The London Prodigal Part 14

Tis true, and thus I mean to curb him.

This day, brother, I will you shall arrest him: If any thing will tame him, it must be that, For he is ranked in mischief, chained to a life, That will increase his shame, and kill his wife.

UNCLE.

What, arrest him on his wedding day?

That were unchristian, and an unhumane part: How many couple even for that very day Hath purchased 7 year's sorrow afterward?

Forbear him then today, do it tomorrow, And this day mingle not his joy with sorrow.

FATHER.

Brother, I'll have it done this very day, And in the view of all, as he comes from Church: Do but observe the course that he will take.

Upon my life he will forswear the debt: And for we'll have the sum shall not be slight, Say that he owes you near three thousand pound: Good brother, let it be done immediately.

UNCLE.

Well, seeing you will have it so, Brother, I'll do it, and straight provide the Sheriff.

FATHER.

So, brother, by this means shall we perceive What Sir Lancelot in this pinch will do: And how his wife doth stand affected to him-- Her love will then be tried to the uttermost-- And all the rest of them. Brother, what I will do, Shall harm him much, and much avail him too.

[Exit.]

SCENE III. A high road near London.

[Enter Oliver: afterwards Sir Arthur Greenshood.]

OLIVER.

Cham a.s.sured thick be the place, that the scoundrel appointed to meet me: if a come, zo: if a come not, zo. And che war avise, he should make a coystrell an us, ched vese him, and che vang him in hand; che would hoist him, and give it him to and again, zo chud: Who bin a there? Sir Arthur! chil stay aside.

ARTHUR.

I have dogged the Devons.h.i.+re man into the field, For fear of any harm that should befall him: I had an inkling of that yesternight, That Flowerdale and he should meet this morning: Tho, of my soul, Oliver fears him not, Yet for I'd see fair play on either side, Made me to come, to see their valours tried.

G.o.d morrow to Master Oliver.

OLIVER.

G.o.d an good morrow.

ARTHUR.

What, Master Oliver, are you angry?

OLIVER.

Why an it be, t.i.t and grieven you?

ARTHUR.

Not me at all, sir, but I imagine by Your being here thus armed, you stay for some That you should fight withall.

OLIVER.

Why, and he do, che would not dezire you to take his part.

ARTHUR.

No, by my troth, I think you need it not, For he you look for, I think means not to come.

OLIVER.

No, and che war a.s.sur a that, ched avese him in another place.

[Enter Daffodil.]

DAFFODIL.

O Sir Arthur, Master Oliver, aye me!

Your love, and yours, and mine, sweet mistress Lucy, This morn is married to young Flowerdale.

ARTHUR.

Married to Flowerdale! tis impossible.

OLIVER.

Married, man, che hope thou doest but jest, To make an a volowten merriment of it.

DAFFODIL.

O, tis too true. Here comes his Uncle.

[Enter Flowerdale, Sheriff, Officers.]

UNCLE.

G.o.d morrow, Sir Arthur, good morrow, master Oliver.

OLIVER.

G.o.d and good morn, Master Flowerdale. I pray you tellen us, Is your scoundrel kinsman married?

UNCLE.

Master Oliver, call him what you will, but he is married to Sir Lancelot's daughter here.

ARTHUR.

Unto her?

OLIVER.

Aye, ha the old yellow zarved me thick trick?

Why, man, he was a promise, chil chud a had her.

Is a zitch a vox? chil look to his water, che vor him.

UNCLE.

The music plays, they are coming from the Church.

Sheriff, do your Office: fellows, stand stoutly to it.

[Enter all to the Wedding.]

OLIVER.

G.o.d give you joy, as the old zaid Proverb is, and some zorrow among. You met us well, did you not?

LANCELOT.

Nay, be not angry, sir, the fault is in me. I have done all the wrong, kept him from coming to the field to you, as I might, sir, for I am a Justice, and sworn to keep the peace.

WEATHERc.o.c.k.