English drama -- Early modern and Elizabethan, 1500-1600; Heywood, Thomas, approximately 1574-1641
Reignald.
One, sir, that ever wished your worship’s health;
And those few hours I can find time to pray in,
I still remember it.
Ricott.
Gramercy, Reignald,
I love all those that wish it: you are the men
Lead merry lives, feast, revel, and carouse;
You feel no tedious hours; Time plays with you--
This is your golden age.
Reignald.
It was; but now, sir,
That gold is turned to worse than alchemy;
It will not stand the test. Those days are past,
And now our nights come on.
Ricott.
Tell me, Reignald, is he returned from sea?
Reignald.
Yes, to our grief already, but we fear
Hereafter it may prove to all our costs.
Ricott.
Suspects thy master anything?
Reignald.
Not yet, sir.
Now my request is, that your worship being
So near a neighbour, therefore most disturbed,
Would not be first to peach us.
Ricott.
Take my word;
With other neighbours make what peace you can,
I’ll not be your accuser.
Reignald.
Worshipful sir;
I shall be still your beadsman. Now the business
That I was sent about: the old man my master
Claiming some interest in acquaintance past,
Desires (might it be no way troublesome)
To take free view of all your house within.
Ricott.
View of my house! Why, ’tis not set to sale,
Nor bill upon the door. Look well upon’t;
View of my house!
Reignald.
Nay, be not angry, sir;
He no way doth disable[3.37] your estate;
As far to buy, as you are loath to sell.
Some alterations in his own he’d make,
And hearing yours by workmen much commended,
He would make that his precedent.
Ricott.
What fancies
Should at this age possess him, knowing the cost,
That he should dream of building!
Reignald.
’Tis supposed,
He hath late found a wife out for his son;
Now, sir, to have him near him, and that nearness
Too without trouble, though beneath one roof,
Yet parted in two families, he would build,
And make what’s picked[3.38] a perfect quadrangle,
Proportioned just with yours, were you so pleased
To make it his example.
Ricott.
Willingly.
I will but order some few things within,
And then attend his coming. [_Exit_.
Reignald.
Most kind coxcomb!
Great Alexander and Agathocles,
Cæsar, and others, have been famed, they say,
And magnified for high facinorous deeds;
Why claim not I an equal place with them--
Or rather a precedent? These commanded
Their subjects, and their servants; I my master,
And every way his equals, where I please,
Lead by the nose along: they placed their burdens
On horses, mules, and camels; I, old men
Of strength and wit, load with my knavery,
Till both their backs and brains ache; yet, poor animals,
[_Enter_ Old Lionel.]
They ne’er complain of weight.--Oh, are you come, sir?
Old Lionel.
I made what haste I could.
Reignald.
And brought the warrant?
Old Lionel.
See here, I have’t.
Reignald.
’Tis well done; but speak, runs it
Both without bail and mainprize[3.39]?
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