University of Virginia Library

Scene V.

Hugh. Preamble. Metaphor.
Hugh.
So, you are sure Sir to prevent 'hem all;
And throw a block i' the Bride-groomes way, Iohn Clay,
That he will hardly leape ore.

Pre.
I conceive you,
Sir Hugh: as if your Rhetoricke would say,
Whereas the Father of her is a Turfe,
A very superficies of the earth;
Hee aimes no higher, then to match in Clay;
And there hath pitch'd his rest.

Hug.
Right Justice Bramble;
You ha' the winding wit, compassing all.

Pre.
Subtile Sir Hugh, you now are i' the wrong,
And erre with the whole Neighbour-hood, I must tell you;
For you mistake my name. Justice Preamble
I write my selfe; which with the ignorant Clownes, here
(Because of my profession of the Law,
And place o' the peace is taken to be Bramble.
But all my warrants Sir, doe run Preamble:
Richard Preamble.

Hugh.
Sir I thanke you for't.
That your good worship, would not let me run
Longer in error but would take me up thus—

Pre.
You are my learned, and canonick neighbour:
I would not have you stray; but the incorrigible
Knot-headed beast, the Clownes, or Constables,
Still let them graze; eat Sallads; chew the Cud:
All the Towne-musicke will not move a log.

Hug.
The Beetle and Wedges will, where you will have 'hem.

Pre.
True, true Sir Hugh, here comes Miles Metaphore,
My Clarke: Hee is the man shall carry it, Chanon,
By my instructions.

Hug.
Hee will do't ad unguem,
Miles Metaphor: Hee is a pretty fellow.

Pre.
I love not to keepe shadowes, or halfe-wits,
To foile a busines. Metaphore! you ha' seene
A King ride forth in state.

Met.
Sir that I have:
King Edward our late Leige, and soveraigne Lord:
And have set downe the pompe.

Pre.
Therefore I ask'd you.
Ha' you observ'd the Messengers o' the Chamber?
What habits they were in?

Met.
Yes; Minor Coats.
Vnto the Guard, a Dragon, and a Grey-hound,
For the supporters of the Armes.

Pre.
Well mark'd;
You know not any of 'hem?

Met.
Here's one dwels
In Maribone.

Pre.
Ha' you acquaintance with him?
To borrow his coat an houre?

Hug.
Or but his badge,
'Twill serve: A little thing he weares on his brest.

Pre.
His coat, I say, is of more authority:
Borrow his coat for an houre. I doe love
To doe all things compleately, Chanon Hugh;
Borrow his coat, Miles Metaphore, or nothing.

Met.
The Taberd of his office, I will call it,
Or the Coat-Armour of his place: and so
Insinuate with him by that Trope—.

Metaph. goes out.
Pre.
I know your powers of Rhetorick, Metaphore.
Fetch him off in a fine figure for his coat I say.

Hug.
Ile take my leave Sir of your worship too:
Bycause I may expect the issue anone.

Pre.
Stay my diviner Counsell, take your fee;
Wee that take fees, allow 'hem to our Counsell;
And our prime learned Counsell, double fees:
There are a brace of Angels to support you
I' your foot-walke this frost, for feare of falling;
Or spraying of a point of Matrimony,
When you come at it.

Hug.
I' your worships service;
That the exploit is done, and you possest
Of Mrs. Awdrey Turfe—

Pre.
I like your project.

Preamble goes out.
Hug.
And I, of this effect of two to one;
It worketh in my pocket, 'gainst the Squire,
And his halfe bottome here, of halfe a peice:
Which was not worth the stepping ore the stile for:
His Mother has quite marr'd him: Lady Tub,
She's such a vessell of fæces: all dry'd earth!
Terra damnata, not a drop of salt!
Or Peeter in her! All her Nitre is gone.