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

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 deale ill with this distressed boye, God will revenge poore orphants iniuries, If you deale well, as I do hope you will, God will defend both you and yours from ill. Farewell, farewell, now let me breath my last, Into his dearest mouth, that wanteth breath, And as we lov'd in life imbrace in death. Brother and sister this is all I pray, Tender my boye when we are laide in clay. [Dyeth.
Allen. Gods holy Angell guide your loving soules Unto a place of endlesse happinesse.
Sostr. Amen, Amen. Ah, what a care she had Of her small Orphant! She did dying pray, To love her Childe when she was laide in claye.
Scr. Ah blame her