University of Virginia Library

Act. V.

Scene I.

Ambler. Pitfall. Mere-craft.
[Amb.]
Bvt ha's my Lady mist me?

Pit.
Beyond telling!
Here ha's been that infinity of strangers!
And then she would ha' had you, to ha' sampled you
VVith one within, that they are now a teaching;
And do's pretend to your ranck.

Amb.
Good fellow Pit-fall,
Tel Mr. Mere-craft, I intreat a word with him.
Pitfall goes out.
This most vnlucky accident will goe neare
To be the losse o' my place; I am in doubt!

Mer.
VVith me? what say you Mr Ambler?

Amb.
Sir,
I would beseech your worship stand betweene
Me, and my Ladies displeasure, for my absence.

Mer.
O, is that all? I warrant you.

Amb.
I would tell you Sir
But how it happened.

Mer.
Briefe, good Master Ambler,
Mere-craft seemes full of businesse.
Put your selfe to your rack: for I haue tasque
Of more importance.

Amb.
Sir you'll laugh at me!
But (so is Truth) a very friend of mine,
Finding by conference with me, that I liu'd
Too chast for my complexion (and indeed
Too honest for my place, Sir) did aduise me
If I did loue my selfe (as that I do,
I must confesse)

Mer.
Spare your Parenthesis.

Amb.
To gi' my body a little euacuation—

Mer.
Well, and you went to a whore?

Amb.
No, Sr. I durst not
(For feare it might arriue at some body's eare,
It should not) trust my selfe to a common house;
Ambler tels this with extraordinary speed.
But got the Gentlewoman to goe with me,
And carry her bedding to a Conduit-head,
Hard by the place toward Tyborne, which they call
My L. Majors Banqueting-house. Now Sir, This morning
Was Execution; and I ner'e dream't on't,
Till I heard the noise o' the people, and the horses;
And neither I, nor the poore Gentlewoman
Durst stirre, till all was done and past: so that
I'the Interim, we fell a sleepe againe.

He flags
Mer.
Nay, if you fall, from your gallop, I am gone Sr.

Amb.
But, when I wak'd, to put on my cloathes, a sute,
I made new for the action, it was gone,
And all my money, with my purse, my seales,
My hard-wax, and my table-bookes, my studies,
And a fine new deuise, I had to carry
My pen, and inke, my ciuet, and my tooth-picks,
All vnder one. But, that which greiu'd me, was
The Gentlewomans shoes (with a paire of roses,
And garters, I had giuen her for the businesse)
So as that made vs stay, till it was darke.
For I was faine to lend her mine, and walke
In a rug, by her, barefoote, to Saint Giles'es.

Mer.
A kind of Irish penance! Is this all, Sir?

Amb.
To satisfie my Lady.

Mer.
I will promise you, Sr.

Amb.
I ha' told the true Disaster.

Mer.
I cannot stay wi'you
Sir, to condole; but gratulate your returne.

Amb.
An honest gentleman, but he's neuer at leisure
To be himselfe: He ha's such tides of businesse.

Scene. II.

Pvg. Ambler.
[Pvg.]
O, call me home againe, deare Chiefe, and put me
To yoaking foxes, milking of Hee-goates,
Pounding of water in a morter, lauing
The sea dry with a nut-shell, gathering all
The leaues are falne this Autumne, drawing farts
Out of dead bodies, making ropes of sand,
Catching the windes together in a net,
Mustring of ants, and numbring atomes; all
That hell, and you thought exquisite torments, rather
Then stay me here, a thought more: I would sooner
Keepe fleas within a circle, and be accomptant
A thousand yeere, which of 'hem and how far
Out leap'd the other, then endure a minute
Such as I haue within. There is no hell
To a Lady of fashion. All your tortures there
Ambler comes in, & suruayes him
Are pastimes to it. 'Twould be a refreshing
For me, to be i'the fire againe, from hence.

Amb.
This is my suite, and those the shoes and roses!

Pvg.
Th'haue such impertinent vexations,
Pug perceiues it, and starts.
A generall Councell o' diuels could not hit—
Ha! This is hee, I tooke a sleepe with his Wench,
And borrow'd his cloathes. What might I doe to balke him?

Amb.
Do you heare, Sr?

Pvg.
Answ. him but not to th'purpose

He answers quite from the purpose.
Amb.
What is your name, I pray you Sir.

