The Puritaine Widdow Part 17

RAVEN.

The hole shall rot him.

DOGSON.

Amen

[Exeunt.]

GENTLEMAN.

So, Vex out your Lungs without doors. I am proud, It was my hap to help him; it fell fit.

He went not empty neither for his wit.

Alas, poor wretch, I could not blame his brain To labour his delivery, to be free From their unpitying fangs--I'm glad it stood Within my power to do a Scholar good.

[Exit.]

SCENE V. A room in the Marshalsea prison.

[Enter in the Prison, meeting, George and Captain, George coming in m.u.f.fled.]

CAPTAIN.

How now, who's that? what are you?

PYE.

The same that I should be, Captain.

CAPTAIN.

George Pye-board, honest George? why camst thou in half fac'd, m.u.f.fled so?

PYE.

Oh, Captain, I thought we should ne'er ha laught again, never spent frolick hour again.

CAPTAIN.

Why? why?

PYE.

I coming to prepare thee, and with news As happy as thy quick delivery, Was trac'd out by the sent, arrested, Captain.

CAPTAIN.

Arrested, George!

PYE.

Arrested: gesse, gesse; how many Dogs do you think I'd upon me?

CAPTAIN.

Dogs? I say? I know not.

PYE.

Almost as many as George Stone the Bear: Three at once, three at once.

CAPTAIN.

How didst thou shake 'em off, then?

PYE.

The time is busy, and calls upon out wits.

Let it suffice, Here I stand safe, and scapt by miracle.

Some other hour shall tell thee, when we'll steep Our eyes in laughter. Captain, my device Leans to thy happiness, for ere the day Be spent toth' Girdle, thou shalt be set free.

The Corporal's in his first sleep, the Chain is missed, Thy Kinsman has exprest thee, and the old Knight With Palsey-hams now labours thy release: What rests is all in thee, to Conjure, Captain.

CAPTAIN.

Conjure! sfoot, George, you know the devil a conjuring I can conjure.

PYE.

The Devil of conjuring? Nay, by my fay, I'd not have thee do so much, Captain, as the Devil a conjuring: look here, I ha brought thee a circle ready charactered and all.

CAPTAIN.

Sfoot, George, art in thy right wits? doost know what thou sayest? why doost talk to a Captain of conjuring?

didst thou ever hear of a Captain conjure in thy life?

doost cal't a Circle? tis too wide a thing, me thinks: had it been a lesser Circle, then I knew what to have done.

PYE.

Why, every fool knows that, Captain: nay, then, I'll not cog with you, Captain; if you'll stay and hang the next Sessions, you may.

CAPTAIN.

No, by my faith, George: come, come, let's to conjuring, let's to conjuring.

PYE.

But if you look to be released--as my wits have took pain to work it, and all means wrought to farther it-- besides to put crowns in your purse, to make you a man of better hopes, and whereas before you were a Captain or poor Soldier, to make you now a Commander of rich fools, (which is truly the only best purchase peace can allow you) safer then High-ways, Heath, or Cunny-groves, and yet a far better booty; for your greatest thieves are never hangd, never hangd, for, why, they're wise, and cheat within doors: and we geld fools of more money in one night, then your false tailed Gelding will purchase in a twelve-month's running; which confirms the old Beldam saying, he's wisest, that keeps himself warmest; that is, he that robs by a good fire--

CAPTAIN.

Well opened, yfaith, George; thou has pulled that saying out of the husk.

PYE.

Captain Idle, tis no time now to delude or delay: the old Knight will be here suddenly. I'll perfect you, direct you, tell you the trick on't: tis nothing.

CAPTAIN.

Sfoot, George, I know not what to say toot: conjure? I shall be hand ere I conjure.

PYE.

Nay, tell not me of that, Captain; you'll ne'er conjure after you're hangd, I warrant you. Look you, sir, a parlous matter, sure! First, to spread your circle upon the ground, then, with a little conjuring ceremony, as I'll have an Hackney-man's wand silvered ore a purpose for you,--then arriving in the circle, with a huge word, and a great trample, as for instance:--have you never seen a stalking- stamping Player, that will raise a tempest with his tongue, and thunder with his heels?

CAPTAIN.

O yes, yes, yes: often, often.

PYE.

Why, be like such a one, for any thing will blear the old Knight's eyes: for you must note that he'll ne'er dare to venture into the room, only perhaps peep fearfully through the Key hold, to see how the Play goes forward.

CAPTAIN.

Well, I may go about it when I will, but mark the end ont: I shall but shame my self, ifaith, George. Speak big words, and stamp and stare, and he look in at Key-hold! why, the very thought of that would make me laugh out-right, and spoil all: nay, I'll tell thee, George, when I apprehend a thing once, I am of such a laxative laughter, that if the Devil him-self stood by, I should laugh in his face.