A Select Collection of Old English Plays Volume Vii Part 40

Enter_ SEGASTO, _the_ CLOWN, _and_ RUMBELO.

SEGASTO. Come, sirs; what, shall I never have you Find out Amadine and the shepherd.

CLOWN. And I have been through the woods, and through the woods, And could see nothing but an emmet.

RUMBELO. Why, I see a thousand emmets; thou meanest a little one?

CLOWN. Nay, that emmet that I saw was bigger than thou art.

RUMBELO. Bigger than I? what a fool have you to your man? I pray you, master, turn him away.

SEGASTO. But dost thou hear, was he not a man?

CLOWN. I think he was, for he said he did lead a salt-seller's life about the woods.

SEGASTO. Thou wouldest say, a solitary life about the woods?

CLOWN. I think it was so indeed.

RUMBELO. I thought what a fool thou art.

CLOWN. Thou art a wise man; why, he did nothing but sleep since he went.

SEGASTO. But tell me, Mouse, how did he go?

CLOWN. In a white gown, and a white hat on his head, and a staff in his hand.

SEGASTO. I thought so; it was a hermit that walked a solitary life in the woods. Well, get you to dinner; and after never leave seeking, till you bring some news of them, or I'll hang you both.

[_Exit_.

CLOWN. How now, Rumbelo, what shall we do now?

RUMBELO. Faith, I'll home to dinner, and afterward to sleep.

CLOWN. Why, then thou wilt be hanged.

RUMBELO. Faith, I care not; for I know I shall never find them.

Well, I'll once more abroad, and if I cannot find them, I'll never come home again.

CLOWN. I tell thee what, Rumbelo; thou shalt go in at one end of the wood, and I at the other, and we will meet both together in the midst.

RUMBELO. Content; let's away to dinner.

[_Exeunt.

Enter_ MUCEDORUS _solus_.

MUCEDORUS. Unknown to any here within these woods, With b.l.o.o.d.y Bremo do I lead my life.

The monster he doth murther all he meets; He spareth none, and none doth him escape.

Who would continue--who, but only I-- In such a cruel cutthroat's company?

Yet Amadine is there; how can I choose?

Ah, silly soul! how oftentimes she sits And sighs, and calls, _Come, shepherd, come; Sweet Mucedorus, come and set me free_, When Mucedorus present stands her by!

But here she comes.

_Enter_ AMADINE.

What news, fair lady, as you walk these woods?

AMADINE. Ah, hermit! none but bad, and such As thou knowest.

MUCEDORUS. How do you like Your Bremo and his woods?

AMADINE. Not my Bremo, Nor Bremo's[187] woods.

MUCEDORUS. And why not yours?

Methinks he loves you well.

AMADINE. I like him not.

His love to me is nothing worth.

MUCEDORUS. Lady, in this (methinks) you offer wrong, To hate the man that ever loves you best.

AMADINE. Hermit,[188] I take no pleasure in his love, Neither doth Bremo like me best.

MUCEDORUS. Pardon my boldness, lady,[189] sith we both May safely talk now out of Bremo's sight. Unfold To me (if so you please) the full discourse, How, when, and why you came into these woods, And fell into this b.l.o.o.d.y butcher's hands.

AMADINE. Hermit, I will; Of late a worthy shepherd I did love--

MUCEDORUS. A shepherd, lady? Sure, a man unfit To match with you!

AMADINE. Hermit, 'tis[190] true; and when we had--

MUCEDORUS. Stay there, the wild man comes; Refer the rest until another time.

_Enter_ BREMO.

BREMO. What secret tale is this, what whispering have we here?

Villain, I charge thee tell thy tale again.

MUCEDORUS. If needs I must, lo! here it is again: When as we both had lost the sight of thee, It griev'd us both, but specially the queen.

Who in thy absence ever fears the worst, Lest some mischance befall your royal grace.

Shall my sweet Bremo wander through the woods: Toil to and fro for to redress my wants: Hazard his life, and all to cherish me?

I like not this, quoth she.

And thereupon [she] crav'd to know of me, If I could teach her handle weapons well.

My answer was, I had small skill therein, But glad, most mighty king, to learn of thee.

And this was all.

BREMO. Was't so?

None can dislike of this. I'll teach You both to fight. But first, my queen, begin: Here, take this weapon; see how thou canst use it.