A Select Collection of Old English Plays Volume Xi Part 52

SPEND. What, must you be gone too, Master Blank?

BLANK. Yes, indeed, sir; I must to the Exchange. [_Exit._

SPEND. Farewell to both. Pursenet, Take that twenty pounds, and give it Mistress Sweatman: Bid her pay her landlord and apothecary, And let her butcher and her baker stay; They're honest men, and I'll take order with them.

PURSE. The butcher and the baker then shall stay.

SPEND. They must, till I am somewhat stronger pursed.

PURSE. If this be all, I have my errand perfect.

[_Exit_ PURSENET.

SPEND. Here, sirrah, here's for b.a.l.l.s; there's for yourself.

BOY. I thank your wors.h.i.+p.

SPEND. Commend me to your mistress. [_Exit._

BOY. I will, sir. In good faith, 'tis the liberall'st gentleman that comes into our court: why, he cares no more for a s.h.i.+lling than I do for a box o' th' ear, G.o.d bless him. [_Exit._

_Enter_ STAINES _gallant_, LONGFIELD, _and a_ SERVANT.

STAINES. Sirrah, what o'clock is't?

SER. Past ten, sir.

STAINES. Here will not be a gallant seen this hour.

SER. Within this quarter, sir, and less: they meet here as soon as at any ordinary in th' town.

STAINES. Hast any tobacco?

SER. Yes, sir.

STAINES. Fill.

LONG. Why, thou report'st miracles, things not to be believed: I protest to thee, hadst thou not unripped thyself to me, I should never have known thee.

STAINES. I tell you true, sir; I was so far gone, that desperation knocked at my elbow, and whispered news to me out of Barbary.[177]

LONG. Well, I am glad so good an occasion stay'd thee at home.

And may'st thou prosper in thy project, and go on With best success of thy invention.

STAINES. False dice say amen; for that's my induction: I do mean to cheat to-day without respect of persons.

When saw'st thou Will Rash?

LONG. This morning at his chamber; he'll be here.

STAINES. Why, then, do thou give him my name and character, for my aim is wholly at my wors.h.i.+pful master.

LONG. Nay, thou shalt take another into him: one that laughs out his life in this ordinary, thanks any man that wins his money: all the while his money is losing, he swears by the cross of this silver; and, when it is gone, he changeth it to the hilts of his sword.

_Enter_ SCATTERGOOD _and_ NINNIHAMMER.

STAINES. He'll be an excellent coach-horse for my captain.

SCAT. Save you, gallants, save you.

LONG. How think you now? have I not carved him out to you?

STAINES. Thou hast lighted me into his heart; I see him thoroughly.

SCAT. Ninnihammer!

NIN. Sir.

SCAT. Take my cloak and rapier also: I think it be early. Gentlemen, what time do you take it to be?

STAINES. Inclining to eleven, sir.

SCAT. Inclining! a good word. I would it were inclining to twelve, for by my stomach it should be high noon. But what shall we do, gallants?

shall we to cards till our company come?

LONG. Please you, sir.

SCAT. Harry, fetch some cards; methinks 'tis an unseemly sight to see gentlemen stand idle. Please you to impart your smoke?

LONG. Very willingly, sir.

SCAT. In good faith, a pipe of excellent vapour.

LONG. The best the house yields.

SCAT. Had you it in the house? I thought it had been your own: 'tis not so good now as I took it to be.[178] Come, gentlemen, what's your game?

STAINES. Why, gleek; that's your only game.

SCAT. Gleek let it be, for I am persuaded I shall gleek some of you.

Cut, sir.

LONG. What play we? twelvepence gleek?

SCAT. Twelvepence? a crown: ud's foot! I will not spoil my memory for twelvepence.

LONG. With all my heart.

STAINES. Honour.