The London Prodigal Part 21

DELIA.

Very well, sister.

CIVET.

I am glad you're come, sister Delia, to give order for supper; they will be here soon.

ARTICHOKE.

Aye, but if good luck had not served, she had not been here now: filching Flowerdale had like to peppered us; but for Master Oliver, we had been robbed.

DELIA.

Peace, sirrah, no more.

FATHER.

Robbed! by whom?

ARTICHOKE.

Marry, by none but by Flowerdale; he is turned thief.

CIVET.

By my faith, but that is not well; but G.o.d be praised for your escape. Will you draw near, sister?

FATHER.

Sirrah, come hither. Would Flowerdale, he that was my master, a robbed you? I prithee, tell me true.

ARTICHOKE.

Yes, yfaith, even that Flowerdale, that was thy master.

FATHER.

Hold thee, there is a French crown, and speak no more of this.

ARTICHOKE.

Not I, not a word.--Now do I smell knavery: In every purse Flowerdale takes, he is half: And gives me this to keep counsel.--No, not a word I.

FATHER.

Why, G.o.d a mercy.

FRANCES.

Sister, look here, I have a new Dutch maid, and she speaks so fine, it would do your heart good.

CIVET.

How do you like her, sister?

DELIA.

I like your maid well.

CIVET.

Well, dear sister, will you draw near, and give directions for supper? guests will be here presently.

DELIA.

Yes, brother; lead the way; I'll follow you.

[Exit all but Delia and Lucy.]

Hark you, Dutch frau, a word.

LUCY.

Vat is your vill wit me?

DELIA.

Sister Lucy, tis not your broken language, Nor this same habit, can disguise your face From I that know you: pray tell me, what means this?

LUCY.

Sister, I see you know me; yet be secret.

This borrowed shape, that I have ta'en upon me, Is but to keep myself a s.p.a.ce unknown, Both from my father, and my nearest friends, Until I see how time will bring to pa.s.s The desperate course of Master Flowerdale.

DELIA.

O he is worse than bad, I prithee leave him, And let not once thy heart to think on him.

LUCY.

Do not persuade me once to such a thought.

Imagine yet, that he is worse than naught: Yet one hour's time may all that ill undo, That all his former life did run into.

Therefore kind sister do not disclose my estate: If ere his heart doth turn, tis nere too late.

DELIA.

Well, seeing no counsel can remove your mind, I'll not disclose you that art wilful blind.

LUCY.

Delia, I thank you. I now must please her eyes, My sister Frances, neither fair nor wise.

[Exit Omnes.]

ACT V.

SCENE I. Scene before Civet's house.

[Enter Flowerdale solus.]

FLOWERDALE.

On goes he that knows no end of his journey. I have pa.s.sed the very utmost bounds of shifting. I have no course now but to hang myself: I have lived since yesterday two a clock of a spice-cake I had at a burial: and for drink, I got it at an Ale-house among Porters, such as will bear out a man, if he have no money indeed--I mean out of their companies, for they are men of good carriage. Who comes here? The two Conycatchers, that won all my money of me. I'll try if they'll lend me any.

[Enter d.i.c.k and Rafe.]

What, Master Richard, how do you? How doest thou, Rafe? By G.o.d, gentlemen, the world grows bare with me: will you do as much as lend me an angel between you both. You know you won a hundred of me the other day.

RAFE.

How, an angel? G.o.d d.a.m.n us, if we lost not every penny, within an hour after thou wert gone.

FLOWERDALE.

I prithee lend me so much as will pay for my supper.