University of Virginia Library

Act. III.

Scene. I.

Gvilt-head. Plvtarchvs.
[Gvi.]
All this is to make you a Gentleman:
I'll haue you learne, Sonne. Wherefore haue I plac'd you
With Sr. Poul Either-side, but to haue so much Law
To keepe your owne? Besides, he is a Iustice,
Here i'the Towne; and dwelling, Sonne, with him,
You shall learne that in a yeere, shall be worth twenty
Of hauing stay'd you at Oxford, or at Cambridge,
Or sending you to the Innes of Court, or France.
I am call'd for now in haste, by Master Meere-craft
To trust Master Fitz-dottrel, a good man:
I'haue inquir'd him, eighteene hundred a yeere,
(His name is currant) for a diamant ring
Of forty, shall not be worth thirty (thats gain'd)
And this is to make you a Gentleman!

Plv.
O, but good father, you trust too much!

Gvi.
Boy, boy,
We liue, by finding fooles out, to be trusted.
Our shop-bookes are our pastures, our corn-grounds,
We lay 'hem op'n, for them to come into:
And when wee haue 'hem there, wee driue 'hem vp
In t'one of our two Pounds, the Compters, streight,
And this is to make you a Gentleman!
Wee Citizens neuer trust, but wee doe coozen:
For, if our debtors pay, wee coozen them;
And if they doe not, then we coozen our selues.
But that's a hazard euery one must runne,
That hopes to make his Sonne a Gentleman!

Plv.
I doe not wish to be one, truely, Father.
In a descent, or two, wee come to be
Iust 'itheir state, fit to be coozend, like 'hem.
And I had rather ha' tarryed i'your trade:
For, since the Gentry scorne the Citty so much,
Me thinkes we should in time, holding together,
And matching in our owne tribes, as they say,
Haue got an Act of Common Councell, for it,
That we might coozen them out of rerum natura.

Gvi.
I, if we had an Act first to forbid
The marrying of our wealthy heyres vnto 'hem:
And daughters, with such lauish portions.
That confounds all.

Plv.
And makes a Mungril breed, Father.
And when they haue your money, then they laugh at you:
Or kick you downe the stayres. I cannot abide 'hem.
I would faine haue 'hem coozen'd, but not trusted.

Scene. II.

Mere-craft. Gvilt-head. Fitz-dottrell. Plvtarchvs.
[Mer.]
O, is he come! I knew he would not faile me.
Welcome, good Guilt-head, I must ha' you doe
A noble Gentleman, a courtesie, here:
In a mere toy (some pretty Ring, or Iewell)
Of fifty, or threescore pound (Make it a hundred,
And hedge in the last forty, that I owe you,
And your owne price for the Ring) He's a good man, Sr,
And you may hap' see him a great one! Hee,
Is likely to bestow hundreds, and thousands,
Wi'you; if you can humour him. A great prince
He will be shortly. What doe you say?

Gvi.
In truth, Sir
I cannot. 'T has beene a long vacation with vs,

Fit.
Of what, I pray thee? of wit? or honesty?
Those are your Citizens long vacations.

Plv.
Good Father do not trust 'hem.

Mer.
Nay, Thom. Guilt-head.
Hee will not buy a courtesie and begge it:
Hee'll rather pay, then pray. If you doe for him,
You must doe cheerefully. His credit, Sir,
Is not yet prostitute! Who's this? thy sonne?
A pretty youth, what's his name?

Plv.
Plutarchus, Sir.

Mer.
Plutarchus! How came that about?

Gvi.
That yeere Sr,
That I begot him, I bought Plutarch's liues,
And fell s' in loue with the booke, as I call'd my sonne
By 'his name; In hope he should be like him:
And write the liues of our great men!

Mer.
I'the City?
And you do breed him, there?

Gvi.
His minde, Sir, lies
Much to that way.

Mer.
Why, then, he is i'the right way.

