Philip Massinger. Excerpt from "A New Way to Pay Old Debts" c.1622.

FROM PHILIP MASSINGER'S
A New Way to Pay Old Debts, c.1622

Lord Lovell. Are you not frighted with the imprecations
And curses of whole families, made wretched
By your sinister practices?
Sir Giles Overreach. Yes, as rocks are,
When foamy billows split themselves against
Their flinty ribs ; or as the moon is moved,
When wolves, with hunger pined, howl at her brightness.
I am of a solid temper, and, like these,
Steer on a constant course : with mine own sword,
If called into the field, I can make that right,
Which fearful enemies murmur'd at as wrong.
Now, for those other piddling complaints,
Breathed out in bitterness ; as, when they call me
Extortioner, tyrant, cormorant, or intruder
On my poor neighbour's right, or grand encloser
Of what was common to my private use ;
Nay, when my ears are pierced with widows' cries,
And undone orphans wash with tears my threshold ;
I only think what 'tis to have my daughter
Right honourable ; and 'tis a powerful charm,
Makes me insensible of remorse, or pity,
Or the least sting of conscience.
Lovell. I admire
The toughness of your nature.
Sir Giles. 'Tis for you,
My lord, and for my daughter, I am marble.

Source:
English Literature: An Illustrated Record. Vol II, part II.
Richard Garnett and Edmund Gosse, Eds.
New York: The MacMillan Company, 1904. 355.