University of Virginia Library

ACT. IV.

Enter Robin Good fellow in a suite of Leather close to his body, his Face and Hands coloured russet-colour, with a Flayle.
Rob.
The Doctor's self would scarce know Robin now:
Curs't Marian may go seek another man,
For I intend to dwell no longer with her,
Since that the Bastinado drove me thence;
These silken Girles are all too fine for me,
My Master shall report of those in Hell,
Whilst I go range amongst the Country maids,
To see if home-spun Lasses milder be
Than my curst Dame, and Lacie's wanton wife;
Thus therefore will I live betwixt two shapes,
When as I list in this transform'd disguise,
I'le fright the Country people as they pass,
And sometimes turn me to some other form,
And so delude them with fantastick shows:
But woe betide the silly Dairy maids,
For I shall fleet their Cream-bowles night by night.
And slice the Bacon flitches as they hang.
VVell here in Croydon will I first begin
To frolick it among the Country Lobs:
This day they say is call'd Holy-rood day,
And all the Youth are now a nutting gone;
Here are a crew of Yonkers in this VVood,
VVell sorted, for each Lad hath got his Lass;
Marrie indeed there is a tricksey Girle,
That three or four would fain be doing with,
But that a wily Priest among the rest,
Intends to bear her shere away from all;
The Miller, and my Brother Grim the Collier,
Appointed here to scuffle for her Love:
I am on Grim's side, for long time ago
The Devill call'd the Collier like to like:
Enter Grim, Clack, Parson Shorthose. Ione with a bagg of Nutts.
But here the Miller and the Collier come,
VVith Parson Make bate, and their tricksey Girle.

Grim.
Parson, perswade me no more, I come
Iugg to your custody, Iugg hold the Nut-bagg.

Clack.
Nay, I will give you Nutts to crack.

Grim.
Crack in thy Throat and hauster too.

Short.
Neighbours I wish you both agree,
Let me be judge, be rul'd by me.

Grim.

Mr. Parson, remember what Pluriles
sayth, ne aceesseris ad consilio, &c. I tell you I
found this written in the bottom of one of my
empty Sacks; never perswade men that be inexecrable:
I have vowed it, and I will perform
it: the Quarrel is great, and I have taken it upon
my own Shoulders.

Clack.

I that thou shalt e're I have done, for I
will lay it on i'faith.

Grim.

If you lay it in, I must bear it out: this is
all: If you strike, I must stand to any thing although
it be the biggest blow that you can lay
upon me.

Ione.
Ye both have oftentimes sworn that ye love me,
Let me o're-rule you in this angry mood:
Neighbours and old acquaintance, and fall out!

Rob.
Why, that is because thou wilt not let them fall in?

Grim.

I say, my heart bleedeth when thou speakest,
and therefore do not provoke me: yet Miller,
as I am monstrous angry, so I have a wonderfull
great mind to be repeas'd: let's think
what harm commeth by this same fighting, if we
should hurt one another, how can we help it?
Again, Clack do but here forswear Ione's company,
and I'le be thine instead of her, to use in
all your businesses from Croydon to London, yours
Gilbert Grim, the chief Collier for the King's
Majesties own mouth.

Clack.

O Grim, do I smell you? I'le make you
forswear her before we two part, and therefore
come on to this geere: Collier I will lay on load,
and when it is done, let who will take it off
again.

Iugg.
Yet once more hear me speak, leave off for shame,
If not for Love, and let not others laugh
To see your follies, let me over rule ye.

Short.
Oh let them fight, I care not, I,
Mean time away with Ione I'le fly,
And whilst they two are at it here,
We two will sport our selves elsewhere.

Rob.
There's a stone Priest, he loveth a Wench indeed,
He careth not though both of them do bleed;
But Robin Goodfellow will conjure you,
And marr your match, and bang you soundly too;
I like this Country Girle's condition well,
She's faithfull, and a Lover but to one,
Robin stands here to right both Grim and her.

Grim.

Master Parson, look you to my Love;
Miller, here I stand with my Heart and my Hand
in sweet Iugg's right, with thee to fight.

Clack.
Come let us to it then.

They fight, Robin beateth the Miller with a Flayle, and felleth him.
Rob.
Now Miller, Miller, dustipoule,
I'le clapper-claw your Iobbernoule.

Short.
Come Iugg, lets's leave these sencelesse Blocks,
Giving each other blowes and knocks.

Ione.
I love my Grim too well to leave him so.

Short.
You shall not choose, come let's away.

