Kit. Gone with my sister, sir, I know not whither.
Clem. Why this is a mere trick, a device; you are gull'd in this
most grossly all. Alas, poor wench! wert thou beaten for this?
Tib. Yell, most pitifully, an't please you.
Cob. And worthily, I hope, if it shall prove so.
Clem. Ay, that's like, and a piece of a sentence.--
Enter a Servant.
How now, sir! what's the matter?
Serv. Sir, there's a gentleman in the court without, desires to
speak with your worship.
Clem. A gentleman! what is he?
Serv. A soldier, sir, he says.
Clem. A soldier! take down my armour, my sword quickly. A soldier
speak with me! Why, when, knaves? Come on, come on; [arms himself]
hold my cap there, so; give me my gorget, my sword: stand by, I
will end your matters anon.--Let the soldier enter.
[Exit Servant.
Enter BOBADILL, followed by MATHEW.
Now, sir, what have you to say to me? Bob. By your worship's
favour--
Clem. Nay, keep out, sir; I know not your pretence. You send me
word, sir, you are a soldier: why, sir, you shall be answer'd here:
here be them that have been amongst soldiers. Sir, your pleasure.
Bob. Faith, sir, so it is, this gentleman and myself have been most
uncivilly wrong'd and beaten by one Downright, a coarse fellow,
about the town here; and for mine own part, I protest, being a man
in no sort given to this filthy humour of quarrelling, he hath
assaulted me in the way of my peace, despoiled me of mine honour,
disarmed me of my weapons, and rudely laid me along in the open
streets, when I not so much as once offered to resist him.
Clem. O, God's precious! is this the soldier? Here, take my armour
off quickly, 'twill make him swoon, I fear; he is not fit to look
on't, that will put up a blow.
Mat. An't please your worship, he was bound to the peace.
Clem. Why, an he were, sir, his hands were not bound, were they?
Re-enter Servant.
Serv. There's one of the varlets of the city, sir, has brought two
gentlemen here; one, upon your worship's warrant.
Clem. My warrant!
Serv. Yes, sir; the officer says, procured by these two.
Clem. Bid him come in. [Exit Servant.] Set by this picture.
Enter DOWNRIGHT, STEPHEN, and BRAINWORM, disguised as before.
What, Master Downright! are you brought in at Mr. Freshwater's suit
here?
Dow. I'faith, sir, and here's another brought at my suit.
Clem. What are you, sir?
Step. A gentleman, sir. O, uncle!
Clem. Uncle! who, Master Knowell?
Know. Ay, sir; this is a wise kinsman of mine.
Step. God's my witness, uncle, I am wrong'd here monstrously, he
charges me with stealing of his cloak, and would I might never
stir, if I did not find it in the street by chance.
Dow. O, did you find it now? You said you bought it erestwhile.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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