A Select Collection of Old English Plays Volume Vii Part 32

SEGASTO. Well, sirrah, leaving idle talk, tell me, Dost thou know Captain Tremelio's chamber?

CLOWN. Ay, very well, it hath a door.

SEGASTO. I think so; for so hath every chamber.

But dost thou know the man?

CLOWN. Ay forsooth, he hath a nose on his face.

SEGASTO. Why, so hath every one.

CLOWN. That's more than I know.

SEGASTO. But dost thou remember the Captain, that was here with the King even now, that brought the young prince prisoner?

CLOWN. O, very well.

SEGASTO. Go unto him, and bid him come to me. Tell him I have a matter in secret to impart to him.

CLOWN. I will, master; master, what's his name?

SEGASTO. Why, Captain Tremelio.

CLOWN. O, the meal-man. I know him very well. He brings meal every Sat.u.r.day; but hark you, master, must I bid him come to you, or must you come to him?

SEGASTO. No, sirrah, he must come to me.

CLOWN. Hark you, master; how, if he be not at home?

What shall I do then?

SEGASTO. Why then, leave word with some of his folks.

CLOWN. How,[173] master, if there be n.o.body within?

I will leave word with his dog.

SEGASTO. Why, can his dog speak?

CLOWN. I cannot tell; wherefore doth he keep his chamber else?

SEGASTO. To keep out such knaves as thou art.

CLOWN. Nay, by'r Lady, then go yourself.

SEGASTO. You will go, sir, will ye not?

CLOWN. Yes, marry, will I. O, 'tis come to my head; And a' be not within, I'll bring his chamber to you.

SEGASTO. What, wilt thou pluck down the King's house?

CLOWN. Nay, by'r Lady, I'll know the price of it first.

Master, it is such a hard name, I have forgotten it again. I pray you, tell me his name.

SEGASTO. I tell thee, Captain Tremelio.

CLOWN. O, Captain Treble-knave, Captain Treble-knave.

_Enter_ TREMELIO.

TREMELIO. How now, sirrah, dost thou call me?

CLOWN. You must come to my master, Captain Treble-knave.

TREMELIO. My Lord Segasto, did you send for me?

SEGASTO. I did, Tremelio. Sirrah, about your business.

CLOWN. Ay, marry, what's that, can you tell?

SEGASTO. No, not well.

CLOWN. Marry, then, I can; straight to the kitchen-dresser, to John the cook, and get me a good piece of beef and brewis; and then to the b.u.t.tery-hatch, to Thomas the butler for a jack of beer, and there for an hour I'll so belabour myself; and therefore I pray you call me not till you think I have done, I pray you, good master.

SEGASTO. Well, sir, away. [_Exit_ MOUSE.

Tremelio, this it is. Thou knowest the valour of Segasto, Spread through all the kingdom of Arragon, And such as hath found triumph and favours, Never daunted at any time? But now a shepherd [Is] admired at in court for worthiness, And Segasto's honour [is] laid aside.

My will therefore is this, that thou dost find Some means to work the shepherd's death; I know Thy strength sufficient to perform my desire, and thy love no otherwise than to revenge my injuries.

TREMELIO. It is not the frowns of a shepherd that Tremelio fears, Therefore account it accomplished, what I take in hand.

SEGASTO. Thanks, good Tremelio, and a.s.sure thyself, What I promise that will I perform.

TREMELIO. Thanks, my good lord, and in good time see where He cometh. Stand by awhile, and you shall see Me put in practice your intended drifts.

Have at thee, swain, if that I hit thee right!

_Enter_ MUCEDORUS.

MUCEDORUS. Vile coward, so without cause to strike a man--Turn, coward, turn; now strike, and do thy worst.

[MUCEDORUS _killeth him_.

SEGASTO. Hold, shepherd, hold; spare him, kill him not.

Accursed villain, tell me, what hast thou done?

Ah, Tremelio, trusty Tremelio!

I sorrow for thy death, and since that thou Living didst prove faithful to Segasto, So Segasto now living shall honour the dead corpse Of Tremelio with revenge. Bloodthirsty villain, Born and bred to merciless murther, tell me How durst thou be so bold, as once to lay Thy hands upon the least of mine? a.s.sure thyself Thou shalt be us'd according to the law.

MUCEDORUS. Segasto, cease; these threats are needless.

But in mine own defence accuse not me Of murther that have done nothing.

SEGASTO. Nay, shepherd, reason not with me; I'll manifest the fact unto the King, Whose doom will be thy death, as thou deserv'st.

What ho, Mouse, come away!

_Enter_ MOUSE.