صور الصفحة
PDF
النشر الإلكتروني

that they have frightened me home with more violence than I went! Such fpeaking and counterfpeaking, with their several voices of citations, appellations, allegations, certificates, attachments, interrogatories, references, convictions, and afflictions indeed, among the doctors and proctors, that the noise here is filence to't! a kind of calm midnight!

Tru. Why, Sir, if you would be refolv'd indeed, I can bring you hither a very fufficient lawyer, and a learned divine, that fhall enquire into every leaft fcruple for you.

Mor. Can you, master Truewit?

Tru. Yes, and are very fober grave perfons, that will dispatch in a chamber with a whisper or two. Mor. Good Sir, fhall I hope this benefit from you, and trust myself into your hands?

Tru. Alas, Sir! your nephew and I have been afham'd, and oft-times mad, fince you went, to think how you are abus'd. Go in, good Sir, and lock yourself up till we call you; we'll tell you more anon, Sir.

Mor. Do your pleasure with me, gentlemen; do but divorce me from my wife, and I am bound to you for ever,

Dau. What wilt thou do now, Wit?

[Exit,

Tru. Recover me hither Otter and the barber, if

you can, by any means, prefently.

Day.

Dau. Why? to what purpofe?

Tru. Oh, I'll make the deepest divine and graveft lawyer out o' them two for him.

Dau. Thou canst not, man; these are waking dreams.

Tru. Do not fear me. Clap but a civil gown with the welt o' the one, and a canonical cloak with fleeves o' the other, and give 'em a few terms in their mouths, if there come not forth as able a doctor, and complete a parfon, for this turn as may be wifh'd, truft not my election: The barber fmatters Latin, I remember.

Dau. Yes, and Otter too.

Tru. Well then, if I make 'em not wrangle out this cafe, to his no-comfort, let me be thought a Jack Daw, or La-Foole, or any thing worse. you to your ladies, but firft fend for them.

Go

Dau. I will; and you shall have Otter in a trice, and the barber in the fnapping of his fingers.

[Exeunt feverally.

Another apartment. Tables, chairs, &c.

La-Foole, Clerimont, Daw.

La-F. Where had you our swords, master Clerimont?

Cler. Why, Dauphine took 'em from the mad

man.

X 4

La-F.

La-F. And he took 'em from our boys, I war

rant you.

Cler. Very like, Sir.

La-F. Thank you, good master Clerimont. Sir John Daw and I are both beholden to you.

Cler. Would I knew how to make you fo, gentlemen!

Daw. Sir Amorous and I are your fervants, Sir, Cler. Faith, now we are in private, let's wanton' it a little, and talk waggishly. Sir John, I am telling Sir Amorous here that you two govern the ladies where'er you come.

Daw. Not I: Sir Amorous does.

La-F. I proteft, Sir John does.

Cler. Well, agree on't together, knights; for between you, you divide the ladies' affections: I fee it. You could tell ftrange ftories, my mafters, if you would, I know.

Daw. Faith, we have seen somewhat, Sir.

La-F. That we have-Velvet petticoats, and clock'd stockings, or fo.

Daw. Ay, and

Cler. Nay, out with it, Sir John.

Daw. Why-a-do you speak, Sir Amorous. La-F. No, do you, Sir John Daw.

Daw. I'faith, you shall.

La-F. I'faith, you

fhall.

Daw.

Daw. Why, we have been

La-F. In the great bed at Ware together in our time. On, Sir John.

Cler. Do you hear, Sir John? You shall tell me but one thing truly, as you love me.

Daw. If I can, I will, Sir.

Cler. You lodged in the fame house with the bride here?

Daw. Yes, and convers'd with her hourly, Sir. Cler. And what humour is fhe of? Is fhe coming and open, free?

Daw. Oh, exceeding open, Sir. I was her fervant, and Sir Amorous was to be.

Cler. Come, you both have had favours from her: I know, and have heard fo much.

Daw. Oh, no, Sir.

La-F. You fhall excufe us, Sir; we must not wound reputation.

Gler. Tut, fhe is married now; and therefore speak plainly: Which of you led firft? ha? La-F. Sir John, indeed.

Daw. Oh, it pleafes him to say fo, Sir; but Sir Amorous knows as well.

Cler. Doft thou, i'faith, Amorous?
La-F. In a manner, Sir.

Cler. Why, I commend you, lads. Little knows don Bridegroom of this; nor fhall he, for me.

Daw.

Daw. Hang him, mad ox.

Cler. Speak foftly; here comes his nephew. He'll get the ladies from you, Sirs, if you look not to him in time. ·

La-F. Why, if he do, we'll fetch 'em home again, I warrant you. [Exeunt Daw and La-Foole. Enter Dauphine.

Cler. Where's Truewit, Dauphine? We want him much. His knights are wound up as high and infolent as ever they were.

Dau. You jeft.

Cler. No drunkards, either with wine or vanity, ever confefs'd fuch ftories of themselves. I would not give a fly's leg in balance against all the womens' reputations here, if they could be but thought to speak truth: And, for the bride, they have made their affidavit against her directly.

Dau. Indeed!

Cler. Yes; and tell times, and circumftances. Dau. Not both of 'em?

Cler. Yes, faith; they would have fet it down under their hands.

Dau. Why, they will be our fport, I fee, ftill, whether we will or no.

Enter Truewit, with Otter and Cutberd difguifed. Tru. Oh, are you here? Come, Dauphine; go

call

« السابقةمتابعة »