Wit Without Money

Persons Represented in the Play.


Valentine, _a Gallant that will not be perswaded to keep his Estate_.

Francisco, _his younger Brother_.

_Master_ Lovegood _their Uncle_.

_A_ Merchant, _Friend to Master_ Lovegood.

Fountain, }
Bellamore,} _companions of_ Valentine, _and Sutors to the_ Widow.
Hairbrain,}

Lance, _a Falkner, and an ancient servant to_ Valentines _Father_.

Shorthose, _the Clown, and servant to the_ Widow.

Roger, Ralph, _and_ Humphrey, _three servants to the_ Widow.

_Three Servants_.

_Musicians_.

Lady Hartwel, a _Widow_.

Isabel, _her Sister_.

Luce, _a waiting Gentlewoman to the Widow_.

* * * * *




_Actus primus. Scena prima._

* * * * *

_Enter_ Uncle _and_ Merchant.

_Merc._ When saw you _Valentine_?

_Uncle._ Not since the Horse-race, he's taken up with those that
woo the Widow.

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

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

_Mer._ That's strange.

_Unc._ Runs Lunatick, if you but talk of states, he cannot be
brought (now he has spent his own) to think there's inheritance, or
means, but all a common riches, all men bound to be his Bailiffs.

_Mer._ This is something dangerous.

_Uncle._ No Gentleman that has estate to use it in keeping house,
or followers, for those wayes he cries against, for Eating sins, dull
Surfeits, cramming of Serving-men, mustering of Beggars, maintaining
Hospitals for Kites, and Curs, grounding their fat faiths upon old
Country proverbs, God bless the Founders; these he would have ventured
into more manly uses, Wit, and carriage, and never thinks of state, or
means, the ground-works: holding it monstrous, men should feed their
bodies, and starve their understandings.