University of Virginia Library

Scæna 2.

Enter Francisco.
Fra.
A man must have a time to serve his pleasure,
As well as his dear Friend, I'm forc'd to steal from 'em,
To get this night of sport for mine own use:
What says her amiable witty letter here?
'Twixt nine and ten, now 'tis 'twixt six and seaven,
As fit as can be; he that follows Lecherie,
Leaves all at six and seaven, and so doe I me thinks:
Sun sets at eight, its 'bove an hour high yet,
Some fifteen mile have I before I reach her,
But I've an excellent horse; and a good gallop,
Helps man as much as a provoking Banquet.

[Enter 1 Suiter with Officers.]
1 Suiter.
Here's one of 'em, begin with him first Officers.

Officer.
By vertue of this writ we attach your body Sir.

Fra.
My body? 'life, for what?

1 Suiter.
Hold him fast Officers.

Officer.
The least of us can do't, now his Sword's off Sir,
We have a trick of hanging upon Gentlemen,
We never lose a man.

Fra.
O treacherous fortune,
Why what's the cause?

1 Suiter.
The Widow's business Sir,
I hope you know me?

Fra.
For a busie Coxcomb,
This fifteen year, I take it.

1 Suiter.
Oh y'ar mad Sir,
Simple though you make me, I stand for the Widow.

Fra.
She's simply stood for then: what's this to me Sir,
Or she, or you, or any of these flesh-hooks?

1 Suiter.
Y'ar like to find good bayl before you leave us,
Or lye till the Suit's tride.

Fra.
O my loves misery.

1 Suiter.

I'm put in trust to follow't, and Ile do't with all
severitie;

Build upon that Sir.

[Enter Ricardo and Attilio.]
Fra.
How I would curss my self.

Ric.
Look, here's Francisco,
Will you believe me, now you see his qualities?

Attilio.
'Tis strange to me.

Ric.
I tell you 'tis his fashion,
He never stole away in's life from me,
But still I found him in such scurvie Companie;
A pox on thee Francisco wilt never leave thy old
Tricks, are these lowsy Companions for thee?

Fra.
Pish, pish, pish.

1 Suiter.
Here they be all three now: 'prehend 'em Officers.

Ric.
What's this?

Fra.
I gave you warning enough to make away,
I'm in for the Widows business, so are you now.

Ric.

What, all three in a nooze? this is like a Widows business
indeed.

1 Suiter.
Sh'as catchd you Gentlemen, as you catchd her,
The Widow means now, to begin with you Sir.

Ric.

I thank her heartily, sh'as taught me wit: for had I been
any but an ass, I should ha' begun with her indeed: by this light,
the Widows a notable House-wife, she bestirs her self, I have a

greater mind to her now than e'r I had: I cannot goe to prison
for one I love better I protest, that's one good comfort,

And what are you I pray Sir, for a Coxcomb?

1 Suiter.
It seems you know me by your anger Sir.

Ric.
I've a neer ghess at you Sir.

1 Suiter.
Ghess what you please Sir,
I'm he ordaind to trounce you, and indeed
I am the man must carry her.

Ric.
I, to me.
But Ile swear she's a beast, and she carry thee.

1 Suiter.
Come, wher's your Bail Sir, quickly, or away.

Ric.
Sir, I'm held wrongfully, my Bayls taken already.

1 Suiter.
Where i'st Sir, where?

[Enter 2 Suiter.]
Ric.

Here they be both: pox on you, they were taken before
I'd need of 'em, and you be honest Officers let's Bail one another,
for by this hand, I doe not know who will else:—'odds' light is
he come too? I'm in for midnight then, I shall never find the way
out agen: my debts, my debts:

I'm like to dye i'th' hole now.

1 Suiter.
We have him fast old Signior, and his Consorts,
Now you may lay action on action on him.

2 Suiter.
That may I Sir, y'faith.

1 Suiter.
And I'ld not spare him Sir.

2 Suiter.
Know you me Officers?

Officer.
Your bounteous worship Sir.

Ric.
I know the rascall so well, I dare not look upon him.

2 Suiter.
Upon my worth deliver me that Gentleman.

Fra.
Which Gentleman?

2 Suiter.
Not you Sir, y'ar too hastie;
No, nor you neither Sir: pray stay your time.

Ric.
Ther's all but I now, and I dare not think he means me.

2 Suiter.
Deliver me Ricardo.

Ric.
O sure he lyes,
Or else I doe not hear well.

Officer.
Signior Ricardo.

Ric.
Well, what's the matter? you may goe, who let's you?

Officer.
It is his worships pleasure Sir to Bayl you.

Ric.
Bayl me?

2 Suiter.
I will, I Sir, look in my face man,
Thou'st a good cause, thoul't pay me when thour't able?

Ric.
I, every penny, as I am a Gentleman.

2 Suiter.
No matter if thou do'st not, then, Ile make thee,
And that's as good at all times.

1 Suiter.
But I pray Sir,
You goe against the Hair there.

2 Suiter.
Against the Widow you mean Sir,
Why 'tis my purpose truly, and against you too,
I saw your politick Combination,
I was thrust out between you: here stands one
Shall doe as much for you, and he stands rightest,
His cause is strong and fair, nor shall he want
Money, or means, or friends, but he shall have her,
I've enough, and I will have my humour.

