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presents

the Annotated Popular Edition of

A NEW WAY TO PAY OLD DEBTS

by Philip Massinger

Before 1633

Featuring complete and easy-to-read annotations.

Annotations and notes © Copyright ElizabethanDrama.org, 2018
This annotated play may be freely copied and distributed.

Dramatis Persons:	INTRODUCTION TO THE PLAY
Lord Lovell.	A New Way to Pay Old Debts has proven to be Philip
Tom Allworth, a Young Gentleman, Page to Lord	Massinger's most popular and enduring play. This comedy's
Lovell.	reputation is due thanks to the presence of one of the era's
Sir Giles Overreach, a Cruel Extortioner.	more acclaimed villains outside the Shakespeare canon, the
Margaret, Daughter of Sir Overreach.	avaricious and occasionally vulgar Sir Giles Overreach.
Marrall, a Term-Driver; a Creature of Sir Giles	With just the right balance of drama and humour, A New
Overreach.	Way to Pay Old Debts deserves to be read and enjoyed by
	any lover of Elizabethan drama.
Frank Wellborn, a Prodigal.
Greedy, a Hungry Justice Of Peace.	NOTES ON THE TEXT
Lady Allworth, a rich Widow.	The text of A New Way to Pay Old Debts is adapted from
Order, Steward.	Philip Massinger, Volume I, edited by Arthur Symons,
Amble, Usher.	cited at #3 below.
Furnace, Cook.
Watchall, Porter.	NOTES ON THE ANNOTATIONS
Wllldo, a Parson.	Mention of Symons, Stronach, Deighton, Gifford and
	Sherman in the annotations refer to the notes provided by
Tapwell, an Alehouse Keeper.	each of these editors respectively in their editions of this
Froth, Wife of Tapwell.	play, each cited fully below.
	The most commonly cited sources are listed in the
Chambermaid.	footnotes immediately below. The complete list of footnotes
Waiting Woman.	appears at the end of this play.
Creditors, Servants, &c.	1. Oxford English Dictionary (OED) online.
	2. Crystal, David and Ben. Shakespeare's Words.
SCENE: The Country near Nottingham.	London; New York: Penguin, 2002
	3. Symons, Arthur. Philip Massinger, Vol. I. London:
	T. Fisher Unwin, 1887-1889.
	4. Stronach, George, ed. A New Way To Pay Old Debts.
	London: J.M. Dent and Co., 1904.
	5. Deighton, K., ed. Massinger's A New Way to Pay Old
	Debts. London: G. Bell and Sons, Ltd., 1924.
	6. Gifford, William. The Plays of Philip Massinger.
	London: William Templeton, 1840.
	9. Sherman, Lucius A. Philip Massinger. New York:
	American Book Co., 1912.
	19. The Encyclopedia Britannica. 11th edition. New
	York: 1911.

	ACT I.
	SCENE I.
	Before Tapwell's House.
	Enter Wellborn in tattered apparel,	Entering Characters: Frank Wellborn is a formerly
	Tapwell, and Froth.	wealthy gentleman who has squandered away all his money doing the usual things young gallants do, including sporting, drinking and whoring. Tapwell and Froth are husband and wife tavern-keepers. The play opens with Tapwell refusing service to the indigent Wellborn.
1	Well. No bouse? nor no tobacco?	1: bouse = drink, an old cant term, and precursor to today's booze.^4 nor no = double negatives were common and acceptable in earlier English. In typical Massinger fashion, as the play and scene opens, we find ourselves joining a conversation in progress.
2
	Tap. Not a suck, sir;	3: "not even a small drink (suck), sir."^1
4	Nor the remainder of a single can	4: ie. "nor what is left in a metal cup (can)^28 of ale".
	Left by a drunken porter, all night palled too.	= "which has gone stale (palled) after sitting out all night."
6
	Froth. Not the dropping of the tap for your morning's draught, sir:	7: Not the dropping of = "nor the incidental drops of ale which fall from". morning's draught = in the old days, a morning drink of ale was common.^5
8	'Tis verity, I assure you.	= "it is a fact",^5 ie. "we are not kidding".
10	Well. Verity, you brache!	= bitch-hound. This is the first of several dog-related epithets Wellborn will direct toward the publicans.
	The devil turned precisian! Rogue, what am I?	= "the devil himself has turned Puritan!"^6 = "do you know who I am?"
12
	Tap. Troth, durst I trust you with a looking-glass,	13-15: "in truth (troth), if I dare give you a mirror in which
14	To let you see your trim shape, you would quit me,	you could see your own fine appearance (trim shape,
	And take the name yourself,	ironic), you would clear me (quit me) of the name of
16		rogue, and apply it to yourself."
	Well. How, dog!
18
	Tap. Even so, sir.
20	And I must tell you, if you but advance	= raise, as about to use.
	Your Plymouth cloak, you shall be soon instructed	= slang for "staff" or "cudgel".^3,4 = soon learn, ie. find out.
22	There dwells, and within call, if it please your worship,	= common phrase of deference used when one speaks to one's superiors, but here used mockingly.
	A potent monarch called the constable,	= powerful; in 23-25, Tapwell compares the local peace officer to a king or military commander.
24	That does command a citadel called the stocks;	= famous means of punishment consisting of a board with holes cut out in which the victim, while sitting, horizontally places his or her feet up to the ankles.^26
	Whose guards are certain files of rusty billmen	= watchmen armed with rusty bills; a bill was a distinctive English polearm, comprised of a staff with a blade, several spikes and a hook at one end, and carried by both infantry and watchmen.^5,7 The adjective rusty applies to the bills, not the men.^4
26	Such as with great dexterity will hale	= drag.
	Your tattered, lousy −	= filthy.
28
	Well. Rascal! slave!
30
	Froth. No rage, sir.
32
	Tap. At his own peril: − do not put yourself	= "let him threaten violence at his own risk". The dash is
34	In too much heat, there being no water near	frequently used to indicate a change in addressee.
	To quench your thirst; and sure, for other liquor,
36	As mighty ale, or beer, they are things, I take it,	36-37: Wellborn should no longer even dream of being
	You must no more remember; not in a dream, sir.	served any alcohol in this alehouse.
38
	Well. Why, thou unthankful villain, dar'st thou talk thus!	39ff: Wellborn addresses the tavern-keepers with thee to signal his disdain and fury. Tapwell and his wife, you will notice, keep a thin veneer of respect in their speeches by continuing to use the formal you in addressing their guest.
40	Is not thy house, and all thou hast, my gift?	40: this enigmatic line will be explained shortly.
42	Tap. I find it not in chalk; and Timothy Tapwell	42: ie. "written anywhere." The image is of the customer's bill which a tavern-keeper would keep track of on a slate.
	Does keep no other register.	= record.
44
	Well. Am not I he
46	Whose riots fed and clothed thee? wert thou not	= dissolute lifestyle; the Tapwells, says Wellborn, have his extravagant spending to thank for much of what they now own.
	Born on my father's land, and proud to be
48	A drudge in his house?	= slave; Wellborn's point is that Tapwell, who formerly was a servant in Wellborn's father's household, was then satisfied to do even the most menial work.
50	Tap. What I was, sir, it skills not;	= does not matter.
	What you are, is apparent: now, for a farewell,
52	Since you talk of father, in my hope it will torment you,
	I'll briefly tell your story. Your dead father,
54	My quondam master, was a man of worship,	= former. = ie. of high standing or honour.
	Old Sir John Wellborn, justice of peace and quorum,	= a title for certain distinguished jurists.^8
56	And stood fair to be custos rotulorum;	56: "and had a good chance (stood fair) to become Keeper of the Rolls (custos rotulorum), the title for the principle justice of a county.^8
	Bore the whole sway of the shire, kept a great house,	= "had authority across the entire county".
58	Relieved the poor, and so forth; but he dying,
	And the twelve hundred a year coming to you,	59: the line describes the income of the Wellborn household, inherited by Frank on his father's death; according to the Bank of England's inflation calculator, the indicated amount comes to over a quarter-million pounds annually in today's money.^21
60	Late Master Francis, but now forlorn Wellborn −	60: "formerly known by the respectful title of Master Francis, but now called the wretch (forlorn) Wellborn."
62	Well. Slave, stop! or I shall lose myself.	= ie. lose control of.
64	Froth. Very hardly;	64: "only with difficulty".
	You cannot out of your way.	65: Froth attempts a feeble pun, taking lose myself to mean
66		"cease to be what I have become", which Wellborn cannot do.^5
	Tap. But to my story:
68	You were then a lord of acres, the prime gallant,	= the number-one wastrel.^9
	And I your under-butler; note the change now:
70	You had a merry time of’t; hawks and hounds,	70-73: hawks…sizes = Tapwell describes the typical hobbies of the young and wealthy.
	With choice of running horses; mistresses	= racing.
72	Of all sorts and all sizes, yet so hot,
	As their embraces made your lordship melt;
74	Which your uncle, Sir Giles Overreach, observing,
	(Resolving not to lose a drop of them,)
76	On foolish mortgages, statutes, and bonds,	76-77: Wellborn's uncle, Sir Giles Overreach, supported
	For a while supplied your looseness, and then left you.	Wellborn's licentious lifestyle for a time, lending him money, while requiring Wellborn to sign mortgages and statutes (debts secured by one's real property) and bonds (basically IOU's)^10 over to him; at a strategic moment, Overreach demanded repayment of the loans, and Wellborn, out of cash and unable to pay, forfeited all his property to his uncle.
78
	Well. Some curate hath penned this invective, mongrel,	79-80: Wellborn accuses Tapwell of memorizing a speech
80	And you have studied it.	which only a literate person like a pastor (curate) could have written.
82	Tap. I have not done yet:	= finished.
	Your land gone, and your credit not worth a token,	= a privately-issued piece of metal acting as a coin which might be issued by a tradesman for change, worth about a farthing;^6 hence, something of little value.
84	You grew the common borrower; no man 'scaped	84: the common borrower = "one who would borrow from anyone foolish enough to lend you money" (Deighton, p. 87).^5 'scaped = escaped, ie. could avoid.
	Your paper-pellets, from the gentleman	= ie. IOU's.^5
86	To the beggars on highways, that sold you switches	86-87: the image of a destitute person trying to make ends
	In your gallantry.	meet by selling shoots of trees for use as riding switches
88		on the side of the road appears in several old plays.
	Well. I shall switch your brains out.
90
	Tap. Where poor Tim Tapwell, with a little stock,	= whereas.^6 = ie. savings.
92	Some forty pounds or so, bought a small cottage;
	Humbled myself to marriage with my Froth here,
94	Gave entertainment −	94: "received as lodgers" (Deighton, p. 87).^5
96	Well. Yes, to whores and canters,	= whining beggars.^4
	Clubbers by night −	= the OED suggests clubbers are those who belong to
98		a club or gang,^1 but perhaps preferable is Deighton's interpretation of clubbers as robbers who committed their villainies while armed with clubs.^5
	Tap. True, but they brought in profit,
100	And had a gift to pay for what they called for,	= ie. were in the habit.^5
	And stuck not like your mastership. The poor income	101: stuck not = were not stingy, ie. did not hesitate to pay. your mastership = mocking title of respect.
102	I gleaned from them hath made me in my parish
	Thought worthy to be scavenger, and in time	103: Tapwell was thought well enough of to be given a job of street-cleaner, or perhaps overseer of street-cleaners (scavenger).^11
104	I may rise to be overseer of the poor;	= a position first created in 1572; this parish officer was responsible for distributing assistance to the worthy poor and assigning work to those who were able.^1
	Which if I do, on your petition, Wellborn,	= "if you file a petition requesting relief".
106	I may allow you thirteen-pence a quarter.	= pennies; the described rate comes to one penny a week.^5
	And you shall thank my worship.
108
	Well. Thus, you dog-bolt,	= wretch: a term of abuse, frequently appearing in plays
110	And thus −	of the era.^1 Note Wellborn's continuing use of canine-
		related insults.
112	[Beats and kicks him.]
114	Tap. [to his wife] Cry out for help!
116	Well. Stir, and thou diest: −	= move; this line is spoken to Froth.
	Your potent prince, the constable, shall not save you.	= Wellborn alludes back to Tapwell's description of the constable as a potent monarch (line 23).
118	Hear me, ungrateful hell-hound! did not I
	Make purses for you? then you licked my boots,	= raise money.^5
120	And thought your holiday cloak too coarse to clean them.	120: holiday cloak = best cloak (literally a cloak worn only on special occasions, such as festivals).^1 too coarse = ie. not good enough. The sense is that no job was too base for Tapwell to gladly do for Wellborn.
	'Twas I that, when I heard thee swear if ever	121-4: Wellborn further explains his meaning in line 40: he
122	Thou couldst arrive at forty pounds thou wouldst	literally gave Tapwell the start-up money to open his ale-house.
	Live like an emperor, twas I that gave it
124	In ready gold. Deny this, wretch!	= in cash, as opposed to a promise to pay.
126	Tap. I must, sir;	126-130: Tapwell's answer is smart-alecky, and he comes across as cruelly ungrateful.
	For, from the tavern to the taphouse, all,	= from the highest to the lowest sort of inn.^5
128	On forfeiture of their licenses, stand bound	= ie. are obligated, by tradition or as a good business
	Ne'er to remember who their best guests were,	practice.
130	If they grew poor like you.
132	Well. They are well rewarded
	That beggar themselves to make such cuckolds rich.	133: husbands whose wives are unfaithful to them.
134	Thou viper, thankless viper! impudent bawd! −	= the allusion, a common one, is to a snake which Wellborn has taken into his bosom, but which stung him out of ungratefulness.^5
	But since you are grown forgetful, I will help
136	Your memory, and tread you into mortar,	= "stomp you into pieces or a paste"; the reference is to an
	Nor leave one bone unbroken.	old method of making mortar, by which men wearing
138		wooden shoes would trod on and crush lumps of lime.^5
	[Beats him again.]
140
	Tap. Oh!
142
	Froth. Ask mercy.
144
	Enter Allworth.	Entering Character: Tom Allworth is a young gentleman
146		who is a retainer of Lord Lovell, whom we have not yet met; which is to say, Allworth has attached himself to the Lord, serving him in return for Lovell's patronage and support.
	Well. 'Twill not be granted.
148
	All. Hold − for my sake, hold. −	= "stop".
150	Deny me, Frank! they are not worth your anger.	= Wellborn is ignoring Allworth, and continues to beat the barkeep.
152	Well. For once thou hast redeemed them from this sceptre;	152: Allworth relents: "this time you have saved them from this cudgel."
	But let them vanish, creeping on their knees,
154	And, if they grumble, I revoke my pardon.
156	Froth. This comes of your prating, husband; you presumed	156-7: you presumed…wit = "you thought you could prevail
	On your ambling wit, and must use your glib tongue,	with your smooth talking (ambling wit)".
158	Though you are beaten lame for't.
160	Tap. Patience, Froth;
	There's law to cure our bruises.	161: Tapwell expects to be able to sue Wellborn for assault
162		and receive damages.
	[They crawl off on their hands and knees.]
164
	Well. Sent to your mother?	165: ie. "has your patron, Lord Lovell, sent you to see your step-mother?"^6
166
	All. My lady, Frank, my patroness, my all!	167-171: Allworth is effusive as he describes his affection
168	She's such a mourner for my father's death,	for his step-mother, Lady Allworth, who, though Allworth's natural father has died, still treats him as kindly and as generously as if he were her own son.
	And, in her love to him, so favours me,
170	That I cannot pay too much observance to her.	= act too dutifully towards.
	There are few such stepdames.
172
	Well. 'Tis a noble widow,	173-8: Wellborn expresses a typical concern of Elizabethan
174	And keeps her reputation pure, and clear	drama, that Lady Allworth has honourably refused to
	From the least taint of infamy; her life,	sully her good name by scandalously taking on any new lovers, even as she is of course now legally free to do so.
176	With the splendour of her actions, leaves no tongue
	To envy or detraction. Prithee tell me,	= malice or slander.^2
178	Has she no suitors?
180	All. Even the best of the shire, Frank,
	My lord excepted; such as sue and send,	181: My lord excepted = Lovell is the only person in the county, it seems, who has not attempted to win Lady Allworth's hand. 181-2: such as…purpose = "her suitors court her continuously, but to no avail." To sue is to entreat or court, to send is to send for.
182	And send and sue again, but to no purpose:
	Their frequent visits have not gained her presence.	183: Lady Allworth will not even meet those who come to court her.
184	Yet she's so far from sullenness and pride,	184-6: Yet she's…entertainment = "but she is so much the
	That I dare undertake you shall meet from her	opposite of moody and proud, that I am certain that if
186	A liberal entertainment: I can give you	you were to visit her she would give you a generous
	A catalogue of her suitors' names.	welcome."
188
	Well. Forbear it,	= ie. "not now".
190	While I give you good counsel: I am bound to it.	190-2: As a close friend of Allworth's now-deceased father
	Thy father was my friend, and that affection	(and which friendship automatically passes to young Allworth), Wellborn feels obligated to give Tom some advice.
192	I bore to him, in right descends to thee;
	Thou art a handsome and a hopeful youth,	= promising.^2
194	Nor will I have the least affront stick on thee,	194-5: "I would not have the least offense or insult be
	If I with any danger can prevent it.	attached to you, if there is anything I can do to prevent it."
196
	All. I thank your noble care; but, pray you, in what	197-8: in what…hazard = ie. "how am I at risk?"
198	Do I run the hazard?
200	Well. Art thou not in love?
	Put it not off with wonder.	201: "don't try to avoid answering me by acting surprised."
202
	All. In love, at my years!	203: Allworth suggests he is too young to be thinking about love.
204
	Well. You think you walk in clouds, but are transparent.	= ie. "are surrounded by a mist which prevents others from seeing what you are up to."
206	I have heard all, and the choice that you have made,
	And, with my finger, can point out the north star	207-8: Allworth's folly follows the magnet (loadstone, ie.
208	By which the loadstone of your folly's guided;	compass) which points toward the north star, which in turn represents the lady whom Allworth is in love with, and whom Wellborn can readily identify.
	And, to confirm this true, what think you of
210	Fair Margaret, the only child and heir
	Of Cormorant Overreach? Does it blush and start,	211: Cormorant Overreach = a cormorant is a voracious sea bird, and hence describes an obscenely greedy person;^12 Wellborn applies the word as a mock-title to Sir Giles Overreach, Margaret's father, and Wellborn's uncle. Does it = ie. "do you".
212	To hear her only named? blush at your want	= ie. "blush instead". = lack.
	Of wit and reason.
214
	All. You are too bitter, sir.
216
	Well. Wounds of this nature are not to be cured
218	With balms, but corrosives. I must be plain:	218: balms = soothing, healing ointments. corrosives = medications that act by eating away at corrupted tissue.^1
	Art thou scarce manumised from the porter's lodge	219: manumised = freed. the porter's lodge = the gate of a castle or park, where domestics were usually punished;^1 Wellborn's point is that Allworth is only just old enough to no longer be subject to corporal punishment; the porter is the gate- keeper.
220	And yet sworn servant to the pantofle,	220: literally, "and yet you are already a professed follower (sworn servant) of the slipper (pantofle)",^1 suggesting Allworth carries his lady's slipper,^5 ie. Allworth is already acting the part of a courtier or lover. Sherman suggests the reference is to a page who is assigned to literally carry the slippers of his mistress.^9
	And dar'st thou dream of marriage? I fear
222	'Twill be concluded for impossible	222-5: in short, "I cannot escape the conclusion that there can exist any young man who is not either in love with or loved by a woman"
	That there is now, or e'er shall be hereafter,
224	A handsome page or player's boy of fourteen	224: page = young male servant. player's boy = servant to an actor. of fourteen = Wellborn seems to be suggesting Allworth is a young teenager; there are a number of such hints in the play that Allworth is so young, including the fact that he is identified as a page, a position reserved for boys, to Lord Lovell. Allworth is seeking already to be married, and though it was unusual for anyone to be married at such a young age at the time, it was legal to do so.
	But either loves a wench or drabs love him;	= strumpets.
226	Court-waiters not exempted.	= pages at court.
228	All. This is madness.
	Howe'er you have discovered my intents,
230	You know my aims are lawful; and if ever	= honourable: his intention is to marry, and not just seduce,
	The queen of flowers, the glory of the spring,	Margaret.
232	The sweetest comfort to our smell, the rose,
	Sprang from an envious briar, I may infer	= malicious.
234	There's such disparity in their conditions
	Between the goodness of my soul, the daughter,	= ie. Sir Giles' daughter.
236	And the base churl her father.	230-6: and if ever…father = Allworth's point is that, just as a rose, the best of flowers, can grow from a thorny and even harmful briar, so Margaret, a fine girl, can issue from a father as malignant as Sir Giles; churl = boor.
238	Well. Grant this true,
	As I believe it, canst thou ever hope	= Wellborn, perhaps of the same generation as Allworth's father, can address the young man with thou without causing offense; Allworth, on the other hand, addresses Wellborn correctly, even despite the latter's downtrodden state, with the respectful you.
240	To enjoy a quiet bed with her whose father
	Ruined thy state?	240-1: Wellborn points out that Overreach is responsible for
242		Allworth's present poverty, and not just his own; as we will learn later, Sir Giles had long ago ruined Allworth's father, just as he did Wellborn more recently, leaving young Allworth without any significant inheritance of his own.
	All. And yours too.
244
	Well. I confess it;
246	True; I must tell you as a friend, and freely,
	That, where impossibilities are apparent,	247-8: "that it is reckless to be hopeful for a result which is clearly impossible."
248	'Tis indiscretiön to nourish hopes.
	Canst thou imagine (let not self-love blind thee)	249-253: Overreach has been plotting for years to make Margaret an attractive enough catch for a wealthy and powerful man, so that she may enjoy high rank, titles and privilege. So how can Allworth imagine he would let her marry him?
250	That Sir Giles Overreach, that, to make her great
	In swelling titles, without touch of conscience	= grandiose.^9 = any sense of guilt.
252	Will cut his neighbour's throat, and I hope his own too,
	Will e'er consent to make her thine? Give o'er,	= "give up this train of thought".
254	And think of some course suitable to thy rank,
	And prosper in it.
256
	All. You have well advised me.
258	But in the mean time you that are so studious
	Of my affairs wholly neglect your own:
260	Remember yourself, and in what plight you are.	260: Allworth is suggesting Wellborn is in no position to be
		giving him advice.
262	Well. No matter, no matter.
264	All. Yes, 'tis much material:	= ie. "it directly affects you."
	You know my fortune and my means; yet something	= ie. which is not extensive.
266	I can spare from myself to help your wants.
268	Well. How's this?
270	All. Nay, be not angry; there's eight pieces	= gold coins. Allworth's attempt to help Wellborn out, though heartfelt and born from genuine sympathy, is naïve, and Wellborn does not take the offer well.
	To put you in better fashion.	271: "so you may buy new clothes."
272
	Well. Money from thee!
274	From a boy! a stipendiary! one that lives	274-6: a stipendiary…lord = Wellborn points out that any
	At the devotion of a stepmother	money Allworth has comes in the form of an allowance (stipend) from his step-mother who loves him, and the generosity of his patron Lovell, the latter's payments on which he cannot always depend.
276	And the uncertain favour of a lord!
	I'll eat my arms first. Howsoe'er blind Fortune	277: arms = I think he means his bodily arms, so as to prevent them from accepting any such handout. blind Fortune = personified Fortune is normally arbitrary (blind) regarding whose luck she raises or lowers, but she seems to have targeted Wellborn with extra misfortune (line 278).
278	Hath spent the utmost of her malice on me −
	Though I am vomited out of an alehouse,	= an appropriate word for being tossed out of a tavern.
280	And thus accoutred − know not where to eat,	= dressed, ie. poorly.
	Or drink, or sleep, but underneath this canopy −	= ie. the sky.
282	Although I thank thee, I despise thy offer:
	And as I in my madness broke my state	= "allowed my estate (ie. myself) to go broke".
284	Without the assistance of another's brain,
	In my right wits I'll piece it; at the worst,	= "put it back together again."
286	Die thus and be forgotten.	= ie. "I'll die".
288	All. A strange humour!	= mood.
290	[Exeunt.]
	ACT I, SCENE II.
	A Room in Lady Allworth's House.
	Enter Order, Amble, Furnace, and Watchall.	Entering Characters: the named characters are all servants in Lady Allworth's household: Order is the steward, the head domestic who runs the entire household; Amble is the usher, or attendant; Furnace the cook; and Watchall the porter, or door-keeper.^12
1	Ord. Set all things right, or, as my name is Order,
2	And by this staff of office that commands you,	2-3: the steward lists several attributes of his authority; the chain held his keys; the ruff was the uncomfortable- looking frill worn at the time around the fashionable person's neck.
	This chain and double ruff, symbols of power,
4	Whoever misses in his functiön,	4: "whoever falls short in his duties".
	For one whole week makes forfeiture of his breakfast,
6	And privilege in the wine-cellar.	6: ie. he gets no drink!
8	Amb. You are merry,
	Good master steward.
10
	Furn. Let him; I'll be angry.	11: Furnace, as his name suggests, is usually ill-tempered.
12
	Amb. Why, fellow Furnace, 'tis not twelve o'clock yet,	13-14: noon was the normal time for dinner in those days.^13
14	Nor dinner taking up; then, 'tis allowed,	14-15: then…choleric = Amble suggests cooks should be ill-tempered only at meal times.
	Cooks, by their places, may be choleric.	15: cooks, by nature of their exacting duties, are licensed to
16		be short-tempered (choleric).
	Furn. You think you have spoke wisely, goodman Amble,
18	My lady's go-before!	18: the usher would precede his master or mistress when he
		or she makes an entrance; Furnace means this as an insult.
20	Ord. Nay, nay, no wrangling.
22	Furn. Twit me with the authority of the kitchen!
	At all hours, and all places, I'll be angry;	23: Furnace responds to Amble's assertion of lines 14-15; he will not be circumscribed regarding when he will be angry!
24	And thus provoked, when I am at my prayers	= read as "even when".
	I will be angry.
26
	Amb. There was no hurt meant.
28
	Furn. I am friends with thee; and yet I will be angry.
30
	Ord. With whom?
32
	Furn. No matter whom: yet, now I think on it,
34	I am angry with my lady.	= ie. Lady Allworth.
36	Watch. Heaven forbid, man!
38	Ord. What cause has she given thee?
40	Furn. Cause enough, master steward.
	I was entertained by her to please her palate,	= hired.
42	And, till she forswore eating, I performed it.	= gave up.
	Now, since our master, noble Allworth, died,
44	Though I crack my brains to find out tempting sauces,
	And raise fortifications in the pastry	45-48: Furnace compares the raised sides of his puff pastry to the walls of a fortress; Sherman notes that the ability to raise pastry artfully was prized by chefs.^9
46	Such as might serve for models in the Low Countries;	46-48: a very topical allusion to the 10-month long siege by
	Which, if they had been practisèd at Breda,	the Spanish of the Dutch city of Breda; the good people
48	Spinola might have thrown his cap at it, and ne'er took it.	of the Netherlands (Low Countries) had been trying to shake off Spanish rule since 1566, and upon the conclusion of a 12-year truce in 1621, the Spanish began to aggressively recapture lost territory. In August 1624 the great Italian general Ambrogio Spinola (who was serving the Spanish) besieged the well-defended port city of Breda. Despite repeated efforts to relieve the city, including assistance from the English, Breda finally surrendered on 1 July 1625. In the intervening months, the garrison and civilian population suffered incredible hardship, including near-starvation.^6
50	Amb. But you had wanted matter there to work on.	50: "but you would have lacked (wanted) ingredients to work with there", a reference to the near-complete absence of food during the siege of Breda; Amble is teasing Furnace.
52	Furn. Matter! with six eggs, and a strike of rye meal,	= an archaic unit of dry-measure, about a bushel.^1
	I had kept the town till doomsday, perhaps longer.	= ie. would have supplied the city with food.
54
	Ord. But what's this to your pet against my lady?	= "what does this have to do with". = sulking.^1
56
	Furn. What's this? marry this; when I am three parts roasted	= an oath, derived from the Virgin Mary.
58	And the fourth part parboiled, to prepare her viands,
	She keeps her chamber, dines with a panada	= "stays in her room". = a sweetened but thin porridge containing slices of bread.^3
60	Or water-gruel, my sweat never thought on.	= a thin oatmeal, also sometimes sweetened.^1
62	Ord. But your art is seen in the dining-room.
64	Furn. By whom?
	By such as pretend love to her, but come	65-66: By such…upon her = "only by those who come here on the pretense of loving her, but really only want to enjoy her dinner table."
66	To feed upon her. Yet, of all the harpies	= mythical monsters notorious for their disgustingness; half-bird and half-woman, harpies were known for their propensity to devour food, or foul it, rendering it inedible.
	That do devour her, I am out of charity	= ie. patience.
68	With none so much as the thin-gutted squire	68-69: Furnace alludes to their frequent guest, the painfully- thin Justice Greedy.
	That's stolen into commission.	= "who has bribed (or employed other forms of corruption)
70		to get himself appointed Justice of the Peace."
	Ord. Justice Greedy?
72
	Furn. The same, the same: meat's cast away upon him,	= thrown away, ie. wasted.
74	It never thrives; he holds this paradox,	= manifests or demonstrates.
	Who eats not well, can ne'er do justice well:	75: perhaps a variation of Jeremiah 22:15: "did not thy father eat and drink, and do judgment and justice, etc." (King James version).
76	His stomach's as insatiate as the grave,	= ie. insatiable or unsatisfiable.
	Or strumpets' ravenous appetites.	77: "or as the sexual desire of whores."
78
	[Knocking within.]
80
	Watch. One knocks.
82
	[Exit.]	83: as the porter, Watchall goes to answer the door.
84
	Ord. Our late young master!
86
	Re-enter Watchall and Allworth.
88
	Amb. Welcome, sir.
90
	Furn. Your hand;	91: Furnace offers to shake hands.
92	If you have a stomach, a cold bake-meat's ready.	= appetite. = meat-pie or pastry.^1
94	Ord. His father's picture in little.	94: "he is his father's very image."
96	Furn. We are all your servants.	= ie. "at your service."
98	Amb. In you he lives.
100	All. At once, my thanks to all;	= in short.
	This is yet some comfort. Is my lady stirring?	= Allworth is glad for this welcome, which makes up a bit
102		for his fallen condition.
	Enter Lady Allworth,
104	Waiting Woman, and Chambermaid.
106	Ord. Her presence answers for us.
108	L. All. Sort those silks well.
	I'll take the air alone.	= get some air, ie. take a walk.
110
	[Exeunt Waiting Woman and Chambermaid.]
112
	Furn. You air and air;
114	But will you never taste but spoon-meat more?	= anything except for. = liquid food, such as soups and
	To what use serve I?	gruel.
116
	L. All. Prithee, be not angry;	= please, short for "pray thee".
118	I shall ere long; i' the mean time, there is gold	= "I shall begin again to take proper meals before long."
	To buy thee aprons, and a summer suit.
120
	Furn. I am appeased, and Furnace now grows cool.
122
	L. All. And, as I gave directions, if this morning
124	I am visited by any, entertain them	= ie. feed.^5
	As heretofore; but say, in my excuse,	= "as before."
126	I am indisposed.
128	Ord. I shall, madam.
130	L. All. Do, and leave them.
	Nay, stay you, Allworth.
132
	[Exeunt Order, Amble, Furnace, and Watchall.]
134
	All. I shall gladly grow here,	= remain.
136	To wait on your commands.
138	L. All. So soon turned courtier!	138: Lady Allworth is impressed that her young stepson has already learned to speak so flatteringly.
140	All. Style not that courtship, madam, which is duty	140-1: "don't call (style) the way I act as court behavior;
	Purchased on your part.	rather, you have earned my obedience and loyalty to you."
142
	L. All. Well, you shall o'ercome;	= ie. "come out victorious in this argument," ie. Lady Allworth will not argue the point with him.
144	I'll not contend in words. How is it with
	Your noble master?	145: ie. Lord Lovell.
146
	All. Ever like himself,	147-8: as always, Lord Lovell is scrupulously honourable
148	No scruple lessened in the full weight of honour.	in his behavior.
	He did command me, pardon my presumption,
150	As his unworthy deputy, to kiss
	Your ladyship's fair hands.
152
	L. All. I am honoured in
154	His favour to me. Does he hold his purpose	154-5: Does he…Countries = Lovell is planning to raise a
	For the Low Countries?	troop of soldiers, and bring them to the continent to
156		lead against the Spanish on behalf of the Dutch.
	All. Constantly, good madam;
158	But he will in person first present his service.	158: Lovell will not leave England before he pays a visit (presents his service) to Lady Allworth.
160	L. All. And how approve you of his course? you are yet	= what do you think of".
	Like virgin parchment, capable of any
162	Inscription, vicious or honourable.
	I will not force your will, but leave you free	163-4: Lady Allworth means she will let her stepson decide
164	To your own election.	for himself if he wants to accompany Lovell to the wars.
166	All. Any form you please,
	I will put on; but, might I make my choice,
168	With humble emulation I would follow
	The path my lord marks to me.	= ie. "Lord Lovell suggests I should take."
170
	L. All. 'Tis well answered,
172	And I commend your spirit: you had a father,	= praise, approve.
	Blessed be his memory! that some few hours
174	Before the will of Heaven took him from me,
	Who did commend you, by the dearest ties	= entrust.^2
176	Of perfect love between us, to my charge;	= responsibility.
	And, therefore, what I speak, you are bound to hear
178	With such respect as if he lived in me.	= "as if your father is speaking through me."
	He was my husband, and howe'er you are not
180	Son of my womb, you may be of my love,
	Provided you deserve it.
182
	All. I have found you,
184	Most honoured madam, the best mother to me;
	And, with my utmost strengths of care and service,
186	Will labour that you never may repent
	Your bounties showered upon me.	= generous favours.
188
	L. All. I much hope it.
190	These were your father's words: "If e'er my son
	Follow the war, tell him it is a school
192	Where all the principles tending to honour
	Are taught, if truly followed: but for such	= those.
194	As repair thither as a place in which	= "who go to there (ie. to wars)".
	They do presume they may with license practise	= ie. complete freedom.
196	Their lusts and riots, they shall never merit	= debaucheries, wild behavior.
	The noble name of soldiers. To dare boldly,	= the sense is "fight".
198	In a fair cause, and for their country's safety,
	To run upon the cannon's mouth undaunted;	= without fear.
200	To obey their leaders, and shun mutinies;
	To bear with patiënce the winter's cold
202	And summer's scorching heat, and not to faint
	When plenty of provision fails, with hunger;
204	Are the essential parts make up a soldier,	= ie. that make up.
	Not swearing, dice, or drinking."
206
	All. There's no syllable
208	You speak, but is to me an oracle,	= ie. like a divinely-inspired statement of the truth.
	Which but to doubt were impious.	= would be.
210
	L. All. To conclude:
212	Beware ill company, for often men	212f: Lady Allworth warns her stepson from speaking any
	Are like to those with whom they do converse;	further from with Wellborn, not because he is destitute,
214	And, from one man I warn you, and that's Wellborn:	but because young Allworth might be tempted to pick
	Not 'cause he's poor, that rather claims your pity;	up the prodigal's bad habits.
216	But that he's in his manners so debauched,
	And hath to vicious courses sold himself.	= an immoral or evil course of behavior.
218	'Tis true, your father loved him, while he was
	Worthy the loving; but if he had lived	= "of his love."
220	To have seen him as he is, he had cast him off,	= would have.
	As you must do.
222
	All. I shall obey in all things.
224
	L. All. Follow me to my chamber, you shall have gold
226	To furnish you like my son, and still supplied,	= equip. = ie. further.
	As I hear from you.
228
	All. I am still your creature.	= always, ever.
230
	[Exeunt.]
	ACT I, SCENE III.
	A Hall in the same.	The Scene: ie. still in Lady Allworth's house.
	Enter Overreach, Greedy, Order, Amble,	Entering Characters: we finally meet the play's villain, Sir
	Furnace, Watchall, and Marrall.	Giles Overreach, the ruthless collector of others' property by any means, legal or not; his only possible claim to humanity is his repeated assertion that he does what he does for the benefit of his daughter Margaret, as he cares not for his own reputation. Marrall is Sir Giles' hired hand, the one who does much of Sir Giles' dirty work. Greedy, a Justice of the Peace, is, despite his role as Overreach's ally on the bench, the play's comic relief. Dramatist Ben Jonson had years earlier pioneered the conceit of having a character defined by a particular and dominating quirk in his personality; Greedy himself fills such a role, his idiosyncrasy being an insatiable hunger. Greedy can barely speak or think of anything but food, and one must wonder whether a 17th century audience found his single unvarying joke as funny in the fifth act as it might have been in the first.
1	Greedy. Not to be seen!	1ff: the scene begins with the recent arrivals learning that Lady Allworth never visits with her guests.
2
	Over. Still cloistered up! Her reason,	3-6: "she is still in seclusion! I expect that her sane good
4	I hope, assures her, though she make herself	judgment tells her, despite the fact that she keeps herself
	Close prisoner ever for her husband's loss,	in isolation (close prisoner) in her mourning, that her
6	'Twill not recover him.	hiding from the world won't bring her husband back."
8	Ord. Sir, it is her will.
	Which we, that are her servants, ought to serve,
10	And not dispute: howe'er, you are nobly welcome;
	And, if you please to stay, that you may think so,
12	There came, not six days since, from Hull, a pipe	12: Hull = a port city in Yorkshire, about 60 miles north-east of the play's setting in Nottingham. pipe = cask.^2
	Of rich Canary, which shall spend itself	= a sweet wine from the Canary Islands.
14	For my lady's honour.
16	Greedy. Is it of the right race?	= ie. the best kind of grape.^5
18	Ord. Yes, Master Greedy.
20	Amb. How his mouth runs o'er!	= salivates.
22	Furn. I'll make it run, and run. Save your good worship!	= ie. "God save your worship", a phase of good will.
		Furnace is obviously pleased that Greedy appreciates his cooking.
24	Greedy. Honest Master Cook, thy hand; again: how I love thee!
	Are the good dishes still in being? speak, boy.
26
	Furn. If you have a mind to feed, there is a chine	= joint.^2
28	Of beef, well seasoned.
30	Greedy. Good!
32	Furn. A pheasant, larded.
34	Greedy. That I might now give thanks for't!
36	Furn. Other kickshaws.	= fancy French dishes.^4
	Besides, there came last night, from the forest of Sherwood,	= famous forest of Nottinghamshire.
38	The fattest stag I ever cooked.
40	Greedy. A stag, man!
42	Furn. A stag, sir; part of it prepared for dinner,
	And baked in puff-paste.
44
	Greedy. Puff-paste too! Sir Giles,
46	A ponderous chine of beef! a pheasant larded!
	And red deer too, Sir Giles, and baked in puff-paste!
48	All business set aside, let us give thanks here.	= right now.^5
50	Furn. How the lean skeleton's rapt!	50: part of the humour surrounding Greedy is that he remains painfully thin, no matter how much he consumes. It is interesting to speculate whether Massinger wrote the part with a particularly scrawny actor in mind.
52	Over. You know we cannot.	52: Overreach reminds Greedy they have no time to eat.
54	Mar. Your worships are to sit on a commission,	54: Marrall reminds the gentlemen that they are scheduled
	And if you fail to come, you lose the cause.	to attend a hearing of a case (cause) to which Sir Giles
56		is a party, and over which Greedy will be presiding. If Overreach fails to appear, he will lose his suit by default.
	Greedy. Cause me no causes. I'll prove't, for such dinner,
58	We may put off a commission: you shall find it
	Henrici decimo quarto.	= ie. in an Act passed during the fourteenth year of the reign of Henry VIII.^9
60
	Over. Fie, Master Greedy!	= for shame.
62	Will you lose me a thousand pounds for a dinner?
	No more, for shame! we must forget the belly
64	When we think of profit.
66	Greedy. Well, you shall o'er-rule me;
	I could e'en cry now. − Do you hear, Master Cook,
68	Send but a corner of that immortal pasty,	= fragment or piece. = meat-pie which deserves eternal fame.^5
	And I, in thankfulness, will, by your boy,
70	Send you − a brace of three-pences.	= a pair of three-pence, or six pennies; certainly an underwhelming amount, as indicated by Furnace's ironic response. Note the dash, which allows for a dramatic pause before Greedy names his anticlimactic reward.
72	Furn. Will you be so prodigal?	= extravagant.
74	Enter Wellborn.
76	Over. Remember me to your lady. − Who have we here?
78	Well. You know me.
80	Over. I did once, but now I will not;
	Thou art no blood of mine. Avaunt, thou beggar!	81: Thou art no blood of mine = Overreach disowns his nephew; but he also means this literally, as Overreach was actually married to the sister of Wellborn's father, and thus not a blood relative. Avaunt = "be gone".
82	If ever thou presume to own me more,	= claim Overreach as his kinsman.
	I'll have thee caged and whipped.	= imprisoned.^5
84
	Greedy. I'll grant the warrant. −	85: ie. for Wellborn's arrest.
86	Think of pie-corner, Furnace!	= "don't forget the". = there is small geographic joke here:
		there was a real Pie-Corner in old London, in the neighbourhood of Smithfield in the ward of Farringdon Without, located in north-west central London.^15
88	[Exeunt Overreach, Greedy, and Marrall.]
90	Watch. Will you out, sir?	= leave; Watchall addresses Wellborn.
	I wonder how you durst creep in.	= "marvel that".
92
	Ord. This is rudeness,
94	And saucy impudence.
96	Amb. Cannot you stay	= wait.
	To be served, among your fellows, from the basket,	= ie. the left-overs that are given to the servants, distributed to the poor, or sent to the prisons to feed the indigent.
98	But you must press into the hall?	= ie. "unwelcomely force your way".
100	Furn. Prithee, vanish
	Into some outhouse, though it be the pigstye;
102	My scullion shall come to thee.	102: one of the menial kitchen servants will bring food
		to Wellborn; Lady Allworth's hired help is cruel to Wellborn.
104	Enter Allworth.
106	Well. This is rare:	= excellent; Wellborn is sarcastic.
	Oh, here's Tom Allworth. Tom!
108
	All. We must be strangers:	109-110: Allworth refuses to be seen in Wellborn's
110	Nor would I have you seen here for a million.	company; additionally, the outcast's presence in Lady
		Allworth's home is scandalous.
112	[Exit.]
114	Well. Better and better. He contemns me too!	= scorns.
116	Enter Waiting Woman and Chambermaid.
118	Woman. Foh, what a smell's here! what thing's this?
120	Cham. A creature
	Made out of the privy; let us hence, for love's sake,	= conceived in a latrine. = "get out of here".
122	Or I shall swoon.
124	Woman. I begin to faint already.
126	[Exeunt Waiting Woman and Chambermaid.]
128	Watch. Will you know your way?	= "can you find your own way out?"
130	Amb. Or shall we teach it you,	130-1: "or do we have to throw you out?"
	By the head and shoulders?
132
	Well. No; I will not stir;
134	Do you mark, I will not: let me see the wretch
	That dares attempt to force me. Why, you slaves,
136	Created only to make legs, and cringe;	= "bow and scrape" (Symons, p. 123).^3
	To carry in a dish, and shift a trencher;	= serve or remove a platter.
138	That have not souls only to hope a blessing	138-9: That have…flagons = "you who have nothing better to hope for in life than a good drink."
	Beyond black-jacks or flagons; you, that were born	139: black-jacks = leather beer jugs or pitchers covered with tar.^3,14 flagons = large drinking containers with a handle and spout.^6
140	Only to consume meat and drink, and batten	= "glut yourselves".
	Upon reversions! − who advances? who	141: upon reversions = "on leftovers." Wellborn is adapting a legal term (reversion) here. Who advances? = "who dares step up (to challenge me)?"
142	Shews me the way?	= ie. shows.
144	Ord. My lady!
146	Enter Lady Allworth,
	Waiting Woman, and Chambermaid.
148
	Cham. Here's the monster.
150
	Woman. Sweet madam, keep your glove to your nose.	= there was a custom of wearing scented gloves in those
152		days; obviously the Waiting Woman is hoping to save Lady Allworth the trouble of experiencing Wellborn's odour.
	Cham. Or let me
154	Fetch some perfumes may be predominant;	= which can overcome Wellborn's stench.^5
	You wrong yourself else.
156
	Well. Madam, my designs	= plans.
158	Bear me to you!
160	L. All. To me!
162	Well. And though I have met with
	But ragged entertainment from your grooms here,	= servants.
164	I hope from you to receive that noble usage	= treatment.
	As may become the true friend of your husband,
166	And then I shall forget these.	= "these others", ie. "how they treated me."
168	L. All. I am amazed
	To see and hear this rudeness. Darest thou think,
170	Though sworn, that it can ever find belief,	= ie. "even if someone were to swear that this actually happened".
	That I, who to the best men of this country
172	Denied my presence since my husband's death,
	Can fall so low as to change words with thee,	= exchange.
174	Thou son of infamy! forbear my house,	= "stay away from".
	And know and keep the distance that's between us;	= a reference to the disparity in the current social standings between Lady Allworth and Wellborn.
176	Or, though it be against my gentler temper,
	I shall take order you no more shall be	= ie. "take steps to make sure".
178	An eyesore to me.
180	Well. Scorn me not, good lady;
	But, as in form you are angelical,
182	Imitate the heavenly natures, and vouchsafe	= grant, deign.
	At the least awhile to hear me. You will grant
184	The blood that runs in this arm is as noble
	As that which fills your veins; those costly jewels,
186	And those rich clothes you wear, your men's observance,	= "your servants' respectful performance of their duty."
	And women's flattery, are in you no virtues,
188	Nor these rags, with my poverty, in me vices.
	You have a fair fame, and, I know, deserve it;	= good reputation.
190	Yet, lady, I must say, in nothing more
	Than in the pious sorrow you have shewn
192	For your late noble husband.	181-192: though Lady Allworth is beautiful and wealthy,
		and is obeyed and flattered by all those who surround her, she really only deserves praise for her proper behavior and show of mourning since her husband died.
194	Ord. How she starts!
196	Furn. And hardly can keep finger from the eye,	= ie. from shedding a tear.
	To hear him named.	= ie. her deceased husband.
198
	L. All. Have you aught else to say?	= anything.
200
	Well. That husband, madam, was once in his fortune
202	Almost as low as I; want, debts, and quarrels	= poverty.
	Lay heavy on him: let it not be thought
204	A boast in me, though I say, I relieved him.
	'Twas I that gave him fashion; mine the sword,	= ie. "gave him money to purchase new and up-to-date clothes."
206	That did on all occasions second his;	= support, ie. Wellborn was always there to back up Allworth pére in a quarrel.
	I brought him on and off with honour, lady;
208	And when in all men's judgments he was sunk,	208-9: "and when he was despised by all who knew him,
	And, in his own hopes, not to be buoyed up,	and he had no expectation of rising in anyone's favour ever again".
210	I stepped unto him, took him by the hand,
	And set him upright.
212
	Furn. Are not we base rogues,
214	That could forget this?
216	Well. I confess, you made him	216-7: you made…estate = ie. "you married him."
	Master of your estate; nor could your friends,	= as a legal matter, a husband would take control of his
218	Though he brought no wealth with him, blame you for it;	bride's property upon their marriage.
	For he had a shape, and to that shape a mind	= good looks. = along with.
220	Made up of all parts, either great or noble;
	So winning a behaviour, not to be
222	Resisted, madam.	216-222: Lady Allworth seems to have married her attractive
		husband despite his indigence.
224	L. All. Tis most true, he had.
226	Well. For his sake, then, in that I was his friend,
	Do not contemn me.	= scorn.
228
	L. All. For what's past excuse me,	= "what just happened", ie. the rough reception given to
230	I will redeem it. − Order, give the gentleman	Wellborn.
	A hundred pounds.
232
	Well. No, madam, on no terms:
234	I will nor beg nor borrow sixpence of you,
	But be supplied elsewhere, or want thus ever.	235: "but instead I'll get money elsewhere, or forever remain broke."
236	Only one suit I make, which you deny not	= request.
	To strangers; and 'tis this.
238
	[Whispers to her.]	239: Wellborn has a plan of deception, and he needs Lady Allworth's help to implement it.
240
	L. All. Fie! nothing else?	= "that is all?"
242
	Well. Nothing, unless you please to charge your servants	= command.
244	To throw away a little respect upon me.	= ie. bestow, toss. There is a sense in the phrase which
		suggests the show of respect would be of little value to the servants.
246	L. All. What you demand is yours.
248	Well. I thank you, lady.
	[Aside] Now what can be wrought out of such a suit	249-250: Now what…supposition = "Now what the outcome
250	Is yet in supposition: − I have said all;	will be of my scheme is uncertain."
	When you please, you may retire.
252
	[Exit Lady Allworth.]
254
	[To the Servants] Nay, all's forgotten;
256	And, for a lucky omen to my project,
	Shake hands, and end all quarrels in the cellar.	= ie. with a drink. The cellar was the where the wine was
258		stored.
	Ord. Agreed, agreed.
260
	Furn. Still merry Master Wellborn.
262
	[Exeunt.]
	END OF ACT I.

