English drama -- Early modern and Elizabethan, 1500-1600; Heywood, Thomas, approximately 1574-1641
Spencer.
What is’t, I prithee?
Surgeon.
There is a gentleman, one of your name,
That died within this hour.
Spencer.
My name! What was he? Of what sickness died he?
Surgeon.
No sickness, but a slight hurt in the body,
Which showed at first no danger, but, being searched,
He died at the third dressing.
Spencer.
At my third search I am in hope of life.
The Heavens are merciful.
Surgeon.
Sir, doubt not your recovery.
Spencer.
That hundred pound I had prepared to expend
Upon mine own expected funeral,
I for name-sake will now bestow on his.
Surgeon.
A noble resolution.
Spencer.
What ships are bound for England? I would gladly
Venture to sea, though weak.
Surgeon.
All bound that way are under sail already.
Spencer.
Here’s no security;
For when the beaten Spaniards shall return,
They’ll spoil whom they can find.
Surgeon.
We have a ship,
Of which I am surgeon, that belongs unto
A London merchant, now bound for Mamorah,
A town in Barbary; please you to use that,
You shall command free passage: ten months hence,
We hope to visit England.
Spencer.
Friend, I thank thee.
Surgeon.
I’ll bring you to the master, who I know
Will entertain you gladly.
Spencer.
When I have seen the funeral rites performed
To the dead body of my countryman
And kinsman, I will take your courteous offer.
England, no doubt, will hear news of my death;
How Bess will take it is to me unknown.
On her behaviour I will build my fate,
There raise my love, or thence erect my hate.
[_Exeunt_.
ACT THE THIRD.
SCENE I.--_Foy. A Street outside the Windmill Tavern_.
_Enter_ Roughman _and_ Fawcett.
Roughman.
Oh! you’re well met. Just as I prophesied,
So it fell out.
Fawcett.
As how, I pray?
Roughman.
Had you but stayed the crossing of one field,
You had beheld a Hector, the boldest Trojan
That ever Roughman met with.
Fawcett.
Pray, what was he?
Roughman.
You talk of Little Davy, Cutting Dick,[2.25]
And divers such; but tush! this hath no fellow.
Fawcett.
Of what stature and years was he?
Roughman.
Indeed, I must confess he was no giant,
Nor above fifty; but he did bestir him--
Was here, and there, and everywhere, at once,
That I was ne’er so put to’t since the midwife
First wrapped my head in linen. Let’s to Bess:
I’ll tell her the whole project.
Fawcett.
Here’s the house:
We’ll enter, if you please.
[_Exeunt_.
SCENE II.--_A Room in the Tavern_.
_Enter_ Roughman _and_ Fawcett.
Roughman.
Where be these drawers--rascals, I should say--
That will give no attendance?
_Enter_ Clem.
Clem.
Anon, anon, sir: please you see a room? What, you here, again! Now
we shall have such roaring!
Roughman.
You, sirrah, call your mistress.
Clem.
Yes, sir, I know it is my duty to call her mistress.
Roughman.
See an the slave will stir!
Clem.
Yes, I do stir.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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