A Collection Of Old English Plays, Vol. IV. | Page 5

neere, And heere my will
which you have promised Shall be performde with wished providence.
This little Orphant I must leave behinde, By your direction to be
governed. As for my wife and I, we do awaite The blessed houre when
it shall please the Lord, To take us to the iust Ierusalem. Our chiefest
care is for that tender boye, Which we should leave discomfortlesse
behinde, But that we do assure us of your love And care to guide his
weake unhable youth In pathes of knowledge, grace, and godlinesse. As
for the riches of this mortall life, We leave enough; foure hundreth

pounds a yeare, Besides two thousand pounds to make a stocke, In
money, iewels, plate, and houshold stuffe,-- Which yearly rents and
goods we leave to you, To be surrendered into his hands, When he
attaines to yeeres of discreation. My Will imports thus much, which
you shall heare; And you shall be my sole Executor.
Fall. Brother and sister, how my hart laments To see your weake and
sicke afflicted limmes Neere overcome with dyrefull malladies, The
God of heaven can truly testifie,-- Which, to speake plaine, is nere a
whit at all-- [To the people. Which knowes the secret corners of my
heart; But for the care you do impose on me, For the tuition of your
little sonne, Thinke, my kinde brother, I will meditate, Both day and
night, how I may best fulfill, The care and trust, reposed in your Will,--
And see him posted quickly after you. [To the people.
Arm. Enough, kinde brother; we assure us so, Else would we seeke
another friend abroade, To do our willes and dying Testament. Nature
and love will have a double care To bring him up with carefull
diligence, As best beseemes one of such parentage.
Fall. Assure your selfe, the safest course I can, Shall be provided for
your little sonne,-- He shall be sent unto the King of Heaven. [To the
people.
Sostr. Feare not, good brother, and my loving sister, But we will have
as tender care of him As if he were our owne ten thousand times: God
will be father of the fatherlesse, And keepe him from all care and
wretchednesse.
Allenso. Unckle and Aunt take comfort, I will see My little coozen have
no injurie.
Pan. Ar. We thanke you all, come let the Will be read,
Fall.--If it were seald, I would you both were dead.
Scrive. Then give attention, I will read the Will. _Reade the Will. In the
name of God. Amen.--I, &c_.

Pan. Thus, if my Sonne miscarry, my deare brother, You and your
sonne shall then enjoy the land And all the goods which he should have
possess'd.
Fall. If he miscarry, brother! God forbid! God blesse mine Nephew,
that thine eyes may see Thy childrens children with prosperity! I had
rather see the little urchin hang'd [To the people. Then he should live
and I forgoe the land.
Ar. Thankes, gentle brother; husband seale the will.
Pand. Give me a Pen and Inke first to subscribe; I write so ill through
very feeblenesse, That I can scarcely know this hand for mine, But that
you all can witnesse that it is.
Scri. Give me the seale: I pray, sir, take it of. This you deliver for your
latest will, And do confirme it for your Testament?
Pand. With all my hart; here, brother, keepe my Will, And I referre me
to the will of God, Praying him deale as well with you and yours, As
you no doubt will deale with my poore child. Come, my Pertillo, let me
blesse thee, boy, And lay my halfe-dead hand upon thy head. God
graunt those days that are cut off in me, With ioy and peace may
multiply in thee. Be slowe to wrath, obey thy Unckle still, Submit thy
selfe unto Gods holy will, In deede and word see thou be ever true; So
brother, childe, and kinsfolkes, all adue. [He dyeth.
Per. Ah my deere Mother, is my father dead?
Ar. I, my sweete boye, his soule to heaven is fled, But I shall after him
immediatly. Then take my latest blessing ere I dye: Come, let me kisse
thy little tender lips, Cold death hath tane possession of thy mother; Let
me imbrace thee in my dying armes, And pray the Lord protect thee
from al harmes. Brother, I feare, this Child when I am gone, Wil have
great cause of griefe and hideous feare: You will protect him, but I
prophecie, His share will be of woe and misery: But mothers feares do
make these cares arise; Come, boye, and close thy mothers dying eyes.
Brother and sister, here [_sic_] the latest words, That your dead sister

leaves for memory: If you