[Scene Ninth.[1818]The Cunny Greene.]

Phi.Stay, Franke, this pitch of frensie will defile thee;Meddle not with it: thy unreprooved vallourShould be high minded; couch it not so low.—Dost heare me? take occasion to slip hence,360But secretly, let not thy mother see thee:At the back side there is a cunny greene;[1810]Stay there for me, and Mall and I will come to thee. [Aside.]Fra.Enough, I will. [Aside].—Mother, you doe me wrongTo be so peremptory in your commaund,365And see that rascall to abuse me so.

Phi.Stay, Franke, this pitch of frensie will defile thee;

Meddle not with it: thy unreprooved vallour

Should be high minded; couch it not so low.—

Dost heare me? take occasion to slip hence,360

But secretly, let not thy mother see thee:

At the back side there is a cunny greene;[1810]

Stay there for me, and Mall and I will come to thee. [Aside.]

Fra.Enough, I will. [Aside].—Mother, you doe me wrongTo be so peremptory in your commaund,365And see that rascall to abuse me so.

Fra.Enough, I will. [Aside].—Mother, you doe me wrong

To be so peremptory in your commaund,365

And see that rascall to abuse me so.

Coom.Rascall! take that and take all! Do ye heare, sir? I doe not meane to pocket up this wrong.

Bo.I know why that is.

Coo.Why?370

Bo.Because you have nere a pocket.

Co.A whip, sira, a whip!—But, sir, provide your tooles against to morrow morning; tis somewhat darke now, indeed: you know Dawsons close, betweene the hedge and the pond; tis good even ground; Ile meete you there; and I do not, call me cut,[1811]and you be a man, shew yourselfe a man; weele have a bout or two; and so weele part for that present.377

Fran.Well, sir, well.

Nic.[approaching.] Boy, have they appointed to fight?

Boy.I, Nicholas; wilt not thou go see the fray?380

Nich.No, indeed; even as they brewe, so let them bake. I wil not thrust my hand into the flame, and[1812]need not; tis not good to have an oare in another mans boate; little said is soone amended, and in little medling commeth great rest; tis good sleeping in a whole skin; so a man might come home by Weeping Crosse[1813]: no, by lady, a friend is not so soone gotten as lost; blessed are the peace-makers; they that strike with the sword, shall be beaten with the scabberd.388

Phil.Well said, proverbs: nere another to that purpose?

Nic.Yes, I could have said to you, sir, Take heed is a good reed.[1814]391

Phil.Why to me, take heede?

Ni.For happy is he whom other mens harms do make to beware.

Phi.O, beware, Franke!—Slip away, Mall.—You know what I told ye. Ile hold our mothers both in talk meanwhile. [Aside.] —Mother, and mistris Barnes, me thinkes you should not stand in hatred so hard one with the[1815]other.

Mi. Bar.Should I not, sir? should I not hate a harlot,That robs me of my right, vilde boye?400Mi. Gou.That tytle I returne unto thy teeth,[ExeuntFrancisandMall.]And spit the name of harlot in thy face.Mi. Bar.Well, tis not time of night to hold out chatWith such a scold as thou art; therefore nowThinke that I hate thee as I doe the devill.405Mi. Gou.The devill take thee, if thou dost not, wretch!Mi. Bar.Out upon thee, strumpet!Mi. Gou.Out upon thee, harlot!Mis. Bar.Well, I will finde a time to be reveng'd:Meane time Ile keep my daughter from thy sonne.—410Where are you, minion? how now, are yee gone?Phi.She went in, mother.Mi. Go.Francis where are ye?Mi. Ba.He is not heere. O, then, they slipt away,And both together!415Phi.Ile assure ye, no;My sister she went in, into the house.Mi. Ba.But, then, sheele out againe at the backe doore,And meete with him: but I will search aboutAll these same fields and paths neere to my house;420They are not far I am sure, if I make haste.Exit.Mi. Go.O God, how went he hence, I did not see him?It was when Barnses wife did scolde with me;A plague on[1816]her!—Dick, why didst not thou looke to him?Coo.What should I looke for him? no, no, I looke not for him while[1817]to morrow morning.426Mi. Gou.Come, go with me to help to looke him out.Alas, I have nor light, nor linke, nor torche!Though it be darke, I will take any painesTo crosse this match. I prethy, Dick, away.430Coo.Mistris, because I brought ye out, Ile bring ye home; but, if I should follow, so hee might have the law on his side.Mi. Go.Come, tis no matter; prethee, goe with me.Exeunt[Mistress GourseyandCoomes.]M. Ba.Philip, thy mothers gone to seeke thy sister,And in a rage, i faith: but who comes heere?435

Mi. Bar.Should I not, sir? should I not hate a harlot,That robs me of my right, vilde boye?400

Mi. Bar.Should I not, sir? should I not hate a harlot,

That robs me of my right, vilde boye?400

Mi. Gou.That tytle I returne unto thy teeth,[ExeuntFrancisandMall.]And spit the name of harlot in thy face.

Mi. Gou.That tytle I returne unto thy teeth,

[ExeuntFrancisandMall.]

And spit the name of harlot in thy face.

Mi. Bar.Well, tis not time of night to hold out chatWith such a scold as thou art; therefore nowThinke that I hate thee as I doe the devill.405

Mi. Bar.Well, tis not time of night to hold out chat

With such a scold as thou art; therefore now

Thinke that I hate thee as I doe the devill.405

Mi. Gou.The devill take thee, if thou dost not, wretch!

Mi. Bar.Out upon thee, strumpet!

Mi. Gou.Out upon thee, harlot!

Mis. Bar.Well, I will finde a time to be reveng'd:Meane time Ile keep my daughter from thy sonne.—410Where are you, minion? how now, are yee gone?

Mis. Bar.Well, I will finde a time to be reveng'd:

Meane time Ile keep my daughter from thy sonne.—410

Where are you, minion? how now, are yee gone?

Phi.She went in, mother.

Mi. Go.Francis where are ye?

Mi. Ba.He is not heere. O, then, they slipt away,And both together!415

Mi. Ba.He is not heere. O, then, they slipt away,

And both together!415

Phi.Ile assure ye, no;My sister she went in, into the house.

Phi.Ile assure ye, no;

My sister she went in, into the house.

Mi. Ba.But, then, sheele out againe at the backe doore,And meete with him: but I will search aboutAll these same fields and paths neere to my house;420They are not far I am sure, if I make haste.Exit.

Mi. Ba.But, then, sheele out againe at the backe doore,

And meete with him: but I will search about

All these same fields and paths neere to my house;420

They are not far I am sure, if I make haste.

Exit.

Mi. Go.O God, how went he hence, I did not see him?It was when Barnses wife did scolde with me;A plague on[1816]her!—Dick, why didst not thou looke to him?

Mi. Go.O God, how went he hence, I did not see him?