Pvg.
Is't so late Sir?

Amb.
I aske not o' the time, but of your name, Sir,

Pvg.
I thanke you, Sir. Yes it dos hold Sir, certaine.

Amb.
Hold, Sir? What holds? I must both hold, and talke to you
About these clothes.

Pvg.
A very pretty lace!
But the Taylor cossend me.

Amb.
No, I am cossend
By you! robb'd.

Pvg.
Why, when you please Sir, I am
For three peny Gleeke, your man

Amb.
Pox o'your gleeke,
And three pence. Giue me an answere.

Pvg.
Sir,
My master is the best at it.

Amb.
Your master!
Who is your Master.

Pvg.
Let it be friday night.

Amb.
What should be then?

Pvg.
Your best songs Thom o' Bet'lem

Amb.
I thinke, you are he. Do's he mocke me trow, from purpose?
Or do not I speake to him, what I meane?
Good Sir your name.

Pvg.
Only a couple a' Cocks Sir,
If we can get a Widgin, 'tis in season.

For Scepticks.
Amb.
He hopes to make on o' these Scipticks o' me
(I thinke I name 'hem right) and do's not fly me.
I wonder at that! 'tis a strange confidence!
I'll prooue another way, to draw his answer.

Scene. IIJ.

Mere-craft. Fitz-dottrel: Everill. Pvg.
[Mer.]
It is the easiest thing Sir, to be done.
As plaine, as fizzling: roule but wi' your eyes,
And foame at th'mouth. A little castle-soape
Will do't, to rub your lips: And then a nutshell,
With toe, and touch-wood in it to spit fire,
Did you ner'e read, Sir, little Darrels tricks,
With the boy o' Burton, and the 7. in Lancashire,
Sommers at Nottingham? All these do teach it.
And wee'll giue out, Sir, that your wife ha's bewitch'd you:

They repaire their old plot
Eve.
And practised with those two, as Sorcerers.

Mer.
And ga' you potions, by which meanes you were
Not Compos mentis, when you made your feoffment.
There's no recouery o' your state, but this:
This, Sir, will sting.

Eve.
And moue in a Court of equity.

Mer.
For, it is more then manifest, that this was
A plot o' your wiues, to get your land.

Fit.
I thinke it.

Eve.
Sir it appeares.

Mer.
Nay, and my cossen has knowne
These gallants in these shapes.

Eve.
T'haue don strange things, Sir.
One as the Lady, the other as the Squire.

Mer.
How, a mans honesty may be fool'd! I thought him
A very Lady.

Fit.
So did I: renounce me else.

Mer.
But this way, Sir, you'll be reueng'd at height.

Eve.
Vpon 'hem all.

Mer.
Yes faith, and since your Wife
Has runne the way of woman thus, e'en giue her—

Fit.
Lost by this hand, to me; dead to all ioyes
Of her deare Dottrell, I shall neuer pitty her:
That could, pitty her selfe.

Mer.
Princely resolu'd Sir,
And like your selfe still, in Potentiâ.

Scene. IV.

Mere-craft, &c. to them. Gvilt-head. Sledge. Plvtarchvs. Serieants.
[Mer.]
Gvilt-head what newes?

Fit.
O Sir, my hundred peices:
Fitz-dottrel askes for his money.
Let me ha' them yet.

Gvi.
Yes Sir, officers
Arrest him.

Fit.
Me?

Ser.
I arrest you.

Sle.
Keepe the peace,
I charge you gentlemen.

Fit.
Arrest me? Why?

Gvi.
For better security, Sir. My sonne Plutarchus
Assures me, y'are not worth a groat.

Plv.
Pardon me, Father,
I said his worship had no foote of Land left:
And that I'll iustifie, for I writ the deed.

Fit.
Ha' you these tricks i'the citty?

Gvi.
Yes, and more.
Arrest this gallant too, here, at my suite.

Meaning Mere-craft
Sle.
I, and at mine. He owes me for his lodging
Two yeere and a quarter.

Mer.
Why M Guilt-head, Land-Lord,
Thou art not mad, though th'art Constable
Puft vp with th'pride of the place? Do you heare, Sirs
Haue I deseru'd this from you two? for all
My paines at Court, to get you each a patent

The Project of forks
Gvi.
For what?

