 | Hollands Leagver |  |
Scene 3.
Ardelio.Turn'd out of seruice the next turne will be
Vnder the Gallows, and haue a Ballad made of me,
The corruption of a casheer'd Seruing-man,
Is the generation of a thiefe. I feare,
My fate poynts me not out to so good fortune.
My bulke will not serue me to take a purse.
The best thing I am fit for, is a tapster,
Or else get a wench of mine owne, and sell
Bottell Ale and Tobacco, that's my refuge
They tearmd me parasite, 'tis a mystery
Is like a familiar, that leaues a man
When he is neere his execution.
I haue no power to flatter my selfe now,
I might haue gone a wooing to some widdow,
And had his countenance, but now the tenants
Looke like their Bacon, rustily, vpon me.
What, Ieffery! thou art the comfort of my woes:
Welcome, good Ieffry.
Ieff.
Thankes to your good Worship;
Ard.
Where are my hangings, Ieffry?
Ieff.
Very wel, sir.
Lockt in a Cypresse chest, for feare of Moths.
Aed.
And all the other furniture good Ieffry.
Ieff.
They are kept safe, and well ary'd for your Worship.
Ardel.
Thanks, good Ieffry. I were in a sweet case,
If I had not conuayd somethings away,
To maintaine mee hereafter.
Ieffry.
Why so, sir?
Ard.
I may go set vp bils now for my liuing,
Cry Vineger vp and downe the streets; or fish
At blacke Fryers stayres; or sit against
A wall, with a library of ballads before mee.
Ieff.
You are not out of seruice.
Ard.
Turnd a grazing,
In the wide Common of the world, Ieffry.
Ieff.
Then are my hopes at best, I haue no reason
To care for him any longer; a word with you.
What furniture do you meane?
Ard.
Those that I sent,
The beds, and hangings.
Ieff.
Did you send any such?
Ardel.
I hope you will not vse mee so.
Ieff.
Your owne words.
I must make the best benefit of my place:
You know, tis not an age to bee honest in.
Tis the only high-way vnto pouerty.
I know not how, I do not fancy you
Of late.
Arde.
I chose thee for thy knauish looke,
And now thou hast requited mee: of all
My euils, thou art the worst.
Ieff.
No fayth, sir.
You haue a worse commodity at my house.
But you may saue the charges of a writ.
I doe you that fauour.
Ard.
No, you may keepe her still.
Ieff.
My thinkes you are much deiected with your fall,
I finde an alteration in your face.
You looke like an Almanacke of last yeeres date.
Or like your liuery cloake, of two yeeres wearing.
Worse then the smoaky wall of a bawdy house.
Ard.
Villaine, dost thou insult on me?
Ieff.
No sayth sir,
Alasse, tis not within the reach of man,
To countermine your plots.
Ard.
Well, slaue, because
Ile rid my hands of thee, Ile giue thee a share.
Ieff.
You must haue none, without lawfull proceeding.
And that I know, you dare not.
Enter Snarle, and Officers.
Snarle.
But I dare.
Haue you beene partners all this while in mischiefe,
And now fall out, who shall bee the most knaue?
Ieff.
What doe you meane?
Snarle.
I meane to search your house
For ammunition, no otherwise,
Which I suspect you send vnto the Leager.
Ieff.
Sir I haue nothing there, but one crackt piece
Belongs to this Gentleman, can doe no seruice.
She is spoyld in the bore.
Snarle.
Wee'l haue her new cast.
Come, bring them away.
Ard.
Nay good sir, you know,
That I was lately quit before a Iustice.
And if I fall in a relapse.
Snarle.
Al's one
To me, but you must satisfie the Law.
Ard.
Well then, I know the worst of it.
| Hollands Leagver | |