'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
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
kissing the Wenches you Swash Not I indeed Master I never use to kiss any not I. Old Stro. You know what complaints was made of you the last wedding you were at Swash I thank ye Master ye made me stand in a white sheet for ye Old Stro. How for me Knave go to thou lyest thou shalt not be there for that lye Swash Pray let me go there will be all the Youth of our Parish there good Master Old Stro. Well Sir go your way but let me hear no ill of ye you were best Swash I warrant ye Master thank ye Sir hey for our Town Green now ifaith Old Stro. Go get you gone I fear we shall fall out I wonder what Sir Robert does intend Exit Sir Rob. Look to 't pine pule weep sob it shall be so Thou shalt be Playnseys wife who ere sayes no Old Stro. Sir Robert since your Cosen is refus'd By Mr. Gilbert Playnsey if she please and you agree Your Cosen Elizabeth shall have Tom Strowd You know he is my Heir no Clown no Swad But held in Norfolk for a Lusty Lad. Sir Rob. Let her take whom she will all 's one to me Old Stro. How say you Lady Bess. For Playnsey's sake The name of mariage I have sworn to hate Enter old Playnsey and his Son Momford follows them Sir Rob. Good morrow good Sir Walter and Son Playnsey I trust Sir Walter gill hath let you know My purpose for this mariage with my Daughter Old Playn He tells me he is so resolv'd Sir Robert And in his own power now consists his choyce But be assur'd the searching eye of Heaven Sees every thought of man take heed you two Answer not for each ill deed and wrong ye do Sir Rob. Tut tut Sir Walter God and we for that Speak Mr. Playnsey let Bess Momford hear How you resolve unto my Daughter Katherine Y. Playn I come to mary her Kate Think upon your Vow See this sad Lady when you went to France You swore at your return to mary her Y. Playn Fair be content my mind therein is chang'd Her Father is disgraced and exil'd And therefore Playnseys Son doth scorn his Child Bess. Do scorn me leave me every way abuse me Death will receive me though you all refuse me Sir Rob. Nay good Sir Walter be not discontent Son Playnsey Daughter Katherine let 's confer Old Stro. How say you Madam will Sir Robert Westford Defeat me of the Land I have at morgage Take away all your Jewels and your plate Bess. He sayes he will Old Stro Well let him and he dare And if he wrong you Lady come to me Momf. Wondrous amazement what doth Momford see Where he most trusted most impiety Sir Rob. The Chaplain stayes in Heavens name let us in They shall be maried in Bess Momfords sight Kate Father your malice to my Cosen Momford This deed of Playnsey whom you call my Husband Whom I shall never love never abide Makes me to Death and Shame become a Bride But Shame will quickly from my red cheeks flye And Death will paint them with his ashy dye Sir Rob. Come come leave pratling Playnsey comfort Kate Y. Playn Fair Love be frolick talk no more of death and care We 'll sport for I am young and thou artfair Farewell forsaken Turtle take thy flight To some more abject mate whilst Kate and I joys adore Kate High Heaven forgive me Father have remorce Let me not thus be hal'd to death perforce Ex. both Old Playn Sir Robert Westford I mislike this match Old Stro. 'T is more than Injury but Lady grieve not you Be•s. No Sir I am patient Sir Rob. I pray you go in Sir Walter Old Playn Yes I 'll go in But Heaven can tell I hate this forc'd sin Ex. old Playn Sir Rob. What will you do Mr. Strowd Old S•ro I scarcely know Your moods and these affairs do ••ll out so Sir Rob. Well at your pleasure go Huswife get you in Bess. I will do what you will yet ere I go Somewhat on this old man I will bestow Thou seem'st a maymed Souldier wo is me I have a little Gold good Father take it And here 's a Diamond do not forsake it My Father was a Souldier maym'd like thee Thou in thy limbs he by vil'd infamy Old Stro. by th mass I like her shee 's a Momford right Of noble blood and the true Norfolk breed Hold the good fellow there 's one 40 pence From a poor Yeomans purse old Strowd of Harling Momf. I thank you Sir I have more than I deserve Sir Rob. I Sir