Mer.
Vpo' my proiect o' the forkes,

Sle.
Forkes? what be they?

Mer.
The laudable vse of forkes,
Brought into custome here, as they are in Italy,
To th'sparing o' Napkins. That, that should haue made
Your bellowes goe at the forge, as his at the fornace.
I ha' procur'd it, ha' the Signet for it,
Dealt with the Linnen-drapers, on my priuate,
By cause, I fear'd, they were the likelyest euer
To stirre against, to crosse it: for 'twill be
A mighty sauer of Linnen through the kingdome
(As that is one o' my grounds, and to spare washing)
Now, on you two, had I layd all the profits.
Guilt-head to haue the making of all those
Of gold and siluer, for the better personages;
And you, of those of Steele for the common sort.
And both by Pattent, I had brought you your seales in.
Sledge is brought about.
But now you haue preuented me, and I thanke you.

Sle.
Sir, I will bayle you, at mine owne ap-perill.

Mer.
Nay choose.

Plv.
Do you so too, good Father.

And Guilt-head comes.
Gvi.
I like the fashion o' the proiect, well,
The forkes! It may be a lucky one! and is not
Intricate, as one would say, but fit for
Plaine heads, as ours, to deale in. Do you heare
Officers, we discharge you.

Mer.
Why this shewes
A little good nature in you, I confesse,
But do not tempt your friends thus. Little Guilt-head,
Aduise your sire, great Guilt-head from these courses:
And, here, to trouble a great man in reuersion,
For a matter o' fifty on a false Alarme,
Away, it shewes not well. Let him get the pieces
And bring 'hem. Yo'll heare more else.

Plv.
Father.

Scene. V.

Ambler. To them.
[Amb.]
O master Sledge, are you here? I ha' been to seeke you.
You are the Constable, they say. Here's one
That I do charge with Felony, for the suite
He weares, Sir.

Mer.
Who? M. Fitz-Dottrels man?
Ware what you do, M. Ambler.

Amb.
Sir, these clothes
I'll sweare, are mine: and the shooes the gentlewomans
I told you of: and ha' him afore a Iustice,
I will.

Pvg.
My master, Sir, will passe his word for me.

Amb.
O, can you speake to purpose now?

Fit.
Not I,
Fitz-dottrel disclaimes him.
If you be such a one Sir, I will leaue you
To your God fathers in Law. Let twelue men worke.

Pvg.
Do you heare Sir, pray, in priuate.

Fit.
well, what say you?
Briefe, for I haue no time to loose.

Pvg.
Truth is, Sir,
I am the very Diuell, and had leaue
To take this body, I am in, to serue you
Which was a Cutpurses, and hang'd this Morning.
And it is likewise true, I stole this suite
To cloth me with. But Sir let me not goe
To prison for it. I haue hitherto
Lost time, done nothing; showne, indeed, no part
O' my Diuels nature. Now, I will so helpe
Your malice, 'gainst these parties: so aduance
The businesse, that you haue in hand of witchcraft,
And your possession, as my selfe were in you.
Teach you such tricks, to make your belly swell,
And your eyes turne, to foame, to stare, to gnash
Your teeth together, and to beate your selfe,
Laugh loud, and faine six voices—

Fit.
Out you Rogue!
You most infernall counterfeit wretch! Avaunt!
Do you thinke to gull me with your Æsops Fables?
Here take him to you, I ha' no part in him.

Pvg.
Sir.

Fit.
Away, I do disclaime, I will not heare you.

And sends him away.
Mer.
What said he to you, Sir?

Fit.
Like a lying raskall
Told me he was the Diuel.

Mer.
How! a good iest!

Fit.
And that he would teach me, such fine diuels tricks
For our new resolution.

Eve.
O' pox on him,
'Twas excellent wisely done, Sir, not to trust him.

Mer.
Why, if he were the Diuel, we sha' not need him,
Mere-craft giues the instructions to him and the rest.
If you'll be rul'd. Goe throw your selfe on a bed, Sir,
And faine you ill. Wee'll not be seene wi' you,
Till after, that you haue a fit: and all
Confirm'd within. Keepe you with the two Ladies
And perswade them. I'll to Iustice Either-side,
And possesse him with all. Traines shall seeke out Ingine,
And they two fill the towne with't, euery cable
Is to be veer'd. We must employ out all
Our emissaries now; Sir, I will send you
Bladders and Bellowes. Sir, be confident,
'Tis no hard thing t'out doe the Deuill in:
A Boy o' thirteene yeere old made him an Asse
But t'toher day.

