 | The Night-Walker, or the Little Thief |  |
Actus Quartus.
Scæna Prima.
Enter Wildbrain and Toby.Wil.
Honest Toby?
To.
Sweet Mr. Wildbrain,—I am glad I ha met w'ye
Wild.
Why, did my Aunt send for me?
Tob.
Your Aunt's a mortal, and thinks not on you
For ought I can perceive.
Wild.
Is my cosin alive agen?
Tob.
Neither, and yet we do not hear
That she's buried.
Wild.
What should make thee glad then?
Tob.
What should make me glad? have I not cause,
To see your Princely body well, and walk thus,
Look blithe and bonny, and your Wardrobe whole still?
Wild.
The case is clear, and I ha found a Mine,
A perfect Indie, since my Aunt cashier'd me;
What think'st of this?
Tob.
Oh delicate bells.
Wild.
Thou puttest me in mind,
We are to ring anon, I mean to send for thee;
Meet me at the old Parish Church.
Tob.
Say no more.
Wild.
When thy Lady is a bed, we ha conspir'd
A midnight peal for joy.
Tob.
If I fail, hang me i'th' bell-ropes.
Wild.
And how? and how does my Aunt?
Tob.
She's up to th'ears in Law;
I do so whirl her to the Counsellors chambers,
And back again, and bounce her for more money,
And too again, I know not what they do with her;
But she's the merriest thing among these Law-drivers;
And in their studies half a day together;
If they do get her with Magna Charta, she swears,
By all the ability of her old body,
She will so claw the Justice, she will sell
The tiles of the house she vows, and Sack out o'th' Cellar,
(That she worships to Idolatry) but she'll hang him.
Wild.
I would she could: but hark thee honest Toby.
If a man have a Mistris, may we not,
Without my Aunts leave, borrow now and then
A Coach to tumble in, towards the Exchange,
And so forth?
Tob.
A Mistriss?
Wil.
She may be thine when we are married.
Tob.
Command, I'll carry you both in pomp;
And let my Lady go a foot a Law-catching,
And exercise her corns: where is she Master John?
Wild.
'Shat see her.
Tob.
Shall we ring for her?
Wild.
And drink her health?
Tob.
Drink stifly for five hours.
Wild.
We'll drink fifteen.
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To night? we will ha twenty Torches then,
And through the streets drive on triumphantly;
Triumphantly we'll drive, by my Ladies door,
As I am a Christian, Coachman, I will rattle you
And Urine in her porch, and she shall fear me:
If you say more, I shall run mad outright,
I will drink Sack, and surfeit instantly;
I know not where I am now.
Exit,
Enter Lucher.
Wi.
Hold for thy buttons sake, the knave's transported.
Lur.
Jack Wildbrain?
Wild.
Honest Tom, how thrives the fellonious world with thee now?
Lur.
You look and talk as you were much exalted.
Wild.
Th'art i'th' right Tom. I'll tell thee first,
I ha shook off my Aunt, and yet I live still,
And drink, and sing; her house had like to ha spoil'd me;
I keep no hours now;
Nor need any false key
To the old womans Cabinets, I ha money
Upon my word, and pawn no oaths to th'Butler.
No matrimonial protestations
For Sack-possets to the Chambermaid,
I praise my Fate, there be more ways to th'wood Tom.
Lur.
Prethee release my wonder.
Wild.
I'll increase it, wipe thine eyes,
Here is a chain worth money, and some man had it,
A foolist Diamond, and other trifles—
Lur.
The very same, Oh Gipsey! Infidel!
All that I sweat, and ventur'd my neck for,
He has got already; who would trust a strumpet:
Wild.
This? This is nothing to what I possess
At home.
Lur.
What home?
Wild.
A house that shall be nameless;
The Mistriss of it mine too, such a piece
For flesh and blood, added to that so loving—
Lur.
Is she married?
Wild.
I know not, nor I care not;
But such a prize, so mounting, so delicious,
Thou wilt run mad, I'll tell thee more hereafter,
Lur.
Nay, prethee a word more.
Wild.
I took no pains to find out all this Paradise,
My destiny threw me upon't i'th dark, I found it
Wanting a Lodging too.
Lur.
No old acquaintance?