and more than you shall bear from hence Come Minx what Iewell did you give this Rogue Momf. I am a Souldier Sir the name of Rogue Ill fits a man of your respect to give To a poor Gentleman though in distress Sir Rob. A Gentleman and why a Gentleman Because a Souldier Come you desper-view Deliver me the Iewel or I 'll hang thee To morrow is the Sessions I 'll make short And shave your Gentry shorter by the neck A Gentleman come come give me the Iewel What makes your Gentry sneaking at my Gate Momf. I came from Momford banish'd in Britany He prays ye by this token you would send A thousand Marks to help him in his need Sir Rob. Where do you lye Sir Momf. I lay last night with a Blind-Beggar That hath a little House on Bednall-Green Sir Rob. He came but yesterday I heard of him Beggars keep lodging well I 'll hamper him I know this token and will keep the same But have no 1000 Marks to maintain Rebels Momf. Base upstart Knight deliver Momfords Seal Draw Or by the honour of a Souldiers name I 'll slice thy heart out Sir Rob. Help me Mr. Strowd Old Stro. What help ye to do wrong Nay by the rood though Momford was exil'd 'T was told me he should have his Lands and Goods Sir Rob. There take them but do you hear me Sirrah Take heed I catch you not at the Blind-Beggars Momf. If I should lye there though you be a Iustice I trust to find Friends in my just defence Old Stro. Hold thee good fellow there 's the t'other noble by th mass I like thee th' art a tough old Lad Momf. I thank you Sir Lady I 'll take my leave Bess. Commend me to my Father good old man Momf. I will and tell him of Sir Roberts wrong Sir Rob. Do fellow say I scorn his treachery And hope his end will be in misery Momf. I 'll tell him what you say Exit Momf. Bess. Father farewell Sir Rob. Nay 't were best ye packt Beggar with Beggar for ye shall away Ha Huswife are you giving Diamonds Do you forget your Jewels are all mine Did not old Westford pay for this attire But off with it go in or either drudge Amongst my Servants to maintain your State Or pack stay not an hour Bess. You shall not need To bid me pack for I 'll begon
will answer what I have done Cap. West Not one word more Sir Enter old Strowd young Strowd and Swash Old Stro. I marry Sir why this is somewhat like Now art thou like thy self but stand aside Whos 's that Sir Robert hee 's as good's his word The Captain with him ah he promis't me To meet me single Sir Rob. Pacifie your self What I have done I 'le stand to pray forbear I 'le talk a word or two with Master Strowd What 's here his son how and his man too ha That 's more than promise Old Stro. Now Sir Robert Westford you are an early riser Sir Rob. My last nights promise waken'd me afore my hour Send hence your Son Old Stro. 'T is good I like you well send hence your Kinsman Yet 't is no matter I have a devise Shall rid them all God save you Captain Westford Thanks for your friendly company last night Cap. West I take your greetings kindly Mr. Strowd And with the tongue of love return it back With double intrest pray is not this your Son Old Stro. I cannot tell his Mother tells me so Cap. West I shall desire your more acquaintance Sir Y. Stro. I thank you Sir I am easier to be acquainted with all than to borrow mony on I thank my father but and it please you to drink a Cup of beer or ale and you 'le but walk 'ore the Green to the red lattice yonder I 'le bestow it on you Cap West Thanks Mr. Strowd pray walk to my Chamber I am desirons to impart my love Unto your kind acceptance Old Stro. Sir I thank you for him Please you to walk to Mile end with my Son And this good fellow I 'le but talk a word In secret here with Sir Robert Westford About Lord Momfords Lands and follow ye Capt. West At your good pleasure wilt please you walk Mr. Strowd Y. Stro. Pray lead the way I 'le follow you come hither Swash and it had pleas'd my Father I might a had as gallant apparell as he or another man but all 's one a dog has his day and I shall have mine too one day when the old man's dead I 'le make all flye then e'faith Exeunt Old Stro. So they are gone and now Sir Robert Westford Think of your last nights quarrel Sir Rob. Tut tut nee'r prate Old Stro. Thus