now. Just. Oh, from the city; 'tis a reverend Curio. I think it be, sir; place (inory, I would be loth you should be the wisest. Curio. An his justice be as short as his me- Just. Well, sir, as'tis, I will endeavourin it: A dudgeon-dagger37 will serve himn to mow Yet, if'i had come to me by náme, I know down this? not, Sin withal : what clod-pole commissioner is But I think it had been as soon dispatch'd Just. And, by my faith, govern'd by worthy As by another, and with as round a wisdom, Discreet and upright. inernbers, Ay, and as happily; but that's all one: Curio. Sir, they're beholding to you; I've borne this place this thirty years, and You've given some of them a commendation, upwards, They were not worthy of this twenty years. And with sufficient credit, and they may Just. Go to, go to! you have a merry When they please know me better. To the meaning; Well! (nearest? I've found you, sir; i'faith, you are a wag; Curio. Sir, 'tis not my fault, for had I known Away, fy!--Now I'll read your letter. You soonerCurio. Pray do, sir. What a miscry it is Just. I thank you, sir; I know it. To have an urgent business wait the justice Curio. I'll be sworn Of such an old cuff-taffata, that knows not, You should have play', for any business Nor can be brought to understand, more Just. And further, they have specified sense unto me, Than how to restore suppress'd ale-houses, His wife's sorely suspected in this matter, And have his man compound small trespasses, As a main cause. For ten groats! Curio. I think she be, sir, for Just. Sir, it seems here your No other cause can be yet found. (whom Business is of a deeper circumstance Just. And one Mercury, a traveller, with Than I conceiv'd it for.—What do you They say directly she is run away, mean, sir? $ your worship. And as they think this way. Curio. "Tis for mine own ease, I'll assure Curio. I knew all this before. (breeding; Just. It shall not be, i'faith, friend.- Just. Well, sir, this Mercury I know, and's Here I have it, A neighbour's child hard by: you have been That one Antonio, a gentleman Sir, in coming hither. (happy, I take it so; yes, it is so-a gentleman, Curio. Then you know where Is lately thought to have been made away; To have him, sir? And, by my faith, upon a parlous ground too, Just. I do, sir; he dwells near me. If you consider. Well, there's kuavery in't; Curio. I doubt your worship dwells near a I see that without speciacles. knave then. (wonder Curio. Sure this fellow Just. I think so; pray put on! But 'tis a Deals in revelation, lie's so hidden: To see how graceless people are now given, Go thy ways! thou wilt stick a bench, spit 38 And how base virtue is accounted with them, as formally, That should be all in all, as says a wise man! And shew thy agot and hatch'd chain, as well I tell you, sir, and 'tis true, that there have As the best of thein. it. been make Just. And now I have consider'd, I believe Such murders, and of late days, as 'twould Curio. What, sir? Your very heart bleed in you; and some of Just. That he was murder'd. them, Curio. Did you know him? As I shall be enabled, I will tell you. Just, No. It fell out of late daysCurio. Nor how it is suppos'd ? Curio. It inay be so, Just. No; nor But will it please you to proceed in this ? I care not two-pence, those are toys; and yet Just. An honest weaver, and as good a I verily believe he was murder'd, workinan As sure as I believe thou art a man. As e'er shot shuttle, and as close-I never faild in these things yet. Ware a But ev'ry man must die-this honest weaver, Being a little mellow in bis alem That's beaten to these matters; experience That was the evidence verbatim, sirIs a certain conceal'd thing that fails not. God bless the mark, sprung his neck just in Pray let me ask you one thing; why do you this place : [live, come to me? (you, Well, Jarvis, thou hadst wrongs, and if I Curio. Because the letter is address'd to Some of the best shall sweat fort! Then a Being the nearest justice. wenchJust. The nearest? is that all ? Curio. But, sir, you bave forgot my business. » Dudgeon-dugger.) Cotgrave explains dague a ročlles, a Scottish dagger, or dudgeon Anft dagger. R. » Stick a bench spit.] Amended in 1750. Just. man 37 man Just. A sober pretty maid, about seventeen Uncertain what to do, and yet desirous They say, certainly, howsoever 'tis shuffled, To have me gone. She burst herself, and fondly, if it be so, Ric. How rude are all we men, With furmety at a churching; but I think That take the name of civil to ourselves! The devil had another agent in't; [for't. If she had set her foot upon an earth Either of which, if I can catch, shall stretch Where people live that we call barbarous, Curio. This is a mad justice, that will Tho' they had had no house to bring her to, hang the devil! They would have spoild the glory that the But I would you would be short in this, before spring [hands That other notice can be given. Has deck'd the trees in, and with willing Just. Sir, Have torn their branches down; and every I'll do discreetly what is fitting. What, Antonio! Would have become a builder for her sake. Sero. [within] Your worship? What time left you her here? Val. I left her, when [Viola! Take their confessions; and my long sword 38 ! The night, she could not wander far. Fair I cannot tell what danger we may meet with. Val. It is in vain to call; she sought a You'll go with us? Without all question. (house, Curio. Yes; what else? Ric. Peace!