	ACT II.
	SCENE I.
	A Room in Overreach's House.
	Enter Overreach and Marrall.	Overreach's Relationship with Greedy: as the play in general, and this scene in particular, progress, we gain further insight into how exactly Sir Giles goes about collecting the property of his neighbours. We may summarize at this point Overreach's arrangement with Greedy: Overreach has used his influence to secure for Greedy his post as Justice of the Peace in Nottinghamshire (Justices were appointed by the crown on the recommendation of local leading citizens); in return for being well-fed by Sir Giles, and presumably in return as well for his raised status, Greedy rules regularly in Overreach's favour in lawsuits to which Overreach is a party.
1	Over. He's gone, I warrant thee; this commission crushed him.	1: Overreach refers to his most recent defeated legal opponent. The commission is the legal panel on which Greedy sat which tried the case; gone = ruined.^5
2
	Mar. Your worships have the way on and ne'er miss	3: Your worships = "those who are gifted like you", referring to Overreach, to whom Marrall is directing his remarks.^9 miss = ie. fail.
4	To squeeze these unthrifts into air: and yet,	= the sense is "to crush your spendthrift victims into nothing". Overreach specializes in lending money to the cash-poor, then taking their forfeited property when they fail to make timely repayment.
	The chapfallen justice did his part, returning	= literally with his jaw hanging down, meaning "dejected": Marrall describes Greedy as disappointed over having to miss a promising meal. 5-6: returning…certificate = Greedy rejected some legal document which was meant to prove the farmer's case.^9
6	For your advantage the certificate,
	Against his conscience, and his knowledge too,	7: even though Greedy's certainly knew it was the wrong thing to do, and though the law was on the farmer's side.
8	With your good favour, to the utter ruin	= a phrase of deference: "if you will permit me to mention".
	Of the poor farmer.
10
	Over. 'Twas for these good ends	= results.
12	I made him a justice: he that bribes his belly,
	Is certain to command his soul.
14
	Mar. I wonder,
16	Still with your license, why, your worship having	= "always with your permission"; Marrall acknowledges he may be stepping over the bounds of propriety by asking his employer to explain why he arranged to have Greedy appointed Justice; wouldn't it have been easier to just take the job himself?
	The power to put this thin-gut in commission,	17: thin-gut = obvious reference to the ever-lean Greedy. put in commission = authorize Greedy's appointment to his position.
18	You are not in't yourself?
20	Over. Thou art a fool;
	In being out of office I am out of danger;
22	Where, if I were a justice, besides the trouble,	= whereas.
	I might or out of wilfulness or error	= either.
24	Run myself finely into a premunire,	24: Sir Giles simply means he does not want to personally be caught doing something illegal in acting as a Justice; preminure is any act which suggests that Catholic law supersedes the laws or acts of England or its monarch; examples of this offense include (1) refusing to take the oath of supremacy, in which a subject vows to obey the king over the pope, and (2) the administrative body of a church refusing to ratify the king's own appointment of a see's bishop.^10
	And so become a prey to the informer.
26	No, I'll have none of’t; 'tis enough I keep
	Greedy at my devotion: so he serve	= ie. at his service, ie. Greedy will always act for Sir Giles'
28	My purposes, let him hang or damn, I care not;	benefit.
	Friendship is but a word.
30
	Mar. You are all wisdom.
32
	Over. I would be worldly-wise; for the other wisdom,	= "prefer to be". = a less temporal wisdom, the opposite of worldly-wise.
34	That does prescribe us a well-governed life,	= ie. "lay down a set of rules for us to follow regarding".
	And to do right to others as ourselves,
36	I value not an atom.
38	Mar. What course take you,	38: "what strategy will you take".
	With your good patience, to hedge in the manor	= confine or restrict, ie. take over; but hedge in seems to have a specific legal meaning of "guaranteeing another's debt by incorporating a superior security".^1
40	Of your neighbour, Master Frugal? as 'tis said,
	He will nor sell, nor borrow, nor exchange;	= neither.
42	And his land, lying in the midst of your many lordships,	= ie. properties; a lordship properly is land belonging to a
	Is a foul blemish.	lord.^1
44
	Over. I have thought on't, Marrall,
46	And it shall take. I must have all men sellers,	= "my scheme will work."
	And I the only purchaser.
48
	Mar. 'Tis most fit, sir.
50
	Over. I'll therefore buy some cottage near his manor,
52	Which done, I'll make my men break ope his fences,
	Ride o'er his standing corn, and in the night
54	Set fire on his barns, or break his cattle's legs:
	These trespasses draw on suits, and suits expenses,	55-56: Overreach expects Frugal to sue him for the damages
56	Which I can spare, but will soon beggar him.	done to his property; his strategy is to simply outlast Frugal in litigation, until Frugal can no longer afford to continue the case; though not strictly illegal, such a strategy does nothing to improve one's impression of Sir Giles.
	When I have harried him thus two or three year,
58	Though he sue in forma pauperis, in spite	= legal term, Latin for "in the manner of a pauper": in certain cases, an indigent person may be granted permission to bring or continue a lawsuit and not be required to pay any costs involved in the case, including paying a lawyer if one is assigned to him as a consequence of his poverty.
	Of all his thrift and care, he'll grow behindhand.	= fall behind in paying his expenses, forcing him to sell his property (see Overreach's next speech at 63-67).^1,5
60
	Mar. The best I ever heard! I could adore you.	= venerate, as a god.
62
	Over. Then, with the favour of my man of law,	= ie. Greedy.
64	I will pretend some title: want will force him	= make a false claim to Frugal's property. = lack of ready money.
	To put it to arbitrement; then, if he sell	= ask for the case to go to arbitration, a process which cuts short the lawsuit by having an arbitrator (the choice of which both parties must consent to) hear both sides and make a binding and unappealable decision.
66	For half the value, he shall have ready money,	= cash in hand.
	And I possess his land.
68
	Mar. Tis above wonder!
70	Wellborn was apt to sell, and needed not	70-71: Marrall tells us that Wellborn readily turned over his
	These fine arts, sir, to hook him in.	property to Sir Giles, allowing Sir Giles to avoid having to go through a drawn-out legal process.
72
	Over. Well thought on.
74	This varlet, Marrall, lives too long, to upbraid me	= ie. Wellborn; varlet = knave.
	With my close cheat put upon him. Will nor cold	= secret deception or defrauding.
76	Nor hunger kill him?
78	Mar. I know not what to think on't.
	I have used all means; and the last night I caused	= ie. last night.
80	His host, the tapster, to turn him out of doors;
	And have been since with all your friends and tenants,	= ie. "since been to see".
82	And, on the forfeit of your favour, charged them,	= directed.
	Though a crust of mouldy bread would keep him from starving,
84	Yet they should not relieve him. This is done, sir.
86	Over. That was something, Marrall, but thou must go further,
	And suddenly, Marrall.	= immediately.
88
	Mar. Where, and when you please, sir.
90
	Over. I would have thee seek him out, and, if thou canst,
92	Persuade him that 'tis better steal than beg;
	Then, if I prove he has but robbed a henroost,	= ie. "even robbed something as minor as a chicken coop".
94	Not all the world shall save him from the gallows.	94: Sherman notes that theft and forgery, in addition to murder, were punishable by hanging in England into the 19th century.^9
	Do anything to work him to despair;
96	And 'tis thy masterpiece.	96: "and this will be your best work for me yet."
98	Mar. I will do my best, sir.
100	Over. I am now on my main work with the Lord Lovell,
	The gallant-minded, popular Lord Lovell,
102	The minion of the people's love. I hear	= favourite.
	He's come into the country, and my aims are	= ie. away from his home in the city.
104	To insinuate myself into his knowledge,	104: "to make his acquaintance".
	And then invite him to my house.	104-5: while Marrall is in charge of getting Wellborn to turn to crime, Overreach wants to focus on getting Lord Lovell to marry his daughter Margaret, as Marrall recognizes.
106
	Mar. I have you;	= "I follow you".
108	This points at my young mistress.
110	Over. She must part with	110-2: Margaret will no longer have to be satisfied with
	That humble title, and write honourable,	being addressed as mistress, since in marrying a nobleman, she will be able to take on the prestigious title of honourable or right honourable. It is hinted later in the play that Lord Lovell is a member of the peerage called a viscount; right honourable was the form of address used for barons, viscounts, and earls.^16
112	Right honourable, Marrall, my right honourable daughter,
	If all I have, or e'er shall get, will do it.	113: ie. "even if it takes all the money I have, or ever hope to have, to accomplish this."
114	I'll have her well attended; there are ladies	= be served by men and women of high birth.
	Of errant knights decayed and brought so low,	115: errant knights = a phrase from medieval romances, describing those knights who traveled extensively seeking honour and adventure. Used mockingly here. decayed = bankrupt, destitute.
116	That for cast clothes and meat will gladly serve her.	= thrown away, second-hand.
	And 'tis my glory, though I come from the city,
118	To have their issue whom I have undone,	118: "to have the children of those I have ruined (undone)".
	To kneel to mine as bondslaves.	119: "to kneel to my offspring, ie. Margaret (mine) as if they were serfs or slaves."
120
	Mar. 'Tis fit state, sir.	121: "this would be appropriate for your position."^5
122
	Over. And therefore, I'll not have a chambermaid
124	That ties her shoes, or any meaner office,	124: "to tie Margaret's shoes, or hold even the lowest position in her household".
	But such whose fathers were right worshipful.	125: "except for those who fathers were of high birth."
126	'Tis a rich man's pride! there having ever been	126-8: there...gentry = an interesting allusion to hostility
	More than a feud, a strange antipathy,	between the classes: as one who is presumably nouveau-
128	Between us and true gentry.	riche, Overreach admits to his envy of those who were
		born into the wealthier classes. The gentry was that rank which the non-nobility aspired to, which could be attained by amassing a level of wealth which permitted one to live a life of some ease, with perhaps the granting of a coat-of-arms. The formal title Sir was usually only granted to knights or baronets (the lowest hereditary rank, one step below baron);^1 Overreach's exact rank is never made clear, but he may only have assumed the title as a man of local importance.
130	Enter Wellborn.
132	Mar. See, who's here, sir.
134	Over. Hence, monster! prodigy!	= "be gone!" = also meaning monster or abnormality.
136	Well. Sir, your wife's nephew;	= "no, it's only me."
	She and my father tumbled in one belly.	137: Sir Giles is - or was - married to the sister of Wellborn's
138		father, making Sir Giles Wellborn's uncle.
	Over. Avoid my sight! thy breath's infectious, rogue!
140	I shun thee as a leprosy, or the plague.
	Come hither, Marrall –	= here.
142	[Aside] this is the time to work him.
144	Mar. I warrant you, sir.	146: "I assure you, sir", ie. "I'm on it."
146	[Exit Overreach.]
148	Well. By this light I think he's mad.	= common Elizabethan vow. = crazy, referring to Sir Giles.
150	Mar. Mad! had you ta'en compassion on yourself,
	You long since had been mad.	151: Wellborn would have been better off going insane than to live in his right mind in the miserable state to which he has sunk.
152
	Well. You have ta'en a course,	153-5: Wellborn blames Marrall for helping Sir Giles drive
154	Between you and my venerable uncle,	him to his present poverty.
	To make me so.
156
	Mar. The more pale-spirited you,	157-8: Marrall accuses Wellborn of cowardice (pale-
158	That would not be instructed. I swear deeply −	spirited) for not following his advice to kill himself.
160	Well. By what?
162	Mar. By my religion.
164	Well. Thy religion!
	The devil's creed: − but what would you have done?
166
	Mar. Had there been but one tree in all the shire,
168	Nor any hope to compass a penny halter,	168: "and had there not been any chance that I could obtain (compass) even a cheap length of rope (penny halter)".
	Before, like you, I had outlived my fortunes,	= "spent all my money before I died a natural death".
170	A withe had served my turn to hang myself.	170: withe = a flexible tree branch, as of a willow tree.^1 had served my turn = could have been used.
	I am zealous in your cause; pray you hang yourself	171: ie. "eager to help you."
172	And presently, as you love your credit.	= immediately. = reputation. Marrall's mock concern is
		cruel.
174	Well. I thank you.
176	Mar. Will you stay till you die in a ditch, or lice devour you? −	= wait.
	Or, if you dare not do the feat yourself,
178	But that you'll put the state to charge and trouble,	178: ie. "the only drawback being that it would cost the state money and effort to hang you".
	Is there no purse to be cut, house to be broken,	= in those days a purse of money was suspended by a string and suspended from one's belt, from which it was easily cut and stolen.
180	Or market-woman with eggs, that you may murder,
	And so dispatch the business?	181: "and thus get this business (ie. Wellborn's death) done
182		with?"
	Well. Here's variety,
184	I must confess; but I'll accept of none
	Of all your gentle offers, I assure you.
186
	Mar. Why, have you hope ever to eat again,
188	Or drink? or be the master of three farthings?	= the three-farthing coin, worth only three-quarters of a
	If you like not hanging, drown yourself! take some course	penny.
190	For your reputation.
192	Well. 'Twill not do, dear tempter,
	With all the rhetoric the fiend hath taught you.	= ie. Satan (like Marrall, a tempter).
194	I am as far as thou art from despair;
	Nay, I have confidence, which is more than hope,
196	To live, and suddenly, better than ever.	= ie. very soon.
198	Mar. Ha! ha! these castles you build in the air
	Will not persuade me or to give or lend	= either.
200	A token to you.	= another reference to the pieces of stamped metal used by
		tradesmen for change in lieu of legal tender; hence, "the least-valued coin".
202	Well. I'll be more kind to thee:
	Come, thou shalt dine with me.
204
	Mar. With you!
206
	Well. Nay more, dine gratis.	= for free.
208
	Mar. Under what hedge, I pray you? or at whose cost?
210	Are they padders or abram-men that are your consorts?	210: padders = robbers, highwaymen.^1 abram-men = those who seek alms by pretending to be mad; short for Abraham-men. consorts = companions.
212	Well. Thou art incredulous; but thou shalt dine	= "you don't believe me."
	Not alone at her house, but with a gallant lady;
214	With me, and with a lady.
216	Mar. Lady! what lady?
	With the Lady of the Lake, or queen of fairies?	= famous enchantress who first appeared in English
218	For I know it must be an enchanted dinner.	literature in 1485 in Sir Thomas Malory's Morte D'Arthur
		(The Death of Arthur).^3
220	Well. With the Lady Allworth, knave.
222	Mar. Nay, now there's hope	= ie. "I expect".
	Thy brain is cracked.
224
	Well. Mark there, with what respect	= "pay attention to", or "make a note of".
226	I am entertained.	= welcomed or treated.
228	Mar. With choice, no doubt, of dog-whips.
	Why, dost thou ever hope to pass her porter?	= "get past her door-keeper, ie. without getting whipped?"^5
230
	Well. 'Tis not far off, go with me; trust thine own eyes.	= "far from here".
232
	Mar. Troth, in my hope, or my assurance rather,	= in truth. = expectation. = certainty.
234	To see thee curvet, and mount like a dog in a blanket,	234: "to see you curvet (ie. leap, like a horse) and rise, ie.
	If ever thou presume to pass her threshold,	jump, like a dog being tossed in a blanket (due to the
236	I will endure thy company.	whipping)"; the phrase tossed like a dog in a blanket
		was a common one; according to Stronach, tossing a boy or a dog in a blanket was a game in Elizabethan times;^4 it is also referred to frequently as a form of humiliating treatment in old literature.
238	Well. Come along then.
240	[Exeunt.]
	ACT II, SCENE II.
	A Room in Lady Allworth's House.
	Enter Allworth, Waiting Woman, Chambermaid,
	Order, Amble, Furnace, and Watchall.
1	Woman. Could you not command your leisure one hour longer?	1: "Can you not stay just one hour more?" Allworth is taking his leave, and the female domestics are sad to say
2		good-bye to their attractive young master.
	Cham. Or half an hour?
4
	All. I have told you what my haste is:
6	Besides, being now another's, not mine own,	= common Elizabethan formula for describing one whose time is at the command of another person's.
	Howe'er I much desire to enjoy you longer,
8	My duty suffers, if, to please myself,	= ie. "I will fail in my duty (to Lord Lovell)".
	I should neglect my lord.
10
	Woman. Pray you do me the favour
12	To put these few quince-cakes into your pocket;	= an acidic yellow fruit, used in baking and, as Woman
	They are of mine own preserving.	notes, to make preserves.^5,19
14
	Cham. And this marmalade;	= marmalade, a conserve, could be made with any fruit,
16	'Tis comfortable for your stomach.	but if none was specified, then oranges were usually implied.
18	Woman. And, at parting,	18-19: the Waiting Woman is indirectly asking for a
	Excuse me if I beg a farewell from you.	farewell kiss.
20
	Cham. You are still before me. − I move the same suit, sir.	21: the Chambermaid directs the first part of her line (with some slight cattiness) to the Waiting Woman, meaning something like, "you always (still) beat me to the punch", before she turns to Allworth, and lets him know she too would like a kiss.
22
	[Allworth kisses them severally.]	= individually; a kiss on the lips in this situation was normal in Elizabethan times; in fact, even perfect strangers of the opposite sex would greet each other this way upon an initial introduction, to the bafflement and amusement of Europeans from the continent.
24
	Furn. How greedy these chamberers are of a beardless chin!	= chambermaids or lady's maids,^1 but perhaps with an additional sense of chambering, a noun which referred to wanton behavior.^14
26	I think the tits will ravish him.	26: tits = young ladies: the word was used to express the speaker's disapproval of a female's moral looseness.^1 ravish = corrupt, or even rape.^1
28	All. My service	28-29: "my respects to both of you"; a polite formula.
	To both.
30
	Woman. Ours waits on you.	31: ie. "our service waits on you."^6
32
	Cham. And shall do ever.
34
	Ord. You are my lady's charge, be therefore careful	35-36: Order, as steward (and thus the one responsible for
36	That you sustain your parts.	the behavior of all the household staff), reminds the ladies that they work for Lady Allworth (charge = responsibility), and should comport themselves accordingly (parts = roles, ie. behavior).
38	Woman. We can bear, I warrant you.	= "conduct ourselves (correctly)".
40	[Exeunt Waiting Woman and Chambermaid.]
42	Furn. Here, drink it off; the ingredients are cordial,	42f: Furnace offers Allworth a parting drink of his own creation, one filled with ingredients believed to be aphrodisiacs; cordial = restorative.
	And this the true elixir; it hath boiled	= also known as elixir vitae, a term from alchemy, referring to the preparation which could extend one's life; Furnace claims his mixture is the real one, unlike the pretended ones claimed to be effective by alchemists.^1,5
44	Since midnight for you. 'Tis the quintessence	= essence, distillation.
	Of five cocks of the game, ten dozen of sparrows,
46	Knuckles of veal, potatoe-roots and marrow,	= potatoes in those days meant sweet potatoes.
	Coral and ambergris: were you two years older,	47: coral = powdered white or red coral, which was mentioned in numerous early books to be an effective remedy for numerous ailments; but a possible early use coral meaning lobster roe.^1,9 ambergris = a toxic secretion of the intestines of the sperm whale, once used in food preparation. It may be found floating on the ocean surface.^17
48	And I had a wife, or gamesome mistress,
	I durst trust you with neither: you need not bait	= "take further nourishment".^1
50	After this, I warrant you, though your journey's long;
	You may ride on the strength of this till to-morrow morning.
52
	All. Your courtesies overwhelm me: I much grieve
54	To part from such true friends, and yet find comfort,
	My attendance on my honourable lord,	55-57: "since Lord Lovell still plans to visit my stepmother,
56	Whose resolution holds to visit my lady,	I expect to be back soon."
	Will speedily bring me back.
58
	[Knocking within. Exit Watchall.]
60
	Mar. [within] Dar'st thou venture further?	61-63: this dialogue occurs offstage; Wellborn, we
62		remember, had promised the incredulous Marrall that he would be entertained gracefully by Lady Allworth and her staff; having now arrived at her door, Marrall asks Wellborn if he dares still risk (venture) going ahead.
	Well. [within] Yes, yes, and knock again.
64
	Ord. 'Tis he; disperse!	= ie. "to your places!" The servants, of course, are all in on the scheme.
66
	Amb. Perform it bravely.	= well.
68
	Furn. I know my cue, ne'er doubt me.
70
	[Exeunt all but Allworth.]
72
	Re-enter Watchall, ceremoniously introducing
74	Wellborn and Marrall.
76	Watch. Beast that I was, to make you stay! most welcome;	= "wait (so long for me to answer the door)!"
	You were long since expected.
78
	Well. Say so much
80	To my friend, I pray you.
82	Watch. For your sake, I will, sir.
84	Mar. For his sake!
86	Well. Mum; this is nothing.	86: "don't act surprised; what you have seen so far is nothing compared to what is to come."
88	Mar. More than ever	88-89: "this is already more than I ever could believe, even
	I would have believed, though I had found it in my primer.	if I had read it in my primer." The primer was originally a book of prayers, but around the early 17th century came to be used more as a name of an educational book for young children, containing the ABC's as well as prayers. The prayers, however, were on their way out by Massinger's time.^1
90
	All. When I have given you reasons for my late harshness,	= "recent mistreatment of you"; spoken to Wellborn.
92	You'll pardon and excuse me; for, believe me,
	Though now I part abruptly, in my service	= "must suddenly depart". = ie. future behavior towards
94	I will deserve it.	you".
96	Mar. Service! with a vengeance!
98	Well. I am satisfied: farewell, Tom.
100	All. All joy stay with you!
102	[Exit Allworth.]
104	Re-Enter Amble.
106	Amb. You are happily encountered; I yet never	= ie. "I am happy to see you."
	Presented one so welcome a I know
108	You will be to my lady.
110	Mar. This is some vision,
	Or, sure, these men are mad, to worship a dunghill;
112	It cannot be a truth.
114	Well. Be still a pagan,
	An unbelieving infidel; be so, miscreant,
116	And meditate on "blankets, and on dog-whips!"	= ie. "just remember how you predicted I would be met
		with".
118	Re-enter Furnace.
120	Furn. I am glad you are come: until I know your pleasure	= ie. "what you desire in the way of a meal".
	I knew not how to serve up my lady's dinner.
122
	Mar. His pleasure! is it possible?
124
	Well. What's thy will?	= ie. desire.
126
	Furn. Marry, sir, I have some grouse, and turkey chicken,	= turkey chicks, ie. young turkeys.^1
128	Some rails and quails, and my lady willed me ask you,	128: rails = a rail was a small, brown, ground-based game bird, frequently referred to as the subject of meals. willed = desired, wished.
	What kind of sauces best affect your palate,	= please.
130	That I may use my utmost skill to please it.
132	Mar. [Aside] The devil's entered this cook: sauce for his palate!
	That, on my knowledge, for almost this twelvemonth,	= "he who", ie. Wellborn. = this whole past year.
134	Durst wish but cheese-parings and brown bread on Sundays.	134: "dared only to hope to have fragments of cheese-rinds and brown-bread once a week"; though cheese-parings could mean simply scraps.^1 brown bread = coarse bread made from unsifted flour.^5
136	Well. That way I like them best.	136: during Marrall's aside to the audience, Wellborn has
		been conferring with Furnace; we rejoin Wellborn here as he finishes his explanation of how he wants his meal prepared.^5
138	Furn. It shall be done, sir.
140	[Exit.]
142	Well. What think you of “the hedge we shall dine under?"
	Shall we feed gratis?
144
	Mar. I know not what to think;
146	Pray you make me not mad.	= crazy.
148	Re-enter Order.
150	Ord. This place becomes you not;	150 "it is not suitable (ie. good enough) for you to wait out
	Pray you walk, sir, to the dining room.	here."
152
	Well. I am well here,
154	Till her ladyship quits her chamber.	= ie. leaves, comes out of.
156	Mar. Well here, say you?
	'Tis a rare change! but yesterday you thought
158	Yourself well in a barn, wrapped up in peas-straw.	= covered by dried stalks of the pea-plant (to keep warm).^5
160	Re-enter Waiting Woman and Chambermaid.
162	Woman. O! sir, you are wished for.
164	Cham. My lady dreamt, sir, of you.
166	Woman. And the first command she gave, after she rose,
	Was (her devotions done) to give her notice	= prayers. = "let her know".
168	When you approached here.
170	Cham. Which is done, on my virtue.
172	Mar. I shall be converted; I begin to grow	172-4: see lines 114-5, in which Wellborn calls Marrall a pagan and unbelieving infidel.
	Into a new belief, which saints nor angels	= read as "which neither". = Massinger was unique among
174	Could have won me to have faith in.	major dramatists in his frequent Catholic allusions and
		imagery; this has led to much speculation regarding the nature of his religious affiliation.
176	Woman. Sir, my lady!
178	Enter Lady Allworth.
180	L. All. I come to meet you, and languished till I saw you.	= "was wasting or pining away".^1
	This first kiss is for form; I allow a second	181-2: "the first kiss I give you is the normal one bestowed
182	To such a friend.	in a greeting; the second one is granted because you are
		such a close friend." The word friend was a loaded one, as it could mean lover in addition to its common modern meaning.
184	[Kisses Wellborn.]
186	Mar. To such a friend! Heaven bless me!
188	Well. I am wholly yours; yet, madam, if you please
	To grace this gentleman with a salute −	= greeting, ie. kiss.
190
	Mar. Salute me at his bidding!
192
	Well. I shall receive it
194	As a most high favour.
196	L. All. Sir, you may command me.
198	[Advances to kiss Marrall, who retires.]	= steps back; throughout this scene, Marrall demonstrates
		his clear discomfort with, and lack of experience in, such an intimate social setting with his superiors.
200	Well. Run backward from a lady! and such a lady!
202	Mar. To kiss her foot is, to poor me, a favour	= unworthy.
	I am unworthy of.
204
	[Offers to kiss her foot.]
206
	L. All. Nay, pray you rise;
208	And since you are so humble, I'll exalt you:	= "raise you to my level."
	You shall dine with me to-day, at mine own table.
210
	Mar. Your ladyship's table! I am not good enough
212	To sit at your steward's board.	= table.
214	L. All. You are too modest:
	I will not be denied.
216
	Re-enter Furnace.
218
	Furn. Will you still be babbling	219-221: Furnace wonders what is keeping his guests from
220	Till your meat freeze on the table? the old trick still;	entering the dining room; no one ever gives any thought
	My art ne'er thought on!	to the hard work Furnace puts into preparing their meals!
222		trick = inconsiderate behavior.^1 This speech may be an aside, or perhaps, as Deighton suggests, is spoken with the liberty assumed by a long- time and favoured servant (p. 103).^5
	L. All. Your arm, Master Wellborn: −
224	[To Marrall] Nay, keep us company.
226	Mar. I was ne'er so graced.
228	[Exeunt Wellborn, Lady Allworth, Amble,
	Marrall, Waiting Woman, and Chambermaid.]
230
	Ord. So! we have played our parts, and are come off well;
232	But if I know the mystery, why my lady	232-4: Order has no idea why they are being required to
	Consented to it, or why Master Wellborn	act in this charade.
234	Desired it, may I perish!
236	Furn. Would I had	= "I wish".
	The roasting of his heart that cheated him,	= "the heart of the man who ruined him".
238	And forces the poor gentleman to these shifts!	= expedients.
	By fire! for cooks are Persians, and swear by it,	= "are like Persians", meaning Zoroastrians, ie. fire- worshippers.^9 There appears to have been a historical association of Zoroastrianism with fire-worship, due to the sacred fires which are kept burning in their temples, and towards which Zoroastrians direct their prayers; but in reality, the fire represents God, and so the Zoroastrians do not worship the fire per se.^23
240	Of all the griping and extorting tyrants	= clutching; used frequently to describe vultures, of which
	I ever heard or read of, I ne'er met	Overreach is one.
242	A match to Sir Giles Overreach.
244	Watch. What will you take
	To tell him so, fellow Furnace?	= ie. "to tell him to his face".
246
	Furn. Just as much	247-8: Furnace expects he would be murdered if he were to tell Sir Giles what he thought of him, a price he would gladly pay.
248	As my throat is worth, for that would be the price on't.
	To have a usurer that starves himself,	249-252: Overreach's behavior does not fit a pattern Furnace is familiar with: it is normal to see a money-lender (usurer) behave like a miser, one who wears the same cloak for 21 years in preference over the cheapest suit he could buy, which he would have obtained not from a tailor but an executioner, and thus grow rich and buy up property that way. groat = a coin worth four-pence, and hence used to represent anything of little value. bought of the hangman = it was customary for an executioner to be granted possession of the clothing of his victims.
250	And wears a cloak of one and twenty years
	On a suit of fourteen groats, bought of the hangman,
252	To grow rich, and then purchase, is too common:	= ie. buy up property.
	But this Sir Giles feeds high, keeps many servants,	253-7: but unlike the miser, Sir Giles continues to grow increasingly great in wealth even as he obviously spends so extravagantly.
254	Who must at his command do any outrage;
	Rich in his habit, vast in his expenses;	= clothing.
256	Yet he to admiration still increases
	In wealth and lordships.	= ie. real property.
258
	Ord. He frights men out of their estates,
260	And breaks through all law-nets, made to curb ill men,	260-1: And breaks…cobwebs = an interesting metaphor of
	As they were cobwebs. No man dares reprove him.	the law as a net, which keeps men, so long as they remain within its confines, acting lawfully; but to Overreach, the net of the law is no more restrictive than a cobweb, which he can easily brush aside, and act in ways outside the law. made to curb ill men = ie. the law is supposed to reign in the wicked from behaving illegally. As (line 261) = as if.
262	Such a spirit to dare and power to do were never
	Lodged so unluckily.	263: ie. existing in the same person to such great misfortune
264		to humanity.
	Re-enter Amble laughing.
266
	Amb. Ha! ha! I shall burst.
268
	Ord. Contain thyself, man.
270
	Furn. Or make us partakers	271-2: "or tell us what is so funny."
272	Of your sudden mirth.
274	Amb. Ha! ha! my lady has got
	Such a guest at her table! − this term-driver, Marrall,	= Sherman suggests "one who moves about, during
276	This snip of an attorney −	sessions, from court to court" (p. 401).^9
		There were four terms, or sessions, each year in which the law courts sat; those people who took advantage of these periodic increases in legal activity to further their own commercial interests were known as termers or term-trotters;^1 Massinger has invented a synonymous term term-driver to describe Marrall, whose service to Overreach tends to promotion of Sir Giles' manipulation of the legal system.
278	Furn. What of him, man?
280	Amb. The knave thinks still he's at the cook's shop in Ram Alley,	= a lane in the Temple district, or legal district, off of Fleet Street, now Hare Court, famous for its taverns and restaurants (cook's shops).^18 There was even a play titled Ram Alley, written by one Lodowick Barry, in 1608.
	Where the clerks divide, and the elder is to choose;	281: where the clerks divide the meat, the senior member getting first dibs.^5
282	And feeds so slovenly!	= ie. sloppily; Marrall, to Amble's great amusement, has
		never learned proper table manners.
284	Furn. Is this all?
286	Amb. My lady
	Drank to him for fashion sake, or to please Master Wellborn;
288	As I live, he rises, and takes up a dish	= ie. Marrall raised a dish of food as if it were a glass of
	In which there were some remnants of a boiled capon,	wine.
290	And pledges her in white broth!	= ie. the gravy.^5
292	Furn. Nay, 'tis like
	The rest of his tribe.	= class, ie. the commoners.
294
	Amb. And when I brought him wine,
296	He leaves his stool, and, after a leg or two,	296: stool = in that era only the highest ranking person
	Most humbly thanks my worship.	at a table might sit on a chair; otherwise everyone
298		generally sat on stools. a leg = a bow.
	Ord. Risen already!
300
	Amb. I shall be chid.	301: reprimanded; as usher, Amble is responsible for
302		keeping an eye on the guests at dinner and making sure individual needs are met, so he will be reproached for his absence from the table.
	Re-enter Lady Allworth, Wellborn, And Marrall.
304
	Furn. My lady frowns.
306
	L. All. [To Amble] You wait well!	307: Lady Allworth is sarcastic.
308	Let me have no more of this; I observed your jeering:	308-311: Lady Allworth is further unhappy that Amble has been too openly making fun of Marrall for his obvious lack of sophistication.
	Sirrah, I'll have you know, whom I think worthy
310	To sit at my table, be he ne'er so mean,	= "no matter how low-ranked or unsophisticated he is".
	When I am present, is not your companion.	= the sense is, "is not one of your contemptible fellows"; companion was frequently used in a derogatory sense, as in "scurvy fellow".^24
312
	Ord. Nay, she'll preserve what's due to her.	313: "do not doubt that Lady Allworth will make sure that the proper respect is shown to her."
314
	Furn. This refreshing	315-6: "this welcome rebuke is what comes of your laughing
316	Follows your flux of laughter.	(at Marrall behind is back)."
318	L. All. [To Wellborn] You are master
	Of your own will. I know so much of manners,	319-320: I know…purposes = "I am well mannered enough
320	As not to inquire your purposes; in a word,	to know not to inquire as to the purpose of your visit."
	To me you are ever welcome, as to a house
322	That is your own.
324	Well. [Aside to Marrall] Mark that.	= note.
326	Mar. With reverence, sir,
	An it like your worship.	327: "if it pleases your worship," a polite formula of
328		deference. Marrall completely reverses his manner of addressing Wellborn.
	Well. Trouble yourself no further,
330	Dear madam; my heart's full of zeal and service,
	However in my language I am sparing. −	331: "no matter how few words I use to express myself."
332	Come, Master Marrall.
334	Mar. I attend your worship.
336	[Exeunt Wellborn and Marrall.]
338	L. All. I see in your looks you are sorry, and you know me	338: Lady Allworth speaks to Amble.
	An easy mistress: be merry; I have forgot all. −	= easy-going, ie. apt to readily forgive.
340	Order and Furnace, come with me; I must give you
	Further directions.
342
	Ord. What you please.
344
	Furn. We are ready.
346
	[Exeunt.]
	ACT II, SCENE III.
	The Country near Lady Allworth's House.
	Enter Wellborn, and Marrall bare-headed.	= ie. with his hat off, as a sign of respect for his superior.
1	Well. I think I am in a good way.	= situation, position.
2
	Mar. Good! sir; the best way,
4	The certain best way.
6	Well. There are casualties	= misfortunes, ie. bad luck; Wellborn pretends to raise the
	That men are subject to.	possibility that things might not work out as he wants.
8
	Mar. You are above them;
10	And as you are already worshipful,	10-12: Marrall is expecting an increase in Wellborn's status
	I hope ere long you will increase in worship,	once he is married to Lady Allworth.
12	And be right worshipful.	There seem to be no precise rules regarding how the titles worshipful or right worshipful were applied; a survey of old literature suggests Right Worshipful could be appended to a wide range of positions, such as mayors and justices, and even to guilds. A 1693 essay by Edmund Bohun (The justice of peace, his calling and qualifications), for example, suggests that if people pursue the title of Justice of the Peace only as a means to increase their status, and thus "acquire the Title of Right Worshipful, and have their Neighbours stand bare-headed to them", then they are unworthy to hold the position.
14	Well. Prithee do not flout me:	= please. = tease.^2
	What I shall be, I shall be. Is't for your ease,	15-16: Is't for…hat off? = "is it for your comfort that you
16	You keep your hat off?	are not wearing your hat? Wellborn good-naturedly suggests to Marrall that he need not keep his hat off just to show his respect to Wellborn.
18	Mar. Ease! an it like your worship!	= "I beg your pardon!"
	I hope Jack Marrall shall not live so long,
20	To prove himself such an unmannerly beast,	= read as "As to".
	Though it hail hazel-nuts, as to be covered	= common word for "keeping one's hat on".
22	When your worship's present.
24	Well. [Aside] Is not this a true rogue,	24-26: Wellborn actually reads Marrall's hypocritical
	That, out of mere hope of a future cozenage,	intentions correctly: this sudden about-face in Marrall's
26	Can turn thus suddenly? 'tis rank already.	manner towards him, from (out of) utter disdain to obsequious subservience, is made with a full expectation (mere hope) of somehow profiting from his relationship with Wellborn (cozenage).^5 A note on the word cozenage: while lexicons old and new all assign the meaning of "to cheat" to cozen, the OED notes that cozen may be related to the French cousin, from the verb cousiner, which suggests more of a sense of taking advantage of someone, as the case may be here, without necessarily deceiving them.^1 'tis rank = "it is obvious".^1
28	Mar. I know your worship's wise, and needs no counsel,
	Yet if, in my desire to do you service,
30	I humbly offer my advice, (but still	30-31: but still / Under correction = another phrase of
	Under correction,) I hope I shall not	deference, meaning "though of course looking for you
32	Incur your high displeasure.	to correct me if you think me wrong".
34	Well. No; speak freely.
36	Mar. Then, in my judgment, sir, my simple judgment,
	(Still with your worship's favour,) I could wish you
38	A better habit, for this cannot be	= outfit, clothing.
	But much distasteful to the noble lady
40	(I say no more) that loves you: for, this morning,	= the sense, "I do not want to emphasize that particular point any further".^5
	To me, and I am but a swine to her,	= ie. of no value.
42	Before the assurance of her wealth perfumed you,	42: "before the thought of your anticipated new wealth made me forget your smell".^5
	You savoured not of amber.	36-43: Marrall has taken a long and winding, and quite
44		humorous, route to let Wellborn know he smells bad (savoured = smelled). amber = the aforementioned ambergris (see Act II.ii.42), which in addition to being consumed, was also used in perfumery.^1
	Well. I do now then!
46
	Mar. This your batoon hath got a touch of it. −	= alternate term for baton, ie. cudgel.
48
	[Kisses the end of his cudgel.]	= ie. Wellborn's.
50
	Yet, if you please, for change, I have twenty pounds here,	= "to enable you to exchange your present outfit for a new one".
52	Which, out of my true love, I'll presently
	Lay down at your worship's feet; 'twill serve to buy you	= be enough.
54	A riding suit.
56	Well. But where's the horse?
58	Mar. My gelding	= a horse which has been castrated, to make its temperament
	Is at your service: nay, you shall ride me,	more gentle.^2
60	Before your worship shall be put to the trouble
	To walk afoot. Alas! when you are lord	61: an exclamation of affirmation, not regret (Deighton, p. 105).^5
62	Of this lady's manor, as I know you will be,
	You may with the lease of glebe land, called Knave's-acre,	63-64: Marrall finally comes to his quid pro quo: once Wellborn is married, perhaps he will lease a bit of land over to him. glebe-land = property granted to a clergyman as part of his benefice, ie. his clerical assignment. Knave's acre = the name of the property Marrall has his eye on. There was street in London by the name of Knave's Acre: in 1891's London Past and Present, author Henry Wheatley posits that Knave's Acre referred to a recreational ground set aside for servants (knaves).^20
64	A place I would manure, requite your vassal.	= ie. cultivate.^9 = ie. "compensate me with"; your vassal means "your servant."
66	Well. I thank thy love, but must make no use of it;	= "cannot take (your money)."
	What's twenty pounds?	67: ie. "that's not very much money."
68
	Mar. 'Tis all that I can make, sir.
70
	Well. Dost thou think, though I want clothes, I could not have them,	= lack, need.
72	For one word to my lady?	72: "by simply asking Lady Allworth?"
74	Mar. As I know not that!	74: "as if I did not know that!"
76	Well. Come, I will tell thee a secret, and so leave thee.
	I will not give her the advantage, though she be	77-82: Wellborn, with a nice bit of insight into human psychology (if not some misogyny), understands that if he borrows money from Lady Allworth to pay for his clothes, she could use this favour as ammunition at some point in the future by hurtfully tossing this humiliating act back in his face (hit me in the teeth).
78	A gallant-minded lady, after we are married,
	(There being no woman but is sometimes froward,)	79: "there is no woman who is not sometimes perverse or adversarial (froward)".
80	To hit me in the teeth, and say, she was forced
	To buy my wedding-clothes, and took me on	= ie. "married me".
82	With a plain riding-suit, and an ambling nag.
	No, I'll be furnished something like myself,	83: Deighton's interpretation: "in a way more worthy of my birth and breeding" (p. 105).^5
84	And so farewell: for thy suit touching Knave's-acre,	= request.
	When it is mine, 'tis thine.	84-85: Wellborn promises he will indeed turn the named
86		property over to Marrall once he is married.
	[Exit Wellborn.]
88
	Mar. I thank your worship. −
90	How was I cozened in the calculation	= deceived. = prediction; with fortune, an astrological metaphor.
	Of this man's fortune! my master cozened too,
92	Whose pupil I am in the art of undoing men;	= ruining.
	For that is our profession! Well, well, Master Wellborn,
94	You are of a sweet nature, and fit again to be cheated:
	Which, if the Fates please, when you are possessed	= the three goddesses that were thought to control humans' destiny.
96	Of the land and lady, you, sans question, shall be.	= without. = ie. cheated.
	I'll presently think of the means.	= "I will immediately try to figure out how to do so (cheat Wellborn)."
98
	[Walks by, musing.]	99: Marrall paces or stands aside, as he tries to formulate a plan to defraud Wellborn.
100
	[Enter Overreach, speaking to a Servant within.]	= offstage.
102
	Over. Sirrah, take my horse.	= common term of address for a servant.
104	I'll walk to get me an appetite; 'tis but a mile,
	And exercise will keep me from being pursy. −	= flabby or short-winded, ie. out of shape.^1 Overreach conveniently just happens to decide to step off his horse at the exact location Marrall is standing by pensively.
106	Ha! Marrall! is he conjuring? perhaps	= literally meaning "raising spirits", but Sir Giles, seeing Marrall deep in thought, simply means "striving to come up with a new scheme."
	The knave has wrought the prodigal to do	107-8: The knave…himself = "perhaps Marrall has succeeded in convincing the spendthrift (prodigal) Wellborn into killing himself"; wrought is the past tense of to work, and was used in a broad sense to mean "arranged" or "manipulated", or "worked" in its many nuanced senses.
108	Some outrage on himself, and now he feels
	Compunction in his conscience for't: no matter,	= guilt or regret.
110	So it be done. − Marrall!
112	Mar. Sir.
114	Over. How succeed we
	In our plot on Wellborn?
116
	Mar. Never better, sir.
118
	Over. Has he hanged or drowned himself?
120
	Mar. No, sir, he lives;
122	Lives once more to be made a prey to you,
	A greater prey than ever.
124
	Over. Art thou in thy wits?	= right mind.
126	If thou art, reveal this miracle, and briefly.
128	Mar. A lady, sir, is fallen in love with him.
130	Over. With him? what lady?
132	Mar. The rich Lady Allworth.
134	Over. Thou dolt! how dar'st thou speak this?
136	Mar. I speak truth.
	And I do so but once a year, unless
138	It be to you, sir: we dined with her ladyship,
	I thank his worship.	= ie. Wellborn.
140
	Over. His worship!
142
	Mar. As I live, sir,
144	I dined with him, at the great lady's table,
	Simple as I stand here; and saw when she kissed him,	= a common phrase: "mean or unworthy as I am.^1,9
146	And would, at his request, have kissed me too;
	But I was not so audacious as some youths are,
148	That dare do anything, be it ne'er so absurd,	= incongruous or unreasonable, such as expecting a kiss from such a high-born lady.
	And sad after performance.	149: ie. "and then come to feel regretful after having done
150		so."^1 The use of sad as a verb to mean "to sadden" was common in the 16th century.^1
	Over. Why, thou rascal!
152	To tell me these impossibilities.
	Dine at her table! and kiss him! or thee! −
154	Impudent varlet, have not I myself,
	To whom great countesses' doors have oft flew open,
156	Ten times attempted, since her husband's death,
	In vain, to see her, though I came − a suitor?
158	And yet your good solicitorship, and rogue Wellborn,	= a mock title describing Marrall, who, as we have described, acts in legal matters on behalf of Overreach; a solicitor is essentially a lawyer.
	Were brought into her presence, feasted with her! −
160	But that I know thee a dog that cannot blush,
	This most incredible lie would call up one	= ie. a blush of shame.
162	On thy buttermilk cheeks.	= pale or white.
164	Mar. Shall I not trust my eyes, sir,
	Or taste? I feel her good cheer in my belly.	= food and drink.
166
	Over. You shall feel me, if you give not over, sirrah:	= "do not stop there".
168	Recover your brains again, and be no more gulled	= fooled; 168-170: Overreach assumes that Marrall was the victim of a deception, and he imagines that Wellborn, with the assistance of Lady Allworth's servants, fooled Marrall by having one of the female domestics impersonate Lady Allworth.^9
	With a beggar's plot, assisted by the aids
170	Of serving-men and chambermaids, for beyond these	= "besides these females".
	Thou never saw'st a woman, or I'll quit you	171-2 "you have never even met a woman of any higher
172	From my employments.	standing than a servant, or I will fire you."
174	Mar. Will you credit this yet?
	On my confidence of their marriage, I offered Wellborn −
176	[Aside.] I would give a crown now I durst say his worship −	176: "I would give away a crown (a silver coin worth five
	My nag, and twenty pounds.	shillings) before I refer to Wellborn again as his worship in front of Sir Giles."
178
	Over. Did you so, idiot?
180
	[Strikes him down.]
182
	Was this the way to work him to despair,
184	Or rather to cross me?	= thwart.
186	Mar. Will your worship kill me?
188	Over. No, no; but drive the lying spirit out of you.	= allusion to 2 Chronicles 21-22 and 1 Kings 22-23, in which the Lord puts a lying spirit in the mouth of King Ahab's prophets (King James Version).^5
190	Mar. He's gone.	= ie. "the lying spirit is".
192	Over. I have done then: now, forgetting
	Your late imaginary feast and lady,
194	Know, my Lord Lovell dines with me to-morrow.
	Be careful nought be wanting to receive him;	= nothing be lacking.
196	And bid my daughter's women trim her up,	196: "and tell Margaret's servants to dress her up (trim her up)".
	Though they paint her, so she catch the lord, I'll thank them:	197: the sense is, "even if they make her look more attractive than she really is, so long as she catches the attention of Lord Lovell, I will be appreciative;" paint literally means to apply make-up to, and the word was often used to convey a sense of concealing blemishes, both literal and figurative.
198	There's a piece for my late blows.	198: Sir Giles gives Marrall some money to compensate him for the beating he gave him.
200	Mar. [Aside] I must yet suffer:	200-1: "I have to tolerate this for now, but one day -";
	But there may be a time −	Marrall reveals to the audience a bit of discontent on
202		his part.
	Over. Do you grumble?
204
	Mar. No, sir.
206
	[Exeunt.]
208
	END OF ACT II.

