A Select Collection of Old English Plays Volume Xi Part 93

BEV. Will't please you Enter, and rest yourself, refresh the weariness Of your hard travel; I have good wine and fruits: My husband's out of town; you shall command My house, and all that's in't.

TRIN. Why, are you married?

BEV. Have you forgot my husband, an angry roarer?

TRIN. O, I remember him: but if he come?

BEV. Whence grows this fear? how come you so respectful?

You were not wont be numb'd with such a coldness.

Go in, sweet life, go in.

TRIN. I remember while I liv'd in Barbary, A pretty song the Moors sing to a gridiron: Sweet, madam, by your favour, I'll sing to this.

_Alcoch dolash_, &c. Thus 'tis in English-- _My heart in flames doth fry Of thy beauty, While I Die.

Fie!

And why Shouldst thou deny Me thy sweet company?

My brains to tears do flow, While all below Doth glow.

O!

Foe, If so, How canst thou go About to say me no?_

This the Moors call two wings[324] upon a gridiron; But it goes sweeter far o' th' iron instrument.

RON. There's one within my kitchen, ready-strung: go in.

TRIN. Sweet lady, pardon me, I'll follow you.

Happy Antonio in so rare a mistress!

But happier I, that in his place enjoy her: I say still, there's no pleasure like transforming.

SCENE IX.

BEVILONA _and_ TRINCALO; _to them_ RONCA.

RON. Now is the a.s.s expecting of a banquet, Ready to court, embrace, and kiss his mistress.

But I'll soon stave him. What ho! [_Knocks at the door._

BEV. Who's that so boldly knocks? I am not within-- Or busy. Why so importunate? who is't?

RON. 'Tis I.

BEV. Your name?

RON. Thomas ap William ap Morgan ap Davy ap Roger, &c.

TRIN. Spinola's camp's broke loose: a troop of soldiers!

BEV. O me! my husband! O me, wretch! 'tis my husband.

TRIN. One man, and wear so many names!

BEV. O sir, H' has more outrageous devils in his rage Than names. As you respect your life, avoid him: Down at that window----

TRIN. 'Tis as high as Paul's; Open the garden door.

BEV. He has the keys.

Down at some window, as you love your life, Tender my honour, and your safety.

RON. Bevilona!

Down, or I'll break the doors, and with the splinters Beat all thy bones to pieces: down, you wh.o.r.e.

BEV. Be patient but a little; I come instantly.

TRIN. Ha' you no trunk nor chest to hide me?

BEV. None, sir.

Alas, I am clean undone! it is my husband.

RON. Doubtless this wh.o.r.e hath some of her companions, That wrong me thus. But if I catch the villain, I'll bathe my hungry sword and sharp revenge In his heart-blood. Come down!

BEV. I cannot. [_To_ TRINCALO.] Stay; There stands an empty hogshead with a false bottom To ope and shut at pleasure; come hither; in, In, as you love your life.

TRIN. But hear you, madam, Is there no looking-gla.s.s within't? for I hate gla.s.ses As naturally as some do cats or cheese.

BEV. In, in, there's none.

RON. Who now? is the a.s.s pa.s.s'd?

BEV. I tunn'd him up, ha, ha, ha! I fear he'll fall aworking.

RON. Second me handsomely, we'll entertain him An hour or two, and laugh, and get his clothes To make our sport up. [_Aside._] Wife, where's the empty hogshead, That wont to stand under the stairs?

BEV. There still.

RON. Out with it quickly: I must have it fill'd.

BEV. Not to-day, good sir; to-morrow will serve as well.

RON. Out with it quickly: I must have it fill'd.

BEV. Not to-day, good sir; to-morrow will serve as well.

RON. I must ha't now.

BEV. 'Tis more than I can carry.

RON. I'll help thee: so, so. Foh! this vessel's musty.

Fetch out some water.