A Select Collection of Old English Plays, Vol. VII (4th edition) - Various
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_Enter_ SKINK.
HEN. Welcome, good Skink, thou justly dost complain,
Thou stand'st in dread of death for Rosamond,
Whom thou didst poison at our dread command
And the appointment of our gracious mother.
See here my father's hand unto thy pardon.
SKINK. I receive it graciously, wishing his soul sweet peace in heaven
for so meritorious a work, for I fear me I have not his heart, though
his hand.
KING. Be sure thou hast not, murderous bloodsucker,
To jealous envy executioner.
HEN. Besides, thou suest to have some maintenance;
We have bethought us how we will reward thee,
Thou shalt have Rowden lordship.
GLO. Shall he so?
Will you reward your murtherers with my lands?
HEN. Your lands? it is our gift; and he shall have it.
GLO. I'll give him seizure first with this and this.
[_Strike him_.
JOHN. Lay hold on Gloster.
KING. Hold that murderous Skink.
GLO. Villains, hands off; I am a prince, a peer,
And I have borne disgrace, while I can bear.
FAU. Knaves, leave your rudeness; how now, brother
Gloster? nay, be appeas'd, be patient, brother.
RICH. Shift for thyself, good Skink; there's gold, away:
Here will be parts.[460]
SKINK. Swounds! I'll make one, and stay.
JOHN. I prythee, begone, since thus it falleth out,
Take water; hence, away; thy life I doubt.
SKINK. Well, farewell [then]; get I once out of door,
Skink never will put trust in warrants more.
[_Exit_.
KING. Will Gloster not be bridled?
GLO. Yes, my liege;
And saddled too, and rid, and spurred, and rein'd,
Such misery (in your reign) 'falls your friends.
Let go my arms, you dunghills; let me speak.
KING. Where's that knave, Skink? I charge you see him stay'd.
FAU. The swift-heel'd knave is fled;
Body-a-me, here's rule; here's work indeed.
KING. Follow that Skink; let privy search be made;
Let not one pass, except he be well-known;
Let posts be every way sent speedily
For ten miles' compass round about the city.
HEN. Take Gloster to you, Lieutenant of the Tower.
Keep him aside, till we confer awhile.
Father, you must subscribe to his committing.
LAN. Why must he, Henry?
LEI. Marry, for this cause:
He hath broke peace, and violated laws.
GLO. So have you all done, rebels as you be.
FAU. Good words, good brother; hear me, gracious lords.
HEN. I prythee, Fauconbridge, be patient.
Gloster must of force answer this contempt.
KING. I will not yield; he shall unto the Tower,
Warden of th'Fleet, take you the charge of Gloster.
HEN. Why, be it so; yet stay with him awhile,
Till we take order for the company,
That shall attend him, and resort to him.
GLO. Warden of the Fleet, I see I am your charge,
Befriend me thus, lest by their command
I be prevented of what I intend.
KEEP. Command me any service in my power.
GLO. I pray you call some nimble-footed fellow
To do a message for me to my sister.
KEEP. Call in Redcap; he waiteth with a tipstaff,
[_Exit one for him_.
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 assault, you may chance win,
Fair parley at the least may hap pass 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 pass a halfpenny,
For all these rebels and their poor king too.[463]
Laughtst thou, King Henry? Thou know'st my words are true,
God help thee, good old man! adieu, adieu!
JOHN. That castle shall be mine, wherein stands[464] Fauconbridge.
FAU. Far from your reach, sure, under Feckhill-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!
God 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 apron-strings, to be in my cottage again. Princes'
warrants! marry, Skink finds them as sure as an obligation seal'd with
batter. At King's-Bridge I durst not enter a boat. Through London the
stones were fiery. I have had a good cool way through the fields, and
in the highway to Ratcliffe stands a heater. Mile-end's covered with
_who goes there_? 'Tis for me, sure. O Kent, O Kent, I would give my
part of all Christendom[466] to feel thee, as I see thee. If I go
forward, I am stayed; if I go backward, there's a rogue in a red cap,
he's run from St John's after me. I were best stay here, lest if he come
with hue and cry, he stop me yonder. I would slip the collar for fear of
the halter; but here comes my runner, and if he run for me, his race
dies, he is as sure as dead as if a Parliament of devils[467] had
decreed it.
[_Retires_.
SCENE THE SIXTH.
_Enter_ REDCAP.
RED. Ste-Ste-Stepney ch-church yonder; but I have forgot
The La-La-Lady Fau-Fau-Fau--plague on her,
I mu-must b-back to the Fle-Fle-Fleet to kn-kn-know it.