Gvi.
But, now, I had rather get him a good wife,
And plant him i'the countrey; there to vse
The blessing I shall leaue him:

Mer.
Out vpon't!
And lose the laudable meanes, thou hast at home, heere,
T'aduance, and make him a young Alderman?
Buy him a Captaines place, for shame; and let him
Into the world, early, and with his plume,
And Scarfes, march through Cheapside, or along Cornehill,
And by the vertue'of those, draw downe a wife
There from a windo', worth ten thousand pound!
Get him the posture booke, and's leaden men,
To set vpon a table, 'gainst his Mistresse
Chance to come by, that hee may draw her in,
And shew her Finsbury battells.

Gvi.
I haue plac'd him
With Iustice Eytherside, to get so much law—

Mer.
As thou hast conscience. Come, come, thou dost wrong
Pretty Plutarchus, who had not his name,
For nothing: but was borne to traine the youth
Of London, in the military truth—
That way his Genius lies. My Cousin Euerill!

Scene. IIJ.

Ever-ill. Plvtarchvs. Gvilt-head. Mere-craft. Fitzdottrell.
[Ev.]
O, are you heere, Sir? 'pray you let vs whisper.

Plv.
Father, deare Father, trust him if you loue mee.

Gvi.
Why, I doe meane it, boy; but, what I doe,
Must not come easily from mee: Wee must deale
With Courtiers, boy, as Courtiers deale with vs.
If I haue a Businesse there, with any of them,
Why, I must wait, I'am sure on't, Son: and though
My Lord dispatch me, yet his worshipfull man—
Will keepe me for his sport, a moneth, or two,
To shew mee with my fellow Cittizens.
I must make his traine long, and full, one quarter;
And helpe the spectacle of his greatnesse. There,
Nothing is done at once, but iniuries, boy:
And they come head-long! all their good turnes moue not,
Or very slowly

Plv.
Yet sweet father, trust him.

Gvi.
VVell, I will thinke.

Ev.
Come, you must do't, Sir.
I'am vndone else, and your Lady Tayle-bush
Has sent for mee to dinner, and my cloaths
Are all at pawne. I had sent out this morning,
Before I heard you were come to towne, some twenty
Of my epistles, and no one returne—

Mere-craft tells him of his faults.
Mer.
VVhy, I ha'told you o'this. This comes of wearing
Scarlet, gold lace, and cut-works! your fine gartring!
VVith your blowne roses, Cousin! and your eating
Phesant, and Godwit, here in London! haunting
The Globes, and Mermaides! wedging in with Lords,
Still at the table! and affecting lechery,
In veluet! where could you ha'contented your selfe
VVith cheese, salt-butter, and a pickled hering,
I'the Low-countries; there worne cloth, and fustian!
Beene satisfied with a leape o' your Host's daughter,
In garrison, a wench of a stoter! or,
Your Sutlers wife, i'the leaguer, of two blanks!
You neuer, then, had runne vpon this flat,
To write your letters missiue, and send out
Your priuy seales, that thus haue frighted off
All your acquintance; that they shun you at distance,
VVorse, then you do the Bailies!

Ev.
Pox vpon you.
Hee repines,
I come not to you for counsell, I lacke money.

Mer.
You doe not thinke, what you owe me already?

Ev.
I?
They owe you, that meane to pay you. I'll besworne,
I neuer meant it. Come, you will proiect,
and threatens him.
I shall vndoe your practice, for this moneth else:
You know mee.

Mer.
I, yo' are a right sweet nature!

Ev.
Well, that's all one!

Mer.
You'll leaue this Empire, one day?
You will not euer haue this tribute payd,
Your scepter o' the sword?

Ev.
Tye vp your wit,
Doe, and prouoke me not—

Mer.
Will you, Sir, helpe,
To what I shall prouoke another for you?

