BUT.  Tut, she of Lancashire has fifteen hundred.

ILF.  Let me have her then, good butler.

BUT.  And then she, the bright beauty of Leicestershire, has a thousand, nay, thirteen hundred a year, at least.

ILF.  O, let me have her, honest butler.

BUT.  Besides, she the most delicate, sweet countenanced, black-browed gentlewoman in Northamptonshire, in substance equals the best of them.

ILF.  Let me have her then.

BAR.  Or I.

WEN.  Or I, good butler.

BUT.  You were best play the parts of right fools and most desperate whoremasters, and go together by the ears for them, ere ye see them.  But they are the most rare-featured, well-faced, excellent-spoke, rare-qualitied, virtuous, and worthy-to-be-admired gentlewomen.

ALL.  And rich, butler?

BUT.  Ay, that must be one, though they want all the rest [Aside]; —­and rich, gallants, as are from the utmost parts of Asia to the present confines of Europe.

ALL.  And wilt thou help us to them, butler?

BUT.  Faith, ’tis to be doubted; for precious pearl will hardly be bought without precious stones, and I think there’s scarce one indifferent one to be found betwixt you three:  yet since there is some hope ye may prove honest, as by the death of your fathers you are proved rich, walk severally; for I, knowing you all three to be covetous tug-muttons, will not trust you with the sight of each other’s beauty, but will severally talk with you:  and since you have deigned in this needful portion of wedlock to be ruled by me, Butler will most bountifully provide wives for you generally.

ALL.  Why, that’s honestly said. [He walks with each apart.

BUT.  Why so:  and now first to you, sir knight.

ILF.  Godamercy.

BUT.  You see this couple of abominable woodcocks here.

ILF.  A pox on them! absolute coxcombs.

BUT.  You heard me tell them I had intelligence to give of three gentlewomen.

ILF.  True.

BUT.  Now indeed, sir, I have but the performance of one.

ILF.  Good.

BUT.  And her I do intend for you, only for you.

ILF.  Honest butler.

BUT.  Now, sir, she being but lately come to this town, and so nearly watched by the jealous eyes of her friends, she being a rich heir,[406] lest she should be stolen away by some dissolute prodigal or desperate-estated spendthrift, as you have been, sir—­

ILF.  O, but that’s passed, butler.

BUT.  True, I know’t, and intend now but to make use of them, flatter them with hopeful promises, and make them needful instruments.

ILF.  To help me to the wench?

BUT.  You have hit it—­which thus must be effected:  first by keeping close your purpose.

ILF.  Good.

BUT.  Also concealing from them the lodging, beauty, and riches of your new, but admirable mistress.