Part 11 (1/2)

_Will_. His name, So please your lords.h.i.+p, Markham.

_Tin_. Do you know The thing?

_Roch_. Right well! I'faith a hearty fellow, Son to a worthy tradesman, who would do Great things with little means; so entered him In the Temple. A good fellow, on my life.

Nought smacking of his stock!

_Tin_. You've said enough!

His lords.h.i.+p's not at home.

[WILLIAMS goes out.]

We do not go By hearts, but orders! Had he family-- Blood--though it only were a drop--his heart Would pa.s.s for something; lacking such desert, Were it ten times the heart it is, 'tis nought!

[Enter WILLIAMS.]

_Will_. One Master Jones hath asked to see you lords.h.i.+p.

_Tin_. And what was your reply to Master Jones?

_Will_. I knew not if his lords.h.i.+p was at home.

_Tin_. You'll do. Who's Master Jones?

_Roch_. A curate's son.

_Tin_. A curate's! Better be a yeoman's son!

Was it the rector's son, he might be known, Because the rector is a rising man, And may become a bishop. He goes light, The curate ever hath a loaded back!

He may be called the yeoman of the church, That sweating does his work, and drudges on, While lives the hopeful rector at his ease.

How made you his acquaintance, pray?

_Roch_. We read Latin and Greek together.

_Tin_. Dropping them-- As, now that you're a lord, of course you've done-- Drop him--You'll say his lords.h.i.+p's not at home.

_Will_. So please your lords.h.i.+p, I forgot to say, One Richard Cricket likewise is below.

_Tin_. Who?--Richard Cricket! You must see him, Rochdale!

A n.o.ble little fellow! A great man, sir!

Not knowing whom, you would be n.o.body!

I won five thousand pounds by him!

_Roch_. Who is he?

I never heard of him.

_Tin_. What! never heard Of Richard Cricket!--never heard of him!

Why, he's the jockey of Newmarket; you May win a cup by him, or else a sweepstakes.

I bade him call upon you. You must see him.

His lords.h.i.+p is at home to Richard Cricket.

_Roch_. Bid him wait in the ante-room.