	ACT III.
	SCENE I.
	The Country near Overreach's House.
	Enter Lord Lovell, Allworth, and Servants.
1	Lov. Walk the horses down the hill: something in private
2	I must impart to Allworth.
4	[Exeunt Servants.]
6	All. O, my lord,	6-14: Allworth expresses his general gratefulness to Lovell as his employer. Writing such pleasing scenes of mutual admiration and professions of loyalty was one of Massinger's greatest strengths.
	What sacrifice of reverence, duty, watching,	= wakefulness.
8	Although I could put off the use of sleep,
	And ever wait on your commands to serve them;	= perform.
10	What dangers, though in ne'er so horrid shapes,	= "though they appeared in forms more dangerous than
	Nay death itself, though I should run to meet it,	any that ever preceded them".^5
12	Can I, and with a thankful willingness suffer!
	But still the retribution will fall short	= my repayment.
14	Of your bounties showered upon me.
16	Lov. Loving youth,
	Till what I purpose be put into act,	= "intend (to do for you)". = ie. action.
18	Do not o'erprize it; since you have trusted me	= overvalue.
	With your soul's nearest, nay, her dearest secret,
20	Rest confident 'tis in a cabinet locked	20-21: rest…open = "rest confident your secret is safe with me, locked in a vault which no betrayal of your trust (treachery)^1 will ever reveal."
	Treachery shall never open. I have found you
22	(For so much to your face I must profess,	= affirm.
	Howe'er you guard your modesty with a blush for't)	= adorn, ornament.^5
24	More zealous in your love and service to me	24-25: Lovell suggests that contrary to what Allworth says,
	Than I have been in my rewards.	Lovell has not sufficiently rewarded Allworth's loyalty and service to him.
26
	All. Still great ones,	27-28: "but those things you have given me are ever more
28	Above my merit.	than I deserve."
30	Lov. Such your gratitude calls them:
	Nor am I of that harsh and rugged temper
32	As some great men are taxed with, who imagine	= censured for.^9
	They part from the respect due to their honours
34	If they use not all such as follow them,	= treat. = those who wait on or are attached to.
	Without distinction of their births, like slaves.
36	I am not so conditioned: I can make
	A fitting difference between my footboy	= a junior servant.^1
38	And a gentleman by want compelled to serve me.	= poverty; Lovell understands that Allworth is reduced
		to working for him because of his own lack of means to support himself, but just because Allworth can technically be classified as a servant like any other, does not mean he should be treated like any common domestic.
40	All. 'Tis thankfully acknowledged; you have been
	More like a father to me than a master:
42	Pray you, pardon the comparison.	42: Deighton posits that Allworth asks for forgiveness,
		because identifying Lovell as a father-figure implies he is old (p. 107).^5
44	Lov. I allow it;
	And, to give you assurance I am pleased in't,
46	My carriage and demeanour to your mistress,
	Fair Margaret, shall truly witness for me
48	I can command my passions.	48: Lovell assures Allworth he will not try to win Margaret for himself; command = control.
50	All. 'Tis a conquest	50-51: Allworth remains worried: few great men would be
	Few lords can boast of when they are tempted − Oh!	able to conquer their own emotions and resist a natural
52		desire to take Margaret for themselves.
	Lov. Why do you sigh? can you be doubtful of me?
54	By that fair name I in the wars have purchased,
	And all my actions, hitherto untainted,
56	I will not be more true to mine own honour
	Than to my Allworth!
58
	All. As you are the brave Lord Lovell,
60	Your bare word only given is an assurance	60-63: basically, "your word is as good enough for me as
	Of more validity and weight to me	would be all the oaths in the world backed by all the invocations to God that a man can make."
62	Than all the oaths, bound up with imprecations,
	Which, when they would deceive, most courtiers practice;	63: Allworth notes that when those who frequent the court want to deceive someone, they always do so by first swearing extensively of their allegiance.
64	Yet being a man, (for, sure, to style you more	64-65: for, sure…flattery = because to call (style) you something more than a mere man (like a god, perhaps) would be obvious (gross) flattery.
	Would relish of gross flattery,) I am forced,
66	Against my confidence of your worth and virtues,	= "despite my confidence in".^5
	To doubt, nay more, to fear.
68
	Lov. So young, and jealous!
70
	All. Were you to encounter with a single foe,
72	The victory were certain; but to stand	72-76: but to…Hercules = Hercules himself would not be
	The charge of two such potent enemies,	able to defeat such a pair of foes, Margaret's wealth and
74	At once assaulting you, as wealth and beauty,	beauty, especially when they are supported (seconded)
	And those too seconded with power, is odds	by the political and social influence (power) a match with
76	Too great for Hercules.	Margaret would bring to whoever marries her.
78	Lov. Speak your doubts and fears,
	Since you will nourish them, in plainer language.	79: Since you will nourish them = a common trope in
80	That I may understand them.	Elizabethan drama is the image of a character obsessing over, and almost taking a perverse pleasure in, feeding his or her dark fears, so as to cause them to grow. in plainer language = though Lovell asks Allworth to lay his concerns on the table in less cryptic terms, Allworth, as we will momentarily see, cannot help but continue to describe his emotions and worries in a tortured military metaphor.
82	All. What's your will,	82-84: "whatever you ask me to do I must do, even if it is
	Though I lend arms against myself, (provided	something that goes against my own best interests."
84	They may advantage you,) must be obeyed.
	My much-loved lord, were Margaret only fair,	85-90: a typical lengthy and complex Massinger sentence, with its numerous subordinate clauses: if the only thing going for Margaret were being pretty (but not gorgeous), then simply seeing her would likely cause Lovell to fall for her, even as his other physical senses would not be so vulnerable to her charms. To further complicate the sentence, the sentiment is expressed in the context of a strained military metaphor, in which Margaret's allure is portrayed as assaulting the defenses Lovell puts up to keep from being drawn to her.
86	The cannon of her more than earthly form,
	Though mounted high, commanding all beneath it,
88	And rammed with bullets of her sparkling eyes,
	Of all the bulwarks that defend your senses	= ramparts.
90	Could batter none, but that which guards your sight.
	But when the well-tuned accents of her tongue	91-105: but the reality is, when Lovell's other senses - his hearing, touch, smell and taste - come into contact with Margaret, his ability to resist her will be overcome.
92	Make music to you, and with numerous sounds
	Assault your hearing, (such as Ulysses, if he	93-95: such as…resist = oft-referred allusion to a story from the Odyssey; the Greek hero Ulysses, trying to return home after the Trojan War, found his ship sailing past the half-fish half-human sea-nymphs who, with their irresistible singing, drew passing sailors to their deaths; Ulysses famously had his shipmates stop their ears with wax (so they could not hear the Sirens), then had himself lashed to a mast, so that he could hear the Sirens' song without causing harm to himself. Allworth's point is that even Ulysses, who could resist the Sirens, would not be able to resist Margaret (though the analogy is not perfect, since Ulysses cheated with respect to the Sirens).
94	Now lived again, howe'er he stood the Syrens,
	Could not resist,) the combat must grow doubtful	95-96: the combat…passions = "the outcome of the battle
96	Between your reason and rebellious passions.	between competing forces - to wit, your reason, which tells you to leave Margaret for me, and your feelings, which will cause you to act contrarily - is at best uncertain."
	Add this too; when you feel her touch, and breath
98	Like a soft western wind when it glides o'er
	Arabia, creating gums and spices;
100	And, in the van, the nectar of her lips,	= those soldiers at the front of an engaging army.
	Which you must taste, bring the battalia on,	= soldiers, military forces.
102	Well armed, and strongly lined with her discourse,	102-3: strongly lined…entertainment = "and on top of that, she is a good conversationalist, and one with good manners who knows how to properly treat and interact with others."
	And knowing manners, to give entertainment; −
104	Hippolytus himself would leave Diana,	104-5: Hippolytus was the son of the Greek hero Theseus;
	To follow such a Venus.	in Euripides' play Hippolytus, the young man takes a vow
106		of chastity, and dedicates himself to honour Artemis (the Roman Diana), the virgin goddess of the hunt. The goddess of love Aphrodite (the Roman Venus), angered by Hippolytus' rejecting her, causes Hippolytus' stepmother (and his father Theseus' wife) Phaedra to fall in love with him. Phaedra kills herself in shame, and leaves a note which Theseus mistakenly interprets as suggesting that it was actually Hippolytus who tried to seduce her. Theseus then calls on Poseidon to kill Hippolytus, which he does. Allworth is clever to identify Margaret with Venus, and to suggest Hippolytus would exchange his devotion from Artemis back to the goddess of love.
	Lov. Love hath made you
108	Poetical, Allworth.
110	All. Grant all these beat off,	110: "and even if you were able to fend off all these assaults to your senses".
	Which if it be in man to do, you'll do it,	111: "which if it is possible for any mere man to do, you would be the one who could do it".
112	Mammon, in Sir Giles Overreach, steps in	112-5: the final attraction is Margaret's incredible wealth. Mammon = personified wealth, embodied in Sir Giles.^1
	With heaps of ill-got gold, and so much land,
114	To make her more remarkable, as would tire
	A falcon's wings in one day to fly over.
116	O my good lord! these powerful aids, which would
	Make a mis-shapen negro beautiful,	= deformed. = in Elizabethan times, darker skin was
118	(Yet are but ornaments to give her lustre,	considered less attractive.
	That in herself is all perfection,) must
120	Prevail for her: I here release your trust;	120-2: I here..upon her = Allworth gives up; he has spun
	'Tis happiness enough for me to serve you	himself into such an agitated state that he has convinced
122	And sometimes, with chaste eyes, to look upon her.	himself that there is no way Lovell will be able to resist Margaret.
124	Lov. Why, shall I swear?	124: "what do you want from me, a sacred vow?"
126	All. O, by no means, my lord;
	And wrong not so your judgment to the world	127-130: "don't harm your reputation by refusing this offer I,
128	As from your fond indulgence to a boy,	your foolish (fond) servant, make to you (ie. my blessing
	Your page, your servant, to refuse a blessing	to pursue Margaret) which many and various (divers)
130	Divers great men are rivals for.	men of high station would fight over."
132	Lov. Suspend	132-3: Suspend…trial = a legal metaphor: "don't rule on this
	Your judgment till the trial. How far is it	case before the trial", ie. "don't project, let's wait and see
134	To Overreach' house?	what will happen."
136	All. At the most, some half hour's riding;
	You'll soon be there.
138
	Lov. And you the sooner freed
140	From your jealous fears.
142	All. O that I durst but hope it!
144	[Exeunt.]
	ACT III, SCENE II.
	A Room in Overreach's House.
	Enter Overreach, Greedy, and Marrall.	The Scene: Overreach is preparing a dinner for Lovell, who will arrive accompanied by Allworth.
1	Over. Spare for no cost; let my dressers crack with the weight	= serving tables.^2
2	Of curious viands.	= exquisitely prepared food;^2 Overreach will omit no detail in order to impress Lovell.
4	Greedy. "Store indeed's no sore," sir.	4: store is no sore was proverbial, meaning "plentifulness is
		not harmful," or the more contemporary "there is no such thing as having too much of a good thing."^1
6	Over. That proverb fits your stomach, Master Greedy.
	And let no plate be seen but what's pure gold,
8	Or such whose workmanship exceeds the matter	= ie. material.
	That it is made of; let my choicest linen
10	Perfume the room, and, when we wash, the water,
	With precious powders mixed, so please my lord,	= ie. "be so pleasing to Lord Lovell".
12	That he may with envy wish to bathe so ever.	= jealousy.^2
14	Mar. 'Twill be very chargeable.	= expensive.
16	Over. Avaunt, you drudge!	16: "get out of here, you slave!"
	Now all my laboured ends are at the stake,	17-18: Now all…thrift = "Now that the goal of all my work
18	Is't a time to think of thrift? Call in my daughter.	over the years is finally on the line, ie. within sight, is this
		the time to think about saving money?"
20	[Exit Marrall.]
22	And, Master Justice, since you love choice dishes,	= specially selected.^2
	And plenty of them −
24
	Greedy. As I do, indeed, sir,
26	Almost as much as to give thanks for them.
28	Over. I do confer that providence, with my power	28-30: Overreach grants Greedy authority to instruct the
	Of absolute command to have abundance,	cook regarding the menu for the feast, and to make sure
30	To your best care.	to have lots of everything; providence = management or authority over.
32	Greedy. I'll punctually discharge it,	32: "I will scrupulously and rigorously execute that office".
	And give the best directions. Now am I,	= instructions.^1
34	In mine own conceit, a monarch; at the least,	= imagination.
	Arch-president of the boiled, the roast, the baked;	= chief governor or guardian.^1
36	For which I will eat often, and give thanks	= "in gratitude of the honour conferred on me" (Deighton, p. 109).^5
	When my belly's braced up like a drum, and that's pure justice.	= stretched tightly, as the skin of a drum.
38
	[Exit.]
40
	Over. It must be so: should the foolish girl prove modest,
42	She may spoil all; she had it not from me,	= ie. "did not inherit that modesty".
	But from her mother; I was ever forward,	= bold, aggressive - the opposite of modest.^1
44	As she must be, and therefore I'll prepare her.
46	Enter Margaret.
48	Alone − and let your women wait without.	= "I want to see you alone." = attendants. Note the
		alliteration at the end of the line.
50	Marg. Your pleasure, sir?
52	Over. Ha! this is a neat dressing!	= ie. an elegant outfit or combination.
	These orient pearls and diamonds well placed too!	= lustrous.^1
54	The gown affects me not, it should have been	= ie. "doesn't do anything for me"; affects = moves.
	Embroidered o'er and o'er with flowers of gold;
56	But these rich jewèls and quaint fashion help it.	= fanciful or unconventional manner in which the gown has been adorned or accessorized.^5
	And how below? since oft the wanton eye,	57: below = referring to Margaret's feet. wanton = straying, playful, pleasure-seeking; the phrase wanton eye was common in early literature.
58	The face observed, descends unto the foot,
	Which being well proportioned, as yours is,
60	Invites as much as perfect white and red,	60-61: Invites…art = "is as attractive as perfect skin, which is radiant and ruddy (white and red) without any make- up" (art = skill in deception). The phrase white and red is from Chapter V of the Old Testament's Song of Songs.
	Though without art. How like you your new woman,	61-62: How like…Downfallen = we remember that
62	The Lady Downfallen?	Overreach only hires the wives of destitute but
		otherwise high-ranking men to be Margaret's attendants.
64	Marg. Well, for a companion;
	Not as a servant.
66
	Over. Is she humble, Meg,
68	And careful too, her ladyship forgotten?	= attentive.^2 = ie. behaves in an appropriately subservient manner, and not acting as if her job is beneath her, given her rank.
70	Marg. I pity her fortune.	= ie. misfortune, ie. "bad luck which has forced her to this
		extremity."
72	Over. Pity her! trample on her.
	I took her up in an old tamin gown,	= "employed her". = made of coarse or thin wool, an obvious sign of Lady Downfallen's poverty.^1,9
74	(Even starved for want of twopenny chops,) to serve thee,	= "starving because she could not even afford a cheap broth with chopped meat in it".^1
	And if I understand she but repines	= complains.
76	To do thee any duty, though ne'er so servile,	= "no matter how low or menial it might be".
	I'll pack her to her knight, where I have lodged him,	77-78: "I'll send her off (pack her) to be with her husband in
78	Into the counter, and there let them howl together.	the debtor's prison (the counter), where they can wail (howl) together. Previous editors have noted there were three prisons in London in the early 17th century which were named the "Counter".
80	Marg. You know your own ways; but for me, I blush	= "you are the best judge as to how you yourself should act".^5
	When I command her, that was once attended	= read as "she who".
82	With persons not inferior to myself
	In birth.
84
	Over. In birth! why, art thou not my daughter,
86	The blest child of my industry and wealth?	= ingenuity or hard work.^1
	Why, foolish girl, was't not to make thee great
88	That I have run, and still pursue, those ways
	That hale down curses on me, which I mind not?	= pull or drag down.
90	Part with these humble thoughts, and apt thyself	= "conform your behavior"; apt had a brief history as a verb from the middle of the 16th to the middle of the 17th century.^1
	To the noble state I labour to advance thee;
92	Or, by my hopes to see thee honourable,	= a vow or oath, basically meaning "I swear".
	I will adopt a stranger to my heir,	= to be.
94	And throw thee from my care: do not provoke me.
96	Marg. I will not, sir; mould me which way you please.
98	Re-enter Greedy.	98ff: Greedy's constant interruptions in this scene will provide some of the more entertaining moments of the play.
100	Over. How! interrupted!	100: "Hey, we are in a private conversation!"
102	Greedy. 'Tis matter of importance.
	The cook, sir, is self-willed, and will not learn	= obstinate.
104	From my experience: there's a fawn brought in, sir,
	And, for my life, I cannot make him roast it
106	With a Norfolk dumpling in the belly of it;	= a plain flour dumpling, cooked in gravy.^1,9
	And, sir, we wise men know, without the dumpling
108	'Tis not worth three-pence.
110	Over. Would it were whole in thy belly,	= if only.
	To stuff it out! cook it any way; prithee, leave me.	= "to fatten you up some." = please.
112
	Greedy. Without order for the dumpling?	= any instructions regarding.
114
	Over. Let it be dumpled
116	Which way thou wilt; or tell him, I will scald him	= "any which way you want it to be".
	In his own caldron.	= kettle or pot for boiling.^1
118
	Greedy. I had lost my stomach	= would have. = appetite.
120	Had I lost my mistress dumpling; I'll give thanks for't.
122	[Exit.]
124	Over. But to our business, Meg; you have heard who dines here?	= ie. is coming to dine.
126	Marg. I have, sir.
128	Over. 'Tis an honourable man;
	A lord, Meg, and commands a regiment	= ie. "and one who".
130	Of soldiers, and, what's rare, is one himself,	= a reference to the idea that few of the wealthy men who raise their own companies to fight for England in her wars actually have any military experience.
	A bold and understanding one: and to be	= intelligent.^1
132	A lord, and a good leader, in one volume,	= book, a metaphor for one person.
	Is granted unto few but such as rise up	133-4: rise up…glory = "rise up to be the pride of the
134	The kingdom's glory.	nation" (Deighton, p. 110).^5
136	Re-enter Greedy.
138	Greedy. I'll resign my office,
	If I be not better obeyed.
140
	Over. 'Slight, art thou frantic?	141: 'Slight = "God's light", an oath. In 1606 Parliament
142		passed a statute banning the jesting use of God's name on stage, so such implied blasphemies became the norm. frantic = crazy.
	Greedy. Frantic! 'twould make me frantic, and stark mad,
144	Were I not a justice of peace and quorum too,	= a title for certain distinguished jurists.^8
	Which this rebellious cook cares not a straw for.
146	There are a dozen of woodcocks −	= small wading bird with a long beak.
148	Over. Make thyself	148ff: the humour of these next few lines derives from the
	Thirteen, the baker's dozen.	fact that woodcock was a common term for a fool;
150		appropriately enough, as we will see momentarily, Woodcock also turns out to Greedy's family name. baker's dozen = for Massinger, a relatively new phrase indicating the number 13;
	Greedy. I am contented,
152	So they may be dressed to my mind; he has found out	= "as I wish".
	A new device for sauce, and will not dish them
154	With toasts and butter; my father was a tailor,	154: With toasts and butter = Deighton notes the Elizabethans' enjoyment of consuming part of the woodcocks' intestines on buttered toast.^5 my father was a tailor = tailors were proverbially dishonest and effeminate, and as a result a frequent butt of dramatists' humour and society's disdain; along with giving Greedy the family name of Woodcock, Massinger has delightfully given Greedy many of the attributes of a fool.
	And my name, though a justice, Greedy Woodcock;
156	And, ere I'll see my lineage so abused,	= before. = family name, ancestors, meaning woodcock:
	I'll give up my commission.	despite his agitation, Greedy is able to make a humorous connection between his family name and the meal he is salivating for.
158
	Over. [Loudly] Cook! − Rogue, obey him!
160	I have given the word, pray you now remove yourself	= please.
	To a collar of brawn, and trouble me no further.	= rolled up slice of meat, possibly meaning boar.^9
162
	Greedy. I will, and meditate what to eat at dinner.
164
	[Exit.]
166
	Over. And as I said, Meg, when this gull disturbed us,	= "was saying". = simpleton.^1
168	This honourable lord, this colonel,	168: ie. Lord Lovell.
	I would have thy husband.
170
	Marg. There's too much disparity
172	Between his quality and mine, to hope it.	= rank or station.
174	Over. I more than hope, and doubt not to effect it.
	Be thou no enemy to thyself; my wealth
176	Shall weigh his titles down, and make you equals.	= ie. "shall counterbalance his titles when both are placed on a scale".
	Now for the means to assure him thine, observe me;	= "assuredly make Lovell yours". = "listen closely to me."
178	Remember he's a courtier, and a soldier,
	And not to be trifled with; and, therefore, when	= ie. played silly games with.
180	He comes to woo you, see you do not coy it:	= behave too coyly.
	This mincing modesty has spoiled many a match	= affected, pretended.
182	By a first refusal, in vain after hoped for.
184	Marg. You'll have me, sir, preserve the distance that	184-5: "you will allow me to behave with the modesty
	Confines a virgin?	expected of a maiden, will you not?" confines = defines
186		the boundaries of the behavior of.
	Over. Virgin me no virgins!
188	I must have you lose that name, or you lose me.	= lose the moniker of "maiden", ie. get married.
	I will have you private − start not − I say, private;	189: "If you don't do what I say, I will force you to live in seclusion from now on - and don't jump or act surprised (start not)."
190	If thou art my true daughter, not a bastard,	= ie. offspring of another man.
	Thou wilt venture alone with one man, though he came	191: venture = dare be.^1 191-2: though he...Semele = Semele was a daughter of the Greek hero Cadmus, and beloved by Jupiter. Jupiter's wife Juno, jealous of Semele, came to her in the shape of her nurse, and convinced her to pray to Jupiter to appear before her in the same brilliant majesty in which he appears before Juno. Having sworn to give Semele anything she asked for, Jupiter was forced to fulfill her request, but for a mere mortal to view a god in his or her true form is fatal, and Semele was accordingly killed by the fire and lightning surrounding the king of the gods. Overreach's point, then, is that even if Lovell approached Margaret in a manner that would be harmful to her, perhaps even fatal, he (Sir Giles) would still expect her to welcome Lovell's advances.
192	Like Jupiter to Semele, and come off, too;	= be successful about it.
	And therefore, when he kisses you, kiss close.	193: we remember that Elizabethans of the opposite sex exchange a kiss on the lips as a matter of course when they are introduced; Sir Giles' point is that Margaret should respond to Lovell's anticipated kiss intensely and intimately.
194
	Marg. I have heard this is the strumpet's fashion, sir,	= manner of a whore.
196	Which I must never learn.
198	Over. Learn anything,
	And from any creature that may make thee great;	= "so long as he".
200	From the devil himself.	= ie. even from.
202	Marg. [Aside] This is but devilish doctrine!	= instruction; with learn, a teaching metaphor.
204	Over. Or, if his blood grow hot, suppose he offer	= "he grows passionate", perhaps with a sense of "lustful".
	Beyond this, do not you stay till it cool,	= hesitate or hold back.
206	But meet his ardour; if a couch be near,	= ie. "let your own heat of passion match his."
	Sit down on't, and invite him.
208
	Marg. In your house,	209-211: Margaret is understandably stunned by her father's
210	Your own house, sir; for Heaven's sake, what are you then?	shameless order to give herself to Lovell if he wants her.
	Or what shall I be, sir?
212
	Over. Stand not on form;	213: "don't insist on formalities", ie. don't demand Lovell go through a formal courting process.
214	Words are no substances.	214: basically, words alone are meaningless, compared to
		action.
216	Marg. Though you could dispense
	With your own honour, cast aside religion,
218	The hopes of Heaven, or fear of hell, excuse me,	= expectation of going to Heaven.
	In worldly policy, this is not the way	= "strategies involving earthly matters".
220	To make me his wife; his whore, I grant it may do.
	My maiden honour so soon yielded up,
222	Nay, prostituted, cannot but assure him
	I, that am light to him, will not hold weight	= promiscuous, easy; but also punning with weight.
224	Whene'er tempted by others; so, in judgment,
	When to his lust I have given up my honour,
226	He must and will forsake me.	= leave, abandon.
228	Over. How! forsake thee!
	Do I wear a sword for fashion? or is this arm
230	Shrunk up or withered? does there live a man
	Of that large list I have encountered with
232	Can truly say I e'er gave inch of ground	= "who can".
	Not purchased with his blood that did oppose me?
234	Forsake thee when the thing is done! he dares not.	= euphemism for the sexual act.
	Give me but proof he has enjoyed thy person,
236	Though all his captains, echoes to his will,	236: "and even if all his commanders, who would fully
	Stood armed by his side to justify the wrong,	obey his orders".
238	And he himself in the head of his bold troop,
	Spite of his lordship, and his colonelship,
240	Or the judge's favour, I will make him render
	A bloody and a strict account, and force him,
242	By marrying thee, to cure thy wounded honour!
	I have said it.
244
	Re-enter Marrall.
246
