Cambridge jests, or, Witty alarums for melancholy spirits by a lover of ha, ha, he.

138.

A proper young and handsome Gen∣tleman fell in love with an old, rich, and miserable Councellors onely Daughter, but despairing ever to get her Fathers con∣sent, because of the inequality of his E∣state compared with hers; he made it his business first to make sure of her good will, and then he used this witty Strata∣gem: He goes one day to her Father, and clapping five Guineys into his hand, desi∣red his best advice in the case he should acquaint him with, which was, That he loved a fair and young Lady, had her consent, and nothing was wanting but the good will of her friends; which ne∣vertheless he feared he could never ob∣tain, for such certain reasons, without some subtil Stratagem: The old man, on whom the Gold began to work, in hopes of another such Fee, puts him off till the next day, that he might the better consi∣der of the matter. The young Gentle∣man therefore failed not to return at the time appointed, with the other five Gui∣neys to hasten the matter, whereupon the

old Councellor told him there was but one way, that was, He should get the Lady privately to be married to him; and to that end he would give him a Note to a certain Priest of his acquaintance, that should joyn them in Matrimony with all speed and secrecy. Thus the young man by his subtilty out-witted the old Councel∣lor, got a Note under his own hand to marry his Daughter, and then brought his Wife to ask her Fathers blessing: which Stratagem so pleased the old man, that not respecting his Sons low con∣dition, he gave his Daughter a large Dowry.