The Puritaine Widdow Part 15

Aye, well said still, sergeant, urge that.

PYE.

Troth, if it will suffice, it shall be all among you; for my part I'll not pocket a penny: my hostess shall have her four pound five shillings, and bate me the five pence, and the other fifteen shillings I'll spend upon you.

RAVEN.

Why, now thou art a good Scholar.

PUT.

An excellent Scholar, ifaith; has proceeded very well alate; come, we'll along with you.

[Exeunt with him: pa.s.sing in they knock at the door with a Knocker withinside.]

SCENE IV. A gallery in a gentleman's house.

[Enter a servant.]

SERVANT.

Who knocks? who's at door? we had need of a Porter.

PYE.

A few friends here:--pray, is the Gentleman your master within?

SERVANT.

Yes, is your business to him?

PYE.

Aye, he knows it, when he see's me: I pray you, have you forgot me?

SERVANT.

Aye, by my troth, sir. Pray come near; I'll in and tell him of you: please you to walk here in the Gallery till he comes.

PYE.

We will attend his worship.--Worship, I think, for so much the Posts at his door should signify, and the fair coming in, and the wicket; else I neither knew him nor his worship, but 'tis happiness he is within doors, what so ere he be; if he be not too much a formal Citizen, he may do me good.-- Sergeant and Yeoman, how do you like this house? ist not most wholesomely plotted?

RAVEN.

Troth, prisoner, an exceeding fine house.

PYE.

Yet I wonder how he should forget me,--for he ne'er knew me.--No matter, what is forgot in you will be remembered in your Master. A pretty comfortable room this, me thinks: You have no such rooms in prison now?

PUT.

Oh, dog-holes toote.

PYE.

Dog-holes, indeed. I can tell you, I have great hope to have my Chamber here shortly, nay, and diet too, for he's the most free-heartedst Gentleman where he takes: you would little think it! and what a fine Gallery were here for me to walk and study, and make verses.

PUT.

O, it stands very pleasantly for a Scholar.

[Enter Gentleman.]

PYE.

Look what maps, and pictures, and devices, and things: neatly, delicately--ma.s.s, here he comes: he should be a Gentleman; I like his Beard well.--All happiness to your worship.

GENTLEMAN.

You're kindly welcome, sir.

PUT.

A simple salutation.

RAVEN.

Ma.s.s, it seems the Gentleman makes great account of him.

PYE.

I have the thing here for you, sir. I beseech you conceal me, sir, I'm undone else,--I have the Mask here for you, sir, Look you, sir.--I beseech your worship first to pardon my rudeness, for my extremes makes me bolder than I would be. I am a poor Gentleman and a Scholar, and now most unfortunately fallen into the Fangs of unmerciful officers, arrested for debt, which tho small, I am not able to compa.s.s, by reason I'm dest.i.tute of lands, money, and friends; so that if I fall into the hungry swallow of the prison, I am like utterly to perish, and with fees and extortions be pincht clean to the bone. Now, if ever pity had interest in the blood of a Gentleman, I beseech you vouchsafe but to favour that means of my escape, which I have already thought upon.

GENTLEMAN.

Go forward.

PUT.

I warrant he likes it rarely.

PYE.

In the plundge of my extremities, being giddy, and doubtful what to do, at least it was put into my labouring thoughts, to make happy use of this paper; and to blear their unlettered eyes, I told them there was a Device for a Mask drawn int', and that (but for their interception,) I was going to a Gentleman to receive my reward for't: they, greedy at this word, and hoping to make purchase of me, offered their attendance, to go along with me. My hap was to make bold with your door, Sir, which my thoughts showed me the most fairest and comfortablest entrance, and I hope I have happened right upon understanding and pity: may it please your good Worship, then, but to uphold my Device, which is to let one of your men put me out at back-door, and I shall be bound to your worship for ever.

GENTLEMAN.

By my troth, an excellent device.

PUT.

An excellent device, he says; he likes it wonderfully.

GENTLEMAN.

A my faith, I never heard a better.

RAVEN.

Hark, he swears he never heard a better, Sergeant.

PUT.

O, there's no talk on't, he's an excellent Scholar, and especially for a Mask.

GENTLEMAN.

Give me your Paper, your Device; I was never better pleased in all my life: good wit, brave wit, finely wrought! come in, sir, and receive your money, sir.

PYE.

I'll follow your good Worship.-- You heard how he liked it now?

PUT.

Puh, we know he could not choose but like it: go thy ways; thou art a witty fine fellow, ifaith, thou shalt discourse it to us at Tavern anon, wilt thou?