 | The English Traveller |  |
Actus Tertius.
Scena Prima.
Enter old Master Geraldine, Y. Geraldine, Master Wincott, and Wife, Dalauill, Prudentilla.Winc.
We are bound to you, kind Master Geraldine,
For this great entertainement; Troath your cost
Hath much exceeded common neighbour-hood:
You haue feasted vs like Princes.
Old Ger.
This, and more
Many degrees, can neuer counteruaile
The oft and frequent welcomes giuen my sonne:
You haue tooke him from me quite, and haue I thinke,
Adopted him into your family,
He staies with me so seldome.
Win.
And in this,
By trusting him to me, of whom your selfe
As money'd men, that might make benefit
Of what they are possest, yet to their friends
In need, will lend it gratis.
Wife.
And like such,
As are indebted more then they can pay;
Wee more and more confesse our selues engaged
To you, for your forbearance.
Prud.
Yet you see,
Like Debtors, such as would not breake their day;
The Treasure late receiued, wee tender backe,
The which, the longer you can spare, you still
The more shall binde vs to you.
Old Ger.
Most kind Ladies,
Worthy you are to borrow, that returne
The Principall, with such large vse of thanks.
Dal.
What strange felicitie these Rich men take,
To talke of borrowing, lending, and of vse;
The vsurers language right.
Winc.
Y 'aue Master Geraldine,
Faire walkes and gardens, I haue praised them,
Both to my Wife and Sister.
Old Ger.
You would see them,
There 's no pleasure that the House can yeeld,
That can be debar'd from you; prethee Sonne,
Be thou the Vsher to those Mounts and Prospects
May one day call thee Master.
Y. Ger.
Sir I shall; Please you to walke.
Prud.
What Master Dalauill,
Will you not beare vs company.
Dal.
'Tis not fit
That wee should leaue our Noble host alone,
Be you my Friends charge, and this old man mine.
Prud.
Well, bee 't then at your pleasure.
Exeunt.
Manet Dalauill and Old Geraldine.
Dal.
You to your Prospects, but there 's proiect heere
That 's of another Nature; Worthy Sir,
I cannot but approue your happinesse,
To be the Father of so braue a Sonne,
So euery way accomplish't and made vp,
Beare but a meane part in the common quier,
When with much lowder accents of his praise,
So all the world reports him.
Old Ger.
Thanke my Starres,
They haue lent me one, who as he alwayes was.
And is my present ioy; If their aspect
Be no wayes to our goods Maleuolent,
May be my Future comfort.
Dal.
Yet must I hold him happie aboue others,
As one that Solie to himselfe inioyes
What many others aime at; But in vaine.
Old Ger.
How meane you that?
Dal.
So Beautifull a Mistresse.
Old Ger.
A Mistresse, said you?
Dal.
Yes Sir, or a Friend,
Whether you please to stile her.
Old Ger.
Mistresse? Friend?
Pray be more open languag'd.
Dal.
And indeed,
Who can blame him to absent himselfe from home,
And make his Fathers house but as a grange,
For a Beautie so Attractiue? Or blame her,
Huging so weake an old Man in her armes,
To make a new choice, of an equall youth,
Being in him so Perfect? yet introath,
I thinke they both are honest.
Old Ger.
You haue Sir,
Possest me with such strange fancies.
Dal.
For my part,
How can I loue the person of your Sonne,
And not his reputation? His repaire
So often to the House, is voyct by all,
And frequent in the mouthes of the whole Countrey,
Some equally addicted, praise his happinesse;
But others, more Censorious and Austere,
Blame and reprooue a course so disolute;
Each one in generall, pittie the good man,
As one vnfriendly dealt with, yet in my conscience,
I thinke them truely Honest.
Old Ger.
'Tis suspitious.
Dal.
