The Tragedy of M.Arden
When as my purposed iourney was to him,
Yet all my labour is not spent in vaine:
For I suppose that you can full discourse,
And flat resolue me of the thing I seeke.
Ales.
What is it maister Greene? If that I may
Or can, with safety, I will answer you.
Greene.
I heard your husband hath the grant of late,
Confirmed by letters patents from the king,
Of all the lands of the Abby of Feuershame,
Generally intitled, so that all former grants,
Are cut of, whereof I my selfe had one,
But now my interest by that is void,
This is all mistres Arden, is it trew nor no?
Ales.
Trew maister Greene, the lands are his in state,
And whatsoeuer leases were before,
Are void for tearme of Maister Ardens lyfe:
He hath the grant vnder the Chancery seale.
Gre.
Pardon me mistres Arden, I must speake,
For I am toucht, your husband doth me wrong:
To wring me from the little land I haue.
My liuing is my lyfe, onely that
Resteth remainder of my portion.
Desyre of welth is endles in his minde,
And he is gredy gaping still for gaine,
Nor cares he though young gentlemen do begge,
So he may scrape and hoorde vp in his poutche,
But seeing he hath taken my lands, Ile value lyfe:
As careles, as he is carefull for to get,
And tell him this from me, Ile be reuenged,
And so, as he shall wishe the Abby lands
Had rested still, within their former state.
Ales.
Alas poore gentleman, I pittie you,
And wo is me that any man should want,
God knowes tis not my fault, but wonder not
Though he be harde to others, when to me,
Ah maister Greene, God knowes how I am vsde.
