English drama -- Early modern and Elizabethan, 1500-1600
3. _neigh_. Tis very strange that having many wounds
So terrible, so ghastlie; which is more,
Having the hammer sticking in his head;
That he should live and stirre from _Friday_ night,
To _Sunday_ morning, and even then depart,
When that his Maisters mangled course were found.
Bring him foorth too; perchance the murtherers
May have their hearts touched with due remorse,
Viewing their deeds of damned wickednesse.
[_Bring forth the boye and laye him by Beech_.
1 _neigh_. Here is the Salters man that solde the bag.
_Gent_. My friend, how long since did you sell that bag?
And unto whom, if you remember it?
_Sal_. I sould the bag, good sir, but yesterday,
Unto a maide; I do not know her name.
3 _neigh_. Nor where she dwels.
_Sal_. No certeinly.
2 _neigh_. But what apparell had she on her back?
_Sal_. I do not well remember what she wore,
But if I saw her I should know her sure.
3 _neigh_. Go round about to every neighbours house,
And will them shew their maides immediately:
God grant we may finde out the murtherers.
[_Go to one house, and knock at doore, asking_.
Bring forth such maides as are within your house!
1 _housekeeper_. I have but one, ile send her down to you.
3 _neigh_. Is this the maide? [_Come out maide_.
_Salt_. No, sir, this is not she. [_Go to another, &c_.
How many maides do dwell within this house?
2 _house_. Her's nere a woman here, except my wife. [_Go to Merryes_.
3 _neigh_. Whose house is this?
_Lo_. An honest civill mans, cald Maister _Merry_,
Who I dare be sworne, would never do so great a murther;
But you may aske heere to for fashion sake.
[_Rachell sits in the shop_.
3. How now, faire maide, dwels any here but you?
Thou hast too true a face for such a deed.
_Rach_. No, gentle sir; my brother keepes no more.
3 _neigh_. This is not she?
_Salt_. No truly, gentleman.
[_Ex. R_.
3. This will not serve; we cannot finde her out.
Bring in those bodyes, it growes towards night;
God bring these damn'd murtherers at length to light!
[_Exeunt omnes_.
[SCENE V.]
_Enter Merry and Rachell_.
_Mer_. Why go the neighbours round about the streete
To every house? what hast thou heard the cause?
_Rach_. They go about with that same Salters man,
Of whom I bought the bag but yesterday,
To see if he can know the maide againe
Which bought it: this I think the very cause.
_Mer_. How were my senses overcome with feare,
That I could not foresee this jeopardy!
For had I brought the bag away with me,
They had not had this meanes to finde it out.
Hide thee above least that the Salters man
Take notice of thee that thou art the maide,
And by that knowledge we be all undone.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account