SIR ARG. Ha! Master Fruitful! welcome. How go the squares? What do you think of me to make a bridegroom? Do I look young enough?
FRUIT. Sir, I am come To tell you news; such news as will, perhaps, A little trouble you; but, if your worship Should not have known it, 'twould have vex'd you more.
SIR ARG. Vex'd me! What's that can vex me now? speak, man.
FRUIT. I thought that I was bound in conscience, sir, To tell it you: 'tis conscience, and the love I bear to truth, makes me reveal it now.
FRUIT. Do not suppose That I am treacherous to my Lady Covet, To whom I do belong, in uttering this. In such a case I serve not her, but truth, And hate dishonest dealing.
FRUIT. Then thus it is: my Lady Covet, sir, Merely to cosen you, has pass'd away Her whole estate; you shall not get a penny By marrying her.
FRUIT. 'Tis very certain, sir; I, for a need, Could show you the conveyance; for my hand Is as a witness there; so is her steward's.
FRUIT. Ask her herself; If she deny it, I can justify it; So can her steward too.
FRUIT. I keep you from being so by a mature Prevention of your cosening.
SIR ARG. O, what hopes Am I fall'n from; who would believe these false Deceitful creatures?
FRUIT. Sir, I could but wonder, That she would cheat so honest a gentleman, That came a suitor to her for pure love.
FRUIT. Alas, I know It was not her estate that you sought after, Your love was honester: and then that she Should cosen you!
SIR ARG. She shall not cosen me: I'll have my horse-litter made ready straight, And leave her house.
FRUIT. But when you see her, sir, It may be your affection will return. If you should leave her only upon this, The world would think that you were covetous; And covetousness is such a sin, you know.
FRUIT. Who? I, sir? I know your worship does abhor the sin Of covetousness; but I confess indeed 'Twould vex a man to have been cosen'd so.
SIR ARG. Have I liv'd all this while to be o'er-reach'd And cheated by a woman? I'll forsake her Immediately.
FRUIT. Sir, 'tis a happy thing, When men can love with such discretion, As to forsake when they shall see just cause. Some are so fond in their affections That, though provok'd by all the injuries That can be offer'd, they can never leave The mistress of their hearts.