The La- the La-La-Lady Fau--plague on't; G-Gloster
Will go ne-near to st-stab me so for forgetting
My errand, he is such a ma-ma-mad lord, the
La-Lady Fau-Fau-Fau--
SKINK. Help me, device; upon my life, this fool is sent
From Gloster to his sister Marian.
RED. I m-must ne-needs go back, the La-Lady Fau-Fau-Fau--
SKINK. God speed, good fellow.
RED. Go-Go-God sp-sp-speed you, sir.
SKINK. Why runn'st thou from me?
RED. Ma-Marry, sir, I have lo-lost a la-lady's name, and I am running
ba-back to se-se-seek it.
SKINK. What lady? I prythee, stay.
RED. Why, the La-Lady Fau-Fau-Fau--
SKINK. Fauconbridge?
RED. Ay, the s-s-same: farewell. I th-th-thank you h-heartily.
SKINK. If thou would'st speak with her, she is in Kent. I serve her;
what's thy business with my lady?
RED. I sh-sh-should do an errand to her f-f-from my Lord of Gloucester;
but, a-a-and she be in K-Kent, I'll send it by you.
SKINK. Where is my lord?
RED. Marry, p-p-prisoner in the Fl-Fleet, a-a-and w-would have her
speak to P-Prince R-Richard for his re-re-release.
SKINK. I have much business; hold, there's thy fare by water, my Lady
lies this night--
RED. Wh-wh-where, I pray?
SKINK. At Gravesend at the Angel.
RED. 'Tis devilish co-co-cold going by water.
SKINK. Why, there's my cloak and hat to keep thee warm;
Thy cap and jerkin will serve me to ride in
By the way; thou hast wind and tide; take oars;
My lady will reward thee royally.
RED. G-God-a-mercy, f-fa-faith; and ever th-thou co-co-come to the
Fl-Fl-Fleet, I'll give the tu-tu-turning of the ke-key f-for
n-no-nothing.
SKINK. Hie thee; to-morrow morning at Gravesend I'll wash thy stammering
throat with a mug of ale merrily.
RED. God be w-with you till s-soo-soon. What call you the lady? O, now I
re-remember: the La-Lady Fa-Fauconbridge. At what s-sign?
SKINK. At the Angel.
RED. A-Angel, the La-La-Lady Fa-Fa-Fauconbridge, Fa-Fan-Fanconbridge.
SKINK. Farewell and be hang'd, good stammering ninny, I think I have set
your Redcap's heels a-running, would your pianot-chattering humour could
as sa-safely se-set me fr-from the searchers' walks. Yonder comes some
one. 'Hem! Skink, to your tricks this titty titty. Ah, the tongue, I
believe, will fail me.[468]
SCENE THE SEVENTH.
_Enter_ CONSTABLE _and_ WATCH.
CON. Come, make up to this fellow, let th'other go, he seems a gentleman.
[_Exit_ REDCAP _dressed as_ SKINK.]
What are you, sir?
SKINK. Would I had kept my own suit, if the countenance carry it away.
CON. Stand, sirrah, what are you?
SKINK. The po-po-porter's son of the F-Fl-Fleet, going to Stepney about
business to the La-La-Lady Fa-Fa-Fauconbridge.
CON. Well, bring him thither, some two or three of ye, honest
neighbours, and so back to the Fleet; we'll show ourselves diligent
above other officers.
SKINK. Wh-wh-why, le-le-let me run. I am Re-Redcap.
CON. Well, sure you shall now run no faster than I lead you, hear ye,
neighbour Simmes, I leave my staff with ye; be vigilant, I pray you,
search the suspicious houses at the town's end; this Skink's a trouncer.
Come, will you be gone, sir?
SKINK. Yes, sir, and the devil go with you and them,
Well, yet have hope, mad ha-heart; co-co-come your way.
[_Exeunt_.
SCENE THE EIGHTH.
_Enter_ ROBIN HOOD _and_ BLOCK.
BLO. Sweet nobility in reversion, Block, by the commission of his head,
conjures you and withal binds you, by all the tricks that pages pass in
time of Parliament, as swearing to the pantable,[469] crowning with
custards, paper-whiffs to the sleepers' noses, cutting of tags, stealing
of torches, _cum multis aliis_--tell, Block, what block you have cast in
the way of my lady's content!
ROB. Block, by the antiquity of your ancestry, I have given your lady not
so much as the least cause of dislike; if she be displeased at any news
I bring, it's more than I must blab.
