The Little French Lawyer Part 14

_Lam._ Thus briefly, my Lord sleeps now, and alas, Each Night, he only sleeps.

_Cler._ Go, keep her stirring.

_Lam._ Now if he 'wake, as sometimes he does, He only stretches out his hand and feels, Whether I am a bed, which being a.s.sur'd of, He sleeps again; but should he miss me, Valour Could not defend our lives.

_Din._ What's to be done then?

_Lam._ Servants have servile faiths, nor have I any That I dare trust; on n.o.ble _Cleremont_ We safely may rely.

_Cler._ What man can do, Command and boldly.

_Lam._ Thus then in my place, You must lye with my Lord.

_Cler._ With an old man?

Two Beards together, that's preposterous.

_Lam._ There is no other way, and though 'tis dangerous, He having servants within call, and arm'd too, Slaves fed to act all that his jealousie And rage commands them, yet a true friend should not Check at the hazard of a life.

_Cler._ I thank you, I love my friend, but know no reason why To hate my self; to be a kind of pander, You see I am willing, But to betray mine own throat you must pardon.

_Din._ Then I am lost, and all my hopes defeated, Were I to hazard ten times more for you, You should find, _Cleremont_--

_Cler._ You shall not outdo me, Fall what may fall, I'll do't.

_Din._ But for his Beard--

_Lam._ To cover that you shall have my night Linnen, And you dispos'd of, my _Dinant_ and I Will have some private conference.

_Enter_ Champernel, _privately_.

_Cler._ Private doing, Or I'll not venture.

_Lam._ That's as we agree. [_Exeunt._

_Enter Nurse, and_ Charlotte, _pa.s.s over the Stage with Pillows, Night cloaths, and such things_.

_Cham._ What can this Woman do, preserving her honour?

I have given her all the liberty that may be, I will not be far off though, nor I will not be jealous, Nor trust too much, I think she is vertuous, Yet when I hold her best, she's but a Woman, As full of frailty as of faith, a poor sleight Woman, And her best thoughts, but weak fortifications, There may be a Mine wrought: Well, let 'em work then, I shall meet with it, till the signs be monstrous, And stick upon my head, I will not believe it, [_Stands private._ She may be, and she may not, now to my observation.

_Enter_ Dinant, _and_ Lamira.

_Din._ Why do you make me stay so? if you love me--

_Lam._ You are too hot and violent.

_Din._ Why do you s.h.i.+ft thus From one Chamber to another?

_Lam._ A little delay, Sir, Like fire, a little sprinkled o'r with water Makes the desires burn clear, and ten times hotter.

_Din._ Why do you speak so loud? I pray'e go in, Sweet Mistriss, I am mad, time steals away, And when we would enjoy--

_Lam._ Now fie, fie, Servant, Like sensual Beasts shall we enjoy our pleasures?

_Din._ 'Pray do not kiss me then.

_Lam._ Why, that I will, and you shall find anon, servant.

_Din._ Softly, for heavens sake, you know my friend's engag'd, A little now, now; will ye go in again?

_Lam._ Ha, ha, ha, ha.

_Din._ Why do you laugh so loud, Precious?

Will you betray me; ha' my friends throat cut?

_Lam._ Come, come, I'll kiss thee again.

_Cham._ Will you so? you are liberal, If you do cozen me--

_Enter Nurse with Wine._

_Din._ What's this?

_Lam._ Wine, Wine, a draught or two.

_Din._ What does this Woman here?

_Lam._ She shall not hinder you.

_Din._ This might have been spar'd, 'Tis but delay and time lost; pray send her softly off.

_Lam._ Sit down, and mix your spirits with Wine, I will make you another _Hercules_.

_Din._ I dare not drink; Fie, what delays you make! I dare not, I shall be drunk presently, and do strange things then.

_Lam._ Not drink a cup with your Mistriss! O the pleasure.

_Din._ Lady, why this? [_Musick._

_Lam._ We must have mirth to our Wine, Man.

_Din._ Pl---- o' the Musick.

_Champ._ G.o.d-a-mercy Wench, If thou dost cuckold me I shall forgive thee.

_Din._ The house will all rise now, this will disturb all.

Did you do this?

_Lam._ Peace, and sit quiet, fool, You love me, come, sit down and drink.