Shorthose pulleth Jugg after him, Robin beateth the Priest with his Flayle.
Rob.
Nay then Sir Priest I'le make you stay.

Clack.

Nay this is nothing Grim, wel'e not part

I thought to have born it off with my backsword
ward, and I receiv'd it upon my bare
Costard.

They fight again.
Rob.
What Miller are you up agin!
Nay then my Flayle shall never lin,
Untill I force one of us twain,
Betake him to his heels amain.

Robin beats the Miller again.
Clack.
Hold thy hands Grim, thou hast murdered me.

Grim.

Thou lyest, it is in my own offence I do
it; get thee gone then; I had rather have thy
room than thy company.

Clack.

Marry with all my heart; O! the Collier
playeth the Devil with me.

Rob.
No, it is the Devil playeth the Collier with thee.

Short.
My bones are sore, I prethee Ione,
Let's quickly from this place be gone,
Nay come away, I love thee so,
Without thee I will never go.

Rob.
What Priest still at your Lechery,
Robin beats the Priest.
I'le thresh you for your Knavery;
If any ask who beat thee so,
Tell them 'twas Robin Goodfellow.

Shorthose runneth away.
Grim.

Oh Miller art thou gone, I am glad of
it; I smell my own infirmity every stroke I
struck at him: now Ione I dare boldly swear thou
art my own, for I have won thee in the plain
field; now Master Parson shall even strike it up;
two or three words of his mouth will make her
Gammer Grim all the daies of her life after.

Rob.
Here is two well-favoured Slaves, Grim and I may curse all good faces,
And not hurt our own.

Ione.
What, my Love, how dost thou?

Grim.

Even as a Conqueror may do; Iugg, for
thy sake I have made the Miller a poor Cripple
all dayes of his life; good for nothing else but
to be carried into the Spittle-house.

Rob.

I, there is one lye, for thou didst never hurt him.

Ione.

I am glad thou scapest my love, and wast not huit,

Grim.

Who, I hurt! Ione, thou knowest me
not yet, thou mayest do better hereafter, I
gave him five mortal wounds, the first five
strokes I made at him.

Rob.

There are five lyes clapt into one for
brevity sake.

Grim.

And presently upon the fifth blow I
made a dangerous thrust at him, and violently
overthrew him horse and foot, and there he
lay.

Rob.
Nay, there you lye, the Collier is excellent
To be Companion to the Devil himself.

Grim.
But where's Master Parson?

Ione.
He was well bang'd, and knew not who it was did it,
And would have had me gone away with him:
Mere lyeth his Nut-bag, and the Millers too,
They had no leisure to take them away.

Grim.

The better for us Ione, there is good
cracking work, it Will increase Houshold-stuff:
Come, let's after the Parson, we will comfort
him, and he shall couple us: I'le have Pounceby
the Painter score upon our painted Cloath at
home all the whole story of our going a nutting
this Holy-rood day, and he shall paint me up triumphing

over the Miller.

Exeunt Grim and Ione.
Rob.
So let the Collier now go boast at home
How he hath beat the Miller from his Love;
I like this modest Country maid so well,
That I believe I must report in hell
Better of women than my Master can:
Well, till my time's expired, I'le keep this Quarter,
And night by night attend their merry meetings.
Exit Robin.

Enter Dunston with Earle Lacy sick.
Dunston.
Let not your sickness adde more feebleness
Unto your weakned age, but give me leave
To cure thy vain suspicious malladie,
Thy eyes shall witness how thou art deceived,
Misprizing thy fair Ladies chastity;
For whilst we two stand closely here unseen,
We shall espy them presently approach.

Lacy.
O shew me this thou blessed man of God,
And thou shalt then make young my withered Age.

Dunston.
Mark the beginning, for here Musgrave commeth.

Enter Musgrave alone.
Musg.
O thrice unhappy and unfortunate,
That having fit occasion profer'd thee
Of conference with beautious Honorea,
Thou over-slipt it, and o're-slip'st thy self,
Never since Wedlock tyed her to the Earle.
Have I saluted her, although report
Is blaz'd abroad of my unconstancy,
This is her evening walk, and here will I
Attend her comming forth, and greet her fairly

Lacy.
See Dunston how their youth doth blind our Age,
Thou dost deceive thy self, and bringest me
To see my proper shame and infamy.
Enter Honorea.
But here she comes, my hope, my fear, my love,

Dunst.
Here comes the unstained honor of thy Bed,
Thy Eares shall hear her vertuous chast replies,
And make thy heart confess thou dost her wrong.

