The Puritaine Widdow Part 4

SKIRMISH.

I am twice sorry for you, Captain: first that your purchase was so small, and now that your danger is so great.

CAPTAIN.

Push, the worst is but death,--ha you a pipe of Tobacco about you?

SKIRMISH.

I think I have there abouts about me.

[Captain blows a pipe.]

CAPTAIN.

Here's a clean Gentleman, too, to receive.

PYE.

Well, I must cast about some happy slight.

Work brain, that ever didst thy Master right!

CAPTAIN.

Keeper! let the key be turn'd!

[Corporal and Nicholas within.]

NICHOLAS.

Aye, I pray, Master keeper, give's a cast of your office.

CAPTAIN.

How now? more Visitants?--what, Corporal Oath?

PYE.

Corporal?

SKIRMISH.

Corporal?

CORPORAL.

In prison, honest Captain? this must not be.

NICHOLAS.

How do you, Captain Kinsman>

CAPTAIN.

Good c.o.c.ks-comb! what makes that pure, starch'd fool here?

NICHOLAS.

You see, Kinsman, I am somewhat bold to call in, and see how you do. I heard you were safe enough, and I was very glad on't that it was no worse.

CAPTAIN.

This is a double torture now,--this fool by'th book Do's vex me more than my imprisonment.

What meant you, Corporal, to hook him hither?

CORPORAL.

Who, he? he shall relieve thee, and supply thee; I'll make him do 't.

CAPTAIN.

[Aside, to Oath.] Fie, what vain breath you spend! he supply?

I'll sooner expect mercy from a Usurer when my bond's Forfeited, sooner kindness from a Layer when my money's spent: Nay, sooner charity from the devil, than good from a Puritan!

I'll look for relief from him, when Lucifer is restor'd to his blood, and in Heaven again.

NICHOLAS.

I warrant, my Kinsman's talking of me, for my left ear burns most tyrannically.

PYE.

Captain Idle, what's he there? he looks like a Monkey upward, and a Crane down-ward.

CAPTAIN.

Pshaw, a foolish Cousin of mine; I must thank G.o.d for him.

PYE.

Why, the better subject to work a scape upon; thou shalt o'en change clothes with him, and leave him here, and so--

CAPTAIN.

Push, I publish't him e'en now to my Corporal: he will be d.a.m.ned, ere he do me so much good; why, I know a more proper, a more handsome device than that, if the slave would be sociable. Now, goodman Fleer-face.

NICHOLAS.

Oh, my Cousin begins to speak to me now: I shall be acquainted with him again, I hope.

SKIRMISH.

Look what ridiculous Raptures take hold of his wrinkles.

PYE.

Then, what say you to this device? a happy one, Captain?

CAPTAIN.

Speak low, George; Prison Rats have wider ears than those in Malt-lofts.

NICHOLAS.

Cousin, if it lay in my power, as they say--to--do--

CAPTAIN.

Twould do me an exceeding pleasure, indeed, that, but ne'er talk forder on't: the fool will be hang'd, ere he do't.

[To the Corporal.]

CORPORAL.

Pax, I'll thump 'im to't.

PYE.

Why, do but try the Fopster, and break it to him bluntly.