Ev.
I cannot tell; try me: I thinke I am not
So vtterly, of an ore vn-to-be-melted,
But I can doe my selfe good, on occasions.

They ioyne.
Mer.
Strike in then, for your part. Mr. Fitz-dottrel
If I transgresse in point of manners, afford mee
Your best construction; I must beg my freedome
Mere-craft pretends businesse.
From your affayres, this day.

Fit.
How, Sr.

Mer.
It is.
In succour of this Gentlemans occasions,
My kins-man—

Fit.
You'll not do me that affront, Sr.

Mer.
I am sory you should so interpret it,
But, Sir, it stands vpon his being inuested
In a new office, hee has stood for, long:
Mere-craft describes the office of Dependancy.
Master of the Dependances! A place
Of my proiection too, Sir, and hath met
Much opposition; but the State, now, see's
That great necessity of it, as after all
Their writing, and their speaking, against Duells,
They haue erected it. His booke is drawne—
For, since, there will be differences, daily,
'Twixt Gentlemen; and that the roaring manner
Is growne offensiue; that those few, we call
The ciuill men o'the sword, abhorre the vapours;
They shall refer now, hither, for their processe;
And such as trespasse 'gainst the rule of Court;
Are to be fin'd—

Fit.
In troth, a pretty place!

Mer.
A kinde of arbitrary Court 'twill be, Sir.

Fit.
I shall haue matter for it, I beleeue,
Ere it be long: I had a distast.

Mer.
But now, Sir,
My learned councell, they must haue a feeling,
They'll part, Sir, with no bookes, without the hand-gout
Be oyld, and I must furnish. If't be money,
To me streight. I am Mine, Mint and Exchequer,
To supply all. What is't? a hundred pound?

Eve.
No, th'Harpey, now, stands on a hundred pieces.

Mer.
Why, he must haue 'hem, if he will. To morrow, Sir,
Will equally serue your occasion's,—
And therefore, let me obtaine, that you will yeeld
To timing a poore Gentlemans distresses,
In termes of hazard.—

Fit.
By no meanes!

Mer.
I must
Get him this money, and will.—

Fit.
Sir, I protest,
I'd rather stand engag'd for it my selfe:
Then you should leaue mee.

Mer.
O good Sr. do you thinke
So coursely of our manners, that we would,
For any need of ours, be prest to take it:
Though you be pleas'd to offer it.

Fit.
Why, by heauen,
I meane it!

Mer.
I can neuer beleeue lesse.
But wee, Sir, must preserue our dignity,
Hee offers to be gone.
As you doe publish yours. By your faire leaue, Sir.

Fit.
As I am a Gentleman, if you doe offer
To leaue mee now, or if you doe refuse mee,
I will not thinke you loue mee.

Mer.
Sir, I honour you.
And with iust reason, for these noble notes,
Of the nobility, you pretend too! But, Sir—
I would know, why? a motiue (he a stranger)
You should doe this?

Eve.
(You'll mar all with your finenesse)

Fit.
Why, that's all one, if 'twere, Sir, but my fancy.
But I haue a Businesse, that perhaps I'd haue
Brought to his office.

Mer.
O, Sit! I haue done, then;
If hee can be made profitable, to you.

Fit.
Yes, and it shall be one of my ambitions
To haue it the first Businesse? May I not?

Eve.
So you doe meane to make't, a perfect Businesse.

Fit.
Nay, I'll doe that, assure you: shew me once.

Mer.
Sr, it concernes, the first be a perfect Businesse,
For his owne honour!

Eve.
I, and th'reputation
Too, of my place.

Fit.
Why, why doe I take this course, else?
I am not altogether, an Asse, good Gentlemen,
Wherefore should I consult you? doe you thinke?
To make a song on't? How's your manner? tell vs.

Mer.
Doe, satisfie him: giue him the whole course.

Eve.
First, by request, or otherwise, you offer
Your Businesse to the Court: wherein you craue:
The iudgement of the Master and the Assistants.

