University of Virginia Library

Actus Secundus.

Scena Prima.

Enter old Master Wincott, and his Wife.
Winc.
And what 's this Dalauill?

Wife.
My apprehension,
Can giue him no more true expression,
Then that he first appeares, a Gentleman,
And well conditioned.

Winc.
That for outward shew;
But what in him haue you obserued else,
To make him better knowne?

Wife.
I haue not Eyes,
To search into the inward Thoughts of Men,
Nor euer was studied in that Art,
To iudge of Mens affection by the face;
But that which makes me best opinion'd of him,
Is, That he 's Companion, and the Friend
Beloued of him, whom you so much commend,
The Noble Master Geraldine.

Winc.
Thou hast spoke,
That which not onely crownes his true desert,
But now instates him, in my better thoughts,
Making his Worth, vnquestioned.

Wife.
Hee pretends
Loue to my sister Pru. I haue obseru'd him,
Single her out, to priuate conference.

Winc.
But I could rather, for her owne sake, wish
Young Geraldine would fixe his thoughts that way,
And shee towards him; In such Affinity,
Trust me, I would not vse a sparing hand.

Wife.
But Loue in these kindes, should not be compel'd,
Forc'd, nor Perswaded; When it freely Springs,
And of it selfe, takes voluntary Roote,
It Growes, it Spreads, it Ripens, and brings foorth,
Such an Vsurious Crop of timely Fruit,
As crownes a plentious Autume.

Enter Clowne.


Winc.
Such a Haruest,
I should not be th'vngladdest man to see,
Of all thy sisters friends: Now, whence come you?

Clo.

Who, I Sir, From a Lodging of Lardgesse, a House of Hospitality,
and a Pallace of Plenty; Where there 's Feeding like Horses, and
Drinking like Fishes; Where for Pints, w'are serued in Pottles; and in
stead of Pottle-pots, in Pailes; in stead of Siluer-tanckards, we drinke
out of Water-tanckards; Clarret runs as freely, as the Cocks; and
Canarie, like the Conduits of a Coronation day; Where there 's nothing
but Feeding and Frollicking; Caruing in Kissing; Drinking, and
Dauncing; Musicke and Madding; Fidsing and Feasting.


Winc.

And where, I pray thee, are all these Reuels kept?


Clo.

They may be rather called Reakes then Reuells; As I came along
by the doore, I was call'd vp amongst them; Hee-Gallants, and
Shee-Gallants, I no sooner look'd out, but saw them out with their
Kniues, Slashing of Shoulders, Mangling of Legs, and Lanching of
Loynes, till there was scarce a whole Limbe left amongst them.


Winc.

A fearefull Massacre.


Clo.

One was Hacking to cut off a Necke, this was Mangling a Brest,
his Knife slip from the Shoulder, and onely cut of a Wing, one was
picking the Braines out of a Head, another was Knuckle deepe in a
Belly, one was Groping for a Liuer, another Searching for the Kidneyes;
I saw one plucke the Sole from the Body (Goose that she was
to suffer't) another prickt into the Breast with his one Bill, Wood-cocke
to indure it.


Wife.

How fell they out at first?


Clo.

I know not that, but it seemes, one had a Stomacke, and another
had a Stomacke; But there was such biting and tearing with
their teeths, that I am sure, I saw some of their poore Carcasses
pay for 't.


Winc.

Did they not send for Surgeons?


Clo.

Alas no, Surgeons helpe was too late; There was no stitching
vp of those Wounds, where Limbe was pluckt from Limbe; Nor any
Salue for those Scarrs, which all the Plaister of Paris cannot Cure.


Winc.

Where grew the quarrell first?


Clo.

It seemes it was first Broacht in the Kitchin; Certaine creatures
being brought in thither, by some of the House; The Cooke being
a Colloricke fellow, did so Towse them and Tosse them, so Plucke
them and Pull them, till hee left them as naked as my Naile, Pinioned
some of them like Fellons; Cut the Spurres from others of their



Heeles; Then downe went his Spits, Some of them he ranne in at the
Throat, and out at the Back-side; About went his Basting-Ladie,
where he did so besawce them, that many a shrode turne they had
amongst them.