Wild.
Never, never saw her;
But these things happen not in every age:
I cannot stay, if thou wilt meet anon
At my own randevow, thou knowest the Tavern,
We'll sup together, after that a company
Of merry lads have made a match to ring.
Lur.
You keep your exercise, i'th' old Church?
Wild.
No other,
There is no Musick to the Bells, we wo'd
Have Bonfires if we durst, and thou wo'd come
It shall cost thee nothing Tom, hang pilfering,
And keep me company, in time I may
Shew thee my wench too.
Lur.
I cannot promise; but you will be there?
Wild.
We'll toss the Bells, and make the Steeple
Roar boy, but come to supper then.
Lur,
My hand, and expect me:
Yes, I will come or send, and to some purpose;
Art come boy?
Enter Boy with Gown, Beard, and Constables staff.
Excellent, Knave, how didst thou purchase these?
Boy.
The staff I stole last night from a sleeping Constable;
The rest I borrowed by my acquaintance with
The Players boyes; you were best to lose no time, Sir.
Lur.
So, so, help boy, 'tis very well, do I not look
Like one that breaks the Kings peace with authority?
You know your charge, prepare things handsomely,
My diligent boy, and leave me to my office,
Boy.
There wants nothing already; but I fly Sir.
Exit.
Lur.
Now Fortune prove no slut, and I'll adore, thee.
Within. Ser.
Whose there?
Knocks.
Lur.
A friend wo'd speak with Master Justice.
Ser.
Who are you?
Lur.
I am the Constable.
Ser.
My Master is not at leasure to hear business.
Lur.
How? Not at leasure to do the King service;
Take heed what you say, Sir; I know his worship,
If he know my business, would no excuse.
Ser.
You must go to another Justice, I'll assure
My Master is not well in health.
Lur.
I know not,
But if your worshipful be not at leasure
To do himself a benefit, I am gone Sir,
An infinite benefit, and the State shall thank him for't;
Thank him, and think on him too; I am an Officer.
And know my place, but I do love the Justice;
I honor any authority above me:
Beside, he is my neighbor, and I worship him.
Ser.
You have no Books, nor Ballads, Mr Constable,
About you?
Lur.
What should I doe with Books? does it become
A man of my place to understand such matters?
Pray call your Master, if he please to follow me,
I shall discover to him such a plot,
Shall get him everlasting fame, I'll be hang'd for't,
And he be not knighted instantly, and for reward
Have some of the malefactors Lands, I'll bring him too;
But I cannot delay time.
Within.
Ju.
Who's that?
Ser.
A Constable Sir, would speak about some business,
He says will bring you Fame, and mighty profit.
Lur.
Please your worship come down, I'll make you happy;
The notabl'st piece of villany I have in hand Sir,
And you shall find it out; I ha made choice
To bring your worship to the first knowledge, and
Thank me, as you find the good on't afterwards.
Ju.
What is it? Treason?
Lur.
'Tis little better, I can tell you I have lodg'd
A crew of the most rank and desperate villains:
They talk of robberies and waies they did 'em;
And how they left men bound in their studies.
Ju.
With Books and Ballads?
Lur.
That Sir, that, and murders,
And thousand knaveries more, they're very rich Sir,
In Money, Jewels, Chains, and a hundred more
Devices.
Ju.
Happy, happy Constable, I meet ye
At the back door, get ready knaves.
Lur.
Not a man I beseech you,
I have privately appointed strength about me,
They cannot start, your men would breed suspition;
All my desire is, you would come alone;
That you might have the hope of the enterprise,
That you might hear 'em first, and then proceed, Sir,
Ju.
I come, I come.
Lur.
'Tis very well.
Exit.
Ju.
Keep all my doors fast, 'tis something late.
Lur.
So, so, and please your worship I direct you.
Enter Boy.
Boy.
My Master staies, I doubt his lime-twigs catch not,
If they doe, all's provided; but I all
This while forget my own state, fair Maria
Is certainly alive, I met her in
Another habit, with her Nurse, 'twas she:
There is some trick in't, but when this is over,
I'll find it out, this project for the Usurer
May have good effect; however, 'twill be sport
To mortifie him a little;
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He's come without him:
Have you fail'd, Sir?
