 | The Royal Merchant |  |
23
SCENE II.
An Alehouse.Several Boors discovered.
1st. Boor.
Come, English beer, hostess! English beer
By the barrel! hostess.
Enter Prig and Higgen disguised.
Prig.
Will you see any feats of activity? some
Slight of hand? legerdemain? hey! pass!
Presto, begone there!
2d. Boor.
Sit down, juggler.
Prig.
Look you, my honest friends, you see my
Hands—plain dealing is no devil—lend
Me some money—twelve pence a piece will serve.
All.
There, there.
Prig.
I thank ye, thank ye heartily: when shall I pay you?
Boors.
Ha, ha, ha! by the mass, this was a fine trick.
Hig.
This was a rare trick.
1st Boor.
But 'twould be a far rarer to restore our
Money.
Prig.
That's easily done. I know a trick worth
Two of that.
2d. Boor.
Ay! let us see it.
Prig.
You shall.
You see this cup; 'tis full; now what
Will you say, if I bring this liquor
Under my hat?
1st. Boor.
That would be a trick.
24
I'll do't.
[Drinks the beer, then puts his hat on his head.
1st. Boor.
But where's the beer?
Prig.
Under my hat.
All Boors.
By this light, so it is, ha, ha, ha!
Enter Clause and a Boy, with Brandy.
Boy.
Buy any brandy? any brandy?
1st. Boor.
Come, fill, fill, fill—let's see—what's this?
Boy.
A penny.
1st. Boor.
Fill, fill till it be sixpence.
Prig.
Well done, my masters, drink away.
Will you have a song?
1st. Boor.
Ay, good juggler.
AIR.
Prig.
All neighbours, I pray, to my ditty attend,
On words and fair looks who are apt to depend;
To yourselves you must trust fortune's favour to keep,
For the promise of friends is a game at bo-peep.
On words and fair looks who are apt to depend;
To yourselves you must trust fortune's favour to keep,
For the promise of friends is a game at bo-peep.
When dangling whole days for a sight of his grace,
To challenge a debt, or solicit a place;
Every morning you're told the reward you shall reap,
While his honour (Lord love him!) is playing bo-peep.
To challenge a debt, or solicit a place;
Every morning you're told the reward you shall reap,
While his honour (Lord love him!) is playing bo-peep.
The maiden of fifty, at church you may spy,
How she screws up her muscles, and casts down her eye;
Tho' her thoughts on devotion seem ever so deep,
'Tween the sticks of her fan she is playing bo-peep.
How she screws up her muscles, and casts down her eye;
Tho' her thoughts on devotion seem ever so deep,
'Tween the sticks of her fan she is playing bo-peep.
25
The rake prone to promise, to swear, and to lie;
The prude, who at he-things is ready to die;
The coquette, who no humour a moment will keep,
Tho' diff'ring in manner, all play at bo-peep.
The prude, who at he-things is ready to die;
The coquette, who no humour a moment will keep,
Tho' diff'ring in manner, all play at bo-peep.
Then blame not my arts, nor accuse me of wrong,
Tho' instead of your money I give you a song;
For at least from my rhymes this instruction you reap,
That the business of life is a game at bo-peep.
Tho' instead of your money I give you a song;
For at least from my rhymes this instruction you reap,
That the business of life is a game at bo-peep.
All Boors.
Ha, ha, ha! huzza!
Enter Hempskirke.
Hemp.
Good even, my honest fellows!
You're merry here, I see.
What hast thou, brandy?
Boy.
Yes, sir.
Hemp.
Fill out then, and give these honest fellows.
Boors.
We thank you.
Hemp.
May I speak a word in private to ye?
I have a business for ye, honest friends,
If ye dare lend your help, shall get ye crowns.
1st. Boor.
What is't, sir?
If it be any thing to purchase money,
Command us.
Hemp.
You know the young spruce merchant here in Bruges.
2d.
Who? master Harrol?
Clause.
Ha! lead me a little nearer, boy.
[Aside.
Hemp.
Ay, he owes me money,
And in the town there is no stirring him.
Clause.
How's this?
[Aside.
Hemp.
Even at this hour, upon a sure appointment,
He meets me, west o' th' town, by the chace-side,
Under the row of oaks—you know it?
26
Yes, sir.
Hemp.
There, if ye dare but venture,
When I shall give the word, to seize upon him,
Here's twenty pounds.
Boors.
We'll do it, sir, depend on't.
Hemp.
If he resist, down with him, have no mercy.
Clause.
Say ye so?
[Aside.
Hemp.
To acquit you,
I have a warrant here about me.
3d. Boor.
Here's our warrant—this carries fire i' th' tail.
Hemp.
Away with me then, for the time draws on.
[Exit with boors.
Clause.
I'm bless'd to have heard this!
But I shall mar your plotting—follow, boy.
[Exeunt.
| The Royal Merchant | |