University of Virginia Library

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.