Step. Well, I will put it up; but by--I have forgot the captain's
oath, I thought to have sword! by it,--an e'er I meet him--
Wel. O, it is past help now, sir; you must have patience.
Step. Whoreson, coney-hatching rascal! I could eat the very hilts
for anger.
E. Know. A sign of good digestion; you have an ostrich stomach,
Cousin.
Step. A stomach! would I had him here, you should see an I had a
stomach.
Wel. It's better as it is.--Come, gentlemen, shall we go?
Enter BRAINWORM, disguised as before.
E. Know. A miracle, cousin; look here, look here!
Step. Oh--'Od's lid. By your leave, do you know me, sir?
Brai. Ay, sir, I know you by sight.
Step. You sold me a rapier, did you not?
Brai. Yes, marry did I, sir.
Step. You said it was a Toledo, ha?
Brai. True, I did so.
Step. But it is none.
Brai. No, sir, I confess it; it is none.
Step. Do you confess it? Gentlemen, bear witness, he has confest
it:--'Od's will, an you had not confest it.===
E. Know. Oh, cousin, forbear, forbear! Step. Nay, I have done,
cousin.
Wel. Why, you have done like a gentleman; he has confest it, what
would you more?
Step. Yet, by his leave, he is a rascal, under his favour, do you
see.
E. Know. Ay, by his leave, he is, and under favour: a pretty piece
of civility! Sirrah, how dost thou like him?
Wel. Oh, it's a most precious fool, make much on him: I can compare
him to nothing more happily than a drum; for every one may play
upon him.
E. Know. No, no, a child's whistle were far the fitter.
Brai. Shall I intreat a word with you?
E. Know. With me, sir? you have not another Toledo to sell, have
you?
Brai. You are conceited, sir: Your name is Master Knowell, as I
take it?
E. Know. You are in the right; you mean not to proceed in the
catechism, do you?
Brai. No, sir; I am none of that coat.
E. Know. Of as bare a coat, though: well, say, sir.
Brai. [taking E. Know. aside.] Faith, sir, I am but servant to the
drum extraordinary, and indeed, this smoky varnish being washed
off, and three or four patches removed, I appear your worship's in
reversion, after the decease of your good father, Brainworm.
E. Know. Brainworm'! 'Slight, what breath of a conjurer hath blown
thee hither in this shape?
Brai. The breath of your letter, sir, this morning; the same that
blew you to the Windmill, and your father after you.
E. Know. My father!
Brai. Nay, never start, 'tis true; he has followed you over the
fields by the foot, as you would do a hare in the snow.
E. Know. Sirrah Wellbred, what shall we do, sirrah? my father is
come over after me.
Wel. Thy father! Where is he?
Brai. At justice Clement's house, in Coleman-street, where he but
stays my return; and then--
Wel. Who's this? Brainworm!
Brai. The same, sir.
Wel. Why how, in the name of wit, com'st thou transmuted thus?
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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