Lur.
Prosper'd? my little Ingineer; away,
He is i'th' next room, be not you seen, sirrah.
Exit.
Boy.
The pitfall's ready, never Justice
Was catcht in such a nooze: e'er he get out.
He shall run through a scouring purgatory,
Shall purge him to the quick, 'tis night already.
Exit.
Enter Algripe and Lurcher.
Lur.
Come softly, yet Sir, softly, are you not weary?
Ju.
Th'ast brought me into a melancholy place,
I see no creature.
Lur.
This is, Sir, their Den
Where they suppose themselves secure, I am faint,
With making haste; but I must be thus troubled,
And therefore never go without a Cordial;
Seems to drink.
Without this I should dye;
How it refreshes me
Already? will't please your worship? I might have had
The manners to ha' let you drink before me;
Now am I lusty.
Ju.
'Twas a good taste.
Lur.
Taste? how d'ye find the virtue, nay Sir, spare it not:
My wife has the Receipt, does it not stir
Your Worships body? when you come to examine,
'Twill make you speak like thunder.
Ju.
Hoy he.
Lur.
It works already.
Ju.
Is there never a chair, I was wearier than I thought,
But who shall we have to take 'em Mr. Constable?
Lur.
Let me alone, when I but give the watch-word
We will have men enough to surprize an Army.
Ju.
I begin to be sleepy; what, hast a chair?
Enter another with a chair.
Lur.
They do not dream of us, 'tis early rising;
Care, care, and early rising, Common-wealths men
Are ever subject to the nods; sit down, Sir,
A short nap is not much amiss; so, so, he's fast;
Fast as a fish i'th' net, he has winking powder
Shall work upon him to our wish, remove him,
Nay, we may cut him into collops now
And he ne'r feel; have you prepar'd the vault, sirrah?
Boy.
Yes, yes, Sir, every thing in's place.
Lur.
When you have plac'd him, you and I boy
Must about another project hard by, his potion
Will bind him sure enough till we return,
This villany weighs mainly, But we'll purge ye.
Exit.
Bells ring.
Enter Sexton.
Sex.
Now for mine ears, mine ears be constant to me;
They ring a wager, and I must deal justly, ha boys.
Enter Lurcher and Boy.
Lur.
Dost hear 'em, hark, these be the Ringers?
Boy.
Are you sure the same?
Lur.
Or my directions fail;
The coast is clear:
How the bells go? how daintily they tumble?
And methinks they seem to say; Fine fools I'll fit you.
Sex.
Excellent agen, good boys—oh that was nought.
Lur.
Who's that?
Boy.
Be you conceal'd by any means yet, hark,
They stop, I hope they'll to't agen, close Sir.
Enter Wildbrain, Toby, Ringers.
Wild.
A palpable knock.
Ring.
'Twas none.
To.
Be judg'd by the Sexton then,
If I have ears.
Sex.
A knock, a knock, a gross one.
To.
Carman, your gallon of wine, you ring most impiously,
Art thou o'th' worshipful company of the Knights o'th West,
And handle a bell with no more dexterity?
You think you are in Thames-street
Justling the Carts: oh a clean hand's a Jewel.
Boy.
Good speed to your good exercise.
To.
Y'are welcome
Boy.
I come, Sir, from a Gentleman, and neighbor hard by,
One that loves your Musick well.
To.
He may have more on't,
Handle a bell, as you were haling timber?
Gross, gross, and base, absurd.
Ring.
I'll mend it next peal.
Boy.
To intreat a knowledge of you, whether it be
By the Ear you ring thus cunningly, or by the Eye;
For to be plain, he has laid ten pounds upon't.
Wild.
But which way has he laid?
Boy.
That your Ear guides you,
And not your Eye.
To.
Has won, has won, the Ear's our only instrument:
Boy.
But how shall we be sure on't.
To.
Put all the lights out, to what end serve our eyes then?
Wild.
A plain Case,
Boy.
You say true, 'tis a fine cunning thing to ring by th'Ear sure:
And can you ring i'th' dark so?
Wild.
All night long, boy.
Boy.
'Tis wonderful, let this be certain Gentlemen,
And half his wager he allows among ye;
Is't possible you should ring so?
