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Face. These are all broke loose

Out of St. Kath'rine's, where they use to keep

The better sort of mad folks.

1 Nei. All these persons We saw go in and out here. 2 Nei. Yes, indeed, sir.

3 Nei. These were the parties.

Face. Peace, you drunkards. Sir,

I wonder at it! Please you to give me leave

To touch the door : I'll try an the lock be chang'd.

Love. It 'mazes me !

Face. Good faith, sir, I believe

There's no such thing. 'Tis all deceptio visus.

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Would I could get him away! [Dapper cries out within. Dap. Master captain, master doctor.

Love. Who's that?

Face. Our clerk within, that I forgot! [Aside.] I know not, sir.

Dap. For God's sake, when will her grace be at leisure? Face. Ha!

[blocks in formation]

Dap Mine aunt's grace does not use me well.

Sub. You fool,

Peace, you'll mar all.

Face. Or you will else, you rogue.

Love. Oh, is it so? Then you converse with spirits. Come, sir, no more o' your tricks, good Jeremy; 341 The truth's the shortest way.

Face. Dismiss this rabble, sir. What shall I do? I am catch'd.

Love. Good neighbours,

I thank you all. You may depart. Come, sir,
You know that I am an indulgent master;

[Aside.

And therefore conceal nothing. What's your med'cine,
To draw so many several sorts of wild-fowl ?

Face. Sir, you were wont to affect mirth and wit:
(But here's no place to talk on't i' the street.)
Give me but leave to make the best of my fortune,
And only pardon me th' abuse of your house;
Its all I beg. I'll help you to a widow,

In recompence, that you shall give me thanks for, Will make you seven years younger, and a rich one. 'Tis but your putting on a Spanish cloak.

I have her within. You need not fear the house;
It was not visited.

Love. But by me, who came

Sooner than you expected.

Face. It is true, sir.

360

Pray you, forgive me.

Love. Let's see your widow.

[Exeunt.

SCENE II.

A Chamber. Enter SUBTLE, DAPPER, and DoL. Sub. How! ha' you eaten your gag?

Dap. Yes, faith, it crumbled

Away i' my mouth.

Sub. You ha' spoil'd all then.
Dap. No;

I hope my aunt of Fairy will forgive me.
Sub. Your aunt's a gracious lady; but in troth,
You were to blame.

Dap. The fume did overcome me,

And I did do't to stay my stomach. Pray you,
So satisfy her grace.

Enter FACE.

Face. How now! Is his mouth down?

Sub. Ay, he has spoken.

Face. A pox! I heard him, and you too-He's un

done then

I have been fain to say the house is haunted

With spirits, to keep Churl back.

Sub. And hast thou done it ?

Face. Sure, for this night.

Sub. Why, then triumph and sing Of Face so famous, the precious king Of present wits.

Face. Did you not hear the coil About the door?

380

Sub. Yes, and I dwindled with it.

Face. Shew him his aunt, and let him be dispatch'd:

I'll send her to you.

Drugger is at the door; go take his suit,

And bid him fetch a parson presently.

Say, he shall marry the widow. "Thou shalt spend "A hundred pounds by the service." [Exeunt Dapper and Subtle.] Now, queen Dol,

Ha' you pack'd up all?

Dol. Yes.

Face. And how do you like

The lady Pliant?

Dol. A good dull innocent.

Re-enter SUBTLE.

Sub. Here's your Hieronymo's cloak and hat. 400

Face. Give me 'em.

Sub. And the ruff too.

Face. Yes: I'll come to you presently.

Sub. Now is he gone about his project, Dol,

I told you of, for the widow.

Dol. 'Tis direct

Against our articles.

Sub. Well, we'll fit him, wench.

[Exit.

Hast thou gull'd her of her jewels, or her bracelets?

Dol. No, but I will do't.

Sub. Soon at night, my Dolly,

When we are shipp'd, and all our goods aboard,
Eastward for Ratcliff, we will turn our course

To Brainford, westward, if thou say'st the word,

And take our leave of this o'erweening rascal,

This peremptory Face.

Dol. Content;

I'm weary of him.

Sub. We'll tickle it at the pigeons,

When we have all, and may unlock the trunks, And say, this's mine and thine, and thine and mine.

Enter FACE.

[They kiss.

Face. What now, a billing?

Sub. Yes, a little exalted,

In the good passage of our stock affairs.

"Face Drugger has brought his parson; take him

in, Subtle,

"And send Nab back again to wash his face.

"Sub. I will: and shave himself.

"Face. If you can get him.

[Exit.

"Dol. You are hot upon it, Face, whate'er it is!

"Face. A trick that Dol shall spend ten pounds a

month by.

"Is he gone?

Enter SUBTLE.

"Sub. The chaplain waits you i' the hall, sir.

"Face. I'll go bestow him.

"Dol. He'll now marry her instantly.

[Exit.

"Sub. He cannot yet, he is not ready. Dear Dol,

"Cozen her all thou canst. To deceive him

"Is no deceit, but justice that would break

"Such an inextricable tie as ours was.

"Dol. Let me alone to fit him.

M

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