University of Virginia Library

SCENE II.

—A Room in a Tavern in Alsatia. Flaw, Bloodmore, Rivers, and Mouseheart, at a Table, drinking, others gaming, &c.
FLAW.

So, they have turned off poor Will Paston to-day? od's
my life! he was a merry roystering rogue!

BLOODMORE.

Ay, sir, this morning we three stole out to pay our respects
at his carting.—As pretty a man as ever had his neck in a

noose!—No whining, flinching, or blabbing!—Died quite
like a gentleman!

FLAW.

It's odd how one's friends drop off!

BLOODMORE.

The lawyers, sir! the villanous lawyers! that will not abide
by the old adage—“Live and let live.” No offence to you,
Master Flaw, for I never wish to quarrel but in the way of
business: I am too much of a regular, Heaven be praised! to
care for any amateur amusement that way.

FLAW.

Right, sir, right! I'm no lawyer now, you know:—my
uncle confined me once, to be sure, in a set of cobweb'd
chambers, with a loaf and a pitcher, like an immured nun;
so first I gamed, and lost the little cash I had, then I wrote
verses, but nobody would publish them; at last I learned a
trick or two on the cards—could cog a die or so; that brought
me acquainted with you, gentlemen, where I have found that
the shortest way for a man who makes too free with his own
money is to make free with other people's.

BLOODMORE.

Yes, you have passed through all the degrees of a cutter.—
But, how now, Rivers and Mouseheart, you are sad: I hope
the little accident this morning hasn't shaken your nerves.—
Death, you know, gentlemen, must happen to every body,
and I should think hanging as pleasant as any, if one hadn't
the trouble of getting up so early in the morning.

RIVERS.
I was thinking of the woe-struck girl, that stood
Beside me in the crowd,—so pale and thin,
With her large speaking eyes, first bent on th' earth,
As tho' she shared his shame, then fixed on him,
With such a deep, tearless anxiety,
Such breathless anguish, until that last moment;
And then she fell stone dead into the arms
Of the old man! His father and his sister.
'Twas the first time I ever feared to die.

FLAW.
Did you assist her?

RIVERS.
I scarce thought myself
Fit to console her; and I hope—I hope
She needed no more consolation here.
I hope she woke no more in this harsh world.

MOUSEHEART.
I thought he struggled hard and suffered much.

BLOODMORE.

Come, gentlemen! Is this conversation to entertain our
friend, Flaw, who so liberally imparteth to us? Is this encouragement
for a hopeful young gentleman, whose lamented
fate and gallant behaviour shall, I hope, be sung in as many
ballads as Robin Hood? Is it thus you train youth to glory?
Fie upon't! What, we are all born to live; we can't live
without means; and if we can't come by them honestly, there
is but one other way.

FLAW.

True, if my uncle, Goldlove, were no curmudgeon, I might
be content to be honest.

RIVERS.

And if—No matter! You're right, Bloodmore, we're in
for't; so another stoup! and let remorse go look after reflection.

BLOODMORE.

Ay, that's it! Drink, boys! if it gives you the head-ache,
it leaves no room for the heart-ache. Here's Master Flaw,
with his love-songs and his braveries, his mistresses and his
velvet cloaks, how shall he maintain 'em, sirs, if we instil
false principles into his untutored mind? More wine! mine
host.

FLAW.

Ay, to be sure. Wine's like the gout, it cures all other
disorders.

Enter Edward Beaufort, wrapped in a cloak.
EDWARD.
Well met, sirs. I am directed to one Bloodmore.

BLOODMORE.
The watchword, sir, and he may be discovered t'ye.

EDWARD.
I come from Captain Fang, and by the token
“A Tyburn collar squeezes.”

BLOODMORE.
You're all right, sir,
I am your man.

EDWARD.
Then I have business for you.
There is a female, over whom I've rights
Must be enforced, and the law's tardy hand
Will be too weak.

BLOODMORE.
I understand—a rape, sir.
We're not afraid to call things by their right names
Here in Alsatia; 'tis the land of truth, sir.