Fit.
Well, I'll beginne to practice,
And scape the imputation of being Cuckold,
By mine owne act.

Mer.
yo'are right.

Eve.
Come, you ha' put
Your selfe to a simple coyle here, and your freinds,
By dealing with new Agents, in new plots.

Mer.
No more o' that, sweet cousin.

Eve.
What had you
To doe with this fame Wittipol, for a Lady?

Mer.
Question not that: 'tis done.

Eve.
You had some straine
'Boue E-la?

Mer.
I had indeed.

Eve.
And, now, you crack for't.

Mer.
Do not vpbraid me.

Eve.
Come, you must be told on't;
You are so couetous, still, to embrace
More then you can, that you loose all.

Mer.
'Tis right.
What would you more, then Guilty? Now, your succours.

Scene. VJ.

Shakles. Pvg Iniqvity. Divel.
[Sha.]
Here you are lodg'd, Sir, you must send your garnish,
Pug is brought to New-gate.
If you'll be priuat.

Pvg.
There it is, Sir, leaue me.
To New-gate, brought? How is the name of Deuill
Discredited in me! What a lost fiend
Shall I be, on returne? My Cheife will roare
In triumph, now, that I haue beene on earth,
A day, and done no noted thing, but brought
That body back here, was hang'd out this morning.
Enter Iniquity the Vice.
Well! would it once were midnight, that I knew
My vtmost. I thinke Time be drunke, and sleepes;
He is so still, and moues not! I doe glory
Now i'my torment. Neither can I expect it,
I haue it with my fact.

Ini.
Child of hell, be thou merry:
Put a looke on, as round, boy, and red as a cherry.
Cast care at thy posternes; and firke i' thy fetters,
They are ornaments, Baby, haue graced thy betters:
Looke vpon me, and hearken. Our Cheife doth salute thee,
And least the coldyron should chance to confute thee,
H' hath sent thee, grant-paroll by me to stay longer
A moneth here on earth, against cold Child, or honger

Pvg.
How? longer here a moneth?

Ing.
Yes, boy, till the Session,
That so thou mayest haue a triumphall egression.

Pvg.
In a cart, to be hang'd.

Ing.
No, Child, in a Carre,
The charriot of Triumph, which most of them are.
And in the meane time, to be greazy, and bouzy,
And nasty, and filthy, and ragged and louzy,
With dam'n me, renounce me, and all the fine phrases;
That bring, vnto Tiborne, the plentifull gazes.

Pvg.
He is a Diuell! and may be our Cheife!
The great Superiour Diuell! for his malice:
Arch-diuel! I acknowledge him. He knew
What I would suffer, when he tie'd me vp thus
In a rogues body: and he has (I thanke him)
His tyrannous pleasure on me, to confine me
To the vnlucky carkasse of a Cutpurse,
Wherein I could do nothing.

Div.
Impudent fiend,
The great Deuill enters, and vpbraids him with all his dayes worke.
Stop thy lewd mouth. Doest thou not shame and tremble
To lay thine owne dull damn'd defects vpon
An innocent case, there? Why thou heauy slaue!
The spirit, that did possesse that flesh before
Put more true life, in a finger, and a thumbe,
Then thou in the whole Masse. Yet thou rebell'st
And murmur'st? What one profer hast thou made,
Wicked inough, this day, that might be call'd
Worthy thine owne, much lesse the name that sent thee?
First, thou did'st helpe thy selfe into a beating
Promptly, and with't endangered'st too thy tongue:
A Diuell, and could not keepe a body intire
One day! That, for our credit. And to vindicate it,
Hinderd'st (for ought thou know'st) a deed of darknesse:
Which was an act of that egregious folly,
As no one, to'ard the Diuel, could ha' thought on.
This for your acting! but for suffering! why
Thou hast beene cheated on, with a false beard,
And a turn'd cloake. Faith, would your predecessour
The Cutpurse, thinke you, ha' been so? Out vpon thee,
The hurt th'hast don, to let men know their strength,
And that the'are able to out-doe a diuel
Put in a body, will for euer be
A scarre vpon our Name! whom hast thou dealt with,
Woman or man, this day, but haue out-gone thee
Some way, and most haue prou'd the better fiendes?
Yet, you would be imploy'd? Yes, hell shall make you
Prouinciall o' the Cheaters ! or Bawd-ledger,
For this side o' the towne! No doubt you'll render
A rare accompt of things. Bane o' your itch,
And scratching for imployment. I'll ha' brimstone
To allay it sure, and fire to sindge your nayles off,
But, that I would not such a damn'd dishonor
Sticke on our state, as that the diuell were hang'd;
And could not saue a body, that he tooke
Iniquity takes him on his back.
From Tyborne, but it must come thither againe:
You should e'en ride. But, vp away with him—

