Actus Quintus. Scena Prima. Gyrtrude. Sindefie.
Gyr.
Ah Sinne! hast thou euer read i'the Chronicle of any Lady, and her waiting-woman, driuen to
that extremity, that we are, Sinne?
Syn.
750
Not I truely, Madam, and if I had, it were but colde comfort, should come out of bookes,
now.
Gyr.
Why, good faith Sinne, I could dine with a lamentable storie, now. O hone, hone, o no nera, &c. Canst thou tell nere a one, Synne?
Sin.
None, but mine owne, Madam, which is lamentable inough; first to be stolne from my
Friends, which were worshipfull, and of good accompt, by a Prentile, in the habite
and disguise of a Gentleman, and here brought vp to London, and promis'd mariage,
and now likely to be forsaken (for he is in possibility to be hangd.)
Gyr.
Nay weepe not good Sinne. My Petronell, is in as good possibilitie as he. Thy miseries, are nothing to mine, Sinne: I was more then promis'd marriage, Sinne, I had it Sinne: & was made a Lady; and by a Knight, Sin: which is now as good as no Knight, Sin: And I was borne in London, which is more then brought vp, Sin: and already forsaken; which is past likelihood, Sin: and in stead of Land i'the Countrey, all my Knights Liuing lies i'the Counter, Syn. there's his Castle now?
Syn.
Which hee cannot be forc't out off, Madam.
Gyr.
755
Yes, if he would liue hungry a weeke, or two.
Hunger they say breakes stone wals. But he is eene wel inough seru'd,
Sin, that so soone as euer he had got my hand to the sale of my inheritance run away
from me, and I had bene his Punke, God blesse vs. Would the Knight o'the
Sunne, or
Palmerin of England, haue vsd their Ladies so,
Syn? or sir
Lancelot? or sir
Tristram?
Syn.
I doe not know, Madam.
Gry,
Then thou know'st nothing, Syn. Thou art a Foole, Syn. The Knighthood now a daies, are nothing like the Knighthood of old time. They rid
a horseback Ours goe afoote. They were attended by their Squires. Our by their Lacquaies.
They went buckled in their Armor, Ours muffled in their Cloaks. They trauaild wildernesses;
& desarts, Ours dare scarce walke the streets. They were stil prest to engage their
Honour, Ours stil ready to paune their cloaths. They would gallop on at sight of a
Mōster, Ours run away at sight of a Serieant. They would helpe poore Ladies, Ours
make poore Ladies.
Syn.
I Madam, they were Knights of the Round-Table at Winchester, that sought Aduētures, but these of the Square Table at Ordinaries, that sit at Hazard.
Gyr.
True Syn, let him vanish And tel me, what shal we pawne next
Syn.
760
I mary, Madā, a timely consideration, for our Hostes (prophane woman) has sworne
by bread, & salt, she will not trust vs another meale.
Gyr.
Let it stinke in her hand thē: Ile not be beholding to her. Let me see, my Iewels
begone, & my Gownes, & my red veluet Petticote, that I was maried in, & my wedding
silke stockings, & al thy best apparel, poore Syn. Good faith, rather thē thou shouldest pawne a ragge more, Il'd lay my Ladiship
in lauender, if I knew where.
Syn.
Alas, Madam, your Ladiship?
Gir.
I, why? you do not scorne my Ladiship, though it is in a Wastcoate? Gods my life,
you are a Peate indeed! do I offer to morgage my Ladiship, for you, and for your auaile, and do you
turne the Lip, and the Alas to my Ladiship?
Syn.
No Madam, but I make question, who will lend any thing vpon it?
Gyr.
765
Who? marry inow, I warrant you, if you'le seeke 'hem out. I'm sure I remember the
time, when I would ha' giuen a thousand pound, (if I had had it) to haue bin a Ladie;
and I hope I was not bred and borne with that appetite alone: some other gentle-borne
o'the Citie, haue the same longing I trust. And for my part, I would afford 'hem a
peny'rth, my Ladiship is little the worse, for the wearing, and yet I would bate a
good deale of the summe. I would lend it (let me see) for 40 li. in hand,
Syn, that would apparrell vs; and ten pound a yeare: that would keepe me, and you,
Syn, (with our needles) and wee should neuer need to be beholding to our sciruy Parents?