-Fair Viola! I came to that end, to accuse both parties. Fair Viola !--Who should have left her here Just. Máy I crave what you are?' On such a ground? If you had meant to lose Curio. Faith, sir, one her, (here That to be known would not profit you, more You might have found there were no echoes Than a near kinsinan of the dead Antonio's. To take her name 39, and carry it about, Just. 'Tis well. I'm sorry for my neigh- When her true lover came to mourn for her, bour, truly, mother: "Till all the neighbouring vallies and the hills, That he had no more grace ; 'twill kill bis Resounded Viola; and such a place She is a good old woman. Will you walk in ? You should have chose! You pity us I will but put my cloak on, and my chain off, Because the dew a little wets our feet *°; And a clean band, and have any shoes black'd (Unworthy far to seek her, in the wet!) over, And what becomes of her? where wanderd And shift my jerkin, and we'll to our business; she, [eyes And you shall see how I can boult these With two showers raining on her, from her matters. Continually, abundantly, from which Curio. As soon as't please you, sir. There's neither tree nor house to shelter Exeunt. her! Will you go with me to travel? Val. Whitber? Val. This is the place; here did I leave Ric. Over all the world, (journey the maid Vul. No, by my faith; I'll inake a shorter Alone last night, drying her tender eyes, When I do travel. 38 Long sword.] In Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, Capulet says, “ Give me my long sword;' and Dr. Johnson remarhs, . The long sword was the sword used in war, which was sometimes wielded with both bands.' If you had meant to lose her, If you meant to lose her, To take her name; The dew a little, &c.] These lines are so unworthy of our authors, that I can hardly think ’emn theirs; and I ain sure the author of Jeronimo (whom our poets, as well as Shakespeare and Jonson, abuse) might, when they quote in derision this line of his, (Who calls Jeronimo from his naked bed?' have justly retorted, where wandred she, 39 vou are. Ric. But there is no hope Ric. Come hither? You are a fool. To gain my end in any shorter way. Nan. And you a knave and a beast, that Val. Why, what's your end? near Ric. It is to search the earth, Ric. Come hither? 'twas my being now so 'Till we have found two in the shapes of men, That made her swoon; and you are wicked As wicked as ourselves. people, Val. 'Twere not so hard Or would do so too: iny venom eyes To fiud out those. Strike innocency dead at such a distauce; Ric. Why, if we find them out, Here I will kneel, for this is out of distance. It were the better; for what brave villainy Nan. Thou'rt a prating ass! there's no Might we four do!-We would not keep to- goodness in thee, gether; I warrant. How dost thou1? [Viola recovers. For every one has treachery enough (Asia; Viola. Why, well. For twenty countries: one should trouble Madge. Art thou able to go? (able Another should sow strife in Africa; [rope, Viola. No; pray go you and milk: It'I be But you should play the knave at home in Eu- To come, I'll follow you; if not, I'll sit here And for America let me alone. 'Till you come back. Vul. Sir, I am honester Nán. I'm loth to leave thee here with yon Than you know how to be, and can no more wild fool. (not hurt me. Be wrong'd but I shall find myself a right. Viola, I know him well; I warrant thee he'll Ric. If you had any spark of honesty, Madge. Come then, Nan. [Ere. Maids. You would not think that honester than I Ric. How do you? Be not fearful, for I hold Were a praise high enough to serve your turn: My hands before my mouth, and speak, and so If men were commonly so bad as I, My breath can never blast you. Thieves would be put in kalendary for saints; Viola. 'Twas enough And bones of murd'rers would work miracles. To use me ill, tho' you had never sought me I am a kind of knave, of knave so much, To mock me too: why kneel you so far off? There is betwixt me, and the vilest else Were not that gesture better us'd in prayer? But the next place of all to mine is yours. Had I dealt so with you, I should not sleep, 'Till Heav'n and you had both forgiven me. Enter Viola, Nan, and Madge, with Puils. Ric. I do not mock; nor lives there such a Val. That last is she; 'tis she! That can do any thing contemptible [villain Ric. Let us away; To you: but I do kneel, because it is In presence of so pure a creature; And so far off, as fearful to offend For here are men. One too much wrong'd already. Val. Fair maid, I pray you