A Select Collection of Old English Plays Volume Vii Part 102

RICH. There it is.

GLO. Falls it so heavy? then my heart is light.

RICH. Thou'lt have a heavy heart before thou touch it.

Theft shrin'd in holy weeds, stand to't, y'are best.

GLO. And if I do not, seeing such a prey, Let this be to me a disaster day.

RICH. Art thou content to breathe?

[_Fight and part once or twice_.

GLO. With all my heart.

Take half thy money, and we'll friendly part.

RICH. I will not cherish theft.

GLO. Then I defy thee.

[_Fight again and breathe_.

RICH. Alas for pity, that so stout a man, So reverend in aspect, should take this course.

GLO. This is no common man with whom I fight, And if he be, he is of wond'rous spright. [_Aside_.

Shall we part stakes?

RICH. Fellow, take The purse upon condition thou wilt follow me.

GLO. What, wait on you? wear a turn'd livery, Whose man's your master? If I be your man, My man's man's office will be excellent!

There lies your purse again; win it and wear it.

[_Fight_.

_Enter_ ROBIN HOOD. _They breathe, offer again_.

ROB. Clas.h.i.+ng of weapons at my welcome hither?

Bick'ring upon Blackheath. Well-said, old man; I'll take thy side, the younger hath the odds.

Stay, end your quarrel, or I promise ye I'll take the old man's part.

RICH. You were not wont.

Young Huntington; [be] still on Richard's side.

ROB. Pardon, gracious prince; I knew ye not.

GLO. Prince Richard? then lie, envy, at his foot.

Pardon thy cousin Gloster, valiant lord.

I knew no common force confronted mine.

RICH[529]. O heaven, I had the like conceit of thine, I tell thee, Robin, Gloster, thou art met, Bringing such comfort unto Richard's heart: As in the foil of war, when dust and sweat, The thirst of wreak[530], and the sun's fiery heat, Have seized upon the soul of valiance, And he must faint, except he be refresh'd.

To me thou com'st, as if to him should come A perry[531] from the north, whose frosty breath Might fan him coolness in that doubt[532] of death.

With me then meet'st, as he a spring might meet, Cooling the earth under his toil-parch'd feet, Whose crystal moisture, in his helmet ta'en, Comforts his spirits, makes him strong again.

GLO. Prince, in short terms, if you have brought me comfort, Know, if I had my pardon in this hand, That smit base Skink in open Parl'ament, I would not come to Court, till the high feast Of your proud brother's birthday be expired, For as the old king--as he made a vow At his unlucky coronation, [that I]

Must wait upon the boy and fill his cup, And all the peers must kneel, while Henry kneels, Unto his cradle--he shall hang me up, Ere I commit that vile idolatry.

But when the feast is pa.s.s'd, if you'll befriend me, I'll come and brave my proud foes to their teeth.

RICH. Come, Robin; and if my brother's grace deny, I'll take thy part, them and their threats defy.

GLO. Gramercy, princely d.i.c.k.

ROB. I have some pow'r: I can raise two thousand soldiers in an hour.

GLO. Gramercy, Robin; gramercy, little wag, Prince Richard, pray let Huntington Carry my sister Fauconbridge this ring.

RICH. I'll carry it myself; but I had rather Had thy kind company; thou might'st have mov'd Thy sister, whom I long have vainly lov'd.

GLO. I like her that she shuns temptation, Prince Richard; but I bear with doting lovers.

I should not take it well, that you urge me To such an office: but I bear with you.

Love's blind and mad. Hie to her boldly: try her; But if I know she yield, faith, I'll defy her.

RICH. I like thy honourable resolution; Gloster, I pray thee pardon my intreat.

GLO. It is men's custom: part, part, gentle prince, Farewell, good Robin, this gold I will borrow; Meet you at Stepney, pay you all to-morrow.

ROB. Adieu, Gloster.

[_Exit_ ROBIN.

GLO. Farewell, be short.

You gone, I hope to have a little sport.

RICH. Take heed, mad coz.

GLO. Tut, tell not me of heed: [_Exit_ RICHARD.

He that's too wary[533] never hath good speed.

SCENE THE THIRTIETH.

_Hollooing within; enter_ LANCASTER _with a broken staff in his hand_.

[GLO.] Who's this? old Lancaster, my honour'd friend?

LAN. These knaves have serv'd me well, left me alone, I have hunted fairly, lost my purse, my chain, My jewels, and been bang'd by a bold knave, Clad in a hermit's gown, like an old man-- O what a world is this?

GLO. It's ill, my lord.

LAN. He's come again! O knave, 'tis the worse for thee: [_Mistakes_ GLOSTER _for the_ HERMIT.

Keep from me: be content with that thou hast, And see thou fly this heath, for, if I take thee, I'll make thee to all thieves a spectacle.