Of all reclaim. Ay, so, now you're told on it, You look another way. Or Step. What would you ha' me do? Kno. What would I have you do! I'll tell you, kinsman; Learn to be wise, and practise how to thrive; Which is an airy, and mere borrow'd thing, From dead men's dust and bones: and none of yours: Except you make, or hold it. Who comes here? Enter a Servant. Sero. Save you, gentlemen. Step. Nay, we do not stand much on our gentility, friend; yet, you are welcome; and I assure you mine uncle here is a man of a thousand a-year, Middlesex land he has but one son in all the world; I am his next heir (at the common law) master Stephen, as simple as I stand here; if my cousin die (as there's hope he will). I have a pretty living o' my own too, beside, hard by here. Serv. In good time, sir. Step. In good time, sir! why? and in very good time, sir. You do not flout, friend, do you? Serv. Not I, sir. Step. Not you, sir! you were not best, sir; an' you should, here be them can perceive it, and that quickly too: go to. And they can give it again soundly too, an' need be. Serv. Why, sir, let this satisfy you: good faith, I had no such intent. Step. Sir, an' I thought you had, I would talk with you, and that presently. Serv. Good master Stephen, so you may, sir, at your pleasure. Step. And so I would, sir, good my saucy companion? an' you were out o' my uncle's ground, I can tell you; though I do not stand upon my gentility neither in't. Kno. Cousin! cousin! will this ne'er be left? Step. Whoreson, base fellow? a mechanical serving 'man? By this cudgel, and 'twere not for shame, I would Kno. What would you do, you peremptory gull ? To your unseason'd, quarrelling, rude fashion: Go, get you in, 'fore heaven, I am asham'd [Exit Step. Serv. I pray you, sir, is this Master Kno'well's house? Kno. Yes, marry, is't, sir. Serv. I should inquire for a gentleman here, one Master Edward Kno'well: do you know any such, sir, I pray you? Kno. I should forget myself else, sir. Serv. Are you the gentleman: cry you mercy, sir: I was requir'd by a gentleman i' the city, as I rode out at this end of the town, to deliver you this letter, sir. Kno. To me, sir! [To his most selected friend, Master Edward Kno'well.] What might the gentleman's name be, sir, that sent it? Serv. One Master Well-bred, sir. Kno. Master Well-bred! A young gentleman? Is he not? Serv. The same, sir; Master Kitely married his sister the rich merchant i' the Old Jewry. Kno. You say very true. Brain-worm. Enter BRAIN-WORM. Brain. Sir. Kno. Make this honest friend drink here.Pray you go in. [Exeunt Brain. and Servant. This letter is directed to my son : Yet I am Edward Kno'well too, and may, Well, I will break it ope (old men are curious) Of this young Well-bred: What have we here?— [The Letter.] Why, Ned, I beseech thee, hast thou forsworn all thy friends i' th' Old Jewry? or dost thou think us all Jews that inhabit there? Leave thy vigilant father alone, to number over his green apricots, evening and morning, o' the north-west wall: an' I had been his son, I had sav'd him the labour long since; if, taking in all the young wenches that pass by, at the back door, and coddling every kernel of the fruit for 'em would ha' served. But pr'ythee, come over to me, quickly, this morning: I have such a present for thee (our Turkey company never sent the like to the Grand Signior). One is a rhimer, sir, o' your own batch, your own leven; but doth think himself poet-major o'the town; willing to be shewn, and worthy to be seen. The other-I will not venture his description with you till you come, because I would ha' you make hither with an appetite. If the worst of 'em be not worth your journey, draw your bill of charges, as unconscionable as any Guildhall verdict will give it you, and you shall be allow'd your Viaticum. From the Windmill. From the Burdello, it might come as well; My son hath sung so, for the happiest wit, Nor what in schools: but surely, for his manners, Why, what unhallow'd ruffian would have writ, Of any man, too much the father. Brain-worm. |