The Little French Lawyer Part 4

_Lamira._ Where's _Dinant_?

_Nurse._ There's all the hope, I have staid him with a trick, If I have done well so.

_Lamira._ What trick?

_Nurse._ I told him, Your Ladiship laid your command upon him, To attend you presently, and to confirm it, Gave him the ring he oft hath seen you wear, That you bestowed on me: he waits without Disguis'd, and if you have that power in him, As I presume you have, it is in you To stay or alter him.

_Lamira._ Have you learnt the place, Where they are to encounter?

_Nurse._ Yes 'tis where The Duke of _Burgundie_ met _Lewis_ th' eleventh.

_Lamir._ Enough, I will reward thee liberally, [_Exit_ Nurse.

Goe bring him in: full dear I loved _Dinant_, While it was lawfull, but those fires are quench'd I being now anothers, truth forgive me And let dissimulation be no crime, Though most unwillingly I put it on To guard a Brothers safetie.

_Enter_ Dinant.

_Din._ Now your pleasure, Though ill you have deserv'd it, you perceive I am still your fool, and cannot but obey What ever you command.

_Lamira._ You speak, as if You did repent it, and 'tis not worth my thanks then, But there has been a time, in which you would Receive this as a favour.

_Din._ Hope was left then Of recompence.

_Lamira._ Why I am still _Lamira_, And you _Dinant_, and 'tis yet in my power, I dare not say I'le put it into act, To reward your love and service.

_Din._ There's some comfort.

_Lami._ But think not that so low I prize my fame, To give it up to any man that refuses To buy it, or with danger of performance Of what I shall enjoin him.

_Din._ Name that danger Be it of what horrid shape soever Ladie Which I will shrink at; only at this instant Be speedie in't.

_Lamira._ I'le put you to the trial: You shall not fight to day, do you start at that?

Not with my Brother, I have heard your difference, Mine is no _Helens_ beauty to be purchas'd With blood, and so defended, if you look for Favours from me, deserve them with obedience, There's no way else to gain 'em.

_Din._ You command What with mine honour I cannot obey, Which lies at p.a.w.n against it, and a friend Equally dear as that, or life, engag'd, Not for himself, but me.

_Lamira._ Why, foolish man, Dare you solicite me to serve your l.u.s.t, In which not only I abuse my Lord, My Father, and my family, but write wh.o.r.e, Though not upon my forehead, in my conscience, To be read hourly, and yet name your honour?

Yours suffers but in circ.u.mstance; mine in substance.

If you obey me, you part with some credit, From whom? the giddy mult.i.tude; but mankind Will censure me, and justly.

_Din._ I will lose, What most I do desire, rather than hazard So dear a friend, or write my self a coward, 'Tis better be no man.

_Lamira._ This will not do; Why, I desire not, you should be a coward, Nor do I weigh my Brothers life with yours, Meet him, fight with him, do, and kill him fairly, Let me not suffer for you, I am careless.

_Din._ Suffer for me?

_Lamira._ For you, my kindness to you Already brands me with a strumpets name.

_Din._ O that I knew the wretch!

_Lamira._ I will not name him, Nor give you any Character to know him; But if you dare, and instantly ride forth At the west port of the City, and defend there My reputation, against all you meet, For two hours only, I'le not swear _Dinant_, To satisfie, (though sure I think I shall) What ever you desire, if you denie this, Be desperate, for willingly, by this light, I'le never see thee more.

_Din._ Two hours, do you say?

_Lamira._ Only two hours.

_Din._ I were no Gentleman, Should I make scruple of it; this favour arms me, And boldly I'll perform it. [_Exit._

_Lamira._ I am glad on't.

This will prevent their meeting yet, and keep My Brother safe, which was the mark I shot at. [_Exit._

_Actus Secundus. Scena Prima._

_Enter_ Cleremont, _as in the field_.

_Cler._ I am first i'th' field, that honour's gain'd of our side, Pray Heaven I may get off as honourablie, The hour is past, I wonder _Dinant_ comes not, This is the place, I cannot see him yet; It is his quarel too that brought me hither, And I ne'r knew him yet, but to his honour A firm and worthy Friend, yet I see nothing, Nor Horse nor man, 'twould vex me to be left here, To th' mercy of two swords, and two approv'd ones.

I never knew him last.

_Enter_ Beaupre, _and_ Verdone.

_Beaup._ You are well met _Cleremont_.

_Verdo._ You are a fair Gentleman, and love your friend Sir.

What are you ready? the time has overta'ne us.

_Beaup._ And this you know the place.

_Cler._ No _Dinant_ yet?

_Beaup._ We come not now to argue, but to do; We wait you Sir.

_Cler._ There's no time past yet Gentlemen, We have day enough: is't possible he comes not?

You see I am ready here, and do but stay Till my Friend come, walk but a turn or two, 'Twill not be long.

_Verd._ We came to fight.

_Cler._ Ye shall fight Gentlemen, And fight enough, but a short turn or two, I think I see him, set up your watch, we'l fight by it.

_Beaup._ That is not he; we will not be deluded.

_Cler._ Am I bob'd thus? pray take a pipe of tobacco, Or sing but some new air; by that time, Gentlemen--

_Verd._ Come draw your Sword, you know the custome here Sir, First come, first serv'd.

_Cler._ Though it be held a custom, And practised so, I do not hold it honest; What honour can you both win on me single?