True Sir, at best; But what when scandalous tongues
Sullie and staine by fabulous mis-report;
For let men liue as charie as they can,
Their liues are often questioned, Then no wonder,
If such as giue occasion of suspition,
Be subiect to this scandall: What I speake,
Is as a Noble Friend vnto your Sonne;
And therefore, as I glory in his Fame,
I suffer in his wrong; for as I liue,
I thinke, they both are honest.
Old Ger.
Howsoeuer, I wish them so.
Dal.
Some course might be deuis'd,
To stop this clamor ere it grow too wrancke;
Lest that which yet but inconuenience seemes,
May turne to greater mischiefe; This I speake
In Zeale to both, in soueraine care of him
As of a Friend; And tender of her Honour,
As one to whom I hope to be allyed,
By Marriage with her Sister.
Old Ger.
I much thanke you,
For you haue cleerely giuen me light of that,
Till now I neuer dreamt on.
Dal.
'Tis my Loue,
And therefore I intreat you, make not mee
To be the first reporter.
Old Ger.
You haue done
The office of a Noble Gentleman,
And shall not be so iniur'd.
Enter againe as from Walking Winc. Wife, Y. Ger. Prud.
Winc.
See Master Geraldine,
How bold wee are, especially these Ladies
Play little better then the theeues with you,
For they haue robb'd your Garden.
Wife.
You might Sir,
Better haue term'd it saucenes, then theft;
You see we blush not, what we tooke in priuate,
To weare in publicke view.
Prud.
Besides, these cannot
Be mist out of so many; In full fields,
The gleanings are allow'd.
These and the rest,
Are Ladies, at your seruice.
Winc.
Now to horse,
But one thing ere wee part, I must intreat;
In which my Wife will be ioynt suter with me,
My Sister too.
Old Ger.
In what I pray.
Winc.
That hee
Which brought vs hither, may but bring vs home;
Your much respected Sonne.
Old. Ger.
How men are borne,
To woe their owne disasters?
Wife.
But to see vs
From whence he brought vs Sir, that 's all.
Old Ger.
This second motion makes it Palpable:
To note a Womans cunning; Make her husband
Bawde to her owne laciuious appetite,
And to Solicite his owne shame.
Prud.
Nay Sir,
When all of vs ioyne in so small a suit,
It were some iniurie to be deni'd.
Old Ger.
And worke her Sister too; What will not woman
To accomplish her owne ends: But this disease,
Ile seeke to Phisicke ere it grow too farre:
I am most sorrie to be vrg'd sweet Friends,
In what at this time I can no wayes grant;
Most, that these Ladies should be ought deni'd,
To whom I owe all Seruice, but occasions
Of weighty and important conscequence,
Such as concerne the best of my Estate,
Call him aside; excuse vs both this once,
Presume this businesse is no sooner ouer,
But hee 's at his owne freedome.
Winc.
'Twere no manners
In vs to vrge it further, wee will leaue you,
With promise Sir, that he shall in my will,
Not be the last remembred.
Old. Ger.
Wee are bound to you;
See them to Horse, and instantly returne,
Wee haue Imployments for you.
Y. Ger.
Sir I shall.
Dal.
Remember your last promise.
Not to doo 't, I should forget my selfe:
If I finde him false
To such a friend, be sure he forfeits me;
In which to be more punctually resolu'd,
I haue a proiect how to fift his soule,
How 'tis enclin'd; whether to yonder place,
Enter Y. Geraldine.
The cleare bright Pallace, or blacke Dungeon: See,
They are onward on the way, and hee return'd.
Y. Ger.
I now attend your pleasure.
Old Ger.
You are growne perfect man, and now you float
Like to a well built Vessell; 'Tweene two Currents,
Vertue and Vice; Take this, you steere to harbour;
Take that, to eminent shipwracke.
Y. Ger.
Pray your meaning.
Old Ger.
What fathers cares are, you shall neuer know,
Till you your selfe haue children, Now my studdy,
Is how to make you such, that you in them
May haue a feeling of my loue to you.
Y. Ger.
Pray Sir expound your selfe; for I protest
Of all the Languages I yet haue learn'd,
This is to me most forraine.