EDWARD.
Why—

BLOODMORE.
Never blink it, sir. You want stout fellows,
A close concealment, and a well-barred cage,
To hold your lady-bird. They're to be had, sir,
For money.

EDWARD.
You are frank.

BLOODMORE.
It saves us labour,
And you, I take it, spare some blushes by it.
You seemed ashamed o' th' business; never fear, sir,
Here are your men, my party:—Will you sit
And grow acquainted?

EDWARD.
Nay.

BLOODMORE.
You're too squeamish, sir,
They're honest gentlemen, and well brought up too,
Too well, indeed; their education 'as taught 'em
Nothing but wants. Let's see! Here are four of us—
The matter's perilous, four necks in question,
'Tis worth a hundred pounds, sir.

EDWARD.
You shall have it.

BLOODMORE.
And there's the dove-cot we must seek for you,
'Twill cost some twenty more—risk is run there, too.

EDWARD.
I'll pay it.

BLOODMORE.
One half down by way of priming.

EDWARD.
There's somewhat more.

BLOODMORE.
You're purse speaks well for you,
Though you are given to silence.

EDWARD.
Meet me, then,
To-night at dusk, east of the Temple Gardens;
I'll lead you to the spot, but be prepar'd
To silence any noise.

BLOODMORE.
We know our trade, sir;
Tut! we're no novices! a gag, a litter,
Cords, and a comrade dress'd like a mad doctor,
To prove the girl's insane.

EDWARD.
Tis excellent!

BLOODMORE.
Common, sir! common! when we are put to shifts
We've better tricks.—We will attend you, sir.

EDWARD.
Farewell then—Be you punctual and attentive:
I'll keep my promise fully.

BLOODMORE.
We've security
Enough for that—your life, sir. Fare you well.

(Retires to table.)
EDWARD.
Why do I pause? Why tremble? I am no coward—
But yon cold blooded villain! Let me think
On Mariana's charms—Richard's despair—
My triumph o'er their scorn—and the rich ransom
Old Scroope perchance may pay. I will not perish,
Like the poor sorcerer that rais'd the devil,
Through my own fears. Courage! The demon serves me.

[Exit.
BLOODMORE.

Then you object to our engaging in this business, Rivers?
Wherefore? Use any reasonable argument and we'll hear
you.

RIVERS.

Conscience!

BLOODMORE.

We've sworn against it. Conscience! The word is treason
to our constitution. Say too much risk, or too little profit, or
even any gentlemanly feeling of revenge, or—

RIVERS.

I've none of these.

FLAW.

Psha! conscience! I trust I'm above that by this time.
I couldn't see his face, but he pays well—and that's the first
virtue in our code of morality. I'll act the doctor.

BLOODMORE.

Ay, you need not join us till all is secure; the party
placed in the litter, and so forth. Your nerves are unpractised,
and must not be put to too severe a trial. But
for Rivers, I blush for him.

MOUSEHEART.

In the open street! 'twill be very dangerous.

BLOODMORE.

The pay is good. We must live, boys. Starve or win it.

MOUSEHEART.

Ay yet—

BLOODMORE.

If you prefer it, Rivers, silence and honour, and you
need'nt join us.

RIVERS.

I claim the cutter's law. I'm of your party.

BLOODMORE.

Then see you do not flinch, or—you know me.

RIVERS.

And you know me.—You never had cause to doubt me
honest to you; and, when your threats are all that bind me,
it will be safest to have done with me.

BLOODMORE.

Come, come, I'm peaceable; you know it. I scorn to
throw away an angry look out of the way of trade; and, if it
were necessary for our safety, you know I would cut your
throat without a word. So we're friends, and understand
one another.

RIVERS.

Perfectly.

FLAW.

Ay, nothing like a right understanding. Come, gentlemen,
I'll go to prepare my disguise. This is almost my first
venture; so I'll prime myself with a bottle or two, for I'm
not quite so steady as I should be.

BLOODMORE.

And I'll go sleep off what I have drank. This is a delicate
business, and whenever the gallows is in prospect I like to be
able to see my road clearly.

[Exeunt.