Honorea.
Now modest love hath banisht wanton thoughts,
And altered me from that I was before:
To that chaste life I ought to entertain,
My heart is tyed to that strick't form of life,
That I joy only to be Lacy's wife.

Lacy.
God fill thy minde with these chaste vertuous thoughts.

Musg.
Oh now I see her, I am half ashamed,
Of so long absence and neglect of speech;
My dearest Lady, Patroness of Beauty,
Let thy poor Servant make his true excuse.

Hon.
Musgrave, I easely take your excuse,
Accusing my fond self for what is past.

Musg.
Long time we wanted opportunity;
But now the forelock of well wishing time,
Hath blest us both, that here without suspect
We may renew the tenor of our loves.

Lacy.
O Dunston how she smiles to hear him speak!

Hon.
No Childe of fortune and inconstancy,
Thou shalt not traine me, or induce my love
To loose desires, or dishonoured thoughts,
'Tis God's own work that struck a deep remorse
Into my tainted heart for my past folly.

Musg.
O thou confound'st me, speak as thou wert wont,
Like Love herself, my lovely Honorea.

Hon.
Why, how now Musgrave, what esteem'st thou me!
That thou provokest me, that first deny'dst me:
I will not yield you reasons why I may not,
More than your own, you told me why, you would not.

Musg.
By Heavens, by thee my Saint, my Happiness,
No torture shall controll my heart in this,
To teach my tongue deny to call thee Love.

Hon.
Well in regard that in my maiden-daies
I lov'd thee well, now let me counsell thee,
Reclaim these idle humors; know thy self;
Remember me; and think upon my Lord;
And let these thoughts bring forth those chaste effects,
Which may declare thy change unto the world;
And this assure thee, whilst I breath this aire,
Earle Lacy's honour I will ne're impair.
Exit Honorea.

Dunst.
Now your Eyes see that which your Heart believed not.

Lacy.
It is a miracle beyond the reach
Of my capacitie, I could weep for joy,
Would but my tears express how much I love her,
Men may surmise amiss in jealousie,
Of those that live in untouch'd honesty.

Musg.
Is she departed, and do I conceive
This height of grief and do no violence
Vnto my self, said she, I denyed her;
Far be it from my heart to think that thought:
All ye that, as I do, have felt this smart,
Ye know how burdensome 'tis at my heart:
Hereafter never will I prosecute
This former motion, my unlawfull suite:
But since she is Earle Lacy's vertuous wife,
I'le live a private pensive single life.
Ex. Musg.

Dunst.
God doth dispose all at his blessed will,
And he hath chang'd their minds from bad to good,
That we which see't may learn to mend our selves.

Lacy.
I'le reconcile my self to Musgrave's love,
I will recant my false suspition,
And humbly make my true submission.

Exeunt both.
Enter Marian chafing.
Mar.
Say'st thou thou'lt make the House too hot for me.
I'le soon abroad and cool me in the aire.
I'le teach him never scorn to drink his health
Whom I do love, he thinks to overcrow me
With words and blows, but he is in the wrong,
Begin he when he dares: Oh he's too hot
And angry to live long with Marian:
But I'le not long be subject to his rage,
Here 'tis shall rid him of his hatefull life,
And bless me with the stile of Widow hood;
'Twas Harvey's work to temper it so well,
The strongest poyson that he could devise,
Enter Clinton.
I have been too long subject to the Slave.
But now I'le cast off that detested yoke.

Clin.
Musgrave I see is reconciled to the Earle,
For now I met him walking with Lord Lacy;
Sure this is Marian's Plott, and there she stands.
What Love alone!

Mar.
I Captain, much disturb'd
About the frantick Doctor's jealousie,
Who, though he seemed content when thou wast there,
He after fell reviling thee and me,
Rob'd me of all my Iewels, locks his Plate
In his own Trunk, and lets me only live
To bear the idle Title of his Wife.

Clin.
Fair Marian, by a Souldier's loyal faith,
If my imployment any way may help
To set thee free from this Captivity,
Vse me in any sort, command my Sword,
I'le do't as soon as thou shalt speak the word.

Mar.
Now by my true Love, which I wish to thee,
I conjure thee with resolution
To slay that Monster, do not fail to do it,
For if thou dost, I would I had not spoke it.

Clin.
Now try me, and when next we hap to meet,
The Doctor lies stone dead at Clinton's feet,

Mar.
Nay now I see thou lovest me.

