Volume Vii Part 91 (1/2)

I am no tavern-h[a]unter, I can tell thee.

DRA. But my master hath taken many a fair pound Of your man Block; he was here to-day, sir, And emptied[500] two bottles of nippitate[501] sack.

GLO. Well, fill us of your nippitate, sir; This is well chanced. But hear[502] ye, boy!

Bring sugar in white paper, not in brown; For in white paper I have here a trick, Shall make the pursuivant first swoon, then sick. [_Aside_.

Thou honest fellow, what's thy name?

PUR. My name is Winterborne, sir.

GLO. What countryman, I prythee?

PUR. Barks.h.i.+re, and please ye.

GLO. How long hast thou been sworn a messenger?

PUR. But yesterday, and please your wors.h.i.+p, This is the first employment I have had.

_Enter_ DRAWER, _with wine and sugar_.

GLO. A good beginning; here, have to thee, fellow; Thou art my fellow, now thou servest the king, Nay, take sugar too, G.o.d's Lady dear!

I put it in my pocket; but it's here: Drink a good draught, I prythee, Winterborne.

[_He drinks and falls over the stool_.

DRA. O Lord, Sir Richard, the man, the man!

GLO. What a forgetful beast am I! Peace, boy, It is his fas.h.i.+on ever, when he drinks.

Fellow, he hath the falling sickness; Run, fetch two cus.h.i.+ons to raise up his head, And bring a little key to ope his teeth. [_Exit_ DRAWER.

Pursuivant, your warrant and your box-- These must with me; the shape of Fauconbridge Will hold no longer water hereabout.

Gloster will be a Proteus every hour, That Elinor and Leicester, Henry, John, And all that rabble of hate-loving curs, May minister me more mirth to play upon.

_Re-enter_ DRAWER, _with an_ a.s.sISTANT.

DRA. Here's a key, sir, and one of our folk to help.

GLO. No matter for a key; help him but in, And lay him by the fire a little while, He'll wake immediately; but be [not] heart-sick.

There's money for a candle and thy wine, I'll go but up unto your alderman's, And come down presently to comfort him.

[_Exeunt_.

SKINK. [_Within_.] Drawer! what Drawer? with a vengeance, Drawer!

DRA. [_Within_.] Speak in the Crown[503] there.

SCENE THE TWENTY-SECOND.

_Enter_ SKINK, _like_ PRINCE JOHN.

SKINK. They be come; the devil crown ye one by one.