The Merry Devill of Edmonton Part 10

CLARE.

But whither, Raymond?

MOUNTCHENSEY.

To Brian's upper lodge in Enfield Chase; He is mine honest Friend and a tall keeper; I'll send my man unto him presently T' acquaint him with your coming and intent.

FABELL.

Be brief and secret.

MOUNTCHENSEY.

Soon at night remember You bring your horses to the willow ground.

JERNINGHAM.

Tis done; no more!

CLARE.

We will not fail the hour.

My life and fortune now lies in your power.

FABELL.

About our business! Raymond, let's away!

Think of your hour; it draws well of the day.

[Exit.]

ACT IV.

SCENE I. Enfield Chase.

[Enter Blague, Smug, and Sir John.]

BLAGUE.

Come, ye Hungarian pilchers, we are once more come under the zona torrida of the forest. Let's be resolute, let's fly to and again; and if the devil come, we'll put him to his Interrogatories, and not budge a foot. What? s'foot, I'll put fire into you, ye shall all three serve the good Duke of Norfolk.

SMUG.

Mine host, my bully, my pretious consull, my n.o.ble Holofernes, I have been drunk i' thy house twenty times and ten, all's for that: I was last night in the third heavens, my brain was poor, it had yest in 't; but now I am a man of action; is 't not so, lad?

BANKS.

Why, now thou hast two of the liberall sciences about thee, wit and reason, thou maist serve the Duke of Europe.

SMUG.

I will serve the Duke of Christendom, and do him more credit in his celler then all the plate in his b.u.t.tery; is 't not so, lad?

SIR JOHN.

Mine host and Smug, stand there; Banks, you and your horse keep together; but lie close, shew no tricks, for fear of the keeper. If we be scared, we'll meet in the Church-porch at Enfield.

SMUG.

Content, sir John.

BANKS.

Smug, dost not thou remember the tree thou felst out of last Night?

SMUG.

Tush, and 't had been as high as the Abbey, I should nere have hurt my self; I have fallen into the river, coming home from Waltham, and scapt drowning.

SIR JOHN.

Come, sever, fear no sprits! We'll have a Buck presently; we have watched later then this for a Doe, mine Host.

HOST.

Thou speakst as true as velvet.

SIR JOHN.

Why then, come! Gra.s.s and hay, etc.

[Exeunt.]

[Enter Clare, Jerningham, and Milliscent.]

CLARE.

Franke Jerningham!

JERNINGHAM.

Speak softly, rogue; how now?

CLARE.

S'foot, we shall lose our way, it's so dark; whereabouts are we?

JERNINGHAM.

Why, man, at Potters gate; the way lies right: hark! the clock strikes at Enfield; what's the hour?

CLARE.

Ten, the bell says.

JERNINGHAM.

A lies in's throat, it was but eight when we set out of Chesson. Sir John and his s.e.xton are at ale to night, the clock runs at random.

CLARE.

Nay, as sure as thou liv'st, the villanous vicar is abroad in the chase this dark night: the stone Priest steals more venison then half the country.

JERNINGHAM.

Milliscent, how dost thou?

MILLISCENT.

Sir, very well.

I would to G.o.d we were at Brians lodge.

CLARE.