	Mar. Sir, the man of honour's come,
248	Newly alighted.	= arrived (literally "dismounted from his horse").
250	Over. In, without reply;	= "get in", to Margaret.
	And do as I command, or thou art lost.
252
	[Exit Margaret.]
254
	Is the loud music I gave order for
256	Ready to receive him?
258	Mar. 'Tis, sir.
260	Over. Let them sound
	A princely welcome.
262
	[Exit Marrall.]
264
	Roughness awhile leave me;	265-7: Sir Giles addresses his own abrasive (rough)
266	For fawning now, a stranger to my nature,	character, in preparation for meeting Lord Lovell; despite his faults, Overreach at least has enough self- awareness to admit it is a challenge for him to act obsequiously towards another, as he must with his guest, by putting aside his natural harsh manner.
	Must make way for me.	269: must be used to make a path for Sir Giles to achieve
268		his goals.
	Loud music.
270	Enter Lord Lovell, Greedy, Allworth, and Marrall.
272	Lov. Sir, you meet your trouble.	272: a modest greeting: Lovell apologizes for putting Overreach through the trouble of entertaining him.
274	Over. What you are pleased to style so is an honour	= "call 'trouble'".
	Above my worth and fortunes.
276
	All. [Aside] Strange, so humble.
278
	Over. A justice of peace, my lord.
280
	[Presents Greedy to him.]
282
	Lov. Your hand, good sir.
284
	Greedy. [Aside]
286	This is a lord, and some think this a favour;	= ie. "would consider his shaking hands with me like this an
	But I had rather have my hand in my dumpling,	exceptional compliment."
288
	Over. Room for my lord.	= "make way for".
290
	Lov. I miss, sir, your fair daughter
292	To crown my welcome.
294	Over. May it please my lord
	To taste a glass of Greek wine first, and suddenly	= immediately.
296	She shall attend my lord.
298	Lov. You'll be obeyed, sir.
300	[Exeunt all but Overreach.]
302	Over. 'Tis to my wish: as soon as come, ask for her! −
	Why, Meg! Meg Overreach. −
304
	Re-enter Margaret.
306
	How! tears in your eyes!	307: Margaret has been crying.
308	Hah! dry them quickly, or I'll dig them out.
	Is this a time to whimper? meet that greatness
310	That flies into thy bosom, think what 'tis	310-3: think what…yourself: Overreach asks Margaret to imagine with him how wonderful it will be when he can address her as honourable, and she, as the husband of a peer, will be in a position to speak to others in the (pretentiously) magnanimous way that only the nobility can.
	For me to say, My honourable daughter;
312	And thou, when I stand bare, to say, Put on;	312: "when I take my hat off to show my respect, you can say to me, 'put your hat on'."
	Or, Father, you forget yourself. No more:
314	But be instructed, or expect − he comes.	= "do as I say. = "or else!" - a threat is implied.
316	Re-enter Lord Lovell, Greedy, Allworth, and Marrall.
318	A black-browed girl, my lord.	= literally "swarthy", but generically describing Margaret
		as unattractive; Overreach introduces his daughter with feigned modesty.^5
320	[Lord Lovell kisses Margaret.]
322	Lov. As I live, a rare one.	= "a fine young lady."
324	All. [Aside] He's ta'en already: I am lost.
326	Over. That kiss
	Came twanging off, I like it; quit the room. −	= "everybody out!"
328
	[Exeunt all but Overreach, Lovell, and Margaret.]
330
	A little bashful, my good lord, but you,
332	I hope, will teach her boldness.
334	Lov. I am happy
	In such a scholar: but −
336
	Over. I am past learning,	= "I am too old to learn (or re-learn) anything about love."
338	And therefore leave you to yourselves: −
	[Aside to Margaret] remember.
340
	[Exit.]
342
	Lov. You see, fair lady, your father is solicitous,
344	To have you change the barren name of virgin	= not fertile, ie. childless. = unmarried and chaste woman.
	Into a hopeful wife.	= promising or forward-looking.^2
346
	Marg. His haste, my lord,
348	Holds no power o'er my will.
350	Lov. But o'er your duty.	350: though Overreach's wish to get Margaret married off quickly has no influence on what Margaret herself wants, Lovell suggests Margaret still has a duty to follow her father's wishes.
352	Marg. Which forced too much, may break.	352-4: Margaret and Lovell use the metaphor of a branch to
		describe the degree to which Margaret bend her will to her father's.
354	Lov. Bend rather, sweetest:
	Think of your years.
356
	Marg. Too few to match with yours:	357-8: Margaret is naturally assuming that Lovell is courting
358	And choicest fruits too soon plucked, rot and wither.	her for himself; Margaret's fruit metaphor of a girl being married off to soon connects back to the previous branch metaphor
360	Lov. Do you think I am old?	360ff: Lovell's responses, on the face of it, make it sound
		like he really does have it in mind to win Margaret for himself; but is he simply teasing her by pretending to play along with her suspicion?
362	Marg. I am sure I am too young.
364	Lov. I can advance you.	= "raise you in status".
366	Marg. To a hill of sorrow;
	Where every hour I may expect to fall,
368	But never hope firm footing. You are noble,	= hope for.
	I of a low descent, however rich;	369: Margaret's non-noble birth is not changed by her family's wealth.
370	And tissues matched with scarlet suit but ill.	370: Margaret continues to harp on the great distance between her and Lovell's ranks: tissue is a rich cloth embroidered with threads of precious metal, such as an aristocrat would wear; a scarlet suit refers to the gowns worn by judges and, as Deighton points out, mayors and alderman, which is as high a rank as anyone of Margaret's class could ever hope to achieve.^5 Sherman sees a further metaphor in the colours of the clothes themselves not matching, ie. yellow (from the gold threads of the tissue) and red (scarlet).^9
	O, my good lord, I could say more, but that
372	I dare not trust these walls.	372: someone - Sir Giles especially - might be listening.
374	Lov. Pray you, trust my ear then.
376	Re-enter Overreach behind, listening.	= ie. Overreach furtively sneaks up on the couple.
378	Over. Close at it! whispering! this is excellent!
	And, by their postures, a consent on both parts.	= relative bearing.^1
380
	Re-enter Greedy behind.	381ff: the following dialogue between Sir Giles and Greedy
382		is held outside the hearing of Lord Lovell and Margaret.
	Greedy. Sir Giles, Sir Giles!
384
	Over. The great fiend stop that clapper!	= Satan. = literally referring to the metal tongue of a bell, but applied to the tongue of a person. Greedy, who shows an occasional (and surprising) penchant for wordplay, responds with both senses of clapper in mind.
386
	Greedy. It must ring out, sir, when my belly rings noon.	= as mentioned earlier, the normal time for dinner.
388	The baked-meats are run out, the roast turned powder.	388: run out = cooked so long that the meat is falling out of the pastry due to dryness.^5 turned powder = dried out so much that it is crumbling into powder.
390	Over. I shall powder you.	= pulverize.^1
392	Greedy. Beat me to dust, I care not;
	In such a cause as this, I'll die a martyr.
394
	Over. Marry, and shall, you barathrum of the shambles!	= "glutton of the butchers' stalls!"^1 Barathrum has the
396		original sense of an abyss or "devouring gulf" (Gifford, p. 363).^6
	[Strikes him.]
398
	Greedy. How! strike a justice of peace! 'tis petty treason,	= the specific crime of murdering someone to whom one owes fealty.^1
400	Edwardi quinto: but that you are my friend,	400: Edwardi quinto = ie. according to an Act passed during the fifth year of King Edward's reign. but that = "except for the fact that".
	I would commit you without bail or mainprize.	401: commit = imprison.
402		bail or mainprize = while bail refers to the temporary release of a prisoner upon payment of a financial security guaranteeing he or she will return for trial, mainprize consists of another person guaranteeing the prisoner's return. The two words, usually preceded as here by without, were frequently paired.^1
	Over. Leave your bawling, sir, or I shall commit you
404	Where you shall not dine to-day: disturb my lord,	= ie. Lord Lovell.
	When he is in discourse!
406
	Greedy. Is't a time to talk
408	When we should be munching?
410	Lov. Hah! I heard some noise.
412	Over. Mum, villain; vanish! shall we break a bargain	412-3: this noisy exchange between Greedy and himself causes Overreach to worry that they might upset the delicate negotiations presently going on between Lovell and Margaret.
	Almost made up?	= concluded, settled, or arranged: a phrase which could apply to both a contract, ie. bargain, and a marriage.^1
414
	[Thrusts Greedy off.]
416
	Lov. Lady, I understand you,
418	And rest most happy in your choice, believe it;
	I'll be a careful pilot to direct	419-420: in this handsome sea-faring metaphor, Lovell offers to help Margaret to achieve her goal.
420	Your yet uncertain bark to a port of safety.	= ship.
422	Marg. So shall your honour save two lives, and bind us
	Your slaves forever.
424
	Lov. I am in the act rewarded,
426	Since it is good; howe'er, you must put on
	An amorous carriage towards me to delude	= bearing.
428	Your subtle father.	425-8: whew! It is a relief to know that Lord Lovell has not broken faith with Allworth after all!
430	Marg. I am prone to that.	430: "I am eager to do so."^1
432	Lov. Now break we off our conference. − Sir Giles!
	Where is Sir Giles?
434
	[Overreach comes forward.]
436
	Re-enter Allworth, Marrall, and Greedy.
438
	Over. My noble lord; and how
440	Does your lordship find her?
442	Lov. Apt, Sir Giles, and coming;	442: both apt and coming suggest readiness or compliance.^1
	And I like her the better.
444
	Over. So do I too.
446
	Lov. Yet should we take forts at the first assault,	447-8: a common metaphor, and a particular favourite of Massinger's, was to compare the courting of a woman to an attack on a fortress; the implied sense of the metaphor is that the man will engage in all desperate measures to attain the object of his interest, while the woman will naturally resist.
448	'Twere poor in the defendant; I must confirm her	= "it would show poorly of the defenders." The woman must not give in too easily. Note how this military metaphor reverses the positions of Lovell and Margaret from the metaphor introduced by Allworth in Act III.i, in which Margaret's gracious qualities were the attackers, and Lovell the defender.
	With a love-letter or two, which I must have
450	Delivered by my page, and you give way to't.	448-450: I must…to't = Lovell wants to prolong his apparent wooing of Margaret by first sending her a few love-letters, which he tells Sir Giles will be delivered on his behalf by his servant Allworth; Sir Giles must allow Allworth to deliver the notes personally.
452	Over. With all my soul: − a towardly gentleman!	= dutiful.^2
	Your hand, good Master Allworth; know my house
454	Is ever open to you.
456	All. [Aside] ‘Twas shut till now.
458	Over. Well done, well done, my honourable daughter!
	Thou'rt so already: know this gentle youth,	459: Thou'rt so already = ie. "you have practically already
460	And cherish him, my honourable daughter.	assumed the title of honourable."
		know this gentle youth = "please get to know Master Allworth".
462	Marg. I shall, with my best care.
464	[Noise within, as of a coach.]	= offstage.
466	Over. A coach!
468	Greedy. More stops	= interruptions.
	Before we go to dinner! O my guts!
470
	Enter Lady Allworth and Wellborn.
472
	L. All. If I find welcome,	473-6: Lady Allworth is speaking to Wellborn.
474	You share in it; if not, I'll back again,	= return home.
	Now I know your ends; for I come armed for all	475: ends = goal, intentions.
476	Can be objected.	475-6: for I come…objected = "I am ready to meet any
		objections that Sir Giles will make to your presence in his house."^5
478	Lov. How! the Lady Allworth!
480	Over. And thus attended!	480: Overreach can't believe Lady Allworth has arrived in
		Wellborn's company.
482	[Lovell kisses Lady Allworth,
	Lady Allworth kisses Margaret.]
484
	Mar. No, "I am a dolt!	485-6: Marrall twits Overreach, reminding him how he did
486	The spirit of lies hath entered me!"	not believe Marrall's report regarding Lady Allworth's generous reception of Wellborn.
488	Over. Peace, Patch;	488: "quiet, fool;" Patch was a common Elizabethan term
	'Tis more than wonder! an astonishment	for a simpleton.
490	That does possess me wholly!
492	Lov. Noble lady,	492-4: Lord Lovell rather effusively thanks Lady Allworth
	This is a favour, to prevent my visit,	for putting in her appearance here, which anticipates
494	The service of my life can never equal.	(prevents) his planned visit to her home.
496	L. All. My lord, I laid wait for you, and much hoped	= watched for, though the phrase was also a common one for "set an ambush for".^1 Deighton suggests that Lady Allworth means she was hoping to intercept Lovell on his way to Overreach's house.^5
	You would have made my poor house your first inn:	= "the first house or home that you stopped by at".
498	And therefore doubting that you might forget me,	= suspecting.
	Or too long dwell here, having such ample cause,
500	In this unequalled beauty, for your stay,	= ie. Margaret.
	And fearing to trust any but myself
502	With the relation of my service to you,	502: Deighton suggests, "to tell you of my eagerness to have you visit,"^5 while Sherman proposes "to express my assurance of respect and welcome."^9
	I borrowed so much from my long restraint	503: the sense is that Lady Allworth took a break from her
504	And took the air in person to invite you.	extended period of self-imposed seclusion to see Lord
		Lovell.
506	Lov. Your bounties are so great, they rob me, madam,
	Of words to give you thanks.
508
	L. All. Good Sir Giles Overreach. −
510
	[Kisses him.]
512
	How dost thou, Marrall? − liked you my meat so ill,	= "did you enjoy my food or meal so little (ill = illy)"; Lady
514	You'll dine no more with me?	Allworth is addressing Greedy here.
516	Greedy. I will, when you please,
	An it like your ladyship.	= if it pleases.
518
	L. All. When you please, Master Greedy;	= "whenever you wish".
520	If meat can do it, you shall be satisfied. −	520: "if any food can please you, I assure you you will be satisfied at my table."
	And now, my lord, pray take into your knowledge	521f: Lady Allworth introduces Wellborn to Lord Lovell.
522	This gentleman; howe'er his outside's coarse,	= "although his outward appearance is ragged".
524	[Presents Wellborn.]
526	His inward linings are as fine and fair	526: a nice metaphor of the inner lining of Wellborn's clothing standing in for his true character, ie. what is inside of him.
	As any man's; wonder not I speak at large:	= so freely or expansively (about Wellborn).
528	And howsoe'er his humour carries him	528-9: And howsoe'er…accoutred = "and regardless of how far his eccentricity (humour) causes him to be dressed so (accoutred)".
	To be thus accoutred, or what taint soever,	529-530: or what taint…fame = "or what stain there remains on his reputation (fame) for his unrestrained behavior in the past".
530	For his wild life, hath stuck upon his fame,
	He may, ere long, with boldness, rank himself	= before. = "reckon or count himself equal".
532	With some that have contemned him. Sir Giles Overreach,	= who. = scorned.
	If I am welcome, bid him so.
534
	Over. My nephew!
536	He has been too long a stranger: faith you have,	= truthfully.
	Pray let it be mended.
538
	[Lovell confers aside with Wellborn.]	539: Lovell and Wellborn step aside to consult quietly.
540
	Mar. Why, sir, what do you mean?	541-4: Marrall again twits Overreach for his earlier harsh
542	This is “rogue Wellborn, monster, prodigy,	words, and points out Sir Giles' hypocrisy in now acting
	That should hang or drown himself;" no man of worship,	so obsequiously in the process.
544	Much less your nephew.
546	Over. Well, sirrah, we shall reckon	= common term of address used to an inferior, with an
	For this hereafter.	additional sense, as here, of making a point of emphasizing one's own superior rank and authority. Overreach promises to soon settle this score with Marrall.
548
	Mar. I'll not lose my jeer,	= mocking or bad attitude.
550	Though I be beaten dead for't.
552	Well. Let my silence plead
	In my excuse, my lord, till better leisure
554	Offer itself to hear a full relation	= allow for a complete telling.
	Of my poor fortunes.	= "the story of my bad luck, misfortunes."
556
	Lov. I would hear, and help them.	556: "I would like to hear your story, and do something to
558		help"; them refers to Wellborn's poor fortunes.
	Over. Your dinner waits you.
560
	Lov. Pray you lead, we follow.
562
	L. All. Nay, you are my guest; come, dear Master Wellborn.
564
	[Exeunt all but Greedy.]
566
	Greedy. "Dear Master Wellborn!" So she said: Heaven! Heaven!	567-572: Greedy is surprised too to see Wellborn so well entertained, considering that Greedy has been
568	If my belly would give me leave, I could ruminate	persecuting him so continuously on Overreach's behalf.
	All day on this: I have granted twenty warrants
570	To have him committed, from all prisons in the shire,
	To Nottingham gaol; and now, "Dear Master Wellborn!"	= jail.
572	And, "My good nephew!" − but I play the fool
	To stand here prating, and forget my dinner.
574
	Re-enter Marrall.
576
	Are they set, Marrall?	= seated for dinner.^5
578
	Mar. Long since; pray you a word, sir.
580
	Greedy. No wording now.	581: Greedy wants to get to his dinner.
582
	Mar. In troth, I must; my master,	= truth.
584	Knowing you are his good friend, makes bold with you.
	And does entreat you, more guests being come in
586	Than he expected, especially his nephew,
	The table being full too, you would excuse him,
588	And sup with him on the cold meat.	= leftovers; Overreach has no compunction about
		humiliating Greedy by banishing him from the dinner table, considering the marriage between Lovell and Margaret is on the line.
590	Greedy. How! no dinner,
	After all my care?
592
	Mar. 'Tis but a penance for
594	A meal; besides, you broke your fast.	= "have already eaten today."
596	Greedy. That was
	But a bit to stay my stomach: a man in commission	= hold. = a Justice of the Peace.
598	Give place to a tatterdemalion!	= dirty or ragged person, ie. Wellborn.^1
600	Mar. No bug words, sir;	= words intended to insult or threaten.^5
	Should his worship hear you −
602
	Greedy. Lose my dumpling too,
604	And buttered toasts, and woodcocks!
606	Mar. Come, have patience.
	If you will dispense a little with your worship,	607: "if you will put aside any feelings of pride at being
608	And sit with the waiting women, you'll have dumpling,	treated so".
	Woodcock, and buttered toasts too.
610
	Greedy. This revives me:	611-2: his pride momentarily stung, Greedy's good humour
612	I will gorge there sufficiently.	is restored with the knowledge that he will be able to eat
		his fill after all; surprisingly, the Justice may be a more likeable character than we have given him credit for.
614	Mar. This is the way, sir.
	[Exeunt.]
	ACT III, SCENE III.
	Another Room in Overreach's House.
	Enter Overreach, as from dinner.
1	Over. She's caught! O women! − she neglects my lord,	1-12: Overreach speaks of Lady Allworth.
2	And all her compliments applied to Wellborn!
	The garments of her widowhood laid by,
4	She now appears as glorious as the spring,
	Her eyes fixed on him, in the wine she drinks,
6	He being her pledge, she sends him burning kisses,	= ie. Wellborn is the one whose health she drinks to.
	And sits on thorns, till she be private with him.	7: the image is of Lady Allworth being unable to sit still, so eager is she to be alone (private) with Wellborn.
8	She leaves my meat to feed upon his looks,	= "neglects the meal I have prepared".^9
	And if in our discóurse he be but named,
10	From her a deep sigh follows. But why grieve I
	At this? it makes for me; if she prove his,	= "it is to my benefit": Overreach's point in lines 11-12 is
12	All that is hers is mine, as I will work him.	that he should be happy to see Wellborn marry Lady
		Allworth: if this happens, Wellborn would assume legal possession of all her property, and Overreach in turn will defraud the new couple of all their wealth; in fact, he has a plan ready to go.
14	Enter Marrall.
16	Mar. Sir, the whole board is troubled at your rising.	= "everyone at the dinner table (board)".
18	Over. No matter, I'll excuse it: prithee, Marrall,
	Watch an occasion to invite my nephew	= for an opportunity.
20	To speak with me in private.
22	Mar. Who? "the rogue
	The lady scorned to look on?"
24
	Over. You are a wag.	= common term for a mischievous lad.
26
	Enter Lady Allworth and Wellborn.
28
	Mar. See, sir, she's come, and cannot be without him.
30
	L. All. With your favour, sir, after a plenteous dinner,
32	I shall make bold to walk a turn or two,
	In your rare garden.	= fine.
34
	Over. There's an arbour too,	= bower; Sir Giles encourages the couple to visit a secluded
36	If your ladyship please to use it.	nook in the garden, with all that that implies.
38	L. All. Come, Master Wellborn.
40	[Exeunt Lady Allworth and Wellborn.]
42	Over. Grosser and grosser! now I believe the poet	42: Grosser and grosser! = more and more obvious! 42-44: the poet…bull = the poet is Apollodorus (today referred to as Pseudo-Apollodorus), the Roman author of the compendium of myths known as the Bibliotheca Library. In Book 3, Apollodorus tells the story of a white bull which the sea-god Poseidon had sent to King Minos of Crete to sacrifice; Minos decided to keep the beautiful bull instead, and Poseidon, angered, caused Pasiphae, Minos' wife, to fall in love with the bull. Having mated with the bull, Pasiphae gave birth to the famous half-bull half-man, the Minotaur.
	Feigned not, but was historical, when he wrote
44	Pasiphaë was enamoured of a bull:
	This lady's lust's more monstrous. − My good lord,	= In Sir Giles' estimation, Lady Lovell's attraction to
46		Wellborn is more horrifying than Pasiphae's love for the bull!
	Enter Lord Lovell, Margaret, and the rest.
48
	Excuse my manners.	49: Sir Giles begs pardon for leaving the table without
50		explanation.
	Lov. There needs none, Sir Giles,
52	I may ere long say father, when it pleases	= before. = ie. "call you".
	My dearest mistress to give warrant to it.	= "Margaret to give me her pledge", ie. when she agrees to marry him.
54
	Over. She shall seal to it, my lord, and make me happy.	55: Overreach engages in some wordplay: a document such as a warrant would be authenticated by having a wax seal stamped on it.
56
	Re-enter Wellborn and Lady Allworth.	40-57: a good if minor example of the dramatic technique
58		called a compression of time: Lady Allworth and Wellborn went outside, took a stroll in the garden, and returned, all in the time it took only nine lines of script to be spoken. The chronological impossibility would be imperceptible to the audience.
	Marg. My lady is returned.
60
	L. All. Provide my coach,
62	I'll instantly away; − my thanks, Sir Giles,
	For my entertainment.
64
	Over. 'Tis your nobleness	65-66: "it is your noble nature which permits you to thank
66	To think it such.	me for what is not worthy of being grateful for."
68	L. All. I must do you a further wrong
	In taking away your honourable guest.	= ie. Lord Lovell.
70
	Lov. I wait on you, madam; farewell, good Sir Giles.
72
	L. All. Good Mistress Margaret! − nay, come, Master Wellborn,
74	I must not leave you behind; in sooth, I must not.	= truth.
76	Over. Rob me not, madam, of all joys at once;
	Let my nephew stay behind: he shall have my coach,
78	And, after some small conferènce between us,
	Soon overtake your ladyship.	= ie. "catch up to".
80
	L. All. Stay not long, sir.
82
	Lov. This parting kiss:
84
	[Kisses Margaret.]
86
	you shall every day hear from me,	87-88: "I will send you letters and notes everyday via my
88	By my faithful page.	attendant (ie. Allworth)".
90	All. 'Tis a service I am proud of.
92	[Exeunt Lord Lovell, Lady Allworth, Allworth,
	and Marrall.]
94
	Over. Daughter, to your chamber. −
96
	[Exit Margaret.]
98
	− You may wonder, nephew,
100	After so long an enmity between us,
	I should desire your friendship.
102
	Well. So I do, sir;
104	'Tis strange to me.
106	Over. But I'll make it no wonder;
	And what is more, unfold my nature to you.	= "reveal my character", ie. "explain why I act the way I do".
108	We worldly men, when we see friends and kinsmen
	Past hope sunk in their fortunes, lend no hand
110	To lift them up, but rather set our feet
	Upon their heads, to press them to the bottom;
112	As, I must yield, with you I practised it:	= admit.
	But, now I see you in a way to rise,	= ie. now that.
114	I can and will assist you; this rich lady
	(And I am glad of 't) is enamoured of you;
116	'Tis too apparent, nephew.
118	Well. No such thing:	118-9: "Nah, she just feels sorry for me."
	Compassion rather, sir.
120
	Over. Well, in a word,
122	Because your stay is short, I'll have you seen
	No more in this base shape; nor shall she say,	= shabby appearance.
124	She married you like a beggar, or in debt.
126	Well. [Aside] He'll run into the noose, and save my labour.	126: Sir Giles is falling right into Wellborn's trap.
128	Over. You have a trunk of rich clothes, not far hence,
	In pawn; I will redeem them; and that no clamour	= ie. another person has Wellborn's good clothes as a security on a debt which Wellborn has till now not been able to repay.
130	May taint your credit for your petty debts,
	You shall have a thousand pounds to cut them off,	= ie. pay.
132	And go a free man to the wealthy lady.	= ie. under no obligation to other men, ie. debt-free.
134	Well. This done, sir, out of love, and no ends else −	= read as "I hope you are doing this". = other reason.
136	Over. As it is, nephew.	99-149: Conversation between Overreach and Wellborn: we have going on here a great example of what is known as dramatic irony, or perhaps we may call it double dramatic irony: both characters are speaking ironically - that is, neither one is speaking his true feelings, and assumes he is fooling the other, even as the audience is aware that both parties are dissembling.
138	Well. Binds me still your servant.	138: "I am obliged to you for your help."
140	Over. No compliments, you are staid for: ere you have supped	= "No need for courteous speeches now, the others are waiting for you"; staid for = awaited.
	You shall hear from me. − My coach, knaves, for my nephew.
142	To-morrow I will visit you.
144	Well. Here's an uncle
	In a man's extremes! how much they do belie you,	145: In a man's extremes = ie. "who is there to relieve a
146	That say you are hard-hearted!	man's hardships!" belie = slander, speak falsely about.
148	Over. My deeds, nephew,
	Shall speak my love; what men report I weigh not.	= speak for, ie. show or prove. = "I don't care about."
150
	[Exeunt.]	Overreach's Scheme: Sir Giles' plan is to demand repayment of the 1000 pound loan (about 210,000 pounds today, according to the Bank of England's inflation calculator)^21 from Wellborn once he is married to Lady Allworth. Assuming the couple will not have the ready cash available to redeem the debt, Overreach expects to take their property in the forfeit.
	END OF ACT III.