It was when Barnses wife did scolde with me;

A plague on[1816]her!—Dick, why didst not thou looke to him?

Coo.What should I looke for him? no, no, I looke not for him while[1817]to morrow morning.426

Mi. Gou.Come, go with me to help to looke him out.Alas, I have nor light, nor linke, nor torche!Though it be darke, I will take any painesTo crosse this match. I prethy, Dick, away.430

Mi. Gou.Come, go with me to help to looke him out.

Alas, I have nor light, nor linke, nor torche!

Though it be darke, I will take any paines

To crosse this match. I prethy, Dick, away.430

Coo.Mistris, because I brought ye out, Ile bring ye home; but, if I should follow, so hee might have the law on his side.

Mi. Go.Come, tis no matter; prethee, goe with me.

Exeunt[Mistress GourseyandCoomes.]

M. Ba.Philip, thy mothers gone to seeke thy sister,And in a rage, i faith: but who comes heere?435

M. Ba.Philip, thy mothers gone to seeke thy sister,

And in a rage, i faith: but who comes heere?435

Ph.Olde master Goursey, as I thinke, tis he.

M. Ba.Tis so, indeed.

[EnterMaster Goursey.]

M. Gour.Whoes there?

M. Bar.A friend of yours.

M. Gou.What, master Barnes! did ye not see my wife?440

M. Bar.Yes, sir, I saw her; she was heere even now.

M. Gou.I doubted that; that made me come unto you:But whether is she gone?Phil.To seeke your sonne, who slipt away from herTo meete with Mall my sister in a place445Where I appointed; and my mother tooSeeke for my sister; so they both are gone:My mother hath a torch; mary, your wifeGoes darkling up and downe, and Coomes before her.M. Gou.I thought that knave was with her; but tis well:450I pray God, they may come by nere a light,But both be led a darke daunce in the night!

M. Gou.I doubted that; that made me come unto you:But whether is she gone?

M. Gou.I doubted that; that made me come unto you:

But whether is she gone?

Phil.To seeke your sonne, who slipt away from herTo meete with Mall my sister in a place445Where I appointed; and my mother tooSeeke for my sister; so they both are gone:My mother hath a torch; mary, your wifeGoes darkling up and downe, and Coomes before her.

Phil.To seeke your sonne, who slipt away from her

To meete with Mall my sister in a place445

Where I appointed; and my mother too

Seeke for my sister; so they both are gone:

My mother hath a torch; mary, your wife

Goes darkling up and downe, and Coomes before her.

M. Gou.I thought that knave was with her; but tis well:450I pray God, they may come by nere a light,But both be led a darke daunce in the night!

M. Gou.I thought that knave was with her; but tis well:450

I pray God, they may come by nere a light,

But both be led a darke daunce in the night!

Ho.Why, is my fellow Dick in the dark with my mistres? I pray God, they be honest, for there may be much knaverie in the dark: faith, if I were there, I wold have some knavery with them. [Aside.]—Good maister, wil ye carry the torch yourself, and give me leave to play the blind man buffe with my mistris?457

Phil.On that condition thou wilt do thy bestTo keep thy mistresse and thy fellow DickBoth from my sister and thy masters sonne,460I will entreate thy master let thee goe.Hod.O, I, I warrant ye, Ile have fine tricks to cousen them.M. Gou.Well, sir, then, go your waies; I give you leave.Hod.O brave! but where about are they?Phil.About our cunny green they surely are,465If thou canst find them.Hod.O, let me alone to grope for cunnies. [GivesPhil.the torch, and]exit.Phi.Well, now will I to Franke and to my sister.Stand you two harkning neere the cunny greene,But sure your light in you must not be seene;470Or els let Nicholas stand afarre off with it, [Gives Nich. the torch.]And as his life keep it from mistris Goursey.Shall this be done?M. Bar.Phillip, it shall.Phi.God be with ye! Ile be gone.475Exit.M. Bar.Come on, master Goursey: this same is a meanesTo make our wives friends, if they resist not.M. Go.Tut, sir, howsoever it shall go forward.M. Bar.Come, then, lets do as Phillip hath advisd.

Phil.On that condition thou wilt do thy bestTo keep thy mistresse and thy fellow DickBoth from my sister and thy masters sonne,460I will entreate thy master let thee goe.

Phil.On that condition thou wilt do thy best

To keep thy mistresse and thy fellow Dick

Both from my sister and thy masters sonne,460

I will entreate thy master let thee goe.

Hod.O, I, I warrant ye, Ile have fine tricks to cousen them.

M. Gou.Well, sir, then, go your waies; I give you leave.

Hod.O brave! but where about are they?

Phil.About our cunny green they surely are,465If thou canst find them.

Phil.About our cunny green they surely are,465

If thou canst find them.

Hod.O, let me alone to grope for cunnies. [GivesPhil.the torch, and]exit.

Phi.Well, now will I to Franke and to my sister.Stand you two harkning neere the cunny greene,But sure your light in you must not be seene;470Or els let Nicholas stand afarre off with it, [Gives Nich. the torch.]And as his life keep it from mistris Goursey.Shall this be done?

Phi.Well, now will I to Franke and to my sister.

Stand you two harkning neere the cunny greene,

But sure your light in you must not be seene;470

Or els let Nicholas stand afarre off with it, [Gives Nich. the torch.]

And as his life keep it from mistris Goursey.

Shall this be done?

M. Bar.Phillip, it shall.

Phi.God be with ye! Ile be gone.475Exit.

Phi.God be with ye! Ile be gone.475

Exit.

M. Bar.Come on, master Goursey: this same is a meanesTo make our wives friends, if they resist not.

M. Bar.Come on, master Goursey: this same is a meanes

To make our wives friends, if they resist not.

M. Go.Tut, sir, howsoever it shall go forward.

M. Bar.Come, then, lets do as Phillip hath advisd.

Exeunt[toward the cunny greene.]

EnterMall.

Mal.Heere is the place where Phillip bid me stayTill Francis came; but wherefore did my brother[1819]Appoint it heere? why in the cunny borough?He had some meaning in't, I warrant ye.Well, heere Ile set me downe under this tree,5And thinke upon the matter all alone.Good Lord, what pritty things these cunnies are!How finely they do feed till they be fat,And then what a sweet meate a cunny is!And what smooth skins they have, both black and gray!10They say they run more in the night then day:What is the reason? marke; why, in the lightThey see more passengers then in the night;For harmfull men many a haye[1820]do set,And laugh to see them tumble in the net;15And they put ferrets in the holes,—fie, fie!—And they go up and downe where conniees lye;And they lye still, they have so little wit:I marvell the warriner will suffer it;Nay, nay, they are so bad, that they themselves20Do give consent to catch these prettie elfes.How if the warriner should spie me here?He would take me for a conny I dare sweare.But when that Francis comes, what will he say?'Looke, boy, there lyes a conney in my way!'25But, soft, a light! whose that? soule, my mother!Nay, then, all hid: i faith, she shall not see me;Ile play bo peepe with her behind this tree.

