Volume Vii Part 56 (1/2)

PHIL. Why, this way.

FRAN. Canst thou tell, And takest upon thee to be my guide to h.e.l.l?-- But which way, father?

MR GOUR. That way.

FRAN. Ay, you know, You found the way to sorrow long ago.

Father, G.o.d be wi' ye[293]: you have sent your son To seek on earth an earthly day of doom, Where I shall be adjudged, alack the ruth, To penance for the follies of my youth!

Well, I must go; but, by my troth, my mind Is not capable to love [in][294] that kind.

O, I have look'd upon this mould of men, As I have done upon a lion's den!

Praised I have the gallant beast I saw, Yet wish'd me no acquaintance with his paw: And must I now be grated with them? well, Yet I may hap to prove a Daniel; And, if I do, sure it would make me laugh, To be among wild beasts and yet be safe.

Is there a remedy to abate their rage?

Yes, many catch them, and put them in a cage.

Ay, but how catch them? marry, in your hand Carry me forth a burning firebrand, For with his sparkling s.h.i.+ne, old rumour says, A firebrand the swiftest runner frays: This I may do; but, if it prove not so, Then man goes out to seek his adjunct woe.

Philip, away! and, father, now adieu!

In quest of sorrow I am sent by you.

MR GOUR. Return, the messenger of joy, my son.

FRAN. Seldom in this world such a work is done.

PHIL. Nay, nay, make haste, it will be quickly night.

FRAN. Why, is it not good to woo by candle-light?

PHIL. But, if we make not haste, they'll be a-bed.

FRAN. The better, candles out and curtains spread.

[_Exeunt_ FRANCIS and PHILIP.]

MR GOUR. I know, though that my son's years be not many, Yet he hath wit to woo as well as any.

Here comes my wife: I am glad my boy is gone.

_Enter_ MISTRESS GOURSEY.

Ere she came hither. How now, wife? how is't?

What, are ye yet in charity and love With Mistress Barnes?

MRS GOUR. With Mistress Barnes! why Mistress[295] Barnes, I pray?

MR GOUR. Because she is your neighbour and--

MRS GOUR. And what?

And a jealous, slandering, spiteful quean she is, One that would blur my reputation With her opprobrious malice, if she could; She wrongs her husband, to abuse my fame: 'Tis known that I have lived in honest name All my lifetime, and been your right true wife.

MR GOUR. I entertain no other thought, my wife, And my opinion's sound of your behaviour.

MRS GOUR. And my behaviour is as sound as it; But her ill-speeches seeks to rot my credit, And eat it with the worm of hate and malice.

MR GOUR. Why, then, preserve it you by patience.