Wife.

But in all this, How did the Women scape?


Clo.

They fared best, and did the least hurt that I saw; But for
quietnesse sake, were forc'd to swallow what is not yet digested, yet
euery one had their share, and shee that had least, I am sure by this
time, hath her belly full.


Winc.

And where was all this hauocke kept?


Clo.

Marry Sir, at your next neighbours, Young Master Lionell,
Where there is nothing but Drinking out of Dry-Fats, and Healthing
in Halfe-Tubs, his Guests are fed by the Belly, and Beggers serued at
his Gate in Baskets; Hee 's the Adamant of this Age, the Daffadill
of these dayes, the Prince of Prodigallity, and the very Cæsar of all
young Citizens.


Winc.

Belike then, 'twas a Massacre of meat, not as I apprehended?


Clo.

Your grauity hath gest aright; The chiefest that fell in this
Battell, were wild Fowle and tame Fowle; Phessants were wounded in
stead of Alfaresse, and Capons for Captaines, Anchoues stood for Antiants,
and Cauiare for Corporals, Dishes were assaulted in stead of
Ditches, and Rabbets were cut to pieces vpon the rebellings, some lost
their Legs, whil'st other of their wings were forc'd to flie; The Pioner
vndermind nothing but Pie-crust; And—


Wine.
Enough, enough, your wit hath plai'd too long vpon our patience;
Wife, it grieues me much both for the yong and old man, the one,
Graces his head with care, endures the parching heat and biting cold,
The terrours of the Lands, and feares at Sea in trauell, onely to gaine
Some competent estate to leaue his sonne;
Whiles all that Merchandise, through Gulfes, Crosse-Tides,
Pirats and Stormes, he brings so farre; Th'other
Heere Shipwrackes in the Harbour.

Wife.
Tis the care of Fathers; and the weakenesse
Incident to youth, that wants experience.

Enter Y. Geraldine, Dallauill, Prudentilla, laughing.
Clo.
I was at the beginning of the Battell,
But heere comes some, that it seemes
Were at the rifling of the dead Carcasses;
For by their mirth, they haue had part of the Spoile.



Winc.
You are pleasant, Gentlemen, what I entreat,
Might be the Subiect of your pleasant sport,
It promiseth some pleasure?

Prud.
If their recreation
Bee, as I make no question, on truth grounded,
'twill beget sudden laughter.

Wife.
What 's the Proiect?

Dal.
Who shall relate it.

Winc.
Master Geraldine, if there be any thing can please my Eare,
With pleasant soundes, your Tongue must be the Instrument,
On which the Sring must strike.

Dal.
Bee 't his then.

Prud.
Nay heare it, 'tis a good one.

Wife.
Wee intreat you, Possesse vs oth' Nouell,

Winc.
Speake, good Sir.

Y. Ger.
I shall then, with a kind of Barbarisme,
Shaddow a Ieast, that askes a smoother Tongue,
For in my poore discourse, I doe protest,
'twill but loose his luster.

Wife.
You are Modest.

Winc.
Howeuer speake, I pray; For my sake doo 't?

Clo.

This is like a hastie Pudding, longer in eating, then it was
in making.


Y. Ger.
Then thus it was, this Gentleman and I,
Past but iust now, by your next Neighbours house,
Where as they say, dwels one Young Lionell.

Clo.
Where I was to night at Supper.

Winc.
An vnthrift Youth, his Father now at Sea.

Y. Ger.
Why that 's the very Subiect, vpon which
It seemes, this Iest is grounded, there this Night,
Was a great feast.

Clo.
Why so I told you, Sir.

Winc.
Bee thou still dumbe, 'tis hee that I would heare.

