Bob. Tut! never miss thrust, upon my reputation with you.
E. Know. I would not stand in Downright's state then, an you meet
him, for the wealth of anyone street in London.
Bob. Why, sir, you mistake me: if he were here now, by this welkin,
I would not draw my weapon on him. Let this gentleman do his mind:
but I will bastinado him, by the bright sun, wherever I meet him.
Mat. Faith, and I'll have a fling at him, at my distance.
E. Know. 'Od's, so, look where he is! yonder he goes.
[Downright crosses the stage.
Dow. What peevish luck have I, I cannot meet with these bragging
rascals?
Bob. It is not he, is it?
E. Know. Yes, faith, it is he.
Mat. I'll be hang'd then if that were he.
E. Know. Sir, keep your hanging good for some greater matter, for I
assure you that were he.
Step. Upon my reputation, it was he.
Bob. Had I thought it had been he, he must not have gone so: but I
can hardly be induced to believe it was he yet.
E. Know. That I think, sir.
Re-enter DOWNRIGHT.
But see, he is come again.
Dow. O, Pharaoh's foot, have I found you? Come, draw to your tools;
draw, gipsy, or I'll thrash you.
Bob. Gentleman of valour, I do believe in thee; hear me--
Dow. Draw your weapon then.
Bob. Tall man, I never thought on it till now--Body of me, I had
a warrant of the peace served on me, even now as I came along, by
a water-bearer; this gentleman saw it, Master Mathew.
Dow. 'Sdeath! you will not draw then?
[Disarms and beats him. Mathew runs away.
Bob. Hold, hold! under thy favour forbear!
Dow. Prate again, as you like this, you whoreson foist you! You'll
control the point, you! Your consort is gone; had he staid he had
shared with you, sir.
[Exit.
Bob. Well, gentlemen, bear witness, I was bound to the peace, by
this good day.
E. Know. No, faith, it's an ill day, captain, never reckon it
other: but, say you were bound to the peace, the law allows you to
defend yourself: that will prove but a poor excuse.
Bob. I cannot tell, sir; I desire good construction in fair sort. I
never sustain'd the like disgrace, by heaven! sure I was struck
with a planet thence, for I had no power to touch my weapon.
E. Know. Ay, like enough; I have heard of many that have been
beaten under a planet: go, get you to a surgeon. 'Slid! an these be
your tricks, your passadoes, and your montantos, I'll none of them.
[Exit Bobadill.] O, manners! that this age should bring forth such
creatures! that nature should be at leisure to make them! Come,
coz.
Step. Mass, I'll have this cloak.
E. Know. 'Od's will, 'tis Downright's.
Step. Nay, it's mine now, another might have ta'en it up as well:
I'll wear it, so I will.
E. Know. How an he see it? he'll challenge it, assure yourself.
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