The Puritaine Widdow - LightNovelsOnl.com
You're reading novel online at LightNovelsOnl.com. Please use the follow button to get notifications about your favorite novels and its latest chapters so you can come back anytime and won't miss anything.
SKIRMISH.
I am twice sorry for you, Captain: first that your purchase was so small, and now that your danger is so great.
CAPTAIN.
Push, the worst is but death,--ha you a pipe of Tobacco about you?
SKIRMISH.
I think I have there abouts about me.
[Captain blows a pipe.]
CAPTAIN.
Here's a clean Gentleman, too, to receive.
PYE.
Well, I must cast about some happy slight.
Work brain, that ever didst thy Master right!
CAPTAIN.
Keeper! let the key be turn'd!
[Corporal and Nicholas within.]
NICHOLAS.
Aye, I pray, Master keeper, give's a cast of your office.
CAPTAIN.
How now? more Visitants?--what, Corporal Oath?
PYE.
Corporal?
SKIRMISH.
Corporal?
CORPORAL.
In prison, honest Captain? this must not be.
NICHOLAS.
How do you, Captain Kinsman>
CAPTAIN.
Good c.o.c.ks-comb! what makes that pure, starch'd fool here?
NICHOLAS.
You see, Kinsman, I am somewhat bold to call in, and see how you do. I heard you were safe enough, and I was very glad on't that it was no worse.
CAPTAIN.
This is a double torture now,--this fool by'th book Do's vex me more than my imprisonment.
What meant you, Corporal, to hook him hither?
CORPORAL.
Who, he? he shall relieve thee, and supply thee; I'll make him do 't.
CAPTAIN.
[Aside, to Oath.] Fie, what vain breath you spend! he supply?
I'll sooner expect mercy from a Usurer when my bond's Forfeited, sooner kindness from a Layer when my money's spent: Nay, sooner charity from the devil, than good from a Puritan!
I'll look for relief from him, when Lucifer is restor'd to his blood, and in Heaven again.
NICHOLAS.
I warrant, my Kinsman's talking of me, for my left ear burns most tyrannically.
PYE.
Captain Idle, what's he there? he looks like a Monkey upward, and a Crane down-ward.
CAPTAIN.
Pshaw, a foolish Cousin of mine; I must thank G.o.d for him.
PYE.
Why, the better subject to work a scape upon; thou shalt o'en change clothes with him, and leave him here, and so--
CAPTAIN.
Push, I publish't him e'en now to my Corporal: he will be d.a.m.ned, ere he do me so much good; why, I know a more proper, a more handsome device than that, if the slave would be sociable. Now, goodman Fleer-face.
NICHOLAS.
Oh, my Cousin begins to speak to me now: I shall be acquainted with him again, I hope.
SKIRMISH.
Look what ridiculous Raptures take hold of his wrinkles.
PYE.
Then, what say you to this device? a happy one, Captain?
CAPTAIN.
Speak low, George; Prison Rats have wider ears than those in Malt-lofts.
NICHOLAS.
Cousin, if it lay in my power, as they say--to--do--
CAPTAIN.
Twould do me an exceeding pleasure, indeed, that, but ne'er talk forder on't: the fool will be hang'd, ere he do't.
[To the Corporal.]
CORPORAL.
Pax, I'll thump 'im to't.
PYE.
Why, do but try the Fopster, and break it to him bluntly.
