A Select Collection of Old English Plays Volume Vii Part 90

JOHN. Where's Gloster, Fauconbridge?

FAU. Sweet prince, I know not.

JOHN. Come, jest not with me: tell me where he is?

FAU. I never saw him since the Parl'ament.

JOHN. Impudent liar, didst thou not even now Say thou wouldst fetch him? Hadst thou not my sword?

FAU. Wert thou a king, I will not bear the lie.

Thy sword? no, boy; thou seest this sword is mine.

BLO. My master a liar? Zounds, wert thou a potentate!

FAU. I scorn to wear thy arms, untutor'd child, I fetch thee, Gloster, shameless did I see thee, Since as I went this morning to the Sheriffs, Thou borrow'dst my gold chain!

JOHN. Thy chain?

FAU. I hope thou wilt not cheat me, princ.o.c.ks John!

JOHN. I'll cheat thee of thy life, if thou charge me With any chain.

FAU. Come, let him come, I pray, I'll whip ye, boy, I'll teach you to out-face.

BLO. Come, come, come! but one at once; ye dastards, come.

RICH. Keep the king's peace, I see you are both deceiv'd, He that was last here was not Fauconbridge.

FAU. They slander me; who says that I was here?

RICH. We do believe ye, sir; nor do you think My brother John deceiv'd you of a chain.

FAU. He did; I did deliver it with this hand.

JOHN. I'll die upon the slanderer.

FAU. Let the boy come.

BLO. Aye, let him come, let him come.

RICH. Fellow, thou speak'st even now, as if Prince John Had been at some old tavern in the town!

BLO. Aye, sir, I came up now but from the Salutation, And a drawer, that doth not use to lie, told me Prince John hath been there all this afternoon.

JOHN. The devil in my likeness then is there.

FAU. The devil in thy likeness or thyself Had my gold chain.

JOHN. Thou art the devil; for thou Hadst my good sword, all these can witness it.

FAU. G.o.d's mother, thou beliest me.

JOHN. Give me the lie?

RICH. Nay, calm this fury; let's down to the tavern; Or one or both: these counterfeits are there.

FAU. I know him well enough, that had my chain, And there be two Johns, if I find one there.

By'r Lady, I will lay him fast.

RICH. It is this Skink that mocks us, I believe.

JOHN. Alas, poor Skink; it is the devil Gloster, Who if I be so happy once to find, I'll give contentment to his troubled mind.

RICH. I hope he's far enough, and free enough, Yet these conceits, I know, delight his soul. [_Aside_.

Follow me, Blocker, follow me, honest Blocker.

BLO. Much follow you! I have another piece of work in hand; I hear say Redcap's father shall be hanged this afternoon, I'll see him slip a string, though I give my service the slip; besides, my lady bad me hear his examination at his death. I'll get a good place, and pen it word for word, and as I like it, let out a mournful ditty to the tune of "Labandalashot," or "Row Well, ye Mariners," or somewhat as my muse shall me invoke.

[_Exit_.

SCENE THE TWENTY-FIRST.

_Enter_ GLOSTER _like_ FAUCONBRIDGE, _with a_ PURSUIVANT; GLOSTER _having a paper in his hand, the_ PURSUIVANT _bare_.

GLO. A charitable deed, G.o.d bless the king; He shall be then reprieved.

PUR. Ay, sir, some day or two, Till the young king and Prince John change it-- Especially if the good earl be not found, Which G.o.d forbid!

GLO. What house is this, That we are stepp'd into, to read this warrant in?

PUR. A tavern, sir, the Salutation.

GLO. A tavern?

Then I will turn prodigal; call for a pint Of sack, good fellow.

PUR. Drawer!

DRA. [_Within_.] Anon, sir.

_Enter_ DRAWER.

GLO. A pint of thy best sack, my pretty youth.

DRA. G.o.d bless your wors.h.i.+p, sir; Ye shall have the best in London, sir.

GLO. What, know'st thou me I know'st thou old Fauconbridge?