Good Lord, that there are no
Fayries now adayes,
Syn.
Gyr.
To doe Miracles, and bring Ladyes money. Sure, if we lay in a cleanly house, they
would haunt it, Synne? Ile trie. Ile sweepe the Chamber soone at night, & set a dish of water o'the Hearth.
A Fayrie may come, and bring a Pearle, or a Diamonde Wee do not know Syn? Or, there may be a pot of Gold hid o'the backe-side, if we had tooles to digge for't?
why may not wee two rise earely i'the morning (Syn) afore any body is vp, and find a Iewell, i'the streets, worth a 100. li.? May not
some great Court-Lady, as she comes from Reuels at midnight, looke out of her Coach,
as 'tis running, and loose such a Iewell, and wee finde it? Ha?
Syn.
They are prettie waking dreames; these.
Gyr.
Or may not some olde Vsurer bee drunke ouer-night, with a Bagge of money, and leaue
it behinde him on a Stall? for God-sake,
Syn, let's rise to morrow by breake of day, and see. I protest law, If I had as much
money as an Alderman, I would seatter some on't, i'th' streetes for poore Ladyes to
finde, when their Knights were layd vp. And, nowe I remember my Song o'the
Golden showre, why may not I haue such a fortune?
770
Ile sing it, and try what luck I shall haue after it.
ErrorMetrica
Fond Fables tell of olde,
How loue in Danaes lappe
Fell in a showre of Gold,
By which shee caught a clappe;
775
O, had it beene my hap,
(How ere the blow doth threaten)
So well I like the play,
That I could wish all day
And night to be so beaten.
Enter Mistris Touchstone.
780
O, heer's my Mother! good lucke, I hope. Ha' you brought any money, Mother? Pray you
Mother, your Blessing. Nay, sweet Mother, doe not weepe.
Mistris Touch.
God blesse you; I would I were in my Graue.
Gyr.
Nay, deare Mother, can you steale no more money from my father? dry your eyes, & comfort
me. Alas, it is my Knights fault, and not mine, that I am in a Wast-coate, and attyred
thus simply.
Mistris Touch.
Simply? Tis better then thou deseru'st. Neuer whimper for the matter. Thou shouldst haue look'd, before thou hadst leap't. Thou wert a fire to be a Lady, and now your Ladishippe and you may both blowe at the Cole, for ought I know. Selfe doe, selfe haue. The hastie person neuer wants woe, they say.
Gyr.
Nay then Mother, you should ha look'd to it; A bodie would thinke you were the older:
I did but my kinde, l. He was a Knight, and I was fit to be a Lady. Tis not lacke
of liking, but lacke of liuing, that seuers vs. And you talke like your selfe and
a Cittiner in this, yfaith. You shew what Husband you come on Iwys. You smell the
Touch-stone. He that will doe more for his daughter, that he has marryed a sciruie Gold-end man,
and his Prentise, then he will for his t'other Daughter, that has wedded a Knight,
and his Customer. By this light, I thinke hee is not my legittimate Father.
Syn.
785
O good Madam, doe not take vp your mother so.
Mistris. Touch.
Nay, nay, let her cene alone. Let her Ladishippe grieue me still, with her bitter
taunts and termes. I haue not dole inough to see her in this miserable case, l? without
her Veluet gownes, without Ribbands, without Iewels, without French-wires, or Cheat
bread, or Quailes, or a little Dog, or a Genttleman Vsher, or any thing indeed, that's
fit for a Lady. —
Mistris Touch.
And I not able to releiue her neither, being kept so short, by my husband. Well, God
knowes my heart. I did little thinke, that euer shee should haue had need of her sister
Golding.
Gyr.
Why Mother, I ha not yet. Alas, good Mother, bee not intoxicate for mee, I am well
inough. I would not change husbands with my Sister, I. The legge of a Larke is better then the body of a Kight.