I revenge my wrong Thus I defend The truth and reputation of my cause Sir Rob. O I am slain They fight and Sir Rob. falls Old Stro. Then Heaven receive thy Soul And pardon me thy Conscience can tell I never wish't unto thy Soul but well Ex. Strowd Enter Momford Momf. What pitious groan calls Momford from his Cell Whose this my Brother Westford what and slain Heaven thou art just he that last day for Gold Did sell my Daughter is himself now sold Into the hands of death Momford dissemble Daughter come forth and look about this Close I heard one groan Enter Bess Bess. And here 's a bloody Coarse Momf. Look if thou knowst it Bess. Oh 't is my Uncle Westford He that last day with his commanding breath Chid me out of his doors now breathless lies Intreating me to give his mingled body A homely entertainment in our Cell Heaven thou art just and dreadfull is thy judgement Momf. Glory not in his Fall but rather grieve That in his end thou canst him not relieve Let 's bear him in and if we can by Art Upon thy Foe we 'll work a friendly part For have he but the smallest sign of breath We 'll recall life and rescue him from Death But howsoe're the Body stayes with me Exeunt with the body Till Justice points him out that murder'd thee Enter old Strowd young Strowd and Swash Old Stro. Saddle my horse there Swash run Where 's my Son Y. Stro. At hand quoth Pick-purse what 's the matter with you trow Old Stro Good Son leave prating Swash where 's my horse I am undone go post to Chenford run to Mr. Glasscock Give him my Seal-ring desire him send me Where 's my horse I say the 100 pound he owes me where 's Captain Westford take heed he hear me not Lord how my heart pants in my bosome I have slain a man Swash Slain a man oh oh oh oh Y. Stro. Peace Swash do not cry so Swash No I do not cry I do but rore Old Stro. I had not the power to keep it longer Nor to take my horse till I confest it Enter Captain Westford and Officers Capt. West Lay hold on him and Mr. Strowd once more Confess thy guilt Old Stro. Why Sir I not deny Sir Robert Westford doing me much wrong Is by me slain Cap. West And you for this offence Shall be conducted safely unto Prison Till matters may be better thought upon Mean time your own confession is my warrant Y. Stro. My Father kill a man here 's a jest to mock an Ape withall what shall become of me now Swash hie thee to Chenford for the 100 pound and soon towards Evening I l'e meet thee at Ilford for fear of base Knaves I know not whom a man may trust when ones own Father does deceive 'em thus Ex. Swash Old Stro. Well Gentlemen I do obey the Law And yield my body Prisoner to the King Soon work what means ye can for my repreeve Till we may sue for pardon So adue my Son Heaven give thee grace such desperate bralls to shun Exeunt Y. Stro. Get a reprieval call you it I know no more how to go about it than I know how to build Pauls-steeple so I do not but I 'le go seek out a Gentleman one Franck Canby that served the Cardinall and try what he can do in it it 's an old saying in our Country it 's better to have a friend at Court than a peny in the purse it shall go hard but I 'le save my father from hanging that 's certain Ex. Musick ACT III. Enter Momford with Sir Rob. and Bess. Sir Rob. GOod Father gentle Maiden set me down My wound I fear will freshly bleed again I prethee let thy Daughter make a bed I fear my Death-bed good now send her in Momf. Daughter I pray go in and make the bed If we need help I 'le call you pray you begone Bess. It doth torment him to behold my sight Well Heaven forgive him and restore his health He did me more than wrong and if I see He be at point of death I 'le let him know That I am Momford's Childe he wronged so Exit Bess. Sir Rob. Father lend me thy hand now in Heaven's eye Swear to be secret till thou see me dead Or of this wound by the recovered Know first I am a Knight my Name is Westford My Wife was Sister to the Baron Momford Ready for a Hangman's will That Momford left his Daughter to my trust Which Daughter I have this day turned forth To seek her living and from her have kept Above ten
