A Select Collection of Old English Plays Volume Vii Part 62

PHIL. O, beware, Frank! Slip away, Mall, you know what I told ye. I'll hold our mothers both in talk meanwhile. [_Aside_.]

Mother and Mistress Barnes, methinks you should not stand in hatred so hard one with another.

MRS BAR. Should I not, sir? should I not hate a harlot, That robs me of my right, vild[348] boy?

MRS GOUR. That t.i.tle I return unto thy teeth, [_Exeunt_ FRANCIS _and_ MALL.

And spit the name of harlot in thy face.

MRS BAR. Well, 'tis not time of night to hold out chat With such a scold as thou art; therefore now Think that I hate thee, as I do the devil.

MRS GOUR. The devil take thee, if thou dost not, wretch!

MRS BAR. Out upon thee, strumpet!

MRS GOUR. Out upon thee, harlot!

MRS BAR. Well, I will find a time to be reveng'd: Meantime I'll keep my daughter from thy son.-- Where are ye, minion? how now, are ye gone?

PHIL. She went in, mother.

MRS GOUR. Francis, where are ye?

MRS BAR. He is not here. O, then, they slipp'd away, And both together!

PHIL. I'll a.s.sure ye, no: My sister she went in--into the house.

MRS BAR. But then she'll out again at the back door, And meet with him: but I will search about All these same fields and paths near to my house: They are not far, I am sure, if I make haste.

[_Exit_.

MRS GOUR. O G.o.d, how went he hence, I did not see him?

It was when Barnes's wife did scold with me; A plague on[349] her!--d.i.c.k, why didst not thou look to him?

COOMES. What should I look for him? no, no.

I look not for him while[350] to-morrow morning.

MRS GOUR. Come, go with me to help me look him out.

Alas! I have nor light, nor link, nor torch!

Though it be dark, I will take any pains To cross this match. I prithee, d.i.c.k, away.

COOMES. Mistress, because I brought ye out, I'll bring ye home; but, if I should follow, so he might have the law on his side.

MRS GOUR. Come, 'tis no matter; prythee, go with me.

_Exeunt_ [MRS GOURSEY _and_ COOMES.]

MR BAR. Philip, thy mother's gone to seek thy sister, And in a rage, i'faith: but who comes here?

PHIL. Old Master Goursey, as I think, 'tis he.

MR BAR. 'Tis so, indeed.

[_Enter_ MASTER GOURSEY.]

MR GOUR. Who's there?

MR BAR. A friend of yours.

MR GOUR. What, Master Barnes! did ye not see my wife?

MR BAR. Yes, sir, I saw her; she was here even now.

MR GOUR. I doubted that; that made me come unto you: But whither is she gone?

PHIL. To seek your son, who slipp'd away from her To meet with Mall my sister in a place, Where I appointed; and my mother too Seeks for my sister; so they both are gone: My mother hath a torch; marry, your wife Goes darkling up and down, and Coomes before her.

MR GOUR. I thought that knave was with her; but 'tis well: I pray G.o.d, they may come by ne'er a light, But both be led a dark dance in the night!

HOD. Why, is my fellow, d.i.c.k, in the dark with my mistress? I pray G.o.d, they be honest, for there may be much knavery in the dark: faith, if I were there, I would have some knavery with them. [_Aside_]

Good master, will ye carry the torch yourself, and give me leave to play at blind-man-buff with my mistress.

PHIL. On that condition thou wilt do thy best To keep thy mistress and thy fellow, d.i.c.k, Both from my sister and thy master's son, I will entreat thy master let thee go.

HOD. O, ay, I warrant ye, I'll have fine tricks to cosen them.

MR GOUR. Well, sir, then, go your ways; I give you leave.

HOD. O brave! but whereabout are they?

PHIL. About our coney-green they surely are, If thou canst find them.

HOD. O, let me alone to grope for cunnies.

[_Exit_.

PHIL. Well, now will I to Frank and to my sister.

Stand you two heark'ning near the coney-green; But sure your light in you must not be seen; Or else let Nicholas stand afar off with it, And as his life keep it from Mistress Goursey.

Shall this be done?

MR BAR. Philip, it shall.

PHIL. G.o.d be with ye! I'll be gone.

[_Exit_.

MR BAR. Come on, Master Goursey: this same is a means To make our wives friends, if they resist not.

MR GOUR. Tut, sir, howsoever, it shall go forward.

MR BAR. Come, then, let's do as Philip hath advis'd.

[_Exeunt_.