A Select Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 05

English drama
PEDRINGANO.

    Now, Pedringano, bid thy pistol hold;
    And hold on, fortune, once more favour me,
    Give but success to mine attempting spirit,
    And let me shift for taking of mine aim!
    Here is the gold, this is the gold propos'd,
    It is no dream that I adventure for,
    But Pedringano is possess'd thereof;
    And he that would not strain his conscience
    For him, that thus his liberal purse hath stretch'd,
    Unworthy such a favour may he fail;
    And wishing want, when such as I prevail:
    As for the fear of apprehension,
    I know, if need should be, my noble lord
    Will stand between me and ensuing harms:
    Besides, this place is free from all suspect.
    Here therefore will I stay and take my stand.

                           _Enter the_ WATCH.

                                1 WATCH.

    I wonder much to what intent it is,
    That we are thus expressly charg'd to watch.

                                2 WATCH.

    'Tis by commandment in the king's own name.

                                3 WATCH.

    But we were never wont to watch and[158] ward,[159]
    So near the duke his brother's[160] house before.

                                2 WATCH.

    Content yourself, stand close, there's somewhat in't.

                           _Enter_ SERBERINE.

                               SERBERINE.

    Here, Serberine, attend and stay thy pace;
    For here did Don Lorenzo's page appoint,
    That thou by his command shouldst meet with him:
    How fit a place, if one were so dispos'd,
    Methinks this corner is to close with one.

                              PEDRINGANO.

    Here comes the bird that I must seize upon:
    Now, Pedringano, or never, play the man.

                               SERBERINE.

    I wonder that his lordship stays so long,
    Or wherefore should he send for me so late?

                              PEDRINGANO.

    For this, Serberine, and thou shalt ha't.

                                                 [_Shoots the dag._[161]

    So, there he lies; my promise is perform'd.

                                1 WATCH.

    Hark, gentlemen, this is a pistol shot.

                                2 WATCH.

    And here's one slain; stay the murderer.

                              PEDRINGANO.

    Now by the sorrows of the souls in hell,
                                          [_He strives with the_ WATCH.
    Who first lays hands on me, I'll be his priest.

                                3 WATCH.

    Sirrah, confess, and therein play the priest,
    Why hast thou thus unkindly kill'd the man?

                              PEDRINGANO.

    Why? because he walk'd abroad so late.

                                3 WATCH.

    Come, sir, you had been better kept your bed,
    Than have committed this misdeed so late.

                                2 WATCH.

    Come to the marshal's[162] with the murderer.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
A Select Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 05

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