University of Virginia Library

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!