Y. Ger.
In the height of their Carowsing, all their braines,
Warm'd with the heat of Wine; Discourse was offer'd,
Of Ships, and Stormes at Sea; when suddenly,
Out of his giddy wildnesse, one conceiues
The Roome wherein they quafft, to be a Pinnace,
Moouing and Floating; and the confused Noise,
To be the murmuring Windes, Gusts, Marriners;
That their vnstedfast Footing, did proceed


From rocking of the Vessell: This conceiu'd,
Each one begins to apprehend the danger,
And to looke out for safety, flie saith one
Vp to the Maine-top, and discouer; Hee
Climbes by the bed post, to the Teaster, there
Reports a Turbulent Sea and Tempest towards;
And wills them if they'le saue their Ship and liues,
To cast their Lading ouer-board; At this
All fall to Worke, and Hoyste into the Street,
As to the Sea, What next come to their hand,
Stooles, Tables, Tressels, Trenchers, Bed-steds, Cups,
Pots, Plate, and Glasses; Heere a fellow Whistles,
They take him for the Boat-swaine, one lyes strugling
Vpon the floore, as if he swome for life,
A third, takes the Base-violl for the the Cock-boate,
Sits in the belly on 't, labours and Rowes;
His Oare, the Sticke with which the Fidler plaid;
A fourth, bestrides his Fellowes, thinking to scape
As did Arion, on the Dolphins backe,
Still fumbling on a gitterne.

Clo.
Excellent Sport.

Winc.
But what was the conclusion?

Y. Ger.
The rude multitude,
Watching without, and gaping for the spoyle
Cast from the windowes, went bith' eares about it;
The Constable is called to Attone the broyle,
Which done, and hearing such a noise within,
Of eminent Ship-racke; enters the house, and finds them
In this confusion, They Adore his staffe,
And thinke it Neptunes Trident, and that hee
Comes with his Tritons, (so they cal'd his watch)
To calme the Tempest, and appease the Waues;
And at this point, wee left them.

Clo.
Come what will, ile steale out of Doores,
And see the end of it, that 's certaine.

Exit.
Winc.
Thanks Master Geraldine, for this discourse,
Introath it hath much pleased mee, but the night
Begins to grow faste on vs, for your parts,
You are all young, and you may sit vp late,
My eyes begin to summon mee to sleepe,


And nothing 's more offensiue vnto Age,
Then to watch long and late.

Y. Ger.
Now good Rest with you.

Dal.
What saies faire Prudentilla? Maids and Widdows,
And wee young Batchelors, such as indeed
Are forc'd to lie in Solitary beds,
And sleepe without disturbance; wee methinks,
Should desire later houres; when Married Wines,
That in their amorus armes, hug their delights;
To often wakings subiect; their more hast,
May better bee excused.

Prud.
How can you,
That are as you confesse, a single man,
Enter so farre into these Misticall secrets
Of Mariage, which as yet you neuer prooued.

Dal.
There 's Lady, an instinct innate in man,
Which prompts vs to the apprehensions
Of th'vses wee were borne to; Such we are
Aptest to learne; Ambitious most to know,
Of which our chiefe is Marriage.

Prud.
What you Men
Most meditate, wee Women seldome dreame of.

Dal.
When dreame Maids most?

Prud.
When thinke you?

Dal.
When you lie vpon your Backs, come come, your Eare.

Exit Dal. and Prud.
Y. Ger.
Wee now are left alone.

Wife.
Why say wee be who should be iealous of vs?
This is not first of many hundred Nights,
That wee two haue beene priuate, from the first
Of our acquaintance, when our Tongues but clipt
Our Mothers-tongue, and could not speake it plaine,
Wee knew each other; As in stature, so
Increast our sweet Societie, Since your trauell,
And my late Marriage, Through my Husbands loue,
Mid-night hath beene as Mid-day, and my Bed-chamber,
As free to you, as your owne Fathers house,
And you as welcome too 't.

Y. Ger.
I must confesse,
It is in you, your Noble Courtesie,
In him, a more then common confidence,
And in this Age, can scarce find president.