stay, Violu. You [Takes hold of Viola. Confess you did the fault, yet scorn to come Viola. Alas! again? So far as hitber, to ask pardon for't; Ric. Why do you lay hold on her? Which I could willingly afford to come I pray heartily, let her go. [hurt her. To you have Val. With all my heart; I do not mean to A better love, may you be bless'd together! Ric. But stand away then! for the purest She shall not wish you better than I will. bodies I but offend you! There are all the jewels Will soonest take infection; stand away! I stole; and all the love I ever had But for infecting her myself, by Heav'n, I leave behind with carry none I would come there, and beat thee further off. To give another: may the next maid you try, Viola. I know that voice and face. Love you no worse, nor be no norse than 1! Val. You're finely mad! Ric. Do not leave me yet, for all my fault! God b'w'ye, sir! Now you are here together, Search out the next things to impossible, I'll leave you so; God send you good luck, And put me on thein; when they are effected, both! I may with better inodesty receive When you are soberer you'll give me thanks. Forgiveness froin you. Viola. I will set no penance, Madge. Wilt thou go milk? Come. To gain the great forgiveness you desire, Nan. Why dost not come? But to come hither, and take me and it; Madge. She nods, she's asleep. Or else, I'll come and bey, so you will grant Nan. What, wert up so early? That you will be content to be forgiven! Madge. I think yon {away. Rič. Nay, I will come, since you will have Man's mad to kneel there. Nay, come, come Uds body, Nan, help! she looks black i'th' And, since you please to pardon me, I hope She's in a swoon. (face; Free from infection. Here I am by you, Non. An you be a man, come hither, A careless man, a breaker of iny faith, And help a woinan! A loathsomc drunkard; and in that wild fury, A hunter you; I'll [Erit. (lie; A hunter after whores! I do beseech you You know she is a poor wench, and Andr. So seemd my daughter when she Viola. For Heav'n's sake, urge your faults As she had made herself. [went away, no more, but mend! Mother. What stature was your child of, sir? All the forgiveness I can make you, is, Andr. Nothigh, and of abrown complexion, To love you ; which I will do, and desire ller hair auburn, a round face, which some Nothing but love again ; which if I have not, friends, [good one. Yet I will love you still. [will take That Matter'd me, would say 'cwould be a Ric. Oh, women! that some one of you Aler. This is still Melvia, niistress; that's An everlasting pen into your hands, the truth on't! And grave in paper (which the writ shall Mother. It inay be so, I'll promise you. make Alex. Well, go thy ways, the flower ot our More lasting than the marble inonuments) town! fellow. Your matchless virtues to posterities; For a hand and a foot I shall ne'er see thy Which the defective race of enviods man Mother. But had she not such toys as Strives to conceal! [thing, bracelets, rings, and jewels? Viola. Methinks I would not now, for any Andr. She was something bold indeed, to But you had miss'd me: I have made a story take such things Will serve to waste many a winter's fire, That night she left me. When we are old: I'll tell my daughters then Mother. Then belike she run away? The miseries their mother had in love, Andr. Tho' she be one I love, I dare not And say, My girls, be wiser! yet I would not She did indeed. Have had more wit myself. Take up those Mother. What think you of this jewel? jewels, Andr. Yes, this was one of them, and this For I think I hear my fellows coming. was mine; (for it. You've made me a new man! I thank you Enter Madge and Nan with their Pails. Mother. Nay, Madge. How dost thou now? An she be given to filching, there's your jewel; Viola. Why, very well, I thank you. It is I ain clear on't. But, by your leave, sir, late; yoà Shall I baste home? Shall answer me for what is lost since she Nan. I prithee! we shall be shent 41 Came hither; I can tell you there lie things Soundly. (with us? Scattering in every place about the house. Aladge. Why does that railing man go Aler. As I am virtuous, I have the lyingst Viola. I prithee, speak well of hiin: on my Old gentlewoman to my mistress, and the He is an honest man! (word, most mnalicious Nan. There was never any so The devil a good word will she give a servant; On his complexion. A gentleman ? That's her old rule! and, God be thanked, I'd be ashain'd to have such a foul mouth. they will [sides. Ereunt. Give her as few; there's perfect love on both It yearns my heart to hear the wench miss Enter Alother, Alexander, Andrugio, and construed ; Rowland. A careful soul she is, I'll be sworn for her; Mother. How now, Alexander? What And when she's gone, let them say what they gentleman is this? will, Aler. Indeed, forsooth, I know not; They may cast their caps at such another. I found him at the market, full of woe, Audr. What you have lost by her, with all Crying a lost daughter, and telling all ller tokens to the people; and, what you wot? I'll see you double paid for; you have sav'd, By all description in the world, it should be With your kind pity, two that must not live, Our new maid Melvia; (one would little Unless it be to thank you. Take this jewel; think it!) This strikes off none of her offences, mistress*). Therefore I was bold to tell him of her, mistress. 