A Select Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 11
General
A Select Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 11
English drama
FEE. Why, let the roarers meddle with me another time: as for flying, I
scorn it; I killed 'em like a man. When did you ever see a lord hang for
anything? We may kill whom we list. Marry, my conscience pricks me. Ah!
plague a' this drink! what things it makes us do! I do no more remember
this now than a puppy-dog.
O bloody lord, that art bedaub'd with gore!
Vain world, adieu, for I will roar no more.
BOLD. Nay, stay, my lord: I did but try the tenderness of your
conscience. All this is nothing so; but, to sweeten the tale I have for
you, I foretold you this feigned mischance.
FEE. It is a tale belonging to the widow.
BOLD. I think you are a witch.
FEE. My grandmother was suspected.
BOLD. The widow has desired you by me to meet her to-morrow morning at
church in some unknown disguise, lest any suspect it; for, quoth she,
Long hath he held me fast in his moist hand,
Therefore I will be his in nuptial band.
FEE. Bold, I have ever taken you to be my friend. I am very wise now and
valiant; if this be not true, damn me, sir, you are the son of a whore,
and you lie, and I will make it good with my sword.
BOLD. I am whate'er you please, sir, if it be not true. I will go with
you to the church myself. Your disguise I have thought on. The widow is
your own. Come, leave your fooling.
FEE. _If this be true, thou little boy Bold,_ [_Cantat._
_So true, as thou tell'st to me,_
_To-morrow morn, when I have the widow,_
_My dear friend shall thou be_.[125] [_Exeunt._
SCENE III.
_Enter_ MAID, _like the footboy;_ SELDOM _with_ PITTS _and_ DONNER, _a
couple of serjeants_.
MAID. Sir, 'tis most true, and in this shall you be
Unlike to other citizens, that arrest
To undo gentlemen: your clemency here,
Perchance, saves two lives: one from the other's sword,
The other from the law's. This morn they fight,
And though your debtor be a lord, yet should he
Miscarry, certainly your debt were lost.
SEL. Dost thou serve the Lord Proudly?
MAID. Sir, I do.
SEL. Well, such a boy as thou is worth more money
Than thy lord owes me. 'Tis not for the debt
I do arrest him, but to end this strife,
Which both may lose my money and his life.
_Enter_ LORD PROUDLY, _with a riding-rod_.
PROUDLY. My horse there! Zounds! I would not for the world
He should alight before me in the field;
My name and honour were for ever lost.
SEL. Good morrow to your honour. I do hear
Your lordship this fair morning is to fight,
And for your honour: did you never see
The play where the fat knight, hight Oldcastle,
Did tell you truly what his honour was?[126]
PROUDLY. Why, how now, good man flatcap,
"what-d'ye-lack?"[127]
Whom do you talk to, sirrah?
1ST SER. We arrest you.
PROUDLY. Arrest me, rogue? I am a lord, ye curs,
A parliament man.
2D SER. Sir, we arrest you, though.
PROUDLY. At whose suit?
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.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account