them both have thy desire King Alarum to the flight Alarum They fight and Momford's side wins King Fellow dost hear T. Stro. Anon King What should I call thy Country and thy name T. Stro. Sen ye Glost. The King wo'd know thy Country and thy name T. Stro. My name I am not asham'd of my name I am one Tom Strowd of Harling I 'll play a gole at Camp-ball or wrassel a fall a the hip or the hin turn with ere a Courtnoll of ye all for 20 quarters of Male and march me height for height King A lusty fellow trust We have too few such Subjects in our Land where 's the Blind-beggar and his brother T. Stro. Where the Blind-beggar is I know not but here 's the pretty Mother his Daughter and thou beest a kind spring all speak a good word for me to my father that I may have her and as God mend me and ere thou com'st into Norfolk I 'll give thee as good a Dish of Dumplings as e're thou layd'st thy lips too so will I sen ye Old Stro. How mary with a Beggar mix the blood of Strowds with a tatter either cast her off or I will cast off thee T Stro. Now we shall have a coyl with ye and ye were not my father I 'd knock your pate so wo'd I. Old Stro. How 's that do and thou dare Momf. Strowd though she be Daughter to a poor Bind-man that long hath liv'd on good mens charity do not disdain her Be her birth as it may the portion I 'll give with her deserves as good a Husband as your Son T. Stro. Bate me an ace of that qd Bolton yet I would I had her as naked as my nayl Old Stro. As good a portion as my Son proud Beggar 'T is not your Clapdish and your patch'd Gown can do 't Momf. However poor good Sir digrace me not Old Stro. 'T is my disgrace to be out-worded by a Beggar But and thou be'st such a well-monied man As thou dost brag dar'st drop old Angels with me And he that out-drops other take up all Momf. That were ambition in a beggar Sir Cap. West 'T were credit for thee and thou couldst out-drop him Momf. So please my Liege to give me leave I 'll venture That small Estate I have King We are content 'Mongst cares 't is fit to mix some meriment Momf. Come hither Daughter are you ready Master T. Stro. To him Father never lose a hog for a halfp'worth of tar come old fellow bring thy white Bears to the stake and thy yellow gingle boys to the Bull-ring Father wherefore do you hang an arse so they are all our own and there were a comb seck full on 'em Momf. I thus begin Old Stro. And thus I answer thee Momf. Thus I reply Old Stro. And thus do I joyn issue T. Stro. I had rather joyn issue with the Mother a great deal had I. Old Stro. Some more mony Swash Swash Here Master we 'll outdrop the Beggar we 'll make Gill sweat else Old Stro. Hast thou any mony about thee Tom T. Stro. An hundred angels and a better peny Pigs of your own Sow Father Momf. There 's 20 more Old Stro. More yet the Rascal will disgrace me more yet T. Stro. And yet too you think beggars ha' no lice father Glost. Why how now Strowd begins it to be low water with ye Old Stro. I am e'en run a ground have drop'd till I can drop no more T. Stro. You must e'en burn of the spit for I have no more oyl of Angels to bast you father Old Stro. Nor thou Swash Swash Only a broken three farthings that I kept in a corner to buy my wench pins with Momf. All this is mine then Old Stro. I not deny 't 't is true That was our match and so good Gold adue T. Stro. I have brought my hogs to a fair Market must I lose the Mother and all my Gold too Old Stro. Yes saith all 's gone Tom. T. Stro. This is your foolery Father and I had don 't we sho'd have had such a scolding with you Momf. Then Strowd where thou before didst scorn my Daughter Now I do scorn thy Son not mov'd through hate For Strowd I hold thee a most honest man For right thou didst unto Lord Momford's Daughter And since thy Son did save my poor Girls life And rescued mine with hazard of his own This Gold which by our bargain is all mine I freely give him towards his mariage King Trust me a gallant Beggar T. Stro. Beggar He might be a King for his bounty for he gives away all Swash I know the reason of that he can beg more and Begging be so good an occupation wo'd I had been bound Apprentice to 't seven years ago there was somewhat to be got by it then 't is out of request now T. Stro. This is old excellent here carry 't to my Chamber Swash and lock the door fast I charge thee Swash And I meet no false Knaves by the way Canbee and Hadland here had been a simple boon for you now Exit Momf. And now my Lord since Momford is prov'd clear And his Accusers have confest their guilt I freely give my Daughter to the man Who for the love of Momford lov'd of all Will take her to his wife Cap. West For Momford's sake whose honor'd deeds Are writ up with the blood of the proud French Were she the meanest and deformed'st Creature That treads upon the bosome of the earth Westford wo'd take love live and marry her Momf. Nay then I see that virtue shall find friends Take her good Captain and for Momford's sake Use the Maid kindly T. Stro. Why farewell 40 pence I ha fisht fair and caught a frog well Mother though I am no Gentleman I co'd ha brought you to more Land than a score on 'em thou should'st have had 40 as fair milch kine to your payl as a man sho'd need to see in a Summers day 4 yoak of Oxen and three team of Cart-horses besides thou should'st have had thine ambling nag and thy side-saddle to ha rid on a little easier than to be jaunted up and down London Streets in a lethern wheel-barrow and then of the other side there 's the old woman my Mother she would have made thee a vild-good Huswife could have taught thee how to a made butter and flap-jacks fritters pancakes I and the rarest fools all the Ladies in the Land know not how to turn their