English drama -- 17th century; English drama -- Early modern and Elizabethan, 1500-1600
_Fres._ May I not stand and pledge it, sir?
_2nd Ser._ I hope you will do as we do.
_Fres._ Nay then, indeed I must not stand, for you cannot.
_3rd Ser._ Well said, old boy.
_Fres._ Old boy! you'll make me a young child anon; for if I continue
this I shall scarce be able to go alone.
_1st Ser._ My body is as weak as water, Fresco.
_Fres._ Good reason, sir. The beer has sent all the malt up into your
brain and left nothing but the water in your body.
_Enter_ D'AMVILLE _and_ BORACHIO, _closely observing their
drunkenness._
_D'Am._ Borachio, seest those fellows?
_Bor._ Yes, my lord.
_D'Am._ Their drunkenness, that seems ridiculous,
Shall be a serious instrument to bring
Our sober purposes to their success.
_Bor._ I am prepared for the execution, sir.
_D'Am._ Cast off this habit and about it straight.
_Bor._ Let them drink healths and drown their brains i' the flood;
I promise them they shall be pledged in blood.
[_Exit._
_1st Ser._ You ha' left a damnable snuff here.
_2nd Ser._ Do you take that in snuff, sir?
_1st Ser._ You are a damnable rogue then--
[_Together by the ears._
_D'Am._ Fortune, I honour thee. My plot still rises
According to the model of mine own desires.
Lights for my brother--What ha' you drunk yourselves mad, you knaves?
_1st Ser._ My lord, the jacks abused me.
_D'Am._ I think they are the jacks[148] indeed that have abused thee.
Dost hear? That fellow is a proud knave. He has abused thee. As thou
goest over the fields by-and-by in lighting my brother home, I'll tell
thee what shalt do. Knock him over the pate with thy torch. I'll bear
thee out in't.
_1st Ser._ I will singe the goose by this torch. [_Exit._
_D'Am._ [_To 2nd Servant._] Dost hear, fellow?
Seest thou that proud knave.
I have given him a lesson for his sauciness.
He's wronged thee. I will tell thee what shalt do:
As we go over the fields by-and-by
Clap him suddenly o'er the coxcomb with
Thy torch. I'll bear thee out in't.
_2nd Ser._ I will make him understand as much. [_Exit._
_Enter_ LANGUEBEAU SNUFFE.
_D'Am._ Now, Monsieur Snuffe, what has my brother done?
_Lang._ Made his will, and by that will made you his heir with this
proviso, that as occasion shall hereafter move him, he may revoke, or
alter it when he pleases.
_D'Am._ Yes. Let him if he can.--I'll make it sure
From his revoking. [_Aside._
_Enter_ MONTFERRERS _and_ BELFOREST _attended with lights._
_Mont._ Brother, now good night.
_D'Am._ The sky is dark; we'll bring you o'er the fields.
Who can but strike, wants wisdom to maintain;
He that strikes safe and sure, has heart and brain.
[_Exeunt._
SCENE III.--_An Apartment in the same._
_Enter_ CASTABELLA.
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