University of Virginia Library

Scæna Octava.

Enter Cassio, Pantaloni. Swords drawn,
Cass.

This is the place, this is the hour appointed.

Pant.

Yes, Sir, but, you see, he has not appear'd, may not
I put up my rapier now, and go home again with my honour, may
I not?

Cass.

Not Sir: you must have a little patience.

Pant.

Ho, Ho, that's very true, I must proclaime Leonardo and
him both cowards—Oyes—Oyes—
One coughs, and whispers within.
But (a pox) I hear them comming hither. Come, Signior
Cassio, wee have tarried too long; we will now return.

Cass.

No, no, stay a little yet.

Pant.

I see this fellow has a mind I should be kill'd: would
I had that unlucky challenge in my pocket again.

Cass.

'Slid, here they come; to your posture,
Sir.

Enter Leon. Bec. swords drawn.
Bec.

O! look you there's Pantaloni, Sir, and Cassio too, you
said he durst not appear.

Pant.

Nay faith, now I see 'tis no more jesting, there they come
both with their Rapiers drawn.

Cass.

Courage, Signior.

Bec.

What shall I do now, Sir?

Leon.

Fight, what else?

Cass.

We'll fight all four at once.

Leon.

Yes, yes, by all means?

Cass.

Have at thee then, villain, Leonardo.

Leon.

At you, Sir.

Thrust.
Cass.

Come, to't Becabunga.

Bec.

Not I, Sir; as I am honest I will fight none at this time:
for I have some business to do in the City, Sir.

Leon.

What, you sneaking gull, will you not fight for your
Mistris, Sirrah.

Bec.

No, Sir, I will fight for no Mistris at this time; I must
go about business of more importance, Sir—O! if he had
(aside.
not appear'd now.

Leon.

Not for the Lady Marionetta, Sir?

Bec.

No, Sir, I will renounce all the right I have to her, before
I fight, at this time at least.

Pant.

I like that well.

Cass.

'Slid, shall we come to the fields with you, and return thus
affronted? fight it out bravely, or by this hand I'l run you both
thorough.

Pant.

Nay, it shall not be so, Sir, you see we cannot fight at
this time: for, the truth is, (now when I remember) I have an
appointment too, within less then a minute of an hour hence, with
some Ladies for my acquaintance.

Leon.

That's all one to us, Sir.

Pant.

I see I must do it, there is no way else to escape—
(aside.
Gentlemen, I know what will please you: because we have brought
you into the fields, that you may not be angry, as Becabunga sayes,
I will renounce all the right I can have or claim in the Lady Chrysolina.

Leon.

Good—

Pant.

For, d'you see, Sir, I care no more for her, then a Roarer
does for his old Punk.

Leon.

Excellent.

Pant.

I protest to you, Sir, I think they are fools that fight
or women, let them fight for themselves a Gods name, it is sufficient
we love them.

Leon.

Admirably good!

Bec.

So I say too Sir, and if you have wrong'd me, I here freely
forgive you.

Cass.

Sir, that's not enough, you shall both seal this paper, that
we may testifie to other Gentlemen, how we were ready to fight.

Bec.

What paper, Sir?

Leon.

No matter for that, Sir, you shall both seal it, or by these
hilts—

Pant.

Nay hold, good Sir, I shall seal it—what terrible oaths
these fellowes use.

(Pant. seals.
Cass.

Come, you must seal too.

Bec.

Yes, yes, Sir.

(Bec. seals.
Leon.

Now get you gone both of you for a brace of infamous
puppets, cowardly cocks-combs, you arrogant, empty-skull'd wittals,
not worthy of the least favourable smile from any Lady: you have
resign'd your interests in two honourable Ladies, and therefore deserve
no less then to be kick'd—thus to be kick'd—

(kicks him.
Pant.

What d'you mean, Sir?

Cass.

Thus to kick you, you brace of bastardly Baboons—

Leon.

And so we leave you as we found you, a pair of impudent
filchers of reputation, not worthy the name of Gentlemen.

Cass.

Farewell my Cob-webs—

Leon.

Farewell good Spanniels, farewell—

Exeunt ambo.
Pant.

Marry pox take you both, what notorious rascals are they.

Bec.

Come, come, we must be friends again; let them go hang
themselves if they please.

Pant.

If I had them in another place—

Bec.

But harke you, what if they show the Ladies that we have
renounc'd our interest in them? what will you say then? think
you that ever the Lady Chrysolina will look upon you again.

Pant.

I should have made them both black and blew.

Bec.

Will you let's go and prevent them, I say.

Pant.

By all means—this trick shall do Leonardo no good,
what a fool was I to believe Cassio?

Bec.

So I say alwayes: but come, quick—he that speaks first
is always best heard.

Pant.

I'l to them yet, for all this, he has not beat me out as I
thinks.

Exeunt.