Cromwell, Thomas, Earl of Essex, 1485?-1540 -- Drama
BANISTER.
Come, wife, I take it be almost dinner time,
For master Newton, and master Crosby sent
To me last night, they would come dine with me,
And take their bond in: I pray thee, hie thee home,
And see that all things be in readiness.
MISTRESS BANISTER.
They shall be welcome, husband; I’ll go before.—
But is not that man master Friskiball?
[She runs and embraces him.]
BANISTER.
O heavens, it is kind master Friskiball!
Say sir, what hap hath brought you to this pass?
FRISKIBALL.
The same that brought you to your misery.
BANISTER.
Why would you not acquaint me with your state?
Is Banister your poor friend quite forgot:
Whose goods, whose love, whose life and all is yours?
FRISKIBALL.
I thought your usage would be as the rest,
That had more kindness at my hands than you,
Yet looked askance, when as they saw me poor.
MISTRESS BANISTER.
If Banister should bear so base a heart,
I never would look my husband in the face,
But hate him as I would a Cockatrise.
BANISTER.
And well thou mightest, should Banister deal so.
Since that I saw you, sir, my state is mended:
And for the thousand pound I owe to you,
I have it ready for you, sir, at home;
And though I grieve your fortune is so bad,
Yet that my hap’s to help you make me glad.
And now, sir, will it please you walk with me?
FRISKIBALL.
Not yet I cannot, for the Lord Chancellor
Hath here commanded me to wait on him,
For what I know not: pray God tis for my good.
BANISTER.
never make doubt of that; I’ll warrant you,
He is as kind a noble gentleman
As ever did possess the place he hath.
MISTRESS BANISTER.
Sir, my brother is his steward; if you please,
We’ll go along and bear you company:
I know we shall not want for welcome there.
FRISKIBALL.
With all my heart: but what’s become of Bagot?
BANISTER.
He is hanged, for buying jewels of the King’s.
FRISKIBALL.
A just reward for one so impious.
The time draws on, sir; will you go along?
BANISTER.
I’ll follow you, kind master Friskiball.
[Exit Omnes.]
ACT IV. SCENE III. The same. Another street.
[Enter two Merchants.]
FIRST MERCHANT.
Now, master Crosby, I see you have a care,
To keep your word, in payment of your money.
SECOND MERCHANT.
By my faith, I have reason upon a bond;
Three thousand pound is too much to forfeit.
Yet I doubt not Master Banister.
FIRST MERCHANT.
By my faith, your sum is more than mine,
And yet i am not much behind you too,
Considering that to day I paid at court.
SECOND MERCHANT.
Mass, and well remembered,
What’s the reason the Lord Cromwell’s men
Wear such long skirts upon their coats.
They reach almost down to their very ham.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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