Mal.Heere is the place where Phillip bid me stay

Till Francis came; but wherefore did my brother[1819]

Appoint it heere? why in the cunny borough?

He had some meaning in't, I warrant ye.

Well, heere Ile set me downe under this tree,5

And thinke upon the matter all alone.

Good Lord, what pritty things these cunnies are!

How finely they do feed till they be fat,

And then what a sweet meate a cunny is!

And what smooth skins they have, both black and gray!10

They say they run more in the night then day:

What is the reason? marke; why, in the light

They see more passengers then in the night;

For harmfull men many a haye[1820]do set,

And laugh to see them tumble in the net;15

And they put ferrets in the holes,—fie, fie!—

And they go up and downe where conniees lye;

And they lye still, they have so little wit:

I marvell the warriner will suffer it;

Nay, nay, they are so bad, that they themselves20

Do give consent to catch these prettie elfes.

How if the warriner should spie me here?

He would take me for a conny I dare sweare.

But when that Francis comes, what will he say?

'Looke, boy, there lyes a conney in my way!'25

But, soft, a light! whose that? soule, my mother!

Nay, then, all hid: i faith, she shall not see me;

Ile play bo peepe with her behind this tree.

[EnterMistresse Barnes,with a torch.]

Mis. Ba.I marvell where this wench doth[1821]hide her selfeSo closely; I have searcht in many a bush.30Mal.Belike my mother tooke me for a thrush. [Aside.]—Mis. Bar.Shees hid in this same warren, Ile lay money.Mal.Close as a rabbet sucker[1822]from an olde conney. [Aside.]Mi. Bar.O God, I would to God that I could find her!I would keepe her from her loves toyes yet.35Mal.I, so you might, if your daughter had no wit. [Aside.]Mi. Ba.What a vilde girle tis, that would hav't so young!Mal.A murren take that desembling tongue!Ere your calves teeth were out, you thought it long. [Aside.]Mi. Bar.But, minion, yet Ile keepe you from the man.40Mall.To save a lye, mother, say, if you can. [Aside.]Mi. Bar.Well, now to looke for her.Mal.I, theres the spight:What trick shall I now have to scape her light? [Aside.]Mi. Bar.Whose there? what, minion, is it you?—45Beshrew her heart, what a fright she put me to!But I am glad I found her, though I was afraide. [Aside.]Come on your wayes; you are[1823]a handsome maide!Why [steal] you foorth a doores so late at night?Why, whether go ye? come, stand still, I say.50Mal.No, indeed, mother; this is my best way.M. Ba.Tis not the best way; stand by me, I tell yee.Mall.No; you would catch me, mother,—O, I smell ye!Mi. Bar.Will ye not stand still?Mal.No, by ladie, no.55Mis. Bar.But I will make ye.Mal.Nay, then, trip and goe.Mi. Bar.Mistresse, Ile make ye wearie ere I have done.Mal.Faith, mother, then, Ile trie how you can runne.Mis. Bar.Will ye?60Mal.Yes, faith.Exeunt.

Mis. Ba.I marvell where this wench doth[1821]hide her selfeSo closely; I have searcht in many a bush.30

Mis. Ba.I marvell where this wench doth[1821]hide her selfe

So closely; I have searcht in many a bush.30

Mal.Belike my mother tooke me for a thrush. [Aside.]—

Mis. Bar.Shees hid in this same warren, Ile lay money.

Mal.Close as a rabbet sucker[1822]from an olde conney. [Aside.]

Mi. Bar.O God, I would to God that I could find her!I would keepe her from her loves toyes yet.35

Mi. Bar.O God, I would to God that I could find her!

I would keepe her from her loves toyes yet.35

Mal.I, so you might, if your daughter had no wit. [Aside.]

Mi. Ba.What a vilde girle tis, that would hav't so young!

Mal.A murren take that desembling tongue!Ere your calves teeth were out, you thought it long. [Aside.]

Mal.A murren take that desembling tongue!

Ere your calves teeth were out, you thought it long. [Aside.]

Mi. Bar.But, minion, yet Ile keepe you from the man.40

Mall.To save a lye, mother, say, if you can. [Aside.]

Mi. Bar.Well, now to looke for her.

Mal.I, theres the spight:What trick shall I now have to scape her light? [Aside.]

Mal.I, theres the spight:

What trick shall I now have to scape her light? [Aside.]

Mi. Bar.Whose there? what, minion, is it you?—45Beshrew her heart, what a fright she put me to!But I am glad I found her, though I was afraide. [Aside.]Come on your wayes; you are[1823]a handsome maide!Why [steal] you foorth a doores so late at night?Why, whether go ye? come, stand still, I say.50

Mi. Bar.Whose there? what, minion, is it you?—45

Beshrew her heart, what a fright she put me to!

But I am glad I found her, though I was afraide. [Aside.]

Come on your wayes; you are[1823]a handsome maide!

Why [steal] you foorth a doores so late at night?

Why, whether go ye? come, stand still, I say.50

Mal.No, indeed, mother; this is my best way.

M. Ba.Tis not the best way; stand by me, I tell yee.

Mall.No; you would catch me, mother,—O, I smell ye!

Mi. Bar.Will ye not stand still?

Mal.No, by ladie, no.55

Mis. Bar.But I will make ye.

Mal.Nay, then, trip and goe.

Mi. Bar.Mistresse, Ile make ye wearie ere I have done.

Mal.Faith, mother, then, Ile trie how you can runne.

Mis. Bar.Will ye?60

Mal.Yes, faith.Exeunt.

Mal.Yes, faith.

Exeunt.

Enter[FrankeandBoy.]

Fran.Mal, sweet heart, Mall! what, not a word?

Boy.A little further; call againe.

Fran.Why, Mal! I prethie, speake; why, Mal, I say!I know thou art not farre, if thou wilt not[1824]speake;65Why, Mal!—But now I see shees in her merry vaine,To make me call, and put me to more paine.Well, I must beare with her; sheel beare with me:But I will call, least that it be not so.—70What, Mal! what, Mall, I say!—Boy, are we right?Have we not mist the way this same darke night?Boy.Masse, it may be so: as I am true man,I have not seen a cunny since I came;Yet at the cunny-borow we should meete.75But, harke! I heare the trampling of some feete.Fran.It may be so, then; therefore lets lye close.

Fran.Why, Mal! I prethie, speake; why, Mal, I say!

I know thou art not farre, if thou wilt not[1824]speake;65

Why, Mal!—

But now I see shees in her merry vaine,

To make me call, and put me to more paine.

Well, I must beare with her; sheel beare with me:

But I will call, least that it be not so.—70

What, Mal! what, Mall, I say!—Boy, are we right?

