The Little French Lawyer Part 6

_Verd._ Why this will be a comick fight, you'l follow.

_La-writ._ As I am a true man, I cannot fight.

[_Ex._ Beaupre, Verdone.

_Cler._ Away, away, I know you can: I like your modesty, I know you will fight and so fight, with such metal, And with such judgement meet your enemies fury; I see it in your eye, Sir.

_La-writ._ I'le be hang'd then; And I charge you in the Kings name, name no more fighting.

_Cler._ I charge you in the Kings name, play the man, Which if you do not quickly, I begin with you, I'le make you dance, do you see your fiddlestick?

Sweet A[d]vocate thou shalt fight.

_La-writ._ Stand farther Gentleman, Or I'le give you such a dust o'th' chapps--

_Cler._ Spoke bravely, And like thy self, a n.o.ble Advocate: Come to thy tools.

_La-writ._ I do not say I'le fight;

_Cler._ I say thou shalt, and bravely.

_La-writ._ If I do fight; I say, if I do, but do not depend upon't, And yet I have a foolish itch upon me, What shall become of my Writings?

_Cler._ Let 'em ly by, They will not run away, man.

_La-writ._ I may be kill'd too, And where are all my causes then? my business?

I will not fight, I cannot fight, my Causes--

_Cler._ Thou shalt fight, if thou hadst a thousand causes, Thou art a man to fight for any cause, And carry it with honour.

_La-writ._ Hum, say you so? if I should Be such a c.o.xcombe to prove valiant now--

_Cler._ I know thou art most valiant.

_La-writ._ Do you think so?

I am undone for ever, if it prove so, I tell you that, my honest friend, for ever; For I shall ne're leave quarrelling.

How long must we fight? for I cannot stay, Nor will not stay, I have business.

_Cler._ We'l do't in a minute, in a moment.

_La-writ._ Here will I hang my bag then, it may save my belly, I never lov'd cold Iron there.

_Cler._ You do wisely.

_La-writ._ Help me to pluck my Sword out then, quickly, quickly, 'Thas not seen Sun these ten years.

_Cler._ How it grumbles!

This Sword is vengeance angry.

_La-writ._ Now I'le put my hat up, And say my prayers as I goe; away boy, If I be kill'd, remember the little Lawyer. [_Exeunt._

_Enter_ Beaupre.

_Beaup._ They are both come on, that may be a stubborn rascal, Take you that ground,

_Enter_ La-writ.

I'le stay here, fight bravely.

_La-writ._ To't chearfully my boyes, you'l let's have fair play, None of your foyning tricks.

_Beaup._ Come forward Monsieur; [_Fight._ What hast thou there? a pudding in thy belly?

I shall see what it holds.

_La-writ._ Put your spoon home then: Nay, since I must fight, have at you without wit, Sir: G.o.d a mercy bagg.

_Beaup._ Nothing but b.u.mbast in ye?

The Rogue winks and fights.

_La-writ._ Now your fine fencing, Sir: [Beau. _loses his sword_.

Stand off, thou diest on point else, [La-writ _treads on it_.

I have it, I have it: yet further off: I have his Sword.

_Cler._ Then keep it, be sure you keep it.

_La-writ._ I'le put it in my mouth else.

Stand further off yet, and stand quietly, And look another way, or I'le be with you, Is this all? I'le undertake within these two daies To furnish any Cutler in this Kingdom.

_Beau._ Pox, what fortune's this? disarm'd by a puppie?

A snail? a Dog?

_La-writ._ No more o' these words Gentleman, Sweet Gentleman no more, do not provoke me, Go walk i'th' horse-fair; whistle Gentleman, What must I do now?

_Enter_ Cleremont, _pursued by_ Verdone.

_Cler._ Help me, I am almost breathless.

_La-writ._ With all my heart, there's a cold pye for you, Sir.

_Cler._ Thou strik'st me, fool.

_La-writ._ Thou fool, stand further off then, Deliver, deliver.

_Cler._ Hold fast. [_He strikes up the others heels, and takes his Sword too._ _La-writ._ I never fail in't, There's twelve pence, go buy you two leaden Daggers, Have I done well?

_Cler._ Most like a Gentleman.

_Beau._ And we two basely lost.

_Verd._ 'Tis but a fortune, We shall yet find an hour. [_Ex._ Beau. Verd. _sad_.