	ACT IV.
	SCENE I.
	A Room in Lady Allworth's House.
	Enter Lord Lovell and Allworth.
1	Lov. 'Tis well; give me my cloak; I now discharge you	1-3: with Allworth's marriage to Margaret in view, Lovell releases Allworth from any further obligation to him.
2	From further service: mind your own affairs,	= ie. "focus on your project to marry Margaret".
	I hope they will prove successful.
4
	All. What is blest
6	With your good wish, my lord, cannot but prosper.	= ie. help but.
	Let aftertimes report, and to your honour,	= succeeding generations.
8	How much I stand engaged, for I want language	= "obliged or indebted to you". = "lack the appropriate
	To speak my debt; yet if a tear or two	words".
10	Of joy, for your much goodness, can supply
	My tongue's defects, I could −
12
	Lov. Nay, do not melt:	= typical metaphor for shedding tears.
14	This ceremonial thanks to me's superfluous.	= unnecessary.
16	Over. [within] Is my lord stirring?	= from offstage.
18	Lov. 'Tis he! oh, here's your letter: let him in.	18: with Sir Giles visiting at Lady Allworth's house, it is
		time for Lord Lovell, Allworth and Margaret to implement their own intrigue; the letter Lovell hands over to Allworth is an ostensible "love letter" from Lovell for Allworth to deliver to Margaret.
20	Enter Overreach, Greedy, and Marrall.
22	Over. A good day to my lord!
24	Lov. You are an early riser,
	Sir Giles.
26
	Over. And reason, to attend your lordship.	= read as "with a good reason".
28
	Lov. And you, too, Master Greedy, up so soon!
30
	Greedy. In troth, my lord, after the sun is up,
32	I cannot sleep, for I have a foolish stomach
	That croaks for breakfast. With your lordship's favour,	= rumbles; croak was frequently applied to noisy stomachs and bowels.^1
34	I have a serious question to demand	= ask.
	Of my worthy friend Sir Giles.
36
	Lov. Pray you use your pleasure.
38
	Greedy. How far, Sir Giles, and pray you answer me
40	Upon your credit, hold you it to be	= honour.
	From your manor-house, to this of my Lady's Allworth's?
42
	Over. Why, some four mile.
44
	Greedy. How! four mile, good Sir Giles −
46	Upon your reputation, think better;	= ie. "reconsider."
	For if you do abate but one half-quarter	47-48: For if…five = "for if you think the distance is even
48	Of five, you do yourself the greatest wrong	1/8th of a mile less than five".
	That can be in the world; for four miles riding
50	Could not have raised so huge an appetite
	As I feel gnawing on me.
52
	Mar. Whether you ride,
54	Or go afoot, you are that way still provided,	= Sherman suggests "either way you will have a good
	An it please your worship.	appetite".^9
56
	Over. How now, sirrah? Prating	= "What's that". = babbling.
58	Before my lord! no difference! Go to my nephew,	= ie. Lord Lovell. = ie. "do you dare behave the same way
	See all his debts discharged, and help his worship	in front of Lord Lovell as you towards me?"^5
60	To fit on his rich suit.
62	Mar. [Aside] I may fit you too.
	Tossed like a dog still!	63: Marrall refers again to being tossed in a blanket like a
64		dog, as he did at Act II.i.234, except that at that time he imagined it was Wellborn being the one on the receiving end of the humiliating treatment. Marrall is tiring of the way Overreach is treating him.
	[Exit.]
66
	Lov. I have writ this morning
68	A few lines to my mistress, your fair daughter.
70	Over. 'Twill fire her, for she's wholly yours already: −	= inflame, excite (Margaret's passion).
	Sweet Master Allworth, take my ring; 'twill carry you	71-72: Sweet…warrant you = Overreach gives Allworth a token, ie. his ring, a recognizable possession of his which, when Allworth shows it to Sir Giles' household staff, will prove Allworth is acting with Overreach's permission.
72	To her presence, I dare warrant you; and there plead	72-73: and there…occasion = "and put in a good word on behalf of Lord Lovell if necessary to push the project along."
	For my good lord, if you shall find occasion.	= need.^5
74	That done, pray ride to Nottingham, get a license,	= ie. a marriage license for Margaret and Lovell.
	Still by this token. I'll have it dispatched,	75: Still by this token = "still using this ring", to show the authorities Allworth is acting on Sir Giles' behalf. dispatched = taken care of, done.
76	And suddenly, my lord, that I may say,	= right away.
	My honourable, nay, right honourable daughter.
78
	Greedy. Take my advice, young gentleman, get your breakfast;
80	'Tis unwholesome to ride fasting: I'll eat with you,
	And eat to purpose.
82
	Over. Some Fury's in that gut:	= frenzy, as if Greedy's stomach is possessed.
84	Hungry again! did you not devour, this morning,
	A shield of brawn, and a barrel of Colchester oysters?	85: shield of brawn = a roast prepared by stuffing a cylinder of skin with boar's meat and cooking it.^1 Barrel of oysters = common phrase for a serving of oysters. Colchester oysters = oysters found off the coast of this Essex county town were highly prized.
86
	Greedy. Why, that was, sir, only to scour my stomach,	= cleanse or flush out, as by an enema.^1
88	A kind of a preparative. − Come, gentleman,	= preliminary medical treatment.^1
	I will not have you feed like the hangman of Flushing,	89-90: Flushing was the English name for the Dutch port
90	Alone, while I am here.	city of Vlissingen (the English had even kept a garrison in the city under the terms of the Treat of Nonsuch (1585) from 1585 to 1616; at the time of this play, the city was back in Dutch hands).^22 The allusion to the hangman of Flushing has never been explained. Sherman wonders if there is a connection between the phrase and a story of an Italian named Pachero who was ordered to be hanged at Flushing, but no executioner could be found.^9 Deighton points out that hangmen were traditionally shunned by society, hence the reference to feeding alone.^5 One wonders if there is a pun intended here, since flushing also meant, as does scour, a cleansing of the bowels.
92	Lov. Haste your return.	92: "Hurry back."
94	All. I will not fail, my lord.
96	Greedy. Nor I, to line	96-97: a Christmas coffer was an earthen box in which
	My Christmas coffer.	servants and apprentices collected alms at Christmas time, and whose contents could only be accessed by breaking the box;^4 Greedy's Christmas coffer is of course his stomach. By lining it, Greedy means "feed it".
98
	[Exeunt Greedy and Allworth.]	99: the pair head off to eat.
100
	Over. To my wish: we are private.	101: To my wish = Overreach is pleased that Greedy and Allworth have left the room, leaving just Lovell and himself on the stage. private = alone.
102	I come not to make offer with my daughter	102-3: Sir Giles explains that he does not propose to give Lovell only a fixed or limited dowry (certain portion), which would be a paltry and unsatisfactory settlement.^5
	A certain portion, that were poor and trivial:
104	In one word, I pronounce all that is mine,	104-9: Overreach, instead, intends to give to Lovell his entire estate; however, Lovell might infer from this that he can expect to receive this extensive property only after Sir Giles has died (hence Lovell might worry that Sir Giles might live too long). Sir Giles assures him, anticipating this concern, that Lovell should have no worries on this account, as Overreach will make regular payments in the meantime to the happy couple.
	In lands or leases, ready coin or goods,
106	With her, my lord, comes to you; nor shall you have
	One motive to induce you to believe
108	I live too long, since every year I'll add
	Something unto the heap, which shall be yours too.	101-9: while not otherwise a sympathetic character, at least
110		Sir Giles confirms for us here that all of his evil actions have stemmed from his desire to improve the lot of his daughter, and not out of any greed per se of his own.
	Lov. You are a right kind father.
112
	Over. You shall have reason
114	To think me such. How do you like this seat?	= ie. the building and property which serves as Sir Giles' residence.
	It is well wooded, and well watered, the acres
116	Fertile and rich; would it not serve for change,	116-7: would it not…progress = Overreach asks Lovell to consider using his own manor as Lovell's country home.
	To entertain your friends in a summer progress?	= the journeys Lovell might make to visit his various country
118	What thinks my noble lord?	estates.
120	Lov. 'Tis a wholesome air,
	And well-built pile; and she that's mistress of it,	= stately home.^1 = ie. Margaret.
122	Worthy the large revénue.	122: Margaret is worthy of the large rental income Sir Giles'
		properties bring him.
124	Over. She the mistress!
	It may be so for a time: but let my lord
126	Say only that he likes it, and would have it,
	I say, ere long 'tis his.	= before.
128
	Lov. Impossible.	129: Lovell takes Overreach to be suggesting that he will
130		soon be dead, as that is the only way Lovell can imagine Overreach would turn over his home to him and Margaret.
	Over. You do conclude too fast, not knowing me,
132	Nor the engines that I work by. ‘Tis not alone	132: engines = schemes, machinations. 132-5: 'Tis not…mine = "Lady Allworth's property will no longer be hers alone, once she marries Wellborn (since marriage gives control of the bride's possessions to the groom), which I know she will do, based on how she fawns all over him; and once her estate belongs to Wellborn, I plan to take ownership of it all myself." In other words, Sir Giles will turn his own residence over to Lovell as soon as he takes over that of Lady Allworth.
	The Lady Allworth's lands, for those once Wellborn's,
134	(As by her dotage on him I know they will be,)
	Shall soon be mine; but point out any man's	135-8: but point out…yours: Overreach is confident in his
136	In all the shire, and say they lie convenient,	ability to take possession of any property in the county,
	And useful for your lordship, and once more	so if Lovell sees something he likes, he should let Sir
138	I say aloud, they are yours.	Giles know, and Sir Giles will use his scamming ability
		to get it for him.
140	Lov. I dare not own
	What's by unjust and cruèl means extorted;
142	My fame and credit are more dear to me,	= reputation. Lovell is naturally horrified by what he is
	Than so to expose them to be censured by	hearing.
144	The public voice.
146	Over. You run, my lord, no hazard.	= risk.
	Your reputatiön shall stand as fair,
148	In all good men's opiniöns, as now;
	Nor can my actions, though condemned for ill,
150	Cast any foul aspersion upon yours.
	For, though I do contemn report myself	151-2: For though…sound = "though I consider what people say about me to be nothing more than meaningless noise".
152	As a mere sound, I still will be so tender	= careful, sensitive.
	Of what concerns you, in all points of honour,
154	That the immaculate whiteness of your fame,	= ie. that neither. = the traditional colour of purity.
	Nor your unquestiöned integrity,
156	Shall e'er be sullied with one taint or spot
	That may take from your innocence and candour.	= subtract. = purity of reputation.^5
158	All my ambition is to have my daughter
	Right honourable, which my lord can make her:	= ie. "you".
160	And might I live to dance upon my knee
	A young Lord Lovell, born by her unto you,	= ie. a grandson.
162	I write nil ultra to my proudest hopes.	= "I will require nothing more (nil ultra) in return."
	As for possessiöns and annual rents,
164	Equivalent to maintain you in the port	= grand state or life style.^9
	Your noble birth and present state requires,
166	I do remove that burthen from your shoulders,	= burden.
	And take it on mine own: for, though I ruin	167-9: though I…find you = Overreach has no compunction about ruining everyone and anyone in order to help Lord Lovell and Margaret maintain whatever degree of extravagant lifestyle they desire to live in.
168	The country to supply your riotous waste,
	The scourge of prodigals, want, shall never find you.	= lack of money, ie. poverty.
170
	Lov. Are you not frighted with the imprecations
172	And curses of whole families, made wretched
	By your sinister practices?
174
	Over. Yes, as rocks are,	= ie. "as scared as rocks are", which is to say, not at all.
176	When foamy billows split themselves against	= waves.
	Their flinty ribs; or as the moon is moved,	= hard and rugged rocky ridges or outcroppings.^1
178	When wolves, with hunger pined, howl at her brightness.	= wasted away.
	I am of a solid temper, and, like these,	= firm or steady temperament.^1 = ie. rocks and the moon.
180	Steer on, a constant course: with mine own sword,	180: steer on…course = a brief maritime metaphor. 180-2: with mine…a wrong = if any victim of my
	If called into the field, I can make that right,	schemes challenges me to a duel to call me to account
182	Which fearful enemies murmured at as wrong.	for the injuries I have done him, I will gladly back up my actions with my sword;" make that right = justify.^5
	Now, for these other piddling complaints
184	Breathed out in bitterness; as when they call me
	Extortioner, tyrant, cormorant, or intruder	= a voraciously greedy person, like the sea-bird with the same insatiable appetite.
186	On my poor neighbour's right, or grand incloser	186-7: grand incloser…common = the enclosing of private
	Of what was common, to my private use;	land was a common complaint in Elizabethan times: as historically much of the land was open to common grazing and use, the penchant of the wealthy to assume closer control of and fence in parcels of land, so as to exclude their use by the rabble, caused much ill feeling.
188	Nay, when my ears are pierced with widows' cries,
	And undone orphans wash with tears my threshold,	= ruined, destitute.
190	I only think what 'tis to have my daughter
	Right honourable; and 'tis a powerful charm
192	Makes me insensible of remorse, or pity,
	Or the least sting of conscience.
194
	Lov. I admire	= wonder at.
196	The toughness of your nature.
198	Over. 'Tis for you,
	My lord, and for my daughter, I am marble;
200	Nay more, if you will have my character	200-1: If you…little = "if you would be interested to hear
	In little, I enjoy more true delight	in just a few words a description of my true nature".
202	In my arrival to my wealth these dark
	And crooked ways than you shall e'er take pleasure
204	In spending what my industry hath compassed.	= "diligence or hard work has obtained for me." (compass)."
	My haste commands me hence; in one word, therefore,	= ie. "I am in a hurry, and must go"; hence = from here.
206	Is it a match?
208	Lov. I hope, that is past doubt now.	= expect.
210	Over. Then rest secure; not the hate of all mankind here,
	Nor fear of what can fall on me hereafter,	= "happen to me in the future".
212	Shall make me study aught but your advancement	= "strive or work hard for anything other than to raise your status".
	One story higher: an earl! if gold can do it.	213: One story higher = a brief building metaphor. an earl = if the next rank Lovell could reach is an earldom, then he is presently a viscount. Below viscount is the rank of baron, the lowest rank of peer. if gold can do it = "if it is possible to buy an earldom through bribery, I will do it for you."
214	Dispute not my religion, nor my faith;	214: "do not attempt to dissuade me by arguing my religious faith should constrict my unethical behavior."^5
	Though I am borne thus headlong by my will,	215: "as my actions are carried along by own self-indulgent inclinations".
216	You may make choice of what belief you please,	216: "you can choose whatever religion you wish for me
	To me they are equal; so, my lord, good morrow.	to believe in"; Sir Giles' comments here, admitting his
218		lack of good Protestant faith, are heretical, and Lovell recognizes and is disturbed by them as such.
	[Exit.]
220
	Lov. He's gone − I wonder how the earth can bear
222	Such a portént! I, that have lived a soldier,	= wonder.
	And stood the enemy's violent charge undaunted,
224	To hear this blasphemous beast am bathed all over	224: note the nice alliteration in this line.
	In a cold sweat: yet, like a mountain, he
226	(Confirmed in atheistical assertions)
	Is no more shaken than Olympus is	227-9: "he is no more shaken than Mt. Olympus is when it is covered with snow." Olympus = Mt. Olympus, Greece's highest mountain, and home of the Olympic gods. All the earlier editors note that it is the Parnassus range, with its two oft-referred to peaks (hence double-head), that Massinger should have written here.
228	When angry Boreas loads his double head	228: Boreas = god of the north winter wind, hence the snow
	With sudden drifts of snow.	that he brings. his = its, meaning the mountain.
230
	Enter Lady Allworth, Waiting Woman, and Amble.
232
	L. All. Save you, my lord!	= ie. "God save you", common greeting.
234	Disturb I not your privacy?
236	Lov. No, good madam;
	For your own sake I am glad you came no sooner,
238	Since this bold bad man, Sir Giles Overreach,
	Made such a plain discovery of himself,	239: "so clearly revealed his true character (to me)".
240	And read this morning such a devilish matins,	240: matins is a Catholic service held before the first mass of the day, and is referred to as morning prayer in the Anglican Book of Common Prayer; Lovell is still pondering Overreach's admission of his lack of conventional - indeed prescribed - religious belief. Lovell will refer back repeatedly to Overreach's blasphemous sentiments in the following conversation.
	That I should think it a sin next to his	= "almost as bad as".^5
242	But to repeat it.
244	L. All. I ne'er pressed, my lord,	244-9: Lady Allworth delicately admits she overheard everything Overreach said; the sense of pressed is "deliberately intruded".
	On others' privacies; yet, against my will,	= ie. privacy or secrets.^1 = ie. by accident, though Lady Allworth is perhaps a bit disingenuous here.
246	Walking, for health' sake, in the gallery	= covered walkway or portico,^1 though the Crystals in their Shakespeare's Words describe a gallery as an exercise room.^2
	Adjoining to your lodgings, I was made
248	(So vehement and loud he was) partaker
	Of his tempting offers.	= describing something that entices another to evil behavior.
250
	Lov. Please you to command	251-3: "if you will dismiss your servants, I would be pleased to hear any advice you can give me." Notice that both Lovell and Lady Allworth speak throughout their dialogue with the distinct high language expected of well-educated aristocrats.
252	Your servants hence, and I shall gladly hear
	Your wiser counsel.	= "better (than mine)".^5
254
	L. All. 'Tis, my lord, a woman's,	255-6: 'Tis…hearty = "though it is only a woman's advice, it is honourable and sincere."
256	But true and hearty; − wait in the next room,	256-8: wait in…intents = spoken to Waiting Woman and
	But be within call; yet not so near to force me	Amble; Lady Allworth is indirectly admonishing them
258	To whisper my intents.	not to eavesdrop.
260	Amb. We are taught better	260-1: "having been trained by you, we know better than to
	By you, good madam.	do that."
262
	W. Wom. And well know our distance.
264
	L. All. Do so, and talk not: 'twill become your breeding.	= "it will suit (ie. demonstrate) your training." Lady
266		Allworth is mildly annoyed that her servants have chosen to chat back to her instead of just silently following her command.
	[Exeunt Amble and Woman.]
268
	Now, my good lord: if I may use my freedom,	= ie. freedom to openly speak her mind.
270	As to an honoured friend −
272	Lov. You lessen else	272-3: "you would reduce the grace you show me if you
	Your favour to me.	did anything but."
274
	L. All. I dare then say thus;	275-309: Lady Allworth tries to be as careful as possible to warn Lovell of the dangerous path he is taking in marrying Margaret for apparently dishonourable reasons, without offending him too much; the result is a pair of the most difficult to follow and tortuous speeches Massinger ever wrote.
276	As you are noble (howe'er common men	= "for you who was born into the nobility". = average or vulgar.^2
	Make sordid wealth the object and sole end
278	Of their industrious aims), 'twill not agree	278-281: 'twill…ancestors = "it would not be in line with the actions of those with superior breeding (eminent blood), who seek more to enhance their good reputations than to focus on adding to their already considerable inheritances".
	With those of eminent blood, who are engaged
280	More to prefer their honours than to increase	= raise, increase.
	The state left to them by their ancestors,
282	To study large additions to their fortunes,	282: "or to strive only to add to their wealth".
	And quite neglect their births: − though I must grant,	= "and thus ignore the expectations for how persons of their elevated rank should behave."
284	Riches, well got, to be a useful servant,	= honourably attained.
	But a bad master.
286
	Lov. Madam, 'tis confessed;	= "I admit the truth of everything you say."
288	But what infer you from it?	288: polite formula for "but why are you telling me this?"
290	L. All. This, my lord;
	That as all wrongs, though thrust into one scale,	291-3: That as…trial = by scale, a balance with two pans is meant; a scale was frequently used metaphorically to compare the values or worthiness of abstract concepts; so here, unethical behavior (wrongs), when set on the scale against righteous actions (rights), not only is outweighed by the rights, but leaps right off the scale on its own volition from shame.
292	Slide of themselves off when right fills the other,
	And cannot bide the trial; so all wealth,	293: bide the trial = literally wait or remain for the test, ie. bear the comparison. 293-5: so all wealth…purchased = so all wealth acquired through dishonourable means by a man with an honourably earned (bravely purchased) good reputation".
294	I mean if ill-acquired, cemented to honour
	By virtuous ways achieved, and bravely purchased,
296	Is but as rubbish poured into a river,	296-9: Is but as…unwholesome = Lady Allworth compares the stain done to one's reputation by wealth acquired discreditably to the effect of pouring refuse (rubbish) into a river to repair (make good) its banks: even if the damage is fixed, the water is still polluted by the added debris.
	(Howe'er intended to make good the bank,)
298	Rendering the water, that was pure before,
	Polluted and unwholesome. I allow	= admit that.
300	The heir of Sir Giles Overreach, Margaret,
	A maid well qualified and the richest match	301: A = read as "is a". Well qualified = "endowed with noble qualities" (Deighton, p. 119).^5 richest match = ie. she comes with the largest dowry.
302	Our north part can make boast of; yet she cannot,
	With all that she brings with her, fill their mouths,	303-4: fill up…father = ie. "stop people from talking about how low a family you married into"; fill = stop up.
304	That never will forget who was her father;	= "who can never".
	Or that my husband Allworth's lands, and Wellborn's,	305-8: ie. "or to further stop people from speculating that your real motive in marrying Margaret was to gain possession of the lands Sir Giles had previously taken from my husband and Wellborn, and not Margaret's beauty or other fine qualities."
306	(How wrung from both needs now no repetition,)	306: "I don't need to discuss or repeat right now exactly how Overreach cheated them both of their property"; we remember that Lady Allworth married her husband when he was impoverished, and here we have the first intimation that Overreach was also responsible for driving him to that condition, and taken possession of his property, exactly as he had done to Wellborn.
	Were real motives that more worked your lordship
308	To join your families, than her form and virtues:	= combine. = fine qualities.
	You may conceive the rest.	309: "you can infer the rest of my point." conceive = understand.
310
	Lov. I do, sweet madam,	311ff: Lovell is of course neither surprised nor offended by
312	And long since have considered it. I know,	Lady Allworth's admonition; he is perfectly aware that
	The sum of all that makes a just man happy	to those not in on his plan to help Allworth and Margaret (a group which most importantly includes Overreach), his behavior appears to discredit him.
314	Consists in the well choosing of his wife:
	And there, well to discharge it, does require	315-6: a happy marriage requires the husband and wife to be of comparable age, rank, and wealth. discharge it = ie. execute the choosing of a wife.
316	Equality of years, of birth, of fortune;
	For beauty being poor, and not cried up	317-8: if a woman is so ugly that her looks cannot be made to seem more attractive (cried up) by her possessing either high rank or wealth, then the truth is that her having either one still won't make her a good candidate for marriage. cried up = extolled or praised.^1
318	By birth or wealth, can truly mix with neither.
	And wealth, where there's such difference in years,	319-320: on the other hand, even if a woman is wealthy or
320	And fair descent, must make the yoke uneasy: −	of high rank (fair descent), if the difference in the ages of the woman and her man is too great, the marriage will also be unsuccessful. yoke = the collar that joins two draught animals, enabling them to pull a plow together, for example.
	But I come nearer.	321: "but let me move beyond these general observations,
322		and address your specific points."
	L. All. Pray you do, my lord.
324
	Lov. Were Overreach' states thrice centupled, his daughter	= wealth increased three hundred-fold.
326	Millions of degrees much fairer than she is,	= more beautiful.
	Howe'er I might urge precedents to excuse me,	327: "however much I might try to justify my marrying her by pointing out precedents in which men of high rank married below their own stations".
328	I would not so adulterate my blood
	By marrying Margaret, and so leave my issue	= children.
330	Made up of several pieces, one part scarlet,	330-1: Made up…blue = Lovell (rather snobbishly) points
	And the other London blue. In my own tomb	out that he would never want to have children of mixed
332	I will inter my name first.	blood, ie. part-noble and part-commoner (identified by
		London blue, the colour of the livery worn by servants of aristocratic families of London).^9 The use of scarlet here is not completely clear, though it seems to refer to rich cloth in general, indicating a person of wealth and status.^1
334	L. All. [Aside] I am glad to hear this. −
	Why then, my lord, pretend your marriage to her?
336	Dissimulatiön but ties false knots
	On that straight line by which you, hitherto,
338	Have measured all your actions.
340	Lov. I make answer,
	And aptly, with a question. Wherefore have you,	= why.
342	That, since your husband's death, have lived a strict	= who.
	And chaste nun's life, on the sudden given yourself	= all of a.
344	To visits and entertainments? think you, madam,
	'Tis not grown public conference? or the favours	345: "that people everywhere are not talking about you?"
346	Which you too prodigally have thrown on Wellborn,	= lavishly.
	Being too reserved before, incur not censure?	347: Lovell notes the swing in Lady Allworth's behavior from one extreme to the other.
348
	L. All. I am innocent here; and, on my life, I swear
350	My ends are good.	= goals.
352	Lov. On my soul, so are mine
	To Margaret; but leave both to the event:	= "let's just see what happens"; event = outcome.
354	And since this friendly privacy does serve	354-5: "and since our private little discussion here has provided us with an opportunity (offered means)".
	But as an offered means unto ourselves,
356	To search each other further, you having shewn	= "to learn more about each other". 356-7: you having…to you = "you having shown your concern for my well-being, and my having demonstrated my regard for you".
	Your care of me, I my respect to you,
358	Deny me not, but still in chaste words, madam,	358-9: ie. "do not deny me the opportunity to continue our
	An afternoon's discourse.	conversation and spend the afternoon together." still in chaste words = always speaking with common decency or respectfully;^5 the phrase chaste words was a common one.
360
	L. All. So I shall hear you.	= "on that condition".^9
362
	[Exeunt.]
	ACT IV, SCENE II.
	Before Tapwell's House.	The Scene: in front of Tapwell's inn.
	Enter Tapwell and Froth.	Entering Characters: we have not seen our tavern-keepers since the play's opening scene, when the couple crawled off the stage after Wellborn had delivered them a sound thrashing.
1	Tap. Undone, undone! this was your counsel, Froth.	= ruined. = advice, hence fault.
2
	Froth. Mine! I defy thee: did not Master Marrall
4	(He has marred all, I am sure) strictly command us,	= a nice pun on Marrall's name; it was an endearing quality of Elizabethan dramatic characters of all natures and ranks to be willing to engage in wordplay, no matter the circumstances.
	On pain of Sir Giles Overreach' displeasure,
6	To turn the gentleman out of doors?	6: ie. to refuse Wellborn service.
8	Tap. ‘Tis true;
	But now he's his uncle's darling, and has got	= favourite.
10	Master Justice Greedy, since he filled his belly,	= Deighton notes the common use of the prefix master to many titles of the time, including doctor, parson and mayor (p. 120).^5
	At his commandment, to do anything;	9-11: following Overreach's lead, Greedy too is happy to do
12	Woe, woe to us!	anything Wellborn desires.
14	Froth. He may prove merciful.
16	Tap. Troth, we do not deserve it at his hands.	= in truth.
	Though he knew all the passages of our house,	17-20: Tapwell explains that their mistreatment of Wellborn was without risk, so long as Wellborn remained an outcast; even if Wellborn had told anyone of all the illegal activities he knew were going on at the inn, no one would have believed him. By passages, Tapwell means occurrences, or all that has passed or taken place in the house (Deighton, p. 120).^5
18	As the receiving of stolen goods, and bawdry,	= prostitution.
	When he was rogue Wellborn no man would believe him,
20	And then his information could not hurt us;
	But now he is right worshipful again,	= ie. has his old title back (as opposed to being "rogue" Wellborn), ie. is held in respect by everyone again.
