 | Nigel ; or, The Crown Jewels |  |
14
SCENE III.
Nigel's lodging. In the back scene, a wide window, like that of a cabin, shewing the river and ships. An old fashioned staircase descending into the room, down the steps of which, enter Nigel habited in a lavender coloured dress, with plaid scarf. A boy is bringing in a table with a cloth, cold meat, &c.Nigel.
Nothing from Lord Dalgarno? this suspense
Is worse than tedious. Did you give John Strappet
My note for him? (Sits down at the table.)
Boy.
My lord, I did.
Nigel.
Well then,
I shall not want you yet.
[Exit Boy.
Enter Bridget dressed in a tight, well laced boddice, a short red petticoat, with a slight edging of silver lace, and brightly blacked shoes, with buckles. She brings in a hand-box.
My gracious hostess,
What cumbers you?
Bridg.
The dress I've been to fetch
For you, my lord; what you're to wear to-morrow
I'th'masque the Duke of Buckingham's to give.
Nigel.
Oh, thank ye.
Bridg.
I should like to see it; (puts the box down and unties the cord round it.)
Sha'n't I
Just spread it out? 'twould do these trifles good
(A knock is heard at the street door.)
If they were air'd.
15
(rising to receive Heriot.)
No matter for the present.
Enter Heriot, whom Nigel takes by the hand.
Heriot.
(After taking off his cap, and respectfully acknowledging the salutation of Nigel.)
I fancy, dame, my lord can spare you, now.
Bridg.
(Retiring with spleen, from the band-box.)
Spare! that's a mighty fav'rite word i'th'city!
[Exit.
Nigel.
No help, I fear, good friend, with that hard loan
My lands are pledged for.
Her.
But I hear the lender
Is your sworn friend.
Nigel.
Skourlie, the scriv'ner sworn
My friend! 'twas he, that lent it.
Her.
You're deceiv'd:
He's but the nominal and formal party:
The lender,—start not,—is my Lord Dalgarno.
Nigel.
Impossible: 'tis he that undertakes
T'enforce my claim upon the king, for payment
Of debts which would redeem the land.
Her.
And therefore
Your claim is not enforced. He hungers too
After those forfeitures of your late kinsman
I'th'north, whereof you have besought the king
To make release to you.
Nigel.
A nobleman,
So frank and gay,—so base! I'll not believe it.
Her.
I've certain cause to know,—for I have channels
16
Already has possessed the Duke of Buckingham,
To your disparagement.
Nigel.
I'll give him thanks for 't.
Her.
We of the city seldom speak on hearsay;
But I much doubt him in yet blacker dealings.
Justice of late hath slung her sword so loose,
That felony scarce slurs a ruffling gallant:
One coronet, or two, have fused their gold
Into the pirates' fierce copartnery:
Nay, and ev'n inland, some, not low-born, ride
At night, with knife, lanthorn, and cloak, wherever
A fat pouch tempts the hazard.
Nigel.
Faith, the pardon
To Overbury's titled murderers,
Th'impunity wherewith, in Paul's church aisle,
Ruffians by trade ply, through broad day, for custom,
These are examples to relax opinion,
And lend brute force a warrant.
Her.
Hence, our courtiers
Laugh at such things for frolics. Pardon me,
If I beseech you that you be more wary,
Henceforth, of your allies. This time, I trust,
Your false friend's policy is foil'd; for see
What the king's justice sends.
(Produces the rubies from a casket.)
Nigel.
How! the crown jewels!
Her.
To raise upon them what may pay the debt
He owed your father, and redeem your lands.
Nigel.
My noble master! aye, and let me say
My gen'rous friend! Go with me to the close
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Who shall procure the loan.
Her.
Command my service.
'Twill lead you to foul quarters: to Whitefriars,
The den of thieves, and of the usurer, Trapbois;
But the king's drafts have drain'd my better channels:
The time is short; and, at whatever price,
The full six thousand must be had to-morrow.
Nigel.
(Inclining his head to Heriot, and then calling at the side scene.)
My cap and cloak! No page there? (To Heriot.)
Oh, I left
The cloak above.
Nigel goes up the staircase.
Her.
I will but send away
My niece, who waits for me upon her palfrey,
Yonder.
Nigel.
(As he ascends the staircase.)
I'm loath to part your company.