Fit.
Well, that's done, now, what doe you vpon it?

Eve.
We streight Sr, haue recourse to the spring-head;
Visit the ground; and, so disclose the nature:
If it will carry, or no. If wee doe finde,
By our proportions it is like to proue
A sullen, and blacke Bus'nesse That it be
Incorrigible; and out of, treaty; then,
We file it, a Dependance!

Fit.
So 'tis fil'd.
What followes? I doe loue the order of these things.

Eve.
We then aduise the party, if he be
A man of meanes, and hauings, that forth-with,
He settle his estate: if not, at least
That he pretend it. For, by that, the world
Takes notice, that it now is a Dependance.
And this we call, Sir, Publication.

Fit.
Very sufficient! After Publication, now?

Eve.
Then we grant out our Processe, which is diuers;
Eyther by Chartell, Sir, or ore-tenus,
Wherein the Challenger, and Challengee
Or (with your Spaniard) your Prouocador,
And Prouocado, haue their seuerall courses—

Fit.
I haue enough on't! for an hundred pieces?
Yes, for two hundred, vnder-write me, doe.
Your man will take my bond?

Mer.
That he will, sure,
But, these same Citizens, they are such sharks!
He whispers Fitz-dottrell aside.
There's an old debt of forty, I ga' my word
For one is runne away, to the Bermudas,
And he will hooke in that, or he wi' not doe.

Fit.
Why, let him. That and the ring, and a hundred pieces,
Will all but make two hundred?

Mer.
No, no more, Sir.
And then Guilt-head
What ready Arithmetique you haue? doe you heare?
A pretty mornings worke for you, this? Do it,
You shall ha' twenty pound on't.

Gvi.
Twenty pieces?

Plv.
(Good Father, do't)

Mer.
You will hooke still? well,
Shew vs your ring. You could not ha' done this, now
With gentlenesse, at first, wee might ha' thank'd you?
But groane, and ha' you courtesies come from you
Like a hard stoole, and stinke? A man may draw
Your teeth out easier, then your money? Come,
Were little Guilt-head heere, no better a nature,
Hee pulls Plutarchus by the lips.
I should ne'r loue him, that could pull his lips off, now!
Was not thy mother a Gentlewoman?

Plv.
Yes, Sir.

Mer.
And went to the Court at Christmas, and St. Georges-tide?
And lent the Lords-men, chaines?

Plv.
Of gold, and pearle, Sr.

Mer.
I knew, thou must take, after some body!
Thou could'st not be else. This was no shop-looke!
I'll ha' thee Captaine Guilt-head, and march vp,
And take in Pimlico,, and kill the bush,
At euery tauerne! Thou shalt haue a wife,
If smocks will mount, boy. How now? you ha'there now
Some Bristo-stone, or Cornish counterfeit
He turnes to old Guilt-head.
You'ld put vpon vs.

Gvi.
No, Sir, I assure you:
Looke on his luster! hee will speake himselfe!
I'le gi'you leaue to put him i' the Mill,
H'is no great, large stone, but a true Paragon,
H'has all his corners, view him well.

Mer.
H'is yellow.

Gvi.
Vpo' my faith, Sr, o'the right black-water,
And very deepe! H'is set without a foyle, too.
Here's one o'the yellow-water, I'll sell cheape.

Mer.
And what do you valew this, at? thirty pound?

Gvi.
No, Sir, he cost me forty, ere he was set.

Mer.
Turnings, you meane? I know your Equiuocks:
You'are growne the better Fathers of 'hem o'late.
Well, where't must goe, 'twill be iudg'd, and, therefore,
Looke you't be right. You shall haue fifty pound for't.
Now to Fitz-dottrel.
Not a deneer more! And, because you would
Haue things dispatch'd, Sir, I'll goe presently,
Inquire out this Lady. If you thinke good, Sir.
Hauing an hundred pieces ready, you may
Part with those, now, to serue my kinsmans turnes,
That he may wait vpon you, anon, the freer;
And take 'hem when you ha' seal'd, againe, of Guilt-head.