BLO. Zounds, these pages be so proud, they care not for an old
servingman; you are a ward and so an earl, and no more: you disquiet our
house--that's the most; and I may be even with thee--that's the least.
_Enter the_ LADY FAUCONBRIDGE.
LADY F. What, Block, what, Block, I say! what do you there?
BLO. Making the young lord merry, madam.
LADY F. Go, attend the gate;
See if you can let in more grief thereat.
BLO. Zounds, and grief come in there; and I see
Him once, I'll conjure his gaberdine. [_Aside_.
LADY F. Will you be gone, sir?
BLO. Hem! these women, these women!
And she be not in love either with Prince Richard or this lad, let
Block's head be made a chopping-block.
[_Exit BLOCK_.
ROB. Fair madam, what reply you to my suit?
The prince expects[470] smiles, welcomes, loving looks.
LADY F. The prince, if he give heed to Marian's suit,
Must hear heart-sighs, see sorrow in my eyes,
And find cold welcome to calamities.
ROB. And why, for God's sake?
LADY F. Even for Gloster's sake.
ROB. Why, by mine honour, and Prince Richard saith,
Your brother Gloster shall have liberty,
Upon condition you release a prisoner,
That you have long held in captivity.
LADY F. I have no prisoner.
ROB. Yes, a world of eyes
Your beauty in a willing bondage ties.
LADY F. Go to, you are dispos'd to jest, my lord.
ROB. In earnest, I must be an earnest suitor
To you for love; yet you must be my tutor.
LADY F. Are you in love?
ROB. I dearly love Prince Richard.
LADY F. Then do you love the loveliest man alive,
The princeliest person of King Henry's sons.
ROB. I like this well. [_Aside_.
LADY F. He is virtuous in his mind, his body fair;
His deeds are just, his speeches debonair.
ROB. Better and better still. [_Aside_.
LADY F. Indeed he is, what nobody can deny,
All lovely, beauty all, all majesty.
ROB. I'll tell his excellence what you report;
No doubt he will be very thankful for't.
LADY F. Nay, hear you, young lord! [for] God's pity, stay.
ROB. What, have you more in Richard's praise to say?
LADY F. I have said too much, if you misconstrue me.
Duty bids praise him, not unchastity.
ROB. Unchastity? holy heavens forfend it,
That he or I, or you should once intend it!
SCENE THE NINTH.
_Enter_ BLOCK _and_ RICHARD.
BLO. They are there, sir, close at it, I leave
you, sir; the more room the less company.
RICH. Drink that; farewell. [_Gives him money_.
BLO. If that Sir Richard comes; this ties, this binds;
O gold, thy power converteth servants' minds.
[_Exit_.
RICH. How now, fair madam, who hath anger'd you?
LADY F. Grief at my brother's durance angers me.
RICH. I had thought my ward, young Huntington, had vex'd you.
LADY F. Who? he? alas, good gentleman, he wrong'd me not;
No matter, for all this I'll tell your tale.
_A noise within, enter_ SKINK, BLOCK, CONSTABLE.
BLO. Sir, there comes no more of you in with him than the constable.
Zounds, here's a beadroll of bills at the gate indeed; back, ye base!
LADY F. Now, sirrah, what's the matter?
BLO. Marry, here's a stammerer taken clipping the king's English, and
the constable and his watch hath brought him to you to be examin'd.
CON. No, madam, we are commanded by the king to watch; and meeting this
fellow at Mile-end, he tells us he is the porter's son of the Fleet,
[and] that the Earl of Gloster sent him to you.
SKINK. Ay, f-forsooth he desire[d] you to speak to the p-prince for him.
LADY F. O, I conceive thee; bid him blithely fare,
Bear him this ring in token of my care.
SKINK. If I be rid of this evil angel that haunts me, many rings, much
Fleet, will Skink come unto. [_Aside_.
CON. Madam, if you know this fellow, we'll discharge him.
BLO. Madam, and you be wise, trust your honest neighbours here;
let them bring this ca-ca-ca-ca-to the Fleet, and s-see your ring
delivered.
SKINK. A plague upon you for a damned rogue!
The porter of the Fleet will surely know me. [_Aside_.
LADY F. Good neighbours, bring this honest fellow thither;
There's for his pains a crown, if he say true,
And for your labour there's as much for you.
SKINK. Why, ma-ma-madam, I am Re-Re-Redcap, the porter's son.
LADY F. Thou hast no wrong in this; farewell, good fellow.
SKINK. Best speaking to Prince Richard? no, I'll try
And face out Redcap, if the slave were by.
LADY F. Make them drink, Block.