22	Who dares but doubt his testimony? methinks,
	I see thee, Froth, already in a cart,	23-25: I see thee…eggs = women involved in prostitution were punished in part by being paraded around in public in a cart, exposing them to ridicule and even missiles tossed their way.
24	For a close bawd, thine eyes even pelted out
	With dirt and rotten eggs; and my hand hissing,	25-27: and my hand...upon it = Tapwell refers to the still- current punishment of branding which he expects to receive; historically, the English might be branded with a V to indicate a vagabond, an F for fraymaker, ie. one who was caught brawling, or a B for blasphemer;^19 Tapwell suggests he will get an ahistorical R for rogue.^9
26	If I scape the halter, with the letter R	= escape the noose, ie. hanging.
	Printed upon it.
28
	Froth. Would that were the worst!	29: "if only that were the worst thing that could happen to us!"
30	That were but nine days wonder: as for credit,	= common proverbial expression for something that briefly captures the public's attention before quickly fading away.
	We have none to lose, but we shall lose the money	31-32: but we…custom = "not only will Wellborn never
32	He owes us, and his custom; there's the hell on't.	pay us what he owes us, but he will never patronize our establishment again." This is a big deal, because they had earned a lot of income (never mind the gift of the money they used to invest in the tavern) from Wellborn during his wild days.
34	Tap. He has summoned all his creditors by the drum,	= via a public announcement: a drum might be beaten to attract attention.^1,9
	And they swarm about him like so many soldiers
36	On the pay day: and has found out such A NEW WAY	36-37: A NEW…DEBTS = Massinger was fond of incorporating his plays' titles into the text at some key point.
	TO PAY HIS OLD DEBTS, as 'tis very likely
38	He shall be chronicled for it!	38: his story shall be written down for future generations to
		read about; contemporary events were recorded by individuals in tomes known as chronicles, which were used, for example, by dramatists to write their "history" plays.
40	Froth. He deserves it
	More than ten pageants. But are you sure his worship	= pageants were large, publicly-funded spectacles of
42	Comes this way, to my lady's?	entertainment presented on floats for the masses during certain festivals. Many dramatists were able to supplement their income by writing such pageants, but there were no guarantees, as London's annual pageants were chosen by a competition.
44	[A cry within: Brave master Wellborn!]	= offstage.
46	Tap. Yes: − I hear him.
48	Froth. Be ready with your petition, and present it
	To his good grace.
50
	Enter Wellborn in a rich habit, followed by	= outfit.
52	Marrall, Greedy, Order, Furnace, and Creditors;
	Tapwell kneeling, delivers his petition.
54
	Well. How's this! petitioned too? −	55ff: in the following conversations, you may wish to note how the pronouns the characters use towards each other subtly delineate their class differences: those of higher standing address those of lower rank with the acceptable "thou", while the lower ones use the formal and respectful "you" when speaking to their betters; the correct selection of pronouns by a speaker was crucial in such a highly class-conscious society.
56	But note what miracles the payment of	56-58: the miracle Wellborn is alluding to is how the
	A little trash, and a rich suit of clothes,	now-obsequious Tapwell and Froth are treating him,
58	Can work upon these rascals! I shall be,	in contrast to the scornful way they dismissed him in
	I think, Prince Wellborn.	the play's opening scene, now that he has some money
60		(trash, a cant term)^9 and new clothes.
	Mar. When your worship's married,
62	You may be − I know what I hope to see you.	= Marrall expects Wellborn now to achieve some high position of authority.
64	Well. Then look thou for advancement.	64: "if I get such a position, I will reward you with an office
		of your own."
66	Mar. To be known
	Your worship's bailiff, is the mark I shoot at.	67: bailiff = Marrall likely means the position of manager of
68		Wellborn's estates.^12 the mark I shoot at = a metaphor from archery; a mark is a target.
	Well. And thou shalt hit it.
70
	Mar. Pray you, sir, dispatch	= "take care of" or "settle your business with".
72	These needy followers, and for my admittance,	= "in return for allowing me into your favour and service".^5
	Provided you'll defend me from Sir Giles,	73: Marrall, who has received numerous beatings from Overreach, is worried about what Sir Giles might do to him when he finds out that Marrall is turning on him.
74	Whose service I am weary of, I'll say something	= "tell you".
	You shall give thanks for.
76
	Well. Fear me not Sir Giles.	77: "do not be afraid of Sir Giles."
78
	Greedy. Who, Tapwell? I remember thy wife brought me,
80	Last new-year's tide, a couple of fat turkeys.	= season.^1
82	Tap. And shall do every Christmas, let your worship
	But stand my friend now.
84
	Greedy. How! with Master Wellborn?
86	I can do anything with him on such terms. −	86: ie. so long as Tapwell provides him regularly with such gastronomic gifts, Greedy will be happy to do what he can for him; terms = stipulations or conditions, as in a contract.
	See you this honest couple, they are good souls	87-89: Greedy addresses Wellborn.
88	As ever drew out fosset: have they not	= ie. served drinks; a fosset was a tap on a keg, and is our
	A pair of honest faces?	modern faucet.^1
90
	Well. I o'erheard you,
92	And the bribe he promised. You are cozened in them;	= deceived.
	For, of all the scum that grew rich by my riots,	= extravagant revelry.
94	This, for a most unthankful knave, and this,	94: with this and this, Wellborn indicates Tapwell first, then Froth.
	For a base bawd and whore, have worst deserved me,	= ie. served.^1
96	And therefore speak not for them: by your place	= position or office (as Justice).
	You are rather to do me justice; lend me your ear: −	= though most famously spoken by Marc Antony in Shakespeare's Julius Caesar, the phrase lend an ear goes back to the 15th century.^1
98	Forget his turkeys, and call in his license	= revoke.
	And, at the next fair, I'll give you a yoke of oxen	= ie. when farm animals would be put up for sale.^5
100	Worth all his poultry.
102	Greedy. I am changed on the sudden
	In my opinion! come near; nearer, rascal.
104	And, now I view him better, did you e'er see
	One look so like an archknave? his very countenance,	= head or chief knave. = face.
106	Should an understanding judge but look upon him,
	Would hang him, though he were innocent.
108
	Tap. and Froth. Worshipful sir.
110
	Greedy. No, though the great Turk came, instead of turkeys,	= sultan; Sherman notes that the sultan Suleiman the Magnificent had become the bogeyman of Europe after his having besieged Vienna in 1559.^9 Note also Greedy's wordplay with Turk and turkeys.
112	To beg my favour, I am inexorable.	= would be merciless.
	Thou hast an ill name: besides thy musty ale,
114	That hath destroyed many of the king's liege people,	= which has. = ie. loyal subjects, meaning people in general; the phrase liege people was a common one.
	Thou never hadst in thy house, to stay men's stomachs.	= comfort or settle.^1
116	A piece of Suffolk cheese or gammon of bacon,	116: Suffolk cheese was mentioned in literature of the time as good for the stomach. gammon of bacon = dried thigh, or ham, of a pig, though technically, unlike ham, gammon is cut after the side of pork has been cured.^1,9
	Or any esculent, as the learned call it,	= edible food.^1
118	For their emolument, but sheer drink only.	118: emolument = benefit or comfort.^1 Greedy is showing off his erudition to embarrass the uneducated Tapwell.^9 but sheer drink only = ie. "you provide nothing but weak (sheer) ale."^1
	For which gross fault I here do damn thy license,
120	Forbidding thee ever to tap or draw;
	For, instantly, I will, in mine own person,	= ie. "personally".
122	Command the constable to pull down thy sign,
	And do it before I eat.	123: Deighton notes how important this step must be
124		to Greedy if he would do this before his meal! (p. 122).^5
	Froth. No mercy?
126
	Greedy. Vanish!
128	If I shew any, may my promised oxen gore me!
130	Tap. Unthankful knaves are ever so rewarded.	130: Tapwell recognizes the justice of his punishment.
132	[Exeunt Greedy, Tapwell, and Froth.]
134	Well. Speak; what are you?	= who; Wellborn addresses the creditors: the first two went bankrupt when Wellborn failed to pay them the debts he owed them, after they had extended him more credit than they should have.
136	1st Cred. A decayed vintner, sir,	= ruined merchant of wines.^1
	That might have thrived, but that your worship broke me	= ie. caused to go bankrupt.
138	With trusting you with muskadine and eggs,	138: trusting you = ie. extending Wellborn credit. muskadine and eggs = muskadine, a type of sweet wine, was frequently mentioned as being consumed with eggs, the combination considered to be aphrodisiacal.
	And five pound suppers, with your after drinkings,	= ie. expensive.
140	When you lodged upon the Bankside.	140: "whenever you took a room in Bankside"; Bankside
		was in Southwark, across the Thames from London proper, and, being outside the control of prudish London authorities, the home of many undesirable entertainments, including theatres and bear-baiting rings.
142	Well. I remember.
144	1st Cred. I have not been hasty, nor e'er laid to arrest you;	144: because Wellborn had failed to pay his debt, his
	And therefore, sir −	creditor could have had him arrested and deposited in
146		debtor's prison, which he chose not to do, and he hopes Wellborn will repay the favour accordingly. laid = planned.^3
	Well. Thou art an honest fellow,
148	I'll set thee up again; see his bill paid. −	= ie. in business.
	What are you?
150
	2nd Cred. A tailor once, but now mere botcher.	151: having gone bankrupt and forced to give up his tailoring business, in which he made new clothes, the creditor has been reduced to being a simple mender (botcher).
152	I gave you credit for a suit of clothes,
	Which was all my stock, but you failing in payment,
154	I was removed from the shopboard, and confined	154-5: he had to trade in the table on which he worked, ie.
	Under a stall.	tailored new clothing (the word shopboard was applied
156		particularly to tailors),^1 because he no longer had capital to buy material, and was thus forced to solicit business (ie. mending used clothing) from a table or booth on the street.
	Well. See him paid; and botch no more.
158
	2nd Cred. I ask no interest, sir.
160
	Well. Such tailors need not;
162	If their bills are paid in one and twenty year,
	They are seldom losers. −
164	[To 3rd Creditor] O, I know thy face,
	Thou wert my surgeon: you must tell no tales;	165-6: Wellborn recognizes the physician who treated the
166	Those days are done. I will pay you in private.	venereal disease he picked up, and prefers not to discuss the
		details in front of the others. The number of jokes about VD in Elizabethan drama was rivaled only by the number of jokes about cheating wives.
168	Ord. A royal gentleman!
170	Furn. Royal as an emperor!
	He'll prove a brave master; my good lady knew	= excellent.
172	To choose a man.	= ie. how to; Lady Allworth's servants were never told
		that her seeming intention to marry Wellborn was only a ruse.
174	Well. See all men else discharged;
	And since old debts are cleared by a new way,	= paid off.
176	A little bounty will not misbecome me;	= bonus generosity. = "be unsuitable for me."
	There's something, honest cook, for thy good breakfasts;
178	[To Order]
	And this, for your respect: take't, 'tis good gold,	= ie. "the respect you have usually shown me".^5
180	And I able to spare it.
182	Ord. You are too munificent.
184	Furn. He was ever so.
186	Well. Pray you, on before.	= "please, go on"; Wellborn is politely dismissing the Third
		Creditor.
188	3^rd Cred. Heaven bless you!
190	Mar. At four o'clock; the rest know where to meet me.
192	[Exeunt Order, Furnace, and Creditors.]
194	Well. Now, Master Marrall, what's the weighty secret
	You promised to impart?
196
	Mar. Sir, time nor place
198	Allow me to relate each circumstance,	= "every detail (of my idea)".
	This only, in a word; I know Sir Giles
200	Will come upon you for security
	For his thousand pounds, which you must not consent to.	197-201: we remember that Overreach lent Wellborn 1000 pounds in the previous scene to help him get on his feet; Sir Giles is assuming that since Wellborn will not have ready cash to discharge the debt even after he is married to Lady Allworth, he will then be in a position to take Lady Allworth's property in lieu of repayment; as we have noted, in those days the wife's property automatically fell under the control and ownership of the husband upon marriage.
202	As he grows in heat, as I am sure he will,	= fury.
	Be you but rough, and say he's in your debt
204	Ten times the sum, upon sale of your land;	203-4: Marrall has a plan to help Wellborn: Wellborn should not only deny the existence of a debt, but should actually claim Sir Giles owes him ten times as much for the land Wellborn was forced by circumstances to turn over to Sir Giles. upon = ie. "for the".
	I had a hand in't (I speak it to my shame)
206	When you were defeated of it.	= dispossessed.^1
208	Well. That's forgiven.
210	Mar. I shall deserve it: then urge him to produce	= ie. "earn your forgiveness."
	The deed in which you passed it over to him,	= "which you signed".^5
212	Which I know he'll have about him, to deliver
	To the Lord Lovell, with many other writings,
214	And present monies: I'll instruct you further,	214-5: I'll…worship = "I'll tell you more about my plan as I continue to attend you."
	As I wait on your worship: if I play not my prize	= "play my part".^1
216	To your full content, and your uncle's much vexation,
	Hang up Jack Marrall.	= ie. hang.
218
	Well. I rely upon thee.
220
	[Exeunt.]
	ACT IV, SCENE III.
	A Room in Overreach's House.
	Enter Allworth and Margaret.
1	All. Whether to yield the first praise to my lord's	1-3: Whether…yet live = Allworth is uncertain what to praise (ie. who to praise) first for the fact that he still has hope of securing Margaret for himself, Lord Lovell's self-restraint (temperance) or Margaret's delightful faithfulness (constant = faithful).^5
2	Unequalled temperance or your constant sweetness,
	That I yet live, my weak hands fastened on	3-4: Allworth uses a metaphor of a ship-wrecked and near- drowned man to portray his relief that he still has hope to marry Margaret, after all he has been through.
4	Hope's anchor, spite of all storms of despair,	= a common metaphor of hope as an anchor.
	I yet rest doubtful.	5: Allworth remains uncertain which to praise first.
6
	Marg. Give it to Lord Lovell;	= ie. "your praise".
8	For what in him was bounty, in me's duty.	8-11: "because what he did for you was strictly out of his
	I make but payment of a debt to which	noble generosity; what I do for you is out of duty, as
10	My vows, in that high office registered,	I have made vows to Heaven (that high office) to be
	Are faithful witnesses.	yours."
12
	All. Tis true, my dearest:
14	Yet, when I call to mind how many fair ones	14-16: Allworth is impressed nevertheless by Margaret's
	Make wilful shipwreck of their faiths, and oaths	loyalty to him: many beautiful girls (fair ones) have
16	To God and man, to fill the arms of greatness,	broken their sacred vows of engagement (faiths) when the opportunity arose to marry greater men (fill the arms of greatness); notice how Allworth continues his maritime disaster metaphor from his last speech.
	And you rise up no less than a glorious star,
18	To the amazement of the world, − hold out	= ie. "you hold out".
	Against the stern authority of a father,
20	And spurn at honour, when it comes to court you;	20: "you scorn, ie. reject (spurn) the chance to gain high rank when it, in the form of Lovell, woos you."
	I am so tender of your good, that faintly,	21-23: "I am so solicitous (tender) of your welfare, that I
22	With your wrong, I can wish myself that right	can only barely (faintly) hope you will do that which is
	You yet are pleased to do me.	beneficial for me, ie. marry me, since to do so would
24		harm you by depriving you of what you might gain by taking Lovell."
	Marg. Yet, and ever.
26	To me what's title, when content is wanting?	26: "what good is a peership, if happiness is missing?" content = general satisfaction.
	Or wealth, raked up together with much care,	= "accumulated".
28	And to be kept with more, when the heart pines	= wastes away.
	In being dispossessed of what it longs for	= ie. kept from.
30	Beyond the Indian mines? or the smooth brow	30: Beyond…mines = "more than the value of the gold of India's mines"; the wealth of the diamond and gold mines of India was proverbial.^9 30-31: or the smooth…will = "(and what good is) the calm countenance (smooth brow) of a father (sire) whom I have pleased, when he forces me to do as he bids"; slave, meaning to enslave, had a brief fling as a verb in the late 16th and early 17th centuries.^1
	Of a pleased sire, that slaves me to his will,
32	And, so his ravenous humour may be feasted	= greedy disposition. = lavishly entertained, feted.
	By my obedience, and he see me great,	= ie. with a high rank.
34	Leaves to my soul nor faculties nor power	34-35: ie. "leaves to my soul (ie. me) neither the power nor
	To make her own election?	the authority to make its own choice (election)?"
36
	All. But the dangers	37-38: "but what of the dangers that come from defying
38	That follow the repulse −	your father by rejecting Lovell's suit -"
40	Marg. To me they are nothing;
	Let Allworth love, I cannot be unhappy.	= "so long as Allworth loves me".
42	Suppose the worst, that, in his rage, he kill me;
	A tear or two, by you dropt on my hearse,	= properly a framework for holding candles over a bier or a
44	In sorrow for my fate, will call back life	coffin, but also the bier itself.^1
	So far as but to say, that I die yours;
46	I then shall rest in peace: or should he prove
	So cruèl, as one death would not suffice	47: one death = ie. "my death", perhaps suggesting a quick death in a single blow. suffice = satisfy.
48	His thirst of vengeance, but with lingering torments
	In mind and body I must waste to air,
50	In poverty joined with banishment; so you share	= ie. expulsion from any connection to her father.
	in my afflictions, which I dare not wish you,
52	So high I prize you, I could undergo them
	With such a patiënce as should look down	= ie. "that would show how I".
54	With scorn on his worst malice.
56	All. Heaven avert
	Such trials of your true affection to me!	= tests.
58	Nor will it unto you, that are all mercy,	58-59: Nor will it…rigour = "Heaven (it) would never show such severity (rigour) towards you, who is the embodi- ment of compassion."
	Shew so much rigour: but since we must run	59-60: run…hazards = "steer a course between such grave
60	Such desperate hazards, let us do our best	dangers".
	To steer between them.
62
	Marg. Your lord's ours, and sure;	63: "At least Lord Lovell (your lord) is on our side, and reliable (sure)."
64	And, though but a young actor, second me	64-65: "though you are inexperienced (young) at acting,
	In doing to the life what he has plotted,	assist (second) me by being as realistic as you can in your performance as we try to put across this scheme which Lord Lovell has concocted to help us".
66
	Enter Overreach behind.	67: Overreach tries to sneak up on the pair to secretly observe them, but Margaret will notice him.
68
	The end may yet prove happy. Now, my Allworth.	= ie. "it's show time".
70
	[Seeing her father.]
72
	All. To your letter, and put on a seeming anger.	= ie. "look preoccupied with". = feigned.
74
	Marg. I'll pay my lord all debts due to his title;	75: "As Lord Lovell is a noble, I will be as dutiful to him as is required of me." Margaret no doubt speaks up here, intending for her father to hear her.
76	And when with terms, not taking from his honour,	76-77: "and when he tries to influence my thinking in a way that does not discredit him, I will gladly hear him out." terms = words; solicit = persuade, urge.^2
	He does solicit me, I shall gladly hear him.
78	But in this peremptory, nay, commanding way,	78-81: But in…unloose it = Lovell has, in the letter, basically ordered Margaret to appear at an appointed time to marry him.
	To appoint a meeting, and, without my knowledge,
80	A priest to tie the knot can ne'er be undone	= ie. which can.
	Till death unloose it, is a confidence	= unties. 81-82: is a confidence…deceive him = Lovell is
82	In his lordship will deceive him.	being misled by his own certainty that he can presume
		to command Margaret because of his rank.^9
84	All. I hope better,
	Good lady.
86
	Marg. Hope, sir, what you please: for me	87-91: Margaret expresses a hope that she can avoid
88	I must take a safe and secure course; I have	marrying Lovell immediately since she expects Sir Giles
	A father, and without his full consent,	would not permit it, and her obedience to her father
90	Though all lords of the land kneeled for my favour,	outranks any duty she owes to Lovell.
	I can grant nothing.
92
	Over. I like this obedience:
94
	[Comes forward.]
96
	But whatsoe'er my lord writes, must and shall be
98	Accepted and embraced. Sweet Master Allworth,
	You shew yourself a true and faithful servant
100	To your good lord; he has a jewel of you. −	= in.
	How! frowning, Meg? are these looks to receive	= ie. "is this the appropriate reaction for you to have".
102	A messenger from my lord? what's this? give me it.	= ie. Allworth.
104	Marg. A piece of arrogant paper, like the inscriptions.	104: the paper is as presumptuous (arrogant) as what is written on it; Margaret hands the letter to her father.
106	Over. [Reads]	107-112: note that Lovell's letter is written in quite lousy rhyming couplets.
	"Fair mistress, from your servant learn all joys	107-8: "let me show you all the pleasures we can expect
108	That we can hope for, if deferred, prove toys;	(hope for) to experience (ie. by getting married), which, if we delay, will prove to have no value"; servant here means "lover", and toys are "trifles".
	Therefore this instant, and in private, meet
110	A husband, that will gladly at your feet
	Lay down his honours, tendering them to you	= offering.
112	With all content, the church being paid her due." −
	Is this the arrogant piece of paper? fool!
114	Will you still be one? in the name of madness what	= always. = ie. a fool.
	Could his good honour write more to content you?
116	Is there aught else to be wished, after these two,	= anything.
	That are already offered; marriage first,
118	And lawful pleasure after: what would you more?	= Sir Giles again repugnantly alludes to his daughter's sexual
		relations with Lord Lovell.
120	Marg. Why, sir, I would be married like your daughter;
	Not hurried away i' the night I know not whither,	= to where.
122	Without all ceremony; no friends invited	= any.
	To honour the solemnity.
124
	All. An't please your honour,	125-6: Allworth notes he must for the moment still address Overreach as your honour, but after Margaret has married Lovell tomorrow, he expects Overreach to get a promotion in rank. An't = if it; style = call.
126	For so before to-morrow I must style you,
	My lord desires this privacy, in respect	127-130: Lovell wants to have a secret marriage to Margaret, because his relatives live far away, and he does not want to wait until they can make the journey to Nottinghamshire to be married.
128	His honourable kinsmen are afar off,
	And his desires to have it done brook not	= cannot endure or tolerate.
130	So long delay as to expect their coming;
	And yet he stands resolved, with all due pomp,	131-4: but Sir Giles should not worry, as Lovell intends to
132	As running at the ring, plays, masks, and tilting.	properly celebrate the marriage once everyone returns to
	To have his marriage at court celebrated,	London; the occasion will contain all the major forms of
134	When he has brought your honour up to London.	entertainment of the day. Allworth refers to two activities which would normally take place in a tournament of knights: (1) running at the ring, in which knights compete in attempting to capture on their lances a suspended ring; and (2) tilting, or jousting. Masks, or masques, were brief plays, in which the actors played gods and allegorical characters, and involved lots of singing and dancing. Line 131: resolved = decided, determined; pomp = ceremony.
136	Over. He tells you true; 'tis the fashion, on my knowledge:
	Yet the good lord, to please your peevishness,	137-8: Yet the…put if off = Sir Giles is sarcastic.
138	Must put it off, forsooth! and lose a night,	= truly (derisive use).^1
	In which perhaps he might get two boys on thee.	139: "why, you might be losing an opportunity to be impregnated by Lord Lovell with twins"; Overreach's coarseness is loathsome.
140	Tempt me no further, if you do, this goad	= something that prods, usually describing a pointed stick or rod used to drive animals.^1
142	[Points to his sword.]
144	Shall prick you to him.	= the use of prick may be deliberately suggestive, as the word has had its modern obscene meaning since the 16th century.^1
146	Marg. I could be contented,	146-8: Margaret partially surrenders; she will marry
	Were you but by, to do a father's part,	immediately so long as her father will be present to
148	And give me in the church.	give her away; Margaret is perfectly aware this violates
		the terms of the letter that the marriage be done in complete secrecy.
150	Over. So my lord have you,
	What do I care who gives you? since my lord
152	Does purpose to be private, I'll not cross him.	152: purpose = intend (the wedding). private = secret, ie. just the couple with the priest. cross him = thwart him, ie. go against Lovell's wishes.
	I know not, Master Allworth, how my lord	153-5: Overreach gives Allworth money to pay the priest,
154	May be provided, and therefore there's a purse	just in case Lovell does not have enough on him (be provided).
	Of gold, 'twill serve this night's expense; to-morrow
156	I'll furnish him with any sums: in the mean time,	= ie. any amount of money he needs.
	Use my ring to my chaplain; he is beneficed	= Allworth is to fetch Overreach's private minister to perform the wedding; as earlier in the play, Allworth, by showing the cleric Overreach's well-known ring, will prove that they are all acting under Sir Giles' authority and instructions. 157-8: he is beneficed...Got'em = as was a common practice, the wealthy Overreach has provided a home for the chaplain to live in as he serves Overreach; benefice = the granting of property or income (or both) to a rector or other similar church official, also known as a "church living".^1
158	At my manor of Got'em, and called Parson Willdo:	= Got'em is a pun on the name of an ancient English village of Gotham (pronounced with a silent h)^5 in Nottinghamshire, famous for the stories made up about its foolish citizens (who, for example tried to punish an eel they believed was responsible for killing off all the fish by drowning it).^25 Ironic references to the wise men of Gotham were common and proverbial. The name Got'em, of course, alludes conveniently to Overreach's voracious appetite for the property of others.
	'Tis no matter for a licence, I'll bear him out in't.	159: "don't worry if you have not gotten a license yet, I will back him up (bear him out), ie. confirm that I have granted permission for this." It would have been illegal to perform a marriage without getting the license first.
160
	Marg. With your favour, sir, what warrant is your ring?	= assurance, guarantee.
162	He may suppose I got that twenty ways,
	Without your knowledge; and then to be refused
164	Were such a stain upon me! − if you pleased, sir,	161-5: Margaret's counterargument is clever: the chaplain
	Your presence would do better.	might think she stole the ring, and that she is trying to get married without Sir Giles' consent, and may thus refuse to marry them! Such an event would be a disgrace (stain) beyond repair.
166
	Over. Still perverse!	= obstinate, intransigent.^2
168	I say again, I will not cross my lord;
	Yet I'll prevent you too. − Paper and ink, there!	= "Fine, I'll take measures to meet all your objections." prevent = anticipate.
170
	All. I can furnish you.	172: Allworth hands Overreach a pen and paper, which he
172		just happens to have on him!
	Over. I thank you, I can write then.
174
	[Writes.]
176
	All. You may, if you please, put out the name of my lord,	= omit.
178	In respect he comes disguised, and only write,	= "because he will arrive at the church incognito".
	"Marry her to this gentleman."
180
	Over. Well advised.
182	Tis done; away; −
184	[Margaret kneels.]
186	My blessing, girl? thou hast it.
	Nay, no reply, be gone: − good Master Allworth,
188	This shall be the best night's work you ever made.
190	All. I hope so, sir.	190: Allworth of course has a completely different meaning
		with this line than the one Overreach perceives.
192	[Exeunt Allworth and Margaret.]
194	Over. Farewell! − Now all's cocksure:	= certain to fall out as Sir Giles wishes.
	Methinks I hear already knights and ladies
196	Say, Sir Giles Overreach, how is it with
	Your honourable daughter? has her honour
198	Slept well to-night? or, will her honour please
	To accept this monkey, dog, or paroquito,	199: in Elizabethan times, fashionable ladies kept monkeys, dogs and parrots (paraquitos) as pets.
200	(This is state in ladies,) or my eldest son	= ie. fashionable. = ie. a knight will offer his eldest son to serve in Margaret's household, a signal honour.
	To be her page, and wait upon her trencher?	= wait at her tables; trencher = dinner plate or platter.
202	My ends, my ends are compassed − then for Wellborn	= goals. = achieved, attained.
	And the lands; were he once married to the widow −
204	I have him here − I can scarce contain myself,	= Deighton suggests that here refers to Sir Giles' grasp,
	I am so full of joy, nay, joy all over.	and that he opens and closes his hand as he speaks
206		this line.^5
	[Exit.]
	END OF ACT IV.