Fit.
I care not if I do!

Mer.
And dispatch all,
Together.

Fit.
There, th'are iust: a hundred pieces!
I' ha'told 'hem ouer, twice a day, these two moneths.

Hee turnes 'hem out together. And Euerill and hee fall to share.
Mer.
Well, go, and seale then, Sr, make your returne
As speedy as you can.

Eve.
Come gi' mee.

Mer.
Soft, Sir,

Eve.
Mary, and faire too, then. I'll no delaying, Sir.

Mer.
But, you will heare?

Ev.
Yes, when I haue my diuident.

Mer.
Theres forty pieces for you.

Eve.
What is this for?

Mer.
Your halfe. You know, that Guilt-head must ha' twenty.

Eve.
And what's your ring there? shall I ha' none o'that?

Mer.
O, thats to be giuen to a Lady!

Eve.
Is't so?

Mer.
By that good light, it is.

Ev.
Come, gi'me
Ten pieces more, then.

Mer.
Why?

Ev.
For Guilt-head? Sir,
Do' you thinke, I'll 'low him any such share:

Mer.
You must.

Eve.
Must I? Doe you your musts, Sir, I'll doe mine,
You wi'not part with the whole, Sir? Will you? Goe too.
Gi' me ten pieces!

Mer.
By what law, doe you this?

Eve.
E'n Lyon-law, Sir, I must roare else.

Mer.
Good!

Eve.
Yo' haue heard, how th'Asse made his diuisions, wisely?

Mer.
And, I am he. I thanke you.

Ev.
Much good do you, Sr.

Mer.
I shall be rid o'this tyranny, one day?

Eve.
Not,
While you doe eate; and lie, about the towne, here;
And coozen i'your bullions; and I stand
Your name of credit, and compound your businesse;
Adiourne your beatings euery terme; and make
New parties for your proiects. I haue, now,
A pretty tasque, of it, to hold you in
Wi' your Lady Tayle-bush: but the toy will be,
How we shall both come off?

Mer.
Leaue you your doubting.
And doe your portion, what's assign'd you: I
Neuer fail'd yet.

Eve.
With reference to your aydes?
You'll still be vnthankfull. Where shall I meete you, anon?
You ha' some feate to doe alone, now, I see;
You wish me gone, well, I will finde you out,
And bring you after to the audit.

Mer.
S'light!
There's Ingines share too, I had forgot! This raigne
Is too-too-vnsuportable! I must
Quit my selfe of this vassalage! Ingine! welcome.

Scene. IV.

Mere-craft. Ingine. VVittipol.
[Mer.]
How goes the cry?

Ing.
Excellent well!

Mer.
Wil't do?
VVhere's Robinson?

Ing.
Here is the Gentleman, Sir.
VVill vndertake t'himselfe. I haue acquainted him,

Mer.
VVhy did you so?

Ing.
VVhy, Robinson would ha'told him,
You know. And hee's a pleasant wit! will hurt
Nothing you purpose. Then, he'is of opinion,
That Robinson might want audacity,
She being such a gallant. Now, hee has beene,
In Spaine, and knowes the fashions there; and can
Discourse; and being but mirth (hee saies) leaue much,
To his care:

Mer.
But he is too tall!

Ing.
For that,
He has the brauest deuice! (you'll loue him for't)
He excepts at his stature.
To say, he weares Cioppinos: and they doe so
In Spaine. And Robinson's as tall, as hee.

Mer.
Is he so?

Ing.
Euery iot.

Mer.
Nay, I had rather
To trust a Gentleman with it, o'the two.

Ing.
Pray you goe to him, then, Sir, and salute him.

Mer.
Sir, my friend Ingine has acquainted you
With a strange businesse, here.

