Volume Xi Part 36 (1/2)

FEE. Angry with me? why, d.a.m.n me, sir, and you be, out with your sword.

It is not with me, I tell you, as it was yesterday; I am fleshed, man, I. Have you anything to say to me?

BOLD. Nothing but this: how many do you think you have slain last night?

FEE. Why, five; I never kill less.

BOLD. There were but four. My lord, you had best provide yourself and begone; three you have slain stark dead.

FEE. You jest!

BOLD. It is most true. Welltried is fled.

FEE. Why, let the roarers meddle with me another time: as for flying, I scorn it; I killed 'em like a man. When did you ever see a lord hang for anything? We may kill whom we list. Marry, my conscience p.r.i.c.ks me. Ah!

plague a' this drink! what things it makes us do! I do no more remember this now than a puppy-dog.

O b.l.o.o.d.y lord, that art bedaub'd with gore!

Vain world, adieu, for I will roar no more.

BOLD. Nay, stay, my lord: I did but try the tenderness of your conscience. All this is nothing so; but, to sweeten the tale I have for you, I foretold you this feigned mischance.

FEE. It is a tale belonging to the widow.

BOLD. I think you are a witch.

FEE. My grandmother was suspected.

BOLD. The widow has desired you by me to meet her to-morrow morning at church in some unknown disguise, lest any suspect it; for, quoth she,

Long hath he held me fast in his moist hand, Therefore I will be his in nuptial band.

FEE. Bold, I have ever taken you to be my friend. I am very wise now and valiant; if this be not true, d.a.m.n me, sir, you are the son of a wh.o.r.e, and you lie, and I will make it good with my sword.

BOLD. I am whate'er you please, sir, if it be not true. I will go with you to the church myself. Your disguise I have thought on. The widow is your own. Come, leave your fooling.

FEE. _If this be true, thou little boy Bold,_ [_Cantat._ _So true, as thou tell'st to me,_ _To-morrow morn, when I have the widow,_ _My dear friend shall thou be_.[125] [_Exeunt._

SCENE III.

_Enter_ MAID, _like the footboy;_ SELDOM _with_ PITTS _and_ DONNER, _a couple of serjeants_.

MAID. Sir, 'tis most true, and in this shall you be Unlike to other citizens, that arrest To undo gentlemen: your clemency here, Perchance, saves two lives: one from the other's sword, The other from the law's. This morn they fight, And though your debtor be a lord, yet should he Miscarry, certainly your debt were lost.

SEL. Dost thou serve the Lord Proudly?

MAID. Sir, I do.

SEL. Well, such a boy as thou is worth more money Than thy lord owes me. 'Tis not for the debt I do arrest him, but to end this strife, Which both may lose my money and his life.

_Enter_ LORD PROUDLY, _with a riding-rod_.