The Merry Devill of Edmonton Part 12

MILLISCENT.

They be not far off, here about the grove.

[Enter Clare and Jerningham.]

CLARE.

Be not afraid, man, I heard Brian's tongue, That's certain.

JERNINGHAM.

Call softly for your sister.

CLARE.

Milliscent!

MILLISCENT.

Aye, brother, here.

BRIAN.

Maister Clare!

CLARE.

I told you it was Brian.

BRIAN.

Who's that? Maister Jerningham: you are a couple of hot-shots; does a man commit his wench to you, to put her to gra.s.s at this time of night

JERNINGHAM.

We heard a noise about her in the chase, And fearing that our fathers had pursued us, Severd our selves.

CLARE.

Brian, how hapd'st thou on her?

BRIAN.

Seeking for stealers are abroad to night, My hound stayed on her, and so found her out.

CLARE.

They were these stealers that affrighted us; I was hard upon them, when they horst their Deer, And I perceive they took me for a keeper.

BRIAN.

Which way took they?

JERNINGHAM.

Towards Enfield.

BRIAN.

A plague upon 't, that's that d.a.m.ned Priest, and Blague of the George, he that serves the good Duke of Norfolk.

[A noise within: Follow, follow, follow.]

CLARE.

Peace, that's my father's voice.

BRIAN.

Z'ownds, you suspected them, and now they are here indeed.

MILLISCENT.

Alas, what shall we do?

BRIAN.

If you go to the lodge, you are surely taken; Strike down the wood to Enfield presently, And if Mounchensey come, I'll send him t'yee.

Let me alone to bussle with your father; I warrant you that I will keep them play Till you have quit the chase; away, away!

[Exeunt all but Brian.]

Who's there?

[Enter the Knights.]

SIR RAPH.

In the king's name, pursue the Ravisher!

BRIAN.

Stand, or I'll shoot.

SIR ARTHUR.

Who's there?

BRIAN.

I am the keeper that do charge you stand; You have stolen my Deer.

SIR ARTHUR.

We stolen thy Deer? we do pursue a thief.

BRIAN.

You are arrant thieves, and ye have stolen my Deer.

SIR RAPH.

We are Knights; Sir Arthur Clare, and Sir Raph Jerningham.

BRIAN.

The more your shame, that Knights should be such thieves.

SIR ARTHUR.

Who, and what art thou?

BRIAN.

My name is Brian, keeper of this walk.

SIR ARTHUR.