l be a blessed union. Well, I'll in, and get a scrivener: I'll
write to him about it presently. But stay, here comes Master Churms the
lawyer; I'll desire him to do so much.

_Enter_ CHURMS.

CHURMS.
Good morrow, Master Gripe.

GRIPE.
O, good morrow, Master Churms. What say my two debtors, that I lent two
hundred pound to? Will they not pay use and charges of suit?

CHURMS.
Faith, sir, I doubt they are bankrouts: I would you had your principal.

GRIPE.
Nay, I'll have all, or I'll imprison their bodies. But, Master Churms,
there is a matter I would fain have you do; but you must be very secret.

CHURMS.
O sir, fear not that; I'll warrant you.

GRIPE.
Why then, this it is: my neighbour Plod-all here by, you know, is a man
of very fair land, and he has but one son, upon whom he means to bestow
all that he has. Now I would make a match between my daughter Lelia and
him. What think you of it?

CHURMS.
Marry, I think 'twould be a good match. But the young man has had very
simple bringing-up.

GRIPE.
Tush! what care I for that? so he have lands and living enough, my
daughter has bringing up will serve them both. Now I would have you to
write me a letter to goodman Plod-all concerning this matter, and I'll
please you for your pains.

CHURMS.
I'll warrant you, sir; I'll do it artificially.

GRIPE.
Do, good Master Churms; but be very secret. I have some business this
morning, and therefore I'll leave you a while; and if you will come to
dinner to me anon, you shall be very heartily welcome.

CHURMS.
Thanks, good sir; I'll trouble you. [_Exit_ GRIPE.] Now 'twere a good
jest, if I could cosen the old churl of his daughter, and get the wench
for myself. Zounds, I am as proper a man as Peter Plod-all: and though
his father be as good a man as mine, yet far-fetched and dear-bought is
good for ladies; and, I am sure, I have been as far as Cales[141] to
fetch that I have. I have been at Cambridge, a scholar; at Cales, a
soldier; and now in the country a lawyer; and the next degree shall be a
coneycatcher: for I'll go near to cosen old father share-penny[142] of
his daughter; I'll cast about, I'll warrant him: I'll go dine with him,
and write him his letter; and then I'll go seek out my kind companion
Robin Goodfellow: and, betwixt us, we'll make her yield to anything.
We'll ha' the common law o' the one hand, and the civil law o' the
other: we'll toss Lelia like a tennis-ball. [_Exit_.

_Enter old_