A Select Collection of Old English Plays - LightNovelsOnl.com
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He stammers; but he's swift and trusty, sir.
SCENE THE FOURTH.
_Enter_ REDCAP.
GLO. No matter for the stammering; is this he?
RED. Ay, I am Re-Redcap, s-s-sir.
GLO. Run. Redcap, to Stepney.
RED. I'll be at Stepney p-p-presently.
GLO. Nay, stay; go to the Lady Fauconbridge, my sister.
RED. The La-La-Lady Fau-Fau-Fauconbreech?
I r-r-run, sir!
GLO. But take thy errand; tell her I am prisoner, Committed to the Fleet.
RED. I am g-g-glad of th-th-that, my fa-fa-father the p-p-porter sha-shall ge-ge-get a f-f-fee by you.
[_Still runs_.
GLO. Stand still a while--desire her to make means Unto Prince Richard for my liberty; At thy return (make speed) I will reward thee.
RED. I am g-g-gone, si-sir.
RICH. Commend me to her, gentle Huntington; Tell her in these affairs I'll stand her friend, Her brother shall not long be prisoner: Say I will visit her immediately.
Begone, sweet boy, to Marion Fauconbridge, Thou lookest like love: persuade her to be loving.
ROB. So far as honour will, I will persuade; I'll lay love's battery to her modest ears; Second my mild a.s.sault, you may chance win, Fair parley at the least may hap pa.s.s in.
[_Exit_.
HEN. Here, take your charge; let no man speak with him, Except ourself, our brethren, or Earl Leicester.
FAU. Not I, my lord? may not I speak with him?
HEN. Yes, Fauconbridge, thou shalt.
JOHN. And why? he is his wife's brother.
FAU. Earl John, although I be, I am true unto the state, and so is he.
GLO. What, shall I have no servant of my own?
HEN. No, but the household servants of the Fleet.
GLO. I thank you, kinsman King; your father knows, Gloster may boldly give a base slave blows.
FAU. O, but not here; it was not well done here.
KING. Farewell, good Gloster, you shall hear from us.
GLO. Even what your sons will suffer you to send.
Is't not a misery to see you stand, That sometime was the monarch of this land, Intreating traitors for a subject's freedom?
LEI. Let him not speak; away with him to prison.
GLO. Here's like to be a well-stay'd commonwealth, Wherein proud Leicester and licentious John Are pillars for the king to lean upon.
JOHN. We'll hear your railing lecture in the Fleet.
GLO.[461] On thy displeasure--well ye have me here.
O, that I were within my fort of Bungay, Whose walls are wash'd with the clear streams of Waveney,[462]
Then would not Gloster pa.s.s a halfpenny, For all these rebels and their poor king too.[463]
Laughtst thou, King Henry? Thou know'st my words are true, G.o.d help thee, good old man! adieu, adieu!
JOHN. That castle shall be mine, wherein stands[464] Fauconbridge.
FAU. Far from your reach, sure, under f.e.c.khill-ridge, Five hundred men (England hath few such wight) Keep it for Gloster's use both day and night: But you may easily win it. Wantons' words Quickly can master men, tongues out-brawl swords!
JOHN. Ye are an idiot.
RICH. I prythee, John, forbear.
JOHN. What, shall old winter with his frosty jests Cross flow'ry pleasures?
FAU. Ay, and nip you too!
G.o.d Mary mother,[465] I would tickle you, Were there no more in place but I and you.
KING. Cease these contentions; forward to the Tower.
Release Queen Elinor, and leave me there.
Your prisoner I am, sure, if ye had power; There's nothing let's you but the Commons' fear: Keep your state, lords; we will by water go, Making the fresh Thames salt with tears of woe.
HEN. And we'll by land thorough the City ride, Making the people tremble at our pride.
[_Exeunt with trumpets two ways_.
SCENE THE FIFTH.
_Enter_ SKINK _solus_.
SKINK. Blackheath, quoth he! And I were king of all Kent, I would give it for a commodity of ap.r.o.n-strings, to be in my cottage again. Princes'