Gyr.
What sweete Mother, What?
Mistris Touchstone.
It's but ill food, when nothing's left but the Claw.
Gyr.
That's true Mother; Aye me.
Mistris Touchstone.
Nay, sweete Lady-bird, sigh not. Child, Madame. Why doe you weepe thus? Bee of good
cheere. I shall die, if you crye, and marre your complexion, thus?
Gyr.
795
Alas Mother, what should I doe,
Mistris Touch.
Goe to thy Sister's Childe, Shee'le be proude, thy Lady-ship will come vnder her roofe.
Shee'le winne thy Father to release thy Knight, and redeeme thy Gownes, and thy Coach,
and thy Horses, and set thee vp againe.
Gyr.
But will shee get him to set my Knight vp, too?
Mistris Touchstone.
That shee will, or any thing else thou'lt aske her.
Gyr.
I will begin to loue her, if I thought she would doe this.
Mistris. Touch.
800
Try her good Chucke, I warrant thee.
Gyr.
Doost thou thinke shee'le doo't?
Syn.
I Madame, and be glad you will receiue it.
Mistris. Touch.
That's a good Mayden, shee tells you trew. Come, Ile take order for your debts i the
Ale-house.
Gyr.
Goe, Syn, and pray for thy Franck, as I will, for my Pet.
Enter Touchstone, Goulding, Woolfe.
Touch.
805
I will receiue no Letters, M
Woolf, you shal pardon me.
Gould.
Good Father let me entreat you.
Touch.
Sonne Goulding, I will not be tempted, I finde mine owne easie nature, and I know not what a well-pend
subtile Letter may worke vpon it: There may be Tricks, Packing, doe you see? Returne
with your Packet, Sir.
Woolfe.
Beleeue it Sir, you need feare no packing here. These are but Letters of Submission,
all.
Touch.
Sir, I doe looke for no Submission. I will beare my selfe in this like Blinde Iustice, Worke vpon that now. When the Sessions come, they shall heare from me.
Gould.
810
From whom come your Letters, M.
Woolfe?
Woolfe.
And't please you Sir. One from Sir Petronell. Another from Francis Quickesiluer. And a third, from old Securitie, who is almost madde in Prison. There are two, to your worship: One from M. Francis, Sir. Another from the Knight.
Touch.
I doe wonder, M. Woolfe, why you should trauaile thus, in a businesse so contrarie to kinde, or the nature
o'your Place! that you beeing the Keeper of a Prison, should labour the release of
your Prisoners! Whereas mee thinkes, it were farre more Naturall, & Kindely in you,
to be ranging about for more, & not let these scape you haue alreadie vnder the Tooth.
But they say, you Wolues, when you ha' suck't the blood once, that they are drie, you ha' done.
Woolfe.
Sir, your Worship may descant as you please o'my name, but I protest, I was neuer
so mortified with any mens discourse, or behauiour in Prison; yet I haue had of all
sorts of men i'the Kingdome, vnder my Keyes, & almost of all Religions i'the land,
as Papist, Protestant, Puritane, Brownist, Anabaptist, Millenary, Family o' Loue, Iewe, Turke, Infidell, Atheist, Good Fellow, &c.
Gould.
And which of all these (thinkes M. Woolfe) was the best Religion?
Woolfe.
815
Troth, M.
Deputie, they that pay Fees best: we neuer examine their consciences farder.
Gould.
I beleeue you M. Woolfe. Good faith, Sir, Here's a great deale of humilitie i'these Letters.
Woolfe.
Humilitie, Sir? I, were your Worshippe an Eye-witnesse of it, you would say so. The
Knight will i'the Knights-Ward, doe what wee can Sir, and Maister Quickesiluer, would be i'the Hole, if we would let him. I neuer knew, or saw Prisoners more penitent, or more deuout.
They will sit you vp all night singing of Psalmes, and aedifying the whole Prison onely, Securitie sings a note to high, sometimes, because he lyes i'the Two-penny ward. farre of, and can not take his tune. The Neighbours can not rest for him, but come
euery Morning to aske, what godly Prisoners we haue.
