_Rob._ Very true, noble captain: and we have treated you as a wife would a kind husband:--but when a husband is out all night--why-- _Gondi._ Well, sir;--what then? _Rob._ Marry, then, the wife is apt to grumble a little; that's all. _Gondi._ Go to;--I had reason. What's the news? _Rob._ The news is, we have taken some stragglers, in the forest. _Gondi._ Are they of note? _Rob._ 'Faith, we have some of all qualities;--gentle and simple mixed:--we had no time to stand upon the picking:--they're all penn'd up in the back cavern;--and you must e'en take 'em like a score of sheep--fat and lean together. But, there is a beardless youth, follow'd by a cowardly serving man, who presses hard to see you. _Gondi._ What would he? _Rob._ 'Faith, sir, he would be a noble fellow. I take it he has a great soul, too large for the laws;--he has questioned me plentifully concerning you. _Gondi._ Concerning me? _Rob._ Yes; he inquired if you were married; how long you had been with us; your age; your stature; nay, he was particular enough to ask what sort of a nose stood on your face. _Gondi._ Wherefore these questions? _Rob._ Troth, I think he would like well to serve in our band; for he seems to have a marvellous nice notion of honour. He took up your dagger, of curious workmanship, that lies on your table, in the cave, and did so study the dudgeon on't!--Marry, the boy knows how to handle a weapon, I'll warrant him. _Gondi._ Where have you bestowed him? _Rob._ Why, he was so importunate, that I have brought him, and his man, hither along.--The man, I feared, might babble: so, I've entrusted him to your friend Barton, here; and he, finding he has been a butler, has locked him in the cellarage. _Gondi._ Conduct the youth hither. [_Exit ROBBER._ Then why should I repine? since there are others, Who, in the early spring, and May of life, Behold the promised blossoms of their hope Nipt in the very bud. Here comes the youth;-- And bears a goodly outside;--yet 'tis a slender bark, That Providence ne'er framed for tossing much In a rough sea of troubles. _Enter ROBBER with ADELINE._ _Rob._ Here, youth; this is our captain. Cheer up now, and speak boldly. You need not fear.--A raw youth, captain, but a mettled one, I'll warrant him.--A word with you. [_Takes GONDIBERT apart._ _Adeline._ It is, it is my lord!--Oh Heaven! my heart!--to find him thus, too!--Yet, to find him any how is transport. _Rob._ I shall look to it.--You would be private now, I take it.--Now, youth, plead, cleverly, to get admitted among us, and your fortune's made. Be but a short time with us, and it will go hard, indeed, if all your cares, in this world, are not shortly at an end. [_Exit._ _Gondi._ Now to your business, youth.