hands to 'em But I 'll take my leave on thee with an oh good night Land lady the Moon is up Momford discovers himself Cap. W. Gl. Card. Momford King Bold Momford living and proved Loyal Thy Love like a rich Jewel we will wear Next to our hear• upon those Gentlemen That have maintain'd and proved faithfull We do confer a 100 Crowns a piece Momf. Your Grace in this does Momford double right And noble Country-men while we do live Your Love and Valour must not be forgotten Old Playn How is' t you will we deal with your Accusers King That we refer unto our Uncle Gloster Who better knows those passages than we Glost. Since 't is your will my Liege then thus 't must be For you Y. Playnsey and Sir Robert Westford Receive a legal Tryal Canbee and Hadland We for a President will have you sent Out of the Land to dateless banishment Can. Thanks your good Honor and we 'll do you more good by cheating your enemies abroad than ever we did hurt by cosening honest subjects at home King Good Uncle Gloster we commend your care For throwing out such rank weeds forth our Land Whose weaken'd body hath been sick too long Wanting tho•e helps that should have made it strong 'Mongst whom Lord Momford you are not the least Pray Heaven you be the last whom this wilde beast Ambitious treason sought to ruinate But in requital of your more than wrong We make you here our Lord High-Treasurer And Captain Westford make you General Of all our forces muster'd up 'gainst France Thus our disjointed Kingdom being made strong Each Member seated in his proper seat Let 's in to praise his name whose powerfull hand Protects the safety of our peacefull Land IOHN DAY FINIS
thousand Marks besides the Lands Morgag'd unto one Strowd a Norfolk Yeoman That Strowd on my abuse done to the Lady Challeng'd the field we fought and here I fell He scap't I hope Heaven grant he may do well Momf. 'T is well Sir that you are so penitent Sir Rob. Oh Father I had need to rend my heart In sunder with true sorrows hourly sighes For I have done a deed more impious Than ever entred in the heart of man If ever thou didst hear of Momfords name His honor bounty and magnificence If ever thou didst hear his late defame His accusation exile indigence Then know that I am he Momford lov'd well Yet I am he by whom old Momford fell Momf. Alas Sir how Sir Rob. I coveted his Land And practis'd with Sir Walter Playnsey's Son An irreligious careless Gentleman Yet one that will make show swear and protest His course of life is equal with the best O there are many such old man there be Too many in this Land like him and me We laid this plot he should go into France He did and serv'd on horse at Amiens Where he was wilfully ta'n Prisoner And by his Keepers Daughter understood The French should by a trecherous plot win Guynes Wherein Lord Momford held a Garrison Momf. Who were consenting with the French in this Sir Rob. A Wallown-Captain called Haute Bewmart Momf. Did Momford know of it Sir Rob. No old man never - But Playnsey counterfeited certain Letters Subscribing them with Lord Villiers his name In gratulation for betraying Guynes These Letters were delivered to a Post The Post surpriz'd examin'd where he had them He answered from Villiers his Secretary For in his habit Playnsey was disguis'd Momf. Oh Heaven Sir Rob. Good father wherefore dost thou sigh Momf. For grief mens hearts should harbour such deceits Sir Rob. I faint good father if thou can relieve me Call for thy Daughter stretch me on a bed Bear witness I repent now help and ease me And till I dye conceal my treachery Momf. Be sure I will and yet I hope you 'll live And reconcile the banish't Lord your self For 't was an unjust fact indeed it was Come Daughter help to lead in this Gentleman Wee 'll show him all the favour that we can Enter Bess. Bess. Father he fownes Momf. Come quickly help him in I hope he will recover but if not Heaven grant his sins may wholly be forgot Exeunt Enter Canbee disguised Can. This damb'd perpetual Rogue Swash has kept me here in little ease of the bare ground hungry cold and comfortless ever since two hours afore day I am hungry for the hundred pound he brings cold at my heart for fear he come without it and comfortless least if he have it he comes with company but lupus in fabula here he comes what and alone excellent the 100 l. myne own then Enter Swash Swa•h. I discover none the danger is past I think I may with safety put up an honest weapon thou terror to all Theeves sleep there my young Master promised to meet me he stayes somewhat long but he knows Swash is able to stand under the strokes of a dozen false slaves oh that I could meet with a Theef now to try my valour Can. Stand sirrah and deliver Swash Oh Lord Theeves theeves oh oh Can. Peace Villain or I 'le cut out thy Tongue and make a rasher of the coals on 't deliver the mony Swash Yes good Mr. Theef with all my heart there 't is I am glad I had it for you Can. So am I too Sir come hold up I must now bind you hand and foot for running after me Swash I pray you do bind me hard do good Mr. Theef harder yet Sir Can. So now farewell your mony goes with me Sir Swash Farewell kind Mr. Theef O pox choke him for a slave Theeves theeves theeves help help help Enter Hadland and Snip with Strowd's sword Had. Sirrah Snip be sure you run away with Strowd's sword Snip I warrant you Sir let me alone for running Swash Theeves theeves help help Snip How theeves I 'le go and raise the town Sir theeves theeves Ex. Snip Enter Tom Strowd Y. Stro. How Theeves where 's Snip run with my sword who 's that cries Theeves Swash how now man come stand to it Swash Yes Sir I am bound to it Y. Stro. Why what 's the matter Swash how cam'st thou thus ha Swash I am