Like billets saw'd and ready for the fire, The unthrift's power. There being scarce one shire Lent out at usury, the certain hook To draw in more. The extravagance of the City Madams aping court fashions repre hended. Luke, having come into the possession of his brother Sir John Frugal's estates. Lady, wife to Sir John Frugal, and two daughters, in homely attire. Luke, Save you, sister; I now dare style you so. You were before Too glorious to be look'd on: now you appear Like a city matron, and my pretty nieces Such things As they were born and bred there. Why should you ape The fashions of court ladies, whose high titles And pedigrees of long descent give warrant For their superfluous bravery? 'twas monstrous. Lady. Is this spoken In scorn? Luke. Fie, no; with judgment, I make good My promise, and now show you like yourselves, In your own natural shapes. Lady. We acknowledge We have deserv'd ill from you,* yet despair not, Luke. 'Tis my purpose. Lady. And not make us ridiculous. Luke. Admir'd rather As fair examples for our proud city dames Your father was An honest country farmer, Goodman Humble, By his neighbors ne'er call'd master. Did your pride A velvet hood, rich borders, and sometimes A dainty miniver cap, a silver pin Headed with a pearl worth three-pence; and thus far It being for the city's honor that There should be distinction between The wife of a patrician and a plebeian. But when the height And dignity of London's blessings grew * In his dependent state they had treated him very cruelly. They are now dependent on him. Contemptible, and the name lady mayoress To buz into your ears, what shape this countess The young lord's eyes upon her and this usher Succeeded in the eldest 'prentice's place, To walk before you. Then, as I said (The reverend hood cast off), your borrow'd hair, And roses worth a family. You were serv'd In plate; Stirr'd not a foot without a coach; and going Your pomp, you were tickled when the beggars cried An absolute princess (since they have no more) Of the rich Tyrian dye: a canopy To cover the brat's cradle; you in state, Like Pompey's Julia. Lady. No more, I pray you. Luke. Of this be sure you shall not. I'll cut off Whatever is exorbitant in you, Or in your daughters; and reduce you to Your natural forms and habits: not in revenge Of your base usage [This bitter satire against the city women for aping the fashions of the court ladies, must have been peculiarly gratifying to the females of the Herbert family and the rest of Massinger's noble patrons and patronesses. A NEW WAY TO PAY OLD DEBTS: A COMEDY. BY PHILIP MASSINGER. Overreach (a cruel extortioner) treats about marrying his daughter with Lord Lovell. Over. To my wish we are private. I come not to make offer with my daughter In lands or leases, ready coin or goods, With her, my lord, comes to you; nor shall you have I live too long, since every year I'll add Something unto the heap, which shall be yours too. Over. You shall have reason To think me such. How do you like this seat? Lov. 'Tis a wholesome air, And well built, and she,* that is mistress of it, Over. She the mistress? It may be so for a time: but let my lord Say only that he but like it, and would have it; I say, ere long 'tis his. Lov. Impossible. Over. You do conclude too fast; not knowing me, Nor the engines that I work by. 'Tis not alone The lady Allworth's lands: but point out any man's In all the shire, and say they lie convenient And useful for your lordship; and once more I say aloud, they are yours. Lov. I dare not own What's by unjust and cruel means extorted : Over. You run, my lord, no hazard: Shall e'er be sullied with one taint or spot A young lord Lovell, born by her unto you, |