University of Virginia Library

SCENE. 4.

Trincalo. Cricca.
Trin.
O what a businesse 'tis to be transform'd!
My master talks of four and twenty houres,
But if I misse these Flags of Yeomanry,
Guild in the seat, and shine in the bloom of Gentry,
Tis not their Strologie, nor Sacrifice,
Shall force me cast that coat. Ile never part with't
Till I be Shriefe of th'County, and in commission
Of Peace and Quorum. Then will I get m'a Clarke,
A practiz'd fellow, wiser then my Worship.
And dominere amongst my fearefull neighbours,
And feast them bountifully with their own bribes.

Cri.
Trincalo!

Tri.
'Tweare a gold chaine at every quarter Sessions,
Looke big, and grave, and speak not one wise word.

Cri.
Trincalo!

Tri.
Examine wenches got with child, and curiously
Search all the circumstances: have blank Mittimusses
Printed in readinesse; breath nought but Sirra,
Rogue, ha? how? hum? Constable looke to your charge.
Then vouch a Statute and a Latine Sentence,
Wide from the matter.

Cri.
Trincalo.

Tri.
License all Alehouses,
Match my Son Transformation t'a Knights daughter,
And buy a bouncing Pedigree of a welch Herald: and then—

Cri.
What in such serious meditations?

Tri.
Faith no; but building Castles in the Ayre,
While th'weathers fit: O Cricca, such a businesse!

Cri.
What is't?

Tri.
Nay soft, th'are secrets to my master;
Lock'd in my brest: he has the key at's purse strings.

Cri.
My masters secret? keep it good Farmer, keep it,
I would not lend an eare to't if thou didst hire me. Fare-well.

Tri.
O how it boyles and swels: if I keep't longer,
'Twill grow t'impostume in my brest, and choake me, Cricca.

Cri.
Adieu good Trincalo, the secrets of our betters
Are dangerous, I dare not know't.

Tri.
But hear'st thou,
Say I should tell, canst keep't as close as I doe?

Cri.
Yes: but I had rather want it. Adieu.

Tri.
Albumazar.

Cri.
Fare-well.

Tri.
Albumazar.

Cri.
Pre'thee

Tr.
Albumazar,
Th'Astrologer hath undertooke to change me
T'Antonio's shape: this done, must I give Flauia
To my old master, and his maid to Trincalo.

Cri.
But where's Pandolfo and Albumazar?

Tri.
Gone newly home to choose a chamber fitting
For transmutation: So now my heart's at ease.

Cri.
I feare the skill and cunning of Albumazar
With his black Art, by whom Pandolfo seekes
To compasse Flavia, spight of her brother Lelio,
And his owne Son Eugenio that loves her dearely,
I'le loose no time, but finde them and reveale
The plot and work to crosse this accident.
But Trincalo, art thou so rash and ventrous
To be transform'd with hazard of thy life?

Tri.
What care I for a life, that have a Lease
For three: But I am certain there's no danger in't.

Cric.
No danger, cut thy finger and that pains thee;
Then what wilt do to shred and mince thy carkasse,
Bury't in horse-dung, mould it new, and turn it
T'Antonio: and when th'art chang'd, if Lelio
Smell out your plot, what words of punishment
Thou must endure, poore Trincalo! the desire
Of gains abuses thee: be not transform'd.

Trin.
Cricca, thou understand est not: for Antonio
Whom I resemble, suffers all: not I.

Cri.
Yonder they come, ile hence and haste to Lelio.