A Select Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 11
General
A Select Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 11
English drama
W. RASH. Why, the lovers cannot agree: thou shalt along with me, and
know all.
LONG. But first let me instruct thee in the condition of this gentleman:
whom dost thou take him to be?
W. RASH. Nay, he's a stranger, I know him not.
LONG. By this light, but you do, if his beard were off: 'tis Staines.
W. RASH. The devil it is as soon! and what's his purpose in this
disguise?
LONG. Why, cheating; do you not see how he plays upon his worshipful
master and the rest?
W. RASH. By my faith, he draws apace.
SPEND. A pox upon these dice! give's a fresh bale.[180]
BUB. Ha, ha! the dice are not to be blamed; a man may perceive this is
no gentlemanly gamester, by his chafing. Do you hear, my friend? fill me
a glass of beer, and there's a shilling for your pains.
DRAWER. Your worship shall, sir.
W. RASH. Why, how now, Frank! what hast lost?
SPEND. Fifteen pounds and upwards: is there never an honest fellow?
AMB. What, do you lack money, sir?
SPEND. Yes, canst furnish me?
AMB. Upon a sufficient pawn, sir.
SPEND. You know my shop; bid my man deliver you a piece of three-pile
velvet, and let me have as much money as you dare adventure upon't.
AMB. You shall, sir.
SPEND. A pox of this luck! it will not last [for] ever. Play, sir, I'll
set you.
W. RASH. Frank, better fortune befall thee; and, gentlemen, I must take
my leave, for I must leave you.
SCAT. Must you needs be gone?
W. RASH. Indeed I must.
BUB. _Et tu quoque?_
LONG. Yes, truly.
SCAT. At your discretions, gentlemen.
W. RASH. Farewell. [_Exeunt_ RASH _and_ LONGFIELD.
STAINES. Cry you mercy, sir. I am chanced with you all. Gentlemen: here
I have 7, here 7, and here 10.
SPEND. 'Tis right, sir, and ten that.
BUB. And nine that.
STAINES. Two fives at all. [_Draws all._
BUB. One and five that.
SPEND. Hum! and can a suit of satin cheat so grossly? By this light,
there's nought on one die but fives and sixes. I must not be thus
gulled. [_Aside._
BUB. Come, Master Spendall, set.
SPEND. No, sir, I have done.
SCAT. Why, then let us all leave, for I think dinner's near ready.
DRAWER. Your meat's upon the table.
SCAT. On the table! come, gentlemen, we do our stomachs wrong. Master
Bubble, what have you lost.
BUB. That's no matter: what I have lost, I have lost; nor can I choose
but smile at the foolishness of the dice.
STAINES. I am but your steward, gentlemen; for after dinner I may
restore it again.
BUB. Master Scattergood, will you walk in?
SCAT. I'll wait upon you, sir. Come, gentlemen, will you follow?
[_Exeunt._
_Manent_ SPENDALL _and_ STAINES.
STAINES. Yes, sir, I'll follow you.
SPEND. Hear you, sir, a word.
STAINES. Ten, if you please.
SPEND. I have lost fifteen pounds.
STAINES. And I have found it.
SPEND. You say right; found it you have, indeed,
But never won it. Do you know this die?
STAINES. Not I, sir.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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