To.
Possible, thou art a child, I'll ring when I am dead drunk
Out with the lights, no twinkling of a candle,
I know my rope too, as I know my nose,
And can bang it soundly i'th' dark, I warrant you.
Wi.
Come, let's confirm him straight, and win the wager.
Ex.
Boy.
Let me hear to strengthen me;
And when y'ave rung, I'll bring the money to you.
Lur.
So, so, follow 'em;
They shall have a cool reward, one hath gold of mine,
Good store in's pocket,
Ring.
But this will be reveng'd in a short warning.
They are at it lustily; hey, how wantonly
They ring away their cloaths, how it delights me;
Boy.
Here, here, Sir.
Enter Boy with cloaths.
Lur.
Hast Wildbrain's?
Boy.
His whole case, Sir; I felt it out, and by the guards
This should be the Coachmans, another suit too.
Lur.
Away boy, quickly now to the Usurer,
His hour to wake approaches.
Boy.
That once finished,
You'll give me leave to play, Sir: here they come.
Ex.
Enter Wildbrain, Toby, and Ringers.
Wild.
I am monstrous weary.
To.
Fie, how I sweat? Reach me my cloak to cover me,
I run to oyl like a Porpise; 'twas a brave peal.
Sex.
Let me light the candle first, then I'll wait on you.
Wild.
A very brave peal.
To.
Carman, you came in close now.
Wild.
Sure 'tis past midnight.
Ring.
No stirring in the streets I hear.
To.
Walk further, was that a pillar? 'tis harder than my nose;
Where's the boy promis'd us five pounds?
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Room, I sweat still; come, come, my cloak,
I shall take cold.
Enter Sexton.
Sex.
Where lies it?
Wild.
Here, here, and all our cloaths.
Sex.
Where, where?
Ring.
I'th' corner.
To.
Is thy candle blind too, give me the bottle,
I can drink like a Fish now, like an Elephant.
Sex.
Here are the corners, but here are no cloaths;
Yes, here is a cuff.
Wild.
A cuff? give me the candle
Cuffes wonot cover me—I smell the knavery.
Tob.
Is't come to a cuff? my whole suit turned to a button?
Wild.
Now am I as cold again as though 'twere Christmas;
Cold with my fear, I'll never ring by the ear more.
To.
My new cloaths vanish'd?
Wild.
All my cloaths Toby.
Ring.
Here's none.
Tob.
Not one of my dragons wings lest to adorn me,
Have I muted all my feathers?
Wild.
Cheated by the ear; a plot to put out the candle;
I could be mad; my chain, my rings, the gold, the gold.
Tob.
The cold, the cold I cry, and I cry truly,
Not one sleeve, nor a cape of a cloak to warm me.
Wild.
What miserable fools were we?
Tob.
We had e'en best, gentlemen,
Every man chuse his rope again, and fasten it,
And take a short turn to a better fortune,
To be bawds to our miseries, and put our own lights out?
Wild.
Prethee Sexton lets have a fire at thy house.
A good fire, we'll pay thee some way for't, I am stone cold.
Sex.
Alas I pity you, come quickly Gentlemen.
Wild.
Sure I ha been in a dream, I had no Mistriss,
Nor gold, nor cloaths, but am a ringing rascal.
Tob.
Fellows in affliction, let's take hands all,
Now are we fit for tumblers.
Enter Lurcher and others, bringing in Algripe.
Lur.
So, so, presently his sleep will leave him.
And wonder seize upon him,
Bid 'em within be ready.
Ju.
What sound's this?
What horrid dinne? what dismal place is this?
I never saw before, and now behold it;
But by the half light of a Lamp, that burns here:
My spirits shake, tremble through my body;
Help, help.
Enter two Furies, with black Tapers.
Mercy protect me, my soul quakes,
What dreadful apparitions! how I shudder!
1. 2. Fu.
Algripe.
Ju.
What are you?
1.
We are hellhounds, hellhounds, that have commission
From the Prince of darkness,
To fetch thy black soul to him.
Ju.
Am I not alive still?
1.
Thou art, but we have brought thee instruments
Will quickly rid thy miserable life, Stabb,
2.
Poyson.
1.