Have we not mist the way this same darke night?

Boy.Masse, it may be so: as I am true man,I have not seen a cunny since I came;Yet at the cunny-borow we should meete.75But, harke! I heare the trampling of some feete.

Boy.Masse, it may be so: as I am true man,

I have not seen a cunny since I came;

Yet at the cunny-borow we should meete.75

But, harke! I heare the trampling of some feete.

Fran.It may be so, then; therefore lets lye close.

[EnterMistresse GourseyandCoomes.]

Mis. Gou.Where art thou, Dicke?

Coo.Where am I, quoth a! mary, I may be where any body will say I am; eyther in France, or at Rome, or at Jerusalem, they may say I am, for I am not able to disprove them, because I cannot tell where I am.82

Mi. Gou.O, what a blindfold walke have we had, Dicke,To seeke my sonne! and yet I cannot finde him.

Mi. Gou.O, what a blindfold walke have we had, Dicke,

To seeke my sonne! and yet I cannot finde him.

Coo.Why, then, mistresse, lets goe home.85

Mi. Gou.Why, tis so darke we shall not finde the way.

Fran.I pray God, ye may not, mother, till it be day! [Aside.]

Coo.Sbloud, take heed, mistris, heres a tree.

Mis. Go.Lead thou the way, and let me hold by thee.

Bo.Dick Coome, what difference is there between a blind man and he that cannot see?91

Fra.Peace, a poxe on thee!

Coo.Swounds, some body spake.

Mi. Gou.Dicke, looke about;It may be here we may finde them out.95Coo.I see the glimpse[1825]of some body heere.—And ye be a sprite, Ile fraie the bug beare.—There a goes, mistresse.Mi. Gour.O sir, have I spide you?Fr.A plague on the boy! twas he that descried[1826]me.Exeunt.

Mi. Gou.Dicke, looke about;It may be here we may finde them out.95

Mi. Gou.Dicke, looke about;

It may be here we may finde them out.95

Coo.I see the glimpse[1825]of some body heere.—And ye be a sprite, Ile fraie the bug beare.—There a goes, mistresse.

Coo.I see the glimpse[1825]of some body heere.—

And ye be a sprite, Ile fraie the bug beare.—

There a goes, mistresse.

Mi. Gour.O sir, have I spide you?

Fr.A plague on the boy! twas he that descried[1826]me.Exeunt.

Fr.A plague on the boy! twas he that descried[1826]me.

Exeunt.

[EnterPhilip.]

Phi.How like a beauteous lady, maskt in blackeLookes that same large circumference of heaven!The skie, that was so faire three houres agoe,Is in three houres become an Ethiope;And being angrie at her beauteous change,5She will not have one of those pearled starresTo blab her sable metamorphesis:[1827]Tis very darke. I did appoint my sisterTo meete me at the cunny berrie below,And Francis too; but neither can I see.10Belike my mother hapned on that place,And fraide them from it, and they both are nowWandring about the[1828]fields: how shall I finde them?It is so darke, I scarce can see my hand:Why, then, Ile hollow for them—no, not so;15So will his voice betray him to our mothersAnd if he answere, and bring them where he is.What shall I, then, do? it must not be so—Sbloud,[1829]it must be so; how else, I pray?Shall I stand gaping heere all night till day,20And then nere the neere?[1830]—So ho, so ho!

Phi.How like a beauteous lady, maskt in blacke

Lookes that same large circumference of heaven!

The skie, that was so faire three houres agoe,

Is in three houres become an Ethiope;

And being angrie at her beauteous change,5

She will not have one of those pearled starres

To blab her sable metamorphesis:[1827]

Tis very darke. I did appoint my sister

To meete me at the cunny berrie below,

And Francis too; but neither can I see.10

Belike my mother hapned on that place,

And fraide them from it, and they both are now

Wandring about the[1828]fields: how shall I finde them?

It is so darke, I scarce can see my hand:

Why, then, Ile hollow for them—no, not so;15

So will his voice betray him to our mothers

And if he answere, and bring them where he is.

What shall I, then, do? it must not be so—

Sbloud,[1829]it must be so; how else, I pray?

Shall I stand gaping heere all night till day,20

And then nere the neere?[1830]—So ho, so ho!

[EnterWill.]

Wil.So ho! I come: where are ye? where art thou? here!

Phi.How now, Franke, where hast thou[1831]been?

Wil.Franke! what Franke? sbloud, is sir Raph mad? [Aside].— Heeres the bow.[1832]25

Phi.I have not been much private with that voice:Me thinke Franke Goursey talke and his doth tell meI am mistaken; especially by his bow;Franke had no bow. Well, I will leave this fellow,And hollow somewhat farther in the fields.30[Aside].—Doost thou heare, fellow? I perceive by theeThat we are both mistaken: I tooke theeFor one thou art not; likewise thou tookst meFor sir Raph Smith, but sure I am not he:And so, farewell; I must go seeke my friend.—35So ho![Exit.]Wil.So ho, so ho! nay, then, sir Raph, so whoore!For a whore she was sure, if you had her hereSo late. Now, you are sir Raphe Smith;Well do ye counterfeit and change your voyce,40But yet I know ye. But what should be that Francis?Belike that Francis cussend him of his wench,And he conceals himselfe to finde her out;Tis so, upon my life. Well, I will goAnd helpe him ring his peale of so ho, so ho!45[Exit.]

Phi.I have not been much private with that voice:

Me thinke Franke Goursey talke and his doth tell me

I am mistaken; especially by his bow;

Franke had no bow. Well, I will leave this fellow,

And hollow somewhat farther in the fields.30[Aside].—

Doost thou heare, fellow? I perceive by thee

That we are both mistaken: I tooke thee

For one thou art not; likewise thou tookst me

For sir Raph Smith, but sure I am not he:

And so, farewell; I must go seeke my friend.—35

So ho!

[Exit.]

Wil.So ho, so ho! nay, then, sir Raph, so whoore!For a whore she was sure, if you had her hereSo late. Now, you are sir Raphe Smith;Well do ye counterfeit and change your voyce,40But yet I know ye. But what should be that Francis?Belike that Francis cussend him of his wench,And he conceals himselfe to finde her out;Tis so, upon my life. Well, I will goAnd helpe him ring his peale of so ho, so ho!45[Exit.]

Wil.So ho, so ho! nay, then, sir Raph, so whoore!

For a whore she was sure, if you had her here

So late. Now, you are sir Raphe Smith;

Well do ye counterfeit and change your voyce,40

But yet I know ye. But what should be that Francis?

Belike that Francis cussend him of his wench,

And he conceals himselfe to finde her out;

Tis so, upon my life. Well, I will go

And helpe him ring his peale of so ho, so ho!45

[Exit.]