rob'd Master Y. Stro How rob'd I hope not so man Swash Yes faith there was six Theeves set upon me I very manfully kill'd seven of the six and the rest carried away the mony but I shall have it again that's the best on 't Y. Stro. How dost thou know thou shalt ha 't again Swash Swash Why he has left me his bond here to bring it again Y. Stro. There 's a bond with a Halters name Swash is all the mony gone Swash Every peny Master Y. Stro. What ill fortune is that Swash what shall we do now trow Enter Snip and Canby Snip Theeves theeves come good Mr. Canby make hast this way this way Can. Theeves where Boy I am almost out of breath with runring what Mr. Strowd and Swash how comes this Y. Stro. Why Swash is rob'd man Can. How rob'd Y. Stro. Yes faith but I may thank Snip there that run away with my sword Snip Alas Sir I was so amazed I knew not what I did Nor whither I ran till I met Mr. Canbee here Can. Rob'd I wod I had been with thee Swash Swash I honest Mr. Canbee and you had been with me I had scaped well enough then Can. Well Mr. Strowd as I was passing through Allgate this morning I saw the Shreeves and Constables set towards to Newgate to fetch your father the Carpenter in a Cart carried the Jebbet to Bednall-Green only love to meet you made me neglect the principal business here 's the Protectors Reprieve I have done the part of a Gentleman here 's Humphry Gloster good Noble man he loved your Father well let not your delay dash all I was two hours by the clock of my bare Knees to the Protector pray'd the equity of the quarrel and could Westfords body a been found the Pardon had been sealed but haste away with the Repreeve take horse at Langton and make speed or your father will be hanged Y. Stro. How take horse quoth ye yes the Cat would lick her ears and she had 'em why I was rob'd too last night my self at Langton Can. Were you rob'd Mr. Strowd Y. Stro. Yes faith they make a matter of nothing to rob Swash and I now adayes I have not a horse to cast at a dog man not I. Can. Apox of all ill fortunes hold Sir there 's five shillings left take it and go take my horse at the Bell at Stratford and make hast for fear you come too late Y. Stro. Troth Mr. Canbee and ye gave me all that ere ye had I can but thank you
THE BLIND-BEGGAR OF BEDNAL-GREEN VVITH The merry humor of Tom Strowd the Norfolk Yeoman as it was divers times publickly acted by the Princes Servants Written by JOHN DAY GRANTED BY H R M PROHIBITED TO BE COVNTERFETED LONDON Printed for R. Pollard and Tho. Dring and are to be sold at the Ben Iohnsons Head behind the Exchange and the George in Fleetstreet near Saint Dunstans Church 1659. Drammatis Personae KIng Henry the sixth Duke of Gloster Protector Momford the Blind-beggar Bedford a Noble-man Bewford Lord Cardinal Sir Robert Westford Brother and private enemy to Momford Captain Westford true Friend to Momford Sir Walter Playnsey a Lover of Ell•nor Young Playnsey Troth-plight Husband of Bess Momford Old Strowd a Norfolk Yeoman Tom Strowd his Son Swash his man and Clown two Cheats Canbee Hadland Snip their Boy Ellanor old Playnsey's Ward Bess the Blind-beggars Daughter Kate Sir Roberts Daughter Switzer Vitler Landeress Armorer Carter Souldiers Officers and Attendants Scene Bednal Green The Blind-Beggar of Bednall-Green ACT I. Enter Bedford Sir Robert Westford Captain Westford and Souldiers Bed YOu Peers of England that with awfull dread Drum Have pac'd on the green Garments of fair France Here cease a while and give the French-men rest That they may know whose Soveraignty is best Either the Dolphin• or our Royal Lords But what avails our Conquests far from home When civil Discords stir uncivil arms In the Kings Chamber London nay his Court See Lords read what is written there By blest St. Peter Gloster is to blame And W•nchester hath neither grace nor shame Sir Rob. Yes my Lord he is Lord Cardinals grace Bed Lord Cardinal marry fie he was proud before But now his Hat exalts his proud heart more But when I come among them I le make them know The benefit of Peace fall out for women Wrangle at a word the one 's Protector Of a sacred Prince the other made a Prince Drum afar off Amongst the Prelates though Bewford basely born I le write to them if with regardless eyes our lines they read VVe 'll over and cut off their factious head Sir Rob. About old Playnseys son what says your Excellency Bed Sir Walters son marry Sir Rob. Westford March a far off This Drum I think marcheth from Amiens Is should be he I sent him for the Prisoners Enter young Plainsey with Drum and Souldiers and a Switzar Y. Playn Health to your Excellence most gracious Regent Playnsey long Prisoner in Amiens Releast by Momfords bounty and your care Requests before these Prisoners be dismist This Switzar may be searcht for last night late I heard a Gentleman tell him in Dutch If he would bear a Letter to a Lord VVith whom Veleires had intelligence He should receive in hand ten Crowns in gold And 30 more when 't was deliver'd him Bed Who was it promis'd you so large reward Switz On frolick yonker Dat is de Scryven Ick Doeniit for-stow De secretarie to Van Here Velieres Bed He was the Secretary to the Governour Swiz Yaw yaw mine Here Bed Who were they sent unto Swiz To van Heren Montford dat is de grave van Callis ant van Guynes Dar is deen script deen Letters watt you see then Bed To Momford what should Veleires write to Momford Read Sr. Rob. Playnsey is this the plot for Momfords fall Y. Playn It is and be assured that down he shall Sr. Rob. Oh let me hugg thee thou hast won my heart Y. Playn Forbear lest the sharp eye of Jealousie See by this suddain Joy our Injury Sir Rob. When it breaks forth wee 'l seem to weep for grief Bed Lords