	ACT V.
	SCENE I.
	A Room in Lady Allworth's House.
	Enter Lord Lovell, Lady Allworth, and Amble.
1	L. All. By this you know how strong the motives were	= by now.
2	That did, my lord, induce me to dispense	2-5: dispense…Wellborn = ie. "put aside my normally
	A little, with my gravity, to advance,	dignified manner to help the trampled-on Wellborn's
4	In personating some few favours to him,	schemes by showering attention on him and thus pretending (personating) to be in love with him."
	The plots and projects of the down-trod Wellborn.
6	Nor shall I e'er repent, although I suffer	6-7: "nor shall I ever regret having done so, even if my
	In some few men's opinions for't, the action;	reputation suffers for it."
8	For he that ventured all for my dear husband	= ie. Wellborn. = risked.
	Might justly claim an obligation from me
10	To pay him such a courtesy; which had I
	Coyly or over-curiously denied,	= ie. by being overly-scrupulous.
12	It might have argued me of little love	12-13: "it would have been evidence of my having little
	To the deceased.	regard for my husband."
14
	Lov. What you intended, madam,
16	For the poor gentleman hath found good success;
	For, as I understand, his debts are paid,
18	And he once more furnished for fair employment:	18: adapting Deighton, "Wellborn now has enough means to engage in some profitable profession" (p. 125).^5
	But all the arts that I have used to raise	= skill, cunning.
20	The fortunes of your joy and mine, young Allworth,
	Stand yet in supposition, though I hope well:	= ie. the outcome is still uncertain.
22	For the young lovers are in wit more pregnant	22-23: For the…promise = Margaret and Allworth have more craftiness in them than their youthfulness would suggest they have."
	Than their years can promise; and for their desires,	23-24: and for…equal = "and they are equally in love with
24	On my knowledge, they are equal.	each other."
26	L. All. As my wishes
	Are with yours, my lord; yet give me leave to fear	27-28: yet give…grounded = Lady Allworth is nervous about what is going to happen; leave = permission.
28	The building, though well grounded: to deceive	28-32: to deceive…innocents = to try to fool Sir Giles, who
	Sir Giles, that's both a lion and a fox	is both powerful and cunning. would be too difficult
30	In his proceedings, were a work beyond	(a work beyond) even for persons of the strongest
	The strongest undertakers; not the trial	character (undertakers = those who undertake to do
32	Of two weak innocents.	something), never mind for the young and naïve
		Margaret and Allworth.
34	Lov. Despair not, madam:
	Hard things are compassed oft by easy means;	= achieved.
36	And judgment, being a gift derived from Heaven,	= wisdom, good sense, intelligence.^2
	Though sometimes lodged in the hearts of worldly men,	37-38: ie. "though good judgment is possessed by many mere mortals (ie. worldly men, or men of the earth), who never stop to consider that it is a gift from God".
38	That ne'er consider from whom they receive it,
	Forsakes such as abuse the giver of it.	39: in the end, good judgment will abandon those who do not behave as the granter of the gift, God, would want them to. abuse = treat illy.
40	Which is the reason that the politic	= cautious, sensible.^2
	And cunning statesman, that believes he fathoms	= who. = fully understands.
42	The counsels of all kingdoms on the earth,
	Is by simplicity oft over-reached.	40-43: "which is why even the most worldy-wise politician who thinks he knows it all can often be outwitted (over-reached) with a very simple strategy." Lady Allworth's response to this indicates that she noted that Lovell has just named their enemy!
44
	L. All. May he be so! yet, in his name to express it,	45-46: "let's hope it is a good omen that you have just
46	Is a good omen.	named the man who thinks himself too smart to be
		outsmarted."
48	Lov. May it to myself
	Prove so, good lady, in my suit to you!	= petition, ie. courtship.
50	What think you of the motion?	= proposal; Lovell appears to have asked Lady Allworth to marry him.
52	L. All. Troth, my lord,	= in truth.
	My own unworthiness may answer for me;
54	For had you, when that I was in my prime,
	My virgin flower uncropped, presented me	= ie. "when I was still a maiden".
56	With this great favour; looking on my lowness
	Not in a glass of self-love, but of truth,	= mirror.
58	I could not but have thought it, as a blessing	58-59: "I could not have considered it to be anything but a
	Far, far beyond my merit.	blessing far beyond what I deserved."
60
	Lov. You are too modest,
62	And undervalue that which is above
	My title, or whatever I call mine.
64	I grant, were I a Spaniard, to marry	64-65: I grant…disparage me = Sherman notes that Spanish men were proverbially jealous, and as a result would be unwilling to marry a widow, since she once showered her love on another, even one who is now dead (p. 126).^9
	A widow might disparage me; but being	65-67: but being…honour = in an era with a high mortality
66	A true-born Englishman, I cannot find	rate, remarriages were common, and, we may note, for
	How it can taint my honour: nay, what's more,	women, who generally were by law severely limited in
68	That which you think a blemish is to me	permissible means to make a living, necessary.
	The fairest lustre. You already, madam,
70	Have given sure proofs how dearly you can cherish	=evidence.
	A husband that deserves you; which confirms me,	= ie. "assures me".
72	That, if I am not wanting in my care	72-74: That…Allworth = "that so long as I remain solicitous
	To do you service, you'll be still the same	for your welfare, you will have for me the same love as you had for your deceased husband." Wanting in line 72 means "lacking", as always.
74	That you were to your Allworth: in a word,
	Our years, our states, our births are not unequal,	= wealth. = ranks, status.
76	You being descended nobly, and allied so;	= ie. "having been married to one of high rank."^5
	If then you may be won to make me happy,
78	But join your lips to mine, and that shall be
	A solemn contract.
80
	L. All. I were blind to my own good,	= would be.
82	Should I refuse it;
84	[Kisses him.]
86	yet, my lord, receive me
	As such a one, the study of whose whole life
88	Shall know no other object but to please you.	= goal.
90	Lov. If I return not, with all tenderness,
	Equal respect to you, may I die wretched!
92
	L. All. There needs no protestatiön, my lord,	93-94: "there is no need to make an explicit promise to be
94	To her that cannot doubt. −	a good husband to one (ie. me) who has no doubt about
		it."
96	Enter Wellborn, handsomely apparelled.
98	You are welcome, sir.
	Now you look like yourself.
100
	Well. And will continue
102	Such in my free acknowledgment, that I am	102-3: I am / your creature = "I am your servant", ie. "I am deeply obliged to you".
	Your creature, madam, and will never hold	103-4: and will…command it = "and I will gladly put aside
104	My life mine own, when you please to command it.	my own needs to do any service to you anytime you ask."
106	Lov. It is a thankfulness that well becomes you;	106-8: Lovell appreciates that Wellborn's gratitude is as
	You could not make choice of a better shape	noble as are his clothes.
108	To dress your mind in.
110	L. All. For me, I am happy
	That my endeavours prospered. Saw you of late
112	Sir Giles, your uncle?
114	Well. I heard of him, madam,	= ie have heard news.
	By his minister, Marrall; he's grown into strange passions	115: minister = agent, the one who acts on Overreach's behalf. he's grown…passions = Sir Giles is in a strange mood, or behaving oddly.
116	About his daughter: this last night he looked for
	Your lordship at his house, but missing you,	= ie. Lovell.
118	And she not yet appearing, his wise head	= ie. Margaret.
	Is much perplexed and troubled.	119: Overreach is confused because he has seen neither
120		Lovell nor Margaret since they (as he believes) were married.
	Lov. It may be,
122	Sweetheart, my project took.	= "my plan worked."
124	L. All. I strongly hope.
126	Over. [within]	= offstage.
	Ha! find her, booby, thou huge lump of nothing,	127-8: Overreach is yelling at Marrall.
128	I'll bore thine eyes out else.
130	Well. May it please your lordship,	130-3: Wellborn politely asks Lovell to hide before Sir
	For some ends of mine own, but to withdraw	Giles enters the room, but to remain within earshot; he
132	A little out of sight, though not of hearing,	expects Lovell should be greatly entertained by what
	You may, perhaps, have sport.	will transpire next.
134
	Lov. You shall direct me.	135: "I shall do as you wish."
136
	[Steps aside.]
138
	Enter Overreach, with distracted looks,	= appearing obviously mentally disturbed.
140	driving in Marrall before him, with a box.	= Sir Giles is carrying a strongbox, in which, as we will learn, he stores his mortgages and IOU's.
142	Over. I shall sol fa you, rogue!	= "make you sing", ie. beat Marrall.^1,5
144	Mar. Sir, for what cause
	Do you use me thus?	= "treat me this way?"
146
	Over. Cause, slave! why, I am angry,
148	And thou a subject only fit for beating,
	And so to cool my choler. Look to the writing;	149: so = ie. by doing so. choler = anger; choler was the name for one of the four humours, or fluids, believed to comprise the human body, and was associated with heat, hence Overreach's use of cool. 149-151: Look to…years = though the reason for Overreach's anger is not entirely clear, it appears that Sir Giles is castigating Marrall for having tampered with Sir Giles' strongbox.
150	Let but the seal be broke upon the box
	That has slept in my cabinet these three years,
152	I'll rack thy soul for't.	= break, torture.^1
154	Mar. [Aside] I may yet cry quittance,	154: "I may get even with him yet".
	Though now I suffer, and dare not resist.	= ie. for now.
156
	Over. Lady, by your leave, did you see my daughter, lady?
158	And the lord her husband? are they in your house?
	If they are, discover, that I may bid them joy;	= "reveal them", ie. bring them in.
160	And, as an entrance to her place of honour,	160-3: Sir Giles is presumptuous: he expects Lady Allworth to act as if Margaret were her superior now that she has married Lord Lovell!
	See your ladyship on her left hand, and make courtsies	= according to Deighton, by standing on Margaret's left side, Lady Allworth signifies Margaret's superior status (p. 127).^5
162	When she nods on you; which you must receive	162-3: Lady Allworth should act as if a nod from Margaret
	As a special favour.	is a signal honour.
164
	L. All. When I know, Sir Giles,	165-9: Lady Allworth is appropriately cool in her response.
166	Her state requires such ceremony, I shall pay it;	= observance, show of duty.
	But, in the meantime, as I am myself,	= ie. "as my own high standing is understood".^5
168	I give you to understand, I neither know
	Nor care where her honour is.
170
	Over. When you once see her
172	Supported, and led by the lord her husband,
	You'll be taught better. − Nephew.	= Overreach is shockingly impertinent, but it is a sign of
174		his increasing mental imbalance.
	Well. Sir.
176
	Over. No more!	177: Overreach is upset that Wellborn addresses him with no
178		greater title than "Sir".^5
	Well. 'Tis all I owe you.
180
	Over. Have your redeemed rags	= reclaimed from pawn. = ironic term for Wellborn's good
182	Made you thus insolent?	clothing.
184	Well. Insolent to you!
	Why, what are you, sir, unless in your years,	185-6: "in what way are you superior to me, other than by
186	At the best, more than myself?	the fact, perhaps, that you are older than me?"
188	Over. [Aside] His fortune swells him:	188-9: Overreach is certain that Wellborn and Lady
	'Tis rank, he's married.	Allworth must be married by now, which explains why
190		Wellborn, with his newly inflated sense of self-importance, is so saucy towards him. 'Tis rank = "it's obvious".
	L. All. This is excellent!
192
	Over. Sir, in calm language, though I seldom use it,
194	I am familiar with the cause that makes you
	Bear up thus bravely; there's a certain buzz	= ie. behave so cockily.^5 = rumour.
196	Of a stolen marriage, do you hear? of a stolen marriage,	196: Sir Giles is hinting at Wellborn's assumed marriage to Lady Allworth.
	In which, 'tis said, there's somebody hath been cozened;	= deceived.
198	I name no parties.
200	Well. Well, sir, and what follows?	= ie. "so what?"
202	Over. Marry, this; since you are peremptory. Remember,	= an oath, derived from the Virgin Mary. = presumptuous, or curt in answer.^2,5
	Upon mere hope of your great match, I lent you	= full expectation. = marriage.
204	A thousand pounds: put me in good security,
	And suddenly, by mortgage or by statute,	= immediately. = ie. by giving Sir Giles a lien on his property.^9
206	Of some of your new possessions, or I'll have you
	Dragged in your lavender robes to the gaol: you know me,	207: lavender robes = reference to Wellborn's apparel; items in pawn was described at the time as "laid up in lavender".^3 gaol = debtor's prison.
208	And therefore do not trifle.	= "toy with me."
210	Well. Can you be
	So cruèl to your nephew, now he's in	211-2: now he's…rise = ie. "now that he is in a position to
212	The way to rise? was this the courtesy	prosper?"
	You did me "in pure love, and no ends else?"	213: Wellborn throws Overreach's own words back at him.
214
	Over. End me no ends! engage the whole estate,	= mortgage.
216	And force your spouse to sign it, you shall have	= "and you".
	Three or four thousand more, to roar and swagger
218	And revel in bawdy taverns.
220	Well. And beg after;
	Mean you not so?
222
	Over. My thoughts are mine, and free.
224	Shall I have security?	224: "are you going to give me a mortgage or lien?"
226	Well. No, indeed you shall not,	226-8: Wellborn, we remember, was advised by Marrall to
	Nor bond, nor bill, nor bare acknowledgment;	refuse to acknowledge any debt to Sir Giles.
228	Your great looks fright not me.
230	Over. But my deeds shall.
	Outbraved!	= outdone in defiance.
232
	[Both draw.]
234
	L. All. Help, murder! murder!
236
	Enter Servants.
238
	Well. Let him come on,	239-241: the lines likely simply mean that Overreach carries with him all of his unethical behavior, and presumes to be guarded by his deeds and IOU's (practices); but Wellborn might be engaging in a much more interesting metaphor, describing Overreach as being surrounded literally and physically by all the wrongs and evil schemes he has committed as if they were supporting swordsmen; the interpretation turns on whom Armed refers to.
240	With all his wrongs and injuries about him,
	Armed with his cut-throat practices to guard him;	241: Sir Giles' deeds and IOU's.
242	The right that I bring with me will defend me,
	And punish his extortion.
244
	Over. That I had thee	245-6: "if only we were fighting one-on-one in a duel!"
246	But single in the field!
248	L. All. You may; but make not	248-9: Lady Allworth is fine with the gentlemen engaging
	My house your quarrelling scene.	in a duel, so long as it is not in her house!
250
	Over. Were't in a church,
252	By Heaven and Hell, I'll do't!
254	Mar. [Aside to Wellborn] Now put him to	254-5: "now have Sir Giles retrieve the deed to your
	The shewing of the deed.	property out of his strongbox."
256
	Well. This rage is vain, sir;	= pointless.
258	For fighting, fear not, you shall have your hands full,	258-9: "don't worry, I'll fight you if you insist".
	Upon the least incitement; and whereas
260	You charge me with a debt of a thousand pounds,	= ie. "assert I owe you".
	If there be law, (howe'er you have no conscience,)	= although.^9
262	Either restore my land, or I'll recover	262-4: As Marrall advised, Wellborn is turning the tables, protesting that Overreach owes him an order of magnitude more than what his uncle claims is due him, and that he (Wellborn) will sue him for it, unless Sir Giles gives Wellborn back the deed to the property he so long ago had turned over to Sir Giles.
	A debt, that's truly due to me from you,
264	In value ten times more than what you challenge.	= claim.^5
266	Over. I in thy debt! O impudence! did I not purchase
	The land left by thy father, that rich land?
268	That had continuèd in Wellborn's name	268-9: That had…descents = "that had been in your family
	Twenty descents; which, like a riotous fool,	for twenty generations."
270	Thou didst make sale of? Is not here, inclosed,	= ie. sell. = ie. in the strongbox he is holding.
	The deed that does confirm it mine?
272
	Mar. Now, now!	273: the sense is, "now go in for the kill!"
274
	Well. I do acknowledge none; I ne'er passed over	= ie. transferred.
276	Any such land: I grant, for a year or two
	You had it in trust; which if you do discharge,	277-9: which if…in law = "if you return my property, which I gave to you only to hold in trust (and hence the tranfer did not constitute a sale), then you shall free (ease) us from the necessity of going to court over this matter."
278	Surrendering the possession, you shall ease
	Yourself and me of chargeable suits in law,	= ie. necessarily expensive.
280	Which, if you prove not honest, as I doubt it,	= "as I suspect (doubt) you are not".
	Must of necessity follow.
282
	L. All. In my judgment,
284	He does advise you well.
286	Over. Good! good! conspire
	With your new husband, lady; second him
288	In his dishonest practices; but when
	This manor is extended to my use,	= a legal term, meaning "seized by writ to satisfy a debt."^9,10
290	You'll speak in an humbler key, and sue for favour.	= "beg me for friendship or kindness."
292	L. All. Never: do not hope it.
294	Well. Let despair first seize me.
296	Over. Yet, to shut up thy mouth, and make thee give	296-7: make thee…the lie = common phrase for "prove you are a liar".
	Thyself the lie, the loud lie, I draw out
298	The precious evidence; if thou canst forswear	298-9: if thou…seal = "if you can repudiate your own signature (hand) and the seal on this deed".
	Thy hand and seal, and make a forfeit of	299-300: make a forfeit…pillory = while secured in a pillory
300	Thy ears to the pillory,	(stocks for the arms and head),^26 a prisoner might have
		both ears cropped.
302	[Opens the box, and displays the bond.]
304	see! here's that will make
	My interest clear − ha!
306
	L. All. A fair skin of parchment.	= very nice. = section of animal skin prepared and used to write on.^1
308
	Well. Indented, I confess, and labels too:	309: indented = reference to a practice used in the creation of a contract as a means of protecting both parties; an agreement would be written out twice on a single sheet of paper, and the sheet would then be separated into two pieces along an indentation in the paper; each party would then receive one of the two copies of the contract; the contract could be proved genuine by fitting the two halves together.^9 labels = a label was a narrow slip of paper or parchment attached to a deed, and upon which a seal is stamped.^10
310	But neither wax nor words. How! thunderstruck?	= the seal is missing and the pages are blank!
	Not a syllable to insult with? My wise uncle,
312	Is this your precious evidence, this that makes
	Your interest clear?
314
	Over. I am o'erwhelmed with wonder!
316	What prodigy is this? what subtle devil	= monstrous occurrence.
	Hath razed out the inscription? the wax	= erased. = writing.
318	Turned into dust! − the rest of my deeds whole	= ie. "all my other".
	As when they were delivered, and this only	319: As when = "just as they were when". delivered = formally handed over, a legal term.^1 and this only = ie. "but only this one".
320	Made nothing! do you deal with witches, rascal?
	There is a statute for you, which will bring	321-4: the 17th century was actually the hey-day for witch trials in England, thanks in part to a statute passed in 1604, which prescribed the death penalty for those convicted of witchcraft. The law actually listed some specific actions which constituted witchcraft, such as invoking spirits, recovering dead bodies for use in charms, and using enchantments to help recover lost items or hidden gold.^19,27
322	Your neck in an hempen circle; yes, there is;	= common and humorous phrase for a noose.
	And now 'tis better thought for, cheater, know	= "that I think about it".
324	This juggling shall not save you.	= trickery.
326	Well. To save thee,	326-7: "to save you would exhaust the entire supply of
	Would beggar the stock of mercy.	Heaven's mercy." Note that Wellborn contemptuously
328		addresses Overreach with thee.
	Over. Marrall!
330
	Mar. Sir.
332
	Over. [Aside to Marrall]
334	Though the witnesses are dead, your testimony
	Help with an oath or two: and for thy master,	= "may help", ie. "can still provide conclusive evidence proving my claim against Wellborn."
336	Thy liberal master, my good honest servant,	= generous.
	I know thou wilt swear anything, to dash	337-8: to dash…sleight = "to frustrate this clever deceit."
338	This cunning sleight: besides, I know thou art
	A public notary, and such stand in law	339: public notary = one who is legally authorized to attest to the genuineness of legal documents;^29 if Marrall is a notary, his testimony, as Overreach notes, is of highly probative value. such stand = ie. "as such are equal in value".
340	For a dozen witnesses: the deed being drawn too	= written.
	By thee, my careful Marrall, and delivered
342	When thou wert present, will make good my title.
	Wilt thou not swear this?
344
	Mar. I! no, I assure you:
346	I have a conscience not seared up like yours;	= dried up or withered.^1
	I know no deeds.
348
	Over. Wilt thou betray me?
350
	Mar. Keep him
352	From using of his hands, I'll use my tongue,
	To his no little torment.	353: at this point, Wellborn and Lady Allworth's servants draw their swords and point them towards Sir Giles to keep him from laying his hands on Marrall.
354
	Over. Mine own varlet	= servant, attendant.^2
356	Rebel against me!
358	Mar. Yes, and uncase you too.	= literally flay, ie. expose or strip of everything.^3
	"The idiot, the patch, the slave, the booby,	359-362: Gifford notes the delicious patience Marrall has
360	The property fit only to be beaten	practiced in storing up all the insults he has been forced
	For your morning exercise," your "football,” or	to endure from Sir Giles, and which he now finally has the opportunity to toss back into his boss's face: Gifford calls this "the vengeance of the little mind" (p. 374).^6
362	"The unprofitable lump of flesh," your "drudge,"
	Can now anatomise you, and lay open	363: both anatomise and lay open mean "to expose to view"; anatomise was originally applied to the dissection and viewing of dead bodies.^1
364	All your black plots, and level with the earth	= cut down to the plane of the earth; Marrall begins a military metaphor.
	Your hill of pride, and, with these gabions guarded,	= gabions were large wicker baskets which were filled with
366	Unload my great artillery, and shake,	earth and used in fortifications, such as on batteries to
	Nay pulverize, the walls you think defend you.	protect the gunners. Marrall here refers to the protection
368		afforded him by the armed Wellborn and servants.
	L. All. How he foams at the mouth with rage!
370
	Well. To him again.	= ie. "give it to him".
372
	Over. O that I had thee in my gripe, I would tear thee	= grasp, ie. hands.
374	Joint after joint!
376	Mar. I know you are a tearer,	= though Marrall is clearly playing off of Overreach's use of tear, the OED has assigned the meaning to tearer of both "one who tears" and "a swaggerer".^1
	But I'll have first your fangs pared off, and then	= cut or trimmed.^1
378	Come nearer to you; when I have discovered,	= exposed, revealed.
	And made it good before the judge, what ways,	= proved , ie. "given my evidence".
380	And devilish practices, you used to cozen with	= "have cheated".
	An army of whole families, who yet alive,	= if still.
382	And but enrolled for soldiers, were able	= would be able.
	To take in Dunkirk.	383: to capture Dunkirk; the French seaport, famous at the
384		time for its pirates, was controlled by the Spanish in the early 17th century; Marrall is emphasizing the large number of families Overreach has victimized.
	Well. All will come out.
386
	L. All. The better.
388
	Over. But that I will live, rogue, to torture thee,	= "except for the fact that I want to stay alive only".
390	And make thee wish, and kneel in vain, to die,	= ie. beg to no avail.
	These swords that keep thee from me should fix here,	= ie. inside Sir Giles' own breast.^9
392	Although they made my body but one wound,	= even if. = ie. one all-encompassing wound.
	But I would reach thee.
394
	Lov. [Aside] Heaven's hand is in this;	395-6: Lovell, still in hiding, ironically notes the miracle of Marrall and Overreach going at one another's throats.
396	One bandog worry the other!	= a ferocious and chained-up dog. = attacking, by biting and
		tearing.^1
398	Over. I play the fool,
	And make my anger but ridiculous:
400	There will be a time and place, there will be, cowards,
	When you shall feel what I dare do.
402
	Well. I think so:
404	You dare do any ill, yet want true valour	= lack.
	To be honest, and repent.
406
	Over. They are words I know not.
408	Nor e'er will learn. Patience, the beggar's virtue,	= though the sentiment had been expressed in earlier
	Shall find no harbour here:	literature, Massinger's pithy formula became proverbial;
410		dramatist Ben Jonson, in his play Volpone (1605), called "conscience" the "beggar's virtue", and patience had previously been identified as the virtue of a poor man; a tract from 1621, The praise, antiquity and commodity of beggary, listed patience as a virtue possessed by beggars, but not in so concise a way as did Massinger.
	Enter Greedy and Parson Willdo.
412
	− after these storms
414	At length a calm appears. Welcome, most welcome!
	There's comfort in thy looks; is the deed done?
416	Is my daughter married? say but so, my chaplain,
	And I am tame.	= quieted down.
418
	Willdo. Married! yes, I assure you.
420
	Over. Then vanish all sad thoughts! there's more gold for thee.
422	My doubts and fears are in the titles drowned
	Of my honourable, my right honourable daughter.
424
	Greedy. Here will be feasting! at least for a month,
426	I am provided: empty guts, croak no more.	= will be in supply, ie. fed.
	You shall be stuffed like bagpipes, not with wind,	= Deighton notes the humorous image of Greedy's stomach stretched to the same extent as bagpipes are when they are fully blown out.^5
428	But bearing dishes.	= substantial, solid.^6
430	Over. [Whispering to Willdo] Instantly be here?	= ie. any moment.
	To my wish! to my wish! − Now you that plot against me,	= ie. "just as I wished!"
432	And hoped to trip my heels up, that contemned me,	= scorned, treated with disdain.
	Think on't and tremble: −
434
	[Loud music.]
436
	− they come! I hear the music.
438	A lane there for my lord!	= common phrase for "make room", or "make a passage".
440	Well. This sudden heat	= passion, show of emotion.
	May yet be cooled, sir.
442
	Over. Make way there for my lord!
444
	Enter Allworth and Margaret.
446
	Marg. Sir, first your pardon, then your blessing, with
448	Your full allowance of the choice I have made.	= approval.
	As ever you could make use of your reason,
450
	[Kneeling.]
452
	Grow not in passion; since you may as well	= "don't get angry."
454	Call back the day that's past, as untie the knot	= ie. try to call. = ie. undo her marriage to Allworth.
	Which is too strongly fastened: not to dwell
456	Too long on words, this is my husband.
458	Over. How!
460	All. So I assure you; all the rites of marriage,
	With every circumstance, are past. Alas! sir,	= with all ceremony, ie. no detail omitted. = an exclamation
462	Although I am no lord, but a lord's page,	of affirmation, not regret.^5
	Your daughter and my loved wife mourns not for it;
464	And, for right honourable son-in-law, you may say,	= instead of.
	Your dutiful daughter.
466
	Over. Devil! are they married?
468
	Willdo. Do a father's part, and say, "Heaven give them joy!"
470
	Over. Confusion and ruin! speak, and speak quickly,	= the two words are synonyms; such a redundancy is
472	Or thou art dead.	known as a pleonasm.
474	Willdo. They are married.
476	Over. Thou hadst better	= "would have been better off if you".
	Have made a contract with the king of fiends,	477: as a parson, any bargain Willdo might make with
478	Than these: − my brain turns!	Satan would be especially egregious.
480	Willdo. Why this rage to me?
	Is not this your letter, sir, and these the words?
482	"Marry her to this gentleman."
484	Over. It cannot −
	Nor will I e'er believe it, 'sdeath! I will not;	= God's death, an oath.
486	That I, that in all passages I touched	486-9: "That I, who cunningly and successfully left no
	At worldly profit have not left a print	evidence of my participation in any of the schemes
488	Where I have trod for the most curious search	through which I made my fortune, which even the most fastidious (curious) investigation would discover, have been tricked (gulled) by mere children."
	To trace my footsteps, should be gulled by children,
490	Baffled and fooled, and all my hopes and labours	= exposed to ridicule.^2
	Defeated and made void.
492
	Well. As it appears,
494	You are so, my grave uncle.
496	Over. Village nurses	= country midwives (Sherman, p. 408),^9 or foolish old crones (Deighton, p. 129).^5
	Revenge their wrongs with curses; I'll not waste	= ie. the insults and injuries done to them.
498	A syllable, but thus I take the life
	Which, wretched, I gave to thee.
500
	[Attempts to kill Margaret.]
502
	Lov. [Coming forward] Hold, for your own sake!
504	Though charity to your daughter hath quite left you,
	Will you do an act, though in your hopes lost here,	505-6: "would you commit an act, ie. murder, which, while
506	Can leave no hope for peace or rest hereafter?	pointless to commit as a practical matter because your plans have already been stymied, will also cause you to lose any expectation of getting into Heaven?"
	Consider; at the best you are but a man,
508	And cannot so create your aims, but that	508-9: ie. "and as a mere mortal, you cannot expect to make
	They may be crossed.	plans without expecting they may be thwarted."
510
	Over. Lord! thus I spit at thee,	511f: despite Lovell's polite use of "you" in addressing him, the increasingly unhinged Sir Giles bitterly employs the highly insulting "thee" in addressing the peer.
512	And at thy counsel; and again desire thee,
	And as thou art a soldier, if thy valour	513-5: if thy…the way = "if you can be brave here, where you are not surrounded by your army (multitude) and obliged to be brave to follow the courageousness shown by other soldiers". Overreach means to taunt Lovell, a soldier, into accepting his challenge to a duel.
514	Dares shew itself where multitude and example
	Lead not the way, let's quit the house, and change	515-6: let's quit…private = Overreach challenges Lovell to a
516	Six words in private.	duel.
518	Lov. I am ready.
520	L. All. Stay, sir,	520: Lady Allworth addresses Lovell: "wait, sir, you should
	Contest with one distracted!	not agree to fight with someone who is clearly deranged!"
522
	Well. You'll grow like him,	523-4: "if you accept his foolish (vain) challenge, then you
524	Should you answer his vain challenge.	may become as mentally disturbed as he is."
526	Over. Are you pale?	= ie. afraid; the colour white was symbolic of cowardice.
	Borrow his help, though Hercules call it odds,	526: "let Wellborn fight alongside you against me, and though even if Hercules himself would consider it an unfair fight".
528	I'll stand against both as I am, hemmed in –	528: "I'll still fight you both, surrounded even as I am now."
	Thus!
530	Since, like a Libyan lion in the toil,	530: Libyan lion = lions of Libya were proverbial for their fierceness.^9 toil = a toil was a net which was set up during a hunt, and into which game was driven; but toil could also mean a trap or snare generally.^1,5
	My fury cannot reach the coward hunters,	= ie. cowardly.
532	And only spends itself, I'll quit the place:	532: spends itself = futilely wastes its energy trying to reach the hunters. quit the place = "leave this house."
	Alone I can do nothing; but I have servants
534	And friends to second me; and if I make not	= support; Overreach is threatening to start a general war!
	This house a heap of ashes, (by my wrongs,	= an oath, as in "I swear on the injuries done to me".
536	What I have spoke I will make good!) or leave
	One throat uncut, − if it be possible,	537-8: if it be…affections = an apostrophe to Hell: "Hell, if
538	Hell, add to my afflictions!	you can do so, add to my misery!"
540	[Exit.]
542	Mar. Is't not brave sport?	542; "wasn’t that excellent entertainment?"
544	Greedy. Brave sport! I am sure it has ta'en away my stomach;	544: stomach means appetite.
	I do not like the sauce.
546
	All. Nay, weep not, dearest,	547-9: spoken to Margaret.
548	Though it express your pity; what's decreed	= "shows your compassionate nature".
	Above, we cannot alter.
550
	L. All. His threats move me	551-2: "his threats do not upset me at all": Lady Allworth
552	No scruple, madam.	also tries to soothe Margaret, although she does not seem to get that as Sir Giles' daughter, Margaret has a greater natural reason to be distraught over the scene that just ensued.
554	Mar. Was it not a rare trick,	= excellent.
	An it please your worship, to make the deed nothing?	= ie. if it pleases.
556	I can do twenty neater, if you please	556-7: I can do…rich = Marrall offers Wellborn his ability to swindle others of their property.
	To purchase and grow rich; for I will be	= a legal term for the acquisition of property.^9
558	Such a solicitor and steward for you,	= agent or deputy.^1 = one who manages another's affairs.^1
	As never worshipful had.	559: "as no man of your station ever had."^5
560
	Well. I do believe thee;
562	But first discover the quaint means you used	= reveal, ie. "tell us". = ingenius.^2
	To raze out the conveyance?	= erase.
564
	Mar. They are mysteries
566	Not to be spoke in public: certain minerals
	Incorporated in the ink and wax −
568	Besides, he gave me nothing, but still fed me	= always, ie. only.
	With hopes and blows; and that was the inducement	= expectation of reward. = beatings.
570	To this conundrum. If it please your worship	= idea, ie. trick.^1,5
	To call to memory, this mad beast once caused me
572	To urge you or to drown or hang yourself;
	I'll do the like to him, if you command me.
574
	Well. You are a rascal! he that dares be false
576	To a master, though unjust, will ne'er be true
	To any other. Look not for reward
578	Or favour from me; I will shun thy sight
	As I would do a basilisk's; thank my pity,	= the basilisk was a fabled serpent whose glance was thought to be fatal.
580	If thou keep thy ears; howe'er, I will take order	580: If thou keep thy ears = another reference to the criminal
	Your practice shall be silenced.	penalty of having one's ears cropped.
582		take order = arrange that, make sure.
	Greedy. I'll commit him,
584	If you'll have me, sir.
586	Well. That were to little purpose;
	His conscience be his prison. − Not a word,	587-8: Not a word = "do not say another word", spoken to
588	But instantly be gone.	Marrall.
590	Ord. Take this kick with you.
592	Amb. And this.
594	Furn. If that I had my cleaver here,
	I would divide your knave's head.
596
	Mar. This is the haven	597-8: typically in a Massinger play, the villain (or at least one of them here) recognizes the justice of his final comeuppance.
598	False servants still arrive at.	= treacherous, disloyal. = ever.^5
600	[Exit.]
602	Re-enter Overreach.
604	L. All. Come again!
606	Lov. Fear not, I am your guard.
608	Well. His looks are ghastly.
610	Willdo. Some little time I have spent, under your favours,	610-1: Some little…studies = "if I may speak here, I have
	In physical studies, and if my judgment err not,	had the opportunity to spend some time in medical (physical) studies".
612	He's mad beyond recovery: but observe him,	= watch.
	And look to yourselves.	613: ie. "and be careful not to let him hurt you."
614
	Over. Why, is not the whole world
616	Included in myself? to what use then
	Are friends and servants? Say there were a squadron
618	Of pikes, lined through with shot, when I am mounted	618: pikes = ie. men armed with pikes, the quintessential medieval polearm, a long thrusting spear. lined through with shot = supported or mixed through with musketeers. In Tamburlaine, Part II, Marlowe wrote the line, "A ring of pikes, mingled with shot and horse". 618-9: when I...injuries = continuing his military metaphor, Overreach imagines the injuries done to him as his horse.
	Upon my injuries, shall I fear to charge them?
620	No: I'll through the battalia, and that routed,	= ie. ride through. = army. = ie. "once I have routed the army".
622	[Flourishing his sword sheathed.]	622: Overreach tries but fails to remove his sword from its scabbard (sheath), and as a result is ridiculously waving the entire contrivance around.
624	I'll fall to execution. − Ha! I am feeble:	= ie. start killing people.
	Some undone widow sits upon mine arm,	= ruined.
626	And takes away the use of 't; and my sword,
	Glued to my scabbard with wronged orphans' tears,
628	Will not be drawn. Ha! what are these? sure, hangmen,	= "who are all these people?" = surely.
	That come to bind my hands, and then to drag me
630	Before the judgment-seat: now they are new shapes,
	And do appear like Furies, with steel whips	= the avenging spirits of Greek mythology.
632	To scourge my ulcerous soul. Shall I then fall	= corrupted.
	Ingloriously, and yield? no; spite of Fate,
634	I will be forced to hell like to myself.	= Deighton: "retaining my old hardihood" (p. 131).^5
	Though you were legions of accursèd spirits,
636	Thus would I fly among you.
638	[Rushes forward, and flings himself on the ground.]
640	Well. There's no help;
	Disarm him first, then bind him.
642
	Greedy. Take a mittimus,	= a warrant for committing one into custody, usually to jail, or as here, to an asylum.^9
644	And carry him to Bedlam.	= common shorthand name for Bethlehem, or the Hospital
		of St. Mary of Bethlehem, London's famed mental hospital.
646	Lov. How he foams!
648	Well. And bites the earth!
650	Willdo. Carry him to some dark room,
	There try what art can do for his recovery.	= human skill, ie. medicine.
652
	Marg. O my dear father!
654
	[They force Overreach off.]	655: the confinement of mad persons to darkness was a
656		common treatment at the time; the most famous literary example took place in Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, in which the steward Malvolio was locked in a dark room by those falsely accusing him of having gone mad.
	All. You must be patient, mistress.
658
	Lov. Here is a precedent to teach wicked men,
660	That when they leave religion, and turn atheists,
	Their own abilities leave them. − Pray you take comfort,
662	I will endeavour you shall be his guardians	662: Lovell will use his influence to get Allworth and Margaret assigned to be Sir Giles' guardians.
	In his distractions: − and for your land, Master Wellborn,	= madness.
664	Be it good or ill in law, I'll be an umpire	664-6: Be it good…Overreach = we must remember that Wellborn's claim for the return of his land must still be formally adjudicated and settled; Lovell volunteers himself for the service of arbitrator.
	Between you, and this, the undoubted heir	665: ie. Margaret.
666	Of Sir Giles Overreach: for me, here's the anchor	666-7: for me…fix on = Lovell refers to Lady Allworth,
	That I must fix on.	whom he will marry.
668
	All. What you shall determine,	669-670: Allworth, as Margaret's husband, is now legally
670	My lord, I will allow of.	responsible for her property, which she in turn had received
		control of upon Sir Giles' commitment as an insane person. Allworth will of course gladly defer (allow of = approve, go along with) to whatever Lovell decides.
672	Well. 'Tis the language
	That I speak too; but there is something else
674	Beside the repossession of my land,
	And payment of my debts, that I must practise.
676	I had a reputation, but 'twas lost
	In my loose course; and until I redeem it
678	Some noble way, I am but half made up.	= ie. "I am in possession of only half of myself."
	It is a time of action; if your lordship
680	Will please to confer a company upon me	= ie. a regiment of soldiers.
	In your command, I doubt not in my service
682	To my king and country but I shall do something	= this grand and most English of phrases dates back to the
	That may make me right again.	mid-16th century.^1
684
	Lov. Your suit is granted,	= request.
686	And you loved for the motion.	= ie. "you are". = proposal.
688	Well. [Coming forward] Nothing wants then	688f: the final speech of the play, an Epilogue of sorts, is recited directly to the audience by Wellborn at the front of the stage. The tradition of asking the audience for applause goes back to the plays of John Lyly. wants = is lacking.
	But your allowance − and in that our all	689: allowance = approval.
690	Is comprehended; it being known, nor we,	690-2: nor we…manumission = Deighton suggests, "neither us actors nor the author who created us can can feel ourselves at ease, until you freely give your applause,"^5with wordplay between free and manumission.
	Nor he that wrote the comedy, can be free,
692	Without your manumission; which if you	= ie. "freeing us."
	Grant willingly, as a fair favour due
694	To the poet's and our labours, (as you may,	= "as we feel justified to suggest you should".^5
	For we despair not, gentlemen, of the play,)	695: "for we are confident in the good quality of this play".
696	We jointly shall profess your grace hath might	= power, ability.
	To teach us action, and him how to write.	= ie. (how to) act. = ie. Massinger, again.
	[Exeunt.]
	FINIS

