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WIT
WITHOUT
MONEY,
A
COMEDY.
Persons Represented in the Play.
Valentine, a Gallant that will not be perswaded to keep his Estate.
Francisco, his younger Brother.
Master Lovegood their Uncle.
A Merchant, Friend to Master Lovegood.
Fountain, }
Bellamore,} companions of Valentine, and Sutors to the Widow.
Hairbrain,}
Lance, a Falkner, and an ancient servant to Valentines Father.
Shorthose, the Clown, and servant to the Widow.
Roger, Ralph, and Humphrey, three servants to the Widow.
Three Servants.
Musicians.
Lady Hartwel, a Widow.
Isabel, her Sister.
Luce, a waiting Gentlewoman to the Widow.
Actus primus. Scena prima.
Enter Uncle and Merchant.
Merc. When saw you Valentine?
Uncle. Not since the Horse-race, he's taken up with those thatwoo the Widow.
Mer. How can he live by snatches from such people? he bore aworthy mind.
Uncle. Alas, he's sunk, his means are gone, he wants, and whichis worse,
Takes a delight in doing so.
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Mer. That's strange.
Unc. Runs Lunatick, if you but talk of states, he cannot bebrought (now he has spent his own) to think there's inheritance, ormeans, but all a common riches, all men bound to be his Bailiffs.
Mer. This is something dangerous.
Uncle. No Gentleman that has estate to use it in keeping house,or followers, for those wayes he cries against, for Eating sins, dullSurfeits, cramming of Serving-men, mustering of Beggars, maintainingHospitals for Kites, and Curs, grounding their fat faiths upon oldCountry proverbs, God bless the Founders; these he would have venturedinto more manly uses, Wit, and carriage, and never thinks of state, ormeans, the ground-works: holding it monstrous, men should feed theirbodies, and starve their understandings.
Mer. That's most certain.
Uncle. Yes, if he could stay there.
Mer. Why let him marry, and that way rise again.
Uncle. It's most impossible, he will not look with anyhandsomeness upon a Woman.
Mer. Is he so strange to Women?
Uncle. I know not what it is, a foolish glory he has got, I knownot where, to balk those benefits, and yet he will converse and flatter'em, make 'em, or fair, or foul, rugged, or smooth, as his impressionserves, for he affirms, they are only lumps, and undigested pieces,lickt over to a form by our affections, and then they show. The Loverslet 'em pass.
Enter Fountain, Bellamore, Hairbrain.
Mer. He might be one, he carries as much promise; they are wondrousmerry.
Uncle. O their hopes are high, Sir.
Fount. Is Valentine come to Town?
Bella. Last night, I heard.
Fount. We miss him monstrously in our directions, for this Widowis as stately, and as crafty, and stands I warrant you—
Hair. Let her stand sure, she falls before us else, come let's goseek Valentine.
Mer. This Widow seems a Gallant.
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Uncle. A goodly Woman, and to her handsomness she bears herstate, reserved, and great Fortune has made her Mistress of a fullmeans,