University of Virginia Library

SCENE V.

Another Part of the Wood.
Enter Gertrude and a Boor.
Ger.
Lead, if thou think'st we're right; why dost thou make
These frequent stands? Thou saidst thou knew'st the way.

Boor.

Yes, mistress; but sure it grows somewhat
pretty dark.

Ger.

What then?

Boor.

Nay, nothing—don't think I'm afraid, altho'
perhaps you are.

Ger.

I am not—Forward!

Boor.

Sure but you are—give me your hand—fear
nothing. Don't pull me backward—What a sweat one
of us is in! Is it you or I?

Ger.
What ails the fellow?

Boor.
Hark, I beseech you—do you hear nothing?

Ger.
No.

Boor.
List! a wild hog! he grunts—now 'tis a bear,
This wood is full of 'em—and now a wolf, mistress;
It is the howling of a wolf.

Ger.
Of the wind, coward!

Boor.
See, there's a serpent; it has eyes as broad as platters;
It spits fire—now it creeps towards us—help me
To say my prayers.

Ger.
Why, thou strange timorous sot, canst thou
Perceive any thing but a poor glow-worm?

Boor.
It may be, 'tis but a poor glow-worm now,
But 'twill grow to a fire-drake presently.

Ger.
I have a precious guide in you—pr'ythee be
Resolute, and on.

[Hallooing within.
Boor.
It thunders—you hear that now.

Ger.
I hear one halloo.

Boor.
No, it's thunder—and see, a flash of light'ning.
Are not you struck, mistress?

Ger.
What strange wonders
Fear creates in a coward! Canst thou not move?

Boor.
No; the earth opens.

Ger.
Pr'ythee, hold thy peace.

Boor.
What, will you venture then?

Ger.
AIR.

[Exit.
Boor.
AIR.

Enter Wolfort, Hempskirke, and Attendants with Torches.
Hemp.
It was the fellow, sure, he that should guide us,
The huntsman, that did halloo us.

Wol.
Best make a stand, and listen to his next—ha!

Hemp.
Who goes there?

Boor.
Mistress, I'm taken.

Hemp.
Mistress!—look forth, soldiers.

[Ex. soldiers.
Wol.
What are you, sirrah?

Boor.
Truly, all that's left of a poor Boor by day;
By night, nobody. You might have spar'd your
Drums and guns, for I am none that will
Stand out—you may take me with a walking-stick,
And hold me with a packthread.

Hemp.
What woman was't you call'd to?

Boor.
Woman! none sir.

Wol.
None! did not you name mistress?

Boor.
Yes, but she's no woman yet—she was to have
Been married to-night, but in came Clause,
The old lame beggar, and whips up the bridegroom,
Master Harrol, under his arm, as a kite
Or an old fox would sweep away a gosling.

Hemp.
Sure it should be she!
Soldiers return with Gertrude.
Niece!

Ger.
I'm miserably lost, thus fall'n
From all my hopes, into my uncle's hands.

Hemp.
'Tis she, indeed, sir.
This was a noble entrance to your fortune,
That being on the point thus to be married,
You should surprise and take her.

Wol.
I begin, Hempskirke, to believe my fate
Works to my ends.

Hemp.
Yes, sir; and this adds trust
Unto the fellow, our guide, who told me Florez
Liv'd in some merchant's shape, as Gerrard did
In the old beggar's; and that he would use
Him for a train, to call the others forth;
All which, we find, is done. [Halloo within.]
That's he again.

Wol.
Good! we sent out to meet him!

Hemp.
And here's the oak
Where he appointed us.—All's right.

Wol.
Who's there?

Enter Hubert and Beggars, as Boors.
Hub.
A friend, the huntsman.

Hemp.
Ay, 'tis he.

Hub.
I have kept touch, sir—which is the earl now?
Will he know a poor man?

Hemp.
This, my lord, is the friend
Hath underta'en to do us this great service.

Hub.
It shall be worth his lordship's thanks anon.
I know to pitch my toils, drive in my game,
And I have don't—both Florez and his father,
Old Gerrard; with lord Arnold, of Benthuison,
Costin, and Jaculin, young Florez' sister—
I have 'em all.

Wol.
Thou speak'st too much, too happy,
To carry faith with it.

Hub.
Why, I can bring you,
Where you shall see, and take 'em.

Wol.
We will double
Whatever Hempskirke then hath promis'd thee.

Hub.
And I'll deserve it treble: what horse have you?

Wol.
An hundred.

Hub.
That's well—divide
Your force into five squadrons, for there are
So many out-lets thro' the wood.
I and four boors will be your guides herein;
And that they may be more secure, I'll use
My wonted whoops and halloos—as I were
Hunting for 'em.

Wol.
'Tis order'd well, and relisheth the soldier:
Make the division, Hempskirke—you are my charge.
Fair-one, I'll look to you.

Ger.
Lost! lost! undone for ever!

[Exeunt Wol. Hemp. Ger. and Guards.
Boor.
Nobody need take care of me, I'll take care of myself now.

[Exit.
Hub.
Now, lads, to the work!
Mind your instructions close—and when you hear me
Wind my horn loud and quick, be that your signal
For the great master-stroke.

Hig.
Enough, boy. Conclude it done!

[Exeunt.