A Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 2 — John Shaqi
A Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 2
General
A Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 2
English drama -- Early modern and Elizabethan, 1500-1600
_Fer_. Peace, _Eleonora_; I have thought the Course.
If you dare justify the accusation
You shall to _Sherrys_, and then before the Judges
Plead your owne cause.
_Hen_. And there Ile answer it.
_Fer_. There, if you prove the Rape, he shalbe forcd
Eyther to satisfy you by marriage
Or else to loose his periurd head.
_Hen_. I am content.
And instantly I will away to _Sherrys_,
There to appeale to the high Court of Justice:
'Tis time, I thinke, such slanderous accusations
Assayling me; but there I shalbe righted.
_Fer_. You shall not need to doubt it:--come, _Eleonora_.
[_Exeunt_.[30]
_Hen_. What will become of me in this, I know not:
I have a shrewd guese though of the worst.
Would one have thought the foolish ape would putt
The finger in the eye & tell it daddy!
'Tis a rare guift 'mong many maides of these dayes;
If she speed well she'le bring it to a Custome,
Make her example followed to the spoyle
Of much good sport: but I meane to looke to't.
Now, sir, your newes?
_Enter Buzzano_.
_Buz_. The most delicious, rare, absolute newes that ere came out
of _France_, sir!
_Hen_. What's done there? have they forsaken the Divell & all his
fashions? banishd their Taylors & Tyrewomen?
_Buz_. You had a father & a Brother there; & can you first thinke upon
the Divell & his Limetwiggs.
_Hen_. Had, _Buzzano_? had a father & a Brother there? have I not so,
still, _Buzzano_?
_Buz_. No, sir, your Elder Brother is--
_Hen_. What? speake, _Buzzano_: I imagine, dead.
_Buz_. Nay, you shall give me something by your leave; you shall pay the
poast:--good newes for nothing?
_Hen_. Here, here, _Buzzano_; speake quickly, crowne me with the
felicity of a younger brother: is he dead, man?
_Buz_. No, he's come home very well, sir; doe you thinke I goe on dead
men's errands.
_Hen_. Pox on the Buzzard! how he startled my bloud!
_Buz_. But he is very weary & very pensive, sir; talkes not at all,
but calls for his bed;--pray God your Father be not dead!--and desires
when you come in to have you his Bedfellow, for he hath private speech
with ye.
_Hen_, Well, sir, you that are so apt to take money for newes, beware
how you reflect one word, sillable or thought concerning _Eleonora_:
you knowe what I meane?
_Bus_. Yes, & meane what you know, sir.
_Hen_. What's that?
_Buz_. Ile keepe your Counsaile
_Hen_. My life goes for it else.
{_Exeunt_.
_Actus Quartus_.
(SCENE 1.)
_Enter Henrico (as newly risen)_.
_Hen_. _Buzzano_! slave! _Buzzano_!
_Enter Buzzano with Cloake & Rapier_.
_Buz_. Signior, what a buzzing you make, as if you were a fly at
Bartholomew-tyde at a Butchers stall: doe you think I am deafe?
_Hen_. No, but blind; do'st sleepe as thou goest?
_Buz_. No, but I goe as I sleepe, & that's scurvily.
_Hen_. Call my brother Manuell.
_Buz_. Brother _Manuell_!
_Hen_. How? pray (goodman rascall) how long have he & you bene Brothers?
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