A Select Collection of Old English Plays Volume Xi Part 91

RON. Just aesop's crow, trink'd up in borrow'd feathers.

TRIN. My veins are fill'd with newness: O, for a chirurgeon To ope this arm, and view my gentle blood, To try if't run two thousand pounds a year.

I feel my understanding is enlarg'd With the rare knowledge of this latter age: A sacred fury oversways me. Prime!

Deal quickly, play, discard, I set ten s.h.i.+llings and sixpence.

You see't? my rest, five-and-fifty.[318] Boy, more cards!

And, as thou go'st, lay out some roaring oaths For me; I'll pay thee again with interest.

O brave Alb.u.mazar!

RON. How his imagination Boils, and works in all things he ever saw or heard!

TRIN. At gleek? content.

A murnival of aces, gleek of knaves: Just nine apiece. Sir, my grey Barbary 'Gainst your dun cow, three train cents and th' course, For fifty pound. As I am a gentleman, I'll meet next c.o.c.king, and bring a haggard[319] with me, That stoops as free as lightning,[320] strikes like thunder.

I lie? my reputation, you shall hear on't.

O brave Alb.u.mazar!

RON. He'll grow stark mad, I fear me.

TRIN. Now I know I am perfectly transform'd; my mind incites me To challenge some brave fellow for my credit; And, for more safety, get some friend in private To take the business up in peace and quiet.

RON. Signior Antonio!

TRIN. There's not a crumb of Trincalo In all this frame but the love of Armellina: Were't not for thee, I'd travel, and [come] home again, As wise as I went over.

RON. Signior Antonio! welcome ten thousand times: Bless'd be the heavens and seas for your return.

TRIN. I thank you, sir: Antonio is your servant, I am glad to see you well-- Fie! I kiss your hands, and thus accost you.

RON. This three months all your kindred, friends, and children, Mourn'd for your death.

TRIN. And so they well might do, For five days I was under water; and, at length, Got up and spread myself upon a chest, Rowing with arms, and steering with my feet; And thus, in five days more, got land. Believe it, I made a most incredible escape And safe return from Barbary. At your service.

RON. Welcome ten thousand times from Barbary; No friend more glad to see Antonio Than I: nor am I thus for hope of gain; But that I find occasion to be grateful By your return. Do you remember, sir, Before you went, as I was once arrested, And could not put in bail, you, pa.s.sing by, Lent me ten pound, and so discharg'd the debt?

TRIN. Yes, yes, as well as 'twere but yesterday.

RON. Oft have I waited at your house with money And many thanks; but you were still beyond seas.

Now am I happy of this fair occasion To testify my honest care to you; For you may need it.

TRIN. Sir, I do indeed, Witness my treasure cast away by s.h.i.+pwreck.

RON. Here, sir.

TRIN. Is the gold good? for mine was good I lent you.

RON. It was, and so is this. Signior Antonio, for this courtesy Call me your servant. [_Exit._

TRIN. Farewell, good servant; ha, ha, ha, ha, ha! I know not so much as his name! Ten pound! This change is better than my birth; for, in all the years of my yeomanry, I could never yoke two crowns, and now I have herded ten fair twenty-s.h.i.+lling pieces. Now will I go to this astrologer, and hire him to turn my cart to a caroch, my four jades to two pair of Dutch mares, my Mistress Armellina to a lady, my ploughboy d.i.c.k to two garded footmen[321]. Then will I hurry myself to the mercer's books, wear rich clothes, be called Tony by a great man, sell my lands, pay no debts, hate citizens, and beat Serjeants: and when all fails, sneak out of Antonio with a twopenny looking-gla.s.s, and turn as true Trincalo as ever.

SCENE VI.

HARPAX, TRINCALO.

HAR. Signior Antonio, welcome.

TRIN. My life, here's ten pound more, I thank you heartily.

HAR. Never in fitter season could I find you.

If you remember, sir, before you went To Barbary, I lent you ten pound in gold.

TRIN. Faith, I remember no such thing, excuse me.

What may I call your name?

HAR. My name is Harpax, Your friend and neighbour, of your old acquaintance.

TRIN. What, Harpax! I am your servant; I kiss your hands.

You must excuse me; you never lent me money.

HAR. Sir, as I live, ten twenty-s.h.i.+lling pieces.

TRIN. Dangers at sea, I find, have hurt my memory.

HAR. Why, here's your own handwriting, seal'd and sign'd In presence of your cousin Julio.

TRIN. 'Tis true, 'tis true; but I sustain'd great losses By reason of the s.h.i.+pwreck. Here's five pieces; Will that content you? and to-morrow morning Come to my house and take the rest.

HAR. Well, sir, Though my necessity would importune you For all, yet, on your wors.h.i.+p's word, the rest I'll call for in the morning. Farewell, Antonio. [_Exit._

TRIN. I see we gentlemen can sometimes borrow As well as lend; and are as loth to pay As meaner men. I'll home, lest other creditors Call for the rest.

SCENE VII.

RONCA, TRINCALO.

RON. Signior Antonio! I saw you as you landed, And in great haste follow'd, to congratulate Your safe return with these most wish'd embraces.

TRIN. And I accept your joy with like affection.

How do you call yourself?

RON. Have you forgot Your dear friend Ronca, whom you lov'd so well?

TRIN. O, I remember now, my dear friend Ronca.

RON. Thanks to the fortune of the seas, that sav'd you.

TRIN. I fear I owe him money.

How shall I s.h.i.+ft him? [_Aside._]

How does your body, Ronca?