Old Ger.
Then I shall;
I haue liued to see you in your prime of youth
And height of Fortune, so you will but take
Occasion by the forehead; to be briefe,
And cut off all superfluous circumstance,
All the ambition that I ayme at now,
Is but to see you married.
Y. Ger.
Married Sir.
Old. Ger.
And to that purpose, I haue found out one,
Whose Youth and Beauty may not onely please
A curious eye; But her immediate meanes,
Able to strengthen a state competent,
Or raise a ruined Fortune.
Y. Ger.
Of all which,
I haue beleeue me, neither need nor vse;
My competence best pleasing as it is;
And this my singularity of life,
Most to my mind contenting.
Old Ger.
I suspect, but yet must prooue him further;
Say to my care I adde a Fathers charge,
To that how can you answere?
Y. Ger.
That I hope:
My duty and obedience still vnblam'd,
Did neuer merit such austerity;
And from a father neuer yet displeas'd.
Old Ger.
Nay, then to come more neere vnto the point
Either you must resolue for present marriage,
Or forfeit all your interest in my loue.
Y. Ger.
Vn-say that language, I intreat you Sir.
And doe not so oppresse me; Or if needs
Your heauy imposition stand in force,
Resolue me by your counsell; With more safety
May I infringe a sacred vow to heauen,
Or to oppose me to your strict command?
Since one of these I must.
Old Ger.
Now Dalauill,
I finde thy words too true.
Y. Ger.
For marrie, Sir, I neither may, nor can.
Old Ger.
Yet whore you may;
And that 's no breach of any vow to Heauen:
Pollute the Nuptiall bed with Michall sinne;
Asperse the honour of a noble friend;
Forfeit thy reputation, here below.
And th'interest that thy Soule might claime aboue,
In yon blest City: These you may, and can,
With vntoucht conscience: Oh, that I should live
to see the hopes that I haue stor'd so long,
Thus in a moment ruin'd: And the staffe,
On which my old decrepite age should leane;
Before my face thus broken: On which trusting,
I thus abortiuely, before my time,
Fall headlong to my Graue.
Falls on the earth
Y. Ger.
It yet stands strong;
Both to support you vnto future life,
And fairer comfort.
Old Ger.
Neuer, neuer sonne:
For till thou canst acquit thy selfe of scandall,
And me of my suspition; Heere, euen heere,
Where I haue measur'd out my length of earth;
Y. Ger.
Both these I can:
Then rise Sir, I intreat you; And that innocency,
Which poyson'd by the breath of Calumnie, cast you thus low,
Shall, these few staines wipt off, with better thoughts erect you.
Old Ger.
Well, Say on.
Y. Ger.
There 's but one fire from which this smoake may grow;
Namely, the vnmatcht yoake of youth; And
In which, If euer I occasion was,
Of the smallest breach; The greatest implacable mischiefe
Adultery can threaten, fall on me;
Of you may I be disauow'd a sonne;
And vnto Heauen a seruant: For that Lady,
As she is Beauties mirror, so I hold her
For Chastities examples: From her tongue,
Neuer came language, that ariued my eare,
That euen censurious Cato, liu'd he now,
Could mis-interpret; Neuer from her lips,
Came vnchaste kisse; Or from her constant eye,
Looke sauouring of the least immodesty: Further—
Old Ger.
Enough; One onely thing remaines, which on thy part perform'd,
Assures firme credit to these thy protestations.
Y. Ger.
Name it then.
Old Ger.
Take hence th'occasion of this common fame;
Which hath already spread it selfe so farre,
To her dishonour and thy preiudice, From this day forward,
To forbeare the house: This doe vpon my blessing.
Y. Ger.
As I hope it, I will not faile your charge.
Old. Ger.
I am satisfied.
Exeunt.
Enter at one doore an Vsurer and his Man, at the other, Old Lionell with his seruant: In the midst Reignald.
Reig.