Wit.
A merry one, Sir.
The Duke of Drown'd-land, and his Dutchesse?

Mer.
Yes, Sir.
Now, that the Coniurers ha' laid him by,
I ha' made bold, to borrow him a while;

Wit.
With purpose, yet, to put him out I hope
To his best vse?

Mer.
Yes, Sir.

Wit.
For that small part,
That I am trusted with, put off your care:
I would not lose to doe it, for the mirth,
Will follow of it; and well, I haue a fancy.

Mer.
Sir, that will make it well.

Wit.
You will report it so.
Where must I haue my dressing?

Ing.
At my house, Sir.

Mer.
You shall haue caution, sir, for what he yeelds,
To six pence.

Wit.
You shall pardon me. I will share, Sir,
I' your sports, onely: nothing i'your purchase.
But you must furnish mee with complements,
To th'manner of Spaine; my coach, my guarda duenn'as;

Mer.
Ingine's your Pro'uedor. But, Sir, I must
(Now I'haue entred trust wi'you, thus farre)
Secure still i' your quality, acquaint you
With somewhat, beyond this. The place, design'd
To be the Scene, for this our mery matter,
Because it must haue countenance of women,
To draw discourse, and offer it, is here by,
At the Lady Taile-bushes.

Wit.
I know her, Sir,
And her Gentleman hutsher.

Mer.
Mr Ambler?

Wit.
Yes, Sir.

Mer.
Sir, It shall be no shame to mee, to confesse
To you, that wee poore Gentlemen, that want acres,
Must for our needs, turne fooles vp, and plough Ladies
Sometimes, to try what glebe they are: and this
Is no vnfruitefull piece. She, and I now,
Are on a proiect, for the fact, and venting
Of a new kinde of fucus (paint, for Ladies)
To serue the kingdome: wherein shee her selfe
Hath trauell'd, specially, by way of seruice
Vnto her sexe, and hopes to get the Monopoly,
As the reward, of her inuention.

Wit.
What is her end, in this?

Ev.
Merely ambition,
Sir, to grow great, and court it with the secret:
Though shee pretend some other. For, she's dealing,
Already, vpon caution for the shares,
And Mr. Ambler, is hee nam'd Examiner
For the ingredients; and the Register
Of what is vented; and shall keepe the Office.
Now, if shee breake with you, of this (as I
Must make the leading thred to your acquaintance,
That, how experience gotten i' your being
Abroad, will helpe our businesse) thinke of some
Pretty additions, but to keepe her floting:
It may be, shee will offer you a part,
Any strange names of—

Wit.
Sr, I haue my'instructions.
Is it not high time to be making ready?

Mer.
Yes, Sir,

Ing.
The foole's in sight, Dottrel.

Mer.
Away, then.

Scene. V.

Mere-craft. Fitz-dottrel. Pvg.
[Mer.]
Return'd so soone?

Fit.
Yes, here's the ring: I ha'seal'd.
But there's not so much gold in all the row, he saies—
Till't come fro' the Mint. 'Tis tane vp for the gamesters.

Mer.
There's a shop-shift! plague on'hem.

Fit.
He do's sweare it.

Mer.
He'll sweare, and forsweare too, it is his trade,
You should not haue left him.

Fit.
S'lid, I can goe backe,
And beat him, yet.

Mer.
No, now let him alone.

Fit.
I was so earnest, after the maine Businesse,
To haue this ring, gone.

Mer.
True, and 'tis time.
I'haue learn'd, Sir, sin' you went, her Ladi-ship eats
With the Lady Tail-bush, here, hard by.

Fit.
I'the lane here?

Mer.
Yes, if you'had a seruant, now of presence,
Well cloth'd, and of an aëry voluble tongue,
Neither too bigge, or little for his mouth,
That could deliuer your wiues complement;
To send along withall.

