Bob. Had I thought it had been he, he must not have gone so: but I can hardly be induced to believe it was he yet.

E. Kno. That I think, sir. But see, he is come again!

Dow. O, Pharoah's foot! Come, draw; to your tools. thresh you.

have I found you?

Draw, gipsey, or I'll

Bob. Gentleman of valour, I do believe in thee, hear me

Dow. Draw your weapon, then.

Bob. Tall man, I never thought on't till now; body of me! I had a warrant of the peace served on me even now, as I came along, by a water-bearer; this gentleman saw it, Mr. Matthew.

[He beats him and disarms him. Matthew runs away. Dow. 'Sdeath, you will not draw, then? Bob. Hold, hold, under thy favour, forbear.

Dow. Prate again, as you like this, you whoreson foist, you. You'll control the point, you! Your consort is gone; had he staid, he had shared with you, sir. [Exit Downright. E. Kno. Twenty, and kill 'em; twenty more, kill them too. Ha, ha!

Bob. Well, gentlemen, bear witness, I was bound to the peace by this good day.

E. Kno. No, faith, it's an ill day, captain, never reckon it other: but say you were bound to the peace, the law allows you to defend yourself; that will prove but a poor excuse.

Bob. I cannot tell, sir. I desire good construction, in fair sort. I never sustained the like disgrace, by Heaven. Sure I was struck with a planet thence, for I had no power to touch my weapon.

E. Kno. Aye, like enough, I have heard of many that have been beaten under a planet. Go, get you to a surgeon. 'Slid, an' these be your tricks, your passados and your montantos, I'll none of them. Bob. I was planet-struck certainly.

[Exit. E. Kno. O, manners! that this age should bring forth such creatures! that nature should be at leisure to make 'em! Come, coz.

Step. Mass, I'll have this cloak.

E. Kno. God's will, 'tis Downright's.

Step. Nay, it's mine now; another might have ta'en it up as well as I. I'll wear it, so I will.

E. Kno. How, an' he see it? He'll challenge it, assure yourself.

Step. Aye, but he shall not ha't; I'll say I bought it.

E. Kno. Take heed you buy it not too dear, coz. [Exeunt.

SCENE III.

A Chamber in KITELY's House. Enter KITELY and

CASH.

Kite. Art thou sure, Thomas, we have pry'd into all and every part throughout the house? Is there

AЯ IV. no by-place, or dark corner, has escaped our searches? Cash. Indeed, sir, none; there's not a hole or nook unsearched by us, from the upper loft unto the cellar.

Kite. They have convey'd him then away, or hid him in some privacy of their own--Whilst we were searching of the dark closet by my sister's chamber, did'st thou not think thou heard'st a rustling on the other side, and a soft tread of feet?

Cash. Upon my truth, I did not, sir; or if you did, it might be only the vermine in the wainscot; the house is old, and over-run with 'em.

Kite. It is, indeed, Thomas, we should bane these rats-Dost thou understand me—we will—they shall not harbour here; I'll cleanse my house from 'em, if fire or poison can effect it-I will not be tormented thus-They gnaw my brain, and burrow in my heart I cannot bear it.

Cash. I do not understand you, sir! Good now, what is't disturbs you thus? Pray be composed; these starts of passion have some cause, I fear, that touches you more nearly.

Kite. Sorely, sorely, Thomas-it cleaves too close to me-Oh, me-[Sighs.] Lend me thy arm—so, good Cash.

Cash. You tremble and look pale! Let me call assistance.

Kite. Not for ten thousand worlds-Alas! alas! 'tis not in medicine to give me ease-here, here it lies.

Cash. What, sir?

Kite. Why, nothing, nothing-I am not sick, yet more than dead; I have a burning fever in my mind, and long for that, which having, would destroy me.

Cash. Believe me, 'tis your fancy's imposition; shut up your generous mind from such intruders-I'll hazard all my growing favour with you; I'll stake my present, my future welfare, that some base whispering knave, nay, pardon me, sir, hath, in the best and richest soil, sown seeds of rank and evil nature! O, my master, should they take root

[Laughing within.

Kite. Hark! hark! dost thou not hear! what Are they not laughing at me?

think'st thou now? They are, they are. They have deceived the wittol, and thus they triumph in their infamy-This aggravation is not to be borne. [Laughing again.] Hark, again!-Cash, do thou unseen steal in upon 'em, and listen to their wanton conference.

Cash. I shall obey you, though against my will.

[Exit.

-He's

Kite. Against his will! Ha! it may be so

young, and may be bribed for them-they've various means to draw the unwary in; if it be so, I'm lost, deceived, betrayed, and my bosom, my full-fraught bosom is unlock'd and opened to mockery and laugh. ter! Heaven forbid! He cannot be that viper; sting the hand that raised and cherish'd him!

was this stroke added, I should be cursed-But it cannot be

no, it cannot be.

Enter CASH.

Cash. You are musing, sir.

Kite. I ask your pardon, Cash,-ask me not whyI have wrong'd you, and am sorry—'tis gone. Cash. If you suspect my faith

Kite. I do not-say no more-and for my sake let it die and be forgotten-Have you seen your mistress, and heard-whence was that noise?

Cash. Your brother, Master Well-bred, is with 'em, and I found 'em throwing out their mirth on a very truly ridiculous subject; it is one Formal, as he stiles himself, and he appertains, so he phrases it, to justice Clement, and wou'd speak with you.

Kite. With me! Art thou sure it is the justice's clerk Where is he?

Enter BRAIN-WORM, as FORMAL.

Who are you, friend?

Brain. An appendix to justice Clement, vulgarly called his clerk !

Kite. What are your wants with me?

Brain. None.

Kite. Do you not want to speak with me?

Brain. No, but my master does.

Kite. What are the justice's commands?

Brain. He doth not command, but intreats Master Kitely to be with him directly, having matters of some moment to communicate unto him.

Kite. What can it be? Say, I'll be with him in.