Civ.

By my truth this is good luck; I thank God for this. In good sooth I have even my heart's desire. Sister Delia—now I may boldly call you so, for your father hath frank and freely given me his daughter Franke^{1 note}.

Fran.

Ay, by my troth, Tom, thou hast my good will too; for I thank God I long'd for a husband; and, would I might never stir, for one whose name was Tom.

Del.

Why, sister, now you have your wish.

Civ.

You say very true, sister Delia; and I pr'ythee call me nothing but Tom, and I'll call thee sweetheart, and Franke. Will it not do well, sister Delia?

Del.

It will do very well with both of you.

Fran.

But Tom, must I go as I do now, when I am married?

Civ.

No, Franke; I'll have thee go like a citizen, in a guarded gown and a French hood^{2 note}

Fran.

By my troth, that will be excellent indeed.

Del.
Brother, maintain your wife to your estate.
Apparel you yourself like to your father,
And let her go like to your ancient mother:
He, sparing got his wealth, left it to you.
Brother, take heed of pride; it soon bids thrift adieu* ^note

Civ.

So as my father and my mother went! that's a jest indeed. Why she went in a fring'd gown, a single ruff, and a white cap; and my father in a mocado coat^{3 note}, a pair of red sattin sleeves, and a canvas back.

Del.

And yet his wealth was all as much as yours.

Civ.

My estate, my estate, I thank God, is forty

pound a year in good leases and tenements; besides twenty mark a year at Cuckolds-haven^{4 note}; and that comes to us all by inheritance.

Del.
That may indeed; 'tis very fitly 'ply'd.
I know not how it comes, but so it falls out,
That those whose fathers have died wond'rous rich,
And took no pleasure but to gather wealth,
Thinking of little that they leave behind
For them they hope will be of their like mind—
But it falls out contrary: forty years' sparing
Is scarce three seven years spending; never caring
What will ensue, when all their coin is gone.
And, all too late, when thrift is thought upon,
Oft have I heard that Pride and Riot kiss'd,
And then Repentance cries—for had I wist^{5 note}
.

Civ.

You say well, sister Delia, you say well; but I mean to live within my bounds: for look you, I have set down my rest thus far^{6 note}


, but to maintain my wife in her French-hood and her coach, keep a couple of geldings and a brace of grey-hounds; and this is all I'll do.

Del.

And you'll do this with forty pounds a-year?

Civ.

Ay, and a better penny, sister^{7 note}.

Fran.

Sister, you forget that at Cuckold's-haven.

Civ.

By my troth well remember'd, Franke; I'll give thee that to buy thee pins.

Del.
Keep you the rest for points^{8 note}. Alas the day!
Fools shall have wealth though all the world say nay.
Come, brother, will you in? Dinner stays for us.

Civ.

Ay, good sister, with all my heart.

Fran.

Ay, by my troth, Tom, for I have a good stomach.

Civ.

And I the like, sweet Franke. No sister, do not think I'll go beyond my bounds.

Del.

God grant you may not.