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The only stay and comfort of his life.

Therefore by me

He willeth thee to send his daughter Blaunch,

Or else foorthwith he will levy such an host,

As soon shall fetch her in dispite of thee.

WILLIAM.

Embassador, this answer I return thy King.

He willeth me to send his daughter Blaunch,

Saying, I conveyed her from the Danish court,

That never yet did once as think thereof.

As for his menacing and daunting threats,

I nill regard him nor his Danish power;

For if he come to fetch her foorth my Realm

I will provide him such a banquet here,

That he shall have small cause to give me thanks.

EMBASSADOR.

Is this your answer, then?

WILLIAM.

It is; and so begone.

EMBASSADOR.

I go; but to your cost.

[Exit Embassador.]

WILLIAM.

Demarch, our subjects, earst levied in civil broils,

Muster foorthwith, for to defend the Realm.

In hope whereof, that we shall find you true,

We freely pardon this thy late offence.

DEMARCH.

Most humble thanks I render to your grace.

[Exeunt.]

SCENE III.

Manchester. The Mill.

[Enter the Miller and Valingford.]

MILLER.

Alas, gentleman, why should you trouble your self so much,

considering the imperfections of my daughter, which is able

to with-draw the love of any man from her, as already it

hath done in her first choice. Maister Manville hath

forsaken her, and at Chester shall be married to a mans

daughter of no little wealth. But if my daughter knew so

much, it would go very near her heart, I fear me.

VALINGFORD.

Father miller, such is the entire affection to your daughter,

as no misfortune whatsoever can alter. My fellow Mountney,

thou seest, gave quickly over; but I, by reason of my good

meaning, am not so soon to be changed, although I am borne

off with scorns and denial.

[Enter Em to them.]

MILLER.

Trust me, sir, I know not what to say. My daughter is not

to be compelled by me; but here she comes her self: speak

to her and spare not, for I never was troubled with love

matters so much before.

EM.

[Aside.] Good Lord! shall I never be rid of this importunate

man? Now must I dissemble blindness again. Once more for

thy sake, Manville, thus am I inforced, because I shall

complete my full resolved mind to thee. Father, where are you?

MILLER.

Here, sweet Em. Answer this gentleman, that would so fayne

enjoy thy love.

EM.

Where are you, sir? will you never leave this idle and vain

pursuit of love? Is not England stord enough to content you,

but you must still trouble the poor contemptible maid of Manchester?

VALINGFORD.

None can content me but the fair maid of Manchester.

EM.

I perceive love is vainly described, that, being blind

himself, would have you likewise troubled with a blind wife,

having the benefit of your eyes. But neither follow him so

much in folly, but love one in whom you may better delight.

VALINGFORD.

Father Miller, thy daughter shall have honor by graunting me

her love. I am a Gentleman of king Williams Court, and no

mean man in king Williams favour.

EM.

If you be a Lord, sir, as you say, you offer both your self

and me great wrong: yours, as apparent, in limiting your

love so unorderly, for which you rashly endure reprochement;

mine, as open and evident, when, being shut from the vanities

of this world, you would have me as an open gazing stock to

all the world; for lust, not love, leads you into this error.

But from the one I will keep me as well as I can, and yield

the other to none but to my father, as I am bound by duty.

VALINGFORD.

Why, fair Em, Manville hath forsaken thee, and must at

Chester be married: which if I speak otherwise than true,

let thy father speak what credibly he hath heard.

EM.

But can it be Manville will deal so unkindly to reward my

justice with such monstrous ungentleness? Have I dissembled

for thy sake, and doest thou now thus requite it? In deed

these many days I have not seen him, which hath made me

marvel at his long absence. But, father, are you assured

of the words he spake were concerning Manville?