EnterFranke.[1833]

Fra.A plague on Coomes! a plague upon the boy!A plague too—not on my mother for an hundreth pound![1834]Twas time to runne; and yet I had not thoughtMy mother could have followed me so close,Her legges with age I thought had foundered;50She made me quite runne through a quickset hedge,Or she had taken me. Well, I may say,I have runne through the briers for a wenche;And yet I have her not,—the woorse lucke mine.Me thought I heard one hollow here about;55I judge it Philip: O, the slave will laughWhen as he heares how that my mother scarde me!Well, heere Ile stand untill I heare him hollow,And then Ile answere him; he is not farre.

Fra.A plague on Coomes! a plague upon the boy!

A plague too—not on my mother for an hundreth pound![1834]

Twas time to runne; and yet I had not thought

My mother could have followed me so close,

Her legges with age I thought had foundered;50

She made me quite runne through a quickset hedge,

Or she had taken me. Well, I may say,

I have runne through the briers for a wenche;

And yet I have her not,—the woorse lucke mine.

Me thought I heard one hollow here about;55

I judge it Philip: O, the slave will laugh

When as he heares how that my mother scarde me!

Well, heere Ile stand untill I heare him hollow,

And then Ile answere him; he is not farre.

[EnterSir Raph Smith.]

Ra.My man is hollowing for me up and downe,60And yet I cannot meet with him.—So ho!Frank.So ho!Ra.Why, what, a poxe, wert thou so neere me, man,And wouldst[1835]not speake?Fra.Sbloud, ye are very hot.65Rap.No, sir, I am colde enough with staying hereFor such a knave as you.Fra.Knave! how now, Phillip?Art mad, art mad?Ra.Why, art not thou my man70That went to fetch my bowe.[1836]Fra.Indeed, a boweMight shoote me ten bowes downe the weather so:I your man!Ra.What art thou, then?75Fran.A man: but whats thy name?Rap.Some call me Raph.Franke.Then, honest Raph, farewell.[1837]Ra.Well said, familiar Will! plaine Raph, i faith.[Hollow withinPhillipandWill.[1838]]Fran.There calles my man.80Ra.But there goes mine away;And yet Ile heare what this next call will say, [Goes out toward the fields.]And here Ile tarrie till he call againe.

Ra.My man is hollowing for me up and downe,60And yet I cannot meet with him.—So ho!

Ra.My man is hollowing for me up and downe,60

And yet I cannot meet with him.—So ho!

Frank.So ho!

Ra.Why, what, a poxe, wert thou so neere me, man,And wouldst[1835]not speake?

Ra.Why, what, a poxe, wert thou so neere me, man,

And wouldst[1835]not speake?

Fra.Sbloud, ye are very hot.65

Rap.No, sir, I am colde enough with staying hereFor such a knave as you.

Rap.No, sir, I am colde enough with staying here

For such a knave as you.

Fra.Knave! how now, Phillip?Art mad, art mad?

Fra.Knave! how now, Phillip?

Art mad, art mad?

Ra.Why, art not thou my man70That went to fetch my bowe.[1836]

Ra.Why, art not thou my man70

That went to fetch my bowe.[1836]

Fra.Indeed, a boweMight shoote me ten bowes downe the weather so:I your man!

Fra.Indeed, a bowe

Might shoote me ten bowes downe the weather so:

I your man!

Ra.What art thou, then?75

Fran.A man: but whats thy name?

Rap.Some call me Raph.

Franke.Then, honest Raph, farewell.[1837]

Ra.Well said, familiar Will! plaine Raph, i faith.[Hollow withinPhillipandWill.[1838]]

Ra.Well said, familiar Will! plaine Raph, i faith.

[Hollow withinPhillipandWill.[1838]]

Fran.There calles my man.80

Ra.But there goes mine away;And yet Ile heare what this next call will say, [Goes out toward the fields.]And here Ile tarrie till he call againe.

Ra.But there goes mine away;

And yet Ile heare what this next call will say, [Goes out toward the fields.]

And here Ile tarrie till he call againe.

[EnterWill.]

Wil.So ho!Fran.So ho! where art thou, Phillip?85Wil.Sbloud,[1839]Philip!But now he calde[1840]me Francis: this is fine. [Aside.]Fran.Why studiest thou? I prethy, tell me, Philip,Where the wench[1841]is.Wil.Even now he askt me Francis for the wench,90And now he asks[1842]me Phillip for the wench. [Aside]—Well, sir Raph, I must needes tell ye now,Tis not for your[1843]credit to be foorthSo late a wenching in this order.Fran.Whats this? so late a wenching, doth he say? [Aside].—Indeed, tis true I am thus late a wenching,96But I am forc'st to wench without a wench.Wil.Why, then, you might have tane your bow at first,And gone and kilde a bucke, and not have beenSo long a drabbing, and be nere the neere.100Fran.Swounds, what a pussell am I in this night!But yet Ile put this fellow farther [off][1844][Aside].—Doost thou heare, man? I am not sir Raph Smith,As thou doost thinke I am; but I did meete him,Even as thou saiest, in pursuite of a wench.105I met the wench to, and she[1845]askt for thee,Saying twas thou that wert her love, her deare,And that sir Raph was not an honest knightTo traine her thether, and to use her so.Wil.Sbloud, my wench! swounds, were he ten sir Raphs—Fran.Nay, tis true, looke to it; and so, farewell.111Exit.Wil.Indeed, I do love Nan, our darie maide:And hath he traine[d] her forth to that intent,Or for another? I carrie his crossebow,And he doth crosse me, shooting in my bow.115What shall I do?[Exit.]

Wil.So ho!

Fran.So ho! where art thou, Phillip?85

Wil.Sbloud,[1839]Philip!But now he calde[1840]me Francis: this is fine. [Aside.]

Wil.Sbloud,[1839]Philip!

But now he calde[1840]me Francis: this is fine. [Aside.]

Fran.Why studiest thou? I prethy, tell me, Philip,Where the wench[1841]is.

Fran.Why studiest thou? I prethy, tell me, Philip,

Where the wench[1841]is.

Wil.Even now he askt me Francis for the wench,90And now he asks[1842]me Phillip for the wench. [Aside]—Well, sir Raph, I must needes tell ye now,Tis not for your[1843]credit to be foorthSo late a wenching in this order.

Wil.Even now he askt me Francis for the wench,90

And now he asks[1842]me Phillip for the wench. [Aside]—

Well, sir Raph, I must needes tell ye now,

Tis not for your[1843]credit to be foorth

So late a wenching in this order.

Fran.Whats this? so late a wenching, doth he say? [Aside].—Indeed, tis true I am thus late a wenching,96But I am forc'st to wench without a wench.

Fran.Whats this? so late a wenching, doth he say? [Aside].—

Indeed, tis true I am thus late a wenching,96

But I am forc'st to wench without a wench.