Ini.
Mount, dearling of darkenesse, my shoulders are broad:
He that carries the fiend, is sure of his loade.
The Diuell was wont to carry away the euill;
But, now, the Euill out-carries the Diuell.

Scene. VIJ.

Shackles. Keepers.
[Sha.]
O mee!

Kee. 1.
What's this?

2.
A piece of Iustice Hall
A great noise is heard in New-gate, and the Keepers come out affrighted.
Is broken downe.

3.
Fough! what a steeme of brimstone
Is here?

4.
The prisoner's dead, came in but now!

Sha.
Ha? where?

4.
Look here.

Kee.
S'lid, I shuld know his countenance!
It is Gill-Cut-purse, was hang'd out, this morning!

Sha.
'Tis he!

2.
The Diuell, sure, has a hand in this!

3.
What shall wee doe?

Sha.
Carry the newes of it
Vnto the Sherifes.

1.
And to the Iustices.

4.
This strange!

3.
And sauours of the Diuell, strongly!

2.
I' ha' the sulphure of Hell-coale i'my nose.

1.
Fough.

Sha.
Carry him in.

1.
Away.

2.
How ranke it is!

Scene. VIII.

Sir Povle. Mere-craft. Ever-ill. Traines. Pitfall. Fitz-dottrel. To them VVittipol. Manly. Mistresse Fitz-dottrel. Ingine. To them Gvilt-head. Sledge. to them Shackles.
The Iustice comes out wondring and the rest informing him.
[Pov.]
This was the notablest Conspiracy,
That ere I heard of.

Mer.
Sir, They had giu'n him potions,
That did enamour him on the counterfeit Lady—

Eve.
Iust to the time o'deliuery o'the deed—

Mer.
And then the witchcraft' gan't' appeare, for streight
He fell into his fit.

Eve.
Of rage at first, Sir,
Which since has so increased.

Tay.
Good Sr Poule, see him,
And punish the impostors.

Pov.
Therefore I come, Madame.

Eit.
Let Mr Etherside alone, Madame.

Pov.
Do you heare?
Call in the Constable, I will haue him by:
H'is the Kings Officer! and some Cittizens,
Of credit! I'll discharge my conscience clearly.

Mer.
Yes, Sir, and send for his wife.

Eve.
And the two Sorcerers,
By any meanes!

Tay.
I thought one a true Lady,
I should be sworne. So did you, Eyther-side?

Eit.
Yes, by that light, would I might ne'r stir else, Tailbush.

Tay.
And the other a ciuill Gentleman.

Eve.
But, Madame,
You know what I told your Ladyship.

Tay.
I now see it:
I was prouiding of a banquet for 'hem.
After I had done instructing o'the fellow
De-uile, the Gentlemans man

Mer.
Who's found a thiefe, Madam.
And to haue rob'd your Vsher, Master Ambler,
This morning.

Tay.
How?

Mer.
I'll tell you more, anon.

He beginnes his fit.
Fit.
Gi me some garlicke, garlicke, garlicke, garlicke.

Mer.
Harke the poore Gentleman, how he is tormented!

Fit.
My wife is a whore, I'll kisse her no more: and why?
Ma'st not thou be a Cuckold, as well as I?
Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, &c.

Pov.
That is the Diuell speakes, and laughes in him.

Mer.
Do you thinke so, Sr.

Pov.
I discharge my conscience.

The Iustice interpret all:
Fit.
And is not the Diuell good company? Yes, wis.

Eve.
How he changes, Sir, his voyce!

