The Little French Lawyer Part 21

_Nurs._ Nay, Gentlemen, kind Gentlemen, Or honest keepers of these woods, but hear me, Be not so rough; if you are taken with My beauty, as it hath been worth the seeking, Some one or two of you try me in private, You shall not find me squeamish.

_Charl._ Do not kill me, And do your worst, I'le suffer.

_Lam._ Peace vile creatures.

_Vert._ Do you know me, or my place, that you presume not To touch my person?

_1 Gent._ If you are well, rest so, Provoke not angry Wasps.

_Verta._ You are Wasps indeed, Never created to yield Wax or Honey, But for your Countries torment; yet if you are men, (As you seem such in shape) if true born French-men, However want compels you to these courses, Rest satisfied with what you can take from us, (These Ladies honours, and our liberties safe) We freely give it.

_1 Gent._ You give but our own.

_Verta._ Look on these grey hairs, as you would be old, Their tears, as you would have yours to find mercy When Justice shall o'retake you.

_Cham._ Look on me, Look on me Rascals, and learn of me too, That have been in some part of your profession, Before that most of you ere suck'd, I know it, I have rode hard, and late too.

_Verta._ Take heed, Sir.

_Cham._ Then use me like a Brother of the Trade, For I have been at Sea, as you on land are, Restore my Matrimony undefil'd, Wrong not my Neece, and for our gold or silver, If I pursue you, hang me.

_Nurs._ 'Tis well offer'd, And as I said, sweet Gentlemen, with sowre faces, If you are high, and want some sport, or so, (As living without action here, you may do) Forbear their tender grissels, they are meat Will wash away, there is no substance in it, We that are expert in the game, and tough too, Will hold you play.

_Enter_ Dinant _and_ Cleremont.

_1 Gent._ This Hen longs to be troden.

_Din._ Lackey, my Horse.

_Cler._ This way, I heard the cries Of distress'd Women.

_2 Gent._ Stand upon your guard.

_Din._ Who's here? my witty, scornful Lady-plot In the hands of Ruffians?

_Cler._ And my fine cold virgin, That was insensible of man, and woman?

_Din._ Justice too, Without a sword to guard it self?

_Cler._ And valour with its hands bound?

_Din._ And the great Souldier dull?

Why this is strange.

_Lam._ _Dinant_ as thou art n.o.ble--

_Ana._ As thou art valiant _Cleremont_--

_Lam._ As ever I appear'd lovely--

_Ana._ As you ever hope For what I would give gladly--

_Cler._ Pretty conjurations.

_Lam._ All injuries a little laid behind you.

_Ana._ Shew your selves men, and help us.

_Din._ Though your many And gross abuses of me should more move me To triumph in your miseries than relieve you,-- Yet that hereafter you may know that I The scorn'd and despis'd _Dinant_, know what does Belong to honour, thus--

_Cler._ I will say little, [_Fight._ Speak thou for me.

_Cham._ 'Tis bravely fought.

_Verta._ Brave tempers, To do thus for their enemies.

_Cham._ They are lost yet.

_1 Gent._ You that would rescue others, shall now feel What they were born to.

_2 Gent._ Hurry them away. [_Ex. Manent_ Vert. _and_ Champernel.

_Cham._ That I could follow them.

_Verta._ I only can lament my fortune, and desire of heaven A little life for my revenge.

_Cham._ The Provost Shall fire the woods, but I will find 'em out, No cave, no rock, nor h.e.l.l shall keep them from My searching vengeance.

_Enter_ La-writ, _and_ Sampson.

_La-writ._ O cold! O fearfull cold! plague of all seconds.

_Samp._ O for a pint of burnt wine, or a sip Of _aqua-fortis_.

_Cham._ The rogues have met with these two Upon my life and rob'd 'em.

_La-writ._ As you are honourable Gentlemen, Impart unto a couple of cold combatants.

_Sam._ My Lord, mine uncle as I live.

_La-writ._ Pox take him.

How that word has warm'd my mouth!

_Verta._ Why how now Cousin?

Why, why? and where man, have you been? at a Poulters That you are cas'd thus like a rabbet? I could laugh now, And I shall laugh, for all I have lost my Children, Laugh monstrously.

_Cham._ What are they?

_Verta._ Give me leave Sir, Laugh more and more, never leave laughing.