To which hand shall I turne me; Here 's my Master
Hath bin to enquire of him that sould the house,
Touching the murder; Here 's an Vsuring-Rascall,
Of whom we haue borrowed money to supply
Our prodigall expences; Broke our day,
And owe him still the Principall and Vse:
Were I to meet them single, I haue braine
To oppose both, and to come off vnscarr'd;
But if they doe assault me, and at once.
Not Hercules himselfe could stand that odds:
And to my Master first: Oh Sir, well met.
Old Lio.
What Reignald; I but now met with the man,
Of whom I bought yon house.
Reig.
What, did you Sir?
But did you speake of ought concerning that
Which I last told you?
Old Lio.
Yes, I told him all.
Reig.
Then am I cast: But I pray tell me Sir,
Did he confesse the murder?
Old Lio.
No such thing; Most stiffely he denies it.
Reig.
Impudent wretch; Then serue him with a warrant, let the Officer
Bring him before a Iustice, you shall heare
What I can say against him; Sfoot deni 't:
But I pray Sir excuse me, yonder 's one
With whom I haue some businesse; Stay you here,
And but determine what 's best course to take,
And note how I will follow 't.
Old Lio.
Be briefe then.
Reig.
Now, If I can aswell put off my Vse-man,
This day, I shall be master of the field.
Vsu.
That should be Lionells man.
Man.
The same, I know him.
Vsu.
After so many friuolous delaies,
There 's now some hope. He that was wont to shun vs,
And to absent himselfe, accoasts vs freely;
And with a pleasant countenance: Well met Reignald,
What 's this money ready?
Reig.
Neuer could you
Haue come in better time.
Vsu.
Where 's your master, yong Lionell, it something troubles me,
That hee should breake his day.
Reig.
A word in priuate,
Vsu.
Tush, Priuate me no priuates, in a word,
Speake, are my moneys ready?
Reig.
Not so loud.
Vsu.
I will be louder yet; Giue me my moneys,
Come, tender me my moneys.
Reig.
We know you haue a throat, wide as your conscience;
You need not vse it now—Come, get you home.
Vsu.
Home?
Yes, home I say, returne by three a Clocke.
And I will see all cancell'd.
Vsu.
'Tis now past two, and I can stay till three,
Ile make that now my businesse, otherwayes.
With these lowd clamors, I will haunt thee still;
Giue me my Vse, giue me my Principall.
Reig.
This burre will still cleaue to me; what, no meanes
To shake him off; I neere was caught till now:
Come come, y' are troublesome.
Vsu.
Preuent that trouble,
And without trifling, pay me downe my cash;
I will be fool'd no longer.
Reig.
So so so.
Vsu.
I haue beene still put off, from time to time,
And day to day; these are but cheating tricks,
And this is the last minute ile forbeare
Thee, or thy Master: Once againe, I say,
Giue me my Vse, giue me my Principall.
Reig.
Pox a this vse, that hath vndone so many:
And now will confound mee.
Old Lio.
Hast thou heard this?
Ser.
Yes Sir, and to my griefe.
Old Lio.
Come hither Reignald.
Reig.
Heere Sir; Nay, now I am gone.
Old Lio.
What vse is this?
What Principall hee talkes of? in which language
Hee names my Sonne; And thus vpbraideth thee,
What is 't you owe this man?
Reig.
A trifle Sir,
Pray stop his mouth; And pay 't him.
Old Lio.
I pay, what?
Reig.
If I say pay 't him; Pay 't him.
Old Lio.
What 's the Summe?
Reig.
A toy, the maine about fiue hundred pounds;
And the vse fiftie.
Old Lio.
Call you that a toy?
To what vse was it borrowed? At my departure,
I left my Sonne sufficient in his charge,
With surplus, to defray a large expence,
Without this neede of borrowing.
'Tis confest,
Yet stop his clamorous mouth; And onely say,
That you will pay 't to morrow.
Old Lio.
I passe my word.
Reig.
Sir, if I bid you doo 't, Nay, no more words,
But say you'le pay 't to morrow.
