Title:  Wit Without Money The Works of Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher

Author:  Francis Beaumont

Release Date:  September 10, 2004 [EBook #13425]

Language:  English

Character set encoding:  ASCII

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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 that woo the Widow.

Mer. How can he live by snatches from such people? he bore a worthy mind.

Uncle. Alas, he’s sunk, his means are gone, he wants, and which is worse, Takes a delight in doing so.

Mer. That’s strange.

Unc. Runs Lunatick, if you but talk of states, he cannot be brought (now he has spent his own) to think there’s inheritance, or means, 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, dull Surfeits, cramming of Serving-men, mustering of Beggars, maintaining Hospitals for Kites, and Curs, grounding their fat faiths upon old Country proverbs, God bless the Founders; these he would have ventured into more manly uses, Wit, and carriage, and never thinks of state, or means, the ground-works:  holding it monstrous, men should feed their bodies, and starve their understandings.

Mer. That’s most certain.