A Select Collection of Old English Plays Volume Vii Part 94

JOHN. There shall I know where this d.a.m.ned Gloster is, I'll have the devils rous'd to find that devil, O[r] else I'll conjure the old conjuror.

I'll to Blackheath, and there with friends conspire, But I'll have Gloster's head, my heart's desire.

RICH. Would mad Earl Robin saw these humourists: 'Twould feed him fit with laughter! O, 'twould fit him.

Wherever he is, I know the bare conceit Is better to him than his daintiest food.

Well, and it fits me well, now I have time, To court my Lady Fauconbridge at leisure.

Love, I implore thy aid; fair Cipria, Thou sea-born mother at affection's ring, Shine brightly in thy sphere, that art[505] my star, My planet, thou of all lights most beauteous, Be thou to my desires auspicious.

[_Exit_.

SCENE THE TWENTY-FOURTH.

_Enter_ ROBIN HOOD _in the_ LADY FAUCONBRIDGE'S _gown, night attire on his head_.

ROB. O, for this lady! Was never poor gentleman troubled with gentlewoman as I am with myself! My Lady Fauconbridge hath fitted me a turn. Here I am, visited with sleeveless errands and with asking for _This thing, Madam_, and _That thing, Madam_, that they make me almost mad in earnest. Whoop, here's another client.

_Enter a_ SERVING-MAN.

SER. Here's my Lady Rawford's page attends to speak with your ladyship.

ROB. I pray ye bid her lordship's page come into my Ladyship.

[_Exit_. SERVINGMAN.]

Well, Robin Hood, part with these petticoats, And cast these loose devices from thy back, I'll ne'er go more untruss'd, never be kerchief'd, Never have this ado with _what do you lack_?

_Enter_ PAGE.

PAGE. Madam, my lady greets your honour kindly, And sends you the first grapes of her young vine.

ROB. I am much indebted to her honour, there's an angel for you to drink; set them up till after supper. Humphrey, pray look about for Block. Humphrey! trust me, I think the fool be lost.

PAGE. No, forsooth, madam, he's upon the green, jesting with a stammerer, one Redcap.

ROB. It is a lewd fellow; pray, bid him come in, youth; I'll give him his welcome at the door. Commend me to your lady, I pray ye, heartily.

[_Exit_ PAGE.

Humphrey, I marvel where Sir Richard is so late! Truly, truly, he does not as beseems a gentleman of his calling; pray, let some go forth to meet him on the green, and send in that blockhead Block.

[_Exit_ HUMPHREY.

_Enter_ REDCAP, _and_ BLOCK _after him_.

BLO. Will ye tell tales, ye a.s.s, will ye?

RED. I'll te-te-tell your la-la-lady, or I would to G-G.o.d we were ha-hang'd else, as my fa-father should have been.

ROB. Now, what's the matter there, I pray you? What company have you there, a-G.o.d's name? where spend you the day, I pray?

BLO. Why, where you gave me leave; at the gallows I was--no farther.

RED. A-a-and you be his la-lady, you are the La-Lady Fau-Fauconbridge, the Earl of Glo-Gloster's sister.

ROB. I am so, fellow.

RED. Y-y-your man B-B-Blocke here does no--nothing but f-f-flout m-me, a-and cr-cries _r-run Re-Redcap and s-s-see you f-f-father ha-ha-hang'd_.

I sh-shall g-go-near to m-make m-murder, and he u-use it.

ROB. Well, sirrah, leave your mocking, you were best, I'll bob your beetle head, and if you mock him.

BLO. He's _run Redcap_.

RED. La-la-law, ma-madam.

ROB. Away, ye saucy fool; go, wait within.

BLO. _Run, Redcap; run, Redcap_. [_Exit_.

ROB. Art thou the porter's son, that was condemned about my brother Gloster?

RED. Ay, G-G-G.o.d be with you, I am the p-p-porter's son, I m-must r-run to s-s-seek your b-br-brother.

ROB. Well, drink that, fellow; if thou find my brother, be not too violent, and I'll reward thee.

RED. I th-th-thank ye h-heartily; and I had not been cozened with Sk-Skink, I had no nee-need of these ja-jaunts, for Gl-Gloster was s-safe enough.

_Enter_ BLOCK _and the_ PORTER _with his cloak m.u.f.fled_.

BLO. Ah, farewell, Redcap.

RED. Fa-fare we-well, and be ha-hang'd. [_Exit_.

ROB. You'll never leave your knavery. Who's there more.

BLO. One, madam, that hath commendations to you from your brother.

ROB. Comest thou from Gloster? thou art welcome, friend.

BLO. O, it's one of the kindest ladies (though she will now and then have a bout with Block) that ever breath'd, and she had been in her mood now, Redcap would have made her such sp-sp-sport as 't a' pa-pa-pa.s.s'd.

ROB. Will you make sport, and see who knocks again?

BLO. Our gates are like an anvil; from four to ten, nothing but knick-a-knock upon't.

ROB. Will you be gone, sir? [_Exit_ BLOCK.]

Honest friend, I am glad My brother Gloster got thy liberty, Whose flight was cause of thy captivity: Nor shall there be in us such negligence, Though thou have lost thy office and thy house, But we will see thee better far provided Than when thou wert [the] Porter in the Fleet.

_Re-enter_ BLOCK.

BLO. Madam, your old friend, Prince Richard, All alone, Making moan, Fetching many a grievous groan.

ROB. Prince Richard come so late? lights to his chamber; Sirrah, in any case, say I am sick.