Old Lio.
Ieast indeed, but tell me how these moneys were bestowed?
Reig.
Safe Sir, I warrant you.
Old Lio.
The Summe still safe,
Why doe you not then tender it your selues?
Reig.
Your eare sir; This summe ioyn'd to the rest,
Your Sonne hath purchast Land and Houses.
Old Lio.
Land, do'st thou say?
Reig.
A goodly House, and Gardens.
Old Lio.
Now ioy on him,
That whil'st his Father Merchandis'd abroad,
Had care to adde to his estate at home:
But Reignald, wherefore Houses?
Reig.
Now Lord Sir,
How dull you are; This house possest with spirits,
And there no longer stay; Would you haue had
Him, vs, and all your other family,
To liue, and lie ith' streets; It had not Sir,
Beene for your reputation.
Old Lio.
Blessing on him,
That he is growne so thiftie.
Vsu.
'Tis strooke three,
My money 's not yet tender'd.
Reig.
Pox vpon him,
See him discharged, I pray Sir.
Old Lio.
Call vpon me
To morrow Friend, as early as thou wilt;
Ile see thy debt defraid.
Vsu.
It is enough, I haue a true mans word.
Exit. Vsurer and man
Old Lio.
Now tell me Reignald,
For thou hast made me proud of my Sonnes thrift;
Where, in what Countrey, doth this faire House stand.
Reig.
Neuer in all my time, so much to seeke;
I know not what to answere.
Old Lio.
Wherefore studdiest thou?
And know not where they lie?
Reig.
'Tis not for that;
I onely had forgot his name that sould them,
'Twas let me see, see.
Old Lio.
Call thy selfe to minde.
Reig.
Non-plust or neuer now; Where art thou braine?
O Sir, where was my memory; 'Tis this house
That next adioynes to yours,
Old Lio.
My Neighbour Ricots.
Reig.
The same, the same Sir; Wee had peniworths in 't;
And I can tell you, haue beene offer'd well
Since, to forsake our bargaine.
Old Lio.
As I liue,
I much commend your choice.
Reig.
Nay, 'tis well seated,
Rough-cast without, but brauely lined within;
You haue met with few such bargaines.
Old Lio.
Prethee knocke,
And call the Master, or the seruant on 't;
To let me take free view on 't.
Reig.
Puzzle againe on Puzzle; One word Sir,
The House is full of Women, no man knowes,
How on the instant, they may be imploy'd;
The Roomes may lie vnhansome; and Maids stand
Much on their cleanlinesse and huswiferie;
To take them vnprouided, were disgrace,
'Twere fit they had some warning; Now, doe you
Fetch but a warrant, from the Iustice Sir;
You vnderstand mee.
Old Lio.
Yes, I doe.
Reig.
To attach him of suspected murder; Ile see 't seru'd;
Did he deny 't? And in the intrim, I
Will giue them notice, you are now ariu'd,
And long to see your purchase.
Old Lio.
Councell'd well; And meet some halfe houre hence.
Reig.
This plunge well past,
All things fall euen, to Crowne my Braine at last.
Exeunt.
Enter Dalauill and a Gentleman.
Gent.
Where shall we dine to day?
Dal.
At th'Ordinarie.
I see Sir, you are but a stranger heere;
And commonly vpon the Market dayes,
Heere all the Countrey Gentlemen Appoint,
A friendly meeting; Some about affaires
Of Consequence and Profit; Bargaine, Sale,
And to conferre with Chap-men, some for pleasure,
To match their Horses; Wager in their Dogs,
Or trie their Hawkes; Some to no other end,
But onely meet good Company, discourse,
Dine, drinke, and spend their Money.
Enter Old Geraldine and Yong Geraldine.
Gent.
That 's the Market, Wee haue to make this day.
Dal.
