University of Virginia Library

SCEN. 4.

Enter Pysander, two or three with him.
Pys.
So that work's now finish'd.
Let all the guns be brought into the Hall,
'Tis to defend the good old Lady
From the rudenesse of Rogues; 'twill be easie work.

1.
Yes, yes, wee'l tickle them.

2.
I'le sweep 'em with my father's old Fouling-piece.

Pys.
Bravely resolved; but perhaps
There may be yet no need on't, however
'Tis wisest to resolve against all dangers.
Well, my good Lads, be in a readinesse, if any come,
Wee'l ring 'em a peal shall make 'em forswear
Such Holi-daies: they all die rather than wrong
Sir Percivall's widow, Now all unto your places.

1., 2.
Agreed, agreed.

Pys.
Now could I hug my genius, that through all
Has brought me to this harbour; and yet to think
If we should scape, what my engagements are,
Imprimis—To marry this old Lady Cow,
And play at Blindman-buff, 'tis as good lying
With Bulrushes or penny Faggots; she's mortality
Beyond a Death's head and Memento;
And yet she bridles as if she were but now
To be new-back'd and ridden; I have heard
Of a dead body that has long been so,
And yet retain its form, but when once toucht
Crumbles to dust; for ought I know she may do so too,
And I be hang'd for embracing Mummie.
But certainly I shall touch her gently,
For 'tis a remedy to see her drest
Against all carnall thoughts, beyond bathing
In Rivers in a frosty night.
She follows me, and asks a thousand questions
Among the rest
Enquired what I was making at the gate?
I answered her, a Curtain: then she mumpt,
And ask'd, If 'twere not for her wedding-bed.
She made the truest Hieroglyphick
That ever blind Ægyptian hit upon,
For 'twas of earth, and I most fairly hope
'Twill be her wedding-bed; bar death,
The devill cannot find another Rivall.

Enter Mironault
Mir.
Pysander come, we must to action.

Pys.
As how and how?

Mir.
Phylanter's here hard by already,
And without doubt knows we are lodg'd.

Pys.
Why—then—he'l knock us, or we shall knock him.

Mir.
It's worth no greater care, my brave Pysander.
Fortune and you have done your part,
To give us something to employ your valours,
They now shall buy us bravely.

Pys.
Nay, I'le not sell my self at any rate,
I begin to have a wondrous value
Of this small composure of Pysander, if you mark it
'Tis very lucky to see an old blind Lady
—should fall in love with't,
One that runs her nose against posts.
But come, Sir, since these Lads will never leave us,
Let's in and provide for them, they may have
A better welcome than they dreamt of,
Unlesse Gunpowder lay last under their pillows.

Mir.
They shall hear us—
In lowder language then they do expect.
The gods but lent us life, and we still pay
Them interest, as casualties and sicknesse;
Death is the Principall, which when we restore,
We owe the world and gods no more.

[Exit.
Pys.
Why, its exceeding well; we shall be all
Clean out of debt in t'other world then;
Our Creditors are strangers there, so are they here
To me, I'me sure; and in the other world
If I should want, and thither must,
There's store of faith, and I'le take up on trust.

[Exit.