he never saw her; yet she in kindness would needs wear a Willow garland at his Wedding. She lov'd all the Players in the last Queens time once over: she was struck when they acted Lovers, and forsook some when they plaid Murthers. She has nine Spur royals , and the servants say she hoards old gold; and she her self pronounces angerly, that the Farmers eldest son, or her Mistres Husbands Clerk shall be, that Marries her, shall make her a joynture of fourscore pounds a year; she tells tales of the serving men.

El. Lo. Enough, I know her Brother. I shall intreat you only to salute my Mistres, and take leave, we'l part at the Stairs.

Enter Lady and waiting women.

Lady. Now Sir, this first part of your will is performed: what's the rest?

El. Lo. First, let me beg your notice for this Gentleman my Brother.