A Select Collection of Old English Plays Volume Vii Part 82

FAU. He did but try her! would she have been tried, It had gone hard on this and on this side. [_Aside_.

RICH. And since I see your virtue so confirm'd, As vice can have no entrance in your heart, I vow, in sight of heaven, never again, To move like question but for love.

FAU. My heart is eased; hold, Block, take up my cloak.

BLO. And your cap, too, sir?[474]

[_Sir_ RICH. FAUC. _comes forward_.

RICH. Sir Richard!

FAU. What, sweet Prince, welcome, i'faith, I see youth quickly gets the start of age; But welcome, welcome; and, young Huntington, Sweet Robin Hood, honour's best flow'ring bloom, Welcome to Fauconbridge with all my heart!

How cheers my love, how fares my Marian, ha?

Be merry, chuck, and, Prince Richard, welcome.

Let it go, Mall; I know thy grievances.

Away, away; tut, let it pa.s.s, sweet girl.

We needs must have his help about the earls. [_Aside_.

LADY F. Let it not be delay'd, dear Fauconbridge.

RICH. Sir Richard, first make suit unto my father, I'll follow you to Court, and second you.

FAU. Follow to court, ha? then I smell a rat, It's probable he'll have a bout again; Long siege makes entrance to the strongest fort.

It must not be; I must not leave him here. [_Aside_.

Prince Richard, if you love my brother's good, Let's ride back to the court: I'll wait on you.

RICH. He's jealous; but I must observe the time. [_Aside_.

We'll ride unto the court; I'll leave my boy Till we return; are you agreed to this?

FAU. O, ay, he is an honourable youth, Virtuous and modest, Huntington's right heir, His father Gilbert was the smoothest-fac'd lord That e'er bare arms in England or in France.

RICH. Solicit,[475] Robin: Lady, give good ear, And of your brother's freedom never fear. [_Aside_.

FAU. Marian, farewell; where's Block? open the gate; Come, Prince, G.o.d send us to prove fortunate.

[_Exeunt_.

LADY F. Why do you stay,[476] sir?

ROB. Madam, as a lieger to solicit for your absent love.

LADY F. Walk in the garden; I will follow you, I'faith, i'faith, you are a n.o.ble wag.

ROB. An honourable wag and waggish earl, Even what you will, sweet lady, I must bear, Hoping of patience profit will ensue, That you will bear the Prince as I bear you.

LADY F. Well said, well said, I'll have these toys amended, Go, will you walk into the garden, sir?

ROB. But will you promise me to bring no maids, To set upon my little mans.h.i.+p there?

You threat'ned whipping, and I am in fear.

LADY F. Upon my word, I'll bring none but myself.

ROB. You see I am weapon'd, do not, I beseech thee.[477]

I'll stab them, come there twenty, ere they breech me.

[_Exit_.

LADY F. This youth and Richard think me easily won; But Marian rather will embrace The bony carcase of dismaying death, Than prove unchaste to n.o.ble Fauconbridge.

Richard,[478] King Henry's son, is light, Wanton, and loves not humble modesty, Which makes me (much contrary to my thoughts) Flatter his humour for my brother's safety, But I protest I'll dwell among the dead, Ere I pollute my sacred nuptial bed.

[_Exit_.

SCENE THE ELEVENTH.

_Enter_ GLOSTER _in his gown, calling_.

GLO. Porter, what, porter, where's this drowsy a.s.s?

_Enter_ PORTER.

POR. Who calls? my Lord of Gloucester all alone?

GLO. Alone, and have your wisdom's company!

Pray, where's the stammering chatterer, your son?

He's ever running; but he makes small haste.

I'll bring his lither legs in better frame, And if he serve me thus another time-- [_Knock within_.

Hark, sir, your clients knock; and't be your pye, Let him[479] vouchsafe to chatter us some news, Tell him we dance attendance in our chamber.

[_Exit_ PORTER.

This John and Henry are so full of hate, That they will have my head by some device, Gloster hath plotted means for an escape, And if it fadge,[480] why so; if not, then well.

The way to heaven is death, this life's a h.e.l.l.

SCENE THE TWELFTH.

_Enter_ PORTER _and_ SKINK.

POR. Why should the watchman come along with thee?

SKINK. There's such, a que-question for yon s-same r-rogue; Skink, p-plague keep [me] far enough from him, that a-an-honest f-fellow ca-can-not w-w-walk the streets.

POR. Well, sir, dispatch your business with the earl; He's angry at your stay, I tell ye that.

[_Exit_.

SKINK. 'Sblood, what a frown this Gloster casts at me; I hope he means to lend me no more cuffs, Such as he paid me at the Parliament. [_Aside_.