Wife.
Most trew, it is withall an Argument,
That both our vertues are so deepe imprest
In his good thoughts, hee knowes we cannot erre.

Y. Ger.
A villaine were bee, to deceiue such trust,
Or (were there one) a much worse Carracter.

Wife.
And she no lesse, whom either Beauty, Youth,
Time, Place, or opportunity could tempt,
To iniure such a Husband.

Y. Ger.
You deserue, euen for his sake, to be for euer young;
And hee for yours, to haue his Youth reuew'd;
So mutuall is your trew coniugall Loue; Yet had the Fates so pleas'd

Wife.
I know your meaning,
It was once voyc'd, that wee two should haue Matcht,
The World so thought, and many Tongues so spake,
But Heauen hath now dispos'd vs otherwayes;
And being as it is, (a thing in me,
Which I protest, was neuer wisht, nor sought)
Now done, I not repent it.

Y. Ger.
In those times,
Of all the Treasures of my Hopes and Loue,
You were th'Exchequer, they were Stor'd in you;
And had not my vnfortunate Trauell crost them,
They had bin heere reserued still.

Wife.
Troath they had,
I should haue beene your trusty Treasurer.

Y. Ger.
Howeuer let vs Loue still, I intreat:
That, Neighbour-hood and breeding will allow;
So much the Lawes Diuine and Humaine both,
Twixt Brother and a Sister will approue;
Heauen then forbid, that they should limit vs
Wish well to one another.

Wife.
If they should not,
Wee might proclaime, they were not Charitable,
Which were a deadly sin but to conceiue.

Y. Ger.
Will you resolue me one thing?

Wife.

As to one, that in my Bosome hath a second place,
next my deere Husband.


Y. Ger.
That 's the thing I craue,
And onely that, to haue a place next him.

Wife.
Presume on that already, but perhaps,


You meane to stretch it further.

Y. Ger.
Onely thus farre,
Your Husbands old, to whom my Soule doth wish,
A Nesters age, So much he merits from me;
Yet if (as proofe and Nature daily teach)
Men cannot alwayes liue, especially
Such as are old and Crazed; Hee be cal'd hence,
Fairely, in full maturity of time,
And we two be reseru'd to after life,
Will you conferre your Widow-hood on mee?

Wife.
You aske the thing, I was about to beg;
Your tongue hath spake mine owne thoughts.

Y. Ger.
Vow to that.

Wife.
As I hope Mercy.

Y. Ger.
'Tis enough, that word
Alone, instates me happy; Now so please you,
Wee will diuide, you to your priuate Chamber,
I to find out my friend.

Wife.
Nay Master Geraldine, one Ceremonie rests yet vnperform'd,
My Vow is past, your oath must next proceed,
And as you couet to be sure of me,
Of you I would be certaine.

Y. Ger.
Make ye doubt?

Wife.
No doubt; but Loue 's still Iealous, and in that
To be excused; You then shall sweare by Heauen,
And as in all your future Acts, you hope
To thriue and prosper; As the Day may yeeld
Comfort, or the Night rest, as you would keepe
Entire, the Honour of your Fathers house,
And free your Name from Scandall and Reproach,
By all the Goodnesse that you hope to enioy,
Or ill to shun—

Y. Ger.
You charge me deeply Lady.

Wife.
Till that day come, you shall reserue your selfe
A single man; Conuerse nor company
With any Woman, Contract nor Combine,
With Maid, or Widow; which expected houre,
As I doe wish not haste, so when it happens,
It shall not come vnwelcome; You here all, Vow this.

Y. Ger.

By all that you haue said, I sweare,
and by this Kisse Confirme.


Wife.
Y'are now my Brother,
But then, my second Husband.

Exeunt.


Enter Y. Lionell, Rioter, Blanda, Scapha, two Gallants, and two Wenches, as newly wak'd from sleepe.
Y. Lio.
Wee had a stormy night on 't.

Bla.
The Wine still workes,
And with the little rest they haue tooke to night,
They are scarce come to themselues.