'Tis a Commoditie, that will be easily vented:
What my worthy Friend,
You are happily encounter'd; Oh, y' are growne strange,
To one that much respects you; Troath the House
Hath all this time seem'd naked without you;
The good Old Man doth neuer sit to meat,
But next his giuing Thankes, hee speakes of you;
There 's scarce a bit, that he at Table tastes,
That can digest without a Geraldine,
You are in his mouth so frequent: Hee and Shee
Both wondering, what distaste from one, or either,
So suddenly, should alianate a Guest,
To them, so deerely welcome.
Old Ger.
Master Dalauill,
Thus much let me for him Apoligie;
Diuers designes haue throng'd vpon vs late,
My weakenesse was not able to support
Without his helpe; He hath bin much abroad,
At London, or else where; Besides 'tis Terme;
And Lawyers must be followed, seldome at home,
And scarcely then at leasure.
Dal.
I am satisfied,
And I would they were so too, but I hope Sir,
In this restraint, you haue not vs'd my name.
Old Ger.
Not, as I liue.
Dal.
Y' are Noble—Who had thought
To haue met with such good Company; Y' are it seeme
But new alighted; Father and Sonne, ere part,
Phisicians say, It doth prepare the appetite
And stomacke against dinner.
Old Ger.
Wee old men,
Are apt to take these courtesies.
Dal.
What say you Friend?
Y. Ger.
Ile but enquire for one, at the next Inne,
And instantly returne.
Dal.
'Tis enough.
Exit.
Enter Besse meeting Y. Geraldine.
Y. Ger.
Besse: How do'st thou Girle?
Bess.
Faith we may doe how we lift for you, you are growne so
Great a stranger: We are more beholding
To Master Dalauill, Hee 's a constant Guest:
And howsoere to some, that shall bee namelesse,
His presence may be gracefull; Yet to others—
I could say somewhat.
Y. Ger.
Hee 's a noble fellow,
And my choice friend.
Bess.
Come come, he is, what he is; and that the end will prooue.
Y. Ger.
And how 's all at home?
Nay, weele not part without a glasse of wine,
And meet so seldome: Boy,
Enter Drawer.
Drawer.
Anon, anon Sir.
Y. Ger.
A Pint of Clarret, quickly.
Exit Drawer.
Nay, sit downe: The newes, the newes, I pray thee;
I am sure, I haue beene much enquir'd of
Thy old Master, and thy young Mistris too.
Bess.
Euer your name is in my Masters mouth, and sometimes too
In hers, when she hath nothing else to thinke of:
Well well, I could say somewhat.
Enter Drawer.
Drawer.
Heere 's your wine Sir.
Exit.
Y. Ger.
Fill Boy: Here Besse, this glasse to both their healths:
Why do'st weepe my wench?
Bess.
Nay, nothing Sir.
Y. Ger.
Come, I must know.
Bess.
Introath I loue you Sir,
And euer wisht you well; You are a Gentleman,
Whom alwayes I respected; Know the passages
And priuate whisperings, of the secret loue
Betwixt you and my Mistris; I dare sweare,
On your part well intended: But—
Y. Ger.
But what?
Bess.
You beare the name of Land-lord, but another
But another he beares away the substance.
Y. Ger.
Bee more plaine.
Bess.
You hope to inioy a vertuous widdow-hood;
But Dalauill, whom you esteeme your friend,
Hee keepes the wife in common.
Y. Ger.
Y' are too blame,
And Besse, you make me angry; Hee 's my friend,
And she my second selfe; In all their meetings,
I neuer saw so much as cast of eye
Once entertain'd betwixt them.
Bess.
That 's their cunning.
Y. Ger.
For her; I haue beene with her at all houres,
Both late and early; In her bed-chamber.
And often singly vsher'd her abroad:
Now, would she haue bin any mans aliue,
Shee had bin mine; You wrong a worthy Friend,
And a chaste Mistris, y' are not a good Girle;
Drinke that speake better of her, I could chide you,
But I'le forbeare; What you haue rashly spoke,
Shall euer heere be buried.
Bess.