Wil.Why, then, you might have tane your bow at first,And gone and kilde a bucke, and not have beenSo long a drabbing, and be nere the neere.100

Wil.Why, then, you might have tane your bow at first,

And gone and kilde a bucke, and not have been

So long a drabbing, and be nere the neere.100

Fran.Swounds, what a pussell am I in this night!But yet Ile put this fellow farther [off][1844][Aside].—Doost thou heare, man? I am not sir Raph Smith,As thou doost thinke I am; but I did meete him,Even as thou saiest, in pursuite of a wench.105I met the wench to, and she[1845]askt for thee,Saying twas thou that wert her love, her deare,And that sir Raph was not an honest knightTo traine her thether, and to use her so.

Fran.Swounds, what a pussell am I in this night!

But yet Ile put this fellow farther [off][1844][Aside].—

Doost thou heare, man? I am not sir Raph Smith,

As thou doost thinke I am; but I did meete him,

Even as thou saiest, in pursuite of a wench.105

I met the wench to, and she[1845]askt for thee,

Saying twas thou that wert her love, her deare,

And that sir Raph was not an honest knight

To traine her thether, and to use her so.

Wil.Sbloud, my wench! swounds, were he ten sir Raphs—

Fran.Nay, tis true, looke to it; and so, farewell.111Exit.

Fran.Nay, tis true, looke to it; and so, farewell.111

Exit.

Wil.Indeed, I do love Nan, our darie maide:And hath he traine[d] her forth to that intent,Or for another? I carrie his crossebow,And he doth crosse me, shooting in my bow.115What shall I do?[Exit.]

Wil.Indeed, I do love Nan, our darie maide:

And hath he traine[d] her forth to that intent,

Or for another? I carrie his crossebow,

And he doth crosse me, shooting in my bow.115

What shall I do?

[Exit.]

EnterPhillip.[1846]

Phillip.So ho!

Raph.So ho!

Phil.Frances, art thou there?

Ra.No, heres no Francis. Art thou Will, my man?

Phil.Will foole your man, Will gose[1847]your man!5My backe, sir, scornes to weare your liverie.Raph.Nay, sir, I moov'de but such a question to you,And[1848]it hath not disparegd you, I hope;Twas but mistaking; such a night as thisMay well deceive a man. God boye,[1849]sir.10[Exit.]Phil.Gods will, tis sir Raph Smith, a vertuous knight!How gently entertaines he my hard answer!Rude anger made my tongue unmannerly:I crie him mercie. Well, but all this whileI cannot finde a Francis.—Francis, ho!15

Phil.Will foole your man, Will gose[1847]your man!5My backe, sir, scornes to weare your liverie.

Phil.Will foole your man, Will gose[1847]your man!5

My backe, sir, scornes to weare your liverie.

Raph.Nay, sir, I moov'de but such a question to you,And[1848]it hath not disparegd you, I hope;Twas but mistaking; such a night as thisMay well deceive a man. God boye,[1849]sir.10[Exit.]

Raph.Nay, sir, I moov'de but such a question to you,

And[1848]it hath not disparegd you, I hope;

Twas but mistaking; such a night as this

May well deceive a man. God boye,[1849]sir.10

[Exit.]

Phil.Gods will, tis sir Raph Smith, a vertuous knight!How gently entertaines he my hard answer!Rude anger made my tongue unmannerly:I crie him mercie. Well, but all this whileI cannot finde a Francis.—Francis, ho!15

Phil.Gods will, tis sir Raph Smith, a vertuous knight!

How gently entertaines he my hard answer!

Rude anger made my tongue unmannerly:

I crie him mercie. Well, but all this while

I cannot finde a Francis.—Francis, ho!15

[EnterWill.]

Wil.Francis, ho! O, you call Francis now!How have ye usde my Nan? come, tell me, how.Phil.Thy Nan! what Nan?Wil.I, what Nan, now! say, do you not seeke a wench?Phi.Yes, I do.20Wil.Then, sir, that is she.Phil.Art not thou [he] I met withall before?Wil.Yes, sir; and you did counterfeit before,And said to me you were not sir Raph Smith.Phil.No more I am not. I met sir Raph Smith;25Even now he askt me if I saw his man.Wil.O, fine!Phil.Why, sirra, thou art much deceived in me:Good faith, I am not he thou thinkst I am.Wil.What are ye, then?30Phi.Why, one that seekes one Francis and a wench.Wil.And Francis seekes one Phillip and a wench.Phil.How canst thou tell?Wil.I met him seeking Phillip and a wench,As I was seeking sir Raph and a wench.35Phil.Why, then, I know the matter: we met crosse,And so we mist; now here we finde our losse.Well, if thou wilt, we two will keepe togither,And so we shall meet right with one or other.Wil.I am content: but, do you heare me, sir?40Did not sir Raph Smith aske yee for a wench?Phi.No, I promise thee, nor did he lookeFor any but thy selfe, as I could gesse.Wil.Why, this is strange: but, come, sir, lets away;I feare that we shall walke here till it be day.Exeunt.45

Wil.Francis, ho! O, you call Francis now!How have ye usde my Nan? come, tell me, how.

Wil.Francis, ho! O, you call Francis now!

How have ye usde my Nan? come, tell me, how.

Phil.Thy Nan! what Nan?

Wil.I, what Nan, now! say, do you not seeke a wench?

Phi.Yes, I do.20

Wil.Then, sir, that is she.

Phil.Art not thou [he] I met withall before?

Wil.Yes, sir; and you did counterfeit before,And said to me you were not sir Raph Smith.

Wil.Yes, sir; and you did counterfeit before,

And said to me you were not sir Raph Smith.

Phil.No more I am not. I met sir Raph Smith;25Even now he askt me if I saw his man.

Phil.No more I am not. I met sir Raph Smith;25

Even now he askt me if I saw his man.

Wil.O, fine!

Phil.Why, sirra, thou art much deceived in me:Good faith, I am not he thou thinkst I am.

Phil.Why, sirra, thou art much deceived in me:

Good faith, I am not he thou thinkst I am.

Wil.What are ye, then?30

Phi.Why, one that seekes one Francis and a wench.

Wil.And Francis seekes one Phillip and a wench.

Phil.How canst thou tell?

Wil.I met him seeking Phillip and a wench,As I was seeking sir Raph and a wench.35

Wil.I met him seeking Phillip and a wench,

As I was seeking sir Raph and a wench.35

Phil.Why, then, I know the matter: we met crosse,And so we mist; now here we finde our losse.Well, if thou wilt, we two will keepe togither,And so we shall meet right with one or other.

Phil.Why, then, I know the matter: we met crosse,

And so we mist; now here we finde our losse.

Well, if thou wilt, we two will keepe togither,

And so we shall meet right with one or other.

Wil.I am content: but, do you heare me, sir?40Did not sir Raph Smith aske yee for a wench?

