The Merry Devill of Edmonton Part 15

SIR ARTHUR.

Jesus deliver me!

SIR RAPH.

Why, Millisent, the daughter of this Knight Is out of Chesson taken the last night.

HILDERSHAM.

Was that fair maiden late become a nun?

SIR RAPH.

Was she, quotha? Knavery, knavery, knavery; I smell it, I smell it, yfaith; is the wind in that door? is it even so?

doost thou ask me that now?

HILDERSHAM.

It is the first time that I ere heard of it.

SIR ARTHUR.

That's very strange.

SIR RAPH.

Why, tell me, Friar, tell me; thou art counted a holy man; do not play the hypocrite with me, nor bear with me. I cannot dissemble: did I ought but by thy own consent? by thy allowance? nay, further, by thy warrant?

HILDERSHAM.

Why, Reverend knight--

SIR RAPH.

Unreverend Friar--

HILDERSHAM.

Nay, then give me leave, sir, to depart in quiet; I had hoped you had sent for me to some other end.

SIR ARTHUR.

Nay, stay, good Friar; if any thing hath hapd About this matter in thy love to u, That thy strickt order cannot justify, Admit it be so, we will cover it.

Take no care, man: Disclaim me yet thy counsell and advise, The wisest man that is may be o'erreacht.

HILDERSHAM.

Sir Arthur, by my order and my faith, I know not what you mean.

SIR RAPH.

By your order and your faith?

This is most strange of all: Why, tell me, Friar, Are not you Confessor to my Son Francke?

HILDERSHAM.

Yes, that I am.

SIR RAPH.

And did not this good knight here and my self Confess with you, being his ghostly Father, To deal with him about th' unbanded marriage Betwixt him and that fair young Millisent?

HILDERSHAM.

I never heard of any match intended.

SIR ARTHUR.

Did not we break our minds that very time, That our device of making her a Nun Was but a colour and a very plot To put by young Mountchensey? Ist not true?

HILDERSHAM.

The more I strive to know what you should mean, The less I understand you.

SIR RAPH.

Did not you tell us still how Peter Fabell At length would cross us, if we took not heed?

HILDERSHAM.

I have heard of one that is a great magician, But he's about the University.

SIR RAPH.

Did not you send your novice Benedic To persuade the girl to leave Mountchensey's love, To cross that Peter Fabell in his art, And to that purpose made him visitor?

HILDERSHAM.

I never sent my novice from the house, Nor have we made our visitation yet.

SIR ARTHUR.

Never sent him? Nay, did he not go?

And did not I direct him to the house, And confer with him by the way? and did he not Tell me what charge he had received from you, Word by word, as I requested at your hands?

HILDERSHAM.

That you shall know; he came along with me, And stays without. Come hither, Benedic!

[Enter Benedic.]

Young Benedic, were you ere sent by me To Chesson Nunnery for a visitor?

BENEDIC.

Never, sir, truly.

SIR RAPH.

Stranger then all the rest!

SIR ARTHUR.

Did not I direct you to the house?

Confer with you From Waltham Abbey unto Chesson wall?

BENEDIC.

I never saw you, sir, before this hour.

SIR RAPH.

The devill thou didst not! Hoe, Chamberlen!

[Enter Chamberlaine.]

CHAMB.

Anon, anon.