A Select Collection of Old English Plays Volume Vii Part 78

He stammers; but he's swift and trusty, sir.

SCENE THE FOURTH.

_Enter_ REDCAP.

GLO. No matter for the stammering; is this he?

RED. Ay, I am Re-Redcap, s-s-sir.

GLO. Run. Redcap, to Stepney.

RED. I'll be at Stepney p-p-presently.

GLO. Nay, stay; go to the Lady Fauconbridge, my sister.

RED. The La-La-Lady Fau-Fau-Fauconbreech?

I r-r-run, sir!

GLO. But take thy errand; tell her I am prisoner, Committed to the Fleet.

RED. I am g-g-glad of th-th-that, my fa-fa-father the p-p-porter sha-shall ge-ge-get a f-f-fee by you.

[_Still runs_.

GLO. Stand still a while--desire her to make means Unto Prince Richard for my liberty; At thy return (make speed) I will reward thee.

RED. I am g-g-gone, si-sir.

RICH. Commend me to her, gentle Huntington; Tell her in these affairs I'll stand her friend, Her brother shall not long be prisoner: Say I will visit her immediately.

Begone, sweet boy, to Marion Fauconbridge, Thou lookest like love: persuade her to be loving.

ROB. So far as honour will, I will persuade; I'll lay love's battery to her modest ears; Second my mild a.s.sault, you may chance win, Fair parley at the least may hap pa.s.s in.

[_Exit_.

HEN. Here, take your charge; let no man speak with him, Except ourself, our brethren, or Earl Leicester.

FAU. Not I, my lord? may not I speak with him?

HEN. Yes, Fauconbridge, thou shalt.

JOHN. And why? he is his wife's brother.

FAU. Earl John, although I be, I am true unto the state, and so is he.

GLO. What, shall I have no servant of my own?

HEN. No, but the household servants of the Fleet.

GLO. I thank you, kinsman King; your father knows, Gloster may boldly give a base slave blows.

FAU. O, but not here; it was not well done here.

KING. Farewell, good Gloster, you shall hear from us.

GLO. Even what your sons will suffer you to send.

Is't not a misery to see you stand, That sometime was the monarch of this land, Intreating traitors for a subject's freedom?

LEI. Let him not speak; away with him to prison.

GLO. Here's like to be a well-stay'd commonwealth, Wherein proud Leicester and licentious John Are pillars for the king to lean upon.

JOHN. We'll hear your railing lecture in the Fleet.

GLO.[461] On thy displeasure--well ye have me here.

O, that I were within my fort of Bungay, Whose walls are wash'd with the clear streams of Waveney,[462]

Then would not Gloster pa.s.s a halfpenny, For all these rebels and their poor king too.[463]

Laughtst thou, King Henry? Thou know'st my words are true, G.o.d help thee, good old man! adieu, adieu!

JOHN. That castle shall be mine, wherein stands[464] Fauconbridge.

FAU. Far from your reach, sure, under f.e.c.khill-ridge, Five hundred men (England hath few such wight) Keep it for Gloster's use both day and night: But you may easily win it. Wantons' words Quickly can master men, tongues out-brawl swords!

JOHN. Ye are an idiot.

RICH. I prythee, John, forbear.

JOHN. What, shall old winter with his frosty jests Cross flow'ry pleasures?

FAU. Ay, and nip you too!

G.o.d Mary mother,[465] I would tickle you, Were there no more in place but I and you.

KING. Cease these contentions; forward to the Tower.

Release Queen Elinor, and leave me there.

Your prisoner I am, sure, if ye had power; There's nothing let's you but the Commons' fear: Keep your state, lords; we will by water go, Making the fresh Thames salt with tears of woe.

HEN. And we'll by land thorough the City ride, Making the people tremble at our pride.

[_Exeunt with trumpets two ways_.

SCENE THE FIFTH.

_Enter_ SKINK _solus_.

SKINK. Blackheath, quoth he! And I were king of all Kent, I would give it for a commodity of ap.r.o.n-strings, to be in my cottage again. Princes'