BLO. Come to the buttery-bar, stitty-stitty stammerer; come, honest
Constable, hey! the watch of our town; we'll drink, try-lill, i'faith.
SCENE THE TENTH.
_As they go out, enters_ SIR RICHARD FAUCONBRIDGE,
_stealing forward_, PRINCE _and_ LADY _talking_.[471]
ROB. _Lupus in fabula_, my noble Lord;
See the old fox, Sir Richard Fauconbridge.
RICH. We'll fit him well enough; second us, Robin.
LADY F. I'll fit you well enough for all your hope.
[FAUC. _beckons to_ BLOCK.
FAU. Leave quaffing, sirrah, listen to their talk.
BLO. O, while you live, beware, two are sooner seen than one; besides,
bear a brain, master, if Block should be now spied, my madam would not
trust this sconce neither in time nor tide.
FAU. Well, leave me, now it buds; see, see, they kiss.
BLO. Adieu, good old sinner, you may recover it with a sallet of
parsley and the herb patience; if not, sir, you know the worst.
It's but even this.
RICH. Madam, what you desire, I not deny,
But promise Gloster life and liberty.
I beg but love.
FAU. When doth she give her alms? [_Aside_.
LADY F. Fair, honourable prince.
FAU. Nay, then, they speed. [_Aside_.
LADY F. My soul hath your deserts in good esteem.
FAU. Witness these goodly tines[472], that grace my head. [_Aside_.
LADY F. But were you the sole monarch of the earth,
Your power were insufficient to invade
My never-yielding heart of chastity.
FAU. Sayst thou so, Mall? I promise thee for this,
I'll owe thy cherry lips an old man's kiss;
Look, how my cockerell droops; 'tis no matter,
I like it best, when women will not flatter. [_Aside_.
RICH. Nay, but sweet lady--
ROB. Nay, but gracious lord,
Do not so much forget your princely worth
As to tempt[473] virtue t' unchastity.
FAU. O noble youth! [_Aside_.
ROB. Let not the lady's dead grief for her brother
Give life to shameless and detested sin.
FAU. Sweet child. [_Aside_.
ROB. Consider that she is of high descent.
FAU. Most virtuous earl. [_Aside_.
ROB. Wife to the noblest knight that ever breath'd.
FAU. Now, blessing on thee, blessed Huntington! [_Aside_.
ROB. And would you then first stain your princely stock,
Wrong beauty, virtue, honour, chastity,
And blemish Fauconbridge's untainted arms?
FAU. By adding horns unto our falcon's head?
Well thought on, noble youth: 'twas well put in. [_Aside_.
LADY F. Besides, my gracious lord,--
FAU. Tickle him, Mall,
Plague him on that side for his hot desire.
LADY F.--however secretly great princes sin.
FAU. O, now the spring! she'll do it secretly. [_Aside_.
LADY F. The King of all hearts will have all sins known.
FAU. Ah, then she yields not! [_Aside_.
RICH. Lady, here's my hand.
I did but try your honourable faith.
FAU. He did but try her! would she have been tried,
It had gone hard on this and on this side. [_Aside_.
RICH. And since I see your virtue so confirm'd,
As vice can have no entrance in your heart,
I vow, in sight of heaven, never again,
To move like question but for love.
FAU. My heart is eased; hold, Block, take up my cloak.
BLO. And your cap, too, sir?[474]
[_Sir_ RICH. FAUC. _comes forward_.
RICH. Sir Richard!
FAU. What, sweet Prince, welcome, i'faith,
I see youth quickly gets the start of age;
But welcome, welcome; and, young Huntington,
Sweet Robin Hood, honour's best flow'ring bloom,
Welcome to Fauconbridge with all my heart!
How cheers my love, how fares my Marian, ha?
Be merry, chuck, and, Prince Richard, welcome.
Let it go, Mall; I know thy grievances.
Away, away; tut, let it pass, sweet girl.
We needs must have his help about the earls. [_Aside_.
LADY F. Let it not be delay'd, dear Fauconbridge.
RICH. Sir Richard, first make suit unto my father,
I'll follow you to Court, and second you.
FAU. Follow to court, ha? then I smell a rat,
It's probable he'll have a bout again;
Long siege makes entrance to the strongest fort.
It must not be; I must not leave him here. [_Aside_.
Prince Richard, if you love my brother's good,
Let's ride back to the court: I'll wait on you.
RICH. He's jealous; but I must observe the time. [_Aside_.
We'll ride unto the court; I'll leave my boy
Till we return; are you agreed to this?
