 | Florien |  |
Scene II.
—A Street. Evening.Enter Rob Morton, singing.
Rob.
Fair blows the evening wind,
Rises Night's star behind,
Beaming, beaming, beaming:
Free lies my gipsy-love
With the soft sky above,
Dreaming, dreaming, dreaming!
Ned.
Your song draws half the tire-maidens to
their casements, Rob!
Rob.
What better pastime for a summer night?
Are we not at the place?
Ned.
This is where the Captain bade us come.
He outstays his hour, and the 'prentices are met.
What the plague makes him tarry?
Rob.
Business, by this hand! Who comes here?
Ned.
Strangers; who are they?
Enter Hardy and Abraham.
Rob.
Your servant, gentlemen.
Har.
Yours to command, sir.
Ned.
God save King James!
Har.
Amen! And the jewels in his crown.
Ned.
I should know that voice in a thousand.
Har.
And the sentiments too, and the face with
them. I am glad to see thee again, Ned Truscott.
Ned.
The Captain! Welcome back to London;
you are true to your hour.
Har.
Did you ever know me fail in it? Well,
Morton, my nightingale, what's the news with you?
Rob.
No news but the old news. We made a fine
capture but a few nights since.
Ned.
Ay! right good store of gold and plate, from
the villa of my Lord Kilrose at Hampton.
Well done. I need not ask how you came
by it. We will drink to my lord's health in his own
best Burgundy. My Lord Kilrose, the fair Florien's
favourite cavalier!
Rob and Ned.
Ha, ha! fair fall Mistress Florien!
Ab.
Rare! very rare.
Har.
Bravo! Hark to old Abraham. He is a
man of few words and many thoughts, and never
speaks but to the purpose. He has been my right
hand in the shires, boys; at a work where the slowest
tongue kindles the quickest fire.
Ab.
How's the house?
Ned.
As safe as a thrifty household can make it.
We have been driving a brisk trade for you, old say-
naught, and Hardy's boys are in full blow there
to-night.
Har.
Waiting for Captain Magnus. Ha! ha! he
comes to put himself at their head, and find the
shortest road to the city-safes. When the nobles
bleed for us, why should the people go scot-free?
Where is the Kilrose booty stowed, Rob?
Rob.
At the cellar in St. Paul's Churchyard.
Har.
In right sanctified keeping! May Heaven
and their reverences watch over it! To the tavern,
Abraham, and you with him, Rob. And hark ye;
have a special eye to one Roy Mallet.
Ab.
He shall lack nothing.
In wine or company! Captain Magnus, we
are Rufus Hardy's to command.
(Exeunt Rob and Abraham)
Har.
Right, boys, go on. This work is merry!
Thus do I, Rufus Hardy, in mine own person make
a raid upon myself, and swear to take myself alive or
dead.
Ned.
None else is like to do it, Captain.
Har.
No. They have tried hard enough, and it is
time I should have my turn. Magnus, the free-lance
in the German service, was a good name to trade on.
It turns the dogs off the scent as surely as a herring's
trail.
Ned.
And the scent grows hot at times.
Har.
Yes; Rufus Hardy's name is in every mouth.
Ned.
Hush! streets have ears.
Har.
And footsteps! What are these? A prize!
Stand aside.
Ned.
I know them, Captain. They are the 'prentice
lads of Master Fuller, the goldsmith.
Har.
Roy Mallet! Let us take note of them.
(Hardy and Ned stand back)
Enter Roy, Tim, and Dolly.
Tim.
I protest to thee, sweet Dolly, by that distracting
dimple, that I never knew love till now.
Dol.
And I protest to thee, gallant Tim, that I do
an hour, and will fall about thine ears for lack of
mortar.
Tim.
Never! there is no love but at first sight.
Dol.
Then shall I never love thee, playmate.
For when my eyes first looked on you, you were the
scrubbiest little boy that ever played marbles out
of hours. Had you been like him now—
Tim.
What him?
Dol.
That fellow 'prentice of thine, who has been
as mum-chance all this while as a mute at a funeral.
Am I worth no better pains, Master Roy?
Roy.
I ask your pardon, pretty one. I thought
you were well employed.
Dol.
Call you that well?
Tim.
Scorned again! I am always scorned. If I
but carried a sword for a quarter-staff, Dolly, I would
challenge the first-comer to shew thee of what stuff I
am made.
Har.
(at the back)
This is brave. Give me thy
sword, Ned. Ahem!
(coming forward)
Tim.
Who's that?
Har.
The first-comer! Choose your weapon!
(presenting two swords)
Tim.
But—I don't know you, sir.
Har.
That was not in the bond. Choose!
Tim.
But—I can't fight like that!
Not with two seconds to back thee and me,
and a lady's eyes to light thee to the fray?
Tim.
Goodness gracious! Dolly—what am I to
do?
Dol.
Speak smaller another time. This is the man
you told me you were to meet—Captain Magnus.
Tim.
Captain Magnus! I am very glad to see you,
sir! It is to serve you I am on my road.
Har.
To Abraham's tavern? I will guide you
myself, young hero, unless you will try a pass or two
first.
Tim.
With my captain? I should deserve to be
hung for it!
Har.
True loyalty, by mine honour! I shall have
a rare recruit of thee. Ned, put up the toasting-fork.
Master Mallet, I have heard of you, and am proud to
think you will be of us.
Roy.
In sooth, Captain, I come to your meeting
but for mine own purposes.
Har.
(aside)
I know it.—Good Mistress Dolly,
how goes your lady? She will be glad of my return.
Roy.
(aside)
Florien!
Dol.
She is well, Captain, and expects you. There
is a coach yonder, Master Button. Will you escort
me to it?
Tim.
At the risk of my life!
(going with Dolly)
Roy.
Florien! you know her?
I do, boy, and you shall. The company
waits for you.
(to Tim)
The lady to the coach first,
Achilles, and we follow you. Go on!
(Exeunt)
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