Tib. Nay, I will go. I'll see an you may be allowed to make a
bundle of hemp of your right and lawful wife thus, at every
cuckoldy knave's pleasure. Why do you not go?
Kit. A bitter quean! Come, we will have you tamed.
[Exeunt.
SCENE IX.---A Street.
Enter BRAINWORM, disguised as a City Serjeant.
Brai. Well, of all my disguises yet, now am I most like myself,
being in this serjeant's gown. A man of my present profession never
counterfeits, till he lays hold upon a debtor, and says, he rests
him; for then he brings him to all manner of unrest. A kind of
little kings we are, bearing the diminutive of a mace, made like a
young artichoke, that always carries pepper and salt in itself.
Well, I know not what danger I undergo by this exploit; pray Heaven
I come well off!
Enter MATHEW and BOBADILL.
Mat. See, I think, yonder is the varlet, by his gown.
Bob. Let's go in quest of him.
Mat. 'Save you, friend! 'are not you here by appointment of justice
Clement's man?
Brai. Yes, an't please you, sir; he told me, two gentlemen had
will'd him to procure a warrant from his master, which I have about
me, to be served on one Downright.
Mat. It is honestly done of you both; and see where the party comes
you must arrest; serve it upon him quickly afore he be aware.
Bob. Bear back, master Mathew.
Enter STEPHEN in DOWNRIGHT'S cloak.
Brai. Master Downright, I arrest you in the queen's name, and must
carry you afore a justice by virtue of this warrant:
Step. Me, friend! I am no Downright, I; I am master Stephen; You do
not well to arrest me, I tell you, truly; I am in nobody's bonds
nor books, I would you should know it. A plague on you heartily,
for making me thus afraid afore my time!
Brai. Why, now you are deceived, gentlemen.
Bob. He wears such a cloak, and that deceived us: but see, here a'
comes indeed; this is he; officer.
Enter DOWNRIGHT.
Dow. Why how now, signior gull! are you turn'd filcher of late!
Come, deliver my cloak.
Step. Your cloak, sir! I bought it even now, in open market.
Brai. Master Downright, I have a warrant I must serve upon you,
procured by these two gentlemen.
Dow. These gentlemen! these rascals!
[Offers to beat them.
Brai. Keep the peace, I charge you in her majesty's name.
Dow. I obey thee. What must I do, officer?
Brai. Go before master justice Clement; to answer that they can
object against you, sir: I will use you kindly, sir.
Mat. Come, let's before, and make the justice, captain.
Bob. The varlet's a tall man, afore heaven!
[Exeunt Bob. and Mat.
Dow. Gull, you'll give me my cloak.
Step. Sir, I bought it, and I'll keep it.
Dow. You will?
Step. Ay, that I will.
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