 | The Chances |  |
Scæna prima.
Enter Duke, Petruchio, Fredrick, and Iohn.Pet.
Now to Bollonia, my most honoured brother,
I dare pronounce ye a hearty, and safe welcome,
Our loves shall now way-lay ye; welcome Gentlemen.
Iohn.
The same to you brave Sir; Don Fredrick
Will ye step in, and give the Lady notice
Who comes to honour her?
Pet.
Bid her be suddain,
We come to see no curious wench: a night-gowne
Will serve the turne: here's one that knowes her neerer.
Fred.
I'le tell her what ye say Sir.
Ex. Fred.
Duke.
My deare brother,
Ye are a merry Gentleman.
Pet.
Now will the sport be
To observe her alterations; how like wildfire
She'll leap into your bosome; then seeing me,
Her conscience, and her feares creeping upon her
Dead as a fowle at souse, she'll sinke.
Duke.
Faire brother,
I must entreat you—
Pet.
I conceive your mind Sir,
I will not chide her: yet ten duckets Duke,
She falls upon he knees, ten more she dare not—
Duke.
I must not have her frighted.
Pet.
Well you shall not:
Enter Fred. and Peter.
But like a summers evening against heate,
Marke how I'le guild her cheekes?
Iohn.
How now.
Fred.
Ye may Sir:
Not to abuse your patience, noble friends,
Nor hold ye off with tedious circumstance,
For you must know,—
Petr.
What?
Duke.
Where is she?
Fred.
Gone Sir.
Duke.
How?
Petr.
What did you say Sir?
Fred.
Gone, by heaven removed,
The woman of the house too.
Iohn.
Well Don Fredrick.
Fred.
Don Iohn, it is not well, but—
Pet.
Gone?
Fred.
This fellow
Can testifie I lye not.
Peter.
Some foure houres after
My Master was departed with this Gentleman,
My fellow and my selfe, being sent of businesse,
(As we must thinke) of purpose—
Petr.
Hang these circumstances,
They appeare like owles, to ill ends.
Iohn.
Now could I eate
The devil in his own broath, I am so tortur'd.
Gone?
Petr.
Gone?
Fred.
Directly gone, fled, shifted: what would you have me say?
Duke.
Well Gentlemen,
Wrong not my good opinion.
Fred.
For your Dukedome
I will not be a knave Sir.
Iohn.
He that is
A rot run in his bloud.
Petr.
But harke ye Gentlemen,
Are ye sure ye had her here, did ye not dreame this.
Iohn.
Have you your nose Sir?
Petr.
Yes Sir.
Iohn.
Then we had her.
Petr.
Since you are so short, beleeve your having her
Shall suffer more construction.
Iohn.
Let it suffer,
But if I be not cleere of all dishonour,
Or practice that may taint my reputation,
And ignorant of where this woman is,
Make me your Cities monster.
Duke.
I beleeve ye.
John.
I could lye with a witch now, to be reveng'd
Upon that Rascall did this.
Fred.
Only thus much
I would desire your Grace, for my minde gives me
Before night yet she is yours: stop all opinion,
And let no anger out, till full cause call it,
Then every mans owne work's to justifie him,
And this day let us give to search: my man here
Tels me, by chance he saw out of a window
(Which place he has taken note of) such a face
As our old Landladies, he beleeves the same too,
And by her hood assures it: Let's first thether,
For she being found, all's ended.
Duke.
Come, for heavens sake,
And Fortune, and thou beest not ever turning,
If there be one firme step in all thy reelings,
Now settle it, and save my hopes: away friends.
Exeunt.
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