Fit.
And a Cuckold is
Where ere hee put his head, with a Wanion,
If his hornes be forth, the Diuells companion!
Looke, looke, looke, else.

Mer.
How he foames!

Eve.
And swells!

Tay.
O, me! what's that there, rises in his belly!

Eit.
A strange thing! hold it downe:

Tra. Pit.
We cannot, Madam.

Pov.
'Tis too apparent this!

Fit.
Wittipol, Wittipol.

Wittipol, and Manly, and Mistr. Fitz-dottrel enter.
Wit.
How not, what play ha' we here.

Man.
What fine, new matters?

Wit.
The Cockscomb, and the Couerlet.

Mer.
O strang impudēce!
That these should come to face their sinne!

Eve:
And out-face
Iustice, they are the parties, Sir.

Pov.
Say nothing.

Mer.
Did you marke, Sir, vpon their comming in,
How he call'd Wittipol.

Eve.
And neuer saw 'hem.

Pov.
I warrant you did I, let 'hem play a while.

Fit.
Buz, buz, buz, buz.

Tay.
Lasse poore Gentleman!
How he is tortur'd!

Mrs Fi.
Fie, Master Fitz-dottrel!
What doe you meane to counterfait thus?

Fit:
O, ô,
His wife goes to him.
Shee comes with a needle, and thrusts it in,
Shee pulls out that, and shee puts in a pinne,
And now, and now, I doe not know how, nor where,
But shee pricks mee heere, and shee pricks me there: ôh, ôh:

Pov.
Woman forbeare.

Wit.
What, Sr?

Pov.
A practice foule
For one so faire:

Wit:
Hath this, then, credit with you?

Man.
Do you beleeue in't?

Pov.
Gentlemen, I'll discharge
My conscience. 'Tis a cleare conspiracy!
A darke, and diuellish practice! I'detest it!

Wit.
The Iustice sure will proue the merrier man!

Man.
This is most strange, Sir!

Pov.
Come not to confront
Authority with impudence: I tell you,
I doe detest it. Here comes the Kings Constable,
And with him a right worshipfull Commoner;
My good friend, Master Guilt-head! I am glad
I can before such witnesses, professe
My conscience, and my detestation of it.
Horible! most vnaturall! Abominable!

They whisper him.
Eve.
You doe not tumble enough.

Mer.
Wallow, gnash:

Tay.
O, how he is vexed!

Pov.
'Tis too manifest.

Eve.
Giue him more soap to foame with, now lie still.

and giue him soape to act with.
Mer.
And act a little.

Tay.
What do's he now, sr.

Pov.
Shew
The taking of Tabacco, with which the Diuell
Is so delighted.

Fit.
Hum!

Pov.
And calls for Hum.
You takers of strong Waters, and Tabacco,
Marke this.

Fit.
Yellow, yellow, yellow, yellow, &c.

Pov.
That's Starch! the Diuells Idoll of that colour.
He ratifies it, with clapping of his hands.
The proofes are pregnant.

Gvi.
How the Diuel can act!

Pov.
He is the Master of Players! Master Guilt-head,
And Poets, too! you heard him talke in rime!
I had forgot to obserue it to you, ere while!

Sir Poule interprets Figgum to be a Iuglers game.
Tay.
See, he spits fire.

Pov.
O no, he plaies at Figgum,
The Diuell is the Author of wicked Figgum—

Man.
Why speake you not vnto him?

Wit.
If I had
All innocence of man to be indanger'd,
And he could saue, or ruine it: I'ld not breath
A syllable in request, to such a foole,
He makes himelfe.

Fit.
O they whisper, whisper, whisper.
Wee shall haue more, of Diuells a score,
To come to dinner, in mee the sinner.

Eyt.
Alas, poore Gentleman!

Pov.
Put 'hem asunder.
Keepe 'hem one from the other.

Man.
Are you phrenticke, Sir,
Or what graue dotage moues you, to take part
VVith so much villany? wee are not afraid
Either of law, or triall; let vs be
Examin'd what our ends were, what the meanes?
To worke by; and possibility of those meanes.
Doe not conclude against vs, ere you heare vs.

Pov.
I will not heare you, yet I will conclude
Out of the circumstances.

Man.
VVill you so, Sir?