The Authors' Invented Words

Like all of the writers of the era, Philip Massinger made up words when he felt like it, usually by adding prefixes and suffixes to known words, combining words, or using a word in a way not yet used before. The following is a list of words from A New Way to Pay Old Debts that are indicated by the OED as being either the first or only use of a given word, or, as noted, the first use with a given meaning:

clubber

conference (meaning the subject of conversation)

deceased (as in referring to a dead person as simply "the deceased")

dumple

emolument (meaning benefit or advantage)

fathom (meaning to see through or thoroughly understand)

fly (to describe a window or door as in "flew open")

go-before

London blue

R (abbreviation for Rogue, as a letter one may be branded with)

run out (meaning dried out, applied to meat)

snip (applied to a person)

suck (meaning a small drink)

tearer (meaning one who tears, and a swaggerer)

term-driver

unload (meaning to discharge artillery or a weapon)

FOOTNOTES

The footnotes in the text correspond as follows:

1. Oxford English Dictionary (OED) online.

2. Crystal, David and Ben. Shakespeare's Words.

London; New York: Penguin, 2002

3. Symons, Arthur. Philip Massinger, Vol. I. London:

T. Fisher Unwin, 1887-1889.

4. Stronach, George, ed. A New Way To Pay Old Debts.

London: J.M. Dent and Co., 1904.

5. Deighton, K., ed. Massinger's A New Way to Pay Old

Debts. London: G. Bell and Sons, Ltd., 1924.

6. Gifford, William. The Plays of Philip Massinger.

London: William Templeton, 1840.

7. Weapons Universe Website. Medieval Polearms.

Retrieved 12/22/2017: www.weapons-universe.com/Swords/

Medieval_Polearms.shtml.

8. Santvoord, George Van, ed. The Merry Wives of

Windsor. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1922.

9. Sherman, Lucius A. Philip Massinger. New York:

American Book Co., 1912.

10. Jacob, Giles. A New Law Dictionary. London: E. and

R. Nutt, 1739.

11. Bailey, Nathan. An Universal Etymological English

Dictionary. London: Printed for T. Osborne etc., 1763.

12. Bailey, N. et al. Dictionarium Britannicum. London:

the Lamb, 1730.

13. Stephenson, Henry Thew. Elizabethan People. New

York: Henry Holt and Company, 1910.

14. Skeat, Walter W. A Glossary of Tudor and Stuart

Words. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1914.

15. Stow, John. The Survey of London etc. London:

Printed for Nicholas Bourn, 1633.

16. Burke, Bernard, Sir. A Genealogical and Heraldic

Dictionary of the Peerage and Baronetage of the British

Empire. London: Harrison, 1869.

17. A New English Dictionary of Historical Principles.

Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1888-1928.

18. Timbs, John. Curiosities of London. London:

Longman, Green, Reader and Dyer, 1868.

19. The Encyclopedia Britannica. 11th edition. New

York: 1911.

20. Wheatley, Henry B. London Past and Present.

London: John Murray, 1891.

21. Bank of England Website. Inflation Calculator.

Retrieved 12/28/2017: http://bankofengland.education/

inflationcalculator/.

22. Bohun, Edmund. A Geographical Dictionary etc.

London: Printed for Charles Brome, 1693.

23. Authentic Gatha Zoroastrianism Website.

Zoroastrianism, sacred fire and fire-worship. Retrieved

1/8/2018: authenticgathazoroastrianism.org/2016/06/13/928/.

24. Halliwell, James O. A Dictionary of Archaic and

Provincial Words. London: John Russell Smith, 1878.

25. BBC website. Local Legends: Wise Men of Gotham.

Retrieved 1/12/2018: www.bbc.co.uk/legacies/myths_

legends/england/nottingham/article_1.shtml.

26. PilloryHistory.com Website. What are stocks and

pillories? Retrieved 1/7/2017: http://www.pilloryhistory.

com/What(index).html.

27. Witch Trials Website. Witchcraft Act of 1604.

Retrieved 1/16/2018: www.witchtrials.co.uk/act1604.html.

28. Johnson, Samuel. A Dictionary of the English

Language. Dublin: W.G. Jones, 1768.

29. Schmidt, Alexander. Shakespeare-Lexicon. Berlin:

Georg Reimer, 1902.