reverse of fortune, Stephen becomes rich; and Foster by Losses in Trade is thrown into the same Prison (Ludgate) from which his Brother had been relieved. Stephen adopts his Nephew, on the condition that he shall not assist or go near his Father: but filial piety prevails, above the consideration either of his Uncle's displeasure, or of his Father's late unkindness; and he visits his Father in Prison. Fos. O torment to my soul, what mak'st thou here? Cannot the picture of my misery Be drawn, and hung out to the eyes of men, But thou must come to scorn and laugh at it? Rob. Dear Sir, I come to thrust load, To make the burthen lighter. my back under your Fos. Hence from my sight, dissembling villain, go: Thine uncle sends defiance to my woe, And thou must bring it: hence, thou Basilisk, That kill'st me with thine eyes. Nay, never kneel; Fos. Him and thee I curse. I'll starve ere I eat bread from his purse, Cover'd with all the villainies which man It was the hand of heaven struck me thus low, Or I shall curse thee, strike thee; prithee away: And hear thy father, an old wretched man, Rob. Dear Sir, for pity hear me. Fos. Upon my curse I charge, no nearer come; I'll be no father to so vile a son. Rob. O my abortive fate, Why for my good am I thus paid with hate? Now is my father here, whom if I succour, Now mine own father here must beg for bread, His Father appears above at the Grate, a Box hanging down. Fos. Bread, bread, one penny to buy a loaf of bread, for the tender mercy. Rob. O me my shame! I know that voice full well; I'll help thy wants although thou curse me still. He stands where he is unseen by his Father. Fos. Bread, bread, some christian man send back [Robert puts in Money. The hand of heaven reward you, gentle Sir, Never may you want, never feel misery; Let blessings in unnumber'd measure grow, Rob. O happy comfort: curses to the ground Rob. I'll buy more blessings: take thou all my store; I'll keep no coin and see my father poor. Fos. Good angels guard you, Sir, my prayers shall be That heaven may bless you for this charity. Rob. If he knew me, sure he would not say so: Yet I have comfort, if by any means I get a blessing from my father's hands. How cheap are good prayers! a poor penny buys And mounts to heaven. Enter STEPHEN. Oh me, mine uncle sees me. Step. Now, Sir, what makes you here So near the prison? Rob. I was going, Sir, To buy meat for a poor bird I have, That sits so sadly in the cage of late, I think he'll die for sorrow. Step. So, Sir: Your pity will not quit your pains, I fear me. I shall find that bird (I think) to be that churlish wretch Your father, that now has taken Shelter here in Ludgate. Go to, Sir; urge me not, You'd best; I have giv'n you warning: fawn not on him, Nor come not near him if you'll have my love. Rob. 'Las, Sir; that lamb Were most unnatural that should hate the dam. A blessing stolen at least as fairly as Jacob's was. Step. Lamb me no lambs, Sir. Rob. Good uncle, 'las, you know, when you lay here, I succour'd you: so let me now help him. Step. Yes, as he did me; To laugh and triumph at my misery. You freed me with his gold, but 'gainst his will: For him I might have rotted, and lain still. So shall he now. Rob. Alack the day! Step. If him thou pity, 'tis thine own decay. Fos. Bread, bread, some charitable man remember the poor Prisoners, bread for the tender mercy, one penny. Rob. O listen, uncle, that's my poor father's voice. Step. There let him howl. Get you gone, and come not near him. Rob. Oh my soul, What tortures dost thou feel! earth ne'er shall find Robert disobeys his Uncle's Injunctions, and again visits his Father. FOSTER. WIFE. ROBErt. Fos. Ha! what art thou? Call for the keeper there, And thrust him out of doors, or lock me up. Wife. O'tis your son. Fos. I know him not. I am no king, unless of scorn and woe, Why kneel'st thou then, why dost thou mock me so To lay them all on my own. Fos. Rise, mischief, rise; away, and get ? thee gone. Rob. O if I be thus hateful to your eye, Fos. Get both you gone; That misery takes some rest that dwells alone. Rob. Heaven can tell; Ake but your finger, I to make it well Would cut my hand off. Fos. Hang thee, hang thee. Fos. Destruction meet thee. Turn the key there, ho. Rob. Good Sir, I'm gone, I will not stay to grieve you. Oh, knew you, for your woes what pains I feel, Whilst thus live in moan. Fos. Stay. you feet; Rob. Good truth, Sir, I'll have none of it back, Could but one penny of it save my life. Wife. Yet stay, and hear him: Oh unnatural strife In a hard father's bosom. Fos. I see mine error now: Oh, can there grow |