take your places and Mr. Playnsey take your seat For in this business your desert is great See here 's a Letter sent from Amiens unto Momford Omnes How unto Momford Bed Yes and if this speak right Momford betray'd Guynes on Friday night And means to morrow ere the Sun be set To yield up Callis to the enemy Cap. West High Heaven for-send it gracious General I think there breaths not a more noble Spirit In any Souldiers breast than noble Momfords Y. Playn I 'le gage my life Lord Momford will be loyal Bed We would be loath to find him otherwise Enter Momford But here he comes himself his eyes bewray Sorrow as clowds fore-shew a stormy day Monf Better success betide my Noble Lords Than hath befaln the miserable Momford Bed What hath befaln thee Momf. Guynes Guynes is betray'd Bed And when must Callis be surrendered Momf. Never while Momford hath the charge of it Bed Yes if thou have the charge of it this night It must be yielded unto false Veleires Here 's a large promise of ten thousand Marks Your praise for Fridays work in yielding Guynes Know you this hand Oh that on silver hairs After much honour won in flowring Youth Should sit so huge a shame as on thine doth Momf. My Lord Lords all this is conspiracy Bed True conspiracy in thee for there he stands That should have brought that Letter to thy hands Momf. This fellow fled from Hance Beamart the Traitor The Walloon Captain that betray'd the Lanthorn And so by consequence the Fort of Guynes Bed Momford no more his free confession Hath purchased his pardon fellow stay Amongst our English and expect good pay Swiz Thank had mine Here lets Iacob gilt habben And Ick sall fight wid ten hunderd towsand Divels Exit Switz Momf. Shall such a one touch Momfords reputation Bed These Letters and the accidents succeeding Condemn thee and thou know'st by Law of Arms Thou merit'st death with more than common torture But thy exceeding vallour of•en tride Sets open Mercies gate whose gentle hand Leads thee from death but leaves thee banished From England and the Realms and Provinces Under protection of the English King Only thy Lands and Goods thou shalt enjoy And wheresoere from them be still maintain'd Momf. My gracious Lord Bed Thou find'st but too much grace Momf. Here me but speak Bed No more we must away To win by force the Town thou didst betray Exeunt Momf. Oh miserable miserable man Falls West Why do you faint why fall you on the ground Sir Rob. Cosen arise Manet Momford Sir Rob. Y. Playnsey and Cap. Westford Y. Playn Father you are my Father The Lady Elizabeth your noble Daughter Is my affied wife for her sake rise And stop this tide of woe that drowns your eyes Momf. Oh miserable miserable Man Dishonours-abject base reproaches scorn Why was mine age to this disaster born Cap. West Comfort your self let not condemn'd despair Add to your sorrow more than common care If you be just as I suppose you be Know Innocence ends not in misery Kings have had falls great Souldiers overthrown No riches in this earth is a mans own He strives he toyls with many pains he takes it In an age gets it in one hour forsakes it Enter Luce the Landeresse and 3 others Vitler Hee 's yonder yet hee 's
King Lady I do believe you Sir for did you look Into my State with an indifferent eye Or love me half so well as you make shew You would Old Playn Come come I know what you would say You think I am your Foe because I keep you From private conference with the Duke of Gloster And his proud Uncle the Lord Cardinal That divers times have practis'd sundry plots To steal you from my house Lady Your love 's but feign'd Because you say you love me for my living Old Playn I say my first love took first life from thence But since more dear familiarity Hath brought forth perfect and true shapen love I love you Lady and you are mine own Mine in possession and I do intend To make you mine by lawfull marriage Then blame me not if being all my joy And the high-prized Jewel of my heart I over-look you with a wary eye Lest Gloster or the Bastard Cardinal Should with their swelling Protestations Knock Cheat my fair meaning of thy hopefull love Enter a Serv. Serv. Sir here 's a Servant from the Duke of Gloster Hath brought you Letters Old Playn How Letters to me No thou mistak'st they come to Ellenor Enter Gloster disguised with a Letter Glost. My Lord and Master greets Sir Walter Playnsey Old Playn I do accept his honourable love With more than mean or ordinary care Reads He doth intreat me to come and speak with him About some certain Letters come from France Touching the present fortunes of my Son Lately tane Prisoner by the bloodie French He shall command far more than he intreats Knocks How now whose that which knocks Enter Serv. Serv. One of the Cardinals men Old Playn Bid him to come in Enter the Cardinal disguised with Letters Card. Sir Walter Playnsey From my Lord Cardinals grace of Winchester I greet thee well and charge thee without stay To come and answer such objections As may by him be laid unto thy charge Glost. Oh you should be his Sumner by your message Card. And if I do not take my marks amiss Thou shouldest be Glosters Skullion Glost. How ye Groom I am as good a man and better born Than up-start Bewford the base Cardinal Card. Sirrah wert not thou in presence of this Lady Whose love my Lord doth prize above his life I 'd scorn to take these braves at Glosters hands Much less at thine Madam know I am Bewford And for your love do undergo this scorn Lady Then for my love let all these quarrels cease For fear Sir Walter do discover you Glost. Hadst thou been Servant to the meanest man That breaths in England being legitimate I would have born with thee but thou to brave me Whose Master I esteem as basely on As on thy words I cannot put it up For Madam know that howsoere diguis'd My name is Gloster who holds scorn Lady No more If ever I had interest in your love Shew it in silence that 's the Cardinal Who comes diguis'd arm'd with some base resolve To get me hence by forein violence Glost. Is' t possible that this disguise should meer So just with mine Lady 'T is true he told me all Glost. Wo'd we were well rid of his company Lady Do you but send away Sir Walter Playnsey Let me alone to pack the Cardinal Both What do you say Sir Walter Old Playn There is some hidden secret in this message Which Playnsey sounds not but I 'll go to them both Glost. But Sir I hope you 'l go to Gloster first Card. And why to Gloster first Glost. 