English drama -- 17th century; English poetry -- Early modern, 1500-1700
_Enter_ SIR PETRONEL, QUICKSILVER, SECURITY, BRAMBLE,
_and_ WINIFRED.
_Pe._ Thanks for your feast-like breakfast, good Master
Security; I am sorry (by reason of my instant haste to
so long a voyage as Virginia) I am without means by
any kind amends to show how affectionately I take your
kindness, and to confirm by some worthy ceremony a
perpetual league of friendship betwixt us.
_Sec._ Excellent knight! let this be a token betwixt us
of inviolable friendship. I am new married to this fair
gentlewoman, you know; and by my hope to make her
fruitful, though I be something in years, I vow faithfully
unto you to make you godfather, though in your absence,
to the first child I am blest withal; and henceforth call
me gossip, I beseech you, if you please to accept it. 13
_Pe._ In the highest degree of gratitude, my most worthy
gossip; for confirmation of which friendly title, let me
entreat my fair gossip, your wife here, to accept this
diamond, and keep it as my gift to her first child, wheresoever
my fortune, in event of my voyage, shall bestow
me.
_Sec._ How now, my coy wedlock;[53] I make you strange
of so noble a favour? Take it, I charge you, with all
affection, and, by way of taking your leave, present
boldly your lips to our honourable gossip. 23
_Qu._ How venturous he is to him, and how jealous to
others!
_Pe._ Long may this kind touch of our lips print in our
hearts all the forms of affection. And now, my good
gossip, if the writings be ready to which my wife should
seal, let them be brought this morning before she takes
coach into the country, and my kindness shall work her
to despatch it. 31
_Sec._ The writings are ready, sir. My learned counsel
here, Master Bramble the lawyer, hath perused them;
and within this hour I will bring the scrivener with them
to your worshipful lady.
_Pe._ Good Master Bramble, I will here take my leave
of you then. God send you fortunate pleas, sir, and
contentious clients!
_Br._ And you foreright winds, sir, and a fortunate
voyage.
[_Exit._
_Enter a_ Messenger.
_Me._ Sir Petronel, here are three or four gentlemen
desire to speak with you. 42
_Pe._ What are they?
_Qu._ They are your followers in this voyage, knight:
Captain Seagull and his associates; I met them this
morning, and told them you would be here.
_Pe._ Let them enter, I pray you; I know they long to
be gone, for their stay is dangerous.
_Enter_ SEAGULL, SCAPETHRIFT, _and_ SPENDALL.
_Sea._ God save my honourable colonel! 49
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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