Her.
To-morrow will serve me: she shall go on
As she was promised, to the Park: our men
Will see her safe.
Nigel disappears at the head of the stairs, and Heriot is going off at the side scene: enter Bridget meeting him.
Bridg.
What did your lordship call for?
Her.
Where is his boy?
Bridg.
I know not: loit'ring somewhere.
Her.
That's pity! 'Twere more seemly that his servant
Wait on his call, than that his hostess come
So often to his chamber.
[Exit.
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Well, I'm sure!
Who should have thought of that? Keep your advice
For your own folk, old tinsmith! I've a husband
To lecture me, as wise, and very near
As old, as you are; and that's quite enough
For one young woman. (Her eye glances on the box.)
Were not this the time
To get my little peep? (Walks round the box: then takes out a domino, and a hat with a feather.)
How very pretty!
I've a month's mind to try how I should suit
This kind of rattletrap. (Puts on the hat: the plumes flap in her face.)
Feathers enough!
But, as for this, (putting on the domino,)
I can't make out the sleeve.
Oh! now its right!
During the latter part of this soliloquy, Nigel has descended the staircase, with his cap and cloak; and, coming on tiptoe down the stage, has been trying to get a side view of Bridget's face, which, however, fronting the audience, has throughout been averted from him.
Nigel.
What lovely visitor
Does me this honour?
Bridg.
(Not perceiving him, and still occupied in arranging the dress)
If there was a glass,
That one might know what's the effect of it!
Nigel.
(Coming close behind, and recognizing her)
Very becoming, dame, upon my word.
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(Screaming, and starting back, so as to fall into his open arms.)
Mercy upon me, how you made me jump!
Dear heart! I thought your lordship had been out.
During this alarm of Bridget, Strappet has entered, ushering in Heriot.
Strap.
Did you think I was out, too?
Bridg.
(Laughing.)
You're out, now!
Her.
My lord, I fear we come inopportunely.
Nigel.
Appearances are awkward; but you'll find
All simple.
Bridg.
Very.
Strap.
No, not all: you'll not
Find me so simple.
Nigel.
I was wrong, I own,
In peeping at a lady's toilet; but
She look'd so well (to Strappet)
—nay, now, I beg your pardon—
Good host, you won't be angry with poor Bridget
For looking well,—she can't help that, you know.
[Exit Nigel, taking Heriot by the arm.
Strap.
Just in the nick, I fancy.
Bridg.
Now you think
You have been near to have an honour done you,
Which was not dreamt of.
Strap.
Not so sure of that,
It jumps with what I've heard; for let me tell you,
Mistress, your name is rife with rakish lords,
That talk of pretty faces.
Bridg.
And what then?
Worse faces have been spoken of, I trow,
20
Because you're old and jealous.—I say, John,
Who was it told you of my pretty face?
Strap.
Such as could little judge, be sure of that.
Come, graceless madam, find some other haunt
Than this apartment.
Bridg.
Well, don't madam me!
I've done no harm.
Strap.
That's as may be: it looks
Cursedly like it.
Bridg.
What, you dont believe me?
Let my lord witness whether—
Strap.
A fine witness!
I fancy, when a husband is abroad,
The key's the only witness he should trust.
[Holding up the key.
Out of this room, I say!
Bridg.
Well, an't I coming?
Here's comfort for a woman! (Pointing to Strappet)
O you brute,
What have you ever done that could deserve
A wife like me?
Strap.
Ah, what, indeed?
Bridg.
But, sirrah!
There will be ways to pay you off; and if
I dont, and soon, saving my own good credit,
Say there's no spirit in woman.
[He approaches her, she screams.
Gah! dont lay
Your ord'n'ry paws on me!
[Exit.
Strap.
Bubble and squeak!
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To hear her squall, you'd think 'twas she had caught
Me in the arms of frailty. Spirit, indeed!
Good husband, if you'd scape unscratch'd, you'd better
Ev'n stray yourself, than find a fair wife straying:
The more her fault, more your offence to spy it:
No matter, though you saw with your own eyes,
She's wrong'd and you're a brute; whiz comes the storm,—
Rain, light'ning, thunder, bounce, blaze, pelt, slap, rattle—
And that is what the soft sex call,—a spirit!
[Exit.
| Nigel ; or, The Crown Jewels | |