'Cause hee 's the betcer man Card. He lyes that sayes it Glost. Were the Cardinal Bewford himself apparell'd in thy cloaths Draw I 'd cross his pare for giving me the lye Old Playn Keep the Kings peace Sir Glost. Sir Walter so I will Yet the worst boy that feeds on Glosters beef Holds it high scorn to pocket up the lye At ere a Sumners hand that follows Bewford Card. Thou durst not speak this in another place Glost. Yes here or anywhere to Bewfords face Even to his teeth and I would thou wert he Card. Shall I be brav'd oh I could tear my flesh And eat his heart for this disparagement I fear he knows me and to work my shame He braves me thus before my Mrs. face But Bewford with a shower of patience Lay the rough wind of thy distemper'd thoughts For my vext Soul hath tane a solemn oath Nere to kiss comfort till I be reveng'd Old Playn Nay Gentlemen howsoever private brawls Have set your Lords and Masters at debate Let my intreats so much prevail with you As in my house to use no violence And so I pray rest pleas'd for ere I sleep I do intend to visit both my Lords Will 't please you to walk along for company Card. I would but I must stay an hour or two About some other business in the Town Glost. About my Love you mean but Cardinal Here 's one will do that business to your hand Old Playn Why then farewell to you both Exit old Playn Both A due Sir Walter Playnsey Lady A word with you my good Lord Cardinal Your Brothers man seems very quarrelsome And should you both stay there might grow some jars Which to prevent I would intreat your grace To walk before into the Spittle fields Whilst with good words I send away this Fellow Which done I 'll chuse my opportunity And in the absence of Sir Walter Playnsey Get out and meet you at the Orchard-gate And there conclude about some stratage me To make you Master of your own desires Card. Enough sweet Lady Sirrah Horse-courser I 'll course you one day for your Jadish tricks Glo. Jades a fit Title for an Asse like thee That canst not kick but bear all injury Manet Glo. Elle Come Madam now let 's go the Cardinals mad To lose thee thus then banish hence all fear Gloster is on thy side Exeunt Enter Canbee and Hadland and Cardinal Can. Sirrah Iack Had. What sayest thou Franck Can. How you base Rogue nere an M. under your Gidle have I preferr'd thee to my good Lord Cardinal here and am I no better than your homesome Franck Had. Canbee let me nere take purse again and I think not but thou and this Tom Tawny coat here gull me make me your cheat your gull your strowd your Norfolk Dumpling whom when you cheated him of his sattin-suite left naked bed to the mercy of his hostess Can. And I damb thee not for thy unbelief Call Canbee Coward think'st thou I wo'd have lost this evenings work but for my Noble my Princely Lord Cardinal no Had. That 's some reason indeed but Prince and Cardinal if thou be Iack-Hadland swears by the bawl'd Crown of King Carnifax the meeting thy greatness this evening has dampnified our receipts at least six purses Card. Be what you will be both only be resolute In any quarrel against Glosters men And on mine honour I
and your horse were a horse of gold he shall be forth-comming again Come Swash let us go Exit Tom Stro Swash Mr. Canbee no more but so for this kindness farewell Mr. Hadland farewell Snip pray let 's see ye all at the Gallows till when I bequeath this halter amongst ye in token of my love and so adue Snip Farewell Swash and be hang'd Had. Canbee art thou mad to give him thy horse and five shillings to save his father from hanging Can. No you Friday-fac't-frying pan it was to save us all from whipping or a worse shame for let your Rogueship understand that this reprieve is counterfeit and made by me your ordinary pasport maker that should have lost an ear at Salisbury and another at Northampton the truth is we must leave London for if the Protector get us under his protection we shall all go Westward for this warrant Had. Let 's turn Gypsies again then and go about a fortune-telling 't is in good request again now Can. That 's the smooth foot path up Holborn no lack there 's an odde fellow snuffels i' the nose that shows a motion about Bishopsgate we 'le wheel about by Ratliff and get to his lodging see shews for a fortnight till Strowd's nine daies wonder of hanging be past to let us use his motion which done the boy shall turn girle thou as I have done already wash off that Gypsie-colour and be door-keeper with the boy my self with a half vizzard will describe and thus we 'le live like young Emperors Had. •anbee I 'le chronicle thee for this conceit Snip thou shalt have good purchase of the Wenches in the throng Snip And if I snip not off their Purses then call me crack Ex. Enter Gloster Sir Walter Playnsey and his Son Captain Westford Enter Old Strowd to the Gallows with the Hangman and Officers Glost. Strowd I am sorry for this heavy sight And by the dread command of my liege Lord I come to witness 'twixt the world and