thee Y. Playn Fair Maid besides his offer take this Gold Bess. I pray you pardon me for all the world I would not do my soul that injury Y. Playn Divine immortal all my Souls delight Bess. Salute me not with such vain Epithite I am wretched mortal miserable poor But howsoever base I 'le be no whore Y. Playn Wilt thou be then my wife for she is dead Bess. It 's much unlike A Gentleman of your worth will vouchsafe A B•ggars Daughter to your Bridal bed Y. Playn By Heaven I will if thou w•lt grant me love I 'le answer you another time kind Sir My father hath no Nurse no Wife no childe No servant but my self and he is blind Y. Playn. Heark in thine ear one word Sir Rob. I I I I do remember such a tale I told thee Come hither good son Playnsey thou shalt hear it Last night at my first dressing I was Lunatick Mad that I was hurt more than of the hurt And in my ravening fit told this old fool That thou and I did practise Momford's fall Now this old Asse-believing I said true Comes with my Conscience bids me advise And goes about to make a matter on 't Ha ha old fool go go go to thy prayers Thou hadst need of eyes to keep thy Daughter honest I guess thy cottage be a brothell house Talk'st thou of Momfords fall and of my madness Momf. I do beseech ye hear me for Heaven's sake Sir Rob. Tu• tut do not tell me of Heaven or Hell Prate not I 'le send the now and then a peny But if thou tittle tattle tales of me I 'le clap thee by the heels and whip thy Daughter Turn thee to the wide world and let thee starve Come come son Plainsey let the Knave alone Keep 's tongue and keep his friend else he gets none Bess. My Father Sir had pity of your wounds Sir Rob. Peace Huswife I have paid him for his pains Come son away and old man hold your tongue Remember this old saw As men are friended Ex. Sir Rob. and Y. Playn So either right or wrong their sutes are ended Momf. Oh miserable age Bess. Oh wretched youth Momf. Oh times corrupt by men for want of truth Bess. What ailes my father Momf. Why exclaims my Daughter Bess. Playnsey the perjur'd he that did deride me He that did marry Westford's only Daughter Courts me again to be his Concubine Momf. Does he then know thee Bess. He makes show he doth not Momf. Oh do not trust him Girl Westford and he Are all compos'd of guile and subtilty Alas that this fair world by sin deform'd Should bear upon her bosome such a shape As Westford is last night expecting death Terror dwelt on his heart which forc'd him tell With tears and lamentations his foul facts No sooner had he any hope of health But he conspir'd the faultless death of Strowd And would not have come forth had not we been But till the man had dy'd kept close within Now he denies a deed as clear as day Threatens poor want and low-trod poverty Must not resist men in authority Come lead me in I would my daies were done Since vice layes baits which vertue cannot shun Exeunt ACT IV. Enter Tom Strowd and Swash Y. Stro. HOw 's this shall I see all Norwitch in the corner of a little Chamber I had as lieve thou hadst told me Charing cross stood in Cheapside and all one Swash And you will not believe me you shall see it your self 't is in this house 't is called a motion there 's first the Master of the motion then the Master's Mate the Mate's Consort the Consort 's Cabin-fellow the Cabin-fellows Hangby the Hangby's Man the Man's Boy the Boy's Page the Page's Wench and all these live upon the motion Y. Stro. This is old excellent y'faith come and I had but one cross in the world to bless me with I 'de see it go you afore Swash and shew me thither Enter Snip like a Wench drest up Swash Do you see you Wench Master she is Door-keeper I have given her earnest to enter her soberly and pass through her quarters at my pleasure Y. Stro. Is this she how now pretty Mother what Gamballs hast ta canst thou describe them sen ye Snip Not I Sir the Master of the Motion can Sir Y. Stro. Go call him out then What 's he is he asham'd to shew his face trow or is it the fashion trow ye what Gamballs have ye here now ha Enter Canbee and Hadland disguised Can. Why This is Strowd that I fetc'd over with the counterfeit Repreeve but 't is no matter wee 'll out-face him Gentlemen the first conceit you are to see is Tumbling Y. Stro. Stumbling What