The London Prodigal Part 12

FATHER.

I'll warrant you; go, get you in.

[Enter Lancelot and Weatherc.o.c.k.]

LANCELOT.

Now, my honest friend, thou doest belong to Master Flowerdale.

FATHER.

I do, sir.

LANCELOT.

Is he within, my good fellow?

FATHER.

No, sir, he is not within.

LANCELOT.

I prithee, if he be within, let my speak with him.

FATHER.

Sir, to tell you true, my master is within, but indeed would not be spoke withal: there be some terms that stands upon his reputation, therefore he will not admit any conference till he hath shook them off.

LANCELOT.

I prithee tell him his very good friend, Sir Lancelot Spurc.o.c.k, entreats to speak with him.

FATHER.

By my troth, sir, if you come to take up the matter between my master and the Devonshire man, you do not but beguile your hopes, and lose your labour.

LANCELOT.

Honest friend, I have not any such thing to him; I come to speak with him about other matters.

FATHER.

For my master, sir, hath set down his resolution, either to redeem his honour, or leave his life behind him.

LANCELOT.

My friend, I do not know any quarrel touching thy master or any other person: my business is of a different nature to him, and I prithee so tell him.

FATHER.

For howsoever the Devonshire man is, my master's mind is b.l.o.o.d.y: that's a round o, And therefore, sir, entreat is but vain:

LANCELOT.

I have no such thing to him, I tell thee once again.

FATHER.

I will then so signify to him.

[Exit Father.]

LANCELOT.

Aye, sirrah, I see this matter is hotly carried, But I'll labour to dissuade him from it.--

[Enter Flowerdale.]

Good morrow, Master Flowerdale.

FLOWERDALE.

Good morrow, good Sir Lancelot; good morrow, Master Weatherc.o.c.k. By my troth, gentlemen, I have been a reading over Nick Matchivill; I find him good to be known, not to be followed: a pestilent humane fellow. I have made certain annotations of him such as they be.--And how ist Sir Lancelot? ha? how ist?

A mad world, men cannot live quiet in it.

LANCELOT.

Master Flowerdale, I do understand there is Some jar between the Devonshire man and you.

FATHER.

They, sir? they are good friends as can be.

FLOWERDALE.

Who? Master Oliver and I? as good friends as can be.

LANCELOT.

It is a kind of safety in you to deny it, and a generous silence, which too few are indued withal: But, sir, such a thing I hear, and I could wish it otherwise.

FLOWERDALE.

No such thing, Sir Lancelot, a my reputation, as I am an honest man.

LANCELOT.

Now I do believe you, then, if you do Engage your reputation there is none.

FLOWERDALE.

Nay, I do not engage my reputation there is not. You shall not bind me to any condition of hardness: but if there be anything between us, then there is; if there be not, then there is not: be or be not, all is one.

LANCELOT.

I do perceive by this, that there is something between you, and I am very sorry for it.

FLOWERDALE.

You may be deceived, Sir Lancelot. The Italian hath a pretty paying, Questo--I have forgot it too, tis out of my head, but in my translation, ift hold, thus: If thou hast a friend, keep him; if a foe, trip him.

LANCELOT.

Come, I do see by this there is somewhat between you, and, before G.o.d, I could wish it other wise.

FLOWERDALE.

Well what is between us can hardly be altered. Sir Lancelot, I am to ride forth tomorrow. That way which I must ride, no man must deny me the sun; I would not by any particular man be denied common and general pa.s.sage.

If any one saith, Flowerdale, thou pa.s.sest not this way: my answer is, I must either on or return, but return is not my word, I must on: if I cannot, then, make my way, nature hath done the last for me, and there's the fine.

LANCELOT.

Master Flowerdale, every man hath one tongue, and two ears: nature, in her building, is a most curious work-master.

FLOWERDALE.

That is as much as to say, a man should hear more than he should speak.