A Select Collection of Old English Plays Volume Viii Part 94

GRIM. Nay, now, Joan, I spy a hole in your coat: if you cannot endure the devil, you'll never love the collier. Why, we two are sworn brothers. You shall see me talk with him even as familiarly as if I should parbreak[479] my mind and my whole stomach upon thee.

JOAN. I prythee, do not, Grim.

GRIM. Who? not I? O Lord, Master Robert Goodfellow, I have a poor cottage at home, whither Joan and I will jog us merrily. We will make you no stranger, if you come thither. You shall be used as devilishly as you would wish, i'faith. There is never a time my cart cometh from London, but the collier bringeth a goose in his sack, and that, with the giblets thereof, is at your service.

ROB. This is more kindness, Grim, than I expected.

GRIM. Nay, sir, if you come home, you shall find it true, I warrant you. All my whole family shall be at your devilship's pleasure, except my poor Joan here, and she is my own proper nightgear.

ROB. Gramercies, but away in haste; The night is almost spent and pa.s.s'd.

GRIM. G.o.d be with you, sir; I'll make as much haste about it as may be; for, and that were once done, I would begin a new piece of work with you, Joan.

[_Exeunt all but_ ROBIN.

ROB. Now joy betide this merry morn, And keep Grim's forehead from the horn: For Robin bids his last adieu To Grim and all the rest of you.

[_Exit_ ROBIN.

_Enter_ CLINTON _alone_.

CLIN. Bright Lucifer, go couch thee in the clouds, And let this morning prove as dark as night!

That I unseen may bring to happy end The doctor's murder, which I do intend.

'Tis early yet: he is not so soon stirring.

But stir he ne'er so soon, so soon he dies.

I'll walk along before the palace gate; Then shall I know how near it is to-day, He shall have no means to escape away.

[_Exit_ CLINTON.

_Enter_ CASTILIANO.

CAS. My trunk's broke open, and my jewels gone!

My gold and treasure stol'n: my house despoil'd Of all my furniture, and nothing left?

No, not my wife, for she is stol'n away: But she hath pepper'd me, I feel it work-- My teeth are loosen'd, and my belly swell'd; My entrails burn with such distemper'd heat, That well I know my dame hath poison'd me: When she spoke fairest, then she did this act.

When I have spoken all I can imagine, I cannot utter half that she intends; She makes as little poisoning of a man, As to carouse; I feel that this is true.

_Enter_ CLINTON.

Nay, now I know too much of womankind.

'Zounds, here's the captain: what should he make here With his sword drawn? there's yet more villany.

CLIN. The morning is far spent; but yet he comes not.

I wonder Marian sends him not abroad.

Well, doctor, linger time, and linger life; For long thou shalt not breathe upon the earth.

CAS. No, no, I will not live amongst ye long: Is it for me thou wait'st, thou b.l.o.o.d.y wretch?

Her poison hath prevented thee in murther.

_Enter_ EARL MORGAN, ST DUNSTAN _with_ HONOREA _fainting, and_ MARIAN.

Now here be they suppose Earl Lacy dead.

See how this lady grieveth for that she wisheth.

DUN. My Lord of London, by his sudden death, And all the signs before his late departure, 'Tis very probable that he is poison'd.

MAR. Do you but doubt it? credit me, my lord, I heard him say that drink should be his last: I heard my husband speak it, and he did it.

CAS. There is my old friend, she always speaks for me.

O shameless creature, was't not thy device?

MOR. Let not extremity of grief o'erwhelm thee, My dearest Honorea; for his death shall be Surely reveng'd with all severity Upon the doctor, and that suddenly.

CLIN. What fortune's this, that all these come this way To hinder me, and save thy life to-day?

HON. My gracious lord, this doleful accident Hath robb'd me of my joy: and, royal earl, Though in thy life thou didst suspect my love, My grief and tears suspicions shall remove.

MAR. Madam, to you and to your father's love I owe as much and more than my own life.

Had I ten husbands should agree to do it, My gracious lord, you presently should know it.

CAS. Ay, there's a girl! think you I did not well, To live with such a wife, to come from h.e.l.l.

MAR. Look, look, my lord, there stands the murderer!

CAS. How am I round beset on every side!

First, that same captain here stands to kill me; My dame she hath already poisoned me; Earl Morgan he doth threaten present death; The Countess Honorea, in revenge Of Lacy, is extremely incens'd 'gainst me.

All threaten--none shall do it; for my date Is now expired, and I must back to h.e.l.l.

And now, my servant, wheresoe'er thou be, Come quickly, Akerc.o.c.k, and follow me.

Lordings, adieu, and my curs'd wife, farewell, If me ye seek, come follow me to h.e.l.l.

[_The ground opens, and they both fall[480] down into it_.

MOR. The earth that opened now is clos'd again.

DUN. It is G.o.d's judgment for his grievous sins.

CLIN. Was there a quagmire, that he sank so soon?

HON. O miracle! now may we justly say, Heavens have reveng'd my husband's death this day.

MOR. Alas, poor Marian! we have wrong'd thee much To cause thee match thyself to any such.

MAR. Nay, let him go, and sink into the ground; For such as he are better lost than found.

Now, Honorea, we are freed from blame, And both enrich'd with happy widow's name[481].

_Enter_ EARL LACY, _with_ FORREST _and_ MUSGRAVE.

LACY. O, lead me quickly to that mourning train, Which weep for me, who am reviv'd again.

HON. Marian, I shed some tears of perfect grief.