1 Suiter.
Hang thee; I have a purss as good as thine.

Ric.
I think they'r much alike, they'r rich knaves both.
'Heart, and I take your rayling at my Patron Sir,
Ile cramp your joynts.

2 Suiter.
Let him alone sweet honey,
I thank thee for thy love though.

Ric.
This is wonderfull.

Fra.
Oh Ricardo,
'Tis seaven, struck in my pocket: I lose time now.

Ric.
What sayst Francisco?

Fra.
I ha' mighty business,
That I ne'r thought on: get me Baild, I'm spoild else.

Ric.
Why you know, 'tis such a strange miraculous curtesie,
I dare not be too forward, to aske more of him,
For fear he repent this, and turn me in agen.

Fra.
Doe somewhat and you love me.

Ric.
Ile make tryall 'faith
May't please you Sir:—'life if I should spoil all now?

2 Suiter.
What sayst Ricardo?

Ric.
Only a thing by 'th'way Sir,
Use your own pleasure.

2 Suiter.
That I like well from thee.

Ric.
'Twere good, and those two Gentlemen were Bayld too,
They'r both my witnesses.

2 Suiter.
They'r well, they'r well;
And they were Bayld, we know not where to find 'em,
Let 'em goe to prison, they'l be forth-comming the better,
I have enough, and I will have my humour.

Ric.
I knew there was no more good to be done upon him,
'Tis well I've this, heav'n knows I never lookt for't.

Fra.
What plaguy luck had I to be ensnar'd thus?

Officer.
O, patience.

[Enter Brandino and Martino.]
Fra.
Pox O your comfortable ignorance.

Bran.
Martino, we ride slow.

Mar.
But we ride sure Sir,
Your hastie riders often come short home Mr.

Bran.
'Bless this fair companie.

Fra.
Here he's agen too,
I am both sham'd, and cross'd.

Bran.
See'st thou who's yonder, Martino?

Mar.
We ride slow, ile besworn now Mr.

Bran.
How now Francisco, art thou got before me?

Fra.
Yes, thank my fortune, I am got before you.

Bran.
What no? in hold?

Ric.
I, o' my troth poor Gentleman,
Your worship Sir, may doe a good deed to Bayl him.

Bran.
Why doe not you do't then?

Mar.
La you Sir now, my Mr. h'as that honestie
He's loth to take a good deed from you Sir.

Ric.
Ile tell you why I cannot, else I would Sir.

Fra.
Luck I beseech thee,
If he should be wrought to Bail me now, to goe to
His wife, 'twere happiness beyond expression.

Bran.
A matter but of controversie.

Ric.
That's all, trust me Sir.

Bran.
Francisco shall ne'r lye for't; he's my friend,
And I will Bayl him.

Mar.
He's your secret friend Mr.
Think upon that.

Bran.
Give him his liberty Officers,
Upon my perill, he shalbe forth comming.

Fra.
How I am bound to you?

1 Suiter.
Know you whom you cross Sir?
'Tis at your Sisters sute, be well advis'd Sir,

Bran.
How, at my Sisters sute? take him agen then.

Fra.
Why Sir, doe you refuse me?

Bran.
Ile not hear thee.

Rich.
This is unkindly done sir.

1 suter.
'Tis wisely done sir.

2 suter.
Well shot, foul malice.

1 suter.
Flattery stinks worse sir.

Ric.
You'l never leave till I make you stink as bad sir.

Fran.
Oh Martino, have I this for my late kindness?

Mar.
Alas poor Gentleman, dost complain to me?
Thou shalt not fare the worse for't: Hark you Master,
Your sisters sute said you?

Bran.
I sir, my wifes sister.

Mar.
And shall that dant you Master? think agen,
Why wer't your mothers sute; your mothers sute,
Mark what I say, the dearest sute of all sutes,
You'r bound in conscience sir to bayl this Gentleman.

Bra.
Yea, am I so, how proov'st thou that Martino?

Mar.
Have you forgot so soon, what he did lately?
Has he not tri'd your wife to your hand master?
To cut the throat of slander and suspition;
And can you do too much for such a man?
Shall it be said, I serve an ingratfull master?

Bran.
Never Martino; I will bayl him now,
And 'twere at my wives sute.

Fra.
'Tis like to be so.

Mar.
And I his friend, to follow your example Mr.

Fra.
Precious Martino.

1 suter.
Y'ave done wondrous well sir.
Your sister shall give you thanks.

Ric.
This makes him mad sir.

2 suter.
Wee'l follow't now toth' proof.

1 suter.
Follow your humour out,
The widdow shall find friends.

2 suter.
And so shall he sir,
Mony and means.

Ric.
Hear you me that old huddle.

2 suter.
Mind him not, follow me and ile supply thee,
Thou shalt give all thy Lawyers double fees,
I've burryed mony enough to burry me,
And I will have my humour.

Exit.
Bran.
Fare thee well once again my dear Francisco,
I prethee use my house.

Fran.
It is my purpose sir.

Bran.
Nay you must do't then; though I am old, I'm free.

Exit.
Mar.
And when you want a warrant, come to me.

Exit.
Fra.
That will be shortly now, within this few hours.
This fell out strangely happy. Now to horse,
I shall be nighted; but an hour or two
Never breaks square in love; he comes in time
That comes at all; absence is all loves crime.

Exit.