Y. Lio.
Now 'tis a Calme,
Thankes to those gentle Sea-gods, that haue brought vs
To this safe Harbour; Can you tell their names?

Sca.
He with the Painted-staffe, I heard you call Neptune.

Y. Lio.
The dreadfull god of Seas,
Vpon whose backe neere stucke March flees.

1. Gall.
One with the Bill, keepes Neptunes Porposes,
So Ouid sayes in 's Metamorphosis.

2. Gall.
A third the learned Poets write on,
And as they say, His name is Triton.

Y. Lio.
These are the Marine gods, to whom my father
In his long voyage prayes too; Cannot they
That brought vs to our Hauen, bury him
In their Abisse? For if he safe ariue,
I with these Sailors, Syrens, and what not,
Am sure heere to be shipwrackt.

1. Wen.
Stand vp stiffe.

Rio.
But that the ship so totters: I shall fall.

1. Wen.
If thou fall, Ile fall with thee.

Rio.
Now I sincke,
And as I diue and drowne, Thus by degrees,
Ile plucke thee to the bottome.

They fall.
Y. Lio.
Amaine for England, See, see,
Enter Reignald.
The Spaniard now strikes Saile.

Reig.
So must you all.

1. Gall.
Whence is your ship, from the Bermoothes?

Reig.
Worse, I thinke from Hell:
We are all Lost, Split, Shipwrackt, and vndone,
This place is a meere quick-sands.

2. Gall.
So we feared.

Reig.
Wher 's my young Master?

Y. Lio.
Heere man; speake, the Newes?

Reig.
The Newes is, I, and you—

Y. Lio.
What?

Reig.
Shee, and all these—

Bla.
I?

Reig.
We, and all ours, are in one turbulent Sea
Of Feare, Dispaire, Disaster and mischance swallowed:
Your father, Sir—



Y. Lio.
Why, what of him?

Reig.
He is, Oh I want breath.

Y. Lio.
Where?

Reig.
Landed, and at hand.

Y. Lio.
Vpon what coast? Who saw him?

Reig.
I, these eyes.

Y. Lio.
Oh Heauen, what shall I doe then?

Reig.
Aske ye me what shall become of you, that haue not yet
Had time of studdy to dispose my selfe;
I say againe, I was vpon the Key,
I saw him land, and this way bend his course;
What drunkard 's this, that can out sleepe a storme
Which threatens all our ruines? Wake him.

Bla.
Ho, Rioter, awake.

Rio.
Yes, I am wake;
How dry hath this Salt-water made me; Boy.
Giue me th'other Glasse.

Y. Lio.
Arise, I say,
My Fathers come from Sea.

Rio.
If he be come, Bid him be gone againe.

Reig.
Can you trifle at such a time, when your Inuentions.
Braines, Wits, Plots, Deuices, Stratagems, and all
Should be at one in action? each of you
That loue your safeties, lend your helping hands,
Women and all, to take this drunkard hence,
And to bestow him else where.

Bla.
Lift for Heauens sake.

They carry him in.
Reig.
But what am I the neerer, were all these
Conuey'd to sundry places and vnscene;
The staine of our disorders still remaine,
Of which, the house will witnesse, and the old man
Must finde when he enters; And for these
Enter againe.
I am here left to answere: What is he gone?

Y. Lio.
But whither? But into th'selfe same house
That harbours him; my Fathers, where we all
Attend from him surprise all.

Reig.
I will make
That Prison of your feares, your Sanctuary;
Goe get you in together.

Y. Lio.
To this house?

Reig.
Your Fathers, with your Sweet-heart, these and all;
Nay, no more words but doo 't,

Bla.
That were to betray vs to his fury.



Reig.
I haue 't heere,
To Baile you hence at pleasure; and in th'interim,
Ile make this supposed Goale, to you, as safe
From th'iniur'd old mans iust incensed spleene,
As were you now together ith' Low-Countreyes,
Virginia, or ith' Indies.

