Clown. What madness doth possess thee, honest friend, To ask me such a question? Old Lionel. [_To_ Owner.] Nay, stir not you. Owner. Not I. The game begins. Old Lionel. How dost thou? art thou well? Clown. Yes, very well, I thank you; how do you, sir? Old Lionel. No alteration: what change about thee? Clown. Not so much change about me at this time as to change you a shilling into two testers. Old Lionel. Yet I advise thee, fellow, for thy good, Stand further from the gate. Clown. And I advise thee, friend, for thine own good, stand not betwixt me and the gate, but give me leave to deliver my errand. Ho! Reignald, you mad rascal! Old Lionel. In vain thou thunder’st at these silent doors, Where no man dwells to answer, saving ghosts, Furies, and sprites. Clown. Ghosts! indeed there has been much walking in and about the house after midnight. Old Lionel. Strange noise oft heard? Clown. Yes, terrible noise, that none of the neighbours could take any rest for it. I have heard it myself. Old Lionel. You hear this? Here’s more witness. Owner. Very well, sir. Old Lionel. Which you shall dearly answer.--Whooping? Clown. And hollooing. Old Lionel. And shouting? Clown. And crying out, till the whole house rung again. Old Lionel. Which thou hast heard? Clown. Oftener than I have toes and fingers. Old Lionel. Thou wilt be deposed of this? Clown. I’ll be sworn to’t, and that’s as good. Old Lionel. Very good still;--yet you are innocent. Shall I entreat thee, friend, to avouch as much Hereby to the next justice? Clown. I’ll take my soldier’s oath on’t. Old Lionel. A soldier’s oath--what’s that? Clown. My corporal oath; and you know, sir, a corporal is an office belonging to a soldier. Old Lionel. Yet you are clear? Murder will come to light. Owner. So will your gullery[3.51] too. _Enter_ Robin. Robin. They say my old master’s come home; I’ll see if he will turn me out of doors, as the young man has done. I have laid rods in piss for somebody; scape Reignald as he can; and with more freedom than I durst late, I boldly now dare knock. [_Knocks_. Old Lionel. More madmen yet! I think since my last voyage Half of the world’s turned frantic. What dost mean? Or long’st thou to be blasted? Robin. Oh, sir, you are welcome home; ’twas time to come, Ere all was gone to havoc. Old Lionel. My old servant! Before I shall demand of further business, Resolve me why thou thunder’st at these doors, Where thou know’st none inhabits? Robin. Are they gone, sir? ’Twas well they have left the house behind; For all the furniture, to a bare bench, I am sure is spent and wasted. Old Lionel. Where’s my son, That Reignald, posting for him with such speed, Brings him not from the country?