Wil.I am content: but, do you heare me, sir?40

Did not sir Raph Smith aske yee for a wench?

Phi.No, I promise thee, nor did he lookeFor any but thy selfe, as I could gesse.

Phi.No, I promise thee, nor did he looke

For any but thy selfe, as I could gesse.

Wil.Why, this is strange: but, come, sir, lets away;I feare that we shall walke here till it be day.Exeunt.45

Wil.Why, this is strange: but, come, sir, lets away;

I feare that we shall walke here till it be day.

Exeunt.45

EnterBoy.[1850]

[Boy.] O God, I have runne so far into the winde, that I have runne myselfe out of winde! They say a man is neere his end when he lackes breath; and I am at the end of my race, for I can run no farther: then here I be in my breath bed, not in my death bed.50

[Exit.]

EnterCoomes.

Coom.They say men moyle and toile for a poore living; so I moyle and toile, and am living, I thanke God; in good time be it spoken. It had been better for me my mistresse[1851]angell had beene light, for then perhaps it had not lead me into this darknesse. Well, the divell never blesses a man better, when he purses up angels by owlight: I ranne through a hedge to take the boy, but I stuck in the ditch, and lost the boy. [Falls.] Swounds, a plague on that clod, that mowlhil, that ditch, or what the devil so ere it were, for a man cannot see what it was! Well, I would not for the prize of my sword and buckler any body should see me in this taking, for it would make me but cut off their legges for laughing at me. Well, downe I am, and downe I meane to be, because I am wearie; but to tumble downe thus, it was no parte of my meaning: then, since I am downe, here Ile rest me, and no man shall remoove me.65

EnterHodge.

Hodg.O, I have sport in coney, i faith! I have almost burst myselfe with laughing at mistresse Barnes. She was following ofher daughter; and I, hearing her, put on my fellow Dickes sword and buckler voyce and his swounds and sbloud words, and led her such a daunce in the darke as it passes. 'Heere she is,' quoth I. 'Where'? quoth she. 'Here,' quoth I. O, it hath been a brave here and there night! but, O, what a soft natured thing the durt is! how it would endure my hard treading, and kisse my feete for acquaintance! and how courteous and mannerly were the clods[1852]to make me stumble onelie of purpose to entreate me lie downe and rest me! But now, and I could find my fellow Dicke, I would play the knave with him honestly, i faith. Well, I will grope in the darke for him, or Ile poke with my staffe, like a blinde man, to prevent a ditch.He stumbles onDick Coomes.[1853]

Coom.Whose that, with a poxe?80

Hod.Who art thou, with a pestilence?

Coom.Why, I am Dicke Coomes.

Hodg.What, have I found thee, Dicke? nay, then, I am for yee, Dicke. [Aside.]—Where are ye, Dicke? [AssumingMistresse Goursey'svoice.]

Coom.What can I tell where I am?85

Hodg.Can yee not tell? come, come, ye waight on your mistresse well! come on your wayes; I have sought you till I am wearie, and calde ye till I am hoarse: good Lord, what a jaunt I have had this night, hey[1854]ho!89

Coom.Ist you, mistresse, that came over me? sbloud, twere a good deed to come over you for this nights worke. I cannot affoord all this paines for an angell: I tell ye true; a kisse were not cast away upon a good fellow, that hath deserved more that way then a kisse, if your kindnesse would affoord it him: what, shall I have it, mistresse?

Hodg.Fie, fie, I must not kisse my man.95

Coom.Nay, nay, nere stand; shall I, shall I? nobody sees: say but I shall, and Ile smacke yee[1855]soundly, i faith.

Hodg.Away, bawdie man! in trueth, Ile tell your maister.

Coom.My master! go to, neere tell me of my maister: he may pray for them that may, he is past it; and for mine own part, I can do somewhat that way, I thanke God; I am not now to learne, and tis your part to have your whole desire.102

Hod.Fie, fie, I am ashamed of you: would you tempt your mistresse to lewdnesse?

Coom.To lewdnesse! no, by my troth, thers no such matter in't, it is for kindnesse; and, by my troth, if you like my gentle offer, you shall have what courteously I can affoord ye.107

Hod.Shall I indeed, Dicke? I faith, if I thought nobody would see—

Coom.Tush, feare not that; swones, they must have cattes eyes, then.111

Hod.Then, kisse me, Dick.

Coom.A kinde wenche, i faith! [Aside].—Where are yee, mistresse?

Hodge.Heere, Dick. O, I am in the darke! Dick, go about.

Coom.Nay, Ile grope[1856]sure: where are yee now?[1857]116

Hodge.Heere.

Coom.A plague on this poast! I would the carpenter had bin hangd that set it up so.[1858]—Where are yee now?

Hod.Heere.120

Exit.

Coo.Here! O, I come. [Exit.] A plague on it, I am in a pond, mistres!

Hod.[re-entering.] Ha, ha! I have led him into a pond.—Where art thou, Dick?

Coomes.[within.] Up to the middle in a pond!125

Hod.Make a boate of thy buckler, then, and swim out. Are yee so hot, with a pox? would you kisse my mistresse? coole ye there, then, good Dick Coomes. O, when he comes forth, the skirts of his blew coate will dropp like a paint-house![1859]O, that I could see, and not be seene, how he would spaniell it, and shake himselfe when he comes out of the pond! But Ile be gone; for now heele fight with a flye, if he but buz[1860]in his eare.132

Exit.

[Re]enterCoomes.

Coom.Heeres so hoing with a plague! so hang, and ye wil, for I have bin almost drownd. A pox of your lips,[1861]and ye call this kissing! Yee talke of a drownd rat, but twas time to swim like adog; I had bin served like a drowned cat els. I would he had digd his grave that digd the pond! my feete were foule indeed, but a lesse pale then a pond would have served my turne to wash them. A man shall be served thus alwayes, when he followes any of these females; but tis my kinde heart that makes me thus forward in kindnes unto them: well, God amend them, and make them thankfull to them that would do them pleasure. I am not drunke, I would ye should[1862]know it; and yet I have drunke more then will do me good, for I might have had a pumpe set up with as[1863]good March beere as this was, and nere set up an alebush for the matter. Well, I am somewhat in wroth, I must needs say; and yet I am not more angrie then wise, nor more wise then angrie but Ile fight with the next man I meete, and it be but for luck sake; and if he love to see him selfe hurt, let him bring light with him; Ile do it by darkling els, by Gods dines. Well, heere will I walke, whoso ever sayes nay.151

EnterNicholas[with a torch].

