University of Virginia Library

SCENE I.

A road or highway near Feversham.
Black Will and Shakebag.
Shake.

Damnation! posted as you were, to let
him 'scape!

B. Will.

I pray thee, peace.

Shake.

Green and I beheld him pass carelesly by
within reach of your dagger. If you had held it
but naked in your hand, he wou'd have stabbed
himself as he walk'd.

B. Will.

I had not power to do it: a sudden
damp came over me;—I never felt so in my life—
A kind of palsy seized me.

Shake.

Palsy! when you're upon your duty!
Go, go and sleep, or drink away your fears. You
tremble still.—

B. Will.

I tremble! my courage was never yet
call'd in question, villain. When I fought at
Boulogne under the late king, both armies knew,
and fear'd me.

Shake.

That might be, because they did not
know you. Dog, I'll shake you off to your old
trade of filching in a throng—Murder's too genteel
a business for your capacity.—Sirrah, I have taken

more gold at noon-day, than ever you filch'd copper
by candlelight.

B. Will.

Cowardly slave, you lye.

Shake.

A coward! S'blood! that shall be proved.
Come on.

B. Will.

To thy heart's blood.

Shake.

To thine.

[They fight.
Enter Green.
Gr.

What! are you mad! For shame put up
your swords.

Shake.
Not till I've had his life.

B. Will.
Fool, guard thy own.

Gr.
Pray hear me, gentlemen.

B. Will.
Stand farther off.

Shake.
Away.

Gr.
This broil will ruin all.

Shake.
He begun it.

B. Will.
Ay, and will end it too.

Gr.
Arden, you know, returns, and will you let him
Escape a second time?

Shake.
Who did the first?

Gr.
No matter, that may be repair'd.

B. Will.
Brand me with cowardice!

Gr.
Come, come, you're both to blame.
Speak, will you lay aside this senseless broil?

B. Will.
Nay, let him speak.

Shake.
Why, rather than lose this opportunity—

[Puts up his sword.
B. Will.
Ay—We'll defer it 'till Arden's dead.
I'm for doing business first, and then for play—

Shake.
Challenge me when thou darest.

Gr.
The night draws on. Are you resolv'd?

Shake.
We are.

Gr.
Enough.—See where he comes. I must withdraw;
But when you've done the deed, and sent his soul—
No matter where—I'll come to you again.
[Exit Green.

B. Will.

Something rises in my throat—I can
scarce breathe—I'd rather poison half a dozen cardinals,
than kill this honest man, but—I'll do't,
for my reputation.

Shake.

He comes. Retire a little. Let him
advance, then bury your dagger in his heart. If
you fail, I'll second you.

B. Will.

Stand further off, I shall not need your
aid.

Shake.

Now strike—

Enter Arden first, and then Lord Cheyney attended.
B. Will.

Again prevented! Ten thousand devils
take them all!

L. Chey.
Arden, well met. You're to the isle of Shippey
Grown quite a stranger. Shall we see you there?

Ard.
I purpos'd soon t'have waited on your lordship.

L. Chey.
Well, will you sup with me to night at Shorlow?

Ard.
Franklin, my lord, who is my guest at present,
Expects me at my house.

L. Chey.
Then will you dine with me tomorrow?

Ard.
I'll not fail your lordship.

L. Chey.
Believe me, worthy friend, I'm glad to see you.
Walk you towards Feversham?

Ard.
So please your lordship.

[Exeunt Lord Cheyney, and Arden.
B. Will.

Just as I'd taken aim too!—S'blood I
cou'd kill myself for vexation.

Enter Green.
Gr.
Well, Arden is at last dispatch'd?

Shake.
Yes, safe to Feversham.

Gr.
Safe, say you! his good fortune mocks us all.
These strange escapes have almost stagger'd me;
But thinking of my wrongs, I'm more confirm'd.

B. Will.

Well said, my man of resolution! A
gentleman commits a murder with double the satisfaction
for such a heart.—We must lay our snares
more cunning for the future.

Gr.
We shou'd consult with Michael, Arden's man—
The pigmy-hearted wretch, though long ago
He swore his master dead, acts with reluctance.

Shake.

The coward must be spurr'd.—He does
it, or he dies.

Gr.
I wonder at his absence, as he knew
Of this attempt, and promis'd to be here.

Enter Michael.
Mich.
I saw my master and lord Cheyney pass,
And my heart leap'd for joy.

[Apart.
B. Will.
What says the villain?

Mich.
Would I were gone. [Aside.]
Sir, if I give offence—

[Going.
Gr.
Michael, come back; you must not leave us so.

Mich.
What is your pleasure?

Gr.
Why, we understand
You are in love with Mosby's beauteous sister.

Mich.
Suppose I am.

B. Will.

You deal too mildly with the peasant.
You swore to kill your master, villain. Be an
honest man of your word, and do't then, white
liver.

Mich.

Sir, I repented.

B. Will.

Repented! what's that? Dog, know
your rank, and act as we command, or your heart's
blood—

Mich.

What must I do?

[Frighted.
B. Will.

Do! you must shew us the house,
appoint the time and place, and lure your master
thither—We'll take care of him without your
trouble.

Gr.
So shall you purchase noble Mosby's friendship,
And, by his friendship, gain his sister's love.

Mich.
They'll murder me too, shou'd I not comply—

[Aside.
Gr.
Think on your love, your interest.

B. Will.
Or your death.

Mich.
To night, soon as the abbey-clock strikes ten,
[Trembling.
Come to his house: I'll leave the doors unbarr'd:
The left-hand stairs lead to my master's chamber;
There take him, and dispose him as you please.

Gr.
This cannot fail.

Shake.
Unless this love-sick coward thinks to deceive us.

Mich.
I will not, by heaven!

B. Will.
I believe thee; for by hell thou darest not.

[Exeunt.
Mich.
Master, thy constant love and daily bounty
Deserve more grateful offices from Michael.

[Exit weeping.