Enter DAPPER.

Good faith, sir, I was going away.

Dap. In truth,

I am very sorry, captain.

Face. But I thought

Sure I should meet you.

Dap. Ay, I am very glad.

I had a scurvy writ or two to make,

And I had lent my watch1 last night to one

That dines to-day at the sheriff's, and so was robb'd
Of my pastime.

Re-enter SUBTLE, in his velvet cap and gown.

Is this the cunning-man?

Face. This is his worship.

Dap. Is he a doctor?

Face. Yes.

Dop. And you have broke with him, captain?

Face. Ay.

Dap. And how?

Face. Faith, he does make the matter, sir, so dainty

I know not what to say.

Dap. Not so, good captain.

Face. Would I were fairly rid of it, believe me.
Dap. Nay, now you grieve me, sir. Why should

so?

I dare assure you, I'll not be ungrateful.
Face. I cannot think you will, sir. But the law
Is such a thing— and then he says, Read's matter 2
Falling so lately-

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you wish

1 Watches were dear and scarce: Dapper pretends to a luxury above his condition.

2 Simon Read, convicted of practising the black art, had been recently pardoned by James I.

Dap. Read! he was an ass,

And dealt, sir, with a fool.

Face. It was a clerk, sir.

Dap. A clerk !

Face. Nay, hear me, sir, you know the law Better, I think

Dap. I should, sir, and the danger :

You know, I showed the statute to you.

Face. You did so.

Dap. And will I tell then! By this hand of flesh, Would it might never write good court-hand more, What do you think of me,

If I discover.

That I am a chiaus1?

Face. What's that?

Dap. The Turk was here.

As one would say, do you I think I am a Turk?

Face. I'll tell the doctor so.

Dap. Do, good sweet captain.

Face. Come, noble doctor, pray thee, let's prevail; This is the gentleman, and he's no chiaus.

Sub. Captain, I have return'd you all my answer.

I would do much, sir, for your love; but this

I neither may nor can.

Face. Tut, do not say so.

You deal now with a noble fellow, doctor,

One that will thank you richly, and he is no chiaus.

Let that, sir, move you.

Sub. Pray you, forbear
Face. He has

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1 A cheat. A Turkish chiaus, or interpreter, defrauded, in 1609, some Turkish merchants in England out of £4000: the fraud was famous at the time.

Four angels here.1

Sub. You do me wrong, good sir.

Face. Doctor, wherein? to tempt you with these spirits? Sub. To tempt my art and love, sir, to my peril.

'Fore heaven, I scarce can think you are my friend,

That so would draw me to apparent danger.

Face. I draw you! A horse draw you, and a halter,

You, and your flies together

Dap. Nay, good captain.

Face. That know no difference of men.

Sub. Good words, sir.

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Face. Good deeds, sir, Dr. Dogs-meat. 'Slight, I bring you

2

No cheating Clim o' the Cloughs, or Claribels,

That look as big as five-and-fifty, and flush3;

And spit out secrets like hot custard

Dap. Captain!

Face. Nor any melancholic under-scribe, Shall tell the vicar, but a special gentle, That is the heir to forty marks a year,

Consorts with the small poets of the time,

Is the sole hope of his old grandmother;

That knows the law, and writes you six fair hands,

Is a fine clerk, and has his cyphering perfect,

Will take his oath o' the Greek Testament,

If need be, in his pocket; and can court
His mistress out of Ovid.

Dap. Nay, dear captain

Face. Did you not tell me so?

Dap. Yes; but I'd have you

1 English gold coin, worth ten shillings.

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330

2 A North-country archer, often mentioned in the Robin Hood ballads.

3 The highest counts at primero, a game of cards.

Use Master Doctor with some more respect.

Face. Hang him, proud stag, with his broad velvet

head!

But for your sake I'd choke ere I would change

An article of breath with such a puckfist1:

Come, let's be gone.

Sub. Pray you, let me speak with you.
Dap. His worship calls you, captain.
Face. I am sorry

I e'er embark'd myself in such a business.
Dap. Nay, good sir; he did call you.
Face. Will he take then?

Sub. First, hear me

Face. Not a syllable, 'less you take.

Sub. Pray you, sir

Face. Upon no terms, but an assumpsit?

Sub. Your humour must be law.

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[Going.

350

Face. Why, now, sir, talk.

[He takes the four angels.

Now I dare hear you with mine honour. Speak.

So may this gentleman too.

Sub. Why, sir

[Offering to whisper FACE.

Face. No whispering.

Sub. 'Fore heaven, you do not apprehend the loss

You do yourself in this.

Face. Wherein? for what?

Sub. Marry, to be so importunate for one

That when he has it, will undo you all;

He'll win up all the money in the town.

1 Puff-ball, term of reproach.

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2 A voluntary promise, by word of mouth, to perform or pay anything to another.

Face. How !

Sub. Yes, and blow up gamester after gamester, As they do crackers in a puppet play.

If I do give him a familiar,

Give

you him all you play for; never set him : For he will have it.

Face. You are mistaken, doctor.

Why, he does ask one but for cups and horses

A rifling fly; none of your great familiars.

1

Dap. Yes, captain, I would have it for all games.

Sub. I told you so.

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Face. (taking DAP. aside). 'Slight, that is a new business! I understood you, a tame bird, to fly

Twice in a term, or so, on Friday nights,

When you had left the office, for a nag
Of forty or fifty shillings.

Dap. Ay, 'tis true, sir;

But I do think now I shall leave the law,
And therefore

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Face. Why, this changes quite the case.

Do you think that I dare move him?

Dap. If you please, sir;

All's one to him, I see.

Face. What! for that money?

I cannot with my conscience; nor should you

Make the request, methinks.

Dap. No, sir; I mean

To add consideration.

Face. Why, then, sir,

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I'll try. (Goes to SUBTLE.) Say that it were for all games,

doctor?

1 Gamble with, lay a stake.