Hang thy self, this choice is offer'd,
2.
Thou canst not hope for heaven; thy base soul is
Lost to all hope of mercy.
2.
Quickly, quickly,
The torments cool.
1.
And all thy friends expect thee.
Come with us to that pit of endless horror,
Or we will force thee.
Ju.
Oh, oh, oh.
1.
Groans are too late, sooner the ravisher,
Whose soul is hurl'd into eternal frost,
Stung with the force of twenty thousand winters,
To punish the distempers of his blood,
Shall hope to get from thence, than thou avoid
The certainty of meeting hell: where he is,
Shall murderers be there for ever dying,
Their souls shot through with Adders, torn on Engines,
Dying as many deaths for killing one,
Could any imagination number them,
As there be moments in eternity:
And shall that Justice spare thee, that hast slain,
Murdered by thy extortion so many?
Ju.
Oh, oh.
2.
Do execution quickly, or we'll carry thee alive to hell
Ju.
Gently, gentle devils, do not force me
To kill my self, nor do not you do't for me;
Oh let me live, I'll make amends for all.
1.
Tell us of thy repentance? perjur'd villain,
Pinch off his flesh, he must be whipt, salted and whipt.
Ju.
Oh misery of miseries!
Recorders 1. 2.
Tear his accursed limbs, to hell with him, ha!
A mischief on that innocent face, away.
Creeps in.
Enter Boy like an Angel.
Boy.
Malicious furies hence, choak not the seeds
Of holy penitence.
Ju.
This must be an Angel,
How at his presence the fiends crawl away?
Here is some light of mercy.
Boy.
Be thou wise,
And entertain it, wretched, wretched man;
What poor defence hath all thy wealth been to thee?
What says thy conscience now?
Ju.
Be my good Angel, here I promise thee,
To become honest, and renounce all villany;
Enjoyn me any pennance, I'll build Churches;
A whole City of Hospitals.
Boy.
Take heed,
There is no dallying, nor are these impos'd.
Ju.
Name any thing within my power, sweet Angel;
And if I do not faithfully perform it,
Then whip me every day, burn me each minute,
Whole years together let me freeze to Isicles.
Boy.
I'th' number of thy soul oppressions;
Thou hast undone a faithful Gentleman,
By taking forfeit of his Land.
Ju.
Young Lurcher,
I do confess.
Boy.
He lives most miserable,
And in despair may hang or drown himself;
Prevent his ruine, or his blood will be
More sin in thy account: hast thou forgotten
He had a sister?
Ju.
I do well remember it.
Boy.
Couldst thou for Mammon break thy solemn vow,
Made once to that unhappy maid, that weeps
A thousand tears a day for thy unkindness,
Was not thy faith contracted, and thy heart?
And couldst thou marry another?
Ju.
But she is dead,
And I will make true satisfaction.
Boy.
What do I instance these that hast been false
To all the world.
Ju.
I know it, and will henceforth
Practice repentance, do not frown sweet Angel;
I will restore all Mortgages, forswear
Abominable Usury, live chaste;
For I have been wanton in my shroud, my age;
And if that poor innocent maid, I so abus'd,
Be living, I will marry her, and spend
My days to come religiously.
Boy.
I was commanded but a Messenger
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Whose malice would have dragg'd thee quick to hell,
If thou abuse this mercy and repent not,
Double damnation will expect thee for it;
But if thy life be virtuous hereafter,
A blessedness shall reward thy good example,
Thy fright hath much distracted thy weak sences,
Drink of this viol, and renew thy spirits
I ha done my office, think on't and be happy.
Lur.
So, so, he gapes already, now he's fast;
Thou hast acted rarely, but this is not all;
First, help to convey him out o'th' vault.
Boy.
You will dispense with me now, as you promis'd, Sir,
Lur.
We will make shift without thee, th'ast done well,
By our device this bondage may scape hell.
Exit.
Enter Lady, Nurse, Maria.
La.
Didst think Maria, this poor outside, and
Dissembling of thy voice could hide thee from
A mothers searching eye, though too much fear,
Lest thou wert not the same, might blind a Lover
That thought thee dead too, oh my dear Maria,
I hardly kept my joyes in from betraying thee:
Welcome again to life, we shall find out
The mystery of thy absence; conceal
Thy person still, for Algripe must not know thee:
And exercise this pretty Dialect;
If there be any course in Law to free thee,
Thou shalt not be so miserable; be silent
Good Nurse.