Bla.
Present feare,
Bids vs to yeeld vnto the faint beliefe
Of the least hoped safety.

Reig.
Will you in?

Omn.
By thee we will be counsell'd.

Reig.
Shut them fast.

Y. Lio.
And thou and I to leaue them?

Reig.
No such thing, for you shall beare your Sweet-heart company,
And helpe to cheere the rest.

Y. Lio.
And so thou
Meanest to escape alone?

Reig.
Rather without,
Ile stand a Champion for you all within;
Will you be swai'd? One thing in any case
I must aduise; The gates boulted and lockt,
See that 'mongst you no liuing voyce be heard;
No not so much as a Dog to howle,
Or Cat to mewe, all silence, that I charge;
As if this were a meere forsaken house,
And none did there inhabite.

Y. Lio.
Nothing else?

Reig.
And though the old man thunder at the gates
As if he meant to ruine what he had rear'd,
None on their liues to answere.

Y. Lio.
'Tis my charge;
Remaines there nothing else?

Reig.
Onely the Key; for I must play the goaler for your durance,
To bee the Mercurie in your release.

Y. Lio.
Me and my hope, I in this Key deliuer
To thy safe trust.

Reig.
When you are fast you are safe,
And with this turne 'tis done: What fooles are these,
To trust their ruin'd fortunes to his hands
That hath betrai'd his owne; And make themselues
Prisoner to one deserues to lie for all,
As being cause of all; And yet something prompts me,
Ile stand it at all dangers; And to recompence


The many wrongs vnto the yong man done:
Now, if I can doubly delude the old,
My braine, about it then; All 's husht within,
The noise that shall be, I must make without;
And he that part for gaine, and part for wit,
So farre hath trauell'd, striue to foole at home:
Which to effect, Art must with Knauery ioyne,
And smooth Dissembling meet with Impudence;
Ile doe my best, and howsoere it prooue,
My praise or shame, 'tis but a seruants loue.

Enter old Lionell like a ciuill Merchant, with Water-man, and two seruants with Burdens and Caskets.
Old Lio.
Discharge these honest Sailors that haue brought
Our Chests a shore, and pray them haue a care,
Those merchandise be safe we left aboord:
As Heauen hath blest vs with a fortunate Voyage,
In which we bring home riches with our healthes,
So let not vs prooue niggards in our store,
See them paid well, and to their full content.

1 Ser.
I shall Sir.

Old Lio.
Then returne: These speciall things,
And of most value, weele not trust aboord;
Meethinkes they are not safe till they see home,
And there repose, where we will rest our selues,
And bid farewell to Trauell; for I vow,
After this houre, no more to trust the Seas,
Nor throw mee to such danger.

Reig.
I could wish
You had tooke your leaue oth' Land too.

Old Lio.
And now it much reioyceth me, to thinke
What a most sudden welcome I shall bring,
both to my Friends and priuate Family.

Reig.
Oh, but how much more welcome had he beene,
That had brought certaine tidings of thy death.

Old Lio.
But soft, what 's this? my owne gates shut vpon me,
And barre their Master entrance? Whose within there?
How, no man speake, are all asleepe or dead,
Knocks aloud.
That no soule stirres to open?

Reig.
What madde man 's that, who weary of his life,
Dares once lay hand on these accursed gates?

Old Lio.
Whose that? my seruant Reignald.



Reig.
My old Master,
Most glad I am to see you; Are you well Sir?

Old Lio.
Thou see'st I am.

Reig.
But are you sure you are?
Feele you no change about you? Pray you stand off.

Old Lio.
What strange and vnexpected greetings this,
That thus a man may knocke at his owne gates,
Beat with his hands and feet, and call thus loud,
And no man giue him entrance?

Reig.
Said you Sir;
Did your hand touch that hammer?

Old Lio.
Why, whose else?

Reig.
But are you sure you touch it?

Old Lio.
How else, I prethee, could I haue made this noise?

Reig.
You toucht it then?

Old Lio.
I tell thee yet I did.

