University of Virginia Library

Scene III.

Practise. Silkworme, Compasse.
Pra.
It was a barbarous Injury, I confesse:
But if you will be counsell'd, Sir, by me,
The reverend Law lies open to repaire
Your reputation. That will gi' you damages;
Five thousand pound for a finger, I have knowne
Given in Court: And let me pack your Jury.

Silk.
There's nothing vexes me, but that he has staind
My new white sattin Doublet; and bespatter'd
My spick and span silke Stockings, o' the day
They were drawne on: And here's a spot i' my hose too.

Com.
Shrewd maimes! your Clothes are wounded desperately,
And that (I thinke) troubles a Courtier more,
An exact Courtier, then a gash in his flesh.

Silk.
My flesh? I sweare had he giv'n me twice so much,
I never should ha' reckon'd it. But my clothes
To be de defac'd, and stigmatiz'd so foulely!
I take it as a contumely done me
Above the wisedome of our Lawes to right.

Com.
Why then you'l challenge him?

Silk.
I will advise,
Though Mr. Practise here doth urge the Law;
And reputation it will make me of credit,
Beside great damages (let him pack my Jury.)

Com.
He speakes like Mr. Practise, one, that is
The Child of a Profession he's vow'd too,
And servant to the studie he hath taken,
A pure Apprentice at Law! But you must have
The Counsell o' the Sword; and square your action
Vnto their Cannons, and that brother-hood,
If you doe right.

Pra.
I tell you Mr. Compasse,
You speake not like a friend unto the Lawes,
Nor scarce a subject, to perswade him thus,
Vnto the breach o' the peace: Sir you forget
There is a Court above, o' the Starre-Chamber,
To punish Routs and Riots.

Com.
No, young Master,
Although your name be Practise there in Terme time,
I doe remember it. But you'l not heare
What I was bound to say; but like a wild
Young haggard Justice, fly at breach o' the Peace,
Before you know, whether the amorous Knight
Dares break the peace of conscience in a Duell.

Silk.
Troth Mr. Compasse, I take you my friend;
You shall appoint of me in any matter
That's reasonable, so wee may meet faire,
On even termes.

Com.
I shall perswade no other,
(And take your learned Counsell to advise you)
Ile run along with him. You say you'l meet him,
On even termes. I doe not see indeed
How that can be, 'twixt Ironside and you,
Now I consider it. Hee is my brother.
I doe confesse (wee ha' call'd so twenty yeare:)
But you are, Sir, a Knight in Court, allied there,
And so befriended, you may easily answer
The worst successe: He a knowne, noted, bold
Boy o' the Sword, hath all mens eyes upon him;
And there's no London-Iury, but are led
In evidence, as farre by common fame,
As they are by present deposition.
Then you have many brethren, and neer kinsmen.
If he kill you, it will be a lasting Quarrell
T'wixt them, and him. Whereas Rud: Ironside,
Although he ha' got his head into a Beaver,
With a huge feather, 's but a Corriers sonne,
And has not two old Cordov'an skins, to leave
In Leather Caps to mourne him in, if he die.
Againe, you are generally belov'd, he hated
So much, that all the hearts, and votes of men
Goe with you, in the wishing all prosperity
Vnto your purpose; hee's a fat, corpulent,
Vnweildy fellow: you, a dieted Sparke,
Fit for the Combat. He has kild so many;
As it is ten to one his turne is next;
You never fought with any, lesse, slew any:
And therefore have the hopes before you.
I hope these things thus specified unto you,
Are faire advantages: you cannot encounter
Him upon equall termes. Beside, Sir Silkworme,
He hath done you wrong in a most high degree:
And sense of such an Injury receiv'd,
Should so exacuate, and whet your choller,
As you should count your selfe an host of men,
Compar'd to him. And therefore you, brave Sir,
Have no more reason to provoke, or challenge
Him, then the huge great Porter has to try
His strength upon an Infant.

Silke.
Mr. Compasse,
You rather spur me on, then any way
Abate my courage to the Enterprise.

Com.
All Counsell's as it's taken. If you stand
On point of honour, not t'have any odds,
I have rather then disswaded you, then otherwise:
If upon termes of humour and revenge,
I have encourag'd you. So that I thinke,
I have done the part of a friend on either side:
In furnishing your feare with matter first,
If you have any: Or, if you dare fight,
To heighten, and confirme your resolution.

Pra.
I now doe crave your pardon, Mr. Compasse:
I did not apprehend your way before,
The true Perimiter of it: you have Circles,
And such fine draughts about!

Silke.
Sir I doe thanke you,
I thanke you Mr. Compasse heartily;
I must confesse, I never fought before,
And I'll be glad to doe things orderly,
In the right place: I pray you instruct me.
Is't best I fight ambitiously, or malitiously?

Com.
Sir, if you never fought before, be wary,
Trust not your selfe too much.

Silke.
Why? I assure you,
I'am very angry.

Com.
Doe not suffer, though,
The flatuous, windy choller of your heart,
To move the clapper of your understanding,
Which is the guiding faculty, your reason:
You know not, if you'l fight, or no, being brought
Vpo' the place.

Silke.
O yes, I have imagin'd
Him treble arm'd, provok'd too, and as furious
As Homer makes Achilles; and I find
My selfe not frighted with his fame one jot.

Com.
Well, yet take heed. These fights imaginary,
Are lesse then skirmishes, the fight of shadowes:
For shadowes have their figure, motion
And their umbratile action from the reall.
Posture, and motion of the bodies act:
Whereas (imaginarily) many times,
Those men may fight, dare scarce eye one another,
And much lesse meet. But if there be no helpe,
Faith I would wish you, send him a faire Challenge.

Silk.
I will goe pen it presently.

Com.
But word it
In them ost generous termes.

Silk.
Let me alone.

Pra.
And silken phrase: the courtliest kind of Quarrell.

Com.
He'l make it a petition for his peace.

Pra.
O, yes, of right, and hee may doe it by Law.