University of Virginia Library

SCENE II.

The Street.
Biron, and Bellford just arrived.
Bir.
The longest Day will have an end:
We are got home at last.

Bell.
We have got our Legs at Liberty;
And Liberty is Home, where'er we go:
Thô mine lies most in England.

Bir.
Pray let me call this yours:
For what I can command in Bruxelles, you
Shall find your own. I have a Father here,
Who, perhaps, after Seven Years absence,
And costing him nothing in my Travels,
may be glad to see me. You know my Story—
[Knocks at the Door.]
How does my Beard become me?

Bell.
Just as you would have it,
'Tis Natural, and not your own.

Bir.
To Morrow you shall be sure to find me here,
As Early, as you please. This is the House;
You have observ'd the Street.

Bell.
I warrant you; I han't many Visits
To make, before I come to you.

Bir.
To Night I have some affairs,
That will oblige me to be private.

Bell.
A good Bed is the privatest Affair,
That I desire to be engaged in, to Night:
Your directions will carry me to my Lodgings.

[Exit.
Biron knocks again. Sampson enters to him.
Samp.
Who's there? What would you have?

Bir.
Is your Lady at home, Friend?

Samp.

Why, truly Friend, it is my employment to answer
impertinent Questions. But for my Ladies being at home, or
no, that's just as my Lady pleases.

Bir.

But how shall I know, whether it pleases her or no?

Samp.

Why, if you'll take my word for it, you may carry
your Errand back again: She never pleases to see any body,
at this time of Night, that she does not know; and, by the
length of your Beard, you may be grown out of her remembrance.

Bir.

But I have business; and you don't know how that
may please her.

Samp.
Nay, if you have business, she is the best Judge,
Whether your business will please her or no:
Therefore I will proceed in my Office,
And know of my Lady, whether or no
She is pleas'd to be at home, or no—

[Going.
Nurse enters to them.
Nurse.
Who's that you are so busie withal? methinks
You might have found out an answer in fewer words:
But Sampson, you love to hear your self prate sometimes,
As well as your betters, that I must say for you.
Let me come to him; who wou'd you speak with?

Bir.

With you, Mistress, if you can help me to speak to
your Lady.

Nurse.

Yes, Sir, I can help you, in a civil way: But can
no body do your business but my Lady?

Bir.
Not so well: But if you'll carry her this Ring,
She'll know my business better.

Nurse.
There's no Love-Letter in it, I hope:
You look like a civil Gentleman:
In an honest way I may bring you an answer.
[Exit Nurse.

Bir.
My old Nurse, only a little older!
They say the Tongue grows always: Mercy on me!
Then hers is seven years longer, since I left her.
Yet there's something in these Servants folly
Pleases me: The cautious conduct of the Family
Appears, and speaks in their impertinence.
Well, Mistress—

[Nurse returns.
Nurse.
I have deliver'd your Ring, Sir, pray Heav'n
You bring no bad News along with you.

Bir.
Quite contrary, I hope.

Nurse.

Nay, I hope so too; but my Lady was very much
surpriz'd when I gave it her. Sir, I am but a Servant, as a
body may say, but if you'll walk in, that I may shut the
Doors, for we keep very orderly hours, I can show you into
the Parlour, and help you to an answer, perhaps, as soon as
those that are wiser.

[Exeunt.