A Select Collection of Old English Plays Volume Vii Part 99

But now I shall have ease; here comes the saint, To whom such suit was made.

BLO. My lady gentlewoman is even here in her privity-walk. Madam, here's the merchant's wife was here yesterday would speak with ye.

O, I was somewhat bold to bring her in.

_Enter_ LADY FAUCONBRIDGE, _disguised as a merchant's wife_.

ROB. Well, leave us, sir; y'are welcome, gentlewoman.

BLO. These women have no liberality in the world in them; I never let in man to my lady, but I am rewarded.

ROB. Please ye to walk, sir! wherefore mumble ye?

[_Exit_ BLOCK.

LADY F. Robin, what news? how hast thou done this night?

ROB. My ladys.h.i.+p hath done my part, my task, Lain all alone for lack of company, I might have had Prince Richard.

LADY F. Was he here!

ROB. He went away but now; I have been lov'd and woo'd too simply, G.o.d rid me of the woman once again; I'll not be tempted so for all the world.

Come, will you to your chamber, and uncase?

LADY F. Nay, keep my habit yet a little while, Old Fauconbridge is almost at the gate, I met him at Blackheath just at the hermit's, And, taking me to be a merchant's wife, Fell mightily in love, gave me his ring, Made me protest that I would meet him here.

I told him of his lady--O, tut, quoth he, I'll shake her up, I'll pack her out of sight.

He comes; kind Robin Hood, hold up the jest.

_Enter_ SIR RICHARD FAUCONBRIDGE _and_ BLOCK, _talking together_.

FAU. G.o.d's marry, knave, how long hath she been here?

BLO. Sir, she came but even in afore you.

FAU. A cunning quean, a very cunning quean, Go to your business, Block; I'll meet with her.

BLO. Ah, old muttonmonger, I believe here's work towards.

[_Exit_.

FAU. [_seeing the merchant's wife_].

Do not believe her. Moll, do not believe her, I only spake a word or two in jest, But would not for the world have been so mad; Do not believe her, Moll, do not believe her.

ROB. What should I not believe? what do you mean?

LADY F. Why, good Sir Richard, let me speak with you.

Alas, will you undo me? will you shame me?

Is this your promise? came I here for this?

To be a laughing-stock unto your lady?

ROB. How now, Sir Richard, what's the matter there?

FAU. I'll talk with you anon; come hither, woman.

Did'st [thou] not tell my wife what match we made?

LADY F. I tell your wife? think ye I am such a beast?

Now G.o.d forgive ye; I am quite undone.

FAU. Peace, duck; peace, duck; I warrant all is well. [_Aside_.

Rob. What's the matter? I pray ye, Sir Richard, tell me!

FAU. Marry, Moll, thus--about some twelve month since, Your brother Gloster, that mad prodigal, Caus'd me to pa.s.s my word unto her husband For some two thousand pounds, or more perchance-- No matter what it is, you shall not know, Nay, ye shall never ask to know.

ROB. And what of this?

FAU. Many, the man's decayed, And I believe a little thing would please her; A very little thing, a thing of nothing.

Go in, good Moll, and leave us two alone, I'll deal with ye as simply as I can.

LADY F. Fox, look about ye, ye are caught, i'faith.

ROB. Deal with her simply! O, O, what kind of dealing?

Can ye not deal with her, and I be by?

FAU. Marry a G.o.d, what, are ye jealous?

Ye teach me what to do? in, get you in.

O, I have heard Prince Richard was your guest, How dwelt you then? In, get you in, I say.

Must I take care about your brother's debts, And you stand crossing me? In, or I'll send you in. [_Exit_ ROBIN.

Ha, sirrah; you'll be master, you'll wear the yellow,[524]

You'll be an over-seer? marry, shall ye!

LADY F. Ye are too curst (methinks, sir) to your lady.

FAU. Ah, wench, content thee, I must bear her hard, Else she'll be prying[525] into my dalliance.

I am an old man, sweet girl; I must be merry: All steel, all spright: keep in health by change; Men may be wanton, women must not range.

LADY F. You have given good counsel, sir; I'll repent me.

Here is your ring; I'll only love my husband.

FAU. I mean not so, I think to-day thou told'st me Thy husband was an unthrift and a bankrupt.

And he be so, tut, thou hast favour store; Let the knave beg, beauty cannot be poor.

LADY F. Indeed my husband is a bankrupt-- Of faith, of love, of shame, of chast.i.ty, Dotes upon other women more than me.

FAU. Ha! do he so? then give him t.i.t for tat, Have one so young and fair, and loves another?

He's worthy to be cuckolded, by the ma.s.s!

What is he, old or young?

LADY F. About your age.

FAU. An old knave, And cannot be content with such a peat!