Nur.
You should not need to fear me, Madam,
I do not love the usuring Jew so well;
Beside, 'twas my trick to disguise her so.
La.
Be not dejected Mall.
Ma.
Your care may comfort me;
But I despair of happiness:
Hartlove.
I dare not see him.
Nur.
We'll withdraw.
Lur.
I shall but grieve to see his passions too,
Since there's no possibility to relieve him.
Enter Hartlove.
Ha.
The world's a Labyrinth, where unguided men
Walk up and down to find their weariness;
No sooner have we measured with much toil
One crooked path with hope to gain our freedom,
But it betrays us to a new affliction;
What a strange mockery will man become
Shortly to all the creatures?
Oh Mariah!
If thou be'st dead, why does thy shadow fright me?
Sure 'tis because I live; were I but certain
To meet thee in one grave, and that our dust
Might have the priviledge to mix in silence,
How quickly should my soul shake off this burthen!
Enter Boy.
Thus far my wishes have success, I'll lose
No time: Sir, are not you call'd Mr. Hartlove?
Pardon my rudeness.
Ha.
What does that concern
Thee Boy, 'tis a name cannot advantage thee;
And I am weary on't.
Boy.
Had you conceal'd,
Or I forgot it, Sir, so large were my
Directions, that you could not speak this language,
But I should know you by your sorrow.
Ha.
Thou
Wert well inform'd, it seems; well, what's your business?
Boy.
I come to bring you comfort.
Ha.
Is Maria
Alive agen? that's somewhat, and yet not
Enough to make my expectation rise, to
Past half a blessing; since we cannot meet
To make it up a full one; th'art mistaken.
Boy.
When you have heard me, you'll think otherwise:
In vain I should report Maria living:
The comfort that I bring you, must depend
Upon her death.
Ha.
Th'art a dissembling boy,
Some one has sent thee to mock me; though my anger
Stoop not to punish thy green years unripe
For malice; did I know what person sent thee
To tempt my sorrow thus, I should reveng it.
Boy.
Indeed I have no thought so uncharitable,
Nor am I sent to grieve you, let me suffer
More punishment than ever boy deserv'd,
If you do find me false; I serve a Mistriss
Would rather dye than play with your misfortunes;
Then good Sir hear me out.
Ha.
Who is your Mistriss?
Boy.
Before I name her, give me some encouragement,
That you receive her message: she is one
That is full acquainted with your misery,
And can bring such a portion of her sorrow
In every circumstance so like your own,
You'll love and pity her, and wish your griefs
Might marry one anothers.
Ha.
Thou art wild?
Canst thou bring comfort from so sad a creature?
Her miserable story can at best,
But swell my Volume, large enough already.
Boy.
She was late belov'd, as you were, promis'd faith,
And marriage; and was worthy of a better
Than he, that stole Maria's heart.
Ha.
How's that?
Boy.
Just as Maria dealt with your affection,
Did he that married her deal with my Mistriss,
When careless both of Honor and Religion,
They cruelly gave away their hearts to strangers.
Ha.
Part of this truth I know, but prethee boy
Proceed to that thou cam'st for; thou didst Promise
Something, thy language cannot hitherto
Encourage me to hope for.
Boy.
That I come to:
My Mistriss thus unkindly dealt withal,
You may imagine, wanted no affliction;
And had e'r this, wept her self dry as Marble,
Had not your fortune come to her relief,
And twinn to her own sorrow brought her comfort.
Ha.
Could the condition of my fate so equal,
Lessen her sufferings?
Boy.
I know not how
Companions in grief sometimes diminish
And make the pressure easie by degrees:
She threw her troubles off, remembring yours,
And from her pity of your wrongs, there grew
Affection to your person thus increas'd,
And with it, confidence, that those whom Nature
Had made so even in their weight of sorrow,
Could not but love as equally one another,
Were things but well prepar'd, this gave her boldness
To employ me thus far.
Ha.
A strange message, boy.
Boy.
If you incline to meet my Mistriss love,
It may beget your comforts; besides that,
'Tis some revenge, that you above their scorn
And pride can laugh at them, whose perjury
Hath made you happy, and undone themselves.
Ha.
Have you done boy?
Boy.
Only this little more;
When you but see, and know my Mistriss well,
You will forgive my tediousness, she's fair,
Fair as Maria was.
Ha.
I'll hear no more,
225
She has no second Faith to give away;
And mine was given to Maria, though her death
Allow me freedom, see the Picture of her.
Enter Maria, Nurse.
I would given ten thousand Empires for the substance;
Yet for Maria's sake, whose divine Figure
That rude frame carries, I will love this counterfeit
Above all the world, and had thy Mistriss had all
The grace and blossom of her sex; now she
Is gone, that was, walking, a Spring of beauty,
I would not look upon her.
Boy.
Sir, your pardon,
I have but done a message, as becomes
A servant, nor did she on whose commands
I gladly waited, bid me urge her love
To your disquiet, she would chide my diligence
If I should make you angry.
Ha.
Pretty boy.
Boy.
Indeed I fear I have offended you:
Pray if I have, enjoyn me any pennance for it:
I have perform'd one duty, and could as willingly
To purge my fault, and shew I suffer with you,
Plead your cause to another.
Ha.
And I'll take thee
At thy word boy, thou hast a moving language,
That pretty innocent, Copy of Maria
Is all I love, I know not how to speak,
Winn her to think well of me, and I will
Reward thee to thy wishes.
Boy.
I undertake
Nothing for gain, but since you have resolv'd,
To love no other, I'll be faithful to you,
And my prophetick thoughts bid me already
Say I shall prosper.
Ha.
Thou wert sent to bless me.
Boy.
Pray give us opportunity.
Ha.
Be happy.
Exit.
Nur.
He's gone.
Boy.
With your fair leave Mistriss.
Ma.
Have you business with her pray you?
Boy.
I have a message from a Gentleman,
Please you vouchsafe your ear more private.
Nur.
You shall have my absence Neece.
Exit.
Ma.
Was the sentleman afear'd to declare his matters
openly, here was no bodies was not very honest, if her like
Not her errands the petter, was wist to keep her preaths
To cool her porridges, can tell her, that now for aule her
Private hearings and tawgings.
Boy.
You may, if please you, find another language.
And with less pains be understood.
Ma.
What is her meaning?
Boy.
Come, pray speak your own English.
Ma.
Have boyes lost her itts and memories? bless us aule.
Boy.
I must be plain then, come, I know you are
Maria, this thin vail cannot obscure you:
I'll tell the world you live, I have not lost ye,
Since first with grief and shame to be surpriz'd,
A violent trance, took away shew of life;
I could discover by what accident
You were convey'd away at midnight, in
Your coffin, could declare the place, and minute,
When you reviv'd, what you have done since as perfectly—
Ma.
Alas, I am betraid to new misfortunes.
Boy.
You are not, for my knowledge, I'll be dumb
For ever, rather than be such a traitor;
Indeed I pity you, and bring no thoughts,
But full of peace, call home your modest blood,
Pale hath too long usurp'd upon your face;
Think upon love agen, and the possession
Of full blown joyes, now ready to salute you.
Ma.
These words undo me more than my own griefs.
Boy.
I see how fear would play the tyrant with you,
But I'll remove suspition; have you in
Your heart, an entertainment for his love
To whom your Virgin faith made the first promise?
Ma.
If thou mean'st Hartlove, thou dost wound me still,
I have no life without his memory,
Nor with it any hope to keep it long:
Thou seest I walk in darkness like a thief,
That fears to see the world in his own shape,
My very shadow frights me, 'tis a death
To live thus, and not look day in the face,
Away, I know thee not.
Boy.
You shall hereafter know, and thank me Lady,
I'll bring you a discharge at my next visit,
Of all your fears, be content, fair Maria,
'Tis worth your wonder.
Ma,
Impossible.
Boy.
Be wise and silent,
Dress your self, you shall be what you wish.
Ma.
Do this, and be
My better Angel.
Boy.
All your care's on me.
Exeunt.
| The Night-Walker, or the Little Thief | |