A Select Collection of Old English Plays Volume Xi Part 16

Maybe he would vouchsafe to look on thee.

Because he is a knight, is it thy terror?

Why, peradventure, he is Knighthood's Mirror[56].

PEN. D'ye hear, Sir Abraham?

ABRA. Yes, with standing tears.

WAG. Bevis[57] on Arundel, with Morglay in hand, Near to my knight in prowess doth not stand.

They say Sir Bevis slew both boar and dragon, My knight for that can drink up a whole flagon, A thing as famous now amongst our men, As killing monsters was accounted then.

'Tis not thy leg, no, were it twice as good, Throws me into this melancholy mood; Yet let me say and swear, in a cross-garter Paul's never show'd to eyes a lovelier quarter.

ABRA. Ay, but all this while she does not name me: she may mean somebody else.

PEN. Mean somebody else! you shall hear her name you by and by.

WAG. Courteous Sir Abraham.

PEN. La ye there!

WAG. O, thy very name, Like to a hatchet, cleaves my heart in twain.

When first I saw thee in those little breeches, I laugh'd for joy, but when I heard thy speeches, I smil'd downright, for I was almost frantic, A modern knight should be so like an antic In words and deeds. Those pinken-eyes[58] of thine, For I shall ne'er be blest to call them mine----

ABRA. Say not so, sweetheart.

WAG. How they did run, not rheumaticly run, But round about the room, one over one!

That wide mouth? no, small: no, but middle-size, That nose dominical, that head, like----wise.

PEN. Very good: d'ye mark that head likewise?

ABRA. She has an excellent wit.

PEN. I'll now into her, sir: observe what follows. Now, turtle, mourning still for the party? for whom are you working that purse?

ABRA. For me, I warrant her. [_Aside._]

WAG. What news, good cousin? I hope you have not revealed my love.

PEN. Yes, faith, I have acquainted the knight with all; and thou may'st be ashamed to abuse a gentleman so slanderously. He swears he ne'er lay with you.

WAG. Lie with me? alas! no, I say not so, nor no man living; but there was one night above the rest, that I dreamt he lay with me; and did you ne'er hear of a child begot in a dream.

ABRA. By this light, that very night I dreamt she lay with me.

[_Aside._]

PEN. Ay, but Sir Abraham is no dreaming knight: in short, he contemns you, he scorns you at his heels.

ABRA. By G.o.d, so he lies. I have the most ado to forbear, but that I would hear a little more.

PEN. And has sent this halter. You may hang yourself, or you may cut your throat: here's a knife, too.

WAG. Well, I will love him in despite of all, Howe'er he uses me! 'tis not the shame Of being examin'd or the fear of whipping----

PEN. Make as if thou wouldst kill thyself. [_Aside._]

WAG. ----should move me, would but he vouchsafe his love.

Bear him this purse, fill'd with my latest breath. [_Blows in it._ I lov'd thee, Abraham Ninny, even in death. [_Offers to stab._

ABRA. Hold! hold! thy knight commands thee for to hold.

I sent no halter. Poor soul, how it pants!

Take courage, look up.

PEN. Look, Sir Abraham in person comes to see you.

WAG. O, let me die, then, in his worship's arms!

ABRA. Live long and happy to produce thy baby: I am thy knight, and thou shalt be my lady.

Frown, dad, fret, mother, so my love look cheerly: Thou hast my heart, and thou hast bought it dearly; And for your pains, if Abraham live t' inherit, He will not be unmindful of your merit.

Wear thou this ring, whilst I thy labours task.

This purse wear in my cap, anon i' th' masque[59].

WAG. O happy woman!

ABRA. To supper let's, and merry be as may be.

PEN. Now, G.o.d send every wise knight such a lady. [_Exeunt._

FOOTNOTES:

[43] The word _spirit_ in our old poets was often p.r.o.nounced as one syllable, and hence, in fact, the corruption _sprite_. This line is not measure without so reading it.

[44] This is the first line of Scudmore's answer; but in the old copy that and the eighteen lines following it are given to Nevill.

[45] [Old copy, _then_.]

[46] See note to "Hamlet," act i. sc. 2, for a collection of instances in which _resolve_ means _dissolve_. Probably the latest example is to be found in Pope's "Homer"--

"The phantom said, then vanish'd from his sight, _Resolves_ to air, and mixes with the night."

--"Iliad," b. ii.

In some recent editions it has been thought an improvement to alter _resolves_ to _dissolves_.

[47] [Old copy, _under-born fortunes under their merits_.]

[48] [Old copy reads--

"Or in strange arguments against ourselves, Foul bawdry, and stark," &c.]