stumbling I think the fellow be straught Had. Sir he means Tumbling and feats of Activity Y. Stro. Why man that 's as stale as Bancks curtal there were a sort of Tumblers at Windham fair last week and they have made that so stale in Norfolk and Suffolk that every wench is turn'd Tumbler and ye ha no better matters ye lose my custome I can tell ye Sirs Can. You shall likewise see the famous City of Norwitch and the stabbing of Iulius Caesar in the French Capitol by a sort of Dutch Mesapotamians Y. Stro. How the French Capitol nay I remember Tully's Offices sayes the Capitol that Caesar was stab'd in was at Rome Can. Impute the gross mistake to the fault of the Author you shall likewise see the amorous conceits and Love songs betwixt Captain Pod of Py-corner and Mrs. Rump of Ram-alley never described before Swash Good Master let 's see Mrs. Rump of Ram-alley Y. Stro. How Captain Pod and Mrs. Rump I think this snufling slave flouts us then y'faith let 's see the sawing of the Devil with a wooden saw Can. Or if it please you shall see a stately combate betwixt Tamberlayn the Great and the Duke of Guyso the less perform'd on the Olympick Hills in France Y. Stro. France Thou speakest all French to me but off with this snuffling French Mask and speak in your English voyce or as God sa me I 'll beat thy nostrils as flat as a pancake or a barly froyes Had. Alas Sir the Gentleman has got a mischance lately and broke his Brow that makes him wear a Visard Y. Stro. Dost tell me on his Brow what car'd I and he had broke his Neck I 'll have it off what are you the Master of the Motion I am glad I know it Swash look thee here 's Canby that cosen'd me with the false Repreeve Swash And here 's the slave Snip that ran away with your Sword in a Wenches Petticoat we 'll spoyle your motion now we have ye Had. I beseech you good Master Swash Swash What Gypsie are you turn'd Jugler I 'll tickle you Can. Heark ye Mr. Strowd Had. Mr. Swash as you ever came of a woman Swash Let me never come off a woman while I live again if
shame Bess. Help me ye powers that give all Mortals power To scape this heavy and too troublous hour Spirit avoid me or if thou be no spirit Surely it is a damn'd Magicion Fly me thou alter'st shapes I do not love thee Momf. Thou dost see here the Gold thou sent'st thy father When I even I my self brought these fair Arms To wicked Westford's Gate poor Child be not amaz'd I am thy Father Momford by trayterous practise banished Bess. Ah me that I have liv'd so long unknown I still had such a hope Mom. Fair Child forbear I know Sir Robert Westford and this Playnsey Or one of them at least will come forthwith Say you the blind man is in his bed sick And call me Uncle come be comforted Our sum of honor in despight of guile Shall brightly shine in England's Hemisphere We have been clowded long but mauger hate Truth will advance desert to honor's state Exeunt Enter Sir Robert Westford Y. Playnsey Canbee Hadland and Tom Strowd Y. Playn. Dare you trust Strowd in this same stratagem Can. Tush fear him not since his father hath given him over he hath given o're all honesty and lives upon the spoyl come ye mad Rogues here 's three of us and here 's 30 l. each man take his share and with his share his charge We are all for this mony to cut the throat of the Blind-beggar his Brother and his Daughter Y. Stro. How cut their Throats I 'll see ye hang'd first Can. Iack thou and I will keep quarter at this end of the Green and Waylay the old spruce Serving man he shall be our share and Tom Strowd thou shalt ly at this corner for the wench for this way she comes unto the Conduit-head for water she falls to thee Had. And fall thou to her and ye can but agree of price Y. Stro. Nay let me alone for falling upon the Wench I warrant ye Can. Mr. Playnsey and Sir Robert do you keep about the old Mans Cottage and when you see his Daughter gone knock out his Brains with his Crutches thus have you heard your several charges every man to his Court of Guard and keep fair quarter Sir Rob. Plotted with good discretion Son Playnsey I like it well that you and I go walk Near to this Cottage for it much concerns us To see this Beggar dead upon whose breath