Nic.He that worse may, must holde the candle; but my maister is not so wise as God might have made him. He is gone to seeke a hayre in a hennes nest, a needle in a bottle of haye, which is as sildome seene as a black swan: he is gone to seeke my yong mistresse; and I thinke she is better lost then found, for who so ever hath her, hath but a wet eele by the taile. But they may do as they list; the law is in their owne hands; but, and they would be ruld by me, they should set her on the leland,[1864]and bid the divell split her; beshrew her fingers, she hath made me watch past mine hower; but Ile watch her a good turne for it.161

Coom.How, whose that? Nicholas!—So, first come, first servd; I am for him.—How now, proverbe, proverbe? sbloud, howe now, proverbe?

Ni.My name is Nicholas, Richard; and I knowe your meaning, and I hope ye meane no harme: I thanke ye, I am the better for your asking.167

Coo.Where have you been a whoring thus late, ha?

Ni.Master Richard, the good wife would not seeke her daughter in the oven unlesse she had been there her selfe: but, good Lord, you are knuckle deep in durt!—I warrant, when he was in, he swore Walsingham,[1865]and chaft terrible for the time.—Looke, the water drops from you as fast as hops.173

Coom.What needst thou to care, whipper-jenny,[1866]tripe-cheekes[1867]? out, you fat asse!

Ni.Good words cost nought, ill wordes corrupts good manners, Richard: for a hasty man never wants woe; and I had thought you had bin my friend; but I see al is not gold that glisters; ther's falshood in fellowship;amicus certus in re certa cernitur; time and truth tries all; and tis an olde proverbe, and not so old as true, bought wit is[1868]best; I can see day at a little hole; I know your minde as well as though I were within you; tis ill halting before a criple: go to, you seek to quarrel; but beware of had I wist[1869]; so long goes the pot to the water, at length it comes home broken[1870]; I know you are as good a man as ever drew sword, or as was ere girt in a girdle, or as ere went on neats leather, or as one shall see upon a summers day, or as ere lookt man in the face, or as ere trode on Gods earth, or as ere broke bread or drunk drinke; but he is proper that hath proper conditions; but be not you like the cowe, that gives a good sope of milke, and casts it downe with her[1871]heeles; I speake plainly, for plaine dealing is a jewel, and he that useth it shal dye a begger; well, that happens in an houre, that happens not in seaven yeeres; a man is not so soone whole as hurt; and you should kill a man, you would kisse his—well, I say little, but I thinke the more.—Yet Ile give him good words; tis good to hold a candle before the devell; yet, by Gods me,[1872]Ile take no wrong, if he had a head as big as Brasse,[1873]or lookt as high as Poules steeple.197[Aside.]

Coo.Sirra, thou grashoper, that shalt skip from my sword as from a sith; Ile cut thee out in collops, and egs, in steekes, in sliste beefe, and frye thee with the fire I shall strike from the pike of thy buckler.

Nich.I, Brag's a good dog; threatned folkes live long.201

Coo.What say ye, sir?

Nic.Why, I say not so much as How do ye?

Coo.Do ye not so, sir?

Nic.No, indeed, what so ere I thinke; and thought is free.205

Coo.You whoreson wafer-cake, by Gods dines,[1874]Ile crush yee for this!

Ni.Give an inch, and youle take an elle; I wil not put my finger in a hole, I warrant ye: what, man! nere crow so fast, for a blinde man may kill a hare; I have knowne when a plaine fellow hath hurt a fencer, so I have: what! a man may be as slow as a snaile, but as fierce as a lyon and he be mooved; indeed, I am patient, I must needs say, for patience in adversity brings a man to the Three Cranes in the Ventree.[1875]214

Coo.Do ye heare? set downe your torch; drawe, fight, I am for ye.

Ni.And I am for ye too, though it be from this midnight to the next morne.

Coo.Where be your tooles?

Nic.Within a mile of an oake, sir; hee's a proud horse will not carry his owne provender, I warrant ye.221

Coo.Now am I in my quarrelling humor, and now can I say nothing but Sownes, draw! but Ile untrus, and then have to it. [Aside.]

Enter[severally]HodgeandBoy.

Hod.Whose there? boy! honest boy, well met: where hast thou bin?225

Boy.O Hodge, Dicke Coomes hath been as good as a crye of hounds, to make a breathd[1876]hayre of me! but didst thou see my master?

Hod.I met him even now, and he askt me for thee, and he is gone up and downe, whoing like[1877]an owle for thee.230

Boy.Owle, ye asse!

Hod.Asse! no, nor glasse, for then it had been Owleglasse[1878]: but whose that, boy?

Bo.By the masse, tis our Coomes and Nicolas; and it seemes they are providing to fight.235

Hod.Then, we shall have fine sport, i faith. Sirra, lets stand close, and when they have fought a bout or two, weele run away with the torch, and leave them to fight darkling; shall we?

Boy.Content; Ile get the torch: stand close.239

Coo.So, now my back hath roome to reach: I doe not love to be lac't[1879]in, when I goe to lace[1879]a rascall. I pray God, Nicholas proove not a fly:[1880]it would do me good to deale with a good man now, that we might have halfe a dozen good smart stroakes. Ha, I have seen the day I could have daunst in my fight, on, two, three, foure, and five, on the head of him; six, seaven, eight, nine, and ten, on the sides of him; and, if I went so far as fifteene, I warrant I shewed[1881]him a trick of one and twentie; but I have not fought this foure dayes, and I lacke a little practise of my warde; but I shall make a shift: ha, close [Aside].—Are ye disposed, sir?249

Nic.Yes, indeed, I feare no colours:[1882]change sides, Richard.

Coo.Change the gallowes! Ile see thee hangd[1883]first.

Nich.Well, I see the foole will not leave his bable[1884]for the Tower of London.

Coo.Foole, ye roge! nay, then, fall to it.

Nic.Good goose, bite not.255

Coo.Sbloud, how pursey I am! Well, I see exercise is all: I must practise my weapons oftner; I must have a goale or two at foote-ball before I come to my right kind [Aside].—Give me thy hand, Nicholas: thou art a better man then I took thee for, and yet thou art not so good a man as I.260

Ni.You dwell by ill neighbours, Richard; that makes yee praise your selfe.

Coo.Why, I hope thou wilt say I am a man?

Ni.Yes, Ile say so, if I should see yee[1885]hangd.264

Coo.Hangd, ye roge! nay, then, have at yee. [While they fight, exeuntHodge,andBoywith the torch.] Swones,[1886]the light is gone!

Ni.O Lord, it is as darke as pitch!

Coo.Well, heere Ile lye, with my buckler thus, least striking up and downe at randall,[1887]the roge might hurt me, for I cannot see to save it, and Ile hold my peace, least my voyce should bring him where I am.271

[Lies down and covers himself with his buckler.]

Nic.Tis good to have a cloake for the raine; a bad shift is better than none at all; Ile sit heere, as if I were as dead as a doore naile.

EnterM. BarnesandM. Goursey.[1888]

M. Gou.Harke! theres one holloes.

M. Bar.And theres another.

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