Is made a countess.

She's now in travail

Of a young heir for you.

Face. Good, sir.

Sub. Off with your case,

And greet her kindly, as a bridegroom should, 600 After these common hazards.

Face. Very well, sir.

Will you go fetch don Diego off the while?

Sub. And fetch him over, too, if you'll be pleas'd, sir, Would Dol were in her place to pick his pockets now. Face. Why, you can do it as well, if you would set

to't.

I pray you prove your virtue.

Sub. For your sake, sir.

[Exeunt.

SCENE III.

The Alchymist's Room. Enter SURLY and DAME PLIANT.

Sur. Lady, you see into what hands you are fall'n! 'Mongst what a nest of villains! and how near Your honour was to've catch'd a certain ruin (Through your credulity)" had I but been "So punctually forward, as place, time,

"And other circumstances would ha' made a man: "For yo'are a handsome woman, would you were wise too."

I am a gentleman come here disguis'd,

Only to find the knaveries of this citadel,

And where I might ha'wrong'd your honour,and ha'not, I claim some interest in your love. You are,

They say, a widow, rich; and I am a batchelor, 620 Worth nought: your fortunes may make me a man, As mine ha' preserv'd you a woman. Think upon it, And whether I have deserv'd you, or no.

Pli. I will, sir.

Sur. And for these houshold-rogues, let me alone To treat with them.

Enter SUBTLE.

Sub. How doth my noble Diego?

And my dear madam countess? Hath the count
Been courteous, lady? liberal, and open?
Donsel, methinks you look melancholic
After your coicum, and scurvy! Truly,
I do not like the dullness of your eye,
It hath a heavy cast; 'tis Upsee-Dutch,
And says you are a lumpish whore-master.
Be lighter; I will make your pockets so.

[He falls to picking of them. Sur. Will you, don bawd, and pick-purse? How now? Reel you?

Stand up, sir; you shall find, since I am so heavy,

I'll give you equal weight.

Sub. Help, murder?

Sur. No, sir, there's no such thing intended. A

good cart,

And a clean whip, shall ease you of that fear.

640

This cheater would ha' cozen'd thee o' the widow.

[To Abe.

He owes this honest Drugger, here, seven pounds,
He has had on him in two-penn'orths of tobacco.
Drug. Yes, sir; and he has damn'd himself three
Terms to pay me.

Face. And what does he owe for lotium?
Drug. Thirty shillings, sir.

And for six syringes.

Sur. Hydra of villany!

600

Face. Nay, sir, you must quarrel him out o' the house. Kas. I will, Sir, if you get not out o'doors, you lie ; And you are a pimp.

Sur. Why, this is madness, sir,

Not valour in you. I must laugh at this.

Kas. It is my humour. You are a pimp, and a trig, And an Amadis de Gaul, or a Don Quixote. Drug. Or aknight o'the curious coxcomb,do you see?

Enter ANANIAS.

Ana. Peace to the houshold.

Kas. I'll keep peace for no man.

Ana. Casting of dollars is concluded lawful.

Kas. Is he the constable ?

Sub. Peace, Ananias.

Face. No, sir.

Kas. Then, you are an otter, and a shad, a whit,

A very Tim.

Sur. You'll hear me, sir?

Kas. I will not.

620

1

Ana. What is the motive ? Sub. Zeal in the gentlemen, Against his Spanish slops.

Ana. They are prophane,

Lewd, superstitious, and idolatrous breeches.
Sur. New rascals!

Kas. Will you begone, sir?

Ana. Avoid, satan.

Thou art not of the light. That ruff of pride
About thy neck betrays thee, and is the same
With that which the unclean birds, in seventy-seven,
Were seen to prank it with on divers coasts.
Thou look'st like Antichrist, in the lewd hat.
Sur. I must giye way.

Kas. Begone, sir.

Sur. But I'll take a course with you.
Ana. Depart, proud Spanish fiend.

Sur. Captain and doctor

Ana. Child of perdition!

640

Kas. Hence, sir.

[They fight. Exit Surly.

Did I not quarrel bravely ?

Face. Yes, indeed, sir.

Kas. Nay, an I give my mind to't, I shall do't.

Drug. Well, and how did I?

Face. Very well;

But you must follow, sir, and threaten him tame;

He'll turn again else.

Kas. I'll return him then.

Face. Drugger, this rogue prevented us;

for thee,

We had determin'd that thou shouldst ha' come

In a Spanish suit, and ha' carried her so; and he,
A brokerly slave, goes, puts it on himself.
Hast brought the damask?

Drug. Yes, sir.

Face. Thou must borrow

A Spanish suit. Hast thou no credit with the players? Drug. Yes, sir. Did you never see me play the fool? Face. Thou shalt, if I can help it.

Hieronymo's old cloak, ruff, and hat will serve; 660

[Subtle hath whispered him this while.

I'll tell thee more when thou bring'st them.

Drug. Did not I behave well?

The Spaniard hates the brethren, and hath spies
Upon their actions: "and that this was one,
"I make no scruple. But the holy synod
"Have been in prayer and meditation for it.”
And 'tis reveal'd no less to them than me,
That casting of money is most lawful.

Sub. True;

But here I cannot do it. If the house

Should chance to be suspected, all would out,
And we be lock'd up in the Tower for ever,

To make gold there for the state; never come out;
And then you are defeated.

Ana. I will tell

This to the elders, and the weaker brethren,
That the whole company of the separation

680