FAU. O, ay, he is an honourable youth,
Virtuous and modest, Huntington's right heir,
His father Gilbert was the smoothest-fac'd lord
That e'er bare arms in England or in France.
RICH. Solicit,[475] Robin: Lady, give good ear,
And of your brother's freedom never fear. [_Aside_.
FAU. Marian, farewell; where's Block? open the gate;
Come, Prince, God send us to prove fortunate.
[_Exeunt_.
LADY F. Why do you stay,[476] sir?
ROB. Madam, as a lieger to solicit for your absent love.
LADY F. Walk in the garden; I will follow you,
I'faith, i'faith, you are a noble wag.
ROB. An honourable wag and waggish earl,
Even what you will, sweet lady, I must bear,
Hoping of patience profit will ensue,
That you will bear the Prince as I bear you.
LADY F. Well said, well said, I'll have these toys amended,
Go, will you walk into the garden, sir?
ROB. But will you promise me to bring no maids,
To set upon my little manship there?
You threat'ned whipping, and I am in fear.
LADY F. Upon my word, I'll bring none but myself.
ROB. You see I am weapon'd, do not, I beseech thee.[477]
I'll stab them, come there twenty, ere they breech me.
[_Exit_.
LADY F. This youth and Richard think me easily won;
But Marian rather will embrace
The bony carcase of dismaying death,
Than prove unchaste to noble Fauconbridge.
Richard,[478] King Henry's son, is light,
Wanton, and loves not humble modesty,
Which makes me (much contrary to my thoughts)
Flatter his humour for my brother's safety,
But I protest I'll dwell among the dead,
Ere I pollute my sacred nuptial bed.
[_Exit_.
SCENE THE ELEVENTH.
_Enter_ GLOSTER _in his gown, calling_.
GLO. Porter, what, porter, where's this drowsy ass?
_Enter_ PORTER.
POR. Who calls? my Lord of Gloucester all alone?
GLO. Alone, and have your wisdom's company!
Pray, where's the stammering chatterer, your son?
He's ever running; but he makes small haste.
I'll bring his lither legs in better frame,
And if he serve me thus another time--
[_Knock within_.
Hark, sir, your clients knock; and't be your pye,
Let him[479] vouchsafe to chatter us some news,
Tell him we dance attendance in our chamber.
[_Exit_ PORTER.
This John and Henry are so full of hate,
That they will have my head by some device,
Gloster hath plotted means for an escape,
And if it fadge,[480] why so; if not, then well.
The way to heaven is death, this life's a hell.
SCENE THE TWELFTH.
_Enter_ PORTER _and_ SKINK.
POR. Why should the watchman come along with thee?
SKINK. There's such, a que-question for yon s-same r-rogue; Skink,
p-plague keep [me] far enough from him, that a-an-honest f-fellow
ca-can-not w-w-walk the streets.
POR. Well, sir, dispatch your business with the earl;
He's angry at your stay, I tell ye that.
[_Exit_.
SKINK. 'Sblood, what a frown this Gloster casts at me;
I hope he means to lend me no more cuffs,
Such as he paid me at the Parliament. [_Aside_.
GLO. What mutter you? what tidings from my sister?
SKINK. Co-commendations, and s-she hath s-sent ye this r-ring.
GLO. Hold, there's two angels; shut the chamber-door,
You must about some business for me straight;
Come nearer, man.
SKINK. I fear I am too near. [_Aside_.
GLO. Hast thou no tidings for my liberty?
SKINK. No, b-but ye sh-shall he-hear f-from her p-p-presently.
GLO. And p-presently, sir, off with your coat.
Nay, quick, uncase, I am bold to borrow it,
I'll leave my gown; change is no robbery.
Stutterer, it's so, ne'er flinch, ye cannot pass:
Cry, and by heaven I'll cut thy coward's throat,
Quickly cashier yourself: you see me stay.
SKINK. N-n-nay, b-b-but wh-wh-what m-mean ye?
GLO. To 'scape, I hope, sir, with your privilege--
[_He takes his coat off_.
How now, who's this? my fine familiar Skink,
Queen Beldam's minion?
SKINK. Zounds, ye see 'tis I.
GLO. Time sorts not now to know these mysteries.
How thou cam'st by this ring, or stol'st this coat,
They are mine now in possession, for which kindness,
If I escape, I'll get thee liberty,
Or fire the Fleet about the warden's ears.
Mumbudget, not a word, as thou lovest thy life.
SKINK. Ay mum, mum fair, pray God may chance it,
My lord, but that my case is desperate,
I'd see your eyes out, ere I would be cheated.