 | The Floating Island |  |
Scena. V.
The Scene turns to feilds, walkes & scattered houses.Enter Hilario, and then Sir Timerous with Fuga's ribband.
Hil.
By this way Sir Timerous should
come; whom I as sent from his wrong'd
Lady Fuga have engag'd in a quarrel
against Audax. And yonder comes the
pittiful Earthquake most lovingly trembling.
Tim.
What should I do here? some
desperate knave or other, Desperato himself
(it may be) hath rob'd me of my best
weapon. I thought not to have fought
with steele, but with Gold; and to have
brought this needy Captain to an honourable
submission by dint of Cash. What
disasters have I? That unreasonablly
wicked, that divlish two fac'd Cutter
knew me too well: for when I drew this
harmless blade, he look'd upon it as flightly
as upon a riding wand; and bad me
familiarly put up that, and draw my purse.
Certainly I have too much of the Mother;
I am that which they call a Coward, and
all the world knows it. Wherefore (O
Ribband) I take it extream scurvily of
Fuga, that she being of the same temper her
selfe, doth not consider her temper in
me.
Hil.
Now this Craven stands as ticklish
on the point of running as a Bowle on
the top of a ridg.
Tim.
Two steps further I'le move. I
have been coming a quarter of a mile these
two houres at least; and yet I swear till
feaver is turn'd to a cold sweat, and that's
a true Prognostication of death.
Puts on his cap.
Good night to all the world;
for this is that fatal peice of
ground which I shall anon-measure with
my Carcasse. Never a Bush nor Hole here?
though it be call'd Champion ground I
shall not fight: perhaps I shall make use
of its plainnesse, and give ground a mile or
two; that shall be my way of fighting.
For if I the Challenger stand still on my
guard, it will not stand with mine honour:
And then while I keep my backsword
point still in his face (I have seen
the play at cudgells) he will wheele about
me, and falsifying a blow at the head will
strike me just on the legs where my heart
lies. Then shall I be quite spoiled for running
away; which I think I had best do
presently, for I hear him coming. O—
Hil.
Now I see Sir Tim, thou art a Lad of mettle.
Tim.
Mettle? I protest Sir I had rather
drink this cold iron fil'd small to dust and
be a Lad of mettle so, then to thrust it
whole into any mans flesh whatsoever;
much lesse into my Enemies. You see then
what power Love hath, and how Fuga is
beholding to me.
Hil.
Most dreadfully.
Tim.
Is not the time yet past? I think
I may retire with honour, and say he durst
not meet me.
Hil.
It wants yet halfe an hour. If
you hold not out your time, then he'l
assault you openly in Court, and make your
shame publick, which otherwise will be
but private. Ile stand secretly by you,
and if need require will step in and part
you.
Tim.
Stand not far off I beseech you
for when I am kill'd I shall not be able to
call.—O my heart!—the Gyant's
coming—O—Hilario—
Malevolo passes by.
Mal.
Saw you not here Irato?
Tim.
No believe me Sir; no I thank
heaven. Hilario!—Now comes Audax.
O—I have but a minute to live.
Irato passes by.
Ir.
How now stinkerd, how does thy breech? sawst thou not here Malevolo?
Tim.
He past by in hast; just now in
hast.—Well. Two Furies are past.
Ile not wait for the third, go Love and
Honour whither they will. Hilario!—I
fear he hath left me. Ile raze my Flesh
with a slight cut, and sweare I receiv'd
that wound in fight. But now I think on't
better, I have an issue under my left arme;
Ile force that bigger till it bleed, and swear
that into a wound. For sure a fresh one
would be far greater pain. Soft, I am
loath to suffer so much, if I may chuse Hilario?—
Hil.
What a Champion are you? not dare to look a man in the face?
Tim.
Sweet Hilario, I consider thou
hast no Sword to help me: stretch thy
wit, and invent some speedy way, how I
may escape with honour, and not fight?
Hil.
You cannot possibly escape fighting.
Tim.
Sweet Hilario do not kill me before hand with saying so.
Hil.
Why then will you be rul'd by me?
Tim.
In any thing, any thing. Quickly for love of Life.
Hil.
I have promis'd to furnish the Queen with a new Lady attendant.
Tim.
What then?
Hil.
Put on Womans apparel, you shall be she; by name of Madam Timida.
Tim.
Ha! Say on.
Hil.
Then shall you be free, not onely
from this quarrel, but from all future beatings
and challenges.
Tim.
Safe and sound!
Hil.
Then shall you have perpetual accesse to Fuga, bully.
Tim.
Safe and delicious!
Hil.
Then to steale her affection you may habit your selfe like her.
Tim.
Safe and wise!
Hil.
Then as for you honour, who can
upbraid you when you are no where to be
found: twill be suppos'd by your sweet
friend, that you died in her quarrel, Audax
if he himself talk will be dangerously question'd.
But will you be secret?
Hil.
For mine own sake, mine own sake, Sir Tim.
Tim.
Dearest Hilario, thou art my preserving Angel.
Hil.
Make hast, before you can new cast your selfe Ile come to present you.
(Ex. Tim
Poor snake, I delivered no Challeng; I
onely frighted him to a more willing Metamorphosis.
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