Fit.
I haue one Sir,
A very handsome, gentleman-like-fellow,
That I doe meane to make my Dutchesse Vsher—
I entertain'd him, but this morning, too:
I'll call him to you. The worst of him, is his name!

Mer.
She'll take no note of that, but of his message.

Hee shewes him his Pug.
Fit.
Diuell! How like you him, Sir. Pace, go a little.
Let's see you moue.

Mer.
He'll serue, Sr, giue it him:
And let him goe along with mee, I'll helpe
To present him, and it.

Fit.
Looke, you doe sirah,
Discharge this well, as you expect your place.
Do'you heare, goe on, come off with all your honours.
I would faine see him, do it.

Mer.
Trust him, with it;

Giues him instructions.
Fit.
Remember kissing of your hand, and answering
With the French-time, in flexure of your body.
I could now so instruct him—and for his words—

Mer.
I'll put them in his mouth.

Fit.
O, but I haue 'hem
O'the very Academics.

Mer.
Sir, you'll haue vse for 'hem,
Anon, your selfe, I warrant you: after dinner,
When you are call'd.

Fit.
S'light, that'll be iust play-time.
He longs to see the play.
It cannot be, I must not lose the play!

Mer.
Sir, but you must, if she appoint to sit.
And, shee's president.

Fit.
S'lid, it is the Diuell!

Because it is the Diuell.
Mer.
And, 'twere his Damme too, you must now apply
Your selfe, Sir, to this, wholly; or lose all.

Fit.
If I could but see a piece—

Mer.
Sr. Neuer think on't.

Fit.
Come but to one act, and I did not care—
But to be seene to rise, and goe away,
To vex the Players, and to punish their Poet—
Keepe him in awe!

Mer.
But say, that he be one,
Wi'not be aw'd! but laugh at you. How then?

Fit.
Then he shall pay for'his dinner himselfe.

Mer.
Perhaps,
He would doe that twice, rather then thanke you.
Come, get the Diuell out of your head, my Lord,
(I'll call you so in priuate still) and take
Your Lord-ship i'your minde. You were, sweete Lord,
He puts him in mind of his quarrell.
In talke to bring a Businesse to the Office.

Fit.
Yes.

Mer.
Why should not you, Sr, carry it o'your selfe,
Before the Office be vp? and shew the world,
You had no need of any mans direction;
In point, Sir, of sufficiency. I speake
Against a kinsman, but as one that tenders
Your graces good.

Fit.
I thanke you; to proceed—

Mer.
To Publications: ha'your Deed drawne presently.
And leaue a blancke to put in your Feoffces
One, two, or more, as you see cause—

Fit.
I thank you
Heartily, I doe thanke you. Not a word more,
I pray you, as you loue mee. Let mee alone.
That I could not thinke o'this, as well, as hee?
He is angry with himselfe.
O, I could beat my infinite blocke-head—!

Mer.
Come, we must this way.

Pvg.
How far is't.

Mer.
Hard by here
Ouer the way. Now, to atchieue this ring,
He thinkes how to coozen the bearer, of the ring.
From this same fellow, that is to assure it;
Before hee giue it. Though my Spanish Lady,
Be a young Gentleman of meanes, and scorne
To share, as hee doth say, I doe not know
How such a toy may tempt his Lady-ship:
And therefore, I thinke best, it be assur'd.

Pvg.
Sir, be the Ladies braue, wee goe vnto?

Mer.
O, yes.

Pvg.
And shall I see 'hem, and speake to 'hem?

Mer.
What else? ha' you your false-beard about you? Traines.

Questions his man.
Tra.
Yes,

Mer.
And is this one of your double Cloakes?

Tra.
The best of 'hem.

Mer.
Be ready then. Sweet Pitfall!

Scene. VI.

Mere-craft. Pitfall. Pvg. Traines.
Offers to kisse.
[Mer.]
Come, I must busse—

Pit.
Away.