Touch.
Which on 'hem is't is so deuout, the Knight, or the to'ther?
Woolfe.
Both Sir. But the young Man especially! I neuer heard his like! He has cut his hayre
too. He is so well giuen, and has such good gifts! Hee can tell you, almost all the
Stories of the Booke of Martyrs, and speake you all the Sicke-mans Salue without Booke.
Touch
820
I, if he had had grace, he was brought vp where it grew, I wis. On Maister
Wolfe.
Wolfe.
And he has conuerted one Fangs a Sarieant, a fellow could neither write, nor read, he was call'd the Bandog o'the
Counter: and he has brought him already to pare his nailes, and say his prayers, and
'tis hop'd, he will sell his place shortly, and become an Intelligencer.
Touch.
No more, I am comming all ready. If I should giue any farder eare, I were takē. Adue
good Maister Wolfe. Sonne, I doe feele mine owne weaknesses, do not importune me. Pity is a Rheume,
that I am subiect too, but I will resist it. Maister Wolfe, Fish is cast away, that is cast in drye Pooles: Tell Hipocrisie, it will not do, I haue touchd, and tried too often; I am yet proofe, and I will
remaine so: when the Sessions come, they shall heare from me. In the meane time, to
all suites, to all intreaties, to all letters, to all trickes, I will be deafe as
an Adder, and blind as a Beetle, lay mine care to the ground, and lock mine eyes i'my
hand, against all temptations.
Exit.
Gold.
You see, maister Wolfe, how inexorable he is. There is no hope to recouer him Pray you commend me to my
brother Knight, and to my fellow Francis, present 'hem with this small token of my loue; tell 'hem, I wish I could do 'hem
any worthier office, but in this, 'tis desperate: yet I will not faile to trie the
vttermost of my power for 'hem. And sir, as farre as I haue any credit with you pray
you let 'hem want nothing: though I am not ambitious, they should know so much.
Wolse.
Sir, both your actions, and words speake you to be a true Gentleman. They shall know
onely what is fit, and no more.
Exeunt.
Holdfast. Bramble. Security.
Hold.
825
Who would you speake with, Sir?
Bram.
I would speake with one Securitie, that is prisoner here.
Hold.
You'are welcome Sir. Stay there ile call him to you. Maister Securitie.
Hold.
Here's a Gentleman would speake with you.
Secu.
830
What is he? Is't one that grafts my forehead now I am in prison, and comes to see
how the Hornes shoote vp, and prosper.
Hold.
You must pardon him Sir: The old man is a little craz'd with his imprisonment.
Secu.
What say you to me, Sir? Looke you here. My learned Counsaile, M. Bramble! Crye you mercie, Sir: when sawe you my wife?
Bram.
Shee is now at my house, Sir, and desir'd mee that I would come to Visite you and
inquire of you your Case, that we might worke some meanes to get you foorth.
Secur.
My Case, M. Bramble, is stone walles, and yron grates; you see it, this is the weakest part on't. And,
for getting me forth, no meanes but hang my selfe, and so to be carryed foorth, from
which they haue here bound me, in intollerable bands.
Bram.
835
Why but what is't you are in for, Sir?
Secu.
For my Sinnes, for my Sinnes Sir, whereof Mariage, is the greatest. O, had I neuer
marryed, I had neuer knowne this Purgatorie, to which Hell is a kinde of coole Bathe in respect: My wiues confederacie Sir, with
olde Touchstone, that shee might keepe her Iubilaee, and the Feast of her New-Moone. Doe you vnderstand me Sir?
Enter Quickesiluer.
Quick.
Good Sir, goe in and talke with him. The Light dos him harme, and his example will bee hurtfull
to the weake Prisoneis. Fit, Father Securitie, that you'le bee still so prophane, will nothing humble you?
Enter two Prisoners, with a Friend.
Pri. 1.
O hee is a rare yong man. Doe you not know him?
Frien.