I am sorry my freenesse should offend you,
But yet know, I am her Chamber-maid.
Y. Ger.
Play now the Market-maid,
And prethee bout thy businesse.
Bess.
Well, I shall—that man should be so fool'd.
Exit.
Y. Ger.
Shee a Prostitute?
Nay, and to him my troath plight, and my Friend;
As possible it is, that Heauen and Earth
Should be in loue together, meet and kisse,
And so cut off all distance: What strange frensie
Came in this wenches braine, so to surmise?
Were she so base? his noblenesse is such,
He would not entertaine it for my sake:
Or he so bent? His hot and lust burnt appetite
Would be soone quencht, at the meere contemplation
Of her most Pious and Religious life.
The Girle was much too blame; Perhaps her Mistris
Hath stirr'd her anger, by some word or blow,
Which she would thus revenge; Not apprehending
Or else some one that enuies her rare vertue,
Might hire her thus to brand it; Or, who knowes
But the yong wench may fixe a thought on me;
And to diuert me from her Mistris loue,
May raise this false aspersion? howsoeuer,
Enter Clo. with a letter.
My thoughts on these two columnes fixed are,
She 's good as fresh, and purely chaste as faire.
Clo.
Oh Sir, you are the Needle, and if the whole County of Middlesex
had bin turn'd to a meere Bottle of Hay, I had bin inioyn'd to
haue found you out, or neuer more return'd backe to my old Master:
There 's a Letter Sir.
Y. Ger.
I know the hand that superscrib'd it well;
Stay but till I peruse it, and from me
Thou shalt returne an answere.
Clo.
I shall Sir: This is Market-day, and heere acquaintance commonly
meet; and whom haue I encounter'd? my gossip Pint-pot,
and brim full; nay, I meane to drinke with you before I part, and how
doth all your worshipfull kindred? your sister Quart, your pater-
Pottle, (who was euer a Gentlemans fellow) and your old grandsier
Gallon; they cannot chuse but be all in health, since so many healthes
haue beene drunke out of them: I could wish them all heere, and in
no worse state then I see you are in at this present; howsoeuer gossip,
since I haue met you hand to hand, I'le make bould to drinke to
you—Nay, either you must pledge me, or get one to doo 't for you;
Doe you open your mouth towards me? well, I know what you would
say; Heere Roger, to your Master and Mistris, and all our good
friends at home; gramercy gossip, if I should not pledge thee, I were
worthy to be turn'd out to Grasse, and stand no more at Liuery: And
now in requitall of this courtesie I'le begin one health to you and all
your society in the Celler, to Peter Pipe, Harry Hogshead, Bartholomew
Butt, and little master Randall Rundlet, to Timothy Taster, and
all your other great and small friends.
Y. Ger.
Hee writes me heere,
That at my discontinuance hee's much grieu'd,
Desiring me, as I haue euer tender'd
Or him or his, to giue him satisfaction
Touching my discontent; and that in person,
By any priuate meeting.
Clo.
I Sir, 'tis very true; The Letter speakes no more
Y. Ger.
Thou art then of his councell?
Clo.
His Priuy and please you.
Y. Ger.
Though neere so strict hath bin my fathers charge,
A little I'le dispense with 't, for his loue;
Commend me to thy Master, tell him from me,
On Munday night (then will my leasure serue)
I will by Heauens assistance visit him.
Clo.
On Munday Sir:
That 's as I remember, iust the day before Tuesday.
Y. Ger.
But 'twill be midnight first, at which late houre,
Please him to let the Garden doore stand ope,
At that I'le enter; But conditionally,
That neither Wife, Friend, Seruant, no third soule
Saue him, and thee to whom he trusts this message,
Know of my comming in, or passing out:
When, tell him, I will fully satisfie him
Concerning my forct absence.
Clo.
I am something obliuious; Your message would bee the truelier
deliuered if it were set downe in blacke and white.
Y. Ger.
I'le call for Pen and Incke,
And instantly dispatch it.
Exeunt.
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