Reig.
Oh for the loue I beare you,
Oh me most miserable, you, for you owne sake,
Of all aliue most wretched; Did you touch it?

Old Lio.
Why, say I did?

Reig.
You haue then a sinne committed,
No sacrifice can expiate to the Dead;
But yet I hope you did not.

Old Lio.
'Tis past hope,
The deed is done, and I repent it not.

Reig.
You and all yours will doo't. In this one rashnes,
You haue vndone vs all; Pray be not desperate,
But first thanke Heauen that you haue escapt thus well;
Come from the gate, yet further, further yet,
And tempt your fate no more; Command your seruants
Giue off and come no neerer, they are ignorant,
And doe not know the danger, therefore pity
That they should perish in 't; 'Tis full seuen moneths,
Since any of your house durst once set foot
Ouer that threshold.

Old Lio.
Prethee speake the cause?

Reig.
First looke about, beware that no man heare,
Command these to remooue.

Old Lio.
Be gone. Exit Seruants.
Now speake.


Reig.
Oh Sir, This horse is growne Prodigious,
Fatall, Disasterous vnto you and yours.



Old. Lio.
What Fatall? what Disasterous?

Reig.
Some Host that hath beene owner of this house,
In it his Guest hath slaine; And we suspect
'Twas he of whom you bought it.

Old Lio.
How came this
Discouer'd to you first?

Reig.
Ile tell you Sir,
But further from the gate: Your sonne one night
Suppt late abroad, I within; Oh that night,
I neuer shall forget; Being safe got home,
I saw him in his chamber laid to rest;
And after went to mine, and being drowsie,
Forgot by chance, to put the Candle out;
Being dead asleepe; Your sonne affrighted, calls
So loud, that I soone waken'd; Brought in light,
And found him almost drown'd in fearefull sweat;
Amaz'd to see't, I did demand the cause:
Who told me, that this murdered Ghost appeared,
His body gasht, and all ore-stucke with wounds;
And spake to him as followes.

Old Lio.
Oh proceed, 'tis that I long to heare.

Reig.
I am, quoth he,
A Trans-marine by birth, who came well stored
With Gold and Iewels, to this fatall house;
Where seeking safety, I encounter'd death:
The couetous Merchant, Land-lord of this rent,
To whom I gaue my life and wealth in charge;
Freely to enioy the one, rob'd me of both:
Heere was my body buried, here my Ghost
Must euer walke, till that haue Christian right;
Till when, my habitation must be here:
Then flie yong man, Remooue thy family,
And seeke some safer dwelling: For my death,
This mansion is accurst; 'Tis my possession,
Bought at the deere rate of my life and blood,
None enter here, that aymes at his owne good.
And with this charge he vanisht.

Old Lio.
Oh my feare,
Whither wilt thou transport me?

Reig.
I Intreat keepe further from the gate, and flie.



Old Lio.
Flie whither? Why doest not thou flie too?

Reig.
What need I feare, the Ghost and I am friends.

Old Lio.
But Reignald.

Reig.
Tush, I nothing haue deserued,
Nor ought transgrest: I came not neere the gate.

Old Lio.
To whom was that thou spakest?

Reig.
Was 't you Sir nam'd me?
Now as I liue, I thought the dead man call'd,
To enquire for him that thunder'd at the gate
Which he so dearely pai'd for: Are you madd,
To stand a fore-seene danger?

Old Lio.
What shall I doe?

Reig.
Couer you head and flie; Lest looking backe,
You spie your owne confusion.

Old Lio.
Why doest not thou flie too?

Reig.
I tell you Sir,
The Ghost and I am friends.

Old Lio.
Why didst thou quake then?

Reig.
In feare lest some mischance may fall on you,
That haue the dead offended, For my part,
The Ghost and I am friends: Why slie you not,
Since here you are not safe?

Old Lio.
Some blest powers guard me.

Reig.
Nay Sir, ile not forsake you: I haue got the start;
But ere the goale, 'twill aske both Braine and Art.

Exeunt.