840
Not I. I neuer saw him. I can remember.
Pri. 2.
Why, it is he that was the gallant Prentise of London, M. Touchstones man.
Frien.
Is this hee? They say, he has beene a Gallant indeede.
Pris.
845
O, the royall est fellow, that euer was bred vp i'the Citie. He would play you his
thousand pound, a night at Dice; keepe Knights and Lords Companie; go with them to
baudie houses; had his fixe men in a Liuerie; kept a stable of Hunting horses; and
his Wench in her veluet Gowne, and her Cloth of siluer. Heres one Knight with him
here in Prison.
Frien.
And how miserably he is chaung'd!
Pris. 1.
O, that's voluntary in him; he gaue away all his rich clothes, assoone as euer hee
came in here, among the Prisoners: and will eate o'the Basket, for humilitie.
Friend.
Why will he doe so?
Pris. 2.
Alas hee has no hope of life. Hee mortifies himselfe. He dos but linger on, till the
Sessions.
Pris. 2.
850
O, he has pen'd the best thing, that hee calles his
Repentance, or his
Last Fare-well, that euer you heard: Hee is a pretie
Poet, and for
Prose — You would wonder how many Prisoners he has help't out, with penning
Petitions for 'hem, and not take a penny. Looke, this is the Knight, in the rugge Gowne. Standby.
Enter Petronel, Bramble, Quickesiluer, Woolfe.
Bram.
Sir, for Securities Case, I haue told him; Say he should be condemned to be carted, or whipt, for a Bawde, or so, why Ile lay an Execution on him o'two hundred pound, let him acknowledge
a Iudgement, he shal do it in halfe an howre, they shal not all fetch him out, without
paying the Execution, o'my word.
Pet.
But can we not be bay'ld M. Bramble?
Bram.
Hardly, there are none of the Iudges in Towne, else you should remoue your selfe (in
spight of him) with a Habeas Corpus: But if you haue a Friend to deliuer your tale sensibly to some Iustice o'the Towne,
that hee may haue feeling of it, (doe you see) you may be bayl'd. For as I vnderstand
the Case, tis onely done, In Terrorem, and you shall haue an Action of false Imprisonment against him, when you come out: and perhaps a thousand pound Costes.
Enter M. Woolfe.
Quick.
How now, M, Woolfe? What newes? what returne?
Woolfe.
855
Faith, bad all: yonder will bee no Letters receiued. He sayes the
Sessions shall determine it. Onely, M.
Deputie Golding commends him to you, and with this token, wishes he could doe you other good.
Quick.
I thanke him. Good M. Bramble, trouble our quiet no more; doe not molest vs in Prison thus, with your winding deuises:
Pray you depart. For my pat, I my cause to him that can succour mee, let God worke
his will. M. Woolfe, I pray you let this be distributed, among the Prisoners, and desire 'hem to pray
for vs.
Woolfe.
It shall bee done, M. Francis.
Pris. 1.
An excellent temper!
Pris. 2.
Nowe God send him good-lucke.
Exeunt.
Pet.
860
But what said my Father in Lawe, M.
Woolfe?
Enter Hold.
Hold.
Here's one would speake with you, Sir.
Woolfe.
Ile tell you anon Sir Petronell. who is't?
Hold.
A Gentleman, Sir, that will not be seene.
Enter Gold.
Woolfe.
Where is he? M. Deputie! your wor: is wel-come. —
Gold.
Good faith, M. Woolfe, the estate of these Gentlemen, for whome you were so late and willing a Sutor, doth
much affect mee: and because I am desirous to doe them some faire office, and find
there is no meanes to make my Father relent, so likely, as to bring him to be a Spectator
of their Miseries; I haue ventur'd on a deuice, which is, to make make my selfe your
Prisoner: entreating, you will presently goe report it to my Father, and (fayning,
an Action, at sute of some third person) pray him by this Token, that he will presently,
and with all secrecie, come hether for my Bayle; which trayne, (if any) I know will
bring him abroad; and then, hauing him here, I doubt not but we shall be all fortunate,
in the Euent.