Mer.
I'll set thee vp again.
Neuer feare that: canst thou get ne'r a bird?
No Thrushes hungry? Stay, till cold weather come,
I'll help thee to an Onsell, or, a Field-fare.
She runs in, in haste: he followes.
Who's within, with Madame?

Pit.
I'll tell you straight.

Mer.
Please you stay here, a while Sir, I'le goe in.

Pvg.
I doe so long to haue a little venery,
Pug leaps at Pitfall's comming in.
While I am in this body! I would tast
Of euery sinne, a little, if it might be
After the māner of man! Sweet-heart!

Pit.
What would you, Sr?

Pvg.
Nothing but fall in, to you, be your Black-bird,
My pretty pit (as the Gentleman said) your Throstle:
Lye tame, and taken with you; here 'is gold!
To buy you so much new stuffes, from the shop,
Traine's in his false cloak, brings a false message, and gets the ring. Mere-craft followes presently, and askes for it. Ent. Train's as himselfe againe.
As I may take the old vp—

Tra.
You must send, Sir.
The Gentleman the ring.

Pvg.
There 'tis. Nay looke,
Will you be foolish, Pit,

Pit.
This is strange rudenesse.

Pvg.
Deare Pit.

Pit.
I'll call, I sweare.

Mer.
Where are you, Sr?
Is your ring ready? Goe with me.

Pvg.
I sent it you.

Mer.
Me? When? by whom?

Pvg.
A fellow here, e'en now,
Came for it i'your name.

Mer.
I sent none, sure.
My meaning euer was, you should deliuer it,
Your selfe: So was your Masters charge, you know.
What fellow was it, doe you know him?

Pvg.
Here,
But now, he had it.

Mer.
Saw you any? Traines?

Tra.
Not I.

Pvg.
The Gentleman saw him.

Mer.
Enquire.

Pvg.
I was so earnest vpon her, I mark'd not!
The Diuell confesseth himselfe coozen'd.
My diuellish Chiefe has put mee here in flesh,
To shame mee! This dull body I am in,
I perceiue nothing with! I offer at nothing,
That will succeed!

Tra.
Sir, she saw none, she saies.

Pvg.
Satan himselfe, has tane a shape t'abuse me.
It could not be else!

Mer.
This is aboue strange!
Mere-craft accuseth him of negligence.
That you should be so retchlesse. What'll you do, Sir?
How will you answer this, when you are question'd?

Pvg.
Run from my flesh, if I could: put off mankind!
This's such a scorne! and will be a new exercise,
For my Arch-Duke! Woe to the seuerall cudgells,
Must suffer, on this backe! Can you no succours? Sir?

He asketh ayde.
Mer.
Alas! the vse of it is so present.

Pvg.
I aske,
Sir, credit for another, but till to morrow?

Mer.
There is not so much time, Sir. But how euer,
The Lady is a noble Lady, and will
(To saue a Gentleman from check) be intreated
To say, she ha's receiu'd it.

Pvg.
Do you thinke so?
Mere-craft promiseth faintly, yet comforts him.
Will shee be won?

Mer.
No doubt, to such an office,
It will be a Lady's brauery, and her pride.

Pvg.
And not be knowne on't after, vnto him?

Mer.
That were a treachery! Vpon my word,
Be confident. Returne vnto your master,
My Lady President sits this after-noone,
Ha's tane the ring, commends her seruices
Vnto your Lady-Dutchesse. You may say
She's a ciuill Lady, and do's giue her
All her respects, already: Pad you, tell her
She liues, but to receiue her wish'd commandements,
And haue the honor here to kisse her hands:
For which shee'll stay this houre yet. Hasten you
Your Prince, away.

Pvg.
And Sir, you will take care
The Diuel is doubtfull.
Th'excuse be perfect?

Mer.
You confesse your feares.
Too much.

Pvg.
The shame is more, I'll quit you of either.