you What state you dye in how you will dispose Your lands your goods and debts now forfeited These he restores thee yet whilst thou has life To give unto your son your friends or wife Old Stro. I humbly thank his royal Majesty VVishing long happiness to him and you But with your favour my good Lord Protector I still deny I am a Murtherer I kill'd Sir Robert Westford in fair fight Our quarrel rising from open wrong He offer'd to his neece the Lady Momford Glost. All that was certified his Majesty But prethee hear me Strowd Death's fleshless hand Clapsing the wretched palms of endless woe Hath made a circle and thy soul 's the Center From which by neither power prayers or tears If thou dye desperate she can be freed Old Stro. My Lord I do beseech ye pardon me The worl'd believes that I have murder'd Westford Or since abus'd his body being dead And shaming at my savage guiltiness Have hurl'd it in some well not to be found Is this the matter that I should confess Glost. It is good Strowd in that make clear thy Soul Old Stro. He whose pure blood turns scarlet sins to snow Forgive me all my faults and Westford's death But if I ever wrong'd him being dead Or mov'd him from the place whereon he fell Not far off from this place where I must fall I ask Heavens anger on me for his grace And I can say no more concerning that Glost. Enough what sayes thou about Momford's lands Old Stro. I say seeing the King of his good grace Hath given me all my lands my debts and goods I give too marks and all the deeds Unto the Lady Elizabeth his Daughter And Captain Westford in whom I put all trust Be carefull that the Lady be not wrong'd Cap. West I warrant you Mr. Strowd Glost. How mean'st thou to di•pose of all thine own Old Stro. I have a will drawn at my house in Harling And I confirm that for my Testament Glost. Are you pleas'd that will shall be perform'd Old Stro. Heaven's will be done But I would fain have seen mine unkind Son Glost. Tarry a little Executioner Enter Tom Strowd and Swash Y. Stro. Hold hold hold let him alone you cross legg'd-hartichoak touch him and thou dare Swash Hold Hangman and thou be'st a man hold for the Kings advantage Glost. What are these trow Y. Stro. Two sir that come not without their cards I hope Father you have a simple fellow to your Son you see come who 's the shreeve here haw Old Playn I do supply his place Y. Stro. Do ye so then here 's a Mittimus to repreeve my father back again to the Gaol or a repreeval what do you call it it 's my Lord Cardinal's and my Lord Protectors own hands and seals I assure you Sir Glost. Proud Winchesters and mine that 's strange let 's see it Swash It is not so strange as true Sir there it is Glost. Is this your Son Strowd Old Stro I my gracious Lord Y. Stro. 'T is the more shame for my Mother else Glost. Where had you this repreeve Y. Stro. Of an honest Gentleman Sir one that can do any reasonable matter with my Lord Protector Swash I truly Sir he is one as honest a Gentleman as Canbee Glost. It may be so for I know one Franck Canbee He serv'd sometimes Bewford the Cardinal The commonst cosening Knave in all this Land Swash I I that 's he Sir that 's he Y. Stro. As God mend me 't is the very same man but all 's one for that he has plaid the kind Gentleman with me and as God save me and Swash had not been rob'd this morning of 100 pound I had paid him well for his pains too Sir Glost. Strowd turn your self to Heaven these hopes are vain And young Strowd as you hope to have our favour After your Father's death I charge you seek That Canbee forth that forg'd you this repreeve Y. Stro. How after my father's death I hope it is not come to that now after all this charge Old Stro. Sirrah you ever chuse you such sure Mates My Lord Protector pray be good to him Y. Stro. Nay pray you my Lord be good to my father and turn him 'ore the Ladder Swash is this my Lord Erector Y. Stro. How 's that my Lord Protector and you be my Lord Protector I pray do but set your hand to this Bill and as God save me and ere ye come into Norfolk I 'le do you twenty times as good a turn as the hanging of my father comes to pray you my Lord Swash Do my good Lord Erector and Swash and his Buckler shall be at your service Old Stro. Peace peace your idle prate Heaven's peace Must be my comfort in adversity Y. Stro. Swash what shall become of me now I nere dare go down into Norfolk again every clown will brave me and bid me go to London and be hang'd as my father was Swash I and they
'll bid Swash swing in an Halter as his old Master did Enter old Momford lead in by Bess Momford Momf. Some good man bring me to an Officer It may be a blind wretch may save a subject Swash Master here 's a blind man come to see your father hang'd Y. Stro. How a blind man see him hang'd that were strange indeed Swash Old Playn What would that aged man and that fair Maid Swash I hope she comes to beg my old Master from the Gallows Y. Stro. No Swash She should have come in her Smock and then Swash It may be it is not clean Master Momf. I heard the people murmur near my house A little Cottage yonder on the Green That there was come an antient man to die For killing of a Knight last afternoon If it be so the Knight lives and no doubt Will be recovered of his dangerous wounds Glost. Where is he father Momf. Yonder in my Cottage Swash O brave Master he sayes the Knight 's in his God-piece Y. Stro. No in his Cottage man thou mistakest Momf. He nam'd himself but now and sent us forth To know the truth and he comes after us As well as his green wounds will give him leave Y. Stro. I marry Swash here 's a good old man and a goodly Mother brings news for the nonce I wo'd not for all the Bullocks in Norfolk th 'ad faln out that