Woolf.
Sir, I wil put on my best speede, to effect it. Please you come in.
Gold.
Yes; And let me rest conceal'd, I pray you.
VVoolfe.
870
See, here a Benefit, truely done; when it is done timely, freely, and to no Ambition.
Exit.
Enter Touchstone, VVife, Daughters, Syn, VVinyfred.
Touch-stone.
I will sayle by you, and not heare you, like the wise Vlisses.
Touc.
away syrens, I will inmure my selfe, against your cryes; and locke my selfe vpto our
Lamentations.
Mistris Touch.
Gentle Husband, heare me.
Gyr.
Father, It is I Father; my Lady Flash: my sister and I am Friends.
VVyn.
880
Be not hardned, good M.
Touchstone.
Syn.
I pray you, Sir, be mercifull.
Touch.
I am dease, I doe not heare you; I haue stopt mine eares, with Shoomakers waxe, and drunke Lethe, and Mandragora to forget you: All you speake to mee, I commit to the Ayre.
Enter VVoolfe.
Mil.
How now, M. VVoolfe?
VVoolfe.
Where's M. Touchstone? I must speake with him presently: I haue lost my breath for hast.
Mild.
885
What's the matter Sir? pray all be well.
Wolfe.
Maister Deputy Goulding is arrested vpon an execution, and desires him presently to come to him, forthwith.
Mild.
Aye me; doe you heare Father?
Touch.
Tricks, tricks, confederacie, tricks, I haue 'hem in my nose, I sent 'hem.
Wol.
Who's that? maister Touchstone?
Mi. Tou.
890
Why it is M.
Wolfe himselfe, husband.
Touch.
I am dease still, I say: I will neither yeeld to the song of the Syren, nor the voice of the Hyena, the teares of the Crocodile, nor the howling o'the Wolfe: auoid my habitatio mōsters,
Wolfe.
Why you are not mad Sir? I pray you looke forth, and see the token I haue brought
you, Sir.
Touch.
Ha! what token is it?
Tou.
My sonne Gouldings ring! Are you in earnest Mai Wolfe?
Wolf.
I by my faith sir. He is in prison, and requir'd me to vse all speed, and secrecie
to you.
Touch.
My Cloake there (pray you be patient) I am plagu'd for my Austeritie; my Cloake: at
whose suite maister Wolfe?
Wolfe.
Ile tell you as we goe sir.
Exeunt.
Enter Friend. Prisoners.
Frie.
900
Why, but is his offence such as he cannot hope of life?
Pri. 1.
Troth it should seeme so: and 'tis great pity; for he is exceeding penitent.
Fri.
They say he is charg'd but on suspicion of Felony, yet.
Pri. 2.
I but his maister is a shrewd fellow, Heele proue great matter against him.
Fri.
I'de as liue as any thing, I could see his Farewell.
Pri. 1.
905
O tis rarely written: why
Tobis may get him to sing it to you, hee's not curious to any body.
Pri. 1.
O no. He would that all the world should take knowledge of his Repentance, and thinkes
he merits in't, the more shame he suffers.
Pri. 1.
Pray thee try, what thou canst doe.
Pri. 2.
I warrant you, he will not deny it; if he be not hoarce with the often repeating of
it.
Exit.
Pri. 1.
You neuer saw a more courteous creature, then he is; and the Knight too: the poorest
Prisoner of the house may command 'hem. You shall heare a thing, admirably pend.
Fri.
910
Is the Knight any, Scholler too?
Pris. 1.
No, but he will speake verie well, and discourse admirably of running Horses, and
White-Friers, and against Baudes; and of Cocks; and talke as loude as a Hunter, but is none.
Enter Wolfe and Touchstone.
Wolf.
Please you stay here sir, ile cal his worship downe to you.
Pris. 1.
See, he has brought him, and the Knight too. Salute him I pray, Sir, this Gentleman,
vpon our report, is very desirous to heare some piece of your Repentance.
Enter Quick. Pet. &c.
Quic.
