 | The Andrian Woman |  |
Scen. 2.
Enter Dauus.Dau.
I marld if this would end so, and still doubted
Whereto my Masters calme remisnesse tended:
Who when he saw his Sonne could haue no wife,
Neuer made word to vs on't; nor gaue signe
Of being troubled at it.
Sim.
Now he will
Talke to you on't; and as I doe suppose
To your no little cost.
Dau.
This was his cunning,
To lead vs on in faire fooles paradise;
And in our secure dreaming take vs napping,
Hauing no time to cast preuention.
A fox ifaith.
Sim.
What ist the knaue talkes on?
Dau.
My Master, and vnheeded!
Sim.
Dauus—
Dau.
Ha, what is the affaire?
Sim.
Come you hither to me.
Dau.
What now trow is in working?
Sim.
What saist thou?
Dau.
What sir the businesse?
Sim.
Dost thou demand that?
Folke talke my Sonne's in loue.
Dau.
That birladie
Concernes the world to thinke on.
Sim.
Dost marke me
In what I say or not?
Dau.
Oh, yes sir well.
Sim.
But now of this for me to make inquirie
Were no kinde Fathers part. What hitherto
H'as done, I passe not: while the time permitted
I gaue him way to take his course and pleasures:
His yeares now call for a new life, new manners.
Henceforward Dauus I require, or rather
(If the word may befit me) I request thee,
Retriue my Sonne from this loose libertie.
8
What may this meane?
Sim.
All these loose libertines
That wantonly doe loue, cannot indure
To heare of wiuing.
Dau.
So indeede they say
Sim.
Beside, if such one chance to light vpon
Some patron of his inclination,
His raw greene sickly minde he commonly
Wonts to the worser part still to apply.
Dau.
Troth sir I vnderstand you not.
Sim.
How, not?
Dau.
No verily: I am your plaine man Dauus;
No riddle-teller, cunning Oedipus.
Sim.
Thould'st then in plaine tearmes haue me speake my minde?
Dau.
Yes, pray at any hand sir.
Sim.
If I finde
That thou to day vse any cunning crotchet,
Whereby to hinder this intended wedding;
Or faine wouldst shew thy wits fine nimblenesse:
When I haue first well whipt thee, in the Mill
Ile thrust thee, to thy very dying day:
With this prouiso and condition,
If euer I thence free thee, Ile grinde for thee.
What, vnderstand'st me yet, or not yet neither?
Dau.
Yes clearely now; y'haue vs'd no windeabouts,
But come to th'matter roundly.
Sim.
In ought else
Saue this, I better could indure a slighting.
Dau.
Pray sir good words yet.
Sim.
Mak'st thou a iest on't?
I know thee to a haire: but I doe tell thee,
Least thou shouldst rashly venture. Doe not say
But th'hast had faire warning giu'n thee: looke to't.
Exit Simo.
| The Andrian Woman | |