my father had faln off Glost. Let Strowd come down I hope Sir Robert lives And if he do believe me I 'le reprove This over rash proceedings for Strowd's death Old Playn May it please your grace 't was Sessions the last day Strowd granted he had kill'd him Judgement past And my Sons wife the Daughter to Sir Robert Hasten'd with tears the execution Enter Sir Robert Westford Swash Yonder he comes Master come you had like to made a fine piece of work here are you a Knight and can fight no better Sir Rob. Health to my gracious Lord the Duke of Gloster Glost. I am glad Sir Robert Westford of your health How do you feel your wounds Sir Rob. May it please your grace I hope they will do well This good old man and this fair-comming Maid Next under Heaven preserv'd me from death Glost. Be thankfull to them then and hear ye young Strowd Consider this poor man and that fair Maid Y. Stro. Consider her I consider well enough sirrah Swash methinks it is the prettiest Mother that ere man's eyes look't on Glost. Sir Walter Playnsey take Strowd to your house His pardon shall be sent you ere you dine So upon Sureties let him be discharg'd But hear you young Strowd see you find out Canbee Or at my hands never expect a favour Y. Stro. Yes my Lord I 'le find him or it shall go hard vesdiness Swash I am mightily smitten in love with yonder Mother and I ha not a swelling burning feavour in every member wo'd I might nere stir yonder 's Mr. Playnsey has all the talk with her and yet hee 's no Batchelar Swash Cannot you go and take her away from him I co'd do it my self Master Y. Stro. I le go to 'em I 'le try Goddeen to your Sir Swash Pish you are no body Master let me alone I have a device to get him away and then do you sease upon the Wench follow me Master Y. Stro. Oh brave Swash e'faith Enter a Messenger Glost. Now Sir your news Mess The haughty Cardinal Taking advantage of your being from home Hath with a crue of his Confederates Beset St. Iohnses and with all his force Assayls to wrong the Lady Ellenor And steal her forth the Castle Glost. Is' t possible that this proud Priest dares offer violence Unto my Troth-plight Ellenor Mess 'T is too true my Lord Glost. Where is he now Mess Rid to the Court my Lord Glost. And thither Gloster doth intend to fly As swift as quickest speed will give him leave Ex. Glost. Old Stro. Come Sir you 'll seek those Cozeners No doubt those copes-mates had my 100 pound And do you hear take your companion with you Go and seek them or for your own part never see my face But as for you that trust to every slave Wasting my goods nay jesting out my life By false repreeves and such base practises Walk pack sink swim pine perish look not on me Till you have found those that have Cony-catch't you Y. Stro. Heark hither Swash and it had not been for a blemish to the name of the Strowds wo'd we had made an end of this brawling at the Gallows and then thou should'st a seen whether I wo'd a kept such a coyl for a little pawltry loss or no I warrant thee he ha not the honesty to cast thee a Noble towards the healing of thy crack't Crown yet every one sayes he gave that ill-fac't knave the Hangman five or six pound Swash I that was to buy him a better face Mr. But give him good words you know the old man is kind enough Y. Stro. I as any Corssen creature hee 's won with a Apple and lost again with a nut but come Swash we 'll go seek out those Cony-catchers and ere I catch them I 'le make them pay soundly all for their roguery Exeunt young Strowd and Swash Old Playn Sir Robert will you shake hands with Mr. Strowd Sir Rob. Well he may have my hand but not my heart Srowd thou didst wound me yet thou didst it well No more I 'le think on 't till my dying day I 'le sit upon your skirts before I will Capt. West Oh Uncle have patience Sir Rob. You are an Agent for the Child of Momford I pray you Sir Walter Playnsey make good Bonds That Strowd abuse me not look to 't I pray Old Playn I warrant you Sir Robert I 'le be sure Of such security as you shall like Old Stro. Come Captain Westford you shall have the Deeds Concerning Momford's lands past unto you Cap. West I had rather Sir you kept them in your hand Old Stro. Well as you please yet walk with us I pray You brought me to the Gallows bring me back Father farewell farewell good gentle maid I 'le rest your Debtor till some other time But 't was Sir Robert's kindness to reveal his name Else Hangman you had had this home-spun suit But Heaven be thank't I keep it for my Son I hope to driue him from his silken humour Cap. West Come good Mr. Strowd will you go Old Stro. Gallows farewell Strowd's heart is blithe and bold Having escap'd thy danger being thus old Exeunt old Strowd Cap. Westford and old Playnsey Sir Rob. A plague of this blind slave and that base drab Else hadst thou hang'd ere I had been discover'd And on my tongue a mischief that reveal'd Our purpose in the plot of Momfords fall But I ha 't now I am resolv'd hear you Son Playnsey I pray you give that Maid a mark in gold And Father I must crave a word with