Proud slander si•s to blemish our good names And blast our honest reputations Shake hands and part in hope when next we meet Ex. Sir Rob. Can Had. Their deaths shall lay all danger at our feet Y. Playn. Pray heaven it may a word good Mr. Strowd Although you had in charge to kill the Maid I do intreat you use some special care In your attempt and in the stead of death Tell her I love her dearly and that love Enforc'd this shift for though the Wench be poor Yet in the glass of my affection She seems right wealthy fair and vertuous Commend me to her Strowd and since my wife Hath given her latest farewell to the world Ready Swash Tell her I do intend to mary her Mean time convey her to my farm at Rederiff And there 's 10 Angels more for thy reward But be as trusty to me as the thought That sleeps within my bosome so adue I trust the richest of my hopes with you Ex. Playn Y. Stro. Do so and I do not deceive you let me dye like a Dog on a Pitch-fork This is excellent hire me to steal away the Wench I am in love withall my self this comes just in the nick yfaith I desire no more but to meet her Whos 's yonder Swash how now whither away so fast Swash ha Enter Swash Swash What my young Master why I am going to the three Colts to saddle your Fathers Gelding we both ride into Norfolk this afternoon Y. Stro. Better and better still thou com'st as fit for the purpose as a Pudding for a Fryers mouth so dost thou I do but stay here to talk 3 or 4 cold words in hugger-mugger with the Blind-beggars Daughter and I 'll ride down into Norfolk with you and as God wo'd ha 't yonder comes the Mother Enter Bess Momford Bess. Oh what content attends this Country life Here proud Ambition's emulating eye Playes not the find-fault our thatch'd-shed is built Without the reach of Treasons bloody Gripe Swash To her Master 't is an old saying in our Country Long Standers are but short Doers Wenches cannot away with them Y. Stro. Mass Swash I think thou sayst true I 'll to her How now pretty Mother whither are you going so fast Bess. Alas good Sir I am a poor man's Child My Father is the Beggar of this Green That ives upon good peoples charities I am agoing with this earthen Pitcher To fetch clean water from the Conduit-head VVe eat the herbs that grow on the Springs brinck And count the Conduit-water wholsom drink Y. Stro. Nay you drink water you are no hostess for me Swash You are no hostess for me fie fie I am ashamed of you Y. Stro. Why what should I say to her Swash VVhat you should have prais'd her little foot Her hansome shooe belonging to 't And then a come to her round knee And then Master to her belly Y. Stro. I marry Swash and I were there once I 'de do well enough but pray thee let me alone I 'll talk to her well enough I warrant thee this is to the purpose VVench you know young Mr. Playnsey Bess. I do remember I have seen the man He loves my Father well why names he Playnsey I hope he 'ill do me no more injury Swash Fie fie what have you to do with Playnsey come to your own business as thus you must come upon her Oh Lady bright pity this Knight that in this plight is thus tormented if you be willing to be billing I dare hold a shilling you shall be contented Y. Stro. I marry Swash this is excellent yfaith could'st not thou a taught me this but all 's one Swash I 'll win her without these Ballads I warrant you VVell wench to come to the point there 's young Playnsey loves you well and he has hired me to watch for thee here and carry thee to his Farm house at Rederiff where if he find thee soon at night thou art like to lose thy Maiden-head afore morning Bess. Unhappy wretch that Playnsey sure was born To make our House and Family a scorn Swash Shee begins to yield Master give her not o're to her again Master Y. Stro. I warrant thee Swash now I am in let me alone VVell VVench this is the plain English on 't and thou lovest me no worse than I love thee instead of carrying thee to his Farm-house at Rederiff I 'll ha thee to the Church and mary thee and of a poor Beggar Daughter I 'll make thee a wealthy Norfolk Yeomans wife what sayest thou to it now sen ye Bess. Alas my Father
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