A Select Collection of Old English Plays Volume Xi Part 55

W. RASH. Why, how now, Frank! what hast lost?

SPEND. Fifteen pounds and upwards: is there never an honest fellow?

AMB. What, do you lack money, sir?

SPEND. Yes, canst furnish me?

AMB. Upon a sufficient p.a.w.n, sir.

SPEND. You know my shop; bid my man deliver you a piece of three-pile velvet, and let me have as much money as you dare adventure upon't.

AMB. You shall, sir.

SPEND. A pox of this luck! it will not last [for] ever. Play, sir, I'll set you.

W. RASH. Frank, better fortune befall thee; and, gentlemen, I must take my leave, for I must leave you.

SCAT. Must you needs be gone?

W. RASH. Indeed I must.

BUB. _Et tu quoque?_

LONG. Yes, truly.

SCAT. At your discretions, gentlemen.

W. RASH. Farewell. [_Exeunt_ RASH _and_ LONGFIELD.

STAINES. Cry you mercy, sir. I am chanced with you all. Gentlemen: here I have 7, here 7, and here 10.

SPEND. 'Tis right, sir, and ten that.

BUB. And nine that.

STAINES. Two fives at all. [_Draws all._

BUB. One and five that.

SPEND. Hum! and can a suit of satin cheat so grossly? By this light, there's nought on one die but fives and sixes. I must not be thus gulled. [_Aside._

BUB. Come, Master Spendall, set.

SPEND. No, sir, I have done.

SCAT. Why, then let us all leave, for I think dinner's near ready.

DRAWER. Your meat's upon the table.

SCAT. On the table! come, gentlemen, we do our stomachs wrong. Master Bubble, what have you lost.

BUB. That's no matter: what I have lost, I have lost; nor can I choose but smile at the foolishness of the dice.

STAINES. I am but your steward, gentlemen; for after dinner I may restore it again.

BUB. Master Scattergood, will you walk in?

SCAT. I'll wait upon you, sir. Come, gentlemen, will you follow?

[_Exeunt._

_Manent_ SPENDALL _and_ STAINES.

STAINES. Yes, sir, I'll follow you.

SPEND. Hear you, sir, a word.

STAINES. Ten, if you please.

SPEND. I have lost fifteen pounds.

STAINES. And I have found it.

SPEND. You say right; found it you have, indeed, But never won it. Do you know this die?

STAINES. Not I, sir.

SPEND. You seem a gentleman, and you may perceive I have some respect unto your credit To take you thus aside. Will you restore What you have drawn from me unlawfully?

STAINES. Sirrah, by your outside you seem a citizen, Whose c.o.c.k's-comb I were apt enough to break, But for the law. Go, y' are a prating jack: Nor is't your hopes of crying out for clubs Can save you from my chastis.e.m.e.nt, if once You shall but dare to utter this again.

SPEND. You lie; you dare not.

STAINES. Lie! nay, villain, now Thou tempt'st me to thy death.

SPEND. Soft, you must buy it dearer; The best blood flows within you is the price.

STAINES. Dar'st thou resist? thou art no citizen.

SPEND. I am a citizen.

STAINES. Say thou art a gentleman, and I am satisfied; For then I know thou'lt answer me in field.

SPEND. I'll say directly what I am, a citizen; And I will meet thee in the field as fairly As the best gentleman that wears a sword.[181]

STAINES. I accept it: the meeting-place?

SPEND. Beyond the Maze in Tuttle.[182]