Sir, with all my heart, & as I told M. Tobie, I shall be glad to haue any man a witnesse of it. And the more openly I prosesse
it, I hope it will appeare the hartier and the more vnfained.
Touch.
915
Who is this? my man
Francis? and my sonne in Lawe?
Quick.
Sir, it is all the Testmonie I shall leaue behind me to the World, and my Master,
that I haue so offended.
Qui.
I writ it, whē my spirits were opprest.
Pet.
I, Ile be sworne for you Francis.
Quick.
920
It is in imitation of
Maningtons; he that was hangd at
Cambridge, that cut of the Horses head at a blow.
Quick.
To the tune of I waile in woe, I plunge in paine.
Pet.
An excellent Ditty it is, and worthy of a new tune.
Qui.
In Cheapside famous for Gold & Plate,
925
Quicksiluer I did dwel of late:
I had a Master good, and kind,
That vvould haue vvrought me to his mind.
He bad me still, VVorke vpon that,
But alas I vvrought I knevv not vvhat.
930
He vvas a Touchstone black, but true:
And told me still, vvhat vvould ensue,
Yet, vvoe is me, I vvould not learne,
I savv, alas, but could not discerne.
Frien.
Excellent, excellent well.
Gould.
935
O let him alone, Hee is taken already.
Quic.
I cast my Coat, and Cap avvay,
I vvent in silkci, and saitens gay,
False Mettall of good manners, I
Did dayly coint valavvsully.
940
I scornd my Master, being drunke.
I kept my Golding, and my Punke,
And vvith a knight, sir Flash, by name,
(VVho novv is sory for the same)
Pet.
I thanke you
Francis.
945
I thought by sea to runne, But
Thames, and Tempest did me stay.
Touch.
This cannot be fained sure. Heauen pardon my seucrity. The Ragged Colt, may prooue a good Horse.
Gould.
How he listens! and is transported? He has forgot me.
Quic.
Still Eastward hoe vvas all my word:
But VVestward I had no regard.
950
Nor neuer thought, vvhat vvould coine after
As did alas his youngest Daughter,
At last the black Oxe trode o'my foote,
And I savv then vvhat longd vntoo't,
Novv try I, Touchstone, touch me stil,
955
And make me currant by thy skill.
Touch.
And I will do it, Francis.
Wolfe.
Stay him M. Deputie, now is the time, we shall loose the song else.
Frie.
I protest it is the best that euer I heard.
Quick.
How like you it Gentlemen?
Quic.
This Stanze now following, alludes to the story of Mannington from whence I tooke my proiect for my inuention.
Frin.
Pray you goe on sir.
Quic.
O Manington thy stories shevv,
Thou cutst a Horse-head off at a blovv
965
But I confesse, I haue not the force
For to cut off the head of a horse,
Yet I desire this grace to vvinne,
That I may cut off the Horse-head of Sin.
And leaue his body in the dust
970
Of sinnes high vvay and bogges of Lust,
VVherby I may take Vertues purse,
And liue vvith her for better, for vvorse.
Frin.
Admirable sir, & excellently conceited.
Touch.
975
Sonne
Goulding & M.
Wolfe, I thank you: the deceipt is welcome, especially from thee whose charitable soule
in this hath shewne a high point of wisedome and honesty. Listen. I am rauished with
his Repentance, and could stand here a whole prentiship to heare him,
Quick.
This is the last, and the Farewell.
ErrorMetrica
Farevvel Cheapside, farewell svveet trade
Of Goldsmithes all, that neuer shall fade
980
Farevvell deare fellovv Prentises all
And be you vvarned by my sall:
Shun Vsurers, Bauds, and dice, and drabs.
Auoide them as you vvould French scabs
Seeke not to goe beyond your Tether,
985
But cut your Thongs vnto your Lether
So shall you thriue by little and little,
Scape Tiborne, Coūters, & the Spitle
Touch.
And scape them shalt thou my penitent, & deare Frances.
Touch.