'Would I might see her! Mother. Melvia? it cannot be, fool! Alas, Mother. Alexander, run, 41 Shent.] This word occurs in Hamlet, and Mr. Steevens says, ' To skend is to treat with injurious language.' 42 By all subscription in the world. If Alexander was an affecter of hard words, I should be inclined to let this stand; but as he seerns throughout a seusible good-natured fellow, I would choose to read, description. Sympson. 43 This strikes off none of her offences. Sympson, totally mistaking Andrugio's meaning, says, ' Why then he paid his jewel for nothing; and reads, This strikes off one of her offences, mistress. And my heart 42 And bid her make haste home; she's at the milking-close : Enter Mark and Officers, with Mercury and Maria, Oh, welcome, welcome, Mark! (minations Aler. Well, we'll have Your pen, ink, and paper, to take their exaA posset yet at parting, that's my comfort; Merc. Why do you pull me so? I'll go alone. And one round too, or else I'll lose my will. Just. Let them stand, [nuin'd. [E.rit. Let them stand quietly, whilst they're exaAndr. You shall find Silvio, Uberto, and Maria. What will you exainine us of? Pedro, Just. Of Antonio's murder. Enquiring for the wench at the next town: Merc. Why, he was my friend. Tell them she's found, and where I am; and, Mario. He was my husband. with Just. The more shame for you both! Mark, The favour of this gentlewoman, desire them your pen and ink. sknew To come hither. (coine. Mother. Pray God all be well! I never Mother. I pray do; they shall be all wel- Any of these travellers come to good. I be [Exit Rowland. seech you, sir, Be favourable to my son. Just. Gentlewoman, [that! Just. By your leave, forsooth! you shall Hold you content; I would it were coine to The parties by a sleight. (see me find Merc. For God's sake, inother, Mother. Who's that? Mr. Justice? Why kneel you to such a pig-bribd fellow? Ilow do you, sir? H’has surfeited of geese, and they have put Just. Why, very well, and busy. him Where's your son? Into a fit of justice: let him do his worst! Mother. Ile's within, sir. Just. Is your paper ready? Just. Ilum; and how does (with him? Mark. I am ready, sir. Enter Antonio. case may be. Just, Accuse thcm, sir; I command thee Just. You have confess'd it? (sin of mine; to lay down Then, sirrah, call in the officers! she's no cou- Accusations against these persons, in behalf A mere trick to discover all! Of the state: and first look upon the parties Mother. To discover? what? To be accus'd, and deliver your name. Curio. My name is Curio; my murder'd Enter Mark and Officers. kinsman, Just. You shall know that anon: I think If he were living now, I should not know him, I have house, It is so long since we saw one another. Over-reach'd you! Oh, welcome! Enter the Ant. My cousin Curio? And by virtue of my warrant, which you have Curio. But thus much (from the mouths there, (nanjes Of his servants and others, whose examinaSeize upon the bodily persons of those whose tions I have Are there written; to wit, one Mercury, and In writing about me) I can accuse them of: Of one Antonio. [the wife This Mercury, the last night but this last, Mother. For what? Lay in Antonio's house, and in the night Just. Away, I say! He rose, raising Antonio, where privately This gentleman shall certify you for what. They were in talk an hour, to what end I (Ereunt Officers. Mother. He can accuse my son of nothing; But of likelihood, finding Antonio's house He caine from travel but within these two Not a fit place to murder him in, he suffer'd Just. There hangs a tale. [days. him Mother. I should be sorry this should To go to bed again; but in the morning Fall out at any time, but especially now. Early be traind him I think forth; after Sir, will you favour me so much as to let me which tiine [found Of what you accuse him? He never saw liis home. His cloaths were Curio. Upon suspicion of murder. Near the place where Mercury was, and the Mother. Murder? I defy thee! people Curio. I pray God be may At first denied they saw himn; but at last Prove himself innocent. They made a frivolous tale, what there he Just. Fy, say not so! wealth's man, shifted himself You shew yourself to be no good coinmon- Into a footman's habit : but in short, For the more are bang'd the better 'tis for The next hour this woman went to Mcrcury, the commonwealth. (yourself. And in her coach they posted hither. True Mothem By this rule you were best hang accusations Just. I forgive your honeät inirth ever. I have no inore, and I will make none. VOL. III. Just. know not; [know |
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