English drama -- Early modern and Elizabethan, 1500-1600; Heywood, Thomas, approximately 1574-1641
Reignald.
If you would,
I should not suffer you; was not the money
Due to the usurer, took upon good ground,
That proved well built upon? We were no fools
That knew not what we did.
Old Lionel.
It shall be satisfied.
Reignald.
Please you to trust me with’t, I’ll see’t discharged.
Old Lionel.
He hath my promise, and I’ll do’t myself.
Never could son have better pleased a father
Than in this purchase! Hie thee instantly
Unto my house i’ the country, give him notice
Of my arrive, and bid him with all speed
Post hither.
Reignald.
Ere I see the warrant served?
Old Lionel.
It shall be thy first business; for my soul
Is not at peace, till face to face I approve
His husbandry, and much commend his thrift;
Nay, without pause, begone.
Reignald.
But a short journey;
For he’s not far that I am sent to seek:
I have got the start; the best part of the race
Is run already; what remains is small,
And, tire now, I should but forfeit all.
Old Lionel.
Make haste, I do entreat thee.
[_Exeunt_.
SCENE II.--_The Garden of_ Old Wincott’s _House_.
_Enter the_ Clown.
Clown.
This is the garden gate; and here am I set to stand sentinel, and to
attend the coming of young master Geraldine. Master Delavil’s gone
to his chamber, my mistress to hers. ’Tis now about midnight; a
banquet prepared, bottles of wine in readiness, all the whole
household at their rest, and no creature by this honestly stirring,
saving I and my old master; he in a bye-chamber, prepared of purpose
for their private meeting, and I here to play the watchman against
my will! [_Enter_ Young Geraldine.] Chavelah?[3.41] Stand! Who
goes there?
Young Geraldine.
A friend.
Clown.
The word?
Young Geraldine.
Honest Roger.
Clown.
That’s the word indeed; you have leave to pass freely without
calling my corporal.
Young Geraldine.
How go the affairs within?
Clown.
According to promise: the business is composed, and the servants
disposed; my young mistress reposed; my old master, according as you
proposed, attends you, if you be exposed, to give him meeting;
nothing in the way being interposed, to transpose you to the least
danger: and this I dare be deposed, if you will not take my word, as
I am honest Roger.
Young Geraldine.
Thy word shall be my warrant, but secured
Most in thy master’s promise, on which building,
By this known way I enter.
Clown.
Nay, by your leave, I that was late but a plain sentinel will now be
your captain conductor: follow me.
[_Exeunt_.
SCENE III.--_A Room in_ Old Wincott’s _House_.
_Table and stools set out, lights, a banquet_,[3.42] _wine. Enter_
Old Wincott.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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