I can no longer forbeare to doe your humility right: Arise, and let me honour your
Repentance, with the hearty and ioyfull embraces, of a Father, and Friends loue. Quicksiluer, thou hast eate into my breast, Quicksiluer, with the dropps of thy sorrow, and kild the desperate opinion I had of thy reclaime:
Quick.
O sir, I am not worthy to see your worshipfull face.
Touch.
Speake no more, all former passages, are forgotten, and here my word shall release
you. Thanke this worthy Brother & kind friend, Francis. — M. Wolfe. I am their Bayle;
A shoute in the Prison.
Secu.
995
Maister
Touchstone? Maister
Touchstone?
Secu.
Pray you Sir, if youle be wonne with a Song, heare my lamentable tune, too: SONG.
ErrorMetrica
O Maister Touchstone,
1000
My heart is full of vvoe;
Alasse, I am a Cuckold:
And, vvhy should it be so?
Because I vvas a Usurer,
And Bavvd, as all you knovv,
1005
For vvhich, againe I tell you,
My heart is full of vvot.
Touch.
Bring him forth, Maister Wolfe, and release his bands. This day shalbe sacred to Mercy, & the mirth of this Encounter, in the Counter. — See, we are encountred with more Suters.
Enter Mist. Touchst. Gyr. Mil. Synd. Winnif. &c.
Saue your Breath, saue your Breath; All things haue succeeded to your wishes: & we
are heartely satisfied in their euents.
Gyr.
Ah Runaway, Runaway! haue I caught you? And, how has my poore Knight done all this
while?
Pet.
1010
Deare Lady-wife; forgiue me.
Gert.
As heartely, as I would be forgiuen, Knight. Deare Father, giue me your blessing,
and forgiue me too; I ha' bene proud, and lasciuious, Father; and a Foole, Father;
and being raisd to the state of a wanton coy thing, calld a Lady, Father; haue scorn'd
you, Father; and my Sister; & my Sisters Veluet Cap, too; and would make a mouth at
the Citty, as I ridde through it; and stop mine eares at Bow-bell: I haue said your Beard was a Base one, Father; and that you look'd like Twierpipe, the Taberer; and that my Mother was but my Midwife.
Mi. Tou.
Now God forgi' you, Child Madame.
Touch.
No more Repetitions. What is else wanting, to make our Harmony full?
Gould
Only this, sir. That my fellow Francis make amends to mistresse Sindefie, with mariage.
Gould.
And Security giue her a dower, which shall be all the
restitution he shall make of that huge masse, he hath so vnlawfully gotten.
Touch.
Excellently deuisd! a good motion. What sayes Maister Securitie?
Secu.
I say any thing sir, what you'll ha me say. Would I were no Cuckold.
Wini.
1020
Cuckold, husband? why, I thinke this wearing of Yellow has infected you.
Touch.
Why, Maister Securitie that should rather be a comfort to you, then a corasiue. If
you be a Cuckold, it's an argument you haue a beautifull woman to your wife; then,
you shall be much made of; you shall haue store of friends; neuer want mony; you shall
be easd of much o' your wedlock paine; [575] others will take it for you: Besides
you being a Vsurer, (and likely to goe to Hell) The Deuills will neuer torment you;
They'll take you, for one o their owne Race. Againe, if you be a Cuckold, and know
it not, you are an Innocent; if you know it, and endure it, a true Martyr.
Secur.
I am resolu'd sir, Come hether Winny.
Touch.
Well then, all are pleasd: or shall be anone, Maister Wolfe: you looke hungry me thinkes.
Haue you no apparell to lend Frauncis to shift him?
Quic.
No sir, not I desire none; but here make it my sute, that I may goe home, through
the streetes, in these, as a Spectacle, or rather an Example, to the Children of Cheaveside.
Touch.
1025
Thou hast thy wish. Now London, looke about,
And in this mortall, see thy Glasse runne out:
Behold the carefull Father; thrifty Sonne,
The solemne deedes, which each of vs haue done,
The Vsurer punisht, and from Fall so steepe
1030
Exeunt.
The Prodigall child reclaimd, and the lost Sheepe.