Pov.
Yes, they are palpable:

Man.
Not as your folly:

Pov:
I will discharge my conscience, and doe all
To the Meridian of Iustice:

Gvi.
You doe well, Sir.

Fit.
Prouide mee to eat, three or foure dishes o' good meat,
I'll feast them, and their traines, a Iustice head and braines
Shall be the first.

Pov.
The Diuell loues not Iustice,
There you may see.

Fit.
A spare-rib o' my wife,
And a whores purt'nance! a Guilt-head whole.

Pov.
Be not you troubled, Sir, the Diuell speakes it.

Fit.
Yes, wis, Knight, shite, Poule, Ioule, owle, foule, troule, boule.

Pov.
Crambe, another of the Diuell's games!

Mer.
Speake, Sir, some Greeke, if you can. Is not the Iustice
A solemne gamester?

Eve.
Peace.

Fit.
Οι μοι, κακοδαιμων,
Και τρισκακοδαιμων, και τετρακις, και πεντακις,
Και δοδεκακις, και μυριακις.

Pov.
Hee curses
In Greeke, I thinke.

Eve.
Your Spanish, that I taught you.

Fit.
Quebrémos el ojo de burlas,

Eve.
How? your rest—
Let's breake his necke in iest, the Diuell saies,

Fit.
Di graá, Signòr mio se haúcte denári fataméne parte.

Mer.
What, would the Diuell borrow money?

Fit.
Ouy,
Ouy Monsieur, ùn pàuure Diable! Diablet in!

Pov.
It is the diuell, by his seuerall languages.

Enter the Keeper of New-gate.
Sha.
Where's Sr. Poule Ether-side?

Pov.
Here, what's the matter?

Sha.
O! such an accident falne out at Newgate, Sir:
A great piece of the prison is rent downe!
The Diuell has beene there, Sir, in the body—
Of the young Cut-purse, was hang'd out this morning,
But, in new clothes, Sir, euery one of vs know him.
These things were found in his pocket.

Amb.
Those are mine, Sr.

Sha.
I thinke he was committed on your charge, Sir.
For a new felony

Amb.
Yes.

Sha.
Hee's gone, Sir, now,
And left vs the dead body. But withall, Sir,
Such an infernall stincke, and steame behinde,
You cannot see St Pulchars Steeple, yet.
They smell't as farre as Ware, as the wind lies,
By this time, sure.

Fit.
Is this vpon your credit, friend?

Fitz-dottrel leaues counterfaiting.
Sha.
Sir, you may see, and satisfie your selfe.

Fit.
Nay, then, 'tis time to leaue off counterfeiting.
Sir I am not bewitch'd, not haue a Diuell:
No more then you. I doe defie him, I,
And did abuse you. These two Gentlemen
Put me vpon it. (I haue faith against him)
They taught me all my tricks. I will tell truth,
And shame the Feind. See, here, Sir, are my bellowes,
And my false belly, and my Mouse, and all
That should ha' come forth?

Man.
Sir, are not you asham'd
Now of your solemne, serious vanity?

Pov.
I will make honorable amends to truth.

Fit.
And so will I. But these are Coozeners, still;
And ha' my land, as plotters, with my wife:
Who, though she be not a witch, is worse, a whore.

Man.
Sir, you belie her. She is chaste, and vertuous,
And we are honest. I doe know no glory
A man should hope, by venting his owne follyes,
But you'll still be an Asse, in spight of prouidence.
Please you goe in, Sir, and heare truths, then iudge 'hem:
And make amends for your late rashnesse; when,
You shall but heare the paines and care was taken,
To saue this foole from ruine (his Grace of Drown'd-land)

Fit.
My land is drown'd indeed—

Pov.
Peace.

Man.
And how much
His modest and too worthy wife hath suffer'd
By mis-construction, from him, you will blush,
First, for your owne beliefe, more for his actions!
His land is his: and neuer, by my friend,
Or by my selfe, meant to another vse,
But for her succours, who hath equall right.
If any other had worse counsells in't,
(I know I speake to those can apprehend mee)
Let 'hem repent 'hem, and be not detected.
It is not manly to take ioy, or pride
In humane errours (wee doe all ill things,
They doe 'hem worst that loue 'hem, and dwell there,
Till the plague comes) The few that haue the seeds
Of goodnesse left, will sooner make their way
To a true life, by shame, then punishment.