University of Virginia Library

Scene. 1.

Meanwell. Rashly. Winlosse. Host.
Mea.
Now my good Host, since you have been our friend
And onely councel keeper in our absence,
To you, before we visit our own houses
We'le render a relation of our journey,
And what the motive was that drew us forth.
'Tis true, we did pretend a deadly quarrel
At a great bowling match upon Black-heath;
Went off; took horse; and several wayes, forecast
To meet at Dover, where we met good friends,
And in one Barque past over into France:
Here 'twas suppos'd to fight, like fashion followers
That thither flie, as if no sand but theirs
Could dry up English blood.

Host.
Now, by the way,
Suppose that supposition had been true,
And the supposed deaths of you, and you
Had mov'd your sons to combate in earnest,
And both been kil'd indeed, as you in jest,
Where had been then your witty subtilty,
My noble Meanwell, and my brave Rashly?
Ha! have I twight ye there?

Rash.
Thou keepst thy humor still my running Host.

Host.
My humor was, nor is, nor must be lost:
But, to the question, was it wisely done,
When each of you might so have lost a son?

Rash.

Host.
Nor yet, nor yet;
Best wits may have bad memories; I forget.

Win.
It is my part to speak. Mine Host, y'have known me,
My name is Winloss; a poor Gentleman,
Yet richer, by my liberty, then I was
For six years space, till these good Gentlemen
In charity redeem'd me.

Host.
Master Winloss!
I thought I could as soon forgot my Chriss-Cross,
Yet (pardon me) you have been six years gone,
And all of them in prison saving one,
In Dunkerk as I weene.

Win.
It is most true;
And that from thence these Gentlemen redeem'd me
At their own charge, by paying five hundred pound,
Which was my Ransom.

Host.
'Tis a rare example.

Win.
Worthy brass tables, and a pen of steel.

Mea.
No more good neighbour Winloss. What we did
Was to discharge our conscience of a burden
Got (and 'twas all we got) by your undoing,
In a sad suit at Law.

Host.
I do remember;
And, without ruine I'le tell you, That sad cause,
In which you join'd against him, overthrew him
And all his Family: But this worthy act
Of yours in his enlargement, crowns your piety,
And puts him in a way of better Fortune,
Then his first tottering estate could promise.

Rash.
Shut up that point. You have heard no ill, you say,
Among our sons and daughters in our absence.

Host.
Not any Sir at all. But, Mr. Winloss,
You that have past so many sorrows, can
(I make no doubt) here one with manly patience.

Win.
Tis of my daughter Phillis! Is she dead?

Host.
Tis well and't be no worse with her: I fear
She's gone the tother way of all flesh, do you hear?

Rash.
Why dost thou tell him this?

Host.
To have him right
His daughters wrong upon that wicked beast
That has seduc'd her.

Rash.
Who is't? canst thou tell?

Host.
Even the Ranck-rider of the town, Sir, one
Master Nathaniel Banelasse, if you know him.

Mea.
He has my sons acquaintance.

Rash.
And mine's too.

Host.
You may be proud on't, if they scape his doctrine.

Win.
But does he keep my daughter to his lust?

Host.
No, Sir, tis worse then so. He has cast her off
To the common, as tis fear'd.

Win.
O wretchedness!

Rash.
How cam'st thou by this knowledge.

Host.
Sir, Ile tell you.
I have, i'th'house, a guest, was once your man,
And serv'd your son, since you went ore I'm sure on't,
Though now he has got a young spark to his Master,
That has a brace of gueldings in my stable;
And lusty ones they are. That's by the way.

Rash.
But to the point, I pray thee.

Host.
Sir, the young gallant is abroad, the man
Scults closs i'th'house here, and has done these two dayes
Spending his time with me in drink and talk.
Most of his talk runs upon wenches mainly;
And who loves who, and who keeps home, and so forth;
And he told me the tale that I tell you
Twixt Banelasse and your done and undone daughter.

Enter Rafe.
Ra.
Mine host—cry mercy Gentlemen—

Mea.
Nay, nay, come on.

Host.
I told you he was very shy to be seen.

Ra.
My old master alive again? and he that he kil'd too?

Mea.
Whom do you serve? was I so ill a master,
That, in my absence, you forsook my children?
Or how have they misus'd you? Why dost look
So like an apprehended thief? I fear
Thou serv'st some robber, or some murderer,
Or art become thy self one. If the Devil
Have so possess'd thee, strive to turn him out:
Ile add my prayers to help thee. Whats the matter?

Ra.
O honor'd master! Ile keep nothing from you.
There is an act of horror now on foot,
Upon revenge of your supposed murder,
Of which to stand and tell the circumstance,
Would wast the time and hinder the prevention
Of your sons murder, and your daughters ruin.

All.
O fearful!

Ra.
Let not your amazement drown
Your reason in delay; your sudden hast
Was never so requir'd as now. Stay not
To ask my why, or whither. As ye go
I shall inform ye.

Rash.
Go, we follow thee.

Exeunt omnes.