Clin.
Say no more;
If thou dost loath him, he shall dye therefore.

Mar.
To morrow morning will he early rise
To see Earle Lacy, meet him in the Cloyster,
And make that place revenge his Sanctuary:
This night will I break open all the Trunks,
Rifle his Caskets, rob him of his Gold;
And all the Doctors treasure shall be thine,
If thou miscarry, yet this drink shall do it.

Enter Castil.
Cast.
My wive's impatience hath left me alone,
And made my Servant run I know not whither.

Mar.
Peace! here is our eye sore, Clinton leave us now.

Clin.
Nay now occasion smiles, and I will do it.

Clinton draweth his Sword.
Mar.
Put up thy Sword, be it thy mornings work;
Farewell to night, but fayle me not to morrow

Clin.
Farewell my Love, no rest shall close these eyes;
Vntil the morning peep, and then he dyes.
Exit Clinton.

Cast.
Now I remember I have quite out-run
My time prefixt to dwell upon the earth;
Yet Akercock is absent, where is he:
Oh I am glad I am so well near rid
Of my Earth's plague, and my lascivious dame.

Mar.
Hath he discovered my intendement,
That he presageth his ensuing death?
I must break off these fearfull meditations.

Cast.
How shall I give my verdict up to Pluto
Of all these Accidents?

Mar.
Why, how now man!

Cast.
What my dear Dame, my reconciled Spouse!
Vpon my Soul, my love to thee is more
Now at this present, than 'twas e're before.

Mar.
He hath discry'd me sure, he sootheth me so.

Cast.
I love thee now, because I now must leave thee;
This was the day of my Nativity,
And therefore Sweet wife let us revell it.

Mar.
Nay, I have little cause to joy at all.

Cast.
Thou crossest still my Mirth with discontents,
If ever heretofore I have displeased thee,
Sweet Dame, I crave thy pardon now for all;
This is my birth day, Girle, I must rejoyce,
Ask what thou wilt, and I will give it thee.

Mar.
Should I but ask to lead a quiet life,
You hardly would grant this unto your wife,
Much less a thing that were of more import.

Cast.
Ask any thing, and try if I'le deny thee.

Mar.
Oh my poor Musgrave, how hast thou been wronged,
And my fair Lady!

Cast.
Vse no Pteambles,
But tell me plainly.

Mar.
Nay remember them,
And joyn their slander to that love you owe me,
And then old Lacye's jealousie

Cast.
What then?

Mar.
Nay now I see you will not understand me.

Cast.
Thou art too dark, speak plainly, and 'tis done.

Mar.
Then doom the Earle, and bless poor Musgrave's eyes
With Honorea's love; for this in thy Hand's lyes.

Cast.
How should I doom him?

Mar.
How else, but to death?

Cast.
As if his life or death lay in my hands.

Mar.
He is thy Patient, is he not?

Cast.
He is.

Mar.
Then in thy hands lyes both his life and death,
Sweet Love, let Marian begg it at thy hands;
Why should the gray beard live to crosse us all?
Nay now I see thee frown; thou wilt not do it.

Cast.
Fy, fy, Dame, you are too suspitious.
Here is my hand, that thou may'st know I love thee,
I'le poyson him this night before I sleep.

Mar.
Thou dost but flatter me!

Cast.
Tush, I have sworn it.

Mar.
And wilt thou do it?

Cast.
He is sure to dye.

Mar.
I'le kiss thy Lips for speaking that kind word;
But do it, and I'le hang about thy neck,
And curle thy hair, and sleep betwixt thy armes,
And teach thee pleasures which thou never knewest.

Cast.
Promise no more, and trouble me no more,
The longer I stay here, he lives the longer;
I must go to him now, and now I'le do it:
Go home, and hasten supper 'gainst I come,
We will carrouse to his departing Soul.

Mar.
I will dear Husband, but I remember me;
When thou hast poyson'd him, I'le poyson thee.
Ex. Mar.

Cast.
O wonderfull how women can dissemble,
Now she can kiss me, hang about my neck,
And sooth me with smooth smiles and loud intreaties:
Well, I have promis'd her to kill the Earle,
And yet, I hope, ye will not think I'le do it,
Yet I will sound the depth of their device,
And see the issue of their bloody drift,
I'le give the Earle, unknown to any man,
A sleepy potion, which shall make him seem
As if he were stark dead, for certain hours:
But in my absence no man shall report,
That for my Dame's sake I did any hurt.
Exit Castiliano.