A Select Collection of Old English Plays Volume Vii Part 81

SKINK. If I be rid of this evil angel that haunts me, many rings, much Fleet, will Skink come unto. [_Aside_.

CON. Madam, if you know this fellow, we'll discharge him.

BLO. Madam, and you be wise, trust your honest neighbours here; let them bring this ca-ca-ca-ca-to the Fleet, and s-see your ring delivered.

SKINK. A plague upon you for a d.a.m.ned rogue!

The porter of the Fleet will surely know me. [_Aside_.

LADY F. Good neighbours, bring this honest fellow thither; There's for his pains a crown, if he say true, And for your labour there's as much for you.

SKINK. Why, ma-ma-madam, I am Re-Re-Redcap, the porter's son.

LADY F. Thou hast no wrong in this; farewell, good fellow.

SKINK. Best speaking to Prince Richard? no, I'll try And face out Redcap, if the slave were by.

LADY F. Make them drink, Block.

BLO. Come to the b.u.t.tery-bar, st.i.tty-st.i.tty stammerer; come, honest Constable, hey! the watch of our town; we'll drink, try-lill, i'faith.

SCENE THE TENTH.

_As they go out, enters_ SIR RICHARD FAUCONBRIDGE, _stealing forward_, PRINCE _and_ LADY _talking_.[471]

ROB. _Lupus in fabula_, my n.o.ble Lord; See the old fox, Sir Richard Fauconbridge.

RICH. We'll fit him well enough; second us, Robin.

LADY F. I'll fit you well enough for all your hope.

[FAUC. _beckons to_ BLOCK.

FAU. Leave quaffing, sirrah, listen to their talk.

BLO. O, while you live, beware, two are sooner seen than one; besides, bear a brain, master, if Block should be now spied, my madam would not trust this sconce neither in time nor tide.

FAU. Well, leave me, now it buds; see, see, they kiss.

BLO. Adieu, good old sinner, you may recover it with a sallet of parsley and the herb patience; if not, sir, you know the worst.

It's but even this.

RICH. Madam, what you desire, I not deny, But promise Gloster life and liberty.

I beg but love.

FAU. When doth she give her alms? [_Aside_.

LADY F. Fair, honourable prince.

FAU. Nay, then, they speed. [_Aside_.

LADY F. My soul hath your deserts in good esteem.

FAU. Witness these goodly tines[472], that grace my head. [_Aside_.

LADY F. But were you the sole monarch of the earth, Your power were insufficient to invade My never-yielding heart of chast.i.ty.

FAU. Sayst thou so, Mall? I promise thee for this, I'll owe thy cherry lips an old man's kiss; Look, how my c.o.c.kerell droops; 'tis no matter, I like it best, when women will not flatter. [_Aside_.

RICH. Nay, but sweet lady--

ROB. Nay, but gracious lord, Do not so much forget your princely worth As to tempt[473] virtue t' unchast.i.ty.

FAU. O n.o.ble youth! [_Aside_.

ROB. Let not the lady's dead grief for her brother Give life to shameless and detested sin.

FAU. Sweet child. [_Aside_.

ROB. Consider that she is of high descent.

FAU. Most virtuous earl. [_Aside_.

ROB. Wife to the n.o.blest knight that ever breath'd.

FAU. Now, blessing on thee, blessed Huntington! [_Aside_.

ROB. And would you then first stain your princely stock, Wrong beauty, virtue, honour, chast.i.ty, And blemish Fauconbridge's untainted arms?

FAU. By adding horns unto our falcon's head?

Well thought on, n.o.ble youth: 'twas well put in. [_Aside_.

LADY F. Besides, my gracious lord,--

FAU. Tickle him, Mall, Plague him on that side for his hot desire.

LADY F.--however secretly great princes sin.

FAU. O, now the spring! she'll do it secretly. [_Aside_.

LADY F. The King of all hearts will have all sins known.

FAU. Ah, then she yields not! [_Aside_.

RICH. Lady, here's my hand.

I did but try your honourable faith.