in love Both to his King and to fair Englands good Yet ere I set my hand to this new League Bewford if any undisgested wrong Lyes in thy swelling bosome freely speak 't And Gloster will as freely answer it But if thy Conscience be as clear from soyl Of hatefull treachery as Glosters is Give me thy hand and with thy hand thy heart Which Gloster will as charily regard As the best blood that 's chamber'd in his breast Card. On that Condition Bewford gives his hand And from his heart wipes off all forepass'd wrongs King Witness this League Lords and now Ant Ellanor Heaven give you joy both of our Uncles love And of this new born peace Now Uncle Gloster I desire to know The cause of Momford's treason and his fall Which he hath lately undergone in France Glost. His fall my Liege was great but his offence Little or none for by Velleires his means Who as a Prisoner now attends your Grace I have found out since Momford's banishment That all his accusations were false King Yet Guynes in which Lord Momford had a charge Was yeelded up by Treason Glost. True my Liege I have known Momford in my Brothers days Put in great trust yet never heard That he was found disloyal in his charge King And Uncle Gloster we have always had His honor'd age in reverent esteem We hear he had a Daughter where lives she Glost. Thrust out of all by one old Westford's means King Methinks 't is hard the Child should not enjoy The riches that the painfull Father left Good Uncle Gloster let it be your care To see old Momferd's Daughter have her right Enter Old Pl. But what grave man is that Glost. Sir Walter Playnsey The bosom friend unto exiled Momford King Sir Walter Playnsey by our Uncles leave I pray stand up methinks those reverent hairs Deserve a softer pillar than the ground I pray stand up and boldly speak your mind Old Playn My Soveraign Liege your Subject comes in love To let you know that divers Gentlemen On what presumption they themselves best know Have underta'en to prove in open field That the Lord Momford who late fell in France Was treacherously accus'd Glost. Why 't was your Son That first p•oduc'd his accusation Old Playn Your Grace will give me leave to clear my self For I was neither privy to that fact Nor speak in his excuse he is my Son But if in malice he hath wrong'd Lord Momford Let him have Justice and the Law take place King Are they resolv'd to try it out in fight Old Playn They are my Liege and only wait your pleasure King Even what our Uncle Gloster will set down We do assent to Glost. Herald fetch them in See them at all points arm'd Enter with Drum Sir Robert West young Playn Canbee and Hadland At the other Door old Momf. Cap. West Tom Srrowd and old Strowd and Bess. Glost. Who is the Plaintiff Momf. I my gracious Lord Glost. Reach him the Book and thereon take thine Oath That thou art neither drawn by bribes nor hate To undertake this Comba• 'T is enough Speak truth and nought but truth so help thee Heaven Momf. Pleaseth your Grace this in a word is all Sir Robert Westford and Mr. Playnsey there confest To a Blind-man in hearing of that Maid That Playnsey and himself did counterfeit The Letters that wrought Momfords banishment Glost. Give him the Book now answer on thine oath In thy defence Sir Rob. Then first my Liege 't is false Next hee 's a Felon and by force of arms Offer'd to rob these honest Gentlemen In the high way T. Stro. Then I can hold my tongue no longer it 's an arrant lye my Lord that 's the plain English on 't for I was by when Sir Robert Westford and Mr. Playnsey gave them 30l to murder the Blind-beggar his Brother and his Daughter and if I had not been they had been all kill'd too so had they King Fellows what do you say to this •an My Liege I cannot talk grant me the Combate and my Sword shall prove Iam a Souldier and my tongue nere knew the art of scolding Glost. Give him his will alarum to the fight King Stay for me thinks there is some difference Both in their years and their conditions And for we highly prize our Subject lives Good Uncle Gloster let them choose their weapons It may be a means to save their lives Glost. And hearten others in pursute of knowledge Herauld bring forth all sorts of weapons 'T is the King's pleasure that every man Make choice of those weapons he hath practis'd most Sir Robert chuse your weapon first Sir Rob. Thanks to my Liege the common fight of these same serving men is sword and dagger therefore I 'll chuse the sword and target they are unskilfull in I take the sword and target for my defence Momf. And my Liege because Sir Rob. Westford shall not think I 'll take any advantage I 'll answer him at his own weapons Kings 'T is well on to the next Y. Playn Come Captain Westford you have been in Spain And well are practis'd in the desperate fight of single Rapier Cap. West Playnsey I am pleas'd King So are not we the single Rapier is too desperate And therefore choose some other weapon Or we will have no Combat fought this day Y. Playn Backsword then and 't please your Grace King So we are pleas'd Can. Sirrah Iack methinks Sword and Bucklet's a safe fight Had. I 'll choose no other and I had a thousand lives Tom. Stro. I do take your bars of Iron and your Barn-doors and I do not bang 'em together like a couple of Cur-dogs I 'll nere be seen again King Sirrah thou fellow T. Stro. Anon. King What weapons wilt thou use T. Stro. Weapon me no weapons I can play at wasters as well as another man but all 's one for that give me but an ashen Gibbet in my hand and I do not dry-bang them both I 'll be bound to eat hay with a horse so will I. King An ashen-gibbet what dost thou mean by that T. Stro. What do I mean by it quoth ye I think you be sib to one of the London-Cockneys that ask't whether Hay-cocks were better meat broyl'd or rosted an ashen Plant a good Cudgell what sho'd I ca it King If there be such a weapon in the Court let one go fetch it him T. Stro. Nay I 'll make a page of my own age and fet it my self Swash bring out my blest Beggar there Enter Swash with an ashen-Gibbet Swash Yes Sir here 's your blest Beggar Master T. Stro. Look ye Sirs this is en it and I do not cudgell'em both with it I 'll give you leave to stick me up at the Court-gate for a Pissing-post so will I. King But two to one is oddes rather fight single T. Stro. No they know me well enough I have cudgelled them both afore now King Well if thou dare oppose