Volume Vii Part 103 (1/2)

Had my staff held, thou hadst not 'scap'd me so.

But come not near me, fellow, thou art not[534] best, Holla, Earl Leicester! holla, huntsmen, ho!

GLO. Upon my life, old Lancaster, a-hunting, Hath met my fellow-hermit. Could I meet him, I'd play [at] rob-thief, at least part stakes with him.

_Enter_ SKINK _as a hermit_.

SKINK. Zounds, he is yonder alone.

_Enter_ REDCAP _with a cudgel_.

SKINK. Now revenge thyself on yonder slave[535], 'Snails, still prevented? this same Redcap rogue Runs like hob goblin up and down the heath.

RED. Wh-wh-wh-whoop, he-hermit, ye ha-ha-ma-ma-made Re-Redcap run a fine co-co-compa.s.s, ha-have you not?

SKINK. I made thee run?

GLO. Yonder's my evil angel.

Were Redcap gone, Gloster would conjure him.

RED. Je-Je-Jesus bl-bless me, whoop! t-t-two hermits? I'll ca-ca-caperclaw t-t-t'one of ye, for mo-mo-mocking me, and I d-d-do not ha-ha-hang me. Wh-wh-which is the fa-fa-false k-k-k-knave? for I am s-s-sure the old he-he-hermit wo-would never mo-mock an honest man.

GLO. He is the counterfeit; he mock'd thee, fellow.

I did not see thee in my life before, He wears my garments, and has cosened me.

RED. Have you co-co-cosened the he-he-hermit and m-made Redcap run to no pu-pu-purpose?

SKINK. No, he's [a] counterfeit; I will tell no lies, As sure as Skink deceiv'd thee of thy clothes, Sent thee to Kent, gave thee thy fare by water, So sure, he's false, and I the perfect hermit.

GLO. This villain is a conjuror, I doubt, Were he the devil, yet I would not budge.

RED. Si-si-sirrah, you are the co-counterfeit. O, this is the tr-tr-true he-hermit. Sta-sta-stand still, g-good man, at that, I'll bu-b.u.mbast you i'faith, I'll make you g-give the old m-m-man his gown.

[_Offers to strike_; GLOSTER _trips up his heels; s.h.i.+fts_ SKINK _into his place_.

G-G-G.o.d's lid, are ye go-good at that? I'll cu-cudgel ye f-f-for the tr-tr-trick.

SKINK. It was not I; 'twas he, that cast thee down.

RED. You li-li-li-lie, you ra-ra-rascal, you; I le-left ye st-standing he-here.

SKINK. Zounds, hold, you stammerer, or I'll cut your stumps.

GLO. He is for me; he's weapon'd--I like that!

RED. O, here's a ro-ro-rogue in-ca-ca-carnate, help, mu-murder, murder.

_Enter_ LANCASTER _and_ HUNTSMEN _at one door_, LEICESTER _and_ HUNTSMEN